(Nottingham Castle)

Guy of Gisborne snarled at the physician as he attempted to clean the long slice across his stomach. It wasn't deep, for which he was grateful, but it was in a bad place and it shouldn't be there at all. "I underestimated the girl," he growled as he sent the man away and stalked across the room to slam his fist against the wall.

"Yes, well, of course you did," Sheriff Vaizey spat. "You underestimate everyone, Gisborne. Even Marian." He watched the knight's face set tight. "Oh, did I touch a nerve? Well lah di dah di dah. You're a fool, Guy. You should have known she'd try to stop you. Marian, that is. So you did what was necessary. Grow up! She was never going to choose you."

"We're not talking about Marian," Guy snapped back. "And we never will." Guilt still tore at him. But now was NOT the time. "We're discussing that dangerous little wench Prince John has bound me to by the laws of God and man." There was a bitter twist to his lips. "My wife."

"Oh, yes. That pretty little bit of a thing that YOU thought couldn't POSSIBLY refuse you!" Vaizey was on his feet, raging. "You were warned she was a handful, and you chose to think you could overpower her. And you failed again, Guy. You failed at something so simple as taking your wife. She nearly gutted you and she ran away."

"Oh, I'll find her." Gisborne's voice was soft and deadly. "And when I do, she'll learn obedience." He moved stiffly over to the table and poured out a generous measure of wine, drank it down, and poured another. Once it was also inside him, he sat down, brooding. "We'll be out again at first light. She won't escape me."

Vaizey lost all traces of amusement. "She already has, you idiot! I'm sure word has already reached Prince John of her attack on you. If he's feeling particularly irritated this could have been for nothing. We could lose her lands, her gold, even our heads." He turned a baleful glare on his Master at Arms. "You find her. You find her, and you bring her back." He growled again. "Women. I told you, Gisborne, they're the bane of existence. Lepers, the lot of them."

Gisborne's own dagger was in hand, reflecting the light off the bright blade as he twisted it idly in his hand. Suddenly it was buried halfway to the hilt in the tabletop. "I WILL find her. And she'll regret attacking me."

(Sherwood)

"No. Absolutely not." Robin was more than upset at the idea she'd proposed. "You won't be able to reason with him, you won't be able to sway him. He'll kill you for defying him. And if he doesn't, the Sheriff will."

"Gisborne won't kill me if he wants to keep the lands and dowry I bring to our marriage. He has to have an heir in order to take control of them. And that keeps the Sheriff at bay as well. He won't risk losing Gisborne's money." Tom took a deep breath. They hadn't so much as blinked an eye when she told them who she was, and why she had run. Had they known? She thought that Robin at least might have. She certainly hadn't fooled John for one moment. "It's the perfect way for you to do this. Everyone will be expected to attend the festivities when the marriage is announced. The rest of the castle will be loosely guarded as a result."

"They will need servants, entertainment," Djaq broke in smoothly. "It could work. We've done that before."

"It will work." Robin's voice was harsh. "But if we can't get to you in time, Tom, he'll kill you. Or at least hurt you badly. I can't let you do this."

"You don't have that choice." Tom faced him then, her green eyes glittering. "I mucked it up before. I didn't kill him. But he'll not lay another hand on me without getting bloodied again. And if you don't think that will sufficiently keep the guards occupied, I'm open to other suggestions." She held Robin's gaze, not backing down. "I can hold him off long enough for you to come get me. I... I trust you. I've heard enough, seen enough, of what you've done for the people to believe you won't allow him to harm me. So take what I'm offering you and see this done."

They stood silent for several long moments, neither willing to give an inch, until Robin finally nodded. Tom let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "I'll go now. The wedding feast was set to begin just after sunset; that should give me plenty of time to cause a bit of a disturbance." There was a wry smile on her lips, though her eyes were deep with sorrow. John put a hand on her arm, not holding, merely resting it lightly there, trying to give support.

"We'll be close behind. I won't let him hurt you, Tom, I promise." Robin gave a soft snort. "Tom. What is your real name, anyway? Can't keep calling you Tom, can we?"

She gave him a sad smile and turned toward Nottingham. "If we all live through this, I'll tell you."

John's hand on her arm tightened just a fraction and she looked up at him. He said nothing, simply raised his hand to her cheek, letting the knuckles graze lightly across the skin. Then he stepped away and let her go.

She moved down the road, out in the open, and their eyes didn't leave her. John took a deep breath, his hands tightening on his staff. "Are you mad?" he asked finally, anger pulsing from him. "She's no match for a knight! He'll beat her at the least for running away. God knows what he'll do to her for stabbing him! And you're just letting her walk into that? He'll kill her!"

"That's not going to happen, John, you need to trust me!" Robin snarled back. "I give you my word, we will protect her. My word, John."

John glared at him for a moment more before nodding. "Then let's go."