by K. M. Shea
“Jolly good doing business with you,” I cheekily grinned before hopping out of the carriage and galloping off into the woods, my band following me.
I heard the scraggily men yell, “After them you fools!” but it was no good. They weren’t prepared to ride their horses into the woods, and they weren’t nearly fast enough on foot. We ran to the heart of Sherwood Forest before we paused to congratulate ourselves.
“Well done men!” I grinned as I tipped my hat to them.
Will winked at me. “We couldn’t have done it without you Robin Hood!” he said.
“Divvy up the gold, we’ll take it to the village tonight,” I ordered, fastening my green cloak onto my shoulders once more.
Chapter 4
John Little
“That reminds me,” Much said, snapping his fingers. “I forgot to tell you Robyn. We ran out of bow strings, again,” the temperature dropped several degrees as I fixed my demon scowl upon his sorry soul. “Forgive me,” he hastily added.
“Next time tell me before we run out,” I warned him in a low voice. I ripped my cape off and exchanged my familiar green hat for a gaudy red one we had liberated from a chubby merchant. I threw on a long, tan cape and tucked my hair up into my hat after I pulled a cream shirt on over my lincoln green tunic. I didn’t bother changing my hose. No one would see them with my cape on anyways.
“I’ll be back in a few hours. I expect you five to have that gold divided up by then,” I said pointing a slender and accusing finger at them before whirling out of the meadow.
I was stewing over our latest accomplishment, and my feet knew the path to travel, so I wasn’t paying attention as I stalked through the woods. I was walking across a fallen tree, which lay over a river that snaked through Sherwood. My bow was slung over my shoulder and my quiver was resting against my back.
“Excuse me,” I heard a deep voice rumble. In an automatic reaction I notched an arrow while simultaneously swinging my bow up to aim it at the speaker: A man.
Actually he was a lad around Much’s age. He was perhaps 18 years or so. He was very tall and very muscular. Very tall, he was built like a bear with rugged features to match.
He frowned at my tense position and my arrow, notched and ready for release. “Now stranger, that is hardly fair, for I have but a quarterstaff,” he said, holding up a huge oak staff.
His frown grew as something rustled behind us. I turned around to see Much stumble out of some bushes. He saw the stranger and I and quickly said. “I followed you tell you that we also need more oil,” he was about to spin around on his heels until he noticed my stance. “Are you two fighting or something?”
I rolled my eyes and turned back to the stranger as I slowly eased the string back into a normal position and dropped my arrow back into my quiver. “My apologies. You startled me,” I dryly told the stranger. “Would you please move aside?” I asked, he was standing at the very end of the log, blocking my exit.
The man was about to say something when Much opened his big yap. “Fight him for the right to pass!” he cheered.
I turned around.
“Are you NUTS?” I hissed.
“It sounds alright to me,” the bear of lad smiled.
I balked for a moment. “But kind guest! You yourself said you only have a staff! That is no match for my bow!” I protested, trying to wiggle my way out of the mess that Much had gotten me in. That little rat knew I wasn’t the greatest with the staff.
“Here, you can borrow mine!” Much brightly said, tossing me his cudgel.
I scowled at him as I caught it and faced the stranger who would most like make me into a mincemeat pie.
He lunged at me and I barely managed to bring my cudgel up in time to block him. He quickly followed that attack with a downward stroke. I jumped back and was about to hop off the log.
“Here, just go across the log first,” I graciously said, but Much pushed me back on.
“Ignore him!” he ordered as the giant attacked me again.
I almost started weeping while thinking about the pain I was going to feel. I barely was up to this handsome man’s chest!
We fought for five minutes, and both of us starting to drip with sweat when I first spoke. “So what brings you to Sherwood Forest?” I inquired, dodging a blow.
He grunted. “Robin Hood.”
That surprised me. I blinked before ducking another stroke. “Robin Hood you say. Are you here for the bounty on his head?” I wondered, feeling utterly terrified. If this man was after me I would be dead by dawn.
The stranger eyed me up before glancing around the forest. “I wish to join him,” he said before striking out at me.
That absolutely astounded me, the fact that this man freely said he wanted to join me was down right dangerous.
He knocked me off my feet during my little episode of surprise, and I slipped and fell into the river up to my neck. I rose until my shoulders were above the water, cursing my luck as I sneered, no way was I stepping out of the river. The bandages could only do so much, and my female curves would be obvious since my clothes would stick to me like a second skin.
“Well fought stranger,” I smiled as Much started laughing. “As for Robin Hood, you had best head home and forget all you’ve heard about him. His Merry Men stink and are very nosy. Robin himself is quite the coward. More over the life of an outlaw is not fun,” I said, ignoring Much’s snorts.
The man shrugged. “Thank you for the advice but my mind is made up. I will join Robin Hood for he is a great man who saved my sister and her husband from poverty,” he hunkered down across the log. “Let me help you out of there,” he offered holding out his hand. Much bolted upright, an alarmed look on his face as I paddled away from the log bridge.
“No, I’m quite fine. You could do me a big favor, however, and push my friend in here with me,” I said giving Much a murderous look as he watched me.
