Disclaimer: I don't know how many times I've said this: I don't own Robin Hood. The BBC does, I don't.
This chapter takes place about two weeks after the incident with Jennie and Ellie.
I was starving. I had run out of money over a week ago and food several days ago. It was getting colder, and I had nowhere to stay. Luna and I had come across a house that I could steal from, and knowing this, I did just that.
The house was big-very big, with two floors and a village of cottages surrounding it. One floor for living, one for the family, outside cottages for the servants, a field with posts connected with string in the back, and a wide dirt road leading up to the stables – no, this wasn't just a house, it was a manor.
I turned around and dismounted close to the forest behind the manor. Dropping my bow and quiver, I patted Luna's neck and let her stand.
"I'll be back soon, all right?" I started, stroking the white stripe on her face. "If I'm not, go. Just leave. If I'm not back here, I've prolly gotten myself caught, and I'll leave you just like Father did. So…" I paused, thinking about what would happen if I was caught. Not knowing it, I also stopped stroking Luna. She nodded, reminding me of what I was doing. "Oh, sorry," I said, continuing to stroke her mane. "You know what to do. Goodbye, Luna," I finished, patting her neck as a good-bye, hoping that she understood what I said.
I turned, and dashed silently into the manor, praying that I wouldn't be caught. I creaked open the front door and sneaked my way into the kitchen.
I stood there waiting – waiting for footsteps, waiting for a voice, waiting for someone to come and find me, then hang me for stealing from a knight or a lord's manor, but they never came. This was my chance not to starve. And then I saw what I never expected to see…
There were the most amounts of food I have ever seen – chickens, meat, vegetables, bread, and cakes. How could they have so much while we work ourselves to the grave just to put bread on the table, only to have it taken away? But I would have to vent later, now I eat.
From the vast amount of food from the kitchen stores, I took three warm loaves of bread, a cabbage, several carrots, and a few apples. This would last me over a week if I hunted regularly, several weeks if I made it last. Once I was packed and ready to leave, there was a stern voice behind me.
"What d'you think you're doing?"
Damn.
A little tidbit that never made it to the final draft:How did Eleanor and James learn to read and write, coming from a poor family? Eleanor's grandfather was supposed to be a scribe for the old Sheriff (Edward). He taught her father, who had no use for learning to read and write. He, then taught Eleanor and James, thinking they may need it somewhere in their lives.
Sorry if I haven't replied to reviews. Some messages in my inbox get deleted or I never received. I'm still working my way around this website.
So how was that? What happens next? R&R please!