(This chapter leads up to a very climax, though the Sheriff and Langley still haven't met I believe they will in two chapters... or at least next chapter, though maybe not directly. Anyways enjoi because its long and was very hard to write.)
Chapter 3: Fate Flows Downstream
The finding of a river was not only some of the best news for all four of them, but it was also the worst news, then the best news again. They found people, just not initially friendly people, and Robin and his bloody nose could attest to that. It was funny how fast the tables had turned though; one moment they were fighting, and the next they were sitting under a large beneath a blanket of stars with the burning embers of a fire to alight their newfound friendship. They were all good people, even the sourpuss in the far tree that took every opportunity to dis Robin; Langley could only wonder how they'd all become outlaws.
"I'm still a bit confused," Langley began, taking a seat next to Azeem and declining the offer of mead as it was passed around. "How is it you all became outlaws?"
"The same way everyone does nowadays Miss," the one named John Little replied, smiling amusedly at her. "By not paying our taxes. Even the boy here has his taxes that haven't been paid, all thanks to the Good Sheriff."
"I've heard very little of the Good Sheriff, but what I have heard is nothing but bad news at all." Langley sniffed amusedly, leaning back on the trunk until she got in a more comfortable position.
"I'm afraid that's all he is Miss, but what exactly have you been convicted of?"
Langley snorted amusedly, "Hand me the mead I'm going to need a swig before I tell this story." The whole circle laughed and the drink was passed to her, she drank, offered some to Azeem who denied promptly, before circulating the jug once more around. "Well as it is I wasn't raised like most girls were; my father wanted a son, but as fate would have it he couldn't manage to make one. So he settled for me, the most adventurous and physically adept of his girls and trained me like he would a boy. Once I became of age though I was required to marry, being a Baron's daughter as I was, however I refused to marry the slimy git and was therefore decreed and outlaw by my own father. Then when I came here I threatened the Sheriff, Gisborne, and almost killed three of his men, though I'm sure I injured the pride of them all." The whole group of men listened intently, feeling a surge of pride at the accomplishments of one of their own. Funny how quickly she became an outlaw with them, though no one objected.
"Well it seems you've earned your place then, how are you related to these three fine men?" John urged, his blue eyes twinkling even in the dark.
"Robin is my cousin, Duncan is a close friend and Azeem is heading that way too. I suppose we are all outlaws now."
"None of you are outlaws." The sourpuss hissed, jumping down from his spot and talking over to the group, "none of you are anything but spoiled rich kids in the woods." He stalked off, leaving a quite flustered Langley and confused Robin in his wake.
John cleared their conscious quickly however with the wave of his hand. "Pay no mind to Will Scarlettt, he's got enough spite to fuel the world and so little reason why. But let's not dwell on that, let us have our time tonight, for here, we are kings!"
Robin spoke up after John, "Why can't we be kings out of the woods too? Why not fight back against the Sheriff?"
"Well lad, we would but we are only commonfolk, all farmers driven from homes with no knowledge of fighting or combat, least of all compared to that of the Sheriff's men or the likes of you!"
"No, I agree with Robin, we should fight back. I for one am not going to hide in the woods while the Sheriff tears down the city and abuses our people. I just won't. We must retaliate." Langley chimed in, her mind trailing to all the possibilities of what fighting and winning the battles against a cruel man like the Sheriff could do. It could only bring peace.
"And how do you two propose we do that?" John asked in honest curiosity.
Langley and Robin met eyes, a smirk forming on both their faces as a similar idea formed in each the other's mind. "I think we have just the idea…"
-0-
"Duncan, do they still give alms to the homeless and poor at church?" Robin asked the following day, Langley and him having already spoken of the outline to their grand scheme.
"Yes they do Master Robin, every Sunday, the need for mercy is greater now than ever." Duncan replied lowly, coughing afterwards as he lay against a tree in a slumped position, his body language practically shouting exhaustion.
"Today is Sunday isn't it?"
"Yes Master Robin."
"I think it's time we went to church then, Langley."
She didn't even have to look up from sharpening her tools, already aware of her cousin's thoughts when she replied with a swift nod and sly grin. "I agree Robin, a visit seems long overdue."
