| Primary Characters: | Horatio Hurnblower, Captain Hornblower, Archie Kennedy |
| Rating: | M |
| Spoilers: | Some |
| Warning: | m/m sex |
| Description: | AU. Hornblower misses Archie. The Captain notices his preoccupation, and invites him over for dinner. The night turns into something different and the Captain decides to arrange to have Hornblower sent away. Archie and his new family find out that Hornblower is in trouble, even involved in a mutiny, and sail off to England to help. By the time they arrive, Hornblower is safe, but something else awaits them. Croossover with Robin of Sherwood. |
He reached out and pulled his friend closer, held him, kissed him, touched his hair, face, then moved further down his body. At last. How he had wanted to hold him like this, touching him, kissing him – The other man’s skin felt hot against his and his excitement grew as he allowed himself to dare explore his friend’s body. He felt his friend’s mouth open to his and respond in kind. Their clothes fell away and he knew that the moment was approaching – Just seconds before fulfillment he found himself lost in the dark. It took him several minutes to realize that once again, he had woken up alone in the dark, his friend gone, just like he had been in the years since his friend had disappeared. Just a dream, like all the other times before.
Hornblower experienced a keen sense of disappointment. While Archie was still with him, he didn’t think he had fully appreciated how much his friend really meant to him – in every way. Perhaps he had been too eager to perform his duties, to impress the Captain and to follow his dream to be an officer and a gentleman in his Majesty’s navy. Now that Archie was gone, he realized that his life felt empty and he missed the love and comradeship the two had shared.
During the days, he found it easier to ignore the pain and to carry on his work. He was quite sure no one had noticed how much he missed Archie and that was just as well. In retrospect, Hornblower was beginning to fear that perhaps Edrington had been right. His feelings for Archie seemed to have gone beyond those a man should have for his best friend. At such times, he experienced a sense of relief, that was of short duration. He was ashamed of himself for wanting to deny his love for Archie, yet fearful of the nature of that love.
As it happened, he wasn’t quite right about one thing: someone had indeed noticed his state of mind and was worrying about him. It was someone who cared as much about him as Hornblower had about Archie.
When Pellew noticed, he wasn’t quite sure what to make of Hornblower’s changed demeanour. After having paid close attention to the young man so close to his heart, he decided to ask his friend and confidant, mr Bracegirdle.
”Have you noticed that young mr Hornblower is not quite himself at the moment?”
”Yes, sir, I believe I have.”
”And do you have any idea of what has caused this change in mr Hornblower?”
”I have been wondering too, but I believe it is no great mystery. I believe mr Hornblower misses his friend, Archie Kennedy.”
”Ah. Of course. Well, that’s quite natural. The two were very close. Does Hornblower have any other friends?”
”I believe he gets along fine with the other officers and the crew as well, with a few notable exceptions, but – no, I do not believe he has a close friend anymore.”
”That’s is unfortunate.”
”Indeed. Sadly, that is the nature of things. Friends meet and part. Like ships passing in the night.”
”Very true, mr Bracegirdle. I believe you are becoming quite the philosopher.”
”Thank you, sir. You are very kind.”
Captain Pellew had the idea of doing something to cheer his young officer up and in the end settled for inviting him over for a small dinner party. The only guests would be himself, mr Bracegirdle and their young guest of honour. Pellew did not believe in bestowing too much favour upon one member of his crew over any other. On the other hand, there was no denying Hornblower held a special place in his heart. So rather than drawing attention to the dinner party by inviting a large contingent of officers, Pellew chose to keep it small and discreet.
When Hornblower received the invitation, from mr Bracegirdle’s mouth – once again, the Captain chose to keep the attention surrounding the function to a minimum – Hornblower was happy to accept.
The evening of the dinner party came and Hornblower, expectantly went to the Captain’s cabin.
”Mr Hornblower. Welcome.”
”Thank you, Captain. Let me take this oppurtunity to tell you how much I appreciate this invitation. Very kind of you.”
