Robin Hood and the Dragon’s Mate
Chapter 7

When Will woke, Athyn was kneeling beside him crying. Will sat up, fighting dizziness and looked around. “Where’s Ashlyn?” he asked, searching frantically among the faces surrounding him.

Robin stepped forward. He shook his head, a grave look on his face, “The dragon took her.” Will felt as if his heart had been torn from his chest. From Athyn’s sobs he knew that he wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Robin held out his hand to help Will climb to his feet.

Will swallowed the tears that were threatening. “We…we have to go after her.”

Robin gestured to the group of children, “We can’t take these children to the lair of the dragon. We just rescued them.”

Will growled, “We’re not leaving her to him. You can come or not, but I’m going after her.”

Athyn jumped to his feet and reached up to take Will’s hand. “Me too,” he insisted, trying to appear brave.

“I want to get her back as much as you, Will, but we have a responsibility to these children.” Robin said gently.

The friar stepped forward and cleared his throat, “Robin, if I may?” Robin nodded so the friar continued, “I would be happy to take the children. I will return them to their various homes. The rest of you can continue after the girl.”

John stepped forward, “We must go after her, Robin. She did not agree to be the dragon’s mate.”

Robin finally agreed. He helped the friar prepare the children. He tried to insist that Athyn go with the friar where he would be safe but the boy refused, “If you send me with them, I’ll run away and find the dragon lair myself.”

Will interceded on his behalf, “He’s a bright kid Robin. I have no doubt that he would do just that. Let us prevent the tragedy that would bring.”

Finally Robin shrugged, “Fine, but he’s your responsibility, Will.” Will nodded and began packing up their supplies.

Athyn hugged David. He wished him luck getting back to his family. “I hope to see you again, my friend,” David said.

Athyn smiled, “After I get my sister back I’ll tell you all about it.”

As they hiked toward the mountain that housed the dragon’s lair, Athyn asked Will about the creature.

“Why did he take Ashlyn? Is he going to eat her?” He asked, tears threatening to fall again.

Will swallowed hard, “No, she…she has a mark on her arm that is the mark of the Great Dragon.” He tried to explain what he had tried not to think of since they had discovered the tattoo.

“Where’d she get it?” Athyn asked.

“She talked about an amulet, a bracelet.” Will prompted and Athyn nodded suddenly.

“I remember, back at the museum.”

“Robin thinks that the mark came from that.” He explained.

“But…what does it mean?” Athyn prompted.

Will looked up at the sky, wishing he could escape this conversation. “It means, that she has been chosen, by the dragon, to be his…mate.”

Athyn stared at him in confusion. “His mate? You mean like a boyfriend?”

Will smiled at the childish understanding, “in a way.”

“But, I thought you were going to be her boyfriend.” Athyn said innocently.

Will smiled sadly. He ruffled the boy’s hair. He didn’t voice the fact that he had been hoping the same thing.

Though they had walked for almost two full days away from the clearing they had been moving parallel to the mountain with the dragon’s cave. They had reached the foot of the mountain when Robin called a halt even though darkness had not yet fallen.

“We can make it to the lair tonight,” Will argued.

“And do what?” Robin demanded, “Ask very nicely if he’ll give the girl back?” He sat on a stump and stared up the mountain. “We can’t barge into a dragon lair without a plan, Will. Even with a plan we’ll probably die. Let us at least give ourselves a chance,” he urged. Will saw the strain in Robin’s eyes and didn’t argue.

Athyn walked over to Robin. He looked up at him with admiring eyes, “I know you can save her. You’re Robin Hood, the greatest hero ever.”

Robin gave the boy a weary smile, “Let us hope that I can live up to the expectations your stories have set for me.”

* * *

Ashlyn dreamed of Will holding her close as they danced to beautiful music. In the back of her mind she knew there was some urgent thing she needed to deal with, but she was so happy and content in Will’s arms that she just pressed closer to him, looking up in to his chocolate eyes, hoping that this time he would kiss her. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he leaned closer. She knew she was going to get her kiss. A second before their lips met, a dark shadow fell over Will’s face. They looked up to see the huge dragon hovering over them. He swiped at Will with his huge claws. Ash screamed when she saw blood oozing from long terrible gashes in Will’s shirt.

She reached for him but the dragon grabbed her and lifted her to his face. She thought he was going to eat her. Instead, he just spoke in a deep growling voice, “You are mine.”

