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A/N: Hee-hee. Authoress confessions. Um --- I made up Nan. *simpers* and I got the kiss your own ass idea/concept from Braveheart. I forget what Wallace's line was, though. (It was the only scene of the movie I ever saw. Figured I'd use the idea, since some *psychos* think William Wallace and Robin Hood were the same person)??? One against the English, one for them.
And why did I update on time? Well, I've been high off of my new Matchbox 20 CD, which I LOVE, and I just started to like this new anime, Rurouni Kenshin. So cool. (Yes, I have weird taste) Actually, I think it's old, but for me it's new. Also, my finals are over! Bahahahaha! I win!
And, yeah, I haven't really thought of a reason WHY my sheriff can read, but he can. I decided he could, because I was reading this article about creating a strong antagonist, and well, most of my villains were like 4 out of 20. *sigh* So I gave my sheriff a skill that my protagonist doesn't have. But then again, Will and Marian can read, so ---- *loud bang as head slams into fake oak table* I give up.
Anyways, I know everybody likes my little interludes, so that made me happy. 'Cuz I have three more prepared, and I was afraid that everybody would hate them when I first thought up the idea.
But now, here's a skip away form Marian, who's sleeping restlessly at Whitby. And we join our outlaws ----
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The moon glowed as a beacon against the sharp contrast of ebony night. Torches lining the outer walls of Nottingham Castle offered their own feeble attempts at mimicking such brightness, but their fiery shine was a rather fruitless go at it. Two silhouettes cast themselves against the trees, unnoticed by the guards. The casters of these shadows, David and Nan, crept silently past the guards and rounded the corner of Nottingham Castle. "There are the grates," David whispered, pointing to a low row of identical barred windows. They were each of them half-embedded in damp dirt.
Both outlaws began at opposite ends and peered into each and every cell, through the barred windows. Neither found Marian's father. Yet, Nan did find Robin.
He lay motionless on the ground. "Rob!" Nan hissed. He did not move. 'Rob! Robin! Robin!" Nan leaned back on her heels. "It is hopeless. Sentinels are coming in a few minutes."
David grabbed a rock and sent it flying into Robin's forehead. Robin yelped, jumped to his knees, and peered wildly round. One of the guards from above flung open the door above. "I told you to keep quiet, or we'll beat you again!" he roared, sounding quite drunk. Robin nodded with frantic obedience, hands by his sides. Satisfied that the wolf's -head would obey, and too drunk to punish Robin, the guard slammed the door shut with his booted foot once more, leaving Robin in darkness again. As soon as the black surrounded him, Robin's gaze flew instinctively to the window, and he saw them. They grinned kindly at him, but both had grim lines in their expressions. They motioned for him to come over. Robin managed to limp over to the window before collapsing to his knees. After a few moments he stood up again and planted a foot into one of the holes between stones. He just barely reached the window. He faltered, hands clutching the window bars for support.
"Hello, then," he whispered, resting his cheek against the base of the tiny window. His face looked awful. Nan reached a hand through the bars and stroked it. He pushed her away. "Stop, Nan," he commanded, weary, but still agitated. She obeyed, but there were tears in her eyes. Robin turned to David, voice hoarse from screaming. "She being sensitive 'bout it, then?" he asked.
David grinned. 'Isn't she always?" he replied. Robin's smile came back. "Is everyone all right?" he asked, bringing his head up, "None of you are ill?"
Nan grinned. "Nay, Robin, we are all perfect," she replied. He smiled. "That is good." He slumped downward, and his grip on the bar lessened, as if some deep satisfaction had come over him and he was prepared to die.
They all remained there for a few moments - perfect communion. David stared at Robin's hands. "I thought they'd bound your hands," he murmured. Robin shrugged, eyes closed peacefully. "One of the guards unbound them," he murmured, "so he could break my wrist." Nan winced. "It didn't really hurt, though. I wasn't completely conscious." He watched Nan warily, in case she showed any signs of the hated sympathy. When she did not show any promising signs of compassion, he looked up at them again.
