Chapter Thirteen
As I awoke, I could feel the rays of sunlight beating down on my face from the window. Pushing myself up onto my elbows I looked about and then remembered what day it was… my birthday and the day of the damn party. Kicking the covers aside, I climbed out of the bed and made my way over to the water bowl, washing away the sleep in my eyes. The last day caused the bags I knew would be under my eyes since the stress of avoiding the women, Will and everyone else really took its toll.
I crossed over to the bed and sat down again by the pillow, pulling my writing book out from. I scanned the last few pages and remembered all the little visits I had from those who actually did dare to come to my room and seek me out. My first visitor had been Robin as soon as he and the others had arrived. I had watched from my window as they came up into the courtyard and could hear everyone saying hello as he came down the hall. Apparently Marian had told him that my birth date fell on the same day as Will's. First he wished me an early birthday and then requested a dance with me after the dinner. I gave him a mumbled answer and luckily at that point Wulf came to my room to find out where I was hiding. In his arms was his younger brother and trailing behind him were his siblings.
It seemed that Marian had told everyone she could that my own birthday was coming up but also that I was hiding out in my room because Fanny had sent Wulf with the kids to my room to keep them out of the parents hair. I hadn't minded that really for then it gave me a reason to stay inside my room. For the afternoon the kids, Wulf and I played different games, stacking blocks and hide and seek… though that didn't work out well since the room wasn't that big enough.
Supper came around quick enough and Fanny along with John came to pick up all the children and myself for the meal. I declined and asked them if they would ask someone to bring food up to my room. At first Elizabeth pleaded with me to come and join them, but I told the little one that I was feeling a little under the weather and that another time I would join her. Ten minutes later a servant arrived with some food for me and it surprised at how famished I was. I ate everything quickly and sat on my bed writing in my journal until Wulf came back up.
We sat talking about his life at the camp and how things had gotten different once Nottingham was overthrown and Robin took up his rightful duty of the land. He recapped Robin and Marian's wedding for me, remembering more detail than I thought possible since the even was just over a year. After an hour or so, a servant come to my quarters and told Wulf that John wanted him in bed since today would be 'big' festivities. We said our goodbyes and parted.
Taking my notebook, I hid the papers up on the dresser so that no one would think to look up there. There was one thing as I got ready for 'hell on earth' as I had always described my birthday and that was the dream I had the night before. From what I could remember there was a battle happening. It looked like it was within a forest but there wasn't any sound to it. I remembered watching colors of blue and red flash before my eyes and I did see someone fall but before I could really see who it was, I woke.
Pulling my shoes on, I heard someone walking down the hallway and cracked it open to see a servant carrying a hot tray.
"Excuse me, but what time is it?"
"Ah, Lady Dodger… it is but dinner time. You slept the morning away. Here is your lunch that I'm sure you are quite hungry for." I smiled a little and took the tray from her, watching her flounce back down the hall. Moving back into my room, I grabbed the bread rolls and fruit and slipped down the opposite direction towards the stables. Lucky for me there was no one around and so my passage was made easier. I could hear Stinger whinny as I moved towards the stall and smiled, holding out the piece of fruit.
"Sorry I wasn't here this morning… I slept in later than I thought." I patted Stinger's nose and grabbed a brush, running the bristles through the fine coat and gave the horse another piece of fruit before making way to the kitchen. Smells emitted from the doorway as I neared and they reminded me of how hungry I was.
Pushing the door open I stepped into a frenzy of activity, even worse than the day I arrived. I bit into the bread roll and found David working over one of the cauldrons. I wound my way through the other kitchen staff and finally stopped before him.
"Hey there… man that smells good." David looked up, a little surprised to see me.
"Why good morning, or should we say afternoon. Happy…" I covered his mouth with my free hand, shaking my head.
"No mention of this day okay? Its bad enough I have to go through all of this when I don't want to. And before you ask why, it's too long of a story to tell. Now… tell me what are we having for supper that smells so good?" I leaned forward to take a peak but was stopped by David's laughter and hand on my shoulder.
"Since you won't explain, neither shall I. You'll just have to wait till tonight to taste the meal for yourself." I pouted and laughed, grabbing a few more pieces of bread before heading back up to my room. The main hall was out of the question since I did not want to deal with everyone sooner than later. Entering my room, I could still smell my lunch as it cooled off to the side. Wandering over, I saw that there were pieces of pork and another piece of bread under the cloth napkin… from what I was assuming was a napkin. I carried the tray to the bed and sat, picking at the meat, finding that everything fell off the bone quite easily.
Even the bread that was hidden tasted good without any butter or margarine. It was warm and smooth and getting an idea, I made up a sandwich with the leftovers, finishing up everything on the plate, licking my lips full from the small meal.
