Part 1 ~ King of Thieves
By Seabeast
DISCLAIMER: I do not claim Pokémon or Robin Hood. Actually, I don't know who owns Robin Hood. There's the book, and the Disney version, and the Men in Tights, and a bunch of others. Hm. Oh well.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This probably won't follow anything directly. It'll just be MY version, with a few important scenes that I remember from various places, like the archery contest. Some scenes might be from the Disney movie, that's how I started it, but I really don't know where it'll go. Oh, one more thing. I don't know jack about England, their money system, titles, or any of that stuff. I know that a duke is called 'Your Grace' and that's about it. Oh, a knight is a Sir. And I know like, 'Your Highness' and stuff, but not much else. Does anyone know what Robin Hood's hat is called? You know, the one with the feather? They wear a tunic, leggings, breeches, boots, a shirt, gloves, and that hat thing. WHAT IS IT!?!
(Mainly just for me because I tend to forget this sort of thing.)
Robin Hood - Ash
Maid Merian - Misty
Little John - Brock
Friar Tuck - Professor Oak
Prince John - Rudi
Sheriff of Nottingham - Gary
King Richard - Lance
Lady ? - Willameana
Sir ? - Jessy and James
Mistress Ketchum
"May I compliment you on your excellent scheme, Sire?" Sir James said, grinning wildly. "I must admit that I never would have thought of such a brilliant plot to get King Lance out of the way. And the way you used that Alakazam-sheer brilliance."
Prince Rudi surveyed the young azure-headed man carefully through narrowed eyes. A gold coin traveled nimbly over his knuckles as he listened to the two ramble on.
"Oh, yes. Quite cunning," Lady Jessyca said, her smile a little forced.
"And may I say that-" James began.
"No, you may not," Rudi said evenly, glaring at him. "How dare you two incompetent fools mention my actions in open country?" The two shrank away from him, obviously afraid they were in trouble. "Do not ever speak of such doings before I bring up the subject, understand?"
"Yes, Your Highness," the two mumbled, eyes down.
"You are dismissed," Rudi said lazily, leaning back in his assortment of soft velvet pillows. "I do not wish to see you until we arrive at the castle gates."
"Yes, Sire," they said meekly as they hobbled out, looking ridiculous as they crouched beneath the low ceiling of drapery.
Meowth waited for them as they stumbled clumsily outside, James ending up sprawled over his lady on the dry dirt road. The two quickly scrambled up and walked casually along, brushing off dirt from their rumpled skirts and breeches as they went. Meowth hung back and the trio waited until they were behind the last group of guards before speaking.
"So what'd ya say?" the cat asked, his heavy accent slurring his words.
"We tried to compliment him and he kicked us out," Jessy snapped, glaring at the backs of the soldiers a few yards ahead of them.
"And it hurt, too!" James whined, rubbing his bum.
Meowth frowned at him. "You're the only knight I know dat complains all da time."
"I don't care! I'm sick of this road and of walking on it! Show me the way to go home! I'm tired and I wanna go to bed!"
"James, stop it!" Jessy hissed through gritted teeth. A few of the soldiers ahead of them had their heads tilted back, curious as to what all the whining was about. One or two of the Growlithe and Houndour were lagging behind their Master's mounts, probably on their Master's orders. When protecting Prince Rudi, one didn't let him down. If something fishy was going on they were required to investigate it.
"Good afternoon good Sir, good Lady."
The trio spun around to see an old man hobbling over, his clothes in rags and a gnarled old stick helping him to overcome the tremendous limp in his right leg. "And a good afternoon to you too, Your Grace," he added as he caught sight of Meowth. He nodded to each of them stiffly, his bad back disabling him from bowing.
He quickly hobbled over until he was caught up to them. Upon reaching them he slowed his pace so that he walked beside them in the back of the precession.
"And who, pray tell, are you?" Jessy inquired, glancing suspiciously at the old man. Upon closer inspection she could see that he had a dirty silver beard that covered most of his face and trailed down to the base of his neck. His eyes however, were a light golden brown that seemed to sparkle with youth. He hunched his shoulder a little, as if adjusting the large hump on his back.
"I be a Diviner's assistant, that I be," he replied, his voice rich with the common-born accent. "Me Master wishes me to ask if she be permitted to read Your Highness's future for him. We wish no payment, jus' the satisfaction of serving our most gracious prince in any way we can."
The trio glanced at each other, one thought buzzing through their minds. If the prince liked what he heard, would he give them money for the expense of bringing this Diviner to him? Each smiled evilly.
