Chapter 2: Return to Ireland/The Brotherhood

The next day, Robin kept mulling his dream over in his head, wondering what it could mean. He couldn't get rid of the idea that this was a sign or a premonition of some sort. This upset Marian who was deeply concerned for Robin. He hadn't spoken to her all day. His only thought was the nightmare. That night, Robin was still pondering over the dream. She sat down on the bed next to him and held his hand, smiling at the slender fox.

Robin smiled back, knowing that his wife knew what he was thinking about.

"Robin," Marian began, "I know that you're worried about your friend, but like he said, the Brotherhood no longer exists. It was probably just a nightmare."

"But what is the reason for it?" Robin asked.

"Maybe it's just because you haven't seen him for a long time. Maybe it's just because you miss him."

Robin thought about it and what Marian said did make sense. Then, he felt Marian lean up against him. He looked into her eyes and gave her a long, loving kiss.

"Perhaps you're right, Marian. There's probably nothing to worry about." he said as he looked into the vixen's beautiful brown eyes. They hugged each other tightly and Robin let out all his fears of this dream.

"Are you sure you'll be alright, darling?" Marian asked.

"I'm sure." Robin replied with a reassuring smile. The two foxes kissed each other before climbing into bed. Robin was lying on his back, the blankets covering half of his body. Marian rolled over and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"I love you, Robin."

"I love you too."

Over the next few days, Robin was in a much better mood. He wasn't concerned with his nightmare and he and Marian were enjoying their new life together. Skippy, Sis, Tagalong, and Toby were frequent visitors to the castle and Robin and Marian enjoyed their company. Marian would usually spend time with Skippy's two sisters as they had their own little conversations together while Robin helped Skippy with his archery skills. Even Toby was starting to take and interest into archery. He wasn't as good as Robin or Skippy, but he was learning.

After about three days, Robin and Marian were summoned by King Richard. They arrived in the council chamber, where the king was sitting in a large chair. A large smile came across his face as he saw the young married couple.

"Ah, just in time. Now, there is something I want the two of you to do for me. I have just received a message from Ireland about a meeting in the city of Dublin. All four kings of Ireland and all the lords have been summoned by High King Brian Boru himself, and so have I. However, I am…getting on in years and don't believe I will be able to make it. I would like to ask if the two of your could go in my stead." the king said with a grin. Robin knew he had other motives for avoiding this meeting since he was still fit enough to attend the meeting.

"Very well, sire. We shall go in your stead." Robin replied.

The next day, the couple set out for Ireland. They left much earlier than that day fourteen years ago. When they arrived in Liverpool, they learned that there were no ships headed to Dublin. The one King Richard would have boarded was headed for Galway, the capital of Connacht. At that point, Robin and Marian knew why Richard had sent them in his stead. Robin smiled and rolled his eyes at King Richard's little set up.

The ship sailed through the night. The next morning, the ship docked in Galway Bay, as the couple stepped off the ship and headed for the royal palace. As they neared the steps, they were stopped by a guard and Robin and Marian explained that King Richard had sent them. As they entered the throne room, Robin saw a twenty-six-year-old fox sitting on the throne; the same fox he had seen in his dream. It was Eamon Kavanagh. All Eamon did when he saw them though, was raise his eyebrow.

"Eamon?" Robin said.

"Normally my subjects bow to me when entering this room…" Eamon said as he stood up and approached Robin Hood. Then, a smile came across his face, "…but you're the exception." The two friends hugged each other, laughing joyfully at seeing each other's faces again.

"It's good to see you again, boyo!" Eamon said, his Irish accent as clean as it was fourteen years ago.

"It's good to see you too!" Robin replied. Eamon then noticed Marian was with his friend.

"Ah, Marian, welcome back to Ireland."

"Thank you, Prince Eamon." she replied.

"You don't have to add the 'prince' to my name, and it's actually 'King Eamon' now."

Robin's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"What?" he said.

"Yes, I am now the King of Connacht."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Marian said with a compassionate tone.

"For what?" Eamon laughed.

"Well, for your…"

"Oh! No me father isn't dead! He abdicated the throne, stating that he thought I would make a more suitable king. However, I appreciate your concern." Eamon replied, half laughing through his whole statement.

"So, how long has it been, fourteen years?" Robin said.

"Aye, I believe so."

"Well, this is something I thought I'd never see, King Eamon. Well, congratulations."

"Thank you. So what have I missed from your end?"

Robin and Marian held out their hands and Eamon's eye widened as he eyed the wedding rings.

"God's truth. You two are married." The two foxes smiled and nodded. "You know, I had a good feeling that it would happen one day. The first day you introduced me to Marian, I had a feeling that you two were going to fall in love." Eamon said with a smile. "So how long ago did this take place?"

"A little over a month ago." Robin replied.

"Well, allow me to offer my belated congratulations." Eamon said as he shook their hands.

