AN: Apologies for not updating in a long while. It has been beyond hectic at work, my evening have been filled with food and then lots of sleeping.
NINE
When Sofia awoke the following morning her heart was still racing. Images of last night flashed through her mind, the Sheriff's announcements, the Lords and the moment she'd shared with Robin.
She felt lucky, though she'd wanted it, she'd known she'd walking in on a broken Robin and she never thought he'd be fixed enough to want her. Now she was feeling incredibly blessed that he had chosen her to live his life with and she felt special that she was the holder of his heart. She blushed at the thought of seeing Robin again, now that their feelings were out in the open she somehow felt shyer. She knew it was irrational but she found herself behaving differently, she longed to openly declare her feelings for Robin but knew that that was an impossible thing to do at this moment in time; she'd have to wait patiently.
The one thing she really had to do was tell Robin the truth about her, she knew there would be a chance that he would reject her because of it but she had to believe that he was the better man and would rise above what she had kept from him. Just as she began planning her day there was a hurried knock at her door.
'Come in' she called.
The door opened and in walked the Sheriff.
'Sheriff!' she exclaimed 'what a pleasant surprise, what are you doing here so early in the morning?' she enquired.
'My Lady, have you seen Gisbourne this morning?' he asked in fake politeness.
Sofia rubbed sleep from her eyes and looked at the Sheriff intently 'no I haven't, have you lost him?' she asked amused.
'Gods teeth, he's gone! One of the new Sheriff's must have taken him' he declared.
'My, my Sheriff such accusations! How did you come to reach this conclusion?' she asked.
'Well he wouldn't have just walked away. He is after all my right-hand man; they could be holding him at ransom'.
'Dear Sheriff, you think of yourself far too highly, I do not think one of the new Sheriff's has taken him. Do you not think he was after more power than you were willing to give? If you do not believe me on that then just think…how many enemies do you have Sheriff? Surely it is more probable that he has been taken by one of your enemies'.
The Sheriff paled slightly, a lone bead of sweat trickling down the side of his head.
Sofia cocked her head at him 'I expect Gisbourne to be back within two weeks Sheriff or there will be consequences' she said in a sing song voice that sounded quite menacing.
'Of course Lady Sofia, I'll set my best men on the case' he said.
'I expect you to be involved as well Sheriff and if your men fail, I'll have to bring in my own'.
'Of course My Lady, I won't disappoint' said the Sheriff.
Sofia watched from the door as the Sheriff left. She had to admit, she was quite pleased by his terrified reaction. After all she'd heard about him and all the research she'd done, she was pleasantly surprised by how easily he'd fallen into her trap. Then again he'd been terrified of Prince John and Sofia had made sure she acted in a similar manner to that disgusting man, so if the Sheriff was scared of her, she shouldn't be surprised.
Sofia was insistent that the Sheriff accompany the guards in finding Gisbourne for one reason. Today was the changeover day for the taxes and fortune was on her side with the Sheriff seeming to have forgotten about this with the worry of a missing Gisbourne. It wouldn't be her fault if the taxes were stolen by Robin Hood and his band of outlaws. It would be the Sheriff's fault for not keeping enough guards around to protect her. She giggled to herself as she began to dress.
Once she was presentable a knock sounded on her door. She expected the Sheriff again, so was pleasantly surprised to find her Chief Guard holding an important letter in his hands.
'My Lady' he said.
She smiled and he handed over the letter.
Her smile diminished slightly.
'It is safe to read My Lady' he said.
'Thank you' she replied.
He bowed then left. Sofia closed the door and lent back against it. With trembling fingers she opened the letter and read the content.
My Dearest Sofia,
I promise we will be united soon. The war here is almost concluded. Myself and my opponent have come to an understanding. I decided that the faults of others should not be passed to the lives of others. There has been countless bloodshed for which I will feel eternally guilty for, I regret ever starting this war for the pain it has caused countless people and for the torment you have suffered at the hands of John.
Know that you will always be in my heart and I look forward to the day that we will be reunited. I know you are in safe hands and I have heard of your closeness with Robin of Locksley. You have done well dear sister, he is a good man and a great match for you. Do not be afraid to tell him the truth when the time comes, he will understand.
I will see you soon Sofia, I set sail in a mere few weeks.
Loving you forever,
Your Brother
Richard, the King.
Sofia finished reading the letter with a smile on her face. Her brother would soon be home. She'd have to up her game. She'd been moving her plans forward slowly but with the sudden disappearance of Gisbourne, this was the perfect time to begin messing with the Sheriff's mind and what better way to start that than by stealing the taxes from under his nose.
She needed to contact Robin and was just deciding to call her guard when a man appeared at her window. She should have known that she'd only have to think of him and he would appear.
'Sofia' he said softly as he walked across the room towards her.
'I was just about to send for you' she replied.
'Really? Missing me already' he said smartly.
'Cheeky' she replied 'but actually I thought of a job you might be interested in'.
'Oh I see, what sort of job' he said flirting away.
'Well the Sheriff is out with his horde of guards and today is changeover day for the taxes…' she said.
'So you're saying today would be a perfect day to rob the Sheriff' said Robin.
'That's exactly what I'm saying' replied Sofia.
