1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Forty-two

Nottingham was crowded the next day, and Linda wasn't surprised. Maybe that's why Robin wanted to go so badly, so they wouldn't get caught. Linda, on the other hand, wanted to go for one reason, and she didn't have to say what it was because everyone already knew. They walked among the crowd, hoods on. Everyone was gathering at the castle, though Linda didn't really know why.

"Well, this should be interesting," Robin mused.

"Well, not that interesting," Kate said.

Allan frowned. "Look, what exactly are we doing here?"

"Robin things he can charm our new Sheriff into working with outlaws," Linda explained. "In other words, us."

"Look, let's just see what she's made of, shall we?"

"Well, it's not sugar and spice and all things nice," Kate pointed out.

"She threw you out of a window," Linda snickered.

"I was climbing, she cut my rope."

"Still, if she made you fall with no remorse, I'd say she's pretty strong and has no interest in working with us."

The lead outlaw rolled his eyes and shook his head. Linda did have a point, but he wanted to make sure. Better safe than sorry, right?

The gates opened, and the outlaws swarmed in. They were able to make their way into castle grounds without being caught. The people crowd the stairs to the castle, and Isabella was seated in a chair at the top. A man who Linda recognized was at the side, some guards around him. A girl who seemed to be eighteen was at the steps, annoyed to say the least. She had on a purple dress, and her chocolate brown hair was curled, but a mess, no less, and her hands were tied behind her. An older boy and a younger boy was with the man, and the younger boy hid behind his brother. Linda gasped.

"Oh, my God. Meg, Tim, Billy," she whispered.

Robin glanced at Linda in shock before turning her attention to the crowd and the Sheriff, she of which was speaking. "Meg Bennett, the Sheriff's Court has heard of your disobedience to your god father and your refusal to accept any suitors he has chosen for you."

Meg rolled her eyes. "Lady Sheriff, one was a drunken sot, the second looked like a donkey, and the third was a half-wit with the brains of a tree!" she defended.

The crowd laughed, and the god father became angry. "You little wretch," he shouted, and Tim grabbed his arm before he could cause any violence.

"Please!" Isabella shouted, a hand out. She gave Meg's god father a warning look before continuing with Meg. "And the fourth one you apparently bribed to go back to York with money you stole from your god father."

Meg shrugged, her eyebrows knitted. "He was a mummy's boy. What use is that?"

The crowd laughed again, clearly amused. Even Linda smiled at her sass. Isabella was intrigued by her bravery.

"Meg, tell the court why you acted in such a deplorable fashion," Isabella announced.

"Because I won't accept anyone telling me how to live my own life!" she stated, glaring at her god father. "I don't want to marry. Men are so..."–she paused, looking for a word– "stupid!"

Now the crowd–mainly the men–murmred in shock and disagreement. Meg looked back and gave them all dirty looks. Linda grinned.

"That's my girl."

"Quiet!" Isabella shouted, listening to the girl.

Meg stood up straighter. "I think England would be a much better place if women were in charge."