Disclaimer: Not mine, as much as I wish. A/N: For my Klayley family who put up with my craziness & because all I can think of is KH Robin Hood AU with some changes applied. R&R x
It Seems Like Only Yesterday
Part I
"Robin hood was the people's only hope. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. He was beloved by all the people of England." - Disney's Robin Hood.
Klaus ran through Sherwood Forest like a fox chased by hounds. Elijah's feet-pounded against the dense forest floor close behind. Klaus leapt over a fallen log and pulled his brother behind a tree, hiding from the royal guards. "You know, Klaus, you're taking too many chances!" Elijah panted, making Klaus grin, and peek at the royal carriage passing down the road. Elijah caught his breath, sweat dripping from his forehead. Through the carriage's window sat Finn Mikaelson, their greedy eldest brother with a smug smile, oblivious to the near empty contents of the tax box behind him.
"We're outlaws, Elijah, there's no such thing as too many chances. We take what we can, when we can, and if we didn't, Nottingham would starve. " Thinking of Finn ruling over Nottingham made Klaus furious, and he often wondered whether the good King Ansel had been called to the Holy War, or if it had been a farce by Finn, to get the throne. Nottingham should have been passed onto him when Ansel left England, but Finn, being his elder talked his way into the Nobel's hearts while Klaus and Elijah were off adventuring. Nobody had heard from Klaus' father in three years, and while those inside the castle prospered, the townsfolk of Nottingham did their best to live off minimal earnings, if any at all.
When Klaus realized Finn's plan, he confronted him with Elijah's help, but little did he know the lengths to which Finn would go, to rid himself of them for good. Klaus was grateful to people like Friar O'Connell, who continued to support the poor and raise their hopes that one day, King Ansel would return. Klaus promised himself he would do all he could to help his people, even if it included stealing back the taxes Finn took from Nottingham residents. Elijah put his hand on Klaus' shoulder, black bags beneath his eyes, and a few creased wrinkles in his handsome face.
"Next time you decide to rob the royal carriage, please have a plan. I'm not as young as I used to be," Elijah said. Klaus pressed his head against Elijah's sweaty one, and said. "But improvising is more fun! Besides, it's our share!" Klaus led the way back to camp with the stolen gold they'd nicked from beneath their brother's nose and planned on returning what he could to those who needed it most.
"This should keep the tow's hope alive for another week or so," Klaus smirked, sitting down beside the smoking campfire, where Elijah fixed together a stew for dinner, and sorted the gold between individual bags. That night Klaus would leave the forest to distribute the gold, but first he needed a disguise. He pulled on a few rags to keep himself warm from the wind, and wished an exhausted Elijah goodnight. He took on the visage of an old beggar, and had ducked his head beneath the roots of an old tree when Elijah whispered: "Be careful, Niklaus, Finn has eyes everywhere." Klaus nodded, he was well aware, but there was another reason he liked to visit the castle - to see his childhood sweetheart.
A twelve year old, Josh Rozsa, sat on the floor of his Foster mother, Sophie's cottage, waiting for his birthday present. His 'foster' sister, Davina Claire, brought him a small parcel from the kitchen table. The other kids were singing happy birthday and laughing like children do. Sophie hushed the room while Josh opened his present, pulling the red silk ribbon undone. His entire face lit up at the contents inside the box. "Cool, one whole farthing!" he hooted with glee. Davina hugged him around the shoulders with a giggle and Sophie beamed, proud of their family's efforts to give him something special. The wooden door bounced off its hinges and sheriff Mikael's presence brought darkness to the room.
The tall, vicious man, strode forward, and took the coin before it had landed in Josh's hand. "A family that saves together, pays together," the sheriff said, sending a chill through Davina's body. Sophie gasped and the younger kids hid behind the green, dust-covered couch when he bent down to speak with Josh. "But don't worry, son, Prince Finn wishes you a happy birthday too."Mikael patted Josh's shoulder, still focussed on the coin, then he laughed, his grey moustache twitched. Josh stared into his empty hand, and blinked tears from his eyes. A stray curl fell from Davina's bun when she picked up what was left of Josh's birthday present, her hand held his in comfort.
