This was it. The day Edyn had been dreading since she had first heard of it – the day her brother was going to be married.

Only a few days ago, the day after Allan had been banished from Robin's camp in fact, Henry had anxiously arrived at the castle and asked to see Edyn. By the time she had got the message and entered the courtyard Henry had sweat rolling from his brow and his complexion was frighteningly pale. She had to force herself not to laugh at his nerves. Strange how something that seem so normal to her was so terrifying to him. He quickly led her from the castle and announced the day of their wedding, the King's birthday.

"What do you think?" he had asked her. "Devoted or what?" Edyn tried to laugh with him but the idea of him being married still seemed surreal to her. "She's waiting in the market to meet you. I didn't think it would be wise for her to come to the castle also," he told her.

"She's here? Victoria?" Edyn asked.

Henry nodded his head excitedly and continued to drag her by the arm through the town. "There she is!" he exclaimed delighted, but Edyn didn't need him to point her out, she had already noticed her. Tall and slim Victoria was already waving madly at them. She had long straight fair hair and bright blue eyes. To some she may look beautiful but to Edyn who had spent every day in the presence of Marian thought otherwise; she had now become somewhat shallow when it came to beauty.

"Hello!" Victoria gushed running to them before throwing her arms around Edyn.

"Hell– Oh!" Edyn yelped at the sudden contact.

"It's so good to finally meet you," Victoria said still with her arms around Edyn's neck.

"Err… You too," Edyn replied simply patting the woman timidly on the back. "Henry's told me a lot about you."

This seemed to get Victoria to let go of her, though she was being held at arms-length. "Has he? I hope he hasn't been saying too much," she giggled.

"Oh, you never know with Henry," Edyn muttered through gritted teeth.

"Oi," Henry objected. "I'm not that bad."

Victoria laughed even louder and pulled Edyn into another hug. "I knew we'd get along. From what Henry's told me we're so alike and now I've met you I know it's true."

"Wow, you got that from just a few moments?" Edyn asked.

"I'm good at reading people," Victoria said beaming at her. "Should we maybe go and get a drink? I've always heard good things about the Trip."

"Umm… Probably best if I don't go in there," Edyn muttered. "I'm not that popular with the owner," she added before Victoria could jump to some ridiculous conclusion.

"Ooo," Victoria exclaimed. "Scandal."

Edyn forced herself to laugh with her and she seemed to fool Victoria but Henry shot her a dark stare and she knew he could clearly see her falseness. She couldn't help it though, this woman was far too eccentric and loud, and not in a good fun way but rather annoying instead.

After what seemed like hours they finally left her, but not before Henry pulled Edyn aside. "Stop it, Edyn. Just stop it!" he snapped at her.

"What?"

"Victoria doesn't know you well enough to know that you're making fun of her but I do! And I can't believe you of all people would be that cruel."

"I'm sorry, Henry, I really am. It's just she's so… I don't know. Just different to what I expected, that's all."

"Well you better get over your little issue with her because I love her, and very soon she will be my wife, a part of our family." Edyn shuddered at the sudden thought. "Please, I'm begging you; please make an effort with her. I think you'll love her once you get to know her."

Edyn exhaled and nodded her head. Her brother was the most important person in her life and she wasn't going to let anything come between them, even if it meant she had to go along with the happy family scenario Victoria was clearly dreaming of.

So now here she was, dressed in her best to attend the small ceremony for her brother and his soon-to-be wife. She was being extra careful as she rode to Clun not to dirty or crease the dress she was wearing. It was an old dress of Marian's which she had insisted Edyn tailor it to fit herself especially for the day. She had even let her auburn hair flow loosely down her back. All of this was her way of showing her brother she was trying to be involved.

When she arrived at his new home she found him once again sweating uncontrollably from nerves. "What if she doesn't want to marry me anymore? What if she won't enjoy living with me? What if I start to annoy her?" his endless questions started the moment she had walked through the door.

"You'll be fine," she reassured him. I'm sure she'll annoy you before you annoy her, she thought to herself knowing better than to voice her opinion. "Just take it one step at a time, alright? I'm sure everyone worries about this before they marry."

"I hope so," he muttered.

The two of them walked towards the edge of the forest where Victoria had wanted the ceremony to take place, and even Edyn had to admit it looked beautiful. Flowers and streamers had been placed everywhere and the amount of different colours was almost overwhelming. But the smell was amazing, the mixture of all the flowers and the clear fresh scent from the forest seemed to fit perfectly and Edyn knew it would be something she would always remember.

