STORMING THE CASTLE
Brother Tuck whistled cheerfully to himself as he tied a length of rope around the hind legs of the pair of coneys he had found in one of Much's traps, and slung them over his shoulder. Not bad for an unexpected find, he thought to himself with satisfaction.
When he'd set out from Second Chance that morning, having been asked to remain at the village by Robin and follow the outlaws to Nottingham if they had not returned by late evening, Tuck had intended to pay a visit to the outlaw camp and gather coins and weapons for the residents of Second Chance. Having collected a bow, a cosh, and three swords, swaddling them in a large cloak to make carrying them easier, he had set off back to the hidden village and stumbled across the trap purely by chance. He quickly made the decision to empty the trap; the rabbits couldn't go to waste, and he was already salivating as he imagined their tender flesh in his mouth. Tuck was very particular to rabbit. He'd take them back to Second Chance, where they could all enjoy a meal while they waited for the gang.
Tuck was under no illusions about Robin's success in Nottingham. Of course he would find the girls and Gisborne and bring them back to Sherwood. There was absolutely no doubt in Tuck's mind that justice would prevail. He had total faith in Robin's abilities.
Tuck was enjoying being part of Robin's gang. He had never before had so much fun with a group of people, and their adventures in Europe had left him with a craving for more. He liked the comradery amongst the gang, and for once in his life was relishing being part of something bigger than himself. He had never felt like this at Fountains Abbey, or indeed at Rufford, and had valued his time away from the other monks. But, as a member of Robin's gang, he wanted to be a part of their group activities. It felt like he was learning something new every day, and he spent time getting to know each gang member in depth.
It was fascinating. Some of these people had never known anything better than what they had now, yet their thoughts and their experiences and the way they strove to uphold Robin's vision was something to be applauded.
Tuck had developed a liking for the raucous humour they, at times, indulged in. He enjoyed Allan's company immensely, with his caustic wit that hid a surprisingly sensitive and fearful heart. Roana was his ideal partner, for her quiet certainty provided a safe haven for Allan's tumultuous doubts and fears, which she soothed with ease, and they were so natural together that it was a delight to be around them.
Tuck could spend hours discussing religion, medicine, and ideas with Djaq, who was quite unnervingly intelligent. Will, while unschooled in much but woodwork, was a curious and intense soul, and could listen to Tuck's tales of his travels around Europe for hours, peppering him with questions and seeming enthusiastic about learning.
Little John shared Tuck's love of ale and food, and they embarked on many a bawdy conversation around the campfire. He was also unexpectedly softhearted, and could talk quite candidly about his family and his wishes for the future.
Alice was a fascinating woman, filled with nervous energy, and with a quick, and at times odd, wit. She, Tuck had found, was the most difficult nut to crack, but he did not think she hid anything of a dubious nature. She was a naturally shy person, and there was nothing at all wrong with that. Together, she and Gisborne seemed a good match, and they appeared to communicate with each other through exchanged glances and touches alone, at times.
For his part, Gisborne was reticent, but eloquent once he felt comfortable enough to open up, which wasn't often enough for Tuck's liking. His reluctance to share stemmed more from the fear of judgement for his past atrocities, Tuck felt, rather than a dislike of the company.
Eve was a delightful girl with a lovely laugh and stories up her sleeve that Tuck hadn't expected. She had led a difficult life, trying desperately to keep her head above water in the only way she knew how, but those days were long gone now. Much was her final destination; of that Tuck was certain.
Much could be either the light that illuminated the gang, or the darkness that held Robin back. Extremely emotional, and at times plagued by a mercurial moodiness that could permeate the whole group if they let it, Much wore his heart on his sleeve, and was unafraid of voicing his opinion, whether it was welcome or not. But this emotional honesty was respected by Tuck, who felt that Much's brand of transparency was the glue that held the gang together. Nothing went unnoticed by Much, and he wasn't afraid to challenge anyone. But this didn't make him unlikable; not in any way. In fact, he was an extremely fun, sensitive, and loyal person, and Tuck held him in high regard.
Marian was like no woman Tuck had ever met before. Fierce, stubborn, and opinionated, she didn't appear to be afraid of anything. She was also beautiful, and utterly devoted to Robin, although Tuck was in no doubt who held the upper hand in their dynamic. Robin, for his part, was happy to allow her to take the reins, understanding that her wilfulness was better left unchecked or she would rail against his attempts at control. It worked well; knowing that she was faced with few restraints meant that Marian had nothing to rebel against, and so she didn't. Robin respected her, and it worked both ways.
Robin. Tuck smiled to himself at the thought of their leader. It was difficult to dislike Robin. His quest for justice, and his fight for the poor, could only be seen as commendable, and something to aspire to. Yet his emotional side balanced out the confident stance, giving his bravado a mellow, empathic edge. Combined with his cheeky sense of humour and love for his friends and family, this made Robin a well-rounded, although, at times, introspective character. He was a man that people believed in, and wanted to follow, and there was no stopping him when he believed in himself.
