by Tom Jolleys
‘Maybe it was brought by that young servant girl who we passed in the corridor.’
‘Oh yes, the pretty girl who curtsied – the one with the blonde hair,’ said Diana, who thought for a moment what it would be like to live in this year of 1336!
The two girls sat on the bed, and as they ate their meal, they talked about the different worlds in which they lived.
‘Your world sounds so exciting,’ said Lara. ‘Those pop stars you talk about, the CDs, DVDs and the films on television. I do not know what they look like but you must have a wonderful time.’
‘I suppose it does sound exciting, but I soon get bored with watching television – there are only a few programmes that I really do look forward to. But I love listening to Radio One. It’s full of fun, quizzes and the best music. I usually listen to it while I’m doing my homework. I get tons and tons of homework. Now that is something you really wouldn’t like. Mind you, apart from that, I suppose I do have a pretty good time, but to be a princess, that must be even better. To have servants and be able to buy anything you want to, and go anywhere you like.’
‘Oh it is not like that at all,’ sighed Lara. ‘In fact being a princess means that I have less freedom than other children. I could never do what I liked, when I liked. There is a lot of, as you say, pressure, from everyone, and people expect so much of me. For instance, I cannot laugh out loud when I find something funny, that is, if I am in the company of certain people. And when I am in France, I am never allowed to leave the chateau. I suppose my parents were only thinking of my safety, but that is why I enjoy travelling to England. I do not even have any friends, well not proper friends like you and David and Johnny. Most of the other children want to play with me just because I am a princess, not because I am a true friend. Sometimes I sit alone and cry and long for a good friend to be with.’
‘I think I understand,’ said Diana. ‘We’d both like to change places because we think the other one is having a better time, but I suppose you have to try and enjoy your own life, no matter what difficulties you have to face. I would love to be a princess but maybe after a while I would want to be my normal self again. But having said that, I would still like to be a princess for a day.’
‘And I would like to be a normal girl for a day or even longer, and watch your favourite television programmes and listen to Radio One and have lots of friends and...’ Both girls just burst out laughing. ‘Actually Diana, for the first time in my whole life, I really do feel like a normal girl.’
‘Well if you come back with us then you’ll stay being a normal girl forever. Just think of all the exciting times we could have together. I could make some excuse to my parents. In fact I could tell them that you’re my pen friend, come over to visit from France, which wouldn’t be that far from the actual truth. And then at a later date we could tell them what really happened, although I doubt if they would believe us, it does sound so far-fetched, but then I suppose anything is possible in this great universe of ours. So what do you think, Lara?’
‘Oh I would love to come back with you, but do you think Johnny and David will agree?’
‘We’ll have a chat with them after the wedding, but I’m sure they won’t mind.’
‘I do not know what I will do otherwise. Robin and Marian have kindly asked me to stay with them, but I do not belong here, and my parents are both dead. Oh I am so confused,’ she said tearfully.
‘Don’t worry, Lara, you are coming back with us no matter what happens. Here, dry your eyes,’ said Diana, as she passed her a handkerchief. ‘Yes, we are going to have some fantastic times together. I will take you swimming.’
‘Oh I can already swim, but yes, that would be wonderful.’
‘And we could go ice-skating. It’s a great laugh, but I’m not very good at it and I’m always falling over. We’ll be able to hang onto each other as we stagger round the rink. Oh and we could go tenpin bowling. You roll a heavy ball down this track and try to knock down as many skittles as you can. And we could go to some football matches – I’m not so bothered about the football, but some of the players are just gorgeous. Some of them are like pop stars, in fact one famous footballer actually married a big pop star.’
Lara’s face was a picture of wonderment – she sat mesmerised, with her mouth half open, thinking that soon, she could take part in all these exciting pastimes.
‘And we could join the Girl Guides, oh that’s a group of girls who meet up during the week and just have a ball.’
‘Do you mean that they have a dance?’
‘Oh... not that sort of ball, I mean they have a really good time, and they learn lots of exciting things. Sometimes they even go away on holiday, camping in tents.’
‘Oh I would love to do that,’ drooled Lara.
