Chapter 4

AN: *sigh* sorry for the incredibly long wait. happy new year. all lot of life stuff happened...moving and all. but I goanna have to promise to post more regularly. I am also gonna try to update hellfire and give life to a paw patrol story. see you then.

Despite constant arguments with little John, Robin was disguised as a poor blind fox, because...well...what's more of a low profile then that? Sure, maybe the blind part is a little suspicious, but it did work so far. Also, he knew Nottingham and Sherwood Forest like the back of his hand. Speaking of which, he was in Nottingham, which used to look very humble, but now, it looked dirt poor, thanks to Prince John taxing the place dry. Robin was taping his stick, making sure there wasn't anything to trip on, and listening and smelling what's around him. He stopped when he heard a birthday song, and with how many voices were singing, it was Esther's house he was near. Esther was a widowed mother rabbit of 14 children, whom he was a family friend of, despite them being natural enemies. However, he then heard some footsteps walking into the house, and then heard some talking.

"Well, now, sonny, that chest is done up right pretty, ain't it." Robin frowned, knowing it to be the voice of the sheriff of Nottingham himself.

There was a pause, then he heard another voice which was Skippy's. "Well, Mr. Sheriff, sir, it's my birthday."

"It sure is. Why don't you open it?" the sheriff said.

Robin didn't need to look to know wants would happen next. After a pause, he heard Skippy exclaim "oh, boy! One whole farthing!"

After some silence, he heard Esther say "have you no heart?" which Robin knew his prediction was right. "We all scrimped and saved to give it to him." He then heard a sniffle.

"Now that's mighty thoughty of you, widder women." Robin heard the fat wolf. He then heard a ting of a coin being flipped. "The family that saves together pays together." After more silence, he heard him continue "oh, now, don't take it so hard, sonny." He then heard what he guess's Skippy's head getting patted, and then the sheriff saying "King John wishes you a happy birthday too."

Robin decided then to walk in, tapping his stick, and holding out a mug, saying in a hoarse voice "alms, alms, alms for the poor."

Robin then heard the sheriff chuckle "hmm. Well." Robin then felt the sheriff throw a coin in the mug with enough force to bounce it back up. He then heard a gasp. "Well, so far it's been a cheerful mourning. Keep savin!" he then heard footsteps of the sheriff exiting the house.

"What a dirty trick." Robin heard Esther grumble. He then heard footsteps coming to him. Robin shook the mug, hearing nothing in it. The reason he put a coin in the mug in the first place was to test if the sheriff had any moral lift. But apparently, Robin was wrong.

"You poor old man." He heard Esther give a sad chuckle. He then felt her grab his arm "do come in and rest yourself." He then felt her lead him to a stool to sit in.

"Thank ye kindly, mother. Thank ye." Robin said with a smile. "Tell me now. Did me old ears hear someone singing a birthday ditty?" said Robin

He then heard a sniffle, then Skippy's voice saying "yes, sir. And that mean old sheriff took my birthday present."

"Did he now?" Robin patted the little rabbit's head. "But be a stouthearted little lad." Then opened his eyes and said "and don't let it get you down."

When he opened his eyes, Skippy's mood clearly had been changed "gee whiz! It's Robin Hood!"

Robin then took the ragged robe off, revealing a green tunic and skirt. "Happy birthday, son!

Cicely, the oldest child at nine, mostly called sis, who was wearing an orange dress and a bow, said dreamily "oh, he's so handsome, just like his reward posters."

Robin decided to ignore the fact that sis MAY have a crush on him. Hands on his knees, he said to Skippy "tell me, young man, how old are you today?"

"Gosh, I'm seven years old," said Skippy, puffing out his chest in pride and his hands on his hips. "Going on eight."

"Seven?" robin said, standing back up, his hand on his chin with a thinking look well, that does make you the man of the house, and I've got just the right present for you"

He then showed him a small bow and arrow.

"For me? Skippy said, gripping the bow and arrow. "Gee, thanks, Mr. Robin Hood, sir." He then proceeded to pull back the arrow on the bow. "Hey, how do I look, huh?"

"Not much like Mr. wobin hood." Said Tagalog, a three year old rabbit.

"She's right," the fox said, nodding and lifting an eyebrow. "There is something missing." He then gasped "of course!" He then took off his hat, and put it on Skippy's head. "There you go."

The hat was way too big for Skippy, almost fitting his entire head. But he lifted it up, and then said "boy, oh boy." He then pulled the arrow back on the bow again, saying "now, how do I look?"

Sis giggled "the hat's too big."

