~Chapter Eight~

The Sheriff's Horse

Will Scarlet froze in mid step at her words, his eyes wide, and his heart racing. That phrase. That was her phrase for anything that he said about her safety. Always, no matter what she would say it and it always brought a smile to his face. However right in this moment, he couldn't feel more uncomfortable and shocked. Only Mina can say that to him... not this woman. He could feel the woman's eyes on him as he stood still, unable to move. She stood a few paces in front of Scarlet with her heart pounding.

This reaction to what she said made her cheeks warm in a blush and her heart fluttering. Evemina had someone right before her that knew her when she was little. And obviously he still remembered her.

Than a thinking frown appeared on her face before she put two and two together. Her grave' s vandalism... the flowers... his voice... He must be the one who protects 'her' grave... Was he the stranger that lead her out of the forest? Maybe.

A smile returned on her face, "Are you okay?"

It took a moment for Will to gather his voice to speak as she awaited his answer patiently.

The man gruffly cleared his throat, "Yes. I was just... thinking."

"Thinking about what?" The woman questioned with a hint of a smirk.

"Nothing that concerns you." Will marched past the woman, making Evemina to hurry to his side before he could disappear into the night.

"So you are the man who lead me out of the forest."

Scarlet remained quiet, repressing a grumble that was creeping up his throat.

"Not very talkative are you?"

Silence.

"How did you know that person... that Evemina who is buried in that grave...?"

More silence.

Evemina heavily sighed, "My intentions are not to be disrespectful to her, if that is what is swarming in your mind."

"She does not concern you." Will snapped to the woman venomously.

The maiden bit back some words she would absolutely love to say to this stubborn man, but that would bring the worse out of him.

"Fine." Evemina retorted with a huff. Her eyes could not help but glance over to the man walking quickly at her side. In the darkness, she could see his jaw clenched tightly as he stared completely forward. Her mouth decided to speak for itself, "Did you love her?"

Her heart yearned for this answer, but soon she got embarrassed by her words.

"L-like as a friend. Not as anything else."

"Yeah." He quickly answered after her correction.

Evemina's heart warmed at his answer, "She must have meant a lot to you. Kinda like what my parents were to me."

A more... comfortable silence stayed as Will brought the maiden to camp. Quietly the two snuck in the darkness and the man lead the woman back to the hut she awoke from.

"Thank you, Will." Evemina whispered sweetly.

Her back was to the fire, so Scarlet could not see her face. All the same he froze at the kindness in her voice. He stiffly nodded before turning away. Evemina's eyes followed him as he disappeared into the darkness as a beautiful smile graced itself upon her face. The maiden nestled into her hay bedding in her hut before dozing off in a deep sleep.

~

The sun was half way in the sky when Evemina's emerald eyes fluttered open. Her muscles were tense and ached every molecule of her body. Her eyes were heavy as she carefully stretched every limb accordingly since there was not that much space in her shelter. Evemina sleepily glanced our of her hut to see that the men were already up. With a push off the ground, the maiden directed her body out of the shelter and out in the open.

The wind carcasses her cheek, making her well awake she had no cloak on. Her emerald eyes grew large and was beginning to panic when all the men noticed the only girl awake.

John stood nearby, speaking to a couple of men when he spotted the woman. He chuckled at her sudden embarrassment, "G'morning lass!"

When her eyes snapped toward him, he could not help but be overwhelmed by her beauty. Her black ebony hair swayed in the wind and her emerald eyes wavered shyly at the attention. He also could not help but feel like he had seen that face before.

Breaking his thoughts, the maiden gave him a nod of recognition before scanning the forest floor, looking for someone or something.

The giant man approached the woman with a smile, "Who are you lookin' for?"

Evemina jumped back, being startled of John's presence near her. Her eyes met light blues, "Is Locksley or Duncan around?"

John broke the eye contact in thought of her question, "I haven't seen Robin in awhile. The dark man was looking for the bloody Locksley and Duncan should be around here somewhere."

