Chapter 6: Return to Nottingham

Authors note

Apologies for the late update. Life got really busy. Please enjoy :)

Robin took a deep centering breath as he prepared to step foot into Nottingham, a town he hadn't been in for nearly three years. His foot stumbling on a rock he hadn't sensed on the path a wince escaped between his teeth as his sore foot throbbed.

His sleep haunted by dreams brought on by his anxieties about returning and the approaching anniversary of that terrible day; Robin had decided to get an early start to the journey. After all it wasn't as if the lack of daylight hindered him at all, night or day the journey would look the same. But lost in his own thoughts he hadn't noticed the twisted root in the path his foot catching there was little he could do to halt his fall. The result: a bad twisted ankle. Taking a breath, Robin tried to look at the positives. He knew he wasn't far from the town now knowing that with his ankle he wouldn't be able to make it much further than that anyhow. Plus, the injury would only add to the disguise right? Robin couldn't fight the smile, proud that he was able to spot a few positives from the negative. Also, he'd planned on staying in Nottingham for a while; it would give him some time to recover before continuing on to the next town. Actually it would give him a logical excuse to stay if his battling nerves wanted to push him on too soon.

Leaning heavily on his cane as more of a walking stick then a sight seeing stick Robin finally made it to the gate of the town. Pausing to bask in the moment Robin just stood there for a moment soaking it all in.

After three long years he had finally made it.

He was home.

In the early morning he could hear the distant sound of the town awakening. From the banging of metal on metal he could tell that Otto the blacksmith had opened shop for the day. He could hear conversation on the wind as people milled about and the sound of children running and playing drifted through the wind. It was all music to his ears.

Where should I go first? Robin wondered distantly to himself. He didn't want to draw unwanted attention to himself. Although he doubted anyone would recognize him, he also didn't want to take any chances. After all he didn't want to cause any more pain then his supposed death already had. Also he reasoned that he didn't want to move around much all day either. His poor foot was throbbing and the days of travel had thoroughly worn him out. His best bet would be to find a place to observe and just lay low.

His progress slowed by his ankle and in no rush Robin severed walking through the town. Using his other four senses he fought to make sense of what his eyes could no longer show him. He could hear the easy going laughter and cheery voices of those around him; no longer under the oppression of a greedy dictator. He could smell fresh flowers and bread and could sense how the busy businesses of the town were thriving. Walking down the streets he could tell by the lack of debris and obstacles that the roads and buildings were well maintained. All painting a picture of a thriving Nottingham.

Making his way over to a grassy corner on the edge of the busy mainstreet, Robin let out a breath of relief as sunk down into the grass taking pressure off his throbbing ankle. Navigating the layout of the town mostly from memory he made his way over to a grassy area just beyond the busy hustle of main street. The area was far enough away that he was removed from the hustle and attention but yet still close enough that he felt connected to the bustle around him.

Robin let his travel bag flop down beside him before stretching out on the soft long grass, closing his unseeing eyes to rest for a moment. The folds of his too-large bulky well worn clothing fell around him. He had no idea what the clothing looked like but reasoned that it probably looked an awful like the disguise he used to wear when pretending to be a blind beggar. It was a little too large but it kept him warm on cold nights and it covered the array of scars he knew he now carried.

Content to lay there and rest, Robbin listened to the rumblings about the town paying attention to every little detail of the town and people he feared he'd never see again.

Nearly lulled asleep by the familiarity of home Robin barely acknowledged the footsteps heading his direction until he sensed the figure hovering over him.

"Hello" the voice was friendly and oh so familiar.

"Hello there" Robin greeted warmly as he sat up, sending the newcomer a smile. He turned his face toward the voice, straightening the glasses on his face that kept out the harsh glare of the sun.

"I haven't seen you in town before" the voice observed and Robin immediately recognized the friendly sunshine voice as the elderly sweet owl and distantly wondered how her grandchildren were doing. "Are you moving here young man?"

Shaking his head the tired fox answered "Just passing through,"

Another pair of footsteps approached, as they sounded similar to the first it was easy to surmise that they belonged to Mr. Owl. "It looks like you've been on a long journey" he observed his voice laced with concern.

Robin's smile forced the observation to be more true than the elderly couple could have ever guessed. "Yes, I've been on the road for several days now."

"My my" Mrs. Owl shook her head, her voice filled with concern. Robin couldn't see it but the elderly couple shared a concerned glance as they took in the tired blind traveler before them. Noticing something for the first time Mr. Owl's face wrinkled in concern.

The grass rustled as the elderly owl bent down. "This ankle looks mighty swollen" the elder observed his feathers hovering over the twisted ankle.

"It is?" Sightlessly Robin looked down, laughing to himself as he felt the noticeable swelling.

"What happened?" Mrs. Owl asked.

"Oh, just a tree root I didn't see coming" Robin answered, waiving it off as he dug in his travel bag searching via touch for something to use to wrap the sprain.

"Sounds like a busy morning" Robin noted conversationally, thrilled at the opportunity to ask about the goings on of the town. "I've passed through a few towns these last few weeks it seems like you're faring well with the king back" Robin fished.

"Well yes" Mr. Owl's voice was upbeat. "With King Richard back everything is back to how it should be! We no longer live in fear, we can afford to feed ourselves and our children. Businesses are growing, people are thriving and the land is experiencing peace."

Robin's heart smiled at the news; feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders with each word. It was a relief to hear.

Tying off the sprain Robin leaned back into the grass, questions sitting on his tongue.

"I think you ought to see a doctor about that" Mrs. Owl's voice was laced with concern.

"Oh, I've had it worse" Robin smiled easily. "No need to worry."

A frown crossed Robin's face sensing the worry emanating from the couple. Maybe that wasn't the best thing to say, the thought distantly.

"Nothing a little rest won't cure" he tried again. "I hope it won't be a bother, but I will probably spend a few days healing up before heading on my way."

"No one will mind," the old man assured him.

After a few more minutes of easy conversation, the elderly couple moved along. He was surprised that anyone had sought him out, but as he remembered the owl couple had always been very caring to those around them and of course would be curious and concerned if someone entered the town injured. Shaking his head and accessing his swollen ankle, Robin scooted further back into the nook of comfortable tall grass, finding a rock to elevate his foot on as he prepared for a mid-morning nap, his mind at ease and his body tired and sore.