It was early in the morning, first light. I was wearing my white dress and my silk white hooded cloak with my father's seal as the buckle. I was following the Jailer, I had asked to see Robin, as we past his cell. I paused as we shared an exchange before I walked into a room where the prisoners could talk. The Jailer left before he came back and threw Robin into the room, as I pretended not to wince.

Robin stumbled before readjusting his shirt before he looked at me slightly confused. He frowned before I saw his eyes grow worried as I sighed rolling my eyes.

"Where is it?" I asked him plainly as he frowned at me wondering what on earth I was talking about.

"Where is what?" He asked annoyed.

"Please, the ring my father gave you years ago before he knew the wickedness of your heart." I told him as I used my eyes to show in the direction of the Jailer, as Robin stood with his cuffed hands resting on his hips as he tried hard not to chuckle.

"Madam, I told you before, asking doesn’t usually work. Although it’s done. " The Jailer informed me as I scowled slightly as the Jailer went to the wall to retrieve weapons of torture.

"Will those work?" I questioned as I could see Robin shift uncomfortably.

"These? They’re lovely." The Jailer spoke with admiration as I growled on the inside.

"When he speaks, will you hear?" I questioned as the Jailor just frowned and nodded and he walked towards me.

"Well, of course." He stated as if it was obvious.

"That I cannot allow. You might get there first and steal the ring." I told him as I looked back at Robin as he registered what it was I am doing.

"Madam, I can assure you, I am a man of simple pleasures. Inflicting pain, that’s enough for me." He promised as we both looked at Robin, who just glared at him. I gave a chuckle before I turned back to the annoying Jailer.

"Maybe, but if the ring is not where he tells me, suspicion will fall on you and that would be unfair. I will speak with him alone first, you may go." I told him as he looked speechless that I was requesting to talk to Robin alone. I don’t think he has had many or any people ask him of this request.

"I can’t do that." He stated simply.

"Wait outside. He cannot escape, and he will not dare attack me." I promised as I knew that Robin was smirking at me.

"No, I…"

"Leave." I ordered sharply. I was getting impatient of being Mr. Nice Guy and he could see that as he sighed and glared at Robin.

"yes, your ladyship." He bowed slightly looking back at Robin once more before he locked the door behind him. When the door was locked I waited a few seconds before I embraced Robin in a tight hug.

"You are an utter fool." I playfully punched him in the arm as he winced and rubbed his shoulder.

"You said that already. And ow!" He complained as I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, you listened? I also told you confronting the sheriff wouldn’t work. You didn’t listen to that." I snapped at him annoyed he wouldn't take my father and I's advise.

"I did not have much choice." Robin excused himself as I rolled my eyes at his excuses.

"Well, everything’s a choice. Everything we do. Grow up." I told him as he just sighed and stared at me. He took a step forward crossing his arms over his chest.

"I prevented unjust hangings. I protected people from my village." He defended as I scoffed.

"Well, that will make your death romantic." I answered as Robin looked away before looking back at me.

"It would make it honorable." He confirmed.

"Honorable. And what about the people you are so honorably protecting? Who will protect them when you’re dead? Augh! What is it with men and glory? Glory above sense and above reason?" I questioned wondering if Robin returned home from the Holy Lands with any sense of judgment or if he lost it all on battle.

"It is principle." He smirked.

"Principle is making a difference, and you can’t do that if you are dead. You could’ve stayed here in the first place instead of following your king to the Holy Land if you’d cared so much about your precious people. But you didn’t. You chose war. You chose glory." I snapped at him as he smirked chuckling before he looked down at me.

"What is this about?" He whispered to me, as he leant forward. I could read in his eyes that he was sad for me. I guess he felt guilty that he never told me he was leaving for the Holy Lands, and that I had to find out weeks after he had left. I did feel betrayed that he didn't say goodbye to me then.

"It is about you saying that you care about the people of Locksley when the truth is you ran off to battle thousands of miles away." I whispered as Robin placed his hand on my cheek but I slapped it away annoyed as he just chuckled.

"You had something on your cheek." He teased as I scolded. Robin was about to walk away when he frowned and held my face with both hands before I shoved them away again.

"You're tired?" He questioned eyes narrowed as I gazed at the floor uncomfortable.

"Yeah so?" I asked as he sighed.

