A Robin Hood Story

This is my own Robin Hood story, and if you don’t know Robin Hood well, this won’t make much sense to you.

“Will!” Robin Hood called out. Both Will Stutely and Will Scarlet raised their heads from fletching arrows and taking a nap respectively.

“Just Stutely” Robin corrected after a chuckle. While Scarlet went back to his nap, Stutley went over to Robin. “Yeah Robin?” he asked when he got there.

“It occurred to me that we haven’t been keeping up on the roads to Locksley, particularly the western one. so I think I could take the east road and you could take the western one.” Hood intoned, while examining the fletching on an arrow. “We don’t keep up on it because it’s little more (or less) than a large game trail, not a ‘road'” Will reasoned.

“And that’s exactly why someone like the Sheriff would use it.” Robin argued.

“The Bishop wouldn’t, he’s too fancy for that.” Robin raised an eyebrow. “Which is why I didn’t say ‘someone like the Bishop.'” Will sighed, and capitulated.

“Sure, I’ll take some of the men and check up on that road. Much! Midge! Arthur! David! Get over here!” Will called. The men all came over, Midge putting aside his bowl of soup. Will saw Friar Tuck head over there, but didn’t say anything.

“We’re heading out towards the west road of Locksley.” He announced. Almost instantly there were groans. “Nobody uses the west road!” David exclaimed. “Yeah, but everyone knows that we know that no one uses the west road, which is why they would use the west road.” Will explained. “So, because people don’t use the west road, people will use the west road?” Much asked. “Exactly.”

When they got to the road they walked along it for a ways before climbing some trees and preparing their bows. “So, do you really think that anyone will show?” It was David. Will sighed.”No, not really. But there’s a chance.” just then they heard a cart clattering through the wood. “Shh!” Will hissed at David. That was when the cart came into view. It had smooth wood, and was obviously not something a farmer would own. Beside that, the horse driving it was large and healthy, as opposed to a farmers mule. “Well I’ll be, Robin was right.” David whispered. Grinning, Will shushed him and drew and fired his bow. it struck the backrest of the cart, right next to the man horribly disguised as a farmer, seeing as the hat, boots, shirt and overalls were new. The man cursed, then pulled the reins to halt the horse. Will jumped down and turned to the “farmer”.

“Hello there friend! Where might you be headed?” “To Locksley. and why are you stopping me?” he responded. “Only to ask a little toll of you. You see, I’m with a little band of outlaws who take much from the rich and little from the poor.” “Well that’s perfect! you don’t have to take anything from me, seeing as I’m down on my luck.” at a signal, Midge sent an arrow into the other side of the backrest. “Fine! Fine! I work for the Sheriff of Nottingham! I’ve been collecting the taxes by traveling unused roads!” with that, the tax collector slumped in his seat. Will called down Much to check the back of the cart. “This clever fellow put bags of hay over it! but there is a sizable sum here.” Will bowed to the collector. “then I shan’t hold you any longer fair sir, since this is a more than adequate toll.” He went over and helped Much carry out the chest. “oh, and I’ll take the horse.” “but-but then I can’t drive the cart.” “Shame” was his only response.

When they got back to the Greenwood tree Robin Hood was already there. “Any luck?” Will asked him. “No, and it’s the strangest thing. The only people on the path were honest workers. How about you?” “Only a little traffic.” Will reported.