Section I, Next Section
Prologue Posted on Tuesday, 21 December 1999
Note: As this is the tale of Darcy Hood, brave warrior/thief, there will be violence.
In Merry England in the time of old, when good King Richard the First ruled the land, there lived within the green glades of Netherfield Forest, near Mery Town, a famous outlaw whose name was Darcy Hood. No archer ever lived who could deliver a pointed barb with the wit and skill of Darcy, nor were there any yeomen such as the Merry Men who dwelled with him in Netherfield Forest. They were a formidable force, common people who had taken up arrows and the sword to defend others from injustice.
These men were all outlaws, men who had fallen afoul of Wickham, the Sheriff of Meryton. Though they lived in constant danger of the noose, Darcy Hood and his Merry Men had a pleasant enough life in the forest. After all, anything was better than eking out a living under Wickham's taxes, or losing everything when you couldn't pay them. The Merry Men were well beloved by all the country people, for they stole the ill-gotten goods of the rich to give to the poor. No one who went to Darcy seeking help ever went home empty-handed.
"How did such good men become outlaws?", you may ask. Well, there is a story, for certain. Darcy Hood was the first of them, of course. However, he was not always Darcy Hood. He came into the world as Fitzwilliam Darcy, the son of rich parents, heir to the estate of Pemberley. He lived a charmed life; he had a kind father, a loving sister, and a beautiful estate. The only thorn in his side was Wickham, his father's ward. Wickham was a sly, dissembling fellow, but his good looks prevented others from seeing. It often frustrated Darcy that no one seemed to see Wickham's true nature but himself, but he found it best to merely leave it alone. He could ignore Wickham easily; Darcy had too much good in his life to let Wickham bother him.
Our story begins at the height of King Richard's crusade. At the age of twenty, young Darcy became certain that he must go to war with Richard to "win back the Holy Land." He had dreams of glory and honor (as most young men do). And Darcy did indeed fight bravely, distinguishing himself by the deadly accuracy of his arrows. However, he found the war in the Holy Land somewhat less pleasant than he had expected. When troubadours sing, they do not include verses about how quickly a scimitar can remove a man's head. They do not tell the glory of sweat and blood, or the screams of the dying. The troubadours do not mention that the men they called heathens were just as human as Englishmen. Singers with tales of glory do not sing of dark, stinking Saracen prisons.
And a Saracen prison was where Darcy found himself, a year after setting off on Crusade. The horrors of the prison are not meant for telling to gentle ears, so we shall leave out most of this part of the tale. After spending 6 months in this pit, Darcy became acquainted with a young woman named Caro. Her father was the head jailer, so she was most often the one sent to bring food to the prisoners.
Caro was not fond of this life and longed to escape it. She dreamed of the fine clothes and luxuries she saw the European ladies wear in the cities. As soon as Darcy arrived in the prison, she could see that he was a person of means. Caro resolved to cultivate this acquaintance; she was certain that if she helped him escape, he would do the same for her.
She used every tactic she knew to attract a man. She was certain she interested him. Her wiles had never failed before. (Of course, her wiles were generally practiced on prisoners who hadn't seen a woman for months or even years.) Sure enough, after a month or so, Darcy asked for her help in escaping. "At last!", Caro thought. "He'll be indebted to me, and I leave this place!" "Be awake tonight at midnight.", she said. "My father sleeps then; I can get supplies and a boat, and we'll be out of the city before anyone even realizes we're gone."
At the sound of the word "we", Darcy's head shot up. "Caro, are you telling me you mean to go with me?" This was the last thing Darcy had ever expected. The girl was just on the edge of tolerable. Caro was silly, self-centered, and greedy, and he could barely stand her. However, there was no other shred of kindness in that pit, so Darcy was willing to cling to whatever mean bit of it there was in her.
"Of course! Could you imagine that I want to stay in this place? I would have left long ago, but a woman cannot travel unaccompanied. We're leaving tonight, and you're going to help me start a new life!" Darcy knew he had no choice. He could either help her, or he could spend the rest of his life in this prison. "Just make sure you get me a bow and arrows." Darcy said. With that, Caro left the room, leaving Darcy by himself to contemplate his situation. "What have I gotten myself into?", he thought.
Midnight arrived and so did Caro, tiptoe-ing around the sleeping jailer. "Come quickly!" she whispered as she unlocked Darcy's chains. "We must be off now; the boat will not wait!" The two got out of the jail safely. However, their escape was not to be so easy as Caro had thought. On their way out of the dungeon, one of the guards awoke and saw them sneaking out. "We've been spotted!" Caro said. Darcy looked up where the guard was going to raise the alarm. Darcy quickly pulled his first arrow, quickly set it and fired it up. The guard fell to the ground, just as he was about to ring the alarm bell. "Now run!" Darcy said. "One of the other guards will figure things out any minute now." Darcy and Caro set off running as fast as they could. They soon reached the boat with enough supplies to get them to the next town. "Soon," Darcy thought. "Soon I'll be home."
Chapter 2-Returning Home Posted on Tuesday, 21 December 1999
It took nearly two months of hiding and nearly starving, but Darcy and Caro finally reached the English shore. Darcy's dislike of Caro had been magnified by a thousandfold due to her constant complaining. Did she think a journey halfway across the world with almost no supplies was going to be easy and comfortable? If so, he could add "foolish" to the list of faults he had accumulated for her. However, he couldn't have gotten out of that prison without her. His honor required that he repay her; A Darcy did not abandon obligations. He had lots of unmarried friends, and Caro was pretty enough. Darcy was certain he could marry her off somewhere. For now, though, Darcy's most pressing concern was getting home to Pemberley. "My family surely thinks me dead. And heaven only knows what mischief Wickham may have been up to. I have to get home; everything else will be settled from there." he thought.
Darcy and Caro came through several small villages. There was something odd about all of them. Something seemed very...off. It was difficult to place exactly what the problem was, but there was certainly something very wrong. After the first few villages, Darcy realized what seemed so strange: The people of the villages were almost completely silent. No one talked, or laughed, or sang. It was as though they were afraid of something. But what? Darcy resolved to look into the matter further when he reached home.
Darcy and Caro set off through the woods. They were only a few hours walk from Pemberley now. Darcy began to feel more comfortable as soon as they entered Pemberley's boundaries, and slowed their pace some. As they rode through a clearing in the woods, a young boy came running straight for them, obviously terrified out of his wits.
"Hold!" Darcy said, jumping off his horse. "What's going on here?" The boy continued to panic. "I didn't mean anything by it, I swear! I was starving! I didn't know it was the King's deer, honestly! Please help me, sir!" Darcy was quite confused. "Whatever are you talking about, lad? The King's deer?" Just then, a huge black stallion galloped up, seating none other than George Wickham, wearing the badge of the Sheriff of Meryton. He was followed by two more knights.
"Thank you, sir." Wickham said. "We've been chasing this little thief for quite a while now. Your duty to the crown is appreciated." Darcy was surprised. Did Wickham not recognize him? Then he recalled that he had not shaved in some months and wore clothing that most peasants would scorn. Of course Wickham would not recognize him. But what was this "duty to the crown" nonsense? "Thief?" Darcy said. "He appears to be just a boy." Wickham looked down upon him with scorn. "He shot one of the King's deer in this very forest! That makes him a thief, and for that, he must die. Now hand him over, before I must force you to do so." Darcy was swiftly becoming very angry. "Sir, I believe you must be mistaken. This is Pemberley, which is Darcy land. The king's forest is several miles away." he said, stepping between Wickham and the boy.
"You are more a fool than I thought, peasant." Wickham said. "This has been the king's land for nigh onto a year." What in heaven's name had happened here? Pemberley, belonging to the king? Wickham as Sheriff of Meryton? It was beyond rational belief. "Why would Pemberley go to the King, sir? It has a lord, and he has a son, besides." Darcy said. "Both are dead. The land must then be forfeit to the crown." Dead? His father, dead? What could have happened to Georgiana, left with no protection?
