It was mid afternoon as I rode towards my home. My hair bouncing off my shoulders, the breeze kissing my cheeks, I panted slightly as I drew my horse to a halt. I felt free, not that I enjoyed comfort in the woods, I don't think I ever could, even though it fascinated me. I guess scars of the past can never truly heal. I was wearing my blood red riding top, black leather pants and boots, before I urged my horse forward.

The chimney was giving off a soft smoke as I came closer to my home. I smiled slightly as it meant my father would be awake. Probably finishing his morning meal, before taking his usual stroll around Knighton grounds like he did every morning for the fresh air. I dismounted my horse, before guiding him to the stables, where I gave him a soft brush, before I made my way back round the front. As I was walking I was visualizing a few fight routines in my head as I made small gestures with my hands.

"Esme!" I heard my father shout as my hands dropped to my sides. I frowned slightly as my father came round the corner with Guy not that far behind him. When he saw me he gave a small smirk as I bit my inner lip as he looked me up and down. My father uncomfortably stood where he was as Guy made his way towards me, following me into the house as I took a seat in the main room, with Guy standing a few feet in front of me.

"Forgive me, I do not have as much time as I planned. I have a gift for you." He told me as he handed me a velvet bag. I hesitantly took it with a small smile, when on the inside I was rolling my eyes.

"Sir Guy, you bring too many gifts." I told him, as I opened it up to reveal a broach with silver and gold. I gave a sigh looking at the jewel in my fingers feeling the weight. This would have cost a fourtune.

"My mother used to say... if you have wronged somebody, or if they’re upset, do not be proud, offer them friendship. If they reject you, offer a second time and a third until they accept. And that is what I intend to do with you." He smirked at me taking a step forward as I quickly and carefully placed the broach back into the back and held it out for him.

"Please. I do not need gifts." I spoke plainly as I watched his emotion go from the famous smirk to being offended as he reluctantly took the bag from my fingers.

"No. You need a husband." He told me as I just stared at him, biting my tongue. How I wished I could have insulted him then and there but I unfortunately knew my place. His gaze was strong as I looked over his shoulder before back to his piercing blue eyes.

"This world is not safe for a woman alone." He added once more slightly softer as all I could do was staring at him. I didn't trust my mouth to say anything polite. "Outlaws." He whispered softly as I sighed annoyed.

"I can protect myself." I stated as he rolled his eyes.

"Even pilgrims. There’s an abbess at Nottingham half dead. I must tend to her." Guy scoffed as I smirked on the inside. This was the perfect opportunity to send Guy away from my sight, as I waited for a moment before I stood up in my seat facing him. I could see slight confusion on his face as he watched me curiously.

"Then I would not delay you." I informed him innocently with a small smile, as he gave a silent growl.

"Good day." He grumbled as he took one step towards the door before turning back towards me, like he had changed his mind, before he took my hand in his and placed the velvet bag. He closed his hand, trapping mine around the bag as I looked up into those pleading yet passionate pale eyes.

"I will keep giving." He told me softly, before his grip left mine as he stormed out the door like he always did. The way he looked screamed arrogance and pride, as I rolled my eyes scowling as I place the bag that Guy had just given me in my lap as I sat back down grumbling to myself. I stayed there for a moment before my father entered looking at me seriously as I got up from my seat.

"Gisborne seemed angry. What did you say to him?" He questioned suspicious.

"I said I would marry him and have his children." I joked sarcastically as my father raised his eyebrows at me, as if he wished that my false statement had been true.

"You could do worse." He told me, his voice as if saying look-on-the-bright-side.

"Yes, if I married the Sheriff. I would sooner be a nun than Gisborne’s wife." I threatened annoyed as I played with the velvet fabric between my fingers.

"When is this willfulness going to stop?" My father snapped as I found my temper boiling slightly as I made my way up the stairs annoyed with my father. He was still angry with me for being the Nightwatchman. "Not to mention the other nonsense." His angry voice made me stop as I turned to him.

"What other nonsense?" I questioned.

"The Night Rider, or whatever you call yourself."

"I do not call myself anything. They say Nightwatchman." I defended as he grumbled something under his breath before turning to look at me angry.

"It is dangerous. It is foolish. And I have forbidden it."

"Father, I must do what I can. The poor cannot feed themselves. Their children are—" I snapped trying to make him understand, though I guess he is just too stubborn to accept the fact I am not the daughter he thinks I am.

"I forbid it! If you are caught you will hang." He yelled, as I sighed I knew this stress wouldn't do him any good.

"That is my problem." I whispered not looking at him.

"How can you be so selfish?" He growled as my head snapped towards him. How am I being selfish?!

"It is my neck!" I shouted taking another step down towards him.

"I am your father. This is my house and—"

"You fear for your own neck. That is the truth." I spat, as I could see he was shocked I would talk back at him in such a manner. Or that I had the courage to spit the truth in his face when he didn't want to accept it.

"If you cannot obey me, if you—" He told me still shocked before I cut him off once more.

"I cannot obey you." I stated calmly and quietly as I saw him straighten his back before letting out a hard growl.

"Then you leave this house." He demanded as I stared at my father in complete disbelief before I shook my head sighing and brushed past his shoulder as I ran towards the stables, remounted my horse and rode towards Sherwood Forest. I let the leaves scratch across my face, as I kept going deeper into the forest. I wasn't watching where I was guiding my horse; my breathing was rigid before I found the light from the trees glowing brighter, before I stood at the edge of the forest glancing out at Nottingham.

I hesitated before I took a deep breath and cantered towards the bridge. I slowed as I placed down at the all the peasants staring up at me. They looked hungry, sick and sad. I felt bad for them as I glanced along their faces until I noticed Robin and Much looking out from behind a loose-weave piece of cloth draped over him like a cloak. He stands and jerks his head towards the gate. I stopped and glanced at the two guards at the gate, and then back at Robin, who motions his head again.

