Coincidence (Roe)

[Roe]

Roe accepted what she said at her word. "That is a fair comparison. Just as long as you understand that the fair-haired boy is not who you have today. His soul and his body is more scarred than you remember. And I'm sure that you carry many scars as well. Just remember there is nothing that you can't ask me or ask of me as long it doesn't require me to betray Robs or the Scarletts. I swore an oath years ago that I would risk all to protect both. There is much that is not good in my Crusade days. You can ask me about that, but it is not pleasant to either remember or speak on."

He climbed on Sherfore and then stretched out his hand for her. "Come Bella, your favorite spy needs to get back to the castle, although I greatly prefer life in the forest. And Roe is something only my friends are allowed to use .... so you and the outlaws are wlcome. Do not worry .... I know some back ways into the castle where we can be unseen. Just think of some good story to explain our absence that will still keep us in the castle and will allow us to keep our heads," and they began to move toward Nottingham in the dark of night.

[Isabella]

Isabella nodded at Roe. Some things took time, and right now, that was what both of them needed. She knew she would ask him no more questions today – maybe later, she thought, once she’d had some time to think about things. And there was a lot to think about. Shivering, she took Roe’s hand and climbed back onto his horse, holding onto him again, though perhaps a little tighter this time. As they began to move out of the forest, Isabella was glad that he knew how to get back into the castle unseen. She would have to go to her chamber and dry herself off before she caught cold. And she had to remember to let no-one know that she even knew Roe, or that this had ever happened. She tried to think of what they could use as an explanation of their absences.
“I was meant to be at the dressmaker’s,” she said thoughtfully, “And I suppose you were just out for a ride?”
She looked around and realised how dark it was. How long had it been? An hour, maybe two? The sky was still filled with clouds, but in the patches of clear sky there were clusters of stars glowing. Isabella huddled next to Roe as they made their way back to the castle, the night that enveloped them growing ever more dark.

[Roe]

At least this was ending much better than their last meeting. They had had more of a meeting of the minds. Roe understood now that they could at least be friends. He also knew that they both wanted it to go farther than that. Roe understood that life was both made of and negotiated through choices. In the end it could turn out that the choices that they had made over the past 15 years would be too much to overcome. The choices they would make now, however, might allow them to go forward. Roe understood that they had taken the first steps they would have to .... only time would tell if they would make something of what they would have. Roe knew it wasn't a sure thing .... few things were .... but it was a risk worth taking. And they both knew there had been love once, maybe there could love later .... love now.

As they rode back to the castle he could tell, from the way that she was holding on to him as they rode, that she was more comfortable with him. He could tell that she was thinking intently about something, by the lack of speech as they plodded their way back to the castle. She finally spoke, indicating what she had been thinking about. “I was meant to be at the dressmaker’s .... and I suppose you were just out for a ride?” Roe thought it made a great deal of sense. "I'll escort you directly to your room, where you can dry out, and then go on rounds through the castle, and no one will be the wiser."

[Isabella]

Isabella agreed with Roe’s plan. Secrecy was vital.
“Alright,” she said softly.
She was growing colder by the minute and, when she glanced at her stiff fingers, she could see that they were beginning to turn blue. But as she looked up towards Nottingham Castle, she could see that it was not far off now, and didn’t know whether to be glad or sad, for she knew she needed to get dry soon, even though it meant a parting of ways for her and Roe. She thought back to what Much had told her earlier when she’d partially explained what had happened after she and Roe had parted in a bad state of affairs: Don’t worry, he’ll come round. Isabella had doubted it at the time, but now, she could see that Much had been right. It still didn’t make her want to tell him… not too much, not yet. What had happened today had been strange and yet right, and she was still not too sure what would come of it. For the moment, at least, things seemed to be going in the right direction, but whether Roe would want to carry on down the same path as she did in future, she could not know. She could only hold tight and see.

[Roe]

Roe found a secluded spot close to an isolated spot near a gate closest to the side that Isabella's rooms were on. As he hoped there were some guards at the entrance. That would make his plan run smoother. Sherfore was an obedient horse .... he would stay where Roe had hidden him until he returned. "Bella .... I will approach the gate from one side. I want you to hide on the other. I will distract the guards by bringing something to their attention outside the gate. When they do that go through the space they will have just vacated. Wait inside around the first corner and I will join you within moments. Relax Bella .... it'll be easy .... I have no plans to cut down any more guards tonight."

