I do not own Robin Hood BBC or the characters. Only my own thoughts and that's even questionable.
Knowing something of the loss of a brother-in-arms.
Dedicated to my best friend (Sasquatch).
I held him as he died.
For where you have gone I have yet to follow.
(Calvin)
Prologue:
Deviations from script;
Much's talking and ignorance is only an act so he doesn't have to fight as he tends to forget not to kill.
Much survived the Holy Land and fought alongside his master as Robin said in the very first episode. Therefore, he must be at least as good, and knowing how protective he is of his best friend, 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
Captured
In the waning light of the evening sun the bound sniper curses loudly as a Saracen guard violently strikes his struggling spotter on the head with the sharp pummel of his sword knocking him out creating a large bloody gash on the side of his head. The guards brutally drag the unresisting man towards his master and drop him onto the old unstable chair directly in front of him causing it to rock and creek ominously. Robin, cursing viciously, violently struggles against his tightly bound wrists seething with homicidal hatred as they tie Much's hands to the chair behind him then hears one exclaim, "He has markings on his back!" and watches as they undo the bindings and roughly rip off his spotter's tunic. Robin grins evilly while flinching from their collective high pitched shriek as all scream at once, "Nizaris!" and flee, all except for one, who in his frightened haste binds the Nizaris's hands ineptly to the chair behind him then flees the tent leaving them alone.
As darkness slowly creeps over the two comrades, Robin glares angrily at his protector who is still out cold with his chin resting heavily against his chest, eyes closed, blood weeping from his head wound pooling on the desiccated desert sand. Once more Robin strikes his foot against his servant's leg calling out angrily, "MUCH! WAKE… UP!" when his servant still does not stir Robin stomps as best as he can on his foot. Still receiving no response Robin stares with dread at his servant intently watching for any movement of his best friend's chest and sees a tear leave the unconscious man's eye. After confirming that Much is still alive he takes a deep breath of the hot desert air, calms himself, and repeatedly calls soothingly, "Much, wake up. Wake up Much, wake up. Follow my voice Much and wake up." allowing his friend's unconscious mind to follow his voice.
Wondering why they were here as they are silent snipers not infantrymen, frantically in agonizing denial, Much harrowingly shouts, "Master wake UP! Master! Oh please Robin, wake UP!" Then howling in fathomless agony, "NO!" Much looks up from the man lovingly cradled in his lap through tearful eyes to his dripping blood soaked hands then back in abject horror at the gaping fist sized hole in his best mate's chest, his blood thickly flowing unhindered towards him soaking his desert tan tunic a dark crimson. Then stares in thought numbing anguish at Robin's open unseeing eyes and shakes him once more in utter disbelief that the man he's been with since birth answers no more, and flinging back his head screams out in horrific agony unwilling to live, "ROBIN!" Hanging his head beyond anguished sorrow, he harshly presses his dagger against his throat, but as he begins to drag it across ending his life to join his brother he feels it pulled firmly away as a voice whispers sternly in his ear, "NO!" Weeping in bone aching sorrow he hears footsteps running through the dry brush towards him and feels rough callous hands wrap around his biceps and under his arms forcing him to release his best mate and the weapon held in his limp left hand. Struggling violently against the unrelenting grip he screams in fathomless grief, "NO! LET ME BE! GO AWAY!" and helplessly watches as his brother in all but name is picked up and carried off as he's dragged in the opposite direction fighting furiously. Feeling a sharp sting his mind fades to darkness and hears gently whispered words as though spoken from afar, "Much, wake up. Wake up Much, wake up. Follow my voice Much and wake up." Hungrily latching onto the sound of his best mate's familiar voice he follows it until the words become clear and upon opening his eyes looks around until he finds his master still alive sitting across from him.