Evemina nodded and smiled in gratitude, "Thank you, John."

The large man lowered his gaze to her eyes before she quickly turned away to find one of her companions.

John stared at her back with suspicions floating in his mind, I swear I know her from somewhere.

Evemina hurried through the camp, searching for anyone. Than finally she spotted the Moor also looking for someone in a frantic manner, once the painted man spotted the woman he smiled slightly, "Evemina."

"Where's the rich boy? John told me that he hasn't been seen."

The painted man shrugged his shoulders, "I have been searching all morning. He has disappeared."

Evemina grumbled lowly as her hands tighten into fists, "He better not be playing 'catch me if you can' with the Sheriff of Nottingham!"

The Moor eyed the irked woman before him and nodded in agreement. He had vowed to save Christian's life just as Robin saved his.

His dark brown eyes stayed on the beautiful face of Evemina, "How are you feeling?"

Her emerald eyes flickered up to the dark man, "I'm feeling well, thank you." She responded respectfully. The silence hung over the two as Evemina thought of something, "You know my name however I do not know yours, friend."

The painted man's eyes widened at her words before realizing the truth behind them, "Azeem."

Evemina blinked at the name and beamed, "That is an unusual but fitting name, Azeem."

The dark man smiled at the woman, "Thank you."

The two smile at each other and start searching the camp again for any sign of Robin.

Not even an half of an hour later, they got their wish.

"A rider approaches!"

Azeem took off running towards the incoming white horse. There upon that horse was none other than Robin of Locksley. Evemina front her teeth at the sight of the horse. Obviously by the saddle it was the Sheriff's horse. The material used in the saddle is too expensive for even a Lord to buy, especially since Nottingham has been sucking all the money from the land.

"Water!" Azeem hollered to the men of Sherwood Forest, grabbing the reins of the horse.

Locksley glanced down to the dark man with a tired smile as he discounts, "Thank you." He replied breathlessly.

Azeem rolled his eyes, "For the animal." Robin grimaced at the painted man's words, "How can I protect you if I know not where you go?"

Evemina made her way over by rather large fallen tree, beside John as Robin dumps the sack. From the sack, loaves of bread tumble to the ground and begins to walk toward Duncan with a large loaf of bread in his hand.

Robin glared around to the painted man, "You hardly raise a finger when you do know."

Azeem made a unpleased face back to the rich boy, "I prefer to have the choice."

Robin stormed away, walking on the other side of the fallen tree where Will stared at the horse than glowered at the rich boy, "Wonderful, you have stolen the sheriff's horse?"

"You stirred up a bloody hornets nest now!" John snapped as he leaned heavily on his staff as Robin walk over the trunk of the tree.

Robin's eyes spotted the giant man and smirked, "Are you afraid, John?"

That smirk. Evemina's anger roared within her.

John nodded at the rich boy's accusment, "Yeah, a little."

John and Evemina quickly follow after the rich boy, both with unimaginable anger in their eyes.

Robin's grin only strengthened, "Well, so is the sheriff and today I gave him this thing he'll not forget."

"You fool, you've started a war!" Will shouted from his spot on the fallen tree trunk just as Robin was at the blind man's side.

Robin instantly turned to Scarlet's general direction, "We're already in war!" He hands Duncan a loaf of bread, "Duncan, bread." The blind man grasped the loaf and  began to knaw at the bread. Locksley turned to the audience of the woodsmen, "And I say we strike back at the very man who takes our homes and hunts our children."

"We?" John questioned boldly, "You're planning to join us then, mate?"

Robin shook his head, "No, to lead you!"

He walks off and Azeem soon catches up with him. Evemina stormed over to the painted man's side.

"Christian, these are simple people, they are not warriors. Be careful you don't do this for your own purposes." Azeem whispered.

Robin stepped closer to the Moor, "You forget yourself, Azeem, I do not ask for your company or council."

