Epilogue

Deep through the forests of Sherwood, Sir Guy of Gisborne rode his horse warily along a muddy road. He sat straight-backed his gaze sweeping from side to side searching the walls of trees for any shadow, any movement. All his senses were on alert for any sign of those who'd dare try to take the precious cargo of tax money travelling behind him.

He never even saw the log that swung out of the tree and knocked him off his horse.

All he felt was the sudden impact against his shoulder, the vertigo as he slid from the saddle and smack of his body landing face first in a large puddle of mud. He lay there momentarily dazed. Behind him, he could dimly hear cries of confusion and the sounds of struggling, but it wasn't until he felt the tug on his belt as his money pouch left him that he looked up. Mud caked his face and dripped from his black hair, but between the dirt he made out a sight that made his eyes grow wide.

"Hey, Giz. Long time no see."

Allan A Dale stood in front of him, a grin on his face as he shook Guy's recently confiscated money. "Thanks for the contribution."

Gisborne's surprise turned to anger. He growled, but mud got into his mouth making him choke.

"You really shouldn't eat that stuff, Guy. You don't know where it's been."

"Time to go!" came Robin's shout from the distance.

"See you, Giz," cried Allan giving the man one last smirk before he disappeared into the forest.

While Gisborne cursed Allan's name and struggled to extricate himself from the mud, the outlaws dashed and dodged though the trees heading back to their camp. Allan and Will ran side by side exchanging grins.

"Nice shot," said Will.

"Well, I couldn't let such a good pile of mud go to waste, could I?" replied Allan.

As they slowed down, Allan began to limp slightly on his bad leg. It seemed the limp along with a dark scar would be permanent reminders of what he'd been through. But Allan didn't care.

He was home.