ROBIN
LADY OF LEGEND

Deleted Scene #5 — Chapter 1: Original

By R.M. ArceJaeger

Please do not read this scene unless you have read the book, as even early pieces may contain
later spoilers!

Author’s Note

I had the concept for Robin: Lady of Legend floating around in my head for about a decade before I actually wrote it. This scene was written by me around the eighth grade, and sat in a drawer for several years; every now-and-again I would pull it out and refresh the concept in my mind, but I never got around to doing much with it until after I graduated from college. By that time (having subjected myself to four grueling years of math and science), I was aching to write a story. Even though I had another novel all planned out, this scene just screamed at me one day, “Write the book already!” and so I did.

Deleted Scene #5 — Chapter 1: Original

Robin’s feet were tired. Her current dance partner had already stepped on her toes twice and the rondo was only half over! When the music finally ended, she excused herself and went to sink down in a delightfully solid wooden chair.

“Ladies don’t slump, Robin,” a masculine voice spoke up behind her.

“Will!” she cried, turning around with a delighted gasp. Will Whitberg, more commonly known as “Scarlet” among his friends (a nickname well-earned by his flaming hair and quick temper), seized her in a great hug.

“Well met, cousin, well met,” he laughed, letting her go and taking the vacant seat beside her.

“I haven’t seen you since the fair last autumn,” Robin exclaimed.

“I’m here with my father on business. He says that if I’m to take over for him one day, I need to see how these sorts of things are done.” Will grimaced. Robin knew how much he hated the pomp and finery of his station — almost as much as she hated hers.

“But look at you!” he said, changing the subject. “Practically a lady.”

Now it was her turn to grimace. “Father would like to think so, but I’m afraid that I must disappoint him.”

“Still practicing your aim with the livestock?”

“No,” Robin gave a huge sigh. “Father confiscated my arrows.”

“He didn’t!” Will cried in mock horror.

“Now don’t you start! I don’t see what the point is, anyway,” Robin said, letting her eyes roam the dancers. “I’ll never be a lady like he wants me to be. Now Marion,” she said, her gaze falling on a beautiful brunette in a saffron dress, “she’s the lady.”

“Do I detect a hint of sisterly envy?” Will teased, tugging on a lock of her hair.

“Nonsense! I just don’t know how she does it, that’s all. Always knowing just what to say, always nice, charming—”

“Beautiful,” Will chimed in.

“That, too.”

* * * * *

Robin was climbing the stairs when she heard raised voices coming from her father’s room. She hesitated, then making sure no one was around, she crept to her father’s door and pressed her ear against the door.

“—She’s sixteen, you know, just the right age for a marriage.”

“I know.” Her father’s voice was almost drowned out by the sound of drinks being poured. “It’s just she’s so wild! Why, the other day I found her rolling around in the mud like a pig!”

“Indeed.” The second voice was noncommittal.

“Oh, I know what you’re thinking. Nothing like that. Apparently she was shooting at mice and she lost one of her arrows.”

“Even so, an alliance between us would be most beneficial.”

“But Robin . . . ”

“If it’s so much trouble, why not Marion? She’s fourteen.”

“No, no. Tradition must be upheld. The eldest must be wed first. I don’t really know why I’m protesting. I should be glad to be rid of her. Besides, I think you will enjoy the challenge.”

“I intend to.”

Robin heard chairs being scraped back and she turned and fled up the stairs.

End Deleted Scene