"Shh! Mind your manners." Esther scolded.

"Yes, mind your manners." Tagalong agreed, scowling.

Skippy stood still, clearly sad. Robin chuckled, lifting up the hat to see his face. "Don't worry. You'll grow into it, young man"

Skippy jumped, his mood clearly changed. "Oo-de-lally! I'm gonna try it out." Skippy then ran out the door.

"Good-bye, Mr. Wobin hood." Tagalong said, following Skippy. "Come again on my biwthday."

Esther chuckled. "Oh, you have made his birthday a wonderful one." She patted Robin's arm, who looked at her, beaming. "How can I ever thank you?" she asked.

"I only wish I could do more." Robin spoke softly, and handed Esther a bag of coins. "Here. And keep your chin up." He then put back on his tattered robe and hat and whispered. "Someday there'll be happiness again in Nottingham. You'll see."

He then closed his eyes to continue his blind man act, and walked away, hearing Esther say, "oh, Robin Hood. You've risked so much to keep our hopes alive. Bless you"

...

After some other visits, the sky grew dark, and night soon fell. While waking back to Sherwood Forest to check up on little John before meeting up with Agya, he tripped on a branch. Robin was about to get back up, but froze upon hearing footsteps rushing towards him. Robin thought at first one of the wolf archer's found him, but he was confused by hearing an unusual voice saying "hey, are you okay."

Trusting that the person was an ally, he let the person help him back up. Robin looked at the person and was surprised to see a dumbfounded fox that looked like him, but with green eyes. The fox looked surprised, as if he saw a ghost, and was trying to speak, but for some reason, did not seem to know what to say. A minute seemed to pass, and only then Robin decided to break the ice.

"What is your name?" Robin said.

The fox then seemed to find his voice. "Nick Wilde."

"Hm." Robin said, still taken back by the sound of Nick's voice "and why are you in Sherwood Forest."

Nick opened his mouth, but no sound came out of his mouth. Nick knew Robin would not believe him that he was a relative of Robin, or that he was from the future, and Nick doubted that America was even a thing that the British were aware of. And it was obvious there that Zootopia wasn't even a thought. So Nick did his best to come up with a convincing lie.

"Got lost." Nick said "want are you doing here?"

"Depends if I trust you" Robin said, folding his arms, looking at Nick up and down. Nick looked at his clothing and realized he was still wearing his underclothing, which would definitely look weird to Robin.

"Listen, you were the one pretending to be blind fox. I was the one wandering around, minding my own business." Nick said, "Plus, I helped you, didn't I?"

Robin sighed, "I was referring to your accent."

"I'm…Irish?" Nick tried, shrugging.

Now Robin was really confused. "Irish?"

Nick realized that Ireland may not have been a thing in the medieval ages, and was now scolding himself for not paying attention to his history class, and was trying to recall what he learned about the medieval ages.

"I'm sorry…Flanders?" Nick said, pressing his head.

Robin then narrowed his eyes "so you are a spy." he then grabbed the hilt of his sword, which was on his side.

"Whoa, no." Nick said, not wanting to get skewered. "I just... wanted to stay here"

Nick really hoped immigrants existed in the medieval ages.

"You're an alien then." Robin said, an eyebrow raised.

"...yes?" Nick said, hoping that this was a good thing.

Robin nodded. "Hm. well, I guess I could let you sleep at my father's manor."

Robin was about to walk when he turned to Nick and said, "My name is Robin Hood, by the way."

Nick nodded, following Robin, relieved that his ancestor didn't kill him.

"So, what brought you here?" Robin said. "Religion issues?"

"No." Nick said, deciding to be a little honest. "I was just actually getting nowhere in my farming business, so I decided to be a con man. Although that worked a little, I was earning a reputation for my crimes. So, I came here."

Robin gave him a suspicious glance.

"N-not that I do it now." Nick said

Strange fox, robin thought.

Robin looked back in front of him to see a waterfall where Nick bathed in before he met Robin, the moonlight glistening on the water. Nick did not need the reminder of his ZPD training. Luckily, he didn't have to repeat it, when he saw some stone's that looked like they led behind the waterfall, which Robin jumped on the stone's that went behind the waterfall. Nick followed, only to lose his footing and fall on the water below. But Nick managed to pick himself up, and follow Robin. This was great. Just great. He is stuck in the past, with a relative that is probably suspicious of him. Also, it had to be in the middle of his training, which, of course, was frustrating, but he started to enjoy teasing his roommates. For Pete's sake, he didn't even know where he was going, and the only reason he trusted the fox was because he had an idea of what Robin Hood looked like from paintings. But part of him was curious. After all, this could be the opportunity to meet Will Scarlet, or not, depending if he existed. That thought still lingered in his mind, as well as the mystery sword the black shuck talked about. Nick didn't believe magic, until he was almost stabbed in the face. Nick then absently checked his cheek, when he looked at his hand, there was some blood. He looked around and saw a plant with leaves, he was about to pick one up when Robin said "you do know that's English ivy, right?"