The Captain nodded.
”Please – have a seat.”
Hornblower sat down at the small table, where Bracegirdle was already seated.
”Good evening, sir.”
”Good evening, mr Hornblower.”
The dinner party turned out to be a great success. Good wine was served and the food, also had a higher quality than even the officers usually enjoyed. It was to be expected that the Captain served more and better food and drink than any other aboard the Navy ships.
The conversation flowed easily. All three men got along well as usual.
Once dinner was over, other drinks were served and the conversation continued. A little later still, the Captain opened one of his books of poetry and began to quote out loud and occasionally, reciting from memory. He had a deep, pleasant voice so both members of his audience enjoyed the recitation, but perhaps half an hour later, mr Bracegirdle thanked the Captain and excused himself. When the Captain was occupied below decks, it was always best if the First Officer kept an eye on things.
Eventually, the Captain put away his books and sat down again. He studied Hornblower closely, noting the dark circles under his eyes, the pallor of his otherwise healthy skin. It pained the Captain to see his young friend suffer so.
”Tell me, Hornblower – how are you these days?”
”Sir, my work is -”
”Yes, I know that the quality of your work is excellent, mr Hornblower. That is not what I was asking about. I meant, how do you feel? Are you happy?”
”Yes, sir. Well, I do miss Archie very much, but – everyone, or almost everyone treats me very well and – I truly enjoy my work.”
”Excellent. But you must not hide your feelings. It’s only natural that you miss your friend. That is nothing to be ashamed of. I am not sure if this makes a difference, but I believe that mr Kennedy and is safe and well.”
”As do I, sir. It’s just – ”
Pellew got up and walked around the table to where his guest was sitting and put a hand on his shoulder. Hornblower looked up, startled by the Captain’s kind gesture. He looked into the Captain’s eyes and – caught his breath. The look was – intense and he thought he could read only love and affection there. Hornblower’s feelings for Archie were one thing, but he also had a very high opinion of his Captain and indeed much affection too. This – seemed to go even further. It was as if the touch had sent a shockwave through his body. And most of all, it seemed the Captain was reacting the same way.
Stunned by the realization, Hornblower got up and faced the Captain. He felt the Captain’s hands on his shoulders, pulling him closer. Hornblower did not resist. He realized that he relished the feeling of the Captain’s strong arms around him. The smell of the older man filled his nostrils and made his skin tingle.
The Captain didn’t know what it was that was making him act on his impulses like this. Normally, he kept himself under strict control. Although he had from time to time noticed that his feelings for young Hornblower were stronger and perhaps also different from the ones normally held for a member of the crew, he had never before felt such a strong inclination to let all his convictions go and act on impulse. For a second, he was also, almost, held back by the image of the Captain and his boy. For all his distance and control, the Captain was well aware of what was being said on other ships and indeed, was familiar with the image from his own younger days. However, he found that he was able to cast his disgust for that idea aside and just follow his inclination.
Hornblower did not resist in any way. When he felt the Captain’s breath on his face he shuddered and allowed himself to be kissed and held, just like in his dreams, except with another man. The Captain’s hands moved down Hornblower’s body and it felt as if his clothing melted away in the wake of those hands. He felt himself drawn towards the Captain’s bunk and there – The rest of the night passed in a blur. Hornblower fell asleep in his Captain’s arms and for once slept deeply and without dreams.
Before dawn, the Captain awakened him and Hornblower hastily found his clothes and crept silently out of the cabin, to make his way back to his own lonely bunk. As the sun began to tinge the sky pink, his feelings of pleasure and excitement faded, giving way to what was almost, but not quite remorse and shame. If anyone were to learn what had passed between him and the Captain – his life aboard the Indefatigable, would not be worth living.
The Captain, who had not fallen asleep at all, but had lain unmoving, watching Hornblower’s prone form, enjoying his innocent sleep in his arms, was now thinking along similar lines. How could he have allowed himself to be led astray by his baser needs? He who had not even lain with a woman in nearly three years’ time, for want of a suitable companion?
