(Chapter 2)


After a shadow cast by the sun moves several feet, Much moans and stirs. When he opens his eyes he sees a pained Robin gazing down asking him, "How are you feeling?"

Much swallows and weakly replies, "Hurt. Very very hurt."

Robin lifts a mug so Much can see it then puts it back down and tells him, "Djaq left you something for the pain." Robin puts his arm under his friend's back and helps him to sit up and holds him there so he can drink from the mug Robin offers him without gagging. When he is finished, Robin lays him back down. Much relaxes and painfully lifts a hand to Robin who takes it in his own and grips it tightly.

Much gives his master a worried look and begins to drift off to sleep from the numbing effects of the tonic, Robin looking down at Much with a hitch in his voice whispers, "You'll soon be well Much. Don't worry. Trust me." After a moment he adds, "Much, it was an accident. I did not mean to shoot you. I would rather die first." Much gives him a grin and squeezes Robin's hand before his face relaxes and his eyes close in sleep.

Robin remains where he is holding Much's hand with his head cradling in his lap. He reaches over and picks up the arrow with his other hand and stares at it. Much's blood coats his fingers but he makes no move to wipe it off, he places the arrow on top of Much's chest and stares at it.

Will and Djaq walk past Little John at his usual post next to the entrance. Will hangs the clothes up to dry, walks over to his bunk, picks up his knife and some wood, then sits next to Allan, and starts shaving pieces of wood into the fire. Djaq walks over to Much and Robin and picks up the empty mug. After refilling it she places it within Robin's reach and kneels down at Much's side and checks the bandage. It's starting to turn red but not bad enough to change it.

Will, glancing up from his whittling, calmly asks, "Robin, what happened? You never miss. You even centered the arrow in the guard's throat. I'm sure he felt no pain." When Robin doesn't answer Djaq places her hand on his shoulder, "Robin?" Robin still doesn't answer acting as though they don't exist.

Their physician looks to see what Robin is looking at so intently and traces his gaze to the arrow lying on Much's chest. When she reaches out for it, like lightening, Robin has her by the wrist and stares at her. He then mutters quietly, "No." let's go of her wrist, and returns his hand to Much's chest. She leans back staring at him in shock rubbing the bright red finger marks on her wrist.

Will comes over with Robin's tunic and holds it in front of him breaking his view of Much. Robin looks up blankly at him and mutters, "Thank you." Robin puts on his tunic then returns to staring at his friend. Will shakes his head and moves off to sit next to the fire.

The gang looks around at each other worried about their leader. Will stares at Robin for a moment then glances at the two crusaders occasionally as he whittles away at the piece of wood. After getting the outline of his project finished, he gets up and walks over to Much's kitchen to prepare dinner. Eventually Allen and Djaq rise and go to help him.

Robin remains immersed in his own thoughts, I can't believe he thinks I shot him on purpose. Why would he think that? I would never do anything to harm him. His thoughts drift away from the physical hurt to all the barbs and jabs he'd delivered to Much throughout the years. The hurtful things he has said while deep in his own depression looking for an outlet and finding it in his friend. He remembers all the times that he lashed out at him and when he did say he was sorry it sounded hollow and insincere even to himself. Poor Much, even though I hurt him he never strayed, unerringly loyal. Like brothers, we do have our arguments and fights. Some, with one chasing the other into the woods, then us both returning with a black eye or limping but supporting each other and both of us feeling better. But during that we never said anything meaningfully hurtful.

Over at Much's kitchen Will to cobbles together a meager meal and distributes it. He holds up a plate to Robin, but when he is ignored, he leaves the plate next to Robin in case he wants it later on. After they eat they each go about their chores every now and then glancing at the two friends who remain as still as statues. The only way to tell they are still alive is the small movement of their chests as they breathe.

As darkness approaches, Little John crouches down next to Robin and tells him, "Robin, I'll sit up with Much. You go lie down. You've had a troubling day." Robin shakes his head as if coming out of a trance, looks up at Little John and shakes his head again, "No. As he took care of me, I will take care of him." Little John sighs, "Well, when he wakes up you let me know and I'll relieve you." But Robin has turned to stone again. Little John sighs and walks off to lie down in his own loft still watching them until his eyes involuntary close and sleep claims him.

