by Tom Jolleys
‘Where does that door lead to?’ asked Diana, pointing to the corner of this larger bedroom.
‘Well if my memory serves me well, I think it leads to the washroom.’
‘Oh can we have a look? I could do with a good wash.’
‘You’re not the only one, especially after the last two hectic days.’
As she walked into the room, Diana noticed a small, metal bathtub on the floor – it was only about half the size of a normal bath.
‘It seems as though someone was expecting to have a good soak,’ said Marian, walking over to the log fire over which was a large pan of boiling water.
‘I wonder who it’s for.’
‘Well maybe the Sheriff was going to celebrate victory with a bath!’ joked Marian.
Diana giggled at the thought of the Sheriff only having a bath once or twice a year. ‘But it seems a shame to waste the hot water. Can I have a quick bath? I want to look my best for tonight’s celebrations, especially if I’m going to wear Lara’s beautiful dress.’
‘That sounds like a good idea, and when you’ve finished, I think I’ll have one as well. Come to think of it, I might get dressed up as well.’
‘Oh but you must,’ glowed Diana, excitedly. ‘You really must.’
‘Agreed then, it’s been a long time since I pampered myself.’ She carefully lifted the pan of boiling water and poured it into the funny-shaped bath. ‘I’ll boil some more water, and while you’re bathing, I will go and find some suitable attire for tonight. There’s cold water in that jug, and towels on the shelf next to the fireplace.’
‘Thanks,’ said Diana, as Marian left the room. Diana added some cold water, quickly undressed and then climbed into the bath, but it was so small that she couldn’t stretch out her legs – she had to sit there with her knees nearly touching her chin. It was very quiet, and as she relaxed, she started thinking of home. ‘I wonder how mum and dad are doing. I bet they’re really missing us.’ But then she remembered that they must still be asleep in bed, if time really did stand still. Diana couldn’t find any soap, but she was happy just to soak in the warm water. Just then, Marian returned wearing a plain, red dress, which hugged her body and was tied at the waist by a purple cord. The sleeves were long and floppy, and they hung down like the sails of a great yacht.
‘Do you like it?’
‘Yes, oh yes. It’s beautiful and it really does suit you. Why don’t you let your hair down as well?’
‘Maybe I will, yes, I think I will,’ and she pursed her lips, raised her eyebrows and smiled the smile of a thousand smiles!
Meanwhile, Johnny and David had reached the top of the stairs and were now at a T-junction with one dark corridor to the left and one to the right. At least there was a torch at this point, so David reached up on his tiptoes and pulled it out of its holder.
‘Right then,’ said David, ‘you go that way and I’ll go this way. If you see anyone or anything then just shout out.’
‘Hey,’ shuddered Johnny, ‘I want to go with you.’
‘I was only joking. You don’t think I’d leave you alone in here, do you?’
‘I suppose not, but which way shall we go?’
‘I think we should keep to the left, and if we can’t find a way out then we can retrace our steps and try the other way.’
‘OK then,’ agreed Johnny.
‘At least we can see better with this torch.’
‘Yea, and it’s not as spooky now.’
The two boys walked along a short corridor, climbed a few more steps, turned a corner and were then confronted by a large, wooden door.
‘There’s a key in the lock,’ said David.
‘Shall we go in?’ asked Johnny, rather nervously.
‘We might as well, it might be a way out.’
Johnny tried to turn the large, metal key, which was nearly as long as his arm, but it seemed to be stuck. ‘You have a go,’ he said, taking the torch from David.
The lock was a little rusty, but he managed to turn the key and open the door – it creaked loudly as it swung open. But it wasn’t a way out – it was just a small, rather gloomy room. In one corner was a single bed, and above this to the right was another torch, but apart from the bed there was only a table and two chairs. There wasn’t even a fireplace.
‘This must be a hideout,’ reckoned Johnny.
‘Yes, or a prison cell, but there might be a way out if only we can find the secret panel or lever or whatever.’