She sat bolt upright, her heart racing. For a moment she didn’t know where she was. The light was dim and the air was cool. It took a few seconds of looking around to place herself in a cave. She saw the huge black dragon. The memory of everything that had happened the day before came flooding back. She cringed into the corner she was in, trying to fade into the rock like Robin. The dragon turned its massive head to look at her. Then it shimmered. It began to shrink before her eyes.

The scales glistened and then changed color. Soon she found that she was staring at a striking man with long black hair, a well defined chest, and no clothes. She turned away, blushing. The man seemed to notice her discomfort because he donned a robe, tying it before he approached her. He knelt before her, then stared at her silently until she returned his gaze. She was surprised by his bright golden eyes. They were the same color the dragon’s eyes had been. He smiled and spoke with a heavy accent, “I have been waiting a very long time for you, my mate.”

She glared at him, “I’m not your mate. I will never be your mate.”

“We shall see,” he said simply.

He led the way deeper into the cave. There was a hot spring which he indicated she could use to bathe. The idea of a hot bath definitely appealed to her. However she wasn’t about to strip in front of a complete stranger, especially one who happened to be a dragon with less than honorable intentions.

Next, he led her to a room beyond the bathing chamber where she found a stone table which held fruits and berries as well as roasted meat. “Sit,” he directed and sat on the side of the table closest to the door. In order to sit as far away from him as she could, she had to sit on the far side of the table. “Eat,” he ordered. She wondered if he owned a dog, because he was good with one word commands.

She wanted to refuse on the grounds that she was here against her will; however, the food smelled divine and she was starving. She ate messily without any silverware. She was so hungry that she didn’t care. When she had finished, he directed her to the hot spring to wash up.

Back in the main cave, he pointed out a pile of blankets in one corner. She just stood and glared at him, “No chance.”

He smiled, “You will come around to the idea. Being the mate of a dragon is a great privilege. I will respect your decision, for now.” He stepped toward the entry to the cave and removed his robe. She looked away quickly, flushing at the brief view she’d had of his bare backside. In a moment he had returned to his massive dragon form. He lay right in front of the mouth of the cave.

“Great,” Ashlyn grumbled. She went to the pile of blankets. Laying down she closed her eyes, certain that she could not possibly sleep. Almost immediately she was dreaming once again about dancing with Will. She hoped that finally she would get the kiss he had said he wanted to give.

* * *

Athyn was through with crying; at least that’s what he told himself as he angrily wiped the tears from his eyes. Alan had gone to keep watch. Will sat beside Athyn as the others settled into a fitful slumber.

“I will save her,” Will assured him. “I will give my life if I must to rescue her.”

He spoke so vehemently that Athyn didn’t doubt the truth of his words. “I don’t want any of you to die, but we have to get her back.”

Will nodded, “Do you think she’s locked up, like you were?” He asked quietly.

Athyn shrugged, “I don’t know. I guess he will have to lock her up to go eat and stuff.”

Will stared at him studiously, “Do you still have that tool of yours?”

Athyn patted his pocket, “Yep, I always keep it close.”

Will nodded, “Good.” He didn’t say why, but Athyn could almost see the wheels turning in his head. He knew that Will was working out a plan, one that involved Athyn or at least his Swiss army knife.

Comforted by the thought that Will had a plan to save Ashlyn, Athyn curled up and eventually fell asleep.

* * *

They set out at dawn. Finding a small cave partway up the mountain, Robin insisted that Athyn stay there until the rest of them had collected Ashlyn. He was upset, until Robin explained that they needed a rear guard to watch so that their exit wasn’t cut off. Athyn was the smallest and would fit the most easily in the small cave. Will stopped as he passed the cave. He looked at Athyn intently, “still got it?”

Athyn knew what he was referring too and he patted his pocket. Will nodded, “Good.” He saw understanding dawning in the boy’s eyes as he continued on behind the others.

Robin led the way, blending into the rocks as best he could while still on the move. Alan crept along close to Robin whispering to him, “I need to talk to you about something.”

Robin frowned over at him, about to explain that this was not the best time, but Alan looked so distraught and had been so quiet since the rescue of the children, that he nodded for him to continue.

“When John and I were fighting those guards, after I gave my blood to John to heal his wound…” He swallowed and looked away.

Robin placed a hand on his shoulder, “What is it, Alan?” he prompted.

