Change is imminent and it's not looking good for Lizzie, can she win the mysterious Jonothan over? And Guy has gone down in my estimation considerably! Robin...just hurry up okay!

I am starting a new story! It will be under Treasure Island and stars yet another feisty heroine so please look it up :-)

Enjoy and please review!

Chapter 25

Robin

"Alan!" I called furiously, what time was this to go running off? Did he not care for Lizzie at all? Will ran back out of breath,

"Nowhere to be seen Robin." He panted and leaned against Much's shoulder as I let out a growl,

"Well we can't waste anymore time – we have to find Lizzie." I stated flatly and Little John nodded his agreement forcefully,

"To the castle then. Who knows, we might even find Alan there?" He added, his eyes darkening and we all stopped moving as the atmosphere changed to ice.

"Not again." I snarled in a voice that was barely human and the ice shattered,

"Let's just go Robin, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it – if we come to it." Will reasoned and I forced myself to keep my anger under control as we started towards the castle.

Guy

Where was he? He had left over an hour ago – what was taking him so long? I had always been slightly disgusted by Alan and his treacherous ways but when he showed up earlier that day asking for a job and safety with the news that the Sheriff had Liz in the castle Guy was more than happy to oblige. Had been. But he'd sent Alan over an hour ago to give Lizzie some food and report back on how she was and he hadn't come back!

Shrugging my jacket over my shoulders to combat the chill that hung through the castle I stormed out of the room and walked straight into the Sheriff.

"My apologies, my lord." I mumbled and he laughed,

"Clumsy, clumsy Gisbourne." He breathed then put his face disturbingly close to my own, "Haven't you heard that you can't afford to make any mistakes?" He said, his eyes flashing and I tried to swallow finding my throat dry and painful, his words were like a loaded gun and I lifted my chin,

"I don't know what you mean, my lord." I said, playing it safe and he chuckled.

"Then you're more of a fool than I knew Gisbourne which is saying something." He said with a curl of his lip. "Elizabeth." He said slowly and carefully and my eyes widened before I could control my reaction and lower them as the Sheriff laughed exultantly.

"You led me straight to her, Gisbourne!" He crowed and a muscle jumped in my jaw, "Did it never occur to you that I could have you followed? That I might be a teeny bit suspicious as to why you kept returning to the forest even after she was 'dead'?" the Sheriff laughed, showing off his unpleasant teeth and I lost my temper.

"You'll rot in hell," I snarled as my fist raised seemingly of it's own accord and was stopped by a dagger pressed to the vein in my wrist, I stopped moving and murdered the Sheriff with my eyes instead. But I could do nothing, one move and my life's blood was spilled – then how could I help Lizzie?

"You are a fool Guy. Ever since that girl came back into your life you have been a fool, you are not a big brother you are a soldier and one that I have found very useful in the past despite your irritating tendency to act like a BLITHERING DOLT." Spit flecked my face as the Sheriff shouted the insult in my face and I tried my very hardest not to wipe it off. "One false move, Gisbourne, and she will be dead, I need her dead anyway but was willing to make an exception, forget about her Gisbourne she is not worth the thought and trouble – she abandoned you to live with Hood – your enemy – as soon as your protection was moot, she didn't give you a second thought. She hates you, Gisbourne, she's told you that herself, and what did you do? What was your heinous crime? Finding her a wealthy husband in your time of need! Not worth the years of guilt and anger she stored up for you then flung in your face as soon as you showed her you wouldn't harm her. Man up Gisbourne – she's just a girl, this is your job we discuss now...your life." He hissed and I closed my eyes, his voice snaking it's way into my head and twisting my thoughts...

"I only did what I thought was right." My voice was quiet, the Sheriff dropped his knife and put his hand instead on my shoulder.

"I know Gisbourne." He whispered, "She is who is to blame, she was a burden – she poisoned your childhood – you were but a boy, you would have been fine...on your own. She dragged you down then and she is dragging you down now, let her go Gisbourne. Leave her behind."

Lizzie

"What in Janus's name are you doing here?" I cried, my surprise giving way to relief, "Is Robin here too? Can you cut me loose? These ropes are hurting." Alan didn't reply or make any move to un-tie me, I strained to see his face,

"Hello? Alan? What's wrong?" I faltered as he moved towards me – his face was cold and hard except for his eyes which were wide with fear.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice shrill as he turned and moved to the door, "What are you doing in the castle if not to save me?" I questioned through gritted teeth and he looked back at me momentarily but that was all I needed, one look full of guilt and confusion and fear told me everything I needed to know about Alan at that point – he was a spy, and how appropriate that I'd sworn by Janus before...the two-faced god.

Guy

The Sheriff was right, I'd gone soft – I missed the simplicity of my life before Elizabeth came back into it much more than I missed Elizabeth herself, I told myself. The box inside my chest full of guilt and regret had been forcibly opened by my sister when she'd stormed back into my life and turned everything upside down and now I had locked it for good, she was the past, I had a new life – a better life. With this in mind I ran my hand over my unshaven face and started down the stairs.

"You asked to see me, my lord." I said as I entered the Sheriff's chamber and he nodded,

"Yes. I want you to find out from our guest when Robin is next planning to come to the castle. Use force if necessary...in fact if she does not co-operate have Jonothan – the man who brought her here – to hand." The Sheriff said breezily and I gave a curt nod then made my way to the room where she was locked away.

Lizzie

Again and again and again I tore at the ropes binding me to the chair – it had been a day at least and my muscles were on fire with pain and exhaustion, I stopped for a rest, panting and teary-eyed with hopelessness but still with the knowledge that I would keep trying. I had to warn Robin. My temper flared at the sound of footsteps and I lifted my head, scowling and ready to have a good shout at whoever walked through the door.

