This is actually Lady Gisborne 15. I know it is supposed to be Maid Marian 17's turn to write this chapter, but well... it seems as if she's vanished off the face of the planet. We live on different ends of the U.S. so there is no way to tell what happened to her. I received a message from her sister saying that she has been stressed out with school, essays, and getting ready for college. We have not been in contact for five months, but I know that she would never willingly leave a story unfinished, we both have strong feelings against that. Five months is too long to make you guys wait, and I ask for your forgiveness and thank you all for your patience.

I think you all have waited long enough. And as such I will be taking over this story temporarily until Morgan can relax and have the time. Thanks for your cooperation.

So without further ado...

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Marian's gut twisted with dread as she saw the Sheriff riding toward the gate of Nottingham. A guard was following closely behind and there was an oddly-shaped object upon the rump of the horse. She looked to Robin and could tell that concern was etched all over his features. Turning her chin, she saw that Guy's expression was stony and unreadable, but his left hand was clenched hard and was shaking. Very slowly, Marian moved her hand until her fingers brushed his glove-covered ones.

She heard him draw in a sharp intake of breath as he enveloped her whole hand in his palm. A faint smile tugged at her lips, but her attention became serious when she found that the Sheriff was even closer now. Marian squinted her eyes and could see that the object tied to the horse was not a thing. It was a someone. She gasped and Guy held her hand tighter. He too saw what she saw.

The Sheriff turned his eyes upon his former right-hand man and looked upon him in disgust, "Gizzy, it is good to see you in good health. Last time I saw you, you had thrust a dagger into my chest." He pointed to a button on his vest and smirked, "Might want to check to see if your prey is dead before you throw them off of a roof." He next turned to Marian and then to their entwined fingers. "I see that you found your leper, Gisborne."

Guy grit his teeth maliciously but remained silent.

"Ahh, Hood." The Sheriff sneered with a grin, "It is so good to see you again." He observed the men and women before him and chuckled, "But what on earth have you done to my castle in my absence?"

Robin locked his jaw and between clenched teeth replied, "We've been taking care of it for ya, of course. If you know what is good for you," he readied an arrow in his bow as his men and women unsheathed their swords, "You will leave now and never return. If you go, we promise, you and your men shall never be harmed."

"Oh, Hood," Vasey cooed, "I think we both know I will never retreat. And I believe I have something that you want." With his gloved hand, he motioned to the guard behind him. The man gripped the reins and turned the horse so that the gang could clearly see the face of the man upon its rump. It was a bloodied, unconscious Allan. His hands and feet were tied to the saddle of the horse. His eyes had rolled into the back of his head and his shirt was coated with blood.

Marian heard a shrill scream and saw a mass of blonde curls running towards the horse. He heard Robin shout in warning at her, "Kate, stop!" But either the girl did not hear him or she chose to disobey. The Sheriff just watched in glee, not making a move to harm her, as she knelt down beside the horse and cupped Allan's face in her hands. She ran her fingers across his burns and scratches.

"No..." she whispered as tears leaked from her eyelids. She turned her head to face the Sheriff and her eyes were blazing with fury and her shouts were ice-cold. "What have you done to him?"

Vasey chuckled at the woman's pain. "Well, he needed to be taught a lesson on what happens when someone betrays him. I near tortured the life out of him."

Kate seethed in anger, barely registering the joy that leapt in her belly. Allan was still alive. She grabbed her sword and began to approach the Sheriff with a fierce glint in her eyes, but arms caught her from behind. It was Much and he was trying his best to hold her and keep her from doing something rash.

"Please, Kate." He begged as he whispered comforts into her ear, "Don't give him the satisfaction. This is what he wants. Please, go to Robin." Kate's mask of anger suddenly crumbled and sobs began to wrack her body. She allowed Much to lead her into Robin's comforting, strong arms as he held her.

She glared through the film of her tears at the Sheriff who was nearly smiling at his victory, "My how many emotional weaknesses you have in your camp. I could destroy all of you by exploiting love alone."

"You just don't know the joy of love." Kate retorted in a scathing voice.

"La di dah di dah." The Sheriff waved at her in boredom. "To be quite frank, dear, I could care less. Now," he turned to Hood and grinned, "I believe we have a siege to begin. If you will excuse me." And with that, he rode off to take his place among his army.

Once he was gone, Robin turned to Much, still stroking Kate's hair. It was strange for him to see head-strong Kate in such a distraught frame of mind but he could not focus on that right now. "How is he?" He nodded towards Allan.

Much was already kneeling beside the severely tortured friend, feeling for a sign of life. "His pulse is weak, and he is barely breathing. It looks really bad." Robin rolled his eyes at Much's obvious assessment.

"What do we do, Robin?" Marian approached him, releasing Guy's hand in the process. She ignored how cold her fingers felt, how empty they were without Guy's fingers twisted in hers.

Robin thought for a moment before nodding, "I think I have somewhere we can go, but it needs to be quick." He turned to Little John, "You do remember where Matilda's home is, don't ya?"

John nodded, "On the west side of Sherwood behind the thick grove of evergreens."

Robin frowned, "I hate to lose you, but you must take Allan there. Matilda will know what to do to try and help him." Little John nodded and strode up to Allan. He broke his bindings with a single tug of his wrists and then very carefully lifted the man upon his back. Allan cried out in pain, even in his unconscious state.