Red was flashing in her sight of vision as he she glared deathly at the retreating figure of Robin, That is it!

"Hey!" She hollered viciously to the rich boy. He continued to walk, "Hey!" She screamed a little louder, now marching after him. He proceeded to walk, ignoring her.

Evemina bent down quickly and hurled a pebble at the rich boy. With her great aim the pebble collided with the back of his head. Behind her, the men all gasped at the action. Robin tumbled forward at the strength of the throw, but remained on his feet. His hand went to his head, finding that she drew blood.

He immediately wheeled around, glaring at the beautiful yet most annoying and stubborn woman he had ever met. "What was that for?"

"Next time you ignore me I'll sever your head with my dagger!" Evemina threatened with hate dripping from her normally sweet voice.

At the threat, Robin charges after the woman with extreme hatred in his eyes. The woman did not move a single inch from where she stood as the man came towards her like a charging bull.

Her arms were crossed over her chest, awaiting the stupid rich boy. He thought he could scare off the woman with this! Evemina rolled her eyes at his underestimate. Once he was a foot away, the maiden quickly sidestepped out of the way, placing her foot out and tripped the rich boy to the ground. His fast hands grabbed her dagger and placed the tip at his neck.

Robin stared up at the woman in shock, "Who are you?!"

Evemina rolled her eyes once more, "I have no need for formalities to a selfish, pompous brat like you! You have no right to bring trouble like Nottingham and his soldiers to raid their home. You are stuck in the Crusades mindset! If you want a war than get your bloody arrogant bum out of England! "

Robin's eyes glared dangerously up at the woman before grabbing her wrist tightly in his grasp. He shoved her off and ripped the dagger from her hands than placed it at her neck.

"You are the most improper girl that has ever walked on the face of the earth. All that comes from your loud mouth is insults! That is not how a lady should act."

"At least my face does not look like I fell in a pile of horse dung!"

The men all wore incredulous looks at her words.

A woman said those words.

A god damn woman.

Robin's jaw clenched at her words.

"What? Oh, my, you are not gonna slap me across the face just like Guy of Gisbourne to set me in my place. Oh dear me!"

"You tart!"

Evemina's eyes widened at the insult before they transformed into angry emerald slits. She spat in his face and once he closed his eyes she slugged him hard in the face.

The maiden was about to lunge after the rich boy until Azeem had to bear hug her and take her away. "I'm going to kill you!" Evemina threatened while kicking her legs to be free.

Robin stumbled to his feet, his face was slightly bruised and a little blood trickled down his nose. He glowered at the woman and glared at her.

"All you want is a big price on your head! This is the real world! Wake up and smell reality! This is not some sort of a fairy tale. You are going to be hanged for what you did! So don't bring these men into this storm too!"

Will stared on, watching the woman in shock but a smirk appeared. He liked this girl. Well.. anyone who beats up Locksley willingly is a friend to him. Than slowly a frown appeared, the woman looked so familiar. A kind of familiar that made him want to approach the scene closer.

Robin stared at her, his jaw clenching in thought. His glare deepened, "You only care because you have a price too!"

"Of course I care about myself. Every one cares for themselves, but I also care for them too unlike you! What kind of Lord would you be without caring for your people!?"

That did it.

Robin glowered at the maiden more dangerously and more deathly than ever before. "I heard of your parents before. Of course I knew who you are. Your father was a well known thief and your mother a Lady of a noble family. They were murdered by Nottingham, beaten till death and hang for their crimes for your whole town to see."

Tears whelled up in her eyes, "Shut up!"

"You saw them didn't you? Just hanging there with lifeless eyes staring at you. Their faces clearly full of fear at their point of death. But you weren't there! You didn't hear their screams. You didn't hear their cries. You didn't see them writhe in pain. But you could see it all when they hung there!" Robin continued with such emotion that even he started to tear up slightly.

