I was walking down the halls, still dressed from my riding, I had my cloak cleaned, I redid my hair to show no signs of what happened earlier today, and in my chambers in the castle I had cleaned the small wound on the side of my head. I was holding a book from the royal library, when I heard horses and saw Guy on his horse, with Robin trailing behind him.

I stiffened and sighed at how stupid Robin must have been to be caught already on his first day of being an outlaw. When Guy noticed me he bows as I watched him summon two guards, as they brought Robin in my direction to head towards the dungeons. As he past he looked at me sadly.

"Fool" I muttered as I heard him sigh, before I bumped into Guy.

"Are you alright?" He asked me as I just smiled and nodded.

"Why wouldn't I be…" I spoke before I gave a small smile and continued walking as I glanced over my shoulder to see him watching me before he walked off. I took this time, to make my way in through the castle, knowing a few secret passageways I followed on after Robin discreetly as he was being dragged into the dungeons.  

"Not so high and mighty now, are we? (punches Robin) That’s for the priest trick! Could’ve cost me my job." The Jailer hissed, as I winced slightly as Robin coughed and groaned. Ouch! I kept watching lurking in the shadows.

"One job to save four lives?" I heard Robin retort as he chuckled as I just smirked.

"Won’t be saving any more now, my lovely, wherever your from, it’s not Robin of Locksley anymore." The Jailer insulted him as he dragged him towards his cell.

"Robin Wood, they’re calling him" The second Jailer laughed as he was only inches away from where I was hiding as I held my breath.

"Robin Hood. They’re’ll be no hood for you tomorrow, my lovely. The sheriff wants the rebels to see the fear in your eyes. Wants them to see your eyes pop right out." The Jailer smirked before they threw Robin in locking the door behind them. When their laughter died down I came out from my hiding spot as he was leaning against the bars, with a straight face.

"Robin" I whispered as his head shot up as I came towards the door, he looked puzzled at first before rather concerned, looking behind me hoping I won't get caught.

"You can't be here Esme!" Robin hissed softly as I rolled my eyes as I could see the urgency in his eyes.

"Robin you fool. You know there is nothing I can do to help you now" I whimpered as he held my face in his hands, as I held his forearms.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fin….."

"No you won't. Your due to hang in the morning, how will you be fine?" I snapped annoyed that he was trying to be protective. He sighed and looked at me, before we heard the sound of the doors opening as I gasped, looking backwards, gulping before turning to Robin.

"You have to get out of here" He pleaded, as I kissed his cheek through the bars and hesitated.

"Go. Go!" He hissed before I huffed and managed to escape the dungeons unseen and ran to the stables, to mount my horse. It was slowly getting darker as I urged my horse to go faster. It had just reached dark by the time I got home, and my father was relieved to see me, as I just smiled at him and placed my cloak in my room, before I heard a sudden knock downstairs which made me frown.

I heard the door open and lock downstairs, as I frowned still sitting on my bed. I slowly rose and made my way downstairs as I heard the familiar voice of Much. I sighed, he must have hoped we could do something to help save Robin.

"Nothing?!" Much exclaimed shocked as I stood in the doorway unnoticed.

"What can I do? I warned him. This sheriff." My father asked as I could see that Much was trying very hard not to step out of his place and get himself into trouble.

"well, yes, my lord, but…" Much tried to say before I sighed rolling my eyes and walked into the room.

"He should’ve listened to my father, and now he is an outlaw." I informed Much as he looked at me annoyed that I wasn’t helping on this situation.

"I know, my ladyship." Much agreed trying hard not to look me in the eyes as I took a seat beside my father and I placed my boots on the chair opposite me. My father glanced at me with a warning look as I sighed, and took down my boots and sat in my seat like a Lady should. I hated it.

"And not a very impressive one." I muttered as I saw Much glare at me before he glanced down. I didn't mean to offend Much but it is true that Robin isn’t being a very impressive outlaw after being caught on the first day.

"That is…! Forgive me…that…is not fair. He is most impressive." Much defended as I chuckled, Much was so loyal to Robin it always amazed me, as I raised an eyebrow at him as he tried hard to keep a straight face.

"He is caught, after just one day. Does that impress you?" I questioned as I saw him hesitate as he knew I had won this argument.

"He gave himself up to save tongues." Much spoke through a clenched jaw as I sighed and my father frowned.

"Tongues?" My father questioned.

"In Locksley the sheriff was cutting out peoples’ tongues until somebody told him where Robin was. I hate the sheriff. (stands up) And I hate you if you aren’t gonna help Robin." Much declared as I do admit it hurt, as he was ready t leave.

"Young man, I will speak in court, of course, but your master has doomed himself. His fate is…Resign yourself." My father tried to reason with him as I saw a flash of annoyance cross Much's face and yet horror. He didn’t want Robin to die and neither did I. Much looked like he was ready to leave as he turned to us.

