The Force of Destiny, Chapter 29
Original Post
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/characters: Everyone
Word count: 2482
Spoilers: While this alters the end of S2, there are still minor spoilers for the whole run of the show, including S3.
Summary: Prince John arrives.
Disclaimer: The show Robin Hood and the characters portrayed within are property of the BBC and Tiger Aspect. I have no rights to anything associated with any of them and make no profits from this venture; no infringement intended.
previous chapter
-29-
Robin was a terrible patient. He could not move at all with the bone tube in, and when Matilda took it out a few days later, she made it clear to him that he yet needed to lay still. By the time she gave him the okay to get up nearly two weeks later, Marian was ready to feed him to that lion he had dreamt about those months back.
"How do you stay so calm?" she asked Matilda at one point, after a particularly frustrating battle of wills.
"Oh, it's not so hard," the healer replied breezily. "Especially since I drug his drink every time he gets antsy."
Marian glanced over at the bed, where her husband was sleeping soundly. "I thought he was wearing himself out."
"Good; hopefully, he does, too." Matilda winked.
Once the wound had healed somewhat and Robin was not wheezing as much, they agreed it would be all right for Atiya to see him. She was tentative at first, but quickly relaxed, and started bringing him little presents. Mostly, these consisted of rocks, leaves, and other bits and pieces she picked up around the castle; but he treated each like it was made of gold, having them lined up along the footboard where he could easily see them. Marian, Djaq and Matilda noticed that he was much more amenable to their instructions after a visit from his daughter, and were not above bringing her in for awhile when he got argumentative.
Finally, he had mended, fortunately having avoided infection or complication in the process. After so much time motionless, he was slightly feeble, needing help getting up, and support once he was on his feet. Instead of taking things slowly, however, Robin pushed himself, unable to accept his weakness a moment longer than necessary. Three days after he had been allowed up, he could walk for short distances without assistance, and the king found him sitting on the courtyard steps outside of his room with Marian and Atiya, enjoying the summer air.
"I am headed for London," Richard said, taking a seat beside them. "Guy has matters under control here now, and I need to meet with my brother." He hesitated. "I'm going to name John my heir."
"Sire?" Robin stared at his liege, sure he had not heard correctly.
Richard looked to Robin. "Things with Philip are getting worse, and I fear my nephew is no longer a safe choice. I understand the enmity between you and my brother; I will see to it that you and your people need fear no persecution from him. But, please, keep this to yourselves. It will become known soon enough, but I felt you deserved to hear this from me, after all you have done to preserve the kingdom in my name against his plotting."
"Thank you," Robin murmured, exchanging a glance with Marian.
"I would like everyone to join me at supper tonight," Richard said. "I leave in the morning. We are not going by the North Road; I do not want to give John time to set a trap for me."
Most of the gang had gotten their new households set up, but had decided to remain at the castle until Robin could go to Locksley. They had continued to make visits to the villages, both with what remained of their loot as well as donations from the king. The people were already having an easier time of it without Vaizey's extraneous taxes and men harassing them, but there was still hunger and need; one of the main topics of discussion lately was how to address these problems, without robbing wealthy travelers anymore.
Supper was a cheerful affair. Robin announced that he intended to go home the next day, and the king did not announce his plans for Prince John, so everyone was buzzing with excitement. The following morning, as the group waved Richard's entourage off, the thrill in the air was palpable. After the end of the retinue vanished through the gate, everyone turned to each other, realizing that their time together was truly coming to a close.
Robin stretched his hands above his head. "So, this is it."
"Hard to believe," Allan commented.
Will grinned at him. "What's hard to believe is that you're a man of the law." Guy had surprised nearly everyone by asking Allan to be his lieutenant, and Allan had surprised them again by accepting.
"You're tellin' me."
"It's going to be weird," said Much, glancing at Robin, who smiled back at him.
Djaq shook her head. "As long as I do not have to spend another winter in the forest, I am happy."
There were laughs and murmurs of agreement.