"Why, of course," Lady Jessyca said sweetly. "Sir James will pass on your information right away. Where is your Master, if I may ask?"
"She be waitin' in the forest for your reply," the man said, watching James run up to the coach that carried the prince. Suddenly a shrill whistle rang out from inside and the entire caravan stopped abruptly, the various animals' and Pokémons' ears laid back against their skulls at the sound.
"He means for you to fetch your Master," Jessy said kindly. "Good day, sir." She offered her hand and he took it, his fingers surprisingly smooth beneath the thick coat of dirt. He bowed awkwardly before hobbling away into the trees.
"Have you got it on yet?" Ash asked hurriedly, holding his fake beard away from his lips in able to speak.
"I think so," Brock said, his voice preoccupied. "How do I look?"
He stepped out from behind the thick trunk of a tree and spread his arms wide, smiling. Ash had to snap the beard back in place to hide his own smile. Brock was dressed in a heavy red shawl that covered a plain white dress with an embroidered hem on the bottom. The shawl was covered in large, multicolored beads in ring patterns, a few of them looking like strange staring eyes. Wide golden hoops hung at his wrists and ears and a fluffy black wig covered his head, topped by a bright blue scarf.
"Well?" he asked, still smiling. "Tell me how I look. Will I pass for a Diviner?"
"You look great, Brock," Ash said, his voice straining with suppressed laughter. "You'd pass for a Gypsy any day, let alone a Diviner. Now come on, the Prince is waiting."
"It worked, then?" he asked as he followed Ash back to the King's Highway. "They believed you? What if they don't believe me? I've never robbed the King's Coach before."
"Just remember to speak in rough Common and compliment Rudi a lot and you'll be fine."
"Pika!"
"Be quiet, Pikachu!" Ash hissed, jerking his shoulder up to move him back in place. "We're here." Turning to Brock, he said, "Go straight to the Coach. Ignore the knight, his lady, and the Meowth. They seem to be the Prince's advisors. The less you say to them the better. I'll take care of them and the guards, and that huge array of gold on their mounts. Now go." Brock nodded, signaling he understood, and strode over to the King's Coach, looking for all the world as if he were as confident as he was pretending to be.
Ash stumbled over to the King's Coach to keep watch. Sir James must still have been in the Coach because Ash couldn't see him anywhere. His kept as much weight as he could off of his right leg and held it all on the stick in his hands, trying to make Lady Jessyca think he was completely crippled. The weaker she thought he was, the better.
The Lady Jessyca strode quickly over to him, her Meowth at her heels. Ash let her see a jump of surprise when he caught sight of the cat Pokémon walking on his hind feet. What's more, he was wearing a bright green tunic. The Lady looked at him curiously as she stopped in front of him. "Why do you not accompany your Master as she works?" she asked quizzically, nodding to the Coach wall at his back.
"She wishes me to make sure no one interrupts her," Ash said in his practiced Common, with a heavy peasant accent. He knew that was what most nobles expected of anyone that wasn't rich. "The thing is, I got me Pokémon hurt just a wee bit ago, near a stream a little ways from here. Ole Sparx needs t' see a Healer and soon."
"We can watch her for you," Jessyca said, a hint of slyness in her voice.
Ash faked surprise. "Could you?"
"Shore," the Meowth said. "But it'll cost ya." Ash stared at him in faked confusion.
"A Meowth that can talk?" he said in practiced astonishment. "Your Grace," he said, bowing deeply, "the likes of me ain't never seen such high nobility as a talking Meowth. Thou must certainly be the bearer of a vast knowledge." There, Ash thought smugly. Once he gets up on his high horse I can knock him down easily. Even if he can talk.
The Pokémon beamed with pride. "I'm sure the likes of me shan't ever be able to afford such a valued creature to care for me Master," Ash said gloomily.
"Well, that depends," Jessyca said slowly. "How much have you got?"
Ash had to hold back a smile. It was exactly what he had been hoping for. "Not much," he said sadly. "Just a few coppers. Me Master keeps all o' me earnings till I need to spend them. Although..." he trailed off, hoping they'd follow.
"Yes...?" the pair chorused.
"We stored our belongings a few yards into those trees yonder," Ash said as he pointed straight ahead with his walking stick. "We've all our gold in one of them packs. Kin I trust you to take what you need? Then you kin tell me Master where I went. She'll understand. She was just so keen on pleasing His Majesty, you see."
The eyes of the two were glimmering with pleasure. "Why, of course you can trust us," the Lady said. "You go right ahead. The nearest Healer should be in the town we just passed through a bit ago-you may try there."
