Denial, Chapter 42: Only Fools Rush In
Title: Denial, Ch. 42: Only Fools Rush In
Author: robinfanatic
Characters/Pairings: 3 former residents of Locksley and a Fool
Rating: PG
Genre: gen
Words: 1296
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; I just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial'. Beta'd by masters of the dark side darkentwisted & wastingyourgum
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: Summary of previous chapters...
Summary: If you overheard conversations about a barn in Nettlestone, Robin and the gang, and a plot to kill the king, what would you do? This chapter takes place during 2x12 at Nottingham Castle.
Only Fools Rush In
by robinfanatic
"I told you there weren't no jobs in the kitchens!"
The two villagers wandered through the dimly lit corridors of the castle back toward the bailey. Matthew decided he wasn't too disappointed about not finding work. Being employed anywhere in Vaizey's stronghold wasn't all that desirable. They did need the money though he wasn't about to admit that his friend had been wrong. "But Thomas said--"
"Well your friend was wrong, wasn't he?"
He brushed off the all-too-familiar sarcasm in his companion's voice. He tried to look for the positive despite the hard times and the pessimism that ran rampant in his family. "Maybe we could pick up a penny packing that carriage they were loading when we came in."
"A penny? That'll go far to feed us, won't it?"
"Better than nothin'," he replied cheerfully as they rounded a corner. "Hold on--" He tugged his companion deep into the shadows of the passageway. "It's the sheriff."
Vaizey's gaze was focused on a mercenary coming through the portcullis on horseback. Curiosity got the better of them and the two young peasants edged closer hoping to eavesdrop as the overseer of Nottingham greeted the hired soldier. The conversation was short-lived. The sheriff's smile faded and the two men headed into the castle.
"Did he say Nettlestone?"
"I think so. What are they doin' in Nettlestone?" Matthew grimaced. "Wasn't taking over Locksley enough?"
"It's not right, it's just not right! I bet whatever is happening is because of Hood."
Frustration filled Matthew's face. "Robin has tried to help our people. You know that!"
"Well where was he when Gisborne turned the villagers out, eh?"
"You know he'd be there if he could. What's his small gang against hundreds of mercenaries? He will set it right. He just has to plan it all out. You wait. You'll see."
"I thought they said Hood had people everywhere!"
A commotion out in the ward quieted them. Allan A Dale was headed their way. The Lady Marian called after him, hot on his heels. Marian looked beautiful but flustered, a look of dread on her face that made them both shudder. Still hidden in the shadows, the two nosey peasants inched forward along the wall to watch the Lady and the former outlaw. Marian's expression turned from alarmed to determined as she followed Allan into a storeroom.
They hadn't intended to spy on anyone but this was just too hard to resist. Snatches of the conversation drifted their way. King...stop it...kill...leave it...Nottingham...safe. No, but I can't find Robin! That last was said in a voice so vehement yet desperate that both of the snoops sucked in a breath. They looked at each other wondering if a bit of innocent eavesdropping could lead to a whole lot of trouble.
Neither had to strain to hear the next words the lady uttered.
"Look, Gisborne and the sheriff are ready to leave now!" Marian exclaimed. "There's no time for this. Would you please help me?"
Allan's reply was muted and then he turned back to his chores. When Marian threw a right hook and knocked him to the ground, the amateur spies both flinched, drawing back when she grabbed Allan's sword and moved stealthily back toward the castle.
Neither of the peasants moved, each one trying to process what they'd heard. They had little time time to think when Gisborne's voice suddenly reverberated through the passageway. The dark knight spotted Allan struggling to rise and helped him up.
"She stole my sword, Guy," Allan barked. "She's gonna try to kill the sheriff."
"That fool!" Gisborne shouted. "What did you tell her?"
"I dinnit tell her anything." Allan massaged his sore jaw as he followed Gisborne from the storeroom. "She has all these crazy ideas about the sheriff plannin' to kill the king." The two men rushed across the courtyard, up the stairs, and disappeared into the castle.
Matthew looked at his companion. "Did you hear that?"
"It's none of our business. C'mon. We should leave."
"But Lady Marian--she's in trouble."
"Oi, Matthew! Let's the two of us rush the guards and just waltz into the castle right now." She rolled her eyes. "Mother'll have my hide if she knows I even let you think about that. The lady is on her own."
She was right and Matthew knew it. He peered around the corner eyeing the activity at the bottom of the stairs. "They're still packing. Looks like a long trip. Is that the sheriff's carriage?"
"I dunno."
"He was checkin' up on it when that mercenary arrived."
"Doesn't mean it's his. C'mon, let's go."
Matthew grabbed her arm. "But if Lady Marian was right, the sheriff could be headed to ki--"
"Keep your voice down, little brother!" She glared at him. "And let go of me, please. There's nothing we can do. It doesn't matter. Don't you get it?"
Matthew shook his head. She'd spent too much time listening to their mother.
Suddenly, the castle doors flew open. Two soldiers escorted Lady Marian and shoved her into the waiting carriage. The sheriff--alive and well--trotted smugly down behind them. Allan and Gisborne appeared at the top of the steps a moment later, exchanged a few words, and then joined their companions.
