(AN: HELLO AGAIN. SORRY ABOUT ANOTHER HOLD UP, WHICH, PROBABLY ISN'T SURPRISING, BUT I WAS BUSY, AND HERE IT IS.)

(ALSO, SORRRY FOR THE CONSTENT CHAPTER 1 CHANGES.)

(DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ZOOTOPIA OR ROBIN HOOD.)

Chapter 6

The black shuck looked around, seeing three bunnies, one a boy, and two females, a turtle, a chicken, and a vixen.

The vixen, Marian, was giving the wolf a confused look. Who was he? Why is he here? Why does he have one good eye? And why is the shadow next to him alive?

"What," growled the black shuck, looking at the children Kluck and Marian were playing with as if they were insects, "are they doing here?"

"...playing?" Skippy answered shyly. The black shuck looked at him and glared.

"In his highness's garden? You know peasants are not permitted in the garden."

"Now, now." Kluck said, standing up and walking toward the hound with a finger pointing at him, "there are just kids. What could they possibly do wrong?"

"Children," The black shuck's tone turned icy, "make mistakes. And King John, even Richard, won't like to see their own garden ruined."

"We didn't touch it though." Cicely said. Tagalong was hiding behind Cicley, peeking over to see what was going on. Toby was just standing, pale and petrified.

The black shuck then noticed the arrow protruding from the ground. He walked over to it, picked it up, and started to examine it.

"Hmm, am I to believe that this is yours." The black shuck looked back at Skippy.

"Y-yes." Skippy said.

"Hmm, very fine workmanship. Tell me, who made this."

Now skippy was confused. Before, he looked very mad, but now looked interested.

"I don't have much of a temper." The shuck said to the visibly confused rabbit.

"It was made by my dad." Skippy replied sadly, "he is at the third crusade now."

"Bold." the hound said, stepping closer to the rabbit and vixen, Marian bringing the rabbit closer to her. "Something you apparently got from him. Is he a soldier?"

Skippy shook his head.

"Aw, he is a craftsman." The black shuck guessed. He then noticed some…odd details to the boy's attire.

"That hat…looks awfully like Robin Hood's." The black shuck winced on the word "hood", "where did you get it from?"

Skippy's ears fell. how would the wolf react to realizing that Robin gave Skippy the hat? Or the bow?

"No, sir," Skippy lied, "I made it myself."

The black shuck fidgeted with the arrow; eyebrow raised.

"With help." Cicely quickly interjected.

The black shuck slowly nodded. "Senko, am I to guess that the kids came here…for one arrow?"

"It's the only one I got." Skippy said truthfully.

Senko nodded. The black shuck looked at Skippy thoughtfully for a moment. "Tell you what, you'll leave king John's castle, and I'll turn a blind eye."

The kids looked confused, but Toby clarified by asking "you mean, you're letting us go."

The black shuck smiled, giving the arrow back to Skippy. "Yes, but you must not come here again, unless you want to walk around headless."

Cicely covered Tagalong's ears, and Toby gulped, touching his neck.

"Oh, come on." Kluck said, scowling, "isn't that a little extreme?"

The black shuck looked at the chicken and simply said, "welcome to the real world."

Then the shuck turned back to the kids and said, "why are you standing there?"

"You have to take the oath." Skippy said.

The black shuck raised an eyebrow. "Oath?"

"A hand over your heart and-"

"Well, I guess now you're going to have to have faith that I won't tattle."

Skippy looked at the wolf, surprised. The shuck then forcefully said, "Go. Now."

The children nodded and walked away, slipping threw the bars. The black shuck sighed, "What makes people think that bars would keep anyone out."

"Oh, you…at least keep your promise to the children." Kluck said, folding her arms, scowling at him, not impressed by the way he scared the kids.

The black shuck smirked. "What children?" The black shuck asked. Marian tilted her head. The black shuck seems unreadable, and a little creepy in a way.

Cold hands touched her shoulder, causing Marian to jump. Looking over her shoulder, the hooded shadow, apparently named Senko, was behind her, letting go of the vixen.

"Oh, yes," The black shuck walked to Marian, his eyes seeming to study the vixen, personality, family, weaknesses. "You are expected in the assembly. Apparently, we are having a…special visitor soon. So, get prepared."

