Deception

Chapter 39

Esme had been missing for almost one full season. Robin Hood and the Gang had been hunting for her, as well as looking out for the poor when they were informed of her kidnapping after the wedding. Guy tried to keep himself from looking for her after she had embarrassed him at the altar though every day on his way home from Nottingham he took the longer routes in the forest to hunt for her. The Sheriff had instructed that Knighton Hall was to be watched and any news reported on Lady Esme's kidnapping.

It was in the middle of autumn, when Esme had been able to escape the man who haunted her dreams and past as dead leaves were being blown about by the wind. She was found by Little John in the darkness of the night as he returned her back to her father. He had hardly recognized her by the dangerous wounds, cuts, bruises and blood that stained her body and clothing. A physician checked up on Esme every second day, cleaning wounds and stitching them up. The guards who had been on guard outside her house had been careless, and it wasn't until two and a half weeks after she had been found did they report back to the Sheriff and Sir Guy. Esme was still extremely weak after fighting a fever, though her spirits hadn't been dampened as she sat sitting, resting in her bed, whilst her father Sir Edward sat downstairs, slurping soup from a spoon.

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The cold cloth resting on my forehead was refreshing as the shutters swung open from the strong winds. I chuckled, only to start coughing holding my stomach as I saw Robin step into the light of my room, revealing his bow leaning outside the doorway. He came over sitting on the edge of my bed handing me some water as I took a sip. I rested once more against the pillows as the flickering candle helped illuminate his features.

"How are you feeling?" He asked with love and concern as I rolled my eyes, ignoring the itchy and iterated skin above my healing wounds.

"Never better........" I sighed as I saw Robin pull out a ring causing me to frown. 

"What do you make of this?" He asked me curious as he placed it in my place hands. Slowly adjusting the candle beside my bed, I glanced at the silver eagle ring in my hands and frowned.

"The Sheriff ’s insignia?" I questioned glancing up at him as he nodded.

"We took it off a woman on the way to Nottingham today...... and she had men and they were well trained. It was like a military unit. And she’s been granted the Sheriff ’s insignia." He told me pointing to the ring in my hand as I struggled to sit myself further up in bed as I winced. Robin helped me get comfortable as I thanked him as I let my hands trace over the design of the ring.

"And what does that mean?" I asked him curiously.

"Well, I don’t know. I was hoping you or your father might know." He truthfully suggested as I rolled my eyes.

"I get the feeling we’re not too welcome in the corridors of power." I told him sadly yet humbly before I handed back the ring to Robin.

"Good." Robin spoke earnestly; as it was evident he didn't want me near the Sheriff or guy anymore. I doubt I would be in Guy's good books after I humiliated him at the altar. What was worse was the fact it made me guilty. "Come and join my gang."

I felt my face fall as the moment I has been dreading has arrived. I scoffed slightly and turned my head away from Robin. He gently placed his hand on my arm as I looked back up at my brother sadly but with a questioning look.

"Esme...."

“You're asking me to abandon my home, abandon my father, give up any hope of a normal life and take up arms with a man who thinks resistance is about showing off with a bow.” I snapped. I realized what I had said was unfair and rude as I sighed glumly.