- Chapter 84 -

"What are you doing in the castle?" I warned him quickly turning around to find Guy coming out from the shadows of my room with his sword drawn towards me. I removed my own sword and threw it on the bed before turning back to him to see the conflict in his eyes.

"Can I trust you?" He questioned me as I rolled my eyes.

"Your not in the dungeons are you?" I questioned as he lowered his sword. It was true, if I meant to have him harmed the guards would have been alarmed by now. I watched him closely as he back up towards my chamber door and locked the handle in place before his tensed shoulders seemed to relax. I took this opportunity to get a good look at him. His eyes were weary and his face was dirty and tired. He was still wearing the same clothing I last saw him in which was a loose black shirt and his leather pants and boots.

"Guy what are you doing here?" I whispered as he ran a hand through his hair. We both jumped when a knock came to my door as I saw him growl and raise the sword to my throat.

"I'll run you through if you give me away" He warned from behind me as I slowly unlocked the door. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye as the tip of the blade was pressed against my back as I slowly opened my chamber door just wide enough for me to stick my head out the door. I saw a young serving boy holding out a plate of cheese, meat and bread in one hand and the other balanced a goblet and jug of wine.

Slowly I took them from his hands taking him by surprise before I gave one nod at the boy before he dashed off down the corridor. Guy shut the door behind me as he eyed the food in my hands as I placed them on the desk in my chambers.

"Eat. I'm not hungry" I informed him as he eyed the plate before nodding and sitting in the chair and slowly eating the meat and bread. I poured him a full goblet of wine before handing it too him as he eagerly drank from the cup.

"The King is he?" He questioned quietly as I shook my head in a scoff.

"No, he is very much alive in the Holy Land" I informed as his hand tightened on the goblet before he looked up at me.

"John cannot be crowned King" He snapped as I nodded in agreement.

"His coronation is in the morning..." I trailed as Guy rubbed his face and the back of his neck. I noticed the tension in his shoulders as I slowly got to my feet and placed my hands on his back causing him to jump. I squeezed my hands on his shoulders to let him relax as I slowly began to rub out the knots that had built up in his back as he sighed with contempt. He happily closed his eyes and let his neck roll back as I wanted nothing more than to place a delicate kiss on his inviting lips.

"Promise me Guy you will be away from the coronation tomorrow" I whispered, my voice begging him as he shook his head.

"I can't let him be King! Her death can't be in vain" He growled as I frowned slightly.

"Whose?" I asked him, as his face was suddenly grief stricken.

"Esme. The love of my life" He whispered as I felt the leather band around my neck that held my engagement ring grow heavier. I let my fingers trail up his neck and tangle gently in his hair before making there way back down to his shoulders.

"Guy I need to tell you something" I whispered as the sound of soft snores reached my ears as I chuckled. He looked so peaceful and calm asleep in the chair as I knelt down beside him and let my fingers trail over his cheek.

"I love you Guy" I whisper placing a gentle kiss on his lips which caused him to sigh happily and let a small smile slip on his face.

When I awoke the next morning I knew I had over slept by the height of the sun in the sky. I quickly pulled the covers away from my body and changed into fresh clothing. I had noticed that Guy had left I was certain he left at some point in the night, not wanting to wake me as I quickly tightened my mask over my eyes and dashed out from my chambers. I was late for the Prince's coronation and I knew I would never hear the end of it. I just hoped that Robin had come up with a plan to prevent the coronation from taking place.

My horse was already saddles and waiting for me as I ran towards it and quickly galloped towards the Abbey. I saw that the guards standing have shiny shields just like the Prince wanted and have created path to the abbey door, holding back the crowd. By the time I was able to get inside the ceremony had already started as I snuck through the shadows and made my way to stand behind the crowd on the Prince's right hand side.

"As kings, priests and prophets were anointed, and as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest, so be thou anointed..." The Archbishop spoke as I watched as Prince John sits on his throne with the Archbishop speaking as another man hands a scepter to the Prince.

