Too Sexy for the Law
Chapter 4: The White Lady of Locksley
A/N: Now with Outlaws my story is now showing sighs of plot, hopefully I did well with my characterization I struggled with it some but enjoy and reviews are loved.
There standing in the main area of the dwelling where the evening meal had no doubt recently taken place was Sir Guy of Gisborne, in the leather.He was conversing with anotherman in black who stood with his back to the window but even though she couldn't see his face Macy would recognize that drawl anywhere. She couldn't make out what they were saying it was in hushed tones but on the other hand she really didn't care, she was no Nightwatchman out to foil their plans just a hungry girl who wanted to know where she was.
So now satisfied in the knowledge that the village surrounding her was Locksley she was about to retreat back to the forest when, feeling eyes on him, the hard glare of Gisborne flicked to the window. In another place and time Macy probably would have laughed at the leather-clad semi-villain jumping in fright like a little girl, but it was neither the time nor the place. Blue eyes widening in shock her survival instincts kicked in and she ducked beneath the window. Deep down Macy knew she had been seen, but on autopilot she ran and the sheriff turned just in time to see an empty window.
"What is it?" He questioned sauntering over to the window and peering out into the night air. The fog had risen and thickened since Macy had first set out from the hill and it now covered her retreat. Immediately he turned an incredulous eye on Guy and raised a questioning brow. Gisborne stood staring at the window, face drained of colour, his breath shallow and, the sheriff noticed, had the table he'd backed into in a death grip.
"I saw…" Guy hesitated, even as the words left his mouth he was not sure just what he'd seen. Soft pale features, long dark hair, wide blue eyes…
"You saw… what?" The sheriff prompted impatiently.
"Marian…" At that that Vaysey chucked lightly.
"Marian is dead, you saw to that yourself." Gisborne visibly winced at the reminder but the honorable sheriff of Nottingham was far beyond the point of being tactful.
For months on the journey home he'd had to put up with a weepy guilt ridden shell of a man. Then they had returned home and things seemed to return to normal, more so considering Guy no longer had the leper to moon over. But he'd be damned if he was going to let his right hand man be reduced to a puddle because of some dead woman.
"Now listen good Gisborne because I will not stand for anymore of your sulking. Get a grip and get over that girl or I will no longer have a use for you." At Gisborn's questioning frown the sheriff smiled mockingly, his ruby-studded tooth winking in the firelight. "Come now, you of all people should know no one is irreplaceable." And with that left hanging heavily in the air the Sheriff of Nottingham stalked out of Locksley Hall.
0o0o0
Macy sprinted away from the window and out of the courtyard, her bare feet pattering over the cobbles. Then her feet found grass once more and she found herself engulfed in billowing white. After a brief moment of flailing and cursing she managed to disentangle herself from what she'd realized were sheets someone must have for whatever reason left out overnight. She ran a hand over the fluttery material and found it to be softer then she'd expected if a little damp, probably cost lieutenant leather a pretty penny; with that thought a sly smile crept slowly across Macy's face.
Grabbing hold of a sheet and jumping to free it from the post Macy continued back towards her hill. At least now she'd have something to curl up under while she slept. She didn't get far before the sheet began to curl itself around her legs tripping her up. Throwing it out behind her and clutching it around her shoulders like a cloak she continued on until the sound of horses made her pause. With the fog Macy couldn't make out much in the distance and with the sound echoing she could not tell if the horses were coming or going. Getting away seemed like the best bet and she broke into a run hoping to avoid being found.
0o0o0
Little Sarah sat at the window of her family's small home practicing her sewing; she was just beginning to learn her stitches and fumbled with the needle in the dim candlelight. She mover her head up from her work as eyes looked out of the window, dropping her work altogether she ran to the chair where her father sat and clung to his arm trembling.
0o0o0
Bobbing and weaving her way through the village Macy found herself in the middle of a road and it was almost too late when she realized the sound of horses was definitely getting closer. She skidded to a halt her feet kicking up dust and pebbles in the dirt lane just as a band of horsemen came galloping out of the fog. With better instincts then that of their riders the horses were aware of someone in their path before the humans and reacted accordingly, rearing in fright and panic it took a moment of tugging at their reins and some colorful curses on the sheriffs part to get the animals under control.
Macy hadn't hesitated to turn tail and run for it and the Sheriff and the few guards who flanked him looked her way just in time to see a pale figure disappear from sight in a puff of earthbound cloud. Vaysey after blinking a few times turned to his men. "Did you…" He trailed off with a vague wave in the figures general direction, as his guards numbly nodded their heads in indication that they had indeed seen it too the Sheriff spurred his horse on heading towards Nottingham at, if possible, an even quicker pace then before.