"Ah Dodger, you are awake." Looking up, I saw that Marian stood at the doorway, everything about her looking warm and inviting. "I came by earlier to talk and you were fast asleep. Now that you're awake, I was wondering if we could talk." I shrugged and nodded, clearing a spot for her on the bed, moving the tray over to the table by the bed. Marian moved over, her skirts swishing across the floor as she gracefully sat down. In my mind, I thought of how my mother would really love this woman to be her daughter… but then I remembered how she was a little prone to fight and smiled a little.
"What did you want to talk about?" She took one of the pillows from the neatly made bed and started playing with the edge.
"About the party," I cringed. "Why exactly do you not want to participate? The music, the food, the conversation with fellow guests can be quite enjoyable."
"I've had bad experiences involving my birthday my whole life…being forced to do and wear things that were not my choice." I watched as Marian cringed and the last few words that dripped with a little hate.
"But everyone goes through that, that shouldn't mean you should give up and not have fun." I stopped myself from rolling my eyes and stood up, walking over to the armoire and leaned against it.
"But 19 years of having no choice in anything? No… everyone does not go through that. They usually are able to choose what clothing they want to wear. Besides, the only way I have usually had fun on my birthday was doing things with my friends that were of my choice." I paused for a few minutes. "I'll tell you now though; I will be apt to stick to a corner the entire night. Dancing is not my thing since I never learned to." I fibbed, having taken years of it thanks to Kitten.
A look of exasperation came over Marian's face and soon an uncomfortable silence filled the room. I stood across from her, waiting for either her to leave or say something. When neither happened, I spoke. "Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about? I was going to rest before…um, later." A spark of life hit Marian's face and eyes.
"Oh yes, I also came here to talk about the arrangements of the party. Dinner will be at half past the hour of seven where we will eat and then dance. Since me, my cousins and also some of the ladies from camp need to get ready, we were wondering if you would join us in the baths. In an adjoining room will be our dresses and where we get our hair fixed. The gardener has supplied flowers for everyone that suits the dress. We could help you with yours since you have protested before."
I looked at Marian, not sure of what to do. Meeting up with her and the others would mean that I would definitely have to go. There would be no hiding out within this room, no barring the door from others to keep them from dragging me to the torture I felt all this was. I looked to the door and sized the wood up. I fully knew that if I barred chairs against the panels, then they wouldn't be able to get in. I turned my attention back to Marian and saw the pleading look within her eyes.
"Oh alright, I will. Where is this place you were talking about?" A large smile flew across her face.
"The room is down in the East hall. I'll send a servant to come and show you the way. I heard from Leighanne how you got a little lost." I gave a small smile at the memory and watched as Marian stood and went for the door, the pillow neatly in place. The wood creaked open and she paused looking to me. "Do try and have some fun tonight. You may surprise yourself." With those words said, she disappeared into the hall taking the door with her. Pushing myself away from the armoire, I went over to the door and opened it a crack to see if there was anyone about. Luckily enough there was no one around. I closed the door completely and turned the lock. I could feel an oncoming headache and knew that it was a good thing I told Marian I was planning on resting.
Taking few steps over to the bed, I lowered my body down to the softness and welcomed the oncoming sleep. Resting my head in my hands, I looked towards the desk and soon felt my eyelids drift close. While I did love the rest that came, the dream on the other hand wasn't welcomed. It was very similar to the one I had that night only this time I could hear the sounds: swords clanging against one another, the whiz of arrows flying about the air and then thuds of them connecting with their target. I could also smell smoke and it filled my nose as though I was really there.
I watched as everything was exactly the same in the dream, even the blurred colors red and blue. I saw someone get hit this time and I wanted to move closer to see who the form was but I couldn't stay asleep any longer since someone was shaking me awake. Opening my eyes, I saw Will standing over me with a worried look across those chocolate brown eyes of his. I stared for a few seconds, getting lost in the dark depths but then it clicked that it was Will… in my room… after I had locked the giant door. Bolting up in the bed, I didn't get too far with my head colliding with his.
"Ouch!" I fell back on the sheets and started rubbing the injured area. Will also fell back onto the bed except he was down at the opposite end. Moving up onto my elbows I looked to him, watching as he rubbed the spot where we collided.
"Why were you shaking me?"
"I could hear you screaming from down the hall since I was coming back to my room. I came to see what was wrong… good thing I picked the lock. Is everything alright?" I nodded my slightly throbbing head and sat up more crossing my legs.
"Just had a nightmare, sorry to have scared you. What time is it anyways?" To answer my question, the courtyard bell started tolling, ringing off five chimes.
"I guess that answered your question. Why were you wondering?" Sliding my legs over the edge, I tested my feet on the floor, making sure that had my balance. I fingered my hair, pushing it behind my ear before I eased myself onto my feet to find there was no damage done.
