Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Wing and the Men of Sherwood Forest ❯ Time to Go Home ( Chapter 16 )

Chapter 16: Time to Go Home

Duo and Roku accompanied King Richard and his knights to Nottingham Castle. As they approached the castle, Little John greeted them. “What ho, Master Duo! Who are these good fellows you have with you? You've not bought them in the marketplace too, I hope?”

“Very funny,” said Duo. “In fact, these knights just got back from the Crusades and came to pay their respects to the mayor.”

“From the Crusades?!” Little John quickly pulled off his cap and offered the knights a hasty bow. The Merry Men quickly followed suit. “Pardon my levity, sirs! I meant no disrespect to gentlemen of quality.”

“No offense is taken,” said King Richard. “Who might you be?”

“I am just a simple woodsman, sir, as are my companions. We hold our service to good Sir Robin of Locksley, who is just now within the castle.”

“Ah, the very man I have come to see.”

“You know of Sir Robin, sir?” Little John asked worriedly. “He is a good man, despite what you may have heard.”

King Richard chuckled. “Have no fear, my good man. I mean your master no harm. Come gentlemen, let us go in and conclude our business.” He led the way into the castle.

Duo winked at Little John as he went by. “Don't worry, Little John. This is a good thing.”

Inside the castle, they discovered that Maid Marian had only just arrived, but was being inhibited from flinging herself into Robin's arms by the Sheriff's men, who had formed a double barricade between her and Robin's party. Guy of Gisbourne was swaggering up and down in the gap with his hand resting openly on the hilt of his sword. Wu-Fei, Quatre and Trowa were restraining Heero, who looked ready to dismember Gisbourne on the spot with his bare hands.

“Sheriff Mark!” Marian cried rather shrilly, “if you do not get out of my way at once, I shall never speak to you again!”

“You've tried that argument before, my lady,” the Sheriff growled. “I'm not listening.” He pointed at Robin. “That man is a criminal. We are ending this charade right now.”

“Sheriff…!” Mayor DeBoers began, but Prince John interrupted him.

“Mayor DeBoers, this is pointless. The Sheriff is within the law. Robin Hood is a pauper and a well known highwayman. Let him arrest the man and be done with it.”

“Sir Robin is not a pauper!” Quatre stated angrily. “He is prepared to pay his debts right now.”

“So you've said,” Prince John said smoothly, “but I've yet to see any money produced.”

Quite suddenly, a pouch of coins flew through the air and landed at Prince John's feet.

Prince John jumped back in surprise. “Who threw that?”

Roku stood innocently with his hands behind his back.

“There!” Quatre pointed at the pouch. “A down payment on Robin's debt.

Mayor DeBoers scooped up the pouch and poured a few of the coins into his palm. “It's gold!”

“That's right!” Robin said quickly. “I have many times that sum and am prepared to offer it up as proof that I am now a man of means.”

“Stolen money!” Gisbourne roared. “No honest man would buy his honor back thus!”

“How dare you!” Robin spluttered angrily. “Every copper coin of that money was come by honestly. I would never profit from another man's misfortune!”

“Is that a challenge?” Gisbourne said with a sharp grin. “I accept!”

“What?” Robin stared at him in confusion.

“Draw your sword and we can settle this like honorable men.”

“My sword? I don't have a sword. I'm a baronet, not a knight.”

Gisbourne chuckled evilly. “We can use knives.” He pulled the knife from his belt and stepped forward aggressively.

“Robin!” Marian cried.

“You're a damned coward, Gisbourne!” Heero growled.

“No he's not,” Roku giggled. “He's a bunny!”

And Guy of Gisbourne shrank down into the shape of a fuzzy little black bunny with a big fluffy tail. His knife clattered harmlessly to the floor.

Everyone stared.

“Good one, Roku!” Duo laughed.

Heero suddenly doubled over, laughing hysterically. Wu-Fei tried not to laugh, but quickly gave up. He sank helplessly to his knees. Trowa began to chuckle.

Quatre tried to look stern. “Roku, that was very naughty.”

“He had it coming.”

