Disclaimer - I do not own Robin Hood or any recognisable characters.
(Set between season 1 and 2 - may follow season 2 plot)
Sherwood forest was relatively quite this night, which, since having been inhabited by Robin Hood and his gang of outlaws, was a rare moment. Birds fluttered through the trees as the sun set, shining a deep orange glow onto the crisp leaves below. The repetitive noises of small animals scurrying across the ground to safety could be heard as the quiet of the dense area was broken by the sound of many hooves.
A large, elegant black mare burst through the thicket of bushes, not hesitating as her rider slipped precariously to the left of the saddle. The young girl gripped the reins tighter as she righted herself and glanced over her shoulder to the incoming threat. Ten to twenty soldiers, all dressed in red hooded tunics and black armour, followed her swiftly.
"Come on Elyon, we need to go faster!" She cried to her horse as she noted the soldiers closing in. Her shoulder length black hair whipped around her face as she begged the horse to go faster. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, the fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins as she rode to escape the men behind her.
She glanced back once more, her green eyes widening in fear as the truth of her situation settled in her mind. She was not going to make it. She was going to be caught and sent back to her vile uncle and be sold to Thomas of Willborough. The thought of having to be near the man sent shivers down her spine.
The girl flattened her body against the mare in hope to increase speed. Eyes narrowing in determination as the trees flew past her. That is, until she felt a sharp pain in her slide, a cry of pain ripped from her throat. Her hands flew to her side out of pure instinct and she slipped off the back of Elyon, who had reared up when the dagger had flown past. She let out a gasp as her breath was swiftly removed from her lungs.
Groaning, she pushed her hands to the ground, hoisting her body upright and began running. Tears streamed down her face as her legs gave out and she fell forward with a scream. She rolled painfully down a steep hill, stones jarred into her flesh leaving gashs and wounds, before her back crashed into a large tree. The young girl screamed out in pain as she felt her ribs crack, black spots dancing in front of her eyes as she looked to the incoming army.
Robin Hood sat in the camp, surrounded by his friends and fellow outlaws. They were enjoying some peace from the Sheriff, who had not done anything dramatic or worrying in quite a while. He laughed heartily as Will told them of Much's encounter with a badger earlier in the evening whilst the two were collecting fire wood.
The ash blonde stared into the flames, his thoughts preoccupied with what he felt the Sheriff had to be planning. Djaq, the only female of the group watched her leader carefully.
"Robin?"
"Huh?" The ex-earl looked up as she caught his attention.
"Do you know what he's planning?" Robin sighed and clasped his hands together. He shook his head slightly.
"I shall go to Nottingham in the morning and ask if Marian has heard anything." He spoke defiantly.
Much looked worryingly at his master.
"Robin, I'm not sure you shou –" He was cut off by a pain filled scream that echoed around the forest. Almost instantly the 6 of them were on their feet grabbing weapons.
"Will and Djaq take the south, Allan and John, west. Much and I will take it head on." Robin ordered as he placed his arrows on his back. They nodded in confirmation and split up.
Robin ran, weaving in and out of the trees, Much following right behind him. He came to a halt crouching down behind a tree stump.
"Robin? What are you doing?" Much asked him, rather loudly as well. Robin turned to glare at his long time friend and ex servant.
"Shh Much!" The outlaw grabbed the arm of his comrade and pulled him down behind the stump as well. He then motioned for his friend to look around the tree end. Much leaned to his right, edging slowly around to the front of the tree. He looked, taking in the scene before turning back to Robin.
"What's the plan then?"
Robin repeated Much's previous movements and took in the scene before him. A young girl lay against a tree, surrounded by many soldiers who's swords were all drawn. Robin's eyes narrowed in anger. He waited a moment and scanned the surrounding wood, noting where the rest of his team were.
"Right, here's what we do."
The small female pushed herself upright, resting her back against the tree as she watched the head soldier stalk towards her.
"Now My Lady, we can do this the easy way or the hard way." He spoke as he reached her. The maiden winced as he gripped her arm tightly and pulled her up violently. A small whimper left her lips as he lifted her.
"Stop with the pathetic noise Miss. Our Lord isn't here so we have no qualms about shutting you up ourselves." She turned her frightened glance away from his face, looking around her for any chance of escape. Seeing none she figured that she could try abusing her power.
