Game's Up

Something was afoot in Nottingham Castle. Sir William had returned the night before after six days away searching for Roana; it didn't go unnoticed that he was empty-handed and in a vile mood. Since then, he and the Sheriff had been ensconced in Vaisey's chambers, and not even Gisborne had been included in their secret conversations.

"Apparently, Roana was nowhere to be found," he explained to Marian, somewhat sour-faced. "She never returned to Filey, according to her aunt and uncle, and there has been no sign of her anywhere."

Marian, who knew the truth, affected worry and suggested that she may have been accosted on the road home, which resulted in her disappearance. Gisborne remained unconvinced, yet never once mentioned Allan.

Marian was curious to know what was being discussed in the Sheriff's chambers, and, on that particular Saturday morning, found herself wandering past, slowly, hoping to catch a hint of the goings on. As she slowed down on approach, Vaisey's door opened abruptly and a guard stepped from within, accompanied by a young woman.

Taking in the woman's appearance with a quick sweep of her eyes, Marian was surprised to recognise Sarah, a barmaid from Edwinstowe, known for her loose ways. Although they had never spoken, Marian knew of her; it was difficult not to, with her reputation. She had made a play for Robin on a number of occasions, a fact that he had relayed to Marian wryly in an attempt to convince her of his faithfulness to only her.

At the sight of Marian, the barmaid's green eyes widened, and she flushed pink. She lowered her head and made to brush past, but Marian put a hand on her arm.

"Sarah. What are you doing here?"

The woman looked shamefaced, and Marian's gaze dropped to the coin purse grasped tightly in her hands. She looked back up at Sarah's face but the barmaid avoided her eyes, and the guard took her other arm, nodding at Marian.

"My lady." He tugged at Sarah's arm. "Come on, you."

Marian dropped her hand and watched at the woman scurried away. A feeling of dread settled in the bottom of her stomach. She didn't believe that Vaisey would pay for the services of a lowly village barmaid; he wouldn't pay anyone for such ministrations when he could get them for free. Which posed the question, why had the young woman been at the castle in the first place, in exchange for coin?

What secrets had Sarah been selling to the Sheriff?

As Marian made to head back the way she had come, the Sheriff appeared in the chamber doorway.

"Ah, Marian," Vaisey said, spotting her. "Is Gisborne around?"

"Not that I know of, my Lord," she replied, moving closer as curiosity overcame her. "Is everything alright?"

He grinned, widely, showing off the missing tooth he had lost during battle with Robin. "Yes, it is. It would appear that we have found Lady Roana."

Marian's stomach plummeted. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I have it on good authority that she was seen in Edwinstowe yesterday, along with one of Hood's men. And it didn't look like she was a prisoner."

Intense heat and life in the forest were never the greatest of companions, and the outlaws were sweltering amidst an unexpected heatwave. Energy levels were low and the gang lolled around the camp and the nearby spring pool, trying to cool down.

Keen to escape the oppressing torridity, Roana opted to tag along with Allan to deliver food parcels to the hidden village, Second Chance. She figured movement would prevent her from melting into a heap on her bed, but the heat of the day followed them, cloaking them in thick, syrupy sultriness. Even after shedding her cape and swapping her tunic for the bodice from her dress, tucked into her trousers, she was far too hot, and attempted to fan herself with a bunch of oak leaves.

Allan, on the other hand, took it in his stride, and seemed to relish the high temperature. He was in high spirits, and regaled her with stories as they walked, sticking to the shade of the trees.

Once she had managed to conquer the nerves caused by her crush, Roana found Allan to be a surprisingly eloquent conversationalist, and they had become good friends. He was attentive, observant, and really quite sweet underneath his sarcastic persona. Roana was aware that he didn't reveal the hidden facets of his character to just anyone, and she treasured the opportunity to get to know the other side of him. There were frequently times when she sensed an attraction bubbling between them, but it had never progressed beyond occasional, intense eye contact and the odd flirtatious comment, and Roana didn't know if she was fine with that or not. Although, by rights, she was still officially betrothed to William, and that did present an obstacle.

Reaching Second Chance, they found the atmosphere in the hidden village to be relaxed and light-hearted, despite the intense heat. The settlement may have been basic but it did not impede the rescued families happiness on that early summers day.

