"The first thing I'll do when I reach Bonchurch, Robin, is to... No, that's the second thing I'll do. The first thing I'll do is soak in a nice warm tub with a tasty leg of lamb and a frothy mug of ale. Or should it be beef? Which do you think, Robin...lamb or beef? Or pig! Pig is good... "

Robin smiled in amusement, listening to Much's endless ramblings as they rode their horses north from Runnymead.

Both men were in wonderful spirits, having achieved more than they'd hoped, for Robin had inspired the other lords to draft a great charter..."Magna Carta," a document containing 63 clauses which the king had been forced to agree to, attaching his seal as his barons stood by, wearing full armor to show their willingness to go to battle should King John refuse their demands. In return for John's agreement to abide by the charter, the lords had repledged allegiance to their monarch. Civil war was avoided, and justice would be served by the charter's new rules, such as the clause stating no free man could be arrested or imprisoned except by lawful judgment of his peers for breaking the law of the land. Copies of the charter were being distributed throughout the country, so all Englishmen and women could be filled with hope for a better, more just nation.

"I should think the very first thing you would do when reaching home would be to kiss your lovely wife," Robin teased, sending Much into a flurry of indecision.

"Yes, of course, there's that! A kiss, yes! And yet, wouldn't I be a more appealing kisser after a meal and a bath? I mean, I could concentrate on Eve much better once I was fed and bathed! Or, Eve could join me..." He broke off in embarrassment, as Robin threw him a mischievious grin.

Much's appearance had changed over the years. He had gained at least two stone, and sported a somewhat paunchy belly, which he tried to hide under the long crimson or blue brocade robes he favored. He wore the hair he had left as long as he ever had, but it was decidedly thin. Yet his large round eyes and honest expression gave him a youthful, innocent air. Allan a Dale claimed he looked like some great, oversized baby.

Robin remained handsome as ever, fit and dashing. His smile still rivalled the sun, his blue eyes still twinkled with fun, and he continued to make female hearts, young and old, flutter as he passed. The only discernable changes to his appearance were a deepening of the creases around his eyes from his ready laughter, and the beginnings of a few silver strands of hair at his temples. Many a maiden sighed herself to sleep at night, wishing Lord Locksley weren't so deeply in love with his wife.

At last, the two friends reached the fork in the road which separated the route from Bonchurch and Locksley. It was time to part and journey to their respective homes. They drew rein.

"We did it, Much," Robin said, happy and proud and filled with hope for the future. His eyes shone as he repeated his favorite quotation. "For every man there is a purpose he sets up in his life. Let yours be the doing of all good deeds."

Much's eyes shone back at his best friend. He was so proud to have taken part in Robin's dream of a brighter tomorrow. He'd never expected it possible, when Robin had first read to him the 12 clauses he had originally outlined, that they'd be able to convince the lords to band together and force the evil king to mend his ways. Now, if only they could trust King John not to go back on his word!

But their duty was done, for now. They needn't think of that at this time. For now, it was time to head home to the families they loved.

"I don't know about you, Much," Robin continued, staring down the road toward Locksley, "but I can't wait to kiss my wife!"

Without another word, he dug his heels into the sides of his mount and pelted down the hillside.

"Not even so much as a goodbye," Much complained to his horse. "Unbelievable! We spend weeks together, working side by side, and the minute he gets within shooting distance of Marian, off he goes! I wouldn't be at all surprised if he breaks his neck, splashing through streams and crashing through hawthorn hedges, in his hurry to get to Marian."

He lifted his voice to call after the disappearing form of his friend. "Don't come crying to me, when you're lying broken and alone in a ditch, while I'm home safe and sound, from taking a nice leisurely pace! Some people never listen!"

Huffing, Much turned his horse and began his slow trot homeward.

...

In almost no time at all, Robin was looking down on the village he adored from the top of a hillside. His horse's breath was labored, for he had driven him as hard as Much knew he would.

It amazed him how his own heart was racing at the thought of seeing his love again. He was smiling in anticipation of their happy reunion.

But something struck him as not quite right. The village looked nearly deserted...his home more so. It was odd, and a feeling of doom crept over him, causing the hair on his arms to stand up.

"Come on, boy," he told his horse, dismissing his instinctive feelings. "I've been listening to Much's worrying too long!"

Grinning widely, he drove his horse at breakneck speed down the hill.

...

(Note: The mention of an original 12 clause document immediately predating Magna Carta was written by one unknown lord and called the "Unknown Charter of Liberties." It contains the following clauses:

"1) King John concedes that he will not take men without judgement, nor accept anything for doing justice, not perform injustice."

The other clauses are longer, so I will paraphrase:

2) If a man should happen to die, leaving an underage heir, the heir should receive the land due him. The king shall not take it or take unjust money for it.

3) If the heir is underage, the king will put the land in charge of four just knights from among the lawful men of the fief, and they will be charged to care for the land wisely. Then, when the heir is of age, the king will let him have it.

4) If a woman is heir to the land, the king may not sell her in marriage, but she may marry as she pleases, though not to an enemy of England.

5) When a man dies, his money shall be divided as he himself willed, and if he dies in war or illness without willing it, his wife or children, or parents, or friends, shall divide it for the good of his soul.

6) His widow may remain in her home for at least forty days, and then a dower must be presented to her, and she may marry where she chooses after that.

7) The men of England should not be forced to serve in the army outside England.

8) And if a scrutage should be imposed in the land, one mark of silver and no more must come from the knight's fee, and if a greater army is needed, the barons of the land must come to an agreement to decide the amount.

9) The forestry laws shall be disbanded. (The forestry laws allowed only the king or the lords to hunt deer. Anyone else was punished severly for hunting deer in the forests).

10) Each forest shall have its Forester, but his duties are to manage the forest and the number of deer...not to punish anyone who hunts there.

11) If any man dies owing money to a Jew, the Jew shall have his money. If the heir is underage, the Jew must wait until the heir becomes of age, but the money shall not gain interest before the money is paid.

12) No man shall lose life or limb for forest offenses.

This small document inspired Magna Carta, which in its 63 clauses does not mention fighting in foreign wars, and is not so generous to underage heirs or women or Jews. It contains many more clauses protecting the Church, and the barons' money, but it definitely speaks out against the forestry laws, and contains two important clauses limiting the king's power to punish unjustly.

When I read this short document, I was surprised because I had just written a story where King John forced Robin to fight in his war in France, and I did not know this was something that was actually protested. Also, I think the generosity toward women in this short document must have been unusual during the age, especially since Magna Carta did not pick up this thread.)