Its been a week...yeah...a week...since i've written now this chap is really really really long took me friday and all of saturday to write...because i wanted this last chapter to be my version of how the last episode shoudl be...so archer isnt in it...srry...and guy and robin...well you'll see...so this is the last chap...as youll see why...thank you to magpie287, and Liisa...your vid "ghost" was what i listened to when i wrote this and "illuisons of the sunlight"--did you see that robin video?? itwas good...anyway here it is...for you...enjoy

Disclamier: I know not what others may think but as for me....give me robin or give me allan!---a little different from nathan hale's version but shows that i own neither robin nor allan nor robin hood bbc...sigh

Chapter Six: Now and Forever

It was difficult, more than difficult, for the hero to continue onwards. Now that he knew, for sure, that there was someone watching his every move…

And that someone was not his to hold, or touch, or even see…

Robin kicked at the earth. It was maddening. It was all too maddening for one man to burden himself with. But, he looked up at the patches of sky which the leaves on the trees could not block out. He smiled at the eternity beyond his reach. He smiled at the girl he knew was there but could not see.

The hero closed his eyes as he sat near his camp. He was trying to reach his center of calm, of total peace.

Of course, he was rudely interrupted by a light little cough.

Robin's eyes flashed wide up as he looked up to see Kate.

"Hello," she said.

"Kate," said Robin abruptly standing up and facing her. "What do you want?"

Kate shrugged and blushed. "You've been distant lately. What has gotten into you?"

Now Robin knew, knew without a doubt, that Kate had seen Marian. He could, if he wanted to, tell her that he had seen Marian and it was for Marian that he was ending his relationship with her, Kate. But he also knew, knew without a lot of doubt, that there had been a reason why Marian had caused the rain.

Both Kate and Robin had wronged the poor ghost.

The difference was that Robin had regretted his actions immediately after he saw his wife appear to him after all those months.

Kate, when she had seen Marian, had not regretted what she did to hurt the dead.

To hurt Marian.

To hurt his Marian.

So Robin was not going to be kind to Kate. At least, no more than necessary. She was still part of the gang. She was still a fighter of justice and freedom for Nottingham. But, that was the extent of their relationship.

"What's gotten into me?" he asked her.

She nodded.

Robin scoffed. "What about you?"

"Me?" Kate pointed to herself.

"Yes," said Robin, "you have been acting strange lately."

"That!" Kate began loudly causing many stares from the surrounding outlaws. "That," she began more quietly, "is because you stopped in the middle of…and then you just…you left!" Kate flung her hands up in the air. "You left and when you came back to camp, you changed."

Robin nodded. "It is over Kate, we are over. I am…"

He could have finished that sentence…he could feel the change in his bones. There was something in the very air that day. A change that would come and alter his life forever.

Suddenly the trees began to shudder as John came running through the forest out of breath to face his friends.

Tuck put his arm around the giant. "What is it John?"

John took a deep breath. "Isabella…she…she…making important announcement in Nottingham. We need to hurry."

Much shrugged. "She makes announcements all the time. Why is this any different?"

John rolled his eyes. "Much, this is different. There is talk, talk that she is going to make a deceleration to Nottingham about one of us."

"Us?" Allan scoffed.

Robin shook his head.

"I still don't get it," said Much. "Why is that different?"

Robin looked at John. "If there is talk, significant talk, then I for one would like to know what sheriff Isabella has to say about us."

John smiled. "We go to Nottingham."

The outlaws set off for Nottingham. Robin tried to walk away from Kate. He did not want to look her in the face, much less walk by her side. The thought of even touching her sickened him. Robin decided that there was one outlaw in particular that he needed to have a discussion with.

It was high time that he and Much spoke about Marian.

Robin casually let his feet inconspicuously glide him to walk beside Much.

"Much," said Robin.

Much nodded back to Robin.

"I saw her," said Robin getting to the point of his conversation.

Much's eyes widened. "Oh, so we're going to talk about that?"

Robin nodded. "Yes Much, we are."

Much bit his lip. "Can't we discuss the day?"

Robin shook his head. "You did not tell me that she was here, you said nothing."

