Robin was not about to let himself go quietly to the dungeon. Quickly scanning his surroundings for a way to escape, he leaped high in the air and grabbed hold with both hands to a large iron ring holding candles suspended from the ceiling, what the French called a "chandelier." Using his body, he caused it to swing back and forth on its chain, kicking guards to the floor when they tried to approach him.
He knew he needed to jump down from the chandelier soon, before more guards could arrive and corner him. Spying the flat wooden stair rail, he aimed his body for it, letting go of the chandelier in mid swing. Landing feet first on it, his upper body swayed as he regained his balance, while the crowd surrounding him gasped. Maintaining his stance, he slid all the way down to the next floor, then executed a perfect flip off the rail, turning three full rotations in midair before landing upright and dashing away.
His intention was to escape the castle, then travel north to King Richard's camp, where he would wait for Marian, their daughters, and Nurse to join him, then reunited, head for home. But even while darting away from other groups of chasing guards, Robin realized the folly of his plan.
No matter how brave and skilled at fighting Marian was, she would be unsafe travelling without him. Gangs of thieves plagued the roads, not to mention Gisbourne was still out there somewhere. On top of that, Marian and the girls would be travelling near a war zone, with all the dangers that implied.
No, he would have to hide somewhere close, and meet up with his family along the way. He had no doubt that Marian, astute as she was, would understand their need to travel homeward. All the same, he wished there was some way he could get word to her.
Escaping the castle at last by means of clever trickery and daring feats, he knew the castle guard had not given up chasing him. Seeing a troupe of acrobats who had set up camp just outside the castle and were practicing by torchlight, Robin saw his chance. Knowing it was often easier to disappear in plain sight than by hiding, as long as those in pursuit were none too clever, Robin peeled off his rich, outer jerkin and tossed it into a bush, so that he appeared in only shirt, trousers, and boots. Without missing a beat, he joined the troupe of surprised acrobats, able to imitate their movements with even better grace than they exhibited.
As he'd hoped, the guards did not even glance his way, but continued giving chase until convinced they had lost him. As soon as all, even to the last man, were back inside the castle, Robin relaxed and thanked the acrobats for letting him join them.
"You are in no danger from me," Robin told them. "The guards are after me just for hitting a man who insulted my wife, my friend, and my honor."
"We do not care if you are innocent or not," the leader, an older, broad chested man said. "You may join our troupe, and be its star! Look, Mama!" he called to his wife. He began speaking to her in Spanish, and Robin could only understand a smattering of what he said, chiefly concerning his face and form.
The woman, a short, squat woman with heavy jowls and even heavier breasts, circled Robin, clucking her tongue in appreciation.
"My wife thinks you'll do," the man said. "I am Pedro, Head of the Flying Circus from Espana. Welcome to our troupe! We have travelled all over Spain, and have now made our way here, where tomorrow night, we perform within the castle for the Aquitainian nobility, a special treat for the honored guests who are visiting from England. You have heard, I expect, of the legendary Robin Hood and his wife, Maid Marian?"
Robin chuckled. "I've heard something," he answered proudly.
"Well, they are visiting here, and we have been asked to perform for them! You, due to your likely arrest, are excused from that performance, but after that, once you have mastered our act, you will take my place, and I feel certain, will assure our fortune!"
"Thank you very much, but-"
"Do not be so hasty to refuse. I promise you a large cut of the profits, and...you have not yet met my daughter." He addressed his wife in Spanish, ordering her to fetch Estella, their beautiful young daughter.
Robin saw a tent flap part, and a willowy, dark haired young woman appear. He grew uncomfortable as she approached him, recognizing the glint in her large dark eyes as she apprised him. Her father and mother stood by, but did not object when Estella placed her thin arms around his neck and tried to cover his mouth with her own red, eager lips.
Robin took a step backward, removing the woman's arms from around his neck with some difficulty. "You are very kind," he said nervously, "but..." Remembering his wedding ring, he held up his left hand gratefully to show it. "I am married," he explained.
"Estella likes you," her father said. "Tonight, you share her tent!"
"But..." Robin stared disbelievingly at the family, as well as the other acrobats who had gathered round to watch. Estella was swaying back and forth, staring at him as if he were already hers, while her parents looked on approvingly. Robin was used to having women throw themselves at him, but he'd never encountered a father who offered up his daughter, as if on a silver platter.
Robin held up his left hand again and pointed to his ring. "I'm married," he repeated. "Happily married. And so, as kind as your offer is, my wife-"
"Is she here?" Pedro asked.
