I do not own Robin Hood BBC or the characters. Only my thoughts and that's even questionable.

Prologue:

Much and Robin are twins that were separated at birth but did not know until after the Holy Land, and like my twin tend to share a mental link represented by words here. Were Robin has a gift with a bow, Much's is with a sword.

Much's talking and ignorance is only an act so he doesn't have to fight since he tends to forget not to kill.

Remember, Much survived the Holy Land and fought alongside Robin, so he must be at least as good, and knowing how protective he is of Robin, probably better.

Marian didn't die in the Holy Land, and Djaq and Will returned with Robin and the gang.

For some background to my stories please read:

SilasBrandybuck, Mentor and beta reader. You-ll-Be-the-Death-of-Me

Also:

Empathise-Much

I-Was-There-When-You-Died

Traitor

A sniper and his spotter once more lie concealed on a jagged mountain side within its dry rocky formations, aided by the long dark shadows created by the early morning sun hovering just over the horizon, aid the King's Royal Sniper and his Spotter from being seen as they intently watch the activities of the active encampment in the valley below.

Much yawns deeply from watching the entrance of the gaudy square pavilion festooned with brightly colored banners and flags which their target had disappeared into some time ago. He draws back resting on his right arm facing his master, yawns deeply while closing his eyes and shaking his head then stares blankly at him for a moment longer then tiredly whispers to his Sniper, "Master, why are we here?"

Robin ducks back glaring at his spotter annoyed whispering harshly, "What do you mean Much? You picked the spot."

Much whispers more meaningfully, "No… I mean, Why are we here?"

Robin leans back on his arm and moves his head looking around while sweeping his arm at their surroundings, "What? I thought you liked the mountains. I admit they're not like back home, broiling sun, ragged bear rocky peaks, no green to speak of, but once you get used to them..." then looks back at his best mate with laughter in his eyes and a slight smirk on his face.

Much stares exasperated at his best friend until Robin grins back with his usual disarming cheeky grin.

Much, forgetting himself, huffs and takes a rare liberty shoving his master on his arm causing him to rock on his arm, and says vexed, "You know what I mean." Robin grins back fondly while running his hand through his hair allowing his servant this small liberty in private knowing with unwavering certainty that this man he's been with since birth would be with him to death having only a month ago rescued him from the feared, now eradicated, Nizaris Assassin Cult.

Turning serious, Robin answers him still whispering, "You know why, we have our orders." Much unconsciously touches the folded parchment with the Royal Seal of a bow crossed by two arrows concealed within his tunic and says quietly exasperated, "No master, I mean Why? Once we remove this mark another will just take his place, it doesn't solve anything. It's not as if when we put an arrow through him the war ends and we can go home, so what's the point?"

Robin nods slightly in understanding having silently asked the same question to himself many times before and tells Much plainly, "Maybe at some point they'll run out of competent men or at least the smart ones will refuse the position after counting the number of their dead predecessors. Besides, it gives us a job. Or would you rather be knee deep in mangled body parts covered in blood with swords in our hands fighting as before?" Much stares wistfully at his master with a slight grin pausing for a moment too long to reply. Robin shoves his best mate on his arm hard enough to push him over and says with a grin, "You would." Much rights himself and returns his master's cheeky grin telling him, "Well, it's better than just laying here bored burning in the sun." and shoves his best mate over as well.

Hidden from view the two grinning blood brothers silently punch, shove, and smack one another with friendly force until Much, hearing a change in the tempo of the voices below, holds up his hand and peeking around their rocky cover returns to the task at hand whispering seriously, "Get ready." Robin's grin fades obeying his spotter's call and unshoulders his bow nocking a precisely made arrow then peeks around the other side of their protecting rocks. Much whispers professionally, "Our target's the one in black and gold standing just to the right of the blue pavilion facing us. The other four with him are targets of opportunity as well." Much glances over his shoulder confirming their escape route and that their horses are still tethered to one of the largest of the dead bushes then resumes his observations, "I estimate five hundred yards with four knots sustained wind from the east." Looking up at the position of the sun as its crown crests the top of the mountain facing them he continues, "Be quick for we will soon be exposed here."

