First to my first ever reviewer for Sherwood Secrets, drum roll
Reese Sparrow! -
answer to review no. 1- First of all thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it. John is not Robin's father simply because (as you'll see) John and Marian are very close friends. And you already know that Robin's father doesn't approve of m'lady Marian. But I won't say anymore incase i spoil something which i probably will, knowing me rolls eyes
answer to review no. 2 - i thought of at first to make robin a redhead but then thought that hair as black as coal would be better, to go with Marian's lovely chestnut locks. i love my evil and villainous characters, tell me, who are your fav bad guys in ma ficcy? I will kill Robin ! MWHAHAHA cowers from broken mechanical pencils, well...maybe not. you'll see. hope you enjoy my next chappie
Now I've been rabbiting on too long, i hope you enjoy this next chapter and tell me what you think of the characters. Oh yes, and i am changing it so it is now from Marian's point of view because i write much easier that way. its like I'm writing on automatic, i started writing in third person and then as i got absorbed into the writing i started using "i" and "me" so that's obviously how it was meant to be!
Lets just get copyright out of the way-
I do not own most of the characters but in a way i do because i have made them my own and in a way i invented everything about them. So lets instead say they are based on the original ballads in some way.
Now lets get this show on the road! (And review or i shall hunt thee down and get John to beat ye up!)
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The late sun was low in the sky, soon it would set. I sat in the high-up stands next to my Uncle and the other royal guests, I was shivering despite the fact that it was late summer and the year was at its hottest. Down below the town square which was normally empty at this time was full to the brim, full with people who had been forced to attend the hanging. Why, they did not know. He was some small outlaw, Robin Hood was his name, but Prince John wanted everyone to watch him suffer. There where a few in the crowds that knew the outlaw, those who had been on the verge of starvation last winter or whose husband had been thrown in the Nottingham gaol for hunting in the royal forest of Fernwood. They had gone, desperate fed on rumours about the outlaws who where recruiting, into the depths of Sherwood. And they had been met by only kindness, the outlaws gave them food and if they wanted it shelter. They where the ones who would weep when he was gone, but they where also the ones that knew about the plan. They where the ones who would try to help.
I watched from above as the guards dragged Robin up onto the stage, feeling my stomach tighten with apprehension. What if it didn't work? What if it went wrong? Then Robin would hang, and in a way, my Uncle would win. The executioner took Robin from the hand of the guards, Robin held his head high and stood tall. I felt her heart swell with pride, Robin did not know about the rescue, he thought these where going to be his last moments.
"Robin Hood, sentenced to death by Prince John II on account of his outlaw activities. Including stealing from Lord Huselton, Lady Crentain, the Church of St Peter, Madame Fearing..." his voice droned on and on. I felt herself grow impatient, the waiting was killing her. But at least it would give the outlaws more time to get the plan into action. Finally the executioner paused and I snapped back to attention.
"Also accused of sorcery and bewitching certain peoples to join his band of outlaws" The Sheriff who was standing by the raised platform looked straight up and into my eyes. "And of impersonating several noble lords and holy men." With that the executioner stopped and placed the piece of parchment to a guard standing below. Robin was nudged by sword point onto a small stool that had been brought out, the noose was carefully placed over his head and down to his neck where it was tightened. Robin stifled a gasp, the rough rope chafed against his bruised neck. I looked around anxiously until her Uncle glanced sharply at me, I pretended to loosen my royal red cloak. If Prince John suspected something then they where in trouble, especially Robin.
The executioner stepped down and glanced at one of the guards who was holding the parchment, "What's going on down there?" called Prince John. "Just hang the bugger and lets get over with it!" a few noble men laughed nervously. "Your highness, according to this guard here the knot is too loose. He is insisting that he be aloud to tie it himself. Which you know I cannot do." The guard looked defiantly at Prince John.
"'Highness, I would see this outlaw hung well and proper, that noose is so loose he could wriggle out of it. And, well, that Robin Hood did me grievous harm to my life. I want to see him dead, not escaping with other outlaws." Guy Of Gisbourne stood up suddenly, "Escape? What do you know of an rescue? And why was this information not told to us?" he called out. The guard glared at Guy. "I don't know nothing, but I can only guess. You know what their like Sir." the guard spoke as if the two where talking about a secret or a person only they knew. Prince John just waved his hand impatiently, "Very well guard, tighten the knot or whatever. I just want to see him done and dead." The executioner, the Sheriff and Guy of Gisbourne all went to speak but Prince John grunted impatiently. He could bevery stubborn when he chose to be. The guard clambered up and examined the noose closely, he fiddled with it an eventually nodded satisfactorily. "'Tis done Highness." The executioner went to check it but the Sheriff held him back, the guard kicked the stool from beneath Robin. A piercing cry escaped my lips, everything was going wrong. Prince John smiled and turned to the guards nodding at them, they automatically went to block any escape route she could have taken. Within a moment the executioner let out a roar as loud and frightening as a lion, he took a swipe at the Sheriff who fell over in shock. An arrow came whistling from far above aimed at the thick rope that held Robin, the guard looked panicked but stood firm by Robin making sure no one could reach him. Robin was clutching at the rope, trying to loosen it as much as he could; to no avail.
Another arrow came like lightening through the air, it was aimed at the rope but the guard jumped infront of it. He was determined that no one get to Robin, "You shall die" he croaked as he lay dying on the floor with an arrow through the heart. The executioner took the rope in his large hands and used the arrow to cut through it. Robin fell gasping and choking, I stood up and tried to run out to them but the guard held her back. Prince John and Sir Guy gaped, everything was falling apart for them and they would not let me escape aswell. At least a dozen of the crowd where rising up trying to make their way to Robin, to offer protection. I heard one say very loudly that they needed a hostage. I smiled, we where back on track. One of the guards grabbed me by the waist and drew a sharp blade. Everyone gasped and the silence thickened the air.
