"You know, this is my favorite thing," commented Much as Robin, he and Tuck walked through an open field in Locksley Village with baskets full of goodies in their hands during the afternoon. "The handing out of parcels. Being welcomed into the village like sons returning from battle. 'Tis better to give than to receive."

Much stopped, waiting for Tuck and Robin to appear by his side. Robin wore a huge grin as he listened to his friend ramble on and on, Tuck listening as well. They all stopped now, and Much spoke to Tuck.

"You're an educated men," he said. "Who said ' 'tis better to give than to receive'?"

Tuck shook his head a little. "It's nobody important," he answered. "Just some carpenter from Nazareth."

Robin's grin grew as he gave a little chuckle. Walking up to a grassy hill close to the entrance Locksley, his smile faded.

"Get down! Get down! Get down!" he called. "It's the Sheriff."

*****

Vaisey and guards rode into Locksley like a storm. Linda was riding next to Vaisey on Guy's black stallion, clutching tightly onto the reigns. The abbot was entering on the opposite side, and they were to meet in the town square.

That's what they did.

Vaisey and his men rode through Locksley, the people giving him confused looks and scurrying to the sides of the path. As soon as the abbot arrived, everyone immediately went to one knee and made a cross formation; they tapped there head on their forehead, then abdomen, then their two shoulders. The sign of the Holy Spirit. Once the gesture was done, the people rose onto their feet. The abbot's chariot stopped, and he stood up.

"Last night," said the Sheriff, "the abbot of Kirklees came and asked for my assistance."

Linda rolled her eyes at her father's story. Looking around, her eyes widened when she saw Robin, Much, and Tuck hiding behind a wall that was covered with baskets. Robin and Linda shared a look. He cut his hand trough his neck, shaking his head. She gave a little nod and then looked away. Exhaling, she spoke.

"It has come to pass that Robin Hood and his gang of feral, unwashed pustules have stolen from the church," she said as confidently as she could, although she felt her heart break with every word she said.

Hey eyes met Robin's, and she made a pained look. Robin just looked confused.

What are you talking about? he mouthed.

She gave a little shake of her head. Tell you later, she mouthed back.

Vaisey got off of his big white horse. He walked around the square and to the some of the townsfolk, talking to the citizens.

"I know that you know Robin Hood," he said. "I know that some of you have come to look upon him as a friend."

Or a brother, thought Linda.

"Don't be fooled," continued Vaisey. "Since he's returned from his travels, Hood gas become a satanic killer. By God, he almost killed my daughter." Vaisey stopped in place and took off his gloves. He stood close to Kate and leaned close to her, and she leaned back, looking down at the floor.

"And anybody harboring him shall be damned to a heretic's death at the stake...." said Vaisey dangerously, walking backwards. He took Kate's littles sister's hand and raised it. "Where the flesh shall be charred from their bones." He walked around a little more, the girl still in hand. "Now, the abbey is under my protection. I've thrown a cordon around it and tripled security just in case Hood tries to steal again." Vaisey went to one knee and put his arm around the girls's shoulders, setting her down on his knee.

"If this village does not assist me in capturing Robin Hood," said Vaisey, pointing to some citizens, "then it shall be deemed infected with evil, and it shall be wiped clean of every living creature."

Linda looked to the abbot. He had a pained look in his eye, as well as her. With a little nod of her head, she signaled him to do his thing. The abbot raised his right hand, the hand with his ring on it, and the people listened to him.

"By the power vested in me," he started, spinning around slowly in his chariot, still pointing his ring finger arm at the people, "by his holiness, pope Celestine III, I issue this holy edict."

By now Vaisey had let go of the girl, and Linda looked to where Robin was hiding, only to see the look of horror that was flashing upon Tuck's face.

"It's every man, women, and child's sacred duty to help being the demon Robin Hood to justice," the abbot finished.

The citizens nodded an murmured among themselves. Vaisey smirked in triumph. Turning to go to his horse, he climbed on to go to Nottingham. But he didn't notice that Linda was already gone, and so was Robin.

*****

"This is bad," stated John as he paced back and forth at the Outlaws' Camp. "This is very bad."

Linda was at the camp with the others, also pacing with John. She had just explained everything to them; the abbot's visit to Nottingham, the talk they had, everything that had transpired. What she left out was Gisborne being taken away, her feelings for him, and the English bible the abbot had been hiding.

