Dear Carter,
I hope this letter finds you well and fully recovered from the ordeal inflicted on you by the traitor Vasey.
I regret not having written before, but there has been little news to report. Our journey to Nottingham was long and arduous—so arduous, in fact, that I feared it would deplete our numbers even further. As you know, we left the Levant as soon as Marian's wounds had healed enough to allow her to travel. We paused at Queen Eleanor's court in Aquitaine for rest and refreshment. However, as we prepared to leave that place of pleasure and refinement, my good right hand, Little John, begged leave to stay behind. I feared his age and his bitter experiences in Palestine had caught up with him and he had, as a consequence, lost the vigor needed to continue our mission in England. Her Majesty must have observed the same, for she had offered him good pay and gentle duties if he remained in her service as a Sergeant at Arms. I could hardly begrudge him the opportunity, especially since he had served me so well for so long, but that did not make our parting any less heart-rending.
However, John has recently rejoined our little band of fighters! His sojourn with the Queen did indeed prove a boon to his well-being. He appears to be a new man, not only in terms of physical strength but in terms of spiritual contentment.
It is good to have him. Vasey and Gisbourne continue to wreak havoc on the people of Nottingham, with special attention unfortunately paid to my former estates in and around Locksley and to Marian's Knighton Manor. With only four of us—Marian is still too frail to be of martial support though I continue to hope for her marital support (ha ha!)--I fear we cannot strike at the Sheriff's power the way we did in the past. We are reluctantly discussing a tactical retreat to another part of the forest. I will try to keep you informed about our efforts.
Yours in service to the king,
Robin, Earl of Huntingdon
Dear Carter,
When Robin told me he was writing you, I asked if I could add my respects if there was any room left on the page. I do add them—my respects, that is, as do your old friends John and Much—but I feel I also must correct some possible misapprehensions left by Robin in his words above. Vasey and Gisbourne are indeed up to their old tricks, but Robin seems blind to the fact that Locksley and Knighton are made targets specifically to draw he and I out, to punish the villagers for what are perceived as our "sins" and to turn the people against us. As such, Robin himself is the only one "reluctant" to leave the area. We will see how this turns out.
And as for John...one must be discreet, but he has indeed been well and repeatedly "refreshed," so to speak. He has also become much more attentive to his grooming and appeared before is with shorn hair, a trimmed beard, and fine new clothes—almost unrecognizable! Make of that what you will.
Yours truly,
Marian of Knighton
P.S. I don't know if you remember Allan a Dale? He also sends greetings and says he wishes he could have been introduced under happier circumstances.
P.P.S. And let's not discuss that awful martial/marital pun….
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Dear Carter:
Again, I must apologize for a delay in writing. Yasmin—for such we call our pigeon--has been ill and unable to deliver letters.
As I indicated was possible, I have been persuaded to move camp, across Sherwood entirely. I dare not give too many details, but Vasey is learning the hard way that he is up against a highly maneuverable Band of Brothers.
Marian, I confess, is now my main cause of concern. She continues to postpone our official marriage. I consider the vows we exchanged in the Holy Land to be sufficient for both God and Man, but she, apparently, does not. She continues to await the arrival of the king and the overthrow of our old nemesis (or are they nemesises?) and says the poor cannot afford for us to turn our attention our own happiness. She is even talking about joining a convent in this area. Frankly, I fear for her heart…and mind.
Your friend,
Robin of Locksley
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Dear Carter:
When Robin told me he was writing another letter, I again asked to add a post-script. Instead, after discussion with him about his words to you, I feel I must write my own letter as a rebuttal.
In particular, I must defend myself against his implications of fickleness and his suggestions of insanity! Yes, I love Robin! I dared the wrath of Guy of Gisbourne to proclaim it! I proclaim it now! But I have always said we have work to do and cannot rest until Richard returns! I am not fickle!
I am more concerned about our people than I am about striking personal blows against Guy and the Sheriff, despite their blows against us. That is why I urged him so forcefully to move away from Locksley and Knighton—the poor need help in other neighborhoods as well, help that we can better deliver, and with less risk to them or to us. Much, of course, was ambivalent—I believe he saw my point, but he always hesitates to come out against Robin's wishes. I know Allan agreed--he even scouted new locations for the gang to use as camps, on the borders of Vasey's own lands. But Robin never listens to Much or to me and still does not fully trust Allan. It wasn't until John returned and saw how his old friends in Locksley and Clune were being treated, and heard them beg—beg!—us to leave that decisive action was taken. Once Robin regained consciousness in the new camp across the forest, he began to see reason.
As for the convent—I have no plans to "join" St. Martha's as Robin said. But I am weary of bloodshed, and I reluctantly admit that still feel the effects of my "war wounds." My only intent as the "Nightwatchman" was to deliver relief to the poor I viewed as being under my care—I only took arms to defend myself while delivering that relief. Now I find the sisters of St. Martha's also consider the poor of this, our new neighborhood, "under their care," and are very determined and more effective than Robin acknowledges at providing help. Yes, I have spoken to the mother superior about coming under her protection, but as a paying guest or in some similar capacity, not as a novice!
I fear the pigeon will not be able to bear the weight such a long letter if I continue writing, so I close as,
Your friend,
Marian of Knighton
P.S. And the pigeon is molting, not sick! They do that every year at this time, as Robin would have noticed if he had ever in his lifetime turned his thoughts to domestic matters!
P.P. S. It seems John learned was taught his letters at Aquitaine! He has asked to add his own note below.
Dear Sir:
Robin and Maryin r showting agin and i fer wil giv away owr locay lokee ware we are. If u see Will and jack pleez giv them ar luv. And do u now sandal wood? the parfum? pleez send sum if yu kan. i kan pay—i hav my own monee from Elanor.
Yurs trulee,
John Little