Will stayed completely focused only on the two things of importance in his mind, so he spared none of his last thoughts on his surroundings. Most of his mind was being held tightly by the hand that gripped his own.

Djaq's mind was swirling with millions of thoughts at once. She thought every single thought she would be denied by having her life taken from her so young, most of them concerning her possible, but now nonexistent future with her beloved carpenter. She took notice of her surroundings, silently recording all of her last moments in this earth. The loveliness in that tree out the window, the fading sun glowing orange, half concealed by clouds as it approaches the wonderful horizon. The forest, their home, was probably concealed on one of those horizons. They turned a corner and walked straight into the sinking sun, being blinded for a moment. The sun rises in the east, sets in the west. Djaq mused, remembering when her father had first taught her that.

Wait a minute. It sets in the west… so we're going west… but the gallows are east of the dungeons… Will's mind was still numb, devoid of all but his two saving thoughts. But he did become aware of something awry when Djaq's hand tensed in his own, trying to get his attention, trying to tell him something. He desperately wanted to ask her what? What is it? His brain was still foggy, he thought vaguely that he would have to ask her in heaven.

They were walking down a deserted hallway. Suddenly the man leading them threw open a door to their left and hurried inside beckoning them in after him. Both the prisoner's minds froze, confused. The leading man's face was still concealed from them as he threw the door shut behind them, locking it, locking them inside.

The man reached up to remove his helmet and started saying in his real voice, dropping the low accent he'd put on, "Look I'm not being funny but…"

But neither learned what he wasn't being funny about because both exclaimed loudly recognizing his trademark saying, "Allan!" Both Will and Djaq were filled with such a joyous astonishment; they thought they'd never feel this elated again. They weren't going to die today!

Djaq started laughing aloud, letting relief spread throughout her body. Allan had dropped the ends of their chains when he'd gone to take off his helmet. So Djaq threw her arms around Will's neck as best she could with the manacles still on (she threw her arms up and over his head so the chain hung behind his neck, not in front choking him). They embraced each other in pure unrestrained happiness; Djaq laughing till her eyes teared up and Will smiling broadly. But then Will's smile faltered as complications of the situation before him set in. Allan was saving them. But Allan is a traitor. If he thinks we're going to forgive him just because of one act of kindness… The smile fell completely off his face and was replaced with pure rage directed at the man in front of him.

Having pulled the helmet off his face Allan said sarcastically, with mock indignation, "What? I don't even get to finish my sentences now?" He flashed his cocky grin, raising his eyebrows. Djaq giggled and pulled her arms off of Will, extending them toward Allan who already had his hand held out to unlock the manacles. But Will, with a steely look on his face, joy having completely evaporated by now, said threateningly, "No you don't. You lost that privilege months ago, when you started feeding Gisbourne our secrets."

The room suddenly became quiet. The cocky grin slid right off of Allan's face like a plate being dropped and shattering on the floor. Djaq had stopped laughing, but she just couldn't remain mad at the man who was currently saving their lives.

Allan looked up at Will ruefully. Bright blue met deep green as remorse met fury. "Will, I…" but Allan didn't know how to finish that statement, so he dropped his eyes and knelt down to busy his hands with unlocking Djaq's legs. He straightened up but was afraid to meet Will's gaze again – it might just destroy him. Finally he forced himself to look at his old friend, who had every right to be angry with him. He lifted the key meekly and said, "Well, at least lemmme unlock you? You don't wanna be strutting around the castle with those on as bracelets do you?" Despite the joke, Allan was still asking, unsure if Will would let him. He didn't.

"I think I can do it myself thanks." He said contemptuously, and snatched the key from him. However it soon became evident that he couldn't do it himself. He managed to get the left one off fine – but when it came to grasping the key with the burnt hand, he realized how useless it really was. He could barely bend a finger, never mind bring two together to grasp the key, not to mention that it was still shaking violently.

"Oh, come on, mate! Lemme help you!" Allan asked, concerned for the man he'd once called 'brother'. "I don't need your help!" Will barked angrily, frustrated both with the man that had suddenly stopped on his way toward him, and the embarrassment of his faulty hand. Djaq rushed forward and took the key from him, grasping his good hand briefly, as Allan lost his patience and exclaimed heatedly, "Look mate, I'm trying to help you! I just saved your life, you know!"

"That's funny!" Will shouted. "I could have sworn you were helping the sheriff now! But I guess not, huh? My mistake, thanks a lot buddy!" Will's face was red with anger and he tried to cross his arms, only to discover that he couldn't, which made him even more frustrated. They'd been getting closer and closer to each other as the argument got more heated, and as Djaq backed away slowly, unsure who to side with or what to do. So now the two men were a mere foot or so away from each other.

"Look. If you guys had let me back in, I could be doing favors like this for you all the time, but no! You're too high and mighty for that aren't you!" The look on Allan's face was full of anger himself now. Will exploded. Allan's face flew to the side as a hard knuckle collided with it.

Slowly Allan reached up and cupped the left side of his face, cracking his jaw a few times to try to get feeling back into it. Man he packs a good punch. Even when he's wounded. Will was still seething waiting for the angry retort, or the livid response. However the electric blue eyes that finally met his had no fight left in them, just pain, and sadness. "Guess I deserved that." Allan said quietly.

"Yea, guess you did." Will replied harshly, still glaring at the pathetic man, although his hand un-balled itself from its fist. Djaq rushed over to Allan, making to look at his bruised cheek, but he just shook his head at her and closed his eyes, leaving his hand firmly in place over the injury. So she backed up towards Will and wound her arm through his, still looking at Allan, but trying to calm down Will by stroking his hand.

