This doesn't relate directly to Robin Hood until later on, but maybe you'll read it just for the fun of it? Let me know about historical inaccuracies, bad writing, and other in-need-of-fixing spots. Please review! Enough of italics, on with the tale.
"Elizabeth? Are you ready for the feast?" the Baron of Selby asked his daughter through her door.
"Nearly. I'll be down in a few minutes." Once the clicks of the baron's receding steps had faded, Beth's maid exploded.
"What were you thinking! 'A few minutes?' You don't even have your gown on!"
Nevertheless, somehow, in a few minutes, Charlotte had a dress on Beth, as well as properly styled hair and everything. She inspected her work, then rushed Beth into the hall. Just before they entered the room full of long tables and nobles, they stopped for one last check. Char nudged a few pins into place in Beth's long blond hair. Her own brown braids were messy as ever. Beside the door, a minstrel was singing a ballad about Bernard of Barnesdale. Something concerning an outlaw band who ran around Barnesdale Forest in bright yellow, stuffing people in holes and tying them upside-down from trees. Beth peeked around the doorframe.
"Isn't that minstrel handsome? That one around the corner?" she said, pointing. Char scowled.
"I bet I could make up a better story." Beth looked at her. They immediately sat, ruining Char's work fixing the folds of Beth's dress.
"Once upon a time there was a handsome minstrel," Char began quietly. "He and his apprentice were well-known throughout the land. Almost everyone who heard them threw rotting vegetables at them. Sorry Beth, but I really hate bards."
"I couldn't tell," Beth muttered. Someone slipped through the grand oak doors and tripped over the girls.
"There you are. People are starting to wonder where you were. I would get in there soon if I were you," he said, standing and brushing himself off.
"Thanks, James," said Beth.
"I don't hear any music. Is the minstrel gone?" Char asked hopefully.
James grinned. "Of course." They walked in. James received a venomous glare from Char.
"I hate bards, I hate bards, I hate bards…" Char murmured repeatedly.
Once the courses had all been served and the guests were mingling, a blonde fourteen-year-old boy carrying a harp (named Seth) appeared in front of Beth.
"My lady Elizabeth," he greeted the girl no older than he. "Let me—"
"Are you with that singing buffoon?" Char demanded.
"Char…Ahem. Please disregard my maid. She's somewhat insane."
"I'll second that," James cut in.
"Hey!"
Seth smiled. Beth smiled back. James smiled too. Char glared at everyone.
No one had time to say anything, though, for at that very instant chaos broke out.
Ladies screamed, fainted, or continued their conversations. Noblemen did the same, though a few drew ornamental swords, just so people couldn't call them cowards. Seth, Beth, James, and Char were drawn to where a blubbery, red-faced man in chain-mail was standing with 15 soldiers.
"Oh, no," Beth groaned. "It's Barnabas."
"BARON!" boomed Barnabas.
"Here," Beth's father squeaked.
"Your daughter Elizabeth marries my son Dennison or else," the baron from Barnesdale growled.
"Here's Elizabeth," Lionel of Selby said, gesturing for her to come closer. She did, with Char close behind, and James and Seth waiting at the front of the crowd.
"Good."
"He's certainly not one for long monologues," Char whispered.
Don't forget to review! Criticism, encouragement, random thoughts-- anything is great! Let me know if I ought to continue. Anything else? Tell me if I've forgotten some major (or minor) thingamajig. Have a nice day! Or night! Or not!
