Ghosts of Sherwood

by T. S. Maynard

  Alex helped Lloyd to his feet as King Arthur and Sean galloped up on horseback. Upon seeing his son, Alex couldn’t stop a gigantic grin from spreading across his face.

  Arthur lifted Sean down, who sprinted over to his dad and leaped into his arms. “You were amazing, Dad!”

  As they hugged, Arthur interrupted the moment. “Hate to be rude, but I must excuse myself.”

  “Hold up.” Alex raised up Excalibur. “Thanks for letting me borrow this.”

  Alex tossed the blade up to the king. Arthur caught it, then dug his feet into his steed and headed off at a fast gallop. He headed straight to his wife through crowds of celebrating knights and citizens. Arthur dismounted the horse mid-gallop, ran to Guinevere, and grabbed her hands. He stared deep into her eyes like it was the first time he’d seen her. “I almost forgot how beautiful you are.”

  Lady Guinevere eyed her heroic warrior in his glistening armor. “And I almost forgot how good you look in your ‘work’ suit.”

  “Can you ever forgive me?” Arthur asked.

  She looked him up and down and noticed the mighty Excalibur on his side. “I might be persuaded.”

  Their eyes met. They both stepped toward one another and kissed. It seemed like they’d never let go until Lancelot interrupted. “Drinks are on me tonight, Arthur.”

  Arthur didn’t take his eyes off Guinevere. “I’m busy tonight, Lance.”

  “Busy? Doing what?”

  As Arthur gazed into his wife’s eyes, it sunk in. Lance nodded and headed back out into the crowd of revelers.

  As the sun rose, celebrations still filled the streets of Camelot. King Arthur and Guinevere, now dressed in regal attire, strolled hand-in-hand, taking it all in. They passed the front gate, which still laid in ruins.

  “That’s going to take some time to fix,” Arthur said.

  “Leave it open then,” Guinevere said. “It makes it feel more welcoming.”

  Arthur smiled. “Let’s get going. The ceremony is about to begin.”

  They entered the castle’s keep and headed into the massive cathedral where most of Camelot’s citizens had gathered. They stood up out of respect as the king and queen passed. Among the crowd were the knights, the Sheriff, Tinker Nell, and Robin Hood and his merry men. At the front of the cathedral, Alex, Sean, and Lloyd waited. King Arthur and Lady Guinevere took their places in adjacent thrones at the front.

  “Thank you all for coming,” Arthur began. “In recent times, the fastest way to knighthood was through the purchase of a franchise. Well, no longer.”

  The crowd cheered and clapped in support of the edict.

  “The only way to achieve knighthood from here on will be through extreme acts of bravery. And with that in mind, I would like to ask Alex, Lloyd, and Sean to please step forward.”

  All three stared at each other, surprised.

  “Please take a knee.” They bowed before the king, who lifted the blade of Excalibur and touched each of their shoulders. “While many exhibited bravery yesterday, the three of you went above and beyond the call of duty. I hereby dub you all honorary Knights of the Round Table.”

  Sean smiled wider than he’d ever smiled in his life. This was beyond even his imagination. Alex elbowed his son with pride, and Lloyd smiled at Alex.

  “Now stand and take a bow,” Arthur said.

  The trio turned to face the crowd. Robin Hood stood and clapped as they bowed, and the applause spread like wildfire.

  The king shouted above the noise. “Robin Hood, please step forward.”

  Robin stopped clapping and grew suspicious.

  Arthur handed him a rolled-up parchment. “A full pardon.”

  Robin couldn’t believe his ears. “I can live in Sherwood again—legally?”

  “You can live anywhere you want, including Camelot.”

  Robin snatched the document and sat down.

  Arthur continued, “I also want to announce that I’m re-instituting many of the old ways. Henceforth, protection in the kingdom will be free of charge.”

  Most cheered, but the Sheriff raised his hand. “That’s just the knights, right? Not police services.”

  “All protection,” Arthur clarified.

  The Sheriff touched his heart in shock. “How will I afford this look?” He motioned to his gold chains and oversized diamond-studded belt buckle.

  “We’re all going to have to do without some luxuries we’ve become accustomed to. But in the end, we’ll gain something far more valuable.” Arthur looked back at his wife, who smiled.

  Guinevere took his hand, and the two left as the crowd cheered. After they’d exited, a flustered Sheriff stood to leave, and his pants fell around his ankles.