“Yes, but…” A snort of laughter escaped Quatre. He struggled to keep it in. “You really should change him back.”

“Why? He's a lot cuter like that.”

“That's not the point.” Quatre tried for stern again and failed miserably. He giggled.

The Gisbourne-bunny was scrunched down against the floor making miserable little mewling noises. Duo shoved past the Sheriff's stunned deputies and grabbed the bunny by the scruff of the neck. He lifted it up in the air and the Gisbourne-bunny squealed in terror.

“Enough of this nonsense,” Duo said cheerfully. “I brought the trump card, so everyone pay attention.” He turned to King Richard and bowed.

King Richard stepped forward and flung back his hood and cloak.

“King Richard!” Prince John exclaimed weakly. He sank to his one knee with a pale and sickly look on his face.

All around the room, men dropped to their knees and women sank into artful curtsies.

“Rise,” King Richard said graciously. “I am aware of the situation here in Nottingham. As your ruler, I shall resolve the matter as I see fit.” He glared around the room to see if any dared disagree with him. No one did. “Good. Sir Robin of Locksley, do you swear on your honor that this money you offer in exchange for your debts is not stolen?”

“I so swear, Your Majesty.”

King Richard grinned. “That's good enough for me. Lord Mayor, please ensure that the appropriate people are reimbursed and that Sir Robin's estate is restored to him.”

Mayor DeBoers bowed hastily. “Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Maid Marian.” King Richard held his hand out to his ward. “I understand you are quite fond of Sir Robin.”

“Oh, indeed, Sire!” Marian cried happily.

“Very well. Come here, Sir Robin.” Robin approached the king nervously. King Richard took his hand and placed Marian's into it. “Sir Robin, I give you my ward to be your wife. See that you treat her well.”

“Your Majesty, I… I…” Robin alternately flushed and paled as he stared at Marian.

“Don't be a fool, man!” Richard exclaimed. “Kiss her!” And he gave Robin a hearty shove so that Robin had no choice but to clasp Marian to him to keep them both from being knocked down.

He favored her with a very long kiss.

Duo shook his head. “We better have the wedding damn fast,” he muttered. The Gisbourne-bunny dangling from his hand wet the floor. “Man, you're pathetic!” Duo pitched him toward the Sheriff, who was staring at Robin and Marian completely flabbergasted.

“What?! Ack!” Sheriff Mark cried as the slightly damp bunny smacked him in the chest. He managed to catch the Gisbourne-bunny and held him out at a distance. “What am I to do with this?”

“Hang on to him,” Duo replied with a shrug. “He'll change back in a day or so.” He glanced at Roku. “I think.”

Roku nodded.

Lady Margaret abruptly pushed forward, offered a swift curtsy to the king and then rather forcefully separated Robin from Marian. “A wedding! What fun. We'll start making plans right away. Marian, you come with me. We must find a gown and a veil…” She led Marian away talking steadily. Marian stared back over her shoulder at Robin wistfully.

Treize stepped over to Robin. “We need to get you a proper suit for your wedding.”

“Ah, yes…” Robin did not appear to be thinking too well.

Mayor DeBoers bowed to the king. “Your majesty, I beg you to accept the hospitality of Nottingham Castle.”

“I think I will stay for a few days. Just to see my ward married and happily settled into her new home.” King Richard lifted an eyebrow at Prince John. “My brother and I can pass the time discussing how the kingdom has managed in my absence.”

“Yes, of course,” Prince John managed in a faint voice. He definitely looked like he was about to be ill.

“Things seem to be wrapping up rather nicely here,” Trowa remarked.

“It would seem that way,” Quatre agreed. “What do you think? Shall we stay for the wedding and then head home?”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

Zechs sighed. “I'll miss it here. I've enjoyed having Treize all to myself.”

“But that's the beauty of time travel,” Duo said. “Any time we want to spend a few weeks or months by ourselves, we can just slip off for a while and no one will know.”

“That's true.” Zechs perked up. “Anyway, it sounds like we have a few more days and not much to do. Let's stay at the castle. They have very nice beds.” He smiled at Treize and Treize smiled back.