"Shut up! Shut up!" Evemina hollered, trying to cover her ears.

"Than you watched them burn as did the whole town. You were in that fire! Or... at least... Nottingham thought you were. You were able to run away leaving your parents burning in the gallows. You were known to be dead! Now Nottingham knows your alive, now he will hunt you down just like myself... and kill you. "

Tears streamed down her face as guilty thoughts burrowed into her mind. Burn... Her nightmare... It was true... ... A true nightmare that happened. She watched it and so did her village.

"Now you tell me! That there is no war!"

She could not hear Robin's word for her thoughts were stuck on her deceased father and mother. He's right. I had the easy way out... I let them suffer when I hid. I should of taken the blow too.

Evemina broke free of the shocked Azeem and took off into the forest, sobbing.

The dark man glared at the rich boy.

Not saying a word, before he ran into the forest after the woman.

"Evemina!" Azeem called out to her.

The name froze Will. Evemina... A woman about his age... green emerald eyes... black hair... had the exact story of what happened to her parents. His feet immediately carried Will after the two. His heart pounding in his chest.

Scarlet sprinted after the path of the two footprints. He slowed down as he reached the river. He hid behind a tree and peered out to see a crying woman sitting by the river and the painted man standing beside her with a hand on her shoulder.

Will silently made his way closer to the two, to be able to hear their conversation.

The maiden continued to sob.

"Evemina, you did nothing wrong. You can not change what has already happened. What happened to your parents was not your fault."

"B-b-but I could have been th-there. I-I had the easy way."

"Just what your parents would have wanted. They loved you and wanted to protect you thus why you are here by this river and not in a grave."

Evemina sniffled a little and a little cry escaped from her lips, "I saw my grave, Azeem."

The black skinned man had nothing to say to that at first. What could he say? It was a strange thought looking down on your own grave... it was haunting.

Azeem patted her shoulder."When did you see it, young one?"

"A few days ago. My pare..." Evemina gulped down a sob, "My parents were buried beside me."

"What else?"

There was a struggled breath as the maiden tried to breathe regularly, "Flowers. White flowers on my grave. They were fresh."

"Someone must still remember you."

There was a pause, before the sniffles of the woman started again. "I think I know who it is"

"Who?"

"Will Scarlet."

Will froze at the mention of his name.

"Why would he do that?" Azeem questioned curiously.

"Will and I were best friends when we were little. He protected me so many times. From getting caught by Sheriff Fredrick to the very last time I ever spoke to him when Nottingham was searching for me in the forest." Evemina cried even more, "He was always there for me and... after that night I saw my parents hanging... I saw him... he was screaming... All I wanted to do was tell him I was okay... But... I couldn't... that would have endangered me, the Sheriff Fredrick, and him. Not long after that.. I pasted out... I never remembered anything about that night nor Will until a few days ago."

Evemina's cries strengthen at her own words. The guilt of losing her memory made her so depressed and awful.

"You remembered your parents, right?"

"Yes." Evemina's voice cracked.

"I believe that when you saw your parents... You accepted their fate. You felt relieved that they were in a better place. Now seeing Will... alive and beaten... I believe that terrified you the most to lose your memory of him and including that night. You should not feel guilty of something you cannot control."

Her response was sniffles.

"Will you be alright?"

Sniffles.

"Okay, young one."

Azeem quietly walked away from Evemina and stopped in line of Will. His dark brown eyes glanced over to Scarlet who was startled by the Moor. The painted man bowed his head to Scarlet before continuing his stroll away from the maiden. Will waited till he could no longer see Azeem before silently making his way to the maiden.

Her trembling back was facing him as her head was placed in her hands. Her crying broke his heart to hear, but his heart could not help but flutter this could be the moment he had begged and prayed to God for. He sucked in a deep breath to quiet his nervousness.

His hazel eyes stared hopefully at her back.

Please be her.

Don't be a hoax.

"Mina?"

(End of Chapter Eight)