I wasn´t sure about this chapter, maybe I risk it too much by adding someone else to the gang but the more the merrier...or not? Well, anyway, I will focus on my lads and specially on my fav ones...I intend to finish this soon so, wish me luck and R&R, it make me happy )
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Wine is not what it used to be
Robin planned with John which places they should go first to drop some food and medical supplies. Conditions in the villages were worse everyday and their help was not enough.
- Robin, we need more –Little John said categorically in his usual roaring voice- This is not enough.
- I know John, but we have to save money for the ransom –Robin reminded him- The king needs us!
- The poor need us –Was John´s reply, he was more than tired of the king, a man that was always needing help but was not offering anything in return, his country was a mess but he had to go and fight on the other side of the world. He grunted.
- I know, John, I know –Robin patted the shoulder of his big friend.
Much was enjoying a small chat with Djaq while they tried to find something to prepare new medicines. The little magical remedies that Djaq had left in the camp were already finished and Much had been wanting to prepare more for a couple of weeks, specially her ointment for tired feet, that was a lifesaver.
- Much –Djaq started while she picked some berries- How well do you know this girl, Eve?
- Not you, not again –Much was fuming- I was not expecting this from you, specially not from you, who always give people a chance before judging them.
- I am not judging –Djaq replied offended- I was just asking.
- Yes, sure –Much folded his arms- I´ll let you know that I do trust her, she has helped us in the past and she could be killed if it was known that she is with us. She might not be as strong and resourceful as you are or as brave as Marian was, but, she is...she tries...well, she is helping me with the cooking, so, you see, she is fundamental to the gang.
- Good –Djaq was astonished by his reaction and the sudden stuttering. She knew Much well and she sighed before asking the next question- Are you in love with her?
- No –Much was rubbish when it came to lies- Yes. You know I am. I told you I fall in love easily.
- I hope she deserves you –Djaq looked him in the eyes, he was really interested in this girl- I will give her a chance, for you.
Much smiled and hugged her.
- I am so glad you are here. So far we have been going to Mathilda when we were injured but she is not half as good as you and she keeps on treating us as if we were children -Much said- She is a bit weird.
- Mathilda is back? -Djaq asked.
- Yes, she says things are pretty bad everywhere nowadays and that she couldn´t stand her son-in-law, so she is living hidden in Clun- Much helped her with the berries.
Allan was trying to keep up with Will´s pace. For a guy who had been doing nothing but feeding pigeons and taking baths for the last months, the carpenter was quite fit and fast. It fact, he was getting tired just by looking at the way he wanted to do everything at the same time. Will had been moving non-stop since dawn. He had checked on Djaq, and when he was sure that she was okay and that Luke was still angry but safe, he had made Allan eat the quickest breakfast of his life. Then they had visited the villages, disguised as travellers, with their hoods covering their faces. Allan had not liked how closed they got to some guards, specially since most knew him and were anxious to capture him. Gisborne had put a nice price on his head, and according to sir Guy, it was not necessary to bring the rest of the body to get the money.
Yet Will was acting as if he was invincible. He talked and talked with people. Allan had never heard so many words uttered by his friend in the time they had known each other. In the end, Will smiled and signaled him to move along, they were going back to the camp with news.
- Will, come on, mate –He couldn´t even speak, he had to run after the tall carpenter- Give it a rest, we will arrive just fine even if do not run all the way back.
- Move, Allan –Will was restless, he had news and was still worried for his family, both Djaq and Luke.
The gang gathered around them as soon as they arrived.
- So? – Robin knew that the look in Will´s face was a good sign. They were finally going in the right direction.
- There is a monk, with a huge cart or carriage, word is that he is bringing something for the sheriff, something important, guards have been sent to the villages that he will pass on his way to the castle. –Will said proudly- The cart will go through the north road, we have to hurry.
- I could have found that myself –Luke was impressed but still angry.
- No, you couldn´t –Allan patted his friend shoulder- Will is the master in these matters.
- I thought we needed him for the roof –Luke was really bitter.
Will looked at his brother and felt all his anger. He wondered what would be necessary to make his little brother love him as he used to. The pain he saw in his brother made him shiver with remorse, he should have taken better of him.
- No more of that –Robin was not in the mood for such domestic trifles- My gang, to the road!
The monk was not really old, but as he was very fat everyone thought he was older than his age. He had hated the idea of this trip right from the beginning but he was already in enough trouble as it was with his superiors. He had done all the things he shouldn´t do, but well, life is short and you have to enjoy it. He hated the road, the forest, the flies. Then suddenly something fell on his head, it was some kind of disgusting cold liquid. He stopped the cart and tried to cleaned himself.
- What the...? –He was asking when he saw a couple of men walk out of the bushes- Who are you?
- We, my friend, are Robin Hood! – Robin shouted as the rest of the gang surrounded the cart.
- Really? I have heard you were nothing more than a tale told by the mothers to scare their children –The monk laughed- Let me pass and I will pray for you and your sad group of friends.
