The Sheriff's Daughter

Part 1

  My father cackles heartily as a boy polishes his boots. Guy of Gisbornehas just informed him of his encounter with Robin of Locksley.Guy Folds his arms, offended at the Sheriff 's attitude. "My lord, Ido not think that this is a laughing matter." My father stops his laughter and looks over to me quietly sat in the corner reading before he replies. "Sorry, remind me. How many men do you have?" Guy Sighs deeply, as if he knows what's coming. "Twenty-four." My father shakes his head. "And he had?" He asks him in a condescending manner. "One. But the point—" My father inturrupts him, "But you let him take the house." I shake my head, how can my father have this conversation. "Technically, it is still his property." My father laughs again, "La-la-la-di-da." I can tell by the look on Guy's face that he is getting more frustrated with my fathers behavious. "I would have appreciated more support in this matter." My fathers laughs die down slightly. "Relax, relax. I'll get it back for you within a month." Guy leaves as my father chuckles, he looks towards me as he repeats shaking his head. "Twenty-four. One."

 † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †   

  The Council of Nobles meeting has already started Robin. Thelong table is set crosswise opposite the doors; the nobles aresitting in chairs arranged in a half-circle facing it. Marianstands behind her father's chair, allowed in only as hisnursemaid. I sit beside my father in my place not speaking just observing as if I did he would be angered at my disrespect.

Woodvale, a noble, stands to my father. "It has been a good month. We've collectednearly £300." My father pick up the purse while shushing the noble. While still holding a purse, he points at Woodvale. "Would you wantto be the King in Antioch... clue: no... trying to feed astarving army on £300? You promised... £500." Woodvale voice begins faltering "It's more than we have managed before. " My father replies sarcastically, "oh, yippee. So the King is starving in the HolyLand and you have failed him, but..." he carries on in a high-pitchedvoice ""It's more than we ever managed before." "

 A guard at the door announces Robin of Locksley. Causing everybody to look up as Robin makes a brazen entrance. "Good morning, everyone!"Robin shouts cheerfully comes downstairs and tosses his cape on a guard's uprighthalberd at the bottom. I smile at my childhood friend .Nodding to my father in what I assume as fake respect, "Sheriff..." My father watches, unimpressed, drumming his fingers on thetable. Robin stands in front of the centre vacant chair andlooks around at all the faces as he unbuckles his sword belt.Much waits behind the chair. The Sheriff scowls at Robin.In an exaggeratedly careless way he says loudly. "Well, carry on!" Robin tosses the scimitar to Much, who catches it, and sitsdown. At this point I can't stifle my laughter and laugh out loud much to my fathers and Guy's distain.  My father give me a look making me clamp my mouth shut. "Locksley, welcome back. I trust Sir Guy of Gisborne managedyour estates to your satisfaction?" I look down knowing how the people have been mistreated at my fathers orders. Robin leans back into his chair. His tone is pleasantly insolent. "I believe he may have managed them to..." he points to my father, "your satisfaction." Robin leans his elbow on the arm of the chair and his head onhis hand. Gisborne glares at him. "Some of your peasants are rather unruly, by the way. Wehave two in custody awaiting punishment." Guy interrupts glaring at Robin, "Three." Robin shifts in his chair, stretching both legs out in front ofhim, I can tell by the look on his face he is eager for his chance to challenge my father. "Three? Hard discipline will be a problem." Points to Robin. "Be warned." Points to the Lord of Loughborough. "Loughborough." Loughborough Stands. "Sheriff, thank you. I can report—"Robin interrupts, "discipline has never been a problem on myestates." Loughborough is surprised at the interruption and looks at my father at what to do. I roll my eyes... Of course he needs my father to tell him what to do, "times have changed." My father retorts through gritted teeth. "Not for the better, it seems." Loughborough sits down. I cover another laugh with a cough, Guy hands me a glass of wine. "You, of all people, should know that the King needs fundsto fight our Holy War." My father snatches the glass from my hand, giving me a glare. "Is it our Holy War, or is it Pope Gregory's?" 