"I'll kill her, I'll slit her throat unless thou let us go." he threatened. The man's breath was hot and uncomfortable on my neck and the blade pressed against my throat. From the distance an archer, who was standing atop of the gibbet, had an arrow pointed towards Prince John. "Let my man take her or I will shoot thee where thou sits." This was too much for Prince John who looked close to tears, he gabbled and mumbled something to the guards who drew away from the exit. The man dragged me with him always keeping the blade at my throat, once they where down the steps and out in the courtyard the crowd parted to let them through. The archer nodded at the executioner who picked up the limp Robin into his arms, "If any of your men come after us we will kill m'lady Marian. So beware and stay away." A few serfs and peasants that where really outlaws in disguise brought horses. The executioner jumped atop a dark horse and put Robin carefully infront of him, his body was limp and I was too far away to see if he was breathing. The executioner had his black mask on so I could not see the expression on his face, 'Live,' I thought. 'Please live'
The several outlaws climbed atop the horses and I was "forced" atop one aswell. The gates where raised and we galloped out as if the devil was on our heels. Which they would be soon, as soon as my Uncle was sure he was safe they would send the guards after us. Within a few minutes of riding we where already approaching the trees when a silent arrow found its target in one of the men, he fell from his horse. Dead. But we rode on, if we stopped then we would be dead aswell and that was not the plan. Finally we reached the shelter of the trees, but Guy Of Gisbourne who was chasing us urged the men into the forest. With deft and practiced movements the outlaws dropped of their horses and split of, losing the Sir Guy and his men in the many secret paths where no horses could tread. But we could not run off so quickly, the man in the executioner mask held Robin in one hand and in the other disappeared up into the trees. The man that had captured me ushered me down and we ran hunched over through the bramble and bush.
We paused a moment to see if they where near, I could hear the hoof beats a few yards away but we where separated by a wall of trees where no horses could cross. I turned to the man next to me, William motioned for me to be quiet and I tried but my breathing was to loud or some other quality which I did not posses made the experienced hunter Sir Guy turn towards our direction. "They are here," he growled in a low voice which was so unlike the one I was used to. Will bit his lip and looked around frantically, suddenly he grabbed my arm and pulled me rather unceremoniously under some sort of bush. This "bush" was really lots of leaves woven together by the outlaws and placed at strategical places where they could hide should they have to. I held my breath and tried not to move at all, Will nodded ever so slightly at me and I could feel his warm presence at my back which comforted me. Sir Guy walked within an inch of us and I felt my heart race. Whether it be luck or fate someone up there was watching over us, Sir Guy walked away. We waited several long minutes incase he was still there. We listened till our ears ached but heard nothing. Eventually Will sat up and took his knife out, he looked around and when no one jumped out he nodded to me.
"So we're safe?" I asked. Will glanced around once more in suspicion and answered, "Not yet, not till we get back." I nodded silently and together we made our way through the complex maze of Sherwood. I was envious of Will for he knew his way around so much better than me, I wished I could know the land as he did. Eventually I recognized the surrounding wildlife, we where nearing the White Caves. The White Caves where the base of the Sherwood outlaw activity, they where great chambers built into the mountain that towered over the west of Sherwood, as far away from civilisation as possible. All that stood out from the mountain was what looked like a giant boulder but if you knew what you where looking for you would see the entrance which was hidden behind a great barrier of trees and thorns, unless you tread along the exact path you would get extremely bruised and cut by the wildlife. Plus it was always guarded, night and day. The outlaws lived all along Sherwood, small villages dotted the forest but in times of trouble and harsh winters their was enough room in the White Caves for every outlaw and more. They where discovered by an outlaw centuries ago and some thought that supernatural beings had made them. Whatever the case they where a great help and often used, the Caves ran right through the mountain and in the centre there was a large open area where the sun shone down and the grass grew. This was where the horses where stabled and the cattle kept. Where the young ones could run free or play in the snow.
I looked up and saw the great White Mountain loom above me, I started to walk on but Will grabbed my hand and stopped me. I frowned and listened, suddenly I heard it. Someone was walking towards us, we had no time to hide and anyway how could anyone have made it this close to the White Caves. All peasants who requested shelter where directed to a smaller outlaw village and until they where deemed loyal by the village elder or leader they did not even know about the White Caves apart from in legends. I took out my small dagger in its sheath that I had hidden in my undergarments, Will raised his eye ever so slightly but I scowled at him. We waited and that was when a tall figure wearing a dark mask and carrying a limp figure came into view. "John!" I cried out. But my joy turned to sorrow as I saw the Robin was deathly pale, several other people came into view and subconsciously I noted that we had lost only two people, a man and a woman. But we might have yet another death, I ran to John and took Robin's cold hand into my own warm one. I was afraid to look and see if he was breathing so I turned to John whose face was troubled. "John, does he live?" I asked, tears brimming into my eyes.
Will placed a hand on my shoulder lending strength as John spoke, "Marian, I'm sorry but..."
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CLIFFHANGER! MWHAHAHA cough MWHAHAHA
You'll have to wait for the next chappie! I'm so evil. But I feel so mean...
Oh yes and the White Mountain, just in case you where wondering no it does not exist and as far as my bad geography knows i don't think there is any mountains near Sherwood but its a part of my childhood dreaming so i couldn't miss it. i hope you like the Outlaw headquarters...its always been one of my fav places. Anyway, review or else..well you know the drill. readies Sporks just in case