Meg stepped forward. "Before you leave, I've planned a special luncheon. That is, if you do not mind staying just a little longer."
As eager as they all were to get onward with their lives, everyone found that they were rather glad to have a reason to remain together for a few more hours, even if they hesitated to admit it. It was worth the wait; Meg had arranged a grand feast, and they all ate their fill. The wine flowed freely, as well, and the group were full of bonhomie by the time the servants began clearing the table. Marian suspected that Robin and Guy had indulged a bit too much when the two offered one another a string of apologies for wounds inflicted and other wrongs done, and was sure of it when they exchanged a friendly hug. She also noted Meg keeping a close eye on her fiancé. But the two were not alone; all of the men were fairly inebriated at the end of the meal, even Tuck, who rarely imbibed. The wine was turning Marian's stomach, so she had barely had any. In fact, none of the women had all that much, and were the only ones thinking clearly when the Great Hall suddenly swarmed with men wearing Prince John's livery.
And then, the prince, himself, walked in. Gazing imperiously down at them from the balcony, he called, "I am looking for my brother. Who can tell me where he is?"
Caught off-guard, nobody knew quite how to react at first. They all knew that Richard was hoping to surprise John, but it looked like John had had a similar notion.
When he failed to get any sort of response, Prince John got impatient. "Where is the sheriff?"
Guy rose unsteadily to his feet and executed a sloppy bow. "Here, sire."
"You are not Vaizey," the prince snapped.
"No, sire," Guy slurred. "'m Guy'f Gisborne."
Eyes narrowed, Prince John demanded, "Where is Vaizey?"
"Dead," Meg replied.
"Dead? How?"
Meg and Marian both started to answer, but Guy spoke over them. "I cut off 'is head."
The women exchanged an uneasy look.
John studied them. "Who are the rest of you?"
"Lady Marg--" Meg began, only to be cut off once more.
Robin's bow was about on par with Guy's earlier one. "Robin of Locksley, sire, though you prob'ly know me as Robin Hood." He grinned cheekily.
The prince's eyes widened in fury. "Robin Hood, dining in Nottingham Castle with the sheriff?"
Marian's stomach heaved, making her unable to speak; she was glad when Eve spoke up. "He has been pardoned by the king. We all have."
"So, he is here."
"The king was called away," Allan explained, trying to stand and sliding back into his chair instead.
With a sound of disgust, Prince John strode over to the stairs and descended them quickly, marching over to Guy. Leaning in until their noses were nearly touching, he ground out, "Where is my brother?"
"Dunno," said Guy, blinking to clear his vision.
"Where is your proof of this so-called pardon, or of your so-called appointment as sheriff?"
"The king has those documents," Kate supplied. "He said he intends to have them publicly read."
John glanced around the table. "In London, no doubt."
"No--" Marian tried, the word dying in her mouth as the prince's gaze was turned on her.
He gave her a dangerous smile. "I can think of no other place he would be inclined to read a public announcement. But, had he been headed for London, we would have passed one another on the Great North Road. We did not." He turned and gestured to the captain of his guards. "Take them to the dungeon and get a scaffold ready. I want them hanging by sundown."
A chorus of protests erupted as the table was surrounded by armed men. Dumbfounded, Guy was restrained before he realized what was happening. Carter tried to jump up, but his face was slammed onto the table before he could. He might have been all right, but his temple hit a heavy dish, which knocked him unconscious. Sakina was grabbed by the hair and yanked back out of her seat, stumbling to gain her footing and failing. Alice cried out when she and Little Little John were pulled apart, and Little John roared as he was wrestled to the ground. Will managed to slam his plate into the face of one guard who went after Djaq, only to receive a punch to the stomach that laid him flat. Eve's fork found its way into the arm of a guard who was squeezing Much's throat too hard, just before being slapped with enough force to send her sprawling. Tuck managed to fool two guards by pretending to surrender, and then knocking their skulls together. However, more men were right behind them, and soon had his nose pressed against the floorboards. Allan flung an empty wine carafe at man who pulled Kate's chair over backward, which had caused her to bang her head on the floor, stunning her. The guard blocked the jug and shoved Allan into one of his colleagues, who jerked his arms up behind him. Marian tried to push Atiya under the table, but suddenly found herself jerked roughly backward and pinned between two burly men, as a third yanked Atiya out by her ankle. Robin tried to launch himself over the table and at those guards, but was instantly brought down by four others, each wanting to be the man to capture Robin Hood. Meg attempted to approach the prince in the hopes of talking sense into him, halting when the point of a sword was brought to her throat.