  “What the?” The Sheriff grabbed his pants and noticed that someone had stolen his belt buckle. “Robin!”

  Robin Hood darted out the exit with a coy smile as the Sheriff yelled after him. “That pardon doesn’t cover this. You’re under arrest.”

  Sean laughed. This place and this moment were perfect. “Can we stay, Dad?”

  “Sorry, son, this isn’t our home.”

  “You can visit anytime you like, Sean. How’s that?” Lloyd said.

  Sean nodded his head and smiled at his grandfather. The three headed out, but Alex stopped and glanced back at Tinker Nell. She was vibrant and young again.

  “You guys go ahead,” Alex said.

  Lloyd and Sean left as Alex approached Tinker Nell. “Thank you for what you did.”

  “I think we can call it even,” she said, holding up her restored wand.

  “Actually, I have one more favor to ask. My father is sick.”

  “I wish I could help, but everyone must go when it’s their time. All we can do is treasure the time we have left.”

  Alex nodded in acceptance. “Had to try. Can you at least transport the three of us back to the cabin? It’s a long walk.”

  Tinker Nell raised an eyebrow. “Now, that’s three wishes, isn’t it?”

  Alex sighed and turned to leave. Tinker Nell smiled and raised her wand. Poof!

  Alex, Lloyd, and Sean emerged at the door of the cabin in the clearing. A rustling in the bushes caught Alex’s attention. The boy in the red hoodie stepped out of the trees, with something small in his hands. He eyed Alex and motioned him over. Alex walked over to the boy.

  “Robin Hood had one last present for you. Open it when you’re home.” The boy handed Alex a small box.

  Alex nodded as the boy scampered back into the forest.

  “Who is that, Dad?” Sean asked.

  “Someone I used to know.”

  They entered the cabin and returned to their world. It was still the middle of the night at Lloyd’s house. The trio exited the cabin and trudged back toward the house, beyond exhausted. It was time to sleep.

  Morning light streamed into the guest bedroom as Alex, still in his clothes, slept. The ring of his cellphone interrupted his slumber. He fumbled with his hands on the nightstand until he found his phone and answered. “Yeah?”

  “Alex, where are you?” his boss, Ted, asked.

  Alex sat up in his bed and glanced at the clock. He was already late. “I can’t make it today, Ted.”

  “This will not look good, Alex. I don’t know what the other partners will say.”

  “I understand.” Alex hung up and rubbed his head. Work was the last thing on his mind after what he’d been through. He rolled out of bed and stumbled down the hall, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Alex couldn’t wait to recount the adventure with Sean and Lloyd. He peeked into his childhood bedroom and found Sean asleep. He didn’t want to disturb him, so he closed the door and moved on to Lloyd’s room.

  Walter was on the phone next to Lloyd’s bed, where Lloyd laid pale and still.

  “We need an ambulance!” Walter said in a panicked voice.

  Alex rushed over. “No, not now.”

  “He just wouldn’t wake up,” Walter said.

  Alex pressed on his father’s chest with
both hands, hoping to revive him, but Lloyd remained still. After several minutes of trying to bring his father back, a calm washed over Alex. His father was gone. It was his time. He leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Goodbye, Dad. I love you.”

  Chapter 18

  One month later, Alex and Sean found themselves in the office of a silver-haired attorney listening to the reading of Lloyd’s last will and testament. “To my grandson, Sean, I leave to you something I know you will treasure.” The attorney handed Sean the book, Legends and Fairy Tales.

  Sean grabbed it as Alex furrowed his brow. “When was this will written?” he asked.

  The attorney glanced at the date on the document. “Six months ago.”

  “Impossible,” Alex said.

  The attorney resumed, “And to my son, I leave to you my fortune—eighty-three million dollars. This does not include the mansion or its contents. I am donating these to a charitable foundation.” The attorney stopped reading and folded the paper back up.

  “That’s it,” Alex said. “He must’ve made a mistake. I need something in the house.”

  “You got eighty-three million. Buy a new one.”

  “There’s a painting in the mansion. He’d want me to have it.”

  “I’m sorry, there’s nothing I can do for you.”

  This was not acceptable. Alex held out his hand out, so he could see the will for himself. “What is the charitable foundation?”

  The attorney pulled the paper close to him. “I’m not at liberty to say.”

  “Please. I’ll buy the painting from whoever has it.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Alex dejectedly stood to leave with Sean.

  The attorney took no satisfaction from Alex’s grief. “I can tell you when the organization will take possession.”

