Chapter 3

Nottingham – Sherwood Forest – April 1195

Robin was sprinting through the forest as fast as he could, he was so close to Locksley, he could taste it. Gisborne.

"ROBIN STOP." John shouted trying to keep up with him.

"Come on Robin." Allan shouted through heavy breathes. Robin finally stopped fed up with his gang.

"Robin do not do this." John gasped slamming his staff into the ground.

"Give me that staff." Robin said and snatched it from John before planting a swift uppercut with it straight to Johns chin.

"Hey, Hey." Allan shouted having seen John fall to the floor.

"Robin," Much gasped.

"I said, stop holding me back." Robin shouted angrily pointing the staff into Allan and Much's faces.

"You can't do this alone." Allan said walking towards him. Robin pushed his back swiftly.
"And what are you going to do huh? Rat me out."

"That's a bit harsh."

"Once a traitor always a traitor."

"That's not fair." Much rushed to Allan's defence.

"You. Shut up. You leech. Your pathetic all of you." Robin shouted consumed by grief.

"You're tired Robin, We've been travelling for months." Allan said walking towards Robin again.
"And I've had time to think and I've made up my mind, I don't need you anymore. Any of you." Robin said.

"You don't mean that. This is not you." Much gasped.

"Much, Its over!" Robin shouted. "Robin Hood is dead. He died in the holy land, with Marian. Now all I have left is vengeance."

"Then let us come with you." Much grabbed hold of his friend. Robin had had enough, he planted a punch to Much's face and then drew his sword pointing it towards his gang.

"Stop holding me back. Stop following me, it's between me and Gisborne now. Gisborne dies today." Robin picked up this things and took off running towards Locksley.

Locksley

Adam ran into Locksley, having just seen Gisborne throw Robin off the cliff, he ran to the church.

"BROTHER WILLIAM." Adam shouted running into the church.
"Adam. What is it?" Brother William ran from the alter towards the young man.

"Brother, it is Robin, Gisborne has thrown him of the cliff and they have taken Much."

"They are back?"

"Yes they just arrived and Gisborne and Robin were fighting, I think Gisborne killed Marian, Robin's hit his head and Gisborne through him over the cliff." Adam words came out so fast he couldn't believe what was happening. Brother William nodded just about keeping up with him.

"Come on, lets get to the river we will search it for his body.

Nottingham castle

"This doesn't feel right." Allan said leading the way through the castle, he had learnt every tunnel during his time as Gisborne's man. "I don't believe he's dead."

"We need to focus on getting Much." John said. Allan nodded and they arrived at the dungeons. The walked silently down the stairs and into the cells.

"John, Allan." Much gasped from where he was hanging from his wrists against a metal cross

"It's ok mate, we are going to get you out." Allan said picking his shackles.

"Yes but who is going to get you out?" The sheriff with a small army of guards emerged behind them. "Arrest them, lock them up. We can execute them tomorrow!" The sheriff danced excitedly, "Ohhh this is good. We've killed hood and now we can kill his friends. Good job we already got rid of the leper."

"Marian." Much growled angry. "Her name was Marian."

"Well la de dar de dar. Doesn't matter what her name is she's 6 feet under now. Lock them up." The Sheriff ordered, then turned and walked away. The guards grabbed hold of the gang and threw them into a cell.

Sherwood Forest

"Adam, Adam!" Brother William shouted. He had spotted Robin's body leaned over a branch. Adam jumped into the water and grabbed hold of his body and pulled him to the river bank. William grabbed Robin and pulled him from the water. "I do not believe it." William gasped.

"What?" Adam asked.

"He is breathing. Quickly go to Nottingham, fetch me some cloth and blankets, I have medicine. I will take him to the cave just up there. Hurry Adam he needs to get warm." William said pushing the boy to his feet.

The Cave

William had lit a fire and was trying to warm Robin. Adam came stumbling into the cave arms full with blankets and clothes.

"Here," He said putting them down on the floor.

"Well done Adam." Brother William said as he wrapped more blankets around Robin. Adam looked concerned. "What is it?"

"His gang brother. They have been captured, they are to be executed tomorrow at Noon."

"Then we need to wake this young man up." Brother William replied with force.