Chapter Three
"So this is Much, Will, Allan, John, Djaq and Little John, we call him Johnny," Robin gestured to each outlaw in turn, "And, as you know, I'm Robin." The group were now sitting around a warm fire cooking some meat on a spit.
"Nice to meet you," Tristan nodded, still overjoyed at the prospect of joining the outlaws, "What do we do now then?"
"Eat," Much said as if it was the most obvious thing ever.
"Right, then what?"
"Do something else," Allan shrugged, "We just go with the flow." Tristan was a bit disappointed at this but he didn't show it.
"So," Johnny said from his position leaning on a tree trunk, trying to make small talk, "Anyone who's gonna miss you from the Abbey?"
Tristan realised he hadn't really thought about that. All he could really think of was Brother Hugh and John. God, I know too many Johns, Tristan thought. They would miss him but maybe he could go back and visit them sometime. John would be so proud of him for joining the outlaws.
"Yeah, a couple," Tristan replied. Johnny looked at Tristan's face to see if he could see any emotions there. He could see none.
Johnny was eighteen years old and had joined the outlaws a year ago when he came to Sherwood to find his father. He had come because his mother, Alice, died and Luke, his step father, had too. He had had nothing left and remembered his father, John, was in Sherwood Forest so he came to find him. He was accepted into the gang easily.
Johnny was like his father in many ways. He was tall and muscular with dark brown hair and eyes. His chosen weapon, also like his father, was the long staff. But one thing that made him different was that he liked to express himself more, he was never happier than when he was talking to people.
"Who?" Will asked.
"Oh yeah Will, like you're gonna know any monks," Djaq quipped.
"Might do," Will retorted.
"Er…you won't know the monks but you might know one guy. He seemed to know you Robin, though he would never tell me how. His name's John," Tristan interrupted.
"John," Robin shook his head, "As you can tell I know too many Johns. So I probably I won't remember him."
"Rabbit's done," Much announced licking his lips and pulling the tender meat off the stick it was skewered on.
"Oi, Much, you're not the only one who's got to eat," Allan snatched the food from him. Much dived after him grabbing uselessly at the rabbit as Allan leapt up and taunted him from a distance. Much jumped up too and chased Allan round the fire.
"Hey you'll ruin the meat!" Djaq moaned.
Tristan watched intrigued by the two grown men acting like children. He raised an eyebrow as Much threw himself on Allan's back and clung on. Allan spun round trying to throw him off but in vain. Much was attached to him and not letting go.
"Much, shouldn't you be setting an example in front of Tristan? We don't want him thinking we are immature and completely mad," Robin grinned.
"But we are!" Allan grunted as he finally got a grip on Much and flipped him clean over his head. Much landed heavily on the floor, all the wind knocked out of him and red in the face.
"Ouch," Johnny winced.
"Ouch indeed," Much panted pulling himself painfully off the floor and rubbing his back.
"Serves you right," Allan puffed, still exhausted. Then he held up the slightly grubbing looking rabbit triumphantly and said, "Food anyone?"
R&R please. All critism is welcome but i prefer the nice stuff. So if you could find it in your hearts to write just a few words it would make my day!!!