Secrets of the sherwood forest

5.

It's been a week since Kendra and Eden came to the forest, not knowing that their innocent picnic would end up with them having to keep a secret for a girl that has lived in said forest for the past year.

I haven't mentioned this interaction to Edith and Alfred, but I think they might have noticed I've been acting weird, spending way more time daydreaming and then denying it when asked, constantly asking Alfred if he knows anything new about Prince Jhon and Kendra. And every time it has been replied with "No, I think he's still on his way."

Until today, exactly a week after the incident.

Instead of the usual answer he tells me he should be coming in town by tonight.

I don't know why I get a weird feeling in my stomach, similar to how it felt when I was little and my brother was born, and my parents gave all their attention to him instead of me, when I hear the news. I'm excited for Kendra, I mean who wouldn't, she's getting proposed by The Prince of England!

I get back to reality after Edith asks me if we should 'do the thing' to Prince Jhon. 'The thing' is stealing from the rich and giving it to the poor, witch Nottingham has quite a lot.

"Uh... Sure, I guess, but you make the plan and I'll make sure I see you get executed before me" I answer smiling. I really need something to get my mind off Kendra and how gorgeous she is.

So, Edith makes us a plan, a concerningly good plan. We grab our stuff and walk to the road.

The dirt road that is in-between The Sherwood Forest and some royal fields goes on for miles all the way from London to here. This is the closest I've been to Nottingham since the snow melted.

Now I'm dressed in a red dress and a hood up, waiting for The Prince to show up, only for us to scam him. 10-year-old me would be supper disappointed to be completely honest with you. But I don't care, I'm happy with my life even when it didn't really go as planned.

I stand there, on the side of the road, for maybe 30 more minutes before I hear the trumpets of the Royal Procession. I look at Edith that is hiding in the woods slightly behind me, and she nods. It's go time.

A few minutes later I see the first flags of England on their poles, the music getting louder and louder as they get closer to the town.

I start waving my hand and when the first people in line get close enough to hear me I start yelling something about prophecies and how I can tell you about your fate for only a few pounds.

Before you get confused, I absolutely can not tell prophecies, but they don't have to know that.

I see someone from the front lines leave their place and run somewhere, hopefully The Prince to inform him about my offer. They come back quick and tell something for the rest of the guards and flag carriers and people like that.

I look at them, still waving my hands and telling them about a generous deal they can't find from anyone else.

The leaders of the procession walk past me when I stop waving. This is the moment of truth. If they stop Ediths plan worked. If they don't, well I'll just go on with my life, not helping the people of Nottingham. 

            And then they stop. Right in front of me is the carrier Prince Jhon is. A tall, but skinny man with pale skin and green outfit comes out and looks at me up and down.

"The prince has shown interest in your offer and will be happy to use your services." He says, in the most monotone and emotionless voice I've ever heard.

My answer consist of a lot of thank you's and crap about how I'm exited to tell the fate for him. I feel Edith's eyes staring at my back as the man gives me the few pounds I asked for and I get up to the carrier with him right behind me.

I look around in the carrier. It's covered in purple fabric and there's red silk pillows on the floor. In the middle there's a wooden table covered in gold. The carrier is dark, light up with some candles – that can't be safe I think to myself.

On the right from the door, sitting on the purple floor, is a man, at least double my age. Prince Jhon. He has light brown hair, almost blonde. His skin is tanned, and his hazel eyes look right at me, as if he knew all of my secrets. He is wearing a burgundy cape and white shirt and pants. His face still looks really similar to the painting of him at the age of 15, round cheeks, a big nose, and strong eyebrows.

I pull my hood down as I bow down,the man in the green clothing – probably some servant – now standing on my leftside. "Your majesty, I am honoured for you giving me the opportunity to tellyou your fate." I tell him.

He looks at me up and down before replying with "Oh, how great. Now, may we begin? I do not wish that the reason I am here has to wait for long."

I go down on my knees on the left side of the table, other side from the prince. I tell him and his servant to close their eyes as I pull things out of my bag as quietly as possible. I try to give Edith as much time as possible, but I can't take too long just to avoid raising suspicion.

I tell the men to open their eyes and I start 'reading Prince Jhon's future.' This drags out to take around fifteen minutes before I hear a bird chirping outside, louder, and clearer than any others. Spoiler alert: it's not actually a bird, it's Edith. This means she succeeded, and I should get going before anyone notices.

And that's exactly what I do. "And that's all I can tell you, your majesty. I should get going, dinner doesn't cook itself." After a few goodbyes and non-existing thank you's later I'm out. I start walking towards the forest and the small path as the procession starts moving again. After I make sure nobody sees me anymore I start running back to the camp.

Edith has gotten an unbelievable amount of gold and coins, even some diamonds in the 15 minutes I gave her. I should probably be concerned about the fact that this random stranger I found in the woods is a master thief but honestly, if it helps the people of Nottingham, I don't care.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day for them. Or not great as in 'all my life problems are solved,' great as in 'I can pay my taxes AND feed my family for the first time in a while.'