"Sir," Darcy said, with a note of menace that could not be ignored safely, "I do not believe you want to bother this boy any longer. It will be best to merely forget this ever happened and turned the lad loose. I feel sure he will stay far away from these "King's deer" you speak of." Caro elbowed Darcy hard and whispered to him. "Are you mad? This is not our problem. Leave the boy to his fate." Wickham only stared blankly at him for a moment, and then laughed uproariously. "Are you suggesting that you would fight me, peasant? For the fate of a little dung heap rat?" He continued to laugh. "The very notion is ridiculous!" Darcy gave Wickham a glare that would freeze fire and notched his bow, aiming it straight at Wickham's heart before he had even realized what was happening. "You will leave the boy alone. Now. Or you shall die. I shall give you to the count of three to remove yourself from Darcy property." Darcy said. Wickham's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "You also!", Darcy called to the two knights behind Wickham. "Leave Pemberley, or your Sheriff will surely regret it!" The knights had seen Darcy's speed with the arrow, and with no further ado went speeding toward the Pemberley border. Wickham's eyes narrowed in anger. "I will not forget this, peasant. You will live to regret angering the Sheriff of Meryton!" He turned and rode away quickly.
Darcy did not lower his aim until Wickham was far out of sight. When at last he did, he turned to the young boy he had just saved. "What has happened here? I have been gone but two years, and the world seems changed as though I were gone two centuries. That man claims my father is dead, I am dead, and my land is forfeit to the king. How does this come about?"
"Your father?", the boy said, wide-eyed. "Then you are Fitzwilliam Darcy?" Darcy nodded. "I am." The boy gave a huge smile. "Oh, thank G-d!", the boy shouted, and leaped at Darcy with a huge hug. "I didn't even recognize you, you've changed so! I knew you weren't dead! They said you were, but I knew it wasn't true!" A look of shock came over Darcy's face; then he realized who this child was, and a completely different form of shock took him.
"Georgiana! What are you doing garbed like a peasant boy?" Darcy said while she continued to hug him tightly. At that, Georgiana sobered and stepped back. "I had to; if I didn't, King John would have forced me to marry Wickham. He may have charmed me before, but then I saw the way he treated the people in Meryton. He's cruel, Will! He taxes and taxes until they can't even eat, and I know he's behind Father's death..." Darcy cut her off there. "Hold a moment, Georgiana. You must go back to the beginning; none of this makes a shred of sense at the moment. Now, you said 'King John.'"
"Yes. King Richard was reported dead a year ago, and John ascended the throne. As soon as he became king, he started raising taxes. Next it was hunting laws. He declared huge areas 'Royal Forests' and refused hunting rights." Here, Georgiana's voice became softer. "Father...Father tried to reason with John. He told John he thought the taxes were too high...that people couldn't afford them. That the villagers and farmers were starving. The next day, Father was killed by 'poachers.'" Georgiana shook her head with sorrow. "After Father's murder, you were declared 'dead' as well. John ordered me to marry Wickham, so I took on boy's clothing and called myself Will Scarlet. I've been living in the woods since then. Matters have only gotten worse for everyone as time has gone on. John puts bounty out on anyone who dares say anything about the taxes or the hunting laws. People hardly speak at all anymore for fear that they'll be the next with prices on their heads." Then Georgiana brightened. "But I know things will get better now that you're home, Will! You always know what to do."
At this point, Caro broke in. "You had better know what to do! I did not help you escape the prison to live in squalor here!" Unfortunately, Darcy had no idea what he should do. He had no father, no land, no money, and no power. What he did have was two people depending on him and a whole lot of thinking to do.
Chapter 3: Meanwhile, in Longbourne Castle "Oh, my poor nerves!" cried Lady Bennet as she scurried around the castle hall. "Why, we shall never get to the king's ball on time! Oh, my poor nerves!" Lady Bennet ran to her first daughter's room. "Jane! Hurry!" Jane, as always, remained calm. "Yes, Mother." She said, smiling. "I'll be just a moment." Next, Lady Bennet was off to Lydia and Kitty's room. "You must hurry, girls! You must be prompt if you are to catch husbands!" Lydia and Kitty merely giggled in response. They were nearly as rushed as Lady Bennet, thinking of the prospect of all the knights that would surely be present at the ball.
Just as Lady Bennet was leaving Lydia and Kitty's doorway, she nearly ran into Mary, who was still not in her gown. "Oh, my poor nerves!" Lady Bennet cried yet again. "Mary, why aren't you dressed?! We must be off soon!" Mary coughed. "Mother, I do not wish to go to the ball. It is frivolous entertainment. Besides, I have a cough." Lady Bennet mustered up a stern look. "You will go to the ball, and that is that! You have four sisters, and if I am to have you all settled, you must marry! Now go get dressed!"
In the last room on the hall, the Bennets' second oldest daughter was finishing her hair. " 'Oh, my poor nerves!'" Elizabeth mimicked under her breath. " 'You must be prompt if you are to catch husbands!' My heavens! Does she ever tire of this one theme?" Lady Bennet rushed into the room. Before she could open her mouth, Elizabeth spoke. "I'm ready, mother. No need to shout."
At last having gathered her family, Lady Bennet herded them all out to the carriage, talking about her nerves the entire way. As the family climbed into the coach, Elizabeth stared wistfully off into the distance. She wished, as she had many times, that she did not have to go to balls, and "catch a husband", and do all the proper things. Not that she did not want to marry and have a home of her own, but she did not want to marry simply for security. Elizabeth wanted love, and she knew she was not going to find it at another one of that horrid King John's balls. The only thing she would find there was that disgusting Lord Collins. Although maybe this new Sheriff of Meryton the king planned to introduce would be interesting. Lydia and Kitty certainly thought so, but those two would be fascinated by a toad if it wore armor. "Oh, well." Elizabeth thought. "I'll just have to resign myself to another night of boredom."
Chapter 4: What to do? Posted on Wednesday, 22 December 1999
The sky had grown dark and the hour was quite late. Caro was long since asleep; After much complaint about having to rest on the ground, she had curled up by the fire and drifted off. The same could not be said for Georgiana and Darcy. They still sat silently awake, trying to find a solution for their predicament.
Darcy knew he was in a less than rosy situation. The laws of the country were made by a tyrant, with another tyrant enforcing them. His family's land and honor were taken. Darcy was without resources and branded an outlaw, his only companions two young women. It did not seem that he had a prayer for success. But a Darcy never gives up, no matter how dire the straits. Luckily, Darcy was soon hit with a bolt of inspiration.
"Georgiana!" he said. "With John's new statutes, I would think there to be many outlawed people. Is that the case?" "Yes. There are at least tenscore who still hide from Wickham, mostly here in Netherfield Forest." Georgiana said. Darcy smiled. "Just as I suspected. Now, what if even some of these tenscore were to band together? They would be strong enough to protect each other, would they not?" Georgiana looked at her brother. "Are you suggesting what I think you are? That we start a band of outlaws in the forest?" "That is indeed what I am suggesting, but I am not suggesting that we do this. I am suggesting that I do it. This forest is no place for you to grow up. As soon as I have the resources to do so, I shall send you to Uncle Edward in France."
Georgiana was ordinarily a very sweet-tempered girl. She was quite shy around those she did not know well, and kind to all. Now, however, every bit of fire in her came to the fore. "Fitzwilliam Darcy!" she shouted. Darcy knew he had said the wrong thing the moment those words left her mouth. She sounded exactly as their father had when he had uttered the same name. He cringed inwardly as her anger descended on him. "I have lived in these woods by myself for the past two years while you have been gallivanting across the world! I have fended off men's advances, disguised myself as a boy, and supported myself entirely on my own! And now, you attempt to tell me that this is no place for me to grow up? I am sorry to inform you of this, brother, but I finished growing up in the past two years by necessity!"
