All the winners of the events lined up to receive their prizes. Dale pranced among them, setting crowns of woven grasses and flowers onto their heads with words of praise. Little John, as tall as he was, pretended to sniff the flowers in everyone else’s hair as he walked behind them.
Baron had a crown of red roses placed in his dark hair.
“Does he get a kiss from the prettiest as a prize too?” Will Stutely hooted, waving me forward. I folded my arms and glared at him.
“You bet he does!” Dale answered quickly. “Come here, you!” He puckered his lips, pretending like he was going to stand on tiptoe to peck Baron on the cheek.
Baron, now alarmed, leapt back in shock, and all the men rolled around in laughter again.
“You all are cruel!” I said, even as I laughed along with them.
“Yeah, you aren’t his type, Dale!”
Tildy came up to announce that it was time for dinner at that point, and Baron was spared from any further embarrassment.
CHAPTER 37
Alan and Little John had outdone themselves for the feast, set outside on tables groaning under the dishes of food. They had poached a deer and roasted it magnificently, and there was a salad tossed with vinegar and oil, as well as a number of side dishes they had worked on all morning with Tildy to prepare.
Everyone ate until we were full to bursting, a welcome change for the men from the meager rations they had become accustomed to in prison. Baron said how nice it was not to have to cook for once and tucked in ravenously.
As everyone began slowing down the pace of their eating, Dale rose and picked up his lyre, strumming it as he began to stroll among us, all sprawled out on the grass with platters full of food. He always loved to put on a good show, and this time was no different.
He sang:
Now hark to the Tale of Robin Hood
and of his Merry Men
His bow was long and his arms were strong,
and his heart was pure and good.
He would fight to gain the right,
and so I pray may you.
Now we stand together,
and to our king be true.
There once lived a man named Robin
who lived in Forest Sherwood,
He changed his coat to Lincoln Green
and his name to Robin Hood!
He faced off with a tyrant prince
who sent him on a run,
But all these games to Robin Hood,
were just a load of fun!
Now this Robin gathered about him