"It's not the nightmares again is it Esme?" He asked as I shook my head no. when I was actually lying. Ever since seeing that man in woods, I couldn't sleep, it was like re-living my nightmare all over again. I hated it, I felt bad for my father, he shouldn't have to live with me screaming in the night like I did when my mother died. I took a deep breath before I turned to the bag I had smuggled in.

"Right. This is what we do. Stand by the door, I’ll scream, in he comes, you strike him and run. I’ve paid a man by the east gate. You’ll not be seen if you leave now before day watch. Take these." I informed him handing him a dagger as Robin just looked at me as if I was playing around.

"I can’t go unseen." He snapped as I growled at him.

"Well, you cannot go seen." I told him as grumbled.

"I cannot let the sheriff win." He snapped as I groaned.

"Have you not heard a single word I have said?" I demanded as Robin flew his head back annoyed like he always did before he met eyes with mine again.

"Trust me! I have a plan. Well, half a plan. I love it when you look at me madly." He teased as I growled and shoved him away. Yes I was mad with him. But I could never stay mad with Robin for too long. What would I do without my brother. I chuckled.

"Augh!" I growled loudly before we both turned to hear the door creak, and the sound of the keys rustling. Robin quickly runs to behind the door as I turn to face the entering Jailer only to have him collapse on the ground as soon as the door is opened. Much soon came charging in with his helmet on his head and a raised club in his hands as I chuckled.

"This is a rescue!" Much breathlessly whispered as Robin and I chuckled as he handed Robin bow and his quiver of arrows, which he slung onto his back.

"And we are undetected." Much announced proudly before the sound of soldiers cried out.

"In the dungeon! Outlaws! Open this door!" They called as I rolled my eyes. We quickly moved the unconscious Jailer, and I sat down, not long after Robin left Guards entered the room, as I had the unconscious jailer's head in my lap, as I was pretending to care for him. In his dreams!

"Oh, thank God. This man needs help." I told them innocently as they both just looked at each other. I was smirking on the inside, buy Robin and the others more time to escape, as the soldiers took the unconscious jailer away, I was led out of the dungeons and up into the halls of the castle, before the soldiers ran off in another direction.

I smirked, before I held my dress and my cloak in my hands and ran down the corridors hoping to make sure that Robin gets out of here safely. I could hear the sound of weapons clashing, before it all silenced as I stopped my breath caught.

"Stop! Stop! Do not harm those men. They are free to go. I have an announcement to make." I heard the Sheriff shout out as I chuckled to myself, oh Robin. I continued to run the sound of my heels against the stone before I hid behind a pillar looking down at the courtyard, where everyone was watching the Sheriff who stood at the watchtower obviously he had Robin behind him with an arrow. Otherwise the Sheriff wouldn't do this.

"I, Vasley, sheriff of Nottingham,…..In recognition…of my…illegal actions yesterday in Locksley, …do humbly apologize to the innocent people who have suffered…at my hands. I promise to pay…pfft." He spoke forced before his eyes seemed to bulge as I giggled to myself wondering how much Robin wanted him to pay.

"No. No, I cannot go on, you will have to kill…Guards! Guards! Here! Stop those men!" The Sheriff shouted as I stayed hidden, smirking, good old Robin, always getting into trouble but yet extremely amusing to watch if I say so. Like a click of a finger the fighting began, as the sound of clashing metal and grunts of the men below rang out like bells.

"Much! Much!" I could hear Robin shout out though I had no idea where he was.

"And shoot Locksley!" I heard the Sheriff cry out as I gulped. I saw a few Archers come out to take a shot at Robin I gasped before I saw Will attack them from behind as I smiled. I chuckled when is aw Robin slide down the rope using his bow, as the rest of the battle went on. I must admit I was extremely impressed,  and I saw Robin quickly fix up his bow he glanced over at me as I smiled and stuck out my tongue as he winked, before they all made a run for it out of the gates.

As more troops ran forward Robin cuts the portcullis cord, and slips under it before it closes. I chuckled as Robin sent me a cocky kiss and a wink as I rolled my eyes chuckling to myself. Still same old Robin. Shaking my head I left the courtyard inside the castle, where the Sheriff stormed in absolutely furious. He smashed a bowl of fruit to the floor making the great hall echo with a hollow sound as I closed my eyes and calmed myself.

