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All That I Possess	By : JaneKrahe Category: > Robin Hood Views: 2128 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-All That I Possess
- 1
All That I Possess

Lady Katheraine slipped down the stairs, closer to the half-open door of her father’s study. Agitated voices drifted through to her ears. Her father and his men were arguing. She paused, held her breath, and listened.
“This man, this… hood, has grown more passing bold.” This voice was Sir Phillip, a knight, the head of her father’s small army. “The sheriff, and the Prince, has requested our aide, and it is my belief, my liege, that it would be in our best interests to give it.”
“The Prince is not the king,” came another, younger voice, “merely his sniveling baby brother and we owe him nothing.” This was Sir George, a new knight come from Wales.
“Be mindful of that sharp tongue of yours, my boy. Walls have ears, however small and… fair they may be.” Katheraine gave a wry smile. Her father, Lord Henry of Avignore, was as sharp as ever. She heard his heavy boots pacing the floor, as they always did when he needed time to think. Several silent moments passed, but Katheraine didn’t move. She was burning with curiosity about this rogue who troubled the Prince and his men so, and she knew her father would come to his conclusions soon enough.
After a time, the footsteps stopped, and she heard her father speak. “I will send men to the Prince and the sheriff. I will grant his request for aide. As for his other request…” he paused, as if hesitating. Katheraine had never known her father to hesitate before. “As for his other request,” he continued, his voice heavy, “I do not like it, but it will be better for my people if I agree. Therefore, we shall also send the Lady Katheraine to Nottingham, to prepare for her marriage to the sheriff. Dismissed."
Katheraine fled, up the stairs and to her bedchamber, before she could be discovered. She closed the door and paced the room, one of many traits she inherited from her father. How dare he?!, she fumed. How dare he!?! He promised! He promised he would consult me before any marriage agreement! Katheraine went to the window, staring out at the vast, green hills of her father’s territory. She was angry, but she understood the motivation behind his decision. Katheraine had spent many years since her mother’s death listening at keyholes and watching from afar. A well-informed woman is a powerful woman. It was her mother’s first lesson. Protect yourself and your man above all else, for it is the people whom your man protects. Her marriage to the sheriff of Nottingham would protect her father, and so protect his people. She didn’t like it, but like any good noblewoman, she accepted it. And when her hand-maidens came, she met them with a smile, and supervised the packing, and readied to leave. And when her father tried to apologize, she cut him short. “Father,” she said, her voice low enough that only he would hear, “I love you, and I accept your decision. I will do what I must for our land.”
Her father smiled. “Your mother would be proud.” It was the highest praise he could give her, and she was humbled by it.
By the dawn of the next day, Lady Katheraine of Avignore began her journey to Nottingham, to meet her future husband.

*************

Will Scarlet sat in his hiding place, high in the boughs of an old evergreen, twirling a dagger through his fingers. His watch was almost over, and it was the fourth night without news. Will was starting to think their scouts were dead, and that no one was coming. But Robin, that blasted nobleman from Loxley, wouldn’t admit defeat. And Little John seemed content to follow blindly. Will sighed, and glanced around. Predawn was turning the light grey, and the air was cold and fresh. Easy to let the mind wander. He yawned. He was tired, and probably imagining the hoof beats in the distance. Will’s blue eyes drifted close. The tree was comforting, the air still. Wait! He sat up, suddenly alert. He wasn’t imagining it. There were horses headed his way, three by the sound of it. There had been three scouts.
Will stood in his tree, hidden safely by the boughs. Indeed, three filthy men came bounding up on equally filthy horses. “Friends come bearing news!” one shouted. “And we beseech the sanctuary of the wood, and of free men!”
They were the words of passage. “Friends with news are always welcomed by free men!” Will shouted in reply. He dropped down from his hiding place, moving to greet them.
“Good to see you, Will,” one, a man named Samuel, said, his dirty face splitting into a grin. “I’m sorry it took us so long, but there’s been some strange goings on in Nottingham of late.”
“What sort of goings on?” Will asked.
Samuel shook his head. “Lead us home friend, and we shall tell everyone. We haven’t eaten in a full two days.”
“Let’s get you fed, then.” With that, Will led the scouts back to the home of Robin the Hood, and his Merry Men.
Molly, Little John’s wife, had a pot of stew the size of a man waiting for them. Once the scouts had ate their fill, all the men, including Robin, gathered round to hear their news.
“The Prince and the Sheriff will soon be receiving aide from Lord Henry of Avignore,” Samuel began. “Five of his best knights, including Sir Phillip, will be leading a score of one thousand men, as well as blacksmiths and armorists.”
Robin Hood stood off to the side, his arms crossed. “One thousand will do us little harm, but this news does us little good.”
“I’m not finished,” Samuel said. “Along with this army will be the daughter of Lord Henry, the Lady Katheraine. She is being sent to marry the Sheriff.”
There were gasps and murmurs around the fire. Will wasn’t sure how this news would help, but most seemed to think it important. Will raised a hand. “What does this mean to us?” he asked the group.
It was Robin who answered. “If we can bring the Lady Katheraine here,” he said, his dark eyes staring into the fire, “we will have means to threaten both Lord Henry and the Sheriff.” He raised his head. “Will, you will lead a party of men to take the girl the moment she meets the Sheriff.”
“Why not take her before that?” Little John asked. “Why risk the men?”
“By all accounts, Lord Henry’s wife, the Lady Ruth, was a woman of unrivalled beauty. If her daughter is anything like, the Sheriff’s rage will be all the more only after he’s seen her - only after she’s awakened his desire.”

