- Chapter 90 -

"ROBIN! STOP!" I shouted struggling to run after them without tripping down the steep hill as Guy got to his feet first and kicked Robin whilst he was trying to get up.

"GUY NO!" My cries fell on deaf ears and I only wished that the gang would hear as Robin threw a harsh punch across Guy's jaw before he grabbed his shoulders, punched him in the stomach, and then threw him to the ground. He stalked towards Guy, his temper fully in control and I knew he would kill him. Swiftly kicking the back of his knees he stumbled forward only to turn and glare at me before he turned his attention back to Guy.

Growling I leapt onto Robin's back and locked my arm around his head and neck which made him choke for a brief moment before he managed to flip me over his shoulders and threw me to the side. Hissing to my head connecting to a sharp rock I glanced up to see Robin charging at Guy recklessly. Guy easily catches him, kicks him in the stomach, punches him in the jaw, and then grabs him around the neck, standing behind him. Robin reaches back and flips Gisborne over, almost losing his balance himself.

"Robin stop!" I cried out once more as I got to my knees watching them as Robin shook his head as he held tightly to Guy's shirt.

"I'll stop when he begs for your forgiveness." He spat as he threw him to the ground and went to place his hands around Guy's neck as I crawled over and placed my hands over his wrists pulling them away from Guy as he coughed and rubbed his throat.

"I should be asking for forgiveness Robin, not him!" I shouted as he glared at me and pulled me harshly to my feet leaving Guy on the floor.

"He nearly killed you!" He growled in my ear as I winced to the pressure he was squeezing on my forearm.

"I can never ask her to forgive me if I can't forgive myself." Guy spoke as it grew silent between the three of us as Robin let me go causing me to stumble and fall onto my back.

"What?" Robin questioned him stunned as they both stood face to face. Robin's fists holding Guy's coat and staring at each other when I noticed the gang arrive at the top of the rise. It wasn't long before Tuck, Little John and Kate charge down. I noticed that Much aims and shoots an arrow at Gisborne as I quickly leapt up to me my feet and pushed him out of the way. I twisted my body out of the arrows path but hissed as it scraped the skin on my forearm.

"Esme!" Much cried out guiltily as I rubbed my forearm and noticed a slight trail of blood, the wound was barely a scratch but that didn't matter.

"Get off me!" Guy snapped as I saw that Little John holds the butt of his staff on Gisborne's chest whilst Kate stands behind his head with her sword pointed down at his face. Much came to help me to my feet as he fussed over my arm whilst I held my head and noticed blood was trickling down the side of my cheek, though I paid no attention.

"No!" Robin and I cried out causing the entire gang to stop in slight shock as they stared at Robin is disbelief.

"He's one of us." Robin informed them as he shoved them away from Guy. I took this as a moment to kneel beside him and help him to his feet as his eyes fixed on the blood on the side of my face.

"What?!" John hissed out as I watched Tuck look at Gisborne, who was stroking my cheek and applying slight pressure to my head causing me to wince.

"I said! ... he's one of us." Robin repeated whilst Allan and Much exchange puzzled looks, Little John's eyes widened whilst Kate stares at Robin incredulously, then yells her loudest in frustration and stabs the sword into the ground. They were all furious and cautious as I took this as a chance to step in front of him slightly as I let my hands brush over his face to see a few bruises along his jaw beginning to form.

"Esme you should let me look at that" Tuck offered pointing towards my head but I shook my head.

"I'm fine, just a little scratch" I responded, Guy behind me scoffed and was about to comment before I slammed my heel into his foot causing him to groan and glare down at me. We went in silence over the hill towards the camp as I allowed Tuck to shove me into a chair beside the fire and remove my cloak to bandage up the scratch on my arm and help stop the bleeding from my skull.

Little John stands impatiently in the entrance, leaning a hand on a post on either side, tapping his fingers.

"So that's where you been then. With him!" He furiously demanded as I glanced over at Robin who sits somewhat patiently on a stump, his arm draped over the rope ladder, dazed from lack of sleep and overwhelmed by his recent experience, knowing this is difficult for his friends. Tuck and Kate stand in front of the bunks, listening.

"I've been with my father... John." He answered stiffly as I notice the tension in the air freeze as Tuck paused the bandaged pressure on my head. Snapping out of it he dabbed the side of my head, which was still tender and noticed the bleeding had stopped. Much shifts his feet, standing in the middle whilst Allan is leaning on the wall behind him.

"I thought your father was dead." Much questioned quietly confused.

"So did I." Robin whispered as Little John shook his head and slammed his fist against one of the trees beside him.

"He's not one of us, Robin and he never will be!" He glared as I watched Guy slowly walking up behind Little John with his arms crossed over his chest rolling his eyes. When he caught my stare he stopped and looked down at the ground, shifting on his feet as I sighed shaking my head.

