Norbert’s Marvellous Book Emporium #3

Jonny and Mable had heard about Norbert’s Marvellous Book Emporium from their friends at school. One Friday after school, they had told their parents they were going to each other's houses to study. Instead, they decided to visit the magical book shop. Jonny wanted a book about sea adventures, but Mable knew exactly what she wanted and went straight for it.

Norbert, the shop owner, was standing behind the counter. He wore a funny costume of baggy trousers, shoes that curled up at the front, a silk shirt, and a big turban. “I just got back from helping Aladdin find his magic lamp!” Norbert said with a wink. He handed Jonny and Mable two special bags. “Booth number four is ready and waiting for you,” he smiled, “Oh, and remember the story will determine when it is time to return.”

Mable picked up a book called “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” They entered the booth and sat down. “What do we do now?” asked Mable.

Suddenly, the booth spun and shuddered. The wooden walls disappeared, and they found themselves in a green forest. Birds chirped, and laughter echoed through the trees. Jonny looked down; he was wearing a green tunic and a feathered cap! Mable wore a cloak and sage colored leggings and little ankle boots, in her hand was a bag of coins.

A young man jumped down from a tree. “Welcome, travelers!” He bowed. “I’m Robin Hood. I believe you come to help me?”

“Yes, I guess so,” Mable said sheepishly.

“The Sheriff of Nottingham has captured my friend. Will you help me save her?” Robin asked.

“Absolutely! What’s the plan?” Mable replied eagerly.

Robin explained that Maid Marion was being held in the castle dungeon. Jonny, still trying to make sense of their magical adventure, suggested they create a diversion.

Mable thought that she would be the best to rescue Marion.

As they walked towards the Castle, Little John and Friar Tuck joined them. Robin linked arms with Little John, “Are these the ones who will save Marion?” Little John asked.  

“Yes, this is Jonny and Mable, Norbert has sent them to help rescue Marion.”

“He looks like he could do with a good meal” the rotund Friar said, pointing to Jonny.

Everyone laughed, except for Jonny.

“Do we have a plan?” Little John asked.

“Yes, we have a plan. Not the best but I think it will work” said Robin,

Robin Hood and the others discussed their plan near the castle gates.

“Right, we're going to set up an archery tournament, Jonny have you ever used a bow?”

Jonny laughed, “No, never picked on up”

“This should be fun” giggled Friar Tuck.

Little John walked down the field holding the target. This had a yellow bull's eye painted in the centre with three rings, one red, one blue, then a black outer ring. “How far he asked.

“One hundred steps,” Robin answered.

Little John counted them down.

“Here” Robin passed Jonny a bow, which hand do you use?”

“Sorry?”

“Right of left”

“Oh, right, yeah right hand”

“Ok, hold this in your left, and Nock the arrow,”

“Nock, what does that mean?”

Robin shook his head, Place the arrow on your left thumb, put the string in the Nock,” he pointed to the slit at the end of the arrow, “Then pull it back”

Jonny did as he was instructed.

“Now look down the arrow, One Hundred steps, I guess, raise your left hand about six inches above the bull's eye. Are you ready?”

Jonny lowered the bow, looked at Robin, “I’ve never done this before. What happens if it hits someone?”

“There's not much chance of that, trust me.” The Friar said, laughing.

Jonny lifted his left arm, pulled back the string, aligned the arrow as previously told six inches above the bullseye, “Ready,he said.

“Well, let it go,” Robin told him.

The string whooshed past his face, slid down his forearm. As the arrow sailed through the air, A Thud was heard as the arrow hit its target, dead centre.

Jonny went to give Robin a High Five, but it fell flat.

“Beginners' luck.” The Friar said, stuffing his face with a pork pie and holding a flagon of ale.

“Let's go again,” said Little John, “see if it was luck or he's a natural.”

Jonny Knocked another arrow, and whoosh, again bullseye. A crowd had gathered to watch what was going on; one of the King's guards had started taking bets on the new boy. Robin looked around; the crowd was getting larger, mainly the Kings’ Guard. He gave

Mable a curt nod. She understood; this was her time.  

