Nettlestone Village
Robin reassures Owen, the miller of Nettlestone, that he will not be evicted from his home. Owen is afraid to even be seen taking food or speaking to Robin as his son works at the castle.
~
Robin and Much and Will head through the forest and waylay Joderick, the sheriff's bailiff, and pay off Owen's tax debt. Joderick finally agrees to do as Robin asks. Robin also asks not to be named in this scheme as his friends think he is vain.
His friends now seem to include two of the strange men from the forest, along with Much, Will Scarlet, and Allan-A-Dale.
Robin and the men sneak back to watch when Joderick enters the village. Owen asks if he's seen Robin Hood. When Joderick denies seeing Robin, he gets an arrow in the back and collapses. Owen believes that Robin has killed him, and announces it loudly for all to hear including Robin.
~
A hooded figure goes dashing through the trees, catching Robin's attention, and he immediately gives chase. Robin tackles the hooded figure and they tussle, but the figure is able to escape Robin's clutches with a good rabbit-kick to his mid-section.
Back at the outlaw's camp, Robin learns of the Night Watchman. According to Will, he's been around for years, coming out only at night, and leaving food and medicine where needed in the surrounding towns and villages. Robin wonders why the Night Watchman killed Joderick and vows to find him.
~
Nottingham Town
At a Council of Nobles meeting, the sheriff is pleased to report that the villagers of Nettlestone believe it was Robin who killed the bailiff. The sheriff believes this will turn the tide of the villagers' feelings toward Robin and want to know what else can be done.
Gisborne suggests reprisals against the villagers, but Marian speaks out against that saying Joderick would not want more deaths on his account, nor has the tactic worked in the past. Her father does not wish her to speak, worried about reprisals against her, but she does not heed his sign.
Luckily, the sheriff agrees this time. It is decided that the situation will be used to the sheriff's advantage, by having the town crier remind people that Robin took an innocent life.
Gisborne does not agree, and thinks actions need to be taken that Robin Hood be hunted down. The sheriff allows Gisborne to pursue his own plan.
Out in the castle square, the sheriff makes a pretty speech about Joderick and makes some not-so-pretty remarks about Robin Hood.
Marian and her father are in the square listening. Marian looks over and sees a soldier. She goes over to him and asks what he's doing there. Apparently, something's happened and he should not be working. The soldier says the sheriff called him out of retirement. Marian says she will speak to the sheriff. But the soldier says the work helps. He confesses that he still reaches out for his wife in the middle of the night. Marian tells Joe that when the funeral is over, he can go home with her and her father.
Robin and the gang join the edge of the villagers gathered at the funeral.
The sheriff pontificates that this death was caused by one arrow an arrow belonging to Robin Hood.
Much is aghast that the sheriff is making them look like criminals. "Of course he is," says Robin. The mouthy rogue reminds Much that they are criminals.
The sheriff puts forth that the villagers can choose stability, order, and authority or the random chaotic cruelty of Robin Hood. He asserts he will hunt down Robin Hood, with dogs if necessary, and punish him.
While the sheriff speaks, Robin sneaks forward through the crowd and gently shoots an arrow at Marian, hitting her in the fleshy part of her hip. She jumps and looks over. With a toss of his head, he requests her presence.
"You never shoot me, understand?" she says haughtily, as they round the corner into a deserted alley. She slaps his arrow back at him.
"This this is all my honor, isn't it?"
She thinks him conceited for assuming so, but asks what he expects if he hands the sheriff a stick, but that the sheriff will beat him with it.
Robin tells her it was the "so-called non-violent" Night Watchman. Marian denies it. Robin says that he will find him, but he needs her to look in the one place he can't the castle. She tells him not to tell her what to do, so he says, "Please," somewhat anxiously, "I must clear my name."
"What about catching the killer? Is that not more important than your name?"
"If people do not trust me, then what good can I do?"
With a huff, she says she'll try and stalks off.
~
Gisborne comes across the DeFourtnoy, the master-at-arms, and asks if it just a ceremonial position these days...problems like Hood demand resolutions, not town criers. DeFourtnoy is not pleased by the comments.
~
Gisborne goes out to the castle square. Soldiers are standing around with dogs.
Marian comes upon Gisborne and tells him her father sent her to stay at the castle while the killer is on the loose. He asks if she doesn't believe it's Hood, she gives a non-committal answer and again hints at staying in the castle. Gisborne says it's not permitted.
She says "oh," and feigns concern. Gisborne gives in, his face flashing tenderness for half a second, and says he'll speak to the sheriff. Marian thanks him and offers an encouraging smile.
Gisborne descends a couple of steps and issues orders to the soldiers for the dogs.
~
Out in the forest the gang is cleaning up camp. The barking of dogs grows louder and louder. Will comes running up to confirm their suspicions. As they look over an embankment, they see the soldiers, the dog handlers and the dogs racing through the trees and underbrush below.