‘And we could go cycling on things called bicycles. On second thoughts it’s too dangerous, well it wouldn’t be if there weren’t so many men drivers! Do you know what men drivers are like, Lara? Well they like to drive big cars... oh cars, well they are about the size of a cart but they don’t need a horse to pull them, they have a thing called an engine. And some of them drive really fast, and to be honest, men are just bullies on the road, beeping their horns for any little reason – beep, beep, beep – beeping their horns at each other in some silly macho act of bravado, and they think that they’re wonderful drivers, that they can do no wrong, but in the end it is men who cause most of the accidents, and so very sadly, people especially children, die! If everyone drove like my mother then there wouldn’t be any accidents.’
‘Oh I really do know what men are like. When I am at one of the palaces, at my father’s court, I rarely see my papa. The ladies and young girls spend the daytime together, away from the men. We sing songs, draw, paint, sew, read, play games and play musical instruments. But the men… do you know what the men do, Diana? Well they get bored with life so they go and start a war somewhere, and they go away and fight somewhere, and they go away and die, and they don’t seem to care who else dies or who gets hurt. Governments do that, Diana, and my father was the government, and he did just that. He was away fighting wars when he should have been at home with me, he should have been playing games with me, but he went to fight wars and he got himself killed!’ Lara suddenly burst into tears. ‘I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!’
Diana put her arms around her. ‘I know you don’t really, but I do understand. Come on, cheer up, Lara, things are going to be different from now onwards, and this is going to be the happiest day of our lives. Come on, let’s see your lovely smiling face.’
‘Yes, I am sorry, Diana, and thank you, I feel better already, and I really did love my papa.’
‘I know you did. You’re a good friend of mine, Lara, and good friends stick together, so don’t worry about your future. I’m sure that so many exciting adventures lie ahead of us both!’ said Diana, not realising how true this last statement would actually become!
Chapter 17:
Sad Farewells
By 11.45 there wasn’t a spare seat in the small chapel. Robin’s men, now dressed in their very best and brightest costumes, were sat in the front three rows. Behind them sat relatives of Robin’s band, and outside stood hundreds of villagers who just wanted a glimpse of the happy couple. At exactly 12 o’clock, Robin and Marian entered the church from a side entrance, and gasps of delight rang out from the congregation. Maid Marian was wearing the most stunning of wedding dresses. The material was as white as a swan’s plumage, and ivory coloured flowers were embroidered onto the material. Her long, golden tresses hung loosely over her shoulders, although her face was partially covered by a white veil. Attached to the back of the dress was a long, white train, which was carried by Diana and Lara. The two girls looked wonderfully elegant in their richly embroidered dresses. Robin was dressed in a gold and silver tunic, gold coloured shoes and a pair of white tights. He had even trimmed his hair and moustache fo
r the occasion. As they walked down the aisle to the accompaniment of music played by Allan a’ Dale, they were followed by the joyous figures of Johnny and David. Bringing up the rear was Erich, carrying the colours of the Earl of Huntingdon, which was Robin’s rightful title, taken away from him some years earlier by a group of sheriffs. When they reached the altar, the music stopped and Friar Tuck appeared, dressed in his finest robes. The ceremony seemed to fly by, and within no time at all, Robin and Marian were married. By the end of the service there weren’t many dry eyes in the small chapel. But there was a great deal of happiness for many, many reasons, and as they walked out of the chapel they were greeted by hundreds of banner-waving well-wishers. They were all clapping and cheering, many stood on tiptoes – even the battlements were crowded. It truly was the greatest day in the lives of the people of Nottingham.
‘Well what do we do now?’ said Johnny to David.
‘We’ll just have to follow Robin and Marian. They should be going back into the castle for a meal soon.’
‘Good, because I’m really hungry.’
‘I bet you’re glad that you ate your bread and cheese.’
‘Yea, yea, yea. I could feel my stomach beginning to rumble. If I hadn’t eaten that meal, it would have echoed like an earthquake in that small church.’
David laughed as they paraded around the courtyard.