Darcy's normally proud shoulders slumped as he sat on the log, listening to Georgiana's diatribe. She was right. He had abandoned her, leaving her to fend for herself. "Georgiana..." he said quietly, "I am sorry. I should never have left you. It never should have been necessary for you to grow up like this, but I suppose you have. I shall try include you more equally henceforth." Darcy smiled at his sister. "But you will always be my little sister. I shall always try to protect you." Georgiana sighed, her anger gone. "Oh, Darcy. It's all right. I should not have become so angry with you. Please know that I would never blame you for what happened here, nor should you blame yourself." Georgiana gave her older brother a hug, which he received gratefully. "At any rate, what's done is done." Georgiana said. " 'tis time we moved on and found a way to stop this madness. Now what is this plan for gathering the outlaws?"
While Darcy outlined his plan to begin the resistance against King John, Maid Elizabeth Bennet was at a ball held by the very same king. She had been conversing with Wickham, Sheriff of Meryton, for quite some time now, and was finding him quite entertaining. He was charming, handsome, and indeed, all that women hoped to find in a prospective husband. In short, he was the most agreeable man she had ever meant.
Soon the conversation came to the Sheriff's work, enforcing the king's laws. "Yes, Maid Elizabeth, 'tis terribly hard work. Why, just today I was nearly killed tracking down an outlaw." Elizabeth was somewhat impressed. What bravery! Wickham could see her interest, and continued. " 'twas another thief on His Majesty's land! I was chasing him down, when he met up with several of his companions, all of whom were armed. If I weren't so quick, I would have surely been killed." Elizabeth stared wide-eyed. "Oh, my!", she breathed. This man was indeed the most interesting man she had ever met. So handsome, so brave! At last there was a man worth dancing with at one of these horrid assemblies. For once, Maid Elizabeth actually regretted having to return home after a ball. Sheriff Wickham was most entertaining, and she could not wait to see him again.
Chapter 5:(Netherfield Forest, several days later) In the large clearing, Darcy stood upon a stump, speaking to a huge group of men. Georgiana knew all the outlaws of the forest under the guise of Will Scarlet. Without their help, she never could have survived Netherfield Forest alone. Now she gathered the outlaws here for Darcy to convince of his plan. She was beginning to worry; not one of them had spoken the slightest word since Darcy had started speaking. "So you see?" Darcy was concluding. "Each man can guard the other's back. When we stand together, nothing can break us! We begin by stealing back what has been stolen from us, helping those in need. We will be strong enough to protect ourselves and our families. Alone, none of us stand the slightest chance against Wickham, but together, we can vanquish him!"
Silence followed Darcy's impassioned speech. They appeared to be considering his words. Then, one very large man by the name of Charles Bingley stood and addressed Georgiana. "You believe this man can help us, Will Scarlet?", he said. "I do." Georgiana replied. Charles Bingley was most often called "Little Charles." It was a nickname that had stuck with him so long that almost no one noticed the irony anymore. "All right, then.", Little Charles said, addressing both Darcy and the other outlaws. "If Will Scarlet's prepared to believe this fellow, so am I." At last, the silence was broken. The outlaws all began to talk amongst themselves, discussing the situation at hand. Soon, one by one, all the men but a few were standing, prepared to follow Darcy wherever he might lead.
Darcy began training the men immediately. Most were strong and in good form due to the harsh conditions of forest life, but few had any knowledge of weapons. Darcy began to teach them in the use of the sword, staff, and arrows. Those men that did not have respect for Darcy gained it quickly when they saw him shoot; no one could hit a target more accurately or quickly.
The men's wives made clothing of Lincoln green, clothes which would blend into the forest and make hiding easier. Though Georgiana had informed the people of her deception, most of them continued to call her "Will" anyway. She trained alongside the men of the camp, and soon became more fearsome with a sword than any of them. Though her frame was slight, she was very fast. The only one who could reach her skill was Fitzwilliam Tuck. He was a friar, and the men had originally thought him to be a typical rich and fat man of the church. It was soon seen, however, that he felt the plight of the people held under King John's tyranny. Once he began to train with the men, it was also clear that he had the strength and skill with a sword of a seasoned warrior. He often practiced with Georgiana, the two verbally baiting each other the entire time. No one was really certain if they liked each other at all.
The first few robberies of rich folk went smoothly. A few of the men, disguised by green hoods, would stop them in the highway and demand their valuables; the merchants and lords generally gave up without a fight. One of Darcy's primary rules was that no one was to be killed except in self-defense. "We are after their valuables, not their lives." he said. The others were that only the rich were to be robbed, and that the gains were not to be used personally.
The men quickly gained a reputation for doing good among the people of the villages and farms surrounding Netherfield Forest. All through Meryton, they were known as the Merry Men. Will Scarlet, Fitz Tuck, and Little Charles were all well known for their skill in battle, and their names were soon spoken with fear by Wickham's soldiers. But most feared and respected of them all was the band's leader, Darcy of the Hood (or merely Darcy Hood, as he was often called.) Wickham knew the name Darcy, and was fearful that perhaps the young heir had, in fact, managed to escape the Saracen prison he had paid so well to put him in. As Darcy Hood's reputation grew, so did the price Wickham laid on his head.
"This Darcy Hood must be caught and punished!" Wickham said to Elizabeth and her sisters when he had come to dine at Longbourne. "He is robbing people on the highways all around Netherfield Forest, but no one seems able to catch him! No one in Meryton will state anything about where he or his companions may hide. But he cannot hide forever. One day, I shall stop his villainy." Elizabeth was certain this Darcy Hood must be the most awful of people. After all, he was robbing innocent people on the highways. Lydia was, of course, the first to speak. She heard more and more tales of this Darcy Hood every day on her trips to Meryton. "You are most brave, sir, to seek out this villain. I have heard it said that he can hit the eye of a bird as it flies!" Kitty piped in right after her. "And I heard that Will Scarlet and Fitz Tuck are faster than lightning with their swords!" Wickham laughed. "Pah! Fair maids, you listen too much to the village gossips. These 'Merry Men', as they are called, are not so skillful. They are merely lucky. My soldiers and I will have them removed shortly."
That night, the Bennet family loaded into two carriages on their way home. Sherriff Wickham was so obliging as to loan one of his carriages for the conveyance of Maid Elizabeth and Maid Jane, that they might not be too cramped in the Bennet's single carriage. The ladies were most grateful to the Sheriff for his assistance, for the trip through Netherfield forest seemed terribly long when one was trapped in a small space with Lydia, Kitty, and Mary. However, Jane and Elizabeth would soon have more to thank Wickham for than they had imagined.
Chapter 6: You did what!? Posted on Wednesday, 22 December 1999
Author's Note: I'm going from memory on the Robin Hood story. This means it's something of a conglomeration of Disney, Prince of Thieves, the version of the tale I read way back in 3rd grade, and Men In Tights.
Little Charles and Georgiana were perched high in a tree, looking down upon the highway. It was late, and the two had been waiting all night for Wickham's feast to finish. The guests there were all nobles of the first order, rich and corrupt beyond imagining, perfect prizes for Darcy Hood's Merry Men. "There's a carriage!" Georgiana whispered. "Indeed it is." Little Charles replied. "But we may have a greater prize than we thought. Look at the livery of the attendants!" Georgiana leaned forward to get a better look, and her eyes widened in shock. "Why, 'tis the Sheriff of Meryton! If we capture him..." "We might see our outlaw days come to an end."
Soon the carriage was close to the tree where Little Charles and Georgiana sat waiting. "Closer...closer..."Georgiana said. "Just a little more...NOW!" Georgiana and Little Charles leapt from their perch down onto the carriage. Charles quickly threw off the driver while Georgiana took care of the two footmen at the back. It was relatively easy work; the carriage attendants were too surprised to react quickly enough to handle two of Darcy Hood's Merry Men. It took all of Little Charles' considerable strength to bring large black horses under control, but they were soon heading at a pleasant pace to the hideout.
As they arrived at the hideout, Georgiana shouted with glee. "We've got a prize worth seeing, gentlemen!" As the outlaws operated mostly at night, the majority of them were still awake. Fitz Tuck looked at them. "'Tis a carriage.", he stated. "Aye," said Little Charles, "but not just any carriage. 'Tis the Sheriff of Meryton's carriage. With the sheriff inside!" Now, Fitz was impressed. "You two captured the Sheriff of Meryton? No small feat, that. Let's get him out and bound, though. It would not be to our advantage to have him escape now."
