Chapter Three

Robin thought of Allen's words for the entirety of his journey to Nottingham. He had gone through so many changes in his life that he was used to drastic life altering differences. He had been an orphan, before a squire. Then a servant before finally ending up in the strangest one of all, Lord. Fate had determined that his life was never boring. But same days, he wondered how differently things could have been. He gave up everything when he was outlawed. Initially, he liked to believe that he had had little choice. That this was what he was destined to be. But every now and then, he hated himself for questioning. What would have happened if he ignored the poor? Continued on his life of luxury.

He shook away such thoughts, walking faster. This was what he was meant to do. Thinking about things only made it seem worse.

Once in the town square, Robin drew his hood lower and waiting in the shadows. He knew that Wilfred would be around somehow. The square was oddly busy. What with the constant rise in taxes, people generally had little to trade.

Spying an old friend, he gave a curt nod. He could do little more when they were out in public. The woman tried her best to hide her wide grin at the sighting of him, busying herself with filling her basket with baked goods. She was quite tall and not what one would call a traditional beauty. She was a tad too plump with features that were a little too large. But something about her smile lit the square. This woman was Amelia Little, wife of Little John. She was often seen about camp, cooking and cleaning. John would not let her permanently join them. He wished for her to live a normal life of safety. But she was stubborn, and proved extremely difficult to keep away.

He looked on, looking for his old mentor. This man, in his eyes, was the living example of what knight should be. As a child, Robin had dreamt of the epic battles that Wilfred spoke of, imagining his hero, attempting daring feats, always risking his life for the greater. This is why it pained him to see Wilfred, being little more than a guard, standing across the square as he watched for disturbances.

Age is a fickle thing. Robin knew that people could accomplish the greatest things possible in their lives, only to be turned away when their usefulness ran out. Wilfred had once served the King, being a part of his personal guard as they fought wars together. But slowly, Wilfred began to age and slowly, he was pushed back further and further in ranks. When Robin was a child, Wilfred was a tutor, training young quires in the art of archery and swordplay. Now, he was considered too old to accomplish even that.

Sticking to the shadows, Robin snuck around the outskirts of the town square until he stood slightly behind Wilfred. "Keeping busy I see," he said quietly.

Wilfred barely flinched. "Oh, it's you." He scrunched his face in false disgust. "Don't you have something more important to do than disturbing an old man?"

Robin slipped a small money pouch from his pocket and dropped it to the ground. Wilfred looked down his nose at it and shook his head slightly. "I have no need for that. Give it to someone who needs it."

"A simple thank you would suffice," Robin said, stooping to recollect the spoils. "And you know that I like to help you."

"You should do. You owe me for everything."

Robin laughed but knew that it was true. It if weren't for Wilfred, Robin would have remained a penniless orphan. It was sheer luck that their paths intertwined, all those years ago.

"You know, it was exactly one year ago that I was outlawed," Robin said, hoping for the impossibility of praise. "Anything you would like to say? Any words of encouragement?"

Wilfred considered. Then he shrugged. "I suppose you weren't completely useless."

Robin felt pride, supposing that this was probably the nicest compliment he had ever received from the man.

"Now cut to the chase," Wilfred said. "You never come and see me unless you want something. Do you have another new outlaw that you want me to train? Because I shant do it. I have trained some imbeciles in my time but I nearly lost a limb with that Will."

"I think you mean Much."

"Is Will not the fat one?"

"He prefers the term 'rotund.' And that would Much."

"I thought Much was the young one."

"That is Benny."

"Then who is Luke?"

"One of the twins."

"Well you have too many men!" Wilfred eventually sighed in annoyance. "No one could possibly keep up."

Robin would have argued his case but another guard was walking dangerously close. He slunk back to be unseen and watched as this new guard walked past. This man made Robin shudder slightly as he looked to the hatred in his eyes. "Who was that?"

"Symond," Wilfred said quietly, ensuring that the man was far enough away before he spoke. "The new Captain of the Guard."

"Something tells me that he a real joy," Robin said sarcastically.

"Stay away from him, boy," Wilfred said. "I've heard stories."

Robin's eyes followed the guard as he crossed the square, approaching a pretty woman who Robin guessed to be a few years older than himself. Something about her seemed familiar. She had dark hair, braided down her back and she had sun kissed skin. She quaked as Symond approached her, clearly terrified. Robin watched on as he whispered something to her, something that made her shake even more. "Who is that?"

"Lilliana Scathelocke."

Robin tried to hide his shock. "Will has a sister? I thought his family died before his Father was killed."

"Apparently not," Wilfred said, trying to appear disinterested. But his concern informed Robin that there was reason to be nervous.

These suspicions were confirmed as Symond suddenly raised an armored glove to strike Lilliana hard across the face. She lost her footing and fell to the ground.

Robin began to stride forward, drawing his sword when Wilfred grabbed him by the arm. "Are you mad?" he breathed, jerking his head around. The square was lined with at least thirty guards.

Before Robin could break free, he heard another scream. Craning his neck, he saw more guards approaching, this lot dragging a terrified Amelia by her hair.

Wilfred fought to hold Robin in place, all the while hiding from his fellow guards. "You- can't- fight- them," he huffed, struggling for breath.

It would do little good. Robin knew that his greatest fear was people he cared for being hurt. The trouble was that he tended to care for everyone he met. There was a deep anger burning inside of him as he watched both women being dragged through the dirt.

He finally broke free of Wilfred but only managed one step before some unknown figure clasped caught him, holding him back in a death grip. The surprise of it all did not fare well for Robin as he found himself being dragged down an alleyway. This hooded man clasped a hand over Robin's mouth, forcing his silence. Robin still might have stood a chance if Wilfred did not join them and assist in restraining Robin.

Robin continued to fight them and was only silent when he heard a horrible familiar voice. For the Sheriff was addressing the crowds. "These women here have been sighted assisting outlaws. This makes them traitors to our sovereign Prince John. And so, their execution shall take place tomorrow morn."

With these words, Robin fought once more, trying desperately to save them. "Let me go!" he yelled, a little too loudly.

"Are you completely mad?" the stranger hissed. "There are almost thirty guards out there!"

Robin stopped struggling as he recognised the voice. The shock had finally gained his silence.

The man released him, content that Robin would wait in place. Then he finally pushed back his hood. He was a few years older than Robin, with light brown hair and beard, perfectly styled. Grey blue eyes looked to Robin with worry. His voice and mannerism spoke well of his upbringing.

Robin recognised him instantly. "Leon," he whispered. "What are you doing here?"

Leon's cold gaze was fixed upon him. "That is none of your concern," he said rudely. "I had no plan to make myself known to you. But I suppose we have to work together now. Amelia and Lilly are my friends too. And if you want to save them, I suggest that you listen to me."