Marian heard footsteps approaching in the dungeon. Pulling away from Robin quickly, she handed him a lockpick.
"Here, hurry, take this! I better not see you with your head on that block tonight. You must get away," she whispered.
Robin tucked the pick in his sleeve, kissed her deeply, then slumped into the shadowy corner of his cell as Marian called for the jailer to let her out. Their visit had been too brief, but they had a challenge ahead of them.
Back in her room, Marian started to pack her belongings. Robin was going to escape, she was sure. He had to. And she would be ready to meet him at the camp. As she was scrambling to track down every scrap of clothing—it was going to be cold out there—someone pounded on her door. She jumped. Surely Guy had learned by now not to knock like that, which meant it had to be—
"Ready or not, here I come!" She heard the Sheriff's voice, creepy and foreboding, calling to her through the door. Before she had time to think, he was standing in her room.
"Going somewhere, Lady Marian?" he asked, eyeing the disarray of her things. "A clue: no. You're staying right here, little miss outlaw-collaborator. Guards!" he called for two men who began shackling her hands and feet.
"This is unacceptable!" Marian cried.
"Oh, I'm sorry my dear. You should have thought of that before you had that rendez-vous in the dungeon. Tell me, was it romantic? Did he look handsome in the torchlight?"
"You will pay, I swear to you, you will pay," Marian threatened.
"Will I? No, no I don't think so. You," he said pointing to one of the guards. "Stay here and see that she doesn't wander off. You two, man the door. I'll send for her when the entertainment is ready."
He turned to leave, calling back on his way out, "Farewell, my lady."
"Right," said John to Allan, "and how do you suppose we'll manage that?"
"Easy," he replied. "Gisbourne said they're going to parade Robin through the people in the courtyard before they take him up to the executioner's block."
"Look's like the Sheriff's theatrics are going to come back to get him," Much said triumphantly.
"Only if we do this right," Djaq countered.
"You all understand the plan?" Allan asked just to be sure.
They nodded.
"Well then, I'll be getting back to the castle. We don't have much time. See you there."
Gisbourne smiled to himself as he prepared his horse to leave Locksley. Tonight was going to be a very satisfying night. A new year would be rung in with the well-attended death of his enemy. And, he thought, tonight would be the night that his passion was returned in full. He had noticed a change in Marian's feelings for him. She could deny him no longer. He was certain of that. As he rode in the direction of Nottingham, he was hopeful and proud.