R.C.'s 25 Days

Story 1: A "Merry" Christmas

The air was frigid and thick with fluffy white snow. As it drifted down in puffed flakes, it caught in the curly red hair of the boy currently crouching down in the alleyway. His boots were soaked by the snow, and he was certainly not enjoying himself. Sourly, he shook himself like a wet dog, snowflakes flying off him like a second blizzard.

The older man accompanying him laughed, covering his face. "Watch where you're shaking, Will," he said, grinning. "I don't need to get snowed on twice."

Will Scarlet stuck out his lower lip. "I just didn't picture my first Christmas with the Merry Men to be like this, Robin," he said, indicating the snow-covered Nottingham with a wave of his hand and a sigh. The bells in the church rang out elven in the evening, breaking the silence of the sleeping city.

"What?" Robin said with a cheeky grin. "You didn't think we'd be robbing The Sheriff on the holiest night of the year?"

Will gave Robin a dour look. "You know that's just plain wrong, right?"

Robin chuckled a little. "Sorry. What is it that's bothering you, my boy?"

"Just look at this," Will said quietly. "Robin, we're supposed to be celebrating Christ's birth. And how are we doing that? By breaking one of His Commandments!"

Robin Hood studied Will with a trace of uncertainty. "Are you really sure you want to be here, with the rest of us?" he asked quietly, after a long moment. "Will, sometimes it seems like you want to be a part of the band, and other times ..."

Will didn't answer for a long moment. When he finally did reply, his face was directed at the snow-covered ground under his feet. "My mum always taught me to obey the Commandments, Uncle. And one of them specifically tell me not to steal."

Robin stretched out his hand and laid it on Will's shoulder. "And you're feeling guiltiest of all by stealing on Christmas Eve, right?" he said. "Listen to me, Will. Tonight is the culmination of why we do this. Of why we steal ... you'll see. Tonight."

When Will directed a doubtful expression onto Robin's face, his uncle smiled sadly. "Let me tell you something," he said. "I don't want to force you into anything you don't feel comfortable with doing. If tonight doesn't change your mind about why we steal, then I'll find a place for you. It will be comfortable, safe ... I know several people from my time in the war who would gladly take you in. It would be fulfilling my promise to Rowena, and you wouldn't have to steal. Otherwise, you can remain with us."

Will nodded. He didn't want to leave the Merry Men, but he also didn't want to disrespect his mother or injure his soul in any way. And that included stealing what did not rightfully belong to him. He directed his eyes to the ground and fell silent. Of course he hoped Robin would show him as he claimed he would, but ...

He had his doubts.

Robin touched his nephew's arm moments later. "It's time, my boy," he said, standing up. "You go to Alan and get ready. He'll run you through what you need to do."

Will nodded, his mind still looking as if it was in another world. "Yes, Uncle." After a moment, he hugged Robin. "Stay safe, Uncle ..."

Robin looked surprised, but he returned the embrace whole-heartedly. "And you, my boy. We'll see each other when you're through. And then you'll see how the Merry Men celebrate the birth of Christ."

. . . . . . . . . . .

The window opened up, a burst of cold air and snow flying through it. That space was immediately occupied by a skinny scarecrow of a redhead sliding through, hitting the floor with hardly a thud. He turned, and Will came through a moment later, not as gracefully as his companion had. "Try not to fall on your face, Will," Alan-a-Dale scolded him lightly.