Little Charles jumped down from the driving seat of the carriage, joining the other men in surrounding it. Fitz Tuck stepped forward and opened the door, and the shock upon his face was so great that one might think it would be etched there permanently. "What is the meaning of this?" the young girl in the carriage said. "This is the Sheriff of Meryton's carriage! We are his guests! You had best take us home this instant!" She climbed out of the carriage, followed by another girl.
Little Charles' jaw dropped. The second girl was the most beautiful he had ever seen. She was beyond beautiful. As the girl's beauty sank in, so did another fact: He and Will Scarlet had kidnapped two young women under the sheriff's protection and brought them to the hideout. For the first time, he began to consider the Sheriff of Meryton the least of his worries.
Georgiana came and stood beside him. After a few moments of blank staring on everyone's part, Little Charles spoke. "Darcy's going to kill us, isn't he?" Georgiana took a deep breath. "Yes. Yes he is." Georgiana turned to Fitz. "Get them bound. I shall come up with something." Fitz laughed. "You'd better, lass! Otherwise, you have trouble you have only dreamed of!" Fitz continued to laugh as he walked over to the girls. "I am sorry, ladies, but I have to bind your wrists. I will not hurt you, but we cannot chance your escape."
Jane submitted to being tied; after all, there was no way she could overpower a small army of men. Besides, the man said he would not hurt her, and he had no reason to lie. Little Charles was most impressed with her bravery. After all, most women would be in tears or fainting. Amazing! A woman not only beautiful, but brave, as well. He smiled at the thought. Surprisingly enough, the young lady returned the smile.
Little Charles was impressed with Elizabeth, too, but for a completely different reason. He had never seen a woman fight so fiercely. Perhaps Will Scarlet, but then, Charles seldom thought of Will Scarlet as a woman. "Let go of me, you big oaf!" she shouted. "I will not be bound like a criminal! You are the criminals here, not I! If anyone should be bound, 'tis you!" She kicked and screamed and hit and clawed like a cornered animal. It took three strong men to bind her tightly enough to prevent her escape.
At last, Jane and Elizabeth were left in a tent alone, the door guarded. Jane looked at Elizabeth, tears in her eyes. "Why do you fight so, Lizzy? I'm sure we shall come out of this just fine." "Jane, we have been kidnapped by outlaws! Does that not worry you at least a little bit?" Jane thought for a minute. "Well, they seem very nice. After all, they did not hurt us. You heard them. They thought we were Sir Wickham. It was an honest mistake." "A mistake?" Elizabeth said. "I would hardly call kidnapping and robbery 'an honest mistake'! But you always will see the good in everyone, even kidnapping outlaws." Jane smiled at her sister. "And you shall always find their faults." Elizabeth made a face at her sister. "Personally, I find the habit of stealing young women and property a fairly substantial fault. But let us sleep now; I need rest to come up with a way out of here."
"You did WHAT?" Darcy roared. Georgiana and Charles winced. They had been afraid this would happen, but the reality of it was even worse than their imaginings. Perhaps they could still talk their way out of trouble, though. "Well, Darcy, you see, it was...a mistake." Charles said. Georgiana piped in after him. "'Tis right, Will. Just an honest mistake!" Darcy paced the room like a lion in a cage. "No, no. No! This is not a 'mistake.' A 'mistake' is putting too much salt on your beef! A 'mistake' is calling me Fitzwilliam when I prefer to be called Will. This...this is...I do not know what this is, but it is certainly not a 'mistake.'"
Darcy was not a short-tempered man. No matter how frustrated he had been during the men's training, he had never become angry. Not matter how much Caro complained, he had never snapped at her. Darcy had been called proud, arrogant, and demanding with complete honesty, but no one would call him temperamental. Now, however, Darcy was furious.
"Don't worry, Darcy!" Georgiana said. "We shall simply take them back." Darcy laughed. "Just take them back? Oh, that is amusing." Georgiana and Charles looked puzzled. "Why can't we just take them back?", Charles said. Darcy sighed. "Do you two not understand what this means? You have jeopardized everything we have accomplished over the past six months! They were guests of Wickham, daughters of the nobility! Wickham and his men shall have a stronger rallying point for our capture than ever. We shall be lucky enough if we don't see the noose for that! And they have seen our hideout. They have seen all of our faces, seen them well." Darcy paused to let these facts sink in. Georgiana and Charles studied their boots with great interest. At last, Georgiana looked up at Darcy. "So what are we to do?", she said.
Darcy sighed with frustration. There was no proper course of action here. No matter what he did, something awful was bound to happen. "For the moment, we keep them. Georgiana, get Caro to see to their food; she ought to do something around here. Charles, put an extra man on each watch." Little Charles and Georgiana turned and walked out to dispatch their duties, but not before hearing Darcy's final words. "And try not to kidnap any more ladies!"
Chapter 6: Darcy Hood and Maid Lizzy Posted on Thursday, 23 December 1999
Darcy knew he had to talk to the prisoners. He owed it to them to at least explain what happened. However, Darcy also knew he was not going to enjoy this encounter. "Spoiled aristocratic brats. Children of lords whose idea of adversity is not having the right color of hair ribbon." He muttered as he headed for their tent. "They shall doubtlessly launch into hysterics upon encountering 'Darcy Hood, the Outlaw'. We shall be lucky if we do not have to revive them from faints every five minutes."
If Darcy had listened to Fitz Tuck's description of the girls' behavior thus far, he might have had a better idea of what to expect. However, he had not. As a result, he was very surprised when Elizabeth attempted to kick him the very instant he walked into the tent. "What the...?" he said, jumping back out of her reach. "Are you mad?" Elizabeth continued to kick. "Now, Jane!" she shouted. "What? Oh...Oh yes. I forgot!" Then Jane grabbed the water pitcher and broke it over Darcy's head. As Darcy's vision went black, the last thing he remembered was noting that the girl who kicked him had very fine eyes.
A few minutes later, Darcy began to awake. As his eyes fluttered open, he saw Georgiana and Fitz standing over him, arguing again. "No, you're not supposed to move someone whose head's been knocked!" Fitz was saying. "And what do you know of it? I say we get him to a bed." "I know a d-n sight more than you do, wench! A good soldier abbot once told me that you don't move a man when he's been struck in the head. Might rattle his brains!" Darcy groaned with pain. "You two stop it and help me up." They both went immediately to help him. Darcy was fairly certain he heard them both mutter "I told you so.", but he wasn't sure.
"Are you all right, Darcy?" Georgiana said. Darcy gave her a withering glance. "Do I look all right?" "Well, no, I suppose not." Then, Darcy remembered what had put him in this less than pleasant state. "Where are the girls?" he asked. Fitz smiled. "Little Charles is getting them under better guard. We all heard the ruckus in here, and Little Charles had them both before they got more than three feet out of the tent." Just then, Little Charles walked into the tent. "How are you, Darcy?" Darcy gave him a glance similar to the one he had given Georgiana. "Oh." Charles said. "Quite. Well then. Who would've thought such a little thing could hit so hard?" Fitz and Georgiana chuckled. Darcy looked somewhat less amused.
Meanwhile, back in the prisoners' new, better guarded tent, Elizabeth was attempting to hatch another plan. "All right," she whispered. "This time, you distract him, and I'll..." Jane sighed. "Lizzy, this is not going to work. We are not getting out of here, and we might as well acknowledge it." "We are too going to get out of here! They can't hold us forever, and...Oh, who am I fooling? You're right. We cannot overpower them, and obviously we cannot outwit them, either." Elizabeth sighed. "So what are we to do? We cannot just sit here." Jane thought for a moment. "Well," she said, "I would suggest that we try to amuse ourselves as much as possible and pass the time until we are rescued." Elizabeth smiled slightly. "I suppose we must try."
