Page 7 of Queen of Sherwood

His mustache twitched, and he shrank. “Nothing, ma’am.”

“That’s what I thought.”

Briggs made a good point, I thought, but I wasn’t about to throw myself into the fire and join him—not when I’d be left at the mercy of Bess Cook. She was too formidable a presence.

“Then, for now,” Robert said, looking to me again, “let us agree on that defining principle. Fighting with each other, rather than against each other.”

Everyone nodded their agreement.

Little John said, “You never asked what the Merry Men can do for the Oak Boys.”

“Pardon?”

“You told us what you can offer us, but didn’t ask how we would reciprocate. Is that because you think we offer nothing?”

I wasn’t sure why Little John was being so combative—especially when we seemed so close to tying this thing together—but I waited to say anything, to hear him out.

Uncle Gregory spoke for Robert, saying, “My nephew meant nothing of the sort, John. We simply became sidetracked by minutiae. Isn’t that right, Rob?”

Robert nodded. “Aye. I meant no slight, John.”

Little John slowly looked between them. Blinked. Sat back. “The Merry Men have something more precious than anything else.” His eyes drilled on me. “Robin.”

My eyes bulged. “W-What?”

John spread his hand out wide, to explain. “Sheriff George and Sir Guy of Gisborne want Robin more than any of us. For whatever reason, she is important to them.”

When he stopped, Uncle Gregory was the first to realize what he was saying, with a twinkle in his eye. “And we can use that to our advantage.”

“Aye, Sir Gregory. The reason the Merry Men has a target on our backs is because Sir Guy is obsessed with hunting her. He will stop at nothing, it seems, to find her. If we have the numbers—with the Oak Boys by our side—we can set up ambushes and traps for our enemies. The Merry Men can act as the vanguard. The decoy and distraction, in this case. And the Oak Boys, with your superior manpower, can pounce. We will catch our common enemies unawares, and make them regret ever stepping foot into the forest.”

“Our Realm of Solitude,” I muttered under my breath, not sure if anyone heard me.

“It’s a risky gambit you’re suggesting,” Gregory grunted. “Especially putting my niece in danger.”

“I’ve been in danger the entire time I’ve lived in Sherwood Forest, Uncle,” I said, and then smiled at Little John. “I agree with my mate. You want to see how I’ve earned my place among the Merry Men? Then follow me into the trenches.”

John matched my smile—the first I’d seen from him tonight—and it made my heart sing. For a rare moment, I felt I had him back. The old Little John who swaddled me in protectiveness and possessiveness. The unbroken, tall, valiant man I had learned to love before he was taken from me. We had only recently begun to piece back our relationship, both of us working toward that end, and committing to it even when we faltered.

Perhaps this was a first step in returning that unrivaled confidence to the former boss of the Merry Men. And, with it, maybe our unbreakable bond.

With one statement, John had given me an in to prove myself—yet again—amidst a group of men and a singular, unique, older woman. He had put me on a pedestal of importance, because he recognized my qualities and capabilities better than anyone.

The quiet giant had made everyone stop and think.

Finally, it was Bess who nodded and grunted. “I like it. A girl with some fire in her belly is all right with me.” She said the last part to Robert and Gregory, giving her nod of approval to them both before leaning back in her seat.

Earning Bess’ blessing was perhaps more powerful than anything. As I well knew, if the strongest woman in the room agreed with me, then the others would fall in line soon enough.

To my surprise, my competitive brother did not fight me on it. He didn’t goad me or try to find a way to weasel out of Little John’s suggestion that I was more important than even he was.

Because Robert knew it was true. He had been away at war. Even once returned, he’d been hiding—he had said as much himself, and prided himself on the fact the Oak Boys were relatively unknown.

But me? I’d been here the entire time. I’d built a name for myself in Sherwood Forest, and the people of this land were starting to learn who I was. What I was capable of.

Robin of Loxley, the woman leader of the Merry Men brigands, was just as notorious as any other man in Sherwood Forest. Everyone might not like me, but everyone understood that. Little John best of all. Because he not only understood it, he knew how to utilize it.

Robert smiled at me, “I’m starting to see why you put so much faith in Little John’s strategic prowess, sister. You have a good man on your side.”

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