-The Rescue-

Fluttering back into consciousness, Elsie prayed that it had all been a dream; that in fact, she was still dangling in the small alcove in the sheriff's quarters or better yet, that she was far away from Nottinghamshire in the familiar surroundings of Wycombe. Lifting her eyelids a fraction of an inch, she was just able to make out the ghastly outline of her fate on the ground below. She quickly snapped her eyes shut and leaned against the cold iron bars of the birdcage. It was no dream; her predicament was very real, and every second that passed brought her closer to the end.

Her end. The thought of her own death sent her stomach plummeting, and her heart ached with despair. She had been certain, based on what Much had said, that Robin would not leave her to suffer such an unjust punishment--particularly now that she faced death. The time for a rescue had come and gone. Her life would end with the rising of the sun. She had precious moments left on this earth and her mind reeled with thoughts of fear, frustration, anger, and sadness.

Tears leaked from her closed eyes and rolled down her cheeks as she listened to the various noises, amplified by the surrounding stone walls. The guards stationed below the cage chatted with one another, tossing around mindless quips and jabs while they stood at attention. The air suddenly filled with the toe-curling sound of rusted metal scraping against stone, a clear indication that the portcullis was being raised. This was followed by the buzz of voices that belonged to the townspeople as they trickled into the courtyard, having risen early to witness the execution.

Unable to resist, Elsie opened her eyes and took in her first full view of the morning. She looked down on the gathering crowd below; it seemed that word about the sheriff's proposal to Robin had spread, because more and more people were flooding through the gate, filling every inch of the dusty courtyard. Many of them were sending sorrowful glances in her direction, some even stared in pity, and a few brave souls voiced their disgust. As the crowd continued to grow, the low buzz turned into a rumble while everyone awaited the arrival of the sheriff.

A few minutes later, the castle doors swung open and more guards filed out, joining the ones who were already scattered around the sea of people. Just as the sun touched the horizon, the sheriff stepped from the shadowy depths of the castle, greeting the day and his people with a broad, satisfied grin. Gisborne followed close at his heels, his face void of emotion though his eyes held a faint glimmer of delight.

"It seems," the sheriff began, allowing ample time for the noise to fade away, "that Robin Hood doesn't not care for his family. If he will not come to the aid of his own sister thenA what makes you think he could possibly care for you people, hmm? Hood has failed to turn himself in, which means she will hang." He waved a hand toward the cage and commanded, "Bring down the girl!"

As the cage sank toward the ground, Elsie wiped away the tears that had been brought on by the sheriff's little speech. She was shaking with fear and anger, heartbroken because the one person she had been counting on, the one person that she cared for most in the world, was simply going to let her die. Why had he not come?

The guards wrenched open the cage and reached in for her, but she shook them off. With as much dignity as she could muster under the circumstances, Elsie emerged from the tiny prison by her own means. As soon as she stepped out, two guards quickly caught her on either arm, guiding her toward the sheriff and Gisborne. A faint smile crept across Elsie's face as she thought of charging the two men and clubbing each of them over the head with her bound fists.

"Last chance, Hood!" bellowed the sheriff, his eyes sweeping the crowd for his foe. "Or we shall watch your precious little sister swing."

In the moments that followed the sheriff's final demand for Robin to turn himself in, everyone seemed to be holding their breath; every pair of eyes was darting anxiously around the courtyard, waiting for their hero to appear and steal Elsie right out from under the sheriff's nose. After few seconds passed with no reaction or reply--just silence--the sheriff gave a small nod and the two guards shoved Elsie toward the platform where the rope was dangling, waiting for her neck.

Just as she stumbled onto the platform, there was some commotion at the back of the crowd, near the gate. The murmur of voices grew louder and people were scrambling in every direction, trying to get out of the way as someone pushed forward toward the castle stairs.

"Sheriff!" shouted a voice above the noise. A young man parted the rest of the crowd before him, holding his bow and quiver high above his head as a symbol of his surrender. There wasn't any playfulness, no cheeky arrogance surrounding him. His features were hardened--grave and dark--with his eyes locked threateningly on the sheriff. Standing at the bottom of the stairs, Robin threw down his weapons. "Let her go. You can have me."

"A bit last minute, isn't it Hood? That's a bit dramatic, even for you! What, no clever plan to save the day?" the sheriff criticized with malicious delight. He grinned, keeping a close eye on Robin and ordered, "Guards!"

Four of his men rushed forward and seized Robin, who did not make any attempt to resist. Gisborne's lips curled into a lopsided smirk. The sheriff bounced happily on the balls of his feet, looking at the gallows where Elsie was still captive. The guards that held Robin were dragging him forward, toward the sheriff.

"I have met my side of the bargain, Sheriff. You have me. Now, let Elisabeth go!" Robin called out, almost pleading with the sheriff.

