Chapter Thirteen - …The Make Up
The Sheriff inspected the outlaws in the cage. He had five in there, and another two being watched in the cells. After Nettlestone, they had been travelling back to Nottingham when they ran into the last outlaw, Much. He'd been wandering around the forest talking to himself and it hadn't taken long to take him down.
The outlaws all wore sad and sober faces which highly amused the Sheriff.
"I want them in separate cells."
"But sir there aren't enough cells, there are seven outlaws and six cells."
"I have something special planned for Hood." The Sheriff grinned evilly. "Make sure they don't talk to one another. If they talk, don't hesitate to inflict pain."
The guards that surrounded the courtyard took Will, Djaq, John and Much away and put them into separate cells.
Back in the courtyard, the Sheriff signalled for the remaining guards to knock Robin to the floor. The Sheriff grabbed his hair, and pulled his head up. A look of pain played across Robin's face for a second.
"You Hood are going on public display, over there." The Sheriff used his free hand to point at the tree where surplus prisoners are held. He let go of Robin's head, who fell forward as far as the guards would let him.
Robin didn't struggle as they chained him to the tree. The words 'I've failed' was all that occupied him, and he couldn't fight it.
"I want them hung one at a time, starting with that stupid little Noble girl. The hangings start tomorrow morning." And with that, the Sheriff walked into the castle.
Voices hushed as they walked past the infamous Robin Hood, who was tied to a tree, sporting a large bruise on his face where John had hit him. Saying he looked worse for wear was an understatement.
Allan had been sat in the cells for quite a while now, how long he didn't know though. He'd watch Daine been thrown into a cell in silence, never taking his eyes off her.
Her eyes were bloodshot, she'd been crying. And the silence had continued. He wanted to know why she was crying. Was it him that caused it? Was it being in captivity? He hated the thought of it being the first, but knew the second was unlikely. It made him hate himself and his life more than he had before.
But now the rest of the outlaws were being put into the cells, except one.
John looked solemn; this situation was bringing back memories of when he was in the cells with his son. John discretely sighed as he thought of Little Little John; he should have known the truth about who he was sooner. Rather than the dream he apparently was.
Much had a fixed stony face. He'd promised Eve he'd be back for her when all this was over, but now he was set to hang, he couldn't. It wasn't his fault, but he felt so bad about breaking his promise to the woman he loved.
Will and Djaq were the only two struggling, and they weren't even struggling that much. They tried to stay together, but they were forced apart by the guards. When Djaq had been thrown into her cell, she moved towards the bars that separated hers and Will's cells. Will did the same, and held Djaq's hands in his to show he wasn't angry at her, and to comfort her. She looked quite scared, but Will's hands holding hers instantly made some of the fear melt away.
"Where's Robin?"
A guard slapped Allan across the face, who had moved to the cell bars. "You're not allowed to talk."
Allan gave the guard a questioning look, but didn't pursue his question. Instead he looked back to Daine, who's eye's were fixed on a piece of moss growing in her cell.
The guards never left the dungeon, they stayed watching the outlaws. It was a tedious task, but the Sheriff had specially requested it. He didn't want the outlaws conferring, because then they could make a plan and escape. Though the guards didn't see what the problem was, Hood thought of the plans and he was separate from the group anyway. But they kept quiet; babysitting wasn't the worst job to be paid to do.
Marion and Sir Edward rode into Nottingham early in the morning. The previous night, Gisbourne had been to Knighton to tell them there was an important event going on in Nottingham the next morning. He wouldn't tell them what, but something about his smile unnerved Marion, and she feared the worst.
Once in Nottingham, they dismounted and led the horses through the streets. It was even quieter than it had been the day before. Too quiet.
"The Sheriff must have something big. Not many things silence the whole of Nottingham." Even just saying that felt like it was doing more than just breaking the silence that held Nottingham so tightly. It felt like it was breaking a vow or a promise.
Sir Edward didn't reply. So they walked in silence until they met up with Gisbourne just outside the castle.
"Marion." Gisbourne took her hand and kissed it. Marion resisted temptation to slap him. Instead she smiled sweetly at Gisbourne.
"Sir Guy, what is this important event that has got Nottingham so quiet?"
Gisbourne smiled at her, then opened the castle gates, which she had just noticed were shut before. "This way my Lady, you and your father will be sat by me." They looked into the courtyard, to see the scaffolds with only one noose hanging from it, gently swaying in the breeze. Then Marion's eyes fell on Robin in the corner.
A small gasp escaped her mouth, but luckily Gisbourne didn't know the real reason why she gasped.
"Impressive isn't it."
Marion could only nod. Her husband was going to be hung. Where were his men? Who would save them? Could she?
