Robin and the Sorcerer: Reborn

by Tatootatoo

A continuation of the legend of the famous Robin of Sherwood. For those who were not satisfied with Robin's tragic end at the final of the 2nd series, when he fired his last arrow into the sky and died a brave death. The story continues in England some time later. A story for those who loved and still love the Robin of Sherwood series and the work of Richard Carpenter.

30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The cold autumn wind howled in the empty halls of the castle. Lilith walked around the ruined altar and stopped. She bent down and picked up a few scraps of black velvet that were charred at the edges. It was all that was left of the black mage. Lilith looked at her hands clutching the burnt shreds and cried out. Instead of white fingers with perfectly smooth fingernails, she saw yellowed, wiry, wrinkled hands that looked more like the paws of a bird of prey than the hands of a young woman. She ran over to the alcove where the black oracle was and sharply yanked back the curtain hiding the sorcerer's mirror. From the shiny black surface, the old woman's face stared back at her, haggard with sunken eyes, covered in wrinkles and dark spots. Seeing her reflection, Lilith screamed shriekingly.

-Damn you, Loxley! - She shrieked, raising her clenched fists above her head and staring up at the sky, -Damn you!

Her shout echoed, scaring away a flock of black birds that flew from the castle walls, and was silenced in its vaults.

Chapter 31

A piercing wind blew from the bay, bringing the smell of the sea. The cries of seagulls and the angry rumble of the autumn storm could be heard. The friends let the horses go at a pace, rode in silence, not hurrying, and simply inhaled the air soaked with the scents of the earth, autumn grasses, the smell of the sea and freedom.

The horses' hooves clattered on the frozen ground covered with the first snow. It wouldn't be long before winter came.

Robin and Marion were riding on the same horse. Robin held Marion in front of him with his hand, wrapping her in his cloak and shielding her from the wind. She could feel his hot breath at her temple and the way he occasionally kissed her hair, pulling her gently against him.

As they climbed the hill from which they could see the bay and the black baron's castle, the friends stopped and looked one last time at the dilapidated outline of the sorcerer's lair.

Nazir deftly jumped down from his horse and helped Annabelle down to the ground, putting his arms around her. Annabelle accepted the Saracen's care courteously, and with a glance she thanked the valiant warrior.

-This is where I will leave you,' the mountain witch said with a touch of sadness in her voice.

She said a warm farewell to everyone, then walked over to Marion and took her hand:

-You know how to find me, friend. You can always count on me to help you,' she said, and walked away from the forest.

The friends watched her for a long time before she disappeared among the trees.

- She's extraordinary,' said Nazir quietly, thinking about something.

- Oh, you are quite right! - Marion said, smiling, 'She is magical, and without her help and her mistress's help, I would probably just slowly go mad, feeling powerless and hopeless.

Robin pulled her to him and kissed her.

- You are my fearless warrior! - he said softly.

She hugged him gently around the neck.

-Where are we going now? - John asked.

-We'll get to the winter caves, they're not far away, and then we'll see,' Robin said.

-We should get there by nightfall,' Nazir suggested, 'I'd like to make a fire and get warm.

John nodded, and they descended into a ravine nearer the forest. The outline of the sorcerer's castle, the seashore, and the dunes disappeared behind the hill.