After what seems like eternity, Robin watches as his best mate slowly opens his eyes, hesitantly lifts his head and looks around slowly. When Much's eyes finally lock on him Robin is startled hearing Much exclaim more joyfully than usual, "Master! You're alive!" watching as he struggles against his bindings. Robin sighs gratefully inside but glares at his servant saying sarcastically, "No thanks to you!" Startled, Much narrows his eyes frowning at his master's indignant response, glances about realizing it was only a horrible dream, and remembering where they are and how they got there, leans forward glaring back replying hotly, "Well if you would have taken the shot when I told you instead of waiting for the other optional targets we would not have been CAUGHT!" Robin leans forwards, their foreheads nearly touching, and responds irritably, their eyes locked, "Fine words from a SERVANT!" and kicks Much's chair causing it to creak and sway precariously. Much glares at Robin and says cruelly, "Coming to the Holy Land was NOT my idea! YOU talked me into it! YOU are my Lord and Master and WE are supposed to trust and protect each other!" and kicks his master's chair causing it to crack loudly. The two childhood best mates glare at one another noses mere millimeters apart for a moment longer then Robin forcefully kicks Much's chair hard enough causing it to splinter and crumble sending his servant crashing to the sand smirking in satisfaction. Much, sprawling angrily on the sand, violently twists his hands quickly unbinding them from the slipshod knots, then seeing the self-satisfied smirk on his master's face, leaps up and dashes forwards tackling his master causing his chair to collapse in splinters with both sliding several feet away as they wrestle and harshly punch one another on the hot sand neither realizing that they are now both free.
Much, on his knees straddling his master's stomach about to land a harsh punch directly to Robin's face, abruptly stops, looks with surprise at his master's free hands, one held up protectively in front of him, and the other balled up into a tight fist ready to deck him, then looks at his own and exclaims quietly, "We're free!" Robin gazes in sudden amazed confusion at his free hands as Much abruptly grabs a handful of his master's tunic under his chin and unceremoniously draws him to his feet standing up along with him. Robin, with his hand still drawn back about to pound his best mate in the face, instead instantly throws his arms around him as his servant spontaneously does the same and echoing one another exclaim whole heartedly, "And that is why I love you!" then quickly break apart and rush over to their belongings neither wasting time gathering up their gear.
Robin tosses Much his ripped tunic then shoulders his recurve bow and picks up his gracefully curved Saracen sword, twirls it expertly, and returns it to its rightful place in his belt. Then quickly glancing around, finds some discarded but fairly clean rags on the other side of the tent, darts over gathering them up, and sprints back grabbing his servant roughly by the shoulder stopping him, whips away Much's bloody cloth cap shoving it inside his tunic, then wraps the cleanest of the cloths multiple times around his friend's bleeding head. Confused, Much reaches up touching his wound as though feeling the pain for the first time, flinches, shrugs, dons his torn tunic, and shoulders his pack then picks up both of his gold inlaid Saracen swords and stands protectively by his master hurriedly asking, "Now what?"
Robin stares curiously at his best friend hesitating for only an instant before replying earnestly, "Escape!" Much nods once and swiftly but silently approaches the tent entrance and after looking around the dimly lit and inhabited alley, motions his master to the rear of the tent. Robin dashes off and wielding his dagger slashes a new opening in the tent fabric as Much places his swords in his belt and pulls a dagger as he sprints across the tent following his master. When his spotter catches up Robin draws apart the fabric and steps through with his loyal friend hard on his heels, and after feeling fingers press against his back darts off into the darkness.
Fleeing by the light of a half-moon partially aided by randomly places torches, the two swiftly leapfrog their way through the occasionally occupied semi-dark convoluted alleyways created by the numerous tents, pavilions, and sandstone structures, occasionally forced to send an errant soldier to paradise either by sword, dagger, or arrow until they reach the edge the walled encampment. Robin motions upwards and Much stitches his fingers together giving his master a foot hold up. After Robin quickly steadies himself upon the narrow wall he reaches down assisting his servant up with him, then together they drop to the far side dashing off into the partial darkness of the desert night. As they run hearing the angry shouts of pursuit, Much grips his master's arm directing him into a canyon maze and after topping a hill pausing for only a moment, continue back into the canyons winding their way to the closest city gate.
