Regina's Choice - Chapter 2
The first thing Regina noticed was the smell. It smelled like stale beer and... was that stew? It was so dramatically different to the palace, so proper and clean. This tavern was filthy, but in it's own way, home-y and warm. Very welcoming.
The second thing that she noticed, was the noise. Glasses clinking, men shouting and laughing and bar maidens giggling. Everyone seemed happy. Everyone was talking to each other. This too, was so different to the palace, where noone spoke to each other, where guards only spoke when given orders, and not to mention the king, who knows the last time he even noticed Regina.
Regina pushed her way through the crowd, looking to find somewhere to sit, while also looking for the man with the lion tattoo on his right wrist. The tattoo was very memorable. She would never forget it, like it was imprinted on her brain forever. She found a seat in the corner, between a man looking around suspiciously, like he was wary of everyone, and everything, surrounding him, and a rather large man, who looked like he had seen one too many taverns in his time and had had one too many beers.
Once she sat, a young bar maiden approached her and asked would she like a drink. Regina hadn't planned on getting adrink, 'but it would seem odd not to get a beer upon entering a tavern at this hour of the night', she thought. So she told the young girl she'd have a beer.
And that is how Regina found herself, for the first time, in as long as she can remember, sitting and laughing with a girl her own age. The girls name was Marnie, she was working in this tavern trying to make some money for her family, like Regina, she has no friends. Her mother died giving birth to Marnie's youngest brother, she had 5! Since Marnie was the oldest, she and her father had to work two jobs each, to support the family.
''That guy over there, the one in the corner, no the other one, the one with his head down, yes that one, he has come into this tavern every day since I start working, and has never spoken to anyone, other than asking for more beer'', Marnie was saying.
''Why? Who is he?'' Regina asked, looking at the man who was so very clearly scrawny, he looked like he hadn't eaten a meal in weeks.
''Noone knows really, no one messes with him though, I think everyone is intimidated by him or something!'' They both laugh.
And this is how the conversation went through out the night, Marnie telling her stories, some so funny that Regina spit out her beer once or twice laughing so hard. It was so nice, Regina couldn't remember the last time she laughed so much.
Regina returned to the tavern every night to talk to Marnie when her shift was over. She kept her eye out for the man with the lion tattoo, but she never seen him. One night she got up the courage to ask Marnie about it.
''Hey Marn, 6 nights ago, the first night I was in here, there was a man in here. He had a lion crest tattood on his right wrist. That's all I know about him, but I'm looking for him, do you know him at all?''
Almost instantly Marnie perked up, ''That's Robin Hood! He's famous around these parts. He steals from the rich people of the kingdom and gives to the regular folk around here. He comes in every Monday with his band of merry men, he gives out what he got, we make stew and everything for everyone. It's amazing what he does. He'll be here tomorrow night too. You can see him then if you want.''
''Tomorrow?!'' Regina spit out her beer.
''Yes'', Marnie laughed, ''Although if I were you I wouldn't come at the time you usually do, Robin draws quite a crowd, so you want to get a good seat, or even earlier if you want some of our famous stew!'' Marnie laughed.
Suddenly, Regina was filled with nerves. Tomorrow?! Was she ready to see him so soon? If she didn't come tomorrow, she would have to wait an extra week. Those were the thoughts that were whirling around Regina's head as she got ready for bed that night. I could just see what he was like. From a distance. I don't have to talk to him yet. She concluded.
Everyone in the tavern considered her almost a regular, and always said hello when she walked in. It hurt her to think about not seeing Marnie again, the two had so much in common, they both felt trapped and alone in their lives and found solace in each other. Of course, Regina hadn't told her she was the Queen, she had only said she was caring for a sick relative alone on the other side of the town.
She went to sleep with butterflies in her stomach that night. Even if she didn't talk to him, she would finally get to see who he is and what he's like. Marnie told he lots of wonderful stories of the amazing things he done for everyone around the village. Apparantly the Royals weren't very popular aroung the kingdom, it made Regina uncomfortable when they talked about the Royal family. She supposed she would have to get used to it if she wanted to keep going to the tavern. Which she definitely did.