"She did not want you to know," said Much. "She specifically told me I was forbidden from revealing her secret."

"Much, she is my wife."

And Much broke out into a smile at Robin's words though Robin was quite cross with his friend. Much's happiness was due to the tense Robin chose to use.

"You said is instead of was," said Much grinning.

Robin scratched his head. "I know."

"I take it you did more than see her then?" Much asked curiously.

Robin nodded. "She still loves me, she is still here, her soul, watching over me, over all of us."

"Did you ever think that she would stop loving you?" Much asked.

Robin shrugged. "Marian saw me with Isabella and Kate, Much. She commanded rain to pour, she scared off Isabella, she haunted Kate…I was not sure that she would readily forgive me."

Much laughed. "Now you see why I feared telling you?"

"I suppose," said Robin, "but I wish I had known earlier, so I could have prevented her jealously or…"

Much shook his head. "Master, if you had not done what you did, then she would not have had cause to come down here, if you remained in grief than that is how you would have died. You are healthier for moving on, and healthier for seeing her again. Knowing…"

Robin almost stopped his in his tracks at Much's words. "Are you my physician now?"

Much shook his head. "I am your friend Robin." His voice was serious.

Robin nodded solemnly. "Thank you."

The outlaws continued their walk and all put their hoods up when they reached Nottingham. All the villagers were gathered together around the entrance to the castle. Outside, in all her majestic radiance stood Isabella.

Robin was shocked how much she had changed since he had kissed her, and held her fingers in his own. Her hair, which had resembled his wife's, was now restrictedly drawn up into a bun at the top of her head.

Her clothes, which, though beautiful had always been simple, were now anything but that. Jewels and furs covered the flowing purple gown, and she had no shame in the rings, earrings, and necklaces she wore that could have blocked out the sun.

"People," she called in a beckoning voice. "My dear people…"

"I've heard that before," whispered Allan to Robin remembering how Vasey would begin his speeches in a similar way.

"I agree," whispered a voice that sounded very familiar and sent chills down John's spine.

Robin turned his head to the source of the voice and saw a tall man in black with a cloak over his eyes. He looked like a villager from his clothes, but Robin knew that voice anywhere.

"Gisborne?" Robin whispered.

Guy nodded.

The gang held their gasps as Isabella cleared her throat to begin her speech again.

"It has come to my attention that Robin Hood, again, is up to his old tricks again. As you know there is a reward on his head greater than any gold you will see in your lifetimes. This reward is meant for the capture of any of his outlaw band, well," at this Isabella smiled, "all except one. Allan-a-dale. I pardon him from the death that the other outlaws shall have. If you see him, you may think of him as one of your own, he is not to be harmed."

Simultaneously all heads turned to face Allan. Even Guy raised a brow at his sister's speech. What was she up to? What was she doing now?

Allan gulped. Drops of sweat began to pour down his face. "Robin I—"

Robin shook his head. "Not now, we will talk about this back at camp. Now, everyone disappear."

Everyone pulled their cloaks down a little more over their faces and walked as one group out of Nottingham and into Sherwood. They did not notice that Guy was lurking close behind them.

Guy had been going through a journey of self-discovery. Ever since Marian's death he felt like one of the damned souls. No amount of prayer or repentance could cure his poisoned deeds. And if that was not enough…because he had to have more punishment inflicted…she had been killed. Meg, the woman who he had opened himself up to. The woman who had looked so much like her, her beautiful chestnut hair still shone in his eyes.

Yes she had looked like Marian, yes she had smiled like Marian would smile, and shine with Marian's radiance. But she was also more than Marian, because Meg had liked Guy. Meg had seen the pieces of goodness in Guy that Marian only could imagine existed.

It was for Meg that Guy now let himself be a vulnerable prey to the outlaws. He wanted, more than anything, to destroy the cruelty his sister had created. He wanted redemption for the souls who he sent to heaven, for the souls he could not save. He wanted…

Guy was not even truly sure of what he really wanted.