"Good morning Sheriff" I spoke calmly as he jumped slightly turning round furious as I left my hood fall down. He just growled and grumbled to himself before straightening his back and giving me a false smile.

"Morning. Gisborne isn't here if you wanted to see him" He told me plainly before he left the room, as I rolled my eyes and made my way home, to spend the rest of the day with my father, followed by a painful night's sleep, where I screamed and cried and refused to sleep another minute that night.

Later in the morning the next day I fixed up my hair, and patted down on my brown coloured dress before I made my way to the Great Hall and stood behind my father's chair quietly like I always did in the Council of Nobles. Sir Guy looked over at me smirking as I just kept my focus on the Sheriff as he spoke.

"The villagers of Nettlestone report that Robin Hood killed an innocent bailiff today. This is marvelous, isn’t it? What a drama. Because now, even his beloved villagers will lose patience when their heroes start picking them off. What else do they say?" The Sheriff announced with glee, as I gasped quietly. I couldn't believe it, Robin didn't kill unless he had too, and he wouldn’t kill the innocent either. This had to be a mistake.

"Hood was fulfilling a promise to prevent an eviction." Guy reported as I found the eyes of De Fourtnoy the Master at Arms staring at me. I watched as he licked his lips as I looked away disgusted. I felt uncomfortable and I knew that Guy noticed as he stiffened, and his hand trailed to his sword handle.

"Hm. War has addled his brain. I’m not all surprised. So, what do you propose we do?" The Sheriff asked Guy as the hall was silent.

"Immediate reprisals against villages." Guy suggested.

"Joderic would not want that. Why should more innocent people suffer because of his death? The same people who witnessed and reported the crime. And did this strategy of reprisals work in the villages before? No." I spoke, as the Sheriff smirked at me. I heard my father sigh as he had tried to silence me but I kept going. I didn’t like the way the Sheriff smirked at me, as I glanced at Guy who looked emotionless like usual.

"Esme right. We will not be going down that road again. De Fourtnoy, some alternatives. " The Sheriff asked as De Fourtnoy took a step forward, glancing a quick glance at me making me snarl on the inside, as I looked away.

"There is a political advantage to be had here." De Fourtnoy spoke with his dull boring voice, as I saw Guy just roll his eyes before he scratched his forehead. I could see he was bored already.

"Robin Hood has given us the high ground; we should keep it, my thoughts exactly." The Sheriff snickered.

"We could have the town criers announce what’s taken place, make sure everybody knows that a – an innocent was killed." De Fourtnoy continued as I sighed heavily looking up at the ceiling for something interesting to stare at before I sighed again and looked at the group of Nobles.

"Good." The Sheriff snickered as you could see in his eyes and his evil face he was plotting something harsh and dreadful. I had to warn Robin, even if I didn’t know what it was. Yet. The Sheriff rose from his seat and walked to the window which Guy stood near.

"My lord, I still believe actions rather than words. If I had the resources, I could deal with him, I could hunt him down." Guy asked as the Sheriff looked up at him for a moment before nodding with that evil grin on his face.

"Very well. We’ll do both, and may the best man win." He snickered as I watched as Guy and De Fourtnoy shared a hard cold glare at each other before we each in turn left the hall. When my father and I left, I turned to see Guy looking at me with a friendly expression however De Fourtnoy looked at me with lust and I must admit it frightened me.

We all made our way to the courtyard where all the nobles, and other people from different villagers came. Guy and the Sheriff stood at the top of the main stairs, as I stood beside my father feeling slight down. Joderic was a great man, even if he was a tax collector, he thought of others besides him.

"Joderic was unique. He was kind, compassionate, learned. The murder of the bailiff…" The Sheriff began, as my father pulled me closer towards him.

"We can leave as soon as Joderic’s buried." He whispered to me as I looked up at him.

"..is the murder of…" The Sheriff's voice continuing in the background.

"We can say you were too upset." My father whispered once more as I looked at him sadly.

"I am too upset" I admitted as I glanced over his shoulder frowning, when I saw Joe Lacey. I blinked as if to register he was actually there dressed in a soldier's uniform. That can't be right.

"…a murder of compassion. In response to this change in direction from Robin Hood…" The Sheriff announced as I heard a few murmurs erupt about the crowd, as I left my father's side and went to go stand beside Joe.