Thinking about his friends, Tuck barely registered the faint humming noise as he picked his way through the undergrowth, muffled as it was by the greenwood around him. He concentrated for a moment on shifting his load further up his shoulder to make it more comfortable. He wondered idly how the group were getting on in Nottingham. He hoped that they were alright, and that they had managed to rescue the girls. Or vice versa. Tuck huffed a laugh under his breath. He wasn't quite sure that those girls needed rescuing; not from what he'd seen of them since Dürnstein. They were a feisty bunch.
Grinning to himself, Tuck stepped out onto the old farmers track that passed through Sherwood, and the wall of sound hit him. Startled, he came to a halt and gaped.
The track to his right was teeming with people, a huge crowd of both men and women, and they were heading in his direction. He recognised familiar faces, folk from the villages scattered throughout Sherwood, and many were brandishing weapons in the shape of farm implements.
Tuck experienced a quick stab of panic. Was he safe? Some of the crowd appeared angry, and, as good a fighter as he was, Tuck wasn't sure he could take them all.
"Brother Tuck!" shouted a voice he knew, and Tuck realised that the crowd was being led by Averey, Darren, and Marian's father, Sir Edward, along with other members of Second Chance.
With a stifled sigh of relief, he grinned at Averey, who had spoken. "Where are we going?"
"The Sheriff has Nottingham in lockdown," Edward said in reply, his tone deep and authoritative. "And we're going to help the king take it back."
He raised his voice to utter this, and pumped a fist into the air as the crowd around him cheered in response.
"Sounds like a plan," Tuck said.
"Is everybody ready? Then let's go and take back my castle."
King Richard was mounted on his finest destrier, a beautiful chestnut stallion with hooves the size of dinner plates and a proudly crested neck. Lionheart, a tall man, matched his steed perfectly, resplendent in clean armour and a flowing red cloak in the most luxurious of fabrics that settled in folds on the horse's glistening flanks.
Beside him, riding equally as magnificent horses yet dressed in their forest finery with pieces of additional armour, Robin and Much looked like two children who had raided their father's clothes chest, yet they were ready nevertheless, as were the army.
Every single soldier, nobleman, men-at-arms, footman, and squire had gathered behind the king on the main field that housed their temporary camp, and they were all prepared for battle. Armour clinked, weapons were raised, and standards flapped in the strong northerly breeze. A sea of eager faces looked towards Nottingham town and the castle, perched atop Castle Rock, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation.
Carter and Henry, suited and booted and flanking the king, looked fierce and enthusiastic, whereas Burne, who was bringing up the rear of the king's group as Carter's squire, appeared worried as he talked hurriedly to his wife and three girls, who he had discovered outside the town the previous day.
Most of the townsfolk who had been gathered outside the town gates, having been unceremoniously kicked out of their homes, were invited to join the army's camp, and a section of the deer park was cleared so they could set up their own camp. Much, Eve, Djaq, and Alice had joined them while Robin divided his time between the people of Nottingham's temporary camp and the king's tent.
"Please be careful," Burne's wife, Jenny, was imploring, clutching onto his outstretched hand. "We've only just got you back. We need you."
Much, conversing quietly with Eve, who was standing beside him with her hand on his mount's neck, gestured towards the worried Jennifer. "Keep them with you here in camp and look after them for Burne."
"What do you mean?" Eve said, indignantly. "I'm coming with you."
"Eve, no!" Much told her, earnestly. "I want you to be safe.."
His voice petered off as Djaq and Alice rushed towards them, and Djaq thrust a sword into Eve's hand.
"We will join the footmen," Djaq explained, excitedly. "And follow the battering ram. That way, we can be the first into the town."
Alice and Eve nodded enthusiastically and Much turned to Robin, his expression helpless.
"What do I do?" he said. "I thought wives were supposed to be submissive and obedient."
Robin gave a rueful yet amused shrug, his mind on Marian, while Eve scoffed.
"Submissive and obedient? You should know me better than that, husband." Nevertheless, she reached out to give his thigh a conciliatory rub, and delivered him a discreet wink when he caught her eye.
"Just be careful, girls," Robin admonished over his shoulder as the convoy began to move forward, and his mount eagerly surged after the lead horses. "Stick with Djaq. She knows what she's doing."
Falling into place in the vast cavalcade, each member of the assembled army looked towards Nottingham impatiently and many raised weapons into the air, sending out jubilant war cries. Djaq, Alice, and Eve followed suit, screaming out, "We are Robin Hood!" before grinning at each other, triumphantly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Much said to Robin, who laughed.