"Do the peasants still believe in you?" he pried. Nan nodded. "They will never lose their faith in US," she replied angrily, glowering at him. "See, most outlaws are hung because someone catches them out of their own stupidity. You fell to a traitor. They do not abandon you for that type of stupidity."
Robin's hand had nearly let go. "Thank you for coming," he whispered. His voice was strained and hoarse. "Tell Will he can be leader now, if you all agree. John does not want to be leader, so I won't ask him to be, even though he would be quite good at it. Looming above possible outlaws makes a nice impression." He smiled slightly. "And someone needs to teach Lucy to shoot straightly. She holds the bow incorrectly. Stutely needs to fletch. He has been shirking his duty, to no one's surprise. And --"
"Be quiet," David snapped moodily. "We will take care of everyone, understood? But there will be no new leader. We are going to rescue you, Robin."
"You cannot! The sheriff will kill you! He has guards everywhere!" Robin cried. This outburst sent him into a mad fit of coughing that could easily be heard above him. The group waited tensely, hoping the guard would not be irked enough by this intrusion to poke his fat head into the rancid hole. When he did not appear, David went back to lecturing.
"We are going to try, whether you approve or not." Robin hacked again. "Will is temporary leader," David continued, "and he agrees. Just try to stay alive - we don't know how long the sheriff is going to keep you in here. And - well, we cannot come again. The sheriff must suspect nothing. He must believe we have given up."
"Which you should!"
"Aye, but you should have turned yourself in when you were outlawed," David rebuked, "and you did not." "Two wrongs do not make a right," Robin snapped in return. His foot was slipping from the hold.
Nan grinned rakishly. "Then I shall have to make it three."
"Damn you all to bloody hell."
David and Nan rolled their eyes in unison. "Quite sure you have that power," David said sarcastically. There was a loud banging. "That would be the guards outside awakening. The ale was supposed to keep them out for at least three hours."
Suddenly, Robin heard loud yelling from above. "Damn it, he is talking to someone! I know it is those outlaws!" the sheriff roared. "Go outside and CATCH THEM!"
Robin turned quickly to Nan and David. "Run!" he whispered. They both knew better than to argue. Both took to their heels. Robin began a long, loud series of bird calls that blotted out the sound of their footfalls and completely freaked out the guards, since they didn't exactly sound like "bird" calls. He smiled as they froze and stared frantically round them, not daring to move.
The sheriff was behind him before he could react. WHAM! Robin lost vision for a moment and fell to the earth. "Who were you talking to?" the sheriff snapped. Robin forced his own eyes open. "I can't seem to remember," he replied sarcastically, head spinning, "That last blow jarred my memory." The sheriff caught the sneer at end, unfortunately.
The back of Robin's head exploded with intense pain. He groaned loudly, clutching it, and swore. The sheriff spun him round. "I will not repeat the question," he barked. Robin grinned. "You imbecile! They are long gone by now! Go ahead - try and find them! Do you truly think anyone prefers your company to theirs?"
The sheriff slammed him into a wall. "I would beat your scrawny body into a bloody pulp right now, but I have promised that particular pleasure to the next watch." He stormed out of the dungeon, screaming for someone to catch those outlaws. Robin grinned to himself in the approaching darkness. But then his lip slit open and he ceased to smile.
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A/N: Yes, Robin hates me. Too bad. I am the omnipotent author, and he is my pawn. *Robin swears, since I always lose at chess* And it's only the first day. Bahaha. But only two days left, to be optimistic.
And, in case you were wondering, Nan and David ran to hide in an ally's house in Nottingham. That's how they got away. And, yea, I know that Nottingham Castle was on a hill, so it would've taken a while. Hence, Robin's birdcalls. Medieval people were superstitious. So scary noises would make them pause in order to be assured that it wasn't some "mystical vengeful spirit".
And Marian's father is coming! Soon. Oh, yes, VERY, VERY, VERILY soon. So, my eternal gods of reviewerdom, I leave this sacrifice of literature upon your altars! Please respond nicely to my sacrificial lamb/goat/dove thing!
