"Fellow Englishmen, your sheriff and I bring you a gift. That gift is the reminder that we are free, and we should walk free. Today, your sheriff and I show no fear. Today we defy Robin Hood. Today we walk among you to show you that life goes on. We will not hide or cower in the face of outlaws. We will not change our lives to suit their campaigns of terror. We hold our heads high. Laws exist to protect us." Guy spoke as he and the Sheriff walked around the village of Nettlestone. Inside they felt sick to their stomachs with being kind to the poor, though Guy honestly didn’t think it was too bad.

Hiding away like planned and promised Robin and his men were in positions ready for the first sign of the Night Watchman, who they knew would try to kill the Sheriff. The Night Watchman was out in Nettlestone, with a bow and arrow rested in their lap ready, but not to kill the Sheriff. As the Sheriff continued to make their way down the streets the tension grew higher.

"If we allow Robin Hood to flout these laws, if we support him when he undermines basic justice, the taking of flour or bread, then where do we stop? We give him the right to ignore another law, and another, and finally to condole in taking of a human life. For that too is a law made to protect us. Your sheriff and I share your horror at the murder of innocence. And we stand here today to show that we are united…"Guy's voice was drowned out to the sounds of the villagers screams.

A guard had been shot by walking in the way between the Sheriff and the arrow that was meant for him. The culprit dressed in armor, which was noticed to be a soldier by the Night Watchman, made a run for it trying to escape. Robin noticed the Night Watchman escape from the bushes running after the real killer. However Robin slightly faster, grabbed the Night Watchman's ankle, dragging them down as they landed with a painful thud.

"What do you think you’re doing? You’re killing innocent people! What kind of man are you?" Robin shouted at the Night Watchman, as he ripped off his own mask to show it was Esme, who looked like she was in some real pain. She had landed on her wounded side when Robin had tackled her to the found.

"Esme?" He asked shocked as he got up from her, not able to believe that Esme is the Night Watchman.

"Yes." She hissed as she held her side before weakly getting up as pain shot through her right side. She mentally cursed herself as she picked up her bow and arrow that had fallen to the ground. Just then Much came out from the bushes panting as he looked at Esme with wide eyes completely taken by surprise.

"You’re the Night Watchman?" He asked not believing it either as Esme rolled her eyes and shoved past them with her running on after her.

"There’s no time for this. I know who’s trying to kill the sheriff. It’s Joe." She informed them as Robin frowned deeper, trying to comprehend.

"Joe Lacey?" Robin asked shocked. This definitely was the day when Robin was finding everything shocking and confusing. The three of the them ran until they spotted Joe, who had a clear vision through the bushes of the Sheriff down below.

"Joe! Put it down. Put the bow down, Joe." Robin shouted as Joe turned to see both of them and looked at them sadly before shaking his head.

"You let me do this, Robin." He pleaded as if in some trance.

"Why did you kill them, Joe?" Robin begged, wanting to know the answer of why Joe a lovely man would do such a traitorous thing. Robin grabbed another arrow and had it prepared in case he had to fire, Esme did the same thing.

"My Ruth, she worked all her life in the castle. When she lay dying, where was the sheriff? Di-did he come and visit? Did he send food? No. He sent Joderic because we hadn’t paid our taxes. He put us out, and she died like a dog on the street. And now so will he." Joe spat angrily as they just listened. He glanced back at the Sheriff who was starting to get on his horse ready to leave.

"You kill that sheriff, Prince John will send another one. And the people of that village will be tortured because the sheriff died there!" Robin shouted trying to reason with him.

"It’s just me, then. What, am I the only man in Nottingham who can say what he likes, do what he likes?" Joe asked Robin annoyed, he wanted to avenge his wife.

"Matthew! The Miller’s boy!" Robin cried out, as sadness crept over Joe's face as he knew he had stolen a young life, that had so much ahead of him.

"That was an accident. The sheriff moved." Joe defended as Esme looked hurt and drew a deep breath as Much stayed quiet watching unsure of what to do as he held his sword tightly in his hands.

"And the sheriff moved the next day when you killed three more stable boys and water women!" Robin snapped as Joe Lacey looked back to see that the Sheriff was about to leave as he gulped, rocking his weight on either foot ready, nervous but yet ready to do the crime.

"The sheriff’s leaving. Hood, let me do this terrible thing, Robin." He pleaded.

"No. Put it down. (Robin and Esme both draw their bows) Joe, put it down. I will shoot you." Robin warned as Joe quickly pulled back the string and let the arrow fly as both Robin and Esme let their arrows go, hitting Joe in the arms as he fell forwards rolling down the hill towards where he had killed the Sheriff. Laughing through his coughs he chuckled to see the dead body on the ground.

"I did it, Ruth. I shot the sheriff." He smiled with accomplishment, however the real Sheriff came over to him smirking.

"No, you shot the deputy, my look-alike." The Sheriff explained as Joe Lacey's mouth went bitter. Esme, Robin and Much made their in the bushes, hidden further down to see what was happening as the Sheriff nodded towards Gisborne. Guy walked over drawing his sword then stabbing Joe in the chest as he let out a loud scream. Esme, Robin and Much are distressed from their positions in the woods before they made their way back up the hill.

"Poor Joe. I understand his grief, but why did he kill so many?" Esme questioned as Robin shook his head.

"He didn’t." He spoke bitterly.

"Well, who did?" Esme asked as Robin kept his gaze glaring at the Sheriff.

"Let’s go." Much whispered as they kept on going. As they started running, Esme stopped Robin as he turned to her confused.

