Posted: Sun May 05, 2002 9:26 pm
The Nottingham Fair had always been the most talked of event of the year. The streets were bedecked with wreaths of flowers and the air was lined with music as citizens shopped among the merchant booths, women exclaiming over colored ribbons and men boasting over who could beat who in the fighting arena. Entertainment was a big part of the Fair. The arena allowed young men to show off for their respective ladies by defeating other men with feats of strength. Relena had watched a wrestling fight once and had been amazed by the rippling muscles on some of the men, but otherwise she had not been impressed. Fighting was not an answer to anything, and she could not tolerate that it was used simple for other's viewing pleasure.
Thankfully, the Sheriff went no where near the arena, instead keeping to the booths, allowing her to look over fine trinkets and keepsakes she could get for Catherine, her brother and sister-in-law when they returned from London. She had found a blown glass globe with a preserved rose blossom in its middle for Catherine and a fine dagger for her brother. Now she only needed a present for Lucretzia. William had suggested a set of matching ribbons that were all the rave with the young girls and she had agreed, allowing him to escort to the correct booth. There was every color, length, and fabric she could want and she felt slight dizzy at all the choices. The fact that William hovered near her shoulder didn't help. He had been politely gracious all day but she had felt an edge to his mood, like something just out of sight, a darkness looming on the horizon. He kept looking around as if expecting to see someone, but when she questioned him about, he simple waved it off and changed the subject. Whatever it was, she could not rid herself of the notion that something bad was going to happen. Perhaps the Sheriff felt it too, and that was why he was so anxious. In that case, she would have to have patience with him. He was, after all, the Sheriff. If she was not safe with him, then who?
"Don't forget one for yourself, Relena." William reached past her and picked up a cerulean blue ribbon that matched her eyes. He held it up to the golden strands of her hair and smiled. "Beautiful."
She cleared her throat and smiled back. "Thank you, my lord," she replied, unsure of how to react. She had known that the Sheriff courted her for some time, but she had never given much thought to his feelings. She was cousin to the King of England and too far above him, and yet it had not deterred him. She had noted his advances but had thought he would surely realize it was useless. Her brother expected her to marry within or above her station, never below. It was he that had the power to give her hand in matrimony anyway, and he would never agree to de Grey. Not to mention she had no feelings for the Sheriff whatsoever. His company could be pleasant sometimes but she could never have romantic feelings for him. She just did not see him in that regard.
Taking the ribbon from his hand, she picked out a dark violet one for Lucretzia and allowed William to pay for them, asking the merchant to have them sent along with the globe to her estate. The merchant hastily agreed and they turned away, preparing to move on. In that moment, Relena caught a flash of green out of the corner of her eye and she turned to see a dark haired man carrying an awkward bundle enter a tavern. For a moment, she could have sworn the man was Heero, but surely that couldn't be. He hated large crowds of people and she had indeed been surprised that he had agreed to his father's welcoming celebration. He had never liked the Fair as a child, preferring to stay home and ride his pony. She had always bought something for him, a toy perhaps, giving it to him as a gift later on. He had always pretended he didn't care, but she knew he loved those things she brought from the Fair.
Shaking her head at her childhood fantasies, she let William led her away, intent on enjoying herself even in the Sheriff's company.
* * * *
The Red Oak tavern was busting at the seams with customers, all joyful from the Fair. Heero couldn't understand this so he ignored them and concentrated on finding his way to the bartender, a long ago friend of his. He had the minstrel's harp wrapped in velvet and strapped to his back, making him walk somewhat hunched over as he weaved in out of the drinking citizens of the Nottingham. When he finally reached the bar, John was waiting for him. The portly tavern keeper nodded at him and took the harp without a word and set it under the bar.
"A man will come for it, a musician, you'll be able to tell by his hands," Heero said, his words neatly covered by all the noise around him. "Blonde hair, blue-green eyes, give it to him and make sure he's on his way out of Nottingham the moment he leaves your door."
"I will, my lord," John said, inclining his head respectfully. Heero had once given the man money to help run his establishment and John had immediately become his faithful servant in all things. In return, Heero still had part of his funds funnelled into the Red Oak for John's use.
"See that you do," Heero finished quietly, before turning and forcing his way back to the door. Now that the harp was no longer in his hands he felt a good deal safer. It would have been very bad luck for anyone to see him with it, for it might raise questions difficult to answer, and he could not afford to be linked with the disappearance of a criminal.
Out in the streets, the revelry continued and Heero growled under his breath. What was the point in celebrating when soldiers like him were dying in Israel? He could not understand it, and probably never would.