Kluck cleared her throat. The shuck looked at the chicken, and sighed, "if you must."

…

Marian looked out her castle window, thoughts circling in her head. She was wearing a lime green long sleeve dress, a green woolen belt tied around her waist, and in her hands, a white veil. Who was this "special visitor" that the shuck talked about? An ally to the third crusade? A foe trying to make a deal? Saladin? Was the third crusade already over? Is Richard alive?

Marian closed her eyes, not wanting to bear the thought that her father was dead. She dismissed the thought and turned to memories of her childhood. She smiled, and started to dance around her room, swaying at the melody she played in her head.

Her room was that of stone, but there were accessories that breathed life into it. There was a circular rug on the floor with blue, cyan, and purple stripes, next to a purple cushion chair was a tapestry of a yellow flower in a red square, outlined with yellow, inside a green square, inside a blue square. Her bed added blue curtains, and a purple pillow, and on the rug was a desk with a pen and ink. On a chair with a purple cushion with yellow lining was lady Kluck, sowing.

"Ah, me. Young love." The chicken looked at the vixen dancing around gracefully. "Oh, it's a grand thing." the vixen twirled to her closet, and opened it, revealing a wanted poster of Robin Hood. Believe it or not, she actually got it from a wolf archer, who actually seemed to be a reluctant follower of Prince John.

"Here." he had said, "thought you might need a reminder that he is still alive."

"Oh, sure." Kluck said sarcastically.

The wolf gave a sad laugh, "my wife would kill me if I tried. After all, thou shalt not commit adultery."

Marian had been curious about how the wolf knew the verse, since the bible was pretty hard to read. She looked at the poster of Robin, not believing that the first time she met him was when he was looking for the arrow. She was also impressed at how accurate it was from when she last saw Robin, before she left for London.

"Oh, Klucky, surely he must know how much I still love him." Marian said dreamily, putting her veil on.

"But of course, my dear." the chicken nodded, speaking softly. Marian smiled, looking at the poster, and back at Kluck, who then teased "Believe me, someday soon, your uncle, king Richard, will have an outlaw for an in-law."

They both laughed. Kluck always said that joke about Robin and Marian ever since she knew about their relationship.

"Oh, Klucky." Marian softly giggled, and then looked back at the poster. "But when? When?"

"Oh, patience, my dear. Patience." Kluck said, inspecting her handiwork, and then glancing over to Marian, and pointed out, "remember, absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"Or forgetful." Marian mumbled, looking down, frowning as she walked to her bed. Kluck did have a point, but at this point, Robin started to feel like just a dream. A memory that felt so long ago. She sighed, "oh, I've been away so long…" Marian had not planned to stay there for 2 years. At minimum, she was expecting 6 months. She then went back to the window ledge, placing her hand on her cheek, expecting Robin to appear in front of her with that trouble-free smile.

There then came a knock on the door. Marian sighed again, and opened the door a crack, and peered through it. There stood the wolf that brought the poster. Like most of the Nottingham archers that the sheriff formed, this wolf had a dark brown hood, a sleeveless light brown tunic and skirt, a black belt, and a brown, sewn together quiver. But what made this wolf different was that he has a silver crucifix necklace around his neck, as well as his black fur, with gray fur temples, and yellow eyes. He was also somewhat scrawny, looking like he hadn't eaten in days.

"Prince John's assembly is almost ready." the wolf said, "You are welcome to be present, lady Kluck."

"Oh, I think I'm fine over here." Kluck chuckled.

The wolf indicated the way, and he walked to the assembly, Marian followed.

"Would you mind if I ask about your necklace?" Marian said, curious.

"Oh, this." The wolf lifted the small crucifix, looking like a glittering plus symbol with a black square in the middle. The wolf chuckled. "My father was a monk and wanted me to have this when I was a kid."

Marian tilted her head to the side, curious. "Why didn't you become one?"

From her knowledge of the "common folk" only a select few could become monks, and it was usually an honor.

"I was more inclined to serve my kingdom." the wolf said, "but I do remain loyal to my roots."

