fables

Robin Loxley,[nb 1] also known as Robin o' the Woods[1] and Robin Hood[2] is a human Fable who first appears in a brief flashback from the Homelands in Fables #4 — "Chapter Four: Remembrance Day." He stood as one of the guardians of the last gateway from the Homelands, and he met his end heroically while defending it against the Adversary's goblin horde.

History

Background

Robin Loxley was an infamous outlaw. He was the leader of of the famous Miry Men and was in a romantic relationship with a woman called Marian, who was murdered when the Adversary invaded his homeland.[1]

The last gateway

During what would be Earth's 19th century, the Adversary has conquered every kingdom there was to conquer, and most of the Fables who were going to escape already has. Only one portal to the mundane world remains, behind the keep at world's end. Robin Loxley is among the brave warriors defending the keep against the soldiers of the Empire, and leads his brave warriors, the Miry Men, to stand with them.[1]

Robin Loxley and the fair Britomart, stand atop the ramparts of the old fort, watching a young red-haired woman riding on horseback trying to stay ahead of her pursuers, a small group of goblins detached from a larger army. Robin proposes a challenge to the lady, and she accepts, with the scoring being one point for each headshot and two for a direct hit through the eye, with Miry Man Friar Tuck keeping score. The loser has to serve the winner tonight's dinner in the finest, most feminine gown they can borrow. The woman finally manages to reach the gate, and the goblins chasing her are killed by Robin and Britomart's arrows. Britomart wins the contest, and Friar Tuck informs the crestfallen Robin that he will help him find a suitable gown to borrow, with fellow Miry Man John Small chiming in that Robin will be the "belle of the ball." Bluebeard observes Robin serving dinner to Britomart that evening and ponders the reason behind Robin's choice to wear a dress.[1]

Night falls as Colonel Bearskin rallies everyone at the keep, telling them all that the final battle would start soon, therefore the next ride on Bluebeard's ship will be the last one. Grounding everyone in reality, he adds that all who stay behind would surely be killed, their sacrifice serving only to distract the enemy long enough for the ship to get away. Robin Loxley chooses to stay behind and defend the last gateway, to avenge his Marian. As the attack commences, Robin and Britomart are back to back against the onslaught of goblins. They both know their number is up, but before that happens, Britomart asks Robin to hold them off her for a moment, so she can throw her magic spear that will seek out any target she chooses, into General de Beaucaire. Her last act fulfilled, Britomart and Robin are swallowed up in the unending horde's attack.[1]

Powers and abilities

Skilled archer: Robin Loxley possessed exceptional archery skills, which he applied skillfully in safeguarding the last gateway.[1]

Appearances

Fables

Original source

Robin Loxley is based on Robin Hood from the ballads.

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Fables: The Last Castle
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fables Encyclopedia pg. 240

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 In Fables: The Last Castle, Britomart addresses the character as "Loxley," indicating that this is his additional name or surname, while Boy Blue refers to him as "Robin o' the Woods"; indicating that the character's name is Robin Loxley. This is confirmed by the Fables Encyclopedia pg. 161.