Quickly Roe moved forward and approached on the right-hand side of the gate. "Gentlemen, I'd like you to come out here an inspect this area of the wall. There's a great deal of brush that could block a guards view of this side of the wall. And there are eroded spots here on the wall that could be used for foot- and hand-holds, if they have not already been used. What do you think? I think that you should report it to Sir Guy .... not only does it need to be done .... but it will show Sir Guy that you are being diligent in your work. There's no need to let him know that I pointed it out, eh. I have no need for commendations. You could use them better than I." As he saw Bella duck inside he told them, "Have a quiet night .... I'm going to do some rounds before I take a late visit to the Jerusalem Inn, eh," he winked.

Within a moment he had walked briskly around the corner to find Isabella. "I must I'm not as good at a turn of phrase as Allan or Carter, or even Robin, but I necessity can bring out the performer in me, don't you think? Now, let's get you to your rooms and then I can go out and put my horse in the stable," and they set off down the corridor.

[Isabella]

Once they were at a quiet spot by the castle, Isabella listened carefully to Roe’s plan. It meant the difference between discovery and secrecy, so she took care to pay attention. As he ran through it, it seemed simple enough – just go round one side of the gate and hide until he came. Of course, he spotted the thought that had crossed her mind at once – what was he going to do to the guards? She’d seen what he’d done when he helped to get Djaq out of the castle, and feared what he might do now that they were trying to get into it. But he wasn’t going to harm anyone, he assured her, and for that she felt a lot easier.
She did as Roe said and hurried to one side of the gate cautiously, taking care not to make any noise. She could hear the low murmur of voices that was the conversation between the guards and Roe, half-expecting to hear the clash of metal on metal at any moment. But it did not come, and Isabella felt foolish for ever doubting the spy. It was not long before he appeared.
"I must I'm not as good at a turn of phrase as Allan or Carter, or even Robin, but necessity can bring out the performer in me, don't you think?”
His comment made her smile, even though she felt so cold and tired.
“I didn’t know there was one hiding in there,” she replied, keeping her voice low.
“Now, let's get you to your rooms and then I can go out and put my horse in the stable," said Roe.
Isabella nodded and the pair began to walk swiftly down the corridor. It wasn’t far before they reached her room now, so she stayed quiet, knowing that if they ran into anyone now, it would be falling at the final hurdle. The low light was on their side, at least, the flickering candles that cast half of every room in shadow. Fortunately, Isabella could not hear any movement, so she continued watchfully down the corridor. Her room was on the upper levels, and she headed up a winding spiral staircase, trying to find the right balance between speed and keeping her footing. Falling over was not an option. It did not take long to reach the correct floor of the castle, and, relieved and surprised that they had not been seen, Isabella went quickly to the door to her room. Her hand reached out to the cold metal of the handle, turned it slowly to avoid making much noise, and pulled the door open. It was then that she realised that this was it. Once she’d gone into her room Roe had to leave to stable his horse, and she couldn’t just go in without saying goodbye. So she turned around and looked up at him, knowing what she should say, but having difficulty in finding the right words to say it.
“I… guess this is goodbye then,” she said, somewhat unnecessarily.

[Roe]

Roe really had no doubts about Isabella, at least in terms of the plan to get by the guards to get back in the castle. He knew she was concerned about what he would do to the guards. He thought it something close to amusing that she was more concerned for their safety than his. At any rate, she followed his directions exactly,and soon they were moving down the corridor, after she reacted to his quip about his acting ability. She always did have a good sense of humor, which had undoubtedly been important in all the rough time she had gone through.

They quickly moved through the labyrinth of corridors and stairways that took them to her rooms. Fortunately it was at a time of night when the lights were kept low and there just weren't anybody about to see them. As they worked up to the level where her rooms were, Roe knew they were getting closer to the point where she would just close the door, or she would say goodbye or something else would happen. As it turned out, she put it off as long as she could, opening the door, then turning, and saying:

“I… guess this is goodbye then.”

Roe looked down into her eyes, "I'm afraid that sounds so final, Bella, but I guess it must be," he said as he hesitated in the doorway.

