- Chapter 54 -

It was just an ordinary day in Nottingham, my hair was pulled back nicely tight bun and I was dressed in a tunic with a belt around my waist with black pants and boots. There are several dresses laid out on the table in front of me as Guy was watching me from leaning against my bed post.

"What are these in aid of, Sir Guy?" I asked him suspiciously as my hands rand down a fine silk dress. It was truly beautiful as I admired it and played with the fabric as I saw Guy give me a soft smile from the corner of my eye.

"A bit of colour, for you. I was wondering if you’d accompany me to the celebrations today." He informed as I raised an eyebrow and turned to him. Celebrations? I didn't remember it being anything major today, have I forgotten something?

"What are we celebrating?" I asked him confused.

"The King’s birthday." He told me as I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly before turning around holding the royal blue silk gown in my hands.

"What are we really celebrating?" I asked him.

"Does it matter?" Guy replied quietly scowling towards me as I raise my eyebrows and nods slightly and quickly resulting in him folding his arms over his chest as he lets out a huff.

"It’s the signing of an important document." He simply and delicately puts it as I growl slightly.

"Something tells me it is a document which I won’t approve of." I voiced as he sighed and stepped closer towards me.

"Well, Esme, you should approve, because this document brings me closer to real power. And that, in turn, benefit you. Could benefit you... in time." He told me as I felt my cheeks heat up slightly as he turns and walks back to the middle of the room.

"Meanwhile, there’s a pretty dress in it for you." He added as I felt all complements thrown out the window as though I was something that could be won and bought over.

"Am I so easily won?" I scoff.

"You must be the least easily won woman in England." Guy smirks turning back towards me as I felt a small smile escape to my lips.

"You know me well" I chuckled as we both giggle before it falls silently as I feel a cheeky grin escape onto my lips as I try to form a simple plan.

"Well, if that’s my reputation, then perhaps nobody will mind if I do not attend the cel—" I say brightly satisfied as I pick up a dress that to be honest I loved ready to hand it back before I saw Guy's face change from amusement to annoyance as interrupts me angrily as he walks past me to the door.

"Choose a dress!" He snaps as he opens the door and leaves.

"Guy." I call out feeling guilty. I was only teasing as I sighed and let my shoulders drop and glance back at the dress in my hands before I lay it down on my bed. As I turn back around Robin drops from ceiling making me gasps in surprise before smiling as I jumped into his open arms for a warming hug.

"What are you doing here?" I ask happily yet suspiciously.

"Just dropping in on you." He jokes as I giggle at his immaturity before he walks over towards my window and I see his humor vanish slowly as I raise an eyebrow. So this isn't a social visit, but when is it ever. Rolling my eyes I join him by the window as we look out to the busy streets of Nottingham.

"So, the Black Knights are assembling." Robin spoke as I nodded.

"Did you hear Guy? They’re signing an important document." I inform as I saw Robin freeze for a moment as before we both spy three soldiers loading a body onto a cart below the window.

"Who died?" Robin asked confused.

"Oh, the Sheriff ’s scribe. Fell from the battlements." I inform sadly he was a nice man. Quiet obviously because he was mute but he was very polite.

"Outlived his usefulness." Robin bitterly mumbled as he sat down under the window as I frown at him.

"What?"

"Dead scribes? Black Knights? Something tells me we have to find this document." He informs me as I knew from the look in his eyes he needed my help as I held out my hand for him and pulled him to his feet. Checking that no one was in the corridor I opened my door wider to allow Robin out as we snuck along the castle hiding behind pillars whilst guards strolled by before we made it down the interior corridor.

"This is it. The scribe’s room." I whisper as Robin crosses the corridor to the door. He rests his bow on the jamb as I keep watch but then I hear guards coming down the adjacent hall. Robin quickly pulls me against the columns and presses himself into my side as we watch the guards walk past. Their voices muffled as I let out a deep breath and leaned into Robin slightly. I continued to watch the guards until they disappeared when suddenly I felt my hair fall out and down onto my shoulders.

Frowning I reached up to secure my hair pin only to notice it was missing as I turned to find Robin smirking at me cheekily waving my hair pin as though he was a child. Staring at him with a really? Expression he smiled mischievously before bending down to the lock and began to insert my hair pin and work with the lock.

"Will that work?" I asked.

