Robin Hood’s Rescue – Act 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much ran into the clearing where the small band of outlaws was cooking dinner over a campfire.

“They’ve taken Robin!” he cried urgently. “The Sheriff and Lady Gayle! It was a trap! They’ve captured him!”

Jas jumped up. Jas had travelled to Kinzland from another continent and found herself taking up with Robin’s band of Merry ‘Kinz after a run-in with the Sheriff. In the forest they had met up with Little Joan and Willow Scarlett, who had fled the village of Kinzley. The Sheriff led with a cruel hand and the villagers who couldn’t pay the heavy taxes found themselves in the castle dungeon. Life in the forest had seemed preferable to Little Joan and Willow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We must break into the castle,” declared Little Joan.

“But how?” whined Much. “With the Queen’s visit, the guard will be doubled at the castle!”

“I have an idea…” said Jas.

 

THE CASTLE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A litter carrying an exotically dressed woman is carried up to the castle gates by a small group of servants.

“Halt!” ordered the guard at the gate.

“I am Princess Jasmine from the land of Kinzopia and I have come to pay my respects to your Queen.” declared  Jas.

“What proof have you that you are who you say you are?” asked the guard sternly.

“Is this proof enough for you?” asked Jas, opening a sack to display a large sum of golden coins. Jas had raided the Merry ‘Kinz latest haul that they had been planning to distribute to the poor.

The guard’s eyes widened at the pile of KinzCash. “My lady.” He said, bowing down low before opening the gate to allow the Merry ‘Kinz to pass through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once inside the Castle gates it didn’t take long to spot what they had come for. Robin and Marian were locked up in the stocks in the centre of the castle courtyard like a couple of animals on display in a zoo while the festivities went on around them. Lady Gayle stood close by, keeping watch over them. The Merry ‘Kinz ducked around a corner and considered their options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lady Gayle surveyed the crowd. She suspected that there might be a rescue attempt and she had warned the guards to watch out for suspicious characters. As she looked ‘round she spotted a face she recognized. Much wound his way through the throng and when he saw that Lady Gayle had spotted him he took off into the busy courtyard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Lady Gayle chased after Much, Jas made her way nonchalantly up to the stocks. As those gathered in the courtyard turned to watch the chase, Jas slipped each Robin and Maid Marian a small iron nail, before disappearing into the crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Much ran down a dark, narrow alley with Lady Gayle hot on his trail. As he passed a couple of doors set on either side of the alley, suddenly a rope appeared in the air in front of Lady Gayle, as if by magic. As Lady Gayle crashed into the rope and tumbled to the ground, she saw Little Joan holding one end of the rope and Willow Scarlett holding the other. The rope had been lying on the ground and the outlaws pulled it tight after Much had run over it. The Merry ‘Kinz tied up Lady Gayle and dashed toward the Castle gates where Jas waited with the litter.

In the courtyard Robin and Maid Marian worked quickly, poking around in the locks with the iron nails until they had freed themselves from their bonds. As they released themselves, Ella appeared at their sides disguised as a guard. She hands them their weapons which she had recovered from the castle. They started running toward the gates when suddenly a cry rang out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Seize them!” screamed the Sheriff, from his seat in the courtyard next to Queen Cowalor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With their way blocked, Robin and Maid Marian changed course, running up a nearby staircase to the parapets of the castle. As the guards began to climb the stairs, it looked like there would be no escape for the outlaw and his love. Robin peered over the edge of the castle. Maid Marian pointed at a door across the courtyard and whispered something to Robin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Your Majesty,” Maid Marian called out across the courtyard. The guards paused to hear what she had to say. “I know the Sheriff has assured you that he has handed over to you ALL the taxes he has collected.”

The Sheriff squirmed nervously in his seat, unsure of Maid Marian’s intentions. “I said SEIZE THEM!” he demanded. The guards started up the stairs again.

“Wait,” called out Queen Cowalor. “I would like to hear what she has to say.” Everyone paused anxiously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“But I think you’ll find that if you check his coffers, he may have missed a KinzCash or two.” shouted Maid Marian and with that Robin let fly an arrow that split the lock of the door across the courtyard. It flew open to reveal a massive treasure. A gasp went up from the crowd and at that moment Robin and Maid Marian disappeared over the side of the castle walls.

Inside the courtyard chaos broke out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Seize HIM!” cried Queen Cowalor, pointing at the Sheriff. At the same moment, a guard appeared from the alley, leading Lady Gayle who was still tied up. “And her!” demanded the Queen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outside the castle walls there was a gentle thud as Maid Marian and Robin Hood landed on Jas’ soft litter. The band of Merry ‘Kinz and Ella A’Dale cheered as Robin Hood took Maid Marian into his arms and kissed her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I was a fool to ever leave you.” Robin gazed lovingly at Maid Marian.

“You’re still a fool,” she scoffed. “but you’re MY fool.” she smiled and with that the gang disappeared into the forest, laughing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURTAIN CALL