There will be sacrifice but that's the price{Bro}

[ella]

It was getting dark out. The sun was loosing light, and the moon would soon take over. Ariánna rushed to get home in time. She knew she should not be out past dark, last thing she needed was a stern talking to by her dear old mother. The poor women had enough problems with out Ariánna adding to them. Her footsteps were quiet virtually unheard as she ran down the dirt path to her home. Her deep blue and white dress clung to her slim athletic body, accenting her brightly colored eyes. Her feet moved swiftly her head held high watching ahead of her as her home reached her view in the dimming light. Before she could get to close she knew something was wrong. Servants were rushing about, packing, moving, cleaning. It was quite unusual. A familiar horse stood tall and proud tied to a tree out front, a servant tending to the animal. The animal belonged to the Sheriff. She knew something horrific must have happened. He would not call on their home at such a late hour. No one would be working so hard so late.

Ariánna just did not understand. She let herself slow to a brisk walk, as the commotion around her kept it's steady pace. Did she dare stop and ask someone? Or should she go right to her brother. Her brother. Her heart seemed to sink, she had an almost hopeless feeling. He was not here. She just had a feeling he was gone. She hoped he was not dead, but she could not let herself think upon that. Not just yet. Her heart began to pound in her chest her palms sweaty, and her breath quicken. What was she to do? Did she dare see her mother? Her mother surly would be a mess. Ariánna could not handle that right now. She has just come from a dear friend of her's who lay sick with fever.

She just could not handle such stress. Without even a second though her feet took off running. Her mind still thinking on what to do. Her feet took on a mind of their own and ran right into the forest. She did not even grab any protection. The woods was not safe for a women, not at this hour, not ever. But Ariánna was sure she could protect herself. Her brother had taught her well. Their play fighting has helped her in many ways. She was sure she could hurt any man who tried to stop her. She was quite the match for her older brother, and he was no fool. But she just ran. Her feet leading her on a path she use to run as a child.

The forest got thicker and thicker around her. Causing her sprint to turn into more of a slow run, so she could dodge all the tress that stood in her way. But her feet would not stop. Her mind was still back at her home, watching everything she loved being packed away, being moved into wagons, being shoved into placed being handled harshly. That was not something she was ready to see. Not something she could deal with, not after seeing her friend who was so very ill. Ariánna was unsure if her friend would last the night. So she was trying to mourn over her friend, she could not deal with her mothers sadness or the loss of her home. So she ran.

She wished only to speak with older brother, her confidant Robert. It seemed her feet realized this desire and acted upon it. Soon she broke though the thick brush. There she stood on the edge of the most beautiful lake. A lake her brother would take her to swim. The very lake she learned how to swim in. Her body stood still looking at the lake below, a small smile on her face. It was so beautiful. Her body caught it's breath and her mind caught up to her body. Her eyes widen as she looked at the magic of the water, as her ears listen to the pounding from the falling water. What was she doing here? She could not help but think as she stood on the edge. She was so close she could fall off with the water. It was a jump she had made so many times, one her brother was always with her for.

Looking around she was alone. She dared not jump this. Not yet... not now... not alone. But she needed to climb down to reach the caves below. There was always this one secret cave that Robert always took her too, it was quite the cave, many memory's were held there. So she began to descend to the large lake below. The rocks were hard some slippery, but Ariánna was sure she'd make it just fine. She only slipped once, but she caught herself. The climb up would be a much harder one, not that she was planning on going back up. Not alone at least.

Hitting the soft plentiful grass she let out a small sigh. Turning so her back was to the rock she let her eyes wonder, looking, listening for anyone...anything. But it was loud. The birds were chirping their goodnight, the bugs were singing to each other. Things were moving, so no one was out there watching her tonight. At least not that she could tell. She was not followed.

The cave she was always taken too was hidden behind the strong water fall. The only way in was to go under the water fall which was very dangerous in itself. No one in their right mind would do such a thing. But of course Robert had found his own way around the fall, a safe way he took his sister to. There little hide out. Ariánna was sure own two people knew about this secret entrance, seeing as she was pretty sure Robert made it just for her.

She moved around a few tress and shifted a rock or two, before she was able to squeeze between two very large boulders. She was just small enough to wiggle her way through, any bigger then her and they would have quite the time getting in. The sheriff and his men had no chance of getting in here. Once through the boulders the path got wider enough for her to stretch her arms out wide to touch each wall. Her dress and hair had somehow managed to stay relatively intact through her journey. There were a few small rips nothing Ariánna could not fix in a heart beat, and a few of her hairs were out of place in her tight bun, but she payed it no mind. She'd much rather not fuss with all this pretty stuff. If she could just throw on some pants, she'd be happy. But of course it was not her place. Robert and her father Thomas wear the only people able to convince her to wear the pretty dresses. She only wore them now to honor her father.

