'Love, Honor And Sorrow: The Beginning Of Robin Hood'
by rowantree 13
You know the drill, y'all. I don't own them. Disney does. Except Flint, Kenneth, and Rumble, Hugh, Adam, Kathleen and Arelyn, who I made up. Enjoy!
At midnoon, the next day...
The crowd gathered again at the shooting range as the archers lined up, a total of five boys, all of them roughly the same age, eager to try their skill. The alligator stood up and called out.
"Will the contestants please stand forth when acknowledged! Theodore Mason, son of Thorton Mason of Darby!"
The crowd applauded politely for the hare archer.
"Red Gilbert, son of Nate Gilbert of Devonshire!"
The crowd applauded kindly once again.
"Flint, son of Sir Rumble of Sherwood!"
The crowd mostly cheered, but some of the village children booed Flint right out, knowing him to be a bully and being capable of cheating. He glared at them.
"Robin Fitzooth, son of Hugh Fitzooth!"
The audience cheered as Robin stepped forward, he smiled at the crowd, bowing. He noticed his parents and Marian's, they were in their seats, but he noticed something. Marian was not with them!
"And last but not least...Martin of Huntingdon!"
The boy next to Robin was a fox just like him, except he had somewhat finer features, was a tad shorter than him, and...appeared to have on Marian's neckace!
Robin couldn't believe it. The nerve of her, Marian had disguised herself as a boy and entered in the archery tournament! He turned and looked at the 'boy' suspiciously.
"Marian, is that you?" He spoke softly, warily, not wanting to make a mistake.
The 'boy' straightened his back after also bowing to the crowd. Then, turning to Robin, he winked and smiled knowingly. "I wanted to give you some competition- and to help you, Robin," a girl's voice answered him. Just then, Flint came over to them, grabbed 'Martin' by the paw and shook it briskly. Then turning to Robin, he shook his paw, tightening the grip to what was an very uncomfortable clench. He smirked wickedly and went back to his mark. 'Martin' turned to Robin.
"Charming, isn't he?" 'Martin' said wryly with a boyish grin, rubbing 'his' sore paw. Robin grinned back, calmed by the light banter. Inside, he was nervous, as tightly wound as a bowstring...
"Ready!" the alligator cried aloud. Robin, Flint, 'Martin', and the others all got to the mark, each one grabbling an arrow from their quiver and setting it on the bow.
"Aim!"
The archers drew their arrow back onto their strings, each one straining with the pull. Robin had trouble keeping his eyes open, but then, he managed to think straight...going back to when he was with Marian, and when they had shot a bullseye together... He snapped his eyes open and kept them open, focusing on the target.
"Fire!"
He released his arrow, and it flew like a bird into the air. He didn't notice the others firing their arrows, but faintly heard the 'zzzsssttt' and 'THUNK' of each arrow against straw.
The attendant when to check on the arrows where they landed. A silence was in the air. Robin felt as if the wait was lasting an eternity. Suddenly the attendant held up three arrows.
One had red feathers flighting it, that was Robin's arrow. One had black feathers, making it Flint's arrow. The last one was an arrow flighted with blue feathers. That one belonged to 'Martin', making 'him' the third person who was to compete in the final round.
The crowd cheered as the two dejected losing archers left the field, comforted by their friends and family. The alligator spoke again. "Now as with yesterday, there are only three contestants left. The first will be Flint, then Martin, then Robin. Move the target back twenty paces!"
"Now hold on a minute!" Flint cried aloud. "Why can't we shoot thirty paces, like the men did yesterday? I want to see if I can outdo my old man!"
The audience laughed at Flint's statement.
The alligator looked toward the royal box, where Richard stood up. Immediately the crowd quieted to hear his reply.
"I hear your statement, Flint of Nottingham. Move the target back thirty paces."
He sat down again, and smiled a little to himself. "Besides," he thought to himself. "I want to see if that young Robin has worked at and inherited the skill of his father..."
Flint took his mark, and the crowd was silent. He aimed...and fired the arrow, as straight as he could.
