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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 3:01:39 GMT 1
on the corner of first and amistad. where the west was all but won.. [/i] Margaret was riding along the road from Nottingham, towards Merton - to return to the miserable place she was forced to stay. She was ever so displeased with her arrangements, her confinements. And to be allowed out now and again, far and few between, was a kind of relief.
She kicked the mare along, tugging the reins to the side and pushing her off the path. Straying from the path was not against her Matron's rules. She was traveling back to Merton, just not in conventional method.
Margaret rode for some time, before finding herself hopelessly lost. She spun the mare around, looking from tree to tree. Hopeing to find something familiar.
Nothing.
"Hello? Is there anyone there?" Some would say it would be foolish for an unaccompanied female to cry out in a forest, but she felt watched.[/blockquote][/size]
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 10, 2009 3:15:50 GMT 1
Robin was not far from the road that led to Merton, though he was well concealed by the dense trees. He was standing a good distance from a tall and solid oak, practicing some archery.
Though describing it as practice was probably stretching things a bit, for it was not as if he needed it. Archery provided his mind a good distraction, and was the perfect outlet for his frustrations.
Hearing a rider approaching his location, Robin moved swiftly to the oak, removing his arrows and ducking behind it. Peering around the trunk in curiosity, he saw a lady atop her horse, looking around with confusion on her features. When she stopped and spoke, he ducked back behind the tree.
"Do you find yourself in need of assistance, my lady?" He called, though did not reveal himself to her yet.
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 3:25:49 GMT 1
Margaret, scanned the trees nervously. A male voice the response to her question. A shiver ran down her spine.
"I do need assistance. However do not think, I have money upon my person. I have none." Margaret laughed in thought, turning her mare around once more an unable to spot the voice's location. "If you wanted money, you should consult my father, I'm not allowed any."
She sat tall atop the mare, trying to put on a brave face. But she had heard stories - bandits, theives, outlaws. They lived in this forest.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 10, 2009 3:38:10 GMT 1
Robin laughed, delighted. This would be fun. Still not revealing his location, he spoke again.
"Perhaps I am not interested in money, my lady. I can however offer you some direction. Forgive me for saying so, but you seem to be rather lost. I would not ask for much in return for my services."
Robin kept his tone light, and cheeky. He did not truly wish to scare a seemingly innocent woman.
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 3:44:27 GMT 1
Not ask for much in return? Margaret laughed, shaking her head slightly. "I think I should manage just fine." Margaret called back, sounding haughty but not to sure.
Margaret pushed her mare on, in the wrong direction no less. And she'd only gone a few paces when she halted. Worried.
"I'm going the wrong way aren't I?" She called, half expecting no reply. "Could you atleast reveal yourself? So I know you're not some nightmareishly marred man, with no hand and a missing ear?" Margaret sounded timid, as she narrowed her eyes to look around.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 10, 2009 3:58:01 GMT 1
Robin grinned when he saw her head off in the wrong direction. This one was almost as stubborn as Marian.
"You are simply taking yourself deeper into the forest if you go that way."
Robin pulled his hood up, making sure it fell low over his face before stepping from behind the tree. He kept his bow in his hands, fitting an arrow loosely to the string. He had learnt his lesson in trusting seemingly helpless women well during his encounter with the sheriff's sister, Davina.
Seeing her face more clearly now, Robin could not help but admire her beauty. He could not be faulted for simply looking, after all.
"There now, I have revealed myself. You must give me something in return. What is your name, my lady?"
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 4:03:29 GMT 1
Margaret was pleased to see him reveal himself. "Well, you are not a marked man atleast from what I see. Two hands, two feet. Perhaps two ears?"
Margaret laughed, and dismounted from the mare. She didn't dip a curtsey. "Margaret d'Anthony. Mary, if you'd please. And yourself? Or shall we call you the hooded man?" She narrowed her eyes at the stranger. Getting a good look at what she could see for his hood. "Or perhaps I should have to help you in some way to get that much?"
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 10, 2009 4:07:50 GMT 1
Robin chuckled. Not only stubborn, but with a certain amount of cheek about her too.
"Well met, Mary. I do indeed still maintain both my ears, if you are willing to trust my word on that."
He raised his head slightly, keeping his hood on but allowing it to slide back to reveal more of his face.
"And you are not far off in your guess of my name. Tell me, what is a lady such as yourself doing, riding through the forest alone? There are many dangerous folk about. Outlaws, you know."
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 4:20:09 GMT 1
"I suppose, I'll believe that there are two ears beneath that hood." Margaret laughed, smirking a bit. She could see a little more of his face now. "I rode to Nottingham to go to the market. It's the only place I am ever allowed to venture to anymore. Matron Lenora, is rather strict. I decided on the way to the Manor, not my manor mind you - the Lord of Merton's where I was ordered to stay - and I decided to take a shortcut. And seeing as I don't know the shortcuts if there are even any, I made up one. Seeing as I am not at the manor, I am where I stand now. Lost. With a stranger." Mary flashed a brave smile, glancing to his bow and arrow, warily. She was not armed against that. She had a small blade tucked under the saddle for protection, but it was a blade not even longer than her fingers.
