Okay, here we go!!!
Robin wound around trees, not saying a word to comfort the group. He occasionally turrned, to be extra careful that no one was following them. Finally, the tired group ended up in a small village with about ten medium sized huts on the ground and over twenty smaller huts in the trees that were connected by a wood walk-way. Rebecca breathed a sigh of releif. She dismounted, and tied Mystic up. Soon she was joined by Robin.
"You have the choice of a room on the ground, or one in the trees." he said. Rebecca smiled slightly and said, "I would preffer one in the trees." Robin smiled and nodded. "Right up there." he said, pointing to one of the empty tree-huts. Rebecca smiled her thanks, and climbed the ladder leading to her hut. Once inside, she set the few things she had on the floor, and flopped her aching body on the bed and fell asleep.
Roxanne ran around her maid and ran widly down the stairs, and into the ballroom. She suddenly stopped short. Her father was talking to the lead guard. The guard was holding a boy by the shirt. Roxanne got close enough to find out that the boy had benn caught steeling. Roxanne examened the boy. He was dressed in fancy clothes, to fancy for him to be poor. He never interupted the guard, or even tried to convince the King that he hadn't stole anything. His head was held high, as if he was brought up to be confident in himself. He also looked educated. Roxanne came to the conclusion that the boy was a rich man's son, and that he was innocent.
Later that night Roxanne snuck into the prison chambers, and unlocked the boy's cell. He looked startled to see her.
"Shhh. Follow me." she whispered. He hesitated for a moment, but then did follow her. Soon he was outside, and well beyond the palace walls.
"Thank you." he said. "Why did you do that?" he asked.
"Well, you didn't look or act like a theif. And it's wrong to kill an innocent person." Roxanne replied.
"Robin of Locksley thanks you, your Highness." he said.
"My name is Roxanne, not 'your Highness.' And please don't bow. I don't want to atract attention. You'd betetr go before you get caught."
"Rebecca?"
"Rebecca?"
Rebecca jolted awake.
"It's just me." Arannte said.
Rebecca rubbed her eyes.
"I brought you dinner. Everyone else already ate, and I didn't want to wake you."
"Oh, thank you Rann."
"You're welcome."
As Rebecca ate, Arannte and Rebecca talked.
As the next few day's went by, Rebecca spent more time with Robin. He taught her how to use a bow, and even taught her how to make one. One night, while everyone was eating, Robin and Rebecca talked up in a small sitting place up in a tree over looking the banquet and the dancing.
"Robin, I'm amazed. At age twelve you get on a boat headed for Jerusalem, and get put into slavery for ten years, only to escape and come back to England; finding your father dead you do this in two years. I mean you went from the son of a rich man, to finding contentment in the salt of the earth."
Robin smiled slightly and looked down at his hands.
"Even in France they know of the famous Robin Hood."
Looking back up at her he said, "You're pretty famous yourself. You've got guards from a completely different country, coming over here to look for you."
Rebecca laughed.
"Anyways, who say's I'm content?" Robin asked smiling.
"I have made plans for the future." He said.
"A grander scheme than this?" Rebecca laughed.
"No a much simpler one. A family, home, love."
Rebecca smiled and shook her head.
"Men speak conveniently of love when it serves heir purpose. And when it doesn"t it is a burden to them, Robin Hood. Prince of Thieves. Is he capable of love?"
Robin smiled slightly and looked down at his hands. Then he glanced back up at Rebecca, a slight smile etched on his face. Rebecca looked at him, smiled and then looked away. Looking back at him, she asked "What?"
Robin said nothing. He simply kept staring.
"Is there something in my teeth?" she asked franticly.
"No, I was simply, admiring your beauty. You've grown since age eight, and not just your height. Your beauty has as well." Robin said.
"Thank you, Robin." Rebecca said, looking down at her hands.
"It's been good seeing you again, Rebecca."
"It's been good to be seen." Rebecca said, looking up at Robin.
"Thanks to you I'm alive. I was never able to tell you how grateful I am to you for helping me that night. Even though you were only eight, you did what you thought was right. You were able to judge what was sensible and what was foolish. Then at age thirteen, you gave up all that you had for a small village that meant nothing to you. You helped save the lives of innocent people. My Father always told me that 'Nobility isn't a birthright. It's defined by ones actions.' Even though you were only eight, you saved my life. Then again at thirteen, you saved many other lives. Even now, I hear stories of you helping others. Nobility doesn't seem to be one of your weak points."
There was a short silence before Robin asked, "What made you help me that night?"
Rebecca looked at Robin and said, "Well you didn't look poor for one thing. Your clothes weren't tattered, dirty or torn like other peasants. Your clothes were fancy and clean, like that of a rich man's son. Plus your speech was very well. You talked right, and you didn't have that poor accent. And you walked as if you were proud. You didn't slouch, or walk with a limp. You looked and acted rich. When they accused you of being a thief, immediately I knew other wise. I mean a rich person has no need to steal. And, it's wrong to let an innocent person be executed."
Robin nodded slightly.
"You talk of my nobility, but yet you think not of yourself. The things you've done with these people, it's nobility too. You've given these people, food, money, hope and pride. But the thing you gave them that counts the most, is dreams. You gave them dreams. They now believe that there is something better for them, because of you. If it weren't for you, over half of these men, women and children would be dead. That is nobility."
Rebecca said, looking Robin in the eyes. His eyes were full of kindness. Their gaze locked. Rebecca tried to look away, but she couldn't. Suddenly Rebecca felt a wave of emotion run over her, and something sparked inside of her. She felt a feeling she'd never felt before. She couldn't really describe it. It was a tingly feeling. She felt a rush of adrenaline shoot through her body, and hardly noticed Robin moving closer. Rebecca was brought back to reality, when she felt his lips touch hers. It was a quick but meaningful kiss.
Robin pulled away slowly. He looked at Rebecca who was smiling. Her eyes danced, as the stars reflected their light off of them. Suddenly, Rebecca identified the mysterious feeling. She couldn't believe it. She was in love.
I did it!!!!!!!
