"And so, that is how you catch a deer," Will said as they headed back to camp.
"Yes, I know that Will!" Djaq sighed, exasperated, "It was just a cover story!"
"I know!" Will retorted, "I was trying to make it more authentic when they heard us coming back."
"Right," Djaq agreed sceptically, "We are about a mile from the camp!"
"Oh, yeah," Will realised.
"Duh, you may be cute but you are pretty stupid," Djaq grinned at the young man.
"Hey…!" Will started then caught on, "Wait, did you just say I was cute?"
"Might have done," Djaq smiled. They carried on walking, unaware of the danger lurking up behind them in the form of two horses with riders. The horses sped up and Will heard, he was about to spin round when a sharp, cracking blow on his head stopped him. Will's body crumpled to the ground and before Djaq could do anything one of the soldiers pulled the limp body onto his horse and pelted away.
"Will!" Djaq yelled desperately after him, giving chase. It was pointless though, the horses outrun her easily and she was left standing in the middle of the forest, alone.
"You…love me?" Marian spoke quietly, wondering what had brought on this sudden outburst.
"Yes," Robin nodded his tone serious for once. Marian didn't know what to say, it was so sudden. They had always had feelings for each other, since they were young but they'd never expressed them.
"Robin…" Marian started.
"Don't Robin me, I love you Marian. There is nothing you can do to change that," Robin interrupted her, "You are beautiful, passionate and strong. What more could I ever want? I've always loved you, since we were children playing sword fighting in the meadow. I know I left you to go to the Holy Land, I thought I was doing the right thing, fighting for my king. But you were right, as you always are; I was young and foolish just looking for glory. I should have stayed and then maybe I wouldn't be living in a forest running for my life but living in Locksley Manor with you as my wife. Will you forgive me? And tell me you return my feelings?"
After Robin finished his speech Marian couldn't reply. He had just contradicted and apologised for all the reasons she had said meant that she could never tell him that she loved him with all her heart. Now they were gone. Marian looked into Robin's blue eyes, they were so sincere that it made what he had just said all the more real. There was no cheeky twinkle there. His mouth was set in a thin line as if dreading what her reply would be. Marian decided and clutched Robin's palm tighter.
"I love you," she whispered. Robin looked so surprised that she hadn't hit him that he almost forgot what this meant. The words caught in his throat as he tried to speak.
"You do?"
"Yes," Marian smiled, her voice louder, "I love you Robin of Locksley!" They embraced, Robin wrapping his strong arms around Marian and her resting her head on his shoulder. Then they kissed, gently at first but then more passionately as they wondered what this could mean for their future.
"ROBIN!" a voice cut through the moment, "HELP!" Robin's head snapped up alarmed. He reluctantly let go of Marian's warm body and hurried over to the window. Outside, Jay stood, hollering at the top of her voice. She spotted him.
"About time too!" she shouted at him scowling.
"What's wrong?" Marian asked, joining Robin at the window and put a hand on his arm.
"While you two love birds have been in there," Jay always managed to get some mocking in, even in the most serious situations, "Will has been got by the Sheriff!"
"What?!" Robin yelped, immediately concerned for his friend's welfare, ignoring Jay's other comment. He climbed onto the window ledge and leapt out of the window doing a front somersault through the air. He landed on the floor lightly, his legs bent to absorb the impact.
"Jeez, everything has to be overdramatic with you doesn't it?" Jay raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I specialise in it," Robin retorted, "So fill me in. Where are the others?"
"Well…" Jay began.
"Oh, wait," Robin remembered Marian and looked up at her grinning, "Do you want to come?"
"Yes, I think I do, if I'm going to be with you I might as well get more of a reputation now," Marian beamed.
"She's joining us?" Jay asked, shocked.
"Not yet," Robin told her, "Its early days."
"Hey, I heard that," Marian swung out of the window and landed just as elegantly as Robin, "We only just kissed."
"Kissed?!" Jay gaped, "You two have actually kissed!"
"Yes," Marian nodded, "Now, skipping off the subject of Robin and I, let's go save Will!"
"I suppose. But you have to talk about it sooner or later, so I'll wait," Jay grinned and led them off.
"Right, dungeons this way," Allan jogged down the stone corridor.
"Yeah, you should know, you lot have been down here often enough," Marian quipped as she followed the gang.
"Oi, I'm offended," Allan pouted, "I don't spend all my time down here!"
"Somehow I don't believe you," Marian teased. The outlaws and Marian slipped into the dungeons taking the three guards out quietly on the way. They hurried down the steps and looked around the cells.
"Will," Robin hissed, "You there?"
"Will?" the other outlaws looked around the cells.
"Found him!" Jay called. Robin and Allan sprinted over. They saw the reason why Will hadn't been able to reply to their calls. He had a rough gag in his mouth; it was bound tightly, cutting into his cheeks. His hands were tied behind his back. He could only communicate with his eyes. Allan tried the door but it was locked securely.
"Great, our lock man is in there and we're out here," Jay said.
"So what are we going to do?" Allan asked the group.
"Well let's start with getting Will's gag off," Marian said matter of factly, "Come here, Will, so I can reach."
As Will was coming over he saw something that made his blood run cold. He needed to tell the gang. They didn't notice his desperate pleading eyes, telling them to turn round. Will shuffled faster; knowing the only way they would get the message was if he could talk. As soon as Marian whipped off the gag he yelled, "The Sheriff!" The outlaws turned in unison, startled.
"Well, well, well, what have we here? A bunch of outlaws trying to break out their friend, how sweet. Too bad they are trapped and I have one of them at knife point," the Sheriff smirked evilly, "This boy's new, losing too many are you?" He gestured to Cass who he was holding. He hadn't realised she was a girl because Much had lent her his hat because her ears were cold so it covered up all her wavy brown hair, her face was streaked with mud from the forest and her breasts were disguised by the baggy tunic.
The outlaws froze, they had been in this situation too many times and once it had cost one of them their life. Cass, though, didn't look the least bit scared, in fact she looked annoyed. She turned to face the Sheriff's grinning face, her ice blue eyes cold.
"Dad…let go!" she hissed quietly, too softly for anyone else to hear. The Sheriff's eyes widened in shock and he dropped Cass abruptly. Quick as a flash she darted away from the startled Sheriff and joined the others. Everyone in the room was confused and surprised about why Vaisey had released the prisoner so fast and with out apparent reason. Suddenly the Sheriff regained his composure and got control of his tongue.
"Come back here young lady! You better get back to your bedroom, now!" the Sheriff ordered. The room of people were dumb struck, realising what this meant.
"I thought women were lepers, Sheriff," Gisborne grinned slyly.
He he you probably were waiting for that bit to happen after i gave it away a bit in the last chapter or two!! Please review.
Ok, off topic, will someone please tell my mum i hate stew! No wait loathe stew!! it's icky!!