-0-
"We beseech thy blessing, Lord, on all your people, but most especially on our noble Lord Nottingham. Grant him the wisdom to guide and protect our glorious city. Grant him also the strength to bring to justice the lawless men who threaten its safety. Help him to stamp out the curse of the dread Druids who would seize from us our children, even as wolves steal the lambs from their mothers." Langley scoffed under her breath, pulling the tattered brown cloak tighter to her form and hid deeper in the shadows of her cowl. She could see the good Sheriff in the front row of the church, but only the back of his curly head was visible so she had no face to put with the wretched man. She picked out Gisborne next to him and Marian a row back on the opposite side of the cathedral, she also noticed the glances he sent her way, and had to choke back a laugh at his painfully obvious attempts to gain the girl's attention. Poor sod, he'll never get anywhere with her. What comes around goes around I suppose. "In the name of god, Amen." The church-goers echoed "Amen" back and the rich dispersed, most ignoring the beggars they passed and turning down their open, groping hands like it was their fault they were this way. Langley peeled away from Robin, knowing his act of a blind man would only work if she went separate ways from him. She could have some fun with this anyways. Turning from Robin as if she didn't know him at all, Langley crossed the room to a shrine where she had a good angle on the Sheriff and could eavesdrop without looking suspicious. Signing the holy cross on her chest, Langley Bent slightly over the candles with one eye looking out her peripherals at the Sheriff and the men surrounding him, all blissfully unaware of their mysterious onlooker.
"When the Barons return we shall be hosting a ball to affirm their allegiance." The Sheriff explained in a deep timbre, his authority demanding purr sending shivers down her spine at merely hearing it for the first time.
"What will we do then my lord?" One asked, in a whisper, his eyes flickering nervously around at the obviously touchy topic.
"All will reveal with time, but now is not that time nor the place to discuss such matters. I have business to attend to." He formally dismissed himself and appeared by Marian's side. Langley felt her heart constrict, with hatred perhaps? She didn't' know, but she decided now was not the time to dwell on that. She had to find Robin.
It didn't take much of any seeking to find Robin, though she did have trouble getting anywhere near the Bishop's quarters without looking suspicious, though she gave up on that after two tries. Who cared anyways.
Both were in such deep conversation, and Langley had snuck in so quietly, that neither noticed her entrance, so she decided to play along and stay in the shadows as silent as possible. It didn't take much looking to see that the Bishop was rich, all Bishops were rich, yes, but this one was particularly wealthy with all sorts of non-church related jewelry and had poorly hidden golden stashed throughout his chambers. "Curious…"
Her train of thought was broken when the abrupt sound of a chair moving across the floor, followed by a resounding screech and angry shout of Robin, met her ears, however, and she turned her attention to the other outlaw in the room. "Come Langley," Robin said irritably as he turned from the Bishop, "we are leaving this lying coward to dwell on his transgressions."
Langley was a bit taken aback by his bluntness, but figured she'd get the full details later. Now they could get caught, and that would not end well.
Robin led to the door with his cousin in tow, but upon reaching it and opening it they both noticed there was someone there. Langley immediately recognized the man, but he didn't recognize them, though he didn't glance a single moment in her direction. Robin got a hold of the gist before he reached into his pocket, withdrew a knife, and cut the Sheriff across the face and promptly closed the door on him. A scream echoed in the hallway, and Langley looked at her cousin, "Maybe that's why we are wanted." She said almost sourly, Robin shrugged and began looking around the room for an escape, and quick, because the door opened and guards poured in. She grabbed Robin and took hold of the rope in the middle of the room before cutting the bottom; it hoisted them both in the air before the swinging swords could even nick their feet, and the chandelier replaced where they stood moments before, now at the top of the Bishop's quarters.
"Locksley!" An angry Sheriff of Nottingham roared from below, "I'm going to cut your heart out with a spoon!"
They both shared a snicker, he was so angry it looked as if he'd foam at the mouth. "Let it begin!"
They both turned and jumped from the window, landing on a ledge before jumping down from there onto a sturdy tent that bounced them straight back onto the ground. Langley ran for the two nearest horses, not having been able to bring Spade in case someone recognized the horse, he was a rare breed of solid black after all. "I'll take the white one." Langley shouted to Robin as she took off at the guard who held the reigns, jumping into the saddle in one swift movement before kicking him in the face and seizing control herself. Robin did the same to the chestnut beside them, and they both reared their horses and took off for the gate, the Sheriff pursuing behind them.
