Chapter Two
Nottingham Castle
"My lord, there have been reports from London that King Richard is nearing a crossroad in decisions. While he has hold of Jerusalem, reports came that he does not have the power to continue to keep the city and will soon order a retreat," Sir Guy leaned across the table, speaking in low tones.
"La-ti-da-ti-da. What does that have to do with me? Nottinghamshire? Unless it has something to do with me—I don't wish to hear it." The Sheriff kicked his feet up onto the table in front of his massive chair. He motioned for his servant boy to come close. The young lad, only thirteen, silently took off the Sheriff's boots, then went to retrieve a basin and a towel.
Sir Guy stood up straight, and rolled his eyes. How could the Sheriff not see the problems with this? "Prince John worries that Richard will return. And word has reached him of the lack of loyalty being shown by some in positions of power."
"But these are only reports. There is no substance to them, correct?"
"True, my lord, however…"
"Then it's nonsense to worry, Gisbourne. Until the King is back on English land, then we shall worry." The Sheriff put his hand up to stop the boy from continuing to wash his feet. "Perhaps this is more anxiety, Gisbourne. From having been denied your wedding night with a beautiful, luscious virgin."
"That's not it, I just…I want Locksley to stay in my possession."
"And it shall. Richard may not even return to England, for all we know," said the Sheriff. The Sheriff's boy servant slipped sandals onto his fit. "Now, have you collected the tax money for this month? The king needs his revenue to fight this bloody war."
"Yes, my lord," Sir Guy said with a bow. He retreated to the main doors, but the Sheriff called his attention back.
"If you are in need of some company, please take any young woman of which you approve and do what you wish."
Gisbourne turned his back to the Sheriff and sneered. He did not want ANY young woman. He wanted the one woman who walked away from him.
Sherwood Forest
The wheels clapped over every rock, and snapped at every branch. Though the driver had warned that it was better to go around the forest, they were cutting straight through Sherwood. No one had bothered them as of yet.
A wrestling in the trees spooked the horses, and then a large man appeared in the pathway. The driver slowed the two horses in front, while the rider slowed the single horse to the side of the carriage.
"If you want to go any further, you must pay the tax," the large man said, his arms crossing over his massive chest, trapping a staff next to his body. His clothes were black, and his hair was ruffled in tight curls.
"Tax? There is no tax," the driver growled, as he stood up.
"There is an outlaw tax. Anyone who trespasses an outlaw's land must pay him a tax," replied another man who came from the bushes on the right side. With some more noise, two more men appeared, surrounding the carriage. The rider pulled back on the reigns of the black stallion.
"We don't want to cause any alarm," Much said as he stepped back from the horse. The rider was holding onto the reigns tightly.
"We will not pay outlaws," the driver again growled as he snapped the reign. The horses began to move forward, but an arrow shot out from nowhere and plunked right next to the driver's ear. He pulled the reigns.
"You pay us," said a voice that echoed through the dense, leafy forest. "And we will even allow you an escort."
"Robin of Locksley?" The driver called.
"Yes…" Robin appeared next to John. "I am he."
Suddenly, the rider charged Robin. He took out his sword and went to do some damage, but the rider jumped off into the forest at Robin's right. "That was strange," Robin said. Then, an arrow came down and clipped Robin's sword. It rang as the stone arrowhead hit the metal shaft of the sword.
"Who are you?" Robin yelled.
He heard a snap of wood and turned to his left, to see an arrow pointing him straight in the face. "The only person alive who can match you shot for shot."
Robin looked closely at the hood pulled over, then smiled. With the tip of his finger, he pushed the arrow aside. He stepped close and used both hands to push the hood back, revealing a woman. "Hello again, Lily Fitzwater. It has been much too long."
"The pleasure is all mine, Robin, Earl of Huntington," she made a slight bow; careful not to let her weapons fall. "Now, about this tax?"
