Chapter-6
Days passed by followed by weeks and months. One morning, Robin thought of Maid Marian whom he loved very much. In fact, he wanted to marry her. But it was not quite easy. He had been living in the Sherwood Forest and it was next to impossible for Maid Marian to share the uncultured rough Forest life.
As a matter of fact, Maid Marian and Will Gamwell were away when Robin waged a war on Gamwell Hall. When both of them returned from their relatives they found that the Hall had been burnt down completely and Sir Guy of Gisborne killed. Now they felt worried as they had no home to live in.
They were out of their wits. Will Gamwell said to Maid Marian, “It is better to join Robin in the Forest. In this way, I shall be able to avenge my father’s death.”
Saying these words he got ready to go to the forest. Then Maid Marian observed, “I too shall join the band of Robin. Who will take care of me here in your absence? Let us move.”
But Will hesitated a bit. He stated, “O Maid Marian! Don’t you know forest life is rough and tough? It is not so easy to live there as you think.”
But Maid Marian did not pay attention to what Will remarked. She replied, “It won’t be harder than to live here without any home.”
Will had no reply to this remark of Maid Marian.
After making all arrangements for the journey they set out for the Sherwood Forest.
In the afternoon, they reached the camp of Robin. They were received by Much-the-Miller son. He rushed to Robin and informed thus, “Chief, two visitors have come from Gamwell Hall. Their names are Maid Marian and Will Gamwell.”
Hearing the names of his friends Robin at once got up to meet them.
Seeing Robin they felt very happy. They said to Robin, “O dear! We have come here to join your band of outlaws. We have no home to live in. Where should we go else?”
Robin felt elated in his heart of hearts. His long-felt wish had been realized that day. Maid Marian had come over to the Sherwood Forest to join him. That was what he wanted. He was very overjoyed. Tears of happiness welled up in his eyes.
He took both Maid Marian and Will on round of the forest and showed them how they prepared their food, what they ate, where they lived and how the band of his Merry Men spent their time. Robin was extremely elated in the company of Maid Marian who had come there to live forever.
The Merry Men of Robin suggested that Robin should merry Maid Marian as she wanted to live in the forest.
In the season of spring, an evening was fixed for their marriage. As the stipulated time came, both put on their best fineries. Bugles were sounded and drums were beaten. There was an old oak-tree. It was very tall. Both Robin and Maid Marian stood under its fresh green leaves. All the Merry men surrounded the couple. They too were very happy that their chief was going to marry his long-time beloved.
Maid Marian was looking very beautiful in her wedding white gown. Standing on the green and brown carpet of the forest with Robin beside her, she was smiling gently. Friar Tuck standing in front of the couple sang some hymns loudly.
Soon the wedding ceremony was over. Robin kissed his bride and his bride too kissed him. Then Robin hugged Maid Marian to his bosom. Now they had been officially declared husband and wife in front of a crowd of 150 Merry Men. All were in happy mood.
All of a sudden, an arrow whizzed past Robin and Marian. Everyone present there was startled. Robin observed, “Whosoever has shot this arrow at this auspicious time is fed up with his life. He no longer wants to live.”
Robin ordered his men to go and find who the archer was. The men returned soon, huffing and puffing. They said to Robin, “O chief, the Sheriff’s men have attacked us. They have surrounded us from all sides. We have been entrapped.”
In fact, when Friar Tuck was singing hymns loudly, the Sheriff’s men were searching for Robin in the forest. Hearing the loud sounds they came to that place.
Now Robin was on the horns of dilemma as only a few of his men were well armed with bows and arrows. Thinking hard for a few seconds he hit upon a plan. He told his men, “Listen to me carefully. Only twelve of you are armed. The Sheriff has arranged his men in a long file. Each of the armed man will stand in a queue. Behind every armed archer there will be three unarmed men. In case an armed archer gets tired, his place and position will be taken by the unarmed archer.”
Everybody appreciated the plan of Robin. Needless to say Robin’s outlaws were highly skilled archers. They were sure to achieve their aims and targets.