* * * *
Chang Wufei was an honourable man. He knew he was, but he was weak, too. Too weak to save Meiran, too weak to save himself.
The sun-haired woman with the Sheriff stopped to watch a man juggling. Her dress fluttered in the breeze.
It was too late. It didn't matter. He recognized her but the darkness was too great. He was weak?
She was near. Very near. Too near. The light in her eyes blinded him. She was the woman who had tackled him at the banquet with the courage of the Lionheart himself. She was innocent?
Late. Too. Late.
"Meiran," he breathed, and rushed forward.
* * * *
The scream made him stop dead in his tracks and turn, cobalt eyes raking the crowd in a desperate search for the owner of the terrified voice. All around him people were staring horrified at something to the left of him, nearing the wrestling platform. He could hear swords being drawn and the harsh voice of the Sheriff and?
There.
His face tightened and he moved through the crowd, careless of anyone who stood in his way, his focus revolving around the one person who had ever had a hold on him. She stood in the middle of a crowd that was backing away from her, the festivities coming to halt as the Sheriff ordered his men to draw their weapons and surround the criminal?
Criminal?
In front of him, the crowd parted and he was able to see and what he saw ignited a cold anger inside of him. Chang Wufei had Relena pinned tightly against him with one arm around her waist, his other held a dagger to her throat, the sharp blade an inch from her skin. She stood perfectly still, sky-blue eyes wide in fright as the Sheriff barked orders. Which, to Heero's keen eye, he could see weren't doing their jobs. They seemed to be confused, drawing their blades halfway before stopping to glance back at the Sheriff, conflicted. Because of this, Wufei was slowly backing away, taking Relena with him, and the crowd made way for him. At this rate, Chang was most assuredly get away with Relena. Why wasn't the Sheriff doing something?
"Release the lady at once!" William barked, waving his sword at Wufei, who looked at him coldly. Heero began to move back into the crowd, his ears trained on the conversation as he made his way out of the throng of people.
Wufei's voice rose above the muttered whispers around him, "If this is the price of my justice, so be it." Justice? What was really going on here? What was he talking about? Heero's eyes hardened. Something was going on here and Relena was paying the price. He could not allow that to happen.
"Guards! Stop that man!" Came the Sheriff's order, but Wufei had already reached the edge of the fair, the crowd having followed him to see what would happen. In the blink of an eye, Wufei pulled Relena into the deep shadows of the forest that surrounded the fair grounds, the guards making a half-hearted attempt to follow him. William was barking commands angrily but his men were incompetent, scrambling after Wufei by crashing through bushes and snapping tree branches. Heero slipped into the woods silently, cobalt eyes burning in the darkness. There were games afoot and he did not like what his mind was telling him. The Sheriff was up to something, for surely his men would have jumped to save Relena if he had really wanted them to. Heero was sure that the man wanted the Lady Darlian so it did not make sense that he would let her get away so easily.
Moving away from the noisy Sheriff's men, he moved through the trees like sunlight, all his time on the battlefield coming back to him. He would not let whatever the Sheriff planned be completed. He would stop Wufei and bring Relena back before something irreversible happened, and then he would pay a little visit to the Sheriff of Nottingham. After all, he had been knighted by King Richard himself, surely he could save one woman from the lingering darkness of Sherwood Forest.
* * * *
Quatre came out of the Red Oak, harp cradled tenderly in his hands, just as a commotion erupted at the edge of the fairgrounds, a crowd of people shouted and the ring of sword leaving their sheaths. For a moment, he tensed, a wild voice in his head screaming that they had seen him, that Sir Heero had led him into trap?but then he realized that in fact, no one had even noticed him, they were all too busy watching whatever was happening near the forest.
Sighing in relief, he patted his harp happily and prepared to leave Nottinghamshire for good. He was an outlaw now, a life of hiding was before him if he did not get himself away quickly. Nodding in determination, he pulled the cloak of hood over his white-blonde hair and turned away from the loud crowds, vowing never to return.
It was only when he heard the Sheriff's cry that he halted and swung back around, cloak swirling around his knees. "Guards! Stop that man!" He could hear the distant crashing of men as they ran through the woods and his blue-green eyes narrowed as he tried to make out what was happened. He spotted a man as he removed himself from the crowd and entered the trees without a sound, his bearing and aura very familiar.
"What is he doing here?" Quatre murmured to himself, curious. Unconsciously, he stepped forwards, towards Sherwood. Perhaps it wasn't quite time for him to leave. He had always been a man that believed in destiny, and at that moment, he was sure that his did not lead him away from Nottingham just yet. He had a great debt to repay, and he was sure that it was time to repay it.