“That's a good idea,” agreed Duo. He winked at Heero and Wu-Fei. Heero rolled his eyes and Wu-Fei groaned.

Trowa put his arm around Quatre's waist. “You know, I think Roku is old enough to have a room of his own, don't you?”

“Oh, really?”

Roku clapped his hands. “May I please have a room of my own, Mama?”

Quatre smiled. “Oh, why not? Sure.”

“Goody!”

So everyone settled in for a comfortable stay at the castle. Even Little John and the Merry Men were invited in and given beds in the servant's quarters. Over dinner that night, King Richard had a long chat with Robin.

“I understand you have been keeping residence in Sherwood Forest, Sir Robin.”

“Yes, Sire.” Robin flushed. “I pray you will forgive me for occasionally dining on the king's deer.”

King Richard chuckled. “I suppose it couldn't be helped. But I met some of your men outside. They seemed to be decent fellows.”

“They are indeed, Sire!”

“Well, perhaps I shall place Sherwood Forest into your care and charge you and your men with managing it.”

“You honor me, Sire, and I am glad to accept,” Robin said quickly.

“Good.” King Richard took a long pull from his mug of ale. “Now then, I heard that you have a bard of exceptional skill among your companions.”

“That's very true, Sire!” Robin beckoned eagerly to Alan. “Alan, come and play for us!”

Alan stood up, bowed to the King and began to play. King Richard stared with his mouth open. “In sooth, that is a right handsome young man. His sweet voice stirs the very heart of me.”

“It ain't his heart that's stirring,” Duo muttered under his breath to Wu-Fei. “Will Scarlett better watch out or Alan may be moving to London.”

“Poor Alan!” Wu-Fei murmured. “He does seem to inspire that kind of desire in men, doesn't he?”

“There's nothing wrong with that,” Duo replied with a grin. “I'm feeling stirrings of that kind of desire myself.”

“I thought you were hungry.”

“I am, but there's always time for a snack later. Let's sneak off for a minute.”

“You're incorrigible.”

“If that's another way of saying horny, yes I am.”

“Geez!”

“Just a quickie?”

“You're not going to quit pestering me, are you?”

“No.”

“Fine! But you better be quick.”

“I promise.”

They slipped out of the dining room.

“Where are they going?” asked Quatre.

“To be naughty,” Roku replied around a mouthful of food. Eating in human form, he managed to get more food in his mouth than on his face, but he was still not completely successful.

“Are you ever going to learn to eat without getting food on your face?”

“There's food on my face?”

Quatre sighed and wiped off Roku's cheeks with a napkin.

“Oh. That food.”

Quatre sighed again.

“Marian looks very pretty, doesn't she?” Trowa remarked.

“Yes she does,” Treize agreed. “And happy, too.”

“Well, she is getting married to the man she loves,” said Zechs. “I think that would make anyone happy.”

“True.”

“So, we're going back to Mars after the wedding?”

“I think it's time,” said Trowa. “We've certainly caused plenty of trouble here, wouldn't you say?”

“Perhaps.” Zechs grinned suddenly. “I wonder how Noin is getting on with that shuttle pilot. We promised to bring her a present.”

“I'm sure Duo has something nice in his stash that she'd like,” Quatre said.

“I think the Sheriff is getting drunk,” Heero said suddenly.

Everyone looked across the room at Sheriff Mark. He was sitting slumped in his chair with the Gisbourne-bunny resting on his lap. An empty tankard of ale dangled from one hand and he was scratching the bunny's ears with the other.

“He's had a rough summer,” Trowa said.

“True,” Treize agreed. He turned to Zechs. “Zechs, why don't you suggest to some young lady that she console the Sheriff?”

Zechs rose and glided across the room to two young ladies who had been whispering to each other and staring at him. They stood up quickly and curtsied to him when he reached them. Zechs leaned close and murmured into their ears briefly. Both young women blushed prettily and glanced at the Sheriff with expressions of sympathy as he spoke. Finally, they nodded and walked over to the Sheriff. Zechs returned to the others.

“What did you say?” Treize asked curiously.

