- Chapter 63 -

Guy enters through the lower doors where I was patiently waiting for him.

"Jasper will not be swayed."

"There's still time." I hoped as he glances back at the door.

"No. There's still time for you to get away." He informs me as he extends his arm to me.

"No. You did not run when I was being held hostage. I'm not leaving you in trouble." I promised him as I placed my hands on his chest as he stares down at me for a moment with his mouth twitching into his dashing smile as he places an arm around my waist holding me tightly against him.

"Well, then... we must prepare to defend ourselves." He whispers as I smile and nod. We both we our separate ways. I was trying to gather the women and children together whilst Guy was trying to solve military tactics. I could see that outside Nottingham the army circling in front of the town on their horses, flattening the grass all around. I saw Jasper walking briskly towards the gate of the town as I quickly pick up the edge of my dress and race to catch him up.

"Sir Jasper! Sir Jasper!" I shout out toward shim as he raises his hand without turning around.

"The time for talking is over. I have to brief my troops." He spoke matter of factly.

"Well, at least let us evacuate the town." I suggested.

"No."

"The women and children. Spare them, please." I begged hoping he wouldn't be so heartless, but I guess I was wrong as he stops in the middle of the bridge watching the troops.

"An example has to be set. As Prince John always says, the best examples are written in blood." He sternly spoke staring into my eyes as I felt a shiver roll down my spine. As Jasper walks away Gisborne and Allan run to the gate as I take in the surroundings of the army with fear. With slight panic I ran back to where Guy and Allan were standing by the city gates and clutch to Guy's side as he holds me protectively to him.

"Get all of our guards into siege positions." Guy informs Allan.

"What guards? They're all out looking for the Sheriff." He responded nervous.

"Well then get every able-bodied man into the armoury." Guy spat back.

"You're going to trust these lot with weapons?" Allan questioned as though it was a joke.

"We're fighting for our lives now, all of us." Guy defended as we stare at the soldiers and watch as the sergeant barks orders in the distance. Allan dashes off to do what Guy instructs as I help him to close the gate and seal it shut. He holds his hand out for mine as I grasp it tightly before we run back to the castle.

All the people are assembling in the courtyard. The men line up to get weapons. A man at a grindstone is sharpening swords. Near the stable entrance, I am handing out food to the women passing under the archway. Allan hands a sword to a boy no older than sixteen. The boy pulls the sword out a bit, looking at it. Allan nods and pats him on the back as he passes. Will enters through the gate and sees Allan, I noticed them chat before Allan points him in my direction as he makes his way over towards me.

"Will. Any word from Robin?" I question as I continue on with my duties as we talk.

"But I know he will die before he stops looking." He whispered as I shook my head.

"Today, that's not good enough, Will."

"Esme, the one person who can't die is you." He whispered to me as my head shot up as I looked at him sadly.

"There's no way out." I reminded him before I turn to get more food from the table.

"I promised Robin you'd be safe." He whispered as he patted his shoulder before continuing to hand out food. The women, children and men too old to fight are assembling in the Great Hall. Will enters through the lower doors. Guy enters through the upper ones, looks down and sees me with a little girl, whom I picks up and sets on the table.

"Esme." He calls as he gently takes me away from the crowd.

"Has he changed his mind?" I questioned.

"No. But I've managed to negotiate a concession. Nottingham cannot be spared, but he will spare me and my family." He informed me as I felt my heart break.

"You're abandoning us?" I croak as he shook his head.

"I've no intention of abandoning you, Esme. You could become my family... and we could leave together if...... you marry me." He informs me as I felt my heart break slightly. I couldn't leave them behind, that would haunt me to know I escaped and they didn't. I go silent as I look at all the people in the room.

"Is it such a difficult choice between death and being my wife?" He asked me defensively as I shook my head.

"It's not that simple. How can I abandon them?" I informed him as I watched as Guy bends down on one knee and takes my hand.

"Marry me... and live. It has to be before sunset. That's when I leave." He informs me before I can speak as he quickly leaves. My mouth is left open as I struggle to think of what to do. I love Guy, but I can't marry him and live with the guilt of all these people left to suffer. Time went too quickly and soon Guy was searching for me and found me as he pulled me aside once again.

"Esme, we're out of time. What's your decision?" He asked me as I knew he thought I was going to say yes.

"Well, I'm not going to walk out on these people." I whispered broken as I saw the hurt in his eyes.

"So you're going to stay?" He growled.

"Yes! I couldn't live with myself if I left them!" I defended.

"Woman! Your wilfulness will kill you!" He shouts at me in anger before storming off in fury. I felt tears bubble up in my eyes and escape down my cheeks as I heard his horse's hooves thunder against the quiet street. He would leave us all to die. Wiping away my tears I rejoined everyone in the great hall preparing them the best I could.

"Esme!" I could hear my name being called as the townsfolk inside gasp and draw their weapons. I quickly make my way forward to see Guy bursting through the doors and looking down at me from the balcony.

"You came back!" I cried out happily.

"If I'm going to die, I'm going to die by your side. To arms!" He shouts out as a smile escapes on my face as I watched as Guy draws his sword and the men rush outside. Allan runs towards the castle gate just ahead of the troops.

"They're coming! They're coming! Gates shut! Get it closed!" He shouted as they closed behind him as the Army began to make its way into the city. Rushing up the stairs to the balcony I stand beside Guy taking his hand in mine as he looks down at me.

"Marry me now. And make it the last thing we do. Let's steal that from them at least." He whispered to me as I saw love fill his eyes as I cup his cheek and place a gentle kiss on his lips.

"For luck" I whisper afraid it might be our final time together as he smiles.

"Gisborne!" We heard the Sheriff screeched out as I watched as Guy turns his head, then dashes out.

*************

Down in the Nottingham Marketplace. Robin is sitting on a horse in the back of the marketplace. The Sheriff shuffles forward in the street with a sack still over his head.

"Gisborne! Gisborne!" The Sheriff continues to shout out as he limps forward and pulls the sack off. Gisborne hurries towards the gateway as Jasper comes over to the Sheriff.

"You're alive!" He exclaimed shocked.

"Don't you just stand there! You give me that damned seal!" He snapped as Jasper hurriedly pulls out his book and opens it. The Sheriff scratches a mark into a wax square with his fingernail.

"One day. I'm away for one day....... and look at it! Huh? Look at it!" He demanded shouting at Gisborne who was relieved to see he was alive as the Sheriff turned to see that Jasper was still standing there shocked.

"Are you still here?" He demanded.

"No. No, my lord. You heard him! Stand down!" He ordered his troops as the horsemen walk out as the Sheriff replaces his tooth and limps to Gisborne.

"My lord, what happened? Where did you go?" Gisborne questions him as the Sheriff limps past him into the courtyard.

"I just thought I'd see how you'd cope without me for a day." He snapped.

"Hood found you?" Gisborne asked shocked.

"And?"

"He could still be here. We could still get him." Gisborne stated hoping to get back in the Sheriff's good books.

"No, no! I don't need him anymore! Single-handedly, eh, I single-handedly managed to infiltrate Hood's secret camp and retrieve the pact! Ha-ha! The pact, ha-ha.... The pact! The pact! No... The pact! The pact! Get him! Get after him!" He shouts angrily after realizing that Robin had stolen it off from him once again leaving Gisborne to quickly rush out the gate.