"This is not good!" exclaimed John as he whipped around, and he glanced to Allan.

"Hey, it wasn't me," he said in defense. "I wasn't anywhere near the abbey last night."

"And it wasn't me, I was with Father and the abbot," clarified Linda, moving to stand next to Allan.

"Don't you understand?" asked John. "The abbot has damned out souls forever!"

"Oi! Calm it down, John," said Linda. "Let's have less of the 'forever', shall we? And for once, let's think instead of rush into things like you people always do."

John sighed and ran his hands through his hair, grumbling endlessly to himself. Much sighed as well and shook his head.

"Why would the abbot do this?" Much asked confused.

Tuck shrugged and got off the ladder he was leaning on. "Only one way to find out."

Robin's eyes widened in realization and he shook his head. "No, no, no, no, no, no," he said fast.

"Come on, Robin," urged Tuck. "We have to confront the abbot right now, challenge him. We need to understand why he did this, what hold the Sheriff has over him."

"Tuck, again, don't rush into things," ordered Linda. "If you guys attack the abbey now, it'll just confirm the Sheriff's lies."

"Well, then what do you suggest we do about it?" asked Tuck to her.

"We go to the people," answered Robin.

Linda groaned and ran her fingers through her hair. "You're out of your mind."

"We go to the people and show them we're still on their side," explained Robin. "We trust the people to make up their own minds." He turned to Linda. "You can help us."

She shook her head sadly. "I can't, and you know this. The people love and fear the church in equal measure."

"Linda's right," said John with authority. "They will never believe us—"

"Or Linda," added Much.

"Over the abbot."

"Well, we'll see," said Robin confidently.

Tuck scoffed. "I cannot understand this." He turned on his heels and started to pace. "This is one of the finest scholars of his generation. He spent his entire life crusading for justice, searching for truth."

"Obviously there's something more precious to him than the truth," said Robin thoughtfully.

"Yes, and I need to find out what that is," Tuck pleaded with a fast nod.

"And she said we leave the abbey alone," said Robin.

"Robin, we need to find—"

"Tuck, that's my final word," stated Robin. "Now, Li— great."

He stopped. Looking around, he put his hand on his head. Now he started to pace, sighing and mumbling to himself. She was nowhere to be seen at the camp. She was gone, and she was their only sorce for answers.

*****

It was late evening, and Linda knew that she had to get back, for she had spent too much time with the outlaw gang.

She was able to quietly open the camp doors and slip away, grabbing the black horse.

Riding back to Nottingham, she thought about the meeting. It seemed quite strange for Tuck to want to disobey orders, especially Robin's order. But then again, it was strange for her to hide the reason for the abbot's incompetence with the gang.

The English bible.

Part of her felt mad at herself, Vaisey, and the abbot. Abbot had shown weakness to Vaisey, Vaisey manipulated abbot, and Linda had done nothing. Another part of her felt pity for the abbot, for it was not his fault that Vaisey was manipulating and cunning. At least he didn't have to live with Vaisey, though, because Linda did.

Groaning, she made her horse press on. They finally reached Nottingham. The drawbridge lowered for Linda, and her horse trotted inside. The gate to open Nottingham Castle also opened, and she went inside. Getting off the huge black stallion, she gave him to the stable boys. Vaisey was waiting for her at the top of the steps.

"Where have you been?" he asked suspiciously.

Linda shrugged. "Riding around. But for too long, I guess. The sky darkens as we speak," she answered as she went up the steps.

"Right," said the Sheriff with a frown. Shrugging, he gave something to Linda when she reached the top. "It's a note," he explained. "It's from London, and it came three hours ago."

Her eyes widened. Taking the note, she ran inside the castle. Weaving through halls, she went all the way up the stairs until she reached the roof. Linda was alone, a few torch lights flickering brightly as her source of light. Opening the envelope, she breathed a happy sigh of relief.

Linda,

I am writing to from my chamber in London, thus noting that I am alive... for now. The trial and court meeting with Prince John goes well... or as well as it gets. It is said that it shall take many weeks and many days, and that means many weeks and many days of me staying over here in hell. But the place is not so much hell as the road, for the road was rocky and rough, and I damn it one hundred times over.