Robin walked back to the camp in silence. He needed, more than anything, to think. But everything was moving too quickly before his eyes. He could not make sense of truth or lies. Robin chanced a glance up at the sky hoping for some obvious answer. Perhaps there could be third chances…?

Robin scoffed at his actions.

No.

His gift was for that one moment, you don't get repeats of miracles.

When they reached camp they all took off their cloaks and stared at Allan.

"So," said Robin, "where were we?"

Guy watched this conversation from behind the trees. He was too afraid to go out and truly join in with the gang. He was not sure that they would accept him. If he could not accept himself, who else would?

Meg did.

And Guy let a smile cross his lips. It could be possible for goodness to shine in a soul that had previously succumbed to darkness. It could be possible for beauty to alight in the eyes of the otherwise blind and enraged. It could be…

Guy coughed.

Allan whispered a quiet thanks to whomever it was that saved him from his eventual interrogation by the gang.

Guy stepped out of the shadows.

"What are you doing here?" asked Robin irritated.

"Sent to spy on us by your sister?" asked Kate taking out her sword and preparing for battle.

Guy scoffed. "If I was sent to spy on you, don't you think I'd be a little more discreet?"

John nodded. That seemed reasonable to him.

"What are you doing here?" asked Tuck.

Guy walked up to Robin. "I want to help you, all of you."

Robin began to reply and make some cruel remark, but then he remembered something. He remembered the words an angel had once spoken to him. That felt so long ago…

While Robin mentally processed his angel's words, the rest of the gang went into an uproar.

"Help us?" Much cracked a smile at the very idea of it.

"Think we need any help from you?" asked Allan trying desperately to be one of the gang again.

"You don't get to speak," said Tuck sternly.

"Who made you in charge?" asked John angrily.

Guy was beginning to regret this decision.

"Shut up!" yelled Robin.

And the entire gang went silent.

What had she said?

You want me to save Guy? The man who murdered you?

Marian had smiled. "I think you will find that you both have common ground to stand on and fight on together."

Find common ground? Find common ground to stand on with him?

That was impossible…or was it?

Now that Robin had seen such things that scriptures spoke of, and children believed in, was this so unthinkable?

"We should let him speak," said Robin. "What are you doing here Guy?"

"I want to join your gang, not permanently, but temporarily."

Much raised a brow. "Temporarily?"

Guy smiled mockingly at him. "I have no love for my sister, as you all know. I want to see her destroyed, all of her kind in Nottingham castle, destroyed."

Robin could see the anger he was trying to push away, push to the bottom of his mind so he could speak this without emotion. There was something biting away at him, and it was not due to Marian. It was something else…

"Gisborne," said Robin, "can I speak with you privately for a moment?"

The two men began to walk together into the forest when Robin turned around and looked at his men. At the moment they were giving him perplexed looks to see if he was mentally sound. Then Robin looked at Allan.

"Don't do anything to him," he said to the gang, "until we come back."

Then the men walked off into the forest for a private conversation.

"Your men are tired," said Guy once they were alone. "I can see it on their faces."

Robin crossed his arms. "Was that what you came all the way here to tell me? I know my men are tired Gisborne. I know that they are hungry for justice, for this insufferable emptiness to come to an end. Why are you really here?"

"You want the truth?"

Robin nodded.

Guy did not want to tell him. "Can't you just accept my help? My knowledge of the castle and skill as a fighter?"

"As soon as you tell me why you are here, then I will accept you."

"Why should I tell you?"

Robin shrugged. "I will tell you my secret, if you tell me yours."

Guy laughed. "What are we—gossiping women?"

"You tell me," said Robin.

Guy sighed. "Fine, what is your secret?"

"I saw Marian."

At those words Guy's eyes widened. "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"I'm not lying to you. Why would I lie Gisborne?"

Guy shook his head. "I don't believe it. She came here? She spoke to you?"

"It is a long story," said Robin. "But she spoke of you, she said that she completely forgives you, for everything."

It was sort of a lie, but Robin wanted to hear Guy's true reason for joining the gang. And he was about to get exactly what he wanted.

Guy let a smile cross his lips again. "I suppose now, I do believe. Thank you…Hood. The reason why I want to help you, is because…do you remember my almost execution?"

