"ESME!" I heard a shout as I got up from my seat and made it to the door to see Much riding to me, fright in his eyes as I gulped scared. I had been waiting for hours for any signs of either Robin or even Guy. I held onto the edge of my dress as I ran to meet him.

"Robin is going to kill Gisborne!" He told me terrified as he helped me onto the horse behind him, as I held onto his shoulders as he took us deep into Sherwood Forest. We found the camp, and noticed that neither Robin nor Guy were there. I was terrified for Guy and I didn't like the feeling. We ran to the top of the rise as I saw an unconscious Guy and Robin panting on his hands and knees. As Robin looked up at me I shook my head at him in disbelief.

Much had to carry Guy back up to the camp, as we was still unconscious and tied him to a tree, with several loops of rope around his torso. He is also gagged and blindfolded. Much sits near Guy, guarding him and holding the hilt of his sword, point down. Nearly out of earshot, Robin lounges against the tree, holding the water flask in his lap. I stand in front of him, trying to reason with him. We make an effort to keep our voices down, knowing Gisborne must not hear me.

"What are you doing? You’re a killer now?" I hissed at him as he glared up at me. I had never seen such anger or frustration from Robin it frightened me to be honest.

"When I have to be."

"Grow up!" I snapped wishing I could slap him back into reality, but I knew that would only anger him even more.

"Gisborne made his choice. Everything is a choice. Everything we do. You told me that." Robin spat using my past words against me as I frowned. What had Guy done to make Robin this mad with him?

"What choice?" I asked him eagerly. Robin stared off for a moment he seemed reluctant to tell me, as I saw a sudden sense of pain flash before his eyes. He was remembering, I knew that look I have experienced it far too much.

"In the Holy Land, Saracens came to kill the King. But it wasn’t Saracens. It was him." Robin explained as he sets the flask on the ground beside him.

"Rubbish!" I snapped. This is stupid Guy was here. Nor would he try to kill our own King.

"He stabbed me and left me for dead. And then he went to kill the King in his bed…."

"I don’t believe you. This is about—" I began before he glared and interrupted.

"What?"

"You and me." I whispered as Robin leans his head back against the tree, rolling his eyes. "I want you to know I didn’t realise he was going to announce the marriage."

"Well, you didn’t seem uncomfortable." He growled as I sucked in a breath. There is a moment of silence as I glared at him. "I have proof... his arm. I wounded him. His tattoo."

"What tattoo? And I was uncomfortable." I snapped at him agitated.

"He has a tattoo on his arm." He defended before he pursed his lips, I knew something was coming and I knew I wouldn’t like what he was going to say.

"You took his ring." He hissed.

"You took his ring! How could he have been in the Holy Land? He was here in your house!" I defended before I paused and gasped remembering that Guy had been seriously ill as I glanced over at him tied to a tree. He couldn't have tried to kill the King could he? Robin glances at him, too.

"What?"

"He was unwell for many weeks. No-one was allowed to see him." I told him unwillingly hating to think that Robin could be right as Robin scoffs silently, shaking his head

"That is why I have to kill him." Robin growled as I went wide eyed.

"No! Even if you are right..."

"I am right." He snapped.

"A trial. The process of law." I begged thinking that we are civilized we have laws.

"There is no law. Until Richard returns the Sheriff is the law. Gisborne is the law. And that is why I have to kill him." Robin snapped as he sat up.

"No. I forbid you." The words slipped from my mouth extremely fast. Why was I defending Guy? Robin sags back to lean against the tree again.

"You don’t believe me." Robin sighed defeated as I looked at him sadly.

"I don’t know what to believe. Guy... is not a man who would... Surely..." I had to admit I didn't want to admit that what Robin was saying could have been true. Robin glared up at me with jealously written on his face.

"Of course. He is to be your husband." He teased jealous as I growled.

"You know full well I agreed to that under duress. You know I have to play things this way.." I started as Robin looks down and shakes his head. "From the inside, for my father if for nothing else. I do not have the option to just run off into the forest." I defended as Robin looks at me and shakes his head again.

"What?" I snapped I was getting rather annoyed with Robin at the moment. He was being too stubborn and stooping to the Sheriff's level.