“Oh, I just said that the Sheriff's disappointment over the loss of Maid Marian was breaking my heart and that I would be deeply moved by the sight of some kind young woman easing his heartache. I might also have mentioned that such a sight would also likely arouse a powerful passion in me.”

“Look, they're leading him away,” Trowa said.

“I hope he can still perform,” Treize remarked. “I did say one young lady, Zechs.”

“Why have only one when two are available?”

“You sound like Duo.”

“Sometimes Duo has the right idea.” Zechs regarded Treize with large eyes. “I am feeling lonely.”

“Oh, dear!” said Treize. “I shall have to remedy that at once, I think.” He put his arm through Zechs' and guided him away.

Duo and Wu-Fei returned. Duo was laughing as he plopped into his seat. “Ok, whose idea was it to get the Sheriff laid?”

“It was Treize's,” said Trowa. “Why, what happened?”

“Nothing, yet. But I bet he told Zechs to put them up to it, didn't he?”

“You could tell?”

“Oh yeah! I hope the Sheriff has a lot of stamina. When they walked by, I nearly had to turn right around and take Fei back to bed.” He continued to chuckle as he resumed stuffing food into his face. “Let me know when you're done eating, Heero. I'll be ready for round two in a minute.”

Heero just growled.

Fortunately for everyone, Robin and Marian's wedding wasn't until the following afternoon, so there was no need to make an early night of it. Duo kept Heero busy for a long time and Trowa demonstrated repeatedly to Quatre why it was a good thing that Roku had a room of his own.

The next day, the wedding was quite festive and Marian was utterly radiant, but Robin looked very uncomfortable.

“Do you think Robin's having second thoughts?” Wu-Fei wondered. “He doesn't look good.”

“Nah,” said Duo, “he's just really, really ready for the honeymoon. I told him he should have been doing her all along. Keeping it bottled up like that just isn't good for a man. We should probably arrange for them to sneak off for a minute after the wedding so he can take the edge off. It won't look good if he loses it and jumps her in front of the king.”

“A minute?” Zechs exclaimed with a frown. “That would hardly be satisfactory for Marian.”

“But if he's that ready, he may not last more than a minute,” Trowa noted.

“Or he may not let her out of bed for a week,” Heero grated.

“Let's just stick them in a bedroom, throw in some food and lock the door,” Duo shrugged. “They'll knock when they're ready to come out.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Heero.

“That's not very romantic,” Zechs murmured.

“I think they're past the point of romance and ready for some hot monkey love,” said Duo.

“I think I have to agree with Duo,” said Treize. “Sometimes people just need to fuck each other until they pass out.”

“Says the voice of experience,” Quatre whispered to Trowa.

“Anyway, let's get them married off first,” Wu-Fei interrupted.

“Right.”

Robin and Marian's wedding was the social event of the season, in no small part because King Richard himself was attending. But fortunately, no one said anything when, immediately after the final vows were spoken and the newlyweds were presented to a cheering audience, the happy couple abruptly disappeared. At Treize's suggestion, Mayor DeBoers covered for them by throwing open his wine cellar. In no time at all, most of the wedding guests had completely forgotten what they were celebrating.

“This is a great party!” Duo announced after an absence of some hours. “All the wine I can drink and drunken nobles attempting to play dice or cards every ten paces or so.”

“Duo!” Quatre complained. “You aren't cheating people out of their hard-earned money again are you?”

“I never cheat!” Duo exclaimed self-righteously. “And I haven't been playing for money. Since you reminded me that we owed Noin a present, I've been playing for jewelry. I have several beautiful rings, some necklaces, a few broaches and some nice bracelets for her. There's some for Sally, too.”

“That's very thoughtful of you, Duo,” Zechs said. “Do you mind if I look over your winnings? I know Noin's tastes and might be able to pick out what she'd like.”

“Sure.”

The two of them huddled up to examine Duo's new acquisitions.

“Quatre,” Treize said, “when we return to Mars, how much time will have passed there?”

“I was planning on shooting for about two weeks.”

“I see. This has been a very interesting experience. I wouldn't mind traveling in time again, should the opportunity arise.”

