THE DAUGHTER........by Coralynn

Jim has just put away his drug paraphenalia when he hears the doorbell ring.
He peeks through the window curtains to see a young woman in a police uniform at the door. The doorbell rings once again. He hides behind the curtain, but that gets boring. "HUH!" he says to himself, "better let her in. How's she gonna know anyway? Silly me!"
Opening the door just a bit, he sees that it's that nice young lady, Abby something or other, who was at the party the other night. She must be OK, he reasons, so he opens it wider and asks, "Hi there, you here to see me?"
"Yes." Abby wonders who else is living in the house anyway.
"Uhhh, come in," he steps aside and lets her walk into the vestibule.
"Do you have a few minutes to talk?" Abby asks, hesitantly.
"A few minutes? Hell, I have all day! I don't have to go to work anymore what with....."
"I know, and congratulations on your inheritance," the thought strikes Abby that he may misinterpret her sudden appearance as a bid for some of his fortune.
"May we sit somewhere?" she goes on.
"Oh yeah, sure, let's! See the living room? Lots of choices here. You can sit on this couch or that one, or that chair or this one or that one.....I have more furniture than Rockefeller!"
"Indeed!" she smiles at him as she sits on one of the leather chairs.
He positions himself on the couch nearest her chair and asks, "So what can I do for you today, Miss, or should that be Officer?"
"Both, actually, but I'm not here in the capactiy as a police....."
"Whew! That's a relief!" he swipes his right hand across his forehead. "So this is a personal...."
"Right. A personal visit. I have recently found out some important news that I feel you should know."
"Oh yeah? Good, tell me! I'm tired of watching the news on TV....." he trails off.
Abby tries to present the news in as gentle a manner as she can, so starts off with, "Remember Woodstock?"
"HO yeah! Now that's something I'll never forget! Best three days of my life!"
"You do remember the young woman you called Sunshine..."
"Yeah! She was the best! Ya know, I just ran into her again the other day, but she said it wasn't her. And.....you look exactly like her! What are the chances?"
"She's my mother, that's why I look like her," Abby explains, "she has admitted to me that she really is Sunshine, too. You were correct."
"See? I knew it!"
So far so good, Abby thinks to herself, now for the hard part.

"She was also at the 10 year reunion, remember?"
"And looked even more beautiful than she was before! Man oh man, that woman was hot!"
Abby isn't altogether comfortable with hearing her mother referred to as 'hot,' but figures it's the price of admittance.
"That was in August 1979, right?"
" Bingo! You're a bright girl!"
"Mr. Livingston....."
"Call me Jim, everyone else does!"
"OK, then, Jim........I was born in May of 1980."
"Does that make you a Taurus or a Gemini?" he ponders the possibilties.
"Jim, I was born nine months after you and my mother were together at the 1979 reunion....." she hopes she doesn't have to hit this man over the head with it but hopes he'll get the message if she tells him the truth subtley.
"Well, now, I'm sure your mother was thrillled to have a daughter. I know I would be!" he obviously doesn't get it yet.
"But you did."
"Did what?!"
"You had a daughter in May of 1980."
"NO!" he slaps his leg, "Now they tell me? Where's she been all these years?" he looks around the room as if looking for this phantom daughter.
"It was me."
"What was you?"
"I'm your daughter."
"You mean......?"
"Yes. You and Sunshine have a daughter together."
"And it's you? I don't know, Miss Abby, that sounds far out!"
"It's true, nonetheless."
"Well, well, if you're my daughter, you must move in here with me! I have a real nice room upstairs all decorated with pink bunnies and......"
"I have my own apartment. I won't be moving in with you."
"Drat! Would you at least come look at it?" he sounds so sincere Abby can't say no.
They proceed upstairs, walk to the indicated room, and when Abby looks in she sees a room with pink wallpaper and about 50 stuffed bunnies arranged on a flowery bedspread.
"This is lovely, Jim. But why did the Fab Five decorate it for a little girl?"
"Ran out of other ideas?" he guesses.
"It is a very nice room, but like I said, I have a place to live."
"If you should ever want to move, though...." Jim looks at her with that glazed look in his eyes.
"I'll surely keep it in mind," she tells him as they go back downstairs.
"Can you stay for breakfast?" he asks eagerly.
"I'm on duty today, so I must be going. Here's my home phone number if you need to contact me for any reason." she hands him her card.
"So you're my very own daughter are you?" he asks like the question hasn't already been answered.
"Yes, and we have a lot of catching up to do!" she tells him as she proceeds to the front door and steps outside. He follows. "Then it's arrevederci for now, daughter!" he declares happily as she walks to her car and get in, waving at him as she drives out.
He walks back into the house and sits on the same couch he occupied just a little while ago. "Sunshine and I have a daughter! Wonder if she knows?"

