Well guys, this is the last chapter of this story. I hoped you have enjoyed it and a huge thank you to all my reviewers and followers. My new story is still in progress but I should be upload the first chapter soon :) I still require a title though :/ once again thanks. And enjoy the final chapter!

Chapter 23

Knighton Hall – 25th April 1192

"Father I am taking Brandy and the farm dogs with me through the forest, I thought they may be in need of some exercise." Marian said as she walked down the stairs to stand before her father at the table.

"Alright, but do not be long remember we have the nobles meeting later."
"Of course father." She smiled and walked towards the stable. She saddled her own horse as her stable boy was busy with other work. She whistled the dogs and they all ran after her into Sherwood. Marian always loved riding through Sherwood, and spring was especially beautiful. The leaves just opening on the trees and the wonderful flowers, it truly was beautiful.

Locksley

Guy of Gisborne sat atop his horse. "The remaining perpetrators will be found. Bring the boy." Robin could not stand by and allow this monster from his past bully his villagers, he would stop was his village he had not rushed home for months to watch a injustice itself happen.

"Wait." Robin began stepping forward, "Guy of Gisborne."

"Sir Guy of Gisborne to you. And bow before your master." A guard standing next to the young boy said. Robin bowed mockingly and continued,

"Sir Guy of Gisborne, my name is Robin, Earl of Huntingdon and Lord of this manor. Your services here are no longer required." Robin spoke coolly and calmly not taking his eyes of Gisborne. Gisborne stared back at the man in front of him, not blinking barely moving. Much lowered the fur collared cape over Robin's shoulders and all the villagers of Locksley, Much included, bowed before there master, their rightful master. Robin of Locksley had returned home, from the holy land.

Robin strolled into his house, still beaming from being home. "Thornton." He sighed contently. Thornton opened out his arms and then retorted them, it had been so long since he had seem the young lad he did not quite know how to act.

"Welcome home sir." Thornton finally said. Robin rushed towards him wrapping him in his arms. "Quickly Hannah a bath and fresh clothes for the master."

"And for me too." Much said.

"Pardon." Thornton questioned.

"Much is no longer my manservant, in recognition for his service to me in the holy land. I am granting him the lodge and surrounding grounds of Bonchurch. Until then he is a guest in my home." Robin said patting his friend on the back.

"And I would like a plate of something while I bathe." Much chirped smiling, he handed Thornton Robin's bow and headed for the steps.

"That is the way to the servants quarters." Thornton interjected.

"I knew that." Much blushed then pointed to the upstairs of then manor and headed up the steps. As Much strolled up the steps Gisborne stepped in through the door, Robin's face turned dark.

"Welcome back Locksley, now I have kept you estates to the best of my ability under the guidance of the sheriff and I would appreciate more respect in front of the populace." Gisborne said

"How long have you been here?" Robin questioned.

"Three years, four winters."

"And yet you still do not have the respect of the populace."

"My men and I will leave directly for Nottingham."

"My servants will help you pack." Robin did not want that crook him his house any longer. Guy walked towards the door but stopped realising he could torment Locksley further, he smirked then turned back to Robin.

"How was the holy land?" He asked. Robin did not want to talk about war, not to anyone least of all him.

"Bloodthirsty." Robin answered walking away.

"I understand the king is winning."

"He is killing more people."

"Is that not winning?"

"Show me an argument settled with bloodshed and then I shall call it winning." At this time Robin was seething, only now did he realise that his father was not present.

"Do not pretend that you do not love war. I have seen you fight."

"When?" Robin questioned.

"I do not recall."

"I have changed." Robin answered after a pause. Gisborne sniffed and then continued.

"The council of nobles meets in Nottingham, I have no doubt the sheriff will… call a feast to celebrate your… safe return."

"Goodbye." Robin was in no mood to talk. He wanted to find his father.

"Goodbye." Gisborne counted walking from the manor.

"One more thing, I shall celebrate my return to, by pardon all wrongdoers from my estates." Robin said finally finding something he wanted to speak of.

"Only the sheriff can pardon you know that." Gisborne replied.

"It is custom for the sheriff to accede to his nobles request on such matters."

"Well then you had better take it up with him." And with that Gisborne strode from the house. Now robin was fuming, not seething.

"Thornton." He called.

"Yes master."

"Where is my father? I wish to see him." Robin smiled.

"Oh master, you do not know?" Thornton face turned white.

"Do not know what?"

"Master Robin, your father is no longer with us." Thornton said quietly.

"What? What happened?" he asked his voice cracking slightly.

"I suggest you ask lady Marian. She may be better to inform you." Thornton said scurrying into the kitchen. Robin swallowed and had decided. He now had two reasons to visit Knighton, to see Edward and to find out where Marian was.

Later that day – Knighton

Marian had returned from her ride a few hours ago and was sat in her room repairing a hole in her night-watchman disguise. She heard horse's hooves approaching and rushed to the window, she saw two very familiar faces riding towards her house. Her heart jumped into her mouth it was him. It was Robin and Much both home and both alive! She felt a wave of happiness and then anger took place. He was not getting away with this that easily. She heard her father rushing from his place downstairs and when she looked out the window she saw that Robin and Much had already dismounted. She grabbed her bow and an arrow.

"Get out. Get away from here." Edward shouted. Robin took a step back

"Edward it is me, your friend Robin of Locksley."

"I know who you are crooks here to deceive me. I will have none of you here, I am no longer sheriff, leave me to live out my days in peace."

"I swear I come in friendship." Robin appealed. Marian took a deep breath, she was unsure of whether she could face him but she had to, to protect her father. She stepped out from behind the door, bow in hand, arrow poised to fire.

"You heard my father. Leave!" She said simply. Robin looked at the direction the voice came from; she was as beautiful as ever.

"Marian." He paused. "It is me, Robin." She had to recognise him. They were due to marry once upon a time. And she certainly did, Marian was even angrier now at his idiocy, of course she knew it was him, he had no need to introduce himself.

"Congratulations." She said stepping from the door frame to stand before him, arrow still ready to fire. "Now leave!" her tone was less of a suggestion and more of a demand.

"How are you? I have thought of you." Robin smiled, she was the same old Marian, time could not change her.

"Leave!" She repeated, he could not get any more arrogant she thought to herself. "We are leaving." Much said. But Robin would not give up.
"Sir Edward, if you do not remember me than remember your people." Robin continued as Marian and her father retreated into their home and slammed the door shut. "Interesting." Robin said.

"Interesting, that was unbelievable, he used to treat us like sons." Much said almost outraged.

"She is still unmarried." Robin's mind was far away, he was only thinking of one person. Marian.

"huh, and here was me thinking you came to see the sheriff." Much said.

"I did." Robin defended.

"Oh please." Much sighed.