Ash grabbed her hands and wrung them as he proceeded to express his gratitude. He hadn't missed the fact that she had told him to go back the way they had come to find the nearest town-which was a day's ride, at very least. They wanted him gone.
"Oh, thank you, Nobilities!" he said. "I can't begin to thank thee for thy gratitude! Thank you!"
"You are very welcome, elder," Jessyca said, yanking her hand free. Ash pretended not to see the fake smile plastered on her face. "Now run along and heal your Pokémon. I do hope the poor beast will be all right."
You're the beast, he thought as he turned away from them and hobbled down the road. He stopped a moment to wave, then hurried on again.
When he next turned back they were gone. "Dirty thieves," he muttered, dropping the stick and walking back. The guards were gone-they were obviously familiar with how long a Diviner could take. He could hear laughter in the woods opposite where he had pointed the Lady and her Meowth. So careless, he couldn't help but think. They obviously haven't been attacked in a while. Good. They needed to bring their guard back up.
Hustling over to the horses and Pokémon they had left so carelessly behind, he quickly went to work. Anything that shimmered went straight into the large sack hanging at his waist. Once every thing evenly remotely valuable was gone he proceeded to release their mounts. They had taken their dogs with them-there was nothing he could do for them anyway. Dogs and dog-like Pokémon were usually prone to take to their Masters and become almost inseparable.
"Shh," he said soothingly to a chestnut mare as she tried to rear. "You needn't be nervous of me, old gal." He slipped the halter and reins off and stood back. "There you are." She looked at him questioningly. "Just a little while, girl. And that goes for all of you," he said to the assortment of mounts as they watched him. "At my signal, you run. Run as fast and as far as you can. You can be free if you want, or you can go ahead to Palletshire, the next village, and find a human to take you in there. Now, though, you stay."
He walked out from among the small herd, carefully stepping over discarded saddle blankets, harnesses, saddles, reins, and other various instruments. He jogged over to the next group and did the same; took the valuables they had been carrying, loosed them, and told them to stay until called.
He did this to a number of groups, until he came to another coach. He didn't recognize the hues of blue drapes all around it, nor did he recognize the crest on the front-a crystal blue teardrop. He knew it could fetch him loads of gold at the market, but he never robbed Prince Rudi's guests, which this coach seemed to hold.
As he tread softly by the side a new scent wafted into his nose. It was tangy and slightly sweet, one he didn't recognize. It was coming from the coach. He ignored it and approached the horse that was pulling it-a beautiful blue roan stallion the color of the sky on a rainy day. He wore nothing but the crest of the coach-a teardrop-on his forehead, placed below his shiny black mane. The cool intelligence in his azure eyes told him why he was without harness, only restrained by the wooden bars connecting him to the coach. He had obviously received a lot of attention from someone, and he looked well cared for.
"You are a beauty," Ash breathed, approaching him slowly. He gently held the stallion's head in his hands and breathed his scent into his nostrils, breathing in the horse's scent in return.
Who are you? a deep, smooth voice sounded from inside his head. Ash almost stepped back in surprise.
"Pikachu, did you hear that?" he asked, breathing hard.
"Chu," the mouse said, puzzled. He asked what he was talking about.
"That voice," Ash breathed, approaching the horse once more. "Was it you?"
The stallion blinked his large emerald eyes at him. Who are you?
"Pikachu, this stallion's talking to me!" he whispered excitedly, trying to keep his voice from alerting those in the guest carriage.
>They all talk, "Yes, but not in words," Ash replied, stroking the soft hair where the stallion's large nose met his face. "Just in expressions. Only Pokémon can speak, and that's out loud." He studied the horse's face carefully, amazed at his beauty.
"My name is Ash," he said softly. "What's yours?"
Aoi, the cool voice said. Why are you here?
Ash somehow knew this horse had been educated. He would probably get more of his answers about this entrancing creature if he answered the horse's questions first. "I'm here to take tax money from Prince Rudi and give it back to the people of Palletshire. They're overtaxed and underpaid and they need the money. I free the guards' mounts, if they want, in case their Masters are cruel. Why can I hear you?"
My Lady taught me things from books. May I go with you when you leave?
Ash was taken aback. "Does your Lady mistreat you?"
Not at all. I am simply curious.
"But-won't she object?"
She knows I will return. May I?
"I-of course, Your Grace."
Aoi, the horse said tartly. My Lady and I hate titles. May I meet your Pikachu?
"How-?"
I can smell him. May I?