When Hornblower had left, Captain Pellew took to walking back and forth across the floor of his cabin. His mind was hard at work, trying to deal with what he felt was a serious violation of his own, personal code of conduct. This – was a mistake. It was wrong, and he should not have let himself go like this. If his behaviour were to become known, he feared his position aboard his ship would become untenable. He had to act swiftly, or his own position or that of Hornblower might be in jeopardy.
Later in the day, the Captain had formulated a plan. After all his years in the Navy, he had friends among his peers and also in higher places and if he wrote to one of them he might be able to salvage the situation. Yes, his mind was made up. He would act. Part of him regretted the necessity. Apart from this – unforgivable – weakness – he felt a strong affection for young Hornblower, but if he did not act, he would not be a good friend to him and that was more important than any personal weaknesses.
When Hornblower some time after his dinner with the Captain – and its aftermath – learned of his transfer to another ship, he instantly came to the conclusion that his behaviour that night – how he had led the Captain astray and – the rest of it, that he now refused to dwell on – had caused his banishment from his ship, his friends and his beloved Captain. He was filled with despair. His Captain had shown him much favour and he had repaid him by being such a – When he imagined his father learning of his debauchery or any of his friends, felt his face take on colour and he was grateful that he no longer had a close friend who was constantly by his side and who would have noticed.
On the day he was leaving, he sadly watched his Captain’s face, imagining that he could read reproach into his noble features. He hung his head and slowly, reluctantly made his way to the gangway. The Captain found it hard to watch Hornblower’s sad demeanor, as he walked away. Now that it was too late, he began to regret his decision. Perhaps he had overreacted. It had seemed as if no one had suspected anything, not even mr Bracegirdle, who otherwise seemed to know everything. On the other hand, his selfish need for Hornblower, should not deprive the young man of his prospects in the Navy. It was time Hornblower spread his wings and learned what he was capable of, even away from his old friends.
One day, Archie Kennedy received a letter from England. It was rare for him to hear anything from his old home. His mother sometimes kept in touch, but very few others even knew of where he was. He suspected that many who had once known him now believed him dead. In many ways, that was preferable, considering what he had risked losing. However, he couldn’t deny missing his old friend Hornblower, no matter how happy he was in his marriage. His new life was everything he had always wanted – and more. Unlike in the past, when his life has been a misery, until he met Hornblower. Even today, his sleep was sometimes disturbed by bad dreams of his earlier life.
Unable to guess what the letter might contain, he opened it, suppressing a vague shiver of unease. The Sight didn’t often haunt him, but today, he thought it might have returned. Something was wrong.
This one trusted friend and indeed a relative – had news of his old friend Hornblower. Archie’s eyes opened wide as he read the brief account of what had befallen Hornblower. Once he had finished his letter, he went off in search of his beloved Robbie. It was always his first impulse – to tell Robbie any news he received. If the situation was serious enough, they would send for her older sister Jo. Unfortunately, this time, Archie feared that even Jo’s help might not be enough.
To his surprise, he met Robbie, who seemed to have come in search of him.
”Archie – what’s wrong?”
His surprise faded. Robbie, just as he had known ever since the first days of their acquaintance, was also afflicted by the Sight.
”I have received a letter. About Hornblower. There has been a mutiny. He is in grave danger.”
”I shall send for Jo.”
Archie nodded distractedly. His mind’s eye was haunted by distressing images of what might be threatening his old friend.
It took Jo more than a week to reach them, and even that seemed to Archie to be a miracle, no matter how impatient he was. As he well knew, even if Jo did decide to join them in their desperate bid to come to Hornblower’s aid – Hornblower being a former lover of Jo’s – it would be weeks, most likely months, before they reached English waters.
One morning, Archie and Robbie spied Jo’s ship lying at anchor outside their island, and a small boat approached their shore. Some minutes later, Jo hopped ashore, leaving one of her men in the boat.