Alan slumped, “I was weak from using so much of my blood on John…I lost my sword.” He explained a look of mourning on his face. “When the guards returned, I was still tending to John. They attacked me, and I fought back with my only remaining weapon…my teeth.”

Alan’s expression was pained as Robin waited patiently for him to continue. “I drank their blood, Robin. I drained all four of them.”

They were almost to the cave entrance and Robin was still waiting for a brilliant plan to come to mind. He stared at Alan for a moment and then answered, “Would you have killed them with your blade if you had it at the time?”

Alan thought about it and then nodded, “Yes.”

Robin clapped him on the shoulder, “Then you only saved your blade the trouble, my friend.”

Alan shook his head, “Robin, I don’t want to become the monster that Will thought I might be.”

Robin lay his arm gently across his friend’s shoulders, “Alan, as long as you feel that way, it will never happen.”

The vampire grabbed his arm. He forced Robin to face him, “Please, Robin. This is serious. I gave in once, I might again.” His face was so tight with worry that Robin finally devoted his full attention to his friend. “Promise me, Robin, if I lose control, I need you to promise that you will destroy me before I hurt any of you.”

Robin stared at him in horror. “Alan I can’t…”

Alan shook his head, “I can’t stay with you if you won’t promise. I won’t endanger everyone.”

Finally Robin nodded, “Okay Alan, I promise.” He shook Alan’s hand solemnly, praying he would never have to keep this particular oath.

They continued up the path and started to round an outcropping, stopping when they saw the dragon perched in the entrance to a cave just above them. Will and John came up behind them. Will saw the dragon and drew his sword. Before the others could say or do, he charged around the outcrop standing, sword raised, in front of the dragon.

The massive black head lifted, slightly bored. Will held his ground as the huge form loomed over him, sniffing. “Puny Halfling,” a deep voice sounded in all of their heads. “I have no interest in killing you. Go away. Leave me in peace and I will not use your bones for toothpicks.”

Will brandished his sword. “You may not wish to kill me, dragon,” he spat the word like a curse, “But I wish to challenge you. You took a mate who does not belong to you.”

“She has my mark, Halfling. She is mine to do with as I choose.” The dragon’s voice was painfully reasonable.

“She is not a possession for you to claim,” Will yelled, “She is a person, and she is my…friend. If you plan to take her, against her will, you will have to fight me first.”

“I can crunch your bones in my sleep. What challenge is there in fighting you?” The dragon demanded with a yawn.

“It is your honor I challenge. Prove yourself to be a creature of honor. Fight me with a sword in your human form.” The dragon huffed and snorted. Will realized that it was laughing. “I have nothing to prove to you, a halfling with so little of my blood that you haven’t even felt the call to change your form.”

Will wiped his confusion off of his face to replace it with a glare. “Then kill me now, as I stand here challenging your honor. Let the world know that the ‘Great Dragon’ has no honor to speak of.”

The dragon lifted his clawed foot. Will braced himself for the killing blow. Instead he felt the claws wrap around his chest and felt himself lifted off the ground. “I am bored, child, so I will accept your challenge. I will even leave one of your friend’s alive so that he can tell the world that I am a dragon of my word.”

The dragon wrapped his clawed feet around each of Will’s friends. He lifted all four of them into the air. Alan took the opportunity presented, being clutched in the same clawed foot as Will to smack his friend. “What were you thinking? You’re a terrible swordsman, he’ll kill you.”

Will shrugged, “Then it will be up to you to come up with a new plan to save Ashlyn.”

Robin shouted at him from the other claw, “This isn’t a plan Will, it is suicide.”

Will just returned his glare, “You didn’t have a plan, so I came up with my own. I’m sorry it doesn’t meet with your approval.”

He looked down and saw that the dragon was taking them back to the clearing where he had rescued the boys. He flew in circles, getting lower with each pass until eight or ten feet from the ground, he dropped the men in a heap. The dragon then sent the thought, “I will return in one hour at which point we will battle to the death.” He bounded into the air and flew off.

Robin climbed unsteadily to his feet and turned to John, “Please change and get back to the cave as quickly as you can. If there is any way, get Ashlyn out of there. Take her and her brother as far away as you can.” John started to argue but Robin held up his hand, “Please John, if we fail here let it not be that we died in vain. John growled in his frustration and then bounded into the woods, pulling his shirt off as he ran.

Robin turned to Will who stood staring at his feet. He clasped his friend’s arm, “Will, it is not that we doubt you, but this is a dragon. What proof do we have that he will keep his word? How do we know that he won’t change form and devour you?”

