[Outlaws; Roe] Guess Who's Back?

[Carter]

Carter gave Roe a friendly nod as he made his way.

"It was an impulsive act of foolishness!" said Carter, somewhat abruptly after having been quiet for so long. "King Richard even admitted it himself. It was desperation that forced him to send out the contract. But he realized the error of his decision almost immediately" Carter crossed his arms, looking at each member of the Outlaw Gang in turn. "And Richard would find out. Even from the Holy land, the news would reach him somehow."

"You...or rather...we..." he said with a small smile, "...need to do this. Although it may not seem it, it's for the good of the country. Imagine what havoc would be caused with the assassination of the current leader of England." he frowned seriously. "Wars...civil wars even...would probably start. Plus more assassinations would probably be attempted. There's also the issue of electing the new leader! England doesn't need this kind of aggravation, especially in the state it's in now." He crossed his legs to match his arms. "I know you all hate John. And I don't exactly love him myself, but don't you see why this has to be done?" There was a long thoughtful silence.

"So it's decided. This Rosetta womans the one?" he focused most of his attention on Allan. He after all was the one the rest of the gang addressed when talking about Rosetta.

[Kate]

Kate rolled her eyes and dropped her gaze to the ground. Carter was right and that irritated her. Knowing that it was right to save the man who was making your friends and family’s life hell was not a nice feeling. Imagine what her mother would say…Kate’s insides turned uncomfortable. She knew what he mother would think and even though it had been days since she had heard her mother voice Kate could still hear the woman’s loud brash voice ranting to her about loyalty. Her mother wouldn’t understand.

“Well do you have any ideas?” Kate asked eying Carter with annoyance. “We can’t just walk up and snatch the woman.”

Looking up through her blond messy hair Kate glanced to Robin for answers. He was always a man with a plan. Surely it wouldn’t take him to long to come up with some elaborate and stupidly dangerous plan.

[Allan A'Dale]

"So it's decided. This Rosetta woman's the one?"

"S'got to be. I'm not really sure where she actually lives, though. The only time we met face to face, she was seeing off guards in Locksley. I dunno where she's staying, though. Has she got a room at the Inn? Or is someone putting her up?"

[Robin Hood]

"Well Locksley's as good a place as any to start, and we can escort Roe back, just so he doesn't get lost." Robin smirked at the Knight and held out the mask. "No offence, but if you don't know where our camp is, then you can't tell anyone. We'll be in touch about a contact, Roe. It might just be easier to have infrequent meetings. But if you have anything important to tell us, get a message to Locksley and one of the villagers will get it to us." Robin started to arm himself, sheathing his sword to his belt and picking up his bow.

"You're right, Kate," Robin added as he tucked a small knife into his boot top. "We can't just walk up and snatch her. I think we have to time this very carefully indeed. If Prince John suspects she's anything more than a Noble Lady, then he'll not hesitate to execute her." Robin rubbed his stubbly chin. "Its just a question of picking the right moment." He smiled then, as a flash of inspiration filled his mind. "They're betrothed, right? So when's the wedding and do we get an invite?"

[Roe]

Roe looked at the mask with both a disappointed and a weary look. "Very well, Robs," bringing his horse to a stop. "You don't want to blindfold my horse too, do ya," he laughed, understanding that Allan's point of view towards him would probably hold sway for awhile. "Yes .... I expect that there is a great chance that I could get lost in Sherwood Forest."

"How many time did I have to track you down out here when I was a teenager. I know most times it was not because you were lost, but because you do not want to be found. Our walk back to the Scarlett's may allow youto ask some questions, like why my death was reported back to the Earl. Although you have always been a difficult person to read I did pick up a hint of the surprise on your part that I was still among the living, eh?"

"It sounds like a workable system for keeping contact I suppose." He laughed, "Yes I expect your name is right at the top of Prince John's list!"

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan nodded his assent.

"Sensible to meet as little as possible, to be honest. Kate here can tell you all about the dangers of socialising with outlaws. Dunno about the wedding though; Rosetta's been telling anyone who'll listen that she don't want to marry John. Who's to say he won't get wind of it and change his mind?"

[Roe]

Roe nodded back, thinking it made a lot of sense to him. "Its really just like a regular military operation, Allan. The simpler you make it, the less chance there is that something will go wrong, and if something does wrong, it'll be easier to adapt to." He smiled for the first time at Allan, "Yes .... I know that it can be dangerous, but the quality of the association is first-rate," he winked.

