Courting Time

Chapter 2

Cal turned.             

"What do you mean, is this it?"            

"Cal, all this is, is an old oak tree and this is not Major Oak.

Cal rolled his eyes at his sister.            

"Yeah, I know. But, this is not what I wanted to show you."

Walking away from Chloë, Cal walked over to the trunk and placed his hand in the hollowed entrance. Pulling his hand out from the trunk, Cal had in his hand an old leather bound notebook. What Cal had discovered was a diary and not just any diary but, the diary of Robin Hood. Chloe was stunned. This was the final piece of evidence in remembering the outlaw. Knowing she held a rare and valuable artifact she gently opened it up to a page and started to read it aloud for Cal to hear. She began and this is what was written.

The year is 1206, the year of our Lord.

12th August

The people of Nottingham are fearful. The taxes have been raised and the Sheriff has been even more brutal in getting the money. Marian has informed me that the increase in taxes is due to a scheme that the Sheriff and Gisbourne plan to carry out. Marian says she will try to get more information about the details, however I fear for her safety in the Castle. I have asked Little John to keep an eye on her for me.

Chloe finished reading the entry and looked at her brother. Cal had a smug smile on his face. He knew that this was what his sister was looking for. An actual diary. Although Chloë knew this could prove her thesis she had to be sure the diary was authentic. To be certain about the origin of the diary, Chloë was going to take it back with her and get it checked by a professional at the university.

 The two of them started to walk back to the car. As they walked back the air was turning colder and the light of the sun was beginning to fade, leaving the sky a reddish hue. About 15 minutes into the walk Chloë was aware that they were going deeper into the wood and was not the way they had come from. Certain that they must have taken the wrong turn she pointed it out to Cal. Dismissing the suggestion Cal told her to keep walking. He said he knew where they were going and she needed to trust him. Chloë retorted back that ever since they were kids, Cal had been useless with directions and was still the same. Cal reminded his sister that although he may be bad at directions, he had managed to get them to the oak tree. He had a point, Chloë thought to herself. But then if he had managed to get them there in the first place then surely he could them back to her car. After 5 minutes Chloë knew they were not heading in the right direction. She was about to tell Cal to turn back and follow her when the silence in the air was disturbed by a rustling of leaves and snapping of branches. The two of them stopped suddenly wondering what could have made those sounds. So far they had seen neither human nor animal and they were sure it wasn't them that broken the branches for they had been on the path the whole way. They stood still for a few more moments to see if they could hear any more sounds Nature had to offer. But, hearing nothing and seeing no movement amongst the trees or bushes they continued on down the path. By now the daylight was becoming darker and the air cooler. Chloë was now ahead of Cal and when she felt Cal's hand on her shoulder she had to stop once more.           

"Now what is it?" she asked exasperatedly.            

"I saw something amongst the trees." Came Cal's response.             

"Don't be ridiculous. There is nothing no one there.              

"Are you sure about that?"

Chloë nodded. There was nothing there except trees. She was wrong. Emerging from the covered woodland three men dressed in clothing Chloë could identify as medieval stepped out. She noticed that the one in front of the two other men was clearly in charge and he was dressed in a dark green tunic with a brown leather belt wrapped around his waist. On his bottom half Chloë could see that his trousers were a dark brown colour. As for his appearance, he was handsome to look at. Those hazel eyes looked straight into hers and she thought for a second he recognized her. How could he know her? Chloë had never seen him before and she was certain he hadn't seen her either. Next to him on his right, there was a man taller than the other two.  Dressed in a similar fashion, he wore the same type of clothing but, in different shades of brown. In his hand, he held a quarter staff which Chloë imagined he was an expert at using it. The man on the left was dressed in a mixture of browns and greys.  With him, he carried nothing except a lute and a small dagger. From their appearance, both Chloë and Cal could see that these men were dressed as Robin Hood and few of his Merry Men. Silence still filled the air until the man the two siblings guessed was Robin Hood stepped forward and bowed.             

"Lady Marian, I see you met with Will here. He has informed you about what we plan to do to stop the Sheriff and Gisborne, has he not?"

Chloë and Cal were confused. Did this man really think he was Robin Hood? Robin Hood, if he existed was long dead. He would never still be alive today. Most importantly, did he think that she and Cal were Maid Marian and Will Scarlet? Sensing their confusion, the man continued to speak.             

"Are ye well, milady? You seem to not be yourself. Do not you recognise me? Tis I, your sweet Robin. I have been informed that the carriage carrying the money will be arriving on the North Road on its way to Scarborough. We plan to ambush it at Hangman's Post before they can reach the North Road and Scarborough."

Wanting to know who these men really were, Chloë and Cal decided to play along with them. In her best Medieval tongue she could manage, Chloë replied back to the so-called Robin Hood.             

"Forgive me, Robin I am not myself today. I do know of the plan and Will has given me all the details." Chloë curtsied and then spoke again.             

"If you would excuse me, I must head back to the Castle before I am missed."

Taking her hand in his, Robin bowed and kissed before telling her,             

"Be safe, Marian."

With one last kiss, Robin beckoned Cal to follow and the four of them disappeared into the trees. Chloë sighed out loud in frustration. How on earth am I suppose to get back to Nottingham Castle? She wondered to herself. She had no clue where she was nor did she know the direction Nottingham was in. Hoping she would soon come to a clearing and a main road, Chloë continued walking. She had thought it strange that when she had met the famous Robin Hood, he did not question her about the clothes she was wearing. She thought if he was indeed Robin Hood then her modern clothes would have made her look odd. He would have questioned her as to whether she was really his Marian. But, as she looked down upon her body she soon discovered why he did not question her.