Chapter Five
Whispers flooded Nottingham and its surrounding shires. Over the next two days, Much and five others of Erik's band sent the message to more than three hundred Saxons. All of them were willing to join Erik, for they had felt the iron hand of the evil Norman lords who tortured, robbed and maimed their families and themselves.
Three hundred men met Erik de Noir, the man they proclaimed the protector of the people, at the Gallows's Oak in Sherwood Forest. Female warriors were there, blacksmiths bringing carts of swords and iron goods, butchers with good meat, arrow makers with hundred upon thousands of the finest arrows in England. They all came, oppressed Saxons and young men seeking adventure.
They surrounded a large stone which Erik stood upon. Antoinette and Nadir in his scarlet hood sat in the large oak tree with Much between them.
At a gesture from Erik, the babble of talk went down.
"I've called you here as freeborn Englishmen, loyal to our king. While he reigned over us, we lived in peace. But since Prince John has seized the regency, Raoul de Changy and the rest of his traitors have murdered and pillaged. You've all suffered from their cruelty - the ear loppings, the beatings, the blindings with hot irons, the burning of our farms and homes, the mistreatment of our women. It's time to put an end to this!"
The gathered men cheered at this, but somehow, Much was the loudest. He turned and grinned at him, happy the boy was so enthusiastic.
Turing back to the men, his voice grew low and serious as he continued. "Now, this forest is wide. It can shelter and clothe and feed a band of good, determined men - good swordsmen, good archers, good fighters. Men, if you're willing to fight for our people, I want you! Are you with me?"
Again, the men cheered, swearing they would follow him to the death.
"then kneel and swear this oath. That you, the freemen of this forest, swear to despoil the rich only to give to the poor, to shelter the old and the helpless, to protect all women rich or poor, Norman or Saxon. Swear to fight for a free England. To protect her loyally until the return of our King and sovereign Richard the Lion Heart. And swear to fight to the death against our oppressors!"
And with that, the army of the people of England, known as The Merry Men of Sherwood, was truly created.
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Over the next two weeks, Erik and his Merry men made preparations for the real assault on John to start. They found a good grove of strong trees on which they created a system of tree houses. There were five men to a room, two to three rooms in a tree. These rooms were fairly large, but snug. The trees were all connected by bridges and walkways. To get down, rope ladders that could be raised were constructed. In the center of the trees was Erik, Antoinette, Much, and Nadir's (dubbed Nadir Scarlett for his scarlet hood) tree house. This one was the battle office, planning room and more or less a living area. Erik's sleeping room was separate from the rest, as he was a very private man.
Nadir insisted on a sick house being built, which was stationed on the ground. Right next to the sick house was a system of caves that served as both a store house and a shelter for those seeking refuge from the Normans.
In the center the great camp was a huge fire pit that roared on all day. Surrounding it were long logs for sitting on, tables to prepare food upon.
When the camp was finished, Erik thought it was the most wonderful accomplishment he had every seen or taken part of. As a reward to his loyal men, who had already begun to lighten the purses of rich Normans and evil abbots, he let them go to the mayday festival then next day. It was to be masked, so Erik decided to go as well.
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"Christine, are you sure this is a good idea?" Meg asked for the umpteenth time as Christine finished lacing up her plain olive green dress. Eleanor had suggested that the two of them go to the mayday celebration to get out of the castle and be happy for a day.
Christine full heartedly agreed with her. Meg did not.
"Oh come on Meg, the Queen is going with us, along with Jason and Kily. What on earth could happen?"
Meg's brown eyes narrowed, "Only that John could accuse us of conversing with outlaws, if they are there."
The girls bickered with each other, but Christine won by the time the Queen had come to fetch them. Both girls gasped when they saw her.
Though the Queen was over sixty years old, she looked just as beautiful as the ballads proclaimed she was as a youth. Her long auburn hair, which had only a few gray strands in it, hung long and loose down her back. Her face was alight with merriment, effectively disguising the crows feet and laugh lines that marked her face better than make up ever could. Her blue dress perfectly matched her lovely eyes. She seemed at least thirty years younger.