“I'm sure it will. Between Heero's sprites, Duo's mind reading, Wu-Fei's fire-breathing, Trowa's staff and Roku's shape-changing, I suspect we won't be able to stay in our own time for very long anyway.” Quatre grinned at Treize. “And there is that whole issue with you being resurrected from death. That one is real tough to explain.”

Treize chuckled. “I see your point.”

“Anyway, we can decide after we get back and see what's been going on.

Zechs and Duo rejoined them.

“Ok,” Zechs said. “We've picked out what we're giving to Noin and Sally. I think they'll be pleased. To be honest, I'm starting to look forward to going home.”

“Oh look,” Heero growled, “Gisbourne has returned to his old self.”

The aforementioned knight entered the hall rather unsteadily.

“His nose keeps twitching,” Wu-Fei remarked.

“He keeps hopping, too,” Trowa added.

“He'll get over it,” Quatre said.

Roku just smiled.

Robin and Marian reappeared the next morning looking tired but very content. The Merry Men alternately cheered and teased them as the whole party made their way to Locksley manor, where the newlyweds prepared to take up residence. Marian cheerfully took charge of hiring servants and having the whole place cleaned top to bottom. Friar Tuck, Will Scarlett and Alan `a Dale took up residence as part of Robin's household, while Little John and the Merry Men made Sherwood Forest their official home, with King Richard's blessing.

“This is more than I ever dared dream of,” Robin announced happily to the Gundam pilots. “T'was a happy day when we met you gentlemen.”

“We've enjoyed our visit as well, Robin,” Quatre said. “But now it's time for us to return home. You won't have any more trouble with the Sheriff will you?”

“I think not.” Robin chuckled. “The last I heard, the lord Mayor was planning to saddle him with a wife.”

“Oh dear.”

Robin clasped Quatre's hand. “You are welcome to return any time. My home is yours whenever you desire.”

“Thank you, Robin.”

Everyone shook hands all around and Marian got so many kisses she was left a little dizzy. Then the Gundam pilots left on foot to find a secluded spot in Sherwood to make the trip home.

“I miss my horse,” Heero grumbled.

Duo patted him on the shoulder. “Robin will take good care of him.”

“He better.”

“This spot looks good,” Quatre said. He took the spell book from his pocket. “Everyone stand close and hold hands. Ready? Here we go.” He opened the book and read from the first page.

Wu-Fei sneezed violently and a jet of flame singed Duo's pant leg.

“Damn!” Duo patted the smoldering spot quickly. “I guess we're back. You better go take your antihistamines, Fei.”

“Yeah.” Wu-Fei rubbed his nose and trotted into the back.

“It's night,” said Roku.

“Perfect!” said Quatre. “We can call Noin and Sally first thing in the morning. Let's get unpacked.”

“We can do that later,” Zechs purred. He looped his arm through Treize's. “It's the middle of the night and I'm not sleepy.”

“Yeah, unpacking can wait,” agreed Duo. He grabbed Heero by the hand. “Let's celebrate returning home safely.”

“Again?” Heero groaned. “We just did this an hour ago.”

“That was to wake up. Now we can do it to fall asleep.”

“You're insatiable.”

“That's my middle name,” Duo agreed cheerfully. “Let's go to bed.”

Roku padded into the kitchen. “You guys all go be naughty. I'm having a snack.”

Trowa lifted an eyebrow at Quatre. “That sounded like an order to me.”

“Oh, really?”

“We can always unpack later.”

“You're getting as bad as Duo.”

“Not all of Duo's ideas are bad. And this one was Zechs'; who, I might point out, is already gone.”

“Oh, very well.”

When they were all gone, Roku poured cereal and milk into the biggest bowl he could find, put it on the floor, slipped back into his tiger form and proceeded to gulp down his snack with messy abandon.

“Yum-yum! I love cereal!”

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

And thus ends the adventure of Gundam Wing and the Men of Sherwood Forest! Join us again for their next adventure: Gundam Wing and the Gods of Thunder, where our heroes travel to the time of the Norse gods and discover what really caused the Ragnarok!