The wolf then opened one of the huge doors studded with gold and indicated for Marian to enter. Inside where torches lit alongside beautiful tapestries. Scattered around the room were round wooden tables, as well as nobles, some prey, some predator, some male, some female, all wearing lavish robes and dresses. The wolf was about to leave, when Marian said, "wait."

The wolf turned his head, "I didn't catch your name."

The wolf smiled. "Brown." he said, "Arthur Brown." Then the wolf left.

…

The castle looked daunting as Nick rode through the gates. The foxes' ears bent down at the rhino guards, gruff looking, and clearly not a fan of the vulpine. The minute he went an inch length from him and the guards, they crossed their halberds, blocking off entry

"Who are you?" the rhino ordered.

Time to get that hustler out of you. Nick said to himself. Clearing his throat and tilting his head up, looking down at the rhino's, he said majestically, "I am Will scarlet, the cousin of lord Robin Hood. I am here in absence of him."

The other rhino narrowed his eyes. "Isn't Robin Hood an outlaw."

Nick scowled, growling, "for your information, I do not associate with my cousin's disgusting deeds."

The two rhinos looked at each other, and back at him. Then the rhino's let him pass, Nick taking his chance, relieved that the lie worked. Nick then looked around at the garden, wondering where to leave the horse. Yes, apparently horses became sentient much later when cars came along. Still, it felt odd riding on another mammal.

Luckily, a ram came by and led his horse to some stables, and another servant, a curlew bird, led him to where the announcement was to be made. The walls were of brown stone, the hallway in an arch formation, scattered with painting's here and there.

"What's your name?" the curlew said, his voice sounded regal, but snotty.

"Will Scarlet." Nick said. He remembered asking Robin about any uncles or cousins, but apparently, he had none. What was more confusing was that Robin had Nick go to the meeting, not Robin.

"And where are you from?" the curlew said

"Blidworth." Nick responded.

"Oh, that town." the curlew chuckled, "no wonder we don't see you regularly."

Nick was about to protest, but was cut off before he could say anything, the curlew saying, "here we are." and opened a large door. The room was large and circular, with round table's scattered around, tapestries flowing on the walls, next to torches to brighten the room. On the other side of the room was a circular stage. Scattered around the room were nobles, talking to each other, but stopped abruptly when Nick entered the room.

"Presenting," the curlew boomed, nick jumping at how loud the bird's voice can go. "William Scarlet of Blidworth."

Whispers quickly followed.

Inhaling softly, Nick made his way through the noble's. Soom giving him dirty looks, and raised eyebrows, Nick heard one, a fat wolf with a southern drawl, say, "he looks too much like Robin Hood."

Nick made a mental, Told you so.

He then decided to take a seat that was on the right of the throne, which was on the stage. Laid in front of the throne was a long, rectangular table, covered with a red sheet, and foods of all shorts. Behind the throne was a red curtain. The throne's set cushions were red, with gold and jewels for armrests, and outlining the throne. Beside him was a vixen about the same age as him, wearing a lime green long sleeve dress, a green woolen belt tied around her waist. She looked at him as if he was a close friend that had died.

"Uh," Nick cleared his throat, "may I help you?"

The vixen then looked away. "Sorry," she said softly, "just, you look a lot like Robin Hood."

"You must be Marian." Nick said, "my cousin thinks highly of you."

Nick and Robin agreed that his character should be temper fueled and hate robin, but, for whom he guessed was Marian, he would make an exception.

Marian gave a sad chuckle. "How is Robin?"

"Lonely." Nick said. Sure, there was Agya, but Nick bet that he wasn't the best company. And Robin barely knew Nick. he couldn't help but marvel that his great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother was sitting here. Which means, although it might still happen…hopefully, he needed Robin and Marian to be together. But of course, he is not going to say that, so he decided to tease Robin about it.

"Come on, no one else is taking her." Nick had teased.

"And what do you suppose I would say?" Robin had asked, and then in a mock voice said, "'Hello, my name's Robin. I'm pretty sure you remember me. You don't? Regardless, will you marry me?' I highly doubt that would work."

"Visit her. Invite her on a date. drop some flowers off." Nick had listed, "just to get back on track."