"The sovereign sceptre to do justice and stop the growth of iniquity..." The Archbishop continued as the Prince stands to face the Archbishop. I watched as Sheridan places the royal fur robe around the Prince's throat and quickly fastens it. I wished I had the opportunity to fasten it, I would ensure that the robe was too tight that he may even choke.

"The robe of righteousness and the garment of salvation..." The Archbishop continues as the Prince sits back down on the throne once again. I saw the Archbishop stand behind the Prince and reach for the crown to hold it over his head. Releasing that nothing may happen I slowly began to withdraw my dagger from my sleeve ready to throw it and knock the crown from his hands.

"The crown of the faithful. Bless, we beseech thee, this crown, and so sanctify thy servant, John." He continued and slowly begins to lower the crown, as I get ready to aim. However just before the crown touches John's head the doors burst open with a blinding light.

"Halt! I am King Richard......King of the English, Duke of the Normans and Aquitainians." A deep voice called out as I recognized it to belong to Tuck, however no one else would know that.

"You should be in the Holy Land!" Sheridan cried out as he realized that the plan had been thwarted. I smirked as Sheridan had just announced to the Archbishop and all of Nottingham the scam of the Prince's plan.

"What is the meaning of this?" The Archbishop demanded angrily as Sheridan rushes to kneel at the Archbishop's feet, grabbing his robes.

"It was the Prince's doing, your worship! He ordered that I have a model made of the King so he could lie about his death. I'm sorry, sire." Sheridan begged for forgiveness before turning to the Prince hoping he would show mercy as the Prince John pulls Sheridan to the floor.

"Shut up, you stupid old fool! We will finish this coronation!" The Prince commanded angrily.

"Impossible! This is treason." The Archbishop exclaims as I watch as Prince John wrestles the crown from the Archbishop and pushes him back.

"I will be King!" The Prince whined like a child as he raises the crown over his head. The shields that surrounded Tuck who was impersonating the King part and Robin shoots an arrow, knocking the crown from the Prince's hands causing the crown to clatter to the floor. The Prince can see the silhouette of Robin and his bow between the shields.

"Hood!" The Prince cried out angrily as everyone turns to look as suddenly, the sanctuary darkens as clouds cover the sun. Robin looks up, and pushes back his hood. The others lower their shields and push back their hoods, too. Robin steps forward, an arrow nocked in his bow.

"Arrest him!"

"You can do what you want! These people, they know the truth." Robin mocked as I smirked.

"And so do I. I will never make you King." The Archbishop boldly hissed towards the Prince as I could see he was starting to panic.

"Where's my crown?" He cried out jittery as I see a black-gloved hand raises the crown and waves it a bit.

"Is this what you're looking for? How about... a state funeral?" Guy called out as everyone gasps. I gulp and feel my body freeze over as I see Guy lower the crown and raise a crossbow in his right hand aiming it at the Prince. I felt my heart beat increase as I stumbled to make my to the front of the crowd in hope to prevent him from throwing his life away.

"Gisborne! Don't do it. I know he deserves it, but with no leader at home, England could be ripped apart, torn up by war." Robin informed him as I saw Guy growl towards Robin.

"What has England ever done for me?" Guy snapped back causing me to flinch slightly as Robin and I glance at each other.

"Brother..."

"Don't think I won't shoot you, as well, after everything you've done." Guy snapped back as I saw the guilt flash on Isabella's face.

"I know. But you'll have to decide which one of us you want dead the most: Prince John or me. Because as much as I hate Robin Hood, he loves his country, and he won't give you a second shot." Isabella warned as I watched Guy glance at Robin who pulled his bowstring back an inch more to prove a point as I felt my hands shake slightly.

I watched as Isabella throws herself in front of the Prince as Guy shoots and she takes the bolt in the arm, as she cried out in pain I knew that it was a power play to get the Prince to favor her as I scoffed at her until I heard the clatter of the crown on the floor. Turning to see Guy on the floor unharmed I let out a breath of relief as guards rushed over towards him to arrest him.

