Okay, so I saw the new Robin Hood movie last night, and it made me come up with this awesome idea. Yay or nay if I should continue....?
Chapter One
I have always wondered if the ocean is really a deep blue, and if the sky is a light blue. I wish that I could savor the beauty of the green hills and the splendor of the colorful sunset. But I know I will never see it, but I can feel and hear it all around me. I can feel the wind throwing back my hair, the water form a liquid shield around my ankles, and I can hear the sound of leaves rustling and birds singing in the spring.
Mother always tells me I’m pretty, and says I have hair like flaxenseed, and that my eyes are a dark green, that’s why I was named Ivy. Because of my dark green eyes that I inherited from my father. People say my father was a great man, and I know he was. He died when I was ten fighting for the king. I remember his face, but I have never seen the colors. I remember his broad jaw line lined with stubble underneath my fingers, his bushy eyebrows and his short cut hair. I would give anything to have a clear image of him.
When I was thirteen, I decided I wanted to be different than my mother. I didn’t want to marry and end up losing my husband. I didn’t want to be pretty or a lady. I wanted to ride on my horse all the way across England, like…like Robin Hood who fought for the better good and helped take care of our land. Who would give us money to help pay our ridiculous taxes.
I heard so much about Robin Hood, wondering if he was as handsome as all the women thought, and if he had a secret hideout in the woods. Someday, I promised myself that I would find it and join him. He was my hero, I didn’t need sight to see what a great man he was.
“Can I go for a ride now?” I said in my impatient fifteen year old way. “I’ve been standing here for hours.”
“Its only been fifteen minutes Ivy, you need to have another nice dress for church. Who knows who will show up?”
“Mother, I don’t want to get married,” I said, stepping down from the small wooden stool. “I want to go have an adventure! I don’t want to be like you.” I tossed my long hair over my shoulder before walking out of my home, slamming the door as well as I could. It seemed the older and older we grew, the more and more we fought.
I walked over to where my horse, Nightshade stood, still saddled up from the morning ride I took. “Come on Nightshade,” I whispered into his fuzzy ear, making him jump slightly before hopping on. I had gotten used to riding. When I was younger, my father took me on rides every morning and afternoon. I had the trails memorized and I felt as if I had the world within my mind.
I rode off down the trail slowly, the sounds of children laughing and chickens clucking reaching my ears. As soon as I couldn’t hear them any longer I kicked Nightshade, forcing him into a gallop. I could hear the trees rustle in the wind and could almost picture them dancing with glee.
“Hey!” a voice yelled, I pulled on the reigns, stopping Nightshade. I listened for a moment. Before calling out a hello. Everything was still except the sound of a few squaking birds in the treetops.
“Hello?” I called again. “Anyone there?”
“Hello miss,” a deep voice said. I turned my head to the voice, and the voice chuckled. “What are you doing riding alone? Don’t you know the woods are dangerous?”
“I’ve ridden in this wood many times, now if you’ll excuse me, I better be going.”
“Not without a little pay I think,” the man said.
I swallowed. “You’re not the sheriff, even a blind old woman could see that.”
“You’re one to talk. How do you know I’m not the sheriff.”
“I know the sheriff's voice, he comes to my home often to collect the taxes. I would know his voice anywhere. Please, I must leave.”
I heard footsteps approaching Nightshade and me and I quickly tightened my grip on the reigns, my hands shaking slightly. “Don’t touch me,” I whispered. “Just let me go home,” I whispered, my courage beginning to fade.
A slap on Nightshade’s rear rang loud and clear through the woods and I felt as Nightshade reared up and felt myself tumble to the ground. I let out a gasp of pain as I hit the hard dirt trail which was only slightly covered by a blanket of leaves. “Nightshade!” I called as I heard his hoof beats slowly fade away down the path.
“Will?” another man’s voice said. I felt my whole body stiffen as I lay there, lifting my head slightly. I could hardly hear the soft footsteps, I couldn’t believe they were coming from a man. “Will, really, is this necessary?”
“Robin, I was just having a little fun,” the first man, Will, said.
“You shouldn’t harm a pretty lady,” Robin said. “Now come on, let’s get up.” I felt a hand grasp mine and help me stand up, me nearly tripping over my dress. “What are you doing out here in the woods in the first place?”
“I,” I paused. I recognized that voice. It wasn’t one I heard every day but…it was familiar enough. “I was just out for a ride. I ride in these woods frequently. Now please, let me go home. Where is my horse?”
“Your horse is right here milady,” Robin said, grabbing my hand and rubbing it along the familiar coat of Nightshade. I nodded and slowly pulled myself up clumsily. I muttered a small thank you, but Robin held firmly onto the reigns.
“Can you see me milady?” he asked me softly.
The question caught me off gaurd. I spluttered for a moment and thought…what should I say? Lie? I could lie, I would never see him again, how would he know? But he would never see me again, he wouldn’t constantly be teasing me. I slowly looked down, shaking my head in shame.
“Well, may I escort you home? Where do you come from anyways?”
“Nottingham,” I said. “And I don’t need a, a, a scavenger escorting me home!” I raised my voice. “I can ride better than any boy in Nottingham, therefore I can find my way home.
“Well, you don’t say. Will can escort you home, fore, I’m not very welcome in Nottingham,” Robin said, laughter hiding in his voice.
“I can find my own way thank you,” I felt the reigns and pried his fingers from them.
“What is your name?”
I bit my lip. “Why should I tell a thief like you?”
Robin chuckled. “Milady, I am astonished that you don’t recognize me. Or my voice at least.”
“And his charm according to the ladies,” Will said. I had almost forgotten he was still there with us.
“Tell me your name, and I’ll tell you mine,” Robin said. “I would hate to meet a beautiful lass like you and not know your name.” Flattery rang throughout his whole voice, and I fell right into the trap.
“Ivy,” I whispered.
“Like your eyes,” he said, his fingers brushing mine. I nodded in reply and we stood there in silence for a moment, aside from the constant moving of Will’s impatient feet in the leaves.
“You need to keep your promise,” I said suddenly, breaking the silence. “Who are you?”
I heard a small chuckle rise in his throat, and I could tell that he was grinning widely. He clicked his tongue and patted Nightshade, sending him off into an easy trot, like he had when I had entered the forest.
I looked back, me sensing his presence still in the spot where I had left him. And sure enough before I was too far away I heard his voice ring through the trees: “I’m Robin of the Hood!”
But it took me a while to realise Ivy was actually blind, but that might just be my occasional bluntness. The only part I don't like is.....
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