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
A/N: Hee-hee. Authoress confessions. Um --- I made up Nan. *simpers* and I got the kiss your own ass idea/concept from Braveheart. I forget what Wallace's line was, though. (It was the only scene of the movie I ever saw. Figured I'd use the idea, since some *psychos* think William Wallace and Robin Hood were the same person)??? One against the English, one for them.
And why did I update on time? Well, I've been high off of my new Matchbox 20 CD, which I LOVE, and I just started to like this new anime, Rurouni Kenshin. So cool. (Yes, I have weird taste) Actually, I think it's old, but for me it's new. Also, my finals are over! Bahahahaha! I win!
And, yeah, I haven't really thought of a reason WHY my sheriff can read, but he can. I decided he could, because I was reading this article about creating a strong antagonist, and well, most of my villains were like 4 out of 20. *sigh* So I gave my sheriff a skill that my protagonist doesn't have. But then again, Will and Marian can read, so ---- *loud bang as head slams into fake oak table* I give up.
Anyways, I know everybody likes my little interludes, so that made me happy. 'Cuz I have three more prepared, and I was afraid that everybody would hate them when I first thought up the idea.
But now, here's a skip away form Marian, who's sleeping restlessly at Whitby. And we join our outlaws ----
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
The moon glowed as a beacon against the sharp contrast of ebony night. Torches lining the outer walls of Nottingham Castle offered their own feeble attempts at mimicking such brightness, but their fiery shine was a rather fruitless go at it. Two silhouettes cast themselves against the trees, unnoticed by the guards. The casters of these shadows, David and Nan, crept silently past the guards and rounded the corner of Nottingham Castle. "There are the grates," David whispered, pointing to a low row of identical barred windows. They were each of them half-embedded in damp dirt.
Both outlaws began at opposite ends and peered into each and every cell, through the barred windows. Neither found Marian's father. Yet, Nan did find Robin.
He lay motionless on the ground. "Rob!" Nan hissed. He did not move. 'Rob! Robin! Robin!" Nan leaned back on her heels. "It is hopeless. Sentinels are coming in a few minutes."
David grabbed a rock and sent it flying into Robin's forehead. Robin yelped, jumped to his knees, and peered wildly round. One of the guards from above flung open the door above. "I told you to keep quiet, or we'll beat you again!" he roared, sounding quite drunk. Robin nodded with frantic obedience, hands by his sides. Satisfied that the wolf's -head would obey, and too drunk to punish Robin, the guard slammed the door shut with his booted foot once more, leaving Robin in darkness again. As soon as the black surrounded him, Robin's gaze flew instinctively to the window, and he saw them. They grinned kindly at him, but both had grim lines in their expressions. They motioned for him to come over. Robin managed to limp over to the window before collapsing to his knees. After a few moments he stood up again and planted a foot into one of the holes between stones. He just barely reached the window. He faltered, hands clutching the window bars for support.
"Hello, then," he whispered, resting his cheek against the base of the tiny window. His face looked awful. Nan reached a hand through the bars and stroked it. He pushed her away. "Stop, Nan," he commanded, weary, but still agitated. She obeyed, but there were tears in her eyes. Robin turned to David, voice hoarse from screaming. "She being sensitive 'bout it, then?" he asked.
David grinned. 'Isn't she always?" he replied. Robin's smile came back. "Is everyone all right?" he asked, bringing his head up, "None of you are ill?"
Nan grinned. "Nay, Robin, we are all perfect," she replied. He smiled. "That is good." He slumped downward, and his grip on the bar lessened, as if some deep satisfaction had come over him and he was prepared to die.
They all remained there for a few moments - perfect communion. David stared at Robin's hands. "I thought they'd bound your hands," he murmured. Robin shrugged, eyes closed peacefully. "One of the guards unbound them," he murmured, "so he could break my wrist." Nan winced. "It didn't really hurt, though. I wasn't completely conscious." He watched Nan warily, in case she showed any signs of the hated sympathy. When she did not show any promising signs of compassion, he looked up at them again.
