Audrey awoke to the sounds of banging and shouting. She could tell that they were in the next room, Robert's room. Robert! She jumped out of bed and threw on a dress as quickly as she could. Rushing out the door, she could see guards dragging a struggling Robert out of his room. She stood before them, blocking their path to the stairs.
"What is going on here!" she exclaimed once the guards noticed her presence. They paused their movement forward, but they held Robert still in their arms.
"Robert is being arrested on suspicion of being the Robber." Audrey looked toward the bottom of the staircase to see Sir Guy of Gisborne standing there. He looked rather proud of himself as he stared up at Audrey.
"What proof do you have?" Audrey asked. She might be able to catch him on this one. He had almost denied that the Robber had even come near him last night.
"I listened to what you said earlier today. You were right, the Robber broke into my home last night. I gathered some other eyewitness accounts and came to the conclusion that your Robert has been doing more than you think. Take him away!"
"You've got the wrong man!" Robert spat as he made another attempt to break free of the guards that held him back. Audrey shot him a worried glance, but he only glared back. Audrey could only hope that he would keep her secret. She dashed down the stairs towards Gisborne before Robert and the guards could reach him.
"What makes him the Robber? There's got to be some part of the description he doesn't match. Please!" she pleaded.
"It was really the eyes that had given him away. A shocking blue was consistent with every description." By now the guards were dragging Robert down the stairs.
"I have shocking blue eyes, too. And there could be countless others, too," Audrey argued. "I could even be the Robber for all you know!"
Gisborne raised an eyebrow. "Are you admitting to be the Robber?"
Audrey took a step back and stared at the floor. "No," she said meekly. "I'm not." She bit her lower lip. She had to be more careful. She could hang for her offenses. Instead, her brother was about to go in her place. There had to be a way to stop this before she watched had to watch her brother being dragged to the gallows instead of out of their home.
"Is there anything I can do?" she asked.
"Everything is up to the Sheriff now," was all that Gisborne gave her as an answer.
"Well, can I at least stay at the castle? Just so I can keep an eye on Robert and make sure that you're not hurting him." Audrey saw a slight smile play over Gisborne's lips before it was replaced with his usual scowl.
"Pack your things, then," Gisborne replied. "Robert should have a few days before he is hanged. You can go. You might even be able to talk to the Sheriff, but I seriously doubt it."
"Does that mean you'll help me?" Audrey asked. Gisborne gave her a confused glance before he once again returned to his scowling expression.
"Maybe." Audrey sighed. This was going to be rather difficult. She watched as the guards dragged Robert out of their home and loaded him into a carriage like some kind of animal. She winced at their brutality before she returned to her room to pack her bags. The first thing she packed was her disguise. At least they hadn't found it yet. A plan was already beginning to form in her head as she finished her packing. Robert might be able to be freed after all.