'Well it's a good thing I bought the gang with me today. They're waiting downstairs. Can you help us?' he asked.
'I can lead you to the correct corridor but beyond that you're on your own' she said, then added 'most of the guards currently in the castle are loyal to me but there are a couple of the Sheriff's still lurking around. I can't afford to be seen conspiring with you'.
'Such a shame, I know how much you enjoy conspiring with me' he said before walking towards the window.
'Where shall we meet?' she asked.
'Wait here, we'll be back shortly' he said.
'Robin wait!' she shouted but it was too late as he had already gone.
Sofia shook her head and muttered about stupid men, although she couldn't hid the smile that had graced her face upon seeing Robin again.
Sofia spent the next couple of minutes worrying about Robin and his outlaws running through the castle until a knock sounded on her door. She opened it and was greeted with the cheeky face of Robin, she could see the rest of his gang behind him.
'I forgot something when I left' he said.
'Which was?' she asked.
'This' he replied giving her a sweet lingering kiss on the lips.
When they broke apart she was blushing, very aware of the audience they had and the one person glaring at her with venomous hate. That was the first kiss she had shared with Robin and she was both thrilled and embarrassed by it.
'I hear there are some taxes to steal' said Alan.
Sofia giggled softly; 'this way' she said walking down a corridor.
It took them a fair couple of minutes to reach the correct hallway that housed the room that contained the taxes. There were no guards around but that didn't mean they wouldn't come running when sound was made.
'This is where I leave you' said Sofia.
'Of course, can't break a nail can you' said Kate snidely.
Sofia chose to ignore her comment 'There are three mechanism behind the door, you'll need to disable them to reach the taxes safely. There are no windows in the room but if you follow the hallway down to the left you will find a window and a conveniently placed cart below. You can get the money out that way and use the cart as your get away. I hid some clothes in the cart as well should you need to hide you appearances' she said.
'What will you do when the Sheriff returns and realises the taxes are gone, he could hurt you' said Robin.
'I work well with tears; I am good at persuading people. I will be fine Robin, just make sure you get that money back to the rightful people' she said softly.
'I will' he replied solemnly. He placed a loving kiss to her forehead before running away with his outlaws.
Sofia drew a sigh of relief, while Robin and his men were working on getting the taxes out of the castle; Sofia had to work on making herself look like she had got into a fight trying to stop them. It was going to be hard, unpleasant work but worth it in the end.
THE EARLY EVENING
When the Sheriff returned that evening he was cold and weary. He longed for a hot bath, some mead and lots of food. He was angry at Gisbourne's disappearance, he was supposed to be staying in Lady Sofia's good graces and this was something that could land him in her bad graces. The Sheriff wasn't a foolish man, he knew that Lady Sofia looked soft and innocent on the outside and he knew that that innocent look was just hiding the beast she hid within her. He had hoped that he'd be able to get by without seeing Lady Sofia that day but unfortunately that wasn't to be.
'Sheriff, Lady Sofia requests your presence in the hall' said a guard.
'Can't it wait until morning' moaned the Sheriff.
'She is insistent, and she is also angry. Something happened while you were gone Sheriff' said the guard.
'What happened?' asked the Sheriff suddenly very afraid.
'I'm afraid I am not to tell you, she forbade it' he replied.
The Sheriff was suddenly very unsure about what was waiting for him in the hall but was unable to form a proper sentence in time to form an escape route. The guard had already led him to the hall and pushed him through the open door, closing it behind him.
'M-my L-lady' he stuttered fearfully.
Her face was half hidden in darkness, so for now he couldn't get a proper look at her.
'When I told you to take your guards and look for Gisbourne I didn't expect you to leave the castle completely unprotected. I was kind enough to lend you some of my guards, in future if the castle is to be left so unprotected, I shall not grant you the same courtesy' she said.
'What happened?' he asked.
'Do you remember what day it is Sheriff? I'm surprised you haven't mentioned it yet. Has Gisbourne's disappearance really affected you so, were you attached to him?' she said sarcastically.
The Sheriff thought about her words intently and then it dawned on him 'It was changeover day for the taxes' he whispered.
'Good boy' she replied condescendingly 'and you left me with no guard, no protection and no help. So who do you think attacked the castle and stole the taxes' she said coldly.
The Sheriff gulped 'Robin Hood?' he asked timidly.
Sofia nodded, 'you left me alone in the castle and defenceless. I tried to fight but against a band of outlaws I was outnumbered' she growled.
'I am sorry' said the Sheriff frightened for his life.
Sofia moved from the shadows and lowered her hood, 'you should be'.
The Sheriff gasped, Sofia had a split lip and a light scar tracing from her eye to her jaw. It looked horrific but wasn't as painful as you'd imagine. Sofia had used a sharp instrument but hadn't cut deeply and knew it would heal in a couple of days and leave no scarring. She'd had to do it though so that the Sheriff didn't suspect a thing.
'My apologies Lady Sofia, I never expected that Robin Hood would attack a woman. I shall double the guards on the castle. Nothing like this will ever happen again, I promise to protect you Lady Sofia' the Sheriff said begging.
Inwardly Sofia smiled, it was all coming together nicely.