Chapter 4

Robin and Friar Tuck were crouched in the bushes, watching as a coach made its way through Sherwood forest. Frair Tuck knew that they would have to slow the coach down some how if they were going to get to Simon. Friar Tuck stood up and started to walk toward the coach, Robin following close behind.

Once Friar Tuck was close to the coach, he started to wave his arms. The man that was driving the coach slowly stopped and turned to look at Friar Tuck. He reached toward his side to pick up a crossbow, fearing that they were going to attack them. Friar Tuck saw that movement and holding both of his hands up in a gesture of surrenderance, he said, "Don't worry. We won't hurt you."

Friar Tuck went over to the coach door and threw it open. He stepped inside the coach as Robin heard a voice say, "I don't have any money!"

Robin stepped closer to the coach door and peered inside as Friar Tuck took a seat across from the quaking monk. Friar Tuck pulled his hood down and the monk sighed in relief as he recogonized him.

"Tuck! Why did you have to scare me like that?" asked the monk.

Friar Tuck released a jolly laugh as he said, "It's good to see you again too, Simon."

"How have you been?" asked Simon.

"I've been well as I hope you have been," said Friar Tuck. "But everything has changed since you've been here last."

"Really?" said Simon troubled. "What do you mean?"

"Nottingham has collapsed," said Friar Tuck. "Prince John has taken over what's left of Nottingham and has demanded that it be rebuilt."

"Oh my," said Simon bewildered.

"I need you to cancel your trip for your own wellbeing," said Friar Tuck. "And for another important reason."

"What other reason is there?" asked Simon.

"I have a friend that is severely injured, resulting in a paralyzed like state from the waist down. Will you please come cure him with your procedure?"

Simon looked at Friar Tuck horrified.

"But...I can't...you know what happened the last time..." blurted out Simon.

"Yes, Simon, I know that it didn't go well last time, but I need you to try again. For me," said Friar Tuck.

Simon sucked in a deep breath and asked, "Who is this patient that needs this procedure?"

"Guy of Gisborne," said Friar Tuck.

"Him! But he is in league with the Sheriff! If I screw up that procedure and he dies, he'll have my head!" exclaimed Simon.

"He isn't with the Sheriff anymore," replied Frair Tuck.

"He's with us," added Robin. Robin stuck his hand out and extended it toward him, saying, "My name is Robin Hood by the way."

Simon looked at Friar Tuck and remarked, "You were right. Things have changed since I've been here last."

"So will you help, please?" begged Friar Tuck. "I have faith in you."

Simon looked from Robin's face to Friar Tuck's pleading face.

"Fine," he said. "Just let me grab my medicinal bag and then you can take me to him."

"Thank you," said Friar Tuck.

The three of them got out of the coach. Simon turned to tell the coach driver to wait around and that he'd be back in a bit. As Simon followed Robin and Friar Tuck through the forest, he asked, "So what happened to Guy to get him into the state he's in?"

"He was stabbed by the sheriff and his sister," replied Robin.

"Talk about getting stabbed in the back," muttered Simon under his breath. "And you're sure that he knows the risks this cure has?"

"Yes," said Friar Tuck. "I told him before we came and got you."

"Okay good," said Simon with a sigh of relief. "As long as he knows that, I can be a bit calmer during the procedure."

Soon they arrived at camp. Robin and Friar Tuck escorted Simon over to Guy. Guy looked up at Simon as he came over to his bedside and studied him.

"So you're the one that can cure me..." mused Guy.

"Yes," said Simon.

"Well, when can you get to work?" asked Guy. "I want to be healed already!"

"You'll have to have patience," said Simon. "There are things that must be done first."

"Like what?" asked Guy.

"First, incase anything goes wrong during the procedure, I need you to say your final goodbyes."