"Pairs," orders Robin. "Let's meet where we store the provisions." Everyone scrambles and takes off.
~
Back at the castle, the sheriff sits at his desk perusing some documents. Matthew the miller's son brings in a tray with a decanter of wine and sets to the sheriff's left. However the sheriff is right-handed, and makes Matthew move it to the other side of the desk. To help Matthew remember, the sheriff tells him to stand on one foot the right for one hour. As Matthew stands there, the sheriff begins to harass him about his father. But before he gets too wound up, and arrow comes flying through the window. The sheriff had been standing somewhat behind Matthew while he harangued him. The arrow barely misses the sheriff and lodges in Matthew's back. Matthew collapses. The sheriff hollers for his guards.
The master-at-arms arrives and tells the sheriff that Gisborne and the men are out in the forest with the dogs. The sheriff is not pleased because, obviously, the killer is not in the woods and could not be Robin Hood. But he decides to pin this second murder on Robin Hood anyway. DeFourtnoy goes to do the sheriff's bidding.
~
Nettlestone Village
The caisson brings Matthew's body back to the village. Gisborne says a few words and promises to bring Robin Hood to justice. Matthew's mother breaks down.
~
Back in the woods, the outlaws finally converge where they keep the provisions, however, it appears that the soldiers found the hiding place and stole or destroyed everything. Much is beside himself.
~
The sheriff is not happy about being under lockdown while DeFourtnoy searches the castle. Before the master-at-arms leaves, the sheriff asks if DeFourtnoy thinks two deaths are enough for the people to turn against Robin. The sheriff thinks another couple of "pretty deaths not just men" would be better.
~
A servant woman is doing some chore on one of the open corridors. As Marian comes walking past, an arrow hits the serving woman in the upper body. Marian catches a glimpse of the shooter in an upper window.
DeFourtnoy quickly arrives on the scene and insists Marian go back to her room where it's safer. As she makes to leave, she looks back suspiciously.
In quick succession, two other servants are struck down.
Gisborne hurries down the stairs into the great hall wanting to know what's going on why three people have been killed under DeFourtnoy's nose. An argument rapidly flares as the two men argue whose made better progress.
The sheriff shuts them down and tells them to grow up.
Marian questions the notion that Robin is responsible. She asks how he could move about the castle with DeFourtnoy's guards all over the place. She makes it clear that the last three killings have given DeFourtnoy the chance to shine.
In a huddle, the sheriff asks DeFourtnoy if she saw him. He says she's just guessing because she's a girl.
~
The outlaws are on the run from the dogs once again. They find a spot to stop for a few moments to catch their breath. Much is still moaning about the loss of the food.
The barking grows closer and louder again, and the outlaws move to run.
Except Robin, he pulls and arrow and readies his bow, and takes a stand.
Much reminds him there are too many of them.
Robin finally drops his bow, and instructs the gang to head east to Nettlestone. They take off running once more.
~
Nettlestone Village
When the gang enters the village, they are told to get out, that they aren't wanted there. As Robin tries to talk to several villagers, asking if the Night Watchman has been around recently, they ignore him and walk away.
Matthew's mother, Kate, comes running toward the gang, followed by her husband Owen. "You killed my son," she yells at Robin, attacking him, before Owen grabs her, pulling her away from Robin. She breaks down sobbing.
Robin can't believe what he's hearing. Matthew's father also reminds them of Joderick's death.
Robin yells back that he would never hurt Matthew, that he didn't kill him, and that he didn't kill Joderick either.
Owen mentions the other deaths.
"Others?" Robin repeats in surprise. "What others??"
Owen lets go of his wife and she runs toward Robin again. Pushing and shoving occur for a few moments as the outlaws deny taking part in any of the killings.
Robin is able to break free. "I'm fighting for you," he yells. "The sheriff hangs people for stealing bread. He cuts out their tongues. He divides us..."
Owen slams a fist in Robin's face, sending him to the ground. The gang decides it's time to get out of there.
~
Back in the forest, Robin is incensed by the whole situation. "I walked away from my home for them. I gave myself up to the sheriff for them."
"We gave Joderick money for them," adds Allan.
"I never really did understand that," says the mouthy rogue.
Robin looks at Will. Will hands him a tag, saying he's refined it, and that only he and his dad know how to do it. Robin praises him. Everyone else just looks on.
~
Marian is heading somewhere in the castle, but she is stopped by a soldier. She tells him she is looking for Sergeant Lacey. A soldier steps forward, presumably Sergeant Lacey, and says he'll deal with her.
Lacey tells Marian she should not be there (there in that particular corridor or in the castle??), that it is not safe. They seem to walk a ways away from the rest of the soldiers to talk. He expresses his disbelief that Robin is a killer, and sympathy for Owen and Kate, Matthew's parents.