After a few days of their good behavior, Darcy began to look a bit more favorably on the prisoners, even the younger one. She was obviously the cause of trouble; the older sister was far too sweet-tempered to start problems, even for people who captured her. The younger sister just might be beautiful enough to be worth the trouble, though. She had the nicest pair of eyes he had ever seen. Darcy did a mental double-take. What was he thinking? Beautiful enough to be worth the trouble? She was an aristocrat just like the others, not caring who she had to crush to continue to live in luxury. Moreover, she was a friend of Wickham! That should be enough to diminish any attraction.
At any rate, Darcy decided, it was time to try reasoning with these troublesome young women. Perhaps they were now willing to listen. He entered the prisoner's tent, this time prepared to deflect attack. However, the girls were sitting calmly, talking. Darcy breathed a sigh of relief. Safe. "Ahem...Ladies. Good afternoon. My name is Darcy." Elizabeth's eyes grew wide. This was the fearsome Darcy Hood! That horrible man who Wickham was trying to track down! She resolved to keep her calm. "Good afternoon, sir." She said. "May I ask what you want?" "Well, I would like to know your names." Jane smiled at the very polite outlaw. "My name is Jane Bennet, and my sister is Elizabeth. How may we be of service?" Elizabeth was disgusted. How could she be polite to this horrible man? "Well," Darcy said, "I was hoping we could come to some sort of agreement. My second-in-command, Little Charles, feels that you two are women of honor, and can be trusted. Though Charles tends to be overly kind in his assessments of people, I know he would not let that color his judgment in so important a matter. Not to mention, this is going to be entirely his responsibility. I am washing my hands of you both."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Just what are you suggesting, sir?" "I know you two must be most tired of being trapped in this tent all the day. Not to mention, I cannot really spare the men to guard it all the time. So, I am willing to make a bargain. I will allow you to be untied and give you freedom of the camp under Little Charles' supervision..." Lizzy and Jane leaned forward with anticipation. "...if you promise not to attempt escape." The girls sat back. Lizzy motioned Jane over to her, and the two began talking quietly. There was obviously much contention about what to do, but at last they turned and faced him again. "We will take your offer, Mr. Darcy." Elizabeth said reluctantly, making it very clear which sister had been in favor of accepting his truce. "Thank you!" Jane added. Darcy nodded in affirmation. "Good then. Someone will be here to get your promise in writing, and then you shall be allowed out with Little Charles. The first time you attempt escape, you will be tied up and placed in this tent again." With that, Darcy marched out of the tent.
"Arrogant cretin." Elizabeth muttered. "Who does he think he is, Jane? He throws his shoulders back and talks down to us as though he were a prince, giving his magnanimous little offer! Hmph. I still say we should have told him to take his truce and sh..." Jane looked shocked. "Elizabeth!" Elizabeth had the good breeding to look somewhat sorry. "I still say he's an arrogant cretin."
A few minutes later, Georgiana and Little Charles arrived in the tent, Charles smiling broadly. "I'm so glad you decided to agree not to escape. Though there's not much here for ladies such as yourselves, I'm sure this will be better than staying in the tent all day." Little Charles nodded over to Georgiana. "Give them the promise, Will." Georgiana retrieved a paper from her pocket. "It says you agree not to attempt escaping the camp again, and that you agree not to attempt to harm any members of the band.", she said. "I know what it says." Elizabeth said, offended. "I'm sorry. So many people cannot read that I did not want to assume that you knew how." Elizabeth, somewhat mollified, apologized. "I'm sorry for snapping. It has been a stressful week." Georgiana smiled. "I imagine so."
As Elizabeth continued to look at Georgiana, she began to realize something. "Why...you're a girl!" Georgiana and Jane laughed. "Of course I am! Sorry, I forget that my clothing still fools people." Jane looked just a trifle smug. "I knew it right off." Elizabeth was very interested. "You carry a sword. Do you really work with this band?" "Certainly. She's the best hand with a sword of the lot of us!" Little Charles said as Georgiana blushed. Elizabeth and Jane were quite impressed. The longer they spent with these outlaws, the less convinced they were of the outlaws' evil. In fact, Elizabeth was certain that they would be perfectly good people if they were not led into bad deeds by Darcy Hood. "Do you think...perhaps..."Elizabeth began, "that you could teach me? It would be something to do." Georgiana considered it for a moment. "Perhaps. I'll have to ask Darcy." Elizabeth groaned inwardly. Did everything come back to that awful man? She had to admit he was handsome, but his arrogance more than counteracted it.
Chapter 8: By The Pricking Of My Thumbs... Posted on Thursday, 23 December 1999
Warning: We've got some really good violence in this one! "Go fetch this. Take that there." Caro muttered. "Did I leave the East to come here and be treated like a slave? I helped that ungrateful beast escape, and how does he repay me? By making me into a servant, that's how!" Caro continued to complain under her breath as she continued on to the river with an armload of laundry. "I have never been forced to wash my clothes! It is slaves' work!" Caro set her bundle down at the riverbank with a sullen thump. "I came here on the understanding that I would live a life of luxury, and now I dwell in the woods like an animal! It is too much to bear!" Caro enjoyed ignoring the fact that everyone else in the camp worked a good deal harder than she did. The Merry Men were always stealing, distributing what was stolen, training, or keeping weapons in working order. The families of the men washed clothes, cooked, organized, and did the other things necessary to keep the camp running. Everyone pulled his or her weight. Caro, however, considered it an insult to be asked merely to wash her own clothes.
Still more insulting was the fact that Darcy almost completely ignored her. Every time she tried to speak to him, he told her he was busy. However, he never seemed to busy to show that English trollop how to use a bow! How could he favor a milk-and-water English miss to someone like her? Fine eyes, indeed. Hmph.
Georgiana saw Caro grudgingly go to wash her clothes and chuckled. Ye Gods, but that girl was obnoxious! Always complaining, as though no one else in the camp was working. As Georgiana looked up at the sky, she saw that it was nearing time for Maid Elizabeth's sword lesson. Lizzy was a quick learner, and Georgiana was having a marvelous time teaching her. She had not had female companions her own age for a long time. Lizzy and Jane had started out as extremely troublesome prisoners, but they were becoming a true joy to have around. Georgiana was going to miss them when they were returned.
"No...no. You're doing it all wrong!" she heard Darcy say as she neared the clearing they used as a training yard. Oh no...he must be giving another shooting lesson. "I am trying my best, sir!", came the angry reply. Darcy took a calming breath. "Here, let me show you. You must level the arrow just so..." he put his arm around Elizabeth's to steady it. Neither saw Georgiana walk up behind them. Elizabeth knew she should not, but she was enjoying having Darcy's arms around her. When they were not surrounded by others, he somehow seemed less the arrogant, overbearing louse she had thought him. But that didn't change the fact that he was a thieving outlaw. Wickham had told her what kind of person he was! Still, he was a very fine-looking man.
"Ahem." Georgiana cleared her throat discreetly. Both Darcy and Lizzy jumped away from each other as though burned, looking as guilty as children caught with cookies before dinner. "Are you ready for your sword lesson, Lizzy?" Elizabeth took a moment to regather her senses. "Oh. Yes, certainly, Will." Darcy looked very irritated. "Why do you call her Will? Her name is Georgiana." Elizabeth drew herself up, bristling with indignation at the notion that she might be doing something improper. Would the man never tire of pointing out her faults? She began to wonder why she had thought him handsome. "It is what everyone else calls her. I suppose it is just what I am accustomed to." "Truly, Darcy," Georgiana said, "it is no trouble. I have become so used to being called Will that I often forget to answer to Georgiana."
"Fine. Do as you wish. Both of you always do, anyway." Darcy stalked off, head high. Georgiana shook her head in dismay. He never would learn that kindness would get him further than pride. "Have you been practicing that thrust I showed you yesterday?" Elizabeth nodded. "Fitz helped me. I am certain that I have it now. And speaking of Fitz..." Georgiana blushed slightly. "What about him?" Georgiana said.