The same was happening around the room, bringing a sudden end to the chaos.
"Please, sire," Meg said softly. "We do not lie to you."
"I doubt that," he sneered.
"At least, spare the children," Sakina begged.
Still a bit out of breath, Will added, "And the women."
Marian's nausea had grown worse, and she struggled desperately not to be ill. Her eyes met Robin's, which were filled with a helpless rage; she understood the emotion, as she was experiencing it, herself.
Prince John peered down his nose at them. Finally, he said, "They are a rather pretty lot, aren't they? Yes, very well, put the women in the chamber adjoining mine. Throw the men and the children in the dungeon." Alice burst into tears, adding to the sobbing that had been coming from Atiya since she was nabbed. Wrinkling his nose, the prince sighed, "Fine, leave the children with the women. Good Lord." With that, he turned and went back up the stairs, ordering a servant who had the misfortune of passing by at that moment to bring his horse around.
Little Little John was handed back to his mother, and the guard in charge of Atiya asked, "Whose is this one?"
Finally subduing the sick feeling, Marian responded, "She's mine."
He glanced dubiously between her and Sakina, but handed the child over to her anyway.
Atiya latched onto her, burying her face in Marian's neck. "It's all right," Marian murmured, rubbing the little girl's back soothingly as she glared daggers at the prince's retreating back. He would pay for this; she would personally see to it.
"Come on, then," the captain of the guards growled, and the former outlaws were quickly sorted and ushered out of the hall, the men staggering toward the door to the dungeons with their minds still clouded by wine.
Soon, the women and children were alone in a large bedchamber whose second door, Marian knew, led to the grandest chamber in the castle. She suspected that there were guards on the opposite side of both doors, but at least none had been stationed inside.
Kate eyed the bed with disgust. "He isn't really planning on bedding all of us... is he?"
"Of course, he is," muttered Eve bitterly.
Djaq's hands rested on her belly. "I will snap his neck if he tries," she vowed.
"As lovely a thought as that is," Marian said, "we need a plan." She glanced at the window, but instantly discarded the notion, aware that outside of it was a sheer drop to the courtyard below. She started to set Atiya down, but tiny arms tightened around her neck in protest, so she decided against it.
Sakina gestured to the door. "If we can get the guards in here, we can knock them out."
With a frown, Meg asked, "But, how do we get them to come in?"
Kate shrugged. "I could scream."
"You scream really well," Little Little John told her. She grinned at him.
"All right. That's half a plan," Marian acknowledged. "But, we still have to get to the dungeons, free the others (who are in no shape to fight), and escape. And none of us has weapons. We can take the ones the guards are carrying, but that will still leave most of us unarmed."
They all sat around morosely, pondering how to accomplish the feat. The sounds of hammering drifted up from outside, and Marian felt a bleak weight descend upon her. Judging by the faces of her companions, she was not the only one. Her mind raced, concocting and dismissing ideas, each less plausible than the last. She could feel the time passing, slipping away from them.
Finally, Alice spoke up. "We're just going to have to chance it. Otherwise, we have no options."
"She's right," Meg agreed.
"What about when we've gotten to the dungeons?" Kate asked. "If we get to the dungeons."
Djaq looked thoughtful. "We can try the same distraction as we will use to escape from this room. And then, we just have to hope for the best."