"I have to go. They will expect me at the castle. I need to get back to Nottingham before they do" I informed as he nodded.

"We will try and buy you some time" He told her as she nodded and started running at full speed. She winced with every step, her hand rested on her side as she mentally cursed Robin. The wound was bleeding through the bandages slightly, nothing serious, but just enough to stain her clothes slightly. Robin and his men stood in the forest, bows ready, to buy Esme more time.

Robin skillfully jumped into the Sheriff's carriage on the way back to Nottingham, as the Sheriff jumped in his seat slightly to see Robin here. Before he grumbled and slouched back down into his chair.

"Oh, what now, Locksley? Hmm?" He groaned.

"Oh! I will kill you. I’m going to kill you, I mean it. No, I mean it." He spoke in a high squeaky voice imitating Robin, who just glared, his hands holding the dagger behind his back, his bow and sheath of arrows rested against his back as he took in a deep breath.

"Lacey had no reason to kill stable boys and washer women, but you did. It suited you to have people think I was the killer." Robin confirmed as the Sheriff rolled his eyes at Robin. Robin gulped slightly, hoping that Esme would make it back to the castle in time.

"Well, an interesting idea. Wish I’d thought of it." The Sherif muttered sarcastically.

"You did. Admit it." Robin demanded with a clenched jaw as the Sheriff raised an eyebrow at Robin before smirking.

"How could I admit it. You swore that you would kill me if I ever did such a thing." He questioned leaning forward as Robin's face snarled at the Sheriff, realizing he might not be as stupid as he had hoped.

"I meant it." Robin reminded him as he placed the edge of his dagger against the Sheriff's neck, as he just put on a fake scared facial expression, before snickering.

"And that’s why no one will ever know." He whispered in glee knowing he had won, before catching Robin off guard, the Sheriff kicked Robin straight out of the carriage, as he landed with a thud against the road. Robin quickly got to his feet and ran towards the woods, where his men were armed and ready as a few soldiers guarding the Sheriff on their horses charged towards the edge of the forest. Like dogs, the Sheriff whistled them back as they listened to their master as they returned on their way to Nottingham.

Esme had just made her way into the castle, just before the Sheriff and Guy had arrived. She ran full speed to her room locking the door behind her panting. She hid her bow and her Night Watchman's clothes, before she stripped wincing. She noticed the small blood patch over the wound, as she quickly got changed into one of her dresses.

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

I quickly glanced down at my window to see the Sheriff and Guy in a deep conversation in the courtyard. I held my diaphragm taking deep breaths, to calm down my body, before I composed myself and left my room. I made my way down the courtyard to see a few soldiers share and odd glance at me, as I made my way to the gate. I noticed Guy leaving the stables, slipping something into the back of his belt as he paused when he saw me.

I glanced away before I continued to make my way out of the castle. I had to have him see me leave so no one would be suspicious and that he thought I had still been resting. I walked happily enjoying the fresh air as I stopped by at Nettlestone, to see that Robin and his men were still there. I smiled as Robin saw me and ran over as we walked and talked through the bushes.

"Can I ask you a question? Why do they call you the Night Watchman when you come out in the day?" He asked as I chuckled fiddling with my fingers as we walked peacefully. I stopped picking up a blue flower as I played with the delicate petals in my fingers.

"I don’t, normally. You know I can’t be seen. And I did not choose the name." I answered truthfully as he nodded as we slowly walked forward.

"Anyway, you do not need to do it anymore, day or night." He told me as if it was a command as I stopped facing him with a raised eyebrow as he stood with his hands behind his back.

"Now you’re here, you mean?" I challenged as a smile came on his face and he gave a chuckle.

"Yes." He answered still smiling as I let out an amused puff.

"My father had me taught to fight. He wanted me to have choices in the world, and I choose to help the poor. You are not about to stop me doing that." I promised as I saw that Robin was completely happy with my response, saying that I wasn't going to give up being the Night Watchman. It's part of who I am.

"But does your father know what you’re doing?" He whispered to me as if he was afraid to be overheard as I rolled my eyes. Like I would be that stupid and tell my father I rob from the rich to help the poor.

"He…thinks I enjoy embroidery." I told him looking away as Robin laughed at my excuse. We kept walking as from behind the bushes we could see Much watching us from the streets before turning his head back as if he wasn't spying on us.

"Give me a moment? I have a mill to open." Robin asked as I just nodded and stood, watching as Robin entered the town. I saw Much toss him a pouch, probably full of money, as he approaches Kate. The poor mother who had lost her son because the Sheriff moved. He and all his men stood in a straight line as I watched the weeping woman take the bag with a shaky hand.

"John!" I heard Robin call out as I saw John place his staff against a wooden fence as he flexed his fingers before he grabbed hold of the boards closing the door the mill, before kicking the final pieces of wood down. I chuckled as I heard quiet cheers emerged.

"I hereby declare this mill open for business!" Robin shouted as the village cheered. Many of them rushed to Robin to thank him as they clapped, patting him on the back and giving him hugs as Much made his way towards me as I smirked.

"He has to have the glory, doesn’t he?" I teased as Much thought about it for a moment before shaking his head chuckling slightly.

"Glory? Nah. I think he just wants to be loved." He admitted, as I patted him on the shoulder. I gave him a quick hug before he had to make his way back to the others. Once Much had let go of me and was out of distance I winced, placing my hand over my side. Robin looked back towards me as I gave him a smile, before I slowly made my way home…….