Elizabeth smiled; she had thought there might be some interest there, and that blush had just confirmed her suspicions. "You two certainly spend an awful lot of time together." Georgiana looked a bit uncomfortable. "It's just that he's the best swordsman in the company. Nobody else really gives me much challenge." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. "And that's all, is it?" Georgiana blushed again. "Well...perhaps a little more." She said. "But he only thinks of me as a foolish girl and a fencing partner." "I think we shall have to do something about that. Did you ever think that it might help if he were to see you in female clothing?" Georgiana looked a little puzzled. "What difference would that make? It's only clothes."
"Only clothes? Clothes make more difference than you might ever imagine, as does hair. After this lesson, I'm going to take you to our tent and we'll see what Jane can do with you. She's a wonder with this kind of thing, you know." Georgiana's eyes lit up like a child at Christmas. "Really? Oh, how wonderful! Let us go on with the lesson quickly, then!" Georgiana was thrilled with the prospect of being able to attract Fitz's attention, and Elizabeth was quite pleased to have made her so happy. The two immediately started on their hour of thrusts and parries, completely unknowing of the trouble that was brewing only a few miles away in the palace of King John.
King John and Queen Catherine watched as Sir Wickham paced the floor of the great hall. Princess Anne sat silent and pale behind her royal parents, as usual overshadowed by their royal presences. "How can they have disappeared like this?" Wickham said. "My men have searched the area over and over for the past month! I know this is the work of that Darcy Hood!" Wickham stomped up and down the castle floor angrily.
"Sir Wickham, please, be seated." King John said. "You are nearly giving Us motion sickness." The Sheriff of Meryton sat. "Thank you. Now, why are these girls so important?" King John said. Wickham had a great many women; none had ever caused this level of concern before. "The girls are not important." Wickham replied. "They are, in fact, completely incidental. What is important is that Darcy Hood has thwarted me again! He and his 'Merry Men' dance circles around my soldiers, stealing from the best men in the kingdom, and no one can seem to track them down. It is as though they disappear into thin air!"
Queen Catherine raised her royal chins into the air. "Perhaps, Sheriff, you should try a little harder. Question the peasants; they must know something." Catherine said with great royal dignity. Her most favorite courtier, Lord Collins, immediately stepped forward to agree with her. "Your Majesty is most wise!", he said. Wickham rolled his eyes at the insipid little fellow. "Your Majesty," he said, "with all due respect, I have tried repeatedly to question the peasants. They will reveal nothing, even under pain of torture." Queen Catherine paused to consider this point for a moment. "We shall raise the taxes again, and set a high price on the head of this Darcy Hood. Eventually the pain of their stomachs will overcome their loyalty to the man." Lord Collins nodded eagerly. "Oh yes, Your Majesty! That is a most brilliant plan! Your wisdom is so great!" Wickham realized that he could not stomach remaining in the room any longer. "I will do as you command, Your Majesty."
"That Collins creature is quite possibly the most annoying man I have ever had the misfortune to spend time with." Wickham thought as he left the throne room. " 'Raise the taxes more!' she says. As though that would help me find Darcy. At least it will make it easier for me to take my cut of the money without attracting notice." Wickham continued down the castle halls and retrieved his horse. He had a dinner engagement at Castle Longbourne that night. "Too bad the older chits are gone." he thought. "They were the prettiest of the lot. Still, the youngest is diverting enough. Maybe I can at least get a little sport out of her. Lord knows there should be some compensation for dealing with that twit of a mother they have."
Back at the camp, Georgiana was unsure about Jane's work. She examined herself in the camp's sole mirror, looking at the rather fitted dress Jane had put on her. "Are you sure about this?" she said suspiciously. "Of course!" Jane said. "You look absolutely lovely! One more thing, though." Jane plucked a daisy from the ground and placed it in Georgiana's hair. "There! Now you look like Georgiana!" Georgiana smiled. "Instead of Will Scarlet?" "Indeed." Lizzy said, smiling. "Now let's go show you off!"
The three girls exited the tent. The first person they happened to encounter was Little Charles. "Well?" Georgiana said, twirling around. Little Charles looked almost dumbstruck. "Will...I mean, Georgiana...you look very nice." Georgiana smiled brilliantly. "It's all Jane and Lizzy's doing! They got me the dress and did my hair and everything!" Charles smiled at Jane. "You are a marvel.", he said. A look passed between the two of them that spoke volumes. "Hm." Georgiana thought. "Perhaps it is time for me to do some matchmaking of my own." "Lizzy," she said, "Why don't we see if we can find Fitz Tuck. I feel sure Jane and Charles can manage without our presence." Lizzy gave her a conspiratorial smile. "I think that's an excellent idea." With that, the two girls went in search of Fitz, leaving Little Charles and Maid Jane to themselves.
Unfortunately, they found Caro instead. Upon seeing Georgiana, Caro's jealousy was aroused full force. The girl was very pretty, and if there was one thing Caro hated, it was having more pretty girls about. She pulled together her best sneer and looked down her pointy nose at Georgiana. "So, Will, playing at being a girl again, are we? Too bad it shan't do you any good. No man could possibly want a woman who fights. 'Tis so very unfeminine." Georgiana stared at her, struck with hurt. This was just what she had been afraid of. "Excuse me!" Georgiana said, rushing off, tears in her eyes.
Elizabeth, however, was not hurt. She was angry. Furious, in fact. "Just who do you think you are?" Lizzy said. "Georgiana looked beautiful, and you know it! You're just a greedy, conniving, jealous little..." Caro's jaw dropped. No one had ever dared speak to her this way! "How dare you!" she screeched, reaching out to slap Elizabeth. Lizzy caught her arm swiftly and twisted it behind her back. Lizzy soon brought Caro to her knees, one hand twisting Caro's arm and the other pulling her head back so their eyes were level.
"Listen to me." Lizzy whispered threateningly. "And heed me well. You will never, ever, as long as you live, say another cruel thing to Georgiana, Jane, or anyone else at this camp. If you do, and I find out about it, I will cut your venomous little throat." With that, Elizabeth let go, letting Caro fall to the ground on her hands and knees. Lizzy whistled merrily as she walked away, leaving Caro to consider her actions.
Caro stood and brushed herself off angrily. That nasty little English woman probably would cut her throat! Caro began to consider her course of action. She had grown decidedly tired of this way of life. It was clear that Darcy was going to be of no use to her whatsoever. The Sheriff of Meryton, however, might be more valuable. Caro resolved to pay a call on Sir Wickham the next day; perhaps they could come to some sort of...agreement.
Chapter 9 Posted on Sunday, 26 December 1999
But Love is blind, and lovers cannot see
The petty follies that themselves commit
~William Shakespeare
It was an altogether pleasant sort of evening. The sun was setting over Netherfield Forest, bathing the green woods in hues of pink and gold. The late summer air was warm, but not hot, and a cool breeze blew over the land. This pleasant weather is doubtless why Fitz Tuck was taking a walk down to the stream, humming a jaunty tune.
As Fitz reached the stream, he thought he heard sounds of someone crying. Surely enough, there on the bank was a girl with the most beautiful black hair he had ever seen, sobbing her eyes out. "She must be lost or some such." Fitz thought. "Hey, now!" he said. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
The girl sat up and wiped her eyes on her sleeves. "No." she sniffled. "Not really." Fitz took a few steps closer. "Go away, Fitz!" the girl shouted. "I don't need you to make fun of me, too!"
Fitz was puzzled. Make fun of her? Why would he make fun of her? And how did she know his name. Fitz took a good, long look at the raven-haired beauty. "Georgiana?" he said, eyes wide.
"Go away!" she shouted again.
Yes, she was definitely Georgiana. Fitz could not believe his eyes. He had known she was pretty, but now...she was enchanting. Fitz began to laugh at his own stupidity for not realizing it sooner.
Georgiana started to cry harder. "Stop it! I've had enough sport made of me for one day!" She stood and started running into the woods.
"No, wait! Georgiana!" Fitz called after her. He sprinted off in her direction. "Georgiana!" At last, Fitz managed to catch up with her and caught her by the shoulders.
"Just leave me alone!" she shouted at him, still crying.
