Smoke was what concealed Finn as he set them off. Coughing, he stood up. "Fire!" he shouted. "Fetch water!" Finn walked out and pointed to a guard. "You. Get the prisoner out of there."

Vaisey emerged from the foyer his daughter right behind him. They exchanged looks to each other, her a little confused about what was going on. Vaisey walked out of the foyer, shaking his head.

"No, no, no, no, no," said Vaisey with his hands behind him. Finn looked at him shocked as guards followed him. Finn shot a look to Linda, who shrugged honestly.

"Father, what's going on?"

"Linda, I'm afraid Finn's privileges in my castle are canceled, daughter," he answered casually. "An old trick." Vaisey pretended to cough at Finn. "But a very good one." Tiernan emerged next to Vaisey, and Linda stood next to Tiernan.

"Tiernan!" exclaimed Finn.

Tiernan laughed. "Sorry, brother," he said, walking toward Finn. "The Sheriff here made me realize the problem. You know, it's not with our cause."

"No, a very worthy endeavor," commented Vasiey.

Tiernan pointed to Finn. "It's with the man who's leading it."

"You fool," said Finn lowly to him.

"I found a real ally right here," continued Tiernan. "Or rather, allies." Tiernan signaled Linda over. When she arrived, he put an arm around her shoulders. "My feelings shall never be damned."

"Mm, yes," said Vaisey, walking up to stand next to Tiernan. "In exchange for a few small trifles. County, um, Galway, I believe."

"You haven't the sense to lead an army, let alone a nation," said Finn to Tiernan. Then he glanced at Linda. "Nor the charm to flatter."

Vasiey and Tiernan chuckled evilly. "Says you." Tiernan spat at the ground, causing Linda to make a face.

"Ew," she said quietly. Vaisey nodded.

"But the men are with me," continued Tiernan. "Didn't take much persuasion, mind, but then again, all you offered them was a glorious death in the name of the cause!" Tiernan was a little sarcastic at the last part.

Finn charged at him and grabbed his shoulders, making Tiernan let go of Linda. She quickly retreated back, and Vaisey pulled her behind him. The guards ripped Finn off of Tiernan, restraining him back.

"When I am king, they will be well rewarded," he promised. Then he looked back to Linda. "As will you." He walked back to her, intertwining his arm with hers.

The guards dragged Finn away. "You going to leave me here?! Tiernan! I'm your brother! I'm your King!"

"Chain him up and throw him in there with Hood," said Vaisey. "They can die together."

"My lord," said Linda quickly to Tiernan. "Thank you for defending me, but I must go help the guards restrain your brother. As you said, feelings cannot be damned, and I do not want this visit to end terrible."

Tiernan made a face. Reluctantly, he nodded. "Okay. Be careful." He pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

Linda smiled and followed the guards. The guards were putting Finn in with Hood, Finn screaming some nasty things. The guards left, and Linda went inside the room. Nodding to them, they closed the door.

"Save your breath," she heard Robin say to Finn.

Finn sighed and looked down. "My selfish, greedy little brother. By the time he's bored of this new game, he'll have ruined our last chance to free Ireland."

"Looks like you have a new mate, Robin," said Linda to Robin. "Step out of the chains."

Robin laughed and let the chains fall to the ground, Finn never noticing because he was still rambling on to himself.

"We should never have come here. Our clause belongs to our people. Yours -- yours have trouble enough with this poisonous Sheriff."

"That Sheriff is my father, mind you," spat Linda. "But perhaps you and Robin can be allies."

"What would you know about allies?" he said to her. "You are alliances with Tiernan."

"No," said Robin, clapping Linda on the shoulder. "She is with me."

Confused, Finn looked up. His eyes widened when he saw Robin with no chains on. He started to speak, but Robin cut him off.

"You helped me," said Robin, holding up the key. "Now I'll help you."

"Great," said Linda. "Wait. Get back in your chains, I have to go."

"Now?"

"Yes, now. I don't want to end up like Finn," said Linda. "Good luck."

Robin smiled at her. Walking back to be in his chains, Linda knocked on the door. It opened, and she left.

*****

Kate walked the path in Locksley Village to go to her outside shop. Her mother was making pottery, not noticing Kate at all. It wasn't until she looked up did she see her daughter.

"Kate," said her mother, rushing out to meet her. "Kate, I've been so worried." Then she saw that she was alone. "Matthew?"

Kate shook her head, teary eyed. They walked in the house, where Kate let her tears flow with her mother. "I'm so sorry. Robin Hood tried to save him."

"I hope Robin Hood gets hanged from the highest gallows in Nottingham," said her mother walking toward Kate.

"It won't bring Matthew back, though."

"Robin Hood is an outlaw," said her mother, gritting her teeth slightly. "It just brings trouble. They'll be back now, the Sheriff's men, back to make examples of the rest of us."

"That doesn't mean we should just sit here and take it," argued Kate.

Her mother slapped her in the face. "That kind of talk is dangerous," said her mother. "That's what got your brother killed!"

Kate shook her head. "I'm sorry." Her mother was crying now, and Kate brought her close. "I miss Matthew, too."

Once her mother stopped crying, they sat down at their table. Kate shook her head and said, "This is my fault. Matthew died trying to save me from Gisborne."

"What?" her mother whispered.

Kate looked down. "I went after Matthew alone, without thinking," she explained. "I got Matthew killed. If I hadn't been so stupid...."

"No," said her mother, taking Kate's hands. "No, Robin Hood killed your brother with his talk of fighting for a better future."

Kate shook her head. "You're wrong. These people believe in him. Matthew believed in him. And that's good enough reason to help." Kate got up from the table, her mother staring at her in disbelief.

"Where are you going? Kate, Robin Hood's a criminal." Kate disregarded her words and headed for the door. "Kate, please, you'll end up like your brother."

Kate opened the door and turned around. "I'm not doing this for Robin Hood," she clarified. "I'm doing it for Matthew." Then she left.

*****

"What a glorious day for an execution," said Vaisey as he emerged outside, Linda with him. But he faltered when he saw Tiernan with he men lined up and moving out.

"It's a long march. We need to leave now," explained Tiernan.

"Yes, but, um, surly we shall stay to see the executions," said the Sheriff.

"Father," said Linda. "Would that be wise?"

"No, it would not be," answered Tiernan.

"But it's Robin Hood and Finn," said Vaisey once more.

"Sheriff... I will not watch my brother die," said Teirnan smoothly. "We leave now or the deal is off."

Before Vaisey could speak, Linda answered with, "Very well, my lord. Safe journey."

Tiernan smiled at her. "I will be back," he promised, pressing another kiss to her knuckles.

Guy arrived, and Tiernan left. Guy and Linda locked eyes before she walked back into the castle. Guy watched her go, though he didn't let his eyes linger on her for too long. So as to try any forget about her, he looked to Vaisey.

"I want to see Hood die," he demanded.

"Have I not made myself clear?" said Vaisey. "No money till the conscripts are at the coast. Patronage first, Hood later."

"I will have my way," Guy said sternly. "I will watch him die, and then I'll being his head to you on a rod, and you can send it with the money to Prince John."

Vaisey thought about it. "Yes," he said. "Very good. Prince John would like that. He could show off his head in his trophy room." He chuckled. "Perhaps I will allow you to have your way. But if you even think about defying me again, then it will be your head on its way to London."

Vasiey walked away. Guy smirked in triumph. Finally. Guy turned and watched as the Sheriff climbed on his white horse. "Move out!"

*****

a/n: Sometimes, I want to strangle Kate's mom. I really don't like her. Anyone else?