"Robert?" Ariánna called out softly not wanting to call much attention to herself. "Robert." She asked again walking the dark hall, letting her hands run along the smoothed out edges of the path. When they were kids Robert would spend hours smoothing out the rock so she did not cut herself. He was so sweet to her. "Are you here?" She asked talking to no one really. He had to be here... he just had to be. She knew he was here, she knew it, she felt it deep down. Then the path took a sharp turn and off in the distance the roar of the water fall could be herd again, and a soft light shone bright. She was getting closer to their spot. The light meant a fire was going. He had to here, or he'd be back very soon. She'd wait all night here for him if she had to. Still half blind by the growing light, she called out again. "Robert." Her voice carried a little more with a soft echo. Her voice was more confident, louder, sure of herself, more herself. "It's only me." She called out not sure what she was going to find when the tunnel turned fully into the secret cave.

Would she find a stranger, an outlaw? Would she find her brother, alive? Dead? Hurt? There were so many questions none of which she could answer... at least not yet. She just hoped she'd find her brother. The brightness from the fire reached her full on, she blinked in the light a few times letting her eyes adjust. When they opened...nothing.

Her mouth fell open slightly and her arms moved around her middle, hugging herself lightly. She was alone? She let herself blink a few more times as she moved to the fire. He had to be here. There were things laying about in a pack. Someone was living here... at least for a while. She bend down to pick up an article of cloth, she let it run between her two fingers. Her mind deep in though wondering if this was her brothers place.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Bloody everlasting hell. What had he done?

Robert had returned from war months ago. The war had been one blood bath after another; and if they were not fighting one group they were fighting another or even themselves! He had watched good men turn into blood thirsty killing animals or break under the weight and knowledge of what they had been forced to do. At their king's command they had been forced to capture, kill, murder, and massacre more then just warriors but women and children sometimes. While Robert had never once been apart of the group who harmed the towns, he had not raised voice in out cry.

With the war ending, he was set home to attend his land; and it was all he wanted. He just wanted something simple and not have to watch his back. He was damn tired of fighting. He wanted to go home and crawl into a bed and sleep for a week before finding a beautiful English woman and disappearing for another week. However upon his return he found he was the earl, his father dead. With no male here to attend matters; the taxes that were collected went to the sheriff and none give to his mother or sister for the upkeep of his home, and the lands around it!

The battle had started there. He demand coin and the sheriff refused so Robert made a political mockery of the man. Words turned and meant to embarrass. Played to the crowd to cause the people to be more displeased with him. Any of the Sheriff's tax collectors were sent home empty handed or with little coin. The sheriff would return in kind.

Finally; this day arose. Robert had gone hunting. No low born men were allowed to hunt in the woods but as an earl he was allowed. When he was riding back home he saw the tax men trying to force the coin from one of his farmers. Enraged he moved in to stop it however before he got to them the man was killed and Robert had drawn his bow and shot down the collector. A price was put on his the same hour. The sheriff now had everything he wanted.

Robert was sitting int he cave near a fire while in shock at everything he had lost. In one swift moment everything he had was gone. He wasn't sure what would happen to his family, his lands nor his servants. He got up and walked down one of the tunnels until he got to an opening. He was standing there; staring up at the sky until he heard a voice behind him, from the tunnels. Buttons?

Robert hurried back to find her at his fire touching the only thing he had managed to pack and get out with before the men came to hang him. "Buttons?" He asked as he hurried toward her. He was glad to see her but he knew if she was caught they hang her too! "You shouldn't be here!"

[ella]

The cloth felt soft and warm in her delicate hands. Her brow wrinkled lightly as she examined the article. She looked to the stitch, and she knew it was hers. She knew this cloth was her brothers. The stitch that held the cloth together was surly hers. Ari?nna could identify such a stitch anywhere. It was hers and hers alone, her signature if you will. No man or women would be able to steal anything she makes, her stitch is unique to her. So he must be here. He had to be here. The cave was the right one. She let out a small sigh hugging the article to her chest, hugging it close. Her brother was near. She could smell him, or maybe it was the cloth. But she knew he would find her soon.

