"My Lady?" A soft nervous asked as I felt a shaky hand pat my arm as I stiffly raised my head to see my maid waking me as I gave a small smile. My eyes struggling to stay open, I noticed I had fallen asleep in the chair beside my father from last night. My neck was stiff as I groaned sitting up before I let Anne lead me out of the room where a warm bath waited for me.

The warm water released my aching muscles before I got dressed in a purple gown. I let Anne fix my hair as I glanced on my dressing table to see the silver chained necklace that Guy had gotten me all those days ago. This delicate yet beautiful piece of metal had caused me so much trouble. Robin insisted I kept it just to ensure previous events didn't occur.

I never let it leave my dressing table. My fingers trailed over the metal, cool under my fingers. My father had told me often to wear it to show I cared for Guy and that I still had it. I never thought I could hate a piece of jewelry so much. It had caused this nightmare to awake.

"Would you like me to attach the necklace my Lady?" Anne asked as I hesitated still staring at it before I shook my head no. I escorted myself to the waiting carriage as I sat quietly. My father hadn't woken when I left as I saw Nottingham Castle come into view. I kept my fingers crossed that Guy and Lambert would be far from Nottingham already as I made my way down the halls.

The Council of Nobles was about to begin as I made my way towards the Great Hall where I gasped to see Guy enter the hall, following the Sheriff. As they passed by me Guy stops.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered to him shocked.

"I could not pursue our project, forgive me. Loyalty. Loyalties are sometimes divided.….. Lambert’s dead." Guy whispered leaving me shocked as he glanced at me once more before he strides to his place by the Sheriff's side. I stood gob smacked for a moment before I shakily sat down in my father's seat. I felt numb inside. Lambert was dead.

"My lords, ladies, nobles." The Sheriff announced as I heard the sound of the upper doors rattle though I couldn't bring my eyes off the floor. I was shaken; it was evident on my face as I thought that maybe Guy had changed. Maybe I had played on his conscious, maybe Robin was right. Maybe he didn't have one…..  

"Let me introduce the latest addition to your well-fed sirs." He added as he opens a hand to indicate Much coming down the stairs.

"Lord Much, Earl of Bonchurch." The Sheriff claps lightly as the others spatter applause and turn to exchange puzzled glances. I glanced up to see Much coming to stand beside me in his bright orange, oversized robes, looking very much out of place. His maid who I think is actually called Eve brings over a chair for him and the Sheriff sits. I could see how uncomfortable Much looked as I gave a very faint smile of support as he made a small nod towards me.

"You know, I have heard that there once was a Roman emperor who, erm, who made his horse a senator. Hm?" The Sheriff joked as some of the nobles laugh. I glanced and saw that Much doesn’t get the joke, but smiles politely, his eyes dancing around examining the room. No laughter or smirk left my lips, my numb body and mind was unable to focus.

"Can you imagine that, hm? All the other senators smiling as their latest member drops dung on their feet?" The Sheriff joked once again as he laughs and some nobles laugh along. I glanced up and saw Guy smirking as he frowned slightly looking at me. I felt hurt and betrayed before I gave a deep sigh, blinking away tears. Lambert. Dead.

"You’re not going to do that, are you, Lord Much, eh?" The Sheriff questioned Much as he pointed to him smirking slightly. Much shakes his head, confused.

"No." He spoke almost inaudible as he shook his head. The sheriff eyed him for a moment as he drums his fingers on the table.

"So, down to business, hm?" He smirked glancing around the room as I felt tears still threatening to prick my eyes as I had my gaze focused on Guy. He looked up catching my sorrorful gaze as he stares back, frowning slightly, as the Sheriff continues.

"Oh, boring, boring. Oh! Oh! I see the proposed new plough tax will be phased in at the beginning of next month. Well, I suggest a... I don’t know, increase threefold? Lonsdale." The Sheriff suggested as he pointed to the noble Lonsdale, he respectfully rose in his seat smoothing his front robe ready to speak.

