Living in the forest had heightened Robin's already acute senses and instincts, so that he rivalled the forest animals in knowing when danger was near. He knew it now, his strong hearing having detected the soft tread of approaching guards.
All throughout his conversation with the bishop, Robin had leaned casually on his bow while his men aimed theirs, coverring him. To his men's surprise, he now lifted his, drew an arrow from the quiver on his back, and whipped around to face the guards.
Once Much saw them, too, he lifted his voice in forced bravado, trying to conquer his fear and jaggled nerves. "You had better rethink trying to sneak up on us, Dunderheads! In case you haven't heard, we are Robin Hood, all of us, and we never miss a shot! At least, he doesn't! But all the same, you have no idea what my master can do with just one arrow!"
Stories of Robin Hood's incredible marksmanship had spread throughout England, and although the guards had found the tales impossible to believe, they hesitated, not wanting to find out their veracity the hard way.
"Cowards!" screamed the bishop. "I do not pay you to quake, motionless in your boots, watching while a band of lice ridden outlaws rob me of everything! You outnumber them! Do something!"
The captain of the guard obeyed his master, even though he believed it would mean his death, and that of most of his men. "Charge!" he cried out, raising his sword and leading his men in a mad rush toward the outlaws.
"Why doesn't he shoot?" he kept thinking, wishing that Death would be swift as well as inevitable.
But Death did not come. When he and his men were no more than twenty yards from the outlaws, their bold leader suddenly turned, and fired his arrow another direction.
The guards did not know what happened, but instead of a man to man swordfight, they found themselves suspended above the ground, trapped in a huge net, while the outlaws laughed heartily up at them.
The bishop, truly frightened now, lifted his purple cassock and took off running. The youngest of the outlaws, a tall dark headed youth with a hatchet in his belt, easily caught up with him and tackled him to the ground.
"Good work, Will!" Robin Hood sang out, his eyes twinkling with the success of his plan.
Once the guards were safely strung up above their heads, the outlaws made swift work of completing the robbery. The bishop, tied to a tree by the rough, hairy giant, watched them help themselves to his treasures, screaming out obscenities that should never have crossed a churchman's lips.
"Watch your tongue, Bishop," Robin warned him. "That lovely archer soothing your horses just happens to be my wife, and a lady."
"Whoreson bastard! Untie me now!"
Robin shook his head, smirking, "I warned you. Allan, gag him."
Once the wealth had all been collected, Robin stood cockily over the bound and gagged bishop, telling him, "I'm sorry we can't stay and continue exchanging pleasantries, but this is a busy road, and it wouldn't do for my men and me to stay here. It's dangerous in the forest. It's crawling with the wrong sort...outlaws, you know. But take heart! It won't be long until someone comes and frees you. And when you get to Nottingham, be sure to give my best to the sheriff!"
Taking a few strides, Robin stood under the guards and looked up at them, swinging above his head, trapped in a net. Addressing the captain, he asked in a friendly tone, "What's your name?"
"Gilbert," the man answered, charmed by his captor's open personality.
"Well, Gilbert," Robin continued, "you're too good a man to serve such a master. I heard you try to offer Allan aid, when you thought he was hurt, and watched you brave expected death. If you ever want to join my gang, just come to the forest. My men and I will find you."
The guard, somehow, felt he'd been honored. The notion was impossible...he had a young wife and family at home, depending on him. But still, he would never forget the nobilty of the man below, the legendary Robin Hood, inviting him to join his band.
"God save the King!" the captain called back, to which Robin and his men echoed, "God save King Richard!"
...
The mood in camp was jubilant, even with Kate's unwelcome return. Still, Robin noticed Marian being especially thoughtful and quiet, and he could guess why.
She was missing Bat, Robin knew. He missed the lad, too, but not to the exent she did.
Putting down his tankard of ale, he rose to his feet and held out a hand to his wife.
"Walk with me?" he invited.
Grateful to escape the boisterous noise and activity in the camp, Marian took Robin's offered hand, and soon the couple were wending their way towards the stream, having ignored Much's frantic demands of, "Master! Where are you going?"
Robin thought the log bridge would be the perfect spot to offer Marian the emerald ring he'd stolen from the bishop. He'd approved his wife's generous donation toward the king's ransom when she'd sent her emerald engagement ring to Count Friedrick, but the moment he'd spied an emerald on the bishop's hand, Robin wanted it to give to his wife.
Both Robin and Marian adored this spot in Sherwood, since it held so many memories for them, including being the site of their very first kiss.
Sitting side by side on the log bridge now, hands clasped and fingers entwined, Robin gazed adoringly into Marian's blue eyes and said, "Do you know, I can make it snow?"
His boast was so unexpected, she broke into a laugh, forgetting Bat for just a moment.
"Even you can't control the weather, Locksley!"
"I can make it snow," he teasingly insisted, grinning from the sight of her smile.
"In December, when there's not a trace of blue in the sky, and the first flakes start falling, I'm sure you'll remind me of this moment and seize credit."
"No, I won't. I'm going to make it snow right now, just for you, onto to your lovely shoulders and through your lovely hair."
Marian held his gaze, excited by whatever notion he held in his head. "Very well," she challenged, intrigued. "Let's see you make it snow."
Happily, Robin leaped to his feet on the bridge, drew forth an arrow, and shot it into the top of a nearby chestnut tree.
For a moment nothing happened, but then, a shower of soft white petals came fluttering from above, drifting down upon Marian's head and landing lightly on top of the water.
Marian gasped in delight. "Robin, how lovely!"
He didn't answer, just watched her face, his wonderment at her beauty matching hers for his feat.
"Close your eyes," he quietly said, after the very last petal had drifted lighty to the water.
"What now?" she asked, biting her lower lip in thrilled anticipation.
"Just close your eyes," he repeated, smiling because she never obeyed anything the first time he asked.
Marian shut her eyes and felt Robin slip something onto the ring finger of her left hand. She was trembling with excitement, her sorrow over Bat completely gone, for the moment at least.
"Now, open," Robin's dear voice instructed.
Marian opened her eyes to see a dazzling emerald ring on her finger. Impulsively, she threw her arms around her husband's neck and kissed him joyfully. But even before the kiss ended, she knew where the ring needed to go.
It was easier surrendering a piece of jewelry for the good of all, than it had been surrendering a young boy who seemed to love and trust her.
"Tomorrow, Robin," Marian asked, serious again, "let's visit the orphanage."
Robin smiled back at her, searching her eyes for the joy that was ebbing away, and nodded his head.