Zzzzzsssttt!!! THUNK!!
The attendant when to check the arrow as Flint grinned wickedly at Robin and 'Martin', knowing he had shot one of his best shots.
"A eighth away from the target!!" the attendant shouted.
Flint's smile faded. His shot wasn't good enough!
Next was 'Martin's' turn. Robin watched as 'he' put his toe to the mark, aimed, drew the bow back and fired...
Zzzzssssttt...THUNK!!!
The attendant went to check the arrow. He shouted once again.
"Dead center!!"
The audience cheered to the skies! 'Martin' smiled, abashed at the shot 'he'd' made, and returned to his spot. Robin clapped 'him' on the back, grinning.
"Good shot, Marian," he whispered to her.
"Now it's your turn. Just concentrate and remember, Robin..."
Robin stepped up to the mark, and the crowd was silent, yet again. Robin took a deep breath, letting it out through his nose. He took an arrow from his quiver and fit it to the bow, pulling the string and aiming the arrow in a swift motion. He tried to concentrate, to think...
...then he realized he was squeezing his eyes shut. He opened them again, and looked toward the target. He narrowed his eyes, smiling to himself, determined. He thought of Marian's smiling face, as he gave her the necklace...when they had kissed...he looked toward the target and knew he could do it.
He released the arrow.
Zzzzzssstttt!!! THUNK!!!
The attendent ran out and checked the shot. Robin tried to stand, but fell on his knees, suddenly tired, leaning on his bow for support. He felt dizzy, but he felt a hand on his arm pulling him up. He saw it was Marian, still disguised as 'Martin'.
She was smiling, but her eyes were shining brightly from the sunlight catching the unshed tears in them.
Robin got back onto his feet again, clasping 'Martin' on the shoulder. He was concerned, true, but he was going to be upright and strong, no matter what happened.
Then the attendent shouted out the result.
"ROBIN FITZOOTH SPLIT MARTIN'S ARROW!!! HE'S WON THE TOURNAMENT!!!"
The crowd rose up from their seats, cheering, clapping, whistling in joy. Some of the spectators gathered Robin and hoisted him up with their arms, cheering him as a hero. While this happened Flint was watching, hiding his feelings of building rage. He'd get his revenge... somehow...
The crowd gathered for one final assembly, however: the Award's Ceremony. This is what Robin was looking forward to the most, for all the events had been done and accomplished. Flint and his own father were not leaving empty handed, however, due to the events before the archery tournament.
Flint had won the sword fighting and knife throwing contest, while Rumble had taken first place for the ax throwing, as well as the mead drinking contest, but that went without saying...
Richard stood up and welcomed the guests and people who had attended the fair, and preceeded to hand out the prizes. Flint recieved a medallion of gold as well as a sword with a blade of blue steel, so he was pleased with his winnings. His father had recieved a badge, proclaiming him to be the new Sheriff of Nottingham, as long as he would 'go easy on the mead'.
When Hugh and Adam went to claim their prizes from the king, he explained the story of why the two archers were recieving their rewards. The crowd cheered as Richard placed the medals around the necks of Hugh and Adam.
And then, it was Robin's turn. He was kneeling when he faced the King, and was nervous at the seriousness, intimidated by the King's stern gaze. Richard looked down at the young fox, smiled kindly, and began to speak.
"This last award is for achievement in the craft of archery for the younger group. It takes skill and intellect to properly fire a bow, great patience and determination for training, as well as a good nature to know when to relax as well. Robin Fitzooth has done this, and more. For his fine showmanship, he has earned the Silver Arrow!"
The audience cheered Robin as he stood, thanked the king, and recieved the gift. He liked the prize, but what could he do with it? He didn't really have a use for it, it was too heavy to wield or carry around...
Then in stands, he saw Marian. His friend who had helped him concentrate and to become a great archer, when no one else could. His friend... No, more than a friend. She was his love.
He made his way through the crowd and stood next to her, realizing everyone was watching him. He placed the arrow in her paw and closed it, looking right into her eyes. She smiled, and he did in return.
