Chapter Twelve (In reality it should be)

A/N: Sorry for the delay. Boss got sick and I had to take over majority of her shifts. So I do not own familiar Robin Hood characters or any Newsie references. I do own Dodger and those that you do not recognize. My friends gave me power over the ones that are based after them… muhahahahaha. Okay, so on with the story.

I descended down the stairs and with each step I could feel the dampness settling in. The coldness reminded me of the nights after rainfall back home. A type of coolness that would seep into your skin and chill you right down to the bone if you were bothered easily. I had often spent many of those type of nights either walking the streets or standing around in my backyard. Neither of my parents paid attention or rather, they checked on me once and then went to bed themselves.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, I found myself in a dim lighted room. Straw was scattered on the floor and I could hear the soft pitter patter of rat's feet scurrying along the walls. Taking a deep breath I moved onwards rather than getting scared and doing a u-turn to head back up. Hanging on the wall was a lit torch and carefully taking the light from the wall, I moved out the doorway of the small room into a hallway. The atmosphere of the hallway slowly created an idea for a story and the setting. But of course, I had forgotten the notebook in the bedroom with the chatterboxes.

"If only you had remembered your trench coat. No coldness and the story could be written down." I muttered to myself, hearing a few mice or rats scurry past me on the floor, heading to the small room. Looking up down the hall, I could see another light bouncing towards me. A little startled to be finding someone down here, I stopped and waited for the person to come to me, ready if there was any trouble.

"Who's there?" I called out.

The light continued towards me but the carrier didn't respond to my question. My grip tightened around the base of the torch and my eyes narrowed a little to concentrate on the possible fight ahead. Seconds passed by and my grip relaxed as the person or rather child came closer. My narrowed eyes turned into smiling ones as a small smile slipped across my lips. The child coming towards me was Wulf.

"Kid, what are you doing here? I thought or rather was told that you and everyone else were coming in tomorrow."

"My Pa said I could come a day early since I was getting under everyone's feet at the camp. I always look forward to Will's birthday celebrations. They are so much fun. This year I even get to stay up later than usual."

His face was a giant beam of happiness at the idea of staying up with the adults. I also saw a sparkle in Wulf's eye when he spoke of Will. This kid looked like he admired Will more than anyone else in the world. The child innocence and hope in his eyes reminded me of Les and how he looked up to Jack and Specs a lot, that is from what I could tell from a distance.

"M'lady…"

"Call me Dodger kid. Hearing myself being called a m'lady is strange."

I caught a small chuckle from Wulf as he pushed strands of hair from his eyes.

"Okay Dodger."

The look on his face was priceless. Saying Dodger gave him the look as though he was trying to speak a foreign language. I gave a small smile and figured out that he must not be used to calling women by their names.

"What would you like Wulf?"

"Oh, right. I was wondering why you were down here? Normally the only ones who use this passage way are Robin, the servants, Will or myself when I'm visiting the castle."

"After a torture session with Jade and Marian, I decided to check out the place. You know, get a feel for my surroundings. Do you think you can keep a secret?" Wulf nodded, his eyes sparkling even more at being entrusted with the secret. I leaned a little closer to him as though I were going to whisper to him so that even the walls and rats couldn't hear.

"Of course I can."

"Well, at least for today and early tomorrow when everyone else arrives. They will all find out from Marian sooner or later, but I plan on hiding out in my room until then."

Watching the eagerness in Wulf's face, I felt that I could tell him everything about the birthday bit and not have to worry about him making a fuss.

"First, where does this corridor lead to?"

"The stables."

"I want to explore the grounds. How about you come with me and I'll explain as much of the secret to you that I can before everyone else finds out."

The glow from the torches on Wulf's face couldn't match the glow in his eyes as he about turned and walked with me down the corridor to the stables. As we walked, I told Wulf of being forced to wear a dress for the celebration coming up in the next couple of days.

"But why don't you want to dress up? It's a special occasion for Will and everyone, even us children dress up."

"Well, an odd coincidence is that the date just so happens to be my birthday as well. They're planning a joint celebration. Besides, I've never been one for putting on airs and dressing up to the nines. I like my clothing and would much rather wear this. Plus, when you're trying to fight someone, having billowing material around your ankles doesn't help."

"You're birthday! That's a grand event. How old are you going to be?"

"19."

I watched a sly look creep across his face just as I had seen on the others when they heard my age.

"You're not betrothed to someone are you?" I rolled my eyes.

"No I'm not and don't go and try to get Will and me together. Jade and those other two clothing maniacs are already trying to plan that by getting me all dressed up. Now, let's go check out the horses. The most look I got was a little time rubbing Stinger down after our trip. Are there any carrots in the stables that we could feed them with?"

"No, but we could make a quick stop at a stall."

