I should start by saying I'm deeply sorry to all my loyal readers. It floors me that I still have people liking, reviewing and following the story, and I can't thank you all enough for your belief and support. I'm still here, and the end is near! With that, enjoy!
Turning back to the chaos was like staring at a house on fire. I had no idea where to even begin to put it out.
My eyes fell on two guards herding a group of children into a house. Two guards I could handle. I put on my best damsel in distress face, readied my shrieking voice and ran over.
"What the bloody hell is happening? Please, you have to help me! You have to save me!" I threw myself into the closest one. Once the other one appeared out of the house, I head butted the one holding me before kicking then punching the other, sending them both to the ground. It truly was amazing what an innocent looking girl could get away with.
"Everyone okay?" I counted five...six children in the mix ranging from maybe five to probably twelve. She nodded, clearly knowing she would have to take charge.
"What's your name?" I asked her. She was thin and had big brown eyes. I could tell she had a strong spirit.
"Clara," she answered boldly.
"Clara, I'm Marian," I introduced quickly, looking out the window. People were running to the forest in droves as guards chased them down, and I couldn't help but think that the last time I saw people flocking to Sherwood like this was the last night I saw my mother. Pulling myself out of my reverie, I noticed a hulking figure in the tree line close to us.
"John!" I called as the bear of a man turned toward me. He was at my side in seconds.
"Okay, Clara, this is John. I need you to take everyone and follow him. Can you do that?" I asked. Bending down, we were eye to eye, and she was determined as she nodded at me.
"Good. Alright everyone, off you go!" I began to ferry the children out the door.
"Can you handle them?" I asked John.
"Handle them? I've got three of my own, remember?" he chuckled. Even with a blackening eye and dismal situation he found a way to be in a good mood. However, his eyes got serious as I went to turn.
"Where are you going?" He asked.
I glanced back at him, and then just over his shoulder. It was like a beacon calling to me. Even in the throng of people, I noticed Robin fighting off a herd of guards to give a family more time to get away. It was impressive, his skill, but they would be overrun soon if someone didn't do something.
"To buy you some time," I whispered, squeezing his hand, hoping he understood. This I could do, but I needed someone to take care of Robin. I was afraid he wouldn't understand why I had to go back.
John solemnly nodded to me before hoisting up two of the kids while a third climbed on his back. The bunch took off into the forest as I darted in the opposite direction to the middle of the town.
By the time I made it, the dust had settled and everything was oddly quiet. The town square looked as if it had been ravaged by giants. Bodies lay on the ground, unconscious or dead, I didn't want to know. Guards were rounding up the now traitors that they could. They had more people than I wanted but definitely less than what I expected. My heart sank when I noticed a redhead among them. Much.
I started to walk toward them when I was roughly grabbed from behind.
"See something you like?" The acid dripping from Guy's tone made my heart run cold.
"Guy," I breathed before hissing as he yanked my hair. I noticed Much moving out of the corner of my eye and managed a quick glare that stopped him in his tracks. He was already in enough trouble, and I could handle this.
"Did you know about this? I'll bet you told him all about the festival you conniving whore!" Guy threw me to the ground where I managed to only scrape my palms before catching myself.
"This was for you, Marian. All of this. It was for YOU!" He kept getting louder and louder, and closer and closer to the townspeople.
"I know Guy," I stood up cautiously, not wanting to spook him, "It was all so beautiful."
"Do not do that. Do NOT patronize me!" Now his sword was out. Never in my life had I seen Guy of Gisborne so unhinged.
"I'm not patronizing you," I cooed, somehow managing to keep my voice even.
"Tell me it didn't mean anything. Tell me he accosted you, and I will rip his heart from his chest," he was back in my face now. Suddenly, he let his head hang.
"Tell me it didn't mean anything," Had he not been so close, I wouldn't have heard him.
I knew what I had to say. I knew what Guy wanted to hear. All I had to do was say a few words, and everyone would be safe, but why was I having such a difficult time saying it? I stole a quick glance at Much. His eyes were pleading...probably a mirror to mine. He was pleading with me to save myself. I was pleading to someone to not have to say the words.
I spent so many years denying my care, my love for Robin. Now that I finally let myself feel everything for him, I couldn't find the words to say I didn't care.
I took a deep breath—and was promptly interrupted.
"What the bloody hell happened here?!" A booming voice resounded throughout the square. A voice that I knew from a very long time ago.
Every head turned toward our interim crown royal, or as we liked to call him, Prince John.
What does Prince John's appearance mean for Marian? R&R!