Arrow To The Heart (De Bron Saga) (33 page)

Chapter Thirty

No one dared utter a sound as the archers and knights formed a barrier to keep everyone within the walls.  Rowena looked at Friar Tuck and he at her.  With a nod of his head he silently communicated with her not to move a muscle as the Prince wove in and out among the townspeople on horseback, looking at every face.  She didn't move, but perspiration beaded her brow as he rode within inches of her trying to recognize any outlaw among the crowd.

"You sister!"

Rowena reached beneath her gown, touching the handle of her dagger.  If she must she would wield it.  "Aye, my Lord."

He was instantly suspicious.  "What have you there?"  He had seen her movement, much to her regret.

She thought fast.  With her head held down in an attitude of meekness she answered, "my rosary.  I was whispering a prayer that the Lord would intervene this day to see justice done." For a moment she feared she would be recognized.

"Then if your prayers are answered we will soon have that scoundrel within our grasp to hang as he deserves."  Belying her apprehension, the Prince moved on, intent upon seeking out the men in the crowd.  Seeing Lankless he approached him.  "You.  Where have you been?  Last night you were gone from the castle when I would have had you cheer me."

The Prince's fool grinned wickedly.  "Even a little man's blood runs hot, my Lord.  'T was in the hay, I was.  With a comely wench, not looking for a needle."  He chuckled, then turned a cartwheel.

Behind Lankless stood Robin and Allan-A-Dale, dressed brightly as musicians.   The Prince beckoned toward them.  "Who be these minstrels?"

Lankless hurriedly stepped forward.  "Friends of mine, my Lord.  From the court of the French King.  I plan a surprise for tonight that I know will please you."

Rowena held her breath.

"Friends?"  For a moment his expression mirrored suspicion.

"Remember I told you of Andre and Pierre a few weeks ago.  But then perhaps your thoughts were elsewhere."

"Perhaps."  The Prince moved forward, but threw over his shoulder, "See that you are back tonight or I will have your  head, little man."

Rowena's heart pounded violently as John continued his search.  Would he recognize any of them?  It appeared that he would not, for he passed several of them by.  Then all at once he stopped before where Will Scarlet stood.  Dressed as a tinker the foppish outlaw was wearing a bright red hat.

"The fool!"  Rowena breathed.  His vanity was going to be the end of them all.

"I recognize this one."  John motioned to the guards.  "Arrest this man.  We may have a hanging here today after all."

The guards surged forward, but Will Scarlet was quick on his feet.  He dodged in and out among the crowd evading his pursuers.  Climbing atop the very same wagon that had been meant to carry Kendrick to his death, he set about to urge the horse forward, but a shower of arrows from the prince's archers kept him from escape.

"Catch him!"  Urging his mount
to block the wagon's escape, the Prince was determined.

"We must do something!"  Though she was not particularly fond of Scarlet, Rowena couldn't just stand by and see him hung.  Nor was she alone.  Seeing that one of their own was about to be captured, the outlaw band flung back their mantles, cloaks and gowns to display the weapons and garments beneath.

"Lord Prince, it is I who you want and not that poor fellow," Robin shouted, sacrificing himself for the life of his friend.

"No, I am Robin," Rowena cried, moving forward.

"No, it is I whom you seek," shouted Little John.

"I am Robin Hood," shouted another, anxious to join in the charade.

"No, I am Robin," shouted an archer.

Even Lankless got into the game, running in and out amidst the legs of the guards so that they were hindered in their pursuit.  Even the townspeople joined in, each claiming to be Robin Hood.  In confusion, the Sheriff's men and the prince's guards didn't know which way to turn.

"Seize them all!"  The Prince was anxious to show these surly rebels.

Trying to soothe his injured pride, the Sheriff ran to and fro issuing his orders, but the townspeople, who had long hated him, felt sympathy for the outlaws.  They blocked the way.  With fists flying, tanner, tinker, tailor, mason, butcher, merchant and beggar alike joined in the fracas.

