AN: I know not many people reviewed, but here is the next chapter. (In fact in,y one person reviewed, but hey, it's fine). Thanks to Moonling Child for the review and beta.
Tears were streaming down Matthew's face as he wept over his sister's body. After about ten minutes of this, Robin and John pulled him away.
"We need to bury her" Matthew said. No one contradicted him.
"Where would you like to have the ceremony?" Asked Robin.
"Here in the forest. Near the spot we always went when we felt lonely or sad. The river." Matthew mumbled.
John delicately picked up Shannon's broken body and carried her to the desired spot.
"I guess someone should say something." Much said sombrely.
"Robin would you? I don't think I can at the moment." Matthew asked of Robin.
"Sure. I didn't know her that long. A few minutes at most, but she seemed strong hearted, loveable, and generous. I know that her death will affect all who knew her."
When Robin had finished, John and Allan filled the whole in which the dead Shannon was lying. When they finished Matthew knelt next to it and wept more. He finished and stood up.
"Whoever did this is going to pay." Matthew said as he bolted off towards Nottingham.
"Matthew wait! We need to think about this and have a good plan of action." Robin called after him.
But he didn't listen. He just kept running until he reached the edge of the forest. He stopped and surveyed the landscape. Nottingham lay before him, and that was where he was headed.
Matthew was looking through a red tinged tunnel as he approached the town. His rage at his sisters death most prominent, but there was a glimmer of something else in there, the regret that what he was about to do would kill him and dishonour his sister's memory and sacrifice.
He entered the town and thought 'how am I going to even get into the castle, let alone kill Gisborne.' He decided that the servants entrance at dawn, when everyone else went in would be best. So Matthew waited until dawn.
At dawn, he moved into position in the shadows near the servants entrance. When the rush of servants came in for the day, he slipped in among them. Matthew mad his way to the great hall, only to look around the corner and find Gisborne himself walking towards him. He drew his knife and prepared to plunge it into Gisborne's stomach just like the arrow had plunged into Shannon's.
Gisborne turned the corner and Matthew stabbed. But Gisborne caught his arm in midair twisting it and causing him to drop the knife.
"Nice try." Gisborne hissed at Matthew. He dragged Matthew by the collar of his shirt into the great hall where the sheriff was waiting.
"Ahh, the son of a traitor. I see you are as predictable as we made you out to be." The sheriff said.
"My father wasn't a traitor. He did what was right. And what do you mean I'm predictable?" Matthew asked confused at these words.
"Oh you know. You wanting revenge for your family, and killing the man who ensured it is so predictable. You should leave the killing for Robin Hood." The sheriff said very care-freely.
"What should I do my lord?" Gisborne asked.
"My lord?" Said a castle guard coming in to notify them of something.
"What is it? Can't I go a few minutes without being interrupted by every fickle thing?" The sheriff said annoyed.
"Sir, there is a courier here from London to speak with you."
"London eh? Well show him in."
The guard nodded and let the courier through.
"My Lord, Prince John sends his greetings." Said the courier owing graciously.
"Yes yes, get on with it." The sheriff complained.
"His highness decrees that you are to establish higher taxes to fund his campaign for kingship."
"Very well. You may go refresh yourself then be on your way." The sheriff ordered.
The courier bowed again then exited the room.
"What do you think Gisborne? How high should I raise the taxes?"
"I am not sure my Lord. High enough to fund the campaign. But low enough to keep the people alive." Gisborne suggested. While the two were discussing this, Matthew was almost completely forgotten. Gisborne was still holding onto his collar, and Matthew got a wonderful idea.
He turned himself slowly so as not to attract attention, and reached for Gisborne's dagger. He silently and carefully slipped it out of its sheath. The put the knife into position creating a small tear in his shirt. He then counted to three and ripped his shirt off of himself. As Gisborne was holding his shirt only and not his body, he slipped out of his ripped shirt. As Matthew ran out of the room, he could hear the sheriff and Gisborne shouting after him. Guards swarmed around the castle.
Matthew ran out of the great hall and returned to his place of entry, the servants entrance. There he barrelled right into someone. This someone wrapped his arms around Matthew and whispered,
"What do you think you're doing?" It was Robin Hood.
"I'm getting back at Gisborne for ruining my life. What are you doing here?"
"I'm stopping you from making a mistake and getting yourself killed."
"Well I was doing fine."
"Yeah I can see that with all the guards after you." Robin grabbed him by the arm and dragged him along to the rubbish chute.
"Go down here. My men will catch you." Robin said shoving him down.
"Okay, and Robin, thanks." Matthew said gratefully. With that he shot down the tube into the rubbish bins. Will caught him just before he hit the ground. John picked him up and slung him over his shoulder.
"Hey! Put me down!" Matthew demanded.
"Nope. Robin said to do this just in case." John said bluntly.
Matthew rolled his eyes and went along with it. Robin joined them and they ran towards the gates. Robin told them to keep going and stopped just long enough to cut the rope holding portcullis open. It slammed shut behind them and they ran into the forest.