- Chapter 83 -

"WHAT!" I cried out horrified as Kate scoffed causing everyone to turn in her direction.

"Like you didn't know. You being Prince John's pet and all" She spat between her teeth as I snarled.

"I am no one's PET!" I snap back clenching my fists as I saw Robin sent her a sharp glare causing her to hang her head in shame.

"Robin tell me everything" I pleaded as I turned back to him.

"Sheridan whose the Keeper of the Crown led a procession of Crusaders carrying a coffin draped in white with a red cross through Nottingham. He used to be the King's favourite trainer of knights. He trained me." He spoke as I saw the grief in his eyes as I gently rub his shoulder in comfort.

"He announced that the Lionheart met his glorious end in battle with the infidel. Prince John announced that the Archbishop of Canterbury is on his way to bless his brother's body and oversee his coronation." Robin informed as I frowned and shook my head and rubbed my cheek.

"This doesn't sound right. It sounds more like Prince John is up to no good" I muttered to myself as the others frowned.

"You don't believe King Richard is dead?" Much questioned as I shook my head.

"I think this is all too staged to me. I shall return to the castle and see what Prince John will happily inform me about. The Archbishop should be arriving at Kirkless Abbey tonight. I will inform you what I can after the meeting" I nod as Kate narrows her eyes at me whilst everyone else breaths a sigh of relief.

"How can we trust that Prince John will tell you anything of importance?" She questioned causing me to scoff.

"Please he'd be lost without me. He thinks Wolf is a scarred man whom saved his life. If he is to inform anyone of anything it's me, he hardly leaves anywhere without me. He's too much of a baby to do otherwise" I chuckle as Little John roared with laughter. I gave them all a hug goodbye before Robin walked me back through the forest towards the outskirts of Sherwood.

"Be safe you hear me. I won't lose you twice" He commanded as I chuckled whilst adjusting my mask and hood.

"Yes father" I tease giving him a kiss on the cheek and a warm hug before running back in the direction of the castle. As was suspected, once the Archbishop had arrived in Nottingham he had immediately demanded to see the body, which Prince John was over joyed to show. I followed on my horse beside the carriage as we made it to Kirkless Abbey where four Crusaders stand at each corner of the coffin with their backs to it. Prince John lifts the shroud as the Archbishop comes over to look.

"His body is in remarkable condition for a month at sea." The Archbishop informed as I looked down at the body. It looked so real, I'll give him credit on that part, but there was no way that I thought that to be the true King of England.

"The Moors, they're masters of embalming." The Prince lied easily through his teeth as I watched the Archbishop as he eyes Prince John suspiciously. He walks around the head of the coffin and Sheridan steps up to it. Prince John clenches his jaw, looking at the Archbishop.

"Requiescat in pace." The Archbishop muttered.

"Thank you. He's close to God now." The Prince spoke pretending to be affected by the passing of his brother. I watched him closely as the Prince stares at the Archbishop until the Archbishop looks down at the body again, then the Prince steals a glance at Sheridan. The smirk they shared was exactly how I knew that this was all some plan and this look a like body was not the real King.

"Why did I not hear of this sooner?" the Archbishop demanded towards Sheridan as he froze for a brief moment.

"The advanced messenger came to me in London only a day before the body was due to arrive. I swore the man to secrecy before meeting it at Hull in the dead of night and coming to the Prince forthwith." Sheridan informed and you could tell his answer was rehearsed.

"And rightly so, I believe. There are those who would take advantage of any interregnum to further their own ends." The Prince supported his answer as the Archbishop raised an eyebrow.

"I shall consult with the Royal Council."

"I am the rightful heir, am I not?" The Prince snapped, as the Archbishop looks him up and down, then looks to his left at Sheridan, then back at the Prince.

"Indeed. first...... there will need to be a state funeral in London." The Archbishop slowly spoke after he paused and walked the length of the coffin before folding his arms over his chest towards the Prince.

"And there shall be one. I shall see to it myself. London was my brother's seat of power, after all. But... power, as you know, is finely balanced between the north and south, and now that the tragic news is out, any delay could cause that balance to shift, which is why I propose making my seat, Nottingham, the new capital of England." The Prince spoke causing my head to snap up in his direction as I looked over to see Prince John look at Sheridan and make a slight jerk of the head towards the Archbishop.