She turned away form the man, petting her mare's neck as the horse stomped the ground. Impatiently. She whispered to the horse. "Just wait, Angel, I'm busy talking."
Mary turned back to Robin, "Outlaws, you wouldn't say? Would of those outlaws know the way to Merton?"
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 10, 2009 4:31:20 GMT 1
Shaking his head, Robin looked at her in amused exasperation.
"I would suggest you keep to the roads next time. It is a fortunate coincidence that you have stumbled across my location."
Seeing the wary look she gave his bow, Robin removed the arrow from the string, returning it to the quiver at his back in the same movement.
"Angel? An apt name for such a fine looking animal, Mary."
Robin smiled mysteriously at her question, looking away for a moment.
"I can not speak for common outlaws, but I could show you the way to Merton, if you would like. It would make for a nice walk, at any rate."
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 4:39:47 GMT 1
"I should think about keeping to the roads the next time." She flashed him a grin, and laughed nervously but was releaved when he removed the arrow from his bow string. She nodded with a thank you.
"If you are not busy, I would not mind you showing me the way. I would not have a clue where to go." She gestured to the forest, "I'm sure you know your way around."
Mary patted Angel again, "Thank you. She's a good horse, but I do miss my Stardust. She was sent after my arrival from my home. And so I am told, Outlaws took over the guard's and took my mare. I do hope it was not you." Margaret thought in silence for a few moments. "The men told me it was the man called Robin Hood, but from what I've heard of him he would never do such a thing. You wouldn't happen to be a part of his gang would you?" She looked down and up trying to see more of his face but not acheiving anymore than he wished for her to see.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 10, 2009 4:58:36 GMT 1
"I would be more than happy to show you the way."
Robin moved to stand closer to her, on the other side of her horse. He reached out a hand, stroking it down the animals neck.
"I am certain that would not have been an act of mine, Mary. I do not make a habit of stealing ladies horses. Ahh yes, Robin Hood. I have heard of him. Legendary skill with a bow, or so they say."
He caught her trying to peer under his hood and grinned, taking it in both hands and pushing it back from his face completely. "Have you ever encountered him, this hooded outlaw?"
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 12:42:26 GMT 1
Mary was happy to see the man's face in full now, and what a face it was. She blushed, hoping unnoticed. "Ah, so you were truthfull you do have two ears!" She chuckled, smiling.
Mary had to say she was releaved that upon getting lost in the forest she had stumbled upon a rather handsome, seemingly kind outlaw. It was better than what she had feared when he had first spoke.
She stared at the ground, kicking a fallen branch. "I have only come from Leicestershire in the past two months. I amy never have met this hooded outlaw, but his legend has intrigued me. Most men do not make themselves a legend until they are in the grave." She looked up at the stranger, "Is this man as nobel and brave, and kindhearted as the people whisper? Because if so, he has inspired my actions that got me forced to leave my people."
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 10, 2009 15:41:11 GMT 1
Robin was secretly delighted to see her blush. He could, naturally, not help but enjoy that sort of reaction from a woman. He laughed at her words, giving a wry chuckle.
"Indeed, my good lady. Two ears, two eyes, and last time I checked, my nose remained intact."
Robin was intrigued by her words, though barely able to stop himself from laughing. "And what actions has this legendary outlaw inspired in you?"
Pausing for a moment, Robin contemplated his choices. Put her out of her misery, or continue having fun, torturing her?
The choice was easy.
"I myself have never...met him, as such. Though my thoughts often mirror those that I am led to believe he also has."
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Post by Margaret d'Anthony on Jul 10, 2009 21:50:01 GMT 1
"Ah but you must see, I did not ask of your nose. I could care less if you had no nose." She laughed playfully. For an outlaw he was a good natured man, just as people say and no one nobel seems to abide by - never judge a book by its cover.
"Robin Hood has inspired me to give what abundance I have to the poor of my land. My Leisctershire. My father is the Earl. But he is a cruel earl who could care less for the poor and sick and hungry. I would not cease my giving and so I was sent away to learn what it means to be a lady."[/color She gave a scoffing laugh. "If anything trying to beat down my urges makes them that much stronger."
She was oblivious to the strangers deciet, "Then whatever you must do is good then stranger. I have never heard a single word bad against Robin Hood - unless from the lips of my father. Or nobels from who he robs. But he does not rob for himself does he? He gives to others." Mary tried to contain the giddy sound in her voice when she spoke of the man who she longed to meet.
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