WILL HATCHES A PLAN....by Terri

Will laid awake in bed half the night. He played over and over in his mind what Eleanor had told him. The dawn was just beginning to break. He crept out of bed and went into the computer room. Quickly he 'googled' Henry II. He selected as much as he could and printed it out. He turned the computer off and went back to his old bedroom. He studied the information, fascinated. This was--or is--my father? An idea occured to him. I could get Poppy William's time travel coin, go back and meet him, and come back in time for breakfast! No one would know I was gone. He reached under the bed for his backpack. In it, he stuffed his Gameboy, several games, a flashlight, a penknife, his crayons and the printed out papers. He hesitated. Would it be babyish...? Oh, what the heck! He grabbed his teddybear and stuffed it into the backpack. May as well take Teddy with me. Maybe I should take a jacket? You never know what the weather will be like. He also took another T-shirt and took some extra underwear. Even though I am six,..well, you just never know!
He sneaked downstairs and into William's office. There was Poppy William's roll-top desk. No one--but NO ONE!--was ever allowed to touch it. It must have some good stuff if Poppy William doesn't want anyone into it. He took out his penknife and wiggled it into the lock, moving it back and forth. Bless Uncle Daniel for showing me how to pick a lock! He said it may come in useful some day!
The lock made a few noises and Will deftly opened the drawer. Pens, pencils, erasers...why would he keep this under lock and key? Will rummaged around and found a blue velvet box. He opened it up and inside was a gold coin emblazoned with the initial 'W'. This must be the travel coin!
He stood in the middle of the room and thought long and hard into the memory banks of his mind. When I was taken from the garden that day, I seem to remember Poppy William saying 'Chappaqua' and gave the date.
Will looked at his papers and thought to himself, I'd better go back to when my father is there. He thought, this would be good! The year 1164. He shoved the papers back in the backpack and walked outside. He stood in the middle of William's rose garden, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He chanted, "August 31, 1164--Windsor Castle".
The air glowed and swirled. And then the rose garden was empty.

Will looked around. There stood a castle and a moat. And woods lay far beyond. A knight came riding up. He said,. "Whoa!" Looking down at Will, he said, "Well, well, well! And who might ye be?"
Will looked up and said, "I be William Gwinnett. Who might YE be?"
The knight laughed and said, "I be Ranulf Glanville, the governor of the kingdom and the eye of the king. And what be your business over yon castle walls, Sir Gwinnett?" he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
Will answered, "I am here on a mission. I am here to visit my father. My real father."
Glanville said, "Aye, and who might that be? A groomsman? A valet? A knight even?"
William shaded his eyes as he looked up at Glanville. "No, sir. My father is Henry II."
Glanville stood stock still and said, "Oh, really, young chap! And who might your mother be?"
Will said, "Rosamond de Clifford."
Glanville breathed an oath. "By all that is holy, ye don't say!"
Will looked confused. "But I DID say!"
Glanville extended a hand down to the boy. "Faith and begorrah, it be fireworks in the old castle tonight! Hop alongside me, lad, I shall take ye over the moat and inside said castle walls!"
Will clasped his hand and said, "Thank you, Mr. Glanville. I appreciate it!"
Glanville shook his head and said to himself, 'so the sprogg of Rosamond has come home to roost! Oh that I shall be a fly on the wall...!'