Robin replies professionally, "I estimate the same and go for all four." Much nods and moves from his prone position to a crouch along with his sniper and gazes over the large bolder concealing them and whispering while lifting his open hand, "Get ready." Robin crouches away from the rocks giving him more room to stand and fire unhindered. Much holds up his arm and whispers harshly, "Hasn't moved… Surrounding soldiers almost out of sight… and… NOW!" clinches his fist then thrusts his arm downwards.

Robin instantly springs up already roughly aimed at his primary target, makes a minor correction, and aims instinctively as though being able to see the wind, and feel the density of the air while adjusting for height, sending his meticulously crafted wooden arrow with its precisely angled Kestrel fletching, unerringly towards his intended target penetrating the shocked man's cloak, neatly spearing his heart stopping it forever. Much jumps up as his sniper fires arrow after perfect arrow until all five men lay bleeding out on the course desert sand. As Robin fires his last arrow Much has the horses untied and turned ready for his master to mount. Robin spends only enough time to watch the last of their targets fall confirming that none will rise again as Saracen soldiers swarm like ants around the prostrate bodies. The Sniper shoulders his bow as he sprints to his mount leaping into its saddle aided by a large convenient rock, strikes his heals violently against the horse's sides and swiftly leads the way at full gallop from their hidden site and into the maze of deep ragged gullies carved out of the sandstone by centuries of regular flash floods through the area.

Swiftly following his master, Much glances back occasionally watching and listening for pursuit while riding with his horse's nose almost touching the whipping tail of his master's mount through the narrow winding crevasses taking predetermined unmarked turns, off shoots, and narrow fissures. The fleeing pair whips around a sharp turn at full gallop then shoot out from between two towering rock formations forming the narrow chasm and out into the wide expanse of open desert only to come up against a platoon of men all waiting orderly with swords drawn as though expecting them.

Robin pulls up on his horse's reins hard enough to cause his mount to rear up on its hind legs as Much releases the reins of his own stallion leaping down from his sprinting mount, rolls, and draws both of his gold engraved Saracen swords grinning broadly in anticipation. As Robin's horse regains its footing, Robin shouts out loudly in firm command in their own language from his stomping mount, "Run, or die!" This causes loud raucous laughter from the platoon of soldiers until Robin calls out grandly, "He is the English Demon, the slayer of the Nizaris Assassins!" This causes all of the closest of the Saracen warriors to take a step back and all to mutter 'Nizaris' in fear but continue to hold their ground by the threat of death from their sergeant.

Much expertly sweeps and spins his swords then thrusts them into the ground, swiftly removes his tunic tossing it to his master, lifts his swords, spins around while tossing them into the air stretching out his arms to fully reveal his Nizaris markings to the Saracens then catches his swords as they descend, spins back around facing them and theatrically spins and twists them so they catch and reflect the blinding morning sun into the gathered soldier's eyes, holding them out and ready, his face showing a half grin of thrill. Robin calls out menacingly, "Last chance! Depart now or DIE!" The sergeant glances at his Lieutenant, scoffs, raises his sword, and shouts out the command to attack. The gathered platoon hesitates glancing at one another then cry out and charge towards Much's deadly, flashing swords.

Much's face turns stone cold but with a slight half grin on his face and begins to slaughter all those who come within reach his blades flashing rapidly in the brilliant sun soon dripping a deep crimson red from the life of those they release spraying all those around him with thick clinging droplets. Robin sighs shaking his head while muttering sadly to himself, "I warned you…" and leaps up to stand on his saddle while calling out gaining their Lieutenant's attention and shoots him through his neck then after removing the threat of the Sergeant begins to methodically picking off all those who stand even the slightest chance of harming his spotter.