She embraced her sister and winked at Archie.
”Hello, my dears. What is going on?”
”Jo, it’s Hornblower. He’s involved in a mutiny.”
”Really? How – strange. I did not believe the dear boy ever broke the rules. Still, I see the problem. Well, I suppose we shall have to sail off to his rescue. I wouldn’t like to see him hang. What are you waiting for?”
Robbie looked a little concerned.
”Are you saying we should take the children and go all the way to England?”
”Well, you can stay and look after the children if you like, but I imagine Archie here is eager to come to Hornblower’s aid, so -”
Archie felt torn. He never wanted to abandon Robbie or the children. On the other hand, Hornblower needed him.
”Of course we shall all come. I won’t let Archie go off on his own. If I never saw him again, I would regret it for the rest of my life.”
”That’s the spirit. Now I will take on supplies and hire more men and I shall return for you in a few days time. Be sure to be all packed by then.”
She embraced her sister again and returned to her boat. Her man began to row her back to the ship. Archie and Robbie remained standing on the shore, gazing around what they could see of their beloved island.
”Archie – you may think me foolish, but I – sense we might never return here.”
Archie nodded sadly.
”I would never think you foolish, Robbie – if so, then I am too. We may never return here and that – concerns me greatly. Yet, I do not think we are in such grave danger that this might imply. I confess I do not fully understand.”
”Perhaps we are wrong. We might yet see our island again.”
”Yes, this Sight is strange and confusing and may not show us the truth as plainly as a mirror.”
Even so, as they walked back, they felt oppressed, wondering what the future might bring them and their children.
It was not the best season to sail back to England, but Jo was a skilled and seasoned captain and her men handled the ship as expertly as any officer in the navy. Though the journey dragged on, they made their way safely to English shores and eventually, anchored in a safe cove on the east coast.
Jo sent one of her men ashore to find out more about the mutiny. Archie was surprised at his appearance. Most of Jo’s men were hard, skillful and reliable, but none of them even resembled a gentleman. This man – Tom Arden – was an exception. Archie supposed that was why Jo sent him on this journey. The rest of them were to wait on the ship and again, take on supplies and even – though the ship was still in very good condition perform some minor repairs. Archie was relieved that neither Jo or Robbie were to leave the ship, at least not yet. He could easily imagine Jo herself going off, into a country where Archie had an idea she might have a price on her head.
Arden must have had friends or other connections, because instead of being gone for at least a week, he returned within three days. He entered Jo’s cabin but didn’t remain for very long. Only ten minutes or so later, he left to rejoin the rest of the crew. Jo appeared in the doorway, waving at Robbie and Archie, who eagerly joined her inside.
”Arden tells me that our friend is out of danger already. We – arrived too late. The mutiny – apparently, that’s over too.”
”So we came all this way for nothing?”
”It seems that way. Still, I would never have left our dear friend to fend for himself. And – who’s to say we can’t find something to hold our interest here? I say we stay for a while. See the sights. I doubt if we’ll ever come this way again.”
Archie would have felt relief, had it not been for the Sight. It was telling him that he would never see his new home again. What did he have to do with England anymore? The navy had decided they could do without him. He would like to see his mother again, that was true, but he could never stay here. So what was going to happen to him and Robbie? He did not sense any danger, but beyond that, he could guess nothing. At least if they were not at risk, he might wait and see what was coming. He wanted to send a message to his mother. If she was in good health, perhaps he might prevail upon her to come and visit. If not – perhaps he would risk the journey to her new home.
”Jo – may I send a messenger to my mother?”
”Of course. I will send Arden. He will not shame us. What do you think?”
”Who is he?”
”He’s just a man like you, who found his way to the New World. Not an ordinary crewman, that is true, but loyal and useful. Write your message. Give it to Arden.”
”If my mother is in good health, would it be possible for her to visit us here?”
”Yes, of course, she will be most welcome.”
Perhaps this was the reason they had come here? For him to meet his mother again.
