Robin Breathes His Last

Chapter-10

Robin Hood’s exploits had reached the ears of the King of England. He showed eagerness to meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
So, one morning he called his minister and said to him, “I want to pay a visit to Nottingham. From there, I along with the Sheriff shall visit the Sherwood Forest to meet Robin and his Merry Men. Go and tell the carriage driver to get ready.”
After some time the King of England was on his way to Nottingham. Reaching there he met the Sheriff who welcomed him with open arms.
After the King had been served the royal lunch, the Sheriff said to him, “Your Highness! What brings you here? How can I help you?”
The King observed, “O Sheriff! I want to meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men. I have heard that he is very brave. Tell me why all these notices promising handsome rewards for Robin Hood’s capture have been pasted on the walls of the town.”
The Sheriff observed, “Your Highness! As you know, Robin Hood and his Merry Man have been declared outlaws who live in the Sherwood Forest. In spite of several attempts made by me I have not been able to capture him, dead or alive. But I will pin him down one day, I assure you.”
Hearing the words of the Sheriff the King observed, “O Sheriff! I have come to learn that Robin Hood is a good human being. He pays the money to the poor. How can you say that he and his Merry Men are outlaws? I have never heard that he or any of his Merry Men has put an end to an innocent man. He is the saviour of the poor, the downtrodden, the helpless and the unfortunate. He spends his all time extending a helping hand to them. He is really an angel from the sky.”
Hearing the words of the King the Sheriff was filled with jealousy. How could he hear the praise of his sworn enemy?
He at once exclaimed, “Your Highness! But he robs the rich of their money. He is a dreaded outlaw who has a heart of stone. Who knows better than I?”
But the King did not believe in what the Sheriff uttered. He said to the Sheriff. “O dear! Until and unless I visit Robin Hood personally I shall not reach any conclusion. After meeting him and his Merry Men personally I can see for myself what sort of human being he is.”
The Sheriff tried hard many a time to bring the King around to his viewpoint. But the King was bent upon meeting Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
The entire town of Nottingham was abuzz with the fact that the King of England had come to Nottingham to meet the Sheriff. Now he was planning to meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men in the Sherwood Forest. He would take a hundred-odd men with him.
That night when the king along with the Sheriff was taking his dinner a messenger came there. He had a note in his hand. Bowing low to the Sheriff and the King he said, “O Sir! Here is a message for the King of England. Someone has given it to me outside the castle.”
The Sheriff took the note from the messenger and ordered him to go away. In the note it was written that Robin Hood and his Merry Men would receive the King of England with warmth if he came alone. If the King would decide to visit him with a hundred-odd men, he would never be able to trace him.
The Sheriff read out the message to the King who kept mum and retired to bed. In his bed, he thought, ‘I had better go there alone. I would disguise myself as a monk before meeting Robin Hood and his Merry Men.’
Thinking so, he slept soundly. Next morning he got up early. He put on the garb of a monk. After saying goodbye to the Sheriff he set out for the Sherwood Forest, all alone. Soon his horse ran with the speed of wind. It led him on the road to the forest.
After reaching the edge of the forest, he saw a tall figure at some distance. It was Little John who had killed a deer and was taking it back to his master.
Seeing him the King turned monk said, “How dare you kill a deer? Don’t you know it belongs to the King?”
Little John at once retorted, “What if it belongs to the King? I have killed it; now it is mine. Would you like to meet my master, Robin Hood. He is good human being. I hope you will be pleased to meet him.”
Hearing the name of Robin Hood the King felt very pleased. But he did not disclose his identity. He showed his eagerness to meet Robin Hood. Little John carried the monk to the greenwood camp.
Seeing the monk Robin bowed low and paid his obeisance. With both palms joined in reverence he said to the King turned monk, “O holy Sir! You are most welcome to our greenwood camp. I along with my men am having a little target practice. Feel at home and tell me what brings you here. What do you expect from me?”
Hearing the kind words of Robin the monk said most respectfully, “O chief! I have come over here to join your band of outlaws. I have heard that you all are noble and respect the poor. For your kind information, I would like to let you know that I too can shoot with a bow and arrow. In other words, I am a good shot. If you so wish, I can show you my expertise.”
Robin felt very happy. He at once remarked, “Why not, monk. You can join us this very moment. It will be great to see you shoot at targets. Shooting at targets is your exceptional trait. I admire it.”
Saying these words Robin introduced the monk to each of his Merry Men who felt very elated having met the monk. They too were all praise for the monk.
The king turned monk chanced to see Sir Richard of Lea. He said to Robin, “O chief! It is great to see a noble knight in your band. He seems to be a man of exceptional courage.”
Hearing the words of the monk Robin understood at once whom the monk was talking about. Pointing to Sir Richard who was getting ready to aim an arrow at the target Robin said, “O monk! He is Sir Richard of Lea. You are talking about him. You are absolutely right that he is a noble knight. But he does not belong to our band of outlaws. He has reached here just now. As I am expecting the visit of the king of England I asked him to pay a visit to the greenwood camp.”
