The Jewel Thief

Robin Hood BBC 2006 fic-- set sometime after Lardner's Ring-- because that was when this was written and absolutely lost in the realm of google documents for weeks. Until today when I found it again.

--Sherwood Forest--

"The boy is good." Djaq said breaking the silence.

Little John nodded in agreement adjusting his thick cape to protect him from the slight breeze that was blowing. It was not winter yet but Nottinghamshire had been enveloped in a layer of thick white snow that it almost looked peaceful. It looked almost holy. Almost. Right in front of them was the exact proof that snow was just natural white wash. The Saracen and the giant had been checking the animal traps they had laid out a few days before when they heard metal clashing on metal on the nearby road. Concerned that it might be one of their own, they decided to investigate by a hill overlooking the road. To the pair's relief, no one from the gang was involved. But it did involve three armed outlaws, one lone unarmed traveler, and their horses. To their surprise, one of the outlaws had already fallen with his own barbed staff lying bloody beside him. They've come just in time to see a second man fall from a thrust inflicted by one of his companions as the boy dodged out of harms way. The boy had picked up the dropped sword as the his last attacker retrieved his sword from its bloody sheath to attack. The two had crossed swords numerous times with the much larger man getting more frustrated with each swing that didn't meet flesh and he growled in anger when the blows cut through the air.

Little John watched on. The boy couldn't be might be only slightly taller than his companion but with a slightly smaller frame. To his amazement, the boy was not only skilled, but he was fast and silent. While the brute yelled, screamed and growled in the attempt to scare the traveler into defeat, his black and white clothed and hooded opponent was quietly parrying and jumping out of harms way before landing most of his attacks which infuriated him more.

After what seemed like hours, the outlaw swung his sword in an effort to slit his enemy's throat. But it had met nothing but air. The boy had ducked and backhandedly swung his borrowed sword to man's left knee. The man howled in pain as he fell on his knees from the blow. The boy was quick to be back on his feet, turning on his own axis. Then used that energy to force the pommel of the sword to the man's temple completing his movement to be upright again. The outlaw fell face first to the snow.

Djaq saw the boy sigh and throw the sword away before heading to his horse. She eyed the traveler as he picked up his large bag and slipped it over his head and arm. "He probably has clothes and money in that bag." She pointed out.

Little John looked at the girl unsure if the cold had gotten to her head. The Saracen met his gaze. "It is cold." She replied. "There are more starving people now because they have not prepared for this weather. If we do not get him now, we will lose our chance." She reasoned. She saw her friend give in with a shrug.

"Let's go." Little John sighed. The two outlaws revealed themselves from their hiding place and went downhill cautiously. They saw the boy shake his head and ignore them. Instead, he proceeded to check his horse and another bag tied to the saddle.

Djaq brandished her sword like she was accustomed to. "If you tell us the truth, we'll take only a tenth of what you have. If you lie, we'll take it all." She said as calmly as possible. "How much do you have?" She asked.

The boy sighed and turned around to face the two. Little John was right. He was a good inch taller than Djaq. He must be a noble the way he was dressed. The lower half of his face was covered by a black scarf. His cape, gloves, pants and boots were black as well. But the edges of his vest and his sleeves were as white as now. He crossed his arms against his chest. "Interesting." The traveler replied. "I gather you were watching when those three came at me yet you still want what I have. I'm guessing you want money. What do you want money for?"

Little John answered curtly. "For the poor."

The noble nodded but didn't move to give them anything. "Selfless. I do like that." He said more like he was thinking aloud than to the pair before him. "I have thirty five pounds and a few shillings, wine, some dried fish, and a little ham. The is for a family in Locksley but I am sure they will not mind if they get just a little less to help their kind." He said honestly.

The outlaws were caught by surprise. They very rarely encountered a truthful noble. And if they did, it was always suspicious. People did not normally want to be parted with their money. "You'll give us a tenth then?" Djaq asked tentatively.