She stood up the cloth still held tight in her arms. She could hear distant footsteps, he must be running. Getting closer and closer. She let her eyes close waiting. He did not kept her waiting long. She herd his voice, a voice she knew all to well. Her lips turned into a smile despite her depressed mood. "Brother." She answered his call turning around just as he continued his speech. "Oh of course I should." She demanded not even bothering with a hug. He'd get that soon enough. As she said that she let her arms fall forcefully to her side, was she angry? No... she could never be mad at him... at the situation sure. But at him? Never. She held out the part of cloth to him, wanting him to take it. What was she his mother? It was quite the motherly act.

"A sister should be with her brother!" She said in her strong confident voice. She was quite he stubborn young girl sometimes. Looks like now would be that time. "Now what happened!" She said in the same echoing voice. She was sure no one would follow them here, no one would hear her echos over the waterfall on the other side of the rocks. She was really not sure why she was acting like this. In reality she was pretty scared and all kinds of mixed up. She was mad that her brother left with out a word or note or anything, yet she understood why he had to go. It was leave or the family would no longer have heads. But she was still mad at being left in the dark, even know she was away.

Ari?nna was pretty spoiled, so it was not often she was kept out of the loop. Sure she was protected, and things she was told was not the whole truth, but Ari?nna would always find out. She's always get her way. She was a master at being what people wanted her to be. She would be a good little house maid one day, and a tom boy the next. It all depended on what she wanted to get her hands on. If she had to please her mother she'd be the perfect daughter. If she wanted to be left alone she'd be quite the...bitch. Evil little girl she could be, very moody too. But she surly could make herself fit into any situation, be whom ever she needed to be. The only exception was her brother. She was always herself with him. She never had to act to get what she wanted. Oh course he'd challenged her in many way's so a simple tear would never do the job with Robert.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert looked at his sister standing there so strong willed and walked the few steps over to her to lifter her up in a hug. His hand touched her hair and he knew that this would be the last time he saw her. He would either had to leave to stay alive, or if he stayed and fought this war he had started; then he'd have to avoid her for her own good.

Either way, this was goodbye. "Did no one tell you?" He asked her, letting her feet touch the floor as he let her go but not far enough for her to leave his hug. "Why did you come here? Night is falling you could have--ANYTHING could have happened to you." Was she followed?! "Buttons, I need you to tell me if anyone followed you. It's important."

He prayed that no one did. If she was caught with him right now, the sheriff would either marry her off to the lowest of the low vial men, or hang her beside him. He could not imagine either happening to his baby sister, and he knew he would have to keep her safe. Avoid her after this.

His heart broke at the though of all he lost but he knew that crying and pouting would do him no good right now. He had to keep a clear head, and not drop his guard. "Buttons, I killed a man today. I'm wanted for murder. You can not be found with me. You need to go home."

[ella]

She smiled softly to herself when he came to hug her. She accepted the hug, and bent her knees to lift her feet into the air. He very well may think this was the last hug he'd ever get from her.... but Ari?nna was not going to let that be true. She would follow her brother to any distant land if she had to. She'd do anything for him really. So he may run, but she would find him sooner or later. She was always pretty good at hide and go seek. But then again thats because she already knew all the good spots, and she knew her brother pretty darn well. He was predictable at times. She let her head rest in the crook of his neck for their shot lived hug. There were other things that needed to be said. The hug could not last forever.

She felt her feet touch the ground, when she let the tension go in her knees. Though she was not quite yet aloud to leave his presence. Which was fine by her, she enjoyed her brothers hugs. They made her feel loved. Ari?nna shook her head at her brothers worry. "Shhh." She said looking up to him. He was quite the tall man, and she was rather short. "I was alone I can assure you. I would not be so dumb to lead anyone close to here. No one knows where I am. For all they know I'm with my sick friend still. I went to call on her for a few days." Ari?nna informed him, unsure if he knew she was with said friend. "I do not know what happened. But I do not wish to know the lies. I wanted to know the truth." She said shifting her wight from one foot to the other. "I knew you'd give me the truth. You can't lie to me." She said with a small smile a little joke. Sure he could lie, but she never though he would lie to her, a small little white lie sure. But a huge blow out lie... there was just no possible way.