Sir Ranulf Granville rode his steed over the moat bridge and up through the main gate. The soldiers on guard saluted him. He hailed them back. Will was seated behind Granville on the horse.
"Sir Granville, sir, these men seem to know you."
Granville said, "Aye, I am on good terms with my liege. I daresay he will be surprised to see ye."
Granville alit from his horse and then held his arms out to Will. Will slid down. Granville gave the reins to the stable boy who bustled forth.
"Come, Sir Will."
Will ran after him, trying to keep up with Granville's stride.
"Look sharp, Sir Will. Why not stand behind me when we get to the Great Room. I should properly prepare your father for your arrival. After all, it has been a long while since he has seen you."
As they entered the Great Room, Wil stood behind Granville, all but disappearing. Henry sat at a huge long table, a scowl on his face and a wench on his knee. He had a goblet of claret in one hand. John and Richard were throwing peas from their knives at each other. Geoffrey had his best falcon on his arm and was letting it drink ale from his cup.
Granville approaced Henry. Henry looked bored. Granville bowed to the King. Henry waved him on. "Alright, Granville, do you bring news from the Scottish border? Are the Picts invading Northumberland again? And if they are, just dump it in Percy's lap. After all, Hadrian didn't build that wall for nothing."
Granville said, "No, Sire, all seems quiet on the northern front."
Henry yawned. "Then it must be some trouble that upstart Robin whatever..."
"Locksley."
"Right. Robin Whatever is stirring up."
"No, my liege, Robin of Locksley is hiding in Sherwood Forest. He has been quiet lately. What I have is infinitely more to your liking."
Henry stroked the back of the serving wench he had on his lap. He offered his goblet of claret to the wench who greedily drank from it.
Granville stepped aside and Will was left standing all by himself. All eyes were on him. Henry dropped the serving wench on her arse. He threw aside his goblet and rushed over to where Will was standing.
"WILL!"
Will stood there not knowing what to say or do.
John and Richard stopped their food fight and Geoffrey looked up from his falcon. John blurted out, "Oh, damnation! The little squirt is back!"

___________.....by Terri

Henry clasped Will to him. Will's little face was smashed against his father's chest.
"Uh, Father? Your sword is jabbing me in the leg!" Will said with a smooshed face.
Henry drew back and said, "Let me look at you, son!"
Will stood there not knowing what to do. Henry put both hands on his shoulders and said satisfactorily, "Yes, you are the spitting image of your mother in looks. But you have the fortitude and daring of the Plantagenets!"
Will looked over at his brothers, one-third of them glowering, one-third of them amused, and one-third of them indifferent. Will visibly shrank back from John's hostile stare. Henry took him by the hand and said, "You've come back to us! Back where you belong!"
"But, Sir, you don't understand..."
Henry shoved a turkey leg in Will's hand. "I don't suppose you drink claret yet, do you?"
Will said, "Claret?"
Henry shoved the serving wench to one side and said, "Alice, go fetch...whatever it is the young ones drink!"
Alice stood up and rubbed her backside. She ambled off towards the kitchen. Henry looked around. "So! Is your mother here? Where's Rose?"
Will said, "She's back home with my daddy."
Henry slammed his fist on the table. "DADDY?? HE'S NOT YOUR 'DADDY'! I AM!" he thundered. Will jumped a mile. Maybe this wasn't such a hot idea after all.

Henry took Will by the shoulder and propelled him to the seat next to him. John was sitting in it.
"MOVE OVER!" Henry bellowed.
John gave a look of distaste to Henry but deferred. When he took his seat down the end of the table, Will caught John's eye. John drew his finger along his throat in a slicing motion. Will's eyes grew round and fearful. Richard ignored Will but Geoffrey, who had his falcon on his shoulder, said, "Well, if it isn't little William Longspee!"
"Long time no..."
Richard said, "Pee?" John roared with laughter. Will blushed.
Geoffrey ignored them. "Here, Will. This is my best falcon. His name is Roderick."
Will said solemnly, "Hello, Mr. Roderick."
Roderick fixed his red eye on Will and blinked. Geoff smiled and said, "I think that means how do you do?"
Richard said, "How long do you intend to grace us with your presence, Lord Will?"
"Well, I..." Will started.
Henry bellowed, "The boy is home to stay! And seeing he is of royal blood, he shall receive the same treatment as you three dunderheads!"
John stood up and said, "SAME TREATMENT? The child is a bastard! Born on the wrong side of the blanket and the offspring of your doxy!"
Just then a voice thundered through the doorway. "Bastard? Need I remind you that William the Conqueror was a bastard!"
Will looked up. He saw the august personage of his grandfather. Geoffrey of Anjou.