Exceedingly tired after running a lengthy distance in the deep desert sand they reach the nearest walled city, but as young as they are, pause to catch their breath out of sight of the gate's guards. After gaining some stamina a short time later, Much stares impatiently at his master until he swiftly dispatches two arrows directly into the hearts of the unsuspecting guardsmen. As quickly as their pained legs will take them, they run out of the darkness through the now unguarded gate where Much smoothly parts the ropes with his razor edged sword slamming the huge gate shut behind them with a deeply satisfying booming thud. Breathing deeply as they lean their backs heavily against the iron banded two foot thick wooden gate, they pause looking around them catching their breath. After a relaxing moment, Robin points off in a westerly direction and together they quickly lose themselves in the city's deserted streets swiftly disappearing into the relative safety of its dark insidious shadows barely hearing the pounding sounds of angered unrelenting pursuit.
Lord Charles looks over at Lord Mathew as he dutifully cleans his sword and asks, "Where's General Locksley and Much?" Lord Mathew shrugs as he replies, "Lord Robin and his servant disappear regularly on errands for the King, you'll get used to it." Lord Charles stops and replies, "I've noticed that, but never for this long, I'm worried." Lord Mathew stops cleaning his armor and stares at the man sitting across from him in thought and asks disapprovingly, "You're worried about Much aren't you?" Lord Charles shrugs remaining silent. Lord Mathew tells him reprovingly, "I've seen the two of you talking laughing and drinking together, how can you be friends with a peasant?" With narrowing eyes and a chill in his voice Lord Charles tells him coolly, "He's more than just a servant, he's the best damn swordsman I've ever seen, and I just happen to like him." Lord Mathew, unable to comprehend the concept of being friends with a peasant, pauses ignoring Lord Charles' response and says to no one in particular, "Lord Robin has been gone for a rather long time." Then to Charles exclaims decisively, "Let's go ask the King!" Lord Charles, startled by the conversational whiplash, stares nervously at Lord Mathew as he rises and stutters, "Ask… ask the King?" Lord Mathew nods and motions for him to rise and together they march to the King's pavilion.
Once outside King Richard's quarters Lord Mathew calls out, "My Liege it is I Lord Mathew!" and from inside George responds, "Enter!" Lord Mathew strides in closely followed by a nervous Lord Charles. As Lord Mathew stands at ease before his King, Lord Charles firmly plants his feet and stands at ridged attention still anxious at being so close to his Sovereign Lord. King Richard glances at the two dissimilar stances and grinning to himself while examining his maps asks calmly, "What is it Lord Mathew?" Lord Mathew replies, "I am wondering where our General is." King Richard sighs harshly, lays down his quill, and stares at Lord Mathew firmly in his eyes and curtly replies, "That is none of your concern." Lord Charles hesitantly says, "Your Majesty, it's just that they have been away for far too long." The King glares at him causing him to straighten abruptly and look straight forward and away. The King glances between the two, his maps, then at George who is standing in his usual spot along the side of the pavilion looking anxiously concerned, then stares back at the two Lords as he motions all of his personal guardsmen away. After they are alone he tells the two Lords sternly, "You are ordered never to tell anyone else but Lord Robin and Much were captured a couple weeks ago but have escaped and have disappeared inside a fortified walled city. Accordingly my opposing General has sent an inordinate number of troops into the city with orders to kill them instead of capturing them."
Lord Charles comes from stiff attention and blurts out adamantly, "Then we must rescue them!" The King turns his head staring at the man who then adds, "Your Majesty." Looking expectantly at the two, King Richard nods and tells them rhetorically, "You are correct, but who would voluntarily go on such a suicidal mission as this?" The two Lords glance at one another and urgently reply, "I!" Grinning minutely, King Richard nods once planting his index finger on the name of a city on his map then says sternly, "Dismissed!" and with the back of his hand vigorously waves them out of his pavilion.
Shortly after the two Lords have departed, George catches up to them handing them a folded wax sealed parchment and tells them, "Here are your orders, go to the commissary and gather your supplies." Lord Charles takes the letter from him with a surprised confused look on his face but before he can ask George tells them, "We knew it would be the two of you who would ask about them so we had this already prepared." As George turns and strides off he turns his head back and calls out harshly to them with intense concern, "Bloody well took you long enough too!" Startled, they glance at one another for a moment, then Lord Charles dashes off to the commissary as Lord Mathew rushes back to the barracks gathering their gear brushing aside all questions asked of his purpose. When Lord Charles returns to the barracks with two horses, Lord Mathew hands him his weapons and packs and after they secure their gear to their horses they mount up and swiftly ride off to the curious stares and unanswered questions of the other Guardsmen.