Over the shouting of the people and loud gallops of the horses on cobble, Langley almost didn't hear the Sheriff scream: "Close the gate!" from behind them. Langley stole a bag from a cart they passed, Robin doing the same, and as they passed guards on either side of the gate that tried to halt their progress they swung the sacks at them and threw them upon the wall at the impact. From there on out no one else dared to try and stop the outlaws no matter the bounty on their heads, though a few arrows did land near the horses they were out of shot after a minute of riding and back in the protection of Sherwood Forest.
They didn't slow their pace until they were sure that they had arrived back at camp, in which they dumped the contents of their sacks and dismounted their horses before tying them to a nearby tree. The outlaws crowded around the sacks for food, hungrily delving in for any source of cabs they could. Langley had grabbed two loafs of bread to share between Azeem and herself, Robin doing the same for Duncan. "How am I supposed to protect you, Christian, if I know not where you are?" Azeem demanded when he approached Robin, Langley threw a loaf to him which he caught, and began gnawing on her own as she watched the scene unfold before her.
"You barely raise a finger when you do," Robin responded distastefully, Langley trailing behind him as he peeled away from Azeem who detested he helped when he wished. Robin ignored him.
"Wonderful! You've stolen the Sheriff's horse." Scarlett said accusingly, stalking to Robin with an obvious sneer on his face.
Langley came to her cousin's rescue with a casual look, wondering why the Scarlett boy hated Robin as much as he did. "Actually I stole it but-"
"What are you two doin'? Tryin' ah' stir up a blood hornet's nest are yah?" John added, bending around the tree with his walking stick slung over his shoulder.
"What, are you scared John?"
"Yeah, a little."
At least he's being honest. Langley took a bit of her bread, her inner commentary staying silent for the time being.
"Well so is the Sheriff, because today I gave him a sting he won't soon forget."
Langley's face scrunched up a bit as she remembered the Sheriff's face, now that she reflected on it she had to say she was a bit sorrowful, shame such a handsome face had to be ruined. She promptly choked on her bread when the thought sunk in- she was saying this of a murderer! A horrible, terrible, unfair man who deserved nothing less than death! Can't deny he's not handsome though.
"You've started a war!"
"We're already at war!" Robin bent down and handed Duncan the bread before addressing the crowd of people that had gathered, Langley watching observantly from behind. "And I say we strike back at the very man who's taken our homes and hunts our children."
John smirked and leaned onto his stick, his blue eyes shining mischievously like a young boy's would. "You planning to join us then matey?"
There was a pause before Robin answered, "No, to lead you."
He turned and left, leaving the whole group in shock and awe behind him. Langley shrugged at a befuddled John and jogged to catch up with Robin, taking another piece from her loaf of bread. It had been a while since she'd eaten anything but dry meat.
Azeem intercepted them as Robin stalked and Langley hurriedly jogged behind him, struggling to eat and move at the same time. "You forget Christian that these are simple people, make sure you don't use them for your own purposes."
"You forget yourself Azeem, I did not ask for your company or counsel." Robin offered a fake smile and pat Azeem's chest mockingly before walking away, Langley, once more, following. She finally caught up to him and broke off a piece of bread and placed it in his hand.
"Cousin, I hope you know you surely won't be leading me."
Robin smirked with a mouthful of bread, "Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Good," She sped up and brushed past him, turning to face him but still walking, just now backwards, "because when we were younger I remember always beating you at Capture."
Robin rolled his eyes, leave it to his cousin to decide ranks based off of a game. "In my defense the war has changed me."
"Yes, yes, that's what they all say. You up for a rematch?"
Robin smirked at his cousin's challenge, "Most definitely."
-0-
Beads of sweat were dripping down Langley's forehead when she and Robin mounted a fallen tree, she laying against the trunk in exaggerated exhaustion. They had played a single game of Capture, where the objective is to gain another man's most prized possession through any means, which for both Locksley's happened to be the bows they carried. Langley had gotten Robin's bow by swinging down from a tree on a rope but he'd tackled her to the ground soon after. She'd wriggled free but not at the cost of her bow, so they were both still arguing who won.
"I definitely won that game, again." Langley said with a triumphant smirk, glancing briefly at Azeem who took a seat on the other side of Robin, who, was now sharpening the heads of his arrows, out of breath as well.
"I beg to differ cousin, I got your bow."
"But I got yours first!"
"What is it that you two Christians are arguing of?" Azeem asked in an amused voice, smiling at their childish antics.
