A single curl of hair was wrapped around my finger as I curled it slowly. My head resting against the softness of the pillow. The sheets resting over my body as, light escaping into my room as I opened my eyes shyly. I gave a sigh as I rubbed my eyes, today was another meeting of the Nobles. It had been three weeks since I had last seen Robin. Surprisingly it's been quiet, but I have overheard the Sheriff and a man Lucky George I think talking the other day in the castle.

As I slowly got out of bed, my body felt stiff, it ached with every moment as I rubbed the back of my neck. When my feet touched the cold floor I shivered from the different temperature. I struggled standing as if my feet forgot how to hold my weight as I leant against the bed post. I admit I felt slightly dizzy as I shook it off and took the bath that the servants had prepared for me.

The coolness of the water against my aching skin was refreshing. The sweet scent of roses made me drowsy, I must have drifted to sleep whilst I was in the tub since when I got dressed in a deep blue dress with three quarter sleeves. I found my father had already left to for the council of nobles. My hair was neatly designed before I was escorted to Nottingham Castle. A few of the nobles were chatting in the outer hall as I knew the meeting must have finished.

I hastily made my way inside and down the steps as I could feel Guy's stare on my back as I walked to my father's side. He glanced at me for a moment before his eyes were staring over my shoulder as I knew it had to be either the Sheriff or Guy. Probably be Guy staring at me wondering why I wasn't here for the entire meeting, not that it is any of his business.

"You alright?" My father asked as I nodded with a small smile, yet something didn't feel completely right.

"I just over slept" I told him chuckling as I could see he was slightly relieved, I must admit this was probably the best sleep I have had in a while, since I thought I saw that man in the woods way back when. I could hear boots clicking on the stone as my father retreated slightly as I turned to see a smirking Guy as he stood close to me.

"Lady Esme, it's nice to see you here finally" He smirked, I knew he was playing with me as I chuckled slightly.

" I overslept" I admitted shyly as I saw him pull out a silver necklace holding it out for me. It was beautiful, simple and elegant. The Celtic style and the forging made it even more beautiful. He went round me and placed it round my neck, as he stroked my skin as he pulled his hand away. Even through the leather gloves it made my stomach turn uncomfortably as I showed no emotion.

"Do you like it?" He asked me as he came towards me to admire it around my neck. My fingers trailed along the silver metal, it weighed nothing yet I almost felt like it was a burden embarking on my skin.

"Yes, I do, but..." I told him hesitantly, I just didn't want him to think he can buy me.

"It’s simple silver. You have no need of gold or gaudy jewels." He smiled proud, as my father who was watching us from over the corner was then taken away by a few of Guy's men as I gave a small gulp. I didn't want to be left alone with Guy.

"But really, I cannot accept it." My voice was hesitant as he looked at me very confused.

"Why not? Have I insulted you?" He asked me offended as I opened my mouth to say something but in the end I had to look away as I heard him give a massive sigh. It made me feel guilty. I didn’t like how he was giving me so much attention yet I felt bad every time I turned him down. Why wouldn’t he just leave me alone? I don’t want to marry him!

"You do not like it. It’s too plain, too simple. Take it off." He sighed depressed yet a hint of anger was expressed in his voice as my fingers that were trailing around the necklace gripped it slightly harder.

"No! I-I like it. I will treasure it." I quickly smiled trying to prove I would be happy to wear it.

"It’s a gift of friendship." Guy whispered taking another step closer as I had to look at the floor, my hands playing with the silver necklace once more.

"And I am very grateful." I smiled evidently proving that I do like necklace. I wish my father hadn't left as I tried hard not to look up because I didn't want to get caught up in his eyes.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Guy's sergeant questioned as I gave a small smile of relief. I glanced up slightly as I could see that Guy was really, bothered by the interruption, however I was thanking the sergeant in my head so much no one would ever know. Guy growled in his chest before he turned and walked over to the sergeant while I listened surreptitiously.

"Cancel the guard for the consignment from Rotherham." Guy instructed him quietly, though I could still hear them from over here.

"No guards?" The sergeant asked him confused. So was I. This wasn't like Guy to send a consignment unguarded. Normally there is always the worry about doubling the guards for Robin Hood would probably try and steal it.

"No guards. Guards attract attention and why would we want to attract attention to a chest full of silver travelling through Sherwood Forest?" Guy's voice sounded annoyed as he was playing at some game. It was obvious though I had no idea what it was. It made no sense.

"Yes, sir." The sergeant nodded before he turned to leave before I saw Guy grab his arm turning his attention back to him.

"And tell no-one. No-one. Not even the guards themselves." Guy's instructed sternly as I watched the soldier nod before heading up stairs. I hide my curiosity and started planning a small plan to interpret the consignment as the Night Watchman or I could even inform Robin but I needed to find him. Can't be too hard can it? I hadn't noticed I was still playing with the necklace until Guy offered me his arm and I took it as we walked out of the Great Hall. My father had already left unfortunately but luckily I was able to get a horse and make my way home through the road in Sherwood Forest. Normally I wouldn't dare, but I needed to see Robin and this might be the only way to find him.