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with Rome." My father says with little pride. "And we fall shoulder to shoulder, too. I have seen it." Robin looks sad when he finishes his sentence. "Then what is your proposal to raise money for the King?" Robin stands and approaches the Sheriff. "Stop all taxes. Today!" I look to Robin with wide eyes and then look to Marian who has the same expression as me. The other nobles cough to suppress their laughter. "Amusing." Robin leans on my father's table. "I do not joke. Today is market day,and yet there is no market." I look to my father, he always told me the market still thrived, he would never let me leave the castle unless it was with him or Guy. "And your point is..." I can tell my father is getting annoyed. Robin turns to face the nobles. "If a man can make more than heneeds for his family, he can take what remains to market.He can trade. And the shire can take its share.But until then, we must help every man, every peasant,every pieman, every pinner provide for his family.Get him trading again!" I smile at his idea, but that smile drops as soon as my father glares at me. The nobles glance at one another as Robin goes back to hischair and sits on its back with his feet on the seat. TheSheriff stands and paces behind the table. "A man... who can... provide for his family is a comfortableman, a lazy man. Doesn't want to work." The other nobles nod in agreement. "What we need are hungry men." Leans on his hands on thetable. "Our noble friend seems to forget that hungrymen..." sits in his chair, facing Robin... "are virtuous." Robin leans his elbows on his knees. "There is a celebration of myreturn tonight in the Great Hall." My father by the look on his face is wishing there wasn't now, "Indeed." Robin sits down properly in his chair, "well, I trust none of us virtuous men will be feasting?" His argument has clearly been won, and Robin knows it so he leans satisfactorily back in his chair,feet sticking out, hands together at his chin, looking at theSheriff, as silence falls over the room. Gisborne and theSheriff stare at him as the nobles look back and forth.Marian looks at the Sheriff, trying to gauge his reaction. I smile at Robin as he got my father shocked into silence. But he has now started something that I'm scared he won't be able to finish. 

  † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † 

 I watch as Marian roughly pushes past Robin and leaves. Robin gazesafter her, as if he has fallen in love with her all over again. "Well you put on quite the show there Rob," Robin smiles as he turns to look at me. He rushes forward and spins me around hugging me. "Evangeline! God I have missed you," he places me on the floor and hugs me before pulling back and checking over me. "You never mentioned that your father had returned from London in your letters," I look down guiltily. "I didn't know how to word it Robin, you're like a brother to me and after my mother died and my father returned he destroyed our home. I couldn't stand to see your face when you see Edward is no longer the Sheriff." Robin pulls my chin up to look at him. "I could never blame you for your fathers actions. Anyway where is this Micheal I've heard so much..." before he can finish his sentence I cover his mouth with my hand. Looking around for any guards before pulling him to a corner. "He is a stable hand Robin. If my father found out he would kill him and put me in the dungeon." My eyes water at the thought of my love being hurt. "I would never let that happen, why don't we go for a ride to Locksley like when we were children." He smiles at me and I return it before frowning. "I c-can't. I'm only aloud to leave the castle if I'm with my father or Guy of Gisborne." Robin frowns at my statement. He kisses my forehead in a brotherly way before turning to leave but not before saying. "I'll fix everything, things will get better I promise." I smile at his back because I know that he'll try and keep to his word.

When I turn around and walk around the corner, Guy stops me grabbing my arm and leading me to my fathers room. He knocks on the door before entering. My father as a dead bird in his hand, I look away from the small body. Guy roughly pushes me into a chair at my fathers table. "Did you find it enjoyable to see me be embarrassed in front of the nobles dear daughter?" My father turns to me with an angered expression, I look down at my hands and don't reply. He slams his hands on the table making me jump. "Answer me!" I look at his eyes that a filled with fury. "N-no" My voice is barely above a whisper scared that if it is any loudly he'd act on his anger. "No? Then why dear child were you smiling and laughing. And a guard informed me that you were speaking to him after the meeting... Is that true?" I look down, refusing to make eye contact. "I-I was j-just talking to an old f-friend" my voice stutters and I hate that my father puts this fear in me. "You won't talk or look at Robin of Locksley ever again am I clear?" This makes my head shoot up. "You can't do that!" My father looks at me shocked as this is one of the rare occasions that I have raised my voice at him. "I can and I will!" He walks over to Guy who has sat quietly observing our discussion. "I think little Evangeline would like to spend the night in the dungeons as to learn respect. Take her there." Guy simply nods and grabs my arm again. He drags me out of the room and to the dungeon, this time I put up more of a fight causing him to tighten his grip on my arm. As we pass a interview room I spot Robin who looks towards me shocked, as he sees me being dragged to my cell. This cell is very familiar to me. Guy throws me through the door before he slams it shut locking it. I slam my hands on the door repeatedly as the darkness surrounds me. Giving up I slide down the floor crying and lay my head onto my knees. Crying myself to sleep. 

† † † † † † † † † † † † † † †