[Much]

Much had a sudden brainwave, a few seconds after Robin mentioned the wedding. "The wedding!" Much blerted.

"I was getting supplies the otherday, I heard some villagers talking about Prince John's wedding. Apparently everyones invited." Much gave a quick glance over at Kate, but quickly turned to face Robin again. "Well, everyone except us." he said with a shake of his head. "It's on the streets of Nottingham." he concluded. "But you can't expect us to just grab Rosetta at I do...there will be guards everywhere!" Much said worredly. "And...what if she tries to kill John before the wedding?" he asked with panic. He turned to face the newcomer - Tuck. He seemed to fit in well with the rest of the outlaws, and Much couldn't help but think he looked good with them.

[Robin Hood]

Robin narrowed his eyes as he thought things over. "Oh Prince John will go through with the wedding, but I don't think it'll be a lasting marriage. As soon as he's got his hands on her money, then I reckon he'll do away with Rosetta." Robin paced about the camp. "What if we ambush her on the way to the Church?" He suddenly had an idea. "We stop her carriage and take her then."

Robin tapped a finger against his forehead as his epiphany continued. "But we would need to replace her with someone else, so that the Prince and the Sheriff won't realise we've got her straight away and send the guards after us." He looked at the assembled outlaws and his eyes rested on Kate. Almost immediately, he dismissed the idea of her being the decoy as it would be too dangerous. His eyes alighted on Much and Allan. "Which of you two look better in a dress?" Robin smiled.

[Carter]

Carter laughed loudly at Robin's words. Either Much or Allan in a dress would probably be the funniest thing he would ever see. He unfolded his arms, and stood up from the log stool he was previously sitting. He walked over so he was closer to Robin. "It's a tough call Robin, in my opinion...they'd both look" Carter tried to find the right word "Stunning!" Carter concluded, with a huge grin upon his face. He was going to enjoy this.

[Allan A'Dale]

"I look better in everything, Robin, be sensible!" Allan laughed, giving Much a teasing wink. Now Will was so busy with Djaq and Shafiq, and even before then, whilst he'd been in the Holy Land, Allan had sorely missed having a close friend. His jibes towards the blonde man had gradually become more and more good-natured. "Can't wait to see Rosetta's face when I burst into her wedding carriage and tell her to get her kit off, eh?"

[Much]

Much turned slowly to Robin, looking completely horrified. A dress? This couldn't be happening. There were certain people...or a person...that he'd rather not see him in a dress of all things.

When Allan piped up he breathed a huge sigh of relief. "I don't disagree with you!" smiled Much. Much had had enough humilation to last a life time, and he didn't need any more in a hurry.

[Roe]

Well, I'm glad you blokes got that one sorted out. I was originally with Carter that they would both look about the same, but I'll take Allan's word for his superior looks," he laughed. "But the root of it is the plan, and at least operationally it appears to be sound. However, Robs, as you know from battle, plans rarely work out exactly as we set them up. do you have any contingencies if the plan comes apart a bit, as in what we will do if Allan is discovered? Oh, and by the way, Robs, or you Allan, can ask me any question, since I assume you have many. For example, Robs, you might ask why word was sent back that I was dead when I wasn't. However, if you have no questions, we will let it drop here, and I won't bring it up again, eh?"[

[Kate]

“What, am I not good enough?”

Robins look did not escape her and his immediate dismissal of Kate as a decoy set her bad mood back in place. She was just as good as them and perfectly capable of looking after her self. When would every one stop trying to protect her. Kate’s cheek burned as she glared at Robin. Perhaps it wasn’t anything to do with if she was good enough maybe he just didn’t trust her.

Kate’s anger only deepened as the talk turned to looks and her own where completely forgotten. Bloody men, she thought clutching her hip tightly with her hand and her jaw firmly set in place.

[Robin Hood]

Robin approached Kate and slid his arm around her shoulder, bringing her in close to his side. "More than good enough," He replied, looking down into her eyes. "The thing is, even if the bride and groom go through the charade of a marriage, if its you, then its valid. If its one of the guys, then its null and void. Somehow, Kate, I don't think you want to end up married to Prince John for real do you?"

Robin gave Kate a quick, reassuring hug then stepped back. "Well, what are you all waiting for?" he asked the outlaws and their guests, "Lets get moving!" Picking up his weapons, Robin led the way out of the camp and back towards Locksley.