Geoffrey's mouth dropped open. "Well, if it isn't my grandson. Will. How be ye, boy?"
Will opened his mouth but no words came out. Geoffrey asked, "And where be your mother, boy?"
Will said, "She's home with my...." but he hesitated on the word 'daddy' as he remembered the rage Henry had flew into at that notion. So he finished his sentence with "...baby sister."
Geoffrey laughed. "Ah, so Rosamond has whelped a wee bonnie lass! And who might the father be?"
Will said, "Da---" and then changed it to "John Gwinnett, sir. My mother married him."
Anjou roared with laughter. "That's one on you, Henry! She not only got away, she got betrothed and wedded!"
Henry's face grew purple. Then he brightened. "Will, we were about ready for a stag hunt! And you are going!"
Will looked confused. "But--but, Sir! I have no rifle."
"Rifle?"
Will searched his memory banks for something else. He said, "My bow and arrows. I don't have them."
Henry shouted, "No need, boy! Your brothers will share! Won't you, lads?"
Richard shrugged his shoulders. John scowled fiercely. But Brother Geoffrey said, "I'd be pleased to share with Will."
Henry said, "Then let's away to the Royal Woods to hunt! We leave when the sun is in the mid-day sky!"
Will checked his Mickey Mouse watch. "Will that be at noon?"
But no one was listening.

HUNTING..OR HUNTED?.....by Terri

Henry clapped his hand on Will's shoulder as he led him to the royal stables.
"So, my son. How is your mother?"
"She is well. She is going to have another baby."
Henry grew silent. Then he said, "Well, well. Will the wench never learn? Let us hope she doesn't grow FAT!"
Will didn't know exactly what Henry meant so he kept silent.
As they entered the stables, Will looked up and saw the most magnificent stallion he had ever seen before. The stallion was pawing the ground and snorting.
Will stood there mesmerized. Henry looked over. "Ah, you like that one! That is my most prized steed. His name is Merovin and he is only five years old."
Will was awe-struck. "Please, sir, may I ride him?"
Henry said shortly, "No one rides Merovin but me. He is hard to handle. And he is my favorite horse. Come! Let us get you a horse with less...spirit. After all, you are but a lad."
Will looked longingly at Merovin but moved on to another horse. Henry got another horse out of the stall.
"This one is Bocephus. Named after Alexander the Great's horse. A fine steed but even tempered. Here. Let me help you up."
Henry lifted the boy up and Will seated himself. Henry got Merovin out of the stall, saddled him up himself, and said to Will, "Are you ready, boy?"
Will nodded, filled partly with trepidation and partly with excitement.
Henry turned Merovin around and said to Will, "Come, then! Your brothers await us in the woods!"
And they spurred their horses on.

Henry lead his son over to where Richard, John and Geoffrey waited in the meadow. Forests surrounded them on three sides. They had an assortment of grooms among the hunting party which consisted of some dukes and earls.
"Gentlemen? May I present my son Will? He has returned to us from...another place. Alas, the boy's mother could not be here but she sent him on ahead. I am sure she is to follow. You all know Rosamond de Clifford?"
A murmur of assent went around.
Henry then told a bold-faced lie. "I had married Rosamond eight years ago and we kept the nuptuals secret."
Will's mouth dropped open and he started to say something but his brother Geoffrey put his finger to his mouth in a 'hush' gesture and shook his head.
Henry continued, "The boy is not a bastard, as is rumoured. But is my legitimate son. I expect my wife will follow in a bit as she is seeing to her aging mother. Now--let's away to the hunt!"
Henry spun his horse around and galloped towards the forest. The others followed suit. Geoffrey pulled alongside Will and said, "It is best to keep quiet and not correct the king in front of lower ones. It just is not done."
Will was astonished. "But my mommy is married to my Daddy John! They have Julie and she is going to have another baby! She's not married to the king!"
Geoffrey said, "He must have a reason for saying what he did. Let's keep our mouths shut and mayhaps it will be revealed to us. In the meantime, stick close to me, little sprout! Geoffrey gave Will a leather gauntlet.
"Here. Put this around your arm..like..this.." Geoffrey showed him how to use it. "Now---take this falcon.."
Will exclaimed, "Oh, no! I can't!"
Geoffrey said, "Yes, you can. I will guide you through this."
Geoffrey gently handed the young falcon over to Will. Will was in awe of the bird of prey. Geoffrey said in satisfaction, "There! His name is Damian! And he is yours to use. Don't worry, Damian is young but he knows what to do. He is the son of my falcon here. Now, stay close to me and keep a sharp eye, little brother!"
Will nodded and they galloped to catch up to the others. Geoffrey looked over at the young lad and said to himself, 'Yes. I had best stick close to this one.'
He sighed and spurred his horse onward, Will following close behind.