"Where d'ya s'pose they're headed?" Matthew asked as the carriage headed toward the gate. "Maybe the Lady Marian is right."
Neither of the spies heard the quiet footfalls of the men who'd come up behind them.
"Oi, Andrew. Looks like we aren't the only ones interested in the sheriff's travel plans."
Matthew glanced sidelong at his sister and they both started to run. The soldiers grabbed them before they'd taken more than two steps. "Stop! Let us go!"
"Hold on there!" one of the soldiers exclaimed. "We're on your side, Kate."
The young girl's eyes grew wide. "Luke Scarlett!" she exclaimed as the man removed his helmet. "And you...I know you," she beamed.
"Andrew," the Fool replied with a bow. They'd met months before in Locksley on Sir Guy's birthday. "At your service, milady."
Kate turned back to Luke. "What are you doin' here?"
"Well, I'm glad to see you, too!" Luke playfully ran his hand across the braid in her hair. "Still wearing that stupid-looking braid, I see."
"Yeah," she spat. "It keeps shallow, foolish boys like you and your brother away from me!"
"Now children," the Fool said, "you can discuss your love life later."
Luke chuckled, remembering how Will used to moon over Kate. "He's right," he said, the teasing long forgotten. "Robin needs our help."
"How do you know that?"
"While you were out here, Andrew and I were inside doing a bit of snooping. The sheriff is headed to the Holy Land. He plans to kill the king."
"Lady Marian was right!" Matthew said.
Luke nodded. "And those mercenaries have Robin and the gang trapped."
"In Nettlestone?" Matthew replied. "See, Kate, what did I tell you!"
"Are you with us?" Luke asked.
Kate eyed her brother and the two men. "Sounds like nothing but trouble to me," she hissed.
"To Nettlestone then?" the Fool urged.
"Are we all fools?" Kate asked. "There's four of us."
Luke nodded stoically. "A hundred or so mercenaries."
"We can't let them take Robin," Matthew insisted.
"I know, I know," Kate replied. She tapped the armour on Luke's chest. "Those uniforms should come in handy."
"I think the lady may have a plan," the Fool said.
The men smiled and one by one planted their hands out, one on top of the other, to show their unity. Kate laid hers on last and looked at them with grim determination. "So what are we waitin' for?" she exclaimed. "Lead, follow, or get out of the way!"
~~~
a/n: last line is a quote from Thomas Paine
Did someone say This is a rescue??? Chapter 43 is this way.......
Author: robinfanatic
Characters/Pairings: 3 former residents of Locksley and a Fool
Rating: PG
Genre: gen
Words: 1296
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; I just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial'. Beta'd by masters of the dark side darkentwisted & wastingyourgum
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: Summary of previous chapters...
Summary: If you overheard conversations about a barn in Nettlestone, Robin and the gang, and a plot to kill the king, what would you do? This chapter takes place during 2x12 at Nottingham Castle.
Only Fools Rush In
by robinfanatic
"I told you there weren't no jobs in the kitchens!"
The two villagers wandered through the dimly lit corridors of the castle back toward the bailey. Matthew decided he wasn't too disappointed about not finding work. Being employed anywhere in Vaizey's stronghold wasn't all that desirable. They did need the money though he wasn't about to admit that his friend had been wrong. "But Thomas said--"
"Well your friend was wrong, wasn't he?"
He brushed off the all-too-familiar sarcasm in his companion's voice. He tried to look for the positive despite the hard times and the pessimism that ran rampant in his family. "Maybe we could pick up a penny packing that carriage they were loading when we came in."
"A penny? That'll go far to feed us, won't it?"
"Better than nothin'," he replied cheerfully as they rounded a corner. "Hold on--" He tugged his companion deep into the shadows of the passageway. "It's the sheriff."
Vaizey's gaze was focused on a mercenary coming through the portcullis on horseback. Curiosity got the better of them and the two young peasants edged closer hoping to eavesdrop as the overseer of Nottingham greeted the hired soldier. The conversation was short-lived. The sheriff's smile faded and the two men headed into the castle.
"Did he say Nettlestone?"
"I think so. What are they doin' in Nettlestone?" Matthew grimaced. "Wasn't taking over Locksley enough?"
"It's not right, it's just not right! I bet whatever is happening is because of Hood."
Frustration filled Matthew's face. "Robin has tried to help our people. You know that!"
"Well where was he when Gisborne turned the villagers out, eh?"
"You know he'd be there if he could. What's his small gang against hundreds of mercenaries? He will set it right. He just has to plan it all out. You wait. You'll see."
"I thought they said Hood had people everywhere!"
A commotion out in the ward quieted them. Allan A Dale was headed their way. The Lady Marian called after him, hot on his heels. Marian looked beautiful but flustered, a look of dread on her face that made them both shudder. Still hidden in the shadows, the two nosey peasants inched forward along the wall to watch the Lady and the former outlaw. Marian's expression turned from alarmed to determined as she followed Allan into a storeroom.