Later the same evening, Arden left again, this time with Archie’s letter in his pocket. Archie deemed the journey would take at least three days and of course at least three days on the return journey. He resigned himself to being patient.
Within seven days, Arden was back. This time he went to see Archie before Jo. There was a look on his face and Archie didn’t even need the Sight to know that the news would not be good.
It seemed his mother had passed away only three weeks previously. They had already been on their way when it had happened. It was ironic. If they had left only a few weeks earlier, he might have arrived here in time, but they could not have known that and he knew there was no point in questioning his fate. The funeral was already over and he knew he could not risk his freedom merely to see his mother’s grave. Even so, he wished there had been something he could have done.
He told Robbie and she comforted him the best she could. After that, there was nothing more to say. Their children were too young to explain that they had just lost a grandmother they had never met.
Jo too, was sympathetic and even kind.
Their prolonged stay in the harbour made Archie nervous. He wanted to be on his way. Back to the New World, back to the island. Yet he knew that they couldn’t leave yet. Whatever they were waiting for, they had not encountered it yet. It made him uneasy – something was coming and he had no idea what it was. Robbie too, sensed something about to happen. She agreed with him that it would have been better if they could have returned home, but she no longer questioned the Sight.
That night, Archie had a dream. Not until the following morning, did he realize that Robbie had shared the same dream with him.
A shadowy figure was outlined against the full moon, up on the cliffside. The creature had antlers on his head, like an animal. It turned to face him. Even though it was far away, Archie heard a voice inside his mind. Afterwards he didn’t remember the words, but he knew the creature was calling him.
When he woke up, Robbie was already awake beside him. By now, Archie knew every expression on her face, and this was concern.
”Archie – I had a dream. There was a creature -”
”Up on a cliffside?”
”Yes, here. Just on the shore up here.”
”Yes.”
”And he was calling us. We have to go with him.”
”I heard that too. He had antlers on his head.”
Robbie shivered. A sense of foreboding gripped Archie.
”What is happening?”
Archie put his arms around Robbie. He had no answer for her. They would have to tell Jo. He wasn’t sure if the creature meant all of them, or just him and Robbie, but he had a feeling it would at least be the children too and most likely Jo and her children. Her children, of which the youngest that were also Hornblower’s.
A little later that morning, Robbie went to see her sister and make an attempt to explain the situation to her.
”Jo – there is something I need to discuss with you.”
”I see. Have you had another dream or vision?”
”Yes. And so has Archie. We both had the same dream – about a creature -”
”With antlers?”
Robbie drew in breath. Her sister Jo had never had any dreams or vision in the past. The Sight had never troubled her, at least until now.
”You saw him too?”
Jo looked troubled and also, it seemed to Robbie, incredulous.
”Yes. I would have made nothing of it, if it had not been for – your visions.”
”What did he tell you?”
”Oh, I never heard any words, but it seems – he is calling us. He showed me – do not ask me how – a way to take the Liberty further inland. A river -”
”Is that possible?”
”I would not have thought so, but these waters are strange to me. In my dream it seemed possible – but I am loath to take the risk until I know more. I shall send mr Tinney to investigate.”
Robbie stared at her sister, wide-eyed. Was Jo taking a dream seriously enough to investigate the navigability of the river? She had never known Jo to be this – open to what she previously would have referred to as ‘nonsense’.
Robbie returned to Archie and explained what she had just learned. It surprised Archie no less than it had her. Until Jo’s man Tinney returned, they settled in to wait.
Before long, Tinney returned. He reported to the Captain, while those aboard the Liberty who knew what news he was bringing, waited impatiently to learn more. The door to Jo’s cabin remained closed for so long, Archie’s and Robbie’s patience began to wear thin. Finally, Tinney left, closing the cabin door behind him.
Robbie and Archie could wait no more and went to seek out Jo, without a summons.
Jo smiled at their impatience.