"Enough of this!"  The Sheriff pointed at Robin who had bested several of the Sheriff's men in his bid for freedom.  Recognizing him he gave the order.  "It's him.  He's the real Robin Hood. Hang him."

Rowena watched in horror as one end of a rope was placed around Robin's neck the other around the gallows.

"Hurry, you fools!"  The Sheriff smiled triumphantly towards John.  "See, I have your outlaw for you.  Justice will be served this day."

All fighting ceased.  Everyone stared at the sight.  The most famous outlaw in
England, the hero of them all, was about to meet his death.

"Pull the rope.  One, two....." shouted the Sheriff.

"No!"  Rowena grabbed a bow from out of the hands of one of the Prince's archers.  Heedless of her skirts or wimple, she placed an arrow in the bow and pulled.

"Three........."

Shooting at the rope, Rowena hit that target just as the cart was yanked from under Robin Hood's body.  He fell to earth unharmed.

"God's teeth!"  Prince John was in a state of outraged shock, but he wasn't going to accept defeat.   Spurring his horse forward he plunged into the crowd, only to be pulled off his horse by Friar Tuck who used his robe girdle to aid him.  Seeing their Prince fall, several of the soldiers stopped in their tracks, confused as to what to do.

Robin's men followed Rowena's example, raining arrows at the Sheriff's and Prince's men.  Those who did not work magic with a bow fought a hand-to-hand combat.

"Like bees we will give them a feel of our stingers," Rowena declared, shooting again and again.

Then Robin took a hand in the matter.  Grabbing the Sheriff from behind, he held a knife to his throat.  "Call off the hounds!"

"No!"  The Sheriff paled as the knife was placed closer, still he was stubborn.  "I will not issue such a command."  A line of red appeared at his throat as Robin pressed the knife into his skin.  "Well, maybe....."

Meanwhile, as Prince John sought to mount his horse again, Rowena threw herself against him, tumbling him to the ground.  Slipping the dagger from her gown she followed Robin's example and held the prince at peril.

"Let us go.  Tell them to retreat."
             

John, known to be a coward, didn't even falter.   "Put aside your arms.  Let them leave!"

The signal from Robin set the outlaws into a hasty retreat, running, jumping and scrambling to get to their wagons and horses.

Rowena felt a hand about her waist and looking up saw that it was little John.  "Come, Arrow.  Methinks you will find Kendrick safely sitting before the fire ere we reach the camp."  Mounting the Prince's stallion,
they rode away from the town--looking back only long enough to see that several guardsmen were streaming out of the doors of the castle to follow in pursuit of the outlaw band.

The boughs of the trees and the roar of the cascading water beckoned Rowena as she approached the encampment.  She looked like a pilgrim, one of those travelers to the holy land, dressed as she was in her nun's habit which was now in tatters.  She hoped the kindly sister who lent it to her would not be too angered that she had not been able to take better care of it.

Dismounting from her horse, giving the animal a pat on the rear to sent it home again, she ran as quickly as her legs could carry her.  Surging through the waters into the cavern, her eyes sought out only one man.  Seeing him, her heart took flight as well as her feet.  Then she was in his arms.

"De Bron!  I thought never to see you again.  Oh, my love.  I died a hundred deaths...."

Kendrick thrust her from him, thinking to save her from betraying her disguise.  "The others......"

"Are privy to my deception.  So......"  She wound her arms around him.  "So, kiss me.  Have no fear."  Hardness against softness, they strained together.  Rowena kissed his cheek, his chin and then his lips.  Her hands wound in the tendrils of his hair.  They would have stood like that forever but a cough sounded behind them, drawing them apart.

"Ahem!" 

Rowena stiffened  as she saw an old man with a wrinkled face and gray beard.  "Who are you?"

"Edwin Greybeard."  The old man bowed gallantly.  "'T is pleased I am to meet such a beautiful lady.  You be Rowena Fitz Hugh, no doubt."

"I am."  Impulsively she squeezed his hand.  "How can I ever thank you for saving my love?  I have so many questions."