"I will try not to be long," John assured and Robin nodded.

"See that you're not. I'm sure the Sheriff will waste very little time in attacking. You can go out of the back of the Castle. No one shall see you there." John nodded and walked through the castle. "Everyone else inside now!" Robin shouted as he ushered the rest of his gang into the fortress of Nottingham.

Kate's cries rose above the shouts of the men and women. "Wait, John!" Her voice was hoarse with crying but she ran to the man, "I am going with you."

"Kate, no." Robin commanded, "We need every able-bodied man and woman to fight. Otherwise, we shall stand no chance." He reached out for her hand but she drew away from him.

"I have to go with him and see if he is alright." Her eyes pleaded with his, "Please, Robin."

Robin seemed to understand but that did not stop him from sighing in regret. "Fine, see that John and Allan reach Matilda's safely." Kate nodded in affirmation and went to accompany Little John.

"Robin, what am I to do?" Marian called from behind him and he turned to face her.

"I want you to go back to the armory." Marian began to protest but he held up his hand, "You must prepare for a hospital. You may not be as medicinally equipped as Djaq was, but as a woman you must know more than us men."

Marian sighed, disappointed that she could not fight, but she knew Robin made a valid point. He grinned at her and turned to where a group of men were arming themselves with any kind of weapon they could find. She started to walk up the stairs of the castle when she heard a familiarly gruff voice and she turned towards it source. She saw Guy giving orders to the men to find as many pikes and boards as they could to fortify the gates of the castle. It made her smile gently as she saw him taking command, fighting with them, instead of against them. Against her. He caught her eyes for a moment before he was lost from view behind a mottled group of men working frantically.

Marian looked once up at the doors of the castle and then ran back down the stairs towards Guy. She said his name and he turned from his work to see her standing before him. The bright gleam of war in her eyes made her even more attractive to him than he had ever thought possible. His eyes remained on hers as she approached him. It seemed minutes passed as they just stared at each other, not willing to breach the moment of silence that stood before them, where it seemed that it was them alone and no one else. But then there was a shout from the men and the spell was broken.

Marian side-stepped one of the workers and found herself nearly plastered against Guy's chest. She blushed at the close proximity but followed his gaze to where he was watching his men. "It looks as if this will be the end, Marian." His voice sounded hollow and broken, but he did not pull her body away from his.

Marian shook her head, "This is not the end. This battle is merely a turning point in our lives. It will break the Sheriff for the last time and then peace will reign in England."

Guy turned to her and smiled at her, "My Marian, you always seem to have a positive outlook on death." He kissed her forehead and Marian couldn't help but wish to feel his lips somewhere lower on her face, to feel his hands all over her skin. She licked her dry lips.

She tried to speak calmly. "We will not die." His gaze lingered on her mouth. She felt as if she would melt and she added, "Leastwise, not before we've done this." Marian wrapped a hand around his neck and pulled him closer, desiring more than anything to close the distance between them, but it was Guy who stopped her with firm hands on her waist. He looked at her with regret and then turned to look away from her.

She followed his gaze and saw that he was looking at Robin Hood whose back was currently facing them as he busily gave commands to the villagers. "What of Robin?" He asked, "What if he sees?"

"I don't care. I will not let you die without you knowing how much I care for you." Marian sighed. That was not entirely the truth. Her desire for Guy had never felt so strong. If they were to die, she wanted just one hour to spend with him. She wanted more than anything else to feel his lips upon her mouth, to feel them upon her neck and collarbone. He was kindling a fire of passion in her and it was rising to a dangerous roar. She wanted him, wanted him beside her more than she had ever wanted anything else. Not only that. She needed him. She needed Guy. Needed to know what it would be like to lose herself in his arms. In his love for her. Her cheeks took on a dark shade of red as she realized her own thoughts.

"What is it?" Guy asked with concern.

She shook her head and refused to answer. Guy acknowledged her silence and inched forward, wrapping his arms around her waist, and bringing his forehead to touch hers. His breath lingered on her skin as he brought his mouth closer to hers and she closed her eyes in anticipation. Anticipation of the spark she had felt when he had kissed her in front of Prince John.

"Marian!" She startled from her reverie and broke away from Guy's contact. Robin was looking at her from across the courtyard. His expression was unreadable as he commanded in authority, "I thought I told you to get to the armory. We have no time to waste." Without hesitation, she grabbed her skirts and fled up the stairs and through the doors of the castle. Her cheeks were red and her skin burned where Guy had touched her. Had Robin seen? What would he think of her? She shook her head. To try and kiss Guy in front of Robin had been foolish. Robin could not be distracted right now. He had a battle to fight, and she would not be the cause for his death.

She moaned in frustration as she returned to the armory and set about her work. Se prayed fervently that this would not be the last time she would see them. The two men who meant more to her than anyone else on earth. She wanted to see Robin safe and sound. She wanted to live yet another day with Guy's devilish smirk focused on her. Please God, don't let us all burn and go to Hell...

Hope you guys loved it. To be truthful, I had a hard time writing this. Morgan was always better at the filler chapters than I. Please leave a review to let me know how I, nay we, have done so far.