Hi! So its been a while - I apologize, been so so busy. But I hope you like this chapter and promise more in the very near future :-) Please review - I love them!

Chapter 26

Lizzie

"As I said, I will tell you nothing." I said quietly, Jonothan's lips tipped into a smirk,

"I highly doubt that." He countered in a low voice that sent a shudder down my back. Determined, I rose and faced him as defiantly as I could.

"I will not betray Robin! And nothing you, or indeed anyone, can do will make me go back on my word. I love him and will be loyal to him." I spoke slowly and deliberately, my pent-up anger bubbling dangerously near the surface.

"You do him credit, you fool." Jonothan hissed and I took a wary step backwards – apparently I was not the only one who had some barely-controlled angst. In truth the man scared me – his sheer size frightened me – and the look in his eyes told of no kindness and certainly no mercy, the only two traits on which I could play for release were absent.

"When will he return?" Jonothan pressed, stepping towards me, his voice silky smooth and threatening. I forced myself not to flinch as I stared mutely back at him and he gripped the back of my neck without warning, using his hold on me to throw me into the corner of the room.

I hit the wall and crumpled to the floor painfully, my head began to throb and I gasped at the sudden violence, even now he gave no signs of having just thrown a woman across the room – he was as composed as if he had just looked up from doing the accounts. Little did he know that force would not break me – fragile as I may have looked on the outside I had endured far worse, no word of Robin's plans would pass my lips; even if he killed me.

With this thought in my head I pushed myself onto my knees and stared at him, putting every ounce of hatred I felt for him into my glare, the sooner it was over with the better. To my surprise however, though his lips pulled back in a snarl, he did not approach me again – merely turned on his heel and stormed from the room, locking the bolts noisily and with unnecessary force.

Why? I thought, confused. Nothing made sense.

Guy

Don't think about her, Guy told himself as he went from room to room taking his temper out on people. As servant after servant succumbed to his anger with fear Guy felt himself returning inch by inch, and with every scruff he seized and shook for no good reason he felt a familiar thrill of power, every pair of knocking knees upon his approach made him smile his old, wolfish smile – he was strong and feared and powerful once again.

Robin

We had reached the castle gates, hooded and cloaked of course. At a sign from me Little John approached the guard and bowed politely, as the guard nodded in return Little John grabbed his shoulders and drew him behind the wall before knocking him senseless, donning his uniform and nudging the man off the edge of the drawbridge where he fell into the mud below. We filed past quickly and John remained in his guards garb.

"Split up." I muttered and we all chose a different route through the crowd, I forged straight ahead steadily using my staff and shoulders to part the crowd until I reached the place where I normally waited for Lizzie – her window showed no light; it was shut. Disappointed, I kneaded my temple and tried to think as I walked back the way I came. People parted for me this time having learned their lesson so I kept my aching head down, until I collided with a mans back that is.

"What do you think you're -" He started to say before recognition made both of our mouths drop open.

"Alan!" I said and he laughed nervously, "What are you doing here? Where have you been?" I asked suspiciously.

"I – er Gisbourne got me. He's had a right change of heart, dunno why but hes back to normal. No more Mr Nice Guy." He joked with an attempt at his old bravado. "Just got away, on my way to find you actually." He said and I nodded.

"Right. Well do you know what happened to Lizzie?" I asked urgently and he nodded slowly.

"They've got her locked up." He told me and I rolled my eyes.

"I guessed that. Why?"

"Well...they're planning to turn the people against you because you apparently murdered her so she'd kind of ruin it, wouldn't she?" Alan pointed out and I let out the breath I'd been holding – could be worse. I made to move towards the castle but Alan put a cautionary hand on my arm.

"No Robin." He warned, "I'll go in – the security is high and we can't lose you, I can pretend I've changed my mind if I'm caught – I'll say I have some information or something." He said in a rush and I made a face,

"I don't know..." I said, not liking the idea of being out of action.

"I;m going. Just...tell me something insignificant that I can say if I'm caught like...well when you're planning on next coming to market?" He suggested and I nodded,

"Guess you're right. I was going to come in two days from now and give out some money." I told him and he nodded with a quick grin and started towards the castle.

Guy

"Alan! What do you think you're doing?" I fumed as I caught him by the collar and forced him against the wall, he gulped for air,

"But...Hood! I -" He panted and I let go of him.

"Well? What?" I said impatiently.

"Two days from now." He gasped and I narrowed my eyes, "He's coming to the castle in two days time." He finished and a slow smile crept over my face, here was the final piece of information we needed to bring Hood down...and down he would be; lower than the peasants, lower than the thieves, lower than the boy who no-one liked banished for a crime that was not his. Yes. Hood would be dust to him soon and the revenge that had fed the furnace of his hatred would be satisfied.

"The Sheriff will be so pleased." I smirked, "Now get out."