AN. Pointless one shot, enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own, I don't think anyone has the right. This is practically history.
This was it then. This was how it was to end.
His arm clenched around the lash deeply etched into his stomach.
All the years of fighting, all that he and his men had fought for lay bleeding out on the forest floor. Much crawled his way through the bodies and leaves. His knees skinned barely a pin prick in comparison to his arm. The unnatural angle, the white bone shone against crimson. He looked away.
"Robin." Much's call was sharp as the sword that had split Alan in two.
"Here." His own voice was no more then a rugged gasp. The taste on his tongue was coppery and words seemed impossible to form. Much slumped against the tree by Robin's side.
"So much for good will prevail." Robin hissed spitting the blood from his mouth.
"Robin, am I seeing that?"
Little John, only a man of his statue could ever dream of walking away from this. The new kid he had picked up yesterday trailed cautiously along behind him. Robin watched the lad through hooded eyes. He was on the lean side, nervous to boot.
Robin laughed. There was little else to do at this point.
John knelt down in front of them.
Much groaned at the big man's grim smile.
"I guess this is it then? A legend dies."
"Thank you for making me feel better." Much growled.
"It is what it is Much. We all knew it from the start what we were getting into and so be it."
"It doesn't have to die." Robin winced.
"Look my friend, you know I am not going to lie but I don't see you getting up from this one." Little John patted his shoulder alogically.
"I know my fate." Robin, with what little strength remain push himself up. Swaying he leaned his back against the tree. Much blinked from the forest floor but didn't try to follow Robin up. He was fading, strength or not he couldn't take the pain.
"Boy come here." Robin beckoned the lad forward. Cautiously the boy moved to stand before him.
"What is you name lad?" Robin held out his hand. The boy took it with out hesitation. He had a firm grip and Robin knew a good heart.
"Samuel."
"Not anymore. Your Robin now." Robin smiled at the boy.
"What are you talking about Robin?" Little John frowned.
"Just because I am dying why should Robin Hood. It's not about me, it's the idea, the action before the man." Robin pulled off his Hood and dragged his bow up from the ground. He held it out for the boy.
"But I can't." The boy stepped back.
Robin snorted throwing the items at the boy who caught them without a second thought.
Robin slide back down the tree, sitting by Much. He looked up at the boy, tilting his head to the side.
"Do you think he could pull off the Hood?" Robin nudged Much.
His friend blinked, slowly gazing at the boy. "Put a bit of meat on his bones and I am sure he could pull off hero material."
The boy shook his head.
"Look lad, a name is just that, a name. It's what you chose to do with it that counts. Train him John, make sure good endures long after we're gone."
Little John nodded. "Goodbye Robin. It's been a pleasure."
"It has." Robin nodded stiffly.
"Come on kid." John turn the boy around and pulled him away from his fallen comrades.
"That village boy is in love the young maid Marion. You should see the way he swoons over her."
"Young Robin Hood rescues Maid Marion from the evil sheriff, what a tale that will be." Robin smiled. The end was drawing to a close. The pair watched as the sun set. Breaths were shaky and far to few.
"Think he'll make it?" Much muttered.
"Maybe."