"Are you alright?"
Robin laid a hand on Much's shoulder, as the soaking wet miller's son shivered on his knees in the mud. Tears spilled from the miller's boy's eyes as he nodded his head "yes," but the red welts on his neck and hands spoke otherwise. Robin knew there must be more welts hidden under Much's clothing. Marian caught up and dropped to her knees beside Much to hug him, oblivious to the mud staining her new plum colored gown.
Prince John's attendants bowed their heads respectfully at Huntington's son's approach, and Prince John squealed with delight.
"You!" he cried, clapping his ring covered hands together in glee. "If it isn't the Birthday Boy himself! What are you doing outdoors? I thought I heard your lord father banish you to your room, Robert." He mockingly said the name in imitation of the Earl's stern tones.
"Much, go home," Robin ordered his friend.
"But, but, but, Robin!" Much sputtered. "My mother told me to fetch water."
"I'll bring her the water, once I'm finished here. Go!"
"Not so fast," Prince John commanded, when Much rose to leave. "What's your hurry, Peasant? Do you refuse to show your future liege lord the same loyalty he shows you? Why, he even offered to carry water for you! That in itself is astonishing! Why would you do that, Robert?" Again, he tried to mimic Robin's father's voice.
"Because, Your Highness," Robin answered, his own voice sneering the prince's title, "Much is my friend. You would not understand, not having any friends yourself."
The prince's eyes grew wide with outrage and disbelief. "You dare insult your prince?" he cried. "This is too much! You deserve worse than I gave him!"
"Go on then," Robin challenged the prince, "order your men to do to me what they did to Much. You're lucky I didn't bring my bow along, or you'd go down in history as John, the One Eyed."
"You just threatened your prince!" John cried. He turned to his men. "You heard him! You heard him threaten me!"
"That was no threat," Robin declared furiously. "But this is. I will beat you black and blue for what you did to Much. Come on, Prince John."
Robin raised his fists in invitation to fight. Much pulled Marian away to safety. The prince's men watched in fascinated admiration at the only boy in the kingdom who dared challenge King Henry's favorite child. They hoped he'd get in a few good blows before they managed to pull him off the snivelling brat.
"What?" Robin snapped, when John made no move to fight. "Too cowardly to throw a punch? Come on! Let's have this out, now! You don't come to my village and bully my people!"
Prince John was so astounded that anyone would dare raise their fists and challenge him to fight, he was speechless. How dare this grubby little boy treat him so? Even for Locksley's heir, this was too much! John was still hurting from the earlier blows Robin had given him, and he didn't want more of the same.
At last, the prince turned to the leader of his men. "Do something, McGhee! Seize the little beast, before he hurts me!"
"In respect, Your Highness, I will not lay a hand on Huntington's heir, unless your person is in danger."
"What do you think it's in, if not in danger?" John shrieked. "His fists are up, man! He means to hit me!"
"Only if you agree to fight, Your Highness. The boy is honorable. I will not touch him."
Robin lowered his fists and strode to face McGhee. "And yet, you did not hesitate to beat my friend when Prince John ordered. Why refuse the prince, when it's me, then?"
"My lord," McGhee replied, confused, "the blood of kings runs in your veins. We will not touch you, unless the prince were truly threatened."
Robin glared at the man, then turned his furious gaze on all Prince John's attendants. "Very well, then," he said. "I threaten him." He turned and refaced the prince. "Prince John, I suggest you raise your fists and fight me. Make no mistake, I will hit you."
Instantly, he threw a punch, hitting John squarely under his right eye. John wheeled back and fell on his bottom in the mud where Much had been dripping. Robin stood back, fists still raised, calling for the prince to rise and continue fighting.
But he didn't. He screamed curses at Robin instead, and ordered his men to seize the boy. This time, his men obeyed.
McGhee himself grabbed Robin's arms from behind, and wondered that the boy almost looked triumphant at being held.
"Take him to the manor. Maybe my mother will do something other than coddle him, this time!" John screamed. "And, God's Blood, someone help me up!"
John strutted by Robin's side, as McGhee held the boy and pulled him to Locksley Manor. Marian bid Much farewell, and returned to the manor herself. She would willingly confess her own part in luring Robin outdoors, and tell all she knew about Robin sticking up for Much. She doubted whether anyone would even let her speak, being only a little girl, but she'd be strong, and somehow make them listen.