Chapter 11 Robin Hood Arranges the Marriage of Two Lovers.
After arriving at the greenwood tree, Robin and his men set to work.
Robin chose twenty strong men and gave Little John two bags of golden pounds.
This is two hundred pounds of my own money.
Be ready to give it to me when I ask.
Then Robin went to the store of costumes the merry men kept.
Choosing some brightly colored clothes, he designed his disguise.
He would go to the wedding as a festive minstrel.
Robin picked up a harp and strummed it a few times.
Good master, I didn't know you played the harp, said Little John.
Robin couldn't play at all, but for his plan, that didn't matter.
Early on the morning of Ellen's wedding day, Robin led his men, along with Alan Adale and Friar Tuck, to the church.
They hid behind the wall across the road where they waited the whole morning.
David of Doncaster peeked above the stones every few minutes to see whether anyone was near.
Finally, he saw an old priest heading toward the door.
Robin turned to Friar Tuck.
Go, good brother.
Talk to that priest and get yourself into the church.
Friar Tuck clambered over the wall.
The old priest was trying to open the door to the church but he couldn't turn the heavy key in the lock.
Let me help you with that, brother.
Tuck took the key and easily opened the door.
I am a poor hermit from Fountains Abbey.
I have come because I hear there is a fine wedding to be held in this church today.
May I enter?
I don't give a fig what you do, the old priest muttered.
Go, enter.
When Friar Tuck stepped through the entrance, Robin sauntered up to the door and sat down.
Soon a group of men on horseback drew near.
With them rode the Bishop of Hereford, one of the richest bishops in all of England.
Robin grew angry at the sight of the bishop's fine silk robes and gold chains.
He thought it was wrong that a man of God should dress in such fancy clothes and jewelry.
"'Hello there,' the bishop called.
"'Who are you that struts about in such colorful feathers?'
"'I am a harper from the North Country,' answered Robin.
"'I can touch the strings like no man in all of England.'
If you let me play for this wedding, I promise that the bride will love her man as long as they both live.
The bishop was the cousin of Sir Stephen of Trent.
He knew very well that Sir Stephen loved Ellen with all his heart.
He also knew that Sir Stephen was far too old for Ellen and that she didn't love him.
Is it true? asked the bishop.
If you can play as well as you say you can, I will give you anything you ask.
Just then they heard the sound of horses.
The bishop turned to greet the wedding party riding toward the church.
Robin spotted Sir Stephen dressed all in silk.
Beside Sir Stephen rode Ellen's father, Edward, the farmer.
Two horses pulled Ellen's carriage and six men at arms followed.
When the carriage reached the door of the church, Ellen stepped out.
Robin had never seen a more beautiful girl.
Her skin was pale and smooth, but she carried herself like a wilting flower.
Anyone could see that this was not a happy day for her.
A few minutes later, the wedding party gathered in the church.
Ellen looked around fearfully.
The bishop was about to begin the ceremony when Robin trotted up to the altar.
"'Let me look at the lass,' Robin said.
He took her hands and studied her face.
"'Look here.
Her cheeks are pale as snow, not bright red, with the happiness one should see on a young bride.
This is not a fit wedding.
Sir Stephen, you are too old, and she is too young.'
You are not her one true love.
Everyone in the church looked at Robin in amazement.
As they stood in stunned silence, Robin blew his horn three times.
Little John and Will Stutley leapt to the front of the church and drew their swords.
Ellen's father strode to the altar.
He would have had dragged his daughter away, but little John said, "'Stand back, old man.
You're a hobbled horse today.'
"'Down with the villains!' cried Sir Stephen, as his men-at-arms drew their swords.
The door of the church was flung open.
Steel flashed in the light.
Alan Adale, leading eighteen of Robin's men, carried Robin's bow in his hands.
He handed it to Robin and dropped to one knee.
Ellen's father bellowed, Is it Alan Adale who has ruined this day?
No, Robin answered.
I have done all this to save this day from ruination.
I don't care who knows it.
My name is Robin Hood. everyone in the church fell silent.
The bishop closed his book and murmured, Evan, protect us from this evil man.
I mean you no harm, Robin assured him, but Alan Adale is Ellen's one true love.
She shall marry him, or pain will come to all of you.
Ellen's father boomed out.
No, I am her father.
I say she shall marry Sir Stephen and no one else.
Sir Stephen faced Ellen's father.
No, good fellow, you may take your daughter back.
I would not marry her after today's doings for all the wealth in England.
I do love her as old as I am by I did not know that she loves this fellow.
Then he turned to Ellen.
Maiden, if you would rather marry a minstrel than a highborn knight, that is your choice.
His men-at-arms gathered around him as he walked proudly out of the church.
Well, the Bishop of Hereford announced, since I now have no business here, I too will depart.
Robin placed his hand on the bishop's chest.
Stay, good bishop, for I have something to say.
The bishop's face fell.
He knew that Robin would not let him go.
Bless your daughter's marriage to Alan Adale and all will be well, Robin urged Alan's father.
Little John, hand me the bags of gold.
Look, farmer, here are two hundred bright golden angels.
Give your blessing and I will count them out to you.
Edward stared at the ground, his brow wrinkling.
He saw plainly that Ellen would now marry Ellen Adale no matter what.
I had thought to make a lady of her, Edward said.
I will have nothing more to do with her.
If she marries, this man will give my blessing when she is wed.
The old priest shook his head.
It may not be, he said stubbornly.
There is no priest here who will marry them.
What did you say, roared Friar Tuck from the organ loft.
No priest.
I am as holy a man as you, seven days a week.
After the ceremony, Robin turned the bishop of Hereford.
I promised your lordship I could make sure the bride loved the man she married.
There is the bride, and she loves her groom.
You promised me that you would give me whatever I asked if I accomplished this feat.
I want the golden chain that hangs around your neck, so that I might give it to the fair Ellen as a wedding present.
The bishop turned red with rage.
He slowly lifted the chain from his neck and handed it to Robin.
Robin draped the chain around Ellen's neck.
It glittered about her shoulders.
I thank you for your handsome gift, Robin told the bishop.
Truly, you look better without it.
Please come soon to Sherwood Forest.
We will honor you with a feast such as you have never had in your whole life.
Heaven forbid, prayed the bishop.
He knew very well that Robin's guests paid for feasts with all the money they carried.