Wulf started running down the hall and not wanting to get lost, I started chasing after him. I could hear the boy laughing but it soon became quiet, all except for my footsteps on the cobble stone. Ahead of me, I saw that the end of the hall had a doorway which was wide open. Sunlight touched the entry stones gracefully and lit up more of the space as I neared. Getting to the door and after pushing it open a little wider, I couldn't see Wulf anywhere. Nickering of the horses mixed with the light sounds of the people outside. I stepped in a little farther.

"Wulf?"

"Boo!"

Jumping in my spot, I did a spin kick only to find that there was no one or anything for it to connect with. Once both my feet were firmly on the ground, I saw Wulf sitting behind me. His eyes showed a hint of fear but also exhilaration.

"Kid, you are lucky I didn't hit you."

I reached out my hand and with his in mine; I hoisted him up to his feet. He dusted the dirt away from his pants and looked to me.

"When I saw you jump, I got this odd feeling that I should get down quick. I guess with watching you fight against both Will and Marian, I knew better than to stay in place for any possible hits."

I smiled at the kid. He was reminding me more and more of Les each day. He was also a quick learner which was good else he'd likely have been put out flat on his back.

"Not many people have been able to duck that kick…shows that you have good eyesight. But enough of that… lets go find those stalls. These horses look hungry for a good snack."

In response, Stinger and Fire both whinnied causing the young boy and I to laugh. He led the way out of the stable, leading me to the stall. The carrots looked better than any I had ever seen before. The color was rich as was the size of them.

"Perfect."

I automatically reached for my back pocket but remembered that my wallet wouldn't be back there. That it hadn't even come with me to the past. Putting my hands on my hips trying to figure out what to do, I felt something hard against my palm. Sure enough as I checked, there was a small pouch sewn into the pants that had a few coins inside. Smiling to the merchant, I handed them over and also bought an apple for Wulf's horse.

Back at the stables, we fed our horses and soon just stood around talking about the horses and his life at the camp. He told me about the fights that had happened, even told me about when he had been caught by the Sheriff of Nottingham. I feigned surprise at the certain events said. Having seen the movie I knew all of them already. A meal time must have arrived for both of our stomachs started to growl, causing the horses to whinny.

"Do you know the way to the kitchen?"

"Yes… why?"

"I don't feel like facing Marian or the others right now."

Thankfully Wulf didn't ask any questions, but seemed to give a knowing smile. He about turned and led me back to the entrance we had come out of.

"Just take this hall and you'll see another hallway to your right. Take that and go on straight. It will take you straight to the kitchen. I need to get my things to my room so I'll leave you to your venture. What do you want me to say if I see the others?"

"Just say you never saw me."

We shared a laughed and we headed our separate ways, him down the hall he had originally came and up the stairs I had come down. I went down the hall after closing the door to find the passageway. It seemed a little odd that I hadn't seen it before, but I had been running after and concentrating solely on Wulf. I turned into the passageway to find this one was shorter than the last. I could already see a doorway ahead of me with light filtering out through the bottom crack. Arriving at the door, I pushed the wood open to be welcomed by the fresh scents in the air.

I heard the clanking of the pots and made my way in deeper to see several people at work behind the fires and boiling pots which really looked like cauldrons. None of the times that I stopped by Medda's restaurant or when I worked at the chalet in Aspen, did I ever see the going on inside the kitchen. I only saw the aftermath of the mess.

"Move or be burned."

I stepped back and against the door to have a tall person rush by me with a pot of water.

"Need any help?"

"Stick more wood on the spit. The king wants roasted pig for the midday meal and if that fire goes out, it'll be my head."

I grabbed a couple of logs from the wood pile and put them down in the spit, the fire crackling up, flames licking the sweating skin of the pig rotating on the spear. I stepped back as the man added a few more ingredients to the water before resting back. He wiped his hands off on the already grungy apron and looked to me.

"David's the name and who might you be?"

"The name's Dodger."

"Ah, so I finally meet the alleged Dodger. Word has spread through the castle of your being. I must say, I was shocked to hear that you were a woman."

With the introductions done, David led me to some overturned crates and offered me some fresh baked bread.

"Yes well, I've shocked a lot of people since I arrived. It has been either with my attitude, looks or with my fighting ability."

"Ah, the famous 'right punch'. We heard about that when Master Will came down for breakfast this morning. Proof was shown with the blackness around his eye. How did you give it to him?"

"Well he believed that I had been silenced with the kiss he gave me and well, he guessed wrong." David smiled.

"A woman who speaks her mind with her fist. I would say that is highly uncommon, but when Lady Maria, Maids Jade, Leighanne and Sarah are in the castle, then one has to beware and aware."

A faint ringing could be heard throughout the kitchen and David jumped up from his crate causing it to topple over onto the floor. Bending down he set it back in its place.

