- Chapter 81 -

"JOHN NO!" I heard Tuck shout out. Before I had any time to realize what was happening I felt a rough hand grab hold of the back of my cloak before I quickly was thrown to the ground. I let out a harsh grunt as I glanced up to see him about to knock my out with his staff as I moved my head to the right to see his staff dig into the ground where my head had just been.

Giving him a soft kick to cause him to stumble it provided me with enough time to leap back up to my feet and hold my hands up to him. As the fight was beginning to start the villagers had all run and hidden inside their homes, which made me a bit happier to think they won't find out my secret. I knew I would have to tell them; otherwise I will probably not get out of this.

"John don't be hasty" I spoke slowly as he growled and leaped at me as I jumped back and dodged his attempts, it didn't help when the others leaped into action and encircled me. Allan went to grab my arm but I was quick to get out from his grip before I turned to see Much's sword at my throat before I stopped and held my hands up.

"Wouldn't you like to see the face your killing?" I asked them my voice still disguised as Much glanced at John who nodded. I slowly removed my mask and let it fall to the ground before I very slowly lowered my hood. I watched as their faces froze with shock as Much's sword dropped down to the ground.

"Esme" Much asked as I gave him a small smile. I could see they were all shocked and struggling to comprehend what was happening and how I was alive. I ran up too Much and hugged him tightly as he was stunned and stumbled back before he laughed and spun me around laughing as the rest of the gang soon entangled into a massive group hug.

"Guys! It's too hot for this!" I complain as they let me go. Tears were in their eyes and mine as well as John cried happily and spun me around as I chuckled.

"But why......Prince John....what...I" Much struggled to ask as I smiled sadly and grabbed hold of my mask and fastened it back around my face.

"I'll promise to explain everything later. But until then you must promise not to let Robin or Guy know I am alive. No one must know!"" I inform as I saw they were all hesitant before the nodded and agreed. I was worried because I knew that Much could never keep a secret especially if it's against Robin, but I had to hope the others kept him in line.

Quickly mounting my horse I raced back to Nottingham only to find that the Prince was sitting on his throne thinking out loud, unaware that I was currently listening in on his private conversation.

"It's a fine line, isn't it, between love and hate? Two sides of the same coin, really. Maybe they need to truly hate me before they can understand how to truly love me." He sighed before I made myself known by walking in and bowing before I glanced around and noticed that Guy wasn't here as I paused.

"Gisborne?" I questioned as the Prince chuckled darkly making me freeze.

"He's gone to execute his traitorous sister in Sherwood. She was in league with Hood." He informed me before I gulped and nodded and bowed to leave before I quickly raced back down to the courtyard. I saw that the stable boy hadn't taken away my horse yet as I quickly snatched the reins from his hands and galloped towards the forest.

I knew this was a lost hope trying to find Guy, I had no idea where to even begin looking! I thought back to all the times where I would meet Robin in the woods and wondered if he used them as a meeting point with Isabella. Shrugging my shoulders I knew I had nothing to lose by trying and I urged my horse west.

Constantly surveying the woods around me I soon found a tree with broken rope at it's trunk as I growled knowing I had just missed him. Glancing at the tracks Guy made when he ran from here I knew that he was heading back in the direction of the castle. Pushing my horse forward I didn't stop for a breath of air until I was back into the castle hearing Guy's shouts faintly throughout the castle. Soldiers were heading in the direction of the dungeons.

I made my way in the direction of the dungeons before I saw Guy standing over the top entrance to the chamber that was flooding up with water.

"Executing us?" I heard Isabella's scared voice say as I frowned and went to stand beside Guy and look down only to see Robin and Isabella stuck in the lower chamber. Guy glances up at a guard, who turns a wheel on the wall causing a partition to slide down and close the lower tunnel.

"Now that all the exits are blocked, you're both going to drown. The chamber will fill pretty quickly, and you'll try to tread water. You might manage a few hours, maybe even a day, who knows? But in the end, you'll just run out of energy." Guy smirked as I saw just how furious Robin looked.

"I swear, if I get out of here alive...I will kill you!" Robin shouted up at him earnestly as Guy just chuckled at the threat. I however gulped, I knew somehow Robin would think of a way out and when he did, I knew he would keep his word and kill Guy. He had plenty of reasons to kill him, thinking I'm dead for a start.

"Swear all you like, Hood. It won't make any difference. The legend dies here... slowly and painfully I would imagine. Meanwhile, I get to be sheriff. Life is sweet, isn't it?" Guy chuckled before he turned and left leaving me to glance down at Robin before turning and following, unsure of how to get Robin out of this situation.

"Gisborne! Gisborne!" I heard Robin roar angrily making me wince as I flinch away from the sound.

