- Chapter 45 -

After the Count 'vanished' in the night leaving the Sheriff stuck and broke, it grew quiet in the castle. I didn't like quiet; it meant something was brewing in the shadows. I kept my eyes and ears open, I used passage ways in the castle to try and eavesdrop on the conversations between Guy and the Sheriff. I got no luck. I must admit Guy has been trying to make conversation with me, I can see it. He goes to say anything then changes his mind and stays clear of me.

I would prefer his scowls if it meant he looked at me or talked to me even if it was with disgust or disdain. Robin and I created a way to communicate with each other, not to obvious but it worked. He would send an arrow to the castle or a message if he needed me any other day other than the usual Wednesday.

Since Wednesday was market day the markets were crowded the most, meaning our encounters could go unnoticed. I would obviously have a guard follow me and then either I would send him off to be me something or the gang created a distraction long enough for us to talk. As the weeks grew uneventful and boring I noticed that when the Sheriff and Guy came back from Locksley, it's a weird thing to notice but they smelled of metal.

It was unusual something I wasn't used to. The Sheriff always jumped for glee as though he had a trick up his sleeve. I didn't like it, though I played innocent and a perfect lady in their eyes despite being under house arrest. I knew something wasn't right the Sheriff is never happy, I mean not like this. It's beginning to scare me as I soon figured out why.

Another trick Robin and the gang had created was sending me letters. I know risky, but it was coded. Robin wrote with his fancy writing and would sign it as the Count. We did this as a precaution incase either Guy or the Sheriff got nosy and decided to try and read it. Though every time the letter arrives and the Sheriff immediately goes to see who wrote to me. He snarls and would give me the 'damned letter' and be done with it.

"My Lady?" A knock came from behind my door as I opened it slightly shocked to see Guy leaning against the stone, his hair a mess with his eyes watching me. I gulped and cannot deny how attractive he looked as I saw the letter in his hands making me sigh and scowl as he held it up for me.

"Seems the Count fancies you" He snarled as I rolled my eyes and reluctantly took it from him.

"I'd wish he'd stop!" I muttered as I saw Guy watching me closely.

"You would think he would get the message when I never reply" I gave a weak smile at the joke as he smirked leaning in slightly. I sucked in a breath feeling his warm breath on my face before he turned to leave, leaving me frozen in my doorway. Blushing a deep red I closed it quickly and unsealed the letter. I went over beside the fireplace and hovered it over the heat as I saw the real message begin to appear through the paper.

Esme,

Gisborne and the Sheriff have been developing a new armor of some sort. It's not use against arrows and if the Sheriff can produce hundreds of this type or armor then the Black Knights will be in stoppable. Unfortunately a group of young boys where playing in the forest when Gisborne was testing out the new metal. My gang and I went to rescue them only to have them still hold captive one of the young boys in Locksley. If I don't return the rocks in which creates the metal by tomorrow they will kill him in cold blood. Keep an eye out for my signal for the market.

Robin.

I quickly threw the letter into the fire and watched it burn into ash knowing that the letter was destroyed. Rubbing my hands together I drew out a deep breath. The poor boy, we have to do something to prevent the knights from getting the armor and save his life. I ran a hand through my hair before sighing and heading towards my father's chambers.

My father is currently sick with a fever and I know what would happen if I asked the Sheriff to send for a physician so I made sure to tend to him, ensuring he kept up his strength, rested and ate. I was dabbing his face and neck with a wet cloth as he gave me a weak smile. He was looking old, fragile and his eyes grew sullen. It hurt to see my father like this, it's funny when I was a girl I thought he was invincible, though I guess there is one battle he cannot win. And that's aging.

"Thank you." He whispered with a hoarse weak voice. An arrow swooshes through the air and lands with a thud into solid wood. I look wildly behind me and spy the arrow in the post of a room divider. Quickly standing up I duck under the arrow and stare at it, then caresses the fletcher with my little finger and smile brightly. I knew it wouldn't be long since Robin would come hunting for me for help.

"Esme?" My father asked me weakly as I pulled out the arrow and let it burn into the fire.

"I will return with bread and broth for you father" I smiled softly as I kissed his knuckles as I watched him close his eyes tired as I sighed and quietly left his room, shutting it silently behind me. Grabbing a few coins a guard was posted to watch me as I made my way into the marketplace. As I enter the marketplace I turn and hand my guard a coin as he nods and disappears. Spotting a stall selling cloth I walk over to it to find Robin sitting inside.

"My guard has gone for bread. We have two minutes. I heard about the boy. What do you want?" I informed not looking at him as I watched my guard disappear from view.