"Do the peasants still believe in you?" he pried. Nan nodded. "They will never lose their faith in US," she replied angrily, glowering at him. "See, most outlaws are hung because someone catches them out of their own stupidity. You fell to a traitor. They do not abandon you for that type of stupidity."
Robin's hand had nearly let go. "Thank you for coming," he whispered. His voice was strained and hoarse. "Tell Will he can be leader now, if you all agree. John does not want to be leader, so I won't ask him to be, even though he would be quite good at it. Looming above possible outlaws makes a nice impression." He smiled slightly. "And someone needs to teach Lucy to shoot straightly. She holds the bow incorrectly. Stutely needs to fletch. He has been shirking his duty, to no one's surprise. And --"
"Be quiet," David snapped moodily. "We will take care of everyone, understood? But there will be no new leader. We are going to rescue you, Robin."
"You cannot! The sheriff will kill you! He has guards everywhere!" Robin cried. This outburst sent him into a mad fit of coughing that could easily be heard above him. The group waited tensely, hoping the guard would not be irked enough by this intrusion to poke his fat head into the rancid hole. When he did not appear, David went back to lecturing.
"We are going to try, whether you approve or not." Robin hacked again. "Will is temporary leader," David continued, "and he agrees. Just try to stay alive - we don't know how long the sheriff is going to keep you in here. And - well, we cannot come again. The sheriff must suspect nothing. He must believe we have given up."
"Which you should!"
"Aye, but you should have turned yourself in when you were outlawed," David rebuked, "and you did not." "Two wrongs do not make a right," Robin snapped in return. His foot was slipping from the hold.
Nan grinned rakishly. "Then I shall have to make it three."
"Damn you all to bloody hell."
David and Nan rolled their eyes in unison. "Quite sure you have that power," David said sarcastically. There was a loud banging. "That would be the guards outside awakening. The ale was supposed to keep them out for at least three hours."
Suddenly, Robin heard loud yelling from above. "Damn it, he is talking to someone! I know it is those outlaws!" the sheriff roared. "Go outside and CATCH THEM!"
Robin turned quickly to Nan and David. "Run!" he whispered. They both knew better than to argue. Both took to their heels. Robin began a long, loud series of bird calls that blotted out the sound of their footfalls and completely freaked out the guards, since they didn't exactly sound like "bird" calls. He smiled as they froze and stared frantically round them, not daring to move.
The sheriff was behind him before he could react. WHAM! Robin lost vision for a moment and fell to the earth. "Who were you talking to?" the sheriff snapped. Robin forced his own eyes open. "I can't seem to remember," he replied sarcastically, head spinning, "That last blow jarred my memory." The sheriff caught the sneer at end, unfortunately.
The back of Robin's head exploded with intense pain. He groaned loudly, clutching it, and swore. The sheriff spun him round. "I will not repeat the question," he barked. Robin grinned. "You imbecile! They are long gone by now! Go ahead - try and find them! Do you truly think anyone prefers your company to theirs?"
The sheriff slammed him into a wall. "I would beat your scrawny body into a bloody pulp right now, but I have promised that particular pleasure to the next watch." He stormed out of the dungeon, screaming for someone to catch those outlaws. Robin grinned to himself in the approaching darkness. But then his lip slit open and he ceased to smile.
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A/N: Yes, Robin hates me. Too bad. I am the omnipotent author, and he is my pawn. *Robin swears, since I always lose at chess* And it's only the first day. Bahaha. But only two days left, to be optimistic.
And, in case you were wondering, Nan and David ran to hide in an ally's house in Nottingham. That's how they got away. And, yea, I know that Nottingham Castle was on a hill, so it would've taken a while. Hence, Robin's birdcalls. Medieval people were superstitious. So scary noises would make them pause in order to be assured that it wasn't some "mystical vengeful spirit".
And Marian's father is coming! Soon. Oh, yes, VERY, VERY, VERILY soon. So, my eternal gods of reviewerdom, I leave this sacrifice of literature upon your altars! Please respond nicely to my sacrificial lamb/goat/dove thing!
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