Robin nodded. "Saved you there didn't I Giz?"

Guy chuckled. "Yeah, but anyway, there was a girl there too, awaiting to die. I think you remember that too. We became friends while in jail, and she…she…brought out goodness in me I thought had died long ago. I suppose, in some way, I had an angel visit me too."

Robin smiled. "Yeah, I think you did."

Guy's smile turned to a bitter anger. "And they killed her…they…just…the wound was too deep and I…she wanted me to kiss her, right before she died."

Robin gave Guy a sympathetic look. "I am sorry Guy."

Guy nodded. "I know. Thank you."

The two men, had, indeed found a common ground on which to stand. They had left the camp as enemies consumed with thoughts of past hatred, and revenge. But they now returned as friends, brothers, men who could tear through bitter feelings and find a tangible bound.

And, though both men were filled with renewable energy and the promise of future happiness…Robin was crushed when he met Allan's eyes and remembered all the events of the day. But his mind did not stop there. He imagined all the past deeds Allan had committed against them. All the cruelties that passed between them.

You're always in the sun Robin, and I'm always in the shade.

You get the glory, you get the girl, everyone loves you…

Robin shook his head. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Allan gave an honest shrug. "I'm just as confused as the lot of you. I haven't a clue why she said that. Trust me Robin, I've changed. I've made myself anew, you've all seen that haven't you?" He gave his friends, his gang, his brothers, a pleading look for help.

And they looked back at the suspicious man. Though Tuck and Kate only heard of Allan's treacherous past, John and Much had lived through it. They could recall the fear of the unknown spy, the hatred of the truth, and the resentment of the traitor. John was not surprised that Allan could do this again.

"Traitor," he whispered with contempt.

But Much bit his lip. With all that he had seen, with all that he knew now, why not believe his friend? Why not believe in what he wanted and not what was right?

Damn the consequences.

"I believe you," said Much avoiding the evil eyes of his disapproving friends.

"Thanks," said Allan, though glad beyond all measure that Much trusted him, was only worried about the angry eyes of one Robin Hood.

"Traitor," yelled Kate.

"How could you?" Tuck shook his head. "How could you?"

Allan almost laughed at these remarks. "None of you believe me."

Much was about to remind Allan that there was someone on his side, but he understood Allan's feelings. He really did. He knew that if there was something he had done, or not done, there was only one opinion that would really matter to him. Robin's.

Robin could not deal with this.

He turned to Gisborne. "Do you have any suggestions for getting into the castle?"

Guy jolted back to reality, back to a conversation that he could participate in without feeling like he didn't belong. He too believed Allan's words to be truth. But Guy's opinion didn't count for much among this lot.

"There is a secret passage into the castle," said Guy. "If we enter the castle by that direction, the dead of night then…"

Tuck shook his head. "There are not enough of us."

"What are you talking about?" asked Guy.

"We will need…" Then Tuck stopped talking and looked at Allan. He then looked at the rest of the gang. "Can we talk about this somewhere else?"

"Oh come off it!" pleaded Much angrily. "He is one of us, one of the lads, just as much as you are Kate, though you're not a lad!" At this he pointed to Kate accusingly. "Or as much as you are Gisborne." He shot a glance at the intruder now new member of the gang.

"Much," whispered Allan, "let it alone. They do not believe me, I will not follow you."

"You will not," said Kate angrily. She suddenly dashed into the camp and began rummaging for something frantically. She came back with a long rope in her hands. There was determination written on her face. She looked so stern, so angry, at the betrayal of her friend, at Robin's departure, at the ghost who seemed to ruin everything.

"Is that what I think it is?" asked Allan suspiciously.

"Kate," said Robin in a warning voice, "what are you doing?"

"Tying him up," said Kate. "That way we'll be sure he will not listen in on our plan and report back to Isabella." She said the name with so much vile that it seemed that poison wrapped its lethal self around every syllable.

Before Robin could reply Kate backed up Allan to a tree. Allan let Kate do as she liked. There was no use fighting against her. He loved her, he loved all of them. If this was what they wanted…if this was what they needed to feel better, to defeat Isabella, then he was not about to stop them.

