As the Sheriff requested Guy sent for a physician to look after Esme. Over the week she improved greatly with bed rest and peace. Guy watched out for her father when the Sheriff was in sight and secretly visited her at night and talked to the physician for any clues on what had happened to her. Though the physician couldn't answer his questions to an extent Guy sighed. He remembered their wedding, how she was taken unconscious of the back of a horse. Something didn't feel right to him as he knew full well that the wounds the physician was healing were ones of torture.

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

I tended to limit myself with the amount of energy I wasted in the day. I was now however stronger on my feet as I went to the window in my room overlooking the market as I sighed and watched the streets grow busier. I watched the people as I tried to pinpoint Robin or any members of the gang as I knew they came into the marketplace today.

My eyes were drawn to a lady tired up to a post as I frowned. I didn't have a very good look but something about her made me recognize her. However I did recognize the man circling casually around her as I smirked watching from my window. I watched as she and Robin exchanged words and I think he slipped a coin into her hand before vanishing back into the crowd as I lost sight of him. Sighing through my nose I drew away from the window and slowly left my room, enjoying the stretch in my legs.

"Esme?" Guy's strong silky voice called out as I stopped slightly annoyed. I had made it barely four feet from my room and now I would be locked back inside as I waited till he came in front of me with a raised eyebrow.

"Sir Guy" I bowed my head out of respect as I refused to move my gaze from the floor.

"Esme what are you doing out of bed?" He asked as I could feel his watchful gaze on me as I just kept my eyes on the floor and his boots.

"Stretching my legs?" I sounded hopeful as what I didn't expect was for him to move aside making me gasp and look up to see him holding out his arm for me. I gave a weak smile and without hesitation took it as we slowly and quietly walked along the halls of the castle. We'd just make it to the courtyard when I glanced out to see an executioner sharpening a broadaxe as I frowned and looked up towards Guy.

"Esme maybe you should return to your room" Guy whispered warningly and before I could answer as we both held eyes another pair of boots came making Guy suddenly drop my eye as I frowned slightly.

"Ah Gisborne. Esme, good you can watch as well" The Sheriff laughed menacingly as I heard Guy growl slightly as I bowed my head.

"My lord, forgive me I was planning on returning to my -" I started only to have him cut me off.

"Stay!" He snapped as I gulped and nodded to see the castle gates open and the portcullis raised. Two guards coming from a separate direction held two children in their arms as I went wide eyed as Guy and the Sheriff started heading into the marketplace with the children following.

Snapping out of my shock I quickly followed but the sentries at the gate cross their halberds in front of me as I am suddenly forced to stop. I took a step back before I heard Guy's voice as they opened allowing me to pass as I stood beside Guy, not to close but close enough to feel safe in a way, giving him a small thank you. I swear I saw him give me a small genuine smile. A drum sounds a sombre, repeating triple beat as the townsfolk all stop and form a circle to watch.

I watched as the Sheriff steps past the women tied to the post and smiles, ready to address the crowd. As he is about to speak, the drum sounds again and he glowers back at the drummer. It made me giggle slightly as the drumming quickly stops. I got a sort of amused glare from Guy as I stopped and hung my head ashamed hearing him sigh beside me.

"People... my dear people, these two young scallywags here think because they are children they can escape justice. They have committed a crime! One of my men saw fit to take pity on them and their mother and allowed her to take a punishment for them. Very generous... but misguided. They must lose a hand. It is the law." The Sheriff instructed as he held up his hand as the crowd murmured amongst themselves as I gulped.

"No. No! My children, no!" The mother started hysterically crying out as I saw the Sheriff glare at her and wince at her plea.

"Ah... ah, motherly compassion. Very sweet, charming. Bring out the equipment." He snickered pretending to be compassionate for a minute before returning to his usual manic self. As the mother continues to protest, the executioner continues sharpening the axe, a guard and a peasant man set a large wooden block in the middle of the marketplace and two more guards bring the children forward.

"Please, they’re children. They meant no harm. Please don’t take their hands, please!" She pleaded once more though something felt off.

"Shut up!" The Sheriff snapped at her as the mother continues to sob as the executioner puts a cabbage on the block and chops it easily in two with the axe.

"Come along. Chop, chop." The Sheriff laughs as I saw Guy smirk beside me as I winced slightly. The children’s hands are clamped down to the block as the Sheriff gets out a parchment and reads.

"I, Vaizey, Sheriff of Nottingham, hereby pronounce sentence on little tiny Billy and tiny little Jane, blah-diblah-di-blah. Chop off their hands!" He laughed as I wished Robin was here to save them, though something felt so wrong I almost didn't want him to come.

"Somebody save my children!" The mother's piercing cries made me wince. She surely could hit a high pitch as suddenly I glanced up and saw Robin, standing on a nearby rooftop, shoots two arrows simultaneously into the block by the children’s hands. The townsfolk cheer loudly as I struggled to hold back a smile just seeing him as I bit my lip hard to prevent a smile as I winced from the pain.

"Touch those children and there’s an arrow in it for you, Sheriff!" Robin shouted out as a warning.

"Do it!" The Sheriff snapped as he pointed towards the executioner. The executioner raises the broadaxe and Robin shoots it out of his hand. Another arrow follows, landing in the side of the mother's post and severing the rope binding her hands. She raises her hands in front of her face in amazement.

"Rose! Children! Run!" Robin called out.

"They can’t! Help!" She shouted out though I immediately saw a smirk fall upon her lips as I gasped. No, Robin, don’t go down I prayed. However he did as I watch as Robin lets himself down a rope to the ground with his knife clenched in his teeth. I unhappily watch him as he takes out a guard with a kick and a swing of his scimitar, then runs into the marketplace. He grabs the sword arm of a charging guard and kicks him back, then turns, knocks aside the sword of another, kicks him in the chest, then drives the hilt of his sword into his back. He takes the knife out of his mouth.

