Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Robin Hood; only my original character Sofia.
AN: This chapter has been a long time coming because I have not uploaded in a while, I was struggling to work out where I wanted to story to go because I had so many ideas ~Zyii
EIGHT
Sofia had had a quiet few days, with preparations for the arrival of the new Lords and Sheriffs consuming most of the time. The Sheriff and Gisbourne had been caught up in those preparations and hadn't had time to terrorize villagers. However, Sofia hadn't seen much of Robin recently either and it weighted heavily on her heart. She knew she had feelings for Robin and she believed that he had finally let go of the torch he was carrying around for Marion. She knew she also needed to tell him the truth but she wanted his trust before doing so. She did have some of his trust but she needed to be sure of his trust in her before she told him that secret.
Sofia decided to take a break from preparations and set out in search of Robin. The new Lords and Sheriffs were due to arrive this afternoon and then during the following day, Nottingham Castle was due to throw a ball in their honour. No one would miss Sofia for a couple of hours.
Saddled upon her favourite brown horse, Sofia made her way through the forest to the cave she usually met the outlaws in. It was Djac and Will that answered her call this time, she was no so disappointed as she missed spending time with her friend and enjoyed hearing what she had been up to and the news that Quentin was settling into the group really well.
'I have not seen Robin in a while' said Djac, looking at Will.
'He headed out to Winthrope some time ago, Kate mentioned that someone had been looking for him' said Will.
'You didn't think that to be a bit suspicious' replied Sofia.
'Robin's a strong man, he can take care of himself' replied Will.
Sofia nodded, said goodbye and headed off in the direction of Winthrope.
Djac looked at Will and frowned, 'I have a bad feeling about this' she said.
It took Sofia another fifteen minutes or so of riding to reach Winthrope, she started searching for Robin on horseback but it proved too problematic so she tethered horse in a nearby stable and continued on foot. After conversing with the local people she managed to find out that Robin was currently in the local blacksmiths keep. Sofia made her way over, wondering what Robin was doing there and excited that she was soon to see him.
At first she couldn't see anyone when she entered the hut, then she heard some pots clanging in the back so she made her way there. She came to a halt in the threshold to the next room. This wasn't exactly what she had assumed she'd see when she came here. Robin pressed against some other woman, kissing the daylights out of her. Sofia wasn't proud of the way her emotions overtook her body right then, she let out a sob that alerted her presence to the two before her. Robin whipped his head around and got one look at her now tearstained face before she recovered her senses and ran from the building, ignoring his cries for her to stop. She mounted her horse quickly and sped back to Nottingham Castle.
She silenced herself, feeling stupid that she believed Robin could have felt anything for her. She had been stupid, he was after all a very attractive man and she was a woman with a terrible past and a horrific scar, who would want her.
If anyone noticed her emotional state when she arrived back at Nottingham Castle they didn't mention it. She remained in her room until a guard arrived informing her of the arrival of the Lords and Sheriffs. Then she made her way down to greet them all before announcing that she was feeling under the weather and would see them all the following day. The Sheriff of Nottingham showed a fleeting bit of concern at her behaviour but she assured him that she was quite will and was merely feeling a tad overtired from all the preparation of the day and would be right as rain tomorrow.
She saw her gown and mask hanging up in her room, a bright star in an otherwise dark day, it was the last thing she saw before falling asleep.
MEANWHILE IN SHERWOOD FOREST
When Robin returned from the village of Winthrope he was in a foul mood. He threw his bow and arrow down on the floor and screamed to the sky. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid. He'd been sent on a wild goose chase; Kate had sent him under the pretence that someone needed him. Robin hadn't thought that one of his own would send him where he wasn't needed. Once he'd arrived he'd been cornered by that godforsaken woman. He'd tried to escape but she had claws and determination on her side and it seemed that she was determined to have him. She'd all but had her lips on his for two minutes before Robin heard the sob that shattered his world. Turning to look behind and seeing the broken look on Sofia's face had made Robin's world crumble into a thousand pieces.