MEANWHILE:

Rosamond and John went into the kitchen at the Big House. Celeste was putting groceries away and Julie was banging on some pots and pans with a wooden spoon. When she saw her daddy, she threw the spoon down and held her arms out to him.
John scooped her up.
"Well, dears, how is the moving coming along?"
Rose sighed and put her feet up on the next chair. "Slowly but surely. I never realized how much stuff you can accumulate in the 21st century! We have alot more boxes to go through. I think I see a yard sale on Winding Willow real soon!"
John sat down with Julie on his knee. "Where's Will?" Celeste said, "I haven't seen him since breakfast. I am guessing he is either in the garden with William or in his room."
Rose said, "He's not in the garden, I would have seen him when we walked up. William waved. But no little Will. I hope he isn't spending all his time in the room playing video games. I'll get him and tell him it is time to go home."
She ran up the stairs and knocked on the door. No answer. She pushed the door in.
There was one unmade bed-----and no Will.

HUNTED??...by Terri

The hunting party split up. Geoffrey volunteered to take Will with him. Henry assented. As they rode along, Will asked Geoffrey, "I came here to see my father but I don't think my other brothers like me. Especially John. I heard he hangs little children."
Geoffrey let that one go by. Will asked, "Why do you think Father told everyone he married my mommy?"
Geoffrey said, "He loved your mommy very much and it hurt him when she left. Then she married this other person and has a new life. I think Father wants to keep you around."
"Whyever for, Geoffrey?"
Geoffrey didn't want to say 'to use you as bait for your mother'. Instead he said, "Do you know abut primogenitors, Will?"
Will shook his head no. Then he said brightly, "But I do know my primary colours and my primary numbers!"
Geoffrey laughed. "Alright! Now stay right here..and be quiet! Look! Over by yon brook! There's a ten-point stag! I'll approach him with my bow and arrow. Don't move!"
Geoffrey alighted from his horse and reached into his quiver for an arrow.
Will was watching with baited breath. As Geoffrey drew back his bowstring, Will saw something on the ground. He bent to look closer at it. An arrow went whizzing by his head. It stuck in the tree next to Will. He froze. Geoffrey turned around and what he saw made him pale.
It was at the precise spot where Will's head would have been.
"Did you see that?" Will whispered to Geoffrey. Geoffrey took the arrow out of the tree.
"That was close."
Will whispered again, "Who did that?"
Geoffrey feigned ignorance. "I don't know, Will. Sometimes a stray arrow..."
Will looked at Geoffrey. "But I could have been KILLED!"
Geoffrey got back in the saddle. He called for his falcon and it landed on his gauntlet.
"Will? I think we need to go back to the Castle. And then you should go back..back to where you came from."
He took the reins of Will's horse and led them out of the forest. Will was beginning to think it wasn't such a bad idea either.

"Shhhhh! It's over there!" the voice whispered.
"What do you think it is?" the other voice replied.
"Dunno. But I aim to find out."
The woodsmen crept closer. "Well, what have we here? A fine stallion!"
"But no one in their right mind would leave such a fine piece of horseflesh!"
The voice said, "Hey! Look! An intruder!"
Will awoke from a sound sleep, and immediately reached into his quiver for an arrow. He jumped up and confronted his two visitors.
"Halt! Or you are dead where you stand!"
The two visitors guffawed. "What say you, David? Shall we pee in our pants now? Or later?"
David said, "I don't know, Simon! What shall we do with him?"
Will stood there, trembling partly from fear and partly for being awoken so abruptly. "I mean it! Stop where you are!" he yelled.
The one called David grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and picked him up. Will's feet kicked in mid-air.
"Ho, now! There is someone you need to see! Simon? Get the steed!"
David threw Will across his saddle, jumped on the back of his horse, and spurred his horse deeper into the woods.

For what seemed like an eternity, Will was bounced around. His stomach hurt. Not just from the bouncing but the fact that all he had to eat since he came to Windsor was a greasy turkey leg and three oatmeal cookies. And some stuff called mead that the servant girl gave him. He turned his head and yelled to the man who had him across the saddle.
"Hey, Mister! Mister!"
The man said gruffly, "What do you want, boy?"
"I think I'm gonna hurl!"
The man said, "Hurl?"
"PUKE! You know...RALPH! RALPH!" Will gestured with putting his fingers in his mouth and made gagging noises.
David, the man, said, "If you intend to...(and here David made gagging noises too) RALPH, turn your head and do it over the side. I'm not stopping this horse. And if you get anything on my boots, I'll have your guts for garters!"
Will sighed. Yeah. Right. Like I'm really gonna puke. What does he take me for, a baby?