The Nizaris assassin skillfully dances among the Saracen soldiers, his half grin never leaving his face as his blades flash crimson in the bright morning sun weaving among the recipients eager of their touch, denying none, as they swiftly relieve all those around him of their earthly bonds until only a hand full remain as mere play toys. Much takes this rare chance to practice his art without having to hold back from sending all those around him to paradise. After a while the last hand full of soldiers back off glancing around them horrified at the carnage effected by this seemingly innocuous man then at the unscathed but bloody Assassin staring at them from stone cold gray eyes with an terrifying half grin on his face grasping his scarlet dripping polished swords eager to leap at them. One of the soldiers shouts out in fear, "Nizaris!" as they all drop their swords turning to flee.

Much laughs and darts after them with only one intent until he hears a distantly familiar voice command him, "MUCH! Leave one alive and end it!" As Much dashes after the terror-stricken Saracen warriors he recognizes the voice of his master as it burrows deep into his tortured mind each time becoming easier than the time before instantly obeying his command without question swiftly assisting those fleeing him to their paradise then, giving the last man a permanent scar to remember him by, knocks him to the sand holding his blade against the soldier's throat, a thin red line weeping blood whenever the frightened man moves. Robin, standing on his saddle points his sword and shouts to the soldier, "Remember what you have seen here and report back to your commander. All those who oppose us shall suffer the same fate as your platoon. Much! Release him!"

Much withdraws his blade allowing his captive rise then smacks him on his arse with the broad side of his sword sending him on his way and causing him to stumble as he sprints off in abject fear leaving a dotted wet line behind him which is swiftly absorbed by the parched desert sand. Much stares with loss after his released prey, then wipes his blades off on the closest body, spins then returns them to his belt resting his hands lightly on their hilts while standing stiffly erect with his head down, breathing hard and sweating profusely, mentally fighting to regain control from his assassin training. Robin jumps down from his mount shouldering his bow striding swiftly up to his protector while calling to him, "Much, it's me." Robin, standing in front of his personal assassin, grips his inseparable friend by his arms hearing him mutter cryptically, "Tell me…" Robin moves his hands to either side of his best mate's stubbled face and tells him firmly, "I love you." Robin hears his conflicted servant regain control of his tortured mind as he takes a deep breath then fully exhales relaxing as he recognizes the voice, words, and smell of his only true friend, the only one who could utter those words and not have their head instantly removed.

Much lifts his head, opens his eyes, and asks concerned, "Are they all dead?" Robin chuckles while glancing around them and tells him, dropping his hands to Much's shoulders, "No. You obeyed me and let one go. It looks like this time we both were able to do what we do best." Much casts his gaze over the dead soldiers and asks, "Master, may I have my tunic back?" Robin laughs heartily, pats his best mate on his arms, then reaches to his belt and hands Much his tunic then walks with him back to their waiting horses. Much reaches into his saddle bag and removes a full water skin which he offers first to his master then drinks from afterwards, takes a deep breath and takes another couple of swallows once more offering the water to Robin who shakes his head but motions for his servant to drink his fill. Much finishes off the skin knowing that there are three more and returns it empty to his mount's saddle bags.

Robin stands next to him, places his hand on his best friend's bare wet back and tells him, "You did very well this time and obeyed my command. You didn't even flinch just now when I touched your markings." Much grins joyfully soaking in his master's praise and proudly tells him proudly, "Yes master it's also becoming easier to recognize your voice and obey your orders." Robin then tells him, "Excellent Much! We're making swift progress, now what we need to do is find out how they knew of our mission. Come let's look for any intelligence among them." Much dons his tunic and walks with his master back to search the dead men.

Robin, standing among the dead, scans the bodies over once more after searching them and asks, "Find anything?" Much, standing up from searching the body at his feet holds up a folded piece of parchment he's just retrieved from the Lieutenant then holds it out to his master. Robin walks carefully over the bodies not giving them a second thought and when he reaches his servant takes the parchment from him. Robin opens and looks at it then says, "Were I can speak the language, I cannot yet read it." He holds out the parchment looking at his servant who shakes his head and tells him, "Nor can I master. It wasn't part of their teachings."