The sheriff turned his attention to Robin and walked slowly down the steps to meet him. There was a devilish glint in his eye that could only mean trouble.

"Let her go? Let your sister go?" the sheriff whined mockingly. "A clue--" He gave his head a slow shake and then quickly twisted his mouth into a sinister grin, which Robin interpreted immediately and began struggling against his restraints. The sheriff clicked his tongue impatiently. "Come now, Locksley, you didn't really think I would let her go, did you? After all, it was because of you that I had to watch my sister die. It's only appropriate that I return the favor." He smirked and gave a wave of his hands like he was conduction and orchestra. "String up the girl!"

Elsie kept a terrified gaze on her brother as she was lifted onto the stool. Robin had given himself up for her, but it made no difference; now they would both die. She waited, bracing herself for the feel of the noose around her neck and praying that it would be quick and painless, but it never happened.

Just as the hangman was closing in on her, two of the guards that held Robin turned and started to pummel the other two guards. Now freed from their grasp, Robin scrambled and collected his fallen weapons just in time to challenge the wave of guards who had spilled into the crowd at the sheriff's ear-splitting commands. From her elevated position, Elsie watched with mixed horror and fascination as Robin and the two rogue guards dipped and dived around the attacks, neatly taking out every obstacle that approached them. They weren't alone, however, because soon some of the villagers were involved in the melee.

Concentrating on the violent outbreak, Elsie had a bit of a shock when she was grabbed from behind and pulled back toward the castle doors. She tried to scream above the noise, hoping to draw Robin's attention, but her attempt was in vain. With everyone else engaged in the heated battle, the guards had very little trouble getting her back into the castle. The last thing Elsie heard before the doors swung shut was the sheriff shouting, ordering the arrest of anyone helping the outlaws.

Empowered by the scene of riot outside, Elsie would not accept further imprisonment quietly. Her shouts echoed through the silent corridors as she tried to twist free from the guard; her feet lashed out in hopes of connecting with one of their shins--anything that would increase her chance for escape. Despite her best efforts, the guards were able to maintain their hold, dragging her as far as the dungeon entrance. It was there that their little troupe stopped.

"This is the end of the line, gents," declared one of the guards to Elsie's left, speaking to his peers.

Puzzled, another guard replied, "The sheriff ordered her to the dungeon..."

"Yeah, he did. But we've had orders to escort the lady elsewhere," he explained, gesturing to himself and one of the others.

"What are you on about?"

"This..."

In one swift motion, the guard to her left unsheathed his sword and using the hilt cracked the unsuspecting guard over the head. Grappling for his sword, the guard clinging to Elsie's right arm started to protest, but was quickly disposed of. Two of the guards were now keeled over in an unconscious heap. Wide-eyed, Elsie stared uncertainly at the two remaining guards, wondering whether she should be grateful or frightened.

Breathing heavily, Much pulled the cover from his face and chuckled, "Ha! Well that went well."

"M-Much?" Elsie stammered, once gain shocked by the unexpected appearance of the servant boy. Much grinned broadly, looking quite pleased with their success.

"Come on," Allan urged, making quick work of Elsie's binding; she gave her arms an appreciative stretch. "We better get out of here before reinforcements arrive."

"What about Robin?" Elsie asked, looking between the two men. She couldn't believe that they would just abandon him, especially Much.

"We are to get you safely out of the castle. It's what Robin wants," Much explained quickly, though he didn't like the idea of leaving Robin any more than she did.

"Besides, he can take care of himself," Allan assured her.

Elsie wasn't convinced and didn't move. After a moment, Allan made the decision for her, taking her by the hand and hurrying her down the corridor. The three of them raced through the narrow passages for a few minutes, unchallenged. Their luck did not hold out as they rounded a corner and were met by two guards with swords drawn. Much and Allan skidded to a stop, pulling their own weapons to action. Allan pushed Elsie behind them while he and Much made light work of the opposition. Once the guards were out cold, Elsie followed the two outlaws--willingly this time.

After a few more lengths of corridors, which seemed to be leading them in circles, Elsie was just about ask how they planned to get out when Allan stopped them in front of a narrow door. Without any sort of explanation, he pulled it open and they piled inside.

"The toilet?" Elsie exclaimed, wrinkling her nose at the lingering stench. "You are joking, right?"

"I don't like it any better than you do, but it's the only sure way out," Allan replied, kicking up the plank of wood that covered the hole.

"And whose fault is that?" Much muttered, taking a jab at Allan's brief stint as "Sir Guy's man." He groaned, eyeing their potential escape route. "I had really hoped it would not come to this!"

"Do you have any better ideas then?" Allan retorted.

"Anything would be better than this," Much whined.

"Shut up, the pair of you," Elsie interjected, smiling shyly. "I might have an idea."

A/N: Please don't forget to review! :)