What If? (Outlaw Queen fanfic)

Chapter 21

After they both woke up, they decided that today they were going to focus on nothing but the wedding.  They realized that they really didn't have anything planned out.  They walked to the kitchen to see if breakfast was made already and it was.  They both had a big bowl of oatmeal because they knew it might be a while before either of them would get to eat something.  Robin looked at Regina as she was eating and put his hand on hers.  "M'lady, what would you like me to do today?"  Regina swallowed what was in her mouth and thought about it.  

"You can talk with some of your workers and maybe apologize.  We haven't really been able to explain to everyone that you have changed.  When we walk by some of your staff they still seem a little scared at you.  Why don't you call all of your workers to meet in your throne room and tell them you have changed and that you are sorry.  Once you've done that, I'm sure they will forgive you!"

"I guess you're right.  Maybe they'll help us with the wedding preparations!"

"Maybe so!  We could use all the help we can get."

"So what are you going to be doing?"

"I'm going to work on the invitations.  Is there anyone else that you can think of that you forgot to tell me that you want to invite?"

"I don't think so.  If I think of someone, I'll be sure to come and tell you though!"

"Okay, sounds good!"  They ate the rest of their oatmeal in a peaceful silence.  When they were done Regina walked over to Robin and took both of his hands in hers.  "Don't be scared, okay!  I just know they'll see that you really have changed.  If by some odd chance that they don't believe you, just come and get me, okay?  I'll be right in here the whole time!"

"Okay, thank you m'lady!"  He leaned down and kissed her nose.  "I'll see you in a little while!  I love you!"

"I love you too!"  He let go of her hands and walked towards his throne room.  Regina sat back down and picked up a quill and found some ink.  She got out the stack of invitations and began writing people's names on them.  

After about thirty minutes of writing, she hadn't gotten very many done.  This is taking longer than I thought.  Regina sat her quill down and put the lid on the ink so it wouldn't dry.  She sat back in her chair to take a break and started thinking about Robin.  Then she tried to remember everyone that he said he wanted to invite.  He wanted to invite King Leopold and his engaged daughter, Snow.  He also wanted to invite King George and his son James, who was engaged to Snow.  They were getting married a month after her and Robin were getting married.  Snow and James, which Robin said was called Charming by Snow, actually wanted to have more time to get things together for their wedding.  

What about Robin's family?  Wait, he said that he didn't have any parents and that he spent his life growing up with Little John.  What was their group of men called?  Oh yes, The Merry Men!  I know what I can do!  I can surprise Robin by finding The Merry Men!

Regina opened the lid of the ink back up and wrote Robin a note that said she had been writing too long and was going to take a walk in the forest.  She told him that she would be right back so he shouldn't worry or come looking after her unless she wasn't back by lunch time.  Regina went up to their room and got a cloak to put on.  Her long, curly dark hair went down her back.  She grabbed her bow and some arrows just in case something were to happen and started walking toward the castle's exit.  She didn't really know what The Merry Men looked like or where to even find them, but she figured that she would probably know them if she saw them.

Regina entered the forest and walked straight.  Every once in a while she would stop walking to see if she could hear anything in the forest.  If she were to hear leaves crunching and twigs snapping she knew that it would either be a big animal or a person.  After walking for a while, Regina stopped again to take in her surroundings and heard something like someone walking.  She looked in the direction it was coming from but only saw a deer.  She began walking away, but then she saw the deer start running.  She looked at the deer's shoulder and saw an arrow sticking out of it.  Someone just shot at that deer!  "Hello?  Is anyone there?"  Regina looked around but didn't see anyone.  "Please, I'm looking for a Little John and The Merry Men!"  Regina heard footsteps again and soon saw a figure coming toward her.  It was a man.  He was a big man, and he had long curly hair to his shoulders and a big belly.  The man got a few feet in front of Regina and held his hand out for her to shake.

"Hello, I'm Little John.  Why were you looking for me?"  Regina smiled at him and ran towards him.  She wrapped her arms around him to give him a hug.  "I'm sorry but I don't know you!  Why are you hugging me exactly?"

"Sorry Little John, but I'm just so excited I found you!  My name is Regina.  I know your best friend, Robin Hood!"

"You know Rob!  Where is he?  Is he okay?  I haven't seen him in so long!"

"He's perfectly fine!  He's actually a king now!"

"A king?  Robin Hood?  Are you sure we are talking about the same Robin Hood?"

"I'm positive we are!  Robin Hood of Locksley.  He had a wife named Marian and was going to have a child.  He made a deal with Rumplestiltskin and she died along with the child.  He went for a walk and never came back because a princess found him walking and took him home with her. I'll let Robin tell you the rest, but I'm going to tell you this part.  We are getting married in about a week and Robin was wanting you to come, but he had no idea how he was going to find you!  I could tell that he was upset that he didn't know where you were.  I decided that I would go look for you and surprise him!  So, will you and your Merry Men come back to the castle with me?"

"Of course!  I've missed old Robin!  I've had to take charge of The Merry Men and become their leader in place of Robin.  I will admit, I'm not as good of a leader as Robin Hood.  No one is!  Let's go back to the camp and get the rest of the men!"  Little John started walking away, but Regina stopped him.

"Aren't you going to go find that deer you just killed?"

"Oh yeah!  I forgot!  Wait right here."  Little John went to find the deer and a few minutes later came back dragging it on the ground.

"Would you like me to help you with that?"

"What?  No!  You're a lady!"

"Oh please, I've done it many times.  I used to be a thief and a hunter as well!"

"Wait, how do you know I'm a thief?"

"Robin of course!  He told me a lot about you and how you are his best friend!"  Little John smiled and led Regina back to his camp.  When they arrived, the rest of the men were just sitting on logs drinking something in their mugs.

"Men!  Get up and get your stuff!  We are going to the castle!"  Friar Tuck stood and looked at Little John.

"Are we stealing from the royals?  Wait, who's this?"

"I'll explain to you all on the way to the castle, and no we aren't stealing from the royals.  We are going to talk with the king."

"I don't even know who the king is!  How do you know?"

"Because this woman who is engaged to the king just told me.  Robin Hood is the king!"  Everyone sitting down was now standing up.

"Robin Hood?  Our Robin Hood?"

"Yes!"

"But how?"

"I told you that I would explain on the way!  Now pack up and come on!"

Hey guys!  I'm so excited about this chapter!!!!  Regina found the merry men!  How do you guys think he is going to act?  Please vote and comment!  I love you guys! -Kaitlyn