Chapter 17

Dover – 2 weeks later

"Thank you very much." Carter said shaking hands with the captain.

"Your welcome, Robin of Locksley is a good friend of mine. You look after that girl." The Captain said indicating to Marian who was already purchasing horses for their journey north. "She's keen to get back." He laughed.

"She's been a nightmare." Carter laughed. "Thank you again. Safe journey my friend."

"You too. Good luck." The Captain said and returned to his crew who was unpacking the ship.

"Ready?" Marian asked bringing the horse to Carter.

"Ready." Carter smiled.

"Thank you." Marian called to the captain. He smiled and waved to her.

"So where to Marian?" Carter asked.

"London."
"You still want to carry out the plan now we are here?"

"More than ever."

"Well London it is."

"Let's go." Marian smiled.

Sherwood

Robin had risen early from bed and was stalking through the forest trying to find something for breakfast. He had been feeling better since Isabella had arrived in Nottingham, she was Gisborne's sister, but there was something about her. She was beautiful, very much like Marian. Robin couldn't seem to get her out of his mind, she didn't appear to be like her brother, and after all she had helped saved all their lives. He heard leaves rustling around him, he quietly picked an arrow from his quiver and placed it in his bow. A pig ran across the track in front of him and he quickly pulled the string and released the arrow, piercing the pig's heart killing it instantly. Robin tied to pig together and heaved it over his shoulder. He began to walk back through the forest when he heard horse's hooves. He dropped the pig and ran up the bank to see who was approaching. Isabella. He drew an arrow from his quiver and fired it through the air so it planted in a tree just before her horse. The horse reared and Isabella quickly fell off. Robin rushed down the bank, unused to women falling off horses so easily. He grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. "I'm sorry, I did not know you would become unseated." He apologised.

"Do you make a habit of firing arrows at innocent women?" She scolded slightly angry that he had had caused her to fall from her horse. Then she realised she could use this to her advantage.

"You'd be surprised." He smirked. "Are you alright?" Isabella saw her chance.

"Yes, yes I think so. Just a little shaken."

"I really am sorry." Robin said.

"I take it you haven't had many dealings with women lately." Isabella smiled alluringly. Robin darkened slightly but soon recovered.

"No it's been a while."

"Well you are certainly a little rusty."

"Well my apologies."

"So where is your gang?" Isabella asked.

"Back at the camp. Now tell me, what is Gisborne's sister doing riding through the forest on her own at this time in the morning?"
"Getting some air. The castle is stifling." Isabella gasped and there it was he was no longer talking to Isabella but Marian was stood before him. The day she had come to him after their engagement saying how she hated the castle and wished she was back with him. He wiped the memory from his mind and returned to the present day.

"Well I'm sorry to hear that. A friend of mine once said the same."

"I take it this friend, was also female."

"Goodbye Isabella." Robin did not wish to speak of her today.

"Goodbye Robin."

Robin walked back into the forest, as Isabella stared hungrily at him. It was obvious this friend was not a friend, she was a lot more.
"So where is this young lady now?" Isabella whispered. She mounted her horse when Robin was gone and headed back to Nottingham.