Chapter 37
Alan and Little John had outdone themselves for the feast, set outside on tables groaning under the dishes of food.
They had poached a deer and roasted it magnificently, and there was a salad tossed with vinegar and oil, as well as a number of side dishes they had worked on all morning with Tildy to prepare.
Everyone ate until we were full to bursting, a welcome change for the men from the meager rations they had become accustomed to in prison. Baron said how nice it was not to have to cook for once and tucked in ravenously.
As everyone began slowing down the pace of their eating, Dale rose and picked up his lyre, strumming it as he began to stroll among us, all sprawled out on the grass with platters full of food. He always loved to put on a good show, and this time was no different.
He sang:
Now hark to the Tale of Robin Hood
and of his Merry Men
His bow was long and his arms were strong,
and his heart was pure and good.
He would fight to gain the right,
and so I pray may you.
Now we stand together,
and to our king be true.
There once lived a man named Robin
who lived in Forest Sherwood,
He changed his coat to Lincoln Green
and his name to Robin Hood!
He faced off with a tyrant prince
who sent him on a run,
But all these games to Robin Hood,
were just a load of fun!
Now this Robin gathered about him
a band of loyal men,
Though the sheriff tried to snag them,
he failed again and again.
There was Friar Tuck and Scarlet,
and Little John so big,
For the terrible Sheriff of Nottingham,
they cared not a single fig.
Now Dale was a minstrel
who wandered from here to there,
And one day stumbled upon Robin Hood,
lounging in his lair.
He begged the man to help him
free his lady love that day,
And in return vowed to follow him
and all his orders obey.
They robbed the rich to feed the poor
to gain a rightful cause,
When faced down in a battle,
they never stopped to pause.
Their bows were long and their arms were strong,
and their hearts were pure and good,
They would fight to gain the right,
and so I pray may you.
Now Robin Hood had a daughter,
who had his hair of red.
She was kidnapped by the sheriff,
who tried to kill her dead.
But her wit was sharp and her knife was thrown,
and while on her own,
She kissed her guard and dropped him
Flat—just like a stone.
Now this daughter of Robin Hood,
her name was Laurel fair,
She met a man named Baron,
who looked just like a bear.
She had him spring her from
the evil, wintry prison chill,
Then she told him to come along
and that she loved him still.
Everyone laughed loudly at the verses Dale had newly composed in my honor. Sam was over to the side, laughing and yelling out, “Did you ’ear? That minstrel bloke put in wha’ I said ’bout that big fella lookin’ like a bear, ‘e did! Tildy, Tildy darlin’, did you ‘ear?”
I caught Baron’s eye and grinned. He was blushing faintly but seemed delighted at the evening’s proceedings.
Dale continued to perform until our sides ached from laughing so much as the sun continued to set.
Finally, though, he threw a handful of powder into the heart of the fire we had lit, and the flames turned emerald green for a brief period of time.
Sam, Tildy, and Baron had never seen Dale’s theatrics and watched with open mouths.
I chuckled. Dale always loved to put on an elaborate show any chance he got.
Father stepped forward into the green light shining eerily in the darkness. Once the flames reverted back to their original yellow, he spoke. “We are gathered here today as friends, and for some, as members of the noblest organization in this country—The Merry Men of Sherwood Forest!”
Everyone cheered. Sam, unable to contain his excitement, squirmed excitedly in his seat on the ground, whooping, “Nobles’ of all, vis is, and we is a part of it, we is, Tildy! Wha’ an ’onor!”
“To be admitted into this elite group,” Father continued, “one must keep the highest standards of courage, honor, and integrity. Additionally, they must demonstrate their prowess in skills at arms and defeat a member of the current group in hand-to-hand combat.”
He nodded significantly to Baron and proclaimed his name with all the flair of Dale. “Baron Blackwellson.” Then in a stage whisper he added, “I will never get used to saying that surname!” and finished again in a ceremonial tone with, “Please come forward.”
Baron, with the wreath of roses still in his hair, stood and walked to the front, standing behind the fire with Father so the light reflected off their faces.
Father clapped his shoulder, reaching up to do so since Baron was so much taller than he. “This young man is a pillar of strength and integrity, and it is my honor to extend to him an invitation to join our band. All in favor, say ‘Aye!’”
“Aye!” we all chorused enthusiastically.
I heard Sam calling “Aye!” too, and Tildy shushing him, telling him that he wasn’t allowed to vote when he wasn’t a member of the group. I grinned to myself. I had grown to like Sam well enough, but he still talked too much for my taste.
Father looked at Baron, who hadn’t spoken and instead had just been observing us, amazed at the level of camaraderie we were offering. “Baron, I take it you would want to accept?”
“Oh, yes. Aye!” Baron said belatedly, and we laughed. Almost all of us had made the same mistake when we were first welcomed into the group.
Baron seemed to suddenly remember the wreath of roses on his head and quickly removed it, handing the flowers to me. Several men wolf whistled. I pulled one of the largest blooms from the wreath and tucked it into my hair, narrowing my eyes at the whistlers as I did so, daring them to say anything.
Now came the serious part. Father waited for absolute silence.
“We have a good deal of fun here. But at the heart of this group is the desire each and every one of us has to defend the helpless, uphold just and righteous laws, and do everything in our power to sustain the rightful leadership in our country.
“Over the next year, you will be on probation, Baron. During this period, we will be observing your character and abilities. You will be welcomed into Sherwood Forest, be sent on missions, participate in most of our meetings, and have the majority of the rights granted to this group. Your success on those assigned missions will be examined. But at this time we will not be giving you a uniform, and we do reserve the right to exclude you from certain decisions. You will be expected to honor the rightful monarch of our nation, King Richard the Lionheart, and defend his right to rule.”
Baron nodded.
“You will be expected to forgo worldly wealth and use any riches to help the poor and needy, defend the helpless, and assist those who need it. You will have to prove that you will use the minimal force necessary to achieve tasks for the greater good. On no account are you to take a life unless it is absolutely unavoidable. This part of our oath will be heavily scrutinized for you, given your past behaviors.”
Baron nodded once more.
“And lastly, you will be expected to maintain the strictest discipline and standards in your conduct, so you will always be ready to fight for justice and be a role model for the youth of our day. Are you willing to accept these terms and conditions?”
“I am,” Baron said seriously.
“Very well.” Father turned to the group at large. “Let us all put our hands together for our newest member, Baron Blackwellson!”
We sent up a cheer so loud that it sent birds spiraling skyward from the forest surrounding the clearing. I beamed at Baron, and he grinned back. He had never looked so handsome.