"Guy has chosen to join us in our struggle, John." I spoke as he looked over at me, his sharpened angered features softening slightly before he glance back at Robin and hardened his glare.

"You can't trust him!" Little John spat out as the three of us smirked slyly.

"He killed the Sheriff." I added as I watched Little John pause to considers this, still not convinced.

"And we're almost family, aren't we, Robin? We share a brother." Guy added causing everyone to go wide eyed as Little John looks back at Gisborne.

"What? A brother? Both of you?" Much scoffs as he and Allan looks back and forth between Guy and Robin, trying to determine if they're joking. When he noticed their honest faces he turned to me as I raised an eyebrow with a swift nod to confirm it.

"My father... his mother. Our brother is in jail in York... awaiting execution. And I promised my dying father... face turns intense... and I intend to honour it. Me and Gisborne will go to York and bring him back. If it were any of you, you know I'd do the same." Robin spoke as he sat up straight to relay the news to the group. Much takes a step towards Robin whilst Little John's head snaps to look at Robin.

"And who'll bring my brother back to me, Robin? There was no-one to stop his execution." Kate sulked as I rubbed the side of my face. This was getting us nowhere. I looked up quickly to see Guy striding forward towards Kate with a small snarl on his face.

"Look, like it or not, we share a common goal, to destroy Isabella. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You don't have to like me. I don't like you. But you need me." Guy impatiently told her as well as the rest of the group in a rough tone which I honestly thought was extremely sexy, though I doubt Robin would agree. John must have thought it was threatening as he took a step towards him from behind but I shook my head in his direction causing him too back off.

"We don't need you!"

"Look, if he can help rid us of Is-"

"He's pure evil! Robin!" Everyone started to bicker and shout over the top of each other as I rose to my feet swiftly at the accusation against him, causing Kate to gulp and sulk back into her bunk. I loved Guy and I refused to allow anyone to call him evil!

"Do you still believe good conquers evil? You need me to defeat Isabella and to do that we need our brother in York." Guy snorted towards Kate at her childish infatuations.

"Who is this brother, Robin?" Tuck asked calmly as I gave him a small smile as he place a hand on my shoulder for comfort.

"His name is Archer. We've never met. All I know is he's travelled far and wide and has a knowledge of exotic weapons he's brought back from the East." Robin informed them as I bit my lower lip. Something just didn't settle with me slightly about their brother, I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Isabella's forces are far greater than ours. Archer's weapons will make us stronger." Guy informed them as I could see that this information was working it's way through their brains as they slowly began to nod to the plan.

"We all go." Much demanded as Robin shook his head.

"And who will protect the people from Isabella?" Robin laughed slightly.

"Well, who's going to protect you?" Much demanded as I saw Guy straighten his back and glare at Much as he realized what he was implying.

"I will" I casually spoke as I picked at my nails. I raised an eyebrow lifting my head slowly as both Robin and Guy stared at me.

"NO!" They both shouted in agreement as I let out a huffed breath. I was sick and tired of these two trying to lock me away in a box for protection!

"NOT ANOTHER WORD FROM EITHER OF YOU! I'm sick of you two behaving like children!" I shouted at them as I leapt to my feet and clenched my fists together as I saw the guilty looks fill their faces as they looked away from me.

"I would feel better if Esme went with you; you both at least listen to her." Much honestly added as the group nodded and voted in agrees much to Guy and Robin's disapproval.

"No-one is going to recognize me and Gisborne in York. I'll be back soon." Robin promised as Kate took him away for a small farewell as I gathered my things. Little John sat down roughly on his bunk unhappy as he constantly kept glaring over at Guy. I noticed Kate stretched up to kiss him as Robin strokes her cheek with his thumb. I saw Guy watching me softly before turning away when I caught his gaze.

"John" I whisper as I come towards him, causing him to lift his head towards me with a soft smile and moving over so I could sit beside him.

"He's a murderer! How can Robin even trust him!" He spat quietly beside me as I hung my head feeling my heartbreak a bit at John's words.

"What about me John?" I whisper so quietly that he frowns at me not understanding what I am trying to say.

"Can you trust me? A woman who loves a murderer and hopes to marry one?" I ask weakly as he glanced down at my hand staring at my betrothal ring. I could tell he was embarrassed so I quickly rose from sitting beside him and followed Guy and Robin towards our two horses. Robin had deliberately left his recurve bow behind, knowing it will identify him immediately.

Robin rose on his brown horse and Guy mounted my black one that he had given to me as a gift long ago. He seemed to recognize the beast as he smiled softly before he held his hand out for me. I couldn't stop myself from smiling as he pulled me up to sit behind him, my arms wrapped tightly, a little tighter than necessary around his waist, feeling his muscles under my fingers. Resting my cheek on the back of his shoulder I felt my face flush knowing I couldn't finally enjoy being back in his loving embrace.......