"I feel quite envious," Roana commented, once they were on their way back to camp. "They don't seem to have a care in the world."

Allan shrugged. "Maybe not right now," he said, pensively. "But I'm guessing things'll change if the Sheriff ever catches up with them."

Roana glanced at him, appreciatively. "That's very true."

They walked in companionable silence for a short while. The humidity had begun to lift a little, and a light breeze played through Roana's hair. She sighed, relishing it.

Allan looked over at her. "Are you worried that Bridlington will find you?"

"I worry about many things," Roana replied, frankly. "I don't want to marry him. But we are still betrothed, and, at some point, I'll need to face him so I can tell him that it's off. Until then, well— as far as he is concerned, I'm still his wife-to-be."

Allan looked irritated as he considered this. "Doesn't it annoy you, having to be paired off with the likes of him just because you're a noblewoman?"

Roana turned to stare at him in astonishment. "Nobody has ever asked me that before, Allan. And, yes. Yes, it does annoy me. I really don't like William. I think he's an insufferable bore, yet he's seen as a match for me because of our social standing. It's ridiculous and outdated. I hate the fact that, as a woman, I have so little say in my own future. And I hate that I have to marry someone that I don't love because that's what society expects of me. I'd rather live out the rest of my days in the forest if that is what life has in store for me."

Allan listened with interest to her impassioned speech, watching the way her eyes flashed with emotion. He had never really thought about women's rights and the imbalanced way they were treated in society; he had been raised to view females as the weaker sex in every way. But Roana's predicament was opening his eyes to the unjust expectations that were forced upon women. Roana in particular. For reasons of his own, he didn't want her to marry Bridlington, but the very fact that she was of noble blood prevented him from making a play for her himself.

For probably the first time in his life, Allan doubted himself. He could see Roana's worth, and he worried that he would not be good enough for her. He was developing deep feelings for her, but was reluctant to take things any further as he didn't want to lose face. He wasn't sure how he would deal with the rejection if she turned him down. At times, he was almost certain that she felt the same way about him as he did about her, but he was used to women who were obvious in their approach. Roana was different. She was refined and innocent in ways that drove him wild with suppressed desire, but he didn't want to jeopardise their friendship in any way. He wasn't really sure what to do.

As they neared the camp, there came the sound of galloping hooves from the direction of the Great North Road, heading straight for them. They exchanged looks of alarm before Allan grabbed her hand and pulled her behind a bush, putting a finger to his lips as they hunkered down. The rider flew into view; it was Marian atop a dark brown horse, and she began to call for Robin as they skidded to a halt.

Robin and Much appeared almost immediately, running from the direction of the camp, and Roana and Allan emerged from behind the bush to greet them, earning a strange look from Much. It would have been an amusing moment if Marian had not been out of breath, the expression on her face one of urgency and worry.

"The Sheriff and Bridlington know that Roana is here," she said, quickly, glancing at them all one-by-one. "They are on their way to find her."

"What?" Robin exclaimed, angrily. "How?"

Marian looked at Roana and Allan. "Sarah from Edwinstowe. Apparently, she saw you both together yesterday. She delivered the information to the Sheriff this morning and was paid well for her efforts."

Allan cursed, voraciously, and glanced at Roana, apologetically. "It's true. She saw us together. She must have asked around to find out who you were."

Roana was bewildered. "I don't understand. Who is she, and why would she give me up?"

Allan looked shamefaced. "We have history. Yesterday, I turned her down." He shrugged, helplessly.

Much tutted and glared at him, shaking his head, but Roana nodded in acceptance. Robin looked at Marian.

"They are on their way now?"

"Yes," Marian replied. "They are coming along the farmers track that leads to Nettlestone." She wheeled her horse around. "I can't stay. I shouldn't even be here." She shot Roana an apologetic glance. "Good luck."

With that, she was gone, heading back to the castle in a flurry of hooves. Robin watched her go, then turned back to them, his expression furious.

"Look, I'm sorry. It's my fault.." Allan began, but Roana cut him short, placing a hand on his arm.

"It's fine, Allan. It's nobody's fault." She looked to Robin. "It was bound to happen sooner or later. We always knew I'd have to go back at some point. It's time to put an end to this. I have to speak to William."