"I'm supposed to meet up with the other ladies a few hours before…"Just as I finished a servant walked into the room.
"Lady Marian wishes for you to join her now M'lady." Curtsying to Will the servant about turned and started down the hall. Knowing full well that I would likely get lost if I didn't move, I gave him a small wave goodbye and made a dash out of the room and kept the servant in sight.
Following the servant down to the East Hall, I soon recognized some of the pictures and nearly bumped into the servant as she stood still by a door. I could hear laughter coming from inside the room and the servant nodded her head. Grasping the handle firmly, I pushed the wood and eased the door open. A blast of steam hit me directly in the face and I waved it aside to get a clearer view of the room. There were four large washtubs filled to the brims with bubbles. I could catch glimpses of some heads topped with long hair.
Marian, Jade, Leighanne and Sarah were all soaking and looked to be having a rather good time. Along the walls were screens which I guessed were turned away so that they could talk amongst one another. Large towels rested on small tables beside each tub, waiting to be wrapped around the bodies to help keep warm. I stood there watching and didn't realize that I was being stared at until a laugh came.
"Dodger… glad you could make it." Jade called out. "Your outfit and everything is in the adjoining room with all of ours. There has been a bath set up for you behind that screen. Climb in and then use the pole to move it aside and we can all talk about tonight." I looked at the women and gave a weak nod and headed over behind the screen. The bath was filled with bubbles and I could see the steam rise up into the air. On the side table was a large towel that looked as though once wrapped, I'd look like a giant pastry.
I removed my shirt and everything and pulling my hair back with a piece of thread placed beside the towel, I eased myself into the delicious water. The water was hot, but not enough to be scalding and uncomfortable. Settling back against the wall of the tub, I eyed the pole and decided to keep the divider up between them and myself. The complete relaxation feeling ran through my whole body as I closed my eyes, letting the water sooth away any worries and stress that I had. The one worry that I had had been the whether or not someone would wish me a happy birthday and so far all those that I had seen hadn't. Taking the washcloth that hung over the side of the tub, I rubbed down my arms and legs and realized that no one that I had met in the future Sherwood, except for my Aunt Medda, knew that my birthday was coming up.
"I'll have to tell Pebbles, Elf and Mike when I get back." I mumbled to myself as I washed.
"Dodger…will you be joining us?" I snapped out of the small trance.
"Uh, no… I'm just going to wash up and change. That way you won't have to wait for me." I heard some murmurs on the other side of the screen, but rather than staying there any longer in the lukewarm water, I finished scrubbing and quickly got out. I wrapped the towel about my body and found that I had to wind the material about twice before I could secure it. Grabbing my clothes, I made my way to the adjoining room, which luckily had been behind my screen so that I wouldn't have to pass by the others.
Inside the room, all of the dresses were laid out on chairs with dressing screens nearby. I made my way over to mine and setting my clothes down on a small table, I quickly dried off, put my under things on and struggled to get the dress on. As I tried, I could hear the others pad their ways into the room and soon more laughter came and my mind drifted back to high school in Aspen with the popular girls in gym class.
Rather than slipping into that memory, I focused on getting the dress on. In ways the material fitted my body better than it had when we had originally found the dress. 'They likely had it altered.' I mumbled softly trying to do up the strings in the back. Unfortunately the material and my arms wouldn't allow that to happen.
"Dodger, would you please hurry. We'd like to do your hair first since ours takes longer." Holding the edges together, I peaked my head around the corner to see Sarah and Leighanne was already working on their own hair and Jade and Marian were patiently waiting for me.
"I would…except I can't get the dress done up…" I mumbled and soon had Jade rushing to me, turning me swiftly towards the wall and grabbed the strings. Before I could even object, she yanked hard on them, pulling the material around my chest in and my own chest up to show cleavage that I never thought I'd see- at least not like this.
"There…now come on." She grabbed my hand and brought me around, sitting me down in a chair in front of Marian. Grunting, I felt the brush run through my hair and closed my eyes to stop from witnessing the murder on my hair. After about 25mins the pulling and prodding stopped along with movements on my face. Someone had put something on my cheeks and lips and the stuff tasted a little like jelly.
"Is it safe to look?" No one answered me and I took that as a yes. Slowly, I opened one eye and then another to see Leighanne and Sarah all dressed in front of me and the other two working on their own hair. "Alright… where is a mirror. I want to see what you guys did to me." Standing as fast as I could, I made my way over to the closest mirror and saw someone other than myself. I look like I had some pollen rubbed on my cheeks to high lighten them. My lips had a red shine to them and looked like a jelly. My hair looked like a pile of swirls and curls and a few strands came down around my face almost framing the shape. "Are we sure this is me?"