They hadn't intended to spy on anyone but this was just too hard to resist. Snatches of the conversation drifted their way. King...stop it...kill...leave it...Nottingham...safe. No, but I can't find Robin! That last was said in a voice so vehement yet desperate that both of the snoops sucked in a breath. They looked at each other wondering if a bit of innocent eavesdropping could lead to a whole lot of trouble.
Neither had to strain to hear the next words the lady uttered.
"Look, Gisborne and the sheriff are ready to leave now!" Marian exclaimed. "There's no time for this. Would you please help me?"
Allan's reply was muted and then he turned back to his chores. When Marian threw a right hook and knocked him to the ground, the amateur spies both flinched, drawing back when she grabbed Allan's sword and moved stealthily back toward the castle.
Neither of the peasants moved, each one trying to process what they'd heard. They had little time time to think when Gisborne's voice suddenly reverberated through the passageway. The dark knight spotted Allan struggling to rise and helped him up.
"She stole my sword, Guy," Allan barked. "She's gonna try to kill the sheriff."
"That fool!" Gisborne shouted. "What did you tell her?"
"I dinnit tell her anything." Allan massaged his sore jaw as he followed Gisborne from the storeroom. "She has all these crazy ideas about the sheriff plannin' to kill the king." The two men rushed across the courtyard, up the stairs, and disappeared into the castle.
Matthew looked at his companion. "Did you hear that?"
"It's none of our business. C'mon. We should leave."
"But Lady Marian--she's in trouble."
"Oi, Matthew! Let's the two of us rush the guards and just waltz into the castle right now." She rolled her eyes. "Mother'll have my hide if she knows I even let you think about that. The lady is on her own."
She was right and Matthew knew it. He peered around the corner eyeing the activity at the bottom of the stairs. "They're still packing. Looks like a long trip. Is that the sheriff's carriage?"
"I dunno."
"He was checkin' up on it when that mercenary arrived."
"Doesn't mean it's his. C'mon, let's go."
Matthew grabbed her arm. "But if Lady Marian was right, the sheriff could be headed to ki--"
"Keep your voice down, little brother!" She glared at him. "And let go of me, please. There's nothing we can do. It doesn't matter. Don't you get it?"
Matthew shook his head. She'd spent too much time listening to their mother.
Suddenly, the castle doors flew open. Two soldiers escorted Lady Marian and shoved her into the waiting carriage. The sheriff--alive and well--trotted smugly down behind them. Allan and Gisborne appeared at the top of the steps a moment later, exchanged a few words, and then joined their companions.
"Where d'ya s'pose they're headed?" Matthew asked as the carriage headed toward the gate. "Maybe the Lady Marian is right."
Neither of the spies heard the quiet footfalls of the men who'd come up behind them.
"Oi, Andrew. Looks like we aren't the only ones interested in the sheriff's travel plans."
Matthew glanced sidelong at his sister and they both started to run. The soldiers grabbed them before they'd taken more than two steps. "Stop! Let us go!"
"Hold on there!" one of the soldiers exclaimed. "We're on your side, Kate."
The young girl's eyes grew wide. "Luke Scarlett!" she exclaimed as the man removed his helmet. "And you...I know you," she beamed.
"Andrew," the Fool replied with a bow. They'd met months before in Locksley on Sir Guy's birthday. "At your service, milady."
Kate turned back to Luke. "What are you doin' here?"
"Well, I'm glad to see you, too!" Luke playfully ran his hand across the braid in her hair. "Still wearing that stupid-looking braid, I see."
"Yeah," she spat. "It keeps shallow, foolish boys like you and your brother away from me!"
"Now children," the Fool said, "you can discuss your love life later."
Luke chuckled, remembering how Will used to moon over Kate. "He's right," he said, the teasing long forgotten. "Robin needs our help."
"How do you know that?"
"While you were out here, Andrew and I were inside doing a bit of snooping. The sheriff is headed to the Holy Land. He plans to kill the king."
"Lady Marian was right!" Matthew said.
Luke nodded. "And those mercenaries have Robin and the gang trapped."
"In Nettlestone?" Matthew replied. "See, Kate, what did I tell you!"
"Are you with us?" Luke asked.
Kate eyed her brother and the two men. "Sounds like nothing but trouble to me," she hissed.
"To Nettlestone then?" the Fool urged.
"Are we all fools?" Kate asked. "There's four of us."
Luke nodded stoically. "A hundred or so mercenaries."
"We can't let them take Robin," Matthew insisted.
"I know, I know," Kate replied. She tapped the armour on Luke's chest. "Those uniforms should come in handy."
"I think the lady may have a plan," the Fool said.
The men smiled and one by one planted their hands out, one on top of the other, to show their unity. Kate laid hers on last and looked at them with grim determination. "So what are we waitin' for?" she exclaimed. "Lead, follow, or get out of the way!"
~~~
a/n: last line is a quote from Thomas Paine
Did someone say This is a rescue??? Chapter 43 is this way.......