Soon the fight between the Sheriff’s men and Robin’s Merry Men ensued. A fierced battle took place. Soon the Sheriff’s men were defeated and killed by Robin’s Merry Men.
Seeing this the Sheriff trembled with fear. He turned his horse round and fled away. This defeat made the Sheriff angry all the more. He was fuming with rage. He thought of chalking out some other plan.
Even Robin in the Sherwood Forest was making a plan to play a trick on the Sheriff. Little John too was thinking of a trick.
Soon Little John came up with a plan and wanted Robin’s permission to go to Nottingham in this connection. Robin gladly allowed Little John to go there.
As per the plan, Little John met Sir Richard of Lea and said to him, “O Sir, I have been living in the Sherwood Forest for quite a long time. Now I am fed up with the forest life. Let me join your army. I would like to be one of your soldiers if you wish.”
Sir Richard was a clever person. He knew the true intention of Little John. Moreover, he knew that he was telling a lie. In spite of this fact, he let him stay with his army as a soldier.
In a few months’ time, Little John proved himself to be the best archer in Sir Richard’s army. Whenever a sport was held in Nottingham he was the first to be selected amongst Sir Richard’s soldiers.
In one of the archery contests, he was adjudged the best archer. Even the Sheriff praised his archery and congratulated him on his success. Handing over the award the Sheriff said to Little John, “O great archer, you are a dead shot. If you wish, you can come and join my army. I am in dire need of a highly skilled archer as you are. So, make up your mind and join me without much delay.”
“Of course, why not. It is my pleasure,” replied Little John.
“By the way, what is your good name?” said the Sheriff.
“I am Reynold Greenleaf, Sir,” replied Little John.
After all the introductions were over, Little John gladly took up the service of the Sheriff who was totally unaware of the plan of Little John.
Everything went well for the first few months but now, Little John was waiting for a golden opportunity to play a trick on the Sheriff.
Soon the opportune time came. God had listened to the prayer of Little John.
One morning, Sheriff said to Little John, “Dear I along with my few men am going to a far-off land on purpose. Stay here and take care of my castle till I return. I depute you to be the person in charge in my absence.”
“No problem Your Highness,” said Little John.
Now the Sheriff away, Little John felt very happy. The steward of the Sheriff was a lazy man. He would often sleep in the kitchen and let the soldiers go hungry.
One day, Little John too went to sleep on an empty stomach. Next day, he straightaway went to the kitchen and found him sleeping. Seeing the sleeping steward Little John’s blood boiled with anger. He roared loudly at the steward and said, “You are still sleeping. Why don’t you cook food for us?”
The steward was obstinate. He at once retorted, “Than cook yourself. Let us see how you cook.”
Hearing the words of the steward Little John gave him a blow on his face. The steward fell on the ground. Then he himself got ready to prepare food.
In the meantime, the Sheriff’s cook reached the kitchen. He saw the steward lying on the floor and Little John cooking food. He at once said, “How dare you knock the steward down? Who are you? Who has allowed you to enter the kitchen?”
“Hey Mr, bridle your tongue. I went to sleep on an a empty stomach. This steward is very lazy. He does not cook food on time. He is a late riser,” said Little John.
Hearing the words of Little John the cook flew into a rage. He took a staff in his hand and went ahead to hit Little John with it. Little John too picked up a staff and went ahead to face the cook. Both got to blows. Their fight continued for more than half an hour. Then they stopped all of a sudden as they were dead tired. Both were huffing and puffing terribly.
After some time Little John said to the cook, “Undoubtedly, you are a brave fellow. You need to join the band of Robin in the Sherwood Forest.”
The cook observed, “You too were equal to the occasion. Let me know who you are and where from you have come.”
Little John told the cook everything about him.
Hearing the words of Little John the cook felt extremely happy. The cook made up his mind to join the band of Robin’s Merry Men.
Before their departure both went to the Sheriff’s room. Each of them took a sack and filled it with gold and silver utensils. According to them, the Sheriff had to owe them their wages. So, the sacks filled with gold and silver dishes were their wages.
In the darkness of night they stealthily moved out of the castle, into the Sherwood Forest.
