a time to run

[Marian Cooper]

It was a bloody affront. Marian had always expected an arranged marriage, so that wasn't what she took offense to. It was being crated off to some backwater hellhole to marry some backwoods Sheriff who couldn't even handle a few disgruntled peasants. Everyone knew about the troubles with bandits that had been plaguing his jurisdiction, and while she didn't know the whole story around this place, she didn't much want to. It was bad enough her betrothed was the laughingstock of the nobility, but did he have to be such an ass too? He made no secret of how much he despised having her around, much less his lack of desire to be married in the first place. So she was going to save them both the trouble and get lost before they killed one another...or worse yet, before they had to actually get married.

She hadn't been able to steal a horse without attracting more notice than she'd wanted, so her plan was to get through the forests to one of the smaller, outlying towns, and hopefully purchase a horse from someone there. She wasn't sure where she'd go from there; maybe back to Pembroke? At least she'd be able to get more money, and then maybe she could go overseas, or something. It wasn't much of a plan, but she knew she couldn't stay here. She had tied her hair up and stolen some mens clothing, and while it was too big for her, the cloak and hood she wore over it concealed her well enough that she didn't think she'd need to worry about anyone knowing the truth, unless they got too close. And she had also managed to steal a stave to prevent that from happening.

Even with all her preparations, she ducked behind a thick tree when she heard a patrol approaching on the road. The two men were rather chatty today, and Marian wasn't much surprised by the subject of their conversation.

"I thought today we'd be patrollin' through the woods fer sure."

"Oh yeah, why's that?"

"Heard some maids talkin'....I guess the Sheriff's new bride up'n vanished in the middle of the night. Figured the bandits mighta taken her for ransom."

"That whatcha heard? Well, I wouldn't be surprised if it was the Sheriff tossed her out his own self."

"Whatcha mean by that?"

"You need to stop listening to maids, my friend. If they don't even know how much the Sheriff hates that bloody wench...nah, I'm betting the reason we ain't searching for her is 'cause the Sheriff got rid of her hisself."

The two men laughed, and Marian rolled her eyes. As if the man could be so bold. But if his own men would think him capable of such a thing...well, she was glad to be getting out of here while she still could. She waited until the laughing idiots were out of earshot before she continued on her way, deciding to keep off the main road for the time being.

Tag: Robin

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[Robin Of The Woods]

The men whom had passed her did not make it but a few more minutes down the road before passing some well hidden some honest criminals. They were right quickly stripped of everything that the God did not send them into this earth with and chased back the way they had came. Had they actually had tails they would have been tucked up. However all that happened after some little details had slipped into some ears.

The sheriff's bride was missing?! Surely the man must be heart broken; Robert thought with a bit of sarcasm. He -must- return her to his side straight away so he could feel comforted knowing she was safe and sound. After all he did steal from the rich and sell to the poor. She sounded rich with freedom and the poor sheriff all lonely. They just could not have that. And the price of selling her back to the sheriff (one he would be forced to pay or have the prince after his head) well he would just call it his good samaritan fee.

Mounting his horse he sent his men to cover the woods and the moment she was found he wanted to know. Robert needed to make his formal congratulations after all; and as one of the men who was keeping her soon to be husband working hard she should be grateful! Why if he stopped then why would they even need a sheriff?! The thought sobered him for a moment, for he hated the man. Maybe it would be worth it to end all crime after all.

[Marian Cooper]

Marian continued on her way, leaving the main road in order to avoid any other patrols that weren't really looking for her, but would likely feel obligated to take her back home if they caught her. 'Home', as if the castle of Nottingham were anything of the sort. That was just a place she had lived for a short time; not even a very memorable place, and one she had no intention of ever seeing again. She moved quickly and surely through the thick underbrush, even if the Sheriff wasn't going to be looking for her, she didn't feel the need to tempt fate. But perhaps leaving the main road had been a bad idea after all.

She didn't notice him sneaking up on her until he was almost upon her, one of the notorious bandits of Sherwood forest. But she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye, and stopped just in time that his intended tackle caught only the air in front of her, and he tumbled down to the ground gracelessly. She made sure that her hood was pulled down to obscure most of her face, and spoke in a false deep voice. The bandit quickly scrambled over onto his backside, only to find the blunt end of Marian's staff under his chin. "What do you want?" She asked in her best burly, man-like voice.

