A/N: 'Tis OutlawEris again! I decided to give all my wonderful reviewers
another update, since the last one was so short! (But do not expect this
very often. I am very slowly beginning to develop a life) And, for
reviewing even without the reminder e-mail, they get reviewer replies as
well! You people are the nicest in the universe!! But I have a question -
would you prefer if I put replies after the actual story or before?
And I just got the best computer game! It's called Robin of Sherwood. *laughs* My cousin and I play it all the time, and we're soooo awful. They're like, "It's an easy mission. You have twenty Merry Men and there are three rookie guards leading a treasure!" And we all die anyways - every single guy in the band. I got a lot of good laughs from that thing, let me tell you. We've shot one of our own guys once, and everyone in the band attacked our character (RH) for it. *laughs again* "Damn it! You've been mauled by your own men!" (That was what popped up when we croaked. haha) Thought I would share that interesting tidbit w/you all.
Enjoy!
~£~ Reviewer Replies! ~£~
SHERWOOD GIRL: Don't worry; Marian will turn out fine in the end. I don't believe in miserable endings! Glad you like this, though. And love the name! ;-)
INDIGO DREAM: I have already reprimanded you for criticizing your awesome reviews, so I will not go into depth on that subject. And you laughed with my characters? *claps* Will is kind of mean to Allan, so I was hoping someone would like his brand of humor! You made my day again. And what instrument do you play? Since you are a slight cripple, does it hinder your progress?
DRAGON-OF-THE-NORTH: *sigh* Yes, I should have sent an e-mail, but I forgot, being me. Sorry about that. And I'm so glad you think I did Allan well! I'm not good at the classical language and all of that (hence my omission of the "thee" and "thy"), so I'm glad I made him seem so different from my outlaws! And you really do like Sara and Will's interaction? I was worried people wouldn't really like their romance, because it was none of that romantic stuff. They're just --- themselves. And they tease and yell at one another; *wipes sweat from forehead* As long as you like them, I'm happy!!! And please don't fell pressured to review for "Blood..". I understand everyone has lives outside of ff.net!
LULU BELL: You are such an awesome reviewer! You make my day all the time! I think you're the only reviewer to say "poor Allan". I'm glad he has a few sympathizers, the poor little sot. Hehe. And there aren't enough RH stories out there! It irritates me that there's so much bloody King Arthur (not to insult Camelot's king) but so little RH! What is up? Hehe. You said this could be published? *claps* See? You DO make my day! First signed copy goes to lulu bell! Lol.
RUBY: So true; last chapter was too short. But I really could not write more w/out revealing about Wilfred's plan, and that is the dedication of this chapter. And Robin comes around, worry not! I don't twist legends THAT much.
AMADEA: I'm so glad you like this! I've seen you reviewed for all the RH fanfics I like, so when you said you liked mine, it made me so happy! And thank you for the tip on the Latin quote!!!
ANYA ANANDA: Random love of David; it is very good. He makes me smile just writing about him. But I have to confess that Allan won't really develop much more; it's his bride I wanted to really develop. Alan is comic relief in a way, but I will try to give him some depth. And you liked my idea about the inheritance? I thought someone would call me for historical inaccuracy, but you actually thought it was clever? Wow, I must have sounded like I knew what I was talking about, even though I didn't. You're in Latin 4? I'm only in Latin 1!!! (I learned how to say all the prayers in Latin, so that comes in handy w/medieval people, cuz they said prayers in Latin) So are you certified fluent in Latin? And you said this could be published? Gargh, I could hug you. Thank you soooo much!!!
RHAPSODY'S SONG: Robin only caught snatches of the conversations between Marian and the sheriff, so he's kind of confused about her intentions and/or feelings.
STARGAZER1: Glad you like it!!!
VALLEYGIRL: hehe. Love the pen name. And why does everyone think I will give my characters an unhappy ending? It will be a happy ending; worry not!
LLYRA MONROE: I really do love your ficcie (and that you read stories in computer app. Lol. My evil teacher, Mrs. Pratt, always catches me when I do that) I hope you like this, and update your story soon!
