Chapter Two

"You're just in time for dinner, actually," Sir Guy said as Charlotte dropped her few belongings in her designated room. It was quite large with an expensive looking bed in the centre, covered in a luscious red blanket. Charlotte smiled- at least she had a good room. She couldn't wait to personalise it when her other things arrived.

"Oh, it's a bit early, isn't it?" she asked.

"It's midday."

"Already? Goodness, the time has flown!" she exclaimed. "We had better go then." Gisborne grunted in reply, motioning with his head to follow him. She followed him out, but stopped when she saw the Sheriff waiting outside the door.

"Forgive me if I don't join you, but I have business to attend to," he said, ignoring Sir Guy. "Do enjoy your meal." He gave a fake smile and walked off.

***

Dinner was roast pork with various vegetables and it was quite delicious. Gisborne was not very good company, but Charlotte enjoyed herself all the same.

"Sir Guy?" she asked. He looked up at her, surprised. "Could you take me on a tour of the castle?"

"Certainly," he replied, wiping his mouth. "Come with me, my lady."

***

"So, I hear that there's a visitor in the castle," Robin said to Marian as he sat on her windowsill, swinging his legs.

"I haven't heard anything about it," Marian replied, focussing on her sewing. "I suppose you want me to find out, then?"

"I suppose so," Robin said cheekily. "As a favour?"

"You only ever come for favours. The occasional gift or conversation would be nice," she said icily. Robin chuckled.

"If I say 'please', will you do it?"

"Possibly."

"Please?"

"As you insist," she sighed.

"Thank you," he said with feeling, and leant forward to kiss her on the cheek. Afterwards she shooed him away, but she was blushing. He laughed and swung out the window, landing smoothly on the ground. He then snuck into the trees, where Much was waiting for him, his eyes bright.

"So!" he said. "What did you find out?"

"Nothing," Robin replied, "but Marian is going to find out for me."

"Who do you think it is? Definitely not another Saracen prince, that's for sure."

"I get the feeling that this guest is staying a while- Will said a whole carriage of belongings came through this morning."

"Why didn't he stop it?" Much asked, frowning.

"We don't rob everybody, Much. Where would be the fun in that?"

"But a whole carriage of belongings… surely we could use those?" Much insisted, beginning to walk back towards camp.

"We could, but I get the feeling that you can't sell tailored women's clothes," Robin said, joining him. "By the way, Much, camp is that way."

"I knew that," Much snapped. "What do you mean, 'women's clothes', anyway?"

"Will and John did stop the carriage, but that was all they found. We don't rob from women, so they didn't even rob the man who was driving it," he explained. "So I suspect that the guest is a woman, judging by her clothes."

"What does the Sheriff want with a woman?" Much asked no-one in particular. Robin burst out laughing.

"Ask that again, and think about it." Much stopped walking to think, his face dappled green in the forest half-light.

"I don't…" he began, but stopped halfway through. "Oh! That is wrong, master! You have a sick mind!"