"Trust me. I've done this before." He slyly spoke as I rolled my eyes scoffing.

"With which girl’s hairpin?" I smirk getting back at him as Robin chuckles sarcastically at me when the lock clicks loudly. He grabs his bow, opens the door towards him and I follow him inside after checking the corridor was empty once more. Stepping over to a podium holding a large sheet of parchment I motioned Robin over as he follows and bends over it to read.

"The Great Pact of Nottingham." He began as we both paused and looked towards each other with puzzled gazes.

"We, the undersigned, by the affixing of our seals of office and nobility, hereby undertake to remove King Richard from the throne. By his lasting absence from these shores he has demonstrated his scant regard for the welfare of his subjects— This is outrageous!" Robin angrily reads as I hook my hair behind my ear.

 “We further undertake to replace the said Richard with his brother, John...... prince of the realm.” I continued before I looked up at Robin in alarm. They couldn't possibly put Prince John in charge!

"The Sheriff is making the Black Knights sign their allegiance." Robin growled as I glanced over the document once more.

"This is a traitor’s charter." I whisper.

"Looks like the Sheriff has made some new friends. Buckingham, Spencer..." Robin concluded as he pointed to a section of the pact as I read a few names before I gasped and stopped over the name Winchester.

"Winchester? Surely not. He’s an old friend of my father." I defend as we both exchange glances before we hear a door slam as my eyes go wide slightly. We could hear footsteps growing louder and the Sheriff's voice carrying as I knew that meant Guy would be with him. Robin grabbed hold of my hand as we dashed out the door, barely making it. We waited hidden behind a pillar until I could see Guy leaving before I let out a long sigh of relief.

"Go, go!" Robin whispered as we both snuck out and back to my chambers. Robin was able to dress up as a monk as we both casually made our way down towards my father's cell. The jailor easily let us in as both my father and I knelt down in front of Robin as though we were confessing. When in reality we were conversing quietly about what we have previously learnt.

"I cannot believe Winchester would willingly be involved in this revolt." My father defended.

"Winchester controls the south coast. The Sheriff wants to intercept the King’s landing." Robin stated as I knew that the Sheriff was taking no precautions.

"But Winchester. I've known him since we were boys." My father shook his head in denial.

"The Sheriff must have got to him." I stated.

"Good." Robin spoke after a moment obvious he had been thinking as I frowned.

"Good?" I questioned puzzled.

"If the Sheriff can get to him, then so can I. Edward, I'll be back, and when I get back, I will get you out of this place." Robin informed as he looked down at us as the Jailer loudly clears his throat.

"What should I do?" I whisper.

"Be meek and obedient, my child. Until I know more." He spoke as a monk with monotone voice before he whispered and winked at me as I shook my head smirking as he turns to the Jailer.

"Jailer, confession’s over." He called out as the Jailer let us both out as we both left in our separate directions. After the meeting and planning with Robin I went back to my chambers and decided to dress accordingly as I smiled softly as I let my hands brush over the soft silk fabric of the dress Guy had bought for me. I fixed up my hair and slipped on the purple gown before making my way down towards the courtyard as I knew that one of the Lords was currently arriving. I think it maybe Winchester. I heard a coach come to a stop with a fanfare as a bell tolls as the Sheriff steps out of the castle.

"Delighted to welcome, Harold of Winchester, to join our celebrations for the King’s birthday." The Sheriff announced as I saw Winchester haughtily step out of the coach. I wait on the top step near the cloister in my new dress patiently as Guy joins me on my right as I glance up at him. He stood rather close as his hand brushed over mine as I smiled softly up at him.

"Thank you, Esme." He quietly whispered in my ear as we both kept our eyes on the Sheriff as he chuckles as Winchester shakes his hand.

"I was ungrateful earlier. I’m sorry....I was only teasing." I apologized looking up at him as sighed slightly.

"I was overbearing." He reasoned.

"I would be honored to accompany you to the celebration.....that is if you still wanted company." I offered feeling a bit shy as I bit my inner lip waiting for the refusal.

"Always" His soft voice made me shudder as we both just got lost with each other's company that I had totally forgotten about the Sheriff and his guest Lord Winchester.