*************

Lady Katheraine sat astride her pure white mare, surrounded by her father’s honor guard. Over the rise of the next hill, she could see the Sheriff’s party approaching. It was only now that the reality of the situation hit her. She knew nothing of being married, even less about being a wife. She was not naive to the ways of hot-blooded men, but completely without experience. She’d never even had a childhood sweetheart like other girls. Her father had never allowed her to associate with the young boys of his fief, out of fear of losing his only child.
Sir George rode up beside her. “I don’t like the trading of women, as men would trade cattle,” he said, his voice low, but full of anger. “Particularly women as young as your ladyship.” Katheraine turned and looked at him. He was glaring into the distance, towards the approaching men. “I like this Sheriff even less, and trust him as I trust the devil.” George turned to meet Katheraine’s gaze, his grey eyes full of fire. “You are a truly brave woman, my lady. If ever you need my service, if ever you are in danger, you need but call. I will be there, swift as the wind. I swear it.”
Katheraine tried to smile, but his words had scared her. “I thank you for your concern, Sir George,” she said, meaning every word, truly touched by his worry, “but I assure you I have little to fear from this Sheriff. If anyone must fear anything, he should fear underestimating me. I may look like my mother, but in every way that matters, I am my father’s daughter.”
Sir George smiled. “My lady, I - “ he began, but he was cut off by a trumpeting. The Sheriff’s men had arrived.
The large group rode forward, and George eased his horse back into rank. Katheraine felt a sick, swooping sense of disgust the moment she saw the Sheriff, a sense she could neither place nor explain. He was not unlovely. In fact, he was the most handsome man she’d ever seen, with thick, wavy black hair and sparkling black eyes, and a jaw strong as Lord Henry’s. He rode, with surety, a great black beast of a stallion, and his black armor and livery were the finest she’d seen.
But for all this, the site of him turned her cold and clammy with fear, for the look in his lovely eyes was that of a feral dog, and the teeth in his grin were sharp and glinting. “My lady,” he said, his voice a purr to match his finery, “I am Sir Eric, Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Katheraine inclined her head, trying to marshal her fear. “My lord, I am Lady Katheraine, daughter of Lord Henry of Avignore. I…” her voice caught in her throat, choking on the ceremonial words she knew she must say. Katheraine took a deep breath, regained her composure, and tried again. “I am… pleased by your offer of marriage, Sir Sheriff. And… and I will gladly honor you as my husband, if you would but have me.” Katheraine took another deep breath as a strange wave of nausea hit her.
The Sheriff nudged his horse closer, so close she could smell him. He wore many perfumes, but none could mask his true scent. The man smelled of death.
“Have you?” he repeated, so only she could hear. “Oh, my lady, the ways I will have you. I will have you so often, my dear, I daresay you’ll never leave my bed.”
Katheraine was shocked at his coarse language. Never before had a man dared speak to her in such a vulgar manner. And what made it all worse was knowing that, from now on, he could do or say anything he liked to her, without fear of any repercussions. She belonged to this horrid man now, and in her mind’s eye, she saw a dreadful life of subservience and torment ahead of her.
An arrow struck the ground between Katheraine and the Sheriff, so quickly and silently that both groups of men froze. Katheraine saw that the feather on the arrow was red. Red like a robin.
Another arrow struck the ground, and then another, and soon a flurry of arrows rained from the sky, all bearing the robin’s colors. Before Katheraine knew it, she was lost in a confusing tussle of men, some her father’s, others the Sheriff’s, and a new group, this one made of filthy rogues and peasants. Her mare, Snowdrift, was bred for beauty, not war, and soon bucked in fear. Katheraine was thrown to the ground. The wind left her lungs, and her vision succumbed to darkness.