"As the claim in uncontested, I saw no barrier in bringing the crown with me. Everything is in place." Sheridan informed taking another step forward as the Archbishop looks at Prince John, who raises his eyebrows expectantly.

"So be it." The Archbishop nodded as the crusaders moved his body into the crypt.

"I shall return to the castle. Lord Wolf, walk with me" The Archbishop requested as I was shocked for a brief moment before bowing towards the Prince in dismissal and walked beside the Archbishop outside. Neither of us spoke as the Archbishop mounted Sheridan's horse and rode fast into the forest with me following quickly after him. He randomly stopped at the clearing as my horse jolted with a whine to a halt as I rubbed his neck soothingly as I circled the Archbishop.

"Your Grace we should return back to the castle" I informed him as he remained silent and closed his eyes. His lips moved slowly in a silent prayer as I lowered my head in respect and patiently waited. My nose twitched to the smell of something burning as I turned in my saddle to see black smoke begin to rise up from the abbey as I frowned and looked back towards the Archbishop. He slowly breathed in through his nose and let out a breath before he continued towards the castle.

Once I was sure he had made it back safely I turned my horse back in the direction of the smoke to try and pinpoint the cause of the fire. Surely someone wasn't camping? I didn't go far in the forest before Robin and the gang looked smoked and furious stormed out and paused at the sight of me.

"What happened?" I asked slowly down my horse as Robin kicked at the ground.

"The Prince burned it. The body was made of wax and he had it burned to destroy the evidence!" He snapped as I tightened my grip on the reigns.

"He cannot be crowned King! You need to get into the castle and steal the crown. Without the crown there can be no coronation," I informed as he nodded. Grabbing hold of the keys at my belt I threw them towards Robin as he caught them easily.

"I had a copy of the castle dungeon's keys made, put them to good use" I informed before I rode back to the castle. A stable boy came and took my horse from me as I made my way through the castle in search for the Archbishop and the Prince. The great hall was flooded with drunken nobles laughing away at the festivities hosted by the Prince, but he was nowhere in sight. I soon found him walking down the exterior corridor with the Archbishop.

"Now, I want the theme of my coronation to be "out of the darkness, into the light." And I want all the guards with mirrored shields to reflect the glory of my leadership far and wide." The Prince spoke as he walked with the Archbishop down the eastern corridor. I followed lazily behind them like a bodyguard of the crown would as I could see how the Archbishop was growing sick and revolted with the Prince's behavior and attitude.

"I wonder if this opulence is appropriate while people starve." The Archbishop questioned the Prince as I scoffed away the Archbishop's words.

"Well, I'm giving them something to aspire to, Archbishop." The Prince spoke as the Archbishop gives him a fatherly disapproving look.

"Oh, very well. I'll compromise. I'll use rubies instead of diamonds." The Prince greedily spoke as I saw the Archbishop shakes his head in disbelief as they walk past the cloister.

"If I may sire, I should wish to retire for an hour or so" I bowed towards the Prince as the Archbishop and the Prince turned towards me.

"Certainly Wolf. I shall have someone send for you when I need you" The Prince nodded as I saw uncertainty flash in his eyes before he turned back to the Archbishop and went on about his plans for his coronation. Once they were out of sight I let out a deep breath and returned to my chamber. Once my head hit the pillow I was out like a light and began to catch up on my rest.

I felt like I had only just let my eyes close for peace before I know the alarm bells began to ring out loudly through the castle causing me to growl. I was grumpy and tired as I adjusted my hood and stormed down the hallways with my sword drawn. It wasn't long before I found the Prince, Archbishop and Sheridan standing in front of an empty box that was supposed to be containing the royal crown.

"What?! Hood!" The Prince cried out horrified as I sheathed my sword.

"There can be no coronation without the crown." The Archbishop smiled satisfied as he turned away from the Prince catching the smirk on my face. He turned to leave down a separate hallway with the Prince chasing after him with his constant whining.

"What? I'm sure another crown can be made if needs be. Hand to heart. I know the design by heart." The Prince tried to recommend as I rolled my eyes at the Princes stupidity.

"That crown was made for the coronation of Edward the Confessor. It cannot be replaced." The Archbishop told him firmly as the Prince John stops and watches the Archbishop leave.