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

Prince John as usual was hosting festivities in the Great Hall with all the nobles as they were gathered for dinner. Gisborne soon entered the hall taking in his surroundings as he noticed a sullen Prince John in his throne with Wolf beside him. Something seemed familiar and comforting about Wolf which set Guy on edge, even though he had learned to trust him. He hadn't trusted anyone since Esme.

"Well?" The Prince questioned him as he approached the throne.

"She was as you suspected." He truly informed through a bitter tongue.

"She followed Hood?" The Prince questioned.

"She did."

"And?" The Prince pressed on hoping for a more positive answer.

"And I solved the problem, sire." Guy's voice dropped to a slighter whisper as he looked around to see if anyone was overhearing their conversation.

"Oh, please don't go all enigmatic on me, Gisborne. Are they dead?" The Prince chuckled before regaining a serious nature to a serious question. He wanted Robin Hood dead!

"Yes."

"Well, have a drink, man. It's not every day you can celebrate killing a national treasure and one's own sister." The Prince chuckled darkly as he handed him a drink. He cared nothing of family so he didn't understand the power of family loyalty and blood.

"No, I don't want a drink, sire. I merely ask that you fulfill your side of the bargain." Guy began to snap before quickly composing himself once again as he remembered whom he was talking to. The man who could have his head on a spike or give him the wealth and power that he has always wanted.

"You're right. You're owed that much at least. There you are: keys to Nottingham." The Prince smiled as he grabs a ring of large keys from the table and hands them over to Gisborne. Gisborne puts both his hands under the ring and the Prince lets them go as Gisborne genuinely smiles very briefly, then his face falls, feeling no different now as sheriff. It all seemed to be worth nothing now. He once said all he needed was wealth and power, but now he had it, it seemed like nothing. He needed love and Esme was gone.

"My lords, ladies... never let it be said that I'm a man who does not deliver on his promises. Robin Hood is dead... executed by my loyal friend here. My lords and ladies, I give you Sir Guy of Gisborne, the new Sheriff of Nottingham." The Prince announced as he stood to raise a toast towards Guy as the nobles applaud. Esme watched Gisborne who was silent and sullen as she worried for him as he was wondering why he is not happy to have achieved his ambition.

"Sheriff of Nottingham." The nobles all echoed out as Gisborne politely nods at them as they drink to him. The nobles set down their goblets and applaud causing Gisborne to nod once again and sigh. Though his sunken mood was not overlooked by Esme who wished nothing more than to embrace him and place sweet kisses on his cheek in hope of him smiling.

"So, go on, do tell. Did they squeal?" The Prince asked eagerly.

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

When the Prince and Guy had gone around the castle to chat about Guy becoming the new Sheriff I had used this time to help the Gang come up with a plan to get Robin out of the cell and drown. Yes it meant I had to help Isabella for a time being but I didn't care about her sake. Once I knew the Gang was in the castle I began to make my way towards the dungeons to help them along. Although no plan ever goes to how you want it to.

"You!" I heard Guy call out from a corridor down as I kept my footsteps silent but rushed forward and waiting.

"Quick! Go and get the guards." Prince John ordered probably towards the jailor as his footsteps grew louder towards me. As he came around the corner where I was waiting for him I quickly placed a hand over his mouth and butted him with the base of my dagger knocking him out. I gently lowered him to the floor and hid him from site. I wasn't going to get the guards! This was a perfect opportunity to get Robin out! I slowly peeked around the corner to watch the scenario occur.

""Dead" you said. "Taken care of " you said." The Prince hissed towards Guy as he kept his eye on his sister and the Prince.

"He's always lied, sire. In fact, he was going to let me go and not tell you about it." Isabella spoke as she drew closer to stand by the Prince's side as I saw fury register on his face as well as Guy.

"You've let the team down, Guy. You let yourself down. In fact, you're a liability! You're fired." The Prince hissed towards him as he pointed as I silently scoffed as I saw the fury burst through Guy as I knew he didn't have to hide anything anymore.

"No, you will not fire me. I've waited all my life to be sheriff and I will not be fired by you!" Guy shouted angrily as he pointed his sword towards the Prince as Isabella picks up an unlit torch.

"How dare you? How dare you threaten the monarch?!" The Prince shouted in horror as I rolled my eyes.

"You're not a monarch. You're a pretender, a fake, a fraud!" Guy growled as his voice sent a shudder down my spine.

"No, no, not as big a fraud as him. I've been a fool, sire, a weak, vain woman blinded by his flattery. But now I see the truth. And I beg you, sire, let me show you how sorry I am." Isabella began to honey coat her words towards the Prince as Robin went to stop her as she snarled in his direction.

"Save your honeyed words for someone who cares... Hood." She snapped.

"Be my guest! WOLF WHERE ARE YOU!" The Prince cried out like a traumatized child as throws the jailer's sword at Isabella's feet and draws his own to face Gisborne. He and Gisborne raise their swords at each other. Robin silently draws his sword. Isabella picks up the sword with her left hand and faces Robin, who points his sword at her.