Slowly the courtyard was filled with nobles and a few peasants. Lord Merton was standing with the guards, fidgeting tremendously. Marion hoped he was feeling bad about trying to hang his sister.
Gisbourne noticed were Marion's gaze was when he led her and her father to their seats.
"I was feeling generous today; I'm letting Merton handle the guards and prisoners. I am just a spectator." Aren't you just the gentleman?
And what a day they were going to spectate. The outlaw's weapons were on a table, Marion recognised Robin's Saracen sword. The Sheriff was probably going to use them in one of his speeches. Either that or they were there to taunt Robin. Maybe both.
When everyone was settled, the Sheriff strode out of the castle doors, taking in the day in a deep breath.
"Happy smiling faces, come to see the death of Hood and his men. Well, just for your entertainment, they will be hung one a time, Hood going last." The Sheriff picked up Robin's sword and looked at it intently. Marion was tempted to scream at him for touching her husband's sword, but she thought better of it. "Bring them out."
The guards and Merton all disappeared behind a door for a few seconds, then reappeared holding outlaws. Merton had Allan, and guards had the rest. One guard went to unlock Robin, and then escorted him to the rest. There was no need for ropes until they got to the noose, so the guards and Merton had hold of their wrists.
"Our first victim, Lady Daine Merton." The Sheriff held out his arm, and the guard holding Daine shoved her forward. The Sheriff grinned evilly. "I'll be glad to see this little rodent swing. Never liked her, even when she was on the right side of the law."
Allan watched as Daine was brought up to the scaffolds. There was nothing he could, nothing any of them could do.
Lord Merton's grip on his wrists grew tighter with each step Daine took.
Slowly a tear trickled down Allan's face. He loved Daine, and only realised when it was too late. Maybe this was why she hated him now. He took to long to realise what she already knew. He felt so guilty. If only he had noticed sooner then maybe things would be different now. They could be in the forest enjoying life, rather than seeing its end.
The hood was being placed over her face. Her last look at the world. Merton's grip was now becoming unbearable. So was the gut wrenching feeling of lost love. More tears fell from Allan's eyes.
The Sheriff was reading her sentence. Outlawed, plotted against authority, etc…
She stepped onto the stool, noose around her neck.
Lord Merton's grip loosened. "Save her." He whispered. He let go completely as the stool was kicked beneath her feet.
Allan leapt forward. Nothing could stop him now.
Daine's life flashed before her eyes. She saw her third birthday, her first memory; she saw her family at a time when they were still a family. She saw Trent and she saw every moment spent with Allan. The first time they'd met, the first time they'd hugged, the time they spent in the cell, their first almost kiss. Tears almost fell as she thought that she'd never get to kiss him now. The tear fell as her last breath slipped away…
Allan grabbed a sword from a near by guard then jumped onto the scaffolds. He cut the rope and Daine fell to the ground.
Allan lifted her up, and took the hood off her face. She blinked, temporarily blinded by the light. When her eyes came into focus she saw Allan next to her, and a commotion on the ground.
Robin kicked his guard between the legs. He bent over double in pain. Robin looked down the line at the other outlaws. They soon followed suit. They grabbed their weapons from the nearby table. The Sheriff had put them there to taunt them. Well, that's backfired! Robin thought.
Marion shifted in her seat, arm loosely placed around her waist. Her father's hand caught her arm.
"Marion, I should have said this they day you told me about Gisbourne. I think it's time we were outlawed."
"I agree." She stood up, then helped her father up. He muttered something about getting their horses. Marion turned to the crowd now wriggling with movement. "Robin!" She yelled. He looked up to see her grinning. He smiled back as she ran into the crowd after grabbing a sword off a near by guard.
Gisbourne's attention was also attracted by the call. He grabbed Marion's arm as she ran past him.
"Where are you going Marion? If you help him I cannot protect you."
"I don't need your protection anymore Gisbourne. I'm joining my husband."
Marion had never referred to Sir Guy as Gisbourne to his face, and this almost distracted him enough to not hear husband.
"Husband?"
"Yes my husband. Oh and Gisbourne, does this mean anything to you?" She lifted the corner of her shirt enough to show Gisbourne a large scar on her stomach. His eyes widened as he realised why it could have been there.
"No, no that can't be. Marion tell me it isn't true."
She grinned from ear to ear. "It is Gisbourne. I am the Night watchman that eluded you so many times."
And with that she ran to join Robin. Gisbourne stood there useless. He'd almost killed the woman he loved, and now she was telling him she was married to none other than his enemy.
Confusion pulsed its way through Daine's mind. "What?" She started then saw the executioner coming up to them. "Allan look out!" She screamed. He turned around and knocked the executioner off the platform. He then turned back to Daine, grabbed her arm then led her away from the square.