Pulling his cloak around his harp, he disappeared into the forest, following the figure of the man that seemed to disappear into every shadow only to reappear a little further ahead.
He didn't know quite what he expected to happen that day in Sherwood, but it was certain that his life was about to change forever, in ways he could have never imagined?
Destiny had arrived.
tbc?
Thankfully, the Sheriff went no where near the arena, instead keeping to the booths, allowing her to look over fine trinkets and keepsakes she could get for Catherine, her brother and sister-in-law when they returned from London. She had found a blown glass globe with a preserved rose blossom in its middle for Catherine and a fine dagger for her brother. Now she only needed a present for Lucretzia. William had suggested a set of matching ribbons that were all the rave with the young girls and she had agreed, allowing him to escort to the correct booth. There was every color, length, and fabric she could want and she felt slight dizzy at all the choices. The fact that William hovered near her shoulder didn't help. He had been politely gracious all day but she had felt an edge to his mood, like something just out of sight, a darkness looming on the horizon. He kept looking around as if expecting to see someone, but when she questioned him about, he simple waved it off and changed the subject. Whatever it was, she could not rid herself of the notion that something bad was going to happen. Perhaps the Sheriff felt it too, and that was why he was so anxious. In that case, she would have to have patience with him. He was, after all, the Sheriff. If she was not safe with him, then who?
"Don't forget one for yourself, Relena." William reached past her and picked up a cerulean blue ribbon that matched her eyes. He held it up to the golden strands of her hair and smiled. "Beautiful."
She cleared her throat and smiled back. "Thank you, my lord," she replied, unsure of how to react. She had known that the Sheriff courted her for some time, but she had never given much thought to his feelings. She was cousin to the King of England and too far above him, and yet it had not deterred him. She had noted his advances but had thought he would surely realize it was useless. Her brother expected her to marry within or above her station, never below. It was he that had the power to give her hand in matrimony anyway, and he would never agree to de Grey. Not to mention she had no feelings for the Sheriff whatsoever. His company could be pleasant sometimes but she could never have romantic feelings for him. She just did not see him in that regard.
Taking the ribbon from his hand, she picked out a dark violet one for Lucretzia and allowed William to pay for them, asking the merchant to have them sent along with the globe to her estate. The merchant hastily agreed and they turned away, preparing to move on. In that moment, Relena caught a flash of green out of the corner of her eye and she turned to see a dark haired man carrying an awkward bundle enter a tavern. For a moment, she could have sworn the man was Heero, but surely that couldn't be. He hated large crowds of people and she had indeed been surprised that he had agreed to his father's welcoming celebration. He had never liked the Fair as a child, preferring to stay home and ride his pony. She had always bought something for him, a toy perhaps, giving it to him as a gift later on. He had always pretended he didn't care, but she knew he loved those things she brought from the Fair.
Shaking her head at her childhood fantasies, she let William led her away, intent on enjoying herself even in the Sheriff's company.
* * * *
The Red Oak tavern was busting at the seams with customers, all joyful from the Fair. Heero couldn't understand this so he ignored them and concentrated on finding his way to the bartender, a long ago friend of his. He had the minstrel's harp wrapped in velvet and strapped to his back, making him walk somewhat hunched over as he weaved in out of the drinking citizens of the Nottingham. When he finally reached the bar, John was waiting for him. The portly tavern keeper nodded at him and took the harp without a word and set it under the bar.
"A man will come for it, a musician, you'll be able to tell by his hands," Heero said, his words neatly covered by all the noise around him. "Blonde hair, blue-green eyes, give it to him and make sure he's on his way out of Nottingham the moment he leaves your door."
"I will, my lord," John said, inclining his head respectfully. Heero had once given the man money to help run his establishment and John had immediately become his faithful servant in all things. In return, Heero still had part of his funds funnelled into the Red Oak for John's use.
"See that you do," Heero finished quietly, before turning and forcing his way back to the door. Now that the harp was no longer in his hands he felt a good deal safer. It would have been very bad luck for anyone to see him with it, for it might raise questions difficult to answer, and he could not afford to be linked with the disappearance of a criminal.
Out in the streets, the revelry continued and Heero growled under his breath. What was the point in celebrating when soldiers like him were dying in Israel? He could not understand it, and probably never would.
* * * *
Chang Wufei was an honourable man. He knew he was, but he was weak, too. Too weak to save Meiran, too weak to save himself.
The sun-haired woman with the Sheriff stopped to watch a man juggling. Her dress fluttered in the breeze.
It was too late. It didn't matter. He recognized her but the darkness was too great. He was weak?