Will shrugged, “We have none, but I saw no other choice.”

Robin nodded sadly, “I am sorry that I failed you, my friend.”

Will looked up surprised, “How have you failed me?”

Robin sighed, “I am the one that everyone relies upon to come up with nearly impossible plans. I failed to think of anything this time.”

Will nodded, “That is not your failure Robin. I think perhaps this test is mine alone to face.”

Alan looked distraught, “Will, I don’t mean to disrespect your swordsmanship, but are you sure that you are a match for the dragon?”

Will sighed, “No, I don’t think that I am, and if he changes I know I will die. In challenging the dragon I was giving time for another plan to be set into motion.” The others stared at him in confusion. He only gave them a small smile.

* * *

Hearing Will’s voice, Ashlyn’s heart soared. But it was filled with such anger and defiance that she suddenly feared what the dragon might do. Then he was gone and so was the dragon. She stood and edged her way to the opening and looked out to see the dragon disappearing into the distance. Unable to believe her luck, Ashlyn looked out to try and see the easiest way down the steep slope, but just as she was about to step out of the cave, she saw the growing dot of the dragon returning.

Sighing with defeat, she retreated to her pile of blankets. She plopped down in the center, pouting. The dragon entered, shifted quickly, grabbed several items and attached them to a large belt. Then he slung the belt around himself. He took a step toward the entrance before hesitating and turning to her. She looked away, flushing at his nakedness. He chuckled.

“I would love it if I could trust you to stay here on your own.” She opened her mouth but he raised a hand to stop her words. “Perhaps one day. In the mean time I will secure you, for your own safety of course.” He dug through a pile in the corner and came away with a large iron ring. It wasn’t until he opened the ring and approached her with it that she saw it for what it was an, iron collar. Once it was secured around her neck, he attached a heavy metal chain. Then he gently brushed her hair out of her face and smiled. “This is only temporary. When I return, I will remove it. One day, you will stay because you choose to.”

She glared up at him defiantly and growled, “Never. I will never choose to stay with a monster like you.” Her face still stung from his slap long after he changed forms and flew away.

* * *

Athyn ducked behind the out cropping just in time to avoid being seen as the dragon returned. He wondered with a sinking feeling if it had disposed of his heroes that quickly, but after several minutes the dragon came to the ledge and flew away again. As soon as the dragon was gone, Athyn climbed around the outcropping to cautiously enter the cave. He saw Ashlyn curled up in the corner on a pile of blankets. She had an iron collar around her neck and was secured to the stone wall with a heavy chain. She looked up as Athyn entered, “Oh Athyn, run away from here and never come back.”

A tear streaked down his cheek as he rushed to her side, “I can’t leave you Sis. I’ve come to rescue you.” He pulled out his Swiss army knife. When the others had left him in the small cave, he had realized what Will hoped he would do, and so he had followed at a distance. He pulled out the tool that had seemed to work best on his own bindings then set to work on the clasp of Ashlyn’s collar.

“I…I thought I heard Will’s voice,” she said hopefully.

Athyn nodded, “He was here.”

“Where is he now?” She asked nervously, worried by the tone of his answer.

He bit his lip and looked up at her, “He…challenged the dragon to a fight.”

“Oh God, no! He’ll be killed,” she gasped, leaning closer to Athyn so that he would have an easier time with the collar. In moments he had sprung the lock. “I should worry at what a good lock-pick you’ve become. Come on, we have to find them and help Will.”

Athyn followed her as she ran from the cave, “Will is doing this so you can get away, Ash. He’ll be mad if we waste his sacrifice by running right back to the dragon.” Ashlyn ignored him as she stumbled down the side of the mountain. They had just reached the base when a huge black form bounded from the trees.

John rushed over to them and licked Ashlyn’s face. “Ugh, doggy breath,” she teased. Then she grew serious, “John you have to take me to wherever they’re fighting. We have to help Will.” John shook his shaggy head, emphatically.

“John,” she pleaded, “I know you want to be there helping them fight. How will they survive this without you?” He growled at her, not liking the guilt trip she was putting him through.

“Please, John. I can’t run away knowing that Will is risking his life. Athyn and I will stay hidden when we get there, I promise.”

John’s shoulders slumped and he nodded. He lay down and Athyn and Ash both climbed onto his back. His muscles were sleek and smooth. His gentle lope through the woods was like floating along on a dark river.

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