Robin Hood (38 page)

I watch as Robin rides into the village, our home. He dismounts, strolls among the people who have followed him here, who have trusted him to guide us as we create this new world. His smile comes easily, his laugh rings through the wood. He greets a group of boys, tossing one into the air and then catching him again and setting him on the ground. He tousles the boy's hair and moves on. This place is remaking him, too, and it pleases me to see it.

Friar Tuck stands near a large cooking fire, tending to his bees and roasting venison for our evening meal. Little John hangs game to cure while speaking with a new man, whose name I have not yet learned. John's woman stands nearby, watching John with an admiring smile, a smile he returns warmly. He goes to her and kisses her.

Allan makes arrows for the morrow's hunt. Will Scarlet teaches a boy how to make arrows of his own.

And others join us every day. Our village is growing.

Sun filters through the leaves and boughs overhead, angling through the pale smoke of the fire, casting dappled patterns upon the forest floor. There will be cold days, rainy days, hard days. But we will face them as we face all things: together, as a village, as a people.

Robin sees me, and we share a smile. He walks toward me and when he reaches me we turn a circle as if dancing, his arm around my waist, mine around his. Then we face each other and he lifts me above him as if I am as light as air. And perhaps I am. He lowers me to the ground again, kisses me, reminding me that there is love in this new world we have created. There is a future for us; for Robin and me, for the friends who surround us, and yes, even for England.

For the realm has good men who will defend those who cannot defend themselves, who will fight for causes that the wealthy and powerful would oppose. Men like William Marshal. Men like Allan A'Dayle and Will Scarlet, Little John and Friar Tuck. Men like Robin Longstride—Robin Hood—who has brought us together in this place to live a better life, but also to make a better world.

I rode out one morning with my man at my side.

The forest gods have heard my vow. Now they make me welcome. The greenwood is the outlaw's friend: no tax, no tithe, nobody rich, nobody poor, fair shares for all at nature's table, and many wrongs to be righted in the country of King John. Watch over us, Sir Walter.

And this is how the legend began….