The sheriff collided with an old beggar who had walked into the cottage with a cup full of coins. Mikael's eyes gleamed, and Sophie gasped when he had bounced his newly attained coin into the beggar's cup, collecting more for his pockets. Only when he'd left, did Sophie welcome the beggar inside, draping her arm around his shivering shoulders. "What a dirty trick, you poor old man, come in and rest yourself...Davina, go put on the kettle," she instructed. Josh wiped his wet eyes on the back of his hand. The beggar's cane thumped across the floorboards until he reached his seat, several curious eyes followed him across the room.
"Did my old ears hear someone singing happy birthday?" The children nodded at the beggar, while Sophie smiled, making tea, glad to be rid of the greedy sheriff. Josh's siblings pushed him from behind to be the first to greet the beggar, since it was his birthday after all. Davina eyed the stranger with suspicion, tying the red ribbon from Josh's birthday present into her brown wavy hair. "Don't let the Sheriff get you down." Klaus pulled off his disguise, revealing a small bow and arrow beneath his rags which he'd made for the occasion. The kids squealed with delight and Josh showed off his new present to anyone who would listen.
Davina gushed, 'oh he's so handsome, just like his reward posters!' and blushed when he gave her a charming smile from behind his tea cup. Before Klaus left the family, he pushed a bag of money in Sophie's gloved hands and smiled. "Chin up, someday there'll be happiness in Nottingham..." He grinned, donning his disguise and crouched stance and gave Sophie a wink, before continuing on his way. Sophie's grateful prayers followed him out the door.
Eager to try out his new present, Josh woke Davina early the next morning, and they stood on the embankment overlooking the castle. They bickered over how to hold the bow properly, but once agreed, Josh shot his first arrow - and watched it soar into the castle grounds. "Oh oh, you've done it now!" Davina gasped, giving Josh a nervous sideways glance. "Prince Finn will cut off your head for trespassing!" He squared his shoulders, swallowing and ignored her. His knuckles turned white from gripping his bow too tight. "I'm not scared," he lied. Davina followed Josh to the castle gardens. "Be careful..." she whispered, her eyes wide with fear. Josh spotted his arrow only a few feet away. He smiled, thinking it wouldn't be so hard after all.
"Oh! Good shot, Camille."
"Not bad yourself, Milady!"
Voices nearby stopped him in his tracks. Glancing around for a hiding spot, he dove behind a tree, turning back to see Davina encouraging him onwards with wild hand gestures. Josh took a deep breath, closing his eyes. The voices were closer now and there was a scuffle and then a thud when the badminton racket fell to the ground.
"Camille, you do look ridiculous dancing around like that," came an amused voice.
"Well, if it went down your dress, you'd be doing the same!" grunted the other.
Josh peeked around his tree, his frightened eyes found his arrow and he hastened to reach it without disturbing the two women. What if Davina had been right - would Prince Finn cut off his head? He tried not to think about it. His fingers curled around his arrow and he raised his head to see the brunette maiden reaching for the shuttlecock opposite him. "Hello!" Hayley said, causing Camille to stop dancing and come see her discovery. Josh froze to the spot, his heart beating like banging saucepans.
"Now, who does this young archer remind you of?" Hayley murmured to Camille, unable to keep from smiling. "Why of course, Klaus Mikaelson!" Camille breathed. At the mention of Josh's hero's name, his fears of being arrested disappeared and he called Davina over from the garden gates.
"Is it true you and Klaus were childhood sweethearts?" Davina asked. Hayley smiled, taking in the young girl with a long red ribbon in her hair. She thought of a fond memory she kept close to her heart and retold it for them. Josh listened, though not as attached to every detail like his sister. "Yes, I daresay we were. Before I left for London he carved our initials onto that tree over there." Josh began to practice shooting short distance, telling Camille all about Klaus' visit on his birthday. Hayley brushed her fingers over the engraved letters Klaus had left behind: a promise of sorts that they would see each other again. Hayley let her thoughts wander while Davina sighed, enviously.
"If I were Klaus Mikaelson I'd storm the castle gates and drag you to Sherwood Forest!" Josh said, brandishing his bow into the air. Hayley noticed Camille had a mischievous look in her eye. "But you are forgetting Prince Finn, and I will not let you get away with treason!" Camille used the end of her badminton racket as a sword, waving it around, much to Josh's surprise - then, once he was ready to play, he blocked her advances with the end of his bow.
