Evolution

(Robin Hood BBC) It's the year 2007 and a girl called Marian is living the life. She is in a re-enactment group, lives in a manor, the best in archery and… the descendant of Robin Hood and Maid Marian. What happens when she is sent back to 1192 to see her ancestors? Nothing normal of course!

Chapter one: Time for a little competition

From inside the walls of Locksley Manor, a huge crash can be heard as Lady Marian entered the hallway with a pile of armour being sent on top of her. Her butler, Gavin went after her.

"19 years old and STILL creates mischief" he muttered under his breath as he pulled her out of the rubble and looked at her crude clothing: tight black riding shorts, knee high brown leather boots with a light brown tunic. Her brown hair covered her face as she stood up and tried to blow it off.

"I am assuming miss is looking for her bow and arrow?" he said

"Yes I am! I was sure it was in the armoury… maybe in the closet..." she said as she opened a door opposite her

"NO miss No!" but it was too late. A pile of more junk fell on top of her…again. He reached for her again and pulled her up by her wrist

"Thanks Gavin"

"May I ask why miss is looking for her bow and arrow?"

"Well as you know we have a re-enactment fair today and there is an archery competition. I was hoping to get some practice in."

"Ah." He hid her bow and arrow from Lady Marian two days ago. She was using the house as the target as it was raining and he did not appreciate her making dents into the middle of the wall with several arrows. He looked outside. It was a clear sunny day. He decided it wouldn't hurt.

"Lady Marian, I believe they are in the top floor library"

"What are they doing there? I never go there… wait! Gavin!"

"Well you were making dents in the wall!"

"That's the seventh time this month!"

"Look at the wall!"

Marian looked at the wall. Several picture hanged strangely across the wall, trying their best to cover various cracks and holes.

"Hmmmm…I am sorry then. I will practice outside always"

"Thank you miss. Shall I fetch the bow and arrow?"

"Yes Gavin. And bring my horse, Black lighting around please"

"No problem. So we are planning to ride to the fair today?"

"Yes we are Gavin" and with that Gavin went to do his job.

Later on at the fair

The fair was set in a clearing of the old Sherwood Forest. Marian loved this place. She had heard so much about her ancestors and what they did. It made her feel proud to be who she was. She rode up to the clearing in her green hooded clock clinging to her body, and covering her face. On her back was sitting her magnificent bow that was carved with vines and flowers and a bunch of similarly carved arrows all done by herself.

When she reached the clearing, she tied her horse up and joined the crowd around an archery target with a balding man in costume shouting to the crowd,

"…And for all yer entertainment… The annual Archery competition! For first prize this year is the famous beautiful hand-crafted Onyx pedant. Believed to be magical, it is believed to tell the future and control time! So sign up if you think you have what it takes!"

People began to line up at the signing booth. Marian was very excited, she had just joined the groups a month ago and enjoyed the dressing up and feasts. When Marian reached the booth, a pale woman greeted her.

"And what be your name young girl?"

"Marian, daughter of Robin"

"Ooh! You have some very famous names there miss Marian"

"Yes I do"

"Well you will be number 10 to go. Do you have your own stuff?"

"Yes thank you"

"Well best of luck Miss Marian, Daughter of Robin!"

"Thank you again"

And she strode off to watch the other contestants.

Later

Many had missed the target, some only able to touch the end of the mark. Number nine was the closest so far reaching the line just below the bull's eye. It was now Marian's turn.

"And now may Marian, daughter of Robin stand up to the line!" said the announcer as Marian stood up on the platform and took out her black, carved bow and got ready to aim. She fired. It landed right in the bull's eye at top speed.

"Well it seems we have an automatic winner! Congratulations, Miss Marian!" said the announced as he handed to her the onyx pedant and shook her hand. The crowd cleared and cheering Marian and went of the other competitions. Marian however was so excited that she put the pedant around her neck and headed home. She came to her horse and was about the mount. That was until she was stopped by a man on a horse dressed in full costume. It took her a while to realise who it was.

"Gavin! What are you doing here?"

"I came to see the archery. Well done by the way."

"Thanks Gav. I'm going to head home now. Not much point attending now."

"You are right." She said as she mounted Black lighting and they headed off into the woods.

"I love this place Gavin"

"Yes Miss?"

"It's so peaceful and alive."

"Well it is the place of your ancestors"

It was unknown to them that at the word ancestors, the onyx pedant lighted up and turned a light purple. After about a couple of seconds of silence, Gavin noticed the pedant.

"Hmmmm…Miss?"

"…Yeah?"

"Is onyx meant to be purple?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean look at your pedant!"

Marian looked. The pedant was getting brighter and brighter

"What the bloody hell?"

"…Miss! You're fading!" His image of Marian was becoming grey

"No I am not!" she said "You are!" As she saw the same thing happen to Gavin

Then everything went white.

To be continued