"Murder?" Ari?nna said shaking her head a little. "The man must have been a horrid man for you to have to kill him." She though out-loud to herself. "And no one will find me here. This is very well hidden. I have told no one of this spot so no one would be able to get in. We are protected." Ari?nna said gesturing towards the wall the water fell from. They would be just fine here for a little while. "And don't you worry about me. I'll be find. I have always been fine, I always will be. You've taught me how to handle myself. Have you forgotten?" Ari?nna asked, hoping he might want a little demonstration. She always did enjoy a little play fighting. He usually let her win which man her all the more happy. But a good play fight was always exciting and the only person who would do such an un-lady like thing with her was her brother. That was one thing she would miss, all the time coming into her home covered in dirt and gosh knows. Her mother was always so very angry, but that made her day. Her mother mad was quite amusing. She was such a nice little lady.... when her floors were clean.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

"I have not forgotten," He told her but he knew that she could not know what would come at her if she got caught being with him. "Buttons, I took the life of one of the sheriff's tax collectors. He's dead, and for that I am a wanted man. If they find me, I will be taken to Nottingham castle and hung at dawn. Anyone caught with me, or helping me will join me. You can not be with me." As much as it hurt to push her away he knew he would have too. He'd been gone for years and he hoped that it would make it easier for her to cut him out of her life.

He knew it would not be easy, but he knew they did not have a choice. He could not watch something bad happen to her. If they tried to use her to get to him. . . . she was he weakest point right now, and no one could know it. He was lucky that he had been gone for so long, either in London or at war. Most did not know that he and his sister had close ties. They assumed that he was not close to her due to the space in their years or in distance. "Ari?nna, you need to stay with our Mother. She will need you now. I have to get away from you both before someone finds you with me."

Robert sort of made up his mind then, that he would not just disappear. His sister would be under the sheriff's thumb. While he knew the sheriff did not think eh was close to his family so he would not use them violently against him; he might try to shame them to get to Robert's pride. He would have to keep the man busy. Keep his guessing. Robert had been trained by kings, and princes' in warfare. He'd spent years playing mind games with friend and foe in the Holy Lands. He would bring down the sheriff, and free his family from his rule. Get his revenge.

[ella]

"Brother." She said with a soft sigh. She did not care who had died, so long as he deserved it. If her brother had to kill him, surly he was a horrid man. He was working for the sheriff so it made perfect sense to her. She did not see an evil bone in her brothers body. Plus the idea of him getting caught was so... outrageous, she could not even imagine. They had been playing around in these woods for as long as she can remember. If anyone knew theses woods Robin did. He knew them better then anyone she knew... then again she did not know a lot of people. She was not the most popular person around. "I don't care what they do to me. If you die, I shall be glad to die at your side." She said with a soft smile. "Don't worry. You will not get caught. The Sheriff and his men are dumb and easy to sway. Let me help you." Ari?nna added to her sigh. Even if he did not wish for her to help, she'd find a way. She'd always find a way.

She just shook her head. It would take a lot more then that to get her to leave. She was very stubborn. She would not let just anyone tell her what to do. She knew she could help, so she would. Even if that meant leaving food in the woods in the most random of places. She'd find a way to help. She'd sleep with the... okay no she would not turn herself into a common whore. But she'd do whatever she could to keep her brother safe. She could deal with not seeing him, she'd have to.... but she would not let him die for killing a vile man, who needed to die anyway. Not that she knew who this man was, nor did she care. But if her brother killed him...then he needed to die, simple as that.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

She did not seem to understand, and he both loved her for it and wanted to shake her! "They are smart enough to hang a man. Or marry you off to an age man who would hurt you. Smart enough to go after our mother." He had to put distant between them. "Ari?nna, you need to be with her name. You need to protect her now. You will have to publicly disown me, but you need to do what you have to in order to stay alive and safe from that bastard."

Cursing before ladies wasn't exactly something a gentleman and knight would do but right now he wasn't thinking as a knight but a brother. She wasn't safe close to him. "I am going to have to do thing. Start something. You will have to publicly disapprove, Buttons, or they will use you to hurt me. As long as your clamming I'm disowned and you hate me you should be safe." He would not take any things he heard her say to heart for he would know how she felt but he needed her to be this way. Needed her to be strong. He needed her to turn on him and pretend to hate him. She could get her self killed or worse if she did not. "Promise me!"

[ella]

Ari?nna shook her head. "They could only try, my brother." She said putting her hands on his shoulders. "Any man dare lay a hand on me and he will never touch again. You know this." She said. She was sure no one would touch her wrongly. If they did she would fight them off. "No one would want to try Robert." She said with yet another sigh. She may be very pretty but she had a mouth and a fist to follow. She got in trouble a lot, and everyone knew it. Perfect as she may be, you don't ever get to close to her, she's a spit fire she is. She is quick to act and strong enough to keep promises on which she threats. She was a smart girl she could talk her way out of most thing. If not she'd fight her way. She saw no issue. Her mother would be protected, Ari?nna was sure of it. He did not need to worry about her.