Little John drifts between waking and sleep worried about the two friends. Whenever he opens his eyes the first place he looks is towards Much and Robin, and notices that they are just as he left them, two unmoving statues. He watches for a moment more as he lets sleep reclaim him, but just as his eyes close, he watches Much's hand move and forces himself awake in the hope that Robin will beckon to watch over Much.

Much's mind drifts in his sleep his arrow wound throbbing, and he desperately wants more of Djaq's tonic but he can tell that his head is still being cradled by his master and doesn't want him to leave relishing Robin's undivided attention. Much rambling in his dream like state, I'm alive!... And Robin's still here!... And he's not treating me as a servant but as his friend. Robin I love you, but why did you shoot me? What did I do so wrong that would make you hate me enough to kill me? I thought you loved me.

As he hazily drifts in his dream state, he glances up at his friend's inert face and can tell that Robin is asleep but it feels as if he is answering him in his head, 'Yes Much, you're alive, and words cannot begin to describe how thankful I am. You know that I've loved you as my only brother ever since we were placed together in that basket so long ago. You could never do anything to make me hate you nor want to kill you. I don't know what I would do without you but why would you even think that I would want you dead? Why Much, why?'

Much smiles still drifting in his half state between sleep and awareness, and dreams, Maybe it was only an accident. Maybe you do love me! Much, still thinking that he's dreaming hears in his head, Yes Much, always. Much mentally sighs and feels comforted by the thought. But then his pessimism takes over, 'It's strange though. I think I hear you in my head answering me, but not with my ears and that's impossible. I am with fever and hallucinating. You never miss what you aim at. So you must have meant to shoot me.'

Much feels Robin's intense answer, 'No! '

'You hate me and want me dead. You told me to go away and that I'm a pox under your skin and killing me is the way to get rid of me. Permanently!'

'No! '

'You want me dead so I can't come back!'

'No!'

'Every time I try and help you, you turn on me saying the most hateful things. You never listen, you listen to everyone else but not to me. You spend time with Marian but not with me. You held Carter like you've never held me. You don't even trust me! I could never betray you. But you thought I did! So why wouldn't you want me dead? When I can walk and everyone's asleep I'll leave and never come back. I don't know where I'll go, but it will be far from here. Maybe I'll go to the castle and let them hang me. At least I won't die by your hand. That'll make you happy, and that's all that really matters to me!'

NO! Much! NO!

Little John curiously watches the two from across the camp by the light of the dying fire. He can see both of their faces as emotions cross them like shadows and thinks, What's going on over there? It's like they're having a conversation. But their mouths aren't moving nor can I hear them speak, so I know they're not.

Robin feels Much move when he lifts a trembling hand to wipe his eyes and breaks out of his trance. He quickly removes the arrow from on top of his friend's chest and places it next to him. For a moment they simply stare at each other. They can hear each others thoughts like an echo in their minds, 'Was this real?'

Robin can feel his best friend's pain as though it was his own and says, "You're hurting. Djaq has made more tonic for you." Robin helps Much sit up and hands him the mug. Much, knowing that it will relieve the pain, eagerly drains the mug and sits it back on the ground. Robin lays him back down, cradling his head once more.

Robin looking sorrowfully at his best friend says, "Much it truly was an accident. I blanked out and all I remember is seeing you falling and a guard swinging his sword at your back. Without thinking I killed him… and Much, all I could think about was saving you. I could never hate you nor could I live if you died. You can't leave me." Much, listening to him astonished, How did he know what I was dreaming? It was only dream… Wasn't it? In the back of his mind he hears Robin answer, 'Then we both had the same dream.'

Before he can ponder his thoughts longer he begins to feel the effects of the tea and with a quizzical look on his face he stares up at the man who he's been with all his life and asks, "How… How did you know?" He hears Robin reply, "You just told me. You told me everything." Much, now fighting to stay awake replies, "But Robin, I never said a word…" his voice trailing off as sleep takes him once more.

Robin leans back puzzled still staring at Much's face and thinks, How did we know what each other was thinking? He's always been an open book to me but this is different. Could we actually hear each other's thoughts? But… That's impossible! Ha! I'm beginning to sound like him.

Robin looks up and notices Little John with his forehead furrowed watching him. Remembering that Little John said he would watch over Much and beckons to come relieve him. He lifts up Much's head and carefully moves out from under him before gently laying it on the mat.

He bends over looking at Much, I wonder…, 'Much, I need to sleep, but I won't be far. Little John will be here. Don't worry, I will not leave you.'