"Georgiana, I was not laughing at you!" Fitz said. Georgiana looked up, her tear-filled blue eyes meeting his dark brown ones.
"Y-y-you weren't?" she whispered.
"No, not in the least." He gently brushed a tear from her cheek and smiled at her. "I was merely laughing at myself. I could not believe how positively idiotic I have been. I was actually foolish enough to fail to see through your boy's clothes. I knew you were a pretty girl, but you are far more than that. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Georgiana blushed prettily. "You really think so?" she said hopefully.
"Indeed I do." A shy smile touched Georgiana's face, and Fitz thought she looked still more beautiful. And for the first time in her life, Georgiana actually felt beautiful. Fitz took her hands in his.
"Now dry those tears, eh?" he said. He decided that it was not the time to ask her what had upset her so, but he had a sneaking suspicion that Caro had something to do with it. Fitz was willing to wager his sword that she would have something to do with any trouble in the camp. That is, any trouble that Darcy didn't create for himself.
And only a few short hours later, Darcy was preparing to create plenty of trouble for himself. He had just called Little Charles into his tent for a conference.
"Before you start, sir," Charles said, "I have a question for you. You are the best friend I have, and I feel certain that you can be called upon to be honest."
"I will be happy to answer, if I can. Please, ask."
Little Charles cleared his throat. "Darcy, do you think, perhaps, Maid Jane might have some...regard for me?" he said.
"Just as I suspected." Darcy thought. "The last thing he needs is to be ensnared by some lord's daughter who is treating him as a petty flirtation. She would never think of marrying him. And even if she would, her family would never hear of it. They think themselves so far above men like Charles, though he's a better man than any of them." "Well. Eh..."Darcy began. "I am sorry to say this, but I have not noticed that she bears any particular affection for you. She seems to treat you pleasantly and politely, as she does everyone else."
Darcy saw Little Charles' face fall for an instant. "Thank you, Darcy. I appreciate your honesty." Now what was it you called me in here to discuss?"
Darcy slumped into the one chair in the room. "Caro is becoming increasingly difficult. She refuses to do any manner of work, even when I have specifically requested it, and the others are becoming resentful." He said.
Charles shrugged. "'tis simple. Tell her to leave." Charles said.
"I was afraid it must come to that. I have faltered this long only because she helped me escape from that Saracen Hades."
"I know. But I think you have long since repaid any debt you owe her. If she cannot pull her weight like everyone else, you must tell her to go." Little Charles turned and started out of the tent, then stuck his head back in to see Darcy looking over a map of the county in deep thought. "Darcy?" he said.
Darcy looked up at him. "Yes?"
"Get some sleep, man. We're all thankful for what you've done, but don't work yourself into the ground." Charles said.
Darcy chuckled and gave him a mock salute. "Yes, sir." As Little Charles departed, Darcy lit another candle and bent back over the map. It was going to be a long night.
One Week Later
The Sheriff of Meryton was seated at his desk, writing an order to raise the reward for Darcy Hood's capture yet again. "Curse the man!" he muttered to himself. "Hundreds of men searching for him, and still he evades capture. He steals from the most prominent subjects of the crown, and yet manages to hide right under my nose!"
Just then, a young woman in an orange dress appeared at the door. "I may be able to help you with that, my lord." Caro said.
Wickham's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Who are you? What do you want?" he asked.
Caro walked to the desk, trying her best to look seductive. "Why, to help you, of course. I have some information that I believe you would pay dearly for." She said.
Wickham stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Really? And what might that be?"
A sinister glint came to Caro's eyes. "Do you think me a fool, sir?" she said. "If I tell you now, you shall throw me to the dogs. Suffice it only to say that it will allow you to capture Darcy Hood."
Wickham raised an eyebrow in question. "Well," he said, "that is interesting indeed. Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement."
Caro smiled. "That is precisely what I was thinking."
Back in Netherfield Forest, Elizabeth and Jane were completely unaware of the plot brewing at the Sheriff's castle. They were concerned with very different matters.
"I just do not understand, Lizzy!" Jane cried. "He seemed to have some affection for me. I had so hoped..." Jane hung her head in despair.
Elizabeth felt terrible. She had never seen her cheerful and kind sister so unhappy. "Oh, Jane." she said, stroking her hair. "It will be all right, dearest. He loves you! How could he not? You are the most beautiful, kindest girl in all of England!"
Jane gave her a sad smile. "You are obliged to say that because you are my sister." Elizabeth smiled back.
"That is not true, for I do not say such things about Lydia."
"Lizzy!"
Elizabeth continued to grin and tried to reassure Jane. "I am quite certain that Charles loves you. He pays more attention to you than he does to any other woman in this camp, for certain. I am sure that it is that awful Darcy Hood who is turning him from you."
Jane looked shocked. "Why would he do such a thing? Could he really be so cruel?" she asked.
"He would do such a thing from pure meanness. He is a rotten scoundrel, a murdering thief! Wickham told us all about Darcy Hood and the awful things he does, preying on innocent people!" Elizabeth replied. "It is all his fault that Charles no longer courts you. I am sure that Charles shall soon see his mistake and return to you." Elizabeth gave her sister a big hug.
"And if he does not?" Jane said.
"If he does not, he is not worthy of you anyway."
In another part of Netherfield Forest, Darcy Hood also had worries of a romantic nature. He paced the forest floor furiously, pondering his crisis of conscience. "Elizabeth's a fine woman. Beautiful, educated, even kind! But I cannot connect myself to her sort." he muttered. "Her father and those like him are the very ones who murdered my father and bleed the people of this land! They are vultures!" Darcy slammed his fist against a tree. Then he rubbed his very bruised knuckles. "But it does not make any difference to me, does it? I no longer care if she is friends with Wickham or the Devil himself!" he said angrily to himself. "I shall toss my honor and pride to the four winds for her. How far the heir to Pemberley has fallen! Disregarding family and respect for a woman."
Darcy was disgusted with himself. He had allowed his unapproachable facade to be breached by a woman who was related to and friendly with people who were hardly fit to be called human. However, it could not be avoided. Darcy's heart was forever lost, and he knew it well. So be it. He would tell her his feelings, and pray to learn to live with himself.
Darcy sought out Maid Elizabeth that very afternoon, knowing she often walked in Hunsford Field. Surely enough, she was there, seated on top of a small hill. "Good afternoon, Maid Elizabeth." He said.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Darcy." she said with a cool tone. At this moment, Darcy realized he had not the slightest notion of how one went about proposing marriage to a woman.
"How are you?" he said, lacking any better point of conversation.
"Well, thank you." she replied. Elizabeth was using the coldest form of politeness she could muster, having no wish to spend any more time with Darcy than was absolutely necessary. Perhaps if she ignored him, he would go away.
Elizabeth sat in silence for several minutes. Darcy paced about, seeming almost frantic. At last, after moving about in this agitated manner for quite a while, Darcy spoke.
"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
Elizabeth was completely and utterly shocked. Of all the things Darcy could have said, this was the least expected and least welcome. She stared at him silently, dumbfounded.
"Elizabeth, I have gone mad these past weeks. I have struggled against this affection, for it is completely contrary to my nature. You are the product of everything I have ever hated, a totally improper connection for me to make. It confounds my pride and honor to be joined with such a family. However, my affection for you is so great that pride and honor have become secondary to it. I hope you will now reward that affection with the acceptance of my hand."
Elizabeth continued to stare at him for a few moments. It was quite obvious that he had no doubt that she would accept him. Indeed, he seemed to think he was doing her some sort of favor. "Why, that arrogant, insufferable man!" she thought. "Who in Heaven's name does he think he is, a prince? In fact, I would refuse a prince if he were to behave in such an insulting manner!" At last, she was able to calm her ire enough to speak.
"In such cases as this, it is I believe, considered proper to express a sense of gratitude for such declaration, even if the sentiments are not equally returned. It is completely normal that such gratitude be felt, and if I felt it, I would express it. I am sorry if I have caused you pain, Mr. Darcy, but I feel sure your feelings of honor and pride shall have no difficulty in overcoming your avowed admiration." Elizabeth said, barely holding back a complete condemnation.
