Chapter 4

Julia's POV

Julia rushed over to him as soon as he fell. She leaned over him, and her hands shook as she felt for a pulse in his neck. It was weak, but it was there. She looked up at the people standing around them, and hissed, "Well? Do something!"

The people scattered. Fanny, John's wife, came back with several blankets. Julia stared at the arrows that were puncturing Will's skin. Two in his left arm, one in his leg, and one in his torso.

Julia's heart ached for him, she wanted more than anything to turn back time and be nicer to him. If he didn't make it through this…Julia shuddered and sucked in a shaky breath.

"He will not make it if the arrowheads are not removed from his flesh immediately," Julia heard, and turned around to see Locksley's companion, Azeem, standing behind her.

"Can you save him?" Julia asked, hope and fear expressed fleetingly in her eyes.

"I think so. But you must leave us now. I need to concentrate," he said, bowing and gesturing towards the other huts. Julia walked away, trusting that Azeem was telling the truth.

Julia sat in Fanny's hut, wringing her hands and glancing at the door every few seconds, hoping Azeem would be there with news of Will.

"It's all right, dear," said Fanny, handing Julia a cup of hot tea. "I'm sure he'll be alright. Azeem sure seems to know what he's doing." She was speaking of the cesarean section he had performed on her just a few days prior, saving both her and her baby from certain death.

"I hope so," Julia said, looking at the door, sure she heard footsteps. When no one appeared, she sighed and sipped her tea. All of a sudden, she heard a high-pitched wail come from outside. Julia got up abruptly, hitting the table and knocking the kettle over. She made to go outside, but Fanny caught her arm.

"I don't think you'll want to be doing that," she said. "When Azeem says he needs to concentrate, he means it."

"But…" Julia started. She knew Fanny was right. She sighed and sank back down into the chair, feeling a hand pat her shoulder comfortingly.

"Thanks, Fanny," Julia said. But it wasn't Fanny.

"Azeem!" she cried. "How is he? Will he be all right? Can I see him?"

Azeem nodded gravely. "He is in his hut."

Julia was gone before he could say anything more. She ran to Will's hut and saw him on his bed covered in blankets donated from the villagers who could spare them, his eyes closed. His face was still pale, but he looked better overall.

"Oh, Will," she whispered. He stirred, and opened his eyes.

"Julia?" he asked hoarsely.

Will's POV

She came for him! Will felt as if he would burst with happiness. He tried to sit up, but he found he could not put weight on his left arm without crying out in pain. He was stiff all over, and his stomach and leg were throbbing with pain, as well as his arm.

Julia pushed him back onto his pillow gently. She walked over to a shelf and took down a deer-skin flask full of water and brought it back to him.

"Are you thirsty?" she asked.

"No," Will said.

He watched her set the water down beside him on the bed, and look up at him. Anxiety was written all over her face.

"What happened to you?" Julia asked quietly.

"I...I was angry, and I went for a walk, so I could get my anger out without hurting anything…or anyone," he said sheepishly, remembering his hot-headedness which had led him to attempt to throw his knife at Robin.

"I suspect that I walked a little too far. I found myself in a field, and I was still angry so I didn't even think of coming back. Before I took two steps into the field, there was an arrow in my side. I turned to run away and they shot me in the arm and the leg. I ran as far as I could, as well as I could, and then…" A frown creased his forehead. "I can't remember anything after that," Will said, confused.

"That's alright," Julia said. "You should rest now." She patted his arm, getting up and standing in the doorway for a moment, before smiling and leaving him to sleep.

Julia's POV

Julia returned to check on Will an hour later. As she neared the hut, she heard shrieking. Afraid of what she would find, Julia ran the rest of the way to the door of the hut. She looked in and saw Will curled on his bed in a cold sweat, convulsing and screaming. She gaped for a moment, wide-eyed, then screamed as loud as she could, "AZEEM! QUICKLY!"

Rushing over to Will, she took both of his hands in hers and squeezed them reassuringly.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"It-it hurts," he rasped, eyelids fluttering.

"What hurts?" Julia asked in concern.

"E-e-everything," he stammered hoarsely.

"There must have been poison on the arrow tips," Azeem said from the doorway.

"Leave now, and I may be able to save him."

The next instant Julia felt despair wash over her, she ran out of the hut, and out of the village. She came to a stop beside the river and wept, sobs wracking her trembling body. Why does everyone I care about have to die? She thought, tears flowing hot and fast from her eyes, finally letting out the sadness she had been keeping hidden for the past week. Mother, Father, if you're listening to me, please help me get through this. Please save Will. I don't think I could bear it if he…please help him, Julia prayed silently. Wiping her cheeks with her hands, she stared up at the silver crescent moon and took a deep, shaking breath.

She didn't know how long she sat there on the riverbank. When she was calm she returned to the village, ready to face whatever awaited her there.