"Everything... is a choice." I glared at Robin, knowing he has a point. Robin drops eye contact and frowns. Meanwhile, Much is stabbing the ground with his sword, watching us from a distance when Little John, Allan and Will return to camp behind him. Little John, flustered, kicks over a basket, sending it flying at Much, who quickly stands, thinking Little John is angry at him for releasing Robin.

I glanced at them all to see them engage in a conversation as I saw the other members look over at me. Little John seemed surprised to see me, Allan raised his eyebrow and Will smiled with a wave as I waved back. He was a good friend, as they walked their way over towards us.

"We go to Nottingham." Little John snapped at Robin as he looked at them rudely.

"I thought you were going." Robin snapped acidly as he glanced up at me, I was furious with him as I gave him a sharp kick to the foot. He couldn't just leave Jack behind. "I have unfinished business here."

"Robin, wake up! It’s Djaq!" Will snapped at him as I smirked slightly as Robin sat up.

"You are thinking of just one man. I am thinking of the King and the whole of England." Robin defended as I growled rolling my eyes.

"Djaq is not one man. She’s a woman. Have you even thought about what could happen if the Sheriff realizes?" I snapped at Robin as everyone gasped at me.

"How did you know?" Allan asked an I raised an eyebrow.

"I knew ever since she was healing me from my attack in the woods, but that is a different story" I quickly added as I saw their shock.

"He can wait. Djaq cannot." Little John snapped as he pointed towards Guy.

"No!"

"If they know we’re coming, then we could all die." Much winced as I rolled my eyes.

"True, but it’s Djaq." Allan snapped as you could see that Much was becoming impatient.

"Well, what does that mean? “True, but it’s Djaq.” It’s not even an answer." He grumbled as I glanced over at them.

"But the thing is... I like her." Allan spoke

"I think I love her." Will informed as I giggled as Allan and Will look at each other. Robin turns to them, Much is agape, Little John stunned.

"Robin is right. You need to think." I told them as I looked over at Guy wishing I could help him at the same time, before I smirked with an idea. "That is your solution. Trade him for her."

"No!" Robin protested as I looked at him sternly the same as Little John who is also glaring at Robin.

"I am not letting him get away with this." Robin snapped as he stands.

"Robin!" Little John called admonishingly as he steps forward and punches Robin’s jaw, knocking him out again. Much puts his hands on the back of his head, exasperated. "Not sorry."

I hated to say it but I think Robin did deserve that punch, I helped the others think of the plan before they handed me one of their necklaces and I quickly rode to Nottingham. When I arrived I ran into the castle dungeons to find the Sheriff and the Jailer are about to enter the Djaq's cell when I quickly interrupt them.

"My lord sheriff?" I called as I watched as the Sheriff turns to face her.

"I need your help." I made my voice slightly desperate as I watched the Sheriff look at Djaq, who is staring fearfully at him, then back at me. He nodded as we walked up to the Great Hall, the Sheriff seated in his seat at one end of the long table, as I stood at the other end.

"They said to give you this." I informed him as I slide the tag down the length of the table. The Sheriff catches it. "Said you’d understand?"

"This, erm, this outlaw. He didn’t rob you?" The Sheriff questioned as he inspected the tag as I shook my head, playing innocent and worried for my 'husband to be'. YUCK! It made me sick in the stomach to say it, let alone think it.

"He was only interested in the exchange. Guy for your prisoner. My husband-to-be for a Saracen." I informed him, distressed I hoped that the Sheriff would think I was serious as he played with the tag.

"You see, something’s not right. How do I know this isn’t an outlaw ruse?" He questioned as holds the tag to his lips.

"Guy is your lieutenant, your ally... your friend." I began before he frowned.

"Friend?" He questioned as I nod slightly, my face full of worry.

"We are talking about the same Guy? I mean, I hardly noticed he was missing." He chuckles and licks the tag.

"My lord sheriff, please. They have Guy. If they should do anything to him, I..." I pretend not to cry as this did the trick, the Sheriff fell for it.

"Yes, all right. Might just stop your snivelling." He grumbled as he rose and walked over towards me.

"The outlaws will kill Guy if you harm the Saracen boy. Have you harmed him?" I instructed with a plea in my voice as he paused and tapped his finger against the tag, looking disappointed.

"No. OK. Prepare the Saracen for travel." He informed the guards as he clicked his fingers before dropping the tag on the table in front of me. I sigh, relieved it worked, before I left Nottingham and made my way home. My part is finished, and now it's up to the others…..