It was now Darcy's turn to stare blankly with surprise and resentment. "I suppose I cannot wonder why I am rejected without even an attempt at civility?" he said bitterly.
"I suppose I could also ask why you decided to tell me you liked me with such a design of offending and insulting me by telling me it was against your will, reason, and conscience! Was that not a small excuse for some incivility? And even if you had not done that, I would still be disinclined to have any liking of you whatsoever. Can you deny that you were the reason my sister has been separated from the one man who might bring her happiness?"
Darcy turned pale with anger, but the emotion passed quickly. "I have no wish to deny it. I felt I was doing what was best for Charles." He said. Elizabeth's tirade was still not finished, though.
"Even," she said, "had this not happened, I have been aware of your very black character since long before I had the misfortune to meet you! Sir Wickham has told us all of how you rob and murder innocent people! You are a cold-hearted fiend!" she shouted at him finally.
Darcy looked at Elizabeth in numb silence. The woman for whom he was willing to throw away everything he held dear had rejected him, called him cruel and cold-hearted. And all on Wickham's word. "So this is what you think of me." he said, struggling to keep his countenance neutral, his voice quavering. Elizabeth seemed to begin to say more, but Darcy held up his hand. "You have said more than enough, madam. I comprehend your feelings completely. I have only to be ashamed of what mine have been. Farewell."
With those words, Darcy swiftly left the field, retreating into the woods. As he reached them, he allowed his frustration to take full control and punched another tree. This was followed by the exclamation of several words which should not be repeated, and a swift walk to his tent, where he could be alone in his misery.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was still in a state of shock. "How could he?! How on earth could he declare his love for me, and do it by insulting me!?"she thought. " And then to seem proud of his role in Jane's unhappiness! Sir Wickham was right; he is a terrible and cruel devil."
Chapter 10
Good nature and good sense must ever join;
To err is human, to forgive divine.
~Alexander Pope
Early the next morning, Elizabeth was most surprised to see Darcy waiting outside her tent. "I cannot believe he would dare show his face here!" she thought.
Darcy merely held out a piece of paper to her. "I pray you will favor me with reading this letter, madam. As for myself, I am off to King John's castle. I understand there is to be a feast, which means fine pickings for a 'cruel and cold-hearted robber and murderer of innocents'. As you are so loathe to be in my company, I am sure this knowledge will please you." Darcy bowed with great ceremony. "Farewell, my lady."
For a moment, Elizabeth could only stare after him. For once, he had seemed sad, rather than the victim of wounded pride. He had appeared genuinely upset. Perhaps she should read his letter.
Have no fear, my lady, that I will repeat any of the sentiments you so abhorred last night. I write without any intention of paining you, or humbling myself by dwelling on wishes, which, for the happiness of both, cannot be too soon forgotten. I only mean to demand your attention for a few moments that I might demand your justice.You accused me last night of two offenses of very different natures and magnitudes. The first was that I, regardless of the sentiments of either, separated Charles from your sister. The second was that I am a robber and murderer of innocents. I hope I may convince you to bestow your blame somewhat less liberally by giving you my account of my actions and motives. If I offend you in any way by this expression, I am sorry; it must be done.
I did, indeed, warn Charles away from your sister. He came to me last week and asked if I had noted that Jane had any special affection for him. I truthfully answered that I had not. I had seen them together, and I saw your sister behave no differently toward him than she did any other man at the camp. She was perfectly pleasant, to be sure, but seemed to have no particular regard for him. Based on what knowledge I have of girls of your class, I assumed her to be merely flirting with him, considering it highly unlikely that she would throw away comfort and family for life in the forest. However, you claim that Maid Jane is in love with him. As you know your sister far better than I, it would seem that I have been mistaken, and your resentment is not unreasonable.
As to the second charge you lay at my feet, I can only answer it by relating to you the whole of my connection with Wickham. He was raised in my house, my father's ward. My father treated him kindly, just as he did Georgiana and myself. When I joined King Richard on Crusade, Wickham remained at home. With me gone, he was responsible for Pemberley's defense. I was at war for two years, one and a half of them spent in a Saracen prison. Almost immediately after I returned, it was obvious that the people were being taxed beyond the point of survival. Wickham, as sheriff, is able to take a part of the money for his own use while they starve. I also found my home forfeit to the crown and my sister disguised as a boy, just barely surviving by living in the woods. My father had been murdered by Wickham's men at King John's order, despite all he had done for Wickham. I brought together all the men who had been declared outlaws for failure to pay taxes or poaching on the King's land. We formed this band to take back what was stolen from the people by the rich and give it back to those who needed it. That is why I am a thief, madam. As to murder, I can honestly say that I have not killed any innocent man or woman. Only three men have been killed in the past year in which the Merry Men have been operating, and they were the first to draw swords. Neither I nor any other man in Netherfield Forest has killed except in self-defense. I hope you can therefore acquit me of being a "cruel and cold-hearted robber and murderer of innocents."
These circumstances also lead to much of my reluctance to hold affection for you and my wish that Charles and Jane be apart. I could not cheerfully connect myself to one who is of the sort that has forced me to thievery, nor could I allow a friend to do the same.
For the truth of everything here related, you may apply to Georgiana or to Charles. Though you might choose to doubt me because of your disgust of my affections, you know both of them to be honest. At this point, my lady, I may only add, God bless you.
"Fitzwilliam Darcy"
It may easily be supposed that Elizabeth went through a great many shifts of emotion. The beginning of the letter she found to be all she had ever supposed Darcy to be: proud, conceited, and haughty. The account of Sir Wickham, however, she read with a clearer mind.
At first, she was certain it must be falsehood. How could she possibly have been so deceived about Sir Wickham's character? But the more she thought on it, the more Darcy's account rang true. There were a great many more poor in the streets, and King John had certainly gained a great deal of land. And the men here in the forest were not of the sort that one thinks of thieves as being. Darcy was well-respected by everyone in the camp, and he was not skilled enough at concealing his character to play so many people false. Sir Wickham was dislike by a great many, for certain. As she thought on his behavior, she saw it in a very different light. All his attentions to her and her sisters seemed repugnant, rather than flattering.
She then began to consider the first part of Darcy's letter again. If he had indeed been unknowing of Jane's affection, perhaps his response was not so unreasonable. And no wonder he did not wish to be connected to such people! Her "friends" had destroyed his life and indeed, the lives of scores of people!
Maid Elizabeth became absolutely ashamed of herself. She, who had always prided herself on being a great judge of character, had failed abominably. She had formed completely and utterly mistaken impressions of both Darcy and Wickham. "I have been blind, indeed!" she cried out. "I have been a complete fool." Elizabeth slumped into a chair and began to cry.
This was not the only bad news she was to receive, however. Later that evening, Fitz Tuck came to her tent. She had hidden away all day there, contemplating Darcy's letter.
"Maid Elizabeth?" he said as he entered.
Elizabeth looked up from the letter to face him. "Yes?" she said.
"I have some news of your family, madam. It is not good."
A fearful look came over Elizabeth's face. "What is it?" she whispered. Fitz paused, looking somewhat ashamed of what he would relate. She feared a thousand things in the moment before Fitz spoke, but she never would have guessed at the truth.
"'tis your sister, Lydia. She has gone to France with Wickham, some say as his mistress."
Elizabeth gasped. Lydia gone with Wickham! And not even married! After her day, it was really too much. No event could have occurred to disturb her peace of mind further. No event, that is, except the answer to her next question.
"Where is Darcy, Fitz?" she asked. "I have a most important matter to discuss with him."
Fitz looked surprised. "Have you not heard? He and Little Charles are gone to Paris. Darcy plans to seek the help of his French relatives in determining whether or not King Richard lives."
Elizabeth groaned with dismay. She had misjudged two men terribly, and could not even apologize for it because Darcy had gone to Paris. Her sister was also gone to France, but as a horrible man's mistress. This had not been a good day, and the upcoming ones did not look to be good, either.