"Father may I have a word with Much in private please" I asked as Much frowned and my father sighed but nodded before he left and headed upstairs.

"I saw Robin in the dungeons. I want to help him Much, I want to help you but I …..Much you must know I can do nothing to help Robin." I whispered as I saw him take in deep breaths as he was comprehending what it was I was saying before he drew a deep breath.

"In the Hold Land my master had dreams. He spoke your name. Goodnight." Much told me as I held my arms and glanced at the floor. I heard Much shut the door behind him as I sighed and walked up to the door locking it before I slid down against the wood. Did Robin really speak of me? I felt sad in the chest as I wondered if anything could be done to help Robin, my brotherly figure now?

I sighed before I headed upstairs, and let my hair flow down my back. I laid down on my bed sighing with my eyes closed, before I kicked off my boots. I was about to undress when the door knocked.

"My Lady. Sir Guy is coming" One of the servants informed me as I thanked them and quickly got changed from my riding cloths and slipped on a simple pale blue gown, with silver edges. The style of the dress made my shoulders bare, as I was glad my hair was long and out as it hid a few scars near the top of my back. I quickly slipped back on my boots, unrecognizable under the dress and made my way downstairs where a servant was pouring wine for Guy in a goblet.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of your company, Sir Guy?" I asked, as the servant left once his goblet was full. His eyes glanced over at me as I saw a small smirk rise in the corner of his mouth, as his eyes seemed to soften towards me.

"I will be pleased if you would come and visit me at Locksley now that it’s mine." He requested as I gave a small smile, as he took a sip of the wine.

"I do not know." I answered truthfully as he placed his goblet on the mantelpiece above the roaring fire, before he turned back to me. I wasn't sure if I could return to Locksley Manor, with Guy as the owner and not Robin. It would feel wrong.

"I have ambitions which are greater, of course. You know that. But for now, to have land once more, in the Gisborne name. My father would be proud." He told me as I smiled at the floor, and played with my fingers.

"I am very glad for you." I congratulated as he looked at me before I looked forward, as I was standing side ways.

"Some of my men, I know this for a fact, used to laugh at my title, “Guy of Gisborne” when there was no Gisborne." He sneered at the memory as I sighed as I looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"And Locksley is your Gisborne." I questioned even though I already knew the answer to this question.

"Yes, actually. I am intent on changing its name." He sighed happily, as if he is glad I was catching on with the conversation. As he turned towards me.

"Does changing a name really make a difference?" I questioned him hoping he wouldn’t be so serious on changing the name of Locksley.

"When a woman marries, she changes her name. It makes a difference." His voice whispered as he walked towards me, standing behind me, as I knew he was reasonably close, it made me nervous on the inside. As I rubbed my neck.

"And what of Robin?" I asked him innocently as I could just see his smile wiping from his face at the mention of his name.

"What of Robin?" Guy's harsh voice asked as I turned around to look at him innocently.

"He will contest your acquisition of his lands, surely." I inquired as he just smirked. That smirk made me feel uncomfortable.

"He will die." He stated plainly as I wished it weren’t true.

"If he’s found guilty." I asked him confused as if I had no idea that Robin would be hanged in the morning. I guess I played it well since he chuckled slightly to himself.

"There’s no need for a trial. He will hang in the morning." Guy told me as I felt my heart drop to my stomach. Guy went to his goblet and drank some more of the wine as I pursed my lips before I had to speak my mind.

"There must be a trial. It is the law." I confirmed as he turned round to look at me.

"Yeah, but he is an outlaw. You see, in these straitened times the sheriff has made special provision. Outlaws are classed as enemies of war. Thus we can hold them without trial…" Guy told me smirking as he made his way towards me.

"No." I whispered but he just kept on going.

"…and we can execute them without trial." Guy finished not that far away from me making me gulp.

"No, it, it cannot be." My voice had an urge of panic to it but I don’t think Guy notice this.

"We are at war!" He reminded me as I took a step back, uncomfortable with how close he was before.

"Yes, in the Holy Land. That does not mean we dispense with justice here!" I told him as my father soon entered the room, surprised to see Guy in our house as he frowned slightly shocked as we both fell silent.

"I am sorry, I was not expecting you." My father apologized as I sighed before looking back up at Guy.

"Do not worry, Father, Sir Guy was just leaving." I instructed as Guy looked at me surprised, only to be met by my serious face, he glanced at my father who looked confused before I saw his eyes look hurt. He sighed placing the goblet down before he left the house. Once the door shut I let out a frustrated growl.

"Esme" My father called out but I ignored him and went up to my bedroom, where I got dressed for bed. I laid against the sheets frustrated, annoyed, sad, I had all of these emotions running through me as I let my eyes close and fall into a deep slumber…