"But wait, wait." The sheriff smirked as Lonsdale sits down again. "Why don’t we seek the wise counsel of our newest member on the matter?" The Sheriff turns to Much. I knew this was a trap it was a way to catch Much out.

"What do you think?" He questioned as all the nobles all look at Much. I couldn’t find myself staring away from Guy I was so numb and betrayed. Lambert was his friend, he was loyal he didn't deserve to die.

"The plough tax, my lord..." Much began as he cleared his throat stammering once he had risen. Glancing around the room I knew he was nervous by the edge in his voice.

"Come along. Come along! Eh? What do you think? Should it be “yea” or should it be “nay?”" The Sheriff interrupted impatiently.

"To an increase in the plough tax, I say “nay.”

"Nay! I knew he would say nay! Eh? Nei-eigh, horsey, horsey, horsey. Nei-ei-eigh. Nei-ei-eigh." The Sheriff pounded his fist against the table as he started to pretend to be a horse as he laughed, along with a few of the other nobled. I could see that Merton is totally unamused.

"I have to say that... I say—" Much tried.

"What? You have to say what? Well, let this serve as a reminder about what “nay” means. To me, dissent. Neigh means horses…" The Sheriff began as he interrupted angrily as Much sits, shamed. The other nobles are sitting solemnly. "…and horses have to be ridden hard. They have to be whipped. Loughborough, hm? Merton."Merton lifts his chin higher.

"Lady Esme." I heard him call to me as I however was still staring with a pleading look at Guy, who was refusing to meet my gaze.

"How’s your father, hm? Is he still poorly? Well, you will remind him about our position on “naying,” won’t you? Hm?" His words ran straight through me as he chuckled once again. I didn't comprehend anything that left his mouth as I watched as Guy's eye's flicker around the room avoiding mine.  

*************

Deep in Sherwood Forest by The Great North Road. Will is watching the road with bow in hand, whistles a signal to Robin, upon seeing the approaching party is not Gisborne with Lambert. Esme dismounts from her horse as Robin, Allan, Will, Little John and Djaq come out from their hiding places and walk down the rise towards her. Robin sees Esme’s sorrowful face and looks at her solemnly.

"He’s dead. I’m so sorry." Esme explained. Robin remains still a moment as Esme tries hard not to cry, then he steps forward and pulls her head into his chest. She begins to cry. The gang disappears into the trees for camp as Robin holds her close. He rubbed her back, his heart aching to see her cry. Esme felt better feeling the comfort of her brother like old times as they waited for her to calm down before making their way to the camp. Meanwhile back at the camp Djaq is eagerly reading Lambert’s ledger when Will takes it from her.

"I’m burning this!" He snapped.

"Will, no! Stop it!" Djaq pleaded as Will attempts to put the ledger in the fire, Little John grabs his wrist and takes the book from his hand.

"Steady!" Little John warned him.

"This is not science. This is murder." Will growled.

"Think of this as progress. Other scientists could do much better things with Greek fire." Djaq protested shaking her head as she held tightly to the ledger. Robin and Esme somberly enter the camp, Robin's arm over her shoulder, Esme arm around his waist.

"Yeah, you could blow up the entire castle with that stuff!" Allan agreed as they all went quiet turning to Robin.

"Lambert’s dead." Robin informed them grimly as they gasped surprised and shocked.

"What?" Little John asked him unsure he had heard Robin right, but the look on Esme's face convinced them all that they needed.

"He died believing I’d protect his work." Robin whispered remembering his promise to Lambert.

"Then let me study this ledger, create black powder. With this, we could be unstoppable." Djaq pleaded Robin.

"This is not about one man’s wish. Robin!" Will growled as Robin steps forward with his hand outstretched to Djaq. She reluctantly hands him the ledger.

"First we need to destroy the Sheriff ’s powder. That is a weapon he must not wield. It’s time to call on our noble on the inside." Robin informed turning to Esme as she knew what she had to do……