He'd tried to stop her from running away, he'd called her name and tried to run after her but it was no good, she had disappeared before he could explain anything. However, he did not understand how he could explain it, for to her, he suspected it looked like it did, him coming to a village to 'help' someone and ending up kissing some random woman. It had after all been his reputation before he had left for the Holy Land.
'What's wrong Robin?' asked the one voice he really didn't want to hear right now.
He turned around glaring at Kate's face, 'you did this' he shouted, 'this was all you!'
His shouting bought the attention of the others but he didn't stop to notice.
'I don't understand what you're talking about' she tried to say innocently but Robin saw right through the act.
'You sent be to that village for no reason, you lied to me Kate and you broke the heart of someone important to me' he replied.
'I didn't do anything' she said.
Robin screamed in frustration.
Tuck tried to intervene, 'what did she do Robin?' he asked calmly.
'She sent me to Winthrope under the pretence that someone needed my help. No one that needed help, they didn't even know I was coming. No it was a woman that Kate sent me to, a woman who wouldn't take no for an answer. Sofia must have been looking for me for she walked in as that woman planted a kiss on me. I heard her sob then I saw her heartbroken expression, she ran away before I could explain it to her' said Robin.
Tuck nodded seriously, 'Kate, why would you send Robin on a wild goose chase?' he asked.
'So you all automatically believe I am in the wrong again! I don't see any of you ever accusing Djac of doing something wrong' she said trying to dig herself out of the hole she'd created.
Djac looked affronted that she'd been dragged into this, 'I am never accused of anything because I would never do a thing like this' said Djac.
'How can she be important to you? You haven't even known her that long' shouted Kate.
'I knew it' whispered Alan.
'Kate my business is my own! You cannot interfere like this' shouted Robin.
'She doesn't deserve you, she's just a little whore!' screamed Kate.
Robin looked at Kate murderously as did everyone else.
'Don't you dare talk about her like that!' roared Quentin.
'This is your second warning Kate, one more and you're out' said Robin deadly seriously.
Kate said nothing but stomped away into their hideout, refusing eye contact with everyone.
'Robin you have to make things right with Sofia' said Djac.
Robin nodded.
'Robin, they're having a masquerade ball at Nottingham Castle tomorrow, you should go and win her heart' said Quentin.
'I do not think I have anything suitable for a ball' replied Robin with a smirk.
'What are we? People?' cried Little John.
'No we're outlaws!' they all cried.
THE MASQUERADE BALL
Sofia had to agree that she'd done enough moping; it was time to move on, get up, put on a gown and a mask and entertain the people downstairs as a host should. All too soon she could hear a guard knocking on her door telling her that I was time. She had chosen to decline the offer of walking in with either the Sheriff or Gisbourne; she wanted to make her own entrance because it would make a bigger statement.
She smoothed down the cloth of her pearl pink dress and put on her silver and blue mask. The doors to the ballroom were closed upon her arrival, she waited for the announcer on the other side to bring order to the room before the main doors opened and her presence was announced. She was faced with a sea of faces, each silenced by her beauty as she stood just beyond the now opened doors. She took a deep breath and then entered the room. Everyone watched her pass, some had smiles on their faces while others had glares. Once she arrived on at the chair the Sheriff had placed for her, she turned to face her audience. She always hated public speeches but unfortunately she couldn't get out of this one.
'Ladies and Gentlemen' she began, 'I am honoured that you have all attended this evening's festivities to welcome the new Lords and Sheriffs. I will not bore you with a longwinded speech, so simply let me state this. Dance and be merry' she finished to a light applaud of the people gathered before her before the music started up again and everyone went back to dancing. Sofia took a break and sat on her chair. It was customary for this event for her to dance with each new Lord and Sheriff, she didn't mind as there were only five of them and it gave her the chance to have a chat with them.