"So, Eamon, what is this meeting with the high king about?" asked Robin.

"Once again, I don't know. It won't be for another two days. But why don't we talk about this later tonight? That way we'll be more comfortable."

Robin and Marian agreed and Eamon had the guard show them to their chamber. Later that night, they met Eamon in the great hall. He was sitting with his father, Rory Kavanagh, and a few other men, dressed in Irish general's uniforms, with a golden harp on the breast of each one. However, the front of the harp was in the form of an angel, the wings swept back to form the top of the instrument.

Robin and Marian managed to hear a few words of what the men were talking about.

"We aren't completely positive, but we are very sure." One of the generals said.

"Well, unless we know for sure, I don't feel comfortable presenting this to the high king, otherwise, if we're wrong…well I think you know what will most likely happen." Eamon replied.

"Aye. But what if we're right?" the second general said.

"What if we're wrong? Malone, too many mistakes have been made in the past because someone was thinking 'what if'."

"Son, you must listen to your generals. They know much." Rory said.

"Aye, I don't deny it. God gave them an extraordinary gift for war, but I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has given us our own sense of knowledge and reason has intended us to forego their use. I will consider their suggestions, but I will make my own decisions. Do I make myself clear?" Eamon replied.

"Yes, my lord."

Just then, Eamon saw Robin and Marian out of the corner of his eye.

"Ah, welcome. Please come in. Take a seat." Eamon said with a reassuring smile. "I'd like to introduce you to my two top generals. This is General Liam McDermott."

Robin and Marian shook hands with the tall falcon who was Liam McDermott.

"And this is Seamus Malone."

The beagle who was Seamus Malone was considered, by Eamon at least, to be one of the best military leaders in Ireland.

"And I believe you already know me father."

The old fox nodded his head in recognition to Robin and Marian.

"Well, Robin, you've certainly grown. I heard about your marriage to the fair Maid Marian and may I say congratulations to the two of you."

"Thank you. So what were the four of you talking about?" Marian asked.

"There is a strange flag that was captured in Lisdoonvarna only a few days ago from a group of rebels. The troops can't identify it and neither can I. These two believe it is one of the flags of the Brotherhood of the Red Hand." Eamon said.

Robin's eyes widened and his heart sank. Maybe his nightmare did mean something.

"However, the flag doesn't even have the same basic design as the Red Hand flag. I believe it to be just another rebel group… Ah, but this is more of a matter for the high king. Let us enjoy the evening."

Robin and Marian listened as Eamon talked about everything that had changed in their absence. He talked about fighting off a Viking invasion in the north, his father's abdication and putting down several rebellions.

Robin was surprised to hear that this was the largest series of rebellions in the history of Ireland. Each rebel group was very well-trained and gave the regular army a good fight and they were striking every part of Ireland.

Later, in their chamber, Robin was thinking about these rebellions. He leaned over the desk and thought, 'who could be training these rebels so well and how could they be striking every part of Ireland at the same time?'

Marian came up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders.

"Are you alright, darling?"

"It's just these rebellions. There cropping up all over Ireland, and the generals are somehow connecting them to the Brotherhood. I'm just worried what it might be."

Marian brought Robins gaze to her. She beamed a reassuring smile at her husband.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. We'll learn all about it at the meeting with the high king." she said.

Robin smiled and leaned in to kiss the vixen.

"What would my life have been like if I hadn't met you? I could never imagine a life without you." Robin said. Marian hugged Robin tightly. They were completely absorbed into one another. The two climbed into bed and began to fall into a peaceful sleep.

Eamon was in his chamber, reading the Bible. At the time, the Bible was the only book that was being printed in large quantities, and Eamon was a very religious Catholic. Suddenly, he heard a knock on his door.

"Enter." he said.

One of the guards entered the room.

"Pardon me, my lord, but there is someone who wishes audience with you."

"Very well."

Eamon went to the throne room. There, a messenger from the city of Athenry was waiting for the king.

"Welcome to Galway. What is it that you want?" Eamon said. The messenger was shaking and could barely speak.

"What's wrong, sir? Tell us. There is nothing to be afraid of."

"You must help us, my lord." The messenger said, half in tears.

"What is it?"

The, messenger began to explain and Eamon's eyes widened as he heard the messenger's news.

One of the guards opened Robin and Marian's door.

"Master Robin Hood!" the guard said.

"Shh!" Robin said, trying not to wake Marian.

"The king needs you immediately. The city of Athenry is under attack. You are going to ride with him."

Robin felt his heart sink again. "Alright, I'll be there in a moment." As he was getting ready to leave, Marian woke up. She saw Robin dressed in his green tunic and sword belt.

"Robin? What's going on?" she asked.

"Athenry is under attack. Eamon wants us to ride with him to the city."

Marian's heart sank. War had come to Ireland, and she knew that they were going to be part of it.