26
Jill spent the afternoon with Robin, helping him strategize for future robberies and donations to the poor. While he wouldn’t be successful in every venture, at least not right away, he was headed in the right direction to become the legendary outlaw he was meant to be. Robin deserved to know she was leaving, but she couldn’t bring herself to break the news. She wanted to enjoy her last few hours with him without any goodbyes hanging over them.
In the late afternoon, while Joanna scribbled with concentration in her journal, Robin rose gingerly from where he had been sitting with Jill.
“Let’s take a walk.” He held out his hand in invitation. “We won’t go far.”
They walked hand-in-hand to their spot by the stream where Robin had proposed three days before and sat on the rocks. Jill studied the streambed, the ferns covering the ground, the leaves of the birch trees quivering in the breeze, the multiple shades of green diffusing the afternoon light. She wanted to remember everything about this place.
“You’re quiet,” Robin commented.
“I’m thinking. Tell me about the ring.”
“My grandfather gave it to my father years ago. My father said when he wore it, he remembered his ancestors, his ties to this land and to the king, and his responsibility to the people of Locksley. The ring was a reminder of who he was and what he was meant to do. I didn’t understand it then, but I’m starting to now.
“When he married my mother, he had the matching medallion made for her as a wedding gift. She wore it out of respect for him, but I don’t think she ever loved him. It was a marriage of convenience to her. She was a widow with a young son to support, and when she met my father, she knew he would take care of her. I don’t think she expected to have any more children, but she always told me I was a happy surprise in her life. She was the glue that held our family together. As long as she was alive, Guy didn’t dare do anything to hurt me. He loved her, too.”
“It’s strange how siblings can grow up with the same parents but be so different,” Jill mused, thinking of herself and Joanna. “Joanna and I were born within three minutes of each other, and we’re very different. But with you and Guy, it’s hard to believe you even shared one parent because he was evil and you…well, you’re pretty great.”
“We’re all the product of our choices, Jill.” He was silent a moment. “Have you thought about what I asked you?”
“I have.” Jill tried to figure out what to say next. The last thing she wanted was to hurt Robin.
He spoke for her. “You’re leaving.”
“How did you know?”
Robin rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t tell you everything the Widow Tinsley said that day I first saw her in the forest. While she did say I’d meet a mason who’d teach me to love again, she also said, ‘The mason will come from far away, but belongs to another and cannot stay.’ At least that part rhymed.”
Jill frowned. “Who do I belong to?”
“I don’t know. Given how important your family is to you, I’d assume one of them. I didn’t tell you what she said because I wanted you to choose differently, and for a while I hoped you would. Family is an incredible gift, Jill. Trust someone who had one and lost it.”
“I want you to know that I really did think about staying.”
“I know, and that helps.”
Jill removed the medallion from around her neck and held it out to Robin. “I need to give this back.”
Robin pressed it into her hands. “Keep it.”
“But it’s the one thing you have of your mother’s.”
“I take my mother’s memory with me wherever I go. You keep this so that you’ll remember love, no matter where it comes from, is a gift and one that you deserve. Don’t let Brian or others confused about string tell you any differently.”
Taking the medallion from her hand, Robin again hung it around her neck.
“I don’t know what great adventure is next for you, Jill Mason, but I like to believe that as long as you have this, I can be part of it somehow.”
They shared a long kiss. As their lips parted, Jill wondered if she would ever find a man so well suited for her again. Even if she didn’t, she was grateful for what she and Robin had shared. A place in her heart would always belong to him.
“Now,” Robin said, taking her hand in his after the embrace. “You’d better tell me how you plan to return to your home. I have a feeling you’ll need my help.”
Even as she explained the process, the air grew colder. Gray clouds slid across the sky in a misty blanket that promised drizzle tonight and fog in the morning. Jill knew that tomorrow morning she would leave Robin Hood forever.
When Robin and Jill returned to camp, Joanna was waiting for them. She pointed to the sky.
“I think we should tell everyone we’re leaving,” Joanna whispered.
Robin agreed. “The men will want to say a proper goodbye.”
Around the campfire that night after everyone had eaten and drunk a tankard of ale, Robin addressed the group.
“Merry men of Sherwood, honored visitors and guests, today I honor two women whose charm, intelligence, and hearts have changed our lives forever. Fate brought Jill and Joanna here, and I, for one, am very grateful. Their devotion to each other and their concern for others have touched each one of us.
“Joanna, despite the danger to your own life, you fought for Bess and Gwen and exposed their killer. Your efforts also revealed the true nature of my dear Marian’s death and freed Locksley Castle from the rule of my selfish, evil brother. Through it all, you remained the essence of wit and grace and brought delight to many through your tales of love and adventure. For all of this, we thank you and salute you. To Joanna!”