Marian looked around at them, reading the determination on their faces, and nodded. "Right. Everyone, find something heavy to hit a guard with."
next chapter
*
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/characters: Everyone
Word count: 2482
Spoilers: While this alters the end of S2, there are still minor spoilers for the whole run of the show, including S3.
Summary: Prince John arrives.
Disclaimer: The show Robin Hood and the characters portrayed within are property of the BBC and Tiger Aspect. I have no rights to anything associated with any of them and make no profits from this venture; no infringement intended.
previous chapter
-29-
Robin was a terrible patient. He could not move at all with the bone tube in, and when Matilda took it out a few days later, she made it clear to him that he yet needed to lay still. By the time she gave him the okay to get up nearly two weeks later, Marian was ready to feed him to that lion he had dreamt about those months back.
"How do you stay so calm?" she asked Matilda at one point, after a particularly frustrating battle of wills.
"Oh, it's not so hard," the healer replied breezily. "Especially since I drug his drink every time he gets antsy."
Marian glanced over at the bed, where her husband was sleeping soundly. "I thought he was wearing himself out."
"Good; hopefully, he does, too." Matilda winked.
Once the wound had healed somewhat and Robin was not wheezing as much, they agreed it would be all right for Atiya to see him. She was tentative at first, but quickly relaxed, and started bringing him little presents. Mostly, these consisted of rocks, leaves, and other bits and pieces she picked up around the castle; but he treated each like it was made of gold, having them lined up along the footboard where he could easily see them. Marian, Djaq and Matilda noticed that he was much more amenable to their instructions after a visit from his daughter, and were not above bringing her in for awhile when he got argumentative.
Finally, he had mended, fortunately having avoided infection or complication in the process. After so much time motionless, he was slightly feeble, needing help getting up, and support once he was on his feet. Instead of taking things slowly, however, Robin pushed himself, unable to accept his weakness a moment longer than necessary. Three days after he had been allowed up, he could walk for short distances without assistance, and the king found him sitting on the courtyard steps outside of his room with Marian and Atiya, enjoying the summer air.
"I am headed for London," Richard said, taking a seat beside them. "Guy has matters under control here now, and I need to meet with my brother." He hesitated. "I'm going to name John my heir."
"Sire?" Robin stared at his liege, sure he had not heard correctly.
Richard looked to Robin. "Things with Philip are getting worse, and I fear my nephew is no longer a safe choice. I understand the enmity between you and my brother; I will see to it that you and your people need fear no persecution from him. But, please, keep this to yourselves. It will become known soon enough, but I felt you deserved to hear this from me, after all you have done to preserve the kingdom in my name against his plotting."
"Thank you," Robin murmured, exchanging a glance with Marian.
"I would like everyone to join me at supper tonight," Richard said. "I leave in the morning. We are not going by the North Road; I do not want to give John time to set a trap for me."
Most of the gang had gotten their new households set up, but had decided to remain at the castle until Robin could go to Locksley. They had continued to make visits to the villages, both with what remained of their loot as well as donations from the king. The people were already having an easier time of it without Vaizey's extraneous taxes and men harassing them, but there was still hunger and need; one of the main topics of discussion lately was how to address these problems, without robbing wealthy travelers anymore.
Supper was a cheerful affair. Robin announced that he intended to go home the next day, and the king did not announce his plans for Prince John, so everyone was buzzing with excitement. The following morning, as the group waved Richard's entourage off, the thrill in the air was palpable. After the end of the retinue vanished through the gate, everyone turned to each other, realizing that their time together was truly coming to a close.
Robin stretched his hands above his head. "So, this is it."
"Hard to believe," Allan commented.
Will grinned at him. "What's hard to believe is that you're a man of the law." Guy had surprised nearly everyone by asking Allan to be his lieutenant, and Allan had surprised them again by accepting.
"You're tellin' me."
"It's going to be weird," said Much, glancing at Robin, who smiled back at him.
Djaq shook her head. "As long as I do not have to spend another winter in the forest, I am happy."
There were laughs and murmurs of agreement.