David reached up for the other torch. Then they started pressing the large stones to see if anything happened. David moved the table away from the wall, still looking for a way out, while Johnny was checking the opposite side of the room. As he lifted his torch high above his head, he noticed a large, gilt frame hanging over the bed. He was just about to tell David of his find, when he saw him disappear through the wall, in a similar fashion to how they had arrived. A large panel had swung him round into an adjoining room.
‘Aaagh,’ screamed Diana, who was still in the bath. ‘You can’t come in here, GET OUT!’
‘Turn your head young man,’ said Marian. ‘I don’t know where you’ve come from but you should not be in here.’
‘Oh, err, I’m sorry sis,’ said David a little flustered, ‘but me and Johnny were trapped in a secret passage. I’d better wait here though, our Johnny will be scared stiff in there on his own.’
‘Here you are Diana, put this robe on.’
‘Thank you Marian,’ she said rather snootily, ‘we will wait here for Johnny then.’
Johnny was indeed frightened, but at least he knew how to get out, having seen David shoot through the wall. So he climbed up onto the bed and rubbed the dust away from the painting with his sleeve. Underneath all the dust and cobwebs was not a painting but a message. Holding the torch high in the air, he could just make out the words:
‘It was not by chance you found this passage,
Johnny Dalton, to read this message.
But the words which you are reading now,
Will help to free a girl somehow.
The youthful, Lara, is her name,
Her portrait hidden beneath this frame,
Was once imprisoned within this room,
The dark, grey walls her living tomb.
But now she lives in a timeless zone,
Held captive in a cottage by an evil crone.
With the help of Davalon’s silver sheen,
Free her, Magic Tyros Ring of Green!’
Johnny had now forgotten all about his own imprisonment and read the verse again out loud to himself. He was really amazed that his own name should appear in the poem. Johnny was only eight years of age, but he realised that a young girl had once been imprisoned in this very room. This girl, Lara, was now held captive by an evil crone. ‘I wonder what a crone is,’ he muttered out loud. ‘Maybe this crone has magical powers similar to those of Jodadi.’ He became frightened again, thinking that this magic might return at any moment and imprison him. At least he had the Cloak of Mennea by his side, but he didn’t know whether even this would be able to protect him against some evil form of magic. ‘Oh I’d better get out of here.’ He put the torch in the holder and went over to the wall where he had seen David disappear. He started pressing the large stones, and within only a few seconds, he was whirled round into the room where David, Diana and Maid Marian were anxiously waiting.
‘Phew, am I glad to see you,’ said Johnny.
‘We were getting a bit worried ourselves,’ said Diana. ‘David was just about to go back into the fireplace in the Sheriff’s bedroom. He’s been telling us about your escapade in the secret passage.’
‘Yes, but that’s not all,’ said Johnny, impatiently. He was just going to tell them about Lara and the poem, when the door burst open and in walked Robin, Little John and Friar Tuck.
&
nbsp; ‘Oh everyone just come right in,’ seethed Marian. ‘Diana was just having a bath, I could have been having a bath, after all these are the ladies’ bathing quarters.’
‘Oh dear, we really are sorry, Marian,’ said Robin, ‘but we’d lost the two boys. Who knows what might have happened to them in this castle!’
Diana and Maid Marian burst out laughing. ‘That’s an understatement if ever I heard one,’ laughed Marian. ‘They didn’t just get lost, they ended up in a secret passage leading from the Sheriff’s bedroom to this room. Didn’t you miss them?’
‘I thought I didn’t see them leave through the door,’ said Little John, now less puzzled.
‘Anyway will you kindly leave us alone? We would like to change in private if you don’t mind.’
‘Oh yes, certainly,’ replied Robin. ‘Come on then lads, we will leave these good ladies in peace. Tomorrow you can show us your secret passage, but it’s getting late, we’ll have to hurry, otherwise we will miss the festivities.’
