Chapter 1: New beginnings

A bitter chill swept through the air, the leaves had changed colours lining the trees with speckles of orange, red and yellow. The sunlight managing to cascade to the forest floor unhindered as the falling leaves tumbled from the interlocking branches above.

All was quiet in the forest, only the whistle of the wind dancing its course between the branches was the only sound of life amongst the trees. For the moment anyway.

An arrow whizzed past in a blur and embedded itself deep into the trunk of a oak tree with a heavy 'THUNK', and several sets of hooves charging amongst the dead leaves echoed loudly amongst the woodland surroundings.

A lone figure dived for safety, before she stared up at the arrow now sunk deep into the tree, right in the place her head had been only moments before.

Hearts hammering in her chest she hesitated, fear rising within her as she gulped in the bitterly cold air. As the horses came closer she peered back behind the tree, she counted 12 in total. Far too many soldiers to take on, especially weaponless and injured.

The young woman closed her eyes and tried to silence her breathing, hoping the soldiers would end up riding past and miss sight of her.

Unfortunately her life had never been blessed with good luck, and a shout rang out echoing out

'OVER THERE'

Alarmed, the woman ducked and ran through the trees once more, arrows skimmed past her in the air, each one getting closer and closer until …

Searing pain ran through her body as an arrow shot past her arm wounding her. She hissed through her teeth and found herself stumbling forwards to the ground. The woman held her bleeding wound and staggered to her feet, just as the soldiers were closing in. A mere 10ft in front of her ran a steep bank, the young woman changed direction swiftly and practically jumped over the side knowing the soldiers would not be able to follow on horseback. It would buy her some precious time, at least, that is what she hoped.

The bank was steeper then she had thought, and she slipped within a few seconds of her running down. With a shriek she rolled and tumbled heavily over dead leaves and rocks until she ended up in a heap at the bottom. Winded she took a few deep breaths, wincing as a sharp pain caught her beneath her ribs. Her visions blurred for a moment as she stared up towards the variety of red, orange and yellow hues of the forest. It reminded her of home in those few precious seconds she took to gather her wits.

The colours danced and swirled together like that of her home sky, a different sort of pain hit her this time. But now was not the time to be homesick, this was the time to fight for survival.

Except, she didn't move. She was so tired, tired of fighting for a place to belong. Her own people did not want her, and now...now this new place didn't believe she fitted in either. She closed her weary eyes as tears spilled down her cheeks, she didn't want to fight any more. She didn't want to live where she was not wanted.

Suddenly a hand clamped down tight over her face, opening her eyes in alarm she found herself looking up at a young man staring down at her, blue eyes sparkled with mischief but also kindness, and concern . Concern for her.

' Shhh, come with me. ' He whispered putting a finger to his lips indicating the woman to be quiet, but the woman was cautious and terrified. A startled hiss escaped her, taking even the man by surprise, but he did not hold back for too long. He moved closer so that the woman could smell the smell of woodsmoke and earth about him. It was strangely reassuring for her.

Her deep blue eyes studied his with caution and fear, the man must have regarded this factor as he held a hand outstretched to her.

'You will die if you stay here, the guards will show no mercy. Please. Come with me'

The woman swallowed thickly staring down at the hand offered, however even in fear and although wincing in pain, she took his hand gingerly.

Without so much as a smile, the stranger pulled her to her feet and away deeper down the forest slope into thicker cover beyond. He guided her with precision as if he knew exactly where he was among the trees, but even so he too could not pretend to ignore the ever growing closer sound of heavy footsteps behind. They were gaining on them, not to mention the female was slowing down, even against the male's desperate attempts to get her moving.

He could see the blood spreading through the fabric on her pale blue sleeve where the arrow had injured her, not to mention she was looking pale and on the point of passing out.

They were running out of time.

The woman could see no way out for them both, within minutes they would be killed by the dozen guards on their tail. Suddenly the male pulled the woman beneath a thick undergrowth beneath a tree trunk, the two hiding beneath a camouflage net of leaves and fern.

The two were hidden safely beneath the hole in the ground, and for what felt like a lifetime the two held their breaths and stared up at the ground above.

It seemed like hours had passed as they waited hidden, several guards ran on past quickly as though they knew exactly where their suspect was.

A couple others marched through the dead leaves slowly, swords brushing over the thin camouflage above. Each deep set footsteps among the dead leaves made the female jump uneasily with each noisy crunch that sounded far too close.

When it seemed like they had all passed over, the young woman went to climb out, but the stranger held her back shaking his head. A few moments later a lone guard made his way through, standing a mere few metres above them.

It felt like a hand clutched her hearts in fear as the woman stared up, time seemed to freeze as the guard stayed where he was as though he knew they were close. But as soon as he had appeared he moved on, leaving the couple alone together.

But now they were together it seemed the man wanted answers.

'And what exactly do you think you were doing? Getting into trouble like that with all those guards!'

His blue eyes held fury now, desperation and anger that did not so much as terrify the female but saddened her. Here was a man who had seen and felt heartache.

'Running' She said simply, her dulcet tone appealing and sweet, almost innocent. But her words infuriated him.

'I could see that' He sighed and reached out for her arm.

'Here, let me have a look at that arm, I have a friend who could heal it and let you be on your way to safety. If you tell me who you are and why you were running'

The female shook her head, almost timid and shy now. Weakened by her injury and exhausted from her run through the forest she needed a moment.

'If you tell me who you are'

Now a smirk curved upwards on the man's roguish features, cheeky and quite handsome. His eyes shone with interest now, enchanting hard to look away.

'It's not very often people don't know who I am. I'm Robin...Robin Hood. Now as I take you back to camp you will tell me who you are'

The woman stared at him in disbelief. Did he just say Robin Hood? The myth, the legend..the..was she saying this out loud?

A chuckle escaped him as he stared at her. 'Well it has been known for me to be quite the hero apparently'

'But not the modest type, or are all heroes vain and arrogant? '

His eyes narrowed in jest, the smile never leaving his face but he held back. The pain still evident in his eyes, if not more so. She reminded him of...

'If your arm doesn't get seen to soon it could become serious. Come on. Though I have yet to hear a name from your lips'

She bowed her head slightly, her brown curled hair shielding half her face. Her real name had been lost many years ago, the name she had given herself now tainted.

'I...I am Lady Angel...Lady Angel Gisborne'

She said simply, before passing out into Robin's arms.