A Chance Meeting
A “Robin of Sherwood” fanfic, written by Haarbal.


He’d just entered service at the Abbey. Gamekeeper Gisburne... it had a nice ring to it. The position wasn’t one of great fame, or one with a great wage, but still a nice position for a poor young knight from a rundown estate. Not to mention that this position offered a great choice in horses. Abbot Hugo didn’t spare expenses on horses. Like the fine young stallion he’d broken in just days ago. Black as the night, touch of Arabian, but not too light to handle everyday’s job. Fierce tempered, fitted for a knight. Yes, it was a fine beast...
He patted the stallion on the neck, smiling. Today was almost like a day off. Trotting through the woods at a leisurly pace, “looking” for outlaws. Filthy serfs poaching the King’s Meat. Just too bad that there were those two halfwitted soldiers, riding behind him. But with the sunshine coming through the foliage, he could almost pretend he was home, at Gisburne, playing Lord and surveying his grounds...

Then, suddenly, a youth, probably no more then fifteen summers, came out of the undergrowth. The black stallion reared up, it’s rider clinging to it’s neck. Uttering a curse that would make a barwench blush, Guy tried to calm his frightened steed. “Watch where you’re going, serf!” he yelled, glaring at the somewhat grimy youth, who crossed his arms and stared back defiantly. “I’m not a serf, I’m Robert of Huntingdon, son of the Earl of Huntingdon, and I pray you watch your tongue, good sir knight!”

Paling visibly, Guy dismounted immediately, and showed his respect with a curt bow. The Huntingdons were directly related to Scottish royalty... “Forgive me my insolence, m’lord. I am Sir Guy of Gisburne. May I ask what you are doing in the woods alone, travelstained and on foot?” “I was thrown, a stag startled my horse... The sound of your horses caught my attention, as my steed is still astray in the woods.” Robert patted his muddied clothes and smiled. The knight made a disaproving sound and motioned the two soldiers. “You two. Go look for the Lord’s horse!” He turned back to the Earl’s son and attempted a smile. “I’d better escort you home, m’lord...” Handing the reins to Robert, he took a hold of the young stallion’s bridle, so the young noble could mount the fiery stallion.

Robert swung himself into the saddle. The stirrupleathers were a little long, but that didn’t bother him. What did bother him was that the stallion immediately began to prance, it’s ears moving back and forth rapidly. He was an experienced rider, but this beast was strong and very nervous. Guy’s hand immediately reached for the bridle again. He would never hear the end of it if his horse would run off with the Earl of Huntingdon’s son on it’s back...

And so they could be seen, two young nobles and a young black stallion, heading for Huntingdon, back then in those lighter days. Two blonde heads, finding their way through Sherwood. For five more years would Margaret of Gisburne’s shamefull secret stay hidden...