A loud shout came from the forest. "Later, I promise," Ash said as he carefully unhitched Aoi from the coach. "On my word, run into the trees with the other free horses and Pokémon. My partner and I will come get you when we're done. All right?"
You shan't steal from my Lady?
"Of course not!"
All right. Please continue your work here. It interests me.
Ash rushed away from the stallion, hoping he had enough time left to finish before Brock was done. He couldn't help but wonder who Aoi's lady was, the woman that must be in the blue coach, but try as he might, he couldn't remember if he had ever seen that teardrop crest before.
He quickly stripped down and unhitched the remaining creatures. His sack was bulging by the time he was done. Hefting it over one shoulder, he started for the woods, hoping Brock was finishing up, too.
"Hey, you!"
He turned to see a man dressed in the Royal Guard uniform at least fifty feet away, staring at him and frowning. The man's eyes traveled over him and his brows shot up when he realized what must be in the sack. Ash ran.
"Hey! Stop! Get over here, you thief! Someone stop him, hurry!"
Before Ash knew what had happened, he was surrounded by guards. All of them had their swords drawn and pointed at him. They must have been waiting for him, an ambush.
"What's in the sack, old man?" one asked, the golden helmet on his head signaling that he was the captain.
"Coal," Ash replied, taking up his accented voice again. "For me fire at home."
"Then what happened to our mounts?"
Ash glanced at them, a puzzled expression on his face. "Mounts, sir? Oh-I've not the slightest. Why are their harnesses off like that? I say, are they wild? Perhaps-"
"Enough, old man. Hand over the sack and we'll take you to the dungeon peacefully."
Before Ash could answer Brock burst from the King's Coach, looking rather flustered, his dress and shawl bulging from gold and various other items. Sir James was right behind him, scrambling to get up off the dirt. Suddenly Prince Rudi himself stuck his head out of the drapery and shouted, "Seize that thief at once!"
"Now!" Ash yelled.
What happened next was instant chaos. The horses reared and galloped toward them in the direction Ash had told them to go. The result was them bowling into the guards. The normal horses simply shoved them out of the way, while the Rapidash and Ponyta burned them with their flames, the Tauros throwing them over their shoulders and butting them with their horns. Brock was already in the forest, the King's Coach being so near the edge that he could escape easily. Sir James was face down in the dirt, crying for his life as mounts' hooves pounded the earth surrounding his head.
The guards scrambled away from Ash, ignoring the Prince's shouts of outrage. Ash sneaked quietly past them to the guest coach, all activity staying away from there for some reason, drawing his bow and two arrows as he did so. Dropping the sack and putting one arrow between his teeth, he strung his bow. Pikachu crawled out and stayed on his shoulder. Throwing his beard and hood off so he could see, Ash crouched beside the coach and waited until someone came into his line of sight. With the guest coach at his back no one could sneak up on him.
One came up from the front. Pikachu shocked him. Another came. Ash's first arrow found his throat. Soon after he loosed his second. A sudden neighing from his left told him that some mounts were in trouble. "Pikachu," he began, but the mouse was already hurrying over.
Ash groped about his back for his quiver, trying to find another arrow with his fingertips, when suddenly his hand met soft skin. Spinning around, he came face-to-face with the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She was wearing a sky blue dress that brought out the hues of green in her eyes. Her long, fiery orange hair was being whipped about in the breeze as she leaned out of her coach, his quiver in her hand, reaching out for him to take. His first conscious thought was 'When did I drop it?'. After that he was numbly aware of his own hand taking the quiver from her as he stared into her eyes, mesmerized. She smiled and he couldn't keep from smiling slowly back.
Someone gasped. Ash broke the trance he had been in and looked up over the girl's shoulder, the Lady doing the same. There was a woman there, parting the blue drapery with one hand, the other over her mouth. "Maid Misteara, get back!" she said, grabbing the girl's hand and pulling her inside. "That's Asheron Hood! You'd do no good getting mixed up with the likes of him!"
Maid Misteara frowned at the older girl. "Lady Willameana, you know very well he doesn't harm anyone that's not attacking him. And besides, Prince Rudi needs someone to keep him in line while my uncle is gone. Let him steal from the guards, they can afford it."
Ash raised his eyebrows. Were these nobles defending him? Suddenly Maid Misteara looked at him, their eyes locking once again. Remembering his manners, Ash stood up and bowed deeply, his bow and quiver behind his back. He stepped up to the coach and, ignoring the warning glares from the second lady, took Misteara's hand and gently kissed it. Her cheeks flushed, and he realized that he was blushing too. He released her hand and stepped back, smiling.