Isabella and Prince John each strike first. Isabella swings both the torch and sword together outward at Robin, forcing him to take several steps back as Prince John and Gisborne block and circle each other. Isabella advances and spins, first swinging the torch. Robin ducks the torch, then holds his sword upright to block hers as it comes around. Isabella swings the torch overhead. Robin steps to the side, grabs her arm and pushes her away. Isabella stumbles, regains her footing, points her sword at Robin and swings the torch again. Robin blocks it.

She swings the torch at his feet and he blocks it again, then twists it up and over with his sword. Robin attacks this time and Isabella blocks, holding both her weapons crossed over her head, then kicks Robin in the stomach. Meanwhile, Prince John blocks Gisborne's attack with his sword held over his head with both hands while kicking his foe in the stomach. Isabella swings, then jabs at Robin with the torch as Prince John knocks the sword from Gisborne's hand.

Robin grabs Isabella's arm and punches the inside of her elbow, forcing her to drop the torch, as Prince John swings his point across at Gisborne's chest, forcing him back, then charges him and pushes him to the wall. Robin holds his arm around Isabella's shoulders, then throws her into Gisborne just as Prince John is getting ready to run him through. Gisborne catches his sister around the waist and Prince John turns to Robin, who invites him to take him on.

Prince John swipes at Robin. Isabella elbows Gisborne in the ribs with her right arm, then swings her left elbow into his face and breaks free from him. She swings her sword around at him as he bends down to retrieve his own. Isabella swings her sword over her head and brings it down, but Gisborne can only duck and spin away. Robin blocks the Prince. Their swords are crossed in front of them and Robin pushes Prince John's hands to his chest, standing with their faces together a moment before Robin shoves him backwards and they continue their duel.

Isabella swings her sword crosswise at Gisborne, who retreats. She swings again and her sword catches the keys in his belt. The keys sail across the room, landing near Kate's cell. Kate stretches her arm out between the bars, but they are just out of her reach. She bangs her hand on the bar in frustration.

I slowly made my footsteps louder as Kate glanced over and gulped in my direction as I gently kicked the keys slightly more towards her causing her to frown. As I came around the corner everyone seemed to pause for a brief moment as I drew my sword. Hearing the sound of the gang as they came around the corner everyone sprung back into action as I sparred with Little John and Much to give the appearance of fighting against them.

Hearing the clattering of a sword I look to see it was Isabella and sigh with relief before quickly ducking to a blow from Little John. Glaring at him he shrugs and mouths and apology before we get back to it.

"Goodbye, Isabella." I heard Guy smirk as I turn to see Guy pushing Isabella into the cistern with his foot, then circles around to stand behind Prince John, who is defenceless against Robin. Robin swings at the Prince, who ducks, turns, and backs towards the hole. Robin faces him, holding the point of his sword at him. Behind him, Gisborne also has his sword point at Prince John's back. Robin has the Prince at his sword point at the edge of the trap door.

"It's—it's not meant to be like this! Your days as a free man are over, Gisborne. They're over!" The Prince glares pointing at Guy as both Robin and Gisborne lunge forward and Prince John jumps into the water below to escape them. Gisborne looks down into the water as Robin eyes him greedily, then jumps back, suddenly realizing he's within reach of his sworn enemy.

"WOLF!" I heard the Prince cry out for me as I rolled my eyes.

"You're a dead man walking, Gisborne." Robin spat towards him as I snarled and began to walk over and side with Guy.

"Never seemed to do you much harm." Guy chuckled in response.

"Come and help us!" Isabella continued to cry out. Realizing that we were out numbered as I stood beside Guy I saw the look I was receiving from Robin and how the gang were of mixed emotions.

"Guy get out of here!" I hiss to him, as he looks at me uneasy, guilty for leaving me behind to deal with the gang.

"The Prince will kill you once he gets out! Run!" I plead him as he looks at Robin then back at me.

"This isn't over, Hood." He spat before I watch him turn and run out of the dungeons. Robin went to attempt to run after him but I quickly block his path as he brings his sword down in my direction. I quickly disarm him as he glares at me; I chuckle inwardly thinking how his face would change once he sees who I am.

"Robin, Robin, leave him! We've got to save ourselves." Kate mutters to him wisely as I knew that by looking at them together she would be good for him. I smiled thinking he would actually understand love and how he never loved me like he loves her. The Prince and Isabella were still shouting out for help below as I dropped my sword in front of Robin to show I meant no harm as I unblocked his way from the exit. I could see he was fuming yet shocked as he eyed me suspiciously.

"Go!" I hiss shoving them in that direction as I turned to go assist the Prince and Isabella. I glanced down at them as they smiled to see me before everything went black......