"Here-" Davina threw him Hayley's badminton racket and he pretended to stab Camille with it. Hayley was amused by their little game, chuckling at Camille's drawn out death scene. "Now's the time for you to whisk away your lady fair, to Sherwood Forest!" Camille lay back in the grass and pretended to 'die' while Davina giggled nearby and Josh took Hayley's hand, leading her into the rose bushes, to safety. "Well, what now?" Josh asked, clearly growing tired of the game.
Hayley smirked. "Well, usually, this is when you get to me!" He shook his head, waving her off. "If you won't, then I will!" She pecked him on his windswept cheeks, much to his disgust, before returning to Camille and Davina with a few picked roses to make their day brighter. "Goodbye, fine archer and his maiden," she called, waving the children off and feeling warmth in her heart when she heard them laughing and racing each other back home. Later, when they had returned to her room, Hayley waited for Camille to adjust her corset, looking out of the castle window and onto Sherwood Forest.
Camille hummed a tune, a folk-song of some sort, while Hayley felt the midday sun bathe her flushed cheeks and wished her circumstances were different. "Oh, Camille, surely Klaus must know how much I still love him?" she asked, while Camille fetched her evening dress. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so they say..." her maid stated, pulling the purple frock over her mistress' head. Hayley frowned. "Or forgetful, what if he's forgotten all about me?" she sighed, hoping it wasn't the case. Camille didn't answer, too busy pulling the ribbons tight and making her look presentable.
"Hey, lover boy! How's that grub going? I'm starved?" Elijah stomped over from his homemade washing line to his dozing brother who he'd left in charge of the stew. "YOU'RE BURNING THE STEW!" Elijah shoved his daydreaming brother from his seat with only minutes to save it from getting worse. Klaus apologised, although Elijah knew his condition well, and could not stay mad at him for long. Instead, he gave the stew a stir and said, "Well, maybe the charcoal will add some flavour." Elijah grimaced.
"I love her Elijah..." Klaus began, rubbing his bruised arm, and staring up at Elijah with a sigh.
"Well, stop moping around and marry her!" Elijah told him. Klaus laughed aloud, it wasn't that easy.
"I can't. What would I say? Hi, remember me, we were kids together, will you marry me?"
"Sweep her off her feet, carry her with style..." Elijah added some extra herbs to the stew.
"I'm an outlaw, what kind of life is that for a lady..?" Klaus sighed, shaking his head.
"You're royalty..." Elijah reminded him. "A prince, don't you forget that."
"Someday you'll become a great hero!" Elijah and Klaus looked up at Friar O'Connell who had arrived at their camp with some interesting news about an archery contest. "Hayley will be there, and she's promised a kiss to the winner!" Elijah could see the cogs working in Klaus' brain, he returned to the burnt stew, keeping his comments to himself because there was no stopping his brother once he'd made up his mind. "This will be my greatest performance!" Klaus announced from a top the log, his beloved bow in his right hand. Elijah hoped it wouldn't be his last, giving the Friar a resigned look.
"But how will I recognise him?" Hayley's eyes lit up at the thought of meeting her childhood sweetheart at the archery contest Prince Finn had organized. Camille escorted Hayley by the arm to their seats, where Prince Finn already waited, acting King. "He'll let you know somehow, he's full of surprises." Camille whispered, out of Prince Finn's hearing. Hayley greeted Finn with curtsy, tolerating him, and like everybody else, wishing for Ansel's safe return.
The archers marched by their chairs, a smug Mikael at the front, and a stranger bringing up the rear. There was something familiar about the last archer, Hayley thought, those eyes...she smirked when he gave compliment after compliment, either the stranger was trying to get into her good books, or her pants. Camille raised her eyebrows and Prince Finn's beady eyes hadn't left him since he'd first advanced. The noise of his fingertips tapping repeatedly against the armchair gave Camille a splitting headache, her glared was ignored.
The handsome archer picked a white daisy from his hat and presented it to Hayley. "I hopes I win the kiss..." he murmured, lifting his hat just a smidgen, and hoping that she alone recognised him. He gave her a charming smile, which she returned, happily. Their fingers touched, and she stared into his longing, compassionate eyes, hardly daring to believe it was truly him. She found her voice, bringing the daisy to her lips to give it a gentle kiss. "Well, thank you my sweet archer. I wish you luck with all my heart..." Hayley curled her brown hair behind her ear, and returned to her seat.