"Joe? What are you doing here? You cannot work." I asked him concerned as he sighed and gave me a sad smile.

"…who now seems to be targeting……innocent civilians…I have recalled all men…" The Sheriff continued as I kept my eyes on the old man dressed in the heavy armor. He had bags under his eyes, he looked tired and worn out.

"They’ve made everyone come back in." Joe Lacey informed me as I gasped slightly. Joe had done his service, he went into retirement and shouldn't have to be defending the Sheriff any more.

"…of eligible age, to join us……in this war…… on terror." The Sheriff continued as we kept quiet.

"Called me out of retirement" He muttered as I looked at him sadly.

"I will talk to the sheriff. I will get you off your duties." I promised him as he gave me a slight chuckle.

"Work helps." Joe admitted as I looked at him sadly.

"Are you sure?" I asked him as he nodded with a small smile before we turned to look at the Sheriff for only a moment.

"Make no mistake……that is what this is: a war on terror. These people, Robin Hood…" He continued, it was so quiet like everyone was holding onto his words as if they were the meaning of life.Pfft.

"I still reach out for her in the night. I know it’s daft." Joe admitted to me as I looked at him sadly and place a hand on his shoulder.

"It is not daft." I assured him.

"…the very heart of our system, of our compassion…" I groaned slightly, had the Sheriff not finished yet?

"When all this is over, you are coming home with us." I whispered to him, before we turned back our attention to the Sheriff, hopefully he would be closing up this rather long speech of his.

"…of our humanity, and of our innocence (a few measly claps erupted in the courtyard). All this, though, one moment, one hour, fired from the bow, Robin Hood…in that moment, Robin Hood…the responsibility to choose…to choose between stability, order, authority, or the random chaotic cruelty of Robin Hood, and all outlaws like him. This gallanting crime, this murder, will be punished. We will hunt Hood down, with dogs, if necessary, and we will ensure that he does not succeed. We will not be cowed. This is what he wants." The Sheriff concluded as I felt a rather painful sharp pain in my butt, as I gasped, and turned to see Robin nod his head in my direction. I picked up the arrow he used to shoot me with. I excused myself from Joe Lacey as he smiled, before I furiously went after Robin as we met in the alley way.

"You never shoot me, understand?" I snapped before I shoved the arrow against his chest as he took it and placed it back in his sheath on his back.

"This…this is all in my honor, isn’t it?" Robin asked as I scoffed.

"You really do think everything is about you, don’t you?" I asked him in bitterly. I couldn’t help it, I was upset and it came out harsher than I meant it to as I sighed and hung my head before I snapped it back up.

"Only when it is about me!" Robin hissed loudly as he took a step closer.

"You have given him a stick to beat you with. You killed an innocent clerk, and now here he is making the most of it." I warned as Robin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Didn't he understand what he has done to himself?

"I did not do it." He spoke with a clenched jaw.

"I’m sure." I answered. I believed him but I think he took my answer for sarcasm.

"It was the so called non-violent Night Watchman." Robin snapped as I gasped and shifted weight on my foot.

"No." I whispered.

"I saw him. I was there." He growled as I rolled my eyes.

"It was not the Night Watchman." I defended as Robin just glared at me.

"How do you know?" He questioned as I folded my arms across my chest.

"I know." I stated plainly. I think I would know if I killed an innocent man! Which I haven’t! being the Night Watchman was all about non-violence and now someone is ruining my reputation!

"Then why did he run?" He asked.

"Well, why did you run from Joderic? I should go." I asked him as he looked away frustrated before I turned to leave he gently grabbed me by the arm and pulled me back.

"You must help me." Robin pleaded as I growled.

"I am helping you. I’m telling you it was not the Night Watchman." I insisted as Robin just sighed and pulled me closer slightly.

"Whoever it is, I will find him. I can look everywhere apart for one place. I need you to look in the castle." He asked as I sighed heavily and let out a small growl before I turned to him, annoyed that I couldn't stay mad with him for long.

"I need you to not tell me what to do. But I'll try ok Robin?" I told him finishing the conversation as he let me go and nodded before I made my way back towards the castle, where my father was waiting for me.

"You alright Esme?" He asked as I gave a small smile.

"Yes father. I just needed to get some fresh air" I told him as he nodded.