I woke with a start and realized I had slept through the night. I couldn't believe I was even able to sleep after yesterday's interesting events. Would I be able to face Guy after last night? Had I really made it obvious that I had some feelings for him? Even though I was scared to confront him, I knew it was time to get up.

I walked to my wardrobe and selected a forest green dress and slipped into it. I didn't worry about my corset today. I was not in any mood to impress anyone.

I made my way out the bedroom door and down the hall.

So far I hadn't seen him.

I'd hoped I wouldn't; it would be less I would have to think of today.

I found my way to the great hall, alone. I saw Marian just inside and joined her.

"Oh Rebecca! Did you have a pleasant sleep?" She asked with a smile.

"As pleasant as can be expected; my dreams were quite broken," I replied, mentioning nothing of last night and the circumstance with Guy.

I sat and ate with Marian, making plans to tour the town and surrounding woods that afternoon.

After we'd finished eating, I walked back to my room and changed into my riding clothes.

I still hadn't seen Guy.

I stepped out to find Marian so we could leave. I ran into her halfway down the hall, all dressed and ready to go.

"Are you ready to leave?" She called as she approached me.

"Yes," I nodded my head.

"Alright, we will start at the market and make our way toward the forest."

We walked out to the horses and mounted them.

I couldn't wait to see this city and the forests surrounding it. I had a feeling this would be a very long, exciting day.

We set out for the Nottingham market. It was so wonderful to see all the people peddling their different products, hoping there would be an interested buyer.

I was thoroughly enjoying all of this when I heard a woman scream.

It wasn't just a simple scream.

Something was happening.

I glanced over to take a look and see what all the commotion was about.

Then I saw it.

A small crowd was gathered around a middle aged woman. She was lying face down on her hands and knees, begging for help. I looked a little higher and noticed a man shouting above her.

He was dressed in black leather.

No, it couldn't be! I thought to myself.

Then I heard the rumble of his voice.

Could I ever forget that tone? It was the same tone of voice I had heard last night in the garden; the very same voice that had accused me of loving the man it belonged to.

In one swift motion I jumped off my horse and trudged into the violent crowd.

"Rebecca! Rebecca!" Marian called after me.

I didn't heed her calling. I simply kept on walking towards him, a fierce anger clearly visible on my face.

I entered the barren circle and made my presence known. Guy stopped everything and gazed at me with intensity. I believe he was either embarrassed or appalled; of which was more profound in his emotion, I couldn't tell.

"What has this woman done?" I asked him boldly.

He seemed to be at a loss for words.

"Answer me!" I almost yelled.

"She and her children have been caught stealing food from the castle. Twice! This kind of thievery needs to be made into an example, so that others will not follow theirs." He pointed at the woman and her two children, standing several yards behind her.

I noticed he slightly raised his voice toward the end of his statement. He seemed to be projecting to the peasants toward the back.

I reached into my side pouch on my belt, took out two coins, and threw them at Guy. He caught them both on a reflex.

"This ought to cover the expense."

I looked down at the woman crying on the ground at my feet. I dropped to her level and gave her a small handful of coins.

"Here, this is for you and your family. Use it well." I smiled and started to walk away as she said a chorus of thanks.

As I turned to re-enter the crowd, I looked back and glanced at Guy once more. I gave him a subtle look of disgust and then turned and walked away.

I mounted my horse and rode off again with Marian.

A glance behind me saw him still standing there long after the crowd had dismissed. Just before I turned back around, I saw him step forward and help the woman to her feet.

Maybe he did have some good in him after all.

Marian and I rode on through the town and were soon lost in the endless green world of Sherwood Forest. I couldn't believe how beautiful and lush the surrounding trees and shrubs were. This was simply beautiful.

We rode on until Marian abruptly halted. I wasn't quite sure why she had. Then she removed her glove, put her fingers to her lips, and whistled.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"You'll see," she said with a smile.

Just then I heard rustling in the trees.

Someone was coming.

Before I had any more time to question her, five or six men stepped out from behind the trees. I gazed over them in wonder. This must have been the infamous Robin Hood and his band of outlaws.

There was a tall, large man with shoulder length graying hair. He was the biggest man I had ever seen. His face was set in a hard expression. I didn't take it as a look of anger though; he seemed to be focusing intently on why we were there.

To his right stood a smaller man; he wore a cloth over his head and held a large, round shield. He seemed to be mildly disturbed by our presence. I could tell because he could not stand still, and his face wore a look of disagreement.

To that man's right stood a slightly taller man with a very handsome face. He had a rather long nose, and his mouth had formed into a smile with our approach. This one didn't seem hard at all; instead he seemed rather joyful and happy to set eyes on a woman.

On the far right there was another handsome young man. He could not have been more than twenty. His fair face held the most intense gaze I had ever seen on a man before; even more intense than the look Guy had given me the previous night. He seemed troubled by something; like there was some inner conflict he had pressing inside that he had yet to work out.

In between the two handsome men stood a dark-skinned, Saracen woman.

A woman? I thought it very odd for the great Robin Hood to have a woman in his gang.

I gazed at her in wonder; she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. She had short, dark hair; her deep eyes sparkled in the limited sunlight. Her clothes were much more form fitting than the men's. She had a perfectly sculpted figure; thin, but also strong, a very powerful combination.

Then I noticed the man at the head of the group; I knew him at once to be Robin Hood. He was also very handsome; he wore an almost flirty smirk as he gazed over Marian. She seemed to be enjoying it.

He handed his bow to the dark woman behind him and walked toward Marian. The handsome, smiling man followed him quickly.

As Robin entertained Marian, the other man approached me.

"Hello, miss," he took my hand and roughly kissed it. I could tell he was not completely accustomed to being gentle around a woman.

"I've not seen the likes of you around here before," he bent down to kiss my hand again.

"Back off, Allan!" Marian scolded. "She's here in Nottingham to marry Lord Weston, not you," she added the last part with a smile.

"Weston?! That fool? What would he want with a pretty thing like you?"

"It's an arranged marriage," I said with a tone of bitterness. I quickly changed it to a happier sound.

"I'm Rebecca," I said with a nod.

"Allan a Dale."

I watched as Marian dismounted her horse. I followed her lead and began to swing off. Allan grabbed my arm as I leaped onto the ground.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

It was then that Robin spoke.

"Lady Rebecca, meet my gang," he showed a smile of admiration. I could already tell this small group was very close.

"This is Little John," he nodded toward the large man on the left.

Little John! There couldn't possibly have been a name that suited him less. He was a giant.

"Much," he pointed to the fidgety man with the shield.

"Will," he motioned toward the young, intense man.

"Djaq," he gestured a hand in the direction of the Saracen woman.

"You have already met Allan," he smiled.

"I am Robin; it is very nice to meet you. Marian says you two are becoming quite close."

I nodded my head and smiled at all of them.

"I'm pleased to meet you all. Marian has told me a little about you."

"Has she now?" Robin winked at Marian; she chuckled in return.

"Well, shall we go?" He asked a moment later.

Marian nodded and Robin took her horse's reigns. I went to grab the reigns for my horse, but Allan got there first.

"I've got it," he smiled.

I walked alongside him, listening to him carry on a conversation about a trick they had played on the sheriff the week before. I laughed at all the appropriate moments, even though a small part of me was not completely paying attention.

We continued talking and my thoughts went wild as we plunged deeper into the forest, to the mysterious, secret hiding place of Robin Hood.