When the bonds were tight enough for Kate's pleasure and had been checked by Tuck, criticized by Much, and ignored by John everyone left Allan to work out the plan. As Guy explained his plan and the complexities of it, and the intricacies as well, all that Robin could think of was his poor brother tied up to a tree.

What if something happened to him? What if they just left him there, the entire day, tied to that infernal tree? Was that any way to treat someone? And then Robin recalled something else that the love of his life had told him. There was someone who needed saving.

Allan.

Robin looked up to the sky and then back at his men. He stood up and ran off ignoring their cries and concerns. They would follow him, or they would not. He did not care. At the moment Allan took up all of Robin's worry and concern. He hoped that he was not too late. For what he did not know, but he knew that something would happen. And he would be there…he had to be.

When he reached the clearing where they had tied up Allan he found his friend trying desperately to untie himself.

"Need help with that?" he asked his wronged friend.

"You're here," said Allan trying and failing, to hide his immense thankfulness at Robin's appearance.

Robin nodded.

"I thought…" Allan shook his head. "I thought you would abandon me."

"I realized that I owe you my life a dozen times over, and more than that Allan," said Robin untying his friend from bondage, "you are my friend, my brother, I could not leave you like this."

"Thank you," said Allan.

Suddenly an arrow whisked past the friends and hit the side of the tree where Allan's shoulder would have been.

Without a word the two friends ran off quickly into the opposite direction as a shower of arrows flew by them and raced them out of the forest. But the speed of the arrows could never match the speed of an outlaw in mad pursuit. In an enraged pursuit to live and to run. The two friends were safely out of the range of the arrows.

"We need to see," said Robin panting and out of breath, "who…why…"

Allan nodded. He climbed up the nearest tree and peered in the directions the arrows had come from. His eyes widened as he saw the colors of a flag he recognized well. His stomach turned as he saw the insignia of a name he had hoped was dead. He shivered at the horses he had spent hours grooming in his days as Gisborne's dog's body.

"Robin," said Allan hoarsely. "I think, and I hope I am wrong, but I think I know who shot at us."

"Who?"

"The sheriff."

"Isabella?" asked Robin.

Allan shook his head. "The other one, the dead one. Vasey."

"God help us," whispered Robin as Allan climbed down the tree. "We need to find the gang. They might be in danger."

"Where are they? They can't still be looking for you."

Robin shrugged. "Probably at the entrance to the…no wait…I don't think so."

Robin led Allan to Locksley Manor where Kate, Tuck, Much, and John, and Guy, were all cloaked and walking somewhat discreetly into the homes around Locksley.

"What are they doing?" Allan whispered to Robin as they watched from behind a group of bushes at the gang's odd actions.

Robin smiled. "The part of Tuck's plan you missed Allan—they're making an army."

"An army?" Allan repeated dumbly.

"A distraction really, at night, we all enter the secret passage way into the castle. The villagers who volunteer, and us, obviously. The villagers will be carrying any weapons they have, and also a bit of Greek fire."

"Greek fire!"

"Sh!" whispered Robin. "Tuck, unbeknownst to all of us, has been making a substantial amount for some months. He is giving a bit to each villager. They are to put their bit of black powder in a small box which they will also bring into the castle. In the dead of night the villagers will place their bits of greek fire throughout the castle."

"And if they run into guards?"

"That's what the weapons are for," explained Robin.

"But," said Allan, "that still might not be enough to…let me guess…destroy Nottingham castle?"

Robin nodded. "Tuck is coming in last and rolling large barrels of the fire into the castle."

Allan chuckled. "Brilliant. But now we need to include the sheriff on the death list as well."

"Right," said Robin stepping out of the forest and into his beloved Locksley. "Follow me."

The two pulled their hoods up over their faces and walked up to the gang and a new recruit. John was explaining the plan, Tuck was handing him a bit of black powder. "You understand?" asked John. The villager nodded, proud to serve under Robin Hood. Meanwhile, Kate and Much were comforting the recruit's wife. Guy was standing away from the rest of them observing and watching…

"Don't worry Mary," said Much soothingly. "You'll see him again soon."