~
The gang stops as night falls. Robin tells John to take over he is going to the castle to put a stop to things. He's tired of running. Allan has a suggestion for getting into the castle.
~
Marian and Sergeant Lacey are on the open corridor where the servant woman was shot. She asks him if she could shoot an arrow into the window across the way and up a bit (the one she saw someone in after the woman was shot). He says yes. As they converse, it is revealed that Marian apparently asked for archery lessons, and Lacey remarks she is more interested in bow range.
"Are you trying to prove it couldn't be him?" he asks.
Marian chuckles nervously, but shakes her head almost imperceptibly.
"You're still in love with him."
"No," says Marian, still glancing toward the window, shaking her head. "Who?" she asks, looking at Lacey with a smile.
"Tell him," Lacey says. "Not that you'll ever see him, but tell him good people still love him."
She nods, but barely.
~
Nottingham Castle
Allan lights a contained grass fire out side the castle wall. Robin climbs up atop a tall roof and waits until the sentries are distracted by the fire. He then grabs a hold of a beam sticking out from the wall and hoists himself up onto a ledge on the outside of the parapet. After checking for guards he jumps over the parapet and into the castle.
~
The sheriff is sleeping peacefully in his bed, a fire roaring in the hearth. A hand covers his mouth, and he makes a lot of noise into Robin's hand. Robin aims a dagger at the sheriff's throat. The sheriff finally shuts up and Robin removes his hand.
"Why can it never a beautiful woman or something," asks the sheriff.
Robin tells him to call off the dogs. The sheriff says he's a mad killer.
"You know I'm not," replies Robin.
"True," says the sheriff.
Robin points out that he was able to sneak into the sheriff's chambers undetected, and if the real killer is half as good, he will do the same. Robin offers to catch the killer.
When the sheriff asks why Robin wants to do this, Robin says he cannot allow innocent people to die. Although, Robin does not acknowledge it, the sheriff also guesses that Robin does not like it when people do not like him.
Robin gives the sheriff the tag Will made. Anyone wearing one belongs to Robin's gang and is not to be harmed. On his way out of the sheriff's chamber, Robin snags a bag of money as his fee for saving the sheriff's life. The sheriff grumbles but doesn't really argue.
As Robin sneaks back out of the castle, he is spotted by a pair of sentries. Robin takes off in the opposite directing and the soldiers chase him.
Robin goes into one of the rooms. The soldiers barge in after him, only to find Marian. She sits up in bed, holding the covers to her neck and looks at them.
The soldier apologizes and backs out of her chambers.
Robin sticks his head out from under the covers, smiling. He tells her he likes her with her hair down.
She says he cannot be there.
As Robin listens for any further soldiers, he tells her not to be a spoilsport.
Marian also tells Robin of her theory that DeFourtnoy is the killer because the situation is to his benefit. Robin lets her know that he is going to change the situation.
Marian says he cannot change things juts because he wants too, and that he should get away while he has the chance.
He comes and sits on the edge of her bed, getting right up in her personal space. "Why would I want to do that when we're having so much fun?" he asks with a smirk.
She then accuses of him of not feeling. When he remains silent, she says her point is proven.
She asks how he can be a whole man if cannot admit to feeling anything.
He says he is hurt when innocent people are killed; he feels when his men are hunted like animals; he feels when good people turn against him.
She tells him that there are people who do still love him.
A soldier knocks on the door saying he must search her room, and Marian shoos him out.
He heads for a side door, but sneaks back and gives her a kiss on the cheek, telling her good work in her investigations. She smiles, pleased.
He disappears as the soldier knocks again.
~
When he gets back to his camp, he tells the gang he brokered a deal with the sheriff and the dogs will be called off. John says they do not deal with the sheriff. Robin doesn't argue, but goes on to explain the plan. Then he talks the gang into getting the food from another hiding place and taking it the village, saying the villagers cannot hate them if they bring them food.
Much argues that Robin just wants to be loved. Robin says he doesn't want to be branded a killer there's a difference. But Much is not swayed. "You just want to be loved." He tells Robin it's not fair because he loves Robin, but no one is giving him any food.
~
Nettlestone Village
As the gang arrives in the village carrying food, the people just watch them, but they don't say anything.
Robin makes a pretty speech about how he's not a killer, and how hungry his men are, but that they've brought the last of their food as a gesture of good faith.
Owen finally comes forward, accusing Robin of using them as pawns and asking what gifts the sheriff will be bringing along later.
~
A short time later, the sheriff and Gisborne arrive in the village and it is Gisborne's turn to make a pretty speech. He tells them the gift they bring is freedom. As he talks to the village at large, the sheriff speaks to people individually.