*************

Will led the charge into the two groups of knights. He had watched as the Sheriff spoke to the pretty Lady Katheraine, watched as a look of revulsion marred her lovely face, and hate for the Sheriff had burned like fire in Will chest. The man ruined everything he touched, and his handsome features were nothing more than the lure of the Dark.
Will let the rest of the men decimate the nobles. His job was to find the girl. As he ran through the crowd, he saw her horse, a snow-white beauty, rear wildly. The girl was flung to the ground. Will hurried on, reaching her before she could be trampled. She laid on the packed dirt, unconscious, her flame colored hair spread out like a crown, ivory skin sprayed by mud. Reaching down, Will lifted her to his shoulder. He whistled, and through the crowd came his trusty young stallion, River. The horse stopped in front of him and Will mounted, settling the girl in front of him. H grabbed the rein in one hand, keeping the other around the lady’s waist. “Take us home, River,” Will said, and the horse cantered to the west, back to the hollow in Sherwood Forest.

*************

The first thing Katheraine was aware of was pain. A dull throb was spreading across her forehead, behind her eyes. Next she felt cold, as if someone had laid a damp washcloth across her forehead. She sensed light, but didn’t open her eyes for fear of making the pain worse. She had no doubt that, whatever had happened, her father’s knights had gotten her to safety, and that she was now being tended by a nurse, or doctor of some kind. And so, her eyes closed, she said, “Who was that who attacked us?”
Instead of an answer, she heard a voice, in an accent she’d never heard in her life, say, “She awakens, Christian. Come see her.”
Katheraine opened her eyes, and gasped at the sight above her. A man with skin darker than she’d ever seen was leaning over her. He was the color of dark wood, and had strange scars riddling his face. After a moment, she realized this must be a Moor, the people King Richard was off fighting in the Holy Land. One of her father’s knights had said they were all lustful savages who ate children. She sat up quickly, but realized that her feet were bound together with rough rope. Katheraine’s fear broke, and she screamed.
“Silence her!” came a booming voice. It was a voice used to being obeyed.
A rough hand came from behind and closed over mouth, and another gripped her shoulder and pushed her down onto her back. Another man was leaning over her now, this one younger, and a decidedly more familiar color. He had messy, unkempt hair the shade of dirt, and his skin was dusty and unwashed. But the eyes that looked out at her were a bright, sparkling blue, and spoke of mischief.
Soon a third man stepped into her vision, and Katheraine was immediately confused. This man was noble, there was no mistaking it. He wore a red livery, though it was torn and unwashed. A signet ring rested on the forefinger of his right hand, and even from a distance Katheraine recognized it. It was the brand of Loxley. And if this was so, than this man could be no other than Robin of Loxley, prodigal son and heir to Sherwood Forest. Robin the Hood. Robin Hood. Katheraine now understood why this man vexed the Sheriff and the Prince so. A noble highwayman could rally common folk to his cause. This was truly a dangerous man.
“Good Morrow, my Lady,” Robin said. “I apologize for the rough handling, but you must understand, we went through a great deal of trouble to acquire you, and it wouldn’t do to just let you run away. That is what you were thinking, wasn’t?”
Katheraine nodded. She saw no reason to lie. It would do her no good to invoke his anger just now. Better to play along as best she could, and wait for the opportune moment to make her escape.
“Now, my lady,” Robin continued, “I hate to see a woman treated so. If we let you up, do you promise to behave?”
Katheraine nodded again. Robin smiled slightly. “Good. Aziim, Will, let her up.”
Aziim, Katheraine thought. What an odd name. He must be a Moor. The hands holding her let go, and gingerly she sat up, wincing as her head pounded harder. She looked at Robin, who said, “As you might have guessed, I am - “
“Robin of Loxley,” Katheraine finished automatically. “Or, perhaps, Robin Hood?”
There were murmurs and hushed laughter, and looking around, Katheraine saw a large number people, men, women, and children, all gathered in the hollow in the woods.
“An observant young woman,” Robin said. “I see why the Sheriff wanted you so badly. Will, release her feet.”
The young man with blue eyes, Will, moved into Katheraine’s sight again. He knelt at her feet and drew a vicious dagger from his belt. Katheraine gasped. Will glanced at her, then smiled. He suddenly didn’t look so ragged and filthy. “No worries, love,” he said. “These blades have never spilled a woman’s blood, and they never will. My mother taught me better than that.” He leaned forward and slipped the blade under the ropes. The feel of the cold iron against her skin sent shivers up Katheraine’s spine. Will seemed to notice. He placed his free hand on her calf and looked up at her. He wasn’t smiling now, and there was something in his eyes, something darker than the laughing mischief of before. Holding her gaze, Will flicked the knife, cutting through the ropes as if they were butter.
Robin looked from Will, to Katheraine, and back to Will. “Go help Little John, Will.”
Will continued to stare at Katheraine, and she felt trapped by the weight of his gaze.
“Will!” Robin barked.
Will blinked, then looked up at him. “Of course, Robin,” he said. Slowly, he released his grip on Katheraine’s leg, then stood and walked away, towards another knot of men.
Katheraine released a breath she hadn’t known she’d been holding. She felt the danger had only just begun.