With every step, Marian was given flowers, and so by now she was holding a spectacular bouquet of variously coloured and scented flowers. Robin was shaking the hands of everyone he passed, and so too were Johnny, David, Little John and the happy friar. Diana and Lara had their hands full with Marian’s dress, and Erich was being patted on the back as he carried Robin’s colours high into the air. As they entered the banqueting hall, they were pleasantly greeted by the Sheriff, who had organised the meal and the decorations. The ceiling and walls were covered in gloriously coloured bunting, and the tables in a deep, red material. On top of this lay silver candelabras, which lit up the room as though a million fireflies were hovering in the air. In between the candelabras were plates upon plates of food, bowls of bread and fruit, and goblets already full of dark, red wine in readiness for a toast. It seemed that this was going to be an even bigger feast than the previous one, and hopefully this time, nothing could go wrong! When everyone was assembled, the villagers made it clear that they wanted a speech from Robin, by shouting his name and banging their spoons on the tables. At the centre of the main table sat Robin and Marian, then Diana, Lara, the Sheriff and Erich. David sat next to Robin, then Johnny, Little John and finally Friar Tuck. Robin stood up and the crowd hushed to hear his speech. This was followed by a rather nervous speech by Little John. Then Friar Tuck gave yet another speech before offering up a prayer. Finally the Sheriff banged a large gong, and the banquet began.
‘Where are you going to live now?’ said David to Robin.
‘Well my lands have been restored to me, so tomorrow, Marian and I will visit my... or should I say, our home and our lands.’
‘Do you have a big house?’
‘Actually it’s more like a castle, although not quite as grand as this one. It is surrounded by wide, open fields, so I will probably become a farmer. And what will become of you, David?’
‘I suppose we’ll have to be going home soon. As you know, it appears that we have even greater adventures in store.’
‘Yes I quite understand.’
The celebrations carried on until nearly 4 o’clock, but after a few more speeches the villagers started to make their long journeys home, some of them had fifteen miles to travel. When all the villagers had departed, David whispered to Johnny, ‘Come on, we’ll have a quiet word with the girls.’ David stood up, went over to Diana and whispered something to her. Then they left the table and went into a small side room.
‘Do you think we should go home now?’ asked David.
‘Yes,’ replied Diana, ‘but what about Lara?’
‘Why don’t you come back with us?’
‘Oh yes please, thank you, thank you David,’ said a much relieved Lara.
‘Can’t we stay a little longer?’
‘I’m sorry, Johnny,’ said David, ‘but our work is done. Robin and Marian are going away, and Robin’s men will return to their villages, so by tomorrow there’ll only be a few people left in the castle.’
‘It does seem the right time to go,’ added Diana.
‘I suppose so,’ agreed Johnny, shrugging his shoulders. ‘Are you going to tell them, David?’
‘Yes of course I will – we can say our farewells, but it’s not going to be easy.’
Robin, Marian, Little John and Friar Tuck, all knew why the children had left the table together.
‘I fear they will be going soon,’ said Little John.
‘It certainly looks that way,’ said the friar, ‘but we can only feel fortunate to have met these incredible children. I am afraid that they are now needed elsewhere, somewhere on a far distant planet. Places and worlds that we can only imagine and dream of.’
‘Here they come,’ whispered Marian, as the door slowly opened.
The saddened faces on the four children as they walked back to the table, left nobody in any doubt as to what decision they had reached. It was David who spoke. ‘I’m sorry to say this, but we must be going home now.’ Tears were flowing freely down Diana’s rosy cheeks, and Marian went over to talk to the two girls.
‘We had an idea that you would be leaving, but just think what great happiness you have brought to everyone in Nottingham, especially Robin and I. You will always be in our hearts.’ The three of them hugged each other as tear touched tear. Although they had only known each other for a few days, they had formed a very close bond, and it was indeed a sad occasion. They also realised that they would probably never ever see each other again!
‘Take care my little friend,’ said Little John to Johnny, tears rolling down onto his rough beard. ‘If I ever have a son, then he will be named, Johnny, after you!’
‘Maybe one day in the future we will meet again,’ said Robin, trying to cheer everyone a little.
