It's unbeta, so all mistakes are mine. Hope you'll like it.
Total chaos, and he found himself in the center and he could do nothing about it. The sword of his father, strapped to his waist, only was a burden to him, and the arrows which were leaving his bow one by one and always hit their target, were not very useful.
Because it was like hell descended to the earth.
Around him lay a lot of dead bodies, just like many wounded people, who have suffered terribly. He knew this, because their cries of pain were out of this world. Being dead would be a miracle for them, however, their captors were not going to show them mercy. Their merciless laughter was enough to confirm it. Because only a devil himself can laugh, when innocent people are dying and are begging for mercy.
The man took another arrow and sent it toward a knight, who was about to put his sword into an older woman's chest. A moment later this devil without honor was back in hell.
"Soon you all will pay for your crimes!" He heard a voice behind him, so he reached for a new arrow and it was when he realized that he no longer had any.
He turned toward his opponent as soon as possible and in the very last moment he pulled out his sword and blocked the attack.
"Only if you're able to defeat me," he barked, clearly unamused. His friends and dozens of innocent people were dying and he could do nothing about it. And it made him angry and frustrated. "And I'm not gonna give up without a fight. No one hurts my family and friends. Not as long as I have something to say!"
But the knight, much to his annoyance, only burst into a laugh, while continuing to fight.
"I'm not here to kill you, Robin of Locksley," the man raised his lips in a vengeful smile. "Because our dear Sheriff of Nottingham wants you alive. And soon, you'll find yourself on your knees, where is your place, begging for mercy."
"Like I care what this tyrant wants!" He was not in the mood for any games. People were dying and he will die along with them. Because he will fight to the end, so his family can be safe. "And I will never... never beg for mercy. Not from you!"
"It's your last chance to give up," said his opponent, casually blocking his attack.
"Go to hell!"
The knight raised his lips in a cruel smile one more time.
"Just don't say I didn't warn you, you foolish man," he whispered coldly, before he raised his voice and yelled. "Bring the boy, now!"
Robin's eyes widened in pure horror, when one of many knights brutally pushed his three-years-old son on the ground. No. This cannot be true. Roland should not be here. After all, he was evacuated with other children and women, before the knights of Nottingham reached their shelter. And yet, his little boy was here, crying loudly, because he had no idea what was going on.
"No..." The word barely left his throat and the sword fell from his hand. He was too afraid, too paralyzed to do anything. Because his son was in danger. "Please, just not my son."
But the red-haired man laughed again, grabbed him by the neck and forced him to kneel.
"I warned you that there will be consequences," the knight put the foot on his back and he cried, because his companion hit his dear boy. "And now let's see the death of your son. I'm quite curiousmyself what Frank has in shop for this little bastard."
"Please, not my son!" Robin cried again, and tried to get up, but he could not. He had no idea what was going on around him, either, because all what mattered now was his son. However, there was nothing he could do to save him. "I beg you, spare my little boy, have mercy for a little, innocent child!"
"I gave you a chance to surrender, but you refused. Now you must bear the consequences. Or rather... your kid will suffer for his daddy's mistakes."
Robin could not see it, but when he was looking at his crying son, the last member of his family, a knight nodded toward his friend, and he raised his sword. A few moments later, Frank's sword pierced the little chest of Roland of Locksley and a desperate cry of a man, reverberated around the Sherwood Forest like an echo.
Because terrified „papa!" was the last word his son spoke, before his very young eyes closed forever.
"ROLAND!"
The man shifted his position so violently that he almost fell of the bed. His breath was uneven as he rubbed his eyes. This nightmare was really horrible and he wished not to dream about it anymore. He turned his head toward the bed of his son and blinked, when he did not see it. It took him a few moments to realize where he was and what happened.
It was not a nightmare. His son, his little three-years-old boy was dead, just like his wife. And it was all his fault. He was responsible for this, because he was a thief. He was an infamous Robin Hood, the leader of band of thieves called Merry Men, who stole from rich in order to give it to poor. It was all on him, because he incited the Sheriff of Nottingham every single time he could. Heavens, he was so stupid. He should stay a bartender for the rest of his life. Maybe it was not what made him really happy, but at least then his beloved wife was with him. And only this should mattered. But then he screwed everything and returned to being a thief.
Some time later Marian got pregnant and their could not be happier, even thought they lived as outlaws (and she deserved better. She should not live in the forest). However his wife fell sick before she could even give birth, so he stole magic wand from the Dark One, and saved her life. But he let her die a few months later, because he was stupid enough to put her in a great danger.
Because he was, and still is, such an irresponsible moron.
After her death he swore to change his life and be a good father for Roland. He tried. He really did. He even found a job in King George's kingdom, but now it was pointless, because when he was informed that Nottingham will escort a large sum of money, he could not resist. He could not resist and agreed to return for this one more robbery.
Because he is a fucking idiot.
He was a father. He should put his son first, especially that the boy already lost his mother a few months before. But he did not and Nottingham became really mad. Two nights later they were attacked by the knights of Nottingham and his son was dead.
Because he was too proud to surrender.
He hid his face in his shackled hands. He should be dead instead of Roland. His son had his whole life before him, and did not deserve this. He was just an innocent child, who even did not have a chance to do something bad.
Life was so unfair and he hated it so much.
Death. He was sentenced to death by hanging, but before that he is going to be flogged. To give an example to people who think that they can mock the law. But he was not afraid. He was not, because he deserved all of it. And also, being dead will stop this pain.
And maybe then he will be able to see his son and wife again. And maybe, just maybe, they will forgive him what he did.
Although he does not deserve to be forgiven. He does not deserve it, because he is responsible for the death of many people.
