DESPERATELY SEEKING VAISEY
"I'm not being funny but this is too much now; it's too much. I'm tired of it. I'm a married man now, about to be a father, yet here I am, running around this castle, trying to find my wife. I can't do this anymore. I'm not getting any younger, and I can't spend any more of my time fearing for mine and Roana's life! Once I find my wife, I don't care what she says - I'm putting my foot down. That's it. No more outlawing."
Allan muttered to himself as he hurried along the dimly-lit castle corridor, unable to prevent his frustrations from emitting forth now that he was alone. He'd always found it easier to express his deepest thoughts and feelings vocally when in private, although Roana's presence in his life was slowly encouraging him to open up. Up until meeting her, however, his habit had been to bury the bigger issues and attempt to ignore them, at least while in company. Talking things through with himself had always helped to alleviate his mind, while saving him the embarrassment of baring his soul before another person. It was very rare that he took anyone into his confidence, yet Roana was slowly but surely changing that. He greatly valued her opinion and trusted her implicitly; however, she wasn't available for counsel at that moment, and it was this very issue that he felt the need to express.
Allan sighed, impatiently. His blood was boiling at the whole predicament, and he wasn't sure who he was annoyed at the most - Guy for allowing himself to get captured, the Sheriff for defying the will of the king, Roana for leaving him again to put herself in danger by rescuing Gisborne, or Allan himself for not being the type of husband whose wife obeyed him.
Allan checked himself, rubbing his nose ruefully. Of course he wasn't annoyed at Roana. Her courage and independence were the things he loved the most about her. Yes, part of him wished that she would stay out of trouble, if not for her own personal well-being then for his peace of mind. Being in love was the most wonderful feeling in the entire world, but it was also the most frightening. He wished he could protect Roana from everything, including herself at times, but she wasn't the type of woman to be controlled, and he wasn't sure that he wanted to. And this both thrilled and scared him in equal measures. He was proud of her in so many ways, but the thought of losing her filled him with such dread. Once he got her back - and he would - he was intending to assert his authority. They'd been pardoned by the king. The Sheriff was almost defeated. There was absolutely no reason why they couldn't settle down to married life without having to tear around the world, rescuing everybody else.
Allan sniffed and tugged on his beard. He knew that the rest of the gang would think him selfish for wanting to take a step back and concentrate on his own life with Roana. He'd always had a well-developed desire for self-preservation; it came with the territory after the childhood he'd had. But he wasn't thinking of only himself these days. He was thinking of his pregnant wife, and his impending family. If a touch of selfishness wasn't justified on this occasion, then he really didn't know what was. He was putting Roana and the baby first, but obviously he came a very close second as he had to be around to look after them. That went without saying.
Allan had always craved an easier life than the one he had been born into, but events had constantly transpired to create dishonesty and complications. After years of lying and tricking and thieving his way throughout the south of England, joining an outlaw gang in the Midlands had been the last thing in his mind. But Robin had saved his life, and Allan had stayed in Sherwood out of a sense of duty, and because he enjoyed being part of the gang. And he didn't regret a thing. He had grown in so many different ways since arriving in Nottinghamshire, and he was finally at a point where he could admit to being proud of the person he had become. The life he had always desired was now within his grasp, and he couldn't wait to settle down with Roana and start their family in the right way.
But first of all, he had to find her.
Pausing, Allan listened carefully while taking the opportunity to catch his breath. After leaving the battle with the guards, he had run full pelt to the dungeons, suspecting the Sheriff may have imprisoned Roana and his mother within. Discovering with relief that they weren't there, he had then sprinted after the Sheriff and Marian, hoping that Vaisey would lead him to his wife. But the Sheriff and his hostage had already disappeared, lost to the catacombs of the citadel.
The corridor stretched before him, dimly-lit by candles in sconces on the walls, and devoid of human life. Allan scratched his head. If the Sheriff and his guards, along with an obstinate and very vocal Marian, were still on this corridor, then Allan would surely be able to hear them. But his surroundings were silent, which suggested to Allan that they had turned off somewhere.