"Well that would depend if you are lying. It is my turn to ask a question yes? How many are in this ambush besides you two?" The noble said curiously.

"None." Little John answered automatically. He watched the boy shake his head and lower his eyes in disapproval.

"That is exactly how much you're going to get from me." And just as soon as he had said that, two arrows flitted through the air catching the outlaws by surprise. There was a flash of silver. The boy was suddenly crouched a few yards away from where he was leaving two broken arrows in his wake. He unsheathed a second long dagger from his right sleeve. "Liar liar pants on fire." He sang accusingly at the bigger man and the Saracen that had stood frozen in their spot.

"We were telling the truth. See?" Djaq insisted quickly sheathing her sword as a gesture of peace.

"Games, I do not like." John agreed.

"Parfait. Then you will not mind me settling this first." The boy threw one of his daggers off to the trees in the right without warning. "Chestnut, stay." He ordered to his horse.

There was an audible thud that echoed through the forest. "Master! Master!" A familiar voice cried.

Djaq paled visibly and faced Little John who had already started heading for that direction behind the boy. "That sounds like Much." She said with concern.

"Robin." John nodded. The two trailed behind the traveler who trekked the uphill slope with ease. They saw Much yell and charged with his sword once the boy was his view. The boy merely deflected the blow with his dagger, took a quick step closer to Much, caught their friend's collar and pulled him off balance in one swift motion. Much tumbled down the hill slope just to be helped back up by John and Djaq.

"There is a level of stupidity charging downhill!" They heard the boy say as he moved forward without looking back.

"Robin... we must hurry!" Much said. The three urgently climbed further uphill until they reached where the traveler had stopped. They saw Robin lower his fists as the traveler started laughing. "What? What's so funny?" Much asked going slowly around the boy to be beside his master. Robin shrugged in confusion.

The boy sheathed the dagger back underneath his sleeve, took off his scarf and hood revealing himself to the leader of the outlawed gang. "Locksley! Monsieur Much!" He greeted cheerfully. In fact, too cheerfully even for a boy.

Much quickly took a good look at the boy's features as the boy tousled his straight raven hair to one side.It was long enough to be tied back but not long enough to be tied back neatly. What couldn't be tied back fell in layers against his sun kissed complexion. The boy's eyes were a hazel with hints of dark green. His voice had an accent. He was no doubt English yet there was a hint of something else. He looked and sounded familiar enough but it has been five years since they saw each other last and the boy was not a boy the last time they parted ways. "Lady Evangeline Stone from Cornwall." He greeted breathlessly and shocked as they exchanged friendly hugs.

"I'm sorry about tossing you downhill but I did not know it was you who charged. I can not have you injure me can I?" She apologized as they separated.

Robin came forward with his arms wide open. "You broke my bow Eva. Again." He said before they exchanged hugs. When they separated, he handed her back the dagger that had wedged on the wood of his bow. She sheathed it under her other sleeve automatically hiding it from view.

"You tried to shoot me Monsieur. Again. We are even. Exactly like five years ago." She replied in turn. " So, you are an outlaw now." She stated tilting her head to one side in amusement.

"And you're a boy." Robin pointed out. "This makes me feel like I have to re-introduce myself." He joked. Robin held out his right hand. "I am Robin Hood, outlaw of Sherwood."

Evangeline Stone shook the man's hand. "Leigh Thornton, thief of Hampshire." She grinned. "Well, specifically Winchester." She added with a small bow. The outlaws were speechless for once. "I'm heading to Locksley to have a specific box made by Monsieur Dan Scarlett. Do you want to come with and annoy whoever has taken your house?" She said adjusting the strap of her bag.

"I don't know how to say this to you Eva--" Robin scratched the back of his head in discomfort.

"Dan Scarlett is dead." Djaq finished for him. She watched as their visitor turned to face her in shock. Then her gaze went to Robin and Much who were trying to avoid her questioning eyes.

The girl ran her fingers through hair as the truth settled in. "Merde." She cursed under her breath.

--