Winifred was exhausted. She had been performing chores the entire morning, and had just begun to collect the vegetables from the garden. Just as she placed a carrot in the basket; she heard the sound of a horse galloping. Wiping the dirt on her apron, she stood and saw a young man approaching the cottage on horseback.
"Father, someone is coming!" shouted Winifred.
Winifred quickly wiped the sweat and dirt from her face, and gave a curtsy when the man finally arrived. It didn't take Winifred too long to see a bloody rag was wrapped tight around his neck.
"Your name, my lady?" asked the man, hardly able to speak.
"Winifred Tibon of London, my lord." said Winifred.
"Are you the lady of this house?"
"I suppose I am, sir. My mother passed recently, and left me to care for my father and for our home."
"Could you fetch me some water for my horse?"
"My lord, perhaps you should speak to my fath-"
"Please. I've been traveling for four days, with no rest and my horse is thirsty."
"Very well, my lord."
Winifred walked over to the well and drew a bucket of water. She grabbed the ladle and scooped some of the water into it, and then offered it to the stranger's horse. After the horse had its fill, Winifred offered the ladle to the the stranger, but was surprised when he pushed it away.
"Why won't you drink, my lord?" asked Winifred.
"May I ask you a question?"
"Aye, my lord."
"Do you see this scar on my lip?"
The stranger pointed to a small scar on his top lip; Winifred nodded slowly, fearing what was to come.
"It was given to me by Robin Longstrade of Nottingham. Do you know his name?"
"I do, my lord. He's an outlaw."
"Twice, he tried to kill me. The first, left me with this scar. The second..."
The stranger unwrapped the rag from his neck, revealing what seemed to be two small holes in his neck. At first, Winifred couldn't believe that someone would be able to survive being struck in the neck; soon, her disbelief became concern.
"My lord, come inside. I may be able to help you." said Winifred.
"You would help a stranger?"
"Only if he's been kind, my lord."
The stranger nodded and dismounted his horse. Winifred help him into the house and over to the fireplace, where she sat him on a stool. Just then, her father Lionel came into the room and nearly turned white as a sheet when he saw the injured stranger.
"Winifred, you should not extend your kidness to this man." said Lionel.
"Father, he's hurt, and he means no harm." argued Winifred.
"Are you mad? You are helping Sir Godfrey! This man is a traitor to our country!" bellowed Lionel.