*****Kristen thanks for your review. I agree with you on my ending so I changed the end. Hope the new one is as good as the old one******

I realize that I changed the entire story from what I had before. Hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: the author doesn't own the characters

No longer a princess

Gwen sat on the bench looking up at the stars. She missed Philip but knew that in three days, she would be able to see him again. For the last three years she and her father, Robin Hood, had been in France. Today they would return to Nottingham and then to the palace in London. She could barely sit still.

"What's bothering you child?" William asked, sitting next to her. William was her father's best friend and on all the trips Robin Hood took, William came too.

"Philip" she answered plainly. But William could tell she would hiding emotions behind her words. For three years they have been apart and though Gwen lived each day fully, she always seemed distant. "I don't want to be a spinster when I become too old to ride and fight, but I can't give up on him." Now he understood. She wanted to marry, to have a family, to teach her children and have them ride with her like she rides with her father, but Philip is the king. The two of them had long before resolved that their relationship will go no farther than friendship. Meaning, she would marry someone else.

"Gwen, you should talk to your father about this." William finally said gently. She nodded.

The next day the group arrived at Nottingham. They were greeted by many villagers. Since Prince John was captured and stripped of his title, the area has become more peaceful. Gwen found no comfort in her home, instead she wished that life wasn't so complicated. Many of the friends she grew up with, girls and boys, have married and some already have babies. All of them looked so happy and their lives seemed complete in a way Gwen's life wasn't. That night she met with her father and spoke to him about her problem.

"Gwen, my dear, I don't know what to say. I also would love to have grandchildren and a big family. You and Philip are meant for each other. Your mother was a noble and I was only a commoner, but we managed to find love. Titles mean nothing. You have to abilities to be a great queen and a great mother." her father finally said after Gwen told him everything. "But follow your heart."

The next day passed peacefully. Edward showed up that day. He had also been out of the country in France, though a different part. Together the old friends shared many memories and spoke together the entire evening. She found out that Edward was going to be married to a Frenchwoman in the spring and had returned to tell the town. Even Edward found someone that he could share a life with, but not she, she couldn't share a life with Philip. Everywhere she looked she saw married people, it consumed her mind until everything she thought about lead back to Philip. When the third day came, the day she was to meet him again, she was shaking. In her heart she longed to see him, but her mind knew that when she did, she could never go away again.

"....and I present the King of England, His royal Majesty, KING PHILIP." the announcer called over the thunder of applause. It seemed that in the last three years, with Gwen gone, the girls of the country have been swarming over Philip. At this dinner, many young maidens attended. All batting their eyes at the king and flitting with him when given the chance. He sat at the head of the table, of course, with Gwen's father on the right, and Gwen next to her father. So far, she was lucky and had been able to avoid looking at him, though it became harder and harder as she heard his voice more. When she thought that she was going to burst, the musicians started to play music and couples went on the floor to dance. Finally she couldn't stand it anymore. She walked over to his chair and was about to ask him to dance when she noticed he wasn't there. She frantically looked around the room, making sure he wasn't dancing with someone when she noticed someone leaving the room.

Quickly she walked out of the dining hall, unnoticed by all but her father, who hid his smile under his hand. She followed the person in front of her, half convinced it was Philip and half thinking she was mentally insane, not noticing she was following him down many stairs. Finally, the figure turned a corner and as she followed someone grabbed her arms and slammed her against the wall.

"Well, if it isn't the princess of thieves. I wonder what she's doing here." the man who grabbed her sneered. As he dragged her into the torchlight she saw that he wasn't Philip. She wasn't sure who he was, only knowing from his voice that he wasn't going to be nice and let her go. Instead he half dragged her into a small room far below the earth. Normally she would be fighting him, but the effect the food at the dinning hall was making her unusually tired.

The room was dry and surprisingly well light and comfortable. Many torches hung on the walls and the room was filled like a common room would be, with chairs and mats. It seemed like a place a group of people would meet in. When Gwen realized this her heart sank. First Philip was gone and now she's in a room where a gang meets. The man who brought her here was leaning against the opposite wall studying her. He looked young and resembled the boys that some of the girls in her town/village would flirt with.

"The door's open." She said plainly, trying to stay wake.

"I know. But you aren't going to leave yet." He answered just as plainly, sounding very different than before.

"You act as if you have known me for years." She replied defensively. How could a boy she never saw before know how she would act.

"Perhaps I have. The Dark Riders know much about you and your father." He retorted walking closer to her. She become aware that she no longer felt tired. Instead she felt ready to fight as adrenaline reached through her. The Dark Riders, they are the largest and strongest undercover group in Europe. What are they doing in England? I heard most of their jobs were in Spain. She mused. Even Father hasn't been able to track even ONE of their people. I can't believe I have one of them in front of me. If I could over power him...... and her thoughts ended as she fell onto the ground. The sleeping drought put into her soup had taken affect. Just as she was going to hit the ground, the young man caught her and placed her on one of the seats.

"Buen* trabajo* " a voice hissed as a black cloaked human walked into the room.

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* Good job* Spanish- I think that's right. I'm not really good at Spanish.

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