Rather than answering her, the man tried to make a break for it, and for his troubles Marian knocked him sharply about the head. He fell to the ground, and she shook her head before continuing on her way. Damn bandits didn't want to talk, they could take their blows to the head instead. She continued on her way, not bothering to notice when the poor bandit woke from his involuntary nap and ran off to find their oh so great and fearless leader.

"Oiy, Robin! There's a bloke in the woods, knocked me 'round right proper, but I think he looks like he might 'ave a coin or two to spare to the cause!"

"You sure it weren't the Sheriff's pretty little bride what knocked you out?" Another of the men heckled him, but the man with the bruised head shook his head vehemently.

"Nah, not this guy! Big as a horse, this'un, strong as an ox! Definitely not a girl. Come on, he was headed this way." He insisted, leading the way in the direction Marian had headed off to.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

He had given the order that any one in the forest alone was to be reported to him. She could not have made it too far from the castle castle and when no such woman (or signs of a woman) could be found alone in the woods he had to find a plan B. Robert It did not take long for word to each him that some such creature was found. A man who had attacked one of his men, and less then a mile from there a other man following the river. Robert bit back a grin and turned to ride quickly toward that area. He wonder what he would find. Robert liked the ladies and for the most part they liked him. Would he be the type to see only his outlawed status and want him more for it; or the judgmental bitch? He had no ideas as to what she might look like or even if she would be tall short, fat thin, or eager frigid. He hoped of course for something a bit fun. It would do well to annoy the sheriff more by stealing a kill from the chit and let the man discover it.

He was trotting along when he found the first man. The traveler was bundled up as one might expect of someone trying to hide something but if they attacked one of his men then surly it wasn't a noble woman. "Oi there!" He called riding up planning to ask if the man had passed any females or other travelers before going on the the other one. Riding up closer, he spoke again; "You from these parts?"

[Marian Cooper]

She heard the horse approaching long before she had heard the lone man on foot, but she knew there was no way she'd be able to outrun the horse, and glancing back at the beast, she quickly realized that its rider must have noticed her by now. But he wasn't wearing the colors of the guard, so it must just be one of the vagrants said to plague these woods. She'd have to rely on her makeshift disguise to keep her hidden. She cursed her luck; she really should've knocked that man around the head a bit harder, kept him out for longer.

She came to a halt as he approached, only barely turning her head to keep her face as concealed as possible, and shifting her staff into what was clearly a defensive posture, in case he got any ideas about trying to fight as well. Again, she spoke in her best imitation of a common man's voice, making her voice as rough, gruff and deep as she could manage. "Aye," she replied simply to his greeting, trying to keep her sentences to the minimum. "Just passin' through." She responded, not wanting to give too much information. She knew that common men wandering the land was becoming more and more frequent these days, as high taxes drove men off their lands, even those who didn't turn outlaw had to wander, trying to find work.

"Not lookin' for trouble." She added firmly, trying to make the point that she just wanted to be on her way, but if he had been sent by the other man, he ought to already know that she was willing to defend herself if provoked; and plenty capable. Marian didn't want to fight, she was handy enough with a stave, but she knew a man could overpower her, especially if she couldn't catch him off guard like she had with the last one. As long as he thought her a man, he'd think twice about challenging her...or so she hoped.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Really now. That was just fascinating. Not that bit of whatever they said; Robert wasn't really even paying attention to the words blah blah blah. What was however was how they would not look at him. How they shifted their body for a fight. Their rather deep voice for a small frame. Either the lad was afraid him; or the girl didn't want him to know she was wasn't a lab. Robert grinned brightly. Oh the joys of fools. He was going to make her life hell for a few moments. See if it really was a girl, or just some kid who didn't know how to talk to a man. "Good. I'm not."

He dismounted and walked his horse up toward the lad-girl and pretended to look around. "I've heard stories that this Robin chap will steal everything you have. Down to your under things." He tossed out, hoping it give him-her ideas. "Perhaps we could travel together for a bit. Safety in numbers and that sort of thing; since I don't keen to have my horse stolen." He gave the neck a strong pat before looking over at the clocked figure. "B'sides, I might get lost. Don't want to be here after dark." He watched them; wondering if they would go for it or not. He hoped so, but worse case they didn't go for it and he admitted to being this 'Robin' and stole some clothes for the needy.

[Marian Cooper]

He seemed very at ease for someone who was concerned about being robbed by bandits, she noticed as the man dismounted and approached her. She planted the end of her staff into the ground when he didn't seem to make any aggressive move, lifting her head just enough to watch him without letting her face leave the shadows of her hood. She didn't know if there were many strangers wandering around who didn't want others to know their faces, but at the rate men were being outlawed in this region, she had to assume there were many. She would be just another one.