He grins when Much gives him a slight smile and sits back for a moment. Did he really understand me?

Robin picks up his arrow and stiffly stands up, stretches, and works the links out of his muscles.

Robin speaks to Little John quietly, "I'll be right back." Little John relaxes next to Much so that he can also see the opening to the camp, lays his staff next to him, and watches Robin go outside. The rest of the gang remains sleeping, undisturbed by their movements.

A few minutes later Robin returns, picks up the mug and fills it to the brim with more of Djaq's tonic and puts it down next to Much. He then walks over to his own bunk, rolls up his blankets, carries them over and unrolls them next to his wounded friend while Little John watches him curiously.

Robin sees Little John's curious look and tells him, "He never gave up nor left my side when I was wounded in the Holy Land so I'm not going to leave him now." Little John nods in understanding, remembering their stories about their time as crusaders in the Holy Land.

Sitting down on his pallet Robin drinks from the mug until the level is back about to where Djaq had filled it before and hands it to Little John telling him, "Help him drink this if he wakes before I do." Little John nods.

Robin adjusts the blanket up around Much's neck, lies down next to his friend, places his hand on his wrist, and allows the tea take effect. Little John murmurs, "Good, sleep now."

Little John remains awake for the rest of the night watching over his charges thinking about Robin's and Much's conversation that didn't happen.


Later, Djaq wakes and looks over at Much and sees Little John sitting next to him and Robin sleeping on a pallet with his hand on Much's arm and thinks, He will not leave his side. I've never seen either one severely injured before, but I know Much wouldn't leave with him in the Holy Land, but that's Much. He lives for Robin. What I didn't expect is Robin to do the same for his friend. He virtually takes him for granted. I wouldn't think his ego would let him. She watches them for a while longer then rolls over and returns to sleep.

The next morning Much slowly wakes and finds Little John sitting next to him. His heart sinks until he remembers his dream, looks over, and sees Robin lying next to him and thinks, Robin! He's still here! Much tries to remain still but nature is calling and moves his arm slightly knowing that it will wake up Robin. As he tries to sit up he puts pressure on his wound. He gasps, grits his teeth and collapses back onto the pallet.

Robin feels Much move and is instantly awake watching as Much tries to sit up. Little John also watches but before either can help him, Much falls back to the mat his face twisted in pain.

Robin kneeling next to Much tells him, "Stay still. I'll get the tonic."

Much shakes his head and beckons Robin to come closer. Quietly so only Robin can hear, "I need to go pee." Robin grins and indicates to Little John to help him get Much to his feet.

When Djaq hears the commotion, she turns back towards them and props herself up in her bunk by her elbow and in warning says, "Robin stop! He needs to lie down. The wound might open again. There hasn't been enough time for him to heal."

Robin, trying not to tell everyone but finds that he has to, says, "I need to take him outside."

Djaq embarrassed for asking when obviously they had wanted to keep it quiet says, "Oh. Well, be very careful. Much, go slowly. You've lost a lot of blood and you'll be weak and dizzy for quite a while." She then gets up and moves over to the fire.

Will and Allan, awakened by this exchange, grin at Robin and Much and amble over to the fire as well and sit with Djaq.

Little John and Robin lift Much to his feet. Much stumbles, grits his teeth, then with stars before his eyes feeling like he's about to pass out, grabs onto Robin's arm to steady himself. He sways for a moment but is soon steadied by Robin's steal grip until the stars go away.

Much takes a tentative step and with Robin's help slowly walks to the camp entrance. Robin grabs his bow and quiver and slings them over his shoulder as they exit.

Little John cocks his head watching, Why is he taking his bow and not his sword? They shouldn't need either. Maybe he's just being cautious.

Little John curiously follows them out of camp, but Robin waves him back telling him, "I've got this." Little John waits for a moment then stealthily follows at a distance anyway still unsure about his leader.

Robin and Much walk far enough away from camp to an area that they use for such things. Much takes his arm from around Robin's neck and tries to undo the laces of his breeches but has a hard time of it. His movements making the wound scream in pain.

Robin noticing his discomfort asks, "You want me to help?" Sheepishly Much nods. Robin moves in front of him and unfastens the lacings and opens the front. Then with a wicked grin looks up at his friend and asks, "I suppose you want me to hold it for you too?"

