A Forgotten Legend: Anaivere the First

Part Four: Anais d'Nottinghamshire

July 1205, Nottinghamshire...

Besides Robin Hood, now appeared another infamous legend. A phantom thief who would visit the lords' castles at midnight and when they woke up the next morning, they would acknowledge that their gold had been disappeared. The thefts were done perfectly, no one noticed that anything was stolen until the morning. After each theft, they would find a message near the gold chest, said: "Thank you, for your donation, sirs and dames. Anais d'Nottinghamshire". Of course, this would make King John feel disturbed than ever. Sheriff of Nottingham still hadn't caught Robin Hood, now appeared another outlaw, that meant there were two large obstacles on his way. Despite of the rising of the taxes, he couldn't get any more gold from the citizens, but the nobilities were also getting poorer due to the mysterious thefts of Anais d'Nottinghamshire. The Sheriff of Nottingham was worrying for his head as he couldn't catch Robin Hood only, now the king ordered him to capture both the most infamous outlaws in Nottinghamshire, he couldn't handle.

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Nottingham Castle, the throne hall...

"How useless thou art, sir Sheriff! Even a woman, thou could not capture! How will thou explain this?"

The Sheriff kneeled down under King John's feet, quivering and worrying.

"Your... Your Majesty, please, give me one more chance. I promised with my life, you will see the outlaws, chained and shackled, are forced to kneel down before your throne, Your Majesty!"

"Remember thy words, sir Sheriff. If I do not see the thing I was supposed to see the next morning, I will grant thee a decapitation!"

"Yes... Y-Your Majesty. Your wish is my order...!"

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The Crown Princess's chamber...

"Did you hear that, Your Highness? The Sheriff of Nottingham is in absolute trouble!"

"Because of the appearance of Dame Anais, indeed. It seems to me that his head will not belong to him soon..."

"Will you have mercy on him, Your Highness? Alas, he just obeyed His Majesty's order..."

"I do not know what to do, Sylvia. Shall I keep on thieving, or put an end for Dame Anais sooner than I expected?"

"I'm your lady-in-waiting, I'm your servant, and I don't desire to tell you what to do. Just follow what your heart tells, Your Highness..."

The Crown Princess silenced for a moment.

"I... truly do not know what to do, Sylvia. The kingdom's responsibility is in my hands, soon, and I do not know how to be a proper monarch that people love..."

"Your Highness, just please don't be strained so much... There's nothing to be worried about... You have allies that always willing to aid you, such as Sir Robin and his merry men, Mother Maiseline and the abbey..."

The Crown Princess moved to the armchair near the window, looked out the castle and wondered:

"I was not born to become useless. But at the moment, I cannot help anyone although I desire to..."

Sylvia smiled assuredly and said to her princess:

"You can't, Your Highness, but Dame Anais can..."

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Sherwood Forest...

Sheriff of Nottingham had a new plan to capture all Robin Hood and the merry men. He would lead his henchmen deep into the forest, surround their hideout, and catch all of them. But he didn't expect a battle at middle of night.