‘But what about the room?’ whispered Johnny, as he pulled on David’s sleeve.
‘Look, we’ll talk about it later, you heard what Robin said.’
‘Don’t listen to me then,’ mumbled Johnny to himself as they left the room. ‘I think it could be very important, that’s all. Just because I’m only eight.’
At that moment, Little John picked him up and slung him onto his shoulders, which temporarily made him forget about the poem in the secret room. ‘We’ve found some clothes that should fit you nicely,’ said Little John.
‘But you’ll have to wash before you change into these fine costumes,’ added the friar.
‘As long as I don’t have to have a bath,’ moaned Johnny. ‘I had a bath last… err, last… well it was sometime last week!’
They all started laughing. ‘Well you do look a bit grubby – it must have been filthy in there,’ said Robin.
Johnny looked down at his clothes, which were somewhat dirtier than when he had gone into the secret passage. ‘OK then, I’ll have a wash.’
They walked down a few steps, then along a corridor before turning into their bedroom.
‘Watch your head,’ said Little John.
Robin opened one of the drawers, which was full of clothes.
‘You should feel quite privileged,’ said Friar Tuck, ‘the children of kings and queens have worn these clothes and slept in this bedroom.’
‘Well,’ said Robin, ‘we will leave you now, but don’t go messing around pulling levers or pressing panels, we don’t want to lose you again.’
‘By the way,’ said Friar Tuck, ‘there’s a bowl and a jug of water on that table, so there’s no excuse for not having a wash. David, just take care of Johnny for us will you?’
‘He’ll be all right with me,’ replied David, as the three men left the room.
Straightaway, Johnny ran and dived onto one of the beds. ‘Wow, this bed’s as hard as iron.’
‘Serves you right for jumping on it.’
‘Do you want to wash first?’ said Johnny, stretching out on the bed.
‘No chance, you can go first. You’ll only try and get out of it.’
‘All right then.’ He stood up and took off his forest-green tunic, while David poured some water into the bowl. Johnny put his hands in the water. ‘Crikey, the water’s freezing.’
‘It won’t do you any harm just this once. And don’t forget to wash behind your ears.’
‘You sound more like mother every day,’ gurgled Johnny.
David smiled. ‘Well someone’s got to look after you.’
Johnny wiped himself down and then tried on a few outfits until he found one that fitted comfortably. ‘What do you think?’
‘Ugh, mmm, it looks pretty good,’ said David, who was washing his face. ‘Put that hat on, oh, and a pair of those white tights.’
‘Only girls wear tights,’ moaned Johnny, pulling his face.
‘Oh cheer up, I’ll have to wear some as well.’
In half-an-hour the boys were dressed ready for the banquet. The outfits had a certain French appearance, but the two boys looked really smart, in fact they could even have passed as real princes! Just then, Friar Tuck knocked on the door and entered. ‘My oh my,’ he chuckled, ‘what a difference, but I must admit that it’s a big improvement. You both look splendid, very splendid indeed.’
‘Thank you, friar,’ said David.
‘Well if you are ready, then follow me and I will take you down to the banqueting hall.’
The two boys followed the friar as he wobbled out of the room. Johnny mimicked his walk down the corridor until David pulled on his tunic and shook his head. They really didn’t know what to expect, but something was about to happen that no one could have expected or even imagined!