The first of the five she had the pleasure of dancing with was Lord Robert Whittle, Sheriff of Devon.
'My Lady' he said as he bent to kiss her knuckles.
She allowed him to lead her out onto the dance floor. At first people stopped to admire Lady Sofia dancing but soon they fell back into their own dancing.
'The Sheriff seems none the wiser' commented Lord Robert.
'No, it seems not' replied Sofia.
'Have you heard from King Richard?' he asked.
'I expect his next letter some point this week' replied Sofia.
Lord Robert nodded.
'How is Devon recovering?' she asked.
'Quite well' he said with a smile, 'I have yet to gain the trust of the villagers but I am working on it. I think they believe they are living within a dream, I do not think they yet realise that all the bad times are over' he said.
'I believe you are right' replied Sofia, 'but I am glad of the progress you are making'.
'It would not have happened without you' replied Lord Robert before he bowed before her signalling that the next Lord was about to take over.
'My Lady' said the new voice that she turned around to greet.
'Lord Alexander' she replied with a smile and he began to dance with her.
'I hear you have been running interference between the Sheriff and the outlaws' he said.
Sofia hid the hurt she felt at thinking of Robin and replied 'yes, and it is more fun than I thought it would be'.
'You must be careful that you are not caught in the act' he said wisely.
'I am always careful' replied Sofia, 'besides I'm more excited to see how he will react when he realises all his guards have been replaced with mine'.
Lord Alexander chuckled darkly, 'My dear, you are a joy to converse with'.
The third Lord she danced with was Lord Edward and they spoke little after he announced he'd slipped something into the Sheriff of Nottingham's drink that would have him in his private chambers for the rest of the week.
Lord number four; Fredrick, was a cheeky little bugger.
'I hear you are terrorising the men around here with your behaviour' he said.
'I don't know what you mean' she replied.
'So you didn't slap Gisbourne then?' he asked with a raised brow.
'Oh I most certainly did' replied Sofia smiling 'and I would do it again'.
The final Lord she dance with was Lord Augustus.
'My dear Lady, it has been far too long since we last met' he said.
'Indeed it has but I believe we are both at fault there. For we have both been rather busy' she replied.
'It is true, indeed' he said.
'I shall put a promise you though that when this is all over we shall sit down for an afternoon chat' she said.
'That my Lady sounds like a splendid idea' he replied.
Once her dance with Lord Augustus was over, Sofia found herself quite alone on the dance floor till she was swept up by the last person she expected to see here.
'Robin' she whispered.
'My Lady' he replied formally.
She tried to struggle out of his grip but he held firm.
'You should not be here' she whispered.
'I had to see you' he replied.
'So you could humiliate me further?' she asked.
'I was set up' he replied.
'I find that hard to believe, if you did not want to kiss her I'm sure you could have avoided it' replied Sofia bitterly.
'I promise you I was set up, it was Kate. She wanted this to happen, please don't let her win' replied Robin.
'She will stop at nothing will she' replied Sofia quietly.
'It was never my intention to hurt you Sofia. I never want to hurt you, you mean far too much to me' said Robin with passion.
Sofia starred into his eyes, 'you could have anyone you wished, I would not blame you if you found me unattractive' she said softly.
'My dear Sofia, you do not see yourself as I see you. You do not see the beauty I see, the compassion I see, the devotion to others I see and the love your heart holds. I seek no other but you' he said seriously.
'You mean all that you say' said Sofia.
'There was a time that I thought I would never give my heart to another again but then you came and lit up my world again and I realised I was being given a second chance. My heart which was once mine now belongs to you' he said seriously, his grip on her tightening slightly. Then he added, 'where does your heart lie?'
There was but a moment when neither of them spoke, the dancers around them slowed to a stop and it was simply them in an empty room.
'With you, my heart has always belonged to you' she whispered.