One

Hood and his men starred at each other dumbfounded, had that woman really come and said all of that to them. Who was she to admit that she'd killed Prince John, and who was to believe her anyway, she was a mere woman despite her fine fighting skills.

Robin however couldn't get over how stunning she had been. Her light brown hair seemed to dance in the sunlight and her eyes were the bluest he'd ever seen. She was in one word; beautiful. Robin hadn't felt the stirring of something in his heart for a long time, since Marion had passed he had kept his heart under lock and key never willing to open it again. That had changed when Prince John had last visited and Gisbourne's sister had been around. Robin had learnt first-hand what it felt like to be on the brink of death. It wasn't his time and he felt sure that Marion had given him the blessing to move on. He would always love her, that would never change, but he now had the chance to create a life for himself without wallowing in guilt and loneliness.

Kate, he knew fancied him, but he just couldn't bring himself to fancy her back, then of course, he'd seen the way Much looked at her and vowed to stay away regardless. Yet this woman who they had met interested him. She was mysterious and beautiful yet you could tell she had lived through events that no lady should have. There had been a hardness in her eyes, the smile on her face wasn't reflected in those endless pools of blue. Robin found himself wistfully wishing to know more about her and felt as though he should be protecting her from future danger.

'Did she just say what I think she just said' said Much dazed by her sudden exit.

'I think so' replied Allan swallowing.

'I don't trust her, she was probably lying' said Kate bitterly.

'Anyone fancy a trip to Nottingham?' said Robin, grinning madly.

Little John and Tuck shared a look.

'Have you worked out who her brother is yet?' asked Little John.

'Nope' replied Robin.

'Have you worked out her motives or what side she is on?' asked Tuck.

'Nope' replied Robin.

'Guess we're going to Nottingham then' said Allan.

As she was nearing Nottingham she caught up to her guard and real carriage, one guard took over care of her horse while she sat herself back in her carriage.

'I trust everything went well' asked the man sitting in her carriage, he was middle aged, some might write him off as being old, and they would regret their mistake.

'Yes' she replied.

'This couldn't have waited till later?' asked the man.

'I had to see him' she replied.

'He doesn't even know who you are' scoffed the man.

'You're right but I plan on changing that' she replied.

The man muttered something about girls being girls but otherwise remained silent.

'You remember the plan' she questioned.

'Of course My Lady' replied, 'are you sure you want to act it out this way'.

'I'm sure, until my brother returns I have to act on my own. It is best the Sheriff believes I am just a wealthy noblewoman until the right time' she said.

'When will the right time come?'

'When he is in the palm of my hand or thinks he has won' she replied.

'Very good Milady' he replied.

The carriage was silent for the rest of the journey, she travelled with eight guards all of whom had served her greatly in some way. They could not be bought or bribed, they were loyal to her only. Sorrow filled her eyes as they entered the great walls of Nottingham, the villagers lived on barely nothing and still managed to walk around with life in their steps. The Sheriff himself stood outside atop the steps to Nottingham Castle, his right hand man Gisbourne stood next to him, neither looked particularly appealing or happy to see her. She supposed that unless she were someone plotting to overthrow King Richard or was about to give him a lot of gold, they would remain grumpy.

She got out of the carriage, escorted –naturally- by two of her guards.

'Welcome' began the Sheriff, then stopped when he realised he didn't know her name.

'Lady Sofia' one of the guards said.

The Sheriff nodded, 'Welcome Lady Sofia to Nottingham Castle. I was surprised by your sudden letter of arrival, you said you had news'.

'It is not news for out in the open Sheriff' she said, dispensing with the formality altogether.

'You better come in then. You're guards can stay out here, Gisbourne will keep you safe'.

Sofia took one look at Gisbourne and tried not to visibly retch, 'No that will not do, I shall be accompanied by my own guards. You must understand Sheriff in times like these, one would be foolish not to be prepared' she said innocently.

'Quite so' replied the Sheriff visibly annoyed.

He led the way into the castle without further comment, Sofia followed him and her guards followed her while Gisbourne bought up the rear.

Once they were in a more secluded and private room, the Sheriff turned to her, while Gisbourne blocked the door. Silly really, did they expect to win against five guards.

'What news did you bring' said the Sheriff roughly.

'News from the castle' she replied.

'Don't play games child! Tell me what you know!' he demanded.

'Prince John is dead' she said simply.

'WHAT?!' cried the Sheriff outraged, even Gisbourne looked fearful.

'He was killed in the dead of the night by someone he feared, someone he thought to be dead' she replied.

'Who was it' asked Gisbourne.

'I cannot tell you' she replied.

'Why not?!' said the Sheriff.

'Because I do not know who the culprit was' she replied.

'Why are you here?' the Sheriff spat.

'I am Prince John's replacement' she replied.

The Sheriff growled.

'See for yourself' she said while handing over a piece of parchment. It explained what she had told them that she was now acting as royalty until King Richard's return.

'How is this possible' whispered Gisbourne in shock.