Victoria finally arrived along with her mother and two sisters and Edyn surprised herself to find the smile on her own face was actually genuine. Victoria's dress was only simple but she looked amazing, her cheeks were the perfect rosy colour and her eyes were glistening with excitement. She was unbelievably joyful and it seemed as if she passed on her delight to those around her as Edyn no longer felt any annoyance or jealously towards this woman, she was honestly pleased for Victoria's happiness.

The ceremony was short but very sweet and soon everyone was cheering and dancing to celebrate the newlyweds. Food and drinks were quickly passed around and Edyn regretted to leave as she had to be back at the castle – being the King's birthday there was a celebration being held at the castle and she was lucky enough that Marian had helped her sneak out to be here. She embraced Henry before she left and she heard him whisper in her ear softly. "I'm so happy, Edyn. I hope someday soon you'll be happy too." She only smiled at him in response. That was something she didn't want to discuss with him, not on his wedding day anyway.

Returning to the castle was much more difficult than she thought it would be. With the many extra nobles now inside celebrating the King's birthday the security had been made much stricter than normal. People who entered had to be searched for any weapons as well as stating their business inside. Edyn had thought being the Lady Marian's maid would have made it easier for her but apparently it made no difference to the guards who continued on with their slow pace.

Eventually she was allowed inside and was hurrying to Marian's chamber. As she rounded the corner she stopped and gawked with utter shock. Sir Guy's men were restraining Marian while Guy himself towered over her. "Sir Guy!" Edyn called as she rushed over. "What are you doing?"

He barely turned to look at her. "Take Lady Marian's maid also," he instructed one of his guards and before she knew it Edyn was also restrained while shackles were placed uncomfortably around her wrists.

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed again while Marian continued to yell towards Sir Guy as she was forced away by the guards holding her.

The two of them were escorted to the other side of the castle where the Sheriff usually housed his guests and were then pushed inside one of the bedchambers; all the while Marian struggled and pulled against them whereas Edyn simply followed somewhat defeated. There was no way she could overpower two burly guards that held her. Once inside a much older man faced them, his wrinkled face beamed at Marian. "Ah!" he said taking in Marian's appearance who as if on cue began her rant about her treatment. "Oh, gag her for God's sake. She's pretty until she talks," the strange man complained as he left the room. The moment the door was closed Marian began pulling at the shackles placed around her wrists.

"My lady, what is going on? Who was that?" Edyn demanded.

"He is the Lord of Winchester. Apparently I was brought into some agreement between him and the Sheriff," Marian told her while still struggling with the chains. "I don't understand, Guy said he would get me out of this. Why did he say that only to bring me here? Is he trying to torture me? Is this some sort of revenge?"

"I don't know," Edyn answered. "What is going to happen to us?"

"Well, if what Guy said is true, then we will be the newest residents in Winchester." Marian sighed irritably. "What about your shackles. They look much looser."

In truth they were. Edyn's small hands and wrists looked tiny in their confinements but they were still tight enough that she couldn't pull her hands from them. "They're too tight."

"Are you sure? You can't even slide them out?"

Edyn repositioned her hand, curling her thumb and littlest finger together and tried again. Almost. It was a tight fit and desperation to get out this horrid situation forced her to grit her teeth and force the steel to slide over her knuckles. The moments her hand was free the pain struck her. The skin on her knuckles from her index finger and smallest finger had been torn off as the shackle slid over them. "Ouch!" she gasped bringing her hand down and squeezing it between her thighs. She was not going to try and get the other off, she didn't care if it hung from her other wrist painfully, that discomfort wasn't as bad as what she had just felt. At least she could now move her arms freely.

"Quick, check his desk," Marian urged. "Maybe he has something we can pick the locks with."

Edyn nodded and she hurriedly riffled through his drawers desperate for anything. She desperately tried to ignore the shaking of her hand as blood began to trickle down her fingers. "Nothing," she declared. "There's nothing."

"The boot chest. Hurry!" Marian instructed.

Edyn's hand began to sting more than before as she dug through it frustrated when there was nothing to be found. Without even waiting for Marian to say another word she then went to the drawers beside his bed, then the shelves on the back wall. There had to be something. She was just about to give up when she noticed something almost hidden beneath his pillow. She couldn't believe their luck when she pulled it aside and found a small dagger. "Will this do?" she asked Marian as she rushed over to her.

"Let's hope the blade isn't too big," Marian replied.

Having no idea of what she was meant to do, Edyn stuck the blade inside the lock on Marian's shackles and fiddled and twisted it hoping to her the little click to tell her she was triumphant, but nothing. "Urgh, I think the blade is too big," she grumbled.

"Just keep trying," Marian encouraged.

