11 Robin Hood Arranges the Marriage of Two Lovers

CHAPTER 11 Robin Hood Arranges the Marriage of Two Lovers After arriving at the Greenwood Tree, Robin and his men set to work. Robin chose twenty strong men and gave Little John two bags of golden pounds. "This is two hundred pounds of my own money. Be ready to give it to me when I ask." Then Robin went to the store of costumes the merry men kept. Choosing some brightly colored clothes, he designed his disguise. He

would go to the wedding as a festive minstrel. Robin picked up a harp and strummed it a few times. "Good master, I didn't know you played the harp," said Little John. Robin couldn't play at all, but for his plan that didn't matter. Early on the morning of Ellen's wedding day, Robin led his men, along with Allan a Dale and Friar Tuck, to the church. They hid behind the wall across the road, where they waited the whole morning. David of Duncaster peeked above the stones every few minutes to see whether anyone was near. Finally, he saw an old priest heading toward the door. Robin turned to Friar Tuck. "Go, good brother. Talk to that priest and get yourself into the church." Friar Tuck clambered over the wall. The old priest was trying to open the door to the

church, but he couldn't turn the heavy key in the lock. "Let me help you with that, brother." Tuck took the key and easily opened the door. "I am a poor hermit from Fountains Abbey. I have come because I hear there is a fine wedding to be held in this church today. May I enter?" "I don't give a fig what you do," the old priest muttered. "Go, enter." When Friar Tuck stepped through the entrance, Robin sauntered up to the door and sat down. Soon, a group of men on horseback drew near. With them rode the Bishop of Hereford, one of the richest bishops in all of England. Robin grew angry at the sight of the bishop's fine silk robes and gold chains. He thought it wrong that a man of God should dress in such fancy clothes and jewelry.

"Hello there," the bishop called. "Who are you that struts about in such colorful feathers?" "I am a harper from the North Country," answered Robin. "I can touch the strings like no man in all of England. If you let me play for this wedding, I promise that the bride will love her man as long as they both live." The bishop was the cousin of Sir Stephen of Trent. He knew very well that Sir Stephen loved Ellen with all his heart. He also knew that Sir Stephen was far too old for Ellen and that she didn't love him. "Is it true?" asked the bishop. "If you can play as well as you say you can, I will give you anything you ask." Just then, they heard the sound of horses. The bishop turned to greet the wedding party riding toward the church. Robin spotted Sir Stephen, dressed all in silk. Beside Sir Stephen rode Ellen's father,

Edward the farmer. Two horses pulled Ellen's carriage, and six men-at-arms followed. When the carriage reached the door of the church, Ellen stepped out. Robin had never seen a more beautiful girl. Her skin was pale and smooth, but she carried herself like a wilting flower. Anyone could see that this was not a happy day for her. A few minutes later, the wedding party gathered in the church. Ellen looked around fearfully. The bishop was about to begin the ceremony when Robin trotted up to the altar. "Let me look at the lass," Robin said. He took her hands and studied her face. "Look here, her cheeks are pale as snow, not bright red with the happiness one should see on a young bride. This is not a fit wedding. Sir Stephen, you are too old and she is too

young. You are not her one true love." Everyone in the church looked at Robin in amazement. As they stood in stunned silence, Robin blew his horn three times. Little John and Will Stutely leapt to the front of the church and drew their swords. Ellen's father strode to the altar. He would have dragged his daughter away, but Little John said, "Stand back, old man. You're a hobbled horse today." "Down with the villains," cried Sir Stephen. As his men-at-arms drew their swords, the door of the church was flung open. Steel flashed in the light. Allan a Dale, leading eighteen of Robin's men, carried Robin's bow in his hands. He handed it to Robin and dropped to one knee. Ellen's father bellowed, "Is it Allan a Dale who has ruined this day?" "No," Robin answered. "I have done all this