Much grinning sarcastically tells him, "Oh gee Robin would you?" Robin reaches out in jest and Much knocks his hand away. Much snickers and says, "If you don't move you're going to get wet." They both laugh trying to break the tension. Robin withdraws his hand, chuckles, and tells him, "Alright. I'll be over here, let me know when you're done or feel dizzy." Then as he walks away he turns his head back and says, "Much, It still looks the same!" From behind him he hears Much grumble and laughs.

He looks away and his face goes blank as he walks several paces off. The same dark presence as before clouds his mind as he removes his bow and pulls out a metal tipped arrow. He nocks the arrow and draws his bow aiming at his unwary friend's back. Quietly and with an evil grin says, "You won't survive this time."

Little John is shocked when he hears what Robin says, but he notices that it doesn't sound like him. It sounds vaguely like the Sheriff. Little John stares in disbelief as Robin aims directly at Much's back. He hastily steps forward and jerks Robin by the shoulder just as he releases causing the arrow to miss its target, shooting off harmlessly far enough away that Much doesn't even hear it.

Robin whips around with an evil look on his face until he recognizes Little John. He staggers a bit, looks at his bow as if it is something evil and drops it. Little John holds Robin by the arms with an iron grip and stares at him. Robin stares at his bow lying at his feet in horror. He slowly looks up and asks, "What happened?" Little John staring at him concerned tells him, "When you walked away from Much you had a blank look on your face. You then nocked a metal tipped arrow, took aim at his back, and said that he wouldn't survive this time." Robin's eyes go wide in shock.

Little John continues to hold him but realizes by Robin's reaction that he truly didn't know what he was doing and continues, "When I grabbed you by the shoulder it ruined your aim. Then as you turned you had the most hateful look I have ever seen. Robin, what's happening? You're acting as though you really want to kill Much."

Robin shakes his head confused and says, "I… I don't know. But I do know I could never kill him voluntarily. From now on, do not leave me with him by myself until we find out what's wrong."

Much calling over his shoulder, "Finished!"

Little John looking over Robin's shoulder at Much asks, "Do we tell him?" Robin hesitates for a minute then nods, "Yes. He deserves to know. Wait behind the thicket while I help him. We grew up together, and I know he will be embarrassed if he knew you were watching, and then follow us back." Little John nods, releases Robin, picks up his bow, and moves to the other side of the thicket but still able to keep them in sight.

Robin returns to Much and laces his breeches up for him. Much grips his friend's arm and tells him, "Thanks." He then puts his hand around Robin's shoulder to steady himself. As they walk back to camp Much asks, "Where's your bow?" Robin stops and looks at him, "Much, there's something I need to tell you and you're not going to like it. But you deserve to know the truth." Much hesitates before asking not liking how Robin is speaking, "What…?"

Robin sighs remorsefully and with his head down unable to look at the man who trusts him implicitly and has saved his life too many times to count, "Much, I just tried to kill you again." Much stops and turns to stare at Robin aggrieved, "I knew it! What have I done? Whatever it is I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Please Robin don't kill me!" Much breaks down in tears unable to control himself. Robin grips Much by the arms keeping him from falling and with command in his voice says, "Much, look at me... Look at me Much!" Much looks up wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

Robin trying to sooth him says, "It's nothing you have done old friend. It's not you, it's me. I don't know what's happening but I do know I could never kill you voluntarily. Please Much, I need you to believe me!" Much painfully replies, "So who stopped you?" Robin hesitates not wanting to let Much know who is watching them but wanting to tell his friend the truth replies, "Little John. He was concerned and followed us. I told him not to but I'm glad he did." Much embarrassed says, "Oh, uh, did he see…?"

Robin chuckles sadly, "Much, don't worry about Little John, he knows how close we are and that we look out for each other." Relief shows on Much's face but the hurt still remains. Robin continues trying to remove the doubt from Much's mind, "After he stopped me he told me that I had a blank look while walking away from you, and when I drew my bow I had a hateful expression until I saw him. That's when I dropped my bow."

Much's attention and concern now turning to his friend's problem, "What do we do?" Robin shakes his head, "I don't know yet, but I told Little John not to let us out of his sight when we are together." He pauses for a moment to think, "Much, please believe me. I could never intentionally harm you. I love you… You do believe me." In response Much holds up his scarred left hand which Robin quickly grasps tightly, "Yes Robin. I always have and I trust you with my life." They drop their hands grinning.