"Who won the game we played!"
Robin held his chin high, "Not who, I won, there's no argument."
"That's a load of bologna and you know it! I got the bow first, fair and square—"
There was shouting, and at once all three heads turned to where a group off rugged people were gathered and coming at them. They weren't exactly coming for them, but they were coming, and almost all of them seemed to be injured in one way or another. They had no food, ripped clothes, and their faces were sunken with depression. Some of the outlaws they were acquainted with greeted the newcomers with gusto, their worried, relieved shouts of gratitude filling the air. Even John was reunited with the lover, Fanny, he'd talked so fondly of so often. "By the name of Allah," Azeem murmured with wide, unbelieving eyes.
"Me too." Langley echoed even quieter, taking in the sight with a dry mouth and constricted throat. There was not a doubt in her mind who was at fault for this.
"Where's Robin and Langley of Locksley?"
"There!" Will shouted, pointing his fingers at the group of three sitting atop the tree.
"Look," the same man cried, grabbing a child with a bloodied face, "look what you've done!"
"If its fame you seek Christians, than fame you have." Azeem hopped down from his perch and Langley glared after him.
"His mood swings are quite drastic and quick," she muttered to Robin, not expecting an reply, and promptly not getting one.
"You brought this misery on us Locksley." Will said angrily, once more jabbing his finger at the cousins with a sneer on his face.
"No, this is just Nottingham trying to divide us." Robin affirmed steadily, not seeming the least bit offended by the turn of events, while on the other hand Langley had her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"We already are divided rich boy. I'm not as blind as that old man over there, you're still trying to be lord of the manor. I heard today that the Sheriff values your neck at five hundred pieces, and the girl's at seven hundred." The crowd let out a collective 'oooooh', they'd probably never heard of so much money in their life. Langley gave Robin a smug smirk, she cost more than him. He rolled his eyes, and Scarlett continued on. "I say we take him in."
"Will," Robin interjected, "do you thinking the Sheriff will give everything back after I'm, gone, we're gone?" He gestured to Langley.
Scarlett opened his arms wide, "He'll give us the reward and our pardons."
"Wrong." Robin jumped down, and Langley followed suit, catching the drift her cousin was alluding to.
"Robin's right, he'll stretch you're necks one by one, all of you." Langley said in a matter-of-fact tone, gesturing to the crowd with her sword which she'd unsheathed for precautionary measure.
"Then what shall you have us do?" Will was addressing both of them now, seeming even angrier than before. This kid has real issues… "Fight armred men on horsebacks with, with rocks and our bare hands?"
Langley and Robin shared a glance, and then a smile. "If the situation calls for it."
Robin continued on for his cousin, "But with the one true weapons of escape you will: courage." He brushed passed Will, and Langley was about to follow when Scarlett reached to his belt and grabbed a knife. He prepared to throw it, but before the blade could leave his hand Langley had knocked an arrow into her bow and shot it, the weapon going straight through the palm of his hand.
Scarlett held his hand, and Robin turned around at the sound of commotion before surveying the situation with slightly confused eyes. Scarlett ran, and Robin turned on his heel and approached Langley whom still had her bow out, another arrow knocked in. "What happened?"
"A thank you would be suffice."
Robin rolled his eyes, "Thanks."
"You wish to stop this?" The crowd grunted.
"You wish to go home?" Langley joined in, her voice loud and clear across the clearing, drawing all attention to the pair that wasn't already there. The crowd mumbled yes, albeit louder than their grunt.
"Then we must stop fighting against ourselves and face for the price though it may be dear. Because I for one would rather die than spend my life in hiding."
"The Sheriff calls us outlaws, but we are free. And one free man defending his home is more powerful than ten hired soldiers. The crusades taught me that," a beat, "I will make you no promise but one: that if you truly believe in your hearts that you are free, then I say we can win."
Langley was about to clap, but a man, whom she thought was named Bull (odd name), called out, "But they've got armor."
"They've got armor? Even this boy can be taught the chinks in the armor of a soldier!" Robin reassured.
"But we ain't got no food!" Another man yelled.
"What do we need that the forest cannot provide? We have food, wood for weapons, we'll find safety and solace in the trees."
"What about our kin? They'll sure take all they've got to."
Langley smiled at Robin, both their head working a million miles per hour in the same direction. "Then by god we'll take it back."