SeIzInG the MoMeNt: love the lettering in the pen name. Wish I could do that, but it would take me about an hour to get it right. Hence, I had to copy and paste your name in order to write it here! Lol. I'm glad I have earned your approval, and that my characters seem real and developed. Thank you for your honest review!
Merryofheart - you're welcome, and I love how you keep changing your pen name. It gives me a fun way to guess what it will change to next!
£*£*£*£*£* The Chapter Itself £*£*£*£*£*£*£*£*£*£
I sighed, staring intently at the chessboard. There had to be some way. We hadn't even been playing for five minutes, and my father had me in check. He was really smart for someone his age - actually, for someone of any age. I shifted a pawn towards his side. My king went down. "Checkmate."
"You always win at this game," I whined, smiling. My father chuckled. "It's all in the strategy, Marian. You never use any form of tactic. All you do is try to capture the most pieces. If that were the determining factor of the game, you would win every time." I peered contemptuously down at the pile of white pieces stacked beside my side of the board. My father had bested me with three figures still in the game. I had only lost four figures to him. And he still managed to come out the victor.
"Did you win again, milord?" Aedre asked, humming quietly to herself. My father nodded. "As always," I mumbled irritably.
"Well, mayhap you got your brains AND your temper from your mother," Aedre commented. My father smiled and kissed my forehead. "You're mighty intelligent for a lady, Marian." He stood up. "Besides, I've had years of experience with this abominable game. I know every strategy one could employ."
"Oh, just admit it, you old sage! You're more clever than me by a hundredfold, and you know it."
He laughed again. "That temper certainly came from your mother." I snorted with slight amusement. "Aye, but the swordsmanship comes from you, Father." He smiled again. "Enemies flee in terror---"
"When the hand of a Whitby graces the hilt," Aedre and I droned in monotone, "I know the old motto, Father."
He nodded. "Well, love, I am off to Nottingham Castle for a few hours. The sheriff and I have something to discuss. Will you be sure that the serfs are brought back some time before sundown? It is the Sabbath, and they have souls as the rest of us." I nodded. I usually did that anyways, and the overseer and I had quite the nasty relationship as a result, a connection the serfs heartily enjoyed. After all, I was my father's daughter. Wit runs rampant in Whitby veins. Or at least I like to think so.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
The Lord of Whitby handed his horse over to a stable boy. "Take good care of him now, boy. He's very precious to me." The stable boy nodded wordlessly, stroking the horse's neck. "Aye, milord." The lord of Whitby smiled. Nottingham's stable boys were very well-mannered. And no wonder with their master.
A tiny page with a sweet face led him towards the sheriff's private office. The room was well-furnished for the living quarters of a small shire's official. What a coincidence that the taxes had been especially heavy as of late. The sheriff was standing behind his desk, smiling in what he must have thought was an inviting manner, but instead repulsed the Lord of Whitby. "Good day, my lord Wilfred." The man's thin lips coiled into a sneer as he greeted his guest. "Good day to you as well, my lord Sheriff. I have something very urgent that I must discuss with you." Wilfred lowered his voice and shuffled, inwardly laughing at his feeble elderly disguise.
"Oh, aye? What might that be?"
He pretended to have great difficulty seating himself. "It seems as though you told my daughter, Marian, that Whitby was in some financial trouble. Overdue taxes, was it?" He blinked a few times as if having trouble with his sight.
"Oh, my lord, I am sure she was mistaken."
"I was not certain of the validity of her statement, either. This is why I came here to see you, milord."
'Well, you know how women are." A bark of laughter escaped the sheriff's lips. He smirked as if he and the Lord Wilfred were indulging in a delicious personal joke of male supremacy. However, Wilfred was not amused. He did not tolerate insults to his brilliant daughter's intelligence. "Marian is most certainly not a foolish coquette, as you seem to suppose she is."
The sheriff's friendly smiled tensed and his finely chiseled eyebrow twitched crossly. "I did not mean to suggest that anything about Marian is foolish. It is only that he is female, and cannot prevent-"
"Marian never lost a game of chess to her brother. And he was four years her elder."