Robin feeling better now that they both know at least that something is wrong tells his friend, "Thank you Much, now let's get back so you can lie back down and Djaq doesn't kill me." Grinning, they continue back to camp with Robin supporting his friend. Robin with a bit of humor in his voice says, "Is there any other deed you need to perform while we're out here?" Much chuckles and says, "Uh, no. Not yet." "Good. But let me know." "Alright. But does Little John have to watch?" "He'll be watching me. But without my bow I don't think anything will happen."

Robin steadies his friend as they walk back into camp with Little John following a few paces behind carrying Robin's bow and arrows. Without looking up from the fire, Djaq asks, "Mission accomplished?" Robin tells her, "Yes. He survived." Much gives him a disgusted look gripping Robin's arm as he sits back down on his pallet and gives a sigh of relief as he leans up against his friend. Djaq walks over with a mug of her freshly brewed pain tonic and hands it to Much and says, "Here, drink this." Robin holds out his hand and takes the mug from Djaq but doesn't give it to him.

Robin looks around at the rest of his gang and says, "There's something I need to tell all of you." The gang stops what they are doing and turn to Robin. Robin sighs and says, "I just tried to kill Much again. But Little John stopped me." The gang looks at each other in astonishment then Allan exclaims, "I knew something was wrong." and they all try to ask questions at once.

Robin holds up a hand to silence them and says, "It was involuntary and I had no control over it. I don't know why, or what, is making me try to kill him but we have to find out. When Little John stopped me I was unaware of what I was doing. I had blanked out."

Djaq stares at Robin for a moment, then tells him, "Stand up, let's try something." Robin motions Will over to help support Much then climbs to his feet while Djaq goes to his bunk and picks up his sword and hands it to him." Robin, standing over Much grips the weapon loosely unsure of what he might do.

Djaq tells him, "Now hold it like you would strike at someone and see if you feel the need to kill him." Much looks up at him in absolute trust telling himself, He won't do it. But glances at his own sword that might as well have been a mile away at his own bunk, It will hurt, but I think I can roll out of the way quickly enough.

Robin hesitantly turns to Much and holds the sword above him. After a few seconds, he hands it to Little John, shakes his head and says, "No it does not feel like it did before."

Djaq nods, picks up Robin's bow and hands it over to him causing Little John to take a step forward and tense.

Djaq asks curiously, "Now how do you feel?" Robin holds the bow as he always has then looks over at Little John who hands him an arrow. He slowly nocks the arrow, draws, and aims it at Much. Little john reaches out ready to snatch the bow away just in case. Much looks up at his master scared but doesn't move, I trust him. He won't shoot me.

They watch as Robin's face twists into an evil grin and he can feel himself blanking out, hearing in his head, 'You will kill your best friend.' Little John watches Robin's face twist into the same hateful grin as before and swiftly grabs the bow out of Robin's hands and tosses it away like it was on fire where it clatters into the corner. Robin hastily turns and grabs Little John by his tunic drawing back his arm ready to strike. Little John impulsively grabs Robin's arm, shakes and calls to him, "Robin!" The darkness recedes from his mind and again looks at Little John in wonder. Robin recovering explains, "I blanked out. I… I felt an overwhelming urge and heard an order to kill my best friend." Little John releases his leader but remains watching.

As Robin looks down, Much is looking up at him in absolute trust and Robin can't help but smile back sadly at him, He still trusts me. In the back of his mind he thinks he hears, Of course, I love you. Robin nearly collapses next to Much and Much once more leans up against him.

Djaq sits at the fire, looks at the gang, and says, "I think I know what's wrong."

Djaq looks away and scans the rest of the gang asking, "When we were at the castle did anyone see a stranger there? Someone we haven't seen before?"

Allan takes a moment before answering, "No, but the bar maid said that she heard from a friend that there was a Gypsy in the castle. She said that the Gypsy was some kind of hypnotist. Whatever that is."

Djaq nods briefly in thought, "Uh huh… Hypnotism."

Robin and Much asking together, "What's that?" Then glance curiously at each other hearing an echo in their heads.

Djaq turning to address the crusaders directly, "It's a way to get people to do things against their will and then not remember anything about it. A hypnotized person will do anything, depending on how good the hypnotist is, even kill someone close to them. There are a very few hypnotists that are good enough to force a person to kill."

Djaq, with a serious look, turns her attention to Robin, "Robin… You've been hypnotized."