Hearing the words of Robin the monk became very happy in his heart of hearts. He said to Robin, “Undoubtedly, you should be none other than Robin Hood, the chief of outlaws living in the Sherwood Forest. I am very glad to meet all. It is nearly heartening to see you here with all your merry Men.”
Robin too was overjoyed at being praised.
The monk said to Robin, “Give me a bow and some arrows. Let me show you my expertise.”
The monk was given a bow and some arrows. He shot them with great finesse. All the arrows hit their targets to the perfection. Robin was taken aback. To test his skill further Robin said to the monk, “Let us line up all the marksmen. Each of them is required to hit the bull’s eye. If any fails to do so, he will receive a punch from his neighbours. The monk agreed to Robin’s view point.
All the marksmen stood in a line. Each took his turn and tried to hit the bull’s eye. Those who failed to hit the bull’s eye received punches from their neighbours as per the condition. The monk too hit the bill’s eye with great elan.
As regards Robin, he was not up to the mark. He failed to hit the bull’s eye. His aims were slightly off. As he was next to the monk as per the condition, the monk gave him a hard blow.
The blow was so hard that it knocked Robin down on the ground. Robin was wonderstruck. He presumed that the monk could not be an ordinary man. He got up and said to the monk, “Mr, you are very brave; your punch has knocked me down. You have a powerful hand. I have never been hit so hard. Tell me plainly who you are. You can’t be a monk. Let me take off your hood so that I may say see myself who you are.”
Hearing the words of Robin the King turned monk refused to abide by the order of Robin. He observed, “Why should I do so? I am a monk by birth. It is a game. Anyone can be a winner. It is no surprise that I have hit my target well. I have practised archery for many years.”
But Robin’s was relentless. He was bent upon taking off the monk’s hood. So, he forcibly caught the monk and gave him a punch on the face. The monk was tall and sturdy. Still, he fell to the ground.
Now he was red in the face. Like a mad bull he charged at Robin and gave him a powerful blow. Again, Robin lost his balance and fell flat on his back. Seeing the seriousness of the situation Robin while lying on the ground joked, “Sir Monk! Well done! You have given me a hard below. You have passed the test thoroughly. Now you can join my band of outlaws. I am in dire need of courageous people like you. I would feel highly pleased to induct you into my band.”
Sir Richard of Lea who was standing to some distance came forward and lent a helping hand to Robin who got up with ease. Sir Richard turned to the monk. No sooner did he see eye to eye with the monk than he knelt down.
He said to Robin and his Merry Men, “Chief! He is none other than the king of England. He has come here in the guise of a monk.”
Hearing the words of Sir Richard Robin and his Merry Men fell down on their knees at once. They too bowed low to pay their obeisance to the King of England.
Robin said to the King of England, “Your Highness! I beg your pardon for what I have done to you. Believe me it was not deliberate.”
Hearing the words of Robin the King felt highly pleased and remarked, “Get up, all of you. I wanted to put you all to a test. You have passed the test thoroughly. Now I have come to know that besides being brave you are noble and kind hearted as well. I wish you would join me and be part of my army.”
Robin did not like the idea of the king. He stood up and said, “Your Highness! I beg your pardon. I can’t join your army because I love living in the Sherwood Forest. It has been my refuge for past many years. I can’t part with it.”
Hearing the words of Robin the King felt pity for Robin. He said, “I admire your feeling, Robin. I can’t force you into accepting my viewpoint. Can you do me a favour? I wish you with your Merry Men could accompany me to Nottingham. Please don’t deny it.”
Robin was all praise for the genuine feeling of the King. He at once got ready to escort the King to Nottingham. It was noised in Nottingham that the King of England was riding towards the town, accompanied by Robin and his Merry Men.
The townsfolk arrived in hordes to see this sight. Men, women and children lined up along the streets and roads to witness their messiah, i.e. Robin Hood. All were very excited. Some persons went to rooftops to witness this sight.
Now the King at the head of a large army reached the market-place. Robin and his Merry Men followed them closely. The King all at once halted and said to Robin, “Dear, you have been very generous to the poor for many a year. You have always come forward to fight for their cause. Your efforts are really outstanding. Today I free you and all your Merry Men from the label of outlaws.
From today onwards you are no longer outlaws. You are free men like us. May you live long and spend the rest of your life peacefully in the Sherwood Forest! If ever in future you seek any help from me, you can meet me at any time. The doors of my palace are always open to you.”
Hearing the words of the King Robin and his Merry Men were elated a lot. They hugged one another. Tears of joy were tricking down Robin’s cheeks. They all knew that they could now spend the rest of their life without being labelled as outlaws. They were all praise for the King whom they lifted onto their shoulders.
The public of Nottingham welcomed the announcement cheerfully. They had great respect for Robin, for Robin had been the saviour of the poor right from the beginning. They hailed in one voice, “Long live the King! May the bright future welcome Robin and his Merry Men!”
