Kings or Pawns of Men
Chapter Two
By the time the celebration had died down, most of the men were passed out from too much drinking, the Friar among them as he loved his beer as much as life itself. John Little, his wife Fanny, and their son Wulf were a few of those still awake, as well as Azeem, who wasn't permitted by his God to drink, Robin, and Marian. By mid morning, the newly married couple arrived at Marian's home, where they would live until Locksley Manor was rebuilt. The home that Robin once took for granted would finally become a home of joy and a peaceful sanctuary for them both, as well as for many of the men and woman who fought by his side. Robin only hoped that Will would soon be among them.
As they lay together in each other's arms that night for the first time, Marian noticed that her husband's mind was elsewhere and so she spoke up asking quietly, "What is troubling you so? Does this have to do with why you rode off on your horse earlier this evening in the middle of the festivities?"
Robin snapped out of his thoughts and responded solemnly, "I'm sorry about that. I'm afraid that I'm worried about Will. He's troubled and I don't have any idea how to help him."
"You believe he's having a hard time with you knowing the truth about him being your brother?" she asked again as she gently rubbed the side of his face. "I can only imagine how difficult that would be after hiding such a secret for his entire life, as well as holding in so much hate for you all these years. It takes a brave and good man to be able to let it all go."
"He is that, but he refuses to believe it," Robin replied sadly. "He thinks of himself as nothing more than the illegitimate son of my father and his mother. If only I hadn't coerced my father into sending her away. If I hadn't, Will and I could have been brothers our whole lives and I could have spared him so much pain."
Marian answered, "You were only a child, mourning the loss of his mother. And you didn't know Will even existed. You were once that spoiled boy, who liked to burn my hair, but now you are a man, a good man, who is loved and praised by all of England. You will find a way to get through to Will. You will help him see the good in him too, just as you have done for the rest of your men."
Robin kissed her on her lips, then looked into her eyes, and said, "I am glad you're here with me now. It's because of you that I am the man you're in love with."
"I know," she whispered and then kissed him back, continuing their passionate wedding night.
Days passed by and Will had yet to return to either Locksley Manor, where the men and woman had begun to rebuild, Marion's home, or even where they lived in Sherwood Forest. Just like when the sheriff was running the country, Robin had men scouting all locations for any signs of danger and hoped that one of them would come to him with news on his brother's whereabouts.
"Has there been any word on Will?" Fanny asked as she and John walked over with water for Robin and Friar Tuck, who were busy working hard to move the broken stones around what was left the structure.
Robin stood and wiped his brow, then took a drink after which he responded, "No, not yet. But he'll be back."
One of the men that had been captured by the sheriff's men and tortured while in prison responded, "If I were him, I wouldn't ever show my face around here again."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Robin asked angrily as he turned and glared at the man. "Do you have something to say?"
"He didn't mean anything by it, Robin," Bull quickly said in hope of avoiding the fight he knew was inevitable.
The man stared back at Robin as he answered, "Why is it that you care so much for the little whelp when just days ago he nearly killed you? Will Scarlett is a traitor."
Robin's anger grew as he responded coldly, "He isn't a traitor and any man who thinks otherwise will answer to me. What happened before was only a misunderstanding and if he hadn't have lied to the sheriff in order to get out of that prison, you and the rest of the captured men would all be dead. Is there anyone else who feels this way? Do all of you think Will is a traitor?"
"They don't know the truth, Rob," Bull replied. "We never actually told them after everything that's happened."
"It doesn't matter," Robin answered in frustration. "They've already made up their minds about him. If there are any of you that refuse to accept him amongst us, then you can leave our band of men. You won't be welcome here on my land any longer."
The man who talked out against Will backed down and walked off to continue working, then Friar Tuck spoke up saying, "He'll come around, Robin. They all will. We must just give them time."
Robin looked around at his friends, including Azeem, who had joined the circle, and then responded, "You're right. Friar, John, and Bull, stay here and share with the men the whole truth. Azeem and I are going to go find Will. He may have said he was leaving, but I have a feeling something's wrong. Fanny, can you go and explain to Marian where we've gone?"
"Of course, but surely Will is just fine, love," she replied. "He's a strong lad, who knows how to take care of himself."
"I know, but until I know for sure, this feeling won't go away," Robin answered firmly. "If Will truly feels he needs to leave us, then fine, I won't stop him, but I won't let him go without proving to him that I want him to stay. Azeem?"
The Moor nodded his head and stated, "I am with you, Christian."
Robin said, "Good, and thank you. I could really use your support. Let's go."