As I was riding it was uncomfortably quiet as I saw Robin jump out, startling my horse and causing it to rear. Robin held up his hands to the horse to try and calm it down as I held tight onto the reigns. ROBIN!

"Whoa! Whoa! I wish you no harm!" Robin smirked as my horse rears again causing me to tumble off its back, luckily landing on my feet.

"But I will relieve you of your valuables." Robin chuckled as I growled angrily as I walked around to the horse’s head, glaring at Robin. I grabbed the bridle and tried to calm the horse as Robin leans on his upright bow with his roguish grin.

"Sorry. I thought you were some rich noblewoman looking to donate your fancy jewels to a good cause." He teased as I glared patting the horse's mane.

"You knew it was me." I growled at him not amused.

"You shouldn’t be riding alone through the forest. There are some very unsavoury characters about. Outlaws, you know." Robin told mischievously, like he always did when he trying to be charming as I ignored him, tending to my frightened horse. Robin must have noticed the necklace around my neck as he picked up the end.

"What’s this?" He asked me curiously.

"Don’t touch!" I snapped slapping away his hand as he kept frowning at it. What is his problem that funny boy it is just a necklace.

"It’s very pretty. Have I seen it before?" He asked me unsure as his eyes never left the metal around my neck. Though I didn't feel comfortable with all the attention, I angled my body against the horse's head hiding majority of the metal as his gaze when back up to my eyes. Much better!

"No. It was a gift." I admitted, I felt my cheeks heat up slightly but not enough to make me blush. Thank God for that! I don’t want to be blushing over Sir Guy. Yuck! The thought makes me sick to the stomach.

"From whom?" Robin asked me curiously. He was still the very nosy boy I remember.

"Does it matter? I should be going." I questioned trying to change the subject. If Robin knew it was from Guy I don't think he would be rather happy. To be honest I think Robin is jealous not like I like Guy. But what I had noticed since Robin had returned, the way he looks at me, it isn’t like one who loved them as a sister. It made me nervous, Robin couldn't and shouldn't love me any further. I only love him as a brother. I quickly turned to my horse, to get ready to leave.

"Gisborne." Robin spat jealously as I snapped my head at him. I gave a small gulp and kept a hard look trying to show no emotion.

"What?"

"Just a guess. Am I right?" Robin asked me madly his look made me nervous. I must admit it frightened me when Robin was mad with me.

"As it happens." I muttered unashamed, though I felt ashamed deep down. Robin eyed the necklace once more nodding his head slowly.

"Interesting."

"Why interesting?" I questioned him as he raised an eyebrow.

"I have seen it before... around the neck of a young girl from Locksley. It was given to her by her mother." Robin began telling me.

"Yes, and...?" I huffed as Robin reaches for the necklace once again.

"And here it is." He sternly spoke as I took my hand off the bridle to knock his arm away. However Robin tries again and lifts the end of the necklace. "around your neck." He added before he left it go.

"What? Gisborne stole it from the girl?" I asked him confused. Like Guy would just steal a necklace from a girl of Locksley.

"Well, I can’t imagine she gave it to him willingly. But it’s not like you stole it from the poor girl yourself…" Robin began as I started to think. This was probably true, I guess it doesn't shock me that Guy might have taken the necklace of some girl from Locksley. My gaze went back to Robins as he was leaning his chin on his bow.

"And you obviously like it…" Robin kept going with an obvious jealous sarcasm throughout his words. I sighed in frustration and start to remove the necklace.

"And it is certainly a special and thoughtful gift from a man that clearly means a lot to you." Robin jealously teased as I removed the necklace from my neck holding it in my hand for Robin to take it.

"Take it back to the girl." I told him sternly as he looked furious in his eyes that I would accept a gift from Guy.

"Gladly! …..What will you say to Gisborne?" He suddenly questioned concerned.

"Ask her not to wear it in public. He will never know." I stated simply as he sighed hanging his head, evident that he was trying to think.

"Keep the necklace. I can find her another." He told me defeated as I refused to take the necklace back from him.

"It was a gift from her mother. Take it. I can handle Gisborne." I chuckled as I gave him a quick hug kissing his cheek in a sisterly fashion, before I went back to the horse, mounting it and heading on my way home. When I had made it home I realized that I forgot to tell Robin about the consignment from Rotherham. I guess we got so buy snapping at each other's necks about the necklace from Guy it slipped my mind.

I sighed at first defeated before smirking. Who says it has to be Robin to intercept the consignment from Rotherham. Why not the Night Watchman? I took the horse into the stables before I dashed upstairs to get ready to go out and capture the silver from the consignment, from the Great North Road…….