"Breakfast for everyone, on Robin!" Little John announced to the assembled men.
Robin laughed. Well, he supposed they earned it. The diner looked great, and just in time for the dwarves' arrival for their morning coffee. Robin walked over to Granny, who sent Ruby to get everyone's orders. Robin followed Granny over to the register to pay.
Tom came over to them. "Just a minute, Granny, can you add a beer to my order?"
Robin gently punched Tom's arm. "I'm not paying for your drink, mate. Be happy with breakfast."
Tom smiled and pretended to rub his shoulder. "Hey, you owe one! I bought you a drink at the pub last week."
Robin frowned slightly. "Last week? Well fine, then, add it to the tab." Robin pointed a finger at Tom. "Never let it be said that I'm not a man of my word." Tom walked back to the booth where the rest of the men were gathered while Robin paid the bill.
The bell over the door chimed as a small figure came up to the counter.
Robin turned,expecting to see a dwarf, but instead spotted Emma's son, Henry.
Henry looked warily at him before turning his attention to Granny, who greeted him warmly. "Hello Henry, what can I get for you today?"
"Nothing right now, thank you Granny," Henry responded. "I'm actually here about lunch. I wanted to treat my mom to something special. Can I ask you to make your blueberry pie? It's her favorite."
Robin watched a look of understanding pass between them. Was he missing something?
Granny agreed to have a fresh pie ready for lunchtime. Henry thanked her, looked suspiciously at Robin one more time, and walked away.
Robin put a hand on Henry's shoulder to stop him. "Henry," he said. "You said your mother is meeting you here for lunch?" Henry nodded, but he still had that wary look in his eyes. Robin couldn't understand what that was about. "I want to thank her again for everything she's done for Marian, and for me. Would you mind if I interrupted your lunch for a few moments?"
Henry seemed somewhat reassured. Hesitantly, he smiled. Then he wished Robin a good morning and left the diner.
…
The merry men headed back to the camp after a busy morning. But if they were hoping to relax, they would be disappointed.
"Men," Robin announced. "Archery practice!" A collective groan spread throughout the camp. Merry men started complaining that this was Storybrooke, and they didn't have to hunt anymore. Also, the witch was defeated and their arrows didn't work against magical foes anyway. But Robin was having none of it and asked John to divide the men into groups of five.
The first group consisted of three men who had been with Robin almost since the beginning, one who had joined shortly after Marian had died and the last had only joined after the curse broke. The lifers had no problem completing Robin's drill, having had years of practice and familiarity with Robin's standards. The fourth man was a natural with the bow, and required only a bit of guidance before he, too was released. But the last man, Andrew, was abysmal with a bow and arrow. He was good with a sword, but archery was a skill that continued to elude him.
Andrew struggled to send an arrow flying at all, let alone in a deliberate direction. Robin didn't notice while he was busy with the others, but once Andrew was the last one left, his failure became obvious.
Andrew picked up the last arrow in his quiver, and launched it to about a foot away.
"What are you doing?" Robin asked. "How is it possible you haven't picked up any archery at all? What have you been doing all this time?"
"I'm sorry, Robin," he said. "I'm just no good at this."
"What do you mean you're no good?" Robin scolded him, loudly. "Good isn't something you just are, it takes work! You expect to magically become good? No! You have to earn it! Go get the arrows and we'll start again."
Andrew gathered his arrows, and reassumed his position. He raised his arms, and pulled an arrow back.
"No!" Robin yelled. Andrew flinched. "Have you not been watching the other men? Turn your body, lower your elbow, and face the direction in which you are aiming!"
Andrew nodded, and tried again. He released the bow, and the arrow dropped to the ground.
"What is wrong with you, boy? You're useless! I can't teach you. Get out of here. Practice until you can hit that target. You won't be allowed to sleep until you can." Andrew looked horrified. Robin said, "well, go! You're not going to get any better standing around gaping at me!"
Robin turned to where John had gathered the next group. They were watching the exchange, surprised. Robin said, "all right, let's see what you lot have."
The men took up their positions and began firing. Luckily, each of them was somewhat skilled. Once Robin sent them away, satisfied, John asked him gently, "what was that Robin?"
Robin looked at him, confused. "What was what?"
"The way you yelled at Andrew. He's trying his best."
Robin pointed toward where Andrew had gone into the woods to practice alone. "That was not trying. Trying yields results. He was obviously relying on the other men's skills to protect him. Every man must pull his own weight around here." Seeing that John wasn't satisfied, Robin continued, "I will give him extra lessons to make sure he improves, all right?" John nodded, but still didn't look happy.
Robin tried changing the subject. "What do you say we go out for a drink tonight? What's the name of the pub around here?"
"You mean Granny's?" John asked.
"No," Robin said. "Isn't there a pub? Where were we usually go?"
John shook his head. "I don't know what you mean, Robin. Neither you nor I have been to a pub since we've been here."
Robin frowned. "Then where was I drinking with Tom last week?"
"I'm sorry, Robin, you must be confused. You weren't drinking with Tom. You were with Roland every night last week."
Robin's face went from confused to angry. "Robin?" John asked. "What's wrong?"
Robin didn't answer, but stormed away, telling John the rest of the groups could wait until after lunch.
…
Around mid-afternoon, Marian was sitting by the fire with Roland when Robin dropped down next to her. Robin said, "what do you say I take you two to lunch at Granny's?"
Roland jumped up, "Yes!"
Robin stood and offered his hand to Marian, "you can see for yourself that there was no lasting damage from the incident yesterday."
Marian smiled, and nodded. She took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. Then, she noticed Tom carrying what looked like all of his belongings and walking slowly towards town.
Marian asked, "what is Tom doing?"
Robin's voice went cold. "He's leaving." Marian looked at him questioningly. "This morning, after he found out I was missing memories, he had me buy him a drink. He said I owed him from a time I don't remember. Later I come to find out it isn't true. I won't have that behaviour around our camp."
"So you're kicking him out?" Marian asked. "For how long?"
Robin looked at her, surprised. "He lied, and stole from me. That is not what the Merry Men are about. If he can't abide by our code, he can no longer be one of us. He won't be welcomed back."
Marian grabbed Robin's arm. "Robin, he was probably only joking! He would have repaid you, I'm sure."
Robin pulled his arm away from Marian. "A person's actions speak to their character. Someone who lies and steals is a liar and a thief."
"But it's such a small thing. Surely you can forgive him."
Robin looked at her, incredulous. "Forgive a man who steals from his friends? Some things are unforgivable, Marian. And some people should not be forgiven."
Robin picked up Roland and started walking toward Granny's. Marian followed behind with a worried look.
…
A/N: For those asking for longer chapters, I can only post as the story comes to me. I'd rather post short chapters more frequently than leave you hanging for a week or longer. Next chapter coming tomorrow!