He felt awkward. Clearing his throat, he said, "My Lady, I am pleased to meet such beautiful royalty." Misteara's blush deepened. So did her companion's scowl. "Please forgive me for the havoc I have caused your uncle, His Highness. I would greatly appreciate it if you would be so kind as to inform him that all goods taken from here will go to those who need it. I-"
"Pikapi!"
Ash spun around, an arrow already fitted on his string, to see Pikachu running to him, a guard on his heels, sword drawn and slicing the air at Pikachu's feet. Without a second thought he loosed and the man dropped his sword, cursing at the arrow protruding from his shoulder. Pikachu jumped up onto his shoulders as Ash reached for another arrow, telling him that the men had gotten their remaining mounts under control and would be checking on the guests of the Prince any minute now.
Ash turned back around and bowed deeply to Misteara. "Forgive me, My Lady, but I must take my leave."
Following Pikachu's paw to his right he saw that beautiful blue roan awaiting him at the edge of the forest. Waving a swift farewell to Maid Misteara, he ran up to the horse and leaped onto him from behind, a trick that had taken him years of practicing to learn. He landed squarely on his bare back and held onto the black mane for dear life as the horse sprinted forward, not into the trees but down the road and through a clump of soldiers. The guards dropped the reins of the horses and Pokémon they had been holding and yelled their fury as the creatures joined with Ash and Aoi to gallop down the road and break up the next group. Soon they were completely out of sight of the caravan.
"I still can't believe you took the horse," Brock muttered, throwing his costume out of the tree he was perched in. Aoi bent down to snuffle his nose in it, found nothing of interest, and went back to standing still as Ash brushed him down.
"I didn't just take him, Brock," Ash grunted, working out a prickly briar from Aoi's back. "He wanted to come. He told me so himself." To Aoi, he said, "You're very lucky I thought to grab a brush and saddle blanket. You're fine fur isn't used to bowling through the trees and bushes like that. It snags things easily."
Brock sighed. "Ash, you know we can't keep him. We don't have the supplies or the time. And we can't hide him. With all the guards the Prince will be sending out to nab us he'll be seen easily. We can't risk that."
If I am causing you trouble, I can go back, Aoi said. Ash stopped brushing and looked into his bright green eyes.
"Aoi, it's not you that's the trouble, it's the predicament we're in," he said, leaning on the stallion's back as he spoke. "The Prince always sends the sheriff of Palletshire out to find us, along with nearly half of his guards. Now he's got more from that caravan of his. It'll be a fine task for us to hide ourselves, and we're not used to hiding someone as large as you. You probably won't fit in a hollow tree trunk or behind a clump of bushes."
"Are you talking to him?" Brock asked, staring at them.
Ash resumed his brushing. "Of course I am. I told you I could understand him, didn't I? Besides, I talk to Pokémon all the time and you don't complain then."
"That's because Pokémon have a language," Brock replied, leaning back against the tree trunk as he spread himself along the branch. "I'm taking a nap. Wake me at sunset and we can give the people their shares. In the meantime, you'd better return that horse to his owner, whoever that is. He'll probably be in the castle somewhere."
She, Aoi corrected.
"Really?" Ash asked, not bothering to look up from his brushing. "A Lady that can manage her own horse," he said to himself. "I'd like to meet her someday."
You already have.
"What? Of course I haven't. I never talk to nobility, if I can help it."
I saw you two talking, Aoi said firmly. She handed you your quiver after you dropped it when you were taking off your hood.
Ash froze, staring at the stallion. "Are you saying Maid Misteara is your Mistress?" he asked slowly. Aoi nodded, the effect making him look a bit silly. But Ash didn't laugh. Instead, he stared thoughtfully into the air over Aoi's back, arm stretched across the blue hide as he used Aoi for support.
"Maid Misteara owns a stallion," he said slowly. "And that stallion is currently in my possession. I don't steal animals, therefore he must be returned. By me." He smiled slowly, still deep in thought. "Which means I'll get to meet her again."
"Finally fallen in love, have you Ash? About time. Fifteen years old and you still haven't gotten yourself a wife."
"Waa! I thought you were asleep!"
Brock smiled evilly, sitting up on his branch and dangling his feet so that he could talk to Ash. "Nope. So, tell me about the lucky wench. Short? Tall? Thin? Fat? Old? Young?"
"She's not a wench, Brock," Ash sighed, moving on to brush Aoi's long tail. "She's a noble. The King's niece, I think."
