Chapter 27
So many wonderful reviews. And now I shall post the following. Just remember, you've been trusting me to tell this story since chapter one and I do not take that trust lightly. Please keep faith that I don't plan on making this a tragedy. Not for our beloved pair.
Robin and his men were working their way through the forest at a snail's pace. No, it was slower than a snail. The plan sounded like a good idea at the time, which happened to be only thirty minutes ago, but Robin was regretting it. He shot a glare at Tuck several feet away, though the friar was too nervous to pay attention to Robin at the moment. So the archer looked forward again, straining his eyes to see deeper into the dark forest, trying to keep up faith that the plan was the best way to go. Now that the screams had stopped Robin had to hope for the best.
But with the screams stopping Robin was imaging the worst. In the short time he had gotten to know the queen, or at least reacquainted, he knew she had taken off to help Roland. This he had no doubt. But if she had succeeded in saving Roland, where was she? John mentioned her reputation would have possibly punishing Kristolf but Robin disagreed. Not with the idea that Regina would want to send Kristolf and Johnson to a fiery death, but something made him believe she'd first want to get Roland away, back to his father.
Now they were working their way towards the direction of the camp. It wasn't much of a plan but they hoped if they came in slowly, their scent would be too gradual for the dark elf to pick up at first, especially since he had already two humans with him. They hoped. They were spread out along the forest edge too, about ten to fifteen feet apart.
Just then, a howl came from nearby. Robin looked at the two men closest to him. John, being one of them, said, "Is that what I think it is? That demon wolf that the queen spoke of?"
Robin didn't answer but the howl sounded again, making his blood chill. Whatever it was, it wasn't a regular wolf, he'd heard those before. Robin considered the choices…continue on their slow trek or head to the sound. If the wolf was hunting, it may be too late already. When another shrieking howl was heard, this time sounding closer, Robin made up his mind. He took off.
Charging into the dark, foreign forest, was not exactly a sound strategy but images of Roland and Regina flashed through his mind. He had to help them. As he was running, he felt something…a force grab at him which wheeled him around and he fell. Robin saw nothing around him but forest, but something had grabbed at him. Robin yelled, "What is that? Show yourself."
Just like that, Regina appeared with Roland in her arms. At hearing his father's voice, he jerked his head, previously it was buried in her chest. "Papa!" He started to squirm.
Robin attempted to grab his son, tears already down his face but the howl came again and this time it sounded like it was very close.
"I lost my magic but managed to get enough back, enough for this invisibility spell. Here, take Roland, I may have enough to throw up a shield wall that will hold that thing back."
Not needing to be told twice, Robin took Roland who practically leaped into his father's arms. Regina didn't waste time either, she faced the direction of the beast and set out a shield about a hundred feet from them. The timing was almost too perfect. The shield had a faint purple sheen to it but the monster was charging so fast it ran straight into it. Robin jerked ready to run with Roland in his arms but luckily the shield kept the monster at bay. But he didn't linger there. Dark eyes peered at them through the purple mist, then he took off to their right.
Regina pursed her lips. By now the other merry men were approaching, gathering around Robin, seeing him reunited with his son brought joy to everyone's face. But Regina knew there was no time for celebration. "He's not going to be kept back for long. The wall is only so long, he's going to the end of it and will come at us from the side. We need your sticks ready."
Roland shuddered in his arms, but Robin had to ignore that for now. "How much magic do you have left?"
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, not very much."
"Enough for another invisibility spell?"
Her eyes shot up. "Not for all of us. Besides I'm sure it can smell us just like Kristolf can…"
Robin didn't need it for everyone. "Enough for you and Roland?"
Regina's expression told Robin she wasn't on board with that at all. "Robin, how about I do it for you and Roland? The two of you can-"
"Regina, here, take him." Robin's voice cracked betraying how hard it was to let Roland go. He did it so quickly Regina simply reacted, not giving her enough time to resist. "Whatever happens, I need Roland to remain safe. I think his best bet is with you."
"Papa!" Roland cried out. Regina followed, shaking her head quite thoroughly in spite of having a struggling boy in her arms. "No, Robin, you need to live and I'm sure everyone here agrees with me, right?"
They all nodded but Robin wasn't hearing it. "NO! Listen, men, without magic who has the best chance of taking that thing down? Me with my arrows because nobody shoots better than I do! I'll climb in a tree and Alan, you climb one too. Perhaps another one in a tree past Alan. Remember that griffen from a couple of years ago? Same setup!"
"But Robin," Regina started, glancing at Roland, she didn't like him hearing this at all. "Vukodlaks can jump really high. I don't think being in a tree will help you."
"We have to try!" he reasoned, tears forming in his eyes. "Men, are you with me? I've never needed you more than now?"
They didn't hesitate. Regina scoffed, she wasn't convinced. "No! Robin, you can't expect me to sit back and-"
He stepped forward, placing his hands on either side of her. "Of course you want to help, you've been helping since I came to you and you can continue to do so. By hiding, your Majesty. With my son. I'm entrusting you with the most precious thing in my life. If anything happens to him, all of this has been wasted." His eyes were practically filling with tears. He could see hers matched.
"You would really do that? Entrust someone so valuable to…" she paused, glancing at Roland who was back to crying. "..an evil queen like me?"
He smiled at that. "You're anything but an evil queen." He glanced at Roland. "I know you will guard him with your life which I pray, it won't come down to that." He backed off then, getting distance between them. Now his boy was bawling. Robin hoped Regina could get him to calm down, an invisibility spell does little if you can simply hear them.
With one last look he watched as she mouthed something to him, he didn't hear what it was. Then they disappeared. Turning around, Robin headed for a tall tree. He didn't have much time.