*************

Will walked away from the girl, trying to steady himself. He had no idea why he’d reacted so strongly to her. He was no stranger to pretty girls, and this one wasn’t extraordinary. True, he’d never seen hair so red before, nor skin so pale, nor eyes so green, but a woman is a woman is a woman, after all. At least, that’s what he’d always believed. But somehow, he thought this girl, this Katheraine, may indeed be different. She may indeed be unique.
He couldn’t seem to get the feel of her skin off of him. It was strange, and a little scary. Will sat in front of the fire where Little John and a few others were making more arrows. He knew he wasn’t there to help. Will was terrible at making arrows. Robin was just trying to get him away from the girl, but Will wasn’t sure why. Maybe he wished to return her to her father in one piece, so to speak. If so, it was foolish to bring her there. Half the men had no woman to call their own, and got by with the women they captured. Will had always found that deplorable. He may be young and virile, but he’d rather have no woman than an unwilling one.
“Will!” came Robin’s voice. Will stood, and turned. The girl was on her feet and Robin had a hold of her arm.
“What?” Will asked, jogging over. A glance at the girl’s face showed she was angry, and the rage made her more beautiful still. He looked back at Robin, who also seemed angry, and had bleeding cuts down one side of his face.
“Take this wench from my sight,” Robin snarled and shoved the girl at Will. Will caught her in his arms and helped her to stand. He held her at the elbows as she glared up at him, fire in her emerald eyes.
“Where will I take her?” Will asked, his gaze on the girl, his voice barely a whisper.
“She’ll sleep in your cabin,” Robin said, his voice dripping with distaste. “I don’t care what you do with her, just keep her out of my way. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be able to teach her some manners.” With that, Robin turned and walked away.
But Will didn’t see where he’d gone. He couldn’t tear his eyes from the girl. He’d never experienced such a loss of self-control before. “Are - are you alright?” he finally managed to whisper.
The girl sighed, her anger draining away. “Fine,” she muttered. “Just get me away from that beast of a man.”
“Come with me,” Will said, taking her hand in his. He led her to the south of the camp. All the cabins were built in the trees, to make it difficult to burn them down, and Will’s was the highest up, furthest away from the center of the camp, where Robin made his home with that wizarding Moor of his. Will didn’t care much for Robin, only for his cause. Will stopped at the large basket, the mechanism for entering his cabin. “You’ll have to step into the basket,” Will said to the girl. She did so without a word. Will stepped in after her and, using the rope and pulley, lifted them to the top.

*************

Katheraine sat in Will’s cabin that night, fuming over the pig Robin Hood. After he’d sent Will away, Robin had lifted her roughly to her feet. “I assume you, being such a… bright young woman, know why we took you?”
Katheraine nodded. She had her theory. “To use me against my father and the Sheriff.”
“Hmmm,” Robin lowered his voice, studying her closely. “Beautiful and intelligent. The Sheriff was almost a very lucky man.” Robin slipped a hand under her chin, raising her face to his. Katheraine had a bad feeling about this Robin Hood’s intentions. Indeed, he next gripped her by the back of the neck, said, “Perhaps I can be a lucky man,” and pressed his mouth against hers.
Katheraine raised a hand and raked her long nails across his face. He let go with a gasp, then caught hold of her arm again. “Little wench,” he rasped. His grip on her was painful, and he was slowly twisting. She thought her arm might break. “If you wish to be difficult, I’ll let young Will Scarlet have you. He’s an expert with those knives of his, and he has a weakness for red-haired whores. You’ll be more accommodating for him, or you’ll feel the bite of his blades.” Katheraine had almost laughed at his empty threat, considering what Will had said just moments before.
It was then he’d thrown her at Will, who’d taken her to his cabin.
She now lay on his bed, with Will on the floor. He’d barely said a word after bringing her there; he’d simply told her she could have the bed, then left to attend to some other business. Katheraine had seen nothing of interest in the room, until she’d sat on the bed, which was nothing more than a sack filled with hay. There was a decidedly large lump under it, so large Katheraine felt it was a wonder Will could sleep there at all. When she’d felt under the mattress, she’d found a small painting, no larger than her head, of an incredibly beautiful woman. Her hair was a rich, dark mahogany, but her eyes were the spitting image of Will’s. She could only assume this was his mother. But if he’d had a noble mother (and she must have been, because only a noble could afford such a portrait), what was Will doing with criminals and peasants?
Katheraine had soon fallen asleep, only to wake in the night and see that Will had returned, and was sleeping on the floor with nothing more than a thin blanket for comfort. He looked younger in his sleep, and Katheraine realized he couldn’t be more than twenty, twenty-one at the oldest. She laid back and stared at the thatched ceiling, listening to the sounds of the woods. Katheraine had never spent so much time in the forest before, and the sounds were beautiful. But they were soon overtaken by another sound. Crying. Katheraine sat up, and leaned over the side of the bed. Will was crying and thrashing in his sleep. “No,” he muttered, sounding much younger than he was. “No,” he said, louder this time. “Leave her alone. NO!!” he shouted, thrashing even more violently.
Katheraine slid out of bed and knelt down beside him. “Will?” she said, a little nervous. “Will, wake up. Will?” Katheraine hesitated short of touching him. She had never voluntarily touched a man before. But Will sounded in so much pain, that she marshaled her fear, and placed her hand on his shoulder.
Before she could react, Will’s eyes opened. He caught her by the wrist and flung her to the ground. Rolling over, he pinned Katheraine under his own body, and pressed a knife to her throat. Staring into his eyes, trembling with fear, Katheraine realized he was still asleep. If he was this adept in his sleep, how dangerous was he awake? As she watched, he blinked and shook his head, and she knew he had awakened.

