Joe

Callum looked surprised that we were there, as he should've been, but after his moment of surprise, a smile slowly spread across his face.

"What are you two doing here?" He asked, standing up from the bench.

"Well, to tell you the truth...We need your help," Sammy told him, getting strait to the point.

"Really? What for?"

"Emma's gone wacko again," I said bluntly.

Sammy shot me a glare that nearly made my hair stand on end, and of course then I realized that that probably wasn't the best analogy to use.

"She what?" Callum asked, not exactly understanding what I had said.

Which was probably for the better. Yes, I was a bit taller then him, but he was definitely bigger.

"What Joe is trying to say Callum, is that we didn't come here on a social call. Emma hasn't been acting like herself lately."

"And you thought I could help you? I'm sorry Sam, but as much as I'd like to, I don't think Em's too keen on seeing me."

"Why shouldn't she be? You guys are like the perfe- Never mind," Sam hurriedly finished off, seeing the irritated expression on Callum's face.

"Look, I'm not going back with you...I have stuff to do here."

"Like what?"

"Nothing! He has absolutely, nothing, what so ever, to do," Rowan smiled over Callum's shoulder.

Callum abruptly turned around and hissed something at her, but of course, she did not sway.

"As I said, he is completely free."

"Come on Callum, it'll be fun!" I nudged, flashing him a grin.

He looked at me with that expression I missed so much...Meaning he was saying, 'You're an idiot, you know that right?', with his eyes.

"Callum, Callum, so young and naïve!" I told him, placing one arm over his shoulder.

"You do realize that you have no other choice, right?"

"Who says so?"

"Rowan owns this castle...If she doesn't want you here, you can't stay."

"That's right," Rowan said, moving next to Sammy.

"Callum, I here by banish you from this castle and the surrounded territory!"

Callum just stood there, giving Rowan a hurt look that, as usual, did nothing to help.

"Whelp, looks like that's settled! I'll help you get your things," Sammy said, grabbing Callum by the arm and dragging him across the yard to the door.

Callum

"Callum! Callum, where are you going?" Julie Parker asked, running up to me.

"Oh good grief," I said under my breath.

Sam stopped in her tracks and looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't you remember? I have riding lessons with you today," Julie told me, smiling innocently.

For the first time since my conversation with Joe and Sam, I actually wanted to leave.

"Well, you see, I have to cancel."

"Why?"

"Because I'm banished from this fief until further notice."

"WHAT?"

"That's right...Now if you don't mind, I have to go pack," I told her, bowing slightly and rushing into the castle.

Sam, slightly startled, followed after me, a saucy grin on her face. 

"Who was that?" She asked.

"No one of importance."

"Oh I don't know. She seemed to think she was."

"That's exactly why I say she's no one of importance."

<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>

On the road back to Castle Locksley.....

"So Joe, and Sam I guess, are you guys...You know...A thing now?" I asked, curious to why they had come together.

Not that they wouldn't have done it as friends, but I still wanted to know.

"Well, uh," Sam hesitated.

"I guess you could call us that," Joe finished, scratching the back of his neck.

"It's not like we're any different then we use to be."

"Yeah, yeah, okay. I get it."

"Now it's my turn, Callum," Sam said mischievously.

"Why haven't you come to Castle Locksley for so long?"

"I don't know," I answered truthfully.

I really didn't. Something inside of me just didn't want to go back there. Not to mention Rowan kept me busy with tons and tons of paper work. We had agreed to split the paperwork in half if she'd let me pick the meals on Thursdays and Sundays.

"It just never came to mind."

"Oh as if! Don't lie to me. If you don't know, then you don't know. That's a good enough answer."

"Not to mention, you don't have time to explain. Here's Castle Locksley now," Joe told us, pointing at the tall spire that appeared above the rise.

I caught my breath as I saw the old Castle, standing where it had always stood, the moat still around it. People walked busily in and out of the portcullis, attending to there duties of everyday life.

As we rode in, I noticed that the stable had been torn down and re-built on the other side, but that was all that had changed. Everything was the same from the last time I saw it. 
We all led our horses to the new stable, taking our sweet time in order to take in all the wonders of Castle Locksley. 

As soon as we got to the door a girl came running out and past us. She was wearing a purple satin gown and her hair hung in curls down her back...But there was something familiar about her.

"Em?" I suddenly blurted out, realizing who it was.

The girl immediately stopped in her tracks and seemed to move her hand toward her face before turning around. I smiled as I saw her familiar 'where have you been?' face and her agitated stance. Then my smile faded as I took an all-around view of her.

"What are you wearing?" I asked, forgetting all skill of tact.

She folded her arms and glared at me in an expression I hadn't seen before.

"It's called a dress," she said bitterly.

"Well, yes, but that's not exactly what I meant...And what's up with your hair?"

I could feel Sam face palm herself behind me and the groan that Joe let out. But I realized a bit too late that I had said that  the wrong way.

Em just looked at me with an unbelieving expression, then turned around abruptly and ran off. Sam walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Callum, you really butchered that one."

- Hey guys!!!!!! Sorry it took so long to update this but I couldn't figure out how I wanted to put everything together. And, sorry there hasn't been much action so far, but don't worry, it'll come, it'll come (; Hope you liked the chapter, and if you did, votes and comments are appreciated. Thanks :D - Anna