She was near. Very near. Too near. The light in her eyes blinded him. She was the woman who had tackled him at the banquet with the courage of the Lionheart himself. She was innocent?
Late. Too. Late.
"Meiran," he breathed, and rushed forward.
* * * *
The scream made him stop dead in his tracks and turn, cobalt eyes raking the crowd in a desperate search for the owner of the terrified voice. All around him people were staring horrified at something to the left of him, nearing the wrestling platform. He could hear swords being drawn and the harsh voice of the Sheriff and?
There.
His face tightened and he moved through the crowd, careless of anyone who stood in his way, his focus revolving around the one person who had ever had a hold on him. She stood in the middle of a crowd that was backing away from her, the festivities coming to halt as the Sheriff ordered his men to draw their weapons and surround the criminal?
Criminal?
In front of him, the crowd parted and he was able to see and what he saw ignited a cold anger inside of him. Chang Wufei had Relena pinned tightly against him with one arm around her waist, his other held a dagger to her throat, the sharp blade an inch from her skin. She stood perfectly still, sky-blue eyes wide in fright as the Sheriff barked orders. Which, to Heero's keen eye, he could see weren't doing their jobs. They seemed to be confused, drawing their blades halfway before stopping to glance back at the Sheriff, conflicted. Because of this, Wufei was slowly backing away, taking Relena with him, and the crowd made way for him. At this rate, Chang was most assuredly get away with Relena. Why wasn't the Sheriff doing something?
"Release the lady at once!" William barked, waving his sword at Wufei, who looked at him coldly. Heero began to move back into the crowd, his ears trained on the conversation as he made his way out of the throng of people.
Wufei's voice rose above the muttered whispers around him, "If this is the price of my justice, so be it." Justice? What was really going on here? What was he talking about? Heero's eyes hardened. Something was going on here and Relena was paying the price. He could not allow that to happen.
"Guards! Stop that man!" Came the Sheriff's order, but Wufei had already reached the edge of the fair, the crowd having followed him to see what would happen. In the blink of an eye, Wufei pulled Relena into the deep shadows of the forest that surrounded the fair grounds, the guards making a half-hearted attempt to follow him. William was barking commands angrily but his men were incompetent, scrambling after Wufei by crashing through bushes and snapping tree branches. Heero slipped into the woods silently, cobalt eyes burning in the darkness. There were games afoot and he did not like what his mind was telling him. The Sheriff was up to something, for surely his men would have jumped to save Relena if he had really wanted them to. Heero was sure that the man wanted the Lady Darlian so it did not make sense that he would let her get away so easily.
Moving away from the noisy Sheriff's men, he moved through the trees like sunlight, all his time on the battlefield coming back to him. He would not let whatever the Sheriff planned be completed. He would stop Wufei and bring Relena back before something irreversible happened, and then he would pay a little visit to the Sheriff of Nottingham. After all, he had been knighted by King Richard himself, surely he could save one woman from the lingering darkness of Sherwood Forest.
* * * *
Quatre came out of the Red Oak, harp cradled tenderly in his hands, just as a commotion erupted at the edge of the fairgrounds, a crowd of people shouted and the ring of sword leaving their sheaths. For a moment, he tensed, a wild voice in his head screaming that they had seen him, that Sir Heero had led him into trap?but then he realized that in fact, no one had even noticed him, they were all too busy watching whatever was happening near the forest.
Sighing in relief, he patted his harp happily and prepared to leave Nottinghamshire for good. He was an outlaw now, a life of hiding was before him if he did not get himself away quickly. Nodding in determination, he pulled the cloak of hood over his white-blonde hair and turned away from the loud crowds, vowing never to return.
It was only when he heard the Sheriff's cry that he halted and swung back around, cloak swirling around his knees. "Guards! Stop that man!" He could hear the distant crashing of men as they ran through the woods and his blue-green eyes narrowed as he tried to make out what was happened. He spotted a man as he removed himself from the crowd and entered the trees without a sound, his bearing and aura very familiar.
"What is he doing here?" Quatre murmured to himself, curious. Unconsciously, he stepped forwards, towards Sherwood. Perhaps it wasn't quite time for him to leave. He had always been a man that believed in destiny, and at that moment, he was sure that his did not lead him away from Nottingham just yet. He had a great debt to repay, and he was sure that it was time to repay it.
Pulling his cloak around his harp, he disappeared into the forest, following the figure of the man that seemed to disappear into every shadow only to reappear a little further ahead.
He didn't know quite what he expected to happen that day in Sherwood, but it was certain that his life was about to change forever, in ways he could have never imagined?
Destiny had arrived.
tbc?