"Wolf! What will I do?" He whined towards me as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Surely Sheridan you can get it back" I smirk as I saw him pale and open his mouth only to close it with uncertainty as I was throwing him to the wolves.

"Locksley was a former student of yours, surely you can get it back." I smirk as I saw Isabella coming in our direction in smiling, delighted that the Prince is unhappy with Sheridan.

"What are you waiting for, you stupid old fool? Get me back my crown before the coronation or I'll have your head!" The Prince ordered and placed a pat on my back in thanks as Sheridan bowed and quickly fled.

"Sire, I have some very good news for you." Isabella played sweetly as he glared at her.

"Someone better had!" He snapped as he went to leave with her only to pause and turn back to me pointing.

"Watch the Archbishop! I want my coronation," He ordered as I bowed and went to follow the Archbishop who spent his afternoon in the castle church. I listened to him constantly pray in Latin and read the bible allowed as though he knew I was listening. I grew bored and stiff leaning against the column outside the church. Eventually I sat against the floor listening and playing with a dagger of mine, as I know my action caught several of the guards' attention when they passed.

"Sir Wolf!" I heard shouted out as I lazily got to my feet.

"The Prince has requested your presence in the dungeons" One of the soldiers reported as I nodded in response and quickly made my way through the castle. Once I arrived I noticed that Isabella was shackled and had been into a cell and locked inside. She clung to the frame of her cell pleading towards the Prince and I could see by his furious expression her pleas fell on deaf ears.

"Send extra search parties to the forest around Locksley. I want Gisborne dead!" The Prince screeched to the captain that stood beside him as he bowed and quickly fled from the dungeons.

"Sire, I want the same as you. Please just give me another chance." She begged him as Prince John turned and grabbed her by her throat but obviously wasn't doing any damage. It was merely an act to strike fear in her heart and it seemed to be working.

"Too late. You've had your chances. Welcome to your new home." He growled before he turned towards me.

"Sire, please, anyone can make a mistake." She tried to prove her point but it was clear he wasn't paying attention to her as he stormed over towards me as I raised an eyebrow, even though I knew he couldn't see it.

"Where the hell have you been!" He hissed towards me as I growled harshly at him as he backed away slightly. He soon lost interested in me as he glanced over my shoulder to see Lord Sheridan, who is standing quietly ahead with the crown in his upraised hands. DAMN!

"Oh, Sheridan. Sheridan, how could I ever have doubted your powers of recovery?" He whispered taking the crown and admiring every part of it.

"Your Highness. Lord Wolf. Lady Isabella." He bowed as he smirked in Isabella's direction.

"Pay her no heed. She's a prisoner of state for aiding and abetting her terrorist brother Gisborne in the attempted assassination of the new King of England." He snapped before he turned his attention back to his crown. It made me worry slightly as I now knew that Guy was free and on the run, yet I worried for where he would go. Unlike Robin he wasn't used to a life of being an outcast.

"A serious crime. For which she will be punished as seriously as you shall be rewarded." The Prince continued regarding Isabella as Sheridan took a step towards her with a smirk on his lips. I was revolted by the look of lust in his eyes. Men!

"Perhaps she merely requires the firm hand of a man to encourage her to mend her ways." Sheridan offered.

"But where, where would I find such a man willing to martyr himself?" The Prince spoke melodramatically as I struggled to hide my laughter through coughs and grumbles.

"Always at your service, Your Highness." Sheridan played once again as Prince John dangles the keys to Isabella's shackles in front of Sheridan.

"She's all yours." He smirked as the Prince looked over towards me with an evil grin as I shook my head chuckling as we watched Sheridan unlocks Isabella's cuffs.

"Oh, and I took the liberty of dealing with Robin Hood. I hope you don't mind." He spoke once again with a cocky tone of voice that made me glare in his direction.

"You'll make a fine Sheriff of Nottingham, Sheridan. Now I wish to retire. I need my beauty sleep!" The Prince spoke as he left the dungeons with me following him and ensuring he made it back to his room safely. Once he had locked his door shut I made my way to my own chambers and sighed with contempt as I locked the door behind me, it had been a long day. As I made my way over towards my bed I paused when I was about to remove my cloak. There was someone else in my room with me.....