As the boys were laughing and jeering each other, Mable quietly slipped away, with a scarf over her head and clutching the bag of coins in one hand, she kept to the shadows. She moved swiftly along the ivy-covered walls, her heart pounding with excitement and a little fear.

As she reached a small side door, she noticed a guard dozing in the afternoon sun.

She needed to get past him. Remembering the coins, Mable tossed one onto the cobblestones in the opposite direction. The clinking sound startled the guard, who wandered off to investigate. Seizing her chance, Mable crept inside.

The castle corridors were cool and dim. Mable tiptoed past tapestries and suits of armour, listening to voices, some laughter, others shouting to be heard over the laughter.

Descending the stairs and reaching the first door, she had to step on a stool to see through the iron-clad window in the door. An old man sat chained to a wall. He looked up at Mable. He looked lost. He smiled and said something, but it was too faint to hear.

Mable wiped a tear from her eye and moved on to the next door. Behind it she heard muffled sobs. Standing on the stool again and peeking through the window, she saw a woman sitting on a straw bed, looking worried but unharmed.

“Are you Marion?” Mable asked

“Yes, who are you?”

“I am Mable. I am here to rescue you. Where are the keys to the doors?”

Marion stood up and walked to the door; she was not chained like the man next door.

“The Sheriff has them; he doesn't trust anyone else with them.”

“OK, where can I find the Sheriff, and what does he look like,” Mable asked.

“He is the one you can hear shouting, now he will be in the great hall having his evening meal, he’s probably had too much to drink and tired, are you up for this?” asked Marion,

Mable walked to where the shouting was coming from. Up one set of stairs, it was truly a great hall; suits of armour in every corner, on the walls were giant paintings that depicted battles, and kings of old. Mable scanned the room; all the men had gone, leaving the Sheriff of Nottingham alone. He was sitting at the head of a great table laden with food; Mable had never seen so much food for just one person. As she waited in the shadows, the Sheriff stood and shouted, “More wine, bring me more wine.”

"This was my chance," she muttered to herself. Spotting several jugs on a nearby table, Mable walked confidently over, selected one, and strode towards the head of the table where the Sheriff sat slouching in an oversized chair. “Your wine, My Lord”

“Who are you?” the Sheriff quizzed.

“Mable, I am new. Cook is looking for a uniform. I heard you shout for wine, so I thought...”

“Thought, you thought,” he slammed a hand down on the table. “It is not your place to think... But thank you.”

Mable could see a set of keys on a belt around his waist. Stepping nearer, she poured some wine in the goblet in front of him. Purposely spilling some over the table and down his legs.

“What have you done?” he shouted.

Mable grabbed for a cloth and started to dab the wine, and at the same time tried to undo the belt. The Sheriff was sleepy from overeating, and the wine fell back into his chair, “Hurry up, girl, or I’ll have you flogged”

“Yes, My Lord,” With the belt undone, Mable slid off the keys and pocketed them.

“My Lord, I will get you more wine,” Mable backed away from the great table, bowing her head. When she reached the stairs, she slipped down and ran back to the cell where Marion was being held, sliding the key into the lock and then opening the door.

“Marion, please, come quickly” As Marion exited the cell, Mable stopped, “What about the man next door? Can we help him?”

Marion shook her head, “He’s been here too long; he couldn't walk”

“Please, is there anything we can do?” Mable begged.

“I will make arrangements for him when I am free. Now, let's get out of here”

Together, they sneaked back through the corridors, retracing Mable’s steps. Just as they reached the exit, the Sheriff’s angry shout echoed behind them. Mable and Marion dashed outside, where Robin, Jonny, and the others were waiting with a cart. “Quick, in here!” Jonny called.

They all piled into the cart, and Little John cracked the reins. The cart sped away, leaving the castle and the furious Sheriff far behind.

Back in the green forest, Robin Hood thanked Mable for her bravery. “You have the heart of a true hero,” he said with a bow.

Suddenly, the world began to spin again. The booth’s wooden walls reappeared, and Jonny and Mable found themselves back in Norbert’s shop. The magical adventure faded like a dream, but the memory of their courage would last forever.

“Next time I’ll pick the book,” Jonny said as they walked home.