"You look like the sort who could handle himself." She answered when he suggested they travel together, she didn't necessarily like the idea. The longer she traveled with someone, the better his chance would be of realizing she wasn't who she seemed, even if he was trustworthy enough that he wouldn't just try to cut her throat at his first chance. But he did have a horse...maybe she could take advantage of that if he let his guard down. Deal with him and find herself a faster way out of these woods. Reluctantly, she gave a short nod of her head.

"Alright, you're on." She agreed, although her eyes, still shrouded by her low-hanging hood, didn't leave him. "Where are you headed?" She had been following the road, but since leaving it, she wasn't entirely sure where she was going anymore. It probably wasn't a good thing, but she just kind of figured she'd manage to find her way somehow. Maybe this was that way. But there was something familiar about this man... "How much do you know about this 'Robin' bloke?"

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[Robin Of The Woods]

"You look like the sort who could handle himself." Robert grinned, he was lad she thought so. Unless it wasn't a she--if it was he, then Robert was going to feel awkward later but he could live with regrets. It wasn't like this wouldn't be something to chuckle at later. "Oh no, not me. I faint at the sight of blood. Ghastly stuff."

"Alright, you're on. Where are you headed?" He was going wherever they were going right now. "Oh, over that way." He pointed randomly and let his hand move off to the side so it was not clear as to where he was going. He didn't want to lead her deeper into the wood, but try to keep her in this area so that getting her tired and toss unto a horse would be easier.

Easier to send her but back to the sheriff . . . once a random was paid. "How much do you know about this 'Robin' bloke?" What anyone know! Nothing. They made it up to amused themselves and no one bothered with the truth. "Just the normal stuff. Things spoken on the wind. That's big and strong and manly and the ladies love him." They loved him right? Right! "And has a band of mindless killing thieves that only he can control." In truth, they were farmers kicked from their homes and most have not even seen battle.

[Marian Cooper]

She raised an eyebrow that she knew he wouldn't be able to see when he responded that he was among the faint of heart, wondering just what kind of a game he was playing at. Her wonder only grew when he gave the vaguest of replies as to where he was headed; well, it seemed her hopes of finding her way out of the woods with his help were in vain. She looked up at the sky, using the direction of the sun as her guide. "Well, I'm heading west. You can travel with me as long as we're headed the same way." She stated bluntly, she wanted a direction to head in, and so she set off in that direction.

She listened skeptically as he passed on the things he'd heard about Robin Hood, it all seemed pretty complimentary...and she was starting to get an idea of why he seemed so familiar. "That so? I heard he's just a petty criminal...nothin' but a cutthroat thief." She answered, wondering if that would get a rise out of him or serve to just amuse him even more. Marian still didn't know exactly what to make of this stranger, but she had a growing hunch about him, and the more he said, the more it only served to reinforce her theory.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

"Well, I'm heading west. You can travel with me as long as we're headed the same way." What the hell was west? Robert gave a mental run though of the lay of the land trying to think of where she might be going. He knew the lands well, but after being away for four years at war there were some smaller towns he was unaware of, and some places he had been aware of now looked like empty fields.

Yes, clearly the sheriff could run things, and the jolly Prince was the shinning example of a wonderful king. All hail the idiots of the land. Honestly, Richard wasn't much higher on the approval list, but he at least he did things for the people and not just took things from them. "That so? I heard he's just a petty criminal...nothin' but a cutthroat thief." "Clearly your the exert. All bundled and tucked up, hidden from view." He was amusing the heck out of himself.

Taking on a mocking surprised look he asked, "Say, you wouldn't be him would ya?" He was just toying with her now. He was fairly sure it was a her, but worse case he could send the lad on his way.

[Marian Cooper]

What the hell was west? Marian had no idea, but she could tell from the direction the sun was moving, she was heading in that direction, and she knew that it wasn't the way back to Nottingham, so it seemed as good a direction as any. She could get directions after she found her way into one of the small towns where she planned to stop along the way. Even if it was completely the wrong way, at least she'd be through the forest, and past the worst of the bandits and the Sheriff's patrols.

She raised her eyebrows at his response, had she hit a nerve. "Didn't mean to imply I was. I thought we was just trading rumors." She replied, so it seemed he knew more about the bandit outlaw than he was letting on, only lending more credence to her theory about who he really was. And that was where her patience ran out, mostly because she was curious but also because she was tired of playing his games. She didn't know what he was up to, but she didn't plan on letting him get away with whatever it was.