Part 4 due as soon as I get time! :) Thanks for the reviews!
by rowantree 13
You know the drill, y'all. I don't own them. Disney does. Except Flint, Kenneth, and Rumble, Hugh, Adam, Kathleen and Arelyn, who I made up. Enjoy!
At midnoon, the next day...
The crowd gathered again at the shooting range as the archers lined up, a total of five boys, all of them roughly the same age, eager to try their skill. The alligator stood up and called out.
"Will the contestants please stand forth when acknowledged! Theodore Mason, son of Thorton Mason of Darby!"
The crowd applauded politely for the hare archer.
"Red Gilbert, son of Nate Gilbert of Devonshire!"
The crowd applauded kindly once again.
"Flint, son of Sir Rumble of Sherwood!"
The crowd mostly cheered, but some of the village children booed Flint right out, knowing him to be a bully and being capable of cheating. He glared at them.
"Robin Fitzooth, son of Hugh Fitzooth!"
The audience cheered as Robin stepped forward, he smiled at the crowd, bowing. He noticed his parents and Marian's, they were in their seats, but he noticed something. Marian was not with them!
"And last but not least...Martin of Huntingdon!"
The boy next to Robin was a fox just like him, except he had somewhat finer features, was a tad shorter than him, and...appeared to have on Marian's neckace!
Robin couldn't believe it. The nerve of her, Marian had disguised herself as a boy and entered in the archery tournament! He turned and looked at the 'boy' suspiciously.
"Marian, is that you?" He spoke softly, warily, not wanting to make a mistake.
The 'boy' straightened his back after also bowing to the crowd. Then, turning to Robin, he winked and smiled knowingly. "I wanted to give you some competition- and to help you, Robin," a girl's voice answered him. Just then, Flint came over to them, grabbed 'Martin' by the paw and shook it briskly. Then turning to Robin, he shook his paw, tightening the grip to what was an very uncomfortable clench. He smirked wickedly and went back to his mark. 'Martin' turned to Robin.
"Charming, isn't he?" 'Martin' said wryly with a boyish grin, rubbing 'his' sore paw. Robin grinned back, calmed by the light banter. Inside, he was nervous, as tightly wound as a bowstring...
"Ready!" the alligator cried aloud. Robin, Flint, 'Martin', and the others all got to the mark, each one grabbling an arrow from their quiver and setting it on the bow.
"Aim!"
The archers drew their arrow back onto their strings, each one straining with the pull. Robin had trouble keeping his eyes open, but then, he managed to think straight...going back to when he was with Marian, and when they had shot a bullseye together... He snapped his eyes open and kept them open, focusing on the target.
"Fire!"
He released his arrow, and it flew like a bird into the air. He didn't notice the others firing their arrows, but faintly heard the 'zzzsssttt' and 'THUNK' of each arrow against straw.
The attendant when to check on the arrows where they landed. A silence was in the air. Robin felt as if the wait was lasting an eternity. Suddenly the attendant held up three arrows.
One had red feathers flighting it, that was Robin's arrow. One had black feathers, making it Flint's arrow. The last one was an arrow flighted with blue feathers. That one belonged to 'Martin', making 'him' the third person who was to compete in the final round.
The crowd cheered as the two dejected losing archers left the field, comforted by their friends and family. The alligator spoke again. "Now as with yesterday, there are only three contestants left. The first will be Flint, then Martin, then Robin. Move the target back twenty paces!"
"Now hold on a minute!" Flint cried aloud. "Why can't we shoot thirty paces, like the men did yesterday? I want to see if I can outdo my old man!"
The audience laughed at Flint's statement.
The alligator looked toward the royal box, where Richard stood up. Immediately the crowd quieted to hear his reply.
"I hear your statement, Flint of Nottingham. Move the target back thirty paces."
He sat down again, and smiled a little to himself. "Besides," he thought to himself. "I want to see if that young Robin has worked at and inherited the skill of his father..."
Flint took his mark, and the crowd was silent. He aimed...and fired the arrow, as straight as he could.
Zzzzzsssttt!!! THUNK!!