There was then a loud click but it wasn't from the shackles but instead the door as it was unlocked and the Lord Winchester entered followed by Sir Guy and his guards. Edyn froze. He simply stared at her for a moment as if expecting her to do something courageous but fear had immobilised her and with a sigh he gestured for the guards to restrain her. Vaguely she wondered if she should have tried to fight them off with the small dagger but when she thought about it she caught a glimpse of the swords each guard had strapped to their belts. Like a small dagger was really going to make them stop. Defeated, she simply handed them the weapon and waited for them to replace to shackle she had slipped out of.

"A bit of an escape artist are we?" Winchester asked her while prodding her bloody hand painfully. "The girl stays here," he told Sir Guy. "I won't have her residing in my home."

"No!" Marian spoke up. "I insist if I am being forced to leave then my maid must come with me!"

"My lord, the girl was only following orders," Sir Guy added, clearly for Marian's benefit rather than Edyn's. "She's just proved how loyal she is and how willing she is to… oblige."

Edyn shot Sir Guy the darkest stare she could muster. How dare he say that! Lord Winchester simply smirked. "Well in that case, I cannot deprive the Lady Marian from her maid, can I?" He rubbed his hands together with satisfaction. "Bring them outside. I will be leaving once the show is over."

Edyn caught Marian's eye and she too looked just as confused. What show? Once outside they then understood. Both Robin and Allan stood on a plank of wood over a boiling pot of pitch. Since Allan had now been banished from the outlaw's camp she knew neither of them were going to hold back and fear began to rattle through her. Although Allan had done wrong she did not want to see him die because of it. And Robin… what were the people to do without him?

Marian was forced to stand alongside Lord Winchester as he feasted while watching the two outlaws battle each other. Edyn was thankful that she was shunned to stand in the background between two guards and from where she stood she could not get a clear sight of the spectacle. Occasionally she noticed the people gathered flinch and she assumed one of them had had a near miss. She was sure that if one of them were to fall there would be several outcries that would inform her, she didn't want to see it herself.

"Music!" the Sheriff then demanded.

From then on everything became chaos. Robin's gang suddenly appeared all dressed in coloured rags and hats producing weapons from the instruments they carried. Eager to see what was happening Edyn leaned around the guard beside her and stood on her toes for a better look. She could see both Allan and Robin had both gotten down from the plank of wood and soon Robin had his gang disappearing to safety, but not before he took one last look in Marian's direction. Edyn's spirits then lifted slightly. Robin would not allow Marian to be taken away. Surely he would come up with a plan and rescue her. Edyn clung onto hope that she was right. She didn't want to leave. She especially didn't want to go with this Lord Winchester. He was much too alike the Sheriff, yet his infatuation with Marian seemed to make him appear much worse in comparison, even though Edyn had never thought it possible.

Soon after Robin's escape they were forced to wait in the courtyard and wait for Lord Winchester's carriage to come for them. Typically, both Marian and Edyn were being guarded at all times. While waiting, Edyn had noticed that Allan apparently was taking orders from Guy; the two of them seemed to be scheming before they disappeared towards the stables. She soon put two and two together to work out that once Allan had realised that Robin was not going to have him back he turned to Guy in desperation. She was so disappointed in him. Before he had disappeared he had briefly looked up at both Marian and Edyn. Marian had been too preoccupied by the guards so close they were almost breathing down her back to notice him, whereas Edyn had ignored them and had met Allan's eye, almost pleading with him with her expression. Why?

Soon after he left the carriage appeared escorted by Lord Winchesters' three men. Somewhat reluctant, Marian slowly climbed into the carriage and Edyn went to follow before she was called back. "Wait!" She turned to see Lord Winchester entering the courtyard. "I have never shared my carriage with a servant and I don't intend to do so now. I don't care if you are a Lady's maid or not. You will ride up the front with the driver," he ordered.

With a sigh, Edyn bowed her head and obliged. As she scrambled out she caught Marian's pleading look, but what could she do? She desperately wanted to stay with her but once she was given an order she had to obey. Climbing up beside the driver was much more difficult than she thought, especially as her hands were still locked in shackles. Seeming to take pity on her he held out his arm and helped her up. "Thank you," she said, but she got no reply from him. Strange man, kept his hood right over his face so all she could see was the tip of his nose. It was any wonder he could see at all.

The trip from Nottingham castle was long and slow. The moment they entered the forest she had been waiting for Robin's men to ambush, but nothing. Her stomach began to lurch with dread the further they got through the forest. Come on, Robin, she thought. Now would be a good time to ambush a carriage.

But still there was no sigh of him or his men. By now they were entering a large clearing and oddly the two riders in front of them signalled the driver to stop. "What are you doing?" Edyn asked, not at all surprised when she got no answer. The driver then jumped off and stood by the horses.