Mary nodded and wiped away a tear.

Her eyes widened when she saw Robin. Soon the gang too gasped at the return of their master and the supposed traitor.

"Vasey is back," said Robin, "probably in league with Isabella, and plotting our demise. If this plan works, we do not have the night."

"But," said Tuck, "the night is the only advantage we have."

Guy stepped into the conversation. "I agree with Robin. Isabella is one thing, but if she is with the sheriff, and he has survived, then, I do not like to think what will happen to these poor peasants or to all of Nottingham. If they are both in the castle now, then we must act now!"

"Well said," said Much.

So the outlaws doubled their efforts to spread the word and the black powder. Even Guy helped by thrusting the black powder into the terrified, yet excited palms of the peasants he once hated.

"Can't you give them a smile?" asked Much who had taken it upon himself to teach Guy how to be a proper outlaw.

Guy tried to give this particular villager an incredibly large smile. It nearly terrified the poor blacksmith to death.

"On second thought," said Much as they went to the next house, "forget what I said. Please, go back to the angst glare we all know and love."

It was midday by the time they finished and all the villagers knew of the new plan. Robin beckoned for them all to follow him. The new plan was that Guy would enter first, as he knew where to go. Once the coast was clear he would signal Robin, Kate, Much, and Allan to follow so they could create a wall to protect the multitude of villagers who would follow next. After the villagers came John, protecting Tuck and the large barrel of black powder.

Everyone made his or her way to the secret passageway into the castle and each did his part upon entrance. When everyone, including the barrel was safely into the castle Robin gave the instructions.

"This group of villagers," he extended his hand to the clump of villagers, "goes with Kate and Allan around the castle to put your black powder where you see fit. They'll protect you as best they can. And you," he extended his hand to another group of villagers, "you go with Much and John and Tuck to scatter your greek fire. I'm counting on all of you."

"What are you going to do?" asked Much nervously.

Robin nodded to Guy. "The two of us are going to personally deal with the sheriff and Isabella."

Guy nodded back to Robin. He knew that it would come to this, eventually this must how it end.

The two fighters ran off to Vasey's chambers. They were still Vasey's chambers as Isabella had no use for them. As sheriff she had resided in another section of the castle entirely. However the hero and the antihero trusted that if Vasey and Isabella would meet anywhere, then they would meet in his room not hers. This was not because Isabella would give up power in that symbolic fashion. But simply because they knew that Vasey high sheriff of Nottingham was lazy.

They opened the door and found Isabella and Vasey planning away. They were both looking at Isabella's sword, which Robin at first glance, thought was odd. But before he could reflect on the meaning of that Isabella and Vasey looked up at the intruders and smiled.

"The time has come hasn't it?" asked Isabella.

Robin nodded.

"Are you not surprised to see me Gizzy?" asked the sheriff.

"The dead have a way of coming back Vasey," said Gisborne, "as we all four of us have done in one manner or another."

Isbella pointed her sword at her brother and the man she once adored. "I see you have reconciled you differences? Forgiving the death of a beloved wife a little too soon aren't we Robin?"

"Don't you dare speak of her like that!" yelled Robin as he drew his sword and let it clang against Isabella's sword. There was something dark on her blade but Robin did not know what it was exactly.

And while Robin fought against Isabella, Guy fought his adversary, the sheriff, with all the remaining strength left in his tortured soul.

"Ooh," sighed the sheriff mockingly, "good one Gizzy."

"Shut up!"

"No, I don't think I will," said the sheriff. "Oh, by the by, Izzy here, told me about how you ran away from home after she killed that little friend of yours. I'm so glad you could move on after your leper."

"Monster!"

"Let me take him for a while," said Robin, "he's making you too heated Guy. Switch!"

At that the two men switched their opponent quickly. Robin enjoyed his fight against the sheriff much more than he had against Isabella. It felt wrong, still, to kill her. He knew that she deserved a fate as cruel as that of the sheriff's. Robin put all thoughts of her out of his mind as he battled Vasey.

