At the Cross Roads (open)

[Morgan]

Morgan sat easily on his horse as the beast trotted along the forest road. It was a beautiful time of the year, spring, and the leaves were just starting to open on the trees. Carpets of bluebells would soon brighten the forest floor whilst overhead birds sang their various tunes, harmonising effortlessly. Allowing his horse to find his own way, Morgan relaxed his arms and closed his eyes. The sun was warm against his face. There was a slight breeze, which caressed against his skin.

His horse's stride faltered and Morgan's eyes flickered open. "Steady, Pilgrim", he murmured, lifting the reins and kicking the horse on. The horse broke into a canter, a steady rocking motion. Watching vigilently for any rabbit holes or tree roots that might fell his mount, Morgan realised that they were approaching the crossroads. "Steady," He said softly, and Pilgrim's ears twitched at the sound of his master's voice. A light touch on the reins, and Pilgrim slowed to a trot and then a walking pace. His harness jingled as he threw up his head. The old horse had enjoyed stretching his legs.

As the horse and rider reached the crossroads, they stopped. There was no signpost save a stone marker. Morgan chewed his lip as he looked down the Nottingham road. In the other direction lay Clun. The man gave a deep sigh as he pondered his options. Obviously, the other track led to Locksley, but he had no call to visit there just yet. So what would he do? Head to Clun and see the farm he now owned, or head to Nottingham to pay his respects to the Sheriff?

[Lady Rosetta Court]

Lady Rosetta was just riding along the oppisite way. Her black horse, Daredevil were in rytham. she sighed. She spotted another rider. She kept to the path. She didn't know if this one was for the king or the dreaded Sheriff. Her long black, glossy hair flew past her waist and she wore a red velvet dress and a black travel cape. Daredevil pawed the ground. "Easy, boy." she whispered into her hroses ear. He calmed. She kicked him into a swoft trot and came into view of the other rider. She stopped her horse. "Good day dear sir." she said brightly. Word had reached everyones ear that Lady Rosetta Court of Cheshire was to marry Prince John. A little thing she wasn't to happy about...

[Morgan]

The sound of approaching hoofbeats caused Morgan to raise his head. Instinctively, his hand reached for the pommel of his sword and he left his fingers resting on his weapon. Pilgrim snorted and shook his head, sidestepping. Morgan sat his horse easily and moved with him. He watched as a woman astride a magnificent black stallion approached. Morgan arched his eyebrows in surprise. Surely she shouldn't be riding alone through these woods? After all, hadn't he heard the stories of Robin Hood and his band of outlaws on his journey from Dover?

Pilgrim whickered a deep greeting to the approaching pair. Morgan thumped his horse's neck affectionately as he cast his eye over the woman. From her dress, it seemed she had money and plenty of it. And that beast she was riding must have cost a pretty penny. Perhaps thats what he needed, a wealthy woman to warm his bed and plough her money into his farm with no questions asked. And this one looked a flighty piece. Morgan smiled broadly. After all, the fun was in the chase.

Morgan bowed as the Lady addressed him. "Good day to you, my Lady." He responded politely. "Have you just come from Nottingham?" Of course, Morgan knew darned well she'd come from that direction, but it was always safer to be polite in these situations. After all, a woman on her own? Who was to say it wasn't some sort of cunning trap.

[Lady Rosetta Court]

"Yes I have rode from there." she said. Daredevil wasn't sure about the pair and pawed the ground angrily. "Hush now." she soothed her horse. She had her blade at her side in case this man was going to cause any trouble. She let go of the reins with her right hand and touched the hilt of her sword. it was better to be cautious then to be a fool. "So where are you heading?" she asked with a bright smile on her angelic face. Daredevil snorted. She ignored the horse this time.

[Morgan]

Try as he might, Morgan could barely hide the smile that flickered across his face. She was a haughty baggage, make no mistake, but pleasing on the eye, that was for sure. Resting his forearms on the pummel of his saddle, Morgan gave her the benefit of his dazzling smile. "I am heading for Clun, my Lady." He replied, "Although, if you wish, it would be my honour to escort you back to Nottingham or perhaps you were heading for one of the nearby villages? Such a beautiful lady as yourself shouldn't be wandering around alone."

All about him, Morgan could hear the sounds of the forest. There was nothing that alerted him to a possible ambush. Perhaps, after all, she was just another traveller like himself.

[Lady Rosetta Court]

"Thats alright. I'm a skilled fighter." she said. She smiled at him. "I'm Lady Rosetta Court, my friend and may I have the pleaure of knowing your name good sir?" she said. She tightened her reins and gor herself comfortable on the saddle. A wind blew and the bluebells looked even more brethtaking in the wind. Her pale skin was begining to get goosebumps.

[Morgan]

Keeping the smile firmly on his face, Morgan bowed as Rosetta introduced herself. "Morgan Fitzroy, my Lady," he responded. "Newly returned from the Holy Land." In the deep recesses of his mind, he seemed to think her name sounded familiar for some reason. "Whilst I appreciate you may be a skilled swordswoman," Morgan gestured towards Rosetta's sword, "I feel very uneasy that you have ridden out alone. I have been hearing stories of ruthless outlaws in these parts. And it would go against my honour as a Knight, to leave you alone. Will you allow me to escort you back to Nottingham, m'Lady? I fear it is getting too late in the day to find my lodgings in Clun and as Nottingham is closer, I will seek out a bed in one of the town's inns."