Robin sighs as he once more scans the dead and tells him, "Then there's nothing left for us here, let's go." They walk back to their horses, mount up, and with Robin in the lead and his protector riding by his side they head back to the King's encampment.

Ignoring the stares from the attending soldiers they return their horses to the stables then gather their standard meal from the commissary. As they weave through the alleys between the various sized tents they are given a wide berth by all those they encounter each staring Robin's blood splattered servant in fascination. After placing their meal on the table in their pavilion, Much removes his tunic, boots, and breeches, then fills the large copper basin with clean water, assists him in removing his tunic, and waits for his master to wash off the desert's dust and sand. After he's done, Much gathers a cloth and soaks it in the basin then begins cleaning off the dried blood grimacing as it pulls at the matted hairs on his chest. Watching his servant, Robin steps up behind him and pats him on his back. Much soaks the rag then hands it over his shoulder to Robin who scrubs the dried blood from his servant's back and neck then hands it back. Much dunks the cloth in the water, wrings it out and says, "Thank you master." Dumps the dark red water outside the tent, refills the basin, and continues scrubbing the dried blood from his face, arms, chest, and hair. Once finished he dumps out the dark red water outside their tent again and returns it to its wrought iron stand then dresses in fresh breeches and tunic. When Much is dressed Robin holds up the parchment and asks, "Ready?" Much pulls on his boots, stands, and with Robin leading the way the two walk casually to his Majesty's pavilion where George announces them, "Your Majesty, Lord Robin and Much."

As they enter they are once again disappointed at seeing four soldiers standing nervously at the ready still wary of General Robin's servant. The only two who are standing at ease are King Richard and his servant George. King Richard waves absently at the soldiers and tells Robin and Much with some humor in his voice, "General Hilliard's idea, he still distrusts your servant." He then quips to the men, "Just don't put your hands on your swords and you'll be fine." The four soldiers seem to relax but keep a wary eye on the General's assassin servant. Much stares at the guards with a gleam in his eyes bravely resisting the temptation to lunge at them. Robin, recognizing his servant's mischievous look tells him quietly, trying to chide his servant but instead tells him with slight humor in his voice, "No Much." Much sighs as he reluctantly looks away from the nervous soldiers catching the eye of his Majesty staring at him and sees him flick his eyes while slightly jerking his head in their direction grinning minutely.

Much gives his master an apologetic look, blanks his face, and while turning his head and raising his hands takes a lunging step towards the skittish guards while shouting, "YAH!" causing the panicked soldiers to stumble backwards tripping over their own feet and one another trying unsuccessfully to pull their swords while suppressing their urge to turn and flee. King Richard laughs heartily at their expense as they untangle and right themselves. The soldier's hearing their King's mighty laughter and seeing General Robin and his servant grinning broadly shake their heads replacing their half drawn swords. Grinning, Much steps up to them and clasps each one's hand as they laugh nodding and shaking their head accepting the joke played on them. The last soldier tells him, "We'll get you back for this." Much laughs and replies, "I'll be on watch then." and returns to his master's side.

King Richard, glancing humorously at the guards asks Robin, "And?" Robin states, "Mission accomplished plus four." The King grins minutely and removes five pieces from his map. Robin then steps forward and hands his Liege the parchment which they took from the Lieutenant and tells him, "Much found this on the Lieutenant of the platoon we met returning from our task." The King looks at the flowing script, folds it, and hands it to George telling him, "Get this translated." George bows and departs. King Richard asks with a smirk, "A platoon?" and looks at Much, sighs, then back at Robin and asks with disappointment, "All dead?" Robin stands straight telling him proudly, "Not this time your Majesty. I ordered Much to allow one to live and he followed my command." The King looks over at Robin's servant and says approvingly, "Very good Much, you're getting better. I remember when all would die." Much blushes basking in the praise from his King earning him a chuckle and a, "You're welcome." from King Richard who then tells Robin, "That is all. Take some time, wash, eat, and rest, I'll call for you later." King Richard says, "George?" looking over to where he is usually standing then remembers that he sent him on an errand, and reaches into his pocket pulling out a gold chit which he tosses to Much. Robin takes a step back and together with his servant bow and depart.