With the rest of the crowd, Jill raised her glass to Joanna and drank to her honor. Joanna blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear. As Jill sat down, she hoped Robin had something better to say about her because his commendation of Joanna made Jill feel a little green about the gills, as her mother used to say. Proud as she was of Joanna, Jill had no intentions of being outdone. Love and competition had intermingled for so long they were practically the same thing.
“And as for you, Jill,” Robin continued. “I hardly know what to say. Before Will and I found you in the forest six days ago, my life was selfish and devoted entirely to revenge. But you’ve taught me that a life well lived is a life spent in service to others. Your intelligence, planning, and creativity have forever changed the way we outlaws of Sherwood will conduct ourselves. I may not be the Earl of Huntingdon or lord of Locksley Castle anymore, but I’m the king of outlaws in Sherwood Forest, and here, in front of all of you, I pledge to spend the rest of my life seeking justice for the oppressed and relieving the suffering of the poor people of Nottinghamshire.”
A chorus of voices shouted out, “Here, here!” and “Huzzah!”
“Jill, my life and the lives of everyone in Nottinghamshire, perhaps everyone in England, have been changed for the better by your presence. We thank you and salute you. To Jill!”
Since this was the second time she had been so honored, Jill expected to feel less embarrassed by the praise, but she didn’t. Someday, when she met the right man who was the perfect match for her, he would understand that she disliked these public displays and find more suitable ways of showing his appreciation.
“Even as we honor these two remarkable women, I regret to inform you that this is their last night with us.”
A variety of laments passed through the crowd. Only Elaine smiled at the twins in understanding and encouragement.
“Now, now!” Robin raised his hand to quiet the crowd. “I understand your disappointment, but this isn’t a time to mourn. Instead, it’s a time to celebrate!”
“I agree.” Joanna rose and nodded her thanks to Robin who returned to his seat beside Jill. “Jill and I are very grateful to each one of you for your kindness, hospitality, and friendship. In honor of the gifts you have given us, Alan and I have written a song
.”
Amidst the scattered groans, Alan popped up from his seat, lute in hand.
“It’s a new song,” Alan declared, “a song from Joanna and Jill’s land that we have adapted to commemorate the privileged existence we enjoy here in Sherwood Forest. It is my fondest hope that this song will become not only an anthem of the outlaws, but that it will also be taken up by the people of Nottinghamshire and any who are treated unjustly. Gentlemen—and ladies—I give you, ‘The Song of the Merry Outlaws of Sherwood Who Follow the Brave and Daring Robin Hood as He Robs the Rich to Feed the Poor.’”
“I let him write the title,” Joanna confided to Jill. “Don’t worry, no one will remember it.”
Alan strummed his lute in three-four time, playing the introduction to “Home on the Range.” Jill held back a giggle as Alan began to sing:
Oh, I long to be living fearless and free
In the forest of merry Sherwood,
Where outlaws wear green and the daily cuisine
Are the deer shot by bold Robin Hood!
Home! Home in the trees where the life of an outlaw is good!
While injustice abounds, in the woods we’ll be found—
Merry outlaws with brave Robin Hood!
To Alan’s delight, the men cheered and clapped and took a sip of ale. Alan continued strumming and sang the song again. By the third time through, people were starting to sing fragments of the lyrics with him, and by the sixth time, everyone around the fire was singing at the top of their lungs. When the song finally ended, the men called out other ballads for Alan to sing. Amid the noise, Jill caught Joanna’s eye.
“It’s been a good adventure,” Joanna said in Jill’s ear. “Thanks.”
Jill felt her smile grow until it threatened to crack her face. The twins were young and many more adventures awaited them. Maybe they would travel through time again. On a night like this, anything seemed possible.
■ ■ ■
July 22, 1193
Sherwood Forest
When Jill awoke at the dawn, she lay on her side near the fire with her arm tucked under her head. Robin slept next to her, a cloak thrown haphazardly over them both. Joanna lay nearby, wrapped so completely in a cloak that only her face was visible. Elaine and Sirsalon slept sitting up, their backs against one of the logs. The merry men were sprawled throughout the camp. Jill rubbed her eyes. She must have drunk too much ale last night. Everything was blurry and gray. She searched her mind for the last thing she remembered. There had been lots of dancing, many tankards of ale, and some stupid ballads from Alan that seemed hilarious last night, but she couldn’t even remember what they were about this morning.
A haze slid through the trees and pooled in the clearing. Morning had arrived and with it the fog.
