When The Past comes back to Haunt you

'Will?'

The name was stuck in his throat before it was overshadowed by that of a voice that boomed around Knighton Hall and Robin's attention was suddenly brought back to the Sheriff's men.

'I am the new Lord of Loxley, the Sheriff is displeased with news of recent...events that have transpired in Nottingham. I Lord Bryn under orders of Prince John himself under the Sheriff's rule here will bring back law and justice to how it should be upheld. Treason and conspiring with outlaws will not do...ANYONE ..found to be in league or helping the so called Robin Hood, will deal with me!'

His words echoed around the village as the terrified people looked on, most on their knees now knowing to show respect to a man in power when they had to. Guy always had that trick of his to do the same, the people may not have loved him, but they feared him.

Bryn gestured to a couple of guards who brought forth a man at the front of the crowd, the man was pushed to his knees as Bryn grabbed the mans jaw tight so that he whimpered in pain.

'Earlier today the outlaw stole the Sheriff's money meant to be sent to the Holy Lands to help King Richard...'

A lie,Robin thought in his head. It seemed this new Sheriff loved money just as much as Vaisey did, these taxed would never have seen the Holy Lands, only getting as far as Prince John's filthy hands. .

'...now this man...will be an example. Anyone who knows where Robin Hood is...or where the taxes are will be rewarded for their information...anyone who accepts any of this money.. 'Bryn paused gesturing to the guard who forced the mans tongue out' ...Will start losing body parts...

Robin turned away as the poor man's scream echoed louder then Bryn's shout had done in the village, anger rose inside him to fight back but he was one man against a well guarded one..He couldn't take them down unless...

Suddenly a hand clamped down on Robin's mouth tight, Robin began to pull his sword from his belt before a gruff voice whispered in his ear' Robin relax..its us..

The hand slipped away as Robin turned round to face Little John and Tuck stood behind him, irritated he looked back towards Bryn and his guards.

'I spotted you hiding over here, might as well as come and said hello...' Tuck said quite cheerfully, too cheerfully for Robin at the minute.

Tuck shh..' Robin frowned crouching back as the now tongue less man was chucked back into the crowd, but Bryn looked thirsty for more blood just to make a point and he gestured towards a young women sat at the back of the crowd, young and innocent. A maiden was a good guess.

Anger rose up inside Robin as he saw the guards drag the young maiden in front of Bryn, the women's mouth prized open, whilst Robin found himself reaching for his bow and arrow.

'Robin ..No there are too many'

John hissed in his ear as Robin notched the arrow and aimed it carefully.

'I will not have anyone hurting people in my name again...This stops John'

Robin went to loosen the arrow, aiming for the guard holding the knife, he would kill if he had too , even break his own rule not to to show that no body else would get hurt.

Before he could do so, an arrow bit itself into the guard's shoulder making him drop the knife and scream with the pain. Bryn himself ducked and pushed the woman away.

'Find them you idiots...and kill them!'

His guards scouted out to where the shooter had released the arrow, many more now fired from that general direction injuring many guards that were starting to move out to take them down.

Robin smiled and with a laugh fired arrow after arrow at the ground before the guard's feet to stop them dead in their tracks.

John rolled his eyes raising his staff before running forward with a yell as Tuck followed sword in hand. Advancing to the other guards who were turning and coming to their hiding place.

Firing every arrow he had, Robin finally joined his men sword in hand, steel clashing against steel kicking down every guard who came to the trios way. Until he came to realise he was not just standing beside John and Tuck, two more people had joined them close ranks.

The Night Watchman's accomplices stood beside him either side, one short in a grey cloak and the other to his right, in the green. His mind flashed back to who he had thought he had seen earlier, Will Scarlett who he had left behind with his new love Jaq in the Holy Lands just after Marian had been killed.

Suspicion filled his head and he looked to the one on his right in the green cloak. The stance was almost exactly like Will's except for the fact he was holding a sword and not the axe he had always used, but that wasn't anything to say it wasn't him.

Before he could ask if it was him, another round of guards charged their way to them. Villagers had scattered and women were still crying as they hid in their homes, but mostly it was just the guards and Robin and his men in the open space of Knighton now.

Out of the buildings suddenly came the figures of three more, Much, Archer and Kate, all armed and already joining in the fight standing shoulder to shoulder to bring down the guards .

Again steel fell against steel, as Robin parried and struck out against the guards until one by one they had either fallen to the ground injured or running back to their master. With his men and the two newcomers by his side it wasn't long before Bryn called a retreat.

Clambering back upon his horse as his guards followed suit until they were nothing but a dots in the distance.

Robin waited a moment or two to drop his sword as the guards knocked to the ground struggled away from the outlaws, chased away with their tails tucked between their legs until they too were gone. Panting and trying to regain back his breath, he turned back to who he now definitely suspected was his old friend.

'Will Scarlett you can take that ruddy hood down now...'

The man in the green cloak did just that, a warm smile on his face as Robin was quick to hug him.

'How did you know it was me?'

'The way you fought, the way you moved..How could it be anyone else , not to mention I may have got a small glimpse of your face earlier...but that means...'

He turned to the smaller figure on his left and pulled down the grey hood exposing the young fresh features of ...Jaq. The young Turk woman who had joined his group to fight for justice, until Will and she had fallen in love.

'Hello Robin.. 'She gave a small crafty smile, eyes shining as bright as always.

A mixture of feelings ran through his body suddenly, he was glad to see them again but they had kept their identity hidden from him when he had ran after them in the forest.

Robin moved back suddenly as John and Much looked to the young couple with a whoop and surprise as well.

'Why didn't you come straight to us...You took the taxes and kept your faces hidden from me even when you knew it was me... You rode with the so called Night Watchman even though you know what that would mean to me...' There was a note of anger and sadness in his voice, especially thinking they had used Marian's old alter ego for their benefits. 'I thought you were our friends...

'Robin... It is not as simple as that' Jaq with her beautiful accented voice tried to explain to put a hand on his shoulder but Robin shrugged it off.

'Robin listen, we would have found you sooner or later but..'

'But what Will...only the other day I was dying in the forest. Vaisey and Guy are dead...Nottingham castle half to ruins..And you come back and ..and don't even show yourself to us.. why the hell not... WHY NOT?!'

Will and Jaq paused and looked to one another until a softly spoken voice answered behind Robin.

'Because of me my love'

The third member..the most important member of the reformed Night Watchman stepped forward, removing the hood that hid the young beautiful face of only one possible person. He didnt dare believe it when he had seen the form of the Night Watchman before, but hearing her voice ….

Robin span round, tears pooled his eyes, in grief ..in hope and loss, but as the young woman removed the mask that hid her delicate features did he truly believe and see for himself that she was alive, and that smile returned to his face just as the impossible happened and his heart mended truly this time.

'Marian!'

Author's note: See I told you you'd find out...Will and Jaq are back..which they rightly should be. Robin and his men have shown Bryn who they are dealing with...oh and the most important thing ever... Marian is alive ...But how did she survive Guy stabbing her, why are they only just back now ..And what action will the Sheriff take in revenge...You'll have to stay tuned