Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from this writing. I only love the characters and want to give everyone an HEA.


Chapter 53: Picked Apart

Everyone dropped into bows and curtsies when the king's arrival was announced and he walked up to his throne. When he sat everyone returned to their upright position.

"Huntington," Richard called out and Robin stepped forward. "Enlighten Us about this knave's deeds against the crown," he said, his voice booming in the hall as Vaysey and Guy were brought in in chains. Robin spoke for a long time as he retold the last two years of his time in Sherwood, recounting his struggle against the Sheriff and his henchmen.

"Lady Marion," Richard called forward. "You served as this masked Nightwatchman?"

"Yes, sire," she curtsied. "Proudly so." A murmur went through the crowd at this pronouncement as Court was scandalized but enjoying the gossip.

"Lady Lilith," Richard decided. "Robin has recalled how you joined his band of men with your engagement to Gisborne."

"Aye, sire."

"How did he not recognize you?"

Robin covered up a laugh with a cough. "I did not give him time to dwell on the matter to much, my lord. I simply talked my way into him accepting me. As graciously as Robin could do anything, he was still quite a spoiled and flippant boy when we became reacquainted," Lilith smiled.

Richard laughed. "But how did he not recognize you, We confess that this puzzles Us for you are quite uneasy to forget."

"Thank you, Majesty," Lilith smiled. "Must I confess?" Richard nodded. "Sarah had procured disguises and we were traveling through Sherwood…. As nuns, Majesty," she finally confessed and Richard's laughter rang in the hall. Quite a few heads turned at that, several snickers and whispers could be heard, making Lilith sigh. "I think you just solidified your status as gossip, Lily," Luke whispered behind her as Robin and Ashley began to explain how they discovered who the Black Knights were, and the assistance of the Earls of Canterbury and Essex.

Richard studied the various lords and noblemen before him. Lilith was amazed by how much time had passed just by everyone telling Richard about the past 2 years—it was well past the mid-day meal and bordering close to the evening feast.

"We find these men in the worst contempt," he waved the guards to drag them out. "Forthwith all lands and titles shall be seized by the crown and distributed at Our leisure. Take them to the tower," he ordered.

"As for the former Sheriff of Nottingham, Vaysey," Richard sneered. "We decree that for your treason against the crown you shall forfeit your life. For all those you took from, let them now take from you," he decreed.

Lilith decided not to attend that public execution.

"We must deliberate further on these matters," Richard said. "It has long been time for the evening meal," he observed. "We will continue this tomorrow." Murmurs broke out, excited that the entertainment would continue for at least another day and the prospect of Vaysey's long, torturous impending death.

Everyone bowed as Richard stalked past them, leading the way to the dining hall. Lilith sat between her father and Luke (with Sarah on the other side of Luke), at Richard's right at the front table with John, then Joan on Richard's left.

Robin and Marion were also at the top dining table, as was Ashley, and Lilith looked out over the other guests to find where the other outlaws were. She had a moment before Allan caught her gaze, and she just admired his form in the black suits that had been selected for him.

"Aberforth," Lucius called down the table. "You are, of course, also invited to the Hunt at Canterbury next week."

"I accept, my lord, thank you," Ashley said. "It has been to long since anyone has enjoyed the joys of Canterbury."

"When do you plan on returning to Derbyshire?" Lilith asked Luke.

"When everything is settled here, I know father would have taken the best of care of it, I have no worries," Luke said. He leaned back against his chair. "it has been much to long since I have had the enjoyment of just… relaxing, eating and drinking, and good company," he smiled.

Lilith returned the smile. "Sarah, I do think we need to speak with Cornelia," she said conspiratorially. Luke nearly choked on his wine. "My lord," Lilith turned to Richard, "I am most happy to see you have such a wonderful supply of this delicious wine," she said.

"Compliments of your cousin," Richard said nodding towards Francois who was sitting next to Princess Joan. "We are told you nearly returned to Normandy."

It was Lilith's turn to nearly choke on her wine. "A decision made in haste," she said. "One I am glad I did not follow through, on."

"We believe that is shared with someone else," Richard said mischievously.

"Did Lilith blush?" John jested.

"It is the wine, my lord," Lilith said setting her goblet down. "Lady Cornelia!" Lilith gestured over. A servant pulled her chair out for her and Lilith stepped down from the table to meet with Cornelia. "Aren't you just so shocked?" she said knowingly.