"Gisborne will show you to your quarters." The Sheriff smiled as he made his way over towards us and whispered something in Guy's ear as he nodded before retreating back into the castle walls. Guy sighed and almost rolled his eyes at the thought of babysitting the Lord as I held back a chuckle.

"This way, my lord." He spoke bored as Winchester merely stares at me making me feel rather uncomfortable as I give polite smile. I was rather confused by his attention and too be honest I felt disgusted at the looks he gave me as I saw Winchester scowl in thought.

"My lord... this way." Guy called out once again more impatient as we both shared a quick eye glance as that seemed to draw Winchester out of whatever trance he was in by staring at me.

"Ah, yes." He nodded following on after Guy as he walked past me slowly as once he was gone from sight I let out my held breath. I shook my head in confusion and shook it off as too why my father's eldest friend who be showing me so much interest. My walk back to my room was peaceful as I decided to sit at my table and begin a bit of writing as I lifted up my quill and dipped it in a bottle of ink. I was almost finished with my notes and letter when suddenly Guy bursts into my room as I hastily put away my notes in a box for privacy.

"Guy? At least do me the courtesy of knocking—" I began before he cut me off.

"Get your possessions. You’re leaving." He informed as I was shocked.

"What?"

"Now." He states firmly as he enters and checks the room to his right.

"Why?" I ask confused.

"Winchester’s made a deal with the Sheriff. You've become part of a negotiation." He informs as he grabs my portmanteau and places it on the table as I gasp.

"Pardon?"

"Winchester wants you." Guy emphases as he leans over the table to me as I am sure he can see the fear I was beginning to feel.

"Tell him he can’t have me, tell him I am betrothed to you." I firmly begged as I saw desire flash in his eye as he walked away and shut the door and making sure no one was around.

"I wish I could Esme, but the Sheriff has agreed. I cannot protect you. Esme, listen to me. You have to run, now." He warns.

"I can’t. My father." I quickly stand panicked. Winchester was supposed to help Robin, this wasn't part of the plan!

"I will take care of your father." Guy promises as I felt my heart melt by his actions.

"Thank you....If the Sheriff knew you were was doing this, he would surely hang you...... " I whisper as Guy grabs some of the dresses he brought earlier off the bed and begins placing them into the bag.

"Why do you work for him?" I ask as I begin to help him in grabbing some clothes and personal belongings.

"I have nobody." He paused before defeated admitting as I felt my heart break.

"So you choose him?" I feel slightly wounded.

"So I choose power. He is my route to position, standing." Guy defends.

"He is mad, you know that." I growl as he shakes his head.

"No, he is single-minded. He does not allow... distractions to divert him from his course." I scoff at his reasoning as I stop and take a step towards him both hurt and angry as he pauses and looks down at me.

"Distractions? Like Humanity and Love?" I question as I saw him hesitate on how to answer before he shook his head.

"Love is weakness." He couldn't look at me when he answered as I knew he didn't believe that. He went to leave for the door as I quickly grab hold of his forearm as he looks at me.

"I don't believe that and I know you don’t believe that either." I whispered as he drew in a deep breath.

"You must leave this place. This money will secure your passage and I've instructed a man on the west gate to let you out." He told me as I shook my head as he placed a slightly heavy purse into my hands.

"You'll know where to find me. I'll be waiting there....." I pleaded as I saw his eyes soften towards me.

"Esme..." His voice seemed wounded as he caresses my hair, puts his hand on my cheek, then kisses my other cheek lovingly as I let the moment stick into my memory.

Good luck. Go! Now!" He instructs his voice strained as I felt myself panic slightly, not knowing if I should obey as I watch as Guy opens the door and backs into the doorway and closes it behind him. Realizing the danger I was in I quickly stripped out of my dress and got back into my tunic and riding pants. Shoving my belongings into my portmanteau mainly clothes and jewellery. I open the box on the table and pull out a curved, jeweled, round-bladed knife and push it into the knot of my hair.

Quickly sealing my bag I placed it over my shoulder and crept towards my door with silent haste. Opening I saw that the corridor was empty before I quickly shut it behind me only to have Guy intercept me as I saw the misery and distress in his eyes as I felt my body begin to panic.

"Esme. I’m sorry." He whispers as I saw him nod and two of his men grab hold of me and struggle to place shackles on her. I growled and struggled as hard as I could.

"Guy! Get off me! Get off me! Guy!" I cried out as he turned away.