0o0o0
Thomas Whitley stood at the window in attempt, as most parents do when faced with the ghouls of their children's imagination, to prove that there was nothing to be afraid of.
"See," he demonstrated as his wife brought the small trembling child to his side to look out at the empty yard. "Nothing there. No white lady."
"But she was there," little Sarah stated assuredly craning her neck to look up at and appeal to her mother. "I saw her, I know I did."
"It was probably just the fog," He turned back to the window to close it up. "Now I think it's time for…" Thomas trailed off every muscle in his body stiffening as the hair on his arms and the back of his neck stood on end, he turned to his wife and one look at her pale wide-eyed expression told him she'd seen it too; the cloaked figure of a woman gliding across the yard of a neighboring cottage surrounded in a ghostly glow. The family spent the rest of the night huddled together saying prayers to ward off spirits.
0o0o0
By some small miracle Macy made it back to the hill from which her journey began. Relived to find that no horsemen where on her tail she collapsed in an exhausted heap giggling hysterically. When she'd managed to pull herself together she untied the bundle from her belt and dug into her food like a starving animal.
Stuffed and happy she stretched out on the soft grass and amused herself with the contents of her pockets which consisted of the crushed remains of the Pepsi can, a tube of lip gloss, a compact mirror, about five dollars in change, a half a packet of breath mints and an LED keychain that, until that morning, had held her dorm and mailbox keys.
The keychain proved to be a few minuets worth of entertainment but soon Macy began to feel the events of the day catching up with her and decided it best to get some sleep. Replacing the items in her pockets she found a little spot under the cover of some bushes and making sure that said bushes where not covered in prickles she curled up with her sheet quickly falling into a deep sleep.
0o0o0
Macy slept well enough considering she was sleeping on the ground with nothing but a sheet and some bushes for cover, but the mental and physical strain was enough to put her out for the night. She was having a lovely dream of being at home in her own warm soft bed when an odd tickling sensation around her face pulled her out of her pleasant fantasy.
Macy groaned and blinked blearily before her eyes grew wide as a furry brown face and twitchy nose filled her vision. Before she could really think of what she was doing she screamed the shrill girly scream she hated so much. In her panic and hast to get away Macy half rolled half flopped down the slope as the sheet tangled itself around her. Managing to kick off the fabric she pulled herself into a sitting position just in time to see a brown cottontail hop nonchalantly away.
Huffing indignantly and getting to her feet she looked up at the sky, which was lightening to the purple and gold tones of dawn. Her mouth was dry and she stretched wondering idly whether she should risk another trip to town when she felt the over whelming urge to do what most do first thing. Dancing on spot she tried to ignore the call of nature but it would not be ignored. She took off towards the trees but finding cover among the undergrowth Macy hesitated; going in the great out doors was problematic for most humans of the female persuasion at any time but with thoughts of outlaws turning up or her friends suddenly turning on the TV were dancing through her head it was suddenly a whole new level of awkward.
But there are some things you've got to do whether you want to or not and so sucking it up and getting it over with Macy decided that going back to Locksley was not a good option, she walked around the hillside until she found a road leading through the forest. She looked over the sheet still trailing behind her and down at herself, gripping it tight and using her teeth she tore an end off and wrapped it around her waist tying it taught. The material fell to her knees hiding her jeans for the most part and still offering free movement. Draping the rest around her shoulders in a makeshift shawl Macy set off into the woods, following the road while staying clear from it.
0o0o0
Robin kept his hood low waiting in the shadows of the pantry for Anne to return. It was a risk visiting Locksley Hall he knew, but something was not right in his village, it had been apparent the moment they had arrived to make their donations. After being informed that Gisborne had left for Nottingham early that morning he decided to risk it, but with guards still wandering about he could not be too careful.
At the sound of voices he pulled back further into the pantry until there was a pause, straining to hear Robin leaned forward only to be momentarily blinded as the doors snapped open. Making a move to dart out of the cupboard he only managed to send himself sprawling on the floor and through the blinding light from the window he heard a voice from his childhood trill amusedly.
"Well, well the rats around here are getting bigger by the day."
"Hello Martha." Robin stated with a smile and propping himself up on his elbows to avoid the blinding sunlight.
"Master Robin," Another voice hissed anxiously behind him followed by the sound of a door gently closing, "you should not be here." Robin smirked and pulled himself to his feet as he turned to face Anne.
"There are many things I should not do, it hasn't stopped me yet."