*************

Will awoke to find himself lying on top of the Lady Katheraine, with no idea as to how he got there. She looked terrified, and he couldn’t help but feel thrilled by it. He let the knife in his hand drop to the ground, and realized that he’d reacted unconsciously. It had happened before. He would have a nightmare, and someone would hear and try to wake him, only to feel a knife at their throat. H raised himself up on his elbows, but felt reluctant to let the girl go, now he had her in such an appealing position. “Are you alright?” he asked.
She nodded. “You - you had a nightmare,” she said, her voice trembling like the rest of her.
“I know, I’m sorry,” Will replied. “When people try to wake me, I - I overreact. I’m sorry.” He brushed a lock of hair out of her face, and was momentarily stunned by how her skin glowed in the moonlight. The mere sight of her, lying there underneath him, left him breathless.
Footsteps outside Will’s cabin alerted him to Robin’s presence. It could only be Robin, because only he would dare come to Will’s cabin at night. He knew why he was there - to try again with Katheraine. Why else had he been so injured and angry the day before? Will looked down at Katheraine, who had also heard Robin’s approach. “Do you trust me?” Will whispered. Katheraine nodded. “Then don’t fight me.”
And with that, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. And not a moment too soon, for out of the corner of his eye, he saw Robin approach the window. Will pulled Katheraine closer and, to make his point, slid a hand from her shoulder, down her side, and past her hip. Gripping her leg, he pulled it up over his own hip. She tensed for a moment, but continued to play along. Chancing a glance, Will saw Robin’s face darken with rage. Robin turned and left, jumping straight out of the tree to the ground.
Will’s mind told him to let Katheraine go, but his body wouldn’t let him. Now the danger was gone, he marveled at the feel of her under him, how soft her lips were, the taste of her tongue. He released her leg and slid that arm under her, using the other hand to lift her opposite leg up, matching the first one. The hem of her dress rode high, and he slid his hand slowly under it, savoring every inch of her silky, pure skin. He felt he might die with the wonder of it.
Until he realized that Katheraine was struggling, pressing her hands on his chest, pushing him away. The spell broke, and he cursed himself. Never before had his self-control been so defeated by one pretty girl. He released her and sat up. She looked shocked more than angry. He remembered the cuts on Robin’s face and grinned. She couldn’t have been too offended, or she’d have done the same to him.
“What are you grinning about?” she demanded, crossing her arms over her perfect breasts.
Will shook his head, laughing softly. “Oh, Kate my love, I’ve everything to grin about and more.”