"The Sheriff and Gisborne are developing a new armour. It'll make him and the Black Knights invincible. We have to stop them." Robin whispered as I nodded pretending to be fascinated with the fabric within my hands.

"We can’t risk the boy." I spoke.

"I know, but if the Sheriff defeats the King, then how many more lives will be lost?" Robin questioned as I saw my guard coming around the post with a loaf of bread in his hands.

"My guard. I will get the boy out tonight." I whisper in hushed voices as Robin frowns at me.

"How? You’re under house arrest." He questioned puzzled.

"I will find a way. That’s the whole point of me being here. Oh and Robin, we can't do the letters anymore, Guy is becoming suspicious." I told him quickly before dashing from the stall towards my guard as we make our way back into the castle with a small basket of bread. The stupid man suspected nothing as I smiled taking it from him and preparing a small meal for my father and taking it up to him.

Once I knew he was prepared I returned to my quarters finding my favourite gown as I slipped it over my body. I smiled tracing over the fabric as I curled my hair and slipped my cloak over my shoulders. Grabbing a piece of parchment I folded it in half before ripping it and placing on half to the side. Dipping my quill into its ink I began writing an order to have the boy released. Blowing over the paper I smiled before grabbing the next sheet to write a pass to leave the castle. Smiling at my work I placed my quill away as I carefully placed one piece of parchment under the other.

I pulled back the edge of the top piece and tips a candle over the lower one, running hot wax along its edge, then presses the two together. Perfect. It was dark outside I smirked before making my way down the halls towards the Sheriff's quarters as I knocked on the door and waited before I heard him allowing me inside.

"My lord? My lord, I beg a favour of you. I have prepared a pass for you to sign. I need your permission to leave the castle." I innocently requested as he turned around to me with a raised eyebrow.

"Why?"

"You so decreed it." I told him puzzled as he chuckled slightly and cleared his throat.

"No-no-no. I mean, why do you need to leave?" He questioned as I drew in a deep breath.

"To visit Guy." I informed as he raised his eyebrow higher and taking a step towards me.

"Gisborne? Ooh. Well, he’s had a bad day. I don’t advise it, hm? He should have killed some little boys but he didn't. He let them live, showed compassion. Now it’s a mess." He spoke slowly as he took the pass from me inspecting it. I stayed still as he pulls aside my cloak to look at the dress underneath, then sniffs my perfume and looks at the pass. Once his back was turned I let out a quiet say as he went to his desk.

"Well, then, perhaps now is a good time for me to offer him an apology. I hope to make my peace with him." I truthfully informed him as he pulled out his pass from his table still watching me slightly.

"At this hour? And in your finest silks?" He questioned as I drew a deep breath to remain calm as I nervously look down at my clothes.

"Please." I whispered as he stares at me a long moment, then picks up a large ring and sets it on the pass. He doesn't say anything as I continue to watch him anxiously as the Sheriff pours red wax into the ring and then puts the spoon back and picks up his seal before stamping it into the wax. I let a small smile escape to the corner of my lips as the Sheriff sets down the seal and hands her the pass. I steps forward to take it, turns and walks out, keeping my demeanour calm.

One thing at a time Esme. I kept telling that to myself as I got a horse prepared for me and carefully removed the underneath message hiding it behind my cloak as I handed over my pass to the guard. He nodded allowing me through as I smiled and mounted my horse before riding towards Sherwood Forest. It was harder to navigate through the forest for the camp in the dark but I eventually found my way as I smiled to see the group as I noticed Robin look at my dress with a smirk making me roll my eyes.

"This is a pass for the castle gate, but underneath is an order to send Daniel back to the castle so the Sheriff can question him tonight." I informed holding out the pass I had made that was currently sealed.

"Gisborne won’t release him to us, but he will release him to...... a castle guard." Robin chuckled as he held up a helmet and taps the helmet with his index fingers. I watched as the gang nodded but none spoke up at first to volunteer.

"I'll do it." Allan volunteered as I raised my eyebrows slightly shocked as Robin agrees with a turn of his head and raised eyebrows and hands Allan the helmet.

"Are you aware of the risk? If Guy catches you—" I began to warn.

"Don’t worry. He'll be putty in my hands." He smirked as I gave a small smile.

"You’re a brave man." I compliment as he shrugs grinning.

"Well..." He chuckled as I handed Allan the pass.

"I'll go ahead. I told the Sheriff I’d call on Gisborne so I must show my face there. Good luck." I informed before turning and mounting my horse to leave the camp in the direction of Locksley. Once I arrived at Locksley I drew a deep breath and placed my horse into the stables. This was my chance to make amends. To have a chance or glimmer of hope that we might be able to rekindle the friendship we had or even the beginning of a relationship he once desired.