His friends, who were arrested with him, became the slaves and were exposed for sale. From what he heard, they all were already bought, but he did not know by whom. He could only hope that they are all right. Well, if being a slave can be a good thing, that is. In his opinion it is better to be hanged.
"Your time has come," said the guard, who unexpectedly opened the door. He had no idea that he was here. "The sheriff is waiting."
He has never felt such pain, as when the whip was cutting his back. Although he has set himself a point of honor not to show any emotion. For Roland. For his beloved son he decided to accept his chastisement without a word. Because he deserved every single painful lash. Because his boy would be alive if he was not such a fucking moron.
He bit his tongue, when he was hit one more time. He had no idea how many times he was already hit, because all he knew was that it hurt as hell. However he should not complain. No. He had no rights to complain, since this all was well deserved.
"Just what you think you're doing with my slave, Nottingham?" A female's voice reverberated around the courtyard like an echo, and the whip did not hit him again. He sighed with relief. Finally a moment of break.
A very beautiful black-haired woman, whom he was not able to see, stood in the middle of the courtyard, being surrounded by her knights in black armor. The Sheriff paled, when she saw her, but tried to look as if nothing happened.
"This thief was sentenced to flogging and death," the man said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, but he could feel something in his voice. Could it be a fear?
"This thief now belongs to me," said the woman, and dangerous smile appeared on her lips. "And I really don't like when when someone touches what is mine."
"But the King Stefan..."
"[…] agreed to change his punishment and made him a slave. And I bought him," she interrupted him. The other people who were there suddenly thought that everything is much more interesting than being here and disappeared.
The Sheriff of Nottingham opened his mouth a few times, but he was not able to say anything. His interlocutor smirked and waved her hand. Two of her knights bowed and walked toward Robin, and then unlocked him.
To tell the truth Prince of Thieves had no idea what was going on, because the pain was too strong. The only thing he realized was that someone grabbed him by arm. A moment later everything went black.
He improved the collar in his new shirt. The servants brought him a white shirt with flounces and black leather pants. The last time he wore something clean was before he was arrested – and to tell the truth he had no idea how much time has passed – but right now it was not important. The Queen wanted to see him and now he was lead by two guards to her. Was he nervous? More than ever, although after everything what happened to him, he was not quite sure why. Maybe he was angry that she stopped the execution and now he must live with the remorse.
Because he really wanted to die. Because life without his dear Roland was pointless.
Besides why the Queen saved him? In the end he was nothing, but a thief and her black knights looked for him, too. Maybe she wants to kill him on her own? But then again why she gave him new clothes. Should not he walk in rags like a slave he is now? And why she let her servants clean his wounds. He had no idea, but before he was able to find the answers at these questions, the door closed behind him and now he found himself in a big room. Most likely a living room.
"Your guest just arrived, Your Majesty," said one of the guards who escorted him.
"Excellent," he heard a woman's voice and it was when he saw her.
At the table opposite the door sat the most beautiful woman he had ever seen (he heard that the Queen is beautiful, but not like that). She had a long black hair and was dressed in black dress.
The woman got up from her place and dismissed her guards. A moment later they stayed alone and she walked around him.
"I have to admit that the rumors were true," she started, when she put her hand on his shoulder. "You are, indeed, a handsome thief."
Robin said nothing. He said nothing, because he had no idea what he should say and also, because he preferred not to provoke the Queen.
"It's a shame I can't say the same about your friends."
"My friends? What did you..." But before he was able to finish his sentence, he grabbed his throat and began to choke him.
"I speak, you listen. And you speak only if I allow you to, do you understand?" She hissed into his ear. He nodded and she released him. "Good."
The black-haired woman walked toward the window and was quiet for a few minutes. Robin, however, had a hard time not to say anything, because he really wanted to know what happened to his friends. Are they alive? Or maybe they are dead? Heavens. He hoped they are in one piece.
"Your Merry Men, or the hell knows how your band was called, are safe. They live now in the northern village, not so far from the Sherwood Forest."
Robin opened his eyes widely. Is this a real life? Or maybe she is joking? Hell, he must know the truth!
"You may speak now."
"Why?" It was not a wise question, that is right, but he had to know why. Why she spared their lives, when she wanted to kill them not so long ago?
"I know what people say about me," she started, having turned her back to him. "But no matter what, I have a heart, too. Your friends have children, families. And Nottingham and I have unfinished business. I won't let him win."
It cost him much not to tell that she kills people when she is unsatisfied.
"But they... we are your slaves now. You bought us and now we belong to you."
That actually made that the Queen chuckled.
"I rather to say that I... that I gave them a loan," she finally turned toward him. "They are free to repurchase themselves as soon as they have money."
"I don't understand."
"You don't have to, thief," the woman walked to him again. "Because the same rules aren't for you."
Robin frowned and his mistress – no matter now weird it sounds – put her hand on his chest and smirked.
"I'm sure you'll like my bedchambers, thief."
Prince of Thieves closed his eyes for a brief moment. He should not be surprised that she said it. He, however, expected something else. Like... being killed in a very brutal way as he should be at the first place.
The Queen smirked again and touched his face. This poor thief had no idea that it was just a game. That she was not interested in sleeping with him. Not yet, anyway. She may be evil, but she will not force her soulmate (according to Tinker Bell and his lion tattoo) to sleep with her. He will ask for it, later, in time.
"Besides I'm sure you'll be a great father for my heir. He's the cutest boy in the world."
He felt as if his heart broke into a thousand pieces. He cannot be a father. Not now, when he lost his baby boy. Besides... from when the Queen has a child? No one ever mentioned this!
"Your... son? What's his name?"
The woman smiled cheekily as she leaned toward him and then whispered into his ear:
"Why, Prince Roland, of course."