Smiling broadly they hurry to the commissary and hand over the chit to Lord O'-Dale who orders his soldiers to gather and bring the required packages. Surprised by the number and size of the bundles handed to them, Much with his master's help, carries their haul back to their pavilion where they place the packages on their chairs as Much cleans off the table. Much then opens and spreads the contents on the table and they stare gaping at the meal before them. Much absently pours them each a mug from the large wine skin and after tasting it Robin exclaims, "Excellent!" and together they eagerly devour a meal fit for a King.

All too soon Robin and Much are awakened from their food and ale induced slumber by the King's servant George who calls out to them with some urgency, "Lord Robin, may I enter?" From inside comes a slow groggy reply of, "Enter." George steps in and watches curiously as the two men slowly sit up then notices the remnants of their grand meal and grins. Robin wipes the sand from his eyes and holding his head with both hands, elbow resting on his legs, and asks quietly, "What is it George?" George replies urgently, "King Richard requests your attendance… Now my Lord." Robin looks up at his servant who's sitting up swaying slightly on the edge of his cot, head in hands and asks, "Much are you able?" Much winces and nods gently once and says, "Aye master. That was real ale and not that watered down crap we usually get." Robin replies, "Same with the wine." George chuckles and tells them, "Next time you'll know." and gives them a moment to wash their faces and don their tunics and boots before escorting them to his master's pavilion.

Once they are standing outside the King's pavilion, George whispers, "Ready?" Their heads pounding, master and servant wave absently and George steps in announcing, "Lord Robin and Much." The two men step in and stand at wavering attention in front of their King and upon glancing about the first thing Robin and Much notice is that there is no one else in the pavilion except for King Richard and George. King Richard steps close, places a hand on each of their far shoulders drawing them near and whispers urgently, "It seems we have a traitor in our midst, someone close and privy to my assignments for you." and motions to the parchments George holds up, one skewed behind another.

The King continues quietly, "George had it translated and it tells of who your last target was and your escape route. Are you absolutely sure of your targets?" Much whispers in reply, "Yes your Majesty, I clearly saw his face, as of the other four." Robin nods slightly in confirmation and the King Richard quietly replies, "Understand, I have no reason to doubt you but since the parchment tells of your mission and you were confronted during your escape, I believe that we were betrayed and offered imposters, very good imposters but imposters none the less. So I have sent two of my most trustworthy servants to discover the truth."

The King pauses and tells them quietly, "Speak of this to no one outside this tent as the both of you and I are marked for assassination." The fog of drink muddling Robin and Much's minds abruptly clear as they stare in shock at their King.

King Richard looks over at George then back at his General and his servant and tells them seriously, "At the end it specifically speaks of killing the two of you, and only then assassinating me." Robin and Much stare stunned at their King, then at the parchment in George's hand, then back again wide eyed at his sobering statement. King Richard chuckles ironically and says, "Yes, it's one thing knowing that you may die fighting at the hands of our enemy, but yet another to be specifically targeted for assassination. Welcome my friends to my world."