"The locks, quickly!" Robin calls out towards Rose if that is even her real name as Robin tosses Rose the knife and she catches it.

"Now!" Guy shouted suddenly beside me as I winced as he soon disappeared from my side. Several cloaked guards who have been waiting around the marketplace pull off their disguises, draw their weapons and surround Robin with their swords pointed at him. I gulped as Rose and Gisborne smile smugly. Robin turns from side to side, ready to face the newcomers with his scimitar, but 18 swords are too many for him. I watch miserably, helpless to intervene.

"Clever. Very, very clever." Robin hissed.

"Put down your weapon, Hood." Guy smirked as Robin did as he asked. I heard the clatter of metal on the ground knowing he had dropped his scimitar. I couldn't hear their full conversation however I did see Rose pull away her mask to reveal Davina, the Sheriff's sister as I sighed deeply. Of course I hadn't seen her around the castle in a while, of course they had a scheme of some sort.

"Did I tell you I had a sister, Hood?" The Sheriff chuckled loudly as I watched as they grabbed hold of Robin and dragged him towards the castle. We exchanged eye glances for only a moment before Davina strolled over beside me with a smirk.

"Esme? Shouldn't you be resting?" She asked surprised to see me out as I nodded and we both walked back into the castle.

"Yes, excuse as I retire to my chambers" I politely nodded as we both went in separate directions. Once I got to my room I locked the door and gulped down some water and nibbled on a bit of bread before I pulled out my spare Nightwatchman costume out from the hidden compartment under my bed. I let my finger's run over the vest and the mask before sighing. I have to do this, for Robin.

I wasted no time getting dressed as I pulled my hood up around my hair and slipped my mask over my face before I snuck out my window and held on tightly to the stone as I slowly made my way round to a balcony and easy flipped onto the other side. I was already panting slightly heavily as I winced holding onto the wall for a moment to gather my breath before I continued to move throughout the castle.

I was about to head towards the dungeons when I could laughter coming from inside the war room as I slowly drew closer. I stayed hidden behind a column as I saw two sentries guarding the door.

"Look at you. A noble life and you threw it away." Guy's voice echoed from behind the door as I knew that Robin was in there. Sighing and taking in a few deep breaths I eased myself towards the sentries as I quickly kick the first one in the stomach as he doubles over and then in the head knocking him out cold. The second guard steps to face me and I kick him in the groin, and, as he’s doubled over, in the back of the head. I quickly rush to the door and try to open it, but it’s locked. I pound on the door and then put an ear to it.

I knew I wouldn't be able to get Robin out, I wasn't in the right shape, but I could draw their attention and buy Robin time to escape. I waited panting as I looked through a keyhole to see Guy coming towards the door. Just as he goes to see what is going on I run off down the corridor.

"The Nightwatchman." Guy calls out as I smirk. Grabbing their attention check, now making it out alive and without getting caught is the next thing. Jumping up I pulled myself up and hung against the ceiling waiting for Guy to come round which he did as I dropped to the floor behind him, ignoring the sudden flash of pain that ran through my body. I quickly kick his feet out from under him and then continue to run down the corridor.

I past the courtyard and continued down another corridor as I could hear Guy and guards running after me. I was panting hard and I knew I need to pause for only a moment as I reached the north corridor. Smiling I saw the beams in the roof as I jumped up and pulled myself up and allowed myself time to breath as they came round the corner confused, on why I had suddenly disappeared.

Guy and the guards look down the empty corridor, and then slowly advance until Guy looks up and points past himself with both hands. The guards take several steps forward as he and I held eye contact as he reached into his back pocket to pull out a small curved dagger making me growl slightly.

"Remember this, Nightwatchman?" He asked me haughtily as I flip my legs over my head and drop to the floor. The two guards behind me grab my arms as I refuse to let myself panic.

"Take off your mask. I want to see your face when you die." Guy snarled as I kicked away the dagger in his hands and then his groin as he bent over in pain. Sorry Guy! I used him as a springboard and flipped backwards releasing myself from the guard's grips before I quickly punch them and kick one in the head. I took a step back only to have the Sheriff place a knife under my throat as I chuckled.

"Your mistake, my friend. You should have run when you had the chance!" He hissed as I kicked my leg up as I my foot connecting with his eye. I wanted to laugh as he grabbed his face as I turned around and with amount of force kicked him hard in the groin as he yelped loudly making me smirk. I have wanted to do that for so long! Two more guards coming up behind him draw their swords. I hold out my arms and audaciously motion with my hands to come and get me, but then I jumps over the wall to the courtyard below.

"Help me up, you idiots! Gisborne! Get him!" The Sheriff shouted out angrily.

"Don’t worry. He’s mine!" I heard his response. I ran in the direction of the gate as the sentries run forward blocking the way with their swords drawn. I glance behind me to see Guy running down the steps with his sword as he goes for an attack making me duck and sweep his feet out from under him. I quickly cartwheel knocking out the two guards by the gate. I glanced out to see curious townsfolk but instead of running out I run into the tower.

"He’s creating a distraction!" The Sheriff shouted out as I run along the battlements, chased by the two guards, and appear at the top of the tower.

"You’re wasting your time, my friend! Robin Hood is already dead!" The Sheriff shouted out chuckling darkly. All I could was stare at the Sheriff for a moment before I turn towards the outside wall and jumping down. I landed on a few roofs before I made it down onto the street as I felt tears leaking through my mask of pain and of Robin's death. Running past a washling line I sneakily grab a dress and hide in a secluded spot where I pull of my hood and mask before I fall to my knees in tears. Robin can't be dead.