He figured that this arrangement was safe. Apparent from brother fighting against sister.

But he had not expected Isabella's cruelty.

"So, brother, how is that you find brotherhood with this outlaw?"

They danced around each other, swords clattering in the candle light.

"You always wanted to interfere in matters that were not your concern," remarked Guy.

Isabella smiled. She glanced at Robin. "She let you see her didn't she?"

"What?" asked the sheriff.

"Isabella," said Guy sternly.

Robin, for his part, could not even speak.

"It turns out," said Isabella trying desperately to pound her sword into her brother's stomach, "that Robin's dead wife, came scampering back."

"She's alive!?" the sheriff gasped.

"Dead my lord," replied his accomplice.

"Isabella!" Guy yelled.

"Very haunting," remarked Isabella with mock sweetness. "Yet very dead too. She was wearing the same dress you killed her in brother. You could tell because of the blood stains on the dress…shame."

Robin shivered at the sharp memory of his love covered in blood. He was not sure what Isabella was doing, telling this to the world, but she knew nothing could come of the sheriff knowing this. He would use it against Robin, he would preach it to the villagers he would abuse this pure moment that Robin had had.

This had to end. Enough was absolutely enough.

But while Robin thought about this the sheriff was about to slam his sword into Robin's chest when Guy stepped in front of Robin to block the sword with his body. But before the sword came down Robin thought of Marian's warning and pushed Guy out of the way. For his part, he moved to the side and suddenly felt a sharp pain on his neck. He touched his neck and found blood on his finger tips.

Robin looked at Isabella and dropped his sword.

Isabella dropped hers as well.

"What are you doing?" asked the sheriff. "Pick up your sword. Finish him."

While this was going on Guy was crawling away, the sheriff had cut his leg but he knew that Robin was in worse shape. What he was trying to do now was find a sword and finish off one of them. Whoever was closer…his sister, his former master…someone was going to pay.

Isabella shook her head. "He is already dead my lord."

Robin was suddenly feeling quite weak. He grasped at the wall with exasperation. He was sweating and breathing heavily.

"What are you talking about Izzy?" asked the sheriff.

"This," she said pointing to the sword, "is tipped with poison. I was about to tell you that, my lord, when these two walked in."

Robin closed his eyes as the poison wrapped itself through his entire system, consuming him, killing him.

"He will be dead by nightfall."

"But kill him now," said the sheriff.

"Gladly," she said.

Robin stood with his back to Isabella hoping that she would be quick when suddenly he heard a painful cry and a body fall to the floor.

Gisborne, with his foot bleeding was standing and looking down at his sister's body.

"You killed your sister to save an outlaw?!" The sheriff was baffled.

Guy shrugged. "It's what you do for family."

He forcefully grabbed Robin's waist and they ran, hobbled, out of the room. Robin was getting weaker, and weaker. But he forced himself to run on his own, helping Guy limp out of the chambers. Together they went around the castle, noting where the outlaws and villagers had fought guards and completed their mission.

They spied the barrel of black powder conveniently placed by a huge window. Robin smiled and mentally planned his method of action.

At last they walked out of the castle. Much and Tuck were waiting for him to complete the final steps of the plan. Tuck and Much lit a fire and urged Robin to light his arrow on fire. They smiled encouragingly at him. Robin almost had tears in his eyes because of their deep love for him…undying love…

Robin lit his arrow alight and urged Tuck and Much to leave.

As soon as they departed Robin began to stretch back his arrow and groaned at the pain creeping through his body.

"Are you sure you can do this?" asked Guy.

"Of course I can," moaned Robin with thoughts of Marian floating through his mind. "I'm Robin Hood."

With a tight exhale of breath he let his arrow fly through the window and ignite the barrel of greek fire. This set off a chain reaction of greek fire throughout the entire castle destroying everything within and surrounding it.

Robin and Guy ran out of the wreck of Nottingham castle into the safety of Locksley manor where a crowd of people waited for him.

"What am supposed to say?" whispered Robin to Guy. "I am going to be dead by sunset."

"But they don't know that."

Robin nodded and stood before them.