Robin and his Merry Men were overjoyed to see both of them. Robin in particular burst out laughing when Little John related him the entire incident.
Little John said to Robin, “Dear, the Sheriff must visit us the moment he reaches his castle. He will be fuming with anger. He will definitely wage an attack on us. Before he does so, it will be better to stop him there in the castle.”
Both Robin and Little John thought hard. At last Little John hit upon a plan. His eyes beamed with happiness. He said to Robin, “O chief, we can do one thing. We can have his gold and silver utensils laid out neatly on the dining table for a meal.”
“What do you want to do? asked Robin.
Little John whispered in Robin’s ear. Thus Robin understood everything.
As per the plan, Little John dressed himself in the clothes that the Sheriff had given him when he entered his service. He set out for Nottingham. Before the Sheriff could reach his castle Little John’s horse ran with the speed of wind and stood in front of the Sheriff’s castle.
As Little John sighted the Sheriff he at once went up to him and said, “Sir, here I am.”
Seeing Little John there the Sheriff was bewildered. He asked in astonishment, “What are you doing here?”
Little John replied, “Sir, I have seen a herd of deer in the Sherwood Forest. I know you are fond of hunting. Take the bow and arrow and hunt them. It will be great fun and frolic.”
Hearing the words of Little John the Sheriff’s curiosity rose. He at once asked, Where is the herd of deer?”
“Only a few metres away from here,” replied Little John.
Thus the Sheriff was taken in by the oily words of Little John. He followed Little John and who took him into the deeper part of the forest.
Soon they reached the camp where Robin had been waiting for the Sheriff.
Seeing the Sheriff Robin welcomed him saying, “You are most welcome here. Tell me what I can do for you.”
The Sheriff realized that he had been entrapped. But it was quite late. All the Merry Men of Robin surrounded the Sheriff who was filled with rage.
He spoke to Robin in an angry tone, “How dare you call me here in this fashion? Are you a coward? I won’t leave you for this. Remember once I am set free from here, it will be the last day of your life.”
Robin observed, “Keep cool, O Sheriff. You are not inside your palace. Neither we are your soldiers. Keep quiet and do as you are told.”
The Sheriff had no alternative but to agree to the words of Robin who invited the Sheriff to a great feast. As the Sheriff was scared of Robin, he sat quietly at the dining table. When he saw the gold and silver dishes laid out on the table, he was beside himself with anger all the more. He muttered in his heart of hearts.
When he saw his own cook prepare the food, he crossed his limits. He threw a dish at the cook who timely moved to one side and thus escaped unhurt.
Now the Sheriff growled at Robin, “What do you want from me?”
Robin laughed at the Sheriff and said, “I want you to wear the same clothes as we wear.”
Saying these words Robin made the Sheriff put on the same green clothes. He insisted that the Sheriff should spend night with them. He made a bed on the hard ground for the Sheriff.
The Sheriff could not sleep throughout the night. In fact, the Sheriff was not accustomed to such surroundings.
Next morning the Sheriff had relented a little bit. He was ready to obey Robin’s every order.
Thus Robin declared in front of his Merry Men, “O Sheriff, you will stay here with us for a year.”
“I shall do whatever you ask me to do. But have mercy on me,” asked the Sheriff.
“Had I been caught by you, would you have shown mercy towards me?” asked Robin.
The Sheriff replied plainly, “Absolutely no.”
Hearing the words of the Sheriff Robin smiled because the Sheriff was honest and frank. He said to the Sheriff, “Dear, I don’t want to kill a man who has been entrapped. I don’t consider you my enemy. Make a promise that you won’t follow us in the future. Only then shall I let you go free.”
Hearing the words of Robin the Merry Men agreed that Robin was right.
The Sheriff observed, “Dear, I would have done much more with you had I caught you. But the milk of human kindness is running through your veins. You are really a man who understood humanity and its values. You are great, Robin. I bow to you. It is my pleasure to be your friend. I pledge that from today onwards I shall pursue you no more.”
The Sheriff was led out of the Sherwood Forest. Reaching the edge of the Forest Robin bade goodbye to the Sheriff.