"Let go of me immediately or my father will hear of this." She spat, her voice full of venom. She raised her chin and gazed at him haughtily. The soldiers glanced at each other and she smirked inwardly.
Her 5 seconds of hope dissolved as they all laughed at her. The leader wiped away an invisible tear at her words before he turned serious and she flinched back, watching him warily.
"Oh my dear, your father won't be returning to you, at least not anytime soon."
She froze before her eyes narrowed dangerously, anger burned through her thoughts.
"How dare you! You are a disgusting excuse for a soldier. You and my uncle can rot in hell for all I care and I will show no mercy to tell my father of all the treacherous things you have done to our town." She yelled at him, fury danced in her eyes blinding her from seeing the deadly glint in her captors own eyes.
"I will not hesitate to mention the young boy who you orphaned and then left to die. Or the poor girl that you so cruelly took for your own; leaving her helpless." She seethed.
"Will you shut up!" The guard cried, drawing his hand back before he let it fly into her left cheek. The force of the hit knocked her back to the ground where she found the point of his sword at her throat. Her breath caught in her lungs as she realised that maybe she went too far.
"I change my mind. I may just kill you and tell your uncle a group of robbers caused your demise."
He raised his sword above his head ready to strike when an arrow flew through the air and struck his hand, he dropped the sword and clutched his hand in pain. She sat in shock for a moment before taking the opportunity to scramble back. The now injured soldier noticed however and grabbed her ankle with his free hand.
"I would let her go."
The new voice startled them both and turned their heads to the source. The man stood with his hood up and a bow and arrow poised and ready to be shot.
"Really? And why should I do that?" The head solder taunted. The newcomer stood quietly for a while before he lowered his weapon and relaxed his posture.
"Well, because we have you surrounded." He stated and gave a sharp nod. All around them they could hear leaves rustling and 4 men and a women emerged from different direction, their weapons directed to the soldiers who turned to the threat.
"Surrounded? You call this surrounded?" The ash blonde raised his eyebrows at the cocky soldier. He shrugged, raising his bow he shot at a soldier. Then another. And another. 5 soldiers went down before he had a chance to react.
"Do you really want to chance your lives?" Instantaneously 6 more soldiers turned and fled. Leaving the leader and two others. Looking around they stepped in to line holding their swords out in front of them.
"So be it." Once again the bow was raised but this time he shot the arrow into a tree, signalling his gang. With a cry the 5 others charged forward quickly engaging in battle. Needless to say it didn't take long for the remaining 3 soldiers to be defeated.
With a triumphant nod, Robin turned towards the girl who had remained quiet throughout the exchange. She lay on the ground unmoving.
"Djaq!" He called the gangs doctor over as he fell to his knees beside her, sighing in relief as he heard her breathing. The other women looked over the younger and asked for some water for her.
"She's disorientated at the moment, she should be okay to speak if we give her water." Will handed over his flask and Djaq lifted up the girls head, carefully pouring it down her throat. A few moments later she blinked and sat up, lifting a hand to her head in pain. She then realised she was being watched and backed up away from them in fear. Her reaction caused Robin to hold his hands up in surrender.
"We're not going to hurt you. This is Djaq, John, Much, Alan and Will." The girl relaxed as she was introduced to the gang members. "I'm Robin Hood." The black haired girl's green eyes widened dramatically and she sat up eagerly.
"You're Robin?" She exclaimed. When he nodded she threw herself into his arms and began to sob. Shocked, Robin slowly brought his arms around her and soothed her tears. "It's okay. Now, why don't you tell us your name and why you were being chased by those men?" He asked as her cries quieted.
Pulling away from the blonde man, she wiped the few remaining tears from her face. "My name's Avalon. I was running because I couldn't stand to live with my uncle any more. He was going to sell me to Thomas of Willborough!" Robin tensed at the name and glanced around his team. They all knew of the vile man. Unaware of the looks she continued to speak. "And my father told me if I was ever in trouble to come to Nottingham and find Robin Hood."
Robin looked surprised. "Who is your father?" He was intrigued about the man who obviously thought highly of him.
"King Richard."