The King chuckles motioning with his arm towards the parchment and tells them, "At least I can take comfort in knowing that this will never occur as your own personal assassin won't allow it, but for now," George steps forward and hands Much two stacks of silver chits. All humor leaves his Majesty's voice as he tells them purposefully, "From now on you are not to eat nor drink anything given to you other than what you receive using these as your food will now be tasted and your water and drink containers sealed before they are given to you. You will not accept anything left in your quarters nor handed to you by anyone other than my servants. You will keep neither food nor water in your tent after you leave and from now on you must be extra careful. Do you both understand?" Robin and Much echo, "Yes your Majesty." The King pats them on their arms and tells them, "Then return to your tent and sleep off your meal, I shall call for you tomorrow. George, take our servants and go clean out their quarters." George, Robin, and Much bow and depart the King's pavilion and somberly walk back to their pavilion followed by several servants who like locusts painstakingly empty the men's tent leaving neither food nor water behind, not even their muck buckets.

Robin and Much wait in silence as the sun passes overhead until George returns with his other servants with fresh water, food, drink, and night buckets. The servants place the food and ale on the table, the sealed buckets of water under the table, and the honey buckets behind the hanging partition, then bow and depart. Much, sitting on his bunk, looks hungrily at their evening meal which appears to be the same quantity and quality as to what they enjoyed just before noon, then at their water in wax sealed and marked buckets and asks agitated, "Master, what now?" Robin lies back relaxing on his padded cot sighs, closes his eyes, and says as he fades out, "We sleep." Much stares wide eyed in astonishment at his sleeping master wondering how he can, gives up and lies down on his own padded cot, closes his eyes, and finds out.

Later Much jerks awake upon hearing a movement in their tent and sits up quickly drawing his dagger while rapidly scanning his surroundings in the dim light of the evening sun only to find his master filling one of the buckets in the rear of their tent and after he is finished, rises and adds to its contents, then covers and removes the bucket from their pavilion. While his servant is away, Robin sits thinking at the table looking over the meal nibbling at some of the soft leavened bread until his servant returns with fresh buckets which he leaves behind the curtain and joins his master. Robin glares at Much as he grabs the loaf, breaks it, and hands half to him and hears him say reproachfully, "I washed them." Robin takes his half and Much pours them both a tankard of ale, lifts, smells, and tastes it proclaiming with a grin, "Real ale!" Robin lifts and tastes his own then taps mugs with his servant each taking a swig then together they decimate their meal.

Much takes a quick swallow and belches loudly following his master's example as Robin glances at his empty water mug slightly lifting it expectantly and returns it to the table. His servant looks around, rises and retrieves a water bucket from next to their tent entrance and on his way back glances at the sealed buckets under the table then back at the unsealed one he is carrying and returns it to where it was. He then claims one from under the table, breaks the wax seals, and fills their mugs. Robin watching him, drinks some of the water then asks concerned, "What of that one?" pointing at the bucket next to the entrance. Much tells him seriously, "It has no seal." Robin examines the bucket under the table and tells his servant suspiciously, "Go get a stray." Much rises and exits the pavilion then returns with a scrawny stray white cat. Robin dips a clay bowl into the unsealed bucket and sits it on the ground and Much places the stray next to it. The cat, smelling water, eagerly drinks its fill as Robin and Much watch intently. It then sits back contently licking its face and after a moment begins to sway, screams and falls to its side, convulses violently, and breaths no more.

Robin and Much stare aghast at one another, swallow hard, and Much gingerly lifts the wooden bucket by its rope handle, exits the pavilion and pours it out watching the tainted water soak into the parched sand then places the poisoned bucket on the sand outside, relieves himself in it, and reenters their tent where he picks up the clay bowl and the dead stray, pets its head gently and takes it and the bucket away. When he returns Robin is sitting at the table staring solemnly at his mug of water slowly spinning it on the table with his fingers. Much sits in his chair across from him, takes a drink of water from his own mug and sits in unaccustomed silence waiting for his master to speak. Robin remains quiet for a while longer then says quietly, reality fully hitting home, "It's true... We've been targeted." Much asks perplexed, "By whom?" Robin looks up at his servant and tells him, "I have no idea… Yet." Much says rhetorically, "But you have a plan." Robin cheekily grins and tells him, "Well, half a plan." Much refills their empty mugs with their rare honey wine, lifts and taps mugs with his master's and drain them.