Thanking the King and waving hands to the public Robin with his Merry Men retired to the greenwood camp. He lived there for many years to come.
In due course many of his men fell prey to one disease or the other. As a result they were dead and were buried with great honour there in the forest.
Robin himself had grown old. He was left with some men who too were in the grip of some diseases. Robin’s hair had turned pepper and salt. Little John was still there with Robin. Maid Marian too had grown old.
One morning she said to Robin, ” Dear! I am aged now. I had better join some nunnery. It will be better for me to spend the rest of my life there. The Sherwood Forest is not a suitable place for me.”
Robin remarked, “Dear, you are very much right. Go and join some nunnery. Little John has told me that the Kirke Hall Priory is the best nunnery in and around the Sherwood Forest.”
Next morning, Little John accompanied Maid Marian to the nunnery. After leaving her there he came back to Robin.
Days passed by followed by weeks and months. It had been a year or so since Maid Marian left the Sherwood Forest.
One fine morning, Robin called Little John and said, “Dear, can you do me a favour?”
Little John with both palms joined in reverence said, “Master! What do you want from me? Please speak up without any hesitation. I am ready to fulfil your every wish.”
Robin remarked, “Dear, I have grown much old. Before I breathe my last, I wish to see Maid Marian once again. I miss her very much. Ages have passed since I saw her.”
Little John observed, “Little master, the Kirke Hall Priory is quite far away from here. We both have grown old. How shall we be able to cover the long distance?”
Robin exclaimed, “Dear! But we never thought of distance earlier.
Little John remarked, “O Chief! We were young then. At that time we were bubbling with enthusiasm. Now we have fallen on bad days. Our health is in deteriorating condition.”
But Robin was obstinate. Somehow, they set out through the forest to the nunnery where Maid Marian had been living for a year.
After covering the long distance they reached the nunnery in the evening, Little John knocked at the door. But there was no reply. Again, he gave a knock. This time it was answered. A nun opened the door and asked,’ O gentlemen! What brings you here? May I know whom you want to see?”
Robin observed, “Madam, we want to see Maid Marian who has been living here for past one year.”
Hearing the name of Maid Marian the nun took Robin in while Little John waited outside.
After Robin had seated himself comfortably the nun broke the news, “I am sad to tell you that Maid Marian is no more in this world. She has left for her heavenly abode.”
Hearing the words Robin was in deep shock. He was very sad and disappointed. His eyes welled up. Somehow, he gathered courage and asked, “When did she die?”
The nun observed, “Two months back. She missed the forest life very much. She always thought of you only.”
Robin pleaded the nun to show him the room where Maid Marian stayed.
The nun took him upstairs and showed him the room where Maid Marian had been living.
Just as he entered the room, he realized that Maid Marian was calling him in the heavens. Robin was walking with slow steps. He was coughing as well. He knew very well that his end too was near the corner.
He blew the horn with all his might.
Hearing the sound of the horn Little John who was waiting outside soon sensed that something was wrong with his master. Without wasting any time he rushed in and reached upstairs. He was in the room where Robin with the nun was standing.
Seeing Little John by his side Robin began to weep inconsolably. He said to Little John, “Dear! My beloved is no more. She too has left me. I am alone today in this big world. Now I don’t want to live any longer.”
Saying these words he fell back into the arms of Little John and became unconscious.
The nun brought some water. After she had sprinkled some water on Robin’s face he regained his consciousness. He said to Little John, “Dear, please come along with me”
Saying these words he took Little John to the window. After opening it he said to Little John, “Dear, give me your bow and arrow. I want to shoot an arrow through the window into the land of the Sherwood Forest. Wherever it lands, bury me there and then. Would you fulfil this last wish of mine?”

Hearing the words of his master Little John too was overwhelmed with grief. He knew very well that his master’s end was near. The very thought of separation from his master made him sad at heart.
But he didn’t reveal his sadness to Robin. Keeping a smiling face he gave his master the bow and arrow. The weak and fragile Robin took the bow and arrow from Little John. He thanked him for it.
Using all his energy he placed the arrow on the bow. Stretching the string to his ear he let the arrow go off the bow. The arrow went swift and straight. It landed in the forest that had been Robin’s home for many years. That was what Robin wanted.
He said to Little John, “Dear, how was that shot? Didn’t it hit its target?”
With tears in the eyes Little John observed, “It was a good shot, master. Thy wish shall be fulfilled.”
Hearing the words of Little John Robin fell into the arms of Little John and took a deep breath. Then he closed his eyes for ever.
Little John could not stop his emotion. He began to weep inconsolably. Tears were streaking down his cheeks. He hugged Robin to his bosom. He bowed low in front of Robin as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
So, Robin was buried according to his wish by Little John. A cemetery was built upon his burial ground. People from far and wide came there to pay floral tributes to the messiah of the poor.
The adventures of Robin Hood still ring in the ears of his fans even after several years of his death.

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