Prologue: In merry England in the time of old . . . there lived within the green glades of Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham Town, a famous outlaw whose name was Robin Hood. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood.
Chapter 1
Locksley
"Don't forget your manners! God only knows how much we could use a farmer in this family. Just think, we could actually have some food around here and perhaps your poor little sister will stop crying."
May Ellen glanced at her little sister, May Ann, who had been crying for the last few days because of her 'tummy ache'. Due to the Sheriff's taxes, most of the families in Locksley had no food at all. Her mother's answer to the problem was that May Ellen should wed the farmer's son, Greg. The only problem was, My Ellen hated Greg with a passion. He was down right disgusting. Would it do so much harm for him to take a bath at least once a month? She had been invited to go out to Locksley Farm and spend the afternoon with the farmer's son.
Her Mother was acting as if it was the answer to her prayers, perhaps it was. May Ellen would sooner pray for the return of Lord Robin, though. If Robin would return from the crusades and take back his land from the Sheriff's deputy, Guy of Gisbourne, Locksley would no longer be in such a sad state.
"Well, go on with you! You're wasting daylight and time that you could be spending with Greg!" insisted her mother.
May Ellen would rather spend her afternoon with Will Scarlet, but there was no use starting that fight with her mother again. It would seem that a farmer was better then a carpenter just because he had food. Nevermind the fact that the carpenter had better character and hygiene.
May Ellen exited the small house and made her away outside the town of Locksley. It was a beautiful summer morning, a perfect day for a walk to the farm. May Ellen was about half way there when a very angry guard came storming down the road. May Ellen quickly stepped out of his way, she had been beaten by the guards before and had no desire to repeat that experience.
I wonder where his horse is, thought May Ellen. She suddenly realized that she already knew the answer. Evidently, the Scarlet brothers were at it again! Forgetting all about her invitation to the farm, May Ellen got off the road and onto a well known deer path that would lead her to the two troublemakers. Sure enough she soon found them in a ditch by the side of the road. The ditch was well covered with brush and could not be seen by the unfortunate guards.
"Don't you two have something better to do?" asked May Ellen as she announced her presence.
"Get down! They'll see ya!" complained the younger brother, Luke.
May Ellen got onto her knees in the dirt, so much for dressing nicely today . . . "I saw a guard who will be wanting his horse back."
"Horse went that way," replied Luke pointing.
"I thought you finished with clothes-lining the guards yesterday?" asked May Ellen. She could not believe how hard it was to try to get Will to talk to her. Luke always cut in before him. Not a hard thing to do considering the fact the Will was shy and hardly ever talked.
"Ran out of things to do," answered Luke again. "What are you doing out here?"
May Ellen smiled, "I'm on my way to spend the afternoon with Greg, the farmer's son." That got Will's attention; he looked at her in surprise, but still did not say anything.
"I hear a horse!" announced Luke. All three of them put their ears against the ground and listened. Sure enough, a horse was coming and the rider was running him hard.
"Make sure you get that rope high enough so the horse can get under it," whispered May Ellen.
"Stop worrying about the stupid horse, Ellen. You have never even been on one before. Not like you are ever going to be able to afford one either," replied Luke.
May Ellen raised her hand to smack him, but Will beat her to it.
The galloping horse and his unsuspecting guard came around the corner. At the last second, Will and Luke yanked the hidden rope up and sent the guard tumbling to the ground. Luke had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing.
With the rope hidden in the leaves and pine needles on the forest floor, the guard could not figure out what happened. Pretty soon he gave up trying to figure it out and went stomping towards Locksley without his mount.
As soon as the guard was out of sight, Will jumped up and ran after the horse.
"What does he think he is doing!" complained Luke.
"I don't know, but we should leave before the guard returns with more guards." Luke agreed with May Ellen and headed back home.
May Ellen dusted herself off and headed back towards Locksley Farm. She was going to be late now. Oh well, it was just less time she would have to spend with Greg. She had not gone far when she heard the sound of a galloping horse behind her. Could the guards have been alerted that quickly?! May Ellen turned around and was shocked to see Will riding towards her with the dismounted guards horse.
He pulled up besides her and offered her his hand. When she did not take it right away he replied, "Well May, you could always spend the afternoon with Greg."
May Ellen laughed and grabbed his hand as she swung up behind him on the horse.
