I was quietly walking down the north exterior corridor, making sure it was all clear as I head for the door, lock pick in hand, and checks down the other corridor for guards. I open the door and the sergeant silently comes up behind her.

"Boo! My lady." He teased as I jumped slightly, hiding my lock pick behind me. I tried to hide my shock and began stammering my excuse for being here.

"The prisoners. I heard there were families down there, children. Do they have enough food and water?" I asked him straightening my back as he just raised his eyebrow. As if what I was asking was amusing.

"This is not some soft inn for their pleasure, my lady."

"That is no reason to ill treat them. A bit excitedly: Actually, I thought I might be able to see the wild man. I’m rather intrigued." I told him honestly in a whisper as if I was afraid to be overheard. He thought for a quick moment.

"No. Can’t let you in. Sorry." He apologized stubbornly before the sergeant goes through the door and closes it behind him. I growled slightly as I began tapping the pick in my palm, thinking, when I hear Guy's voice becoming louder. I gulped, as I quickly grabbed the pick and slipped it into the candlestick. As I felt his hand on my arm causing me to turn around.

"Esme?" He asked confused on why I was down here.

"Guy. I was just looking for my portmanteau. I-I don’t know whether they...took it from the horse already or... where—" I began stammering as he smirked slightly.

"I will have it brought to your room. I’m glad you decided to stay. I didn’t like to think of you all alone at Knighton Hall with your father away." He smiled interrupting slightly which I was glad for as I forced a smile on my lips.

"May I pass?" I asked him as he stepped aside. I took this time and made my way quickly but elegantly down the hall towards the main doors to head back to my chamber. I could hear Guy talking from behind probably talking to a soldier as I made it to my room. I sat down at my desk in my room and pulled out a piece of parchment and began writing with the ink in my quill. There was a knock on my door as I didn't look up as I blew on my letter and began rolling it up.

"Come in!" I called as Guy entered with a soldier carrying my portmanteau.

"Esme, your things.…Over there." He pointed to the soldier as he carried the portmanteau past the bed. He loudly drops the bags at my feet, causing me to look up slightly surprised from the loud sound.

"Careful, you clumsy oaf !" Guy snarled. I gasped slightly as I realized that the soldier dressed up was actually Robin. Robin lowers his head, with a “be careful and downplay it” look.

"Esme?" Guy asked as Robin mouths a shh! I quickly leant around Robin to look at Guy, struggling to hide my delight in my eyes.

"I am quite well." I informed him before I turned back to Robin: "Could you put them over there, by the bed?" I asked him smirking as Robin winks and complies making me roll my eyes at his impudence and trying to hide my smile from Guy. Robin dumps my bags next to Gisborne and starts to pass him towards the door.

"Wait." Guy began as I looked up sharply; hoping Robin has not been discovered. Robin stands haughtily behind Gisborne’s shoulder where I can see him. "Perhaps there is something else I can do for you?"

"Nothing. Thank you." I shook my head with a small smile before I went back to tying my letter together. From the corner of my eye I saw Guy, barely looking at Robin, jerks his head towards the door, meaning for Robin to leave. Robin bows to me, as I have to hide another smile, then just as Guy is about to do the same, but Guy turns back.

"Esme, erm, for some time now—" He began as he started to walk towards me as I quickly interrupted.

"I thought I would rest before dinner." I quickly spoke, I wasn't really liking where this conversation was going.

"Hear me out, please." He begged as I sighed nodding. Just then, Robin, now minus his helmet, peeks out from behind the jamb. I see him and smile as Guy notices my seemingly strange behaviour. "Is there something the matter?"

"No, I am a little out of sorts, that is all." I told him tiredly as Robin ducks behind the jamb as Guy turns to the door, then decides to try again.

"Since we came to our understanding, you have been constantly in my thoughts. Without you, I no longer feel... quite whole." He told me as he walked forward until he was standing beside my desk looking down at me as Robin peeks out again, frowning with a jealous look.

"Please, Sir Guy, I would rather not talk about this now." I whispered embarrassed.

"Don’t send me away." He told me hurt as he reaches out a hand to me. I reluctantly take it and stands to face him. "We should be spending more time together, so that we can understand each other better. I want to know you." He whispered.

"I am sorry. I cannot." I told him truthfully as I kept eye contact.

"Esme." Guy's voice was deep and slightly edged as he reaches around my waist in an effort to pull me into an embrace. I winced slightly as I felt a memory flash before my eyes. "Be with me."

"Please, Guy, not now." I muttered desperately as I took his arm off me and moved past him in my room as I sat on the edge on my bed, not able to even look back up at him. I heard him sighing deeply.

"Perhaps you will at least think over what I’ve said." He asked before he leaves the room and closes the door behind him. Once the door is closed, I smiled and heads to the door. Opening it, fully expecting Robin to be there, but the corridor is empty. I look right and left to be sure. Disappointed, I steps backwards into the room and closed the door. Behind me, Robin steps out from behind a tapestry covering the second door to the room and repeats Guy's earlier words.

"Please don’t send me away." He teased as I smiled brightly and turns to Robin. "We should be spending more time together." He chuckled as I pulled him into a tight hug. We took a seat with our backs against a window in my room, chatting like we used to.

"You’re mad to be here at all. Extra guards have been laid on. The place is full of prisoners. You know about the Sheriff ’s plans for tomorrow?" I chuckled before I grew serious as Robin hangs his head and nods. "The punishments?"

"Yes. And I intend to stop it." He informed me as he raised his head meeting my eyes. I knew I wouldn’t be able to give them any help this time. I wasn't going to show up to the 'festival' it would be too hard for me.

"With what? You are few against many."

"We few have proved quite effective in the past. We will rescue them, all of them." He told me confidently before he sighed. His voice went quiet and slightly less surely as it was just then. "I have a plan—well, half a plan, I think."

"How?" I asked him eager.

"I never give up... on anyone." He told me looking straight into nothing.

"You may discover it is too late for some." I whispered hinting my fate to marry Guy as Robin looks at me questioningly. I continued, deliberately changing the direction of the conversation. "I mean, the way the prisoners have been treated, most of them are beyond help. The bow maker of Locksley has already been tortured." Robin scoffs, holding in his anger. "Guy wanted a special example made of him. He is the first to be punished."

"Yet he plays the gallant gentleman and he does so want to know you." He told me jealously as I rolled my eyes.

"You should be glad. It is because I know him I am able to tell you the revenue wagon leaves tomorrow for London with the King’s annual duty." I informed him as he shook his head not really seeing the relevance, as I growled annoyed.

"And?"

"And the Sheriff thinks you will try to save your friend the bowmaker whilst the wagon leaves unchallenged." I stated to him as if it was obvious as he started nodding his head. I knew that face, he was thinking of a plan as he stood up and headed for the second door before he turned towards me and gave me a brotherly kiss on the forehead.

"Right. I have a plan." He smirked before he vanished.