Tattoos of the Heart

Chapter One

Robin remained crouched behind the bushes, formulating a plan as he waited for the others. He watched carefully, studying the knights mannerism. Their voices groff as they spoke amongst one another.

"The Queen will have a field day with this lot." One pointed out.

"Aye, they'll be lucky if they live to see sunrise." The other replied.

"They'll be lucky if they live two seconds after the Queen arrives." A third chims in.

Robin gulped silently at the mention of the Queen. She was a women he had hoped never to cross paths with, especially with what he knew about her. However, judging from the words of that knight he wouldn't be so lucky.

Robin's ear twitched as he hears something near him. The sound was almost inaudible but his ears were trained to pick up the slightest change in noise level after years of thievery. Mutely a group of the merry men crowded around him as they waited for his orders. However, before Robin could signal the plan the sound of horse hooves beating violently against the ground echoed to his ears.

"There she is." One of the eight black knights spoke. "Say your prayers lads, the Queen has never been good at showing mercy." He chuckled as the horses got closer.

Robin gulped, "Go! Go! Go!" He hissed.

Without hesitation his men leaped from behind the bushes and rushed into attack mode. Hopefully, the surprise of the fact and the fact there was many more of them than the knights would help them get the trapped men out before the Queen had a chance to intervene.

Robin pulled an arrow from his quiver and loaded it into his bow, Releasing it in seconds. It landed in the shoulder of a knight who was locked in a sword combate with Celeb, One of his oldest friends. His hit caused the knight to stumble backwards and call out in pain. Robin was much more handy with a bow, however the close range and quick reactions of the knights made it hard to use. So, he pulled the bow around his chest so his hands were free raising his elbow and thrusting so it clocked the guard charging him right in the nose. Making him backup in surprise and pain, letting his guard down just enough for Robin to grab the hilt of his sword and shove him onto the ground with his right foot- Using the knights own weapon to stab him in the leg.

Robin was never one for murder, so he figured going for the legs would keep him down for now. However, His previous hopes of getting in and out before the Queen arrived were squashed as a carriage made from black oak pulled up to the scene.

Robin froze as the carriage door swung open, and out stepped the most regal woman he had ever seen. Her body clad in a dark gown that looked as if it might be made of leather. Whatever its material it hugged her body and revealed through a mesh lace slight down to just above her navel. Her ebony hair falling over her shoulder, half of it pulled into an elegant updo.

He gasped. It was her, the woman from his dream. However she radiated anything but homey. Her posture was royal and commanded power but her aura was soaked in a sensual sensation that could drive any man mad. Her expression was as cold as stone, like the calm before the storm. "Kneel." She demanded, her hands clasped in front of her.

Immediately, her knights fell to their knees, as if their lives depended on it, and they just might have. However, when the Merry Men did not oblige she raised her and and twisted her wrist, causing everyone standing to be overwhelmed with a torturous electricity that forced them to their knees. It only lasted for a moment but the pain was so intense no one dared to stand back up.

"Bloody witch!" a familiar voice called. Robin turned his head to see Will Scarlet, one of the merry men who had robbed from her. His comment didn't phase her, she merely walked over to him, her angular hands cupping his chin, "Is that any way to speak to your queen?" Her words were soft,like she was speaking to a child. However, from the way Will wienced he could tell her nails were digging into his jaw. "You're no queen of mine." He spat through the pain.

"Rebellious." The Queen nodded, crouching in front of him. Her hand slipping to the back of his neck. "Such a shame." She coos, her hand plunging into his chest- pulling out his beating heart. Will gaged in pain, spitting and sputtering as she straightened herself.

"Learn to hold your tongue." She spat, squeezing the organ.

"Stop!" Robin called, daring to shoot to his feet. "Take me instead."

"Oh?" The Queen asked, raising her eyebrows. "And why would I want you, Thief?" She baits humorously. Robin gulps and does something he swore he never reveal- Slowly he pulls up the sleeve that covered his right arm, divulging his secret: His lion tattoo and what it meant. "Because I'm-" Before he could finish the wide-eyed Queen flicked her wrist, engulfing him in purple smoke.

When the smoke cleared he was alone in a cold dungeon. "- Your soulmate." Robin sighed, slumping onto the ground.

=¥=

A/N: Yes indeed, I'm gonna end it right here.

Make sure to tune in next episode to find out what happens next.