Nick flinched, taking his hand away from the plant. He then followed Robin saying, "how long have you lived here?"

"Most of my life." Robin replied. "Since my parents died."

It didn't really hurt that Robin talked about it, since most of the memory was blurry and used as nightmare fuel when he was trying to sleep. Sure, it would be nice to know his parents and actually have some time with them, but he was doing well, wasn't he? Robin is not any greedy noble, and can barely think of a universe where he was greedy. But in the back of his mind, he still asked if stealing was any better. Robin told no one this, not even Marian or little John, but he sometimes asks the question if what he was doing was good. Sure, he is feeding the hungry, but Robin couldn't help but think of that commandment "thou shalt not steal.", and putting himself there.

"What happened to your parents?" Nick said, pulling Robin back to reality. Robin did not really like telling others his life story, but looking at the stranger fox, he looked rather empathetic.

Robin sighed. "Murdered. My father's old advisor wanted to kill me as well when it happened. I was just an infant."

"Who was your guardian?" Nick asked, not remembering who adopted Robin.

"Agya." Robin said "he was the one that saved me from being killed in the first place. He is rough around the edges, but he taught me how to protect myself, which I doubt most nobles can do."

Nick was about to reply when he looked over Robin. In front of them was a large manor, looking like a Minatare castle, having one wing on the right side, roofed with red tiles. Two windows up front as well as lined with the wing. The doors were about as big as an elephant, and were in the shape of an arc, with golden studs lining the dark wood. It looked humble enough. Robin opened the doors to see a grumpy looking warthog.

"You're late." Agya said. He looked over Robin's shoulder and widened his eyes. Nick figures the fact he looks a lot like Robin, as well as wearing his boxers might make him look a little crazy.

"Who's your twin?" Agya nodded to the fox, folding his arms, feeling awkward.

"Nick Wilde of flanders."

"Mmm. I get that, but how poor do you have to be to travel in…whatever you're wearing."

Nick's ears flatten. "If I could decide what I could wear, I would've."

Agya looked at Robin with a knowing look. "I know you want to help the poor, but this is ridiculous." he waved his hand towards nick.

Robin scowled, and folded his arms "I thought you didn't care about my wellbeing."

Agya growled. "I prefer to not have a peasant stinking up the place."

Nick rolled his eyes and mumbled. "And the boar say's this"

"Oh, real cute," Agya growled, pulling out a double edged ax that looked like it wasn't cleaned for days. Nick backed away. First, his ancestor was about to skewer him for being a spy, and now his bodyguard was about to chop him to pieces because of a stereotype. This was not going well. Luckily, Robin held his arm out in front of the boar.

"Wow, wow, wow, my first visitor and you're going to kill him. Where's your manners?" Robin said.

"Don't sweet talk me out of this." Agya growled, his eyes bloodlust.

"Hey, at least give him a chance." Robin said, now in front of the hog, after a pause, the hog sighed "fine. But I better not see him stealing my food."

Nick let out a breath he was holding. Agya put his ax back, and walked away, but not before pointing at his eyes, then at him. Great Nick thought I got another chief buffalo butt on my back.

Robin sighed. "Don't worry about him. He's usually like this."

"How is that supposed to help!?" Nick exclaimed.

"Just follow me so you can at least rest. It's getting late." Robin said, going up some stairs on the left side of the hallway. Nick sighed and followed. At least he was offering a place to stay, which is rare coming from his cynical mindset.

"Here is where you are staying." Robin said, indicated to the room. Nick looked in, and his eyes widened. there was a comfy looking cot, a fireplace, smooth looking stone, what looks like a tapestry.

Nick laughed. "Seriously, where am I staying?"

Robin looked at him, confused. "You're serious." Nick said, eyes widening as he looked back at the room.

"What made you think I wasn't?" Robin said, a little hurt.

"This must be your room." Nick blurted.

Robin lifted an eyebrow "what made you think I'll offer my room. This was my father's old room."

Nick's ears bend down. This was not going well.

AN: I am kind of making this up as a I went along. I had a story planned out, but it was too short, so the delays because of me wondering how this will continue.