Through the early morning mists a solitary figure glides about the forest. He heads directly for the heart of the mighty Sherwood. He uses no path, which means either he is hopelessly lost or he knows his way very well. Ducking and weaving to avoid tree branches and bushes he looks like he was doing some kind of ritualistic dance but if you look closer you'll realize that not a leaf was stirred by his passing.
Not many men venture this far into the forest. There are bands of outlaws who would gladly lighten the purse of any unfortunate fellow passing through. Whether you be nobleman, peasant, a fine lady of the courts, a priest in the Lord's church, or an honest artisan, they will shake you for every penny on you. All except for one famous or infamous band, that is. The band of Robin Hood and his stalwart, brave, and merry men seem to be picky of who they pickpocket. Only noblemen, rich priests and clergy, or overly pompous lords and knights seem to fit the requirements.
Our man carries a longbow and quiver of arrows, a small hunting knife, and a hunting horn. He stops before a largish clearing. He examines the clearing and the road leading into it with a practiced eye. He chuckles quietly to himself. It would be the perfect place for an ambush. The road passes directly beneath two tall and extremely old trees, sturdy enough to hold twenty men apiece. Yes, you probably guessed, our man is none other than Robin Hood himself. He brings his well worn hunting horn to his mouth and blows seven notes. Tata-tatatata-taaaa, he blows, holding the last note long and loud. A startled rabbit bounded out of the nearby underbrush and scampered off, afraid of the sudden loud noise.
The first of his men to reach the scene is a dashing young fellow, Will Gamwell by name. Before he bursts into the clearing he pauses, scanning the clearing thoroughly for trouble, he is less than cautious, however. Getting his hair disentangled from a bramble bush causes him to pause longer than he planned. His long golden hair has made many ladies swoon. He has a tendency to let it fall in fron t of his face and has a habit of flipping it back so as to allow him to see more easily. The ladies that resided in his father's court found it very attractive. He had many admirers before he swore loyalty to Robin Hood in the forest. No, I am not telling the truth. Ever since he joined Robin the ladies have admired him more and more every day. Because he is now an outlaw they are just more secretive about their liking.
"Ha ha!" Robin laughs, strolling into the clearing, "Your looks are slightened by the forest, are they? Pity we have no woman to give you her point of view." Will looks sheepish as Robin finishes teasing him but seeing the humor of it he laughs along with him. They are still laughing when a giant rushes in upon the cheerful scene.
"Ah, my friend, Little John!" Robin exclaims, recognizing him at once, "How far are the other men behind you? Not far? I'll call them off." With one long blast on his horn he assured the remainder of his men that all was well.
"Now, take a look around you and tell me what you see." Robin gestures around the clearing. Will and Little John look, blank looks on their faces. They start wandering around the clearing wondering if it was a trick question. Suddenly, as if a candle had been struck above his head, Will receives an inspiration.
"Why, those trees! They would be perfect for an ambush. Better toot your horn once more, Robin, there's a messenger riding through the forest, just now. A royal page unless my sources prove to be wrong and perhaps an ambush might lift the load of his message onto our ears." No sooner had this little tidbit of news escaped Will's lips than another seven blasts on Robin's horn echoed through the silent forest.
After waiting a scant few minutes a horde of men burst into the clearing, doffing their caps and asking their master's bidding. After receiving commands to bring ropes, a net, and extra branches they scattered, heading back to camp and returning shortly with the required items. These men were so efficient at their work that any bystander would be surprised to learn that they weren't being threatened but rather that they obeyed willingly. They soon had a trap ready and waiting for the ambush on the unfortunate royal page.
They didn't have to wait long before the page came upon them, cantering on a dappled white mare bearing the royal emblem. The trap was sprung without a hitch and the large net descended upon the surprised page throwing him off balance, off his horse, and landing him, quite painfully I'm sure, on the forest floor.
Robin confidently strolls out of the forest and onto the road before the blustering page. "Well, my dear young fellow, I suppose that you have a message for someone? May I lighten your load and maybe your purse of both message and coin? Or will we have to leave you entangled in this net?" He smiles down at the unfortunate page, laughing as he sees that his hat has slipped over his face and the feather was now sticking out of the net like the bob on a quail's head.
"May I inquire as to who I have the pleasure of addressing?" The page asks in a timid, high-pitched voice, muffled by his hat, "I do have a message, and it is from the queen for one of this forest." He struggles to find his hands to remove the hat so he could see.
"Well, aren't you the impudent young fellow, do you not know that you are surrounded?" Robin questions as he raises his hand in signal. Immediately forty men drop out of the two trees, dropping solidly and surrounding the poor, struggling messenger. Momentarily, another twenty emerge from the forest.
"Now, I believe an introduction is in order," he bows low in the court fashion and gallantly states, "I am Sir Robin of Locksley, or Robin Hood as I am called hereabouts." He rises from his courtly bow to see the messenger finally find his head and tear off his hat.
Standing the page exclaims, "Oh, Robin, it is you! I so prayed it would be!" Robin recognizes the voice immediately.
"Marion, my darling, what in the world are you doing here! Oh, my lady! Will, Little John, Friar Tuck, please disentangle my fair lady from this demeaning net! Marion, I ask you again, what in heaven's name are you doing in Sherwood Forest?" Robin, thinking his men too slow, rushes forward to help his love escape from the net. She is shortly rescued and found in his arms amidst cheering men. Her horse's reins are taken by Little John because only he is strong enough to restrain the panicking animal, holding the horse's halter he speaks gently into its ear calming it down, Little John has always had a way with animals.
"I do bring a message from the Queen, she knew that it would make me extraordinarily happy if I were to pose as the page. She sent me with this ring from her finger to ensure my safety traveling through the forest." She produces a ring from a small pouch tied around her neck and gives it to Robin.
"It wasn't needed for your safety as far as this band is concerned but I shall keep it always to honor its fair owner and it's fairer presenter." He takes the delicate ring and slips it onto his smallest finger. Taking Marion's hand he kisses her hand and helps her mount her now calm horse. Thanking Little John and explaining to Marion Little John's way with animals he says, "It's because of his gentle hand and soothing voice that all animals seem to listen to everything he says." He speaks boastingly of Little John's talent almost as if it were his own.
As Robin leads Marion's horse back into the forest his men clean up the remainder of the trap and follow him back to camp. As they walk they keep their distance, allowing their leader and his love room enough to talk alone. Once they reach the camp Robin takes charge once more.
"Friar Tuck, please take charge of five men to set up tables. Little John, take another five and go get us some dinner from the King's herds. Will, I need your help to get a place ready for our lady to sleep tonight." The three men salute and walk off taking charge of other men as soon as Robin is finished speaking.
All of these tasks are done enthusiastically because they know that there will be a feast with fresh meat tonight. There will most likely be contests too, there always are. The winners of the archery, quarterstaff, wrestling, and eating contests will receive small prizes of money or food for them to take back to their families or to spend at the local tavern. Everyone is happy that Marion came but no one is happier than Robin himself.