For three weeks the Royal Sniper and his Spotter remain hidden in a second floor room of an abandoned crumbling stone building. Much crouches with his back in the far corner so he can see through the cracks in the jagged closed doorway as well as watch his master standing at the open window and says bored just as his stomach growls angrily, "We have to get out of this city." Robin, hearing Much's stomach rumble loudly, half grins sadly at him in agreement and says, "That and get more food and water." lifting the empty water skin then steps back watching a platoon of soldiers rush by in the street below giving the building no thought as the only obvious entrance is completely blocked by fallen stones and masonry while the rest of the building appears ready to collapse at any moment. Much, hot, bored, and hungry, casually tosses a small rock across the room at his master's feet and rising stepping forward says firmly, "I'm going to get something to eat." Robin leans away from the window and tells him decisively, "Then I'm coming with you. Take only your daggers and leave the rest." Much pats the daggers at his waist then slyly watches Robin as he turns his back to him heading towards the only door in the room and when his master is not looking places both of his cherished swords in his belt, then pulling a dagger strides over to stand ready behind his master. Sensing his servant behind him, Robin listens at the door prepared to kill anyone standing in his way and slowly cracks it open looking out into the narrow hallway. Seeing no one, they hurry to the other decrepit door and out onto the collapsing second floor roof, then from there they quietly climb down the pile of broken stones and into a very narrow passageway inching sideways towards the wide connecting alley.
Hidden in the shadows generously provided by the late afternoon sun, Robin with dagger in hand, glances both ways waiting for a platoon of soldiers to turn the far corner, then swiftly darts away closely followed by Much. Together they leapfrog their way from alley to alley watching over one another while avoiding the troops still searching for them. When they arrive at the wide market mall crowded by loudly talking colorfully dressed local inhabitants and dotted with soldiers, Robin darts into the closest stall knocking out the overly eager merchant and drags him behind the heavy curtains closing off the rear of the clothing shop. After Much drops the curtains behind them Robin steps up quietly shaking his head in sympathy, pulls one of the uniquely gold inlayed twin Saracen swords from Much's belt and places it in his own. They then dress themselves in the local colorful robes and wrap their face and heads with long brightly colored cloths concealing their English clothes and faces. Much, after checking over his master's clothes, nods, steals the merchant's money, and side-by-side they casually join the crushing anonymity of the crowd making their way to the food stalls. As they casually walk along the wide mall passing by open faced shops and gaudily painted carts with their shouting boisterous merchants and loudly haggling customers, Much with an ironic grin, taps his master on the arm with the back of his hand and clandestinely points off to a kabob stall only to receive a friendly backhand to his chest and snickering quietly they continue on to safer fair.
As they move along with the crowd, Much purchases a large water skin and fills it at the source of a busy well then hands it to his master who drinks his fill then hands it back to Much to drink. After refilling the water skin they make purchase of enough of the safer food to last for several more days then hidden within the milling crowd they eat their meal as Robin grins listening to his best mate's quiet unceasing chatter slowly making their way back to their safe house to wait out the troops searching for them. As they finish their meal and drink their water, Robin stops abruptly, grabs his servant by the neck of his robe, and harshly jerks him into the shadows of an alleyway silencing him, then holding him firmly points over his servant's shoulder. Much follows his master's finger and sees two men dressed as they are but surrounded by eight soldiers, one of which is holding the leads of two horses. Much shrugs and is about to ask why when he suddenly recognizes the two captured men. Much whispers, "Lord Charles and Lord Mathew, they must have gotten concerned when we hadn't returned yet and came looking for us." Robin sighs and says just as quietly, "Oh bloody hell. Now we have to rescue them." From in front of him, Robin hears a barely whispered exclamation, "Shit!"