The moonlight shone through the trees. Will lost all sense of direction. While bouncing around, he caught sight of the fact that the man named Simon had Merovin by the reins and that Will's backpack was still tied to the horse. Glad I brought a compass, he thought. When it gets daylight or maybe dark again, I'm gonna blow this turkey farm, sneak back into Windsor castle and get my coin. I'll bet it rolled under the bed. And maybe hit Brother John over the head with my flashlight!

After riding for hours---or what seemed like it to Will, because when you are face down and sideways across a saddle, minutes seem like an eternity---they came into a clearing. There was a camp. Makeshift cottages with sticks for walls and thatch roofs. A campfire was in the middle. As they pulledl up, a man yelled, "HALT!" David said, "Halt yourself! It is just David and Simon."
The man came up and said, "Ho, now! You made a fine catch there! Looks right regal!"
Simon grinned, "Don't he now?"
The guardsman said, "The horse I was talking about."
David climbed down and yanked Will off the saddle. "Now, let's see what I caught creeping about in Sherwood Forest."
Will looked around. The number of cottages was about fourteen. On the side of one cottage were arrows. Arrows. And more arrows. Bows. Bows. And more bows. Up above was an elaborate labyrinth of walkways constructed of sticks and boards and hoisted up with vines. A veritable highway of swinging bridges.
David grabbed Will by the neck. "And now for the interrogation. Ye be too young to be a spy. Pray tell---and I will know if you are lyin', scamp!--what are you doing in Sherwood Forest? And what be your name?"
Will managed to a false sense of bravado. "I am William Gwinnett."
David looked to Simon."Gwinnett? Never heard the name in these parts. Who be your mother, boy! And no lies!"
Will mustered up the courage to say, "Rosamond. Rosamond Gwinnett."
David said, "Be ye a bastard, boy?"
Will chided, "It's not nice to use language like that, dork!"
Simon said, "Dork?"
David shrugged. "OK--what be your mother's name before she wed Gwinnett."
Will said matter-of-factly, "De Clifford. Rosamond de Clifford."
David said, "Blimey! Ye don't say!"
Simon said, "Isn't that the lass...?"
David shot him a look. "Shut up, Simon!"
David then said, "Well, well, laddie! Now I KNOW there is someone you need to see!"
He yanked Will in front of him and propelled him forward towards the cottage in front.

MEANWHILE:

