For the Greater Good 3

Night fell on the clearing as the people filtered in for the meeting. Everyone was on edge as they sat down restlessly. THis meeting was the first one where Robin would be there. And Robin was angry. Sparrow sat proudly next to him, while the seats around him were empty. Robin's head was down, but Sparrow sat straight-backed and tall, glowering at all who stared. Inside, she felt awful. Robin would not like this meeting at all.

"Alright, let's just get down to business." Hawk called. Hawk was the leader of all the Birds. After the death of his father-Eagle-Hawk had become the celebrated leader.

"Ugh." Robin snorted quietly. Sparrow smiled a little.

"Now, I understand that this isn't the best of times for this-- after the death of Dove, but this matter must be adressed." Hawk turned his golden stare to Robin, who was now staring intently in his direction. "Robin, please come up here."

Robin stood slowly, and everyone watched as he came up to the stage and walked over to Hawk.

"Robin, the elders of the council have discussed your situation, and decided that we would grant you a mate." he motioned to the crowd, where a girl was making her way up to the stage. She looked as angry and annoyed as Robin did.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Robin asked, his voice rising to a shout as the girl made it up next to him. She glared at him, then Hawk and the crowd.

"Umm, no." said Hawk. This was not going according to plan. "Robin, this is Kestral. She will be your mate from now on." he pulled out a silvery chain with two bands-one at each end. Snapping a band around Robin's wrist, he snapped the other to Kestral's.

"I hate you." Robin growled before being pulled away by Kestral. There was clapping, but nobody seemed that thrilled. Kestral led a furious Robin to the trees and away from the clearing. She rounded on him.

"Look, I'm not thrilled about this either." she snapped, "I don't like you, you don't like me. But I'm going to try and make this as painless as possible. I suggest you do the same. Now suck it up and play along. Once this thing is off, you can go your way, and I'll go mine, got it?"

Robin started to talk, then stopped. She was offering to remain chained to him. To HIM?! He shook his head to try and clear it.

"Look, Kestral-" he started.

"Kess." she interupted.

"Whatever. I'll go along with your plan, but do you realize that this doesn't come off until we convince the elders that we're happy?"

"Yup." said Kess grimly, "So you're gonna' have to play along."