[Isabella]

Isabella could sense his hesitation, and she was glad that she wasn’t the only one who was wavering. There was a huge void before her of what she was going to do next, and she had to step into it at some point. There was no avoiding the inevitable – she couldn’t stay here forever, halfway between going into her room and saying goodbye to Roe.
“It’s not final,” she said softly, “Just temporary, that’s all.”
And she knew what she was going to do then, so there was no point in putting it off for her shyness’ sake. She leaned forward, almost standing on tiptoes, as Roe was so much taller than her, and kissed him gently on the lips.
“Goodbye,” she said, a firmness in her voice that it was time for him to go.
She quickly pulled back, her hand on the door, and began to retreat into her room, smiling slightly.

[Roe]

Roe really had no idea how they were going to end this uncomfortable moment. He knew that he had to get back outside to get his horse taken to the stable. Despite knowing what he had to do, he had no desire to leave Bella where she was now. Roe was not a man of very many words. So it was a good thing that Bella could fill the gap.

“It’s not final .... just temporary, that’s all.”

That of course was reassuring to him, but what she did next just reinforced her point when kissed him lightly on the lips. "You know, one of those just tends to lead to others," he smiled, "are you prepared for that?"

The firmness of her final Goodbye was enough to tell him that no matter what she wanted her will would be strong enough to hold them in check, at least for one night. He nodded his head deferentially at her and began back down the hallway and out the gate, where he could collect his horse once more. The evening had given him much to think on.

[Isabella]

Isabella smiled in agreement at Roe’s observation. It hadn’t gone unnoticed, then, but maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. circumstance dictated that this shouldn’t even be happening. He was a spy and she was married. The whole thing was meant to be impossible. She was glad it wasn’t, though. Still, there was a lot she still had to tell Roe. He didn’t know about what had happened between her and Robin yet. Isabella wondered if she was moving on too fast – it had not been long since she and the outlaw had decided to put an end to it. But it had been nothing like this, she reminded herself.
Then Roe nodded and turned down the corridor, and she stepped back into her room, closing the door quietly behind her. It was then that she sighed and began to drag her thoughts to more pressing matters – namely, getting dry. Her clothes were sopping wet, not to mention her hair, and she was numb with cold. So she forced herself to be practical and pulled off her sodden shoes.

[Roe]

Roe passed through the checkpoint once more, with barely a nod being exchanged. He did not have to travel more than 50 yards and there was Sherfore, right where he had left her. He climbed on board easily. He didn't think the conditions affected him as much as they did Isabella. He did not think that she was used to being out in the elements. That was pretty much all he had known in the last 15 years, from very hot and dry to very cool and wet.

He and his horse slowly plod back to the stable, and the slow and steady pace allowed him to think so more about what had taken place between he and Isabella. When she had first left when he was a teenager he had not realized how much he would miss her. Although he had shoved the memory of her to the side when he had fallen in love again, but it was still there he knew now.

However, when that love was ripped from him, he had committed himself only to his work and not to women. He had basically given up on the female relationship aspect of life. He was an old dog now and couldn't learn new tricks. Well, at least now he questioned that, as he road his horse into the stable. He had dry and warm blankets put on her, and a ration of food, and he headed back to the castle to do some rounds, for he could not sleep and he knew it would be a waste of time to try.

[Isabella]

After Isabella had lit the candles, it did not take her long to get out of her wet clothes and into some dry ones. It certainly made her feel a lot better, even if there were about a thousand different thoughts invading her mind as she did so. How she was going to keep this secret, for one. She found that she had more and more secrets nowadays, and that was mostly due to the outlaws. This was just another on the pile – and whilst keeping them up could become difficult, she knew that this would be as safe as the others. She would do her utmost to ensure that. Once she was changed, and sat down to run a comb through her knotted hair, she realised just how tired she was. Tired, yet still restless. After a good deal of effort, Isabella finally untangled her hair, and crossed over to her window. The sky was inky and the veil-like clouds were ghostly white. It was a beautiful night. Sighing, she blew out the flickering candles, and crawled into her bed, though she doubted that she would be able to get any sleep. She lay wide awake, unable to settle, restless thoughts turning around and around. Her worries were about the future, about how things were going to work out, if at all. Eventually, bothered and fidgety, Isabella tried to think of something else. At first there was nothing that took her mind off her troubles, but then she closed her eyes and tried to remember what had happened in Locksley all those years ago – the happy childhood memories she hoped would stay with her forever. The taste of strawberries on a Sunday morning. The warmth of a spitting fire in her room. And the feel of straw thatch between her fingers when Roe had first kissed her. Then it did not take long for her to fall asleep.