Jill pushed Joanna’s shoulder. “Jo? It’s time.”
“Five more minutes,” Joanna murmured, turning over.
Jill growled in irritation, remembering how many times over the years she and Joanna had re-enacted this same scenario where Jill was pushing Joanna out of bed so they wouldn’t be late. “Joanna, the fog has rolled in. It’s time to go home.”
Joanna opened her eyes and sat up, untangling herself from the cloak. “Wow. I have a headache.”
“I bet you do. Do you even remember how much ale you drank?”
“I was thirsty from all that dancing.”
Jill arched an eyebrow.
“Doesn’t it seem strange to you,” Joanna said with a frown, “that outlaws with limited resources have an inexhaustible supply of ale?”
“No stranger than cloaks being the perfect disguises.”
The others began to stir. Robin yawned and pulled himself up with care, rubbing his sore chest.
“I’ll send Stutely for the horses,” he said. “You two should get ready.”
The twins trudged wearily to Jill’s hut where with effort they dressed in their twenty-first century clothes. Jill felt sad as she removed her outlaw costume and slipped on her jeans and T-shirt. She slid Robin’s medallion, which still hung around her neck, under her shirt for safekeeping and tied her shoelaces.
“It’s nice to wear shoes that fit again,” Jill commented, trying to stay positive.
“Amen to that. But, wow—my clothes reek so badly that people will smell me coming before they see me.”
“You might have to pitch that outfit,” Jill agreed. “Won’t it be nice to shower again?”
“Yes, and style my hair and wear deodorant. That’s one of the miracles of the modern world—along with orthodontia, of course.”
The twins slung their purses over their shoulders and looked at each other.
“Here we go,” Joanna said.
As they walked out of the hut, everyone was looking at them, and Jill felt a lump in her throat. She didn’t usually get emotional, but she couldn’t believe that she was leaving these men, especially Robin, to go back to her miserable existence at GDB Oil.
Will and Little John held the twins’ horses. The men lined up to shake the sisters’ hands. Joanna went first as they worked their way down the line to Sirsalon and Gripple. Joanna hugged Elaine who wiped at the corner of her eyes.
“You two be careful now,” Elaine warned. “I’ll worry about you.”
“Take care of yourself, Elaine,” Joanna said warmly.
“And watch out for Robin,” Jill added.
“Like he was one of my own,” Elaine promised.
Joanna hugged Alan and whispered a few words in his ear that made his face light up with pleasure. Robin kissed Joanna on the cheek and wished her Godspeed and success. Then, she shook Will’s hand and turned to Little John who held the reins to her horse.
John’s eyes were misty as he pulled Joanna into a hug that almost smothered her. When the hug lasted a little too long, Joanna laughed and pulled away. John gave her a leg up into the saddle, and once she was settled, he passed her the reins but kept hold of the horse’s bridle, probably remembering her wild entrance into Sherwood a week before.
Avoiding Robin for the moment, Jill cleared her throat as she turned to Will to say goodbye. She held out her hand but Will ignored her, pulling her into a smelly hug.
“You’re the prettiest man I ever met.” Will’s voice quivered.
“Um, thanks…I think.”
John also embraced her. “It won’t be the same without you around here,” he said. “You really made a difference.”
Jill felt her throat tighten and her eyes sting. She would not cry in front of everyone. She grinned lopsidedly and nodded at Little John.
The last goodbye had yet to be said. When Jill looked at Robin, she wasn’t sure she could go through with the parting. As Robin kissed her, Jill focused on his lips, knowing this would be the last time she ever kissed him and perhaps the last time she kissed any man.
Then, even though both she and Robin knew she could get up on the horse on her own, he gave her a leg up, wincing as he did so. Once settled on the horse, she took a mental snapshot of his face—his bright blue eyes, handsome features, and curly brown hair. She would never see anyone like him again.
Robin removed the horn from his belt and patted the neck of Jill’s horse.
“Be careful,” he said. “I don’t know what you’ll find.”
“We’ll be fine,” Jill assured him.
“If it doesn’t work, you can come back. You’d know how to find your way to the camp, wouldn’t you?”
Jill grinned. “You’d find me if I got lost.”
Robin nodded. “Always.”
Jill looked to Joanna. “Are you ready?”
“Let’s do it.” Joanna’s face was grim, her discomfort at being back in the saddle clearly visible.