"She's inside the castle. And speaking of that, may I borrow a bow?"
Now it was Pedro's turn to be surprised. "A bow? You don't mean to shoot us, do you?"
"No. I need it to send a message to my wife."
"But how?"
Robin had already noticed an ink berry bush nearby. Birds, especially robins, loved to feast on the dark purple berries that were somewhat toxic to humans. Isabella no doubt would make someone ill by pretending they were blackberries and putting them in something to eat, but Robin knew they made better ink than any other plant, hence their name. While Pedro left to fetch a bow and a single arrow, Robin pulled out his Irish knife, the one he had once used to slice Gisbourne's cheek open, and cut a small piece off the hem of his shirt. Then, using the point of his knife as a pen, he poked a berry and wrote a short message to Marian with its juice.
"Escaped," he wrote. "Bring girls, N, in coach tomorrow. Meet me road north. I'll find you. R"
Waiting for the bow and arrow, he read his message over again, knowing that Marian would understand. Estella began leaning up against him, or more accurately, rubbing against him, and he stepped away from her, saying, "No thank you." He knew he couldn't sleep in any tent in the acrobats' camp tonight, believing Estella would probably climb into whatever cot he lay his head, if indeed they slept on cots.
The thought of tents and cots made him remember the years he'd spent with Much in the Holy Land. How dare that minstrel insult the friendship the two of them had shared, living together like brothers? Robin knew he had never loved Much the way Much loved him, with a loyal, hero worshipping faithfulness Robin did not ask for and felt he didn't deserve, but he knew his friend's kind, true heart, and he genuinely cared for him like a brother. Robin was glad he'd punched that minstrel in his face. The man had asked for it, and not only because he'd insulted Marian.
Pedro returned at last, bearing a bow and arrow. Robin used a piece of wild grape vine to attach his message to the arrow, then snuck around the castle walls to shoot it through the open window of the suite he'd shared with Marian.
Pleased with himself, he returned the bow to Pedro, thanked him, and said, "Goodbye."
"But you must join our troupe!" Pedro cried, dismayed. "With your looks and your skills and your appeal, you will make us rich! Stay with us! You cannot sleep in the forest tonight! It is dangerous!"
"Not half as dangerous as sleeping in your camp," Robin answered, laughing under his breath as he glanced at Estella. "Besides, I'm used to sleeping in a forest."
Happy he'd been able to communicate to Marian, he turned on his heel and swaggered off, only wishing he had his bow with him, or any bow for that matter, to spend a night alone in the forest in Aquitaine.
...
Marian was seated before a mirror having her hair dressed for tonight's banquet by a new maid servant, when Robin's arrow shot through her window. The maid screamed and ducked to the floor, but Marian felt excitement, wondering why Robin would send her a message the way he used to in the past.
"Escaped?" she asked aloud, surprised as she read it. "Robin, what have you done?"
"Your husband is under arrest, milady," the servant explained, "for striking Alain the minstrel in his face, after he heard him sing insulting songs about him."
"I don't believe it. My husband can take an insult without resorting to violence."
"The songs also insulted you, my lady."
Marian closed her eyes for a moment, able to picture Robin's anger. "Under arrest," she asked, "for defending my honor? That is ridiculous."
Without another word, she left her chambers to seek an audience with Queen Eleanor's brother, Lord Joscelin.
She was admitted immediately into his presence, and offered every hospitality.
"So you see, my lord," she explained, "my husband, although rash in his expression of anger, is not to be blamed."
Lord Joscelin agreed with her. "I have heard some mumblings among the servants concerning insulting songs beginning to circulate, mocking the Robin Hood legends. It is inexcusable, after all that you and your Robin have done for King Richard, as well as for my sister, Queen Eleanor. Of course I pardon your husband, and this minstrel will take his place in the dungeon immediately."
"Thank you, my lord, but that is not necessary," Marian stated. "An apology will be sufficient."
"Lady Locksley, your kindness surpasses your beauty...almost. An apology you shall have then. Now, where are we to find your husband, so that he may attend the banquet tonight?"
Marian thought before answering. "I do not know," she realized, "other than he's somewhere outside the castle, most likely in the forest. I fear if you send troops out to hunt him, they may come back hurt, since Robin will think they're coming to capture him."
"Indeed, we must not add to his crimes. Will he be alright, you believe, sleeping in the forest tonight?"
Marian smiled. "He is Robin Hood," she reminded Lord Joscelin. "I rather think he'll enjoy it."