Authors Note: I have finally watched Season 3 of Robin Hood. The day after I watched the last episode. I wrote this short story.
Disclaimer: Robin Hood and its characters belong to BBC not me.
It wasn't until Robin's body was lowered into the grave, and the last clump of dirt placed over him that it really sunk in. That Robin was dead, that it was over. He had kept expecting Robin to open his eyes, a cheeky grin on his face. He wanted to believe that the poison wasn't really deadly, that they were all wrong about it, but he couldn't believe that, not with the mound of earth separating Robin from his sight.
Robin was dead. The phrase kept echoing through his head. Robin was dead.
"Much," Tuck's voice was gentle, "it's time to go."
"Let him be," Little John sadly gazed at the grave and the man who stood silently beside it. "Give him time."
Much didn't notice when they left. He hardly noticed when he sank to his knees or when the tears started trickling down his face. He shakily placed a hand on the grave. This was all wrong. "This isn't how it's supposed to be," he choked back a sob. "You weren't supposed to die. I need you. You can't expect me to go on. You can't!" Tuck's words seemed empty in his head. He hadn't risked his life for the people. He hadn't come to live in the forest as an outlaw for England. He had done it for Robin. But Robin wanted him to go on, to continue what he had started.
"No!" Much slammed his fist against the grave. "I'm tired of doing what you want! You told me I was a free man, and yet you expected me to listen to everything you said, but you never listened to what I said. I told you. I told you if you died…" The rest of the sentence was lost in sobs as he collapsed fully to the ground.
The sobs died away as his breathing grew shallow, each breath further apart from the last one. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I just can't do it." His eyes slid shut.
Robin walked, through the forest, hand in hand with his beloved, Marian. They were starting on a new adventure, their destination unknown.
"Master!"
"What?" Total confusion came over Robin's face. "It couldn't be…" Marian smiled.
"Master!" Much called again. He could see them now. He ran faster. He had to catch up.
Robin turned around. It wasn't possible but there he was.
"Master," Much grinned broadly. "Lady Marian," he added almost as an afterthought.
"Much," Marian nodded a small smile still on her face.
"How?" Robin asked.
"I told you, Robin. I told you if you died I would die of grief."
"Much." Tears were in Robin's eyes. He opened his arms. Much accepted the offer wrapping his arms tightly around him. Master and servant were reunited again.