The Angel Of Hope by Rosa17
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters
Part 1
Robin watched Thornton hobble out of the main hall, it was about time he pensioned him off but he had a feeling that the old faithful man would refuse. He sighed heavily and looked out of the window, it was a fine spring morning and the villagers were going about their business making Locksley one of the most prosperous villages in Nottingham.
Robin rose to stand and pushed the bench back then wandered to the rear window and became engrossed in thoughts. Thoughts of the past. Thoughts of Marian. Robin ran his hands over his bearded face and his fingers through his hair not hearing the thundering of hooves as Much drew up on his horse, nor did he acknowledge him burst through the door in an exuberant manner.
"Master! Master!" he gasped speaking loudly. When Robin did not move he shouted. "Robin!"
Robin turned at the sound of his name and smiled at his visitor. "Problems at Bonchurch? Or have you had a fight with Eve?" Robin asked him, his face more animated that usual but with dark rings under his eyes which never seemed to go away.
"Neither. I heard word from Allan that you were leaving and I wanted to know why? And where? Where are you going?" he asked. Confused and hurt that Robin had not confided in him about this and the fact Allan knew before he did, a man who his heart had never really forgiven for betrayal.
Robin walked the length of the room and back in silent contemplation, then turned and faced his oldest friend. "I am going to the Holy Land."
"Why?" asked Much totally puzzled. "I mean I know Djaq and Will are still there, but I hardly think you are going all that way to pay them a friendly visit. Have you had word from the King in France?"
"No I have not heard from Richard. And no, not to see Djaq and Will although while I am there……It would be good to see them again." He admitted thoughtfully, his eyes beginning to cloud over.
"Well yes if you do see them tell them it's not the same here without them." He replied. "So why are you going? You are going to tell me?"
Robin looked at him trying to form the words which seemed foolish in his own mind let alone speaking them out loud to Much.
"Much I….."
"Marian." Said Much as the penny dropped. "You are going back to see Marian….well not Marian, she's dead. You're going back to her grave? Why? It's been two years Robin. You have to get over her."
"I know. And that is why I am going. I need closure." He replied unconvincingly. They both knew he would never be over her, even if he did marry again.
"And you didn't get closure when she died in your arms?" Much asked. Then on seeing Robin's face fall his eyes return to their blank now normal appearance, he added. "Sorry, I was harsh."
"Yes you were. I need to go back. I have to do this Much." Robin said, fighting to keep his voice from breaking.
Much sighed resigned and told him. "Well if you really need to do this then I will go with you."
"No."
"What? You can not go alone."
"Yes I can. This is precisely why I did not tell you. I want and need to do this alone." Robin insisted reaching across the divide and placing a comforting hand on his friends shoulder. "And I need you here."
"Why? Why do you need me here and not by your side?" Much asked, hurt still ringing in his voice.
"Because as daft as it might sound I need someone to watch over my estate and I choose you."
"Oh," said Much feeling flattered by the revelation, "well, that is…. that is…..Of course I will. Allan isn't going with you is he?"
"No! I just said I am going alone and I meant it."
"When are you leaving?"
"Today."
"Now? That does not give us all time to bid you a proper farewell."
"I do not need a farewell I want to go quietly and return just the same."
"You will return, you're not just saying all this and then going to do something stupid? Because you know I know you can't live without her and I can't live without you."
"You have Eve now." Robin pointed out. "She makes you happy and that is good, how it should be."
"Is this about Henry of York wanting you to marry his fifteen year old daughter Caroline?" asked Much.
Robin shook his head and answered. "He is not the first to parade his daughter past my eyes in the last two years and I doubt he will be the last. No this is a personal quest I have to undertake Much, surely you understand." He pleaded, his eyes starting to glimmer with moisture, which he had fought so hard to keep back.
Much looked as if he was about to protest again but instead he nodded and told his master. "I understand, go. Do what you have to do. But promise me you will return. Locksley…England will not be the same without you."
This time it was Robin's turn to nod and he said, "I promise."
The men pulled each other towards themselves and embraced to give each other hope and encouragement that Robin would indeed return and maybe just maybe be more the man he was before Marian died.