*************

Katheraine woke the next morning hoping desperately that the night before had been a dream. But when she turned, she saw a single blood-red rose lying on the cot next to her, and she knew it hadn’t been. Kate was furious with herself. And since when is it Kate, Lady Katheraine? She’d always hated being called “Kate”, but for some reason, when Will said it, she felt like it was her true name.
Kate sat up and realized she was painfully hungry. She went to leave, but something made her turn back to the bed. The sight of the rose lying there stilled her. Without thinking, she reached out and grasped it. A lone thorn pricked her finger, and a drop of blood fell onto the cot. Ignoring it, she braided her hair, deftly weaving the rose into the plait, resting the blossom at the base of her neck.
Stepping outside, Kate immediately smelled rich food wafting towards her. Her only hindrance was the basket and pulley system of the night before. She gingerly leaned forward and gripped the rope, then stepped into the basket. It swung precariously, but didn’t fall. Kate clung to the rope, gasping. Finally, she took it purposefully in hand and began to slowly let herself down. The ride was terrifying, but as she’d said before, there was too much of her father in her. She lowered the basket down without a single blunder, though once she reached the ground, she silently rejoiced. Stepping out of the basket, Kate was greeting by a stout woman with ratty blonde hair and a large, gap-filled smile.
“Well done, lass!” she cackled, throwing an arm around Kate’s shoulders, leading her towards the fire. “I’ve never seen a beginner do so well! I like you, lass!” Despite herself, Kate couldn’t help but like the woman right back. “I’m Molly, my dear, Little John’s wife of more than twenty years. I’ve given him eight children so far, and a ninth any week now.” She patted her large belly. “The men are off scouting and hunting, and that Will Scarlet of yours is on some errand for Robin.” Molly released the girl, taking up a bowl in her large hands.
“Oh, he’s not my - “, Kate began, flustered, but Molly cut her off.
“Oh, don’t mind my witch’s tongue, lass,” Molly said, waving a spoon airily. “I’m not insulting your honor. But our Will is a handsome young man, and dreadful lonely.” She pointed her spoon at the rose in Kate’s hair. “And forgive my impertinence, lass, but I’d bet my remaining teeth that that be the rose I saw him pick early this morn and take back to his cabin.”
Kate felt herself blush and lowered her head. “I should get rid of it,” she muttered, reaching for it.
“Don’t you dare!” Molly laughed. “It looks something pretty, lass, and no pointing ruining a good flower. Now, sit yourself down and eat, you’re beyond skinny, love.” Molly ladled out a thick, steaming soup and handed the bowl to Kate with a spoon and chunk of hard bread.
“Thank you,” Kate said, and sat on a log near the fire. The stew was simple, but wonderful, and the bread softened when dipped in the broth. She ate her fill, then found her self asking for seconds. She’d never asked for seconds on any meal in her life. Thinking on it, she realized it would have seemed unladylike, but around these rogues, that sort of thing didn‘t matter.
“So,” Kate began as she savored her second bowl, “how did you all come to be here?”
“Well,” Molly said, settling herself down on a log, “that’s a bit of a tale, that is.” Kate smiled. Molly seemed to enjoy the prospect of a good story. “You see, lass, when the Sheriff raised the taxes in Nottingham, most of us couldn’t pay, and if you couldn’t pay, you were arrested and thrown in jail. Robin is the rightful owner of Sherwood Forest, but the Sheriff claimed it while Robin was off fighting the good fight with King Richard, Lord bless him. So, when Robin came home to find all his property seized, he rallied the lot of us and formed his Merry Men. As more and more people are forced from their homes, we’ve built our own little village here, while Robin steals from rich men to help what poor are left in Nottingham to pay their taxes. And, if you were wondering,” Molly continued slyly, “Will is actually William Scarlet. His mother was a noblewoman named Elizabeth. She was married to a nasty old man, an earl, who only wanted a wife for appearance’s sake; he liked the boys if you catch my meaning. Never touched the girl, not even on their wedding night and, well, a woman is human too, and she fell hard for a handsome young stable hand named… well, named William Scarlet. When her husband found out, he sent her to the far end of his territory. William followed in secret, and the two lived happy for a time. Then young Will was born, and soon after his father was killed by… well, some say it were a pub brawl, but Will’s dad was no drunkard, and most say it were the earl‘s men. So, Ellie raised Will herself. A brave girl, she was. Lot like you, now I think on it. But when poor Will was round bout eight, the earl decided he’d had enough of his whore wife, and sent a few men to… well they didn’t kill her right away, they had their fun with her first, poor soul, and Will saw it all, hidden in the attic. I don’t think the earl knew about the boy, or he’d have had Will killed as well.” Molly wiped a tear from her eye, and Kate found herself doing the same. “Anyway, my John was friends with William, and so we’ve raised Will ever since. He’s a good boy, he is, but he needs a good woman. Chase away those nightmares of his.”
Kate was silent for a few minutes, letting Molly’s tale sink in. No wonder Will had nightmares. Any good man would. Her thought were interrupted by a terrible cry, and it took her a moment to realize it came from Molly.
“Will! Dear God, what’s happened?”
Kate’s blood went cold, and she stood, dropping her bowl to the ground. Turning, she saw two men entering the hollow, carrying Will between them. “No!” Kate gasped, fear filling her. She ran to meet them, hopping nimbly over logs and stones. “What’s happened?” she demanded, sounding every bit the noblewoman.
“Arrow to the shoulder, miss,” one man said. “We didn’t want to remove it.”
Kate had a basic medical training, on her father’s orders, as well as an extensive knowledge of herbs. “Take him to his cabin.” The men hesitated. “Trust me,” she said. “I can help him.”

