1 | master of arms [gisborne]

Nine

Short installment :)

*****

Linda led Robin through the forest floor. He had asked several times where se was taking him, but she wouldn't tell him.

"We are almost there," she would say. "Be patient."

Now they were there, and Robin stopped. Walking forward, he fell to his knees.

"It's... it's beautiful," he whispered in awe.

There in front of his face was a shrine... a memorial to him. The tree was coated in a white sheet, with tables stacked. It was truly beautiful: Candles were lit everywhere, and some objects were placed near the candles. Lamps hung on branches, adding on to the lighting affect.

"The people built this to remember Robin Hood," said Linda. Dropping next to him, she handed him a little "Robin Hood" doll from the shrine. "I think they miss you. We all miss Robin Hood."

"Yes, they do," said Tuck, who was coming up from behind them. Sitting next to Robin, he clamped him on the shoulder.

"I never knew the felt like this," said Robin quietly.

"You see the power you have?" asked Tuck. "This is why God spared you -- to give the people hope."

"I don't deserve it," said Robin.

Linda sighed. "Of course you do, you just don't see that yet."

"Gisborne's taken your friends," said Tuck with a shaky breath, ruining the moment completely.

"Whoa, what?" asked Linda.

"They are to be put to death tomorrow."

Robin and Linda stared at him. After a minute of silence, Robin finally said, "What should I do?"

"Really? Well, what would Robin Hood do?" asked Linda sternly.

"Look into your heart, Robin," said Tuck in a nicer tone of voice. "You'll find the answer." Tuck left, leaving Robin and Linda to think of their friends.

*****

Vaisey walked downstairs to the cells. Guy had just gotten back with three prisoners, outlaws to be exact. Now, it was Vaisey's so called "talk-time".

"Hello, boys," said Vaisey. Stopping in front of Allan, he looked around and said, "Everything you need to make your stay comfortable?"

"No, we, uh, seemed to have missed out on the welcoming beaker of mead," said Allan sharply.

Vaisey chuckled with amusement. Walking around, he said, "Now, to keep you up speed with my schedule—"

John growled and made an attempt to get out of his heavy chains. Vaisey jumped, but then made a mocking growl to John, chuckling after.

"There's a ceremony," continued the Sheriff as he walked around again, "coming up tomorrow to mark the final passing of your cheify's shoddy little outfit. Your ritual demise." He stopped in front of Allan, who scoffed.

"Oh, I do like a good execution," he said with a smirk.

"So, your last evening on this Earth," said Vaisey to Allan, "and you with your old friends. Enjoy," he said the last part flatly, turning to leave.

"Eh, what time you serving dinner?" asked Allan.

Vaisey laughed. "Very good." And he was gone.

*****

Tuck and Linda both entered the cave with more firewood. Robin was in a corner, putting on the clothes that Linda had dried for him. Sighing, Tuck put down the firewood, same with Linda.

"You're right," said Robin as he put on his belt.

"Come again?" said Linda, pretending to cup her ear to listen.

"I said that you're right," said Robin blankly. "Can't just turn my back on people who need me."

Linda smiled. Tossing him his bow and quiver, she asked, "So what are you to do?"

"Well, first, I'm going to try and rescue my men."

"Tonight? All alone?" asked Tuck.

"Well, unless you've got a better idea," said Robin sharply.

"Well..." said Tuck, walking toward him. "Actually... I do."

"Really?" asked Linda, coming out from a corner with her cloak, her bow and her quiver.

"Well, are going to tell me?" asked Robin.

*****

Linda, Tuck, and Robin sat at the top of the cave, staring out into the moonlight and the night sky. They had a fire going, and they were sharpening arrows. When Robin was failing, Tuck held out a hand.

"Give it to me," he said. "Come on."

Robin did, same as Linda, for she was also not doing well at the task. Robin put his hand on his forehead, leaning on his elbow.

"This is hopeless," he muttered.

"Tuck knows what he is doing," she whispered to him.

"Your best chance for success tomorrow is rest," said Tuck.

"And what chance do my men have if I can't even sharpen an arrow, or let alone fire one, eh?"

"You're being too hard on yourself, Robin," said Linda gently.

"Have faith, Robin," Tuck said. "You won't be alone."

"Yeah, it's been a long time since I've shot, if that makes you feel better," added Linda with a playful yet light shove.

Tuck reached into his pocket. "Here," he said, holding out a ring. Both Linda and Robin's eyes widened. Robin snatched it back, and Linda examined it.

"Where did you get that?" Robin croaked.

"It was 'round your neck when I found you," said Tuck.

Linda held the ring in her palm now. Handing it back to Robin, he clutched it tight. Inhaling sharply, he looked up at the sky, as did Linda, tears forming in both of their eyes.

"Thank you," whispered Robin.

Tuck nodded and they spent a moment in silence. It wasn't until Tuck nudged Robin did the silence break. Looking up at the stars, Tuck sighed.

"What happens to the moon tomorrow happens once in a generation," said he. "It's God's gift from the stars."

"My father used to say that when we die, we became stars," said Robin. "If it's true, this time tomorrow, we could be lighting up the night sky. Linda glowing the brightest."

Linda blushed. "How very flattering you are, Robin Hood," she teased. "And that's a glorious thought."

*****

Tuck, Robin, and Linda walked along the grassy path toward Nottingham. Robin had his bow, a quiver full of now sharpened arrows, and a rope. Linda had a knife strapped to her waist, while Tuck just had his wits and charm. Once they reached the entrance to enter Nottingham, they stopped.

"Everyone knows what to do, right?" asked Tuck, and Robin and Linda nodded.

The gates then opened to Nottingham. Hesitating, they exchanged looks to each other.

"Let's do this," said Linda.

Putting the hood from their cloaks over their heads, the three stepped inside.

They were in.