"Well I don't see how that interferes with anything," Brock said. "Your father was a noble."
"My father doesn't even know I exist," Ash said bitterly. "I don't see how that accounts for anything."
"But it does," Brock contradicted. "Whether he knows or not, you're still a duke's son and that makes you a noble. Now tell me what she looks like."
Ash finished with the stallion's tail and leaned against Aoi's back, his eyes unfocused as a grin spread across his face. "She's beautiful, Brock. Long red hair cascading down her back like tamed fire, sea green eyes with hints of azure sparkles when she smiles, slender figure that makes her all the more...perfect. The grace of a diving Lugia, the beauty of a-"
"Ash is a poet and he didn't know it. So, who's the lucky lady? Must be someone pretty special to get him going like that."
Ash spun around to see the form of a tall man in a monk's dull brown robes appear in the trees behind him. The form walked forward, revealing a middle-aged man with shaggy white hair and a toothy smile.
"Friar Oak!" he gasped, something he rarely did. "When did you get here?"
"Somewhere between 'azure sparkles' and 'slender figure'." His eyes swept over Aoi and he whistled in awe. "And who might this beauty be?" he asked, running a tanned hand over Aoi's muzzle.
"Maid Misteara's horse," Ash said, joining him beside the stallion's nose to move some of his long black mane away from his large eyes.
"Is she the Lady you fell for?" Brock asked, sliding down the tree.
"Yes," Ash said softly, avoiding Oak's eye as the monk raised an eyebrow.
"Maid Misteara of Fief Cerulean, eh?" he inquired, watching the boy from the corner of his eye. "Ah yes, she is a beauty. Youngest of the Four Sensational Sisters and the next in line for the family fief. Her father believes she can handle it better than any of her other sisters, even if she is a girl. You know," he said slyly, "her father has been pushing her toward marriage lately, being as she's almost sixteen. Maybe you could-"
"No," Ash interrupted.
"But you are a noble, technically, and-"
"No," Ash said firmly. "I'll return the horse when I hand out the spoils, but I'm not saying anything about marriage. And no, Brock, you can't come. I don't trust your mouth."
Brock immediately shut his mouth and leaned against the large tree, crossing his arms and humphing.
"Well, I see my coming here hasn't done anything especially out of the ordinary," the friar said, handing Ash the goody sack as he climbed onto the large horse.
"Why are you here?" Ash asked, strapping the sack down behind him and throwing the saddle blanket over his head. He tucked it around him, making sure nothing was visible that would give his identity away. Except his hat. He took it off and tossed it to Brock.
"I came to ask for Pikachu for a day or two," Friar Oak said. "I've been doing a few experiments in the storage room and I'd like to test an Electric Pokémon's ability to store electricity."
"That's fine with me, but you'll have to find him first. He's on watch shift somewhere near the stream. Well, I guess I'll see you tonight, Brock. Oh no, wait, I promised my mum that I'd visit her."
"That's all right, Ash," Brock said, unfolding his arms and walking over to scratch Aoi's long nose. "Nice to meet you," he told the horse politely.
The pleasure is mine.
Ash translated and all three humans grinned as Aoi started forward, surprisingly smooth compared to the bumpy gallop of the afternoon. Ash sighed and prepared for the long ride ahead of him.
"I told you that boy was pure mischief," the Lady Willameana said, watching the squabble of guards and dogs beneath her window in the sunset as they tried to organize themselves once again. "Honestly," she went on. "Stealing the gold and setting the mounts free. Raising havoc on our first day here. A fine way to greet the King's niece. Even stole your horse."
"He didn't steal him, Willa," Misteara said as she hung her various dresses up in the large wardrobe the Prince had provided her. Maids had come in to take care of it earlier, only to be shooed out by Misty, who was used to cleaning up after herself. "Aoi wanted to go with him. He was waiting to carry him off once his Pikachu came."
"Probably bewitched him, the poor brute," Willa said, still staring through the blue curtains. "Everyone knows of Asheron's bond with animals and Pokémon alike."
"Aoi is not a brute and he wasn't bewitched," Misty said hotly. "He's way too smart for that. He'll come trotting back any minute now, once his curiosity has been satisfied."
Willa turned away from the window to stare at her cousin. "Why are you defending him?" she asked. "And why are you humming that silly tune?"
Misty stopped humming and glared at Willameana. "I'm defending him because I believe in what he's doing. Rudi's wrong, taxing his people like this. Someone needs to stand up to him. Even if he is a poor young man from the slums-"
"Exactly," Willa interrupted.