Much was clearly worried as well. We were stuck in an interesting predicament.
The lad laughed. “Come now, don’t be a cad,” he leaned over and fished me out. Apparently I had misjudged his arm reach. He dragged me out of the river while walking across the log and stopped when we reached the shore. He stared at me when my feet touched solid ground.
“Robyn, Robyn, ROBYN!” Much yipped, sounding panicked as he jumped between us.
“You ninny! You just told him my name!” I groaned slapping my forehead with my hand.
The stranger put two and two together. “You are Robin Hood, the outlaw who is also a… girl,” he slowly said as Much nervously laughed and placed his own forest green cloak around me.
“How silly of you! To think that Robin Hood is a girl, and that Robyn is him!”
I had a sour expression on my face. “Much shut your yap, you’re only digging us a deeper hole,” I said. I sighed and massaged the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger. “My name is Robyn, and I am the leader of my Merry Men. Most people know me as Robin Hood. I am, obviously, a girl,” I said, opting to be truthful.
The stranger’s face broke out into a huge grin as he kneeled at my feet. “It would be an honor to serve you Robyn,” he said. “My sister lives in the village. She and her husband were starving, and because of you they are now able to eat again. I thank you for that, and in return I would like to pledge my loyalty to you.”
I smiled, he seemed to be truthful. “For this we will need the rest of my band,” I made a piercing whistle before screaming. “WILL!”
Will Stutely and the other members galloped up within seconds of my called. “You called Robyn?” Will asked, glancing at the bear man at my feet.
I smiled. “We have a new member, and I am leaving you the honor of christening him,” I said as Much handed Will Stutely a sword.
Will took it and stood before the stranger. “What is your name?” he asked.
“John Little,” the man replied.
“We already have a John!” I whispered to Will Stutely.
“Leav
e it to me,” he whispered back. He touched one of John Little’s shoulders using the sword. “This infant was called John Little,” he proclaimed as he touched the other shoulder. “Which name shall be changed anon. The words we’ll transpose so wherever he goes, his name shall be called Little John!”
Much and I practically choked on laughter. The name was incredibly ironic considering Little John’s height. “Welcome to my band, Little John,” I grinned.
Little John smiled. “Thank you.”
“What about my wonderful job of rhyming?” Will complained as he returned my sword to me.
“Now if you’ll excuse me,” I said, ignoring my childhood friend. “After I dry off I must go into the village,” I dryly said.
“Oh, about that Robyn,” Will Stutely said. “I found another bag of strings in your secret stash. Thank God that you always buy in outrageous quantities.
I growled as I pinned Much down with a glare. “Haha,” Much nervously laughed. “Fancy that.”
I muttered and stalked back in the direction of the camp, intent on getting dry clothes. I paused when I remembered Little John. “Our camp is in the heart of Sherwood forest,” I explained as the clan caught up with me. “All of us have all of Sherwood memorized. You will too, but it will be slow goings. Everyone has some things they must learn about upon entering my band,” I said as the giant walked along side me. “What do you know already?” I questioned.
“I know the ways of the tracking and hunting. I can trap a little too. I’m the best with my staff but I’ve been taught a bit of archery,” Little John said.
“Have you learned to read or write?” I asked.
Little John looked shocked. “Some,” he admitted. “I taught myself by looking at the posters in Nottingham. Why do you ask?”
I smiled. “Every man in the band can read and somewhat write,” I said nodding to Much and Will. “It’s needed in cases of emergencies.”
We reached the camp, to my soggy relief. Much and the men mostly used tents, but I had a cradle in the trees. The tents were a forest green color and were rather small, Marian had made them for us out of some old curtains in her room. We had two small fire pits and a well-worn path going around our camp. It was located next to the river, far enough away so if it swelled up our camp wouldn’t be flooded, but close enough so we could easily do our dishes and wash.
“This is our camp,” I said spreading my hands apart. “We could get Marian to make a tent for you too, although your height might be a problem. Otherwise you can live in the trees like me,” I said pointing up to a large oak in the center of our camp where my nest could be seen. (By this point my nest had evolved enough so I had created a small roof made of branches so I wouldn’t be drenched every time it rained.)
“Marian?” Little John asked.
“Maid Marian of Huntingdon. She is my best friend and supplies us with most of our needs,” I said.
“You’re lucky I do!” a stormy voice thundered.
I turned around to see a very unhappy Marian stiffly glaring at me. “Uh-oh,” I said before I took off running through the camp, Marian hot on my heels. She unsheathed a rather large sword and hefted it over her head to strike out at me. I yelped and jumped behind tree poking my head out to ask. “What did I do?” I brought my head back in and seconds later the sword swished by the very spot my skull had been in.
“What did you DO?” she roared as we ran in circles around the tree. I was amazed she could keep up with me while still wearing all of her petticoats. Too late I realized I had run too fast and I nearly smacked into her back. She quickly switched directions and took a swipe at me. I ducked and darted to the tents, weaving in between them as she ran after me.
Now you may think that Marian has lost her mind, but she’s chased me around with a sword quite a few times. I know she would never hurt me, but pursuing me with a weapon seems to be a good way to get rid of her aggression.