The bolts were unlocked, the door was thrown open and my brother stood, set against the dim glow emanating from the firelit corridor. Happiness washed over me like a cool breeze and I smiled for the first time since arriving at the castle,

"Guy!" I cried, my eyes welling with sheer relief at the sight of him, but something was different. Something was wrong. The hard planes of his face that had recently softened into a smile when he saw me remained taut and a muscle jumped in his jaw, his eyes were dark with heavy brows and half-moon shadows hanging from his lower lids, his lips were set in a sneer – where was the man I'd come to trust again, and know? This was the Guy I had first glimpsed, the one I did not like, the one I was afraid of.

"Guy?" I whispered, my pulse racing as silence ate my words and left nothing behind – he simply stood there. "Guy what is wrong? You are scaring me." I said, hating to admit it but fearing the worst. "Has something happened?"

"Yes. Something's happened." He said, leaning back against the door and crossing one leg over the other. "I have come to my senses." He jeered and I flinched away from his mocking tone.

"Guy..." I was testing the waters, something was definitely wrong. He was laughing now, a low, private laugh at some internal joke and no empathy showed in his black eyes as he looked casually at me, bound and terrified whilst he – my own brother – did nothing about it.

In one sudden movement he jerked his dagger free from his belt and a strangled gasp fled my lips, he walked towards me with the weapon in his hand and catching disconcerting flecks of light from the high window. Then he was standing before me, looming over me and I shrank away from his as far as my imprisonment allowed.

"When is Hood returning to the castle?" He asked abruptly and I swallowed.

"Why?" I countered, searching his face for a goodwill I couldn't find. He stared back at me then raised his dagger, bringing it down – as I flinched away in terror – to slice the ropes pinning me to the chair. My muscles, when released, rendered me unable to move as I tried to massage some blood back into my aching wrists. Guy moved to stand behind the chair and I forced myself not to look at him again as he put a hand on the back of the chair either side of my neck and lowered his face so close to my neck that I began to tremble, sensing his hostility. Frightened I moved to stand up but he clasped strong hands to my shoulders and forced me back down causing me to cry out in pain as he applied pressure to my aching muscles.

"Let me go Guy." I ordered, fed up of being subservient but my defiance only prompted a tighter grip.

"Tell me what I want to know and I will." He growled, his impatience evident in his rough voice.

"So you've reverted to being the Sheriff's play-thing, his lap-dog, is that it?" I asked and he dragged me to standing, clasping my upper arms in a punishing grip and shaking me.

"Just tell me." He commanded and I let one eyebrow rise as I lifted my chin and pursed my lips. For a moment Guy was still then he raised a hand and swiftly brought the back of it to connect with my face, sending me sprawling across the room. Choking back tears of shock and pain I scrambled to my feet.

"You would betray me again Guy! After all you have done and I have forgiven?" I pushed my words on him, forcing him to listen but he only rolled his eyes and pushed past me.

"It is you who should be begging my forgiveness sister." He sneered and I felt my mouth open in shock as the man who had brought me here stepped into the room, the last I saw of Guy before the door slammed and blocked him from view was a face of stone, watching impassively as I crumpled to the floor.

Once the door was shut I gave way to my anger and hurt in screams and useless hits to the stone floor until hands much bigger than my own wrapped around my wrist and pulled me to my feet.

"Let go of me." I sobbed, my body wracked by shudders and tears as I attempted to free myself of the mans hold, but he made no move.

"RELEASE ME." I shouted, aware that I must look thoroughly mad and not caring a bit as I brought my knee up to connect solidly with his groin. My wrists were abruptly freed and I stumbled backwards before running to the door and plying the handle with desperate hands, fists and nails, the man recovered himself quickly and grabbed a fistful of my hair, using it to drag me backwards and yank me down onto the chair. Resigning myself once more I tired to stop crying and pull myself together, very conscious of his gaze, his face was a closed door – I could no more tell what he was thinking than make myself invisible.

"Who are you?" I asked and he inclined his head.

"Name's Jonothan." He replied gruffly and I continued to watch him warily.

"And why are you here, Jonothan?" I asked, my tone dripping with disregard for the name which I highly doubted actually belonged to him.

"To get some information from me, perhaps?" I continued and he shrugged,

"Perhaps." He acceded and I stared at him in confusion...why wasn't he getting on with it then?

"You should know that I will not tell you anything." I said, looking closely at his reaction but he merely shrugged again.

"Let's start small then. Your name?" He asked, no emotion coloring his face, I stared him down – this was to be a battle of wits? Not what I had expected.

"Sophia." I told him, letting the smallest hint of reluctance creep into my voice and he nodded his head as if remitting it to memory.

"Your age?"

"That is a rude question to ask Jonothan but I shall tell you. I am 20." I lied and again he acknowledged my answer with a thoughtful nod.

"Like you order and discipline, Sophia?" He asked, inflecting just a hint of sarcasm into my 'name'.

"Love it. It is the stuff of life." I answered dryly and he smiled, again inclining his head.

"And are you a good -" He drew closer "Liar?" He whispered and I threw up my hands.

"Heavens what a question! I wouldn't know where to start with telling falsehoods I'm afraid, acting is not my forte." I announced, batting my eyelashes at him sweetly and he bared his wolfish teeth in a feral grin.

"You seem to have been fine thus far, Elizabeth." he pointed out and I looked back at him steadily.

"As I said, I will tell you nothing."