Following from a distance hiding in the shadows as much as possible, Robin and Much silently pursue the troops as they march their captives away from the milling crowds then turn and follow them along a wide partially shaded empty alleyway approaching the main gate when an officer steps out from a narrow doorway stopping them. Keeping an eye on the soldiers, Robin stops, reaches inside his robe and pulls Much's sword from his own belt holding it up as Much puts down their food and water and removes his robes then hands Robin his daggers accepting the sword in exchange. Robin abruptly grabs a handful of his servant's tunic firmly under his chin, pulls him close, and looking him sternly in the eyes whispers firmly, "No mucking about, kill them quickly and quietly." Much plaintively replies quietly, "But master…" Robin shakes his head once, releases him, and staring at him points seriously off to their side towards the Saracen soldiers. Much, with slumped shoulders, sighs dejectedly and says, "As you command master." Robin places a friendly hand on his friend's upper arm, and whispers soothingly, "I'm timing you." Much straightens grinning back from the challenge, then turning stares at his marks with weapons held ready in front of him, shifts his shoulders and arms giving himself freedom of movement in his newly mended tunic then swiftly yet stealthily approaches the unsuspecting men. When in reach, Much raises both of his finely honed weapons away from his side, spins them once in professional anticipation the blades flashing brilliantly in the reflected sunlight blinding the unsuspecting soldiers, and faster than Robin had ever thought possible, watches in amazement as his personal Nizaris Assassin with rapidly wielded swords dispatches the stupefied soldiers to paradise before any can move or utter a sound.
Robin gapes at his servant for only an instant as the last soldier slumps to the sand minus his head, picks up his servant's robes, their food and water, and rushes to his side. Breathing hard, Much turns to his master as Lord Charles, Lord Mathew, and his Master stare in amazement at the silently bleeding corpses and asks hopefully, "Was that fast enough?" Wide eyed, Robin slowly nods speechlessly staring at the dead men as he absently hands Much his robes then says proudly, "Yes Much, that's good." Much, grinning broadly from his master's praise, wipes off his swords on the officer's clothes, hands one to Robin, and places the other in his belt before donning his robes and picking up their supplies. Once done he turns and stands next to Robin looking at the two Lords who are still staring dumbfounded at the nine dead men lying at their feet and hears Robin ask them curiously, "Why are you here?" Lord Mathew, still astonished as he looks up at them mumbles, "To rescue you." Robin glances at the dead men while chuckling inside and asks dispassionately motioning downwards unconcerned, "And why would you think we need rescuing?" Lord Charles swallows hard staring in obvious admiration at Much and says, "Because you've taken longer than usual to return so we got permission from the King to come and find you."
Robin nods in understanding and tells them somewhat embarrassed, "This time we ran into… well… difficulties." and sideways with his foot lightly kicks his servant in the shin causing Much to wince and lean slightly to his injured side silently mouthing the word, "Ow!" his hand automatically flinching towards his master but then remembers that they are not alone and refrains from smacking him upside his head. Lord Charles, seeing Much's hand flinch, enviously chuckles at the two friend's familiarity and asks, "Well we've found you so now what?" Robin replies, "As you can tell the city is still on guard with soldiers out looking for us so now is not the time to leave as all the gates are guarded day and night by far too many men, so we go back to our hiding place and wait them out." Robin waves for them to follow but Lord Charles asks, "What of our horses?" Without turning Robin makes a single handed motion to Much who puts down their supplies and removes the packs from the horses then smacks the horses smartly on their hind quarters sending them off to their own fate. Much, struggling with the bulk of all the packs, glances hopefully at his master and after Robin motions with his hand towards the two Lords, Much hands off some of the packs to Lord Charles who accepts his burden without a word then Lord Mathew, who hesitates, and after looking at the packs Robin and Charles are carrying grudgingly accepts his burden. Robin looks tolerantly at Lord Mathew, shakes his head, and motions for them to follow leading them to their upper room in the partially collapsed building with Much bringing up the rear.
Late that evening after the others have gone to sleep, Robin picks up the bucket and some of the papers from the corner of the room, waves in negation to his ever vigilant servant , and steps out of the room then outside onto the crumbling rooftop to be alone. Just as his master steps out the door Much watches Lord Charles follow, and being curious follows silently.