That shut the sheriff's mouth. After a long pause of shocked contemplation, he smiled. "She must have misheard, sir. I promise you that all of Whitby's expenses have been covered amply by yourself."
With a curt bow, the Lord of Whitby ended the conversation by exiting through the door. He strode but five paces down the hall before bumping into the infamous outlaw hunter, Guy of Gisbourne. The soldier's strong facial lines leered at him with that inhuman gaze. The bloodlust that consumed Guy of Gisbourne every moment of his lifetime and sent him racing after those whose death would warrant no punishment.
Wilfred started in shock. What was that bloodthirsty monster doing in Nottingham Castle? Sir Gisbourne bowed hastily to Lord Wilfred and then stalked briskly past him and into the sheriff's office. He did not even bother to knock before entering.
The skittish page was waiting outside the door for Lord Wilfred, knees knocking together. Wilfred turned to the small lad; sure he would catch him off-guard. "Boy, are you fond of your master?" he asked, bending over slightly. Without thinking the page sneered, "And Hell is frozen!" And then, a moment later, catching himself, hysterically corrected his statement, clasping both hands together in supplication. "Please, milord, do not tell him I said that! He would be so angry! He'd --oh, please! I -I really love my lord sheriff, truly I do!" The poor thing was near tears of fright. Wilfred smirked.
"Well, I positively loathe the sheriff," he replied, nearly knocking the boy over with astonishment, "and was wondering if you would like to help me take him out of power." The boy's formerly sweet, angelic face lit up with a demonic leer of hellfire. "Aye!" he cried, exultant in wicked pleasure as he rubbed both hands together, "the old devil." Suddenly resuming his former innocent appearance, he grinned at Wilfred. "I am at your service, milord."
"I am going to lean against this door, all right?" Wilfred instructed in a low voice, "What he says may help me remove him from the seat of power." The boy smirked evilly, rubbing his hands together and nodding fervently.
Still smiling at the boy's change of character, Lord Wilfred turned around. He had always been rather fond of children, though he had never supposed one could be quite so venomous. But there was no time for that. What was the Sheriff up to?
He crept with the silent tread of elderly caution until his ear was against the recently closed door. One must collect all possible information. The treads of an exiting kitchen lad interfered with the first few exchanges, but soon all words were clear.
"So, you cannot handle this Robin Hood rogue, I take it." That was Gisbourne.
"Of course not, you twit! Why else would I call you?" And the sheriff.
"That is beyond the point. I want to know what makes you think I can catch him."
"Firstly, you are the best outlaw hunter in Europe. Secondly, he's a bit - injured." The Sheriff laughed shortly.
"How so?" Gisbourne sounded sickly interested.
"We had him tortured in the dungeons for three days. Weak little mongrel was screaming like the bloody dickens."
"So you know how to catch him? Why not employ the same methods?"
"We DID know how to capture the scapegrace! But now the process is useless. We used that Lady Marian from Whitby to catch him."
"That fiery wench agreed to help you?" He laughed hoarsely. "THAT seems improbable. She hates you."
"It is not as if it was voluntary, you imbecile. I told her we had her father in the dungeons!"
Both men laughed loudly, rude and cruel voices rising in sick merriment. Lord Wilfred stepped back, face pale. Poor Marian. His innocent little daughter must have been so vexed. She was not one for bloodshed and trickery. He had tried to protect her from the evil of Nottingham's sheriff, but it had seemed inevitable that she should discover his wiles. Now she had, and in the worst possible way. He had not been there to save her. Wilfred grit his teeth in anger. No one would so cruelly use his only daughter in such a way. Not while he was the Lord of Whitby.
"Page," he murmured, stepping back. The boy nodded. "Please take me to my horse." He began his trip down the hall anxiously, the undersized boy leading him. Of course, the easiest way to exact revenge would be to openly charge Nottingham Castle, armed to the tooth. Most men would have chosen that course of action. But Wilfred was a far more intelligent person than the typical barbarians, who leapt eagerly at the chance to satisfy their bloodlust. He knew there was a far more fulfilling path to vengeance, one that could easily be trodden by a strategic person, with much patience.
