SCENE 29 - The Great Archery Contest (continued)

A thrill of astonishment and excitement swept around the arena. "Who were these men of the Queen's choosing?" The hubbub of eager voices grew intense; and in the midst of it all, the gate at the far end of the field opened and five men entered and escorted a lady across the arena to the royal box. The lady was instantly recognized as Maid Marian of the Queen's household, but no one seemed to know the faces of her escort. Four were clad in Lincoln green, while the fifth, who seemed to be the leader, was dressed in a brave suit of scarlet red. Each man wore a cap of dark grey decked with a white feather. For arms, they carried simply a stout bow and a sheaf of new arrows. When the little party came before the dais on which the King and Queen sat, the men bowed humbly and Maid Marian curtsied.



"Your Gracious Majesty," she said, addressing the Queen, "these are the men for whom you sent me, and who have now come to wear your colors and serve you in the tourney."

The Queen leaned forward and handed each of the men a scarf of green and gold. She invited Marian to stand beside her in the royal box. "Robin of Lockesley," she said in a clear voice, "I thank you and your men for this service. I have laid a wager with the King that you can out-shoot his five best bowmen." The five men pressed the scarves to their lips in token of fealty and tied them proudly around their arms.

The King turned to the Queen. "Who are these men you have brought before us?" asked he.

Up came the worthy Bishop of Hereford, growing red and pale by turns. “I must denounce these fellows as outlaws. That man in scarlet is none other than Robin Hood himself. The others are Little John and Will Stutely and Will Scarlet and Allan-a-Dale--all famous for their deeds of violence."



The King's brows grew dark. The name of Robin Hood was well known to him, as to every man there present. "Is this true?" he demanded sternly.

"Yes, my lord," responded the Queen demurely. "But, remember --I have your royal promise of grace and amnesty."

"I will keep my promise," said the King, holding his anger in check. "But, I grant only forty days of amnesty. When the time has elapsed, let these bold outlaws look to their safety!"

Then turning to his five best archers, who had drawn near, he added, "You have heard, my men, that I have a wager with the Queen upon your prowess. Now here are men of her choosing. If you out-shoot these knaves, I will fill your caps with silver pennies and knight the man who places first. But if you lose, I must give the prizes to Robin Hood and his men, according to my royal word."



"Robin Hood and his men!" the saying flew round the arena with the speed of wildfire, and every neck craned forward to see the famous fellows who had dared to brave the King's anger because of the Queen.

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~ Music: John of Fornsete, Sumer Is Icumen In
Skuzzy Leo Productions