"Exactly what?"
"Exactly why he can't court you, so stop thinking about it."
Misty sighed. How did Willa always know what she was thinking? "You have to admit," she said shyly as she resumed unpacking. "He is kind of cute."
Willameana tried to hold it back and act as a lady should, but she couldn't keep from smiling. "Aye, that he is," she said, watching Misty stare at the Wanted poster of him hanging on the inside of the wardrobe door. He was dressed simply in an emerald green tunic and hat, black breeches, and a loose white shirt. He looked as is he were just lowering his bow, the arrow already fitted on the string and ready to fire, his dark eyes curious as he stared at whoever had sketched the picture. His hat was leaning to one side, revealing messy black hair.
"He's even better in real life," Misty murmured, not taking her eyes off of the parchment, ignoring the offer of 1000 pounds printed in large black letters along the bottom.
She turned away suddenly. "I'm going for an evening ride," she said firmly as she unfolded her crystal blue cloak from her belongings.
"But Misty! It's way too dangerous! What, with all the ruffians about because of the Prince's taxes and the peasant's wanting to revolt, they'll be waiting to attack any noble they see-"
"Exactly," Misty said. "I need to stop that kind of feeling. King Lance said this is the fief I am to rule when I marry. The Prince is merely here as a fill-in until I find a suitor. If they don't trust nobles now, will they ever?"
Lady Willameana frowned. "But they may kill you unless they firmly believe you're against the Prince."
"Is that so bad?" The cloak on, the bottom swinging just above her feet, she proceeded to tuck her hair into the hood. "I am against him, Willa, and I need to get the people's support now, while I still can. My uncle should be home soon now, and I need the people to believe in me before I take control of them."
Willa sighed, giving in. "All right, milady, but don't blame me when you get your throat slashed because of your status. What horse will ye ride, by the way? Aoi hasn't come home yet, if he ever will."
"Of course he will." Misty strode over to the great curved doors of her room and sighed. "It must have cost a fortune for these doors alone. Why does he insist on spending his money in such foolish ways?"
"That, no one will ever know."
"I suppose not," Misty sighed. She opened the door. "I shall see you in the morning."
"The morning!" Willa exclaimed, but it was too late. Misty was already fleeing quietly down the hall towards the stables, hoping against hope that the peasants would listen to her.
"Is this it?" Ash asked quietly.
Well I don't know, Aoi responded, sounding annoyed. I've never been here before.
"Well I haven't exactly made frequent visits to the castle stables either, you know!" Ash hissed. "Just pick one. Pick one that your mistress might have prepared, maybe she knew you were coming."
She'll have been too busy unpacking.
Ash sighed. Why did everything he did have to be so difficult? "All right, fine. We'll try that one. It looks as good as any."
I don't know why you're making such a deal of it, Aoi said as he backed into the large stall. You'll be out in a moment or two and Misty will know where I've been, so she won't mind me in the wrong stall.
"Misty?" Ash asked. "Never mind," he added hastily when he sensed another one of Aoi's long speeches coming on. He had endured them throughout his trip here, and he didn't think he could stand even one more. For a horse, he seemed to have a lot to say. He pulled the stolen horse brush out of the saddle blanket, which he kept wrapped around him like a cloak, just in case, and proceeded to brush the stallion down. "And I won't be out of here in a moment or two," he grunted as he worked. "I've got to leave the blanket with you and still make it out alive. Everyone in this castle has been trained to shoot anyone wearing my tunic on sight. And besides, I-"
Aoi shushed him. Footsteps, he warned, his pointy ears twitching. Ash stopped brushing to listen. Sure enough, there was a soft patting sound coming from the castle end of the main hall. Perfect. This was just his luck. Now he would get caught-and in the act of returning something too!
But where could he hide in a horse's stall? The pile of hay in the corner was far too small and he couldn't leave or the person approaching would see him. Instead, he pulled the blanket tightly over him and continued brushing, hoping for dear life that the person was merely a stable boy and wouldn't disturb anyone he didn't recognize.
He listened hard as the footsteps drew nearer. True, the hall had been long, but was it really this long? Finally they drew even with his stall. He held his breath and continued to brush, waiting for them to continue on, but they didn't. Whoever was behind him was watching him work. Now what? Deciding it was better to face this man to man if it came down to a fight, he turned around, keeping his face hidden in the blanket.
"Asheron Hood?" a soft voice asked, not sounding mad at all. Realizing who it must be-and thanking the Lord it was her-he threw off the blanket and ran a hand through his dark hair to put it back in place.
