1. I've cast Bryce Dallas Howard as Constance.
2. This will be an Allan/OC, R/H so far. I might attempt to add a bit Will/Djaq or W/OC and D/OC. I'd also love to pair someone with Little John but he says/does so little that I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to capture his personality. But then again, I do love a challenge...
3) I do not own any of the Robin Hood characters, just a few from my own imagination that I've chosen to share with you.
4) I must warn you that this might very well be crap. I'm not much of a writer, but I'm trying to improve, and therefore feedback (good and bad, but POLITE!) is lovely.
The Second Time AroundLove is lovelier, the second time around
Just as wonderful, with both feet on the ground
It's that second time you hear your love song sung
Makes you think perhaps that love, like youth, is wasted on the young
Love's more comfortable the second time you fall
Like a friendly home the second time you call
Who can say, what brought us to this miracle we've found
There are those who'd bet
Love comes but once - and yet
I'm oh so glad we met
The second time around
--Words and Music by Cahn and van Heusen
Chapter One
She couldn't stop shivering. It didn't matter how tightly Constance pulled her thin cloak around her shoulders, no degree of warmth would come to her. The rain had stopped for now but a thick fog had come in its place. The road before her was slippery, though thankfully not too muddy. She wore an expression of boredom, eyes dead to the world and shoulders slumped.
Out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw something move in the woods. Constance stopped for a moment, scanning the forest that, until just now, had seemed relatively friendly. She shivered again, more violently than before. She could live with wet clothes and ill tempered weather, but fear was another matter. Fear she could not ignore.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up and a chill ran down her spine. But what could she do? She was utterly helpless. At least she had nothing of value for any thief to take. The little bundle by her side held a change of clothes and some food, nothing more, nothing less. Her coins were kept in her shoes, wrapped in thin cloth to prevent her from stepping with a jingle—good advice from an old friend.
Suddenly a noise—a twig snapping? And then another. Constance stood perfectly still. Her clammy fingers gripped the bundle, ready to swing at whatever came out of the woods. She was unable to decide whether she would rather face man or beast.
"Don't be frightened, Miss, we mean no harm." Constance jumped and took a few steps back as the largest man she'd ever seen came out of the forest. He carried a large stick in his meaty hands and Constance's heart rate sped up in an instant.
"He's telling the truth, we won't hurt you," piped up another voice. A second man, considerably smaller than his companion, was suddenly making his way towards her. "Surely you've heard of my master, Robin Hood. We're his men."
Constance let out a sigh of relief, but kept her grip firmly around the bundle. She had heard many tales of Robin of Lockesley in recent months. Still, how did she know these men were truly his comrades?
"I don't suppose you can prove it, can you?"
The two men exchanged glances. The sheriff knew them by the wooden pendants around their neck, but that was of little use to anyone else. "No, I'm afraid not," the smaller replied. "Where are you headed?"
"Nottingham."
Again, they exchanged glances, unaware that this action was not putting the traveler's mind at ease. "Perhaps we should escort you there." He sensed her hesitation and added, "I would not insist upon it in normal circumstances but a storm is coming. Besides, we are not too familiar with this part of the wood, and I cannot vouch for your safety here."
Constance sighed. What else could she do? If it were only the blonde man she might take the risk of knocking him, but she didn't stand a chance with that ogre with his stick. "Alright. I'll go with you," she replied in a small voice. But if we break for camp tonight I shall run away while you sleep!
"Ah. Very good. Perhaps we'll run into Robin himself, and then you'll know for sure that we are who we say we are."
The young woman gave a weak smile. "Perhaps." Then, "May I ask your names?"
"I'm Much," replied the chatty one. "Former servant of Robin Hood, and one day Earl of Bonchurch."
"Little John," grunted the big man.
"Constance," said the woman.
Much eyed the woman's appearance. She wore a woolen blue dress, and the bottom three inches that were caked in mud suggested she had been on the road for quite a few days. A dark blue cloak hung about her shoulders and hid her hair, giving her a mysterious, or suspicious, look.
"Tell us, Constance," requested Much in a curious tone, "What do people say about Robin Hood where you're from?"
Constance paused for a moment, pulling the cloak closer to her body. "Only that he and his men rob the rich and give to those who need it. We hear more talk about your blackguard of a sheriff, really, and his lackey—Gibson?"
"Gisbourne," grunted Little John with a sour expression.
"Yes Gisbourne—a man with a title and pompous air about him, but nothing to call his own. That is all we've heard in Rochdale."
"Rochdale?" asked Much. One of our friends hails from Rochdale. His name is—"
"Allan!" cried Constance. Little John and Much spun followed her gaze to four figures standing on the hill above them. Allan, Robin, Will and Djaq ceased their chatter and glanced at the hooded woman. Allan squinted in evening light, not trusting his ears. That voice! He knew it so well, but surely it couldn't be...
The woman pulled back her hood, revealing short, wavy red hair and a pair of bright blue eyes. His chest tightened.
"Who is she?" inquired Robin.
"Constance," Allan breathed. "Constance A Dale."
So, what do you think? I apologize of the utter lack of length in this chapter, I wanted it to end on a note of surprise ;)