  Alex’s eyes brightened.

  A few days later, Alex sipped a cup of coffee in his car outside the long entrance to his father’s estate. A van passed by him and pulled into the driveway. The side of the vehicle read, “Make A Wish Foundation.”

  Alex followed the van in and recoiled in shock when Anna exited the passenger side. “Anna? What are you doing here?”

  “Working. And you?”

  “This is my father’s house.”

  “He made the donation?” Anna asked.

  The driver hopped out dressed in a fine silk suit, and he bore an uncanny resemblance to the Sheriff of Nottingham. “He also got you your job.”

  “What are you talking about?” Anna asked.

  “Mr. Van Owen made a very generous donation contingent upon your hiring. Given your credentials, it was an easy request to accommodate,” the suited man said.

  “I haven’t seen your dad in years. Why would he do this?” Anna wondered.

  Alex stared at the driver in disbelief. “Sheriff?”

  The driver looked at Alex side-eyed. “My name is Bill Brewer, regional head of the ‘Make A Wish Foundation.’”

  “Sorry, you reminded me of someone else. Um, Mr. Brewer, Lloyd Van Owen was my father, and there is an important painting in there that I’d like to buy.”

  “We can always use more funding. Let’s take a look.” Bill followed Alex and Anna up into the house and to the grand library.

  As soon as Alex saw his mom, he exhaled with relief. The painting was still there.

  “Is this your mom?” Anna asked.

  Alex nodded. “Can we give him the painting, Bill?”

  Bill considered. “Yeah, we can do that.” He stepped forward to grab the painting off the wall.

  “No, wait. She belongs here.”

  “Here isn’t going to be around much longer. We’re selling everything, including the house.”

  “What? I thought you were going to use this place for the charity.”

  “There’s not much use for a mansion and a bunch of antiques.”

  “This place is special. You can’t just sell it,” Alex said.

  Bill waved his hands at the size of the house. “Do you know how much it costs to keep up a place like this? The taxes alone cost a fortune.”

  Alex looked up at his mother, then at Anna. Something else caught his eye. The small box that the boy with the red hoodie had given him rested on the table beside the painting. He’d forgotten it when his father died.

  “I’d like to make you an offer, Bill. I will donate eighty-three million…”

  Bill’s eyes widened with interest. Alex held up a finger. “Provided this house is not sold, and I have a job working for the chapter of the foundation that will be based out of this house.”

  “For that type of donation, we can accommodate both requests.”

  “And I’d like to work with Anna. That’s not part of the deal. I’m simply requesting that from both you and her.”

  Bill shrugged. “I’m okay if she is.”

  Anna didn’t respond. Everything about this left her speechless.

  “I’ll leave the two of you alone for a moment.” Bill walked out of the library.

  Alex grabbed the small box off the table.

  “What are you doing, Alex?”

  “Anna, I used to stare at this picture, wondering what my mother was like, what she was thinking. I didn’t consider what my dad thought about when he’d look up at her. But now, I know. He would’ve given anything to hold her just one more time. I miss you, Anna.” Alex opened the box, revealing both of their wedding rings.

  A tear streamed down Anna’s face. For the first time in ages, she saw the man she married. Alex moved in and gave her a kiss. Anna returned it with passion.

  Outside, Bill hung up the phone after delivering the news of the donation to the front office, when Alex came bounding down the steps.

  “She said yes,” he shouted.

  “That’s great. I just talked to my supervisor, and we’ll get the required paperwork to make this happen.”

  The two stood back and admired the magnificent mansion. Bill put his hands on his waist, which separated his suit jacket and revealed his belt buckle, a gaudy diamond-studded “SN.” “It really is a special place, isn’t it?”

  Alex didn’t notice the belt buckle as he smiled at the idea of working here with Anna… and of his father.

  “Yes, it is,” he said.

  Two years later.

  A giant sign hung on the wall outside the mansion. It read, “Make A Wish.” A bus pulled up, and dozens of children, some in wheelchairs, exited and entered this magical resort.

  The giant green belt had been converted into a children’s wonderland. There were pony rides, a place to learn archery and other sports, hayrides, and a petting zoo. Sean played with several of the younger children.

  In the middle of all of it were Alex and Anna, working hand in hand with the children.

  In the grand library, the painting of Alex’s mother still hung; except now, Lloyd had been added beside her. The two held hands, and in the night sky above them, there were thousands of sparkling stars.

  The End