And Wilfred was a cunning man.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
A/N: So the old man plots. *cue the evil laughter* I love cunning old men. And Gisbourne arrives. Problematic, eh? Hope you liked!
And I just got the best computer game! It's called Robin of Sherwood. *laughs* My cousin and I play it all the time, and we're soooo awful. They're like, "It's an easy mission. You have twenty Merry Men and there are three rookie guards leading a treasure!" And we all die anyways - every single guy in the band. I got a lot of good laughs from that thing, let me tell you. We've shot one of our own guys once, and everyone in the band attacked our character (RH) for it. *laughs again* "Damn it! You've been mauled by your own men!" (That was what popped up when we croaked. haha) Thought I would share that interesting tidbit w/you all.
Enjoy!
~£~ Reviewer Replies! ~£~
SHERWOOD GIRL: Don't worry; Marian will turn out fine in the end. I don't believe in miserable endings! Glad you like this, though. And love the name! ;-)
INDIGO DREAM: I have already reprimanded you for criticizing your awesome reviews, so I will not go into depth on that subject. And you laughed with my characters? *claps* Will is kind of mean to Allan, so I was hoping someone would like his brand of humor! You made my day again. And what instrument do you play? Since you are a slight cripple, does it hinder your progress?
DRAGON-OF-THE-NORTH: *sigh* Yes, I should have sent an e-mail, but I forgot, being me. Sorry about that. And I'm so glad you think I did Allan well! I'm not good at the classical language and all of that (hence my omission of the "thee" and "thy"), so I'm glad I made him seem so different from my outlaws! And you really do like Sara and Will's interaction? I was worried people wouldn't really like their romance, because it was none of that romantic stuff. They're just --- themselves. And they tease and yell at one another; *wipes sweat from forehead* As long as you like them, I'm happy!!! And please don't fell pressured to review for "Blood..". I understand everyone has lives outside of ff.net!
LULU BELL: You are such an awesome reviewer! You make my day all the time! I think you're the only reviewer to say "poor Allan". I'm glad he has a few sympathizers, the poor little sot. Hehe. And there aren't enough RH stories out there! It irritates me that there's so much bloody King Arthur (not to insult Camelot's king) but so little RH! What is up? Hehe. You said this could be published? *claps* See? You DO make my day! First signed copy goes to lulu bell! Lol.
RUBY: So true; last chapter was too short. But I really could not write more w/out revealing about Wilfred's plan, and that is the dedication of this chapter. And Robin comes around, worry not! I don't twist legends THAT much.
AMADEA: I'm so glad you like this! I've seen you reviewed for all the RH fanfics I like, so when you said you liked mine, it made me so happy! And thank you for the tip on the Latin quote!!!
ANYA ANANDA: Random love of David; it is very good. He makes me smile just writing about him. But I have to confess that Allan won't really develop much more; it's his bride I wanted to really develop. Alan is comic relief in a way, but I will try to give him some depth. And you liked my idea about the inheritance? I thought someone would call me for historical inaccuracy, but you actually thought it was clever? Wow, I must have sounded like I knew what I was talking about, even though I didn't. You're in Latin 4? I'm only in Latin 1!!! (I learned how to say all the prayers in Latin, so that comes in handy w/medieval people, cuz they said prayers in Latin) So are you certified fluent in Latin? And you said this could be published? Gargh, I could hug you. Thank you soooo much!!!
RHAPSODY'S SONG: Robin only caught snatches of the conversations between Marian and the sheriff, so he's kind of confused about her intentions and/or feelings.
STARGAZER1: Glad you like it!!!
VALLEYGIRL: hehe. Love the pen name. And why does everyone think I will give my characters an unhappy ending? It will be a happy ending; worry not!
LLYRA MONROE: I really do love your ficcie (and that you read stories in computer app. Lol. My evil teacher, Mrs. Pratt, always catches me when I do that) I hope you like this, and update your story soon!
SeIzInG the MoMeNt: love the lettering in the pen name. Wish I could do that, but it would take me about an hour to get it right. Hence, I had to copy and paste your name in order to write it here! Lol. I'm glad I have earned your approval, and that my characters seem real and developed. Thank you for your honest review!