*************

Will felt pain, sharp and hot. He opened his eyes. Kate was above him, her nimble hands on the arrow sticking out of his shoulder. “You’re awake,” she said. Staring at her, drinking her beauty in, Will saw the rose he’d left for her nestled in her hair. It made the pain lessen somehow. “Take a deep breath,” she said, and yanked on the arrow. Will gasped and his head flung back in pain. He’d never felt physical pain so strong. His eyes fell closed as the pain slowly dwindled. He lay panting on the cot, wondering to God why Robin had done this to him. It couldn’t be just the girl, could it? But here Kate was, at his bedside, tending to his wounds. Will felt something cold being spread across his shoulder, and the pain disappeared.
He opened his eyes. Kate was the only person in the room with him. She sat on the edge of his cot, one arm across his chest, leaning over him. When she saw his eyes open, she smiled. Will might have forgotten he was hurt, so lovely was her smile. He reached his good arm up and brushed a few strands of hair out of her eyes. “Good morn, Kate my love,” he rasped. “What have I done to deserve such a beautiful sick nurse?”
Kate frowned. “How did this happen?” she asked.
Will sighed, shifting in the bed. “Robin sent me on a scouting mission,” Will said, “as punishment for last night, I can only assume.” Despite the seriousness of the situation, he was delighted to see Kate blush. “It… was an impossible task he set me. I barely made it back alive.”
Kate’s eyes filled with fury, and Will’s heart quickened at the sight. “I should go tell that pig Robin Hood to go to - “
“No!” Will said, catching hold of her arm as she made to leave. He pulled her back down onto the cot. “Kate, my love, Robin’s a good leader, but an immoral man. I may not be in the habit of hitting women, but he is. Just stay out of his way.” Kate lowered her head, and Will realized he was holding her hand. He lifted Kate’s fingers to his mouth and kissed them. She blushed again, and he smiled. “Why do you blush for me, sweet Katheraine?” he asked quietly.
Kate raised her eyes and met his gaze. “What is Robin Hood going to do to me?” she asked.
Will hesitated, then shook his head. “I don’t know what his plan is. I only know it involves your father and the Sheriff.”
Kate sighed and stood, pacing. She was obviously agitated. “The Sheriff only met me for a moment,” she said, her voice harsh. “He wouldn’t be willing to die for me!”
“I would,” Will said quietly, staring at the ceiling. He wasn’t even sure why he said it, or what good it would do, but he meant it. In that moment, he truly meant it.

*************

Kate kneeled by the stream that bordered the southernmost part of the village. She scrubbed her hands, washing them of Will Scarlet’s blood. She’d given him a draught to make him sleep, and now was trying to forget his last words to her. “I would,” he had said. What did he mean? That he would die for her? He barely knew her. She was nothing more than a prisoner, held for ransom and to keep her father’s well-trained army at bay. Surely one doesn’t die for the enemy?
Kate heard heavy footsteps, and knew instantly whose they were. She stood, drying her hands on her skirt. “What do you want, Loxley?” she demanded without turning around.
“They say Will is healing faster than normal,” came the quiet reply. “You have an incredible talent, my lady. You’ve saved his life.”
Kate turned to face him, furious. “It was your fault he nearly died!” she said. “I don’t know exactly why you have me here, or what your intentions are, but let’s get one thing perfectly clear, Loxley: I am not a toy,” she said slowly, every word dropping from her lips like a chunk of ice. “I don’t know what kind of woman you’re used to, but I am Lord Henry’s only child, and he trained me as a son. You try and violate me, and I will slit your throat in the night. You take a hand to me, and I will rip your heart out and drink you blood. Do not, for your own sake, underestimate me, Robin of Loxley, or I will leave your body to rot in this river.”
They stood silently for a few moments. Kate would not back down from this pig of a man even if it cost her life. At least she would die with her pride and honor intact.
Finally, Robin sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. “We are not going to let you leave any time soon, you must know that,” he said. Kate simply waited. He would say what he wanted and if she didn’t like it, she would tell him so. “However,” he continued, pacing in front of her, “your skills at healing are remarkable. If you would agree to be our resident healer, working with my Moorish friend Aziim, I would let you stay with the women and children instead of Will.”
Kate began pacing herself, thinking it over. She had no fear of this Moor, Aziim. Unlike most, she understood he was merely a different race, and the differences were no more than skin deep. She realized that the second half of his proposal was more for his benefit than hers. So, she decided to undermine him, while also helping the people he led. It wasn’t their fault they had nowhere to turn but to an arrogant noble. She stopped pacing and faced Robin, placing her hands on her hips. “I will be your healer,” she said, “but I will continue to reside with Will Scarlet.”
Robin frowned. “Why?” he asked.
Kate shrugged. “Because I trust him more than I trust you,” she replied.
“Are you always so honest?” Robin asked with a laugh.
“Of course,” Kate said. “I am the daughter of Lord Henry of Avignore. Lies would not become me.”