With the briefest touch on his horse's reins, Morgan steered Pilgrim to Rosetta's side, allowing his horse's head to face Nottingham. He looked sideways at her through half lidded eyes. "Will you not indulge a weary Knight, Ma'am? The pleasure of your company on the road to Nottingham would be reward in itself."

[Lady Rosetta Court]

"Alas your hearing on these outlaws is false. I know them well. They speak and fight for justice." she said. She placed a hand on Morgan's. "Yes you may escort me. I live there." she said. "You might have known my father, Lord Andrew Court. He was a very close friend of the kings and a good knight." she said. Just mentioning her fathers name broke her heart. She forced back her tears and gave Morgan a quick and weak smile.

[Morgan]

Morgan gave a deep sigh. Now it was clear why Lady Rosetta's name sounded familiar. "I remember Lord Andrew very well, he taught me when I was a squire." Emotion grabbed him like a hand around his throat squeezing tightly. "He was a good and honourable man." Applying his heels to Pilgrim's flanks, the horse jogged forwards, taking Morgan slightly ahead of Rosetta and her mount. He gave a cough to clear his throat. Now was not the time to allow sentiment to cloud his mind. Reining back slightly, Morgan waited for his companion to come alongside.

"So tell me more about these outlaws." Morgan was curious, having obviously only heard one side of the story so far. "Its strange to hear of those on the wrong side of the law fight for justice." Giving his horse an easy rein, Morgan looked at Rosetta. Scrutinising her face, he could now see the family resemblance.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan remained still in the bushes, relieved that at last someone had passed. Lying in wait at a crossroads maximised his chances of finding someone to roll for a few pieces of gold, but even that ploy hadn't worked well today. This rider was the first that had passed all afternoon.

Still, it was risky taking on a mounted man alone. Perhaps he'd be better off luring him away from his steed. There was a chance, (a small chance) that the stranger had heard of Robin's quest and would give charity readily, but Allan knew better than to bank on it. But what could he use?

Before he'd come up with anything useful, another rider approached. As they slowed, he could see it was Rosetta. Well, that'd put paid to any chance of robbery. He didn't want to have to uncover her sympathy for his side to just anyone, not without her knowing what was going on. Their conversation interested him greatly, and he swore under his breath as they began to ride away just as the topic turned towards the outlaws.

[Lady Rosetta Court]

Rosetta smiled at Morgan. "You may rest at mine." she said. She kicked Daredevil on so she was at pace with the good sir. She tightened the reins a little and [atted the horse's neck. "You know my father did mention you when I was little." she said. She heard someone in the bushes and drew her sword. "Whos goes there." she said.

[Morgan]

Morgan inclined his head. "Thank you for the offer, my Lady, but I must decline this time." He replied. "It would be too presumptuous for me to impose on you, especially given our short acquaintence. Besides, now I'm back in England, I have the urge to get riproaringly drunk tonight." Morgan gave a small apologectic smile.

In the split second before Lady Rosetta called out, demanding that whoever was hidden to show themselves, Morgan himself thought he detected the slightest of movement in the bushes. As his companion drew her sword, he reached for the crossbow, which was slung across his back. Levelling his weapon, Morgan lined up the sights. A bolt was already in position. "I suggest you comply with the Lady." He called out, keeping his voice calm but firm. "Afterall its rude to keep a Lady waiting."

[Lady Rosetta Court]

Rosetta looked at Morgan. She kissed his cheek in thanks. She kicked her horse on. "Must have been a false alarm." she said putting her sword away. She smiled at her newly gained friend. She looked at him. Her heart beating fast. He was a good looking man after all.

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan had been holding his breath. His eyebrows shot up when Rosetta offered the man a bed for the night. For a woman supposedly in love with him, she was fluttering her eyelashes at Morgan a great deal more than necessary. He shrugged. It stung a little, but he'd never admit it, even to himself. Still, he'd missed his chance to step out of the bushes, so he'd have to lie low until they passed.

It seemed that the knight was loyal to the king, though. Maybe he'd keep an eye out for him tonight, meet him face to face.

[Morgan]

Morgan narrowed his eyes, but lowered his crossbow. Perhaps it'd been a rabbit after all. His reactions were slower though, when she kissed him. Morgan jerked backwards in surprise, his hand flying to his face and touching the spot vacated by her lips. It seemed he was right in his first assumption. Rosetta appeared to be a flighty piece. Had things really changed so much in England since he's been away? Noblewomen didn't used to act like that, but Morgan couldn't help but wonder if Rosetta acted as she did because she lacked a parent's guidance?

Keeping his crossbow resting on his thigh, Morgan urged Pilgrim forwards with slight pressure from his knees. The horse broke into a trot and, using the reins, Morgan steered his mount closer to Rosetta's own. "So, you were going to tell me about these outlaws?" He prompted.