"I cannot change my policy, Lily. You must now that." Robin crossed his arms over his chest, and smiled crookedly.
Lily began to put her arrow back in the quiver; she turned her face towards him. "Even for the girl who can knock you off a log?" She stood up, and smiled, tossing some of the blond curls that had escaped from underneath her cloak over her shoulder.
"That was her?" Much had moved closer to the two. He opened his mouth wide. "I don't remember her looking like that."
"Oh, Much," Lily replied, rolling her eyes. "I was ten. What did you expect? That I would keep my braids and my squire's pants?"
"Well, no…milady. It's just that… Well…" He looked at Robin. "Prove it."
"Prove it?" Lily's eyebrows dipped, as she slung her quiver over her shoulder. "Prove my identity? To you?"
"Yes…milady," Much said, his voice shaking.
She sighed and stepped closer to him. Robin watched as she cupped her hands around his ear, and brought her lips up close. Much's face turned from an expression of surprise, to concentration, ending with laughter. Lily stepped back, and made an elegant bow. "As you can see, Lord Much… I am Lily Fitzwater. Now let us pass."
"I'm sorry, Lily. But don't you know what we do?" Robin asked.
"Steal from innocent girls?" She shrugged at his question.
"We steal from the rich to give to the poor. Do you mind contributing to the ones in need?"
"Yourselves? You outlaws? No. I don't want to contribute to you. However, I have brought plenty of provisions for those who live in desperate circumstances." She gestured to the carriage. "That's why I had to ride alongside the carriage, there's not enough room for me and…"
She looked over to one of Robin's men reaching in and pulling out some vegetables. "Robin!"
"Allan!" Robin laughed.
"I'm hungry."
Robin turned back to Lily. "We are poor and hungry."
Lily rolled her eyes and turned her back to Robin. She pushed past Much and walked around John, until she stood next to Allan. He was nibbling on a carrot. Reaching past him for the door to her carriage, she opened it and stepped up onto the foot rest. They all watched as she bent in and pulled out a basket. Lily began to step backwards, but the basket was too heavy. Allan grabbed her around the waist, keeping her straight. He then let her gently down to the ground. Lily turned slightly toward him. "Thank you," she replied quietly. Balancing the basket on her hip, she tried to tuck a stray lock behind her ear, but no sooner did her hand move than she realized that she couldn't balance. Her hand raced back to the basket, saving it, but someone else's hand reached up and tucked the stray hair back. She nodded at Allan, whose hand was frozen a few inches from her ear.
She gave herself a little shake, and straightened her posture, then marched to Robin. "Here. Take these. You'll need a good supply."
"But, Lady Fitzwater, I thought…" The driver had sat back down in his seat but his eyebrows dipped in confusion.
"James. It's alright. These men need it," Lily said to the driver.
"Oh, milady. We thank you most kindly," Much said as he took the basket from her. He set it on the ground and began to sift through the food. "We can finally have a decent meal for a change."
"Why will we need a good supply?" Robin asked, still standing in front of Lily.
She smiled and brought the hood over her head. "I must be off. We're still a few miles from my uncle's home and I don't want to miss supper and have the servants running around after me."
Will brought her horse to her. She gently stroked the horse's head, and took the reigns from him. "Thank you." She paused before she mounted. "Do I know you?"
"Will Scarlett, miss."
"Robin?" She did not move from her position, keeping her eyes locked on Will.
Robin moved closer, walking around to her side. "Dan Scarlett's son. You remember Dan, don't you?"
Lily nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving Will's face. After another moment, she shook her head. "I'm sorry." She grabbed onto the saddle with both arms and began to pull herself up. Robin grabbed her calf and used it to steady her as she swung her leg over. "Well, enjoy dinner, boys." Lily nudged her horse forward.
"Perhaps we can do this again some time," Robin said.
"We will have to," Lily said, her back to him. Then she whipped the reigns and the horse took off, the carriage right behind her.