‘David,’ said the friar, ‘remember that the answer to Davalon’s freedom lies in the sword itself. If you can work out what the inscription means then I am sure you will succeed. As for King Tyros, well I just don’t know, but the ring and medallion may well hold the answer. Most of all, take care my son and take care of the other three children. You may not be the oldest, but it is you, David, who bears the Sword of Davalon.’
‘I will heed your words friar, thank you. I know that we’ll come up against forces even more powerful than the Sorceress Zena, but… well we’ll give it our best shot!’
Just then, Johnny ran away from the group, with the controls in his hands. ‘I don’t want to go back yet,’ he cried. ‘I want to stay for a few more days. If you won’t let me stay then I’ll break the controls.’ But as he looked down at the display panel, he noticed that the digits were flickering very faintly. ‘The batteries are fading,’ he shouted, now realising that he couldn’t stay any longer even if he wanted to.
‘Well that’s it then,’ said David, ‘we must go now, otherwise we might never get home!’
‘What about our nightclothes and our dressing gowns?’ said Diana.
‘Here they are,’ shouted Allan a’ Dale, who ran into the banqueting hall clutching a bundle of clothes.
‘Oh thank you,’ said Diana, who grabbed her nightdress from him before rushing into another room to change. Johnny and David quickly changed behind one of the long hanging curtains, and within only a few minutes they were dressed in the same clothes as when they had first arrived.
‘What about me?’ said Lara.
‘Oh you should be all right in your dress,’ replied Johnny. ‘I don’t think Jodadi will be too fussed. Anyway he’s my friend.’
The children exchan
ged hugs, handshakes and kisses with everyone, and again tears flowed at this sad farewell.
‘I think we’d better move away from you,’ said David, ‘otherwise Jodadi might take you all with us.’
They were stood in the centre of the banqueting hall. David was carrying the Sword of Davalon, Diana had put her dagger in her dressing gown pocket, and Johnny had the Cloak of Mennea tied around his waist. Then Allan a’ Dale ran over to Diana, took a bright, red scarf from around his neck, placed it around Diana’s slender neck and kissed her on the cheek. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she gazed at the young Allan a’ Dale. She thought of giving him a gift in return, but she had nothing at hand, not even a piece of jewellery.
‘Right then, call up Jodadi,’ said David to Johnny.
He carefully pressed out the word Jodadi, which was flashing on and off on the display screen. Then he pressed 81112, but nothing happened as the letters and numbers flashed alternately. Johnny was staring at the controls and finally saw the letters and numbers flicker at the same time. Suddenly Jodadi began to appear, hovering in the air in front of them. Firstly the red square appeared, then the semi-circular head on which formed certain facial features. Two eyes slowly opened as the red horizontal mouth formed. Surrounding Jodadi was a bright, yellow, oval ring, which crackled and hummed. Robin and the others had to squint their eyes because of the brilliant light that Jodadi was emitting, although it didn’t affect the four children. Then Jodadi spoke in his slow, deep voice. ‘I am JODADI 81112, Master of Time and Space. Where do you, Johnny Dalton, David Dalton, Diana Dalton and the Princess Lara, wish to go in time and space?’
‘Back home please Jodadi,’ said Johnny.
‘Look into the centre of the red square and think of home. Princess Lara, you must think of their home and not of your own.’
The children turned to wave at their friends who were waving back. Diana caught a glimpse of Marian blowing a farewell kiss. As Diana was waving, she brushed a flower in her hair, a single red rose, and as she felt herself drifting into the centre of Jodadi, she threw the rose towards Allan a’ Dale. It hovered in the air, as though suspended between two worlds. Diana tearfully whispered, ‘Please Jodadi, please let it fall.’ A single tear ran down her cheek, descending as if in slow motion to the ground, and as it splashed upon the cold, stone floor, the rose fell at Allan a’ Dale’s feet! Diana was just able to see him bend down, pick it up and then blow her a kiss. ‘Thank you, Jodadi, thank you,’ she whispered. Lara was watching all of this, and she just nodded to herself, a very knowing nod! Robin, Marian, Little John, Allan a’ Dale, Erich, the Sheriff and even Friar Tuck, looked on in disbelief as the four children simply disappeared before their very eyes.
