Will's deft fingers caressed the chair leg he had just sanded. The chair was sturdy yet beautiful at the same time, just what Lord Gisborne had desired. It had been a few years since his first chair, and Will's skill had only improved. He was taking on more and more work these days, slowly bringing out the money he had received from Lord Fenwick as 'payment' for his services. The money was stashed just inside the woods, and it had brought fortune indeed to his family. His mother's hollowed cheeks were filling out once more, and Luke's clothes were no longer threadbare. Life was good.
I wonder how that idiot, Allan A Dale is doing? Will shook his head to get rid of this thought. Knowing that scamp, he was either in a prison somewhere awaiting execution or in a pub squandering away his money. As if anyone, much less me, could figure out what his next move is to be? Smiling, Will let his mind wander to his one adventure with the conman, and looking around his family's small plot of land, couldn't hold back the thought of what if. What if the two had never met? What if he had gone with the thief? What if?
"Will!"
The elder Scarlett boy looked up from the chair to see his younger brother dancing around in front of him. "What is it, Luke?"
The shorter dark-haired boy looked around nervously before retelling his tale in a loud whisper. "Benedict just heard that Gisborne is going to officially take over Lord Robin's title and lands! How can he? Lord Locksley isn't even dead! When is Robin coming home to take back what's his? Can you do something?" He asked, looking up to his big brother.
Will looked down at his anguished brother, feeling the same fire of righteousness within himself. Lord Robin had cared for them, had treated them as people. And now this brooding stranger thought he could take over? Will's hand clenched the back of the chair, a smirk unfolding as his mind formulated a plan.
"We won't let him get away with this. I'll make it okay, Lukey, just trust me."
**************
Allan A Dale looked around in satisfaction, absently rolling the coins around in his hand. It had been a profitable day; his favorite. With a silent farewell to whatever town this was, the thief started to walk down the main thoroughfare of the village, ready to head on to the next. Fingering the money some more, Allan figured he had enough to buy a new bow, and resolved to do such. He had lost the last one a few months ago when he had to scamper out of the village too quick to recoup all of his belongings and Allan had been missing the bow since. But at least I've still got Matilda, Allan thought, caressing the sword strapped to his side.
Memories of how Allan had received the sword overwhelmed, and Allan couldn't stop thinking of his partner in crime. I wonder if he's still making furniture. Allan snorted in response to his own thought. Of course he's still making furniture; he'll be making furniture until the day he dies. Not one to fight his destiny, that one, Allan mused.
Allan was torn from his thoughts by a tugging on his cloak. Looking down Allan saw a young child in torn grey cloak, their eyes obscured by ragged red hair. Arching an eyebrow at the unknown kid, Allan waited for the kid to speak.
"Excuse me, mister," the street urchin started; voice high-pitched and measured. "But I have a proposition for you."
Intrigued despite himself, Allan waited for the child to continue. "Take me with you," was all that was said.
Allan studied the kid closer, still unsure as to the gender. An effeminate face with a smattering of freckles looked up at him, composed. The conman saw a flash of pale green behind the strands of red, and a flash of darker green as a frog wormed its way out of the child's trousers. Allan fingered the sword suggestively, and was impressed when the kid didn't move a muscle. This kid is either stupid or brave as hell, and damn me, if I can't tell which it is. "That's not a proposition, that's a command," was all Allan said in response.
"What's the difference?" the kid asked, voice coming out strangled towards the end.
Ah, it's a boy!
"If you're propositioning me, you need to convince me as to why I should take you with me," Allan told the lad.
"Oh, okay," the boy nodded in serious understanding, provoking a smile from the taller man. "You need to take me with you, or you'll regret it."
"Is that so? And I'll regret it because…"
"Because you'll get lonely, and because I'm a good pickpocket, and because…"
"Yes?"
"Because I can run really really fast and I can tell the Sheriff about how you stole his money purse."
Allan's face froze at this statement, unsure whether to laugh or strangle this oddly self-possessed rascal. Pulling his sword halfway out of the scabbard, Allan responded in as even a tone as the boy. "And what if I were to stop you right now?"
"You'd have to catch me first," the boy responded quickly, traces of a grin evident on his face.
"You're right and I'm feeling tired today," Allan allowed with his own smile, sheathing his sword. "You can keep me company until we get to the next village. Maybe you'll be worth a couple of laughs, know any jokes?"
"No," the boy shrugged, kicking the dirt in front of him as he the two walked down the road side by side.
"Got a name?"
The boy nodded at this. "Croaker."
"Croaker? You call that a name?" Allan asked in disbelief.
"That's what the other kids called me; it stuck. A name is just a name, right?"
"Uh, sure," Allan said, unsure what to say back. Who was this kid? "How close is the next village?"
"About a day's walk," Croaker said.
"A whole day, huh?"
"Yes. Know any good stories?" Croaker asked, skipping ahead a few paces before veering off the path to closer examine a small bird asleep on a low branch.
Allan watched this play out in disbelief and a little annoyance. Why did I agree to this? At this pace, it'll be longer than a day. He has the attention span of a gnat! I guess it better be a hell of a good story.
"Well, little Ginger, let me tell you about a town called Locksley and a con known as the Village Idiot…"
Well, this is officially the end... I hope you enjoy this little segue into the upcoming 'series'...but this is where I could use your guy's help. I have no idea what to call the series...so please input your suggestions and if I like any of them, it'll become the name of the story and you will get full credit! Thanks and remember, reviews make the world a better place!
