- Chapter 71 -

I struggled to open my eyes and wished I hadn't as a bright light blinded me causing me to close them as quickly as I had once opened them. I could feel the burning heat of the sun against my skin as I slowly moved the muscles in my body as they ached and tingled, as though they had remained sleeping for far too long. Daringly I opened my eyes once more and turned my head softly as grain of sand caught in my hair.

Gently sitting up I found myself still in the white dress, now covered in dust and sand with the red stain and tear from where the dagger had killed me. Stumbling to my feet I saw I was on the outskirts of a small town surrounded by desert as my vision struggled to focus clearly. I struggled to walk against the burning sand under my feet before I paused once again to see the very cruel man who had caused all of this.

"What did you do to me?" I cried out, my voice hoarse and cracked as he just smirked in my direction.

"Just a little magic dearie, never harmed anyone" He chuckled as he made his way towards me. Frozen I allowed him to push my hair from my shoulder as he gently pushed down my sleeve to reveal a new ink in my skin. Gasping I ran my finger over my collarbone as "Guy of Gisborne" was marked like a tattoo, almost like branding me as his own.

"Your little declaration of love sealed the deal. Only that name can harm you now. Only he can kill you" He smirked as I struggled to wrap my hands around what it was that he was saying.

"Whose name is engraved on your skin?" I demanded boldly as I knew that whatever magic he had done to me, was the same as he had done to himself.

"That does not matter!" He hissed before seeming to vanish in midair. Hearing the soft sound of horses making their way towards me I saw black spots cloud my vision as I could hear the shouts of male voices in another language. I felt a pair of hands grab hold of me before I lost consciousness once more.

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"DJAQ!" A deep voice cried out as the front door of the Scarlett's house was flung open. Will who had been working in the barn outside preparing and making orders in his carpentry shop dropped his tools and began to run towards his house. Djaq who was inside the kitchen washing her hands came running to see a few local merchants carry in a body.

"Lay them on the table" She instructed quickly clearing off papers and cutlery. As they placed her down she glanced at the white dress covered in sand dust and dirt but quickly went to examine the blood stained cloth, only to find the skin healed with a faint scar.

"Djaq?" Will called out as he ran in from the back door before escorting the merchants out of their house. As he locked the door behind him he froze going pale as he looked upon Esme's face. He slowly walked towards her and angled her head towards Djaq so she could see who it was as she screamed in shock. Groaning and muttering under her breath slightly they realized she was alive as Djaq dabbed her forehead with a cool cloth.

"Will don't just stand there" Djaq instructed as he snapped out of his shocked state and rushed to his wife's side to assist her.

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"Esme can you hear me?" A soft voice spoke as my eyes slowly opened as I saw Djaq and Will looking down at me. Smiling softly I curled my toes before relaxing as Djaq had tears in her eyes as Will picked me up and spun me around causing me to cry out in surprise and laugh aloud with him.

"You're alive!" He rejoiced as he put me down only to be engulfed by Djaq. Taking a moment to look at Will I saw his hair had gotten longer and his beard was beginning to grow out a bit. Pulling away from Djaq she had a soft glow around her as I saw the slightly bump against her stomach as I smiled happily for them.

"Where is Robin?" I asked quickly as their smiles suddenly dropped as Will rubbed the back of his neck.

"They left to return back to England two weeks ago" He informed as I nodded.

"I have to get back there" I whispered as they nodded.

"I'll go arrange passage for you to the England" He informed as I smiled before he vanished out of the door only to embrace Djaq once more.

"Come let's get you freshened up and out of those clothes" She instructed as I allowed her to push me in the direction of the bathroom and drew up a bath. Sighing with happiness I allowed the warm water to soak over my body as I scrubbed off the dirt from my skin and under my nails. I dried myself off and plaited my hair down my back, brushing it out of my face before I got dressed in the clothes that Djaq had laid out for me.

I slipped on black leather pants with a belt around my waist to keep them settled on my hips. I had a short sleeved black tunic that hugged my figure ending mid thigh, pulling out the braid and resting it down my back and slipping on a pair of black boots, a knock came at the door.

"Yes?" I answered as Djaq and Will entered holding a large amount of fabric in their arms causing me to frown.

"You'll need the cloak when you're travelling" Djaq smiled as she held it out for me as I smiled appreciatively. Slipping my arms in the full length sleeve, it fell to the floor behind me trailing slightly. I adjusted it made sure that the hood was lying properly ready to be pulled up.

"Thank you both so much" I almost broke in tears thinking I may never see them again.

"I have arranged you passage on a boat that's leaving in an hour" Will inform as I hugged him tightly.

"Thank you" I whispered in his ear as he hugged me tighter.

"Come, we must get going" Djaq informed as I pulled up the hood around my face and followed them as we left their house and made our way towards the docks where a ship was getting prepared to leave. Sailors were carrying final amounts of food onto the ship and organizing the sails ready to leave as I turned back to them.

"I promise to write, thank you for everything" I smiled and hugged them a final farewell and wiping away the final stray tears.