- We do need prayers, but I think right now we would rather have your barrels –Robin pointed to the barrels in the cart.
- These? – The monk laughed again- You are mistaken, my good friend. These are the finest barrels of wine for the sheriff. I am afraid I cannot let you have them.
- Wine? –Luke looked at Will, who was standing in front of him to protect him- Is that it?
- Not that I don´t like wine but isn´t this a bit lame? –Allan asked Robin, stealing wine was not a bad idea, but it certainly wasn´t going to help the king.
- I want to taste that wine- Will said without revealing any emotion. Robin saw his intentions and smiled.
- Yes, we offer you a deal, if you are telling the truth and there is nothing more than wine in there, my friend here will just try it and then we will let you go to the castle –Robin offered in his best mood.
- How can I know that you will keep your promise? – The monk asked.
- You will have to trust me –Robin moved his hand to let Will know that he should go and try the wine.
- Okay then –The monk went to the back of the cart- You will be disappointed, Robin Hood, I am a terrible sinner, but lying has never been my thing. Here you are my tall friend, a glass where you can try our delightful wine.
Will accepted the wooden cup the monk was offering him and waited. Djaq was ready, with her sword in the air and counting the seconds. The monk pull the lid of one of the barrels, it wasn´t easy but he had mastered the art of opening barrels in his years in the abbey. He opened the lid and looked inside, then he closed the lid and blinked.
- Is there anything wrong? –Robin asked with a grin.
- No, of course not –The monk was sweating- So, tell me, Hood, What could happen to me if I had been lying about the wine?
- Let me see –Will moved him aside and went to open the barrel. Instead of wine there were golden coins and magnificent pieces of jewellry. He grasped a couple of pearl necklages and show them to the rest of the gang.
- It is being a long time since I had some real wine, but I don´t remember that it looked like that –Robin walked closer to the cart- What is your name?
- Tuck, Friar Tuck, but I have to tell you that I had no clue –Tuck was sweating even more than before- I was told it was wine for that pig of the sheriff. I was just following orders.
- Why is the abbey sending him this treasure? – Robin asked.
- No idea –Tuck was being honest and Robin could sense it- Look, I am not a man of the sheriff, I am a man of God.
- Do not worry, we are not going to harm you –Robin looked around- But we will take your cart. You better get back to the abbey, the sheriff won´t be happy with you when he finds out what has happened.
- Do you think this is a new kind of tax? –Djaq asked moving towards the cart.
- No idea, really, it could be. The sheriff did prepare a treasure for the black knights not too long ago but I have a weird feeling about this –Robin answered her.
- Are we really going to let him leave? –Luke continue pointing his arrow towards the fat friar.
- Yes, Luke, lower your bow –Robin ordered- We have no grudge against him and he did not lie to us, so he can go.
- Are you really Robin Hood? – Friar Tuck was now interested in these young outlaws- The Earl of Huntingdon that left his lands to help the poor?
- The very same –Much answered full of pride for his master- He left a comfortable life and a lovely, warm home, nice food too and I lose Bonchurch, which is not as big as Locksley but in its own way, is pretty...
- Much! –Little John was bored of Bonchurch, he just wished the man could get his lands soon, so he won´t be talking anymore about them.
- What? – Much asked hurt
- Shut up! – Was the unanimous cry.
- Okay, I was just explaining him... –Much folded his arms and went to help Will and Allan with the cart.
- If you are really Robin Hood, the one that is helping the people of this county, then I might be of some use after all – Friar Tuck was offering his help and the gang were in need of all the hands available.
- Alright, we will listen to your story and then we will decide –Robin accepted- But I am sorry to inform you that you will have to be blindfolded. Djaq, please, do the honours.
- My, my –Friar Tuck flashed his best grin at her- A lovely lady blindfolding me. And I thought this was going to be a boring day.
Will turned his head when he heard those words, forgetting all about the cart and the donkeys, he left Allan carrying all by himself one of the barrels, consequently the barrel ended up on top of Allan´s right foot.
- Oy! Will, Watch it! – Allan cried- You could have said something before dropping this on me. It hurts!!
- Sorry –Will blushed and helped Allan, but kept a watchful eye on Djaq.
- I might not be your type –Djaq smiled at the friar- after all I am a pagan.
- A woman is always my type as long as she is breathing –He smiled too- I will pray for your soul, sister, but please do not tie the knot so strongly.
- Men, always whimpering –Djaq tied the knot, making sure it would not come off and helped the others.
- Feisty, I like it –The friar laughed.
- Watch it, or you might get acquainted with the axe of one of my friends –Robin advised him in a low voice.
- The jealous type, eh? That is fine, he has nothing to worry about, I have made my vows and I will respect them, but there is no harm in playing a little. – He laughed again- Let´s get going my friends.
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I updated tonigh as I promised, I have done a lot of updating lately, so reviews would be a nice way to say you like the fic...)