"Arrest him!" The Prince cried out as Robin glances back at his gang and they take up positions against the guards.

"Stop! Anyone who draws blood in the house of God will be damned for all eternity." The Archbishop cried out as we all pause for a brief moment. I just chuckle and slip my dagger back into it's sheath before I straighten my hood over my face and march towards Robin and throw a fake punch to his right and engage in a staged fight.

"Next time can you not aim at Guy!" I hiss in his ear and send a deliberate kick to the gut at he groaned and growled at me.

"No promises" He snapped back as we saw the crown rolling along the floor with the Prince crawling on after it.

"If God had wanted you to have the crown, he'd have given it to you." Tuck smirked as he kicks it away from Prince John's reach causing him to cry out annoyed.

"I've got it! I've got it!" Kate cried out over excited as I quickly run towards her and throw a punch towards a guard that was behind her. She gasped and clung to the crown as she glanced at me before I gave her a gentle shove in the direction of the door.

"GO!" I quietly hissed to her as Robin runs over towards us. I saw him pause at me before he took hold of her hand and rush out towards the door.

"Quick! Stop them!" The Prince cried out as I turned to see the Archbishop shove him down.

"Let them go!" The Archbishop commanded as the Prince grimaced in despair as Robin and the gang through the doors without the men after them. I smile and slowly straightened up remembering my 'role' as I lead the Prince away from the hissing crowd and towards the coach that had been decorated for his coronation to take him back towards the castle.

Once we had returned to the castle the Prince had quickly ordered the guards to pack his belongings. I smugly watched as he organized to retreat back to London to lick his wounds. I stood on the courtyard steps watching as guards began to carry chests of Prince John's belongings to his coach. One of them stumbles on the steps, and a couple boxes stacked on top of the last chest clatter to the ground.

"Fragile!" The Prince shouts angrily as he slaps the guard on the shoulder. I glance over towards Guy as he had been placed in the birdcage, his hands chained above his head as he watched the procession. I bit my lip knowing I would have to be extra careful in how I helped him now as I sighed and turned back to the Prince as he walks to the coach, hand to his head.

"This is what happens when you employ incompetents. I trust you will not make the same mistake...Sheriff." He spoke to Isabella who followed him like a lost puppy with her arm in a sling. Sheridan growled and grumbled as he was tied up and gagged sitting on the floor of the Prince's coach.

"Oh, fear not, sire. By the time you return I intend to have Robin Hood in shackles alongside my brother. Or coffins." She threatened with a smirk looking up at her brother who growled in response, as did I. My hand that rested on the hilt of my sword tightening as Guy looked over towards me, watching my hand then back at me as I slowly let go of the handle.

"Wolf come on we're going home!" The Prince called as I stayed firmly where I stood on the castle steps. No! I'm staying here this is my home! I knew if I left then Guy would be in trouble, and I wasn't letting all my hard work to get back here and protect the ones I loved to go to waste.

"I think I will serve a better purpose here sire. Wouldn't you agree?" I offered making it as though it would be classified as his idea. Something I knew he loved, he loved thinking he was the smartest and created the best ideas. I glanced at Isabella from the corner of my eye at my suggestion to see her shaking her head frantically and shaking with nerves.

"Sire I must protest---" Isabella quickly scrambled trying to get out of the idea of me staying.

"Excellent! I'll expect reports Wolf!" He cried out happily as her smile on her face grew pale and nervous. We stayed and waves to the retreating Prince before she turned towards me trying to look aggressive and dangerous.

"I don't like you!" She hissed in a warning as I leaned forward causing her to flinch.

"Good!" I growled as she gulped. She knew I held the Prince in my hands and that one bad report from me could have her killed. I knew also that she had noticed my friendship between Guy, which made her wary of me. Any friend of Guy's was an enemy of hers. I knew Isabella thought she had the art of deception as an ace card up her sleeve, but I knew that her ace was about to get trumped.