"The sheriff, both sheriffs," he corrected himself, "are finished. You will no longer have to live in darkness! You will no longer live in oppression and bondage! You are free! England is free!"

Cheers of applause echoed throughout Nottingham, possibly all of England that day.

Robin darkly noted the sun beginning to sink…lower and lower…

Much came up to him. "Robin I…"

Robin tried to smile at his friend and brother but he walked onwards too full of anger and sadness at too soon goodbyes.

"What's up with him?" asked Much confused that anyone such feel sad on such a glorious day.

"He is dying," said Guy unable to hold back his sadness. "I think we need to say goodbye."

Like men accompanying a casket, so did Robin's men follow him into the forest. They knew not where he wandered on his solitary journey. He was groaning in pain and looking up at the sky. He had never noticed how beautiful sunsets were. He had never noticed the glorious reds and blues of the setting light and the wondrous horizon that seemed to stretch forever.

"Robin," whispered Much in a hollow voice.

Robin slowly turned his head back to his gang.

One by one they came up to him to say goodbye.

First Allan came and hugged his friend. "Just as you could not leave me…"

Robin nodded. "I know, you will never leave my thoughts my friend."

"Nor you mine," said Allan as a tear slipped down his cheek.

Next John smothered Robin in a giant bear hug. "A better man I have never met."

"You," said Robin, "I will miss."

"You," said John teary eyed and sniffling, "I will always love." He touched his heart.

Kate wordlessly hugged Robin and kissed him kindly on the cheek. She looked at Allan as she held Robin, and blushed. Perhaps there was light in him after all. He smiled back at her. Perhaps there was light in her after all.

"Brave Kate," moaned Robin. "I am sorry for not giving you what you wanted."

She shook her head. "You have given us everything Robin."

Tuck came next and hugged him. "God be with you Robin. The legend will live on forever…"

"Sh!" Robin insisted. "I have lived long enough, but I thank you. Keep fighting."

Guy came up to him next. "You were always after attention weren't you?"

Robin chuckled. "And you always wore the same clothes."

"That's not a proper retort," insisted Guy.

Robin shrugged. "I'm dying, can you let me have this one?"

Guy nodded. Without a word he hugged Robin and whispered, "Godspeed my brother."

They parted and at last Much stood facing Robin. There were tears glistening his eyes and trails of tears on his cheeks.

Robin walked to him to support his crying friend.

"Why are you doing this?" whispered Much quietly.

"You will fight again, you will Much."

"Not without you," insisted Much. "You are all I have I—"

"You and I, better than everyone here, know that anything is possible. Perhaps, soon, I will visit you. If I get really angry and jealous…"

At this both friends chuckled.

"You are a better man," said Robin seriously, "then I could ever hope to be. I should never have called you the smaller man. You have never been the smaller man to me."

"Somehow," said Much, "despite the yelling and the shouting and the insults, I knew."

Robin nodded and walked away from the gang. He walked to the tree waiting for the end, for the blackness and the darkness to consume him. He was beginning to welcome it. He slumped down against the back of a tree and closed his eyes.

But suddenly his eyes opened and he saw her.

She was no longer wearing the clothes of the mourned dead, but of a beautiful angel he knew she had become. She was smiling and looking at him.

"I knew I would find you again," he whispered.

How he hoped that she would come to him. He knew he could not stand much less take her hand in his own. But suddenly she was gliding to him. Gliding to his side with ease and grace. She stretched out her hand to him. Robin found himself taking her hand his own. He was touching her hand. It was real. She was real…

And that was when he knew he had died.

That he had become what she was.

The realization pained him greatly, but also brought him to a smile.

"My wife," he whispered touching a lock of her hair with his finger.

"Now and forever my love," she said.

Robin laughed. This was bliss…absolute bliss. He smiled, he chuckled, he picked her up and she was light in his arms. He kissed her lips and felt rejuvenated. He felt alive in this death.

Robin Hood had come home.

The legend was forever.

The love was forever.

"The greatest adventure is yet to come," she said as they disappeared from Sherwood Forest. And Robin knew that it was true.

what'd you think?? too long???