"Lad's from Devonshire," Prince Finn added, glancing at Hayley who twirled the daisy's stem between her fingers. She nodded interested, and Camille squeezed her hand, as though she too had recognised him. Klaus grinned, tipped his hat back over his face, and returned to the ranks. Hayley and Camille held hands throughout the sport, praying for Klaus to win. Mikael sent Hayley a smile, as though he wished to win her kiss, and if Prince Finn allowed it, her hand in marriage. She had learnt to keep her mouth shut when it came to politics but knew something had to be done to keep the villagers from starving. Marrying Mikael was not on her to do list, but by eating smaller portions and giving the rest of the food to those who needed it more, was.
"Perfect bullseye!" Prince Finn clapped his hands in response to Mikael's shot while the sheriff paraded around, clearly pleased with himself. Klaus set his arrow, eyes on the target, and said to the Mikael, "Heard you're finding it hard getting your hands on Klaus Mikaelson?" Mikael growled. "I'll get him soon, bare my words. It's a wonder he didn't show up tonight..." Klaus nodded, took aim and let go, his arrow sliced Mikael's in two much to everyone's dismay - except Hayley's.
Prince Finn ordered the targets to be moved thirty paces back for the final round, leaving only a stunned Mikael and a chatty Klaus left in the competition. Concentrating hard, Mikael took aim and hit the bullseye - but only just. Prince Finn narrowed his eyes, waiting for the stranger to shoot. Mikael strategically placed his bow beneath Klaus' elbow and knocked his arm just as he'd released his final arrow. Hayley gasped, rage swept through her body and Prince Finn leaned over to ask if she was okay.
"Yes, I'm fine, but he's cheated!" she pointed at Mikael, who like the rest of the audience were watching Klaus quickly string another arrow into his bow to fix the one he'd previously shot, directing it back towards the target. "I saw nothing wrong with his tactics," Prince Finn said, but his eyes followed the last arrow and the crowd hushed, waiting with bated breath along with Camille and Hayley to see it split Mikael's in two. Flabbergasted, Mikael stared at his flimsy arrow, and Prince Finn clapped with the crowd, a dangerous smile on his lips.
"He's done it!" Camille hissed, giving Hayley an ominous look.
Hayley felt like her chest was going to explode with pride, or a hundred butterflies? Camille gave her an encouraging smile as she rose from her seat with the golden arrow prize - ready to give her 'sweet archer' the kiss he deserved. Prince Finn made a speech, and she sent a smile to Klaus as he marched to the royal seats, face to face, with his eldest brother. "Because of your considerable skill, you should get what is coming to you," Camille looked between Prince Finn and Klaus, and noticed that the guards had surrounded him.
"SEIZE HIM! FOR HE IS KLAUS MIKAELSON! AND HAS SERIOUS CHARGES LAID AGAINST HIM, SUCH AS TREASON TO THE CROWN. HE WILL BE SENTENCED TO DEATH!" Spat flew from Finn's mouth, and his eyes flashed gleefully. Hayley dropped the prize on the ground in shock. Klaus was beaten and shoved to the ground, handcuffs administrated and his disguise ripped from his body. She yelled out when he was forced to his knees - his grin only a shadow on his lips. Mikael appeared by Prince Finn's shoulder and whispered that the executioner was ready.
"NO!" Hayley dropped to her knees in front of Prince Finn, thinking fast. The crowd booed and gasped: Klaus Mikaelson had been caught and sentenced to death - their hero needed help! Josh and Davina watched on, horrified by the latest developments. A deep baritone drum played nearby: each drum beat mirrored an armoured guard's drawn out footsteps. Hayley wrung her hands together, and looked into Klaus' calm blue eyes - he didn't seem afraid even with a sword to his throat. She gripped Prince Finn's bejewelled hands and pleaded for a lesser sentence.
"Dear emotional lady, why should I have mercy on this miserable beast?" Prince Finn scoffed.
"Because I love him..." she whispered, turning back to take in his appearance once more.
"And do you, Klaus Mikaelson, feel the same?" Prince Finn's eyes narrowed and Klaus nodded.
"Dear Hayley, I love you more than life itself." The crowd cheered, much to Mikael's disapproval.
"How sweet, but TRAITORS TO THE CROWN, MUST DIE!" Hayley shook her head, fleeing the stage with Camille hot on her heels. "Ah, here is the executioner now! Move aside, you stupid woman!"