"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, Much. Now, concentrate."
The army moved along the road that led beneath a canopy of trees on the brink of the forest. Above the trees, the sky was overcast, and there was a cool breeze capering through the branches, ruffling horses manes and causing standards to flap wildly. The air was rich with the sound of jubilant voices and marching feet as the army followed their king, willingly.
Robin allowed a wide grin to split his face as he surveyed the cavalcade around him. Although he no longer wished to return to war - or could find it in himself to believe in such actions - this was different. This was the final stage in their two-year battle against the Sheriff of Nottingham. This was taking back what was rightfully theirs from a corrupt ruler, who had no business being in the shire anymore. This was Robin's opportunity to defeat Vaisey once and for all, return to Locksley, marry Marian, and cease the endless fighting. He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement that buzzed throughout his entire body, and he clenched his teeth together to stop himself from laughing out loud. This was it. The beginning of Vaisey's end.
Far behind the army, the townspeople of Nottingham, who had made their temporary homes on the deer park, followed, chattering exuberantly. The outcome of this battle meant as much to them as it did to any man here, Robin included. Once more, he was not only fighting for himself; he was fighting for the people of the shire, and he would not fail.
The convoy continued along the road until the trees began to thin and the curtain walls of the town emerged on their right. Here, they turned to face the huge closed gates.
Up ahead, King Richard raised one hand, and the army came to a halt. Puzzled, Robin, who had fallen behind a little, urged his mount into a trot to catch up, craning his neck to see past the king and his guards.
There was a crowd of people on the road that led to the town gates. Most of them were on foot, village folk dressed in rough clothing and armed with farm implements. At their head were three men on horseback, and they turned in the saddle to view the newcomers.
"Are these people going to cause us trouble?" Lionheart said to Robin, brusquely.
"I'll find out," Robin replied, and proceeded forward along the road.
Much hastened to join him, and nodded his head towards the three men on horseback. "Wait a minute. Isn't that Averey?"
The Clun man was unmistakable, sat atop a huge cob and towering above his companions. He lifted a huge hand in greeting as Robin and Much drew closer.
"Robin! Thank the Lord!" Detaching himself from the group, Tuck came to meet them, waving a quarterstaff in greeting, his robe flapping around his legs in the sharp breeze.
"Tuck!" Robin exclaimed, bringing the destrier to a halt and running his eyes over the rest of the group, assessingly, as he spoke to the monk. "What are you all doing here?"
"We've come to fight," shouted a familiar voice, and Robin recognised Sir Edward beside Averey, dwarfed by the huge man.
Robin was struck again by how different Marian's father looked now compared to the somewhat frail old man they had left behind all those months ago when they set off for Portsmouth. The village of Second Chance really had lived up to its name for so many people. Nevertheless, he could not allow Edward to join their fight.
"Edward!" he said. "Marian will never forgive me if you get hurt. Please, return to Second Chance and.."
"Robin, what's going on?" King Richard halted next to Robin, running his eyes over the crowd of villagers. "Who are these people and why are they in our way?"
There were gasps as the assembled villagers realised that they were in the presence of royalty, and those that were able to immediately fell to their knees.
Lionheart cast another disparaging eye over them, absentmindedly, his mind on more important matters. "We need to get the battering ram to the gates. Move these people on."
"But sire!" A hesitant voice piped up from the midst of the group. "We don't 'ave to! The gates are already open."
Robin exchanged a quick, startled glance with the king before they both looked towards the town.
"What do you mean?" Robin said in bewilderment. "It looks closed to me."
"It is," Tuck replied. "Right now. But it is no longer locked. One push, and it opens."
Everybody turned towards the town, staring at the gates as if they could open them with the combined power of their minds. Which wouldn't be such a bad thing, Robin thought to himself, wryly.
King Richard scratched his chin, speculatively. "Is this a trap, Locksley?"
Robin looked from Edward and Averey to Tuck, and then at the king. "Well… I don't think so, sire. These are my men.."
His voice gradually petered off as he glanced about them, looking for signs of threat, but there was nothing that raised any alarm. The group of villagers, and before them, the town walls, staring back at them in blank and impenetrable silence.
Behind them came the sound of bewildered voices as the army moved restlessly.
"Well, standing here isn't getting us anywhere," Much declared, tartly, urging his horse forwards. "I'll go and check the gates."
"Much, wait!" Robin reached out to touch his arm, nodding towards the left gate, which had suddenly inched open.
There was the echoing sound of steel on leather as hundreds of swords were drawn, and King Richard edged his destrier forward in anticipation.
A tall figure in a guard's uniform that looked a little too small for him emerged tentatively from the gap in the gateway, tousled head swivelling as he glanced around exaggeratedly, before his gaze settled on Robin.
"Robin! Come on!" shouted Little John, and waved them in.