Part 13

"Much!" exclaimed Robin. "Where is Marian? Eve?"

"No time for that, look here, he said and pulled the money from his pocket.

"Hey where did you get that? I'm not being funny but I don't think that's what you went in there for," Allan added.

"There is a stash of it," Much explained telling them where to locate it.

"Alright," said Robin. "Will, Alan come with me to see if we can acquire some more of this hoard. John, Djaq the gate as planned, and you," he said pointing his finger back at Much. "Go and find my wife."

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Marian reached the far corridor by the bottom of a spiral staircase and paused at a room lit by several candles. The occupant was sewing, darning to be precise; Marian swallowed down another wave of nausea and stepped into the room obscuring the light so that the occupant looked up surprised.

Guy strode purposefully through the castle barking orders at two guards to follow him. They made their way to the kitchen end of the castle, to locate the money. They were almost there when Gisborne stopped.

"This way," he said with a nod of his head and they changed direction.

"Do you know me?" Marian asked.

Eve continued to stare at her and replied. "I believe you were Lady Marian but went to live in the forest with the notorious Robin Hood."

Marian smiled. "Do you remember when you served Much, Earl of Bonchurch?"

A flicker of tenderness spilled across her face as she answered. "Yes. You came to the house then."

"Yes. Much would like to renew your acquaintance. If you want ….I have come to take you away from here."

"What about Much?"

Marian looked behind her, "I was hoping he would have met me here by now, we went separate ways outside the kitchens. It appears something has delayed him?"

"Not Gisborne I hope," Eve said, fear in her eyes and Marian knew that Eve felt the same way Much felt about her.

At the mention of the tyrant's name, his voice could be heard bellowing down the corridor and Eve shoved Marian behind the open door and prayed that Much wouldn't chose now to appear. Gisborne strode into the room accompanied by two guards.

"Here, this must be it," whispered Will as they reached the store of money.

"I'm not being funny but we can't carry it all," Alan mentioned eyeing up the dozen or so bags.

"Some of it is grain," replied Robin slitting a couple to see. "Come we will take as much as we can carry."

"Eve." Gisborne said as he stood in the doorway.

"Sir Guy," she replied, keeping her eyes downcast.

"You have been doing a good job here in the sewing room, let's hope you keep it that way," he added.

"Why would I not? Where can I go? You and the Sheriff keep me here against my will," she replied.

"You conspired against us with that simpleton of Robin Hood's, why would we have cause to trust you again."

"That was over a year ago, surely you can put that behind you now."

"I think not. If the Sheriff changes his mind I am sure you will obtain a position with slightly more freedom. Remember Eve people watch you if you cross the line again you will hang, and to make a point your mother too."

He took one final look at her and with an abrupt command to his guards left, his footsteps echoing back along the corridor. Marian still felt sick. He had been so close. If he has insisted the door was shut he would have found her and what then? What then, not only for herself but for Eve too? She shut her eyes feeling sick and dizzy at the same time. When a gentle touch lay on her shoulder her eyes flew wide open, seeing Eve she breathed out slowly.

"You need to get out of here." Eve told Marian.

"You need to come with me," Marian said, determined to at least try and get Eve to accompany her. But with the understanding of what it was to care for a parent, she also knew Eve would likely stay a virtual prisoner at the castle.

"I can not, you heard what he said about my Mother, he is evil enough to hang us both, or the Sheriff is. I would like to come with you, really I would but…." Eve broke off and shook her head.

"I understand. My father stopped me doing things, because I loved him I would not leave him and I do not regret that. I understand."

Marian went to go and Eve called her back.

"Wait."

Marian turned, hoping perhaps she had changed her mind.

"Yes."

"Tell him, tell Much that I do care for him, that I think of him."

"Of course I will," Marian replied.

Suddenly she was gone leaving Eve feeling more alone than usual, her lone offer of escape which she had allowed to slip through her fingers like grain.