- Chapter 48 -

I remained in my room lying on my bed as tears ran down my face as I heard a knock on my door causing me to lift up my head.

"Esme?" I heard Guy call out from behind the door as I leap off my bed trying to hold back sobs as I rush to the door to ensure he doesn't come in.

"Go away." I begged in tears as I latch the door and grab the handle to keep Guy from turning it as he tried to open the door.

"I cannot talk to you through the door." He whispered sadly.

"Well then, you cannot talk to me at all." I responded back broken and numb.

"I just wanted to apologise... for what happened today, the way the Sheriff treated you." He whispered sadly as I could hear the guilt in his words.

"Am I to perform like a monkey whilst my father starves in the dungeon?" I questioned bitterly as I let my body sag against the wood of the door exhausted.

"No. I will see to it that your father is properly fed." He promised as I scoffed.

"Really? And what do you want in return?" I bitterly questioned as I had gathered nowadays he that there was always a catch in our relationship which I hated. I wished we didn't have the barrier of my own foolishness from before.

"Nothing. You have my word." He gently spoke as I felt his words seem to caress me as I smiled softly.

"Then thank you." I whispered.

"Esme, please... let me in." He begged slightly his voice going deeper and huskier as I removed myself from the door and let him slowly turn the door handle. I kept my back to him as he closed the door behind him making me turn around as his eyes and face soften to my discomfort and tears as he could see just how broken and numb I was.

"Oh Esme" His soft tender voice just made the tears begin to flow once more as he was by my side in two long strides before his strong arms embraced me as I clutched to him tightly as he stroked my hair.

"He was family Guy.....And he's gone....he....did so much for me.....and...he...he's gone" I sobbed as he held me closer to him tighter as I squeezed my eyes shut trying to remove the image of the sword being driven into him. Why couldn't he have been quiet for once? Why did he have to take on the Sheriff. What about Luke or Will, they still needed their father and now he's gone. In some way I still needed him but I couldn't reach him now. I pray that God guides him to heaven.

"Shhh" Guy soothingly whispered as I felt his warm breath trickle on my cheeks and neck making my stomach turn and heart flutter.

"Forgive me Guy. Please forgive me" I begged as I looked up at him as I could see him trying to comprehend the confusion. I needed his forgiveness of that day at the church, it's been eating me away.

"There is nothing you have...."

"I never meant to hurt you, I never wanted to hurt you, I -" I tried to speak cutting him off only to have him silence me by placing him warm lips over mine. My eyes closed instantly as I melted to his touch smiling slightly before he pulled away. It was too brief as I mentally groaned before he rested his forehead against mine and stroked my left cheek.

"It should be I, begging for your forgiveness Esme." His voice was huskier as it made me shiver as I could see the passion in his eyes making me smile before a sudden knock came on the door making him mask his feelings behind his magnificent blue eyes once more as he straightened his posture and dropped his hands from my face making me suddenly disappointed and desperate for his touch.

"My Lady?"

"I will leave you...Esme would you....would you ride with me? Later?" He asked me nervously once he had reached the door as my heart was beating loudly at the notion he wanted to spend time with me once more. I was about to squeal for joy of being away from the castle when I suddenly frowned at realization.

"My house arrest?" I questioned as he smirked that made me softly smirk.

"Would you?"

"Yes" I promised as his smirk grew wider before he opened the door and left before the serving girl walked into my room. I turn around, expecting my regular servant Sarah, but it was a different Serving Girl, timidly stepping in and closing the door behind her as I frowned.

"Where’s Sarah?" I asked confused.

"Don’t you know? She lives in Pitt Street." She asked me as I shook my head slightly worried for Sarah.

"Is she affected?"

"Little Jess." She answered once again as I paused in thought before smirking as I walked towards the serving girl before stopping and placing my hand on the bedpost.

"Right. We must get them medicine...and I need your clothes." I informed her as the poor serving girl looked down at her dress puzzled. She quickly ran and got the medicine I had required as when she arrived back I quickly changed in the girls grey/black dress leaving for the poor in her sleeveless black shift. Grabbing some jars and bottles I placed them gently in my shoulder bag, which the Serving Girl is helping to pack.

"We'll need to take food as well." I informed her as I reached up to take the remaining hairpins out as my hair in curls fell down over my shoulders.

"No need, miss. They’re all fed. The Nightwatchman visited last night. Pitt Street." She smiled slightly informing me as I frown in bewilderment as the Serving Girl continues to pack the bag. Once the bag was finished I nodded at the serving girl as she grabbed her cloak and place it around my shoulders as I tightened the string.

"The Nightwatchman went to Pitt Street?" I questioned puzzled as she nodded.

