Isabel POV
"Why am I not surprised?" I ask, finally able to sit up, facing my captor, Sir Guy of Gisborn.
"Waiting to be rescued from those filthy outlaws then?" he asks with a cocky grin,
"No not at all actually, I was rather contempt with those 'filthy outlaws' as you put it, as I am one myself" I say, looking at him annoyed now, I am really not in the mood but if I get him annoyed who knows what he would do.
"Well, that can be changed, like your clothing, and you yourself with be cleaned and we'll be able see how truly beautiful you will look at my side" he says, from this I look at him directly,
"Whatever your planning, I will not succumb to" I say. But he doesn't seem fazed by what I just said, in fact he looks contempt, like what I just said was regarding the weather.
Suddenly the carriage came to a halt, but it then that Sir Guy then brought some rope and tied my wrists, and when he was pleased with his work, he took the net off me.
"I think you will see things my way soon" he says, the carriage door to my right opens and Sir Guy steps out and brings me out with him.
"Ah cousin, I hope that your arrival means the demise of those outlaws" someone unfamiliar to my ears says, I look forward to then see a dark rather sinister looking man walk up to us, he fits all of Robins descriptions of the Sheriff.
"I bring good news cousins, they have all been destroyed, all but a small amount, but they were captured, along with this flower" says Sir Guy, then bringing me into view of the Sheriff, as soon as he sees me I can see that absolutely revolting look about him that I have seen in so many men, lust.
"A flower indeed, why if I did not have plans for the lady Marion, I would have to grant you many riches for this gem" says the sheriff, I look at him confused for a little, he mentioned Marion, what has she got to do with any of this,
"Lady Marion?" I say, but as soon as I finish I feel a painful slap across my cheek,
"Please excuse her cousin, she will need to be taught the position of a woman in our household, how to treat us with respect" says Sir Guy, the sheriff nods at this, then without a word turns and makes his way into the castle.
"Now then, I shall escort you to my chambers, the maids will ready you and then, I shall reveal to you the reason that you will remain here" says sir Guy, I look at him with fear from this, what does he mean by readying me?
But without another word he drags me towards the castle.
Many stair climbs later we reach a room, coldly decorated, but you can tell someone of noble birth resides here for the rich decorations there are, such as the animal furs, weapons, furniture and great fireplace.
"I am to meet with the Sheriff, I shall see you in soon" he says, and then I hear the door shut. I look in time to see three women come out of a room and usher me to where they came from which I find is in fact a bathing room, with a great bath in the centre.
They took my clothes off me, but I made sure to leave my medicine bag and secret weapons hidden when they weren't looking under a stand out of sight.
They scrubbed my skin until it was red and went through my hair with such force I didn't think I would have any left, then I finally was brought out of the water and they dried me and then dressed me, I tried to tell them to let me do all of this but they wouldn't hear any of this, I couldn't tell if it was out of fear for being found out, or they were very strict in the matter, but I didn't press it.
Finally they stood me in front of a full – length mirror and I saw someone I did not recognise, someone in a rich red dress, my hair pulled up and into a style with a net keeping the hair up which I would have never picked out myself and am in very uncomfortable shoes, and worse of all, a very tight corset.
As soon as they left I managed to loosen the corset a bit, but only so much as so I could breath normally and would not be noticed with the dress.
Before leaving the bathing room, I made sure that my personal belongings were well hidden underneath the wardrobe where a small gap was and had the shadows hide them.
Not knowing what else to do I sat on the end of the bed, wondering where everyone was, if they all escaped, if Fanny and the baby got away, if Will did, oh god I don't even know what happened to him after I was captured, was he too or did he manage to escape?
But bringing me out of my thoughts the door opened and I saw Sir Guy walk in, his eyes immediately landing on me and he had the biggest smile you wouldn't believe it would fit on his face,
"Now don't you look a picture, yes much better" he says, walking over to me, pulling me up to stand and then circling me, I kept my eyes on him, but making sure he didn't see how uncomfortable I was from him looking at me like that, I was far too used to that look from in mine and Azeem's home country.
"Now then, I have a surprise for you, shall we?" he asks extending his elbow,
"Do I have a choice?" I ask, reluctantly taking his elbow,
"No, you don't" he says, now leading us out of the room, and again down the many stairs, and then even further down to what I realise is the dungeons. He opened a door with a key he had and lead me into a room filled with people very familiar to me,
"Oh my" I say silently, seeing my friends either hung up or chained to the floor, but all in uncomfortable positions.
"Why? Why bring me down here as it looks like you have already won?" I ask, looking at Sir Guy with hatred, he smirks at me for this then looks in a direction which I follow to then land on Wulf,
"Wulf!" I yell, starting to run over to him, but Sir Guy stops me, everyone heard me and started crying my name, even Wulf.
"I can promise the boy be spared. But I cannot for the rest, as their crimes are as they are, they are to be put to death by hanging" he says, I keep my eyes on Wulf, he looks in pain from his arms strapped above him and he looks scared too, and from what I've just heard, learning that my friends are to be killed, and there's nothing I can do about it in my current position.
"And before you ask, your beloved outlaw and brother, are dead" says Sir Guy, I cover my mouth with my hand to stop the cry from being too loud, I...I'm alone.
"What do you want of me?" I ask, feeling my tears run down my cheeks, from the loss of so many of my friends and family, and the only love of my life.
"For you to marry me, be at my side, bare me sons, and in return, I shall allow you to keep the boy, as long as you keep him out of trouble. Refuse and I will have him killed too, and force you to marry me, and your future life with me will be most, unpleasant" says Sir Guy, every word he says causes me to have more tears drip down my cheeks, I cant let Wulf die, he's just a child.
"I accept" I say silently, bowing my head in defeat.
"I thought you might, guards! Release the boy!" he says to one of the guards, who does as told.
"Isabel!" shouts Wulf, who hurries over to me, but Sir Guy stops him before he reaches me,
"First thing for you would be to get cleaned up, she has just been cleaned" he says, making me feel more like a prized horse than a human being.
I can see the hurt look on Wulf and I send him a reassuring look before we are lead out of the dungeons, with a last look at my poor fellow comrades.
"God help us" I whisper.
