Sorry to make you wait so long. I have had a bit of a writer's block but a massive shout out and thanks to Mariadks. She has helped me decide on the big reveal coming up so stay tuned. Please vote and comment I would greatly appreciate your input. xxx

- Chapter 85 -

I kept an eye on Isabella as she quickly adapted being Sheriff of Nottingham and wrote false reports to the Prince on her treachery against his crown. I used my secret passages in the walls of the castle to ensure that Guy was well fed and watered. I hated seeing him locked away in one of the castle cells in the dungeons and was extremely thankful that Isabella hadn't decided to torture him.

I kept Robin up to speed with everything happening in the castle as well as what the Prince was informing me regarding his brother and I knew I needed to reveal myself to Guy soon if he would trust me to help him escape from the castle dungeons. Part of me was extremely excited to know we could finally be together once again, yet I grew worried of his reaction and how he would take it. I knew he had taken my death very hard and blamed himself for it.

It was an average day in Nottingham town when the Sheriff Isabella decided to have a court hearing on the castle steps for the whole of the marketplace to hear. It was a dangerous move on her part; it would show the people what she is made off. I know that it's not sugar and spice and all things nice.

At the top of the steps, Isabella's high-backed chair sits flanked by guards. A young lady prisoner stands at the bottom, a guard holding her tied hands. Around the platform, with four gallows set up ready, the townsfolk gather to watch.

"Meg Bennett, the Sheriff 's Court has heard of your disobedience to your father... and your refusal to accept any suitors he chose for you." The Sheriff spoke out as I stood beside her chair on the left with my hand on my sword watching out trying to spot Robin.

"Lady Sheriff, one was a drunken sot, the second looked like a donkey, and the—the third was a halfwit with the brains of a tree." Meg spoke as the crowd chuckles at her responses before a man near the guards on the steps limps forward.

"You little wretch!" he cried only to have Isabella holds her hand up at the man and a guard pulls him back to keep him quiet. I took this moment to actually get a good look at Meg as he kept her head down in submission refusing to look up at the Sheriff. She had fiery red hair and wore a tattered purple gown.

"Please! And the fourth, you apparently bribed to go back to York with money you stole from your father." Isabella added with a raised eyebrow.

"He was a mummy's boy! What use is that?" She cried out in disgust causing the crowd to laugh. Even I managed a chuckle at her accusation which I am sure was very much true.

"Meg, tell the court why you acted in such a deplorable fashion." I saw Isabella ask with a smirk on her lips as I could tell Meg was gaining some confidence as she held her head high against those who gave her disgusted looks.

"Because I won't accept anyone telling me how to live my own life! I don't want to marry. Men are so... stupid!" Meg fiercely snapped out to the entire crowd as I struggled to contain in my laughter. I was able to hide it by coughing as the crowd began to uproar at her answer.

"Quiet!" Isabella roared over the crowd as it slowly seemed to grow silent.

"I think England would be a much better place if women were in charge." Meg proudly spoke once more as I crossed my arms over my chest and took a slight defensive position as the crowd began to roar angrily. It grew uneasy as I glanced at Isabella, as she seemed to be contemplating what Meg had been saying. I wouldn't let a riot form over a simple girl refusing to marry. Fair enough I was lucky that my father didn't force me, except in Guy's direction which I am very pleased for.

"Untie her." Isabella ordered as the crowd of men screeched furious as I withdrew my sword as a warning-causing majority of them to back down yet clearly showing their distain at her choice as a soldier untied her.

"People of Nottingham, now maybe you can see the kind of sheriff I am. And as I've set Meg here free....I intend to set the whole of Nottingham free! To be fairer, more peaceful and prosperous place for us all." Isabella spoke out as she motioned for Meg to join beside her. Quickly scrambling to the Sheriff's side Meg smirked down towards her father as the crowd began to cheer at the idea of what Isabella was hoping to offer.

"You are far too bright to be locked up. I think I need people like you around me. The last regime was brutal and corrupt. And in recognition of crimes committed against the people, my brother, Guy of Gisborne, shall be executed here on Thursday at midday." Isabella declared as I felt my heart rate drop. I almost felt my sword slip from my fingers as I felt my skin turn pale. I had to get Guy out from Nottingham I won't let him be executed.

"Bravo. Isn't she marvellous?" A strong voice called out as I saw Isabella's strong face façade drop as a man well built made his way up to the stage beside her. Godfrey beside him as I narrow my eyes at the stranger as he turns to Isabella and places a swift harsh kiss on her cheek with a devilish smirk.

"How I've missed you. My lovely wife." He chuckled loudly making it very clear who she was to him as I saw her stiffen and look at me for desperation as I sheath my sword and take a step towards them as she shakes him off.

"Get off me." She hissed.

"I'm your new sheriff. Thornton, at your service. I'm sure you'll understand that my wife now has me to care for, leaving me to care for you. Rest assured you are in firm and capable hands. Now, if you'll excuse me, the little wife and I have some catching up to do." Thornton announced before he started to drag her inside with me quickly following behind.

Throwing her into the Sheriff's quarters I stormed into the room after them as I watched her trying to run away from her husband turning over the table, sending items clattering to the floor.

"You ran away! You deserted me!" Thornton shouted.

"No!" She cried out.

"But I loved you, cared for you. We were so happy together. " As he stalked her around the room.