He began to jog again. When he had worked in the castle all those months ago, under the guise of Guy's right-hand man, while in fact spying for Robin and keeping an eye on Roana, Allan had made a point of exploring each and every corner of the keep so that he knew every way in and every escape route. He was therefore well acquainted with the little-used tower room on the west-side, which had been the perfect hideaway for someone who desired a sneaky nap without being discovered.
Hearing sudden hurried footsteps approaching behind him, Allan's heart leapt into his throat and he glanced back quickly, preparing to flee.
"Allan! Wait up!" came the hushed command, and he relaxed and slowed, recognising Robin's voice.
Peyton reached him first, the taller man looking visibly harried yet no less handsome, which irked Allan a little.
"I need to find your mother," he said, his tone preoccupied, and Allan nodded in wry agreement.
"Don't we all, mate." He looked past Dulcina's assistant to Robin and Much. "Robin, I think they might be in the tower room. It's hidden away, and seems like the ideal place to hold somebody against their will."
Robin nodded, grimly. "You think that might be where Vaisey has taken Marian?"
Allan shrugged. "I can't say for certain. But it's worth a try, and Roana and Ma are not in the dungeons. The Sheriff is holding them somewhere; either that or they're hiding up there."
"But what if they aren't there? We might waste precious time on a fruitless search! The Sheriff could very well get away with Marian," Much said, his voice strident in the quiet corridor.
"He won't get very far," Robin replied. "The king has probably taken control of the entire town by now. The Sheriff is still in the castle somewhere, and so are Marian, Roana, and Dulcina." He looked at Allan. "Lead the way."
Allan set off, feeling somehow revitalised and filled with importance. Deep down, he knew that he was on the right course to find Roana. He would never admit it, but sometimes he could feel her when they were apart, a vague feeling of awareness and recognition in his chest, and then suddenly she'd appear, almost as if he'd known that she was nearby. He didn't understand it, and even struggled to explain it to himself, but it felt like they were connected on a deeper level than merely physical. It was a secret he kept to himself for fear of ridicule. It did sound incredibly far-fetched, but he believed it nonetheless, and when they reached the small alcove at the bottom of the steps that lead up to the tower room, that vague feeling had solidified into a deep certainty.
He paused and looked at Robin, gesturing up the staircase, which curved away to the right and disappeared around the corner.
"They're up here," he said quietly, then quickly added, "I think."
Robin moved to stand beside him and followed his gaze, his expression tense as he listened. The faint murmur of voices along with the clearer scrape of a foot on stone reached them, and Robin's expression changed as he grinned.
"There's definitely someone up there, and it's worth checking out. Good work, Allan." He turned to Much and Peyton. "Sounds like there's a guard outside the door at the top of the steps."
"I'll deal with it," Peyton said, and drew his sword.
They watched in silence as he took the steps two at a time, swallowing them up with his long, muscular legs, and swiftly disappearing around the curved bend in the staircase. There came an uttered sharp command and the sound of steel on leather, followed by a strangled yelp and then the sound of a body slumping against a wall.
"All clear." Peyton reappeared around the corner, a satisfied grin wreathing his face. He jerked his head up the stairs. "That's a pretty solid looking door though. We'll be lucky to get through that without a key."
"Funny you should say that," Allan said with a smirk, and, turning, he reached up and began to run his fingers along the dips and grooves in the stone wall.
"What are you doing?" Much said in puzzlement. "We don't really have time for silly games..."
"Silly games, eh?" Allan swung around and cocked a sardonic eyebrow at Much as he raised his hand to brandish a large key. Robin began to laugh as he continued. "I used to come here quite often for a skive when I worked in the castle. I hid the key in a hole in the mortar."
Robin clapped him on the back and exchanged a triumphant grin with Peyton, and even Much couldn't hide his appreciation.
"That's good thinking, Allan. Very good thinking," he acknowledged, but couldn't help an aside. "You know, I'm starting to think you're smarter than you've ever let on."