Robin and his gang look on from the bushes and shrubbery surrounding the village.
Gisborne continues to talk and we see someone in one of the huts raise his bow and arrow in the sheriff's direction only Gisborne gets in the way. Gisborne finally walks past and the mystery man shoots. Only he ends up hitting a soldier rather than the sheriff.
The village panics, but Robin and the gang, and the Night Watchman are on instant alert, still watching for the bowman. He jumps out the back window of the hut and heads into the trees. It looks to be a soldier, and the Night Watchman starts after him.
Robin hears the Night Watchman on the move and goes after him. He finally catches up with him and starts yelling at him. He pulls off the Night Watchman's hood and mask to reveal
"Marian." Robin says jumping to his feet. Marian gets up, as well, as Much comes running around the bushes. Much is surprised to see Marian, too.
Before they can discuss that, she tells them she knows who the killer is the soldier: Joe Lacey.
The three of them take off to find Joe.
They spot him getting ready to take another shot, and Robin calls out his name.
When Robin asks why, Joe explains that after all her service to the sheriff that he never came to see her when she lay dying, and because she couldn't work, they couldn't pay their taxes and Joderick evicted them from their home. And she dies out in the street instead of in her own home and bed.
Robin reminds him that if he kills this sheriff there will just be another one to replace him, and the villagers will be tortured because of it.
Joe insists he must do it, but Robin tells him he mustn't. Robin and Marian both raise their bows in Joe's direction while Robin tells him to put the bow down.
Joe glances at the sheriff, just getting on his horse. He raises his bow and shoots. Robin and Marian both shoot Joe in the back of the arm. The sheriff falls to the ground down in the village as Joe falls to the ground and rolls down the embankment.
He sees the sheriff lying face down in the dirt. "I did it, Ruth," he says, rolling over onto his back. "I shot the sheriff."
The sheriff walks over and says, "No...You shot the deputy." Joe looks over at the body.
Robin and the gang come around the embankment and stop before drawing the sheriff's attention.
At the sheriff's nod, Gisborne walks over and runs Joe through with a sword.
Marian flinches. She expresses sympathy for Joe and wonders why he killed so many.
"He didn't," says Robin. He doesn't respond when Marian asks who did. Much and Marian turn to go, but Robin takes one last look and sees DeFourtnoy walking up to the sheriff.
~
Robin joins the sheriff inside the coach as it heads back to the castle. Robin says that Joe had no reason to kill washerwomen and stable boys, but that the sheriff did. The sheriff refuses to admit it to Robin since Robin has threatened to kill him if he ever did.
Robin pulls a dagger and holds it close to the sheriff's chest. "I meant it."
With a swipe of his leg, the sheriff sends Robin crashing through the side of the coach and into the brush alongside the road. He runs into the trees where the gang is waiting and providing cover. Two soldiers follow to the tree line, but then turn and go back after the carriage.
~
Back at the castle, Gisborne wants to send men back out after Robin, but the sheriff says he has another job that needs doing.
Out in the stable, DeFourtnoy is brushing down a horse. Gisborne slips in to inform him that he (Gisborne) is to be the new master-at-arms. DeFourtnoy doesn't believe Gisborne. After a short discussion, Gisborne stabs DeFourtnoy in the back with a dagger.
~
Nettlestone Village
Robin and Marian walk along the outskirts of the village.
"Can I ask you a question?" says Robin. "Why do they call you the Night Watchman when you come out in the day?"
"I don't normally," she replies. 'You know I can't be seen. I did not choose the name."
"Anyway...you do not need to do it anymore," Robin says. "Day or night."
She looks at him. "Now that you're here, you mean."
Robin chuckles and nods. "Yeah."
She scoffs as they come to a halt. "My father had me taught to fight. He wanted me to have choices in the world. And I choose to help the poor. You are not about to stop me doing that."
"But does your father know you're doing that?"
"He thinks...I enjoy embroidery," she confesses with an unrepentant smile.
Robin snorts in laughter and looks over toward Much and Allan.
He turns back to her. "Give me a moment? I have a mill to open."
She acquiesces.
Robin and the gang walk into the village.
A tearful Kate rises from her fire as Robin approaches. He hands her the bag of money he took from the sheriff's chamber. "This is for you and Owen in memory of your son," he says tenderly. The he looks at, and calls out, "John."
John cracks his knuckles and then walks up to the mill and pulls off the boards that were nailed across the doorway.
Robin declares the mill open for business and all the villagers clap and cheer.
Much joins Marian who's still standing on the edge of town. "He has to have the glory," she says.
Much looks in Robin's direction. "Glory? Nah...I think he just wants to be loved."
Marian looks at Much in surprise, then back at Robin.
Robin looks at her. She glances away shyly for a moment, a smile teasing her mouth before raising her gaze back to his.
He smiles broadly.