"ALL ABOARD!" The captain cried out as I took this as my queue to leave. Allowing the assistance onto the ship I stood watching from the edge as we pulled out of the dock and waved to Will and Djaq until I could no longer see them before I let out a deep sigh. The journey to England was relaxing we were making good time as I spent majority of my day on the top deck watching the waters unlike other passengers who remained in their cabins.

Early one morning when England was ahead and I knew that I would be arriving by noon, I saw a monk watching the shores as we drew closer as I eyed him closely before making my way towards him.

"What brings you to England?" I questioned him as I made myself known and stood beside him.

"The Lord's work" He answered after a distant pause as I scoffed and shook my head slightly and looked back at him to watch him closely. He was lying I could tell.

"Really? Forgive me brother but you look as though you are going to another purpose" I struggled to hold in a smile as he laughed in agreement nodding his head as I leant against the edge of the ship.

"You have good eyes, what is your name?" He politely asked as I was hesitant at first yet I knew I could trust him as well.

"Lady Esme"

"Tuck" He greeted as he took my hand and bowed his head slightly placing a kiss on my knuckles as I chuckled slightly forgetting my position for a moment and the customary greeting.

"What really sends you to England brother Tuck?" I tested him as I could see a light brighten in his eyes.

"I heard many things of Robin Hood of Locksley, I wanted to see for it myself. Maybe even be able to help the cause" He explained as I felt my smile slightly as I thought on Robin. I knew he better than he knew himself and I was pretty sure that even though he promised me he would keep fighting. I am sure that he has broken it.

"I fear Robin Hood maybe no more" I whisper.

"Why do you say that my child?" He asked me frowning as I stared out at the land drawing closer.

"He thinks I am dead. He saw his enemy, the love of my life kill me, one whom he loved so dear as a sister.....even more than that" I struggled to explain as my mind thought back to Guy as I choked back on tears I knew that he would be blaming himself and tormenting himself.

"But you are alive, he should be rejoicing when you are reunited" Tuck smiled seeing the light in the situation as I shook my head and turned away slightly.

"I won't be reunited with him" I told him as he frowned as I brushed out a stray strand of hair that had fallen out from my braid.

"Why not?" He questioned.

"Robin and I have been in each other's lives since the day we were born. We were as thick as thieves...." I began as I smiled and laughed at the memory as flashed back to the times we were kids and stealing cakes and treats from the kitchens.

"When I was dying in his arms I got him to promise me to keep fighting for England even though I knew he wouldn't. He will partially blame himself for allowing me to be with Guy in the first place.....Returning to him now when he's in a state of crumble will destroy the legend of Robin Hood entirely." I fully explained as Tuck beside me folded his arms over his chest nodding as he took in what I was telling him.

"What will you do?" He asked as I paused. I hadn't been entirely sure of my plan but I guess now it was the perfect time to set it in stone.

"London. My plan is to work my way through Prince John's ranks, earn his loyalty and love and use it against him." I finalized nodding my head to persuade myself that this was the right thing to do.

"Isn't that a bit risky?" Tuck asked as I laughed and shook my head.

"I was a spy inside Nottingham castle with the Sheriff and Guy, London won't be any different." I informed as he paused.

"Are you planning to have the prince fall in love with you?"

"God no! I won't make myself known that I am a woman as I know then my plans will be ruined. The world must think I am dead until I return." I answered horrified at his question. Loving the prince? HA! What a joke that would be, he is everything that I don't fight for, he thinks he is England when in reality Richard is England.

"When will that be?" Tuck asked trying to understand my plan.

"The Prince will be getting frustrated with the Sheriff and will soon visit Nottingham I don't doubt. By then I shall be within his trusted circle and by then Robin should be back on his feet, being Robin Hood once more." I explained.

"Will you reveal yourself then?" He asked as I paused. I hadn't even thought of that.

"I do not know, only time will tell. I will watch him from afar and help him as much as I can without raising suspicion, but I will only be able to do so much..." I trailed off as my heart grew heavy slightly.

"You have a good heart Esme, I shall pray the Lord guides you and keep you safe" Tuck promised as he placed a hand over my shoulder in comfort as I gave him a small smile.

"Thank you.....I know I have no right to ask you this. But would you watch over Robin? Keep him fighting and making sure he holds to his promise?" I asked him slightly desperately. I needed comfort to know that Robin wouldn't lose himself completely.

"I would be honored, but what should I do if he is without reason?" He agreed eagerly as I thought about it for a moment before chuckling to myself.

"The gang. There is nothing more important to him than family; the gang is all he has left now." I informed as I knew that he would do everything he could to save the gang if they had all been caught by the Sheriff and risked hanging. Tuck saw the mischief in my eyes as he smirked in response and nodded in understanding.

"I will watch out for you when you return" He promised.

"Thank you brother Tuck." I smile at him in thanks as I turned to leave and prepare to leave the ship.

"The man you love. What was his name?" Tuck called as I paused and turned towards him with a sad smile on my face.

"Gisborne. Sir Guy of Gisborne." I answered slightly dreamily before heading back to my cabin.

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Hey everyone, so this is the first chapter to the final series of BBC Robin Hood. What do you think? Like it? Love it? Hate it? Any suggestions throughout the story would be greatly appreciated :D

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