Meg stepped forward. "Before you leave, I've planned a special luncheon. That is, if you do not mind staying just a little longer."
As eager as they all were to get onward with their lives, everyone found that they were rather glad to have a reason to remain together for a few more hours, even if they hesitated to admit it. It was worth the wait; Meg had arranged a grand feast, and they all ate their fill. The wine flowed freely, as well, and the group were full of bonhomie by the time the servants began clearing the table. Marian suspected that Robin and Guy had indulged a bit too much when the two offered one another a string of apologies for wounds inflicted and other wrongs done, and was sure of it when they exchanged a friendly hug. She also noted Meg keeping a close eye on her fiancé. But the two were not alone; all of the men were fairly inebriated at the end of the meal, even Tuck, who rarely imbibed. The wine was turning Marian's stomach, so she had barely had any. In fact, none of the women had all that much, and were the only ones thinking clearly when the Great Hall suddenly swarmed with men wearing Prince John's livery.
And then, the prince, himself, walked in. Gazing imperiously down at them from the balcony, he called, "I am looking for my brother. Who can tell me where he is?"
Caught off-guard, nobody knew quite how to react at first. They all knew that Richard was hoping to surprise John, but it looked like John had had a similar notion.
When he failed to get any sort of response, Prince John got impatient. "Where is the sheriff?"
Guy rose unsteadily to his feet and executed a sloppy bow. "Here, sire."
"You are not Vaizey," the prince snapped.
"No, sire," Guy slurred. "'m Guy'f Gisborne."
Eyes narrowed, Prince John demanded, "Where is Vaizey?"
"Dead," Meg replied.
"Dead? How?"
Meg and Marian both started to answer, but Guy spoke over them. "I cut off 'is head."
The women exchanged an uneasy look.
John studied them. "Who are the rest of you?"
"Lady Marg--" Meg began, only to be cut off once more.
Robin's bow was about on par with Guy's earlier one. "Robin of Locksley, sire, though you prob'ly know me as Robin Hood." He grinned cheekily.
The prince's eyes widened in fury. "Robin Hood, dining in Nottingham Castle with the sheriff?"
Marian's stomach heaved, making her unable to speak; she was glad when Eve spoke up. "He has been pardoned by the king. We all have."
"So, he is here."
"The king was called away," Allan explained, trying to stand and sliding back into his chair instead.
With a sound of disgust, Prince John strode over to the stairs and descended them quickly, marching over to Guy. Leaning in until their noses were nearly touching, he ground out, "Where is my brother?"
"Dunno," said Guy, blinking to clear his vision.
"Where is your proof of this so-called pardon, or of your so-called appointment as sheriff?"
"The king has those documents," Kate supplied. "He said he intends to have them publicly read."
John glanced around the table. "In London, no doubt."
"No--" Marian tried, the word dying in her mouth as the prince's gaze was turned on her.
He gave her a dangerous smile. "I can think of no other place he would be inclined to read a public announcement. But, had he been headed for London, we would have passed one another on the Great North Road. We did not." He turned and gestured to the captain of his guards. "Take them to the dungeon and get a scaffold ready. I want them hanging by sundown."
A chorus of protests erupted as the table was surrounded by armed men. Dumbfounded, Guy was restrained before he realized what was happening. Carter tried to jump up, but his face was slammed onto the table before he could. He might have been all right, but his temple hit a heavy dish, which knocked him unconscious. Sakina was grabbed by the hair and yanked back out of her seat, stumbling to gain her footing and failing. Alice cried out when she and Little Little John were pulled apart, and Little John roared as he was wrestled to the ground. Will managed to slam his plate into the face of one guard who went after Djaq, only to receive a punch to the stomach that laid him flat. Eve's fork found its way into the arm of a guard who was squeezing Much's throat too hard, just before being slapped with enough force to send her sprawling. Tuck managed to fool two guards by pretending to surrender, and then knocking their skulls together. However, more men were right behind them, and soon had his nose pressed against the floorboards. Allan flung an empty wine carafe at man who pulled Kate's chair over backward, which had caused her to bang her head on the floor, stunning her. The guard blocked the jug and shoved Allan into one of his colleagues, who jerked his arms up behind him. Marian tried to push Atiya under the table, but suddenly found herself jerked roughly backward and pinned between two burly men, as a third yanked Atiya out by her ankle. Robin tried to launch himself over the table and at those guards, but was instantly brought down by four others, each wanting to be the man to capture Robin Hood. Meg attempted to approach the prince in the hopes of talking sense into him, halting when the point of a sword was brought to her throat.