At that moment, both girls thought that Queen Eleanor was the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Well, shall we go?" Even her voice sounded younger!
Christine and Meg followed the Queen out, still too flabergastered to speak.
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The Mayday festival took place on the great plain outside Nottingham Palace. Prince John provided all the food and ale, hoping to gain some popularity amongst the people. Minstrels played as masked folk in simple dresses and tunics gaily twirled to the music. There were so many people there that no one really noticed the three hundred odd men in green tunics.
Upon arriving, Erik scanned the crowds for Christine, knowing he'd recognized her even when masked. Other both sides of him, Much and Antoinette were doing the same for Meg.
Erik saw a flash of russet curls, spinning wildly as their owner danced with a blonde in a red dress. They were actually here! Erik thought that the overprotective mother instincts of the Queen would keep her from allowing the girls from attending the festival. Erik then spotted two guards of Eleanor's keeping a close eye on the girls.
He was about to tell Antoinette where the girls were when he saw the Queen herself. Erik's jaw dropped. Though masked, the Queen was a vision to behold. She was easily the second most beautiful woman at festival.
Christine was the most beautiful.
"Antoinette, Christine and Meg are over there, near Jason and Kily," he said pointing. Antoinette's eyes widened behind her leafy mask, the joy of seeing her daughter make her the beauty she was as a girl. Just like Eleanor.
The trio made their way to the girls in a manner that would not arouse suspicion. Erik would hate it if his men could not properly enjoy themselves all because he had been too hasty. By the time Erik reached Christine, Meg had been whisked into a dance by a grandfatherly old knight. Erik recognized him as one loyal to Richard and he could have sworn he saw the knight wink at him
Christine watched Meg dance with Sir Ector, the knight that had told them the most wonderful stories as children. A tap on her shoulder brought her back to the present and she heard a familiar and beautiful voice say, "Honor me with a dance, M'lady?"
Swiftly turning, Christine found Erik grinning behind her. He wore a different mask and dressed as a woodsman, but he was still her Erik. Christine broke into a grin and attempted to wrap her arms around him. Erik swept her into a dance first.
"Act as if I am just a friendly stranger," Erik whispered in her ear. God, she was so beautiful. In the three weeks they had been apart, Erik had almost forgotten just how beautiful she was. The green mask she wore could not disguise it.
"Erik, it is so wonderful to see you!"
"And me you m'lady."
"Really Erik, there is no need to call me "m'lady"," Christine teased, the eyes behind her mask dancing with amusement. Erik said nothing, but smiled as well.
The two danced gaily, not saying anything. They were too content with just being together to ruin the moment with useless chatter. Not too far from them, Christine spied Meg and Much dancing very closely. Antoinette was keeping a very close eye on them. Christine recognized several of the men Erik had fled with, all dancing with their wives, sweethearts or children. Nadir was actually dancing with the Queen herself. Everything was as it should be, peaceful and happy. To an outsider, it would be near impossible to see the horrible state of things in England. Everyone was far too happy to let that on.
All too soon, the festival came to a close. The men in green tunics all left for the forest and Antoinette hugged and kissed her daughter goodbye. Much took Meg off for a short walk after she was done.
Christine looked at Erik, tears brimming in her eyes. Now was the time to talk, before her courage failed her and what should be said was not.
"Erik," she started off very shakily. "I have been thinking and—"
Erik placed his fingers over Christine's lips. He knew what she was going to say and he could not allow it. He had promised himself that he would not make her live an outlaw life and he intended to keep that promise.
"Hush Christine, we shall see each other soon enough."
Erik could see that she was not satisfied, judging by how her big beautiful eyes filled with tears. "Erik, please promise me you shall not come to the tournament!"
Erik stiffened, becoming a human wall, emotions hidden from Christine. "You just don't understand anything, you silly girl!" he said with a growl. With that, he pushed himself away from her, disappearing into the forest and leaving the woman he loved in tears.
Christine watched him go, letting the tears fall freely. She heard her name being called and saw the Queen with Meg, Jason and Kily waiting for her. She took one last glance at Erik, whispering, "I love you, that's all I wanted to say."