"How can you say that? OW!" Isabella spoke to him horrified as she picks up a knife from the table and swings it at Thornton, who easily stops it and grabs her hand and pulls her into him.

"Guards! Guards! Take him! He's attacking the Sheriff!" Meg ordered as I almost forgot she was there as she runs as Thornton as guards make their way to the room and look to me for guidance. Rolling my eyes I stand up straight and place a hand on my sword.

"That's enough Thornton! Let her go! " I warn as they seemed to freeze and turn to me.

"Take him to the dungeons!" Isabella ordered as the guards looked to me as I nodded.

"Do you want Prince John to know he has a criminal for a sheriff?!" Thornton shouted to her causing her to scoff.

"He appointed me. He trusts me." Isabella smugly responded.

"You abandoned your husband, broke man's law and God's! Now my men will ride to him at nightfall if they receive no word of my safety. The Prince trusts no one. No one but Wolf, even you know that! Release me, or it's over." Thornton blackmailed as Isabella's face falls and her knife lowers a bit.

"Let him go." She whispered as they did as she commanded. Thornton stares a moment, sighing deeply, then takes the knife. Isabella has tears in her eyes. He grabs her face, making her mouth pucker.

"And now it's time I taught you some respect." He whispered rather loudly as I snarled at his disgusting manner. I wanted nothing more of this as I stormed out from the room and made my way down the dungeons in search of Guy. He was in the last prison cell away from the others to add to his isolation as I stopped slightly to see him calmly lying on the floor giving into his depression and I knew I had to do something about it.

"Guy" I whispered kneeling down with my hands against the bars, he slowly opened his eyes to look at me before closing them once again and remained lying on the floor.

"What do you want wolf?" He asked me.

"I have to get you out of here whilst Isabella is distracted by that nasty husband of hers" I whispered making sure the castle prison keeper was well away from the cell and out of hearing.

"Thornton? Is he here?" Guy chuckled as though it was the best news he had heard all day. It took me a moment to realize that the notion I wanted to help him escape hadn't registered in his mind. Had he truly given up all hope?

"She's terrified of him." I snorted as he continued to chuckle, almost as though he was picturing his sisters reunion with her husband.

"Well, she shouldn't have run off and left him then, should she?" Guy snapped up at me with a pleased smug look, which caused me to growl as he got up from the floor onto his knees as he looked at me.

"You always were a bit pleased with yourself. And now Isabella is going to have you executed." I growled at him as he snarled at me. I forgot sometimes how he could be, almost as though the darkness was creeping back into his soul now he felt like he had nothing to live for.

"What did you do to her to make her hate you so much?" I questioned. It was something I had been very curious about since I noticed the uneasy relationship between the two Gisbornes. My questioned made Guy go silent as I raised my head at him slightly wondering what could be so terrible.

"I found her a husband. That's what I did. Looks away. Good price, too." He whispered to me as I gasped. Price? PRICE! He sold his own sister?

"You sold her? Your own sister?" I hissed at him disgusted as my thoughts wondered would he do that to our daughter if we had one?

"It was her best chance in life. It's not my fault she went and made a mess of it." He snapped back at me trying to get me to see reason to his decision, as I was beyond furious that Guy could stoop to such a level.

"Well, of course, it is! All of it! You sold her to a monster!" I growled disappointed at him as I stood up and grasped the cell door roughly as he glared up at me. It grew silent between us before he seemed to sink against the cell as I loosened my grip on the bars and chewed my bottom lip.

"Are you scared?" I whispered as he looked up at me with a slight frown.

"What of?"

"What of?" Your date with the execution." I scoff as he shook his head.

"Do I look scared?" Guy brazenly spoke which made me bite my lower lip nervous and more desperate to help him to escape.

"Actually, no. Terrible, yeah. One out of ten for personal appearance... but not frightened." I teased trying to make light of the situation as he chuckled before his face drew cold and emotionless.

"No-one will miss me. I can't help what people think of me. What's done is done. And if I am to die, then so be it. " He muttered broken as I felt myself sink to my knees, wondering where his passion had vanished.

"Is your life really that empty that you don't care whether you live or die?" I whispered my voice breaking slightly as my natural voice almost seeped in causing me to gulp. I watched as Guy's eyes widen, pondering the thought.

"Here... keep your strength up." I whisper as I slip out a fresh loaf of bread from behind my cloak. I had nicked it from the kitchens on my way down as he smiled and took it from my hands and breathed in the fresh scent of bread and treasured his first bite.

"There must be some good in you yet." I whispered in conclusion before leaving him be, knowing I needed to get him out of the dungeons and fast. I paused when he spoke so softly that I almost missed it.

"Thank you." Those simple words made me frown as I turned to him to see him smiling sadly.

"I haven't done anything." I questioned confused as he nodded his head slightly.

"You have. You made me think. About... someone I used to know. She saw good where there was none. She made me a better man." He whispered dreamily as I bet I knew whom he was thinking about. It made my heart leap slightly as I saw a slight tear fall down his face.

"What happened?" My voice choked as he remained quiet.

"I destroyed her." His voice broke as I watched him turn away to sob silently as I turned to leave. I had know idea how long I had before Isabella would take her brother to the public to his death. I wouldn't let her win, not when it would mean killing the man I love........