Robin raised the horn to his lips and blew seven blasts—one long high note, then six shorter notes alternating between low and high tones. The twins turned their mounts away from camp and started off. The men from the camp shouted their goodbyes, but as Jill rode into the fog, her ears popped,
and she couldn’t hear the men’s voices any more. As the twins rode on, the light got brighter and then they were in a clearing. Both started in surprise when they saw the horse tour group waiting on the bridleway. The riders looked impatient, and the lead tour guide with the bad teeth shook with anger.
“About time you got back! What were you thinking?” he demanded. “You can’t ride off into Sherwood Forest like that. I clearly told you to stay on the path. You’ve made all of us wait while you lollygagged in the forest. You’ve probably ruined countless historic trees by riding over their roots.”
“We’re sorry,” Joanna said, her voice calm. “I fell off my horse and Jill had to rescue me.”
“If you fell off it’s your own fault. Good thing you held onto the reins, though, because that horse could have run off without you and then you would have had to walk home.”
“How long did we keep you waiting?” Joanna asked.
“Twenty minutes!” He pointed to his watch.
Jill felt a wave of relief wash over her. It was like the twins had never left. That meant Mom and Dad wouldn’t be worried and no one would ever know what the twins had seen and done…unless they decided to tell the story themselves.
“And you didn’t come looking for us?” Joanna asked.
The guide’s eyebrows raised. “And risk further damage to these trees?”
“Of course!” Joanna’s voice was sarcastic. “Nice to have your priorities straight.”
“Today’s date is July 16, right?” Jill asked the guide.
“Are you both completely stupid? Yes, it’s July 16.”
As Jill turned her horse toward the back of the group, she caught Joanna’s eye and the twins smiled conspiratorially at each other.
For the remainder of the ride, Jill rode at the back of the line directly behind Joanna—a strange place to be since Jill had been so anxious to leave Joanna and ride in the front before, but after all they had been through the last six days—or twenty minutes—Jill didn’t want Joanna out of her sight. Throughout the next hour of riding, Jill viewed with melancholy the shorter trees, the twisted, rotting trunks, and the damp smell that reminded her she rode in a very old place, a place where a lot had happened in eight hundred years. Hundreds, no thousands of people had walked through this forest, exploited it, romanticized it, and almost destroyed it, and now all of them were dead. Elaine, Little John, Will…all the merry men. Robin Hood was dead, too.
Jill’s eyes stung again. She felt the medallion under her shirt and thanked Robin for the gift. No matter what happened to her from now on or where she went, she would never forget the outlaw who loved her.
When the ride was over, stable hands waited to help everyone off their mounts. Jill dismounted easily while Joanna had to be assisted by a teenaged girl with light brown hair.
“Well, that was an adventure,” Joanna proclaimed when her feet were planted firmly on the ground.
“Did you stay on the horse?” the girl asked her.
“Nope.” Joanna chuckled. “I doubt I’ll ever be an equestrienne.”
“The horse you had is quite spirited,” the girl replied. “I don’t know why you were given this one.”
“The elderly lady who registered us told me she’d chosen him especially for me.”
The girl blinked. “Elderly lady?”
Jill stepped in to the clear up the confusion. “You know, the short, petite lady with long, curly gray hair?”
“These stables are owned by my Uncle Colin,” the girl replied. “I don’t know a lady like that.”
Jill frowned in thought.
“But when I started the ride, this same lady was riding with me and had my horse attached to hers,” Joanna protested.
“Excuse me, miss, but I was the one who led you out.”
Joanna paused and looked to Jill who shrugged.
“You led me out?” Joanna asked.
“Yes, miss, and told you to hang on to the reins and not fall off.”
Joanna nodded slowly, adopting a congenial face with obvious effort. “Right. Silly me. Must have hit my head harder than I thought when I fell.”
“Are you all right?”
“Absolutely,” Joanna assured her. “Do you have a phone somewhere I could use? I need to call a taxi.”
While the girl led Joanna to the nearby farmhouse to use the phone, Jill wandered into the car park which was now empty. The two small skeletons dangled in the breeze by the warning sign. But as Jill read the sign, she noticed the last phrase was missing. Now, the sign only said,
Ride at your own risk.
“The taxi should be here in 15 minutes,” Joanna said, joining Jill. “And don’t worry, I told him we want to go straight back to the hotel.”
Jill nodded.
“Checking out the sign, huh?” Joanna joked, but her breath stopped when she noticed the missing words. “Am I going crazy?”
“I don’t think so,” Jill replied, “but I don’t know how to make sense of it.”
“Well, if anybody can figure out what happened, it’s you.”
“I’m not sure I want to.” Jill stood with hands on her hips. “Some things are better left unexplained, you know?”
Now it was Joanna’s turn to look shocked. “Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”
Jill touched the medallion through her shirt and grinned. “Call it personal growth.”