Robin threw his head back and laughed, almost falling on his chair, "And waltz into Prince John's castle? I'm brave, not dim."

"Oh, come on, it can't be that hard." Nick said, folding his arms.

Robin was clearly about to retort, when robin's face looked like a lightbulb went off above his head.

And here Nick was, as Will Scarlet, talking to Robin's love of his life, who looked sad. "I guess so, since his parents died when he was so young."

Nick then tried to look shocked, which he actually was. "Who told you that?"

"Robin," Marian said, "when he was young."

"LORDS AND LADIES," a voice shouted, interrupting Nick's thoughts. The nobility then turned their heads to a green python, wearing a blue ball-shaped hat with a feather, and a blue cape. "King John lionheart, his majesty, his greatness, his grace, his-"

"No need to overdo it, Hiss" a skinny, bedraggled looking lion stepped out of the curtain, his red cloak looking way too big for him, ditto to his crown, his ears having to act like hands holding the crown.

Nick furrowed his brow. That is what Robin hood is so worried about. John at least looked somewhat fit in the paintings. John sat on his throne, looking like he has been dreaming of this moment for a very long time.

The green python, Hiss sighed, "King John has arrived."

Nick then noticed something…odd. Did the python…glare at John? Was that usual? Before Nick could think about it, the lion then addressed the nobility.

"It has come to my attention that Robin Hood has become a problem in Nottingham" he was interrupted when the nobility started to murmur, Nick overhearing many whispering death threats and cursing Nick's ancestor's name.

"Luckily, my stay in Nottingham will be prolonged to catch the criminal. As well as my new ally and advisor."

Wait, what?

Then a slamming of an opening door interrupted Nick's thoughts, and when he looked at the guest, his heart sank. The blank shuck was walking in a fast pace towards the stage, and hooded shadow with red eyes on the wall, snuffing out torches as it passed them.

Nick quickly angled himself out of the black shuck's line of sight. He then felt a cold chill run along his spine. The black shuck then stopped at John's right hand side with what looks like a small scroll in his left hand. Then turned to the prince, and gave him a half-hearted bow.

"My king, it appears we have gained the attention of the pope." the black shuck said, "may I read his note?"

"Go ahead." Prince John waved his hand.

The black shuck handed his staff to Senko via Senko holding the staff's shadow. The black shuck then unfurled the letter, and started to read.

"'In regard to his majesty, king John. it has come to my attention that the tithing of Great britain has been coming up short.'"

The lion shuffled in his seat, looking nervous. The black shuck continued.

"'For your information, it is needed for the church to receive 3% of the tax of the land.'"

King John was about to protest when the black shuck continued, "'failure to do so will result in the uncrowning of His majesty, king John Lionheart. In such wise, I will have cardinal Adam Grozdanovic of Serbia to oversee his majesty, and flow of tithing. Moreover, it has come to my scrutiny that the lord Robin Hood has been a vexation to the crown, so I will have faith that cardinal Grozdanovic will give a proper sentence to the scrounger. Sincerely, the pope."

There was an outburst, the nobles clearly upset that they have to take part of the taxes. Marian looked directly at Nick, who was looking at the black shuck, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"Will," Marian whispered, albeit sharp enough to get Nick's attention. "You have to warn Robin about this."

"Why, it can't be that bad?" Nick replied, shocking himself by the sudden positivity.

Marian sighed, knowing what the clergy thought of Robin during her strip to London. "The clergy are worse than the nobility. And they hate Robin Hood more than anyone. And Grozdanovic…"

She paused, clearly trying to hold back tears, looking down, her hand clenched tightly on the tip of her snout. Nick notices this and gives a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "What. What did he say about Robin?" Nick whispered.

Marian then got a hold of herself and said wistfully, "that he's the devil, and will not rest until he is burned at the stake."

(AN: THOUGHT THE BLACK SHUCK WAS THE ONLY VILLAIN...SO DID I. ALSO, THE LAPTOP I AM WRITING THIS STORY IN WON'T LET ME TO SPECIAL LETTER TO GET NAMES RIGHT. OTHER THEN THAT, THAT'S IT. ENTOMANTIS SIGNING OUT. BYE.)