*************

“Alright, now, sit up.”
Will struggled a bit, but managed to sit up without getting dizzy. It was the first time since his injury two days before that he’d managed such a feat. He took a deep breath, then looked over at Kate, who stood next to his cot. “Very good,” she said in that warm, intimate voice of hers. “Now drink this.” She handed him a mug full of some steaming hot liquid.
Will leaned it forward to drink, but stopped when he smelled it. “That… is awful,” he said, trying to hand it back to her. “Are you trying to kill me, woman?”
“Oh, so it’s woman now, not Kate my love?” Kate smiled, pushing the cup back at him. “If I were going to kill you, Will Scarlet, I’d stab you in your sleep.”
Will laughed, then drained the cup as quickly as he could. The taste was horrific, but if his Kate said it would help, then it would. “That’s my boy,” she said, taking the cup and turning to leave.
“Wait,” Will said, reaching for her. She stopped, but didn’t look at him. “Must you always leave me so quickly? A man might start to think he’s being avoided.” Will dropped his hand and looked away. Indeed, since Kate had accepted Robin’s arrangement, she’d barely spoken to Will, save to administer one potion or another. He hated to voice it, but it bothered him more than he liked to admit. “Are you avoiding me, Kate, my love?” he asked quietly. Will cursed his own weakness. He sounded as if he were pleading.
She didn’t answer for several moments, and Will began to think he’d crossed some invisible line. But then, finally, she replied softly, “Not for the reasons you think, Will Scarlet.” And with that, she left.
Will laid in his cot the rest of the day, staring up at the thatch he had put down with his own hands, wondering what on God’s green earth Kate could have meant. He had been thinking she was avoiding him because she feared him, or didn’t trust him, or that his touch repulsed her. If it wasn’t any of those reasons, than why did she shun him? He fell asleep, but awoke sometime during the night.
He turned, noticing that he felt no pain. Kate wasn’t there. That worried Will. Determinedly, he sat up, resting his feet on the cold wood floor. He wasn’t dizzy, and that simple fact reassured him. He stood up, and slowly walked to the door. So far, so good. He looked out and swore. He couldn’t see Kate anywhere. They only person awake and active was Molly. Will wasn’t sure that woman ever slept. She was stirring a cauldron on the large central fire, and for a moment, Will imagined she was a hedge witch, old as the hills, brewing her potions and vile concoctions. The thought almost made him laugh. It had been years since he’d laughed out loud. He shook his head then, remembering why he’d come outside in the first place.
It was an uncomfortable sort of pain, descending in the basket to the ground, but he endured it. Once there, Will moved towards the fire. Molly was singing the Mummer’s Dance. He thought how bold she was, singing a Pagan song in a village of Christians. But that was his Molly, a brave old witch that refused to hide her worship of the Green Man, and the Dark Mother. Bent over the pot, Molly stopped singing. “Looking for that ginger lass, aren’t you, my boy?”
“What?” Will stopped, flustered. “No, no, I - “
Molly turned to face him, mischief glinting in her hazel eyes. “She’d down at the hot spring, taking a bath. Apparently, those noble take baths a lot.” Molly winked. “How about you go see if she’s hungry? She’s barely eaten since you got hurt, nor slept much, neither.”
God, it was tempting. The hot spring wasn’t that far away; and she was probably already done with her bath. He would probably see her on the way. At least, that’s what he told himself.
Will made his way to the south of the hollow, through a thick patch of woods. If a man unfamiliar with the area had entered the knot of forest, he’d have thought there was nothing but trees in either direction for at least a mile. But Will knew that the trees would part suddenly, revealing the beautiful spring. Will reached it soon enough, but did not meet Kate on the way, as he expected. He stood on the edge of the trees, taking a deep, steadying breath. He’d come this far, and Molly had sent him there, after all. Closing his eyes, he stepped through the trees.

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All That I Possess