The girls laughed and turned, going about their own business. Some were finishing up their own hair while others were dabbing the same stuff that was on my face onto their own. My hand went up to my throat and everything felt very bare. Biting my lip, I looked around and noticed a piece of red ribbon that nearly matched the dress color. Swishing over to it, I picked it up and tied the smooth piece around my neck in a choker type of manner. 'Closest thing to a shirt collar.' I thought to myself as the girls finished up.
One by one the girls finished and soon all of us headed out towards the main hall. Marian led the way with her cousins and Sarah behind and me bringing up the rear. With each step I dreaded going inside the room and seeing everyone and having them see me. I felt as though I was walking to my execution. The door loomed ahead of us and several guards grabbed the handles and pulled the wood open. The insides were completely changed from what I had first seen. Banners and tapestries hung about everywhere in red and blue. Tables lined the walls with plates and goblets shining among the candle light. People stood about the tables and chairs. Some sat with children on their knees.
As I passed a tapestry behind the others, I caught sight that the red material matched my own. I looked up to see a small smile on Marian's face as she had turned around with the others, almost blocking my path. I halted and gave them a weird look. Before I could say anything though, a voice piped up behind me.
"Well look who showed up." I knew the voice was Will's and turning around I caught sight of the shock not only in his face, but also in Robin's who stood beside him. Their eyes moved from my head to my toe and my insides felt as though I were being sized for auction. Robin was dressed in a black vest and black pants with a slightly pale blue colored shirt that resembled Marian's. Will's clothing on the other hand stole my breath away and not in a good way. His vest and pants matched his half brothers, but his shirt's color matched mine in a deep red tone.
I stayed still like a deer in the woods and watched as his chocolate eyes surveyed every part of me and had yet to meet my green ones. An uneasy feeling set in my stomach and soon came over me fully. 'I have to get out of here.' I thought. The dress I was in, the stuff on my face and even the way my hair was done up… none of the items were me; they were my mom, the prep girls at home and even Marian. Grabbing the material in my hands, I lifted up the hems enough to make a quick exit. I pushed my way between Robin and Will and at first Robin grabbed for my arm, but my friends didn't call me Dodger for nothing.
Sidestepping his grasp very easily, I made my way out of the room and down the hall. The only place I wanted to be was inside my room and I nearly made it except for an arm wrapped its way around my waist.
"Let me go!" I struggled and moved my elbow enough to try and get to the person's stomach. They didn't say a word until I connected bone with soft tissue. The grasp they held loosened and then released and I quickly moved out of any other possible arms. I didn't however move without stepping down hard on the person's foot. Moving fully out of the way, I turned and saw that my assailant happened to be Will. "Will… just leave me alone. I don't belong in there. I don't belong in this dress." I threw down the material I still had grasped in my hand to the floor to make my statement.
"Yes you do. It's your birthday today too. By the way, happy…"
"Don't you dare finish that statement or else I will hurt you far worse. And besides, what's your point? I told everyone that I didn't want to partake in this whole party thing. This is not the most important thing on my 'To do list'. My birthday is not something I care to celebrate." Will glared at me as he rubbed his midsection.
"What are you going to do? Retreat into your room?"
"Yes" was the only answer I gave him. I could feel the tension rise up inside and could almost predict a fight coming on. A dress was not something that would make it easy for one.
"Listen… Richard, Robin and all the others will be disappointed if you don't show up to your own party. At least come back for a few hours and have some food. After that, you can go back to your room if you're not enjoying yourself." My cheeks warmed still from the tension and I watched him closely. I could still see his eyes taking in the whole appearance and watched as his lips and eyes perked slightly at the sight of cleavage. I heard a small grumble inside me and knew that my stomach was aching for some food.
"Alright… I'll come but only because of the food and only for a few hours." Will held out his arm as the smile grew on his face and his eyes finally decided to look to my face rather than my chest. I ignored the arm and pressed past him, hearing a soft wounded like sound. I stopped and waited. "Are you coming or not?" His footsteps echoed in the hall and as soon as he stood beside me, I slipped my arm through his and let him lead me away to my doom… or rather to the party.
A/N: Well… there it is. The long awaited chapter 13. I apologize profusely to those of you who have waited for this next installment. Writers block decided to do a heavy duty on me this time and even though I have the complete story written out in a book, transferring it to the computer is a completely different story. I always want to add more stuff to it. Anyways, the disclaimer time. If you do not recognize the characters such as Jade, Leighanne and Dodger… they are my own. Others belong to either Robin Hood Prince of Thieves or the Newsies. Hopefully now that work is eased up a little and all I have to worry about is moving down to the states for school, the next chapter will be up sooner rather than a lot of months down the line. Thank you again for patience. And please review… and please tell friends to review. Thanks