Merryofheart - you're welcome, and I love how you keep changing your pen name. It gives me a fun way to guess what it will change to next!
£*£*£*£*£* The Chapter Itself £*£*£*£*£*£*£*£*£*£
I sighed, staring intently at the chessboard. There had to be some way. We hadn't even been playing for five minutes, and my father had me in check. He was really smart for someone his age - actually, for someone of any age. I shifted a pawn towards his side. My king went down. "Checkmate."
"You always win at this game," I whined, smiling. My father chuckled. "It's all in the strategy, Marian. You never use any form of tactic. All you do is try to capture the most pieces. If that were the determining factor of the game, you would win every time." I peered contemptuously down at the pile of white pieces stacked beside my side of the board. My father had bested me with three figures still in the game. I had only lost four figures to him. And he still managed to come out the victor.
"Did you win again, milord?" Aedre asked, humming quietly to herself. My father nodded. "As always," I mumbled irritably.
"Well, mayhap you got your brains AND your temper from your mother," Aedre commented. My father smiled and kissed my forehead. "You're mighty intelligent for a lady, Marian." He stood up. "Besides, I've had years of experience with this abominable game. I know every strategy one could employ."
"Oh, just admit it, you old sage! You're more clever than me by a hundredfold, and you know it."
He laughed again. "That temper certainly came from your mother." I snorted with slight amusement. "Aye, but the swordsmanship comes from you, Father." He smiled again. "Enemies flee in terror---"
"When the hand of a Whitby graces the hilt," Aedre and I droned in monotone, "I know the old motto, Father."
He nodded. "Well, love, I am off to Nottingham Castle for a few hours. The sheriff and I have something to discuss. Will you be sure that the serfs are brought back some time before sundown? It is the Sabbath, and they have souls as the rest of us." I nodded. I usually did that anyways, and the overseer and I had quite the nasty relationship as a result, a connection the serfs heartily enjoyed. After all, I was my father's daughter. Wit runs rampant in Whitby veins. Or at least I like to think so.
*** *** *** *** *** ***
The Lord of Whitby handed his horse over to a stable boy. "Take good care of him now, boy. He's very precious to me." The stable boy nodded wordlessly, stroking the horse's neck. "Aye, milord." The lord of Whitby smiled. Nottingham's stable boys were very well-mannered. And no wonder with their master.
A tiny page with a sweet face led him towards the sheriff's private office. The room was well-furnished for the living quarters of a small shire's official. What a coincidence that the taxes had been especially heavy as of late. The sheriff was standing behind his desk, smiling in what he must have thought was an inviting manner, but instead repulsed the Lord of Whitby. "Good day, my lord Wilfred." The man's thin lips coiled into a sneer as he greeted his guest. "Good day to you as well, my lord Sheriff. I have something very urgent that I must discuss with you." Wilfred lowered his voice and shuffled, inwardly laughing at his feeble elderly disguise.
"Oh, aye? What might that be?"
He pretended to have great difficulty seating himself. "It seems as though you told my daughter, Marian, that Whitby was in some financial trouble. Overdue taxes, was it?" He blinked a few times as if having trouble with his sight.
"Oh, my lord, I am sure she was mistaken."
"I was not certain of the validity of her statement, either. This is why I came here to see you, milord."
'Well, you know how women are." A bark of laughter escaped the sheriff's lips. He smirked as if he and the Lord Wilfred were indulging in a delicious personal joke of male supremacy. However, Wilfred was not amused. He did not tolerate insults to his brilliant daughter's intelligence. "Marian is most certainly not a foolish coquette, as you seem to suppose she is."
The sheriff's friendly smiled tensed and his finely chiseled eyebrow twitched crossly. "I did not mean to suggest that anything about Marian is foolish. It is only that he is female, and cannot prevent-"
"Marian never lost a game of chess to her brother. And he was four years her elder."
That shut the sheriff's mouth. After a long pause of shocked contemplation, he smiled. "She must have misheard, sir. I promise you that all of Whitby's expenses have been covered amply by yourself."