Lord Winchester was soon climbing out demanding an explanation. One of the riders snuck away on the other side of the carriage while the other moved his horse nearer before he removed his hood. Edyn gasped. The Sheriff of Nottingham was sat astride the horse looking rather smug with himself. "Do you really think I would just smile and let you have Sussex?" he sneered.

Looking back towards Winchester she noticed Sir Guy had suddenly appeared behind him right before he pulled out a dagger and sank it deep in Winchester's flesh. Groaning and spluttering he fell to the ground and within a few short moments he was dead. Still stunned Edyn jumped when the driver came up beside her and pulled back his hood to reveal Allan holding out his hand to help her down. "You…" she trailed off unsure of what she was going to say. Allan simply nodded his head as if he understood her confusion.

Sir Guy had just finished taking the shackles from Marian's wrists before he threw the keys to Allan. Surprisingly, he was quite gentle as he unlatched the irons. "Thank you, Allan." He barely looked at her before he turned to the horses pulling the coach and began unharnessing them. The carriage was just another object the Sheriff had no need of so it was simply to be left there; the horses on the other hand would be of some value and use. Glancing over at the others Edyn could see Marian was seated behind Sir Guy on his horse and the two of them were riding back to Nottingham alongside the Sheriff. Edyn and Allan followed them on foot leading the two horses.

For nearly half the walk they were silent. Eventually, curiosity became too much for Edyn. "Why did you do it, Allan?" she asked him. He exhaled sharply and glared at the ground in front of him. "I'm sorry, but I have to ask. What was going through your mind when you agreed to help Sir Guy?"

Shaking his head he spoke in a low voice. "You don't understand, Edyn. No one does."

"Well, refusing to answer is hardly going to persuade people that you deserve a second chance," she responded.

He simply glared at her and she knew he was beyond caring about defending himself to everyone. "Tell me something, Edyn. Just then, while we were riding through the forest, were you waiting for Robin to come? Were you expecting him and the rest of the gang to come and help you and Marian?" Edyn didn't answer, her eyes dropping to the ground proving he was right. "Exactly," he continued. "I thought the same way too. That is, until Robin didn't come for me. He didn't even care enough to notice that I was missing so I had to make a decision to save myself. And yes, I regret it. You have no idea how much I do, but I'm sure if you were in that position, or any of the others in the gang, that you would have done the same thing."

Edyn was stunned by his outburst. Deciding it was best not to ask further questions she remained mute. "You don't believe me," he muttered quietly looking away from her.

"I didn't say that," she replied just as quietly.

"Yeah, but I know what you're thinking," he said, his voice rising again. "Let's just hope you don't get put in that situation."

Silence surrounded them once more and as they caught sight of Nottingham in the distance Allan spoke again. "Why didn't you say anything to Robin or Marian? You had the chance to. And you had seen me near the Trip so many times I knew you would have had to have known it was me, but you didn't say anything. Why?"

After a moment of stillness Edyn sighed. "I don't know why… I just didn't." She looked up at him and he was questioning her with his eyes. "I guess deep down I was hoping I was wrong. I don't have many friends and I don't want to be the one responsible for ruining someone's life. I was hoping that you would do the right thing and confess, and try and sort everything out." It was Allan's turn to remain quiet. "I guess we were both wrong," she said softly. "You're not going to say anything about Lady Marian, are you? Or me?"

He held back a laugh. "I know I'm a traitor, but I'm not going to say anything that will put anyone in danger, alright?"

"I'm sorry. But I had to ask. Surely you understand?"

"I'm beginning to," he replied slightly irritated.

That night, both Edyn and Marian had much to discuss between Allan's betrayal and the whole incident with Winchester. Even Henry's wedding was mentioned, but after everything that had happened it seemed like it was months ago that Edyn had been there, not hours. Idly, Edyn wondered if she were ever going to have a normal life, one that wasn't so full of drama and surprising incidents. But then, after everything she had witnessed and been a part of, a normal life would probably bore her now. She almost giggled at the thought. She enjoyed a little excitement, although today was just too intense. She wished there was some medium in her life, but she doubted that would ever happen. Nottingham was either a huge bore and a depressing place to be, or the total opposite. There would never be a normal day in Nottingham, she was sure of it.

A:N/ I know it's probably not the best I've done, but my mind keeps wandering to later chapters that I'm itching to write so I'm forcing myself to get these chapters out of the way so I can get to the exciting ones! I loved the idea of the little chat between Allan and Edyn; I hope it came out all right. I don't think I portrayed Allan quite right, so any advice? Please, please review! I love feedback. And thankyou to my last reviewers! *big squishy hugs!* I promise a Will/Edyn scene in the next chapter, it just didn't seem appropriate in this chapter with all the drama and everything.