"Hey! Put me down! Put me down!" Will swung his legs out at David. David continued to hold Will up by the scruff of his neck.
"You creep! Drop me or I'll have your head!"
David laughed. "HA! And just who do you think you are, you little gutter-snipe?"
Will swung his arms out, missing by a mile but still striking away in mid-air. A voice came out from the cottage.
"DAVID! Are the King's men upon us? What is all that clatter?"
David replied, "Just a vicious rabbit we caught by the brook! But I think this is one you would want to see!"
The thatch covering the opening parted and out stepped a man. He wore hunter's clothes and boots and was slipping a bow and arrow with a quiver on his back. He grumbled and said to himself, ' a &*(&&^% rabbit! And what have I to do with it?' The man had piercing green eyes and a full beard. His face was devastatingly handsome (hell's bells--look at the graphic if you think I lie!) and had a build to die for. He burst out laughing at Will flailing away and being suspended in midair. The man crossed his arms and said, "Well, now! That's a right handsome rabbit! What do you intend to do with it?"
David laughed and said, "Ho, now! Shall we skin it and make rabbit stew?"
Will continued to swing and miss. The man motioned for David to put Will down. Will stood there trying to catch his breath. The man said, "You have a name, whelp?"
Will said nothing. The man barked at him, "The sheriff cut your tongue out for lying?"
Will shook his head no. The man then commanded him, "Then out with it! What be your name?"
Will still said nothing. The hunter fixed his piercing green eyes on him and said, "Why won't you tell us your name, boy? You a hunted man? A price on your head? A bounty?"
Will finally said, "NO!"
"Then what?"
"Mommy said I am not to talk to strangers!"
The man burst out laughing and said, "Then we shall all introduce ourselves and then we shant be strangers anymore, shall we?"
He pointed to David and said, "That there is David of Doncaster."
David tipped his hat to Will and gave him an amused smile.
The man continued. "And over there is Simon. He's holding a very fine horse."
Will interrupted with, "Of course he's fine! HE'S MINE! You think I would take just any old horse? Oh, no! Only the best!"
The man tried not to laugh. "And over there is our Friar. He's quite fond of the drink. Hence the red nose."
Will looked over and nodded sagely. "And looks like he likes food, too!"
Simon let out with a racous laugh until the man shot him a deadly look.
Will said, "My name is Will Gwinnett." Will extended his hand.
The man said soberly as he too offered his hand to Will. "Please to meet you, Will. I have a cousin named Will. Will Scarlet. He's standing guard on the other side of the copse."
The man turned. Will said to him. "But, sir, you haven't told me your name."
The man grinned suddenly and said, "Locksley. Robin of Locksley."
Will said, "Please to meet you too, Mr. Locksley."
Locksley said, "You may call me Robin."
Will suddenly grinned. "Robin? Robin of Locksley? I know you! My mother tells me bedtime stories of you. She may have known you."
Robin glanced quizzically at Will. "Your mother? And who might she be?"
"Her name is Rose Gwinnett. But before she married my adopted father--not my real father---her name was Rosamond de Clifford."
Robin stopped where he was. "Rosamond? Rosamond Clifford?"
His eyes danced with merriment. "Ah! So you are Rosamond's son! Well, well, well!"

WILL PROVES HIS METTLE...by Terri

"You know my mother?" Will asked.
Robin said, "Indeed I do! A fine woman! Lots of fun!"
Will said dubiously, "Well...yes. I mean, she's nice. Are you sure you know my mommy?"
Robin said, "Yes. She's about yay-high, blonde hair, eyes as blue as the sky. Has a little gesture of pushing her hair out of her eyes with the heel of her hand...hangs around with King Henry?"
Will said excitedly, "Yes! That's mommy!"
Robin sat down on a log and gestured for Will to sit too. He said, "We are just about ready for a late dinner. And then we have dancing later. Would you care to join us, Will Gwinnett?"
Will's eyes shone. "Would I!"

Robin looked at Will and said, "You know how to handle a bow and arrow, son?"
Will nodded. David of Doncaster and Simon roared with laughter. "You are jesting, of course!"
"This runt? HA! Bow is bigger than he is!"
Will's face flamed. "IS NOT!"
Robin shot them a look that shut them up. "OK, Will! Look! They are having archery contests over there. What say you go over and prove your mettle?"
Will shot Simon and David a look of disdain. He resolutely picked up his bow and arrow and marched over to where the woodsmen were taking turns shooting at an effigy of King John.
Will took one look at it and put his hand to his mouth, trying to stifle his giggles. One of the woodsmen turned to him and asked, "What's the humor, lad?"
Will tried not to laugh and asked, "Is that King John?"
The one named Will Scarlet said, "Aye, it is."
Will had a steely look in his eye, or as much as a six year old can have, and said, "Let me at him."
The woodsmen looked at Robin and he nodded ever so slightly. The woodsmen gave him room and Will Scarlet asked, "Want I should move it up closer for you, little fella?"
Will said, "No. And don't call me 'little fella' again."
Robin put his finger to his lips to staunch any retort the men were inclined to make. Will gazed at the effigy and then carefully put his arrow in his bow. The men rolled their eyes and one started to say something to Robin. He cut him off with a slicing motion.
Will stared with an intense look at the stuffed dummy. He then gave a big intake of breath and said to himself, 'here I go!'
BULLSEYE!!