I leaped over a fire pit and glared at my men who were doubling over with laughter. It was an amusing sight I’m sure: the great Robin Hood, the master of all thieves and hero of the people, running from an angered, red-faced girl who looked dwarfed when standing next to my tall frame.
Marian paused to huff. “You didn’t rob one of my suitors!” she yelled as I took the moment to prance away from her.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, peering at her from behind a bush. “We just raided a skinny guy heading towards your castle this morning!” I quickly jumped away from the bush as Marian sliced it in half.
“Well you missed the one from dusk yesterday!” she bellowed as she ran after me again, swiping out at me with her large sword.
“How was I supposed to know a suitor was coming at dusk?” I challenged before hopping over a fallen tent. “You usually warn me!”
“You promised you would rob all of my suitors!” Marian stubbornly said as she took another swing at me.
I clambered up a tree and sighed, I was safe. Marian was afraid of heights. “Well,” I yelled down after her. “Take a ride with him near the outskirts of Sherwood, we’ll rob him blind then.”
Marian paused at the base of the tree. “I suppose that would work,” she admitted as I sighed with relief.
“It will be a good experience for our new rookie,” I said jabbing my finger at Little John.
“Hm?” she asked as she sheathed the sword and turned to my men. “Oh,” she said blushing deep red when she saw Little John. “Um…” she started.
Little John laughed. “No need to explain anything. It appears that you and Robyn are best of friends. My name is Little John.”
Marian frowned. “Who christened him?” she turned to the group. “Will? Was it you?”
Will Stutely gave a flowery bow and laughed. “Yes Maid Marian.”
“You and your twisted sense of humor,” Marian tisked before glancing up at me. “You can come down, Robyn. I’ve got some gifts for you,” she called, walking over to her gray mare.
I slid down the tree. “You do? Did you get my gloves made?” I asked.
“Yes, yes,” she said, digging through her saddlebag before tossing me my new gloves.
For the past months my hands had been bleeding from the amount of climbing I do. Usually I slid down the base of the tree and I get quite a few cuts and bruises that way. (The same while climbing. Unfortunately my hands are delicate and refuse to grown calluses and instead stay soft and frail.)
I examined the gloves and smiled. It was Marian’s idea to get me gloves, I’m sure she made them too. I slipped them on and my grin widened. The gloves fit perfectly and went about four inches past my wrist, perfect so my wrist guard could keep it in place. Most of the glove was made out of soft brown leather, however the area where the pads of my hands were was made of soft suede, which would easily grip the tree.
I walked over to my oak and climbed up a bit, pleased with the effect the gloves had. Marian was right, they gripped the tree much better then my hands, sparing me much effort and pain. I slid down the tree. “Thanks Marian.” I said giving her a hug.
“Oh that’s not all!” she grinned. She disappeared into the woods and two minutes later emerged, holding the reins of a black horse. The beast sneered and tugged on his reins. He had fiery eyes and from what I could see, a wicked temperament.
“Ta-da!” she said as my mouth dropped.
I quickly found my voice. “NO!” I bellowed. “No horses! No, absolutely not!”
Marian pouted. “Come on Robyn! Every gallant leader needs a faithful steed,” she said before quickly dodging the horse’s teeth as he attempted to bite her.
“No!” I insisted. “Your father will miss him.”
Marian smiled as the rest of my men wearily looked at him, they liked horses (unlike me.) but as they saw his evil looks and impudent temperament they began to hold the same reservations I did. “Oh that’s the best part!” she said. “No one will miss him! He so irritable and no one can easily ride him, so no one will buy him! Fathe
r’s actually ordered him to be killed. When I return I’ll tell father that I ‘Set him free, into the wild so he can be a liberated horse!’” she giddily revealed.
I frowned. “Marian if your father’s men can’t ride him there is no way I will be able to.”
Marian breezily laughed. “Oh come on Robyn! After he’s around you for a while and you take care of him he’ll be better,” she said as she jumped aside when the horse kicked out at her. “Maybe,” she added.
“What is his name?” I asked with a sigh.
Marian triumphantly smirked, she knew I was a sucker and would take care of him for the time being. “The men at the stable would call him all sorts of names like bloody devil and-“
“So he doesn’t have one?” I interrupted. Marian had a mouth that could easily match a sailor.
“Nope,” she said.
“Where are we going to keep him?” Little John asked.
I shrugged as I took the reins from Marian while I eyed the big horse with a hesitant look. “Wherever he can fit.”
Much snapped his fingers. “I know the perfect place!” he said. “How about that little clearing not far from here,” he suggested.
“Sure,” I said, walking toward the horse’s new home, the horse himself slowly following me.
The clearing was about a two minute walk, if you know the way. It was decently sized, probably about 12 feet wide and 20 feet long. A small stream ran on the edge of it and a large briar wall, which circled around the entire thing, naturally fenced it in.
It was easy to get a human inside. You could crawl under the briar wall or climb a tree and drop over to the other side. But getting a horse in there was a different basket of apples.
After much puzzling and arguing, Marian became angered and cut a path through the wall using her sword. (That girl is terror inducing when she’s mad.)