I followed the servant through the house as I followed him up the stairs towards the backroom as I passed my cloak to the servant as I entered to see Guy. Guy was being fitted with armor by another servant, my breath caught in my throat and my face grew hot as I saw his toned bare chest. I couldn't help but look at him in wonder and sigh as I step formally into the room catching his attention making me blush darker as I turned to look away from him.

"Forgive me, if I'd had known I would have waited downstairs." I mumbled nervous as I swear he could be rolling his eyes.

"Esme, it’s late. Why so urgent?" He demanded as I gulped and stood a little straighter turning to him, not allowing my eyes to drop as I kept my eyes on his face.

"I wish to speak to you about a personal matter." I requested as I watched Guy slide off the arm piece and hands it to the servant.

"I'll send for you." Guy instructed to his servant as he jerks his head towards the door. The servant nods, places the armpiece on the table and leaves. I didn't look up at him as I heard him walk over to me making me gulp slightly. I would have thought he'd put on a shirt as I bit my bottom lip.

"Yeah? What is it?"

"There is bad blood between us." I began only to stop when he scoffed.

"You overestimate yourself. I had feelings for you. I made no bones about that. But now...I feel nothing." He scoffed once more shaking his head as I hoped it wasn't the case. It made my heart ache hearing him say that.

"I don't believe that" I whispered numbly.

"And I have larger concerns, ambitions."

"Well, is there no hope of reconciliation? I know you are a man capable of compassion. I offer....... I offer friendship." I wanted to say I offer him my love but I knew he wouldn't take me seriously as he looked up at me from under his brows. I took a step forward lifting my hand for Guy as Guy, breathing nervously, as he takes my hand.

He gently caressed my skin with is thumb as I let out a held shaky breath. The feeling of electricity running through my limb ignited a fire in my stomach as I held eye contact with him, trying to express my love. Something in the corner of my eye moved making me break the contact as I gulped see Robin as I went to withdraw my hand only to have Guy hold it tighter. I smiled slightly, thinking he still wanted to be with me.

"What?" Guy asked slowly as he followed my eyesight to see the empty windowsill as I could hear Robin quietly moving away and sneaking off the roof as I gulped and glanced back down at the floor.

"Nothing I just thought I saw……" I let my words trail as I once again felt his eyes on my skin as I refused to look back up at him until he placed his hand under my chin and making me shudder slightly from his touch.

"Esme, what is this all about?" He whispered as I gulped slightly.

"It’s about friendship, that’s all." I whispered when in reality I knew I missed his affections. I had turned his once compassionate heart stone which made my own heart break. I had feelings for him I knew it, but what was worse was hearing he no longer felt the same.

"No. This isn't about friendship…..You want your freedom back. That’s what this is all about, and I can’t give that to you. You and your father, you've made your own bed." He whispered to me as he caressed my cheek making me slightly lean into his touch as I could feel the electricity shock my skin. It was silent between us at first as neither of our gazes dropped, his fingers still trailed on my check and soon to the back of my neck drawing me closer.

I saw his head dip towards mine slowly as I followed before Guy grimaces to the sound of footsteps as he dropped his hand from my neck and took a step back as though I burnt him. I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes looking down, that look hurt as I kept my back to the massager.

"Sorry, master. There’s a messenger from the Sheriff." The servant informed as he nodded his head and I heard the retreating footsteps before I sighed deeply and glanced back up to gasp to see he had returned back directly into of me as I gulped nervously.

"I should go." I whispered as I slowly turned to leave only to pause and turn back and place a sweet and tender kiss on his cheek. My hands were resting on his forearms as I balanced on my toes, as he instinctively held my waist. I felt his body freeze under my lips and heard a deep sigh as I turned away blushing deeply and made my way out of the room to where the servant was holding my cloak out for me as I gave a soft smile.

As I finished placing my cloak on my shoulders and tying the knot I glanced up to where Guy was watching me closely, though he'd put on a shirt as I glanced down biting my lip and exited the manor towards the stables to grab my horse. Making sure my horse was prepared for travel I started to lead my horse out of the stable when Robin steps out from a stall behind me.

"That looked friendly." Robin bitterly spoke as I stopped suddenly turning to him.

"You were spying on me." I asked him piqued as he shrugged his shoulders making me scoff.

"I was not spying on you. I was making sure you were safe." He defended as I rolled my eyes.

"Well, I was safe. Shouldn't you be making sure Allan is safe?" I snapped annoyed and when Robin gave me no reply I shook my head leading my horse out.

"I've played my part." I growled not looking back.

"Esme!" Robin called out as I could tell he was confused by my attitude as I drew the horse to a stop before I mounted and rode home in the cool night towards the castle…….