Linda giggled at that part and kept reading.

It's not the same as Nottingham, London. It's quite different: It's much bigger, the people are more lively (though not that I would know, but it seems like it), and there are less outlaws. Though, who would want to be an outlaw when you are in Prince John's line of sight?

Linda scoffed. That was true enough. She kept reading.

I do not know when I will be back to Nottingham, but I can promise that I will. See you very soon... or as soon as soon can be.

From,

Sir Guy of Gisborne.

P. S. Just so you know, do NOT use up my extra black shirts that are in the third drawer of my wardrobe, or we will have problems.

Linda read the note five times before hugging it close to her chest. With a little sound of delight, she danced around in a little circle. Guy was alive! He was alive! And he sent her a note telling her where his extra shirts were. Well, he had to know that she was going to find them, and she was going to wear them of course. She giggled and gave a kiss to the note, dancing around a little more.

But the moment was cut too short, for out in the distance, bells of alarm sounded from afar. Frowning, she leaned against the railing and strained an ear to listen. Those bells... they were from Kirklees. An outlaw was at the abbey, and there was only one outlaw willing to risk his life and the other's lives as well:

Tuck.

*****

Tuck was the first to awake; in fact, he was the only one awake.

It was late in the evening, about ten or so, when he slipped out of the camp. He then made a long trek to the place where Robin had forbade him to go.

The abbey in Kirklees.

The bells chimed gladly, but there was barely anyone there. Well, except the guards on patrol of course. Tuck looked up to look at the big building. He was on the ground, hiding behind a few crosses.

Then he had an idea. Sneaking away from his cross, he went to the abbey... he went to the sewers of the abbey. Tuck covered his nose to protect himself from the foul stench. Looking around, he tried to find a clear opening to get to the abbot. He looked up. Of course, the toilet drain. The he heard a noise... a squeaky and strained noise. For the love of God, it was a guard passing gas on the toilet. Quickly, he moved to the side before the quick plunk! of the solid waste hit the water. He looked up to see if the guard was done his business, thankful to see that he was finished. With a quick intake of breath, he climbed up the toilet drain. The stench was horrible, but Tuck tried to ignore it. Once he reached the top, Tuck peaked his head out of the toilet seat. He found that the coast was clear, and he hopped out of the toilet. Making his way to the abbot's room, he slowly went inside, a sword that he found in his hand.

But the abbot sensed his presence. Still writing on a piece of paper on his desk, he said, "I am busy. Laborare est orare, my son. Always remember, 'work is prayer'." He put is quill in ink.

Tuck walked inside the room and went to stand next to the abbot. Speaking Latin, his brow furrowed. The abbot turned to meet Tuck.

"I see," said the abbot. "You are an assassin."

"No. No," said Tuck. He got in front of the table so that abbot could look at him. "Merely an inquisitor."

"You presume I fear your blade," presumed the abbot calmly.

"I think you fear the Sheriff," Tuck responded. "What hold does he have over you that you would damn a man like Robin Hood? A man of honor and justice."

The abbot rose to stand and look Tuck in the eyes. "My son, there are things going on here of such magnitude, such complexity as to be beyond your understanding."

Tuck let out a little breath and smirked. "Try me," he challenged.

Reluctantly, the abbot lead Tuck to the ceremony room, the place where the citizens hold service. Tuck followed, sword still in hand. The abbot stopped and turned to Tuck.

"Once you see what is hidden here, you will understand why I had to do this," he explained. "You know me, my son." He made Tuck lower the sword. "Have faith in me again."

Tuck nodded and put the sword on a stool next to him. The abbot then went to a podium. But then he stopped and turned around.

"Guards!" he cried. "Seize him!"

Tuck grabbed the sword again and defended himself from the guard that appeared. After defeating him, Tuck tried to escape. But the bell of the church rung loudly and more guards came. One by one he took on, either coming from his sides or the front. It was hard for Tuck to escape, but it was easy to fight the guards. The abbot watched amusingly, still on the podium. But then Tuck was weaponless. Five guards surrounded him, three pointing swords at his neck, and two pointing crossbows also at his neck. Tuck put his hands up in surrender.

"I came here to help you," he explained to the abbot.

The abbot had a grim look on his face. "No one can help me. Not even the girl," he said painfully. "Take him."