Chapter Eleven

Arthur, Charlotte and Allan entered the nearly empty courtyard on their horses quite some time later. The only person there was the Sheriff, who greeted them with the customary smirk on his face.

"I trust that your time was enjoyable?" he asked Arthur as he dismounted.

"Oh, very," Arthur replied, glancing at a blushing Charlotte. The Sheriff noticed this and mentally stored it for later use.

"Why don't you two go inside," he suggested, looking at Charlotte. She nodded, dismounted and motioned for Arthur to follow her, which he did keenly. The Sheriff waited until they were inside before turning to a panicking Allan.

"Did anything unusual happen?" he asked.

"Like what?" Allan replied, trying to keep his fear under control. The Sheriff scowled.

"Did Robin Hood turn up? Did Arthur kiss her? Did your inbred cousin arrive and you threw a party?" the Sheriff hissed. "Just tell me what happened."

"Well," Allan began, a lie already forming in his head. "We went for a ride until we found a clearing, ate lunch and had a bit of a rest," he said, shrugging his shoulders.

"La-di-dah-di-dah. I don't care about that, just tell me if something interesting happened!" the Sheriff cried, waving his hands in the air.

"I had to relieve myself and when I returned, I did see Lord Arthur kissing Lady Charlotte," Allan said, bracing himself in case the Sheriff hit him.

"Did she kiss him back?" he asked, his voice low.

"Nah, don't think so. She was pretty shocked, though," Allan laughed. This time the Sheriff did hit him, whacking Allan over the head with his hand. "Ow!" Allan grumbled.

"Get out of my sight," the Sheriff ordered, then walked up the steps and into the hall.

"Yes, my lord Sheriff," Allan replied, rolling his eyes and heading the opposite way.

***

"So, I hear that Arthur kissed you?" the Sheriff mocked Charlotte. She laughed humorlessly.

"More like attacked me," she chortled, leaning against the stone wall of the Sheriff's office. "That was my first kiss, and I don't think I'll ever do it again. How is it romantic to have someone else's spit shoved down your throat?"

"The general idea is to return it," he said. "It's a two sided thing- although it might have been a bit awkward for you. Considering that you're a man, it might not have been the most ideal first kiss."

"Ha-ha," Charlotte said sarcastically. The Sheriff walked over to her, his face only inches from hers.

"Mind you, if it was your first, you wouldn't have had any practice," he said softly, then leant forward. Again, Charlotte was taken by surprise as the Sheriff kissed her gently on the lips, no tongue involved. Afterwards he leant back again, and said, "Poor man. You are an awful kisser."

"You took me by surprise," she replied, then leant forward herself. This kiss was considerably less gentle, with the Sheriff wrapping his arms around her waist and Charlotte putting her hands behind his head. When they were finished, she asked, "Was that better?"

"Slightly. I think we need more practice," the Sheriff said, pulling back to look at her.

"If you want affection, why don't you hire yourself a tavern wench?" Charlotte sighed.

"Oh, you're much more fun," the Sheriff replied. "Besides, I don't have to pay you."

***

"Who is Lord Arthur?" Robin asked casually as the guard sipped wine from a flask.

"Dunno. Alchemist or summat, I think," the Guard replied, his speech slurred. Robin looked at John, who shrugged his shoulders.

"What does the Sheriff want with an alchemist?" Robin asked himself aloud.

"Can't help yeh there," the Guard said. "He don't tell us guards nothin'."

"Listen, my friend. You won't tell the Sheriff a word, will you?" Robin's face was serious and slightly frightening.

"Won't tell him a word," the Guard replied. "He ain't ever given us a free drink and a talk. Mark my words, Robin, I'll tell no-one."

"I am sorry about your uniform," Robin said. "My friend is only borrowing it. We'll have it returned to you as soon as possible."

"No rush." Suddenly the guard stood up. "I'd best be getting home- the missus will be wonderin' where I am." Robin nodded.

"Do you live in Nottingham? We can give you a lift there if you want," he offered, reluctant to let the drunken guard go home by himself. The guard shook Robin's hand.

"Sure can! So what's the story?"

"How about you were let off early and went to the inn?"

"Sounds good teh me," the guard said. Robin rolled his eyes at John, who guffawed to himself.