Chapter 11:
The Feast
News of victory over the Sheriff, and the evening’s festivities, had spread rapidly throughout Nottingham and its outlying villages, even to villages that hadn’t been involved in the battle. All afternoon, these villagers had prepared for the night ahead, and they arrived in variously sized groups from five o’clock onwards. They were dressed in their finest clothes, and brought with them vast quantities of food and drink. Brightly clad horses pulled carts containing not only the villagers, but also baskets of fruit, vegetables, freshly-made bread and cakes, roast pigs, ducks, chickens and large pots of homemade wine. One huge Shire horse was saddled with two barrels of beer, one strapped to each side of this enormous beast. Robin’s men had returned earlier, and with the help of a handful of villagers, had prepared the banqueting hall. Outside in the courtyard they had set up a huge, grey marquee, which was surrounded by smaller tents, and by six o’clock, everything was ready. The villagers were seated in groups, either in the tents or the banqueting hall itself. It was at this time that Friar Tuck and the two boys made their way down to the hall. As they approached, the noise from the crowds grew louder and louder. The hustle and bustle of people walking around, many of them servants, and the sound of chatter, soon grew apparent. Mixed in with this was the sound of pots chinking and utensils clashing together like steel against steel in some great, medieval battle. Then they heard a tremendous cheer as loud as the loudest of all thunderclaps. They hadn’t realised that Robin and Marian had just walked down the other staircase.
‘Robin, Robin,’ was the chant from the crowd. There must have been nearly two hundred people in the hall, and even more outside, all singing Robin’s praises. He was dressed, as usual, in his forest-green outfit. Maid Marian wore her scarlet, silk dress, which shimmered as she moved, and with her long, golden tresses hanging down over her shoulders, she looked truly wonderful. They were followed by Little John and then Diana, who wore Lara’s beautiful dress, the dress in the portrait. Their names were also chanted as they came into view. Little John felt slightly embarrassed by all the fuss, although Diana was lapping up all the attention. As they sat down at the centre of the largest banqueting table they had ever seen, the villagers sat down at their appointed places, while others stood at the back, awaiting a speech. Just as Diana was about to ask Marian where the boys were, Friar Tuck appeared, closely followed by Johnny and David. Another thunderous applause rang out as the villagers gave their thanks to the children for defeating the Sheriff of Nottingham.
‘This is like scoring the winning goal at the new Wembley Stadium,’ thought Johnny, while David felt like the lead singer of the band at a heavy metal rock concert. Their names were now chanted by the crowd. While this was happening, the two boys looked at Diana and she looked at them. They couldn’t believe their own eyes. Johnny and David both thought how pretty their sister actually was, for they had never seen her dressed like this before, and Diana thought that her brothers looked smashing, really smashing. She was just so very proud of them, and wished for a moment that their parents could see them. When
they had taken their places at the table, Robin stood up to give a brief speech.
‘Thank you my good friends for coming here tonight to celebrate our great victory over the Sheriff of Nottingham. After spending several hours down in the dungeons, I have the wonderful news that he has had a sincere change of heart. I have here a document, signed by the Sheriff himself, giving free pardons to myself and all of my men, plus a signed statement that taxes will be substantially reduced.’ This brought about a great cheer from the crowd. ‘Now bring in the Sheriff,’ said Robin to one of his men. As he entered the banqueting hall, escorted by two men, the cheering changed to jeering, and shouts of abuse rang out from around the room.
‘Will you please be silent,’ shouted Robin over the noise, and immediately there was a hush. The Sheriff looked quite scruffy, having spent much of the day in his own dirty dungeon cells, and he didn’t look half as mean as usual.
‘Look around you, Sheriff,’ said Robin. ‘There are more than six hundred people here tonight, and not one of them has a good word to say of you. In fact many would like to see you hang, but we are fair people and we believe that you will keep to your word. I have read aloud your sworn statement concerning free pardons and the collection of taxes, but the people standing before you would like to hear your own oath of acceptance.’
The Sheriff walked nervously forward to the platform in front of this vast audience. ‘I, John de Ottenford, Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, do hereby swear by the Lord Almighty that everything Robin has said will now be practised in the City of Nottingham. I thank you for your civility and grateful for the opportunity to mend my ways. When you leave here tonight, every man, woman and child shall receive a gold coin as a token and act of my good faith.’ The crowd erupted, actually cheering the Sheriff, who began to smile. They had never ever seen him smile before, well not smile in true happiness. ‘Now good people of Nottingham, enjoy yourselves, the night is yours, I must return to my men.’
