"It was big!" Bonnie said emphatically "And soft!"
Lettie shook her head in wonder as she scrubbed the baseboards in the main hall. It had been two days since Bonnie had been brought to the palace and she was talking more than she ever had before.
"My bwankey is nice." the child finished.
Lettie sat back on her heels and smiled "I'm glad you like it."
Bonnie spun around in a circle, her blue dress flaring out around her "My dwess is soft too."
"You look beautiful, Bonnie." Lettie said. A second later, she heard the familiar sound of Prince John's footsteps walking down the hall.
Bonnie squealed "Don!" she screamed, running towards the young man.
John scooped the child up and tossed her several feet into the air, the twenty foot ceiling giving plenty of room. Then he caught her again "How's the princess?"
"Good." Bonnie answered around giggles.
John chuckled and sat the girl down on the floor. He looked at Lettie and noticed that she was staring at the floor, a wistful look on her face "Hey. Are you okay?"
She blinked and looked up at him "Of course. What's up?"
"Nothing much." John walked over to her and held out his hand and smiled.
She slipped her hand into his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Ever since the other day in the throne room there had been something between them. A good something. But not quite identified... and everyone around seemed to know it was there, including all the other maids.
There was a long moment of silence before John spoke "Hey, when you're done would you like to meet me in the garden? I mean, me and Bonnie."
Lettie smiled slowly "Sure. Give me twenty minutes."
"Alright." John nodded then he left, Bonnie trailing after him.
Lettie watched as they left and chuckled softly.
"Oooh. Lettie!" One of the other maids, Lola, swooned "Getting awfully close to the prince, aren't we?"
Lettie spun around, her eyes flashing "What does that mean?"
"Oh, we've seen you." Another maid, Jessie said "You staring all dreamy eyes into the prince's eyes!"
Lettie's fists clenched at her sides "You're crazy!"
"Are we?"
She held her breath and counted to fifteen before slowly and forcefully responding "You don't know what you're talking about."
Lola scoffed "No offense, Lettie. But you're the last person who would fit into the royal life."
Jessie nodded "Yeah... have to agree."
Lettie turned her back on them for fear she might strangle them both from anger "I have to go." then she walked away.
John glanced down at Bonnie then grabbed the child's hand and rushed towards the gardens.
"Who do those girls think they are?" he mumbled "Seriously?" he reached the gardens a few seconds before Lettie did.
"Hi." she greeted. It was obvious that she was still aggravated.
"Hey." John responded "I thought you'd be longer."
"Nah. Decided an early break was... beneficial." she let out an aggravated huff of air "For others."
"Don't listen to them." John said "They don't know anything."
Lettie's eyebrows rose "Don't tell me you heard that conversation."
The Prince's face turned a deep red "I... yeah."
She shook her head "What does it matter if someone's a royal or a rebel?" she shrugged "People are people."
"I agree." John nodded "Speaking of Rebels, have you heard about the archery contest?"
"Yeah." Lettie answered, subconsciously picking a flower "It's a first."
"It's actually a trap for Robin Hood." John said "Brutus thinks that the bandit won't be able to resist the urge to show him up. Guards are going to be ready to grab him."
"Really?" A slow smile crept across Lettie's face "That's... smart."
"There's also going to be a grand prize." The Prince chuckled "I guess we'll see if it works."
"I guess so."
Robin stepped into the clearing and got all of the mens' attention "Listen. That archery contest is a trap, as I was informed by our reliable source."
"Figures." Will groaned "McGreedy would do anything to get you, Rob."
"So are we going to bail?" Little John asked.
Robin chuckled "And miss a chance? No." The Bandit smiled and picked a bow up from a tree stump "We're going. And we're winning."
The morning of the contest was bright and sunny, perfect for a competition. It was being held in the Castle's courtyard.
Everyone was there, either to spectate or compete for the grand prize of two thousand dollars.
A large platform had been set up two hundred yards from the targets for the Prince and Sheriff to watch from. Lettie was on serving duty.
"Welcome!" McGreedy shouted "Today's contest will be a test of skill! Of all you men assembled here today, the winner will have a final shoot out with me!" then he muttered under his breath "And the winner will be Robin Hood."
Lettie scanned the crowd of archers for any sign of the bandits. Finally she spotted one... disguised as an old man.
"Seriously?" she thought "He couldn't do better than that?"
"The first arrow will be shot at thirty paces!" McGreedy continued "And the five furthest away from the bulls-eye will be eliminated while the rest move back ten paces. We will do this till we are down to two archers! Then the winner will go against me!"
Lettie sighed from her spot beside the platform "Does he ever stop?"
John chuckled and looked down at her "You're not around him for most of the day."
The floor of the platform was about two inches above her head, so she had to really look up to see him "For which I am grateful."
