Love Goes On And On

Life In Nottingham

Ten years passed. A lot has changed in Nottingham, and not for the better.

The beloved King Richard was fighting in the crusades and in his place was his greedy brother, Prince John. During the king’s absence, he ramped up the taxes, draining the kingdom for all its worth. 

Manolo had been risking his life, robbing the rich and giving the money to the poor for the past couple years. He quickly became an outlaw alongside Joaquin, his best friend from the orphanage. 

He quickly learned archery and how to fight. He still played his guitar when he wasn't running from the law.

Manolo and Joaquin walked through the forest, talking and laughing. They messed around which led to them falling into the creek. As they were getting out of the water, they heard guards coming their way.

“Come on.” Joaquin said. 

The outlaws ran through the forest trying to get away, the guards close behind them. A couple of them fired arrows which they dodged with ease. They grabbed a tree branch and hoisted themselves up into the tree, hiding from the guards as they ran by.

Manolo and Joaquin sighed in relief when they were gone. 

“That was close.” Manolo said.

“Yeah, too close.” Joaquin said, “Hey, they got my hat.”

Manolo took the hat and snapped the arrow in half to remove it, “A shame there wasn't an apple on your head.”

“Hilarious.” Joaquin took his hat from Manolo, “Their aim is getting better.”

“Sure, next they'll start flying circles around us.”

“I'm serious, Manny. This whole thing gets more and more dangerous by the day. We can't be too careful.”

“Ay, you're worrying too much. They haven't gotten us yet, right?”

“I just don't want to see you get hurt.”

“You won't, brother.” Manolo and Joaquin smiled. They started this together and they were ending it together.

Trumpets sounded in the distance and they sounded like they were getting closer.

“Sounds like we're needed.” Manolo adjusted his hat before jumping from the tree.

“Yeah. Sweet charity.” Joaquin said, following him.

They hid in the shrubs near the road where the trumpets grew louder. A number of guards marched by protecting a gold and white carriage that rode by. 

“It's Prince John.” Manolo said when the carriage was out of earshot, “What luck.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Joaquin said, “We draw the line at royalty, remember?”

“Joaquin, he is the reason we're doing all this. It's only fair we get to him.”

Joaquin sighed as Manolo ran off, “Here we go again.”

They ran ahead of the carriage, hiding in the bushes. Joaquin and Manolo threw stones at the wheels. The stones loosened one of the wheels enough to come clean off. 

As they disguised themselves in the bushes as they heard the carriage crash.

“Show time.” Manolo said. He rubbed dirt on his face and let his hair loose. He walked out to see the lopsided carriage and Prince John ranting to his right hand man, Sir Hiss. Both were slender men, Hiss more so than John. The main difference was that Prince John wore royal robes and a crown that was clearly too large for him.