Chapter Six------------------------

The sun had set over Nottingham and Anna was placed before the sheriff in the castle. "Now, will someone tell me why she is here?"

"She is giving false information to me, my lord," Guy answered.

"Oh really?" He looked at her and smiled. "Guards, fetch our special prisoner."

The two guards at the doorway shuffled off and a few moments later grunts and groans echoed through the hallway. As the noises grew louder, the silhouette of two men and another being dragged, on his knees, appeared in the hallway against the torchlight.

"Hey, hey, look who's here!" Vaysey prodded Anna. "What a shame, Gisbourne. Young love being destroyed as we speak." Angry that he did not get his anticipated reaction the sheriff ordered, "Put him down there!" He pointed to the spot on the floor before Anna.

The guards obeyed and placed Joel where Vaysey had directed. Anna could not bear to set her eyes upon him and stared at the hem of her dress.

The silence was broken when Joel opened his eyes and saw who was reluctantly looking down at him, "Anna. . ."

"Joel, Joel, I'm so sorry. I never thought this would happen."

Unbeknownst to the two, the sheriff had signaled his two guards to bring Joel to his feet, emitting a scream.

"My patience is running out. Tell us who the Nightwatchman is!" Vaysey screamed at Anna.

"I don't know," she cried, tears beginning to fall, "I truly don't know!"

"You know! If you don't start to smarten up, every breath of his life will be miserable! Understand?"

"I understand. . . I just can't tell you! I can't!"

"Alright, I'll fix that." The sheriff's temper was rising. "Take him to be tortured! And take her to watch! If she changes her mind about the Nightwatchman, call me." As he was storming out of the room, he turned around and taunted, "Nice doing business with you!"

"Robin, at least we know where Marian is! None of us knows where Anna is!" Allan argued. "She is always loyal to the gang and she would nevah' do anything to 'arm us!"

"Allan, shut up! We will deal with that later! Right now we need to protect Marian!"

"Gisbourne would nevah let anything 'appen to her! Are you jealous, stubborn, or both?"

Robin lunged for Allan but Little John restrained him. "You stop! Now! Both of you!" He sat Robin down at one edge of camp while Allan occupied the other. "Half of us will stay here and think about Marian, and the other half will go out and look for Anna. Everybody happy?"

"Yes," the two men muttered and formed two groups.

Little John, Djaq, and Allan were the group that went to search for the third A-Dale child. "We should split up," Djaq said.

"Right, I'll check the dungeons," Allan replied.

"Djaq, search the halls, I'll stay at that gate."

Much, Robin, and Will, were staying in the forest. "Master, maybe we should go look for Anna. Just a suggestion, don't get angry."

"No, Much, we stay here!"

"She is part of the gang, Robin!" Will agreed with Much.

"Marian could be captured!" Robin was now on his feet.

"Whatever you say, Master. . ."

Allan tiptoed through the cold, damp hallways of the dungeon. "Anna! Anna!" His efforts were to no avail. He could not find her.

He met up with John at the gate, and waited for Djaq. It was a very long wait but Allan was overjoyed when she returned. Walking alongside Djaq, was Anna.

Once he saw her, he ran over to her. "What 'appened to you?"

"Nothing, Allan." She hugged him, needing comfort from what had just happened.