Nwtth 8
Robin had a plan. He couldn't loose Marian. He was giving the Sheriff the pact. Then he was going to sneak back into the castle and get it back..or well he hoped. Robin looked around the gang at sun break the next day. Marian was due to hang in a few hours. With one final look they all headed to Nottingham.
With every step Robin took his heart felt like it was going to stop. Marian...hang. He couldn't even bare the thought of it. He felt his stomach, turn and grumble, and he honestly wanted to throw up. Soon they were close enough to Nottingham, that they could hear the trumpets for the celebrations. Although, how anyone could see a hanging, taking someone's life a celebration. Was beyond Robin. They pulled their hoods up to hide themselves from the guards and Gisbourne. As soon as they were through Nottingham's gates they split up to their designated spots. Robin being the closest to the gallows. His heart dropped with every beat of the drum, as they waited on her coming out. The tension in the air was different from any other hanging. At those the people would cheer, in fear of being picked on by the Sheriff. But this time It was quiet. Not one face showed anything, but anger, fear, sorrow and hatred. This just wasn't some commoner that was being hanged. This was Marian. Their Lady.
She had stood against the Sheriff for them, defied the laws and protocols, and even died saving them...twice. And here she was, waiting to be led to the gallows, to defend them once again...for the last time. Robin choked with pride at how much the villagers respected and loved her. His breath caught as the large double doors that led into the castle opened and the Sheriff walked out smiling. He turned and looked through the doors behind him. Gisbourne walked out holding a binded Marian by the arm. She stumbled as he led her down the stone steps. The bag over her head, meaning she was unable to see. Robin wanted nothing more than to run up the steps and grab her into a fierce hug and tell her everything was going to be OK. But he had to bide his time.
'People of Nottingham.' The Sheriff announced waving his arms to them. 'I have here the lady Marian!' He said turning and smirking at her. 'She is to hang today. BUT' He said as he raised a finger, for more information to come. 'I promised that Hood could have his lovely leper back. On one condition...That he return an important document that he stole from me.' The Sheriff said as he tutted and inspected his nails. ' So...if he is here with the document. The leper is free to go. Are you here Hood!?' He called looking around the crowd for any sign of him.
'I am here?' A soft voice came from the crowd. So soft the Sheriff almost didn't hear. The crowd parted as they turned to look at Robin, making a circle around him.
'Do you have what I want?' The Sheriff asked looking at him, intriguingly.
'I have it.' Robin said bringing the crucial document from his cloak. The Sheriff motioned for a guard to come and collect it. The guard walked up to Robin, slow and cautiously. As though expecting some kind of attack. He ran up the steps and handed it to the Sheriff, who examined it and motioned for Gisbourne to take Marian to Robin. He grunted and began walking down the steps to Robin, where he threw Marian into his arms.
'Arrest them.' The Sheriff smirked and pointed at Robin and Marian. Out if no where arrows came form every direction of the courtyard, aiming at the Sheriff, guards and Gisbourne, as Robin ushered Marian behind one of the stalls.. The Sheriff did not move, he simply watched Robin trying to get his loved one to safety.
'Oh Robin Hood.' He called. Robin stopped and held Marian close as he turned to see what the Sheriff was going to say. 'Imagine what Marian would think, of you running off with another leper.' The Sheriff smirked.
Robin frowned but then it dawned on him. He turned and pulled the hood from Marian's head. Only to discover that it was a completely different woman. Not Marian at all. Robin starred in shock. He had been so happy thinking that Marian was safe and in his arms again. But she wasn't. And now, not only did the Sheriff still have Marian, but he had the pact.
The gang having seen the girl and realised that trap, grabbed Robin and ran to the safety of the forest.