First off, I would like to thank all of my dedicated, avid readers. I know I haven't had as much time as I would like to dedicate to LM or to answering all of the messages you guys send me, but know I read all of them. It's you who keep me motivated! That being said, LM has been on my mind quite a bit, and I feel to really complete the story, it needs to go through some serious rewrites throughout the story. So, while it may be a while before I write a "new" chapter, keep checking back from the beginning, because things are going to change.

Hope you enjoy!

Robin had shed his disguise, as did his Merry Men. There were so many more than I originally thought. They seemed to bleed from the crowd, one that was now giddy with excitement. Their master had returned.

"GET THEM!" the Sheriff roared. Guards began darting about after the outlaws, pushing villagers over to get to them. The townspeople had now taken up the fight to defend their master by tripping up guards and ripping down tents to confuse them.

Guy had thankfully ran off to join in the hunt. I couldn't help but chuckle at Much's bold, though risky, idea to save me from my engagement. I went to join the chaos when my hair was grabbed roughly from behind.

"You're not going anywhere, sweetheart. You're staying right-" my swift jab cut the Sheriff off as I lost myself in the madness. People were pushing and shoving as panic mixed with excitement. These people hadn't been so in control of their lives since the start of the Crusades. It was cathartic.

As I ran, someone caught my wrist and spun me. All at once, I was flush against Robin. He had a nasty gash above his eye and his lip was bleeding.

"Do you love him?" he asked. It wasn't harsh, and the desperation in his voice seemed almost comical considering the situation. Were we really going to have this conversation here?

"What?" I asked him.

"Guy. Do you love him?" he asked again before spinning me out of the line of a guard's sword. He knocked him out quickly and turned back to me.

Apparently, we were doing this now. I went to tell him no, I absolutely did not love Guy, but he shoved me behind him to shield me from another attack.

"Robin," I began, before I was cut off by another attack. This time I took care of the assailant with a swift kick and blow to the head.

"I-" This time Robin was pulled away before I could begin. I wasted no time when his eyes fell back on me again.

Instead of trying to explain and before I could over-think my actions, I grabbed his shirt and pulled his lips to mine.

The noise drowned out from around us. I couldn't see or hear anything anymore, there was only Robin. He was surprised at first, but recovered quickly as his hands circle my waist and pulled me to him. I ran my hands through his hair, never wanting to let go.

Never again. I promised myself.

I couldn't believe I'd waited so long to feel Robin like this again. His lips warmed something deep within me that I hadn't felt in years. He kissed me passionately as we both tried to make up for our years apart.

I didn't think anything could pull me away from that moment, until I heard a roar.

"HOOD!" Guy's eyes were dark as night, filled with malice and rage. Were I not so dazed with Robin's kiss, I think my heart might have stopped. Now he knew. He saw who had my heart. I had sealed both my father's and Robin's fates.

Chaos was still erupting around us, but somehow, it seemed like it was just Guy, Robin, and me. Robin, who was much calmer, gently pushed me behind him protectively. I couldn't help but remember the time when I first met Guy as a child. We weren't too far away from that exact spot.

"I'm going to kill you," Guy sneered. At first I thought he was talking to Robin, but it's just as likely he was addressing me. I embarrassed him, deceived him. His pride would not take a hit like that without some kind of retribution.

Robin barely had his sword up before Guy lunged. His brute strength combined with his anger made me fear for Robin's life. In the few moments I caught his eyes, I didn't see the same man I had come to know. He was vicious, ferocious, feral. There was a burning in his eyes unlike anything I had ever seen and in that moment I had a sinking feeling one of us was not making it through this day.

"Is that all you've got?" Robin taunted. I'd have scolded him if he had not yanked me out of the way sending me sprawling into a crowd of people. Caught up in a crowd of townspeople, I lost sight of Robin and Guy. All of a sudden, I heard trumpets sound in the distance. The cacophony announced the approach of a royal, but who?

The sudden noise, so out of place in the chaos, caused everyone to pause. Each person turned, and off in the distance, the beginnings of the massive royal guard began to come into view. That was all anyone needed. Peasants attacking nobility with a sprinkle of outlaws in the mix? We were outnumbered, and everyone knew it. Suddenly the fighting stopped and people began running: to their homes, to the woods, anywhere they could hide. Charlotte's eyes found me in the mix, and we ran to each other.

"What do we do?" her voice was only just below panicked. In any other situation, her disheveled hair and dirty dress would have made me laugh, but for now I was focused.

"The forest," the words were out before I had even thought about it, but I knew the decision was right. A brief look of uncertainty crossed her features before she nodded, and we both took off running. Passing families as we went, I saw mothers trying to comfort children, fathers grabbing as much as they could before hurrying their families into Sherwood, guards seizing children not much older than I was when Robin and I had met.

These people wouldn't stand a chance against Guy, the Sheriff or whoever the royal was that was coming. Someone had to stand up for them. I stopped just short of the forest.

"What are you doing?" Charlotte cried, pulling at my hand. I turned and searched the crowd for a familiar face, any familiar face. A dark head caught my attention.

"Will!" I called. He swung toward me as I shoved Charlotte at him.

"Take her to the camp. Take care of her," I pleaded, backing away.

"What about you?" he called, taking Charlotte's hand.

"I'll be right behind you!"

I gave one last look at Charlotte, thankful that Will was so much stronger than her. Without him pulling her along, she would've stayed with me. I think we both knew we wouldn't see each other for quite a while.

What's Marian's plan? What will Robin think of it? R&R!