Robin places the bucket away from the door on another stable area of the roof so he can brace his back against the building's wall and begins to unlace his breeches when he hears an unfamiliar sound near him. Quickly pulling a dagger he glances around him as Lord Charles comes into view in the star lit darkness holding his hands up submissively. Robin sighs relaxing, replaces his dagger in his belt, and asks silently, "Yes My Lord?" Lord Charles steps up closer pausing for a moment then says, "I want to ask you about your servant." Robin sighs tolerantly having heard the inevitable rumors from being best mates with one's servant slowly replies cautiously, "Go on…" Charles hesitantly says, "Well, I noticed how close the two of you are and I was wondering…" Robin opens his mouth to tell him that they are not that way, but is silenced when Lord Charles blurts out, "Just how did you come by such a proficient and devoted servant?" Robin chuckles quietly and says, "Oh, I thought you were going to ask something else." Charles nods in contempt of the rumors and tells him plainly, "So I've heard, but you two don't act that way so I know that there must be something else." Robin nods and tells him, "Yes, for you see we've been best friends ever since we can remember, then after his parents died when we were ten, my father took him in as my man servant commanding us that from then on we were responsible for one another and we've never been apart since."
Charles nods asking hopefully, "Does he have a family, brothers? I ask because my father and I have been searching for a competent servant for me for a very long time now but all have fallen short." Then exasperated, "My current one wouldn't even come to the Holy Land with me, too scared I think." Shaking his head discouraged he adds, "He's not very bright either." Robin, looking at the scar on his left hand replies, "He has only one brother." Charles sees the scar but asks optimistically elated asks rapidly, "Truly!? Would you tell me where he is? Is he like Much? Maybe I can purchase his contract from his current master! I don't care how much it would cost!" Robin snickers and replies, "I don't think so." Charles asks confused, "Why?" Robin snickering as he traces the scar looks up at him and says, "Because it's me." Lord Charles, looking perplexed, opens his mouth to ask how when Much steps out of the darkness with his own left hand held up and after briefly clasping scared hands with his master stands proudly next to him as they show Lord Charles their matching scars. Lord Charles stares curiously at their hands then notices that the scars line up and says despondently, "Oh…" Robin tells him ardently, "We may not be of the same parents but are brothers bound by blood and oath, and as both of our families are gone, we are our only family."
Robin, feeling the need more pronouncedly says in finality, "And now if you would excuse me…" holding up the papers. Lord Charles nods as Much with a cheeky grin reaches for Robin's laces and asks audaciously, "Need help master?" Robin theatrically slaps his hands away and whispers exasperated, "No!" Snickering, Much leads Lord Charles to the other side of the doorway far enough away into the darkness of the rooftop so Robin can have his private time and begins telling him some of their stories including that of the scars on their hands and how their wounds had begun to heal together overnight. From the other side of the roof Robin listens to Much's stories quietly laughing with them and at one point speaking up just loud enough to be heard, "Oi! That's not what happened!" and hears Much's critical whispered reply, "It's my bloody story and I'll tell it as I bleeding well want!" Snickering, Robin whispers back chastising, "Then tell it correctly!" They all chuckle quietly as Robin finishes the paperwork placing the lid on the bucket. Robin picks up the bucket then proceeds down to the narrow alley followed closely by the other two men and darts into the darkness of another collapsing building a block away where they had found a deep hole inside weeks before.
Robin dumps the bucket into the hole then puts several handfuls of sand in the bucket, covers and shakes it, then dumps its contents into the hole as well. As they watch, Charles hears a slight movement behind him and instantly whips around grabbing the intruder in a vise like headlock choking the man into silence, then immediately recognizing him as an enemy soldier, Lord Charles swiftly gives a single violent jerk instantly snapping the man's neck then lowers him quietly to the sand. Robin and Much, with daggers drawn, stare at the swiftness and skill of Charles' moves as Robin tells him, "Very good, are there any others?" Much dashes past Lord Charles peering out of the hole in the wall, and upon not seeing anyone draws back and says, "No. Must have been a single soldier looking for a place to sleep." Then to Lord Charles impressed, "You must show me that one." Lord Charles tells him graciously, "I would be honored." After removing the soldier's few possessions Charles, with Much's help, drag the body over to the hole and dump it in hearing it strike the bottom. Robin then picks up the bucket, glances out of the opening in the wall, and leads them back to their two story building. After they reach the narrow walkway Robin says jokingly to Charles, "Now, do you want to hear my side of Much's story?" Snickering silently they climb to their second story roof where Robin and Much quietly tell him stories until they tire and quietly return to the room to sleep.