"Much, do you remember all those songs you learned when we stopped off in Aquitaine on our way home from the Holy Land?"

Robin chewed thoughtfully on a piece of straw as he spoke to his best friend, all the while eyeing the indignant, nearly naked form of Martin of Aylesbury, with a highly satisfied smirk.

"Aw, no! You're not gonna let Cheeseboy sing to us, are you?" Roy would have none of it.

"Just to teach Aylesbury a few tunes. I thought it might help him with his wooing."

Much was excited. "I remember them all, Robin! Which is surprising, really, considering you never let me sing!"

"Well, I'm letting you sing now. Go on," Robin coaxed. "Teach him some love songs."

Much cleared his throat and began to sing, scaring all the grimacing, groaning outlaws away...all but Robin, who stayed, surprisingly, grinning almost evilly.

"Well," Robin invited Martin when Much's song was finished, "sing it back."

"What are you talking about? I refuse to take music lessons from an ignorant serf!"

"I told you," Robin reminded Aylesbury coolly, his voice dripping with honeyd threats, "Much is no longer a serf. I suggest you do as I say. Sing it back."

Martin glared back and forth between Robin and Much for a few moments, then wisely began to sing.

"Why, Much!" Robin cried, "Aylesbury has a wonderful voice! Almost as good as yours!"

"Master! You've never complimented my voice before! Do you really think I sing well?"

Robin laughed wryly in lieu of an answer.

Aylesbury grew more and more frustrated. He was actually holding up quite well, considering the terrible things he had endured today.

"Are you finished yet, Hood?" he asked. "I will remind you, I am not some common minstrel, sent to amuse you with tunes of courtly love from Queen Eleanor's Court at Aquitaine!"

"You are correct...you are not! But, now that you've learned the song and can sing it so well, how about I take you to Knighton, and you sing it to Lady Marian?"

"What?"

"You heard me! But I warn you, Lady Marian is a very discriminate music lover. Sensitive ears, you know."

"What are you talking about?"

"You, Aylesbury, are coming with me to Knighton tonight! You are going to stand under the lady's window, dressed just as you are, and serenade your lady love with the song taught to you so well by my friend Much!"

"Thank you, Master!"

"I will do no such thing, Hood! And, she is not my lady love! Do I need to remind you, I already have a wife? A wife, by the way, who's expecting my child!"

"Congratulations."

"Now that we've got that straight, I demand you release me, restore to me my things, and lead me out of this filthy forest! Ow! An insect just bit me!"

"Sorry. Some of them do that. Be thankful it wasn't a tarantula, isn't that right, Much? Nasty bites those spiders give. Takes weeks to heal."

"Hood! Let me go!"

"I do not think you're in a position to bargain, Fancy Pants!" Much proclaimed proudly. "Now, let's practice again. I wasn't satisfied with the finish. You need to build to the close...not fizzle out the way you did!"

...

Later that night, a miserable Martin of Aylesbury waited outdoors, lit by a full moon, wearing nothing but his boots and his embroidered underpants, under Lady Marian's bedroom window at Knighton Hall. Robin hid closeby behind a tree trunk, keeping an eye, and an arrow, on Aylesbury.

"Sing," Robin whispered loudly. "Now."

Martin was mortified, embarrassed by his appearance and frightened of Locksley's perfect aim. His only consolation was that this whole ghastly ordeal might soon be over.

He weakly lifted his voice in song.

"Louder," Robin whispered.

Martin sang louder. Before too long, Marian's face appeared at her window.

"What is happening out there?" she called down from her room. "Who is singing?" Her face registered surprise when she spied Aylesbury.

"Martin! What are you doing here? Are you alright?" She quickly took in his appearance. Guessing that Robin was somehow behind this ridiculous serenade, she was torn between anger at him, and disgust at the sight of Martin's scrawny chest and arms. She'd had no idea how greatly the padding in his fine clothing enhanced his appearance.

Her father, cloaked in a robe, came from their house and ushered Martin inside. "Young man, are you hurt? We heard you were kidnapped!"

"It was Hood!" Robin heard Martin say, as he entered the Hall. "He's as mad as the Sheriff claims!" The front door closed behind him, sealing him safely inside, while Robin waited, disappointed his scheme was over and done with so quickly.

But it wasn't over yet. Marian, still leaning from her window, sensed his presence in her yard. She was furious as she whispered his name into the night.

"Robin! Show yourself!"

He was disappointed no longer. This was exactly what he longed for.