The attendant when to check the arrow as Flint grinned wickedly at Robin and 'Martin', knowing he had shot one of his best shots.
"A eighth away from the target!!" the attendant shouted.
Flint's smile faded. His shot wasn't good enough!
Next was 'Martin's' turn. Robin watched as 'he' put his toe to the mark, aimed, drew the bow back and fired...
Zzzzssssttt...THUNK!!!
The attendant went to check the arrow. He shouted once again.
"Dead center!!"
The audience cheered to the skies! 'Martin' smiled, abashed at the shot 'he'd' made, and returned to his spot. Robin clapped 'him' on the back, grinning.
"Good shot, Marian," he whispered to her.
"Now it's your turn. Just concentrate and remember, Robin..."
Robin stepped up to the mark, and the crowd was silent, yet again. Robin took a deep breath, letting it out through his nose. He took an arrow from his quiver and fit it to the bow, pulling the string and aiming the arrow in a swift motion. He tried to concentrate, to think...
...then he realized he was squeezing his eyes shut. He opened them again, and looked toward the target. He narrowed his eyes, smiling to himself, determined. He thought of Marian's smiling face, as he gave her the necklace...when they had kissed...he looked toward the target and knew he could do it.
He released the arrow.
Zzzzzssstttt!!! THUNK!!!
The attendent ran out and checked the shot. Robin tried to stand, but fell on his knees, suddenly tired, leaning on his bow for support. He felt dizzy, but he felt a hand on his arm pulling him up. He saw it was Marian, still disguised as 'Martin'.
She was smiling, but her eyes were shining brightly from the sunlight catching the unshed tears in them.
Robin got back onto his feet again, clasping 'Martin' on the shoulder. He was concerned, true, but he was going to be upright and strong, no matter what happened.
Then the attendent shouted out the result.
"ROBIN FITZOOTH SPLIT MARTIN'S ARROW!!! HE'S WON THE TOURNAMENT!!!"
The crowd rose up from their seats, cheering, clapping, whistling in joy. Some of the spectators gathered Robin and hoisted him up with their arms, cheering him as a hero. While this happened Flint was watching, hiding his feelings of building rage. He'd get his revenge... somehow...
The crowd gathered for one final assembly, however: the Award's Ceremony. This is what Robin was looking forward to the most, for all the events had been done and accomplished. Flint and his own father were not leaving empty handed, however, due to the events before the archery tournament.
Flint had won the sword fighting and knife throwing contest, while Rumble had taken first place for the ax throwing, as well as the mead drinking contest, but that went without saying...
Richard stood up and welcomed the guests and people who had attended the fair, and preceeded to hand out the prizes. Flint recieved a medallion of gold as well as a sword with a blade of blue steel, so he was pleased with his winnings. His father had recieved a badge, proclaiming him to be the new Sheriff of Nottingham, as long as he would 'go easy on the mead'.
When Hugh and Adam went to claim their prizes from the king, he explained the story of why the two archers were recieving their rewards. The crowd cheered as Richard placed the medals around the necks of Hugh and Adam.
And then, it was Robin's turn. He was kneeling when he faced the King, and was nervous at the seriousness, intimidated by the King's stern gaze. Richard looked down at the young fox, smiled kindly, and began to speak.
"This last award is for achievement in the craft of archery for the younger group. It takes skill and intellect to properly fire a bow, great patience and determination for training, as well as a good nature to know when to relax as well. Robin Fitzooth has done this, and more. For his fine showmanship, he has earned the Silver Arrow!"
The audience cheered Robin as he stood, thanked the king, and recieved the gift. He liked the prize, but what could he do with it? He didn't really have a use for it, it was too heavy to wield or carry around...
Then in stands, he saw Marian. His friend who had helped him concentrate and to become a great archer, when no one else could. His friend... No, more than a friend. She was his love.
He made his way through the crowd and stood next to her, realizing everyone was watching him. He placed the arrow in her paw and closed it, looking right into her eyes. She smiled, and he did in return.
Part 4 due as soon as I get time! :) Thanks for the reviews!