Hi all :)
Sorry for not uploading sooner - it's been a mad few months! Anyway here's the new chapter, and I will be uploading new chapters soon! In particular I want this story to look at the relationship between Much/Robin and Robin/Marian and give a little more background to what happened to all of them during their separation. Thank you for all your comments and likes so far, it's been really lovely and helpful to hear people's views and suggestions. I hope you enjoy!
Robin continued to stare at the ground before him, his mind lost in the memories of that day and the things he did subsequently when he believed all was lost. He closed his eyes and gulped in a lung full of air. Never would he allow someone to see his weaknesses and true feelings as he did that day, even his faithful friend. He had been broken that day, and had revealed too much. His carefree attitude was a meticulous construct built over years, designed to hide his most vulnerable feelings and wishes. Much had often tried to prise Robin's inner thoughts from him, especially when he thought his master's defences were a little low. However his attempts and concerns were consistently rebuffed and laughed away with a carefully place grin.
He had never appreciated the sacrifice Much had made until that day. Much's admission that he longed to see the Locksley hills again had struck Robin hard, and he had never forgotten his servants words. The horror and misery his ever-faithful friend had gone through in those five years hurt Robin, who felt the pain of responsibility for exposing Much to such grief. Still the guilt plagued him, and often resulted in him pushing his old friend away or belittling his worries - all to avoid acknowledging the regret hindsight brings.
Robin's attention was suddenly brought back to his gang by a large metallic clatter. His gaze snapped upwards and the sight made him gasp. The crusader was stood, dagger in hand, staring intently at Djaq. The noise had obviously been from where she had dropped the instruments in her hands, as they lay in disarray around her feet. Djaq stood with her hands up, her movements slow and gentle but her eyes wide with alarm.
At once the gang stood up together, Allan and Will both looked at the soldier with livid expressions. Much stood closest to Djaq and turned anxious eyes onto Robin, looking for instruction on what to do.
Slowly Robin stood up, his arms outstretched in front of him in a calming gesture.
"Please, let's not do anything rash" Robin addressed to everyone before him. "Soldier, this man is a physician who can help you. Stand down!"
The ease at which he slipped back into giving orders surprised Robin, and the commanding voice of a Captain seemed all too familiar. Nevertheless, the crusader's deadly eyes remained fixed on Djaq, their intent clear for anyone to see.
"Robin, do something! He might hurt Djaq!" Will called at his leader. John looked round at Will and nodded, taking a pace towards the crusader.
"John, no!" Robin ordered. He was desperately thinking of a way to calm his brother at arms; however he did not know what would reach through to him.
"Listen, that man is not just a Saracen, he is a friend. He can be your friend too, if you would let him help you!" Robin tried to reason. The crusader appeared deaf to everything said, and took a menacing step towards where Djaq stood.
"Master!" Much cried in panic.
Robin began to move forward with a cat-like grace, slowly and purposefully he edged towards the soldier.
"Please, just tell me your name. We only want to help you" Robin stated in a low voice. Suddenly the crusader's head whipped around, hearing a twig snap close to him. He saw the men had closed in on him and without hesitation he lunged forward, grabbed the Saracen and held him in front of his body as a shield. He pressed the knife into the enemy's neck, and felt him stiffen at the touch of the blade.
His mind raced with images of slaughter and the screams of the dead. He saw nothing except the flaming sands of the desert and the rivers of blood that had stained the dunes. In his mind's eye he saw all those he had lost and who now lied buried in the foreign land, forgotten. In his grip he held another Saracen, one who would kill him if he did not do it first. His heart hammered in his chest as though it were trying to break free and his skin became hot to the touch. He felt trapped within his own mind, whichever way he turned he saw the same vile images and his ears rang with the clash of metal. The blade in his hand felt right, like an extension of his own being with its own mind. His heart pleaded for an end to the bloodshed, but his arm flexed with the autonomous desire to plunge it into his enemy.
Excruciating pain flooded his head, the memories kept flooding in. He was losing control, and still the screaming carried on gaining in pitch and volume.
They were all the same. It was his duty.
"NO!" cried the gang in unison. Robin was desperately trying to think of a way to calm the situation down, but he didn't know this man or what he could do that would make him see sense. He could tell from the man's eyes that his mind was thousands miles away and his current behaviour was merely a result of that. However his gang could not understand. John had had enough of trying to placate this man, soldier or not he was threatening one of the lads. He raised his staff, and began to walk towards them.
At seeing the giant coming towards him with weapon in hand, the soldier grabbed the Saracen even closer to him and pressed the dagger deeper, upon which a small trickle of blood ran down Djaq's neck.
"John NO!" Robin ordered, seeing the danger clearly. He looked around him, but nothing came to mind. He had no idea what he could do to diffuse the situation. Suddenly, John cried and went to rush the crusader, but before he could reach him someone entered the camp taking everyone by surprise.