They were running towards the gates, the rest of the group, Marion and her father included, were not far behind. They didn't stop until they were safe, and back in the forest.
Allan untied Daine's hands when they did stop. Immediately she turned round and threw herself in his arms. The rest of the group slipped away, leaving the two alone.
"Thank you." Daine pulled her head away from Allan's chest, tears flowing down her face. Her neck was still red from the rope that had been around it and it looked incredibly sore. But she smiled regardless.
"S'all right." Allan said, showing Daine his cheeky smile. "You'll have to thank your brother too."
"I know." She turned her head away for moment, looking towards the ground. Then she turned her head back and kissed Allan. Emotion surged through the two and it felt like an eternity that they were together.
Finally together. No past grudges in the way, no one there to interrupt. Together.
All past feelings of hatred towards Allan disappeared as he ran his hands through her hair. Daine's stomach was bursting all sorts of feelings, like love, hope, happiness and of course butterflies; as Allan pulled her closer to him. She placed her arms on Allan's shoulders, and curled them round his neck.
Allan had never felt so alive before. He'd kissed other women, but they'd never felt like this. They never made him want to fly and never come down. Part of him didn't want it to end.
When they did finish, they looked into each others eyes before Daine looked away, feeling rather ashamed.
"I'm sorry for being a bit of a…" Allan put his finger to her mouth, to stop her talking. Explanations and apologies could come later; right now all that mattered was that they were safe from the Sheriff and that they had each other.
"S'all right." He smiled a smile which he'd never smiled before, which she returned. Should I say it? "I love you Daine." Butterflies exploded in his stomach as he said this, making him feel sick but high at the same time.
Her eyes widened in shock, but then she realised that she was being stupid. "I love you too, Allan A Dale." She grinned at him before he picked her up and spun her round. Her cloak wafted out, rippling in the wind. The greenery blurred into dark green and black smudges, like Allan and Daine's happiness blurring together.
When they'd stopped spinning, they kissed again; letting the love they so strongly felt flow.
The Sheriff angrily screamed at everyone in the courtyard. Gisbourne was in too much of a comatose state to even hear the Sheriff. Lord Merton felt both panicked and proud. He felt proud because he saved his sister's life, but he felt panicked because he saved his sisters life. If the Sheriff found out he would surely hang. But maybe Daine would save his life in return.
Maggie was going to give him a thick ear tonight, for almost letting Daine get hung. He silently slipped home; the Sheriff didn't notice at all, he was far too enraged.
Maybe I should change sides. Lord Merton thought. Then he had a better idea. I can be on both sides…
"I'll see you soon father I promise." Marion waved to her father, as did the rest of the group that were still there.
Edward nodded to them before riding off into the greenery.
They stayed in silence, before Marion asked, "Robin can I talk to you in private a moment?"
He nodded, then took her hand and led her away from the group. They walked quite far away from the group. Before they spoke a word, Robin kissed Marion.
A little way away, Allan and Daine walked back to camp hand in hand. When they heard voices, they stopped to see who it was. Through a gap in the greenery they could see Robin and Marion, who had stopped kissing by now, and she was telling him about her run in with Gisbourne.
Robin laughed a little. "Well, hopefully they won't be happening anymore." Marion shared the smile. "Where is your father staying?"
"He's gone to Scarborough. He has friends there; apparently he's been planning this for a while. Which is believable, he has been locking himself in his study for the last two weeks."
"Why didn't you go? It would be safer."
"Robin I'm a big girl, I can look after myself. And besides I wanted to be with my husband. I also have something to tell you…"
Daine and Allan looked at each other after hearing Marion's next words.
"That is so sweet."
"I'm not being funny but she doesn't look it."
"Well, she's not going to yet! Now be quiet."
They turned their attention back to Robin and Marion.
Robin spoke again. "Surely that would be a reason for you to stay at home instead of outlawing yourselves."
"If I'd have stayed home, Gisbourne would have gotten suspicious as we have never..."
"I should hope so!" They laughed, and started kissing again.
"Ooo, don't want to see that!" Daine jokingly shielded her eyes. "Let's get back to camp."
Allan agreed, then the two returned back to camp, still hand in hand, broad grins on their faces.
Much instantly rose up this. Things are back to normal, Will thought.
"Why are you two so smiley? No wait, I think I already know. You've been kissing in the woods."
"No!" Daine said defensively, then she relaxed her face, looked at Allan and shrugged. "Well, yeah, but we've heard the best news."
"Oh really what's that?" Much said dryly.
Allan took the liberty of answering.
"Get this, Marion's pregnant."
Ib-eley, ib-eley, that's all folks! For now anyway! Look out for Series two! Feedback, as ever, is love!