"Don't give me any of your cheek boy, are you tryin' to get us hanged?" The child in Robin flinched from that tone, he'd know it well usually followed by a fat ear. He'd earned them well growing up, sneaking about and trying to see what he could make off with. Though who could blame him? Martha had been the cook in Locksley Hall since before he was been born and in Robin's opinion she was the best in all of England. She was gruff old bat but had a sweeter side to her if you knew how to find it.
"Never," Robin replied with mock hurt, "Your 'Lord and Master' has left the manor." Martha scoffed at the insinuation that Guy's position and it only made Robin's grin wider. He'd not missed Anne's greeting, these were people who still thought him the proper Lord of Locksley, people he could trust and he'd never put them at risk. "But his money is safe for today." The group started at the sound of male voices behind the closed door, freezing on spot with Robin's hand on the hilt of his sword the voices faded. The three let out a sigh of relief and the outlaw continued in a lower voice. "I've come for information, there is something not right in Locksley."
0o0o0
When the Outlaws had returned to English shores they returned to Sherwood with a since of dread, not only for the loss of Marion and Carter or for Will and Djaq's decision to stay behind and what the fight for England would be like with out them but what had happened to Nottingham in their absence. They had followed the Sheriff to the Holy Land, for King and country but in doing so they had left Nottingham to the tender mercies of Vaysey's stand in who, under Prince John's authority would over see the land until the Sheriff's return.
What would his rule have been like? Could it have been possible he could be worse then Vaysey and what would the people think of their disappearance? These were questions every one of them thought about over and over but never speaking aloud. So it was a surprise and a relief that when they returned to camp they found it occupied. Someone in their absence had kept the good fight going, it hadn't been much as it was an operation of one but it had been enough. It had let the people know that there was always a Robin Hood.
And so he remained; Luke Scarlett, an honorary outlaw, now perched on a hilltop over looking Locksley waiting for the others to return. He looked to his right at the sound of foot falls on the grass; though as it was a leisurely stride and not a charge or an attempt at stealth he felt safe that he had not been spotted and he was proven right with the appearance of Much.
The former servant plunked himself down by Luke tossing worried glances around them. "I don't like this."
"I know,"
"Spirits and strange lights, no good can come of it." The people of Locksley were spooked and the outlaws could sense it the moment they arrived. Peasants skirted around them, eyes on the ground, working quickly and quietly, there were no children playing or laughing and windows and doors were firmly shut to the outside world, and stranger still was the sudden appearance of horseshoes nailed above the doorways.
"I know," Luke repeated removing the bit of straw that hung from the corner of his mouth. "But its like Robin says, scare tactics, get the people to do there work and keep them in line."
Much opened his mouth to reply but quickly closed it again as Luck got to his feet. Following, Much could see Robin heading towards them and the glowering look on his face did not look promising. Robin strode by them jaw set and without a second glance, Much had seen him this way before it always happened when he was either upset or deep in thought, but by the looks of him now it was both.
"Robin?" Luke questioned falling into step beside him, "What did you find out." It was then that Robin finally stopped with a frustrated sigh.
"Nothing."
"What? There has to be something, there's always something." Robin shot Much a look that went completely unnoticed. "Those serving girls are always gossiping, 'oh I just happened to be in the room' well that doesn't give you license to prattle on about it round the wash tub!" Fully aware that he was being stared at in amusement and bewilderment Much brought his rant to a halt ignoring the sting of the blush creeping up his neck. He cleared his throat and squared his shoulders in an attempt regain his dignity. "Go on,"
Robin could not help but smirk, he always forgot about just how much his friend and former servant knew about the interworking of Locksley manor, and it never ceased to amaze him about what he never knew as lord of the household. "Gisborne is not behind this." It was a statement not a theory and Robin tuned to go not giving it another thought.
"How do you know?"
"Because apparently this spirit made and appearance at the manor last night."
"What? Somebody saw it?"
"No, Marta says there were footprints left in the kitchen, no one was seen going in or out and apparently this morning Gisborne was so on edge he actually jumped at his own shadow." Luke snorted at the thought, but this bit of information bothered Robin, if Gisborne wasn't behind the sightings that left one alternative.
"But if he didn't do it, then who else would have?" When no answer was made Much's face fell. "But if no one else is responsible then that means… well that means it all happened, the specter, the strange lights on the hill…" He paused looking around them then at the ground beneath his feet. "on this hill… So who's ready to go back to camp, I know I am."
Luke caught the look on Robin's face as he looked back towards the village. "Robin, there are lots of dark haired women out there."
"She was wearing white, when she… she was wearing white…"
"Lots of people wear white." Much threw in; his voice raising in pitch ever so slightly Robin looked back at him and sighed.
"You're right," Fighting through the emotions that fought for control Robin smirked and answered in a tone that reminded them of the old Robin. "Come on lads, lets go home."