Author's Note:
Hello readers, just a few things to help with the story ~ Link to what my OC looks like is on profile, along with the dresses through-out the story. I own nothing except my OC - Felicity, Aatikah, and any other OC's that may appear during the story. This story is an Allan/OC of course. Story begins just before the episode 'Who Shot the Sheriff?', and will carry on through-out the series, maybe further, depending on how things go. Warnings: Rating is 'T' for now, but may raise. I hope you all enjoy the story and please review if you can.
~ England, 1192 ~
Aatikah and I silently rode next to each other, the hoods of our cloaks pulled up over our heads. Four guards surrounded us: Two rode up front, while two trailed behind. It was a dangerous forest, or so I'd heard. Many, many stories had travelled back to London. Some good, some bad, but all worrying if you were a noble.
It was a rather sunny day, and the Sherwood Forest had never looked more beautiful. The sun shone through the gaps between the leaves, illuminating different parts of the Forest. Though while I wanted to take in the scenery, I knew we'd have to stay on high alert. While so many tales had been told to me about the Forest, there was one in particular that seemed to be repeated: The tales of Robin Hood.
There were so many stories, too many to remember, but all with the same plot in mind: Steal from the rich, then give to the poor. So, for me, Aatika, and the guards, walking through the Forest was dangerous.
The faint sound of rustling leaves was heard, and my men paused, causing Aatika and I to also stop. The two in front glanced at each other before scanning the areas around us.
I turned my head to Aatikah, a nervous expression on my face. She returned the look and sighed, turning to see if anything, or anyone, was behind us.
My eyes widened as an arrow suddenly flew passed, barely missing my two lead guards, and impaling itself into a nearby tree. Three more arrows followed, but were shot from different directions. Two from the right, one from the left.
While Aatika and I remained on the horses, my guards immediately jumped down from theirs, unsheathing their swords. As they did this, I turned to see Aatikah unclasp her silver pendant, frantically placing it down the front of her dress, hidden from view.
I turned back around to face the front, my eyes widening as six men exited from the trees. While each man held their own weapon, only two seemed to be the owners of the arrows. And I couldn't help but think, they were both very attractive. The other men were handsome, but not as much as the two bow wielders.
At the sight of the newcomers, my guards immediately got into position, ready to fight if needed. And as they got into a fighting stance, so did the six men. Though I knew instantly, they overpowered us with numbers, and while my men were good, these men could be better, and we'd definitely lose with only four guards to defend us.
"Guards, ladies," One of the bow wielders nodded, a slight grin on his face. "This is a robbery. Hand over all your valuables and money, and we'll let you go unharmed."
"How do we know that you won't kill us when you have what you want?" Aatikah asked, her eyes narrowed sceptically.
"You have my word." He replied.
"The word of an outlaw means nothing!" One of my guards exclaimed.
"How'd you know we're outlaws? We could be simple village men, tryin' to make a livin'." The other bow wielder exclaimed.
"You'll not steal from our Mistress!"
"It ain't stealing if she 'ands it over willingly." The blonde-haired outlaw piped up.
"It's alright," I began, climbing down from Winter. "There's no reason for anyone to get hurt, I'll willingly hand over my valuables, and in return you allow us to pass." I finished, walking forwards until I stood behind my guards.
"Allan." The bow wielder said, glancing back at one if his men before nodding toward me.
The other bow wielder nodded in understanding, lowering his weapon as he approached my guards. "Hand it over, love." He held out his hand expectantly.
Intent on avoiding a fight between my guards and the men, I moved forward, standing a few inches in front of my guards. I slowly lowered my hood, letting it fall down against my back, while revealing my face to the outlaws. Many times my obvious beauty had gotten me out of sticky situations, and this was no different.
"I do not have much." I warned, shaking my head.
"I reckon you've got enough." He grinned, his sky-blue eyes taking in my features.
Pulling back my cloak, I lowered my hands to my waist, untying the money pouch I'd attempted to hide. I dropped the pouch onto his outstretched hand, sighing to myself as he peeked into the pouch. I didn't think that there was much money in the pouch: I hadn't exactly planned on spending much money here, but what seemed like very little to me, could seem like a lot to a poor family.
"Quite a bit in there," He said, chucking the pouch to the larger man in the group. "Might be more on the other one." He gestured to Aatikah, who'd also climbed down from her horse.
"Roy." The bow wielder said, glancing at the blonde-haired outlaw. The man, Roy, walked towards Aatikah.
"What about that?" Allan asked, his eyes flickering down to my chest.
I looked down, realising that he wanted my gold-heart pendant. Which I handed over without question. "It's very valuable, try to be careful with it." I sighed.
"Got anythin' else on you?" He asked, his eyebrows raised.
"You're welcome to search." I smirked, gesturing down at my body. My smug feeling increased as a surprised expression crossed his face.
"So, where might you two lovely ladies be headed?" The other bow wielder asked.
"Nowhere that concerns you." Aatikah snapped, suddenly appearing on my left.
"I am merely curious m'lady." The man shrugged.
"If you must know, we are on our way to Nottingham town." Aatikah sighed. She was obviously annoyed by the small interrogation we appeared to be getting.
"And what waits for you there?" He asked, his head tilted with curiosity.
"Why should we tell you? We don't even know who you are."
The man chuckled at Aatikah's anger, which I was sure would infuriate her more. "I am Robin Hood."
"You are Robin Hood?" Her tone was full of disbelief.
A few of the outlaws snickered, and surprisingly, so did the man himself, "Yes, I am." He confirmed.
"So the stories are true, you are the famous Robin Hood and his group of thieves." I nodded, glancing at each outlaw: It was not what I had been expecting.
"The one an' only darlin'. An' who might you be?" Allan asked, looking down at me.
"Felicity McAshton, pleasure" I replied, holding out my hand, as usual.
He paused for a moment, glancing between my face and my outstretched hand. Though after a second or two, he took my right hand into his left, raising it to his lips. His eyes remained locked with mine as he gently kissed the back of my hand, "Allan A'Dale. An' believe me m'lady, pleasures definitely all mine." He grinned, slowly releasing my hand.
"Oh my god," One of the outlaws groaned. "If it's not you, then it's him!" The man exclaimed, gesturing to Robin, then Allan.
"M'lady, we should really be moving on, it will be dark soon." One of my guards said, gently taking hold of my right forearm.
"You have everything, so now you must keep your word." Aatikah's eyes narrowed as she stared at Robin.
Robin nodded, a look of though out on his face, "You're right, you do have my word. Roy?!"
We all looked back to see the outlaw had finished inspecting the horses and checking the guards. "All clear." He replied, joining the rest of the outlaws.
"Well, as promised, you may go on." Robin said, him and his men clearing the path.
Aatikah and I returned to our horses, my guards doing the same. And by the time I'd mounted my horse, I found that the outlaws had disappeared, and if my necklace hadn't been gone, I could've passed it off as a silly daydream.
My guards rode on and I followed, slightly relieved that we were once again moving. "That was exciting."
Aatikah's eyes widened in disbelief, "You cannot be serious? They stole our money and jewellery."
A small smirk appeared on my face as I raised my left hand, showing Aatikah the ring around my marriage finger, "Not all of our jewellery."
The Saracen giggled, reaching into her dress to pull out the silver pendant, "You're right."
We both broke out into silent laughter, the plan still clear in our minds: Now it was time to see the Sheriff.