Chapter 3 - I Never Forget a Face
"Robin? Robin! What is wrong with you this morning my friend? Little John is awaiting your reply." Scarlett's voice finally penetrated his daze. He felt like he had blacked out whilst still on his feet. He could've sworn he had heard his mates' voices conversing with each other somewhere in the background. He listened intently to try to catch the sound of their voices but it was gone.
"Huh? Oh…uh…still a mite tired. It was a very long night Andr, uh Will." He rubbed his eyes and then reached out to pull Scarlett near. He leaned in to whisper into his ear, "Listen mate, I think you may've been right about a branch hittin' me on the 'ead. I don't recall who most of these blokes are. Can you 'elp me out wi' their names?" He looked over at the knot of men gathered by the fire. "Now which one is Little John?"
"Did the Sheriff's men capture you last night Robin? Were you tortured?" Scarlett's voice sharpened with concern.
"No, no mate. Set yer mind at ease. They can't catch me, you know that!"
Scarlett shook his head in frustration. "As you wish Robin." He discreetly pointed to a tall, dark skinned man who stood halfway between the two of them and the group at the fire. He was staring at them, one eyebrow cocked in puzzlement. Scarlett extended his arm and waved him over to join them. He whispered, "This is Little John, as if you didn't know!"
His eyes once again snapped wide in astonishment and he worked hard to keep his mouth from dropping open as none other than Kinch walked up.
"Robin, why did you not answer me? Is there something wrong?"
"No, uh, Little…uh, John?" He had nearly said 'Little Kinch' and choked back a hysterical giggle at the thought.
"That was my name when we first met and it is still my name today." Little John turned to Scarlett, wondering what was suddenly so funny about his name. "What's wrong with him?"
Scarlett smirked, "A large branch fell from Major Oak and landed on his head whilst he slept. That's why he can't remember anything."
As good an explanation as any, he thought to himself as his gaze wandered back over to the group gathered beside LeBeau, or rather, Much.
Another instantly recognizable character had waddled over to deeply sniff the contents of the cooking pot. He reached in to snatch a taste and the small cook slapped his hand. "Oooh Much that smells wonderful! What are we waiting for? I am hungry!"
"You are always hungry!" retorted Much. "We are waiting for Robin!"
Oh no! No, no, no! It can't be! It just can't be!
Scarlett noticed his astounded expression and followed his stare. "Well, I see Tuck has finally arisen. We had better get back over there if we want to eat. There won't be anything left with him around."
He swallowed hard and grabbed Scarlett's arm. "Th-that's Friar…Tuck?" He almost did it again, the words 'Friar Schultz' nearly bursting from his mouth. He fought vainly to regain his composure as he suddenly lost it, bursting out in high pitched giggles he had absolutely no control over.
Scarlett grabbed him and dragged him to the far edge of the glade, chiding him with each step. "Robin! Robin! I swear something happened to you last night. You must restrain yourself! The men do not need to see you in this frame of mind!"
Oh yes mate, somethin' did 'appen last night. I'm just not sure what.
He finally managed to get himself under some semblance of control and he and Scarlett walked back towards the fire where another of the men present looked very familiar. He nudged Scarlett and asked, "Who is that?"
Scarlett followed his gesture and sighed heavily. "That is Joseph the Healer."
Well, that makes sense! he thought sarcastically. Bloke looks just like Joe Wilson! Funny, I don't remember Robin 'avin' a Merrie Man by that name. Blimey, wot is goin' on 'ere?
Much peered at Scarlett searchingly and Scarlett shrugged. He turned to his master and spoke, "Robin, may we eat now, please? We're all famished."
"Oh, of…of course. Forgive me, go ahead mates."
LeBeau, uh, that is, Much dished up the first bowl and handed it to him. He brought it up to his nose and closely inspected it. It appeared to be a hearty porridge of some kind of mixed groats, cream and wild berries accompanied by a thick slab of dried venison. He nodded to himself in approval. No snails or anything similarly slimy, thank goodness. Cor, at least this LeBeau knows 'ow to cook good solid English food!
When all were served, everyone tucked in ravenously. As each man temporarily concentrated his full attention upon his breakfast, he took his food and moved to sit off to the side to eat alone. He needed to do some serious thinking.
He couldn't understand why none of them recognized him as he recognized them. As far as all these blokes were concerned, he really was Robin Hood, so it was up to him to act the part. He frantically combed his memory, trying to dredge up the tales of Sherwood that he had heard as a lad.
As he sat quietly eating, random memories began floating unbidden through his mind. He suddenly recalled with vivid detail the location and layout of the place where King Richard was being held prisoner; it was a large, heavily fortified building if he remembered aright and there had been soldiers, hadn't there? A staircase had been involved, or so he thought. He blinked in surprise at the unexpected revelations.
Wait a minute, didn't Cart-uh, Scarlett say something about him having a plan to rescue the King? He set his now empty bowl down and lowered his head wearily into his hands. Strewth! 'ow am I supposed to come up wi' a plan when I don't even know what's goin' on?
At that moment, Scarlett appeared at his side and laid a hand upon his shoulder. "Robin? I am sorry to disturb your breakfast but the men are anxious to learn of your plan to retrieve our good King Richard."
"No worries, I'm finished eating." He got up and stood stock-still as another strikingly urgent thought unfolded without warning in his brain. He suddenly realized that the King must be rescued before the Sheriff of Nottingham returned from the south accompanied by Prince John! That meant the King surely must be imprisoned in Nottingham Castle, didn't it?
He turned to Scarlett and threw out a disguised query, "To be 'onest Will, I wasn't able to find the exact location in the...the building where the King is bein' held."
Scarlett sighed heavily, "Aye Robin, there are many rooms within Nottingham Castle. How can we find out exactly where the Sheriff has him?"
Well, that answered that question. He really couldn't depend upon these phantom memories for information and determined that he needed to investigate this personally. He grabbed Scarlett's arm and spoke urgently. "When is the Sheriff expected to return from London?"
Scarlett's face went blank and he called Little John over to confer with them. "Little John, Robin wants to know when the Sheriff returns from London."
"Our men in Nottingham reported he is expected by the end of this week." His dark eyes sharpened with curiosity, wondering just what Robin had in mind.
Okay, if he remembered aright it was Thursday so that gave him an additional day to come up with something. But wait, what day was it here? Criminy! Time to ask yet another bleedin' obvious question!
He pulled Scarlett aside so as not to appear a fool before Little John, although it was probably too late for that. "Uh, Will, what...what day is it today?"
Scarlett huffed in annoyance but answered him. "Today is Thor's Day Robin."
Upon hearing that, he sighed in relief and nodded his head. "Oh good. Nice to know some things are the same. Well, maybe not the same but close enough."
Scarlett stared at him blankly and decided to simply let it go for now. He crossed his arms across his chest and demanded, "What about your plan to rescue the King?"
"We'll put the plan in operation tomorrow evening." He was hoping to actually have some kind of plan in mind by then.
"Tomorrow? What is wrong with today?" protested Scarlett.
He casually draped his arm about the man's shoulders and drew him near. "For two reasons old son. First, I believe we need to do some further scouting and second, because Scarlett, tomorrow is another day!"