"I don't wish to lie about you. You are a hero among men... not this criminal the sheriff puts you out to be. " She said a little frustrated with it all, but there was nothing she could do. If he ordered her to do so, she would. She would listen to him. She always had always would. He was the only man she would listen to with little question. Of course she would question, but she kept most everything to herself when speaking to her brother..... though she seemed to forget about this today.

Well she figured that made sense... as much as she hated to do it...she knew if it made him happy. "Well." She said thinking it over for a bit. "If I must." she added. She would do it if that's what he wished from her. It would be hard sure, but Ari?nna was stubborn to the core, and if her mind was set to something god help anyone standing in her way. "I" She said not wishing to promise for fear of a slip up, but she would to make him feel better. "I promise! Please take a breath before you die on the spot." She said rubbing his arm for a second. He needed to relax a little before he killed himself from worry. She would be fine she had been fine for a while, she'd be fine for a while more. So long as she can still see him every now and again she would be very happy. Even if she had to curse his very name. If she could hug him, she'd do it.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert heard her promise that no man would touch her but he knew better. She thought she could take on the world but in truth she was still very young. She would try and he knew she would try with everything she had in her; his fear would be that she would fail. That whomever she fought against would be bigger and stronger or have other around him or hurt her in other ways. She didn't know how easy it was to get hurt.

Yet she promises. "You will have to do this. You will have to be strong. For Mother. She will need you now." And he would need to see her safe. "You will need to do and say whatever you must to keep your name clear of mine. I will know where your heart is, Buttons, but your words will not be allow to betray it. Curse me. Hate me. Say what you must to whom you must. Turn to my foes for help to keep clear me. Don't let them see you miss me. If you can do this then you should be safe."

While he attempted to bring the house down on the sheriff's head; and pray that one day they could be family again. Though he knew that it would never happen unless the sheriff was dead and they all fled England.

[ella]

"yes yes." Ari?nna said with yet another sigh. Yes she would do this for her brother, for her mother for their land. For she knew one day Robert would be forgotten and not hunted, he'd come home at some point. And she was going to make dang sure he had a nice home to come to. His bed would be made and his room dusted. She would make sure his room was livable. If not she would offer up her room to him. She did not need a room, she could sleep on a floor or with her mother, seeing as her father had died. Her mother might like the company.

She stammered for a moment. Turn to the people she hate for help? Live in a word she hated... yet she'd be safe, she'd be able to help him, see him... but this would be a lot of work. It would hurt her in the long run. Getting close to the very men she wished would die, and shun thous whom she loved very much. But she had to look at the bigger picture. If she did this she would be quite the ally for her brother, a double agent. When the time was right she would fuck over every man women and child against her brother... but first she needed to gain their favor. It would be hard, but she always did enjoy a challenge. Ari?nna nodded her understanding to her brother. She could do it. It would take time, but he would be proud of her. He might even start to question her heart.... well she'd never want that, for she could see through the lies people spoke about him. But if she could pull this off then everyone would know how cleaver a girl she was. Oh course it would have to wait many years. She might even have to marry... but whatever it took to save her brother.. she'd find the will and a way.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Robert gave a nod when she agreed but knew better then to let it go. His sister was too much like him; brave and an outgoing sort. "Swear to me." He asked her softly; wanting to make sure she would do it and not just pretend until she could no longer pretend. She was strong in her heart and he did not want her trying to get around a promise.

He didn't know what he would do if something happened to his baby sister and he was unable to stop it. He knew that she and his mother were the only reason he had not crossed into fighting as merciless as he had in the war. He did not wish the make them truly hate or fear him. If the sheriff harmed them; or something happened to them then he would not have that person in his life holding back his actions. He would burn the city to the ground.

[ella]

He wanted her to swear. If she took this oath, she knew she could just turn her back on it. This would be a life long commitment. This would be a life style change. This would make her change her value system. She'd have to lie, steal, cheat, all that to make sure people believed her. Yet she had to be perfect, she had to make everyone see her as a kind, sweet girl. Could she really pull that off? Could she smile at the man she hated? Could she kiss his hand, bow to him, look at him with sparkles in her eyes? Could she really pull it off.

Yes.

Yes she could. She knew she could. She may not want to but she could. If she put her mind to it, if she swore she could save herself, her mother. She could make everyone and anyone think what she want them to think. It would take a lot of work in the beginning. But she could handle it. It was better then sewing or something. "I swear on fathers grave." She finally said, though her words were heavy, filled with the promise she made. It was not an easy thing to do what she did, but she knew now she was bound to it. She was set. She cleared her fate.

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