The same was happening around the room, bringing a sudden end to the chaos.
"Please, sire," Meg said softly. "We do not lie to you."
"I doubt that," he sneered.
"At least, spare the children," Sakina begged.
Still a bit out of breath, Will added, "And the women."
Marian's nausea had grown worse, and she struggled desperately not to be ill. Her eyes met Robin's, which were filled with a helpless rage; she understood the emotion, as she was experiencing it, herself.
Prince John peered down his nose at them. Finally, he said, "They are a rather pretty lot, aren't they? Yes, very well, put the women in the chamber adjoining mine. Throw the men and the children in the dungeon." Alice burst into tears, adding to the sobbing that had been coming from Atiya since she was nabbed. Wrinkling his nose, the prince sighed, "Fine, leave the children with the women. Good Lord." With that, he turned and went back up the stairs, ordering a servant who had the misfortune of passing by at that moment to bring his horse around.
Little Little John was handed back to his mother, and the guard in charge of Atiya asked, "Whose is this one?"
Finally subduing the sick feeling, Marian responded, "She's mine."
He glanced dubiously between her and Sakina, but handed the child over to her anyway.
Atiya latched onto her, burying her face in Marian's neck. "It's all right," Marian murmured, rubbing the little girl's back soothingly as she glared daggers at the prince's retreating back. He would pay for this; she would personally see to it.
"Come on, then," the captain of the guards growled, and the former outlaws were quickly sorted and ushered out of the hall, the men staggering toward the door to the dungeons with their minds still clouded by wine.
Soon, the women and children were alone in a large bedchamber whose second door, Marian knew, led to the grandest chamber in the castle. She suspected that there were guards on the opposite side of both doors, but at least none had been stationed inside.
Kate eyed the bed with disgust. "He isn't really planning on bedding all of us... is he?"
"Of course, he is," muttered Eve bitterly.
Djaq's hands rested on her belly. "I will snap his neck if he tries," she vowed.
"As lovely a thought as that is," Marian said, "we need a plan." She glanced at the window, but instantly discarded the notion, aware that outside of it was a sheer drop to the courtyard below. She started to set Atiya down, but tiny arms tightened around her neck in protest, so she decided against it.
Sakina gestured to the door. "If we can get the guards in here, we can knock them out."
With a frown, Meg asked, "But, how do we get them to come in?"
Kate shrugged. "I could scream."
"You scream really well," Little Little John told her. She grinned at him.
"All right. That's half a plan," Marian acknowledged. "But, we still have to get to the dungeons, free the others (who are in no shape to fight), and escape. And none of us has weapons. We can take the ones the guards are carrying, but that will still leave most of us unarmed."
They all sat around morosely, pondering how to accomplish the feat. The sounds of hammering drifted up from outside, and Marian felt a bleak weight descend upon her. Judging by the faces of her companions, she was not the only one. Her mind raced, concocting and dismissing ideas, each less plausible than the last. She could feel the time passing, slipping away from them.
Finally, Alice spoke up. "We're just going to have to chance it. Otherwise, we have no options."
"She's right," Meg agreed.
"What about when we've gotten to the dungeons?" Kate asked. "If we get to the dungeons."
Djaq looked thoughtful. "We can try the same distraction as we will use to escape from this room. And then, we just have to hope for the best."
Marian looked around at them, reading the determination on their faces, and nodded. "Right. Everyone, find something heavy to hit a guard with."
next chapter
*