”I should have known. You know, I was going to send for you, but do come in. I realize the waiting must have been long. Well, I will try your patience no more. If the locals can be trusted, the river – a few miles south of here – is indeed navigable for some distance inland. We may safely take the Liberty in, but – I am still considering the wisdom of following a dream. I do not know this creature, so how can I trust him?”
Archie nodded his agreement. What Jo was saying was undoubtedly true. He shared her concerns and he knew that Robbie did too. However – his Sight was telling him that this was the way they needed to go.
”For what it’s worth – I believe there is no danger.”
”You believe we may trust this – creature?”
”If you trust the Sight – yes. What do you say, Robbie?”
”I agree. I sense that we would do well to trust the creature. If I am to believe the Sight – we have no other choice.”
Jo’s face looked grim.
”I see. Well, I would not like to ignore your wisdom. Very well, I will see to it. We shall leave tonight, at the turning of the tide. Since it seems we must, I don’t mind telling you I have a mind to see more of this country of my ancestors.”
When the sun had set, the crew took the Liberty down the coast, then entered the estuary. Jo steered the ship slowly but surely upriver and inland, mr Tinney at her side. They appeared to have a manner of map on a piece of paper. Archie noted that Jo had decided against hiring a local guide, preferring to trust her own navigation skills and those of her crew.
About two hours upstream, the tributaries narrowed to the point of being unnavigable. They found a sheltered spot and anchored there. The moon was high in the sky at that time, and the light almost like daytime. Some distance inland, there was a grove and though until a moment ago, no one had been standing there, suddenly the antlered creature appeared, as if out of nowhere.
It was the first time either of them had seen such a vision outside of a dream. Being closer, they could now discern the creature more clearly. Despite the antlers, he appeared to be a man.
Jo and her family experienced a strong compulsion to follow the creature. It was the first time Jo had ever felt any inclination to leave her ship behind without a second thought. However, she resisted the urge but knew she would have to approach the creature to try to find out more.
She left her most trusted man in charge of the ship, then, leaving the children aboard, she, Robbie and Archie climbed down the rope ladder and stepped ashore.
Slowly, they approached the creature, but stopped some distance away. He was surrounded by a chilling haze, but neither of them felt any menace.
Afterwards, the three would compare notes and found that the creature had conveyed the same message to all of them. They learned that his name was Herne and that he was tasked with protecting his land from enemies.
”The greatest battle will not come to pass for many years yet, but when the day comes, there will no longer be enough men and women of pure heart left in England to fight the enemy.”
Images appeared in their minds’ eyes, of a cave lit up by a strange bluish light, where already a number of men were lying, appearing deeply asleep. They had the looks of knights of old, wearing armour, their weapons resting on their chests. By the walls, a number of horses stood, likewise appearing to be asleep. As they floated closer, disembodied, they saw empty spaces that they sensed were waiting for more sleepers.
Then the vision was over and Herne took a step back and somehow he was gone. Jo, Robbie and Archie knew they were to consider his suggestion, so they quietly returned to the ship and went to their cabins to lie down. Robbie and Archie checked in on their children, then lay down on their bunk, but sleep would be beyond them for hours yet.
Jo – who also had looked in on her children, sat down at her table in the Captain’s cabin to think. There was no denying she appreciated the offer. It was most likely the first time anyone had implied that she – a pirate – had a pure heart and would be needed to fight in the greatest battle for England in a distant future.
On the other hand, she had no wish to abandon her ship. It had been her home since she was a child. She had made a name for herself as the most notorious woman pirate in the western seas. Then again, until now she had fought mostly for herself and her family, to gain riches and to score points against enemies.
This – would be different. And suddenly, Jo knew that she was willing to fight for honour and not merely for gain. The question was, could she make the decision for her children? She knew that Archie and Robbie might feel the same way, but they too had children. Was it fair to make this decision on their behalf? On the other hand, they could not abandon their children. Though unlike her sister and brother-in-law, she had never before experienced the Sight, she sensed that this was her fate. And she was not inclined to fight it, though she was never one to meekly accept any conditions imposed on her from the outside.