"What did you say your name was, stranger?" She asked, aware that he hadn't given a name, but wondering what he would say. Would he lie? Or just come out and admit who he was, and prove her theory right? Because Marian was fairly certain this wasn't your common traveler, or even your common bandit, but without taking a closer look at his face, close enough that she would give herself away in the process, she couldn't be sure.

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Yeah, he thought she might back out of that one. Part of him had hoped she might be like 'I am' so he could play with her more but he couldn't enough people to pretend to be him. He had a reputation to keep down! If everyone pretended to be him then no one would know who really was the greatest outlaw in the woods! He had friends in low places that might start thinking they could take him if he lost his status as the best.

"You know, I don't think I gave it." He told her trying to sound mockingly surprised that he had forgotten to give it. "I will tell you what little laddie;" Lass more like but he wasn't given' up his cards until he had too. "If you give me your name, I will give you mine." And if she gave him a fake one then he was just going to toy with her some more. Maybe take a leak right beside her?

[Marian Cooper]

Or he could go with option number three, refuse to answer at all. And between all his cute little remarks and his attitude, Marian was now completely certain as to who the cheeky bastard was. She came to a halt, turning towards him, she looked up at him. The game was over, because she knew that if he was toying with her like this, it was because he already knew who she was, and there was more point in just knocking him out than trying to keep this up.

"You're Sir Robert, Earl of Huntingdon, recently calling himself Robin Hood for...well, God only knows why." She stated, clearly unimpressed by either of his titles, and giving a derisive snort at the last bit, rolling her eyes at him. She dropped the false voice now, although she didn't put her hood down yet, if only because she wanted both hands on her staff just now. "And if you're not going to help me, you're going to get out of my way." She added very matter-of-factly, her tone belonging only to a woman who was used to giving orders to men and having them followed. Of course, she didn't usually order noblemen around...but he didn't exactly fit into that category anymore, did he?

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[Robin Of The Woods]

Oh Ho! Cheeky little wench! Wasn't even going to let him pretend to need a reason to drop his pants! Ruin all his fun! "No. Your wrong." Well, only technology but he'd learned to toss his outlawed status at people in ways to catch them off guard. "I am not Sir anything, and I have never once claimed to be Robin Hood." As his knighthood had been stripped from him (The sheriff couldn't take his title of Earl) and Robin Hood was a name the locals gave him and one he tried to avoid. While it gave distant between his family and himself; he wasn't quite used to being called Robin. Though everyone loved to call it that.

"And you, Lady Marian," Since she was outing him, he was outing her. Robert reached over and pulled her hood back, so he could see her face better, and then dropped his hand to his side; "Are calling me a what? Petty criminal and a thief?" He could work with that. "You are right. I should change my ways! Right now! You have shown me the light! How dare I take something that's not mine! I should return everything to it's rightful owner!"

Point one for him. "Starting with the sheriff. He's lost his girl did you hear?" Tilting his head down lower to her; but mindful if her weapon in hand he grinned, "To prove that I have learned the error of my ways, I shall return her to him!"

[Marian Cooper]

She raised an eyebrow at him when he claimed she was wrong; was she? No, she didn't think so. "Knighted by the King and you're going to let a common Sheriff take it from you? You don't do your stories justice." She knew very well that there was nothing really common about the Sheriff, he was a very powerful man in a world governed by poverty, but it pleased her to call him such, and it annoyed him when she did. So she would keep doing it, even when he wasn't around to be annoyed with her. And she had no problem teasing Robert at the same time.

She pulled back from his hand when he reached out to take her hood down, bringing her staff up to knock his hand down, but she wasn't quite quick enough. Her hood fell down, and her dark hair tumbled down her back, but she didn't even have the decency to look ashamed. Instead, she lifted her chin and looked Robert in the eye defiantly. She frowned when he declared how he was changing his ways, wondering what kind of game he was playing now. Surely his mind wasn't that easy to change...oh no. He didn't mean....

"I'm not lost, I know exactly where I am." She was already backing away from him, moving her staff into a better position to attack. Why would he want to help the Sheriff? Just to piss her off? But what had she ever done to him? "Stay away from me," she said crossly, she still didn't know if he was just trying to get back at her for calling him petty or if he actually meant what he said about taking her back to the Sheriff, but either way, she didn't see this encounter going well for her if he had his way.

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