"Yes." She smiled checking everything was packed in my bag as I suddenly realized that someone was impersonating me and the food that was given out in my name was what was making them so sick. Once we were done we quickly dashed back to her own chamber to get changed as I snuck my way down to the servants' area before sneaking towards the main doors.

I wasn't paying a lot of attention but when I passed one pillar I let out a gasps as I pass an arrow’s tip, backing against the wall. Recognizing Will I quickly let out my breath as I saw the redness in his eyes before I stepped forward and gave him a hug as he gladly accepted the gesture. When I pulled away I could see grief and anger in his eyes as he had lowered his bow looking down the corridor I had just come.

"Will, you scared me. What are you doing here? Do you have a message from Robin?" I questioned as I saw that Will just stares at me, in a trance with determination. I was confused when suddenly Will dashed off down the corridor I had just come down as I tried calling out for him in a whisper.

"Will? Will!" When I got no response but hearing the sound of guards approaching from the East corridor I quickly dash in the direction of the main gate. I ensured to keep my hood up around my face to prevent being recognized as four of Gisborne’s men ride out of the castle gate, followed by the castle workers going home for the day. Hiding is amongst them, my face hidden in the hood of the serving girl’s cloak I head in the direction of Pitt Street once I had cleared the castle.

Glancing at the quarantine barrier around it I grumbled slightly before I smirk at the sight of the roofs. It was harder in a dress but I managed as I crawl over the peak of a roof seeing two soldiers below. When I had run and jumped across I had thought I had cleared it however one of them had seen me as they ran after me.

"Hey! Stop! I've seen you!" He shouted out as I had positioned myself on the roof. The soldier climbs up and I give him a solid kick to his chest, knocking him back down to the ground.

"No, you haven’t." I smirked before I turn to continue my clandestine course. Carefully making my way over the last roof into Pitt Street I smiled and looked down to see Robin talking with someone before they disappeared.

"Robin. Robin!" I whispered as he turned around with a frown before looking up and spotting me chuckling surprised.

"Esme, what are you doing here?" He questioned.

"Someone’s impersonating me." I informed as he nodded

"I know. I think he’s given out poisoned pies." He whispered as I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion as I began to climb down to the edge.

"What? In my name?" I asked. What would that bring besides damaging the Nightwatchman's reputation?

"It’s the Sheriff ’s doing, but...he hasn't blamed the Nightwatchman..." He thought unsure of his motive as I take my shoulder bag off over my head. Throwing it down to Robin he catches the bag easily, setting it down smirking slightly as I drop to a table before he takes me into his arms as I chuckle slightly and squirm forcing him to place me back on my feet.

"I need to go and see if Jess is all right." I told him truthfully as I could see that Robin was a bit disappointed, as he turns his head aside and let me pass so I can go find her. I felt him eyes on my back as I chuckled slightly. It didn't take long before he quickly caught up to me as though nothing happened as I bit my lip to suppress a snicker. With the medicine I had brought I assisted Robin and Djaq with attending the sick as I saw Little John come around the corner.

"Food." He called before disappearing once more.

"I'll take over." I smiled at Djaq nodding as she gave an exhausted smile happy to have me relinquishing her spot. Glancing over the ill once more I saw the lines of beds and sheets. I glanced over at Robin whose face was slightly solemn.

"You organized this?" I asked as he nodded.

"We had hospitals in the Holy Land. I thought that’d be the last time I’d see them." He whispered, he seemed to mentally be further away then where he was.

"How did you know there wasn't some kind of infectious disease?" I quizzed hoping to bring him out from his memories.

"I didn't." He shook his head as I raised an eyebrow.

"That’s brave." I teased causing him to scoff at me as I stuck out my tongue.

"How did you know?" He shot back as I smirked.

"I didn't." I chuckled as we both snickered slightly to his raised eyebrow when suddenly Joseph cam around the corner looking for someone. My eyes widen as I shrink back into the shadows to hopefully hide myself.

"Robin, you eating?" He asked.

"In a moment. The others can start." Robin spoke looking away from him.

"No, I need you." Joseph insolently snapped causing Robin to scowl back at him.

"I mean, you should eat." He quickly and congenially spoke as I raised an eyebrow.

"I'll be there in a moment." Robin stated as he turned back to me frowning slightly that I was hidden in the shadows. Watching him leave I slowly reappear with a gulp.

"Robin. Robin, I know that man. I've seen him before in the castle. He’s advising the Sheriff." I whisper as I knew I had gained Robin full attention. I could see Robin quickly solves the puzzle about Joseph’s strange behavior and the poisoned pies as we both leapt up from our hiding spot to prevent the gang from eating any food that he had prepared….