"Smarter than you," Allan muttered, and Robin interrupted, well used to their squabbling.
"Save this for later, lads. We have some women to rescue and a Sheriff to take down."
As he spoke, there came a loud, drawn-out scream from the room at the top of the stairs, and Allan's face paled.
"Ro!"
"But seriously, what is your plan? In a short while, this room will be surrounded. There will be no way out for you unless you climb out of the window. And I'm pretty sure you wouldn't dare do that."
Marian's tone was scathing as she stared at Vaisey across the small room, her hands on her hips. Her blue eyes flashed as she cocked her head combatively.
"So, what will you do when they come for you?"
The Sheriff smiled slowly and put a finger to his lips, assuming a thoughtful expression. He set up a slow pace around the room.
"Well, let me see. I currently have Robin Hood's wife-to-be, his sister, and the revered Countess of Scarborough in my custody. Very soon, Hood will be banging on that door, along with Allan no doubt," he paused to level his gaze at Roana before moving it to Dulcina with an eyebrow raised, "the traitor, who I have yet to punish for his duplicity." He raised his eyes to the ceiling before continuing his slow journey around the room, moving towards the three women, who had clustered together on the opposite side of the small space.
"Once they arrive, I will demand safe passage from the castle and from Nottingham. If they do not comply, I will kill one of you." He reached Roana and stopped to stare intently at her, his face only inches from hers. "Will it be Hood's sister, lover of Allan, who deceived myself and her betrothed, my dear cousin William of Bridlington, and joined an outlaw gang to fight against me? Hmm?" The room was silent and Roana's eyes darted about the room as she tried to avoid his gaze. In the end, she gave up and met his brown eyes with her own, her expression stony.
With an inscrutable yet oddly satisfied nod, he moved on to Marian, who looked outraged. "Or will it be the lady Marian, another outlaw lover, who I invited into my home and hearth time after time, showing her hospitality and acceptance, privilege even, while she betrayed me continually?"
"Now, wait a minute.." Marian began to argue, hotly, but the Sheriff cut her off by raising a finger to the two guards at the door before pointing it at both Roana and Marian.
They crossed the room instantly, having been waiting for the signal, and grabbed the woman roughly. Marian gave an angry exclamation while Roana stayed quiet, her mind racing. Allan was at the forefront of her mind, and she glanced towards the door. Was he nearby? Were they about to be rescued?
"Or will it be the Countess of Scarborough, wife to my dear uncle Devereux, sheriff of Yorkshire and pain in my backside? The woman who takes advantage of my hospitality while watching everything I do, planning my downfall." Vaisey stopped in front of Dulcina and smiled, bitterly. "And, funnily enough, she assumes that I don't know. She assumes that I have been oblivious to her plotting, this mother of thieves. She plays me for a fool, while eating from my table and falsely confessing her loyalty. And she does the same to her husband. Am I wrong, Countess?"
Dulcina stared down at him, impassively, her blue eyes cool. She was taller than him by a head, and he resembled a furious boar, his stance intimidating as he pushed his chin up towards her.
Without warning, she drew back her right arm and slapped him hard across the face. Vaisey didn't hesitate, and Marian's choked laugh was abruptly cut short as he raised his fist and punched the countess. Dulcina fell back against the wall, clutching her cheek, her expression one of shock.
"No!" Roana shouted, and attempted to push past the guard to reach the older woman, but he tightened his grip on her arms and shook her violently.
Roana looked up into his face and saw the recognition in his sneer; it was the guard from the forest in Germany, and he now knew who she was. His countenance indicated that he wouldn't fall for her tricks a second time, but Roana had to try something.
The Sheriff again struck Dulcina, and she raised her arms to ward him off, crying out as he moved closer to continue beating her. The expression on her face was like nothing Roana had ever witnessed before, and she could only imagine the memories Vaisey's actions were evoking in Dulcina's mind.
"No! My lord Sheriff! Please stop," Marian shouted, struggling in the grip of her guard.