John smiled then sat back in his seat to watch the contest.
Lettie sat her tray that had the sheriff's drink on a small table that was nearby.
"Archers! To you marks!" McGreedy bellowed "And shoot!"
Arrows flew through the air, some striking the bullseye, some just missing, others, well... let's just say the target was a challenge to even nick.
Competitors were swiftly eliminated. The last five, including the 'old man', were all skilled shooters.
"Narrowing the search." The sheriff chuckled.
John nodded. It was strange, he was having a strange feeling but couldn't place it.
He saw a movement beside him and looked down at Lettie. She was just standing there, her hands clasped behind her back looking on.
Finally it came down to the winner... the old man.
McGreedy chuckled "Perfect." he stood from his seat and took his own bow and arrow "Alright! Now, if you can defeat me the reward is yours."
The old man bowed but said not a word.
"This is definitely him." the sheriff thought "He refuses to speak."
The two men took their marks, McGreedy shot first, his arrow landing right in the middle of the bull's-eye. He turned to face the old man "I'm sorry my friend but..."
The man simply held up his hand, showing he had not yet given up. He glanced over at Lettie who smiled and nodded.
John noticed the small exchange and frowned. What was that about?
The old man turned and faced the target and brought his bow up. A second later, the arrow flew. It's sharp edge sliced straight through the middle of the sheriff's staff, causing McGreedy's arrow to fall out of the target.
A loud applaud erupted from the crowd, not because the old man had won, but because the sheriff had lost.
McGreedy chuckled as he turned to face the man "Congratulations, Sir." then he face twisted into a sneer "Or shall I say, Robin Hood!"
Everyone gasped as the sheriff yanked out another arrow and at the speed of light shot it at the disguised figure.
But the arrow was suddenly thrown off and pinned to a target that was fifty paces away, an arrow right in the middle of the staff.
Everyone looked up on a hill where a caped figure was standing, the wolf at his side.
The 'old man' laughed and pulled off the fake beard and mustache and straightened "I'm not Robin Hood." Will said "And I wasn't shooting."
"Will Scarlet." McGreedy growled "If you weren't shooting, who was?"
"Robin." the merry man answered "For your pleasure, sir. I'll take that reward now."
"GUARDS! ARREST THEM!" McGreedy shouted.
Will shrugged "We expected as much from you sir." then he turned and sprinted off.
"Get them!" the sheriff shouted till his face turned red. Things became chaotic as soldiers rushed from everywhere and the towns people scattered.
"Get Robin!" McGreedy called to some of the men, pointed to the top of the hill "He's the one with the wolf! GO!"
John watched as several ran to obey, then a noise reached his ears. Someone was laughing. He very slowly looked down to where Lettie was standing. Her hand was clamped over her mouth in an attempt to suppress her laughter.
"What?" John asked.
Lettie glanced up at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement and deviousness "Nothing, John." she chuckled "Nothing."
The Prince slowly sat back in his seat, a disturbing thought came to his mind. Robin and the Merry Men had been prepared for the attack. They knew about the trap that had been laid. He sighed "And there's only one person who could have told them." he looked over at Lettie who was still watching the guards rush around in an attempt to catch Robin and the men. His heart sank as the truth completely set in "She's a traitor."
Later that afternoon, Lettie was humming to herself as she swept one of the hall floors.
John slowly approached her, hoping that there would be someway for her to deny his confrontation.
"Hey." She greeted "What's wrong?"
"Lettie..." he took a deep breath and let it out in a long huff "We need to talk. Now."
She raised a curious eyebrow and leaned her broom up against the wall "What?"
"The archery contest." he started, watching her reaction slowly "How did Robin Hood know that was a trap?" her face remained emotionless "You were the only on who knew, Lettie."
She stared at him "And?"
"I saw the exchange between you and the 'old man' before Robin showed up." his voice was becoming agitated "He knew you. How would one of Robin's men know you unless you'd been talking to them?"
She didn't answer, just continued to stare at him. Her dark green eyes showing no clue to her thoughts.
"You warned Robin about the trap. You're the one who's been helping them get into the palace." he threw his hands into the air "I thought I could trust you Lettie! But all this time, you've been working for Robin Hood!"
Still she said nothing. She merely blinked as she stared at him.
John stared at her for a long moment, then his eyebrows lowered "No." he said quietly "No, I'm wrong, aren't I?" he took a step away from her "You're not helping Robin Hood. You are Robin Hood."
Lettie's expression remained indifferent, but she looked him straight in the face and spoke "Yes, John. I am Robin Hood."
(Dum dum duuuuummmmm! John's heart is now broken :( I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Everything is beginning to unfold! Congrats to you people who guessed! Laterz!)
