Disclaimer: I own nothing…except this storyline, of course…
A/N Wow, it's been a while, I know…sorry, guys! I really really am… geez, I really love this story SO much, but I got caught up in other things…
Well, I did a little bit of research for this chapter…(just so every1 knows)… The sites where I got my stuff from might not be extremely accurate, but I tried! Anyhoo, thanx to my reviewers for last chapter, the newbies and the few oldies as most other old readers got fed up with my slowness and left me…lol
Last Time:
The man smiled and walked over to Rowan, "My name is John. The people around here call me Little John. I was a good friend of your father's. He was a good man, Rowan." He shook his hand and then. "I'm terribly sorry about earlier, Princess, but you must understand why we do the things we do." He said to Emma, kneeling and lightly kissing her hand. Emma nodded.
He then looked to Lionel. "And your name?"
"Lionel. I am the princess's guard." He answered. He then shook Little John's hand.
"Everyone," and he turned to see them, "we should have a feast for Rowan and his friends tonight!" He then turned back, "That is, if you'll stay."
They nodded.
"Good," Little John said. "We'll eat and talk."
Chapter 3:After much needed washing and cleaning up on Rowan's part then and hours of eat, drink, and music accompanied by stories about the infamous Robin Hood, Rowan had been acquainted with quite a few of his father's old comrades.
After telling countless stories of Rowan's father's great courage, Rowan only felt stronger about living up to his father's name. He would save the country, just like his father had done years before, with these new friends of the forest at his side.
Rowan was sitting happily, thinking about how he could save the whole country, when suddenly a man sat next to him. "Sir," the young man said. Rowan looked up at him.
The man had a fairly dark complexion, as if permanently tanned from the sun and long and wavy dark hair that hung at the back of his neck in a ponytail.
"Yes?" Rowan replied.
"My name is Armin. I heard that you are willing to try and save the people of this country from the injustice of King Joshua and I want to embark with you on your journey, wherever it may take you."
"I admire your valor, Armin, but I'm afraid I won't be needing your help."
"Rowan of Locksley, I can help you. I know I can."
"That's all good and well but I won't be in need of your help," Rowan replied. He didn't need someone who probably barely knew how to aim a bow and arrow slowing him down.
Just then, Armin stood up sharply. He spoke quickly with another man, until he was given the man's bow and arrow. Then, Armin looked up.
"That nut, up there… at the very top of that tree, do you see it?" Armin yelled to Rowan. Rowan looked up and saw what he assumed Armin was talking about. A single nut hung up at the very highest limb of the very highest tree, some way in the distance. It was a nearly impossible shot for anyone but a very experienced arch man.
"Yes…" Rowan replied. There was no way this man could hit the target.
"Good," Armin said. He readied the arrow quickly, aimed only for a second, fired…and hit the target directly.
The people all around him cheered and chuckled admiring the young man's skill.
Armin looked at Rowan. "I know I can help."
Rowan nodded, "Okay." He most definitely couldn't hurt. The man had skill, and Rowan knew that he would need someone like that.
Rowan suddenly heard a woman laugh somewhere near him, which caught his attention. He looked in the direction of the noise to see Princess Emma, dancing and laughing with one of the men he'd spoken with earlier. She grinned broadly as he twirled her around in time to the music of a lute somewhere nearby.
He stared at her, unsure of whether or not he could ever look away. She was gorgeous, and not just because she had been pampered and beautified all her life. He looked at her now, hair messy and face red from the dancing, and she was still beautiful.
The man twirled her around once more before she caught Rowan's eye, watching her the way he was. He was so handsome, after getting cleaned up, that she could barely believe it. He had been in the jail for almost a week before she got there and even though that seemed a short while, after bathing and a quick shave, he looked like a completely different person. That is, except for those sharp, beautiful blue eyes that stared at her now.She blushed suddenly, knowing that he was watching her and then grinned while the man she had been dancing with changed partners.
"Dance with me!" She yelled to him. Emma's voice startled Rowan out of his daze.
He shook his head slowly. "No!" He yelled back, chuckling slightly with a huge grin on his face.
"Why not?" She asked, still smiling.
"They aren't playing our song." He laughed.
"But of course they are! Don't I have say in what song is or isn't ours?"
"Well, then in that case, I don't know this one."
She huffed and put her hands on her hips. How spoiled and princess like of her, Rowan thought, but he couldn't resist her any longer.
"Well, if you put it that way…" He jumped up and began to dance with her. She giggled constantly, probably somewhat drunk from all the wine she had drank. But he didn't mind. He loved her giggle, never having heard it until just then.
He was laughing at her when she stopped giggling and asked him, in mid dance, "What are you laughing at?"
"I was just thinking—are you usually this much fun when you're drunk? If so, I wish you were always inebriated."
She gasped and blinked wildly. "Sir, I'll have you know that I am not drunk!"
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
Rowan stopped suddenly and yelled to some men still sitting and drinking, "Would any of you good fellows agree that this young lady was drunk?"
They looked her over for a second as she staggered to remain standing after the dancing had stopped so abruptly. Then they all laughed and agreed.
Rowan looked back at Emma, her lips pursed tightly together. "Alright, I am." She said and started smiling again.
They danced and laughed together the rest of the night until everyone went back to their tree houses to get to bed. Rowan, Emma, Lionel, and a few others sat outside next to a soft glowing fire, preparing to go to bed. A young lady had offered Emma some clothes to wear to bed, and although she had not been offered a room in any house (after all, she was a princess), she was satisfied. She and Rowan sat talking to each other by the fire after everyone else had gone to sleep.
"So, Princess, are you missing all of your servants and your warm bed right about now?"
"No, not really."
"…Really…?" He replied sarcastically.
"Yes, really! Is that hard to believe?" She asked him, her brow furrowing in frustration.
Rowan only chuckled. "Yes. Yes it is."
"I'll have you know, sir, that I am more than just a princess!"
"What else are you?"
"What else? What else! Well, I'm—I'm, well I'm a person! I have wants and dreams and hopes and aspirations just like everyone else! And not just to become a much more wealthy queen after I marry some very wealthy King." By this time her arms were flailing around in the air, as she drunkenly attempted to prove her point. "To do more. To do good for my country and—and—" She was suddenly silent. "And that's what!"
"Oh. I didn't mean to upset you so much. Princess, I do want for you to not dislike me."
"I don't dislike you, Rowan… as a matter of fact, I like you…very much…"
"And I like you, Princess…very much…"
"Call me Emma."
"…Emma…" Rowan smiled softly and leaned toward Emma. She leaned in, just as slowly, closing her eyes. Then suddenly, Rowan noticed her leaning in a bit too quick, until her head fell into his lap… She had fallen asleep. Great, Rowan thought to himself, Just great.
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WOO! That's it, kiddos! Sorry it was SO short, especially considering it's been….what? Over a year now since my last update! SO SORRY! Gosh, I wish I'd updated sooner. Anyhoo, do send me some more reviews! I don't expect too much, since no one's even read this story in so long, but I'd like some, and if I get some, I'll update soon! Really, this time! Well, bye kiddies!