The woodsmen stared in amazement. Robin walked over and pulled the arrow out.
David cried, "Lucky shot! But the whelp will never do it again!"
Robin crossed his arms and said, "Will? Want to try it again?"
Will nodded and put his arrow in his bow and concentrated. He let it fly. It landed right on target.
"Again!"
Will complied.
"Once more!"
Each time the arrow found its spot. David said after he got his mouth closed, "How did you do it?"
Will said, "Just did."
Robin put his arm around Will and led him towards the campfire. "Where did a young lad like you learn to shoot so well, Will?"
Will said, "My father. His name is John Gwinnett and he used to hunt. He taught me. My mother doesn't know it. He used to set up targets in the back yard. He figured Mommy wouldn't like it but that I should know how. On account of HE knew all about bows and arrows. He said every boy should know how to use a bow and arrow. Daddy said I could aim that arrow just as good as Robin Hood."
At this point, Robin of Locksley realized that Will didn't know who he was. Will knew him as Robin of Locksley and the stories his mother used to tell him were most likely about Locksley--not Robin Hood. He tried to suppress his grin.
When Will and Robin got to the campfire, the woodsmen gave Will a round of applause. Even David of Doncaster. Will's face grew red with embarrassment--and pleasure.
David took a wineskin and passed it to Will. "Here, boy! You earned it!"
Will took a drink and coughed. David laughed and pounded him on the back.
"Wh--what was that?"
David said, "Mead. Honeyed wine. I made it meself!"
Will took another sip and let the warmness flow over him. The men began to tell their tales. Will was fascinated and kept taking sips when the wineskin was passed to him. H was feeling more light-headed with each round passed.
Finally, he got up and walked over to the bushes. And ralphed.

Will was totally sick. The next thing he knew a gentle hand was on his shoulder and a cloth dipped in water was handed to him. Robin said, "You are not a lad accustomed to spirits."
Will blurted out, "What did you expect? I'm only six years old!"
The trees swayed and the ground was rising up to meet his face. Robin took him gently over to the log away from the campfire.
Will said, "Did the others see me?"
"Nay, they are too busy with their tall tales. Simple men but brave. Just take deep breaths. I will stay with you until you feel better."
After a minute, Will asked, "Mr. Robin, how do you know my mommy?"
Robin's mouth curled up in a smile. "Ah, a great lass she is! I met her when she went riding in Sherwood Forest. It's reported to be haunted, you know."
Will looked up fearfully. "Haunted?"
Robin laughed,"No, not really. It is just a legend perpetuated by us to keep the sheriff's men out of it. Anyways, your mother was riding hard and fast through here to get away from the King--Henry, that is. They were..friends, I guess."
Will said matter-of-factly, "He's my real father."
Robin said, "Oh. Well, her horse got a pebble stuck in his hoof and went lame. I dug it out and then we let our horses drink from the brook. Right over....yonder!"
Robin pointed. He continued. "She was great fun, laughing. We talked for hours. And then she stayed and had dinner and danced with us. It grew late so she stayed overnight. And left the next morning."
"Did you ever see her again?" Robin said, "Yes. We used to meet frequently and ride together. Actually, she saved my life."
"Really? How did she do that?"
"Once, the sheriff's men, under orders of King Henry, were to set fire to the woods and clear it out. To drive us out into the open. But do you know what your mother did?" Will shook his head. "Henry stood at the edge of the forest and your mother took her horse and rode deep inside. She told Henry she wouldn't come out and that he was going to have to burn it down with her in it."
Will laughed and clapped his hands. "My mother did THAT?"
Robin laughed, revealing even white teeth, "Yes! Then there was one time when she rode into Sherwood Forest in the middle of the night to inform us that Henry and John had hired the Picts as mercenaries to come in after us. We were able to pack our camp up and leave Sherwood for a few days."
Will said, "Wow!" He had a totally different perspective on his mother. He asked, "Are there anymore stories, Mr. Robin?"
Robin laughed and said, "Sir Will, we could be here all night!"

Robin regaled Will with stories of his mother. He laughed at the stories because he never thought of his mother as a young girl.
Robin concluded with, "And then she didn't come anymore. I wondered what happened to her and then one of the woodsmen was in town and had heard that Henry had a new son over at Windsor. By means of his...by Rosamond. The last time I had seen her she was exceptionally quiet."
Will sat there on the log with his elbows on his knees and listened intently to Robin.
Robin continued. "I guess it stands to reason that she found out she was going to have a baby, Will..and that was you. So I guess her days of coming to Sherwood Forest were over. It was a good time that had to end."
Will yawned. Robin said, "I think it would be a good idea if you slept in my lean-to tonight, Will. There is an extra pallet there."
Will nodded sleepily. Robin led him to the tent, watched him drop onto the pallet and noted that Will was asleep before he hit the blankets.
Robin closed the shoddy door and stood outside the lean-to. He bit his thumbnail, lost in thought and memories of long ago.