With a curt bow, the Lord of Whitby ended the conversation by exiting through the door. He strode but five paces down the hall before bumping into the infamous outlaw hunter, Guy of Gisbourne. The soldier's strong facial lines leered at him with that inhuman gaze. The bloodlust that consumed Guy of Gisbourne every moment of his lifetime and sent him racing after those whose death would warrant no punishment.
Wilfred started in shock. What was that bloodthirsty monster doing in Nottingham Castle? Sir Gisbourne bowed hastily to Lord Wilfred and then stalked briskly past him and into the sheriff's office. He did not even bother to knock before entering.
The skittish page was waiting outside the door for Lord Wilfred, knees knocking together. Wilfred turned to the small lad; sure he would catch him off-guard. "Boy, are you fond of your master?" he asked, bending over slightly. Without thinking the page sneered, "And Hell is frozen!" And then, a moment later, catching himself, hysterically corrected his statement, clasping both hands together in supplication. "Please, milord, do not tell him I said that! He would be so angry! He'd --oh, please! I -I really love my lord sheriff, truly I do!" The poor thing was near tears of fright. Wilfred smirked.
"Well, I positively loathe the sheriff," he replied, nearly knocking the boy over with astonishment, "and was wondering if you would like to help me take him out of power." The boy's formerly sweet, angelic face lit up with a demonic leer of hellfire. "Aye!" he cried, exultant in wicked pleasure as he rubbed both hands together, "the old devil." Suddenly resuming his former innocent appearance, he grinned at Wilfred. "I am at your service, milord."
"I am going to lean against this door, all right?" Wilfred instructed in a low voice, "What he says may help me remove him from the seat of power." The boy smirked evilly, rubbing his hands together and nodding fervently.
Still smiling at the boy's change of character, Lord Wilfred turned around. He had always been rather fond of children, though he had never supposed one could be quite so venomous. But there was no time for that. What was the Sheriff up to?
He crept with the silent tread of elderly caution until his ear was against the recently closed door. One must collect all possible information. The treads of an exiting kitchen lad interfered with the first few exchanges, but soon all words were clear.
"So, you cannot handle this Robin Hood rogue, I take it." That was Gisbourne.
"Of course not, you twit! Why else would I call you?" And the sheriff.
"That is beyond the point. I want to know what makes you think I can catch him."
"Firstly, you are the best outlaw hunter in Europe. Secondly, he's a bit - injured." The Sheriff laughed shortly.
"How so?" Gisbourne sounded sickly interested.
"We had him tortured in the dungeons for three days. Weak little mongrel was screaming like the bloody dickens."
"So you know how to catch him? Why not employ the same methods?"
"We DID know how to capture the scapegrace! But now the process is useless. We used that Lady Marian from Whitby to catch him."
"That fiery wench agreed to help you?" He laughed hoarsely. "THAT seems improbable. She hates you."
"It is not as if it was voluntary, you imbecile. I told her we had her father in the dungeons!"
Both men laughed loudly, rude and cruel voices rising in sick merriment. Lord Wilfred stepped back, face pale. Poor Marian. His innocent little daughter must have been so vexed. She was not one for bloodshed and trickery. He had tried to protect her from the evil of Nottingham's sheriff, but it had seemed inevitable that she should discover his wiles. Now she had, and in the worst possible way. He had not been there to save her. Wilfred grit his teeth in anger. No one would so cruelly use his only daughter in such a way. Not while he was the Lord of Whitby.
"Page," he murmured, stepping back. The boy nodded. "Please take me to my horse." He began his trip down the hall anxiously, the undersized boy leading him. Of course, the easiest way to exact revenge would be to openly charge Nottingham Castle, armed to the tooth. Most men would have chosen that course of action. But Wilfred was a far more intelligent person than the typical barbarians, who leapt eagerly at the chance to satisfy their bloodlust. He knew there was a far more fulfilling path to vengeance, one that could easily be trodden by a strategic person, with much patience.
And Wilfred was a cunning man.
*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
A/N: So the old man plots. *cue the evil laughter* I love cunning old men. And Gisbourne arrives. Problematic, eh? Hope you liked!