Looking around wildly, Roana's eyes alighted on the bollock dagger resting at her guard's waist. His avid attention was on the Sheriff and Dulcina as Vaisey hit her again, and Roana grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
With an agonised scream, she clutched her stomach with one hand and fell against the guard before crumpling to the ground. He lost his grip on her and she slid to the floor, knocking against his side and sliding his dagger deftly from the sheath as she went.
Vaisey paused and looked towards them, impatiently. "What's wrong with her?"
"I dunno, my lord. She just screamed and fell!"
"She's pregnant, you fool. Help her!" Marian yelled, and the guard dithered, uncertainty written all over his face.
"Pregnant, hmm? Another outlaw brat for the world." Vaisey curled his lip and waved at the guard dismissively. "Kill her. We only need one hostage to guarantee our freedom. The others are collateral damage."
He turned back to Dulcina and pulled a blade from his belt, brandishing it as he advanced on her again.
At the guard's feet, Roana moved the dagger from the folds of her skirt, clasped it in both hands, and drove it with all of her might through the leather of his boot and into his foot.
He shrieked, a loud, ear-splittingly shrill sound, and grabbed a handful of her hair, pulling on it fiercely. With a yelp, Roana let go of the dagger hilt, her neck at an uncomfortable angle. Balling her fist, she drove it as hard as she could into the soft flesh between his legs.
The guard's scream was abruptly cut off by a strangled whimper, and he fell to the floor, hands cupped over his groin. Roana scrambled to her feet and charged towards Vaisey, who was staring at the guard with his blade in hand, while Dulcina cowered behind him. Lowering her shoulder, Roana rammed it into his and the blade fell from his hand, clattering onto the stone floor and skittering away.
"Stupid bitch!" Vaisey thrust her away, and Roana tumbled onto the table and rolled off the other side, her arms clasped around her stomach to protect the baby as she hit the floor.
Marian had already taken advantage of Vaisey's preoccupation by slamming her hands into her own guard's chest as he, too, gaped as his injured colleague. He stumbled away from her, tripping over the other guard and sprawling onto the floor, and Marian leapt over the both of them to reach the blade. But the Sheriff got there before her and grabbed it triumphantly, pointing it at her and causing her to skid to a stop.
In the midst of the commotion, there came the sound of the door unlocking and Allan burst in, quickly followed by Robin, Much, and Peyton.
"Ro!"
"Allan!" In the process of raising herself from the floor tentatively, Roana brushed herself down, quietly taking stock of herself and finding herself mercifully pain-free, before rushing into his arms.
"Are you alright? Has anybody hurt you?" Allan held her tightly while running his hands over her, checking for injury, before drawing back to rest his hand on her stomach. He looked into her eyes, earnestly. "You're well?"
With a fleeting smile, Roana nodded and kissed him quickly, one arm around to his waist, before she turned to gesture with the other hand at the Sheriff and Dulcina.
Vaisey was holding the countess before him, one hand wrapped around her waist while the other held the blade to her throat. Dulcina seemed frozen with fear, one cheek already reddening from the impact of Vaisey's fist, and a thin line of blood trickled from her bottom lip, where she had bitten herself.
"Robin!" Marian had wrestled a sword from one of the fallen guards and was advancing on Vaisey.
"Marian, no!" Robin hurried to join her, placing a hand on her arm to still her. "Wait." He looked at the Sheriff as Peyton joined him, with Much approaching from Vaisey's left. "Vaisey, you're surrounded. This is over. Put the knife down."
"Ma!" Allan shouted, attempting to surge forward, but Roana held him back.
Dulcina looked at them both mutely, her eyes wide. She shook her head imperceptibly as Allan made to move closer, and he stopped, his own eyes wild.
Vaisey grinned, the ruby in his tooth gleaming. "That's right, Marian. Listen to your lover. Wait." He chuckled evilly. "This will never be over, Hood. My route out of here is assured, for if I don't escape, then the countess here will die. And I'm certain that nobody wants that to happen, do they? So," he cocked an eyebrow at Robin, "make it happen. Get me out of here."