I took the hint that Robin needed to get into Nottingham, as I thought quickly and dismounted my horse. I took out my purse and reached in for some coins, as I began to hand them out, before I was started to be swarmed. Like bees to honey, as I they started pulling at my clothes and ripping my hand open for the coins.

"Money! Please, my lady! Please! My children are starving!" They kept screaming at me.

"Help! Somebody help me! Somebody help me, please!" I screamed loudly as it wasn't long before the two guards came running.

"Break it up! Break it up! Break it up! Break it up! Don’t have anything to do with them, your ladyship. You don’t belong with that sort." The soldier told me as I nodded looking meek and sorry, as I glanced over his shoulder to see Robin and his men sneaking into Nottingham. I brushed a piece of my hair behind my ear before I went back to my horse and rode into the marketplace.

I easily found Robin and Much look back at me on my horse into the marketplace. I glanced down at them with an inquisitive look on my face, wondering what they could be doing here. When Robin walks over to me.

"That was impressive. Thank you." He smiled leaning on his bow, watching the streets for guards.

"Seeing as you owe me one, can we talk?" I asked with a bitter yet pleading tone. My father's words still stung as I glanced at Robin.

"No!" Much snapped behind Robin. I gave Much a slight smile. I know they must have been on a mission, but this really couldn't wait. I saw Robin look back at him in disbelief.

"Master, our mission!" Much pleaded before Robin turned back to me.

"One minute." Robin spoke as he held up one finger. I nodded and dismounted my horse handing Much the reins as Robin took me to the south lane of the marketplace, he set his bow down on its point and leant against the wall looking down at me, as I sighed.

"What mission?" I asked eager.

"You’ll find out soon enough. Do you have a problem?" Robin asked me worried as I rolled my eyes.

"More than I can say in one minute." I spoke acidly as Robin waits silently, ready to listen to my rant like he always did when we were young. That’s why I loved him when I was younger; he was the one person who I could express everything to. He was a true brother and protector when I needed it.

"This life... this pretence is driving me mad. Gisborne sniffs around me like a little spaniel. My father would have me marry him for fear of anyone guessing we are not wholly in league with the Sheriff. As for the Nightwatchman, it is not enough for me and it is too much for my father. What I want, who I am... does not count…. I am sick of it all. I am leaving home." I ranted annoyed sighing, before I kicked at the ground with my boot.

"To go... where?" Robin asked me concerned as I shook my head. I hadn't thought where I would go. I just knew that I would leave. I had to; I was unwelcomed in my father's home. He made that very clear as I rubbed my forehead.

"I do not know." I grumbled as Robin chuckled making me glare folding my arms annoyed.

"That is unwise." He teased as I punched him in the shoulder annoyed.

"I am sick of people, and it is always men, telling me what is wise and what is not." I growled, as I turned away trying to gain control of my temper as I heard Robin wince slightly as I knew he was trying to hide the fact my punch did hurt.

"Then tell me what it is you want." He asked me flustered.

"Help! I want somebody for once to think about how they can help me. Help me to do what I want to do, what I think is wise." I pleaded as I turned to him, my eyes pleading. If anyone could help me it was Robin. He didn’t think ill of me even if I tried. He always tried to help me, he never made me hide who I am inside. Just then Much came round the corner.

"Master!" Much hissed as Robin sighed and hung his head not looking at me.

"I have to go." He whispered disappointed towards me, as he got off from leaning against the wall and took a step forward towards me.

"Of course you do. I have to go, too." I scoffed.

"We will continue this conversation. I’d like to help." He told me truthfully. I knew in his eyes he really did, but then I thought over my options, I am probably going to make the worst decision or maybe even the best but I knew I had to get away.

Esme thinks over her options as Robin walks down the lane, turning Much around.

"No need." I called out after Robin as he stopped and turned to me slightly unsure. "I’ve made my decision." I answered spitefully as Robin looked at me glumly, before I stormed past him, grabbing my horse from Little John and riding towards Nottingham castle. The courtyard was rather empty as a stable boy ran out to collect my horse before I made my way inside to the main hall where the Sheriff sat bored.

"My Lord Sheriff" I politely spoke as I curtsied towards him, as he glanced over at me with a small evil smile of his before he cocked his finger towards me.

"Ah Esme. What can I do for you?" He asked as I took a deep breath.

"I would like to petition to become a novice in the abbess's order" I told him simply and shyly as he raised an eyebrow shocked as I stood by the side of his seat. Just then the door opened at the top of the steps as I jumped slightly from the loud footsteps, as I saw Guy making his way towards us. He frowned towards me, as I bit my inner lip playing with my fingers behind my back.

"Ah, Gisborne. Esme wants to petition our visiting Mother Superior." The Sheriff toyed as I saw Guy just look confused.

"What for?" He asked his eyes staring at mine, as I lifted my gaze to meet his, as I gave a small gulp.

"To borrow a pound. What do you think? To become a nun." The Sheriff snapped at Guy's idiocy.

"Oh. Really? A nun?" Guy sneered towards me as I shifted on the spot for a second.

"My father is displeased with me. In the abbey I could learn obedience." I explained tensely as I saw Guy's face soften slightly to the sound of my voice.

"But surely there are other ways." His voice was quiet and full of plead, as he took a few steps in my direction as I had to look away from his strong gaze.

"Go and knock on her ladyship’s door. She’s in the chapel. Tell the guards I sent you." The Sheriff instructed as I nodded as I saw the disbelief written across Guy's face as I made my way through the castle to the chapel to find the abbess………