"Erm-how'd you know it was me?" he asked uneasily, not knowing exactly what to say.
Maid Misteara smiled. "Of course I knew it was you. You're wearing my blanket like a cloak and grooming my horse. Thanks for bringing him back, by the way. I hope he wasn't too much trouble."
"Not at all," he said, bowing when he remembered his manners. She's a noble you idiot! he yelled to himself. Now start treating her like one!
She frowned suddenly. "Please don't go all noble on me now," she said. "I hate it when people get all stiff on me because of my relation to the King. It ruins any hope of innocent conversation. Call me Misty. And treat me like you would any other girl."
Ash blushed. "But-milady-"
She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Please?" she asked sincerely. "I promise not to turn you in if you promise not to treat me like royalty. Let's just start over as friends meeting in a village." She held out her hand. "My name is Misty," she said, smiling once again. "What's yours?"
"Asheron, milady," Ash said, he reached out to take her hand and kiss it, but she shook it in a handshake instead.
"No titles," she said firmly. "No 'milady' or 'ma'am' or anything. Just Misty."
"And you may call me Ash," he replied, smiling as he slowly relaxed. Suddenly she started forward. He turned aside to let her pass and she ran a soft hand over her horse's muzzle.
"Hello, boy," she said softly. "Did you have fun on your wild run through the woods?"
Ash resumed his brushing as Aoi told her of his 'exciting' day with him in the woods. When he was finished, Misty turned to Ash. He was just finishing the stallion's tail, and met her eyes evenly. They looked surprised.
"What?" he asked, feeling himself blush slightly.
"I know I shouldn't believe them," she said, not meeting his gaze any longer, "but everything I've heard about you doesn't seem to fit."
He grinned and she slowly met his eyes. "Rumor hardly ever 'fits', mila-Misty. Why? What did you expect of me?"
Now it was her turn to blush. "Oh, I don't know. I certainly didn't expect you to know how to groom horses."
To Misty's surprise, he laughed. "Hardly anyone does," he said, grinning as he set the brush down beside a large sack in the corner of the stall and picked up the blanket to throw over Aoi's back for the night. He stopped suddenly. "Oh-you weren't going to ride him, were you?" She shook her head. "Then why are you here, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Actually, I was going to try and convert some of the villagers so they won't revolt against me when my uncle returns and I take control of this land."
Ash frowned, hefting the lumpy bag over his shoulder. "It's fair dangerous for a lady of such close relation to the King to be prancing around at night," he said. "Why don't you join me? A few more might listen if I'm with you."
"I guess that would be all right," Misty said slowly. "What's in the bag?"
Ash blushed, hoping silently that it would be the last time that night. "The-er-spoils from earlier. I still need to distribute them among the people."
He followed her out of the stall and down the hall, towards the open gate. The Prince had ordered it stay open for a while in case some of the mounts decided to come back. "Don't you keep any for yourself?" Misty asked suddenly, glancing at him.
"No, I earn my own keep in the stables-hence my grooming abilities-or I go to me mum's house."
"Your mum lives nearby?"
"Yes, of course." Ash smiled. "Only two other people know that but you. Please bear that in mind if it ever comes up in local conversation, or whatever you ladies gossip about."
Misty laughed. "I'll try," she said, smiling, "But on one condition: You take me to meet her."
Ash's face fell. "Meet her?" he squeaked. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "But-Mum-she's a bit...eccentric...about certain...things."
"Like what?"
"Like...oh, I don't know, things!"
"Well unless you can come up with a more adequate reason than 'She's a bit eccentric about certain things', I refuse to not be introduced to her."
Ash sighed and followed her to the gate. He was lucky; the guards were still busy with the havoc he had created earlier. No one was around to watch them as they slipped outside and ran silently down the cobbled street and into town.
Author's Note: Um...yeah. I typed this up a few months ago and forgot about it. Now I'm at my dad's and he's at work and I had saved it to a disk, so I decided to read it and now I really like it and I want to read more but I have to type it first and...yeah. So, what do you think? I'm mostly working on my Christmas fics right now, but I'll probably pick up writing this again. Along with OYL 3. And my remake of Legends, because I hate my old one. So...yeah. Lord of the Rings is awesome! Erm...o.O...review? Yeah! Review! And don't flame me on my knowledge on England because I really don't have any idea what I'm talking about. I need to ask Erina-Chan some questions, but I never seem to get around to it...Okay. The next part will probably be more romance, but I really have no idea based on the fact that I haven't written it yet. So...I'm done. BYE!!!
-Seabeast