"I had better get everything ready and you had best head to the dining hall."

"Would you mind if I stayed here for now? I'd like to eat alone."

"I must warn you then. Master Will should be showing up soon. The only meal he doesn't eat in here is supper. Both the morning and midday meals are spent with us since it is much faster for him."

"Thanks. I'll just grab another piece of bread and be on my way. I'll come back after the meal is finished. Save a little something for me please."

The man nodded and went back about his cooking tasks as I grabbed a piece of bread and slipped back out the door. At the intersection, I turned back towards the stables, figuring that no one would be around and I'd be able to spend some more time with the horses. I wanted to give Stinger a brush down and an extra carrot that I had left behind as a treat. Hopefully by the time I finished there, the meal should be over and I'd be able to get some leftovers. Arriving at the stable door, I started to open it when I heard a familiar voice speak.

"So Dodger has been here?"

"Yes m'lord. She came with young Wulf and stayed awhile with the horses. I've never seen Stinger and Fire go to a stranger as quickly as they have to her."

"Do you know which way they went?"

"I saw young Wulf head into the castle by way of the gate, but the miss I do not know. I think she may have ventured out into the market."

"Thank you Matthew. You've been very helpful."

"You're welcome Master Will."

I heard the jingles of some coin and listened for footsteps in case they were to come towards the door. They never came. As I was about to push the door open more, the wood opened completely. Unfortunately for me I had been to be half leaning against and fell forward, landing in the dirt.

"Are you alright?"

I spat out the dirt that had gotten into my mouth and looked up to he person. There before me was Will, the person that I had been trying to avoid all morning.

"Just the person I was looking for."

I brushed the dirt off of my clothing, wishing that those were not the words that had come out of his mouth.

"Why were you looking for me?"

"Well after last night, I wasn't sure about how you felt. I looked for you in your room and in the dining hall, but you weren't in either of the places."

"Obviously."

He gave me a scowl for being a smart-aleck and I just grinned back at him before moving to Stinger, running my hand over her coat. Behind me I could hear him muttering something about a pain in the you know where.

"Hey girl..."

I stroked the mares back and with my other hand, massaged her ear. The horse gave a soft whinny and I knew that I had found her favorite spot to be rubbed. As I made circular motions on Stinger's ear, I hadn't realized that Will had stopped muttering until I felt his hands wrap around my waist. I controlled everything in my power not to twist and try to punch.

'He's not trying to hurt you.' I said to myself. 'Just relax. You already hit him once.'

Usually I find that my waist was a sensitive spot and avoided having anyone put their hands there. I bit my bottom lip, staring straight at the horse's side as his arms encircled around my waist even more until he had a firm lock. My breathing got a little bit faster as I felt my instinct muscles tighten up, wanting to fight back. What Will did next though, took me by surprise. He hoisted me up into the air and put me on Stinger's bare back. I grabbed onto her mane and gulped as I looked down at Will to see a small, mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"I was thinking that maybe you'd want more of a tour of the market place. You fell asleep during most of the trip through and likely didn't have much of one earlier with Wulf. I'll put the leading rope on Stinger and show you around. The view up on her back will be better than down here on the ground."

With that said Will went and took a rope, attaching it to Stinger's head gear. My mind started to whiz about with the thought of being on the horse and having absolutely no control. The feeling was familiar, reminding me of the days I was forced to have someone lead my horse around the riding ring. I didn't want that feeling again so I pulled my leg from Stinger's side and hopped down from the horse before Will could lead her out of the stables. A disappointed look graced Will's face and oddly enough I felt a pang of guilt.

"This has nothing to do with you. I just don't like having no control over situations I'm in. When I was younger, I was forced to do things and be paraded around like a prized animal. I swore to myself that I wouldn't let that happen again."

Will's scowl of disappointment softened a little but I still felt uneasy and had this need to write. I started to move for the door but turned around quickly and leaned up to Will on my tip toes. Whispering I said,

"There's the little light into my dark room, past the slightly opened door that you've been looking for."

I smiled against his cheek and turned about, heading back down the way I had originally came.

Disclaimer Note:

I know, I know. Update sooner. Sorry, but the block came then got busy with a lot of other things. But here is the chapter and I'll try to get the next one up soon too. Here's a shout out of thanks to those who have stuck by.

Darkpetal02, JnrCplScarlett, MORWEN12, Kendra, boogabooga(who has stuck by from the beginning), xoxdarkrebelxox, LoneGunGirl88, sugerplumfairy, catnap713, HiddenTiger13, Lily, Alison, JikoHitasura, galadvende, Robyn, Ruby, Sherwood Girl, Maxride, lulu bell, byrdgirl.

Thanks to all of them and to future readers. Remember, I do not own any of the Robin Hood characters, Newsie characters. I do own those you don't recognize.