"He has not spoken to me this entire time…." Cornelia said. "Has he, that is, well, has he changed much?"

"Yes and no," Lilith said. "He is still my dear Luke, but he has been through so terribly much," she said. She would never tell Cornelia all Luke had confided in her, Luke would in time if he chose. "But I can tell he still holds a candle for you."

"How can you tell? As I said, he hasn't spoken to me."

"His eyes have followed you all during court and now at dinner," Lilith pointed out. "And this is Luke, I know him as well as myself. He is frightened you will not like this new, old Luke."

"I daresay I would like the chance to find out," Cornelia scoffed.

Lilith kissed her cheek. "Perfect!" she said looping her arm through Cornelia's. She led her to the top table and Cornelia curtsied before the royal family.

"Lady Cornelia," Richard said. "Your father has done a great service for me, as well."

"Happily did he do so," Cornelia said. "We are most joyous at your return, Majesty."

"If it wasn't for your fiery red hair I would say you were a copy of Lilith," Richard said.

"One does try to aspire to such greatness," Cornelia teased Lilith. Richard signaled the bards and jesters to begin entertainment. The lutes in the background while everyone ate were fine but now people were looking for something more exuberant.

"Come to my suite tonight and I will make sure you get to talk with Luke," Lilith promised kissing Cornelia's cheek.

Now, if only she could get a word with Allan but it seemed everyone was conspiring against her.

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"We must dress and go through this again?" Djaq asked in Lilith and Sarah's suite. "I wish this had all been done yesterday."

"It took so long with everyone telling Richard what had happened and him to pass judgment that we had to do it today," Sarah said carefully knowing Djaq was nervous being the only Saracen in Richard's court.

Well, empire for that matter.

"You look wonderful," Lilith encouraged. "Here," she said placing some baubles on her ears. "Small, delicate, perfect with your features," she said happily.

"You look lovely, my ladies," Djaq smiled. "I suppose we must learn to call one another by your titles."

Lilith sniffed. "I am offended, Safia," she said turning back around so the maid could finish closing her gown in the back. "Although I did miss parts of it, spending two hours dressing my hair is not one of them."

"You have beautiful hair," Marion said. A knock on the door made heads turn as a maid came in to announce Robin was awaiting the Lady Marion. "Lord Aberforth requests permission to escort Mistress Djaq," she said wondering what woman went by a man's name.

"I am coming," Djaq said happily.

"Are you going?" Sarah asked.

"I think I shall, cause a fuss while I can," she smiled. "Before Lilith's arrival. I knew you were very much spoken off in court, but I had no idea."

"It took me quite some time to build my reputation," Lilith laughed. "Do you think this gown to much?" she asked, wearing a poison green gown with gold sashes across the waist trailing over the skirt.

"You look…perfect," Djaq promised. She looked at Sarah who was wearing a gown the color of the blue of the sea with silver threading to twinkle as she walked past. "You both do." She went to meet Ashley. Another knock sounded and this time it was Luke. "May I escort both of you down?"

He grinned seeing them. "Canterbury hardly disappoints in court, but I dare say tonight we will surpass even Court's high expectations."

"Because you look so dashing," Sarah jested.

"I am but the dark of night among 2 beautiful stars," he grinned.

"And that is why Cornelia still wants to marry you," Lilith said. They each took one of Luke's offered arms as they walked through to the gathering hall.

"Today shall be fun. Robin officially becomes Huntington again, Much must become Bonchurch. I only wish… well, I wish for some miracle with Will, and Allan," Sarah said.

"Perhaps one will happen," Luke offered.

"With Father? One already happened with Sarah. I dare not hope for 2 more," Lilith said sadly as they were announced. Cornelia and her father, the earl of Essex, joined the Canterbury family up front, the engagement ring having gone from her necklace to back on Cornelia's finger. Lilith scanned the crowd, internally frustrated she had yet talked to Allan. She hadn't even had a chance to speak with Robin and wrangle an apology from him.

Richard's entrance was followed by a long silence and everyone wondered what was wrong. "We have long spent time deliberating what would best suit each of these men and women for the great service they have rendered Us. We believe all the players are now assembled," he announced. Lilith looked around wondering what he meant.

"Holy mother, Sarah, is that Esther and Father Tuck?" Lilith asked in a whisper of excitement.


Where, o where have all my readers gone?