Hayley had flung herself in front of Klaus, protecting him. Her brave maid, Camille, stayed by her side. "NO!" Hayley shoved the guard holding the sword to Klaus' throat to his feet. Camille held her fists in a boxing stance that made the others leer and chortle. All of a sudden Finn seemed to change his mind, and ordered for Klaus' release. "Elijah!" Klaus grinned, realizing his brother must have intervened.
"WAIT- RELEASE MY BUDDY! FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE. LET. HIM. GO!" Mikael released Klaus' shackles. Hayley wrapped her arms around Klaus' neck, while Klaus grinned, catching Camille's teary eye. "LOVE CONQUERS ALL!" she poked her tongue at Mikael, saying 'good riddance' when he slinked around the back of the stage. But Mikael disturbed Elijah, advancing on him to avenge Prince Finn, and at his shout alerted the other guards.
Prince Finn insisted they should arrest Klaus all over again, but Hayley had enough of Finn's drama, and she and Camille silently agreed that nobody was going to touch Klaus. Elijah rushed out from behind the stage, throwing a stolen sword at Klaus, who caught it easily, and shielded the women from Mikael's sudden rampage. "Run, love!" he shouted at Hayley. "This is no place for a lady!"
Hayley narrowed her eyes: she had been stuck inside a castle for three years, bored out of her brains, and the only time she felt alive was when she snuck outside of it to deliver food parcels to the poor. What exactly was it they thought ladies lacked when it came to war? It certainly wasn't wit. Camille smirked and Klaus sighed when neither woman had moved. Hayley picked up a broken bow, snapping off its useless top, and used it as a staff. Camille reached for a forgotten shield, its owner fighting a very skilful Elijah as Mikael had moved on to Klaus. "Don't be foolish, boy!" The sheriff yelled. "You will not beat me again!"
Hayley saw Josh running down the embankment, leaving Davina behind with Sophie and the other kids. He shouted over his shoulder to not worry about him. Elijah blocked two guards at once. Camille threw her shield like a frisbee so that it knocked one guard's spear to the ground. Elijah gave her a grateful nod, which she returned, with a smile. Klaus' swords clashed against Mikael's, eager to finish him off. Josh shot an arrow at Prince Finn stopping him from picking up the executioner's axe.
"Well done!" Camille beamed, giving Josh a cuddle, thankful they had another 'Klaus' nearby. Josh beamed, keeping his eyes open, and reached for another arrow from his homemade quiver Sophie had made. Klaus ducked beneath Mikael's wild jabs, laughing and Hayley tripped a guard up who had followed Prince Finn's request to re-capture Klaus.
There was something invigorating about letting go, she thought, while swinging her new staff around her head as she fought alongside Klaus for the first time since they were kids. He was no longer the shy, blonde prince she remembered. Her courtship with him had been promised since before she was born, uniting kingdoms and families. Hayley Labonair had grown into her gangly limbs and untidy hair and whilst loud sudden noises still made her jump, she was more than capable of fighting her own battles.
"Marry me?" Klaus yelled over clinking swords. Hayley laughed, she had waited years for this moment. Elijah interjected: "You could have chosen a more romantic setting, brother!" Hayley didn't mind, in fact, his proposal exceeded all fantasies she had imagined and discussed with Camille. "We can travel the world, have six kids..." Klaus grinned, shoving Mikael aside, as though making a mockery of the sheriff's sluggish actions. Hayley didn't make him wait for her answer.
"Yes, Klaus Mikaelson, of course I'll marry you!" she grinned, poking an impatient guard in the gut with her staff. She was amused to discover the rest of the guards, most she knew by name, hovering uselessly nearby afraid of what she might do to them, especially after Camille had rammed into Mikael, flipping him over her back and onto the ground. "I told you, I've got a black belt in karate!" Hayley cheered her friend while Mikael gasped for air. Prince Finn had attacked Klaus from behind, and was now losing against a gleeful, Klaus, who in one move had disarmed him, impressing Josh.
'LONG LIVE KING ANSEL! THE TRUE KING OF NOTTINGHAM!' Klaus shouted, raising his bow above his head. Josh copied him, and Camille and Elijah too. Prince Finn growled, but with no weapon and not much dignity left, he was forced to let his younger siblings retire, taking Hayley and Camille with them. The residents of Nottingham cheered and returned to their homes (others, to Sherwood Forest to celebrate). Prince Finn met with Mikael and demanded the bounties on his brothers' heads to rise, along with the taxes.
A/N: This drabble has turned into a two-shot, more coming. Please review. Requests open.