He grinned.  "And I many answers.  Shall we begin?"  Taking her arm, he drew her towards an old log and beckoned Kendrick to sit beside her.

"I thought my last day had come," Kendrick began.  "I could not see Edwin clearly when he came to rescue me.  I thought him to be the hangman."

Edwin Greybeard explained it all.  He had long ago been a forester in the king's service, that king being Henry.  Being kind of heart and having mercy upon those who stole the King's deer to feed their starving families, he had turned his head when they had transgressed.  His kindness had soon put him at odds with the king and rendered him an outlaw.  "King Henry was a powerful man, but I fear not a merciful king."

"It was Edwin who took an interest in a young lad, Robert Fitzooth by name, and taught him the ways of the forest and how to shoot straight."  Kendrick looked apologetic.  "When he told me that he was one of Robin Hood's men, I thought him to be just an old man in his cups, yet he proved himself today."

Cocking one eyebrow, the old man bent near Rowena.  "The Sheriff thought me to be an old drunk, fond only of my ale.  Now, I'll admit that I like my drink now and again but I always keep me wits."  He tapped his temple.  "When I heard tell of the trap the prince and sheriff were planning, I arranged to get into their dungeon."

Rowena folded her arms across her chest and leaned forward.  "But if you are an outlaw, wasn't there danger there for you?"

"No."  He sighed.  "I was pardoned when I grew old.  They didn't think I was any danger to them."  Pulling at his beard he seemed to be remembering his younger days.  "But they were wrong.  My hair may be frosted with winter, but I've given aid to any who need a friend."

"The poor and the needy,"  Rowena whispered.  "But how was it that the Sheriff of Nottingham and not Kendrick was brought to the gallows?  And where was de Bron?  In the wagon?"  She was enthralled.

Kendrick answered.  "I was hidden in one of the flour sacks.  Edwin dressed in a white miller's apron and thus we rode out of town beneath the very noses of those who sought my death."

Rowena remembered the sight of the miller's wagon splashing mud as it rattled on. "But the Sheriff?"

Edwin raised his brows.  "I am not as old and feeble as one might suppose, my lady.  It took only a matter of wits and skill with a club to persuade the Sheriff and his two guards to sleep for
a while.  I  put him in young de Bron's garments, gagged him, then put a hood over his head.  When the hangman's apprentice and the men-at-arms came for de Bron they got him instead."

"And the Sheriff of Nottingham was taken to the gallows by mistake.  A clever but slig
htly devious plot," Rowena complimented. 

"Aye, clever."
Kendrick patted the old man on the back.  "But what of you now?  Will you join us?"

Edwin Greybeard thought a moment, then slapped his boney thigh with his hand.  "Aye, that I will.  Methinks there will always be a need of loyal men of stout heart no matter their age."  He winked at Kendrick.  "But perhaps for now I will leave you two alone.  Eh?" 

Taking Rowena's hand, Kendrick took the matter into his own hands, pulling her towards that part of the forest where they had enjoyed such tender moments of ecstasy.  When they were at the side of the lake, he lowered his head and kissed her gently at first, then with a hunger that only she could assuage.

The world blurred at the touch of his lips.  Rowena could think, couldn't breath.  Her ears were filled with a sound like the waterfall.  She felt her heart thump wildly, then seem to stop beating entirely.  It had been much too long since she had felt his lips against hers.

How long he kissed her she didn't know, but when he drew back their lips formed smiles at the very same moment.  "I have never kissed a nun before," Kendrick teased, bidding her to loosen her gown.

"Nor I a sack of flour," she answered, laughing as she gently wiped a smudge of flour from his chin.

"Ah, Rowena.  Rowena, how I love you!"  His breath was warm in her ear.   Taking her hands, he placed them inside his tunic so that she could feel the beat of his heart.

Rowena began to tremble.  Her breath was coming faster, he had ceased to breath at all.  "De Bron....."

"Shhhh."  Putting her hands behind his back he laced her fingers with his.  "No more words.  Kendrick set about to ignite the blaze of her desires with a veritable feast of kisses.