Regina knew Robin had no idea what he was getting into. The Vukodlak was no ordinary wolf. Taking him head on was crazy though at least Robin had the support of his merry men. They'd probably follow him into hell which Regina felt like was closing in on them anytime. The animal would come rushing and depending on whom he set in his sights would be the target he'd go after. If that was Robin in the trees, she doubted he could get more than two arrows off, maybe three at best. If Roland hadn't been a factor, Regina would have insisted on helping. Magic or no magic, she could distract the animal and maybe Robin and the others could kill him before he reached her. If they failed, well, better her than Roland's own father.
But as Roland kept crying, Regina realized the situation was hopeless. She had no choice but to protect Roland even though she felt part of her heart had followed Robin to go fight. The evil queen did not hide from her enemies!
Though hiding would be easier if she could get Roland to calm down. He was sobbing now, the short moment with his father ignited within him the panic at how scary the situation really was. And it really didn't help that the young boy inferred that his father might not be coming back.
"Sssshhh," she tried, rubbing his back. "It's okay. Dear, I need you to calm down."
"I want papa!" he shouted.
She couldn't let him keep this up. Trying another tactic, she pulled him away from her, the invisibility spell still allowed them to see each other. "Roland, do you remember when I made you my knight?"
He stopped then, fear clearly evident in his eyes. He didn't respond verbally, just nodded.
"Well sometimes a knight must remain very still and quiet." For a few seconds it seemed her words were sinking in. Maybe Roland would be quiet after all.
However, the Vukodlak was attacking now, the sounds from the animal plus the men yelling out commands were carrying through the woods to the invisible pair. Roland tried to turn to in that direction but Regina stopped him, taking his chin in her hand, forcing him to keep facing her. She was just glad they were not close enough to see.
"Roland, look at me," Regina tried again. She had no real experience with this. She hadn't soothed anyone in years, certainly not young children. Even Snow was twice his age by the time she came into her life. "I know you're scared. So am I."
"You-you are?"
She had to smile at that. "Yes, I am very much."
"But you're a queen! And magical."
"Everyone gets scared sometimes, Roland," she said. "And a situation like this, anyone who isn't scared would be a fool."
The roaring of the beast was getting louder and Regina straightened immediately. Looking around she wondered if they should get to higher ground? If the animal was coming this way, invisible or not they shouldn't be in its path. In the back of her mind she worried what it meant if the wolf broke through the merry men's blockade.
Another roar and she was off the ground, running in the opposite direction. Never had she thought she'd be running from a fight but with Roland in her arms…
More shouting so Regina slowed down, keeping Roland facing forward, she twisted herself to see if she could see anything but she was too far. She then heard what sounded like a crack, Regina pictured a tree breaking. Could he have seen Robin high up in the perch and jumped to him?
Silence followed and Regina almost cursed until she remembered she had Roland. Shifting to place the young boy's weight on her other leg, she tried to feel any magical strength returning but nothing came. Glancing down at Roland she wondered if she could try to get him to hug her in the same way as before, perhaps she could be healed again, regain a little powers.
Before she had a chance to decide, she heard a voice. It wasn't Robin or the merry men. It was Kristolf! She had almost forgotten the dark elf. And with that poisoned sword…Regina allowed panic to set in and started running back to the men. Eventually she came to her senses and paused. Roland was her priority, just as Robin wanted. Even with all his memories gone, he still asked her to protect the most precious thing in Robin's life and she would do so.
She couldn't make out exactly what Kristolf was saying but some shouting and what sounded like a commotion. Then silence again. Before Regina gave up hope she heard the merry men in unison for her to come back.
Without hesitation she headed for the sound of their voices, trusting it was now safe. She knew they would rather die than to trick her and risk Roland's life. As she got to the clearing, she saw the Vukodlak on its side. Several arrows sticking in him, two of them shot upward starting at the base of his throat.
She looked past the dead monster. The men were standing nearby, the snap she had heard was a tree that had been broken in two. Alan must have been in that one as he had what looked like a very serious wound but right now he was being treated by another merry man. Regina knew he'd need to be healed soon or he would likely lose that arm. She walked around, it was hard to see with the night sky but eventually her eyes found Friar Tuck who stepped aside, revealing Robin behind him. On the ground beside them was Kristolf's dead body. Finally it was over!
Roland saw Robin too and now holding him back was impossible. She set the boy down and watched as he happily sprinted to his father. Yet Robin didn't catch Roland like she expected, instead he stopped the boy, holding him at arm's length. Tuck was leaning down, Regina was too far away to hear what they were saying but it didn't quite look like the happy reunion she expected.
She searched around for John, whom she found easily. In spite of obvious injuries he was grinning at Regina, practically beaming at her. If something was wrong he would know wouldn't he? She started towards the outlaw and getting closer she could see tension in his body. Once she got close enough, it was clear Robin was gritting his teeth. Meanwhile, Tuck was still trying to take Roland who was not wanting to leave his father. That's when Robin collapsed.
Regina rushed over now, terror seizing her heart. "Robin!"
Tuck grabbed Roland pulling him back. Regina hardly noticed as her attention was fully on Robin, who had lain down. The rest of the merry men came rushing over. When she got to him, Robin took her hands in his. "Be careful, Regina, I'm so sorry."
"What? What's wrong?"
Robin glanced down to his left side, lifting up his arm, she saw it. It was small but clear. He was cut and already it was quite bloody. Ripping his shirt, she viewed the cut free of clothing, giving her confirmation of her worst nightmare: Robin was now poisoned with Nachzehrer blood.
I will be following up with what happened in the next chapter from Robin's point of view. Though I hate writing action (and I think that's clear) I won't cheat you on at least some of the details that went on with the merry men. But anyone scared about this ending, please have faith. Trust in Outlaw Queen! :D And please review.