When the sun came up, she hadn’t slept a wink and she guessed that neither Robbie or Archie had either. She decided to seek them out in their cabin and ask them if they’d come to a decision.
When they heard the knock on the door, somehow, Archie and Robbie weren’t surprised. Archie got up and opened the door to Jo.
”You know why I am here. I would never disturb you like this if we didn’t have a decision to make. Have you come to that decision yet?”
Archie and Robbie exchanged a glance, then nodded to each other.
”Yes, Robbie and I have talked and – we believe that this is our destiny. It is not what we would have guessed our future would bring, but – we want to be a part of this.”
”I too, have given this a great deal of thought and – I am inclined to agree with you.”
Robbie studied her sister closely, wondering how much thought Jo had given to her children. Rickie was grown up by now, or close enough, but Hornblower’s twins were a different matter. Was it fair to make this choice for children so young? Just like their own. On the other hand, apart from Rickie, the others were far too young to be left behind on their own. It was either all of them or no one. Robbie hadn’t been sure what she wanted for her children, but – fighting for what was right and good – was that not the best possible future for anyone? And they would meet this future together. Who knew what the near future might bring? Even if she and Archie did not sail with the Liberty most of the time, they knew that at any time, they might be attacked and if they were unlucky, their children’s lives could be cut short, meaninglessly.
”And the children?”
”I believe that Rickie will feel the same way. There is no holding that girl back.”
Robbie smiled at her sister.
”She takes after her mother.”
Jo even laughed, despite the gravity of the situation.
”And would have taken over the Liberty some day. I shall have to make different arrangements. Horatio’s twins – can you imagine any other destiny for them?”
No, with parents like theirs, how could those two be anything but champions for what was good and right?
Though it felt like a far too momentous decision, they all knew they had made the right choice. Having learned of their possible destiny, it would have been impossible to turn back.
Jo made arrangements with her crew and was able to come to an agreement with Arden and two of her other men that they would take over the Liberty and follow her intentions and code of conduct – the authorities might believe that a pirate like herself had no honour, but she followed a strict collection of rules and would have been disappointed if her men had turned back from them. To her relief, her men agreed, but she knew they would never understand her motivations. Out of respect, they didn’t openly question her decision.
The following morning, Jo and her entire family went ashore for the last time, and stood on the shore, waiting for Herne to appear. It didn’t take long. In the moonlight, he led them closer into the grove and, following hidden paths and back roads, he took them further inland. They slept on the ground, but felt nothing of the cold and damp, then continued on their journey, until they reached the cave, deep inside a thick forest. Herne walked up to the cave wall and suddenly there was an opening where until a moment ago, there had been none.
Jo and her family walked inside, following in Herne’s footsteps. They followed a winding path, further into the hill, where at last they came to the chamber they had seen in their vision. Now truly here, they noticed more details and to their astonishment, thought they recognized a group of men, dressed in green. At the side of one of them, lay a lady, dressed in resplendent clothing and a number of children, bearing a close resemblance to their parents.
Could it really be the legendary Robin Hood? But if so, why were there two? One was fair haired. The other – lying on his own, had dark hair. Jo found her gaze irresistibly drawn to his face. She had rarely seen such a handsome man. Before she followed Herne further into the cave, Jo could not resist placing a kiss on the man’s cool lips. She was already looking forward to fighting at this man’s side, on the day of the greatest battle.
In fact, she was already seeing herself in her mind’s eye, fighting the scurvy enemies, helping Robin Hood, his men and the knights win against the forces of evil.
Herne took them to an empty part of the cave, where each member of the family lay down and stretched out on the raised platforms matching the shape of a man or woman. The creature raised a shiny object in the air above their heads, and one by one, they fell into a deep, magical sleep.
For a moment, Herne considered the day’s work, then he withdrew, closing the cave off again, hiding it from men’s view for a many years to come.
FIN
© Tonica