The final part of my short story, accompanied by one last drawing from  450AngelDragons
Robin Hood belongs to Disney

Finally, over the hill was the town of Nottingham with King Richard’s castle on the far end, looking over the townsfolk with a hopeful gaze. Walking into town, we passed by old Otto the blacksmith’s shop. It had been years since his broken leg healed and he need not worry that the Sheriff was gonna drop in uninvited. In fact, he was practically dancing when John introduced me to the old dog. He smiled and welcomed me to England with open arms. The town’s morale had increased ever since King Richard came back, and there it shall stay.
We arrived at the village tavern and the beautiful wolf waitress sat us down at a table near the bar. Since Little John was also knighted by King Richard, he got to eat for free and anyone who was with him was given the same privileges! Isn’t that amazing?! The tavern was filled with animals of different kinds, two pigs, a turtle, three rabbits, and one rooster sitting at the bar… alone. From his plumage and red satchel by his side, I realized that this rooster looked really familiar. I nudged Little John and asked him, “Is that Allan-a-Dale?”
He looked at the bar and said, “Heeey… I ain’t seen that old bird in ages! Let’s bring him right over.” He called to the rooster, “HEY, AL! COME OVER HERE AND MEET MY NEW FRIEND!”
Slowly, the balladeer rooster got up from his perch at the bar and shuffled slowly to the table where we were sitting. I could tell something was off with him, he was probably drunk or something. But he sat down next to me and smiled when John told him I knew all about Robin Hood’s exploits and how I wish to become a Merry Man.
Allan cleared his throat and said, “I see my ballads have reached the four corners of the world. It’s always good when people acknowledge them.” He took a swig of his liquid, a mysterious substance that didn’t look like alcohol. “Everybody loves Robin Hood. If you can find him, I’m sure he’d be willing to take you. Unfortunately, I do not know where to find that great man. I’m just a simple storyteller and minstrel.”
My ears lowered in disappointment. “It’s just that, ever since I was a little kit, I’ve dreamed of being in the Merry Men and wanting to meet Robin…”
Allan looked at me and asked, “You wouldn’t happen to be one of those raccoons that knows a Transformation Spell, would you?” I shook my head and the rooster said, “Oh well. Didn’t hurt to ask.”
I slowly got up to leave, but as I made my way past Little John, he grabbed me by the tail. I yipped slightly and asked, “What are you doing?!”
“There’s a piece of paper right here on your tail. I ain’t seen that when we came in here.” I took the paper and looked it over. What I saw stunned me and made my eyes practically bulge from my facial mask.

“I heard you’re a fan of mine and you’ve been looking to join my gang. If you wish to join the Merry Men, I am in the need for a mage. Practice this transformation spell on someone and you shall be welcome anytime. –R. Hood”


Oh. My. Word…
John came over to me and shook me, “Hey kid! You okay?” I shook my head out of my trance and went back over to Allan-a-Dale. “Somethin’ interestin’ on that paper of yours?” he asked. I nodded wildly.
“I think I can do a Transformation spell on you!” I said. The rooster puffed his feathers out and said with a shaky voice, “This oughta be interesting…”
We went outside the tavern, telling the wolfess we’d be right back. I had Allan stand near an area with good light and Little John stood right behind me, taking off his hat and holding it against his chest and wringing it in his paws. I looked over the note one more time to get the arm movements down correctly. I closed my eyes and breathed in and out slowly (I’d never done magic before, you know). I placed my arms out slowly and began to turn them back and forth and counterclockwise. Then I moved them around again, all the while, taking two fingers on both of my paws and rhythmically moving them up and down and up and down and up and down. All of a sudden, my paws started to emanate sparks and puffs of blue mist that slowly started to envelop the rooster. The bird was lifted off the ground and spun around wildly. The feathers disappeared and orange fur grew in its place. The bird’s tail feathers changed into a voluminous tail and the beak turned into a muzzle…. I was speechless at what was going on. When the smoke cleared and the new form was settled on the ground, I realized that this handsome fox standing before me was none other than the Prince of Thieves himself, Robin Hood.
Mind…… officially…… blown.
The fox looked at me with his bright eyes and caring smile. My immediate instinct was to kneel. “OH!!! Forgive me, my lord!! I didn’t know!!”
He laughed and lifted my chin up and said in his cultured English accent, “Oh, nonsense. No need for the formalities.” He offered me his paw and lifted me up from my knees. All I could do was just stare at him in admiration. My idol, standing right in front of me…
I blushed and awkwardly played with my tail. “I…I’m a big fan of your work… as you can probably tell.”
He smiled and nodded towards Little John who also smiled. “Good to have ya back, Rob. This kid here’s been looking for ya all over the place.”
The fox looked down at me and said, “Oh, have you now?”
I nodded and told him of the stories of him, how defeating Prince John, Sir Hiss, and the Sheriff had wanted me to be a part of his world, and how I felt inspired to come all the way to England when word got out that King Richard had set up a new thieving operation.
The fox, surprised by my tale, nodded in confirmation. “You really have travelled so far. I applaud you, young man. Now, I suppose you are wondering why I took the guise of my merry minstrel?” I said yes, and Robin took me off to the side and we sat down on a bench.
Robin explained that King Richard had indeed sent him on a secret mission against greedy, corrupt landowners and the real Allan-a-Dale was out spreading the word that Robin needed new recruits. With the help of a clumsy mage, Robin took the form of the minstrel rooster to avoid detection, but the mage could not turn him back. By the time Robin had found the spell to turn him back, the mage had mysteriously disappeared but left him with a mysterious and foul tasting liquid that could be used to turn him back if he drank it all. Obviously, the fox refused to finish it, but then, I walked into the bar with John and he saw me. I discovered that my magic power was granted by my willingness to become a Merry Man. I smiled and wagged my tail.
“What’s your name, son?” The fox asked me.
“Oh, darn it!” Little John exclaimed, “I didn’t ask your name!”
I proudly declared. “My name is Will, sir. Will Scarlet.”
“Will,” Robin said. “You are welcome among the Merry Men anytime. You were already welcome, but you just needed to convince yourself.”
Stunned and excited, I hugged the fox and the bear. “Come on, let’s go back in,” Robin said. “I’m starving.”
A stomach loudly grumbled and the bear immediately said, “Not me.”
I raised my paw in embarrassment and admitted, “Me. Heehee!”
We all broke down laughing.
The three of us waltzed back into the tavern singing, “OO-DE-LALLY! OO-DE-LALLY! GOLLY, WHAT A DAY!!!”