"Right, well here." Allan scurried over to the corner of the room, and pulled out from behind a bookcase two guards outfits in their sizes. He also pulled out the medical kit and stretcher that Marian had forgotten about behind that suit of armor. His eyes darted down briefly to their interlocked hands before he handed out the outfits to the two people he'd once been able to call 'friend'.

"I'll just stand by the door, then - make sure no one tries to come in." He walked dejectedly over to the door and leaned against it, back to them. Djaq gave him a sympathetic look that he didn't see, but Will saw it. He turned his glower to her pouting his lips in disgust. How can she feel empathy towards that inhuman traitor? She scowled right back at him, and folded her arms defiantly. He just saved our lives, and he's trying to tell you he's sorry! But no words were said.

He sighed and closed his eyes, and when he opened them again they weren't filled with the unrestrained rage they had been filled with, but they still glowed with some controllable anger. Djaq was the only one who could ever make him sane when he got angry. But I do have the right to be angry right now, even if I control myself, I have a right to be hurt and angry. He wasn't going to let this go just yet. He couldn't let go of this just yet. Maybe one day, but not today. He wasn't as forgiving as Djaq, and he couldn't call this man 'friend' just yet.

Djaq seemed to understand. At least, she helped him don a guard's uniform. Both being not very talkative people, they'd learned how to read the other's body language months ago. Allan turned back around when they were both well disguised.

"How did you, manage this, Allan?" Djaq asked, honestly curious. "Oh, 'twas nothin really." He said shrugging. "The man who was supposed to get you's name was Craig. So I sent a messenger to Craig telling him a bloke called Greg was doing it and he doesn't have to. Then I sent another messenger to Greg telling him to do it, but that you lot were locked in the tower room at the top of the castle. Needless to say, Greg's probably confused as any'fing right now searching for you high and low in the tower room. When I claimed to be Greg to those guards and presented old Gizzy's seal they let me in without a problem. And, well… you know the rest."

Will's head was spinning. He hadn't registered a word of that but it sounded confusing enough to be a well-done plan. "Brilliant." Djaq breathed, she too had been blown away by the complexity of it, and yet it was so simple at the same time… After Robin Allan had always been the best schemer.

Allan blushed, trying not to look too pleased with himself. He'd told that whole story as nonchalantly as he could. And that was a big deal for Allan who's notoriety was exaggerating and bragging every story (of many) he'd ever told. But he just shrugged, inwardly he knew it was a great plan, it surprised him that he could come up with it – but he didn't want Will to get angry again so he didn't toot his own horn about it.

"How do we get out?" Will asked shortly, forcing himself to not look impressed. "Ah, well, as guards you can go basically anywhere. So I figured we'd just walk over to the open room of the west-wing. That window leads right into the market. I assume you don't want me to come back with you…"Allan trailed off, but Will just stared at him, silently answering his question. "Right, well…" Allan squirmed a bit under Will's gaze. "The nearest landmark from there is probably that store-cave thing we used last year to keep food, before the camp. Why don't you go there to recuperate a bit and I'll send Marian over there in a bit with these." He held up the stretcher and the medical kit.

Defensively Will spat, "I do not need a stretcher." But Djaq placed her hand on his shoulder and scolded him with the sternness of a physician; "Yes, you do. How do you expect to get all the way back to camp on that foot? Besides I need to give you stitches still, and tend to your wounds properly. I can't do that till we're back at camp. So the sooner we get there the better. And it'll certainly be sooner, and less damaging if you don't walk." On his face Will wore the expression of a sulking little boy, but he didn't protest any further.

"Er, right. And in the mean time, if anyone asks, we'll just tell 'em Robin 'ood got the better of ya." Djaq grinned at Allan's joke, still keeping her arm on Will's shoulder. Allan allowed half a smirk to cross his face, which had been ghostly unhappy since their fight (like a shadow of his real face which was always cheekily smiling).

"Alright, we ready to go then?" Allan asked. Both the outlaws nodded. He went and unlocked the door, then opened it for them. Djaq approached the doorway, a look of slight indecision on her face. Then she seemed to decide on something and turned toward Allan. She threw her arms around him in a bear hug, squeezing him tightly. In his ear she whipered, "Thank-you. You saved our lives today, my friend."

He'd have been less surprised if she'd slapped him, in fact he'd half expected her to slap him. So when she hurled herself at him he couldn't do anything except stand there stunned. A look of pure astonishment was on his face, before he tentatively put his arms around her in return. He actually frowned when she'd said 'friend'. He didn't deserve that title, but he was touched that she thought he did.

Will turned his head away, not looking on as his beloved hugged the one he hated… or at least thought he hated… Do I really hate him? As he scrutinized the wall to his left, jaw set in place he discovered something - I don't hate Allan! I'm just still angry with him is all. He sighed inwardly. Who knows, maybe he could come to like Allan again one day… He had called the man 'brother' after all. He shook his head and thought numbly, at least not today. Not today.

Djaq walked out the door and waited for the other two. Allan still held the door but Will didn't move towards it he just stood there looking at Allan coldly. Allan met Will's eyes again and saw that they weren't filled with so much hostility anymore. He made a quick decision knowing it might be the death of him. "Djaq, could you…" he faltered for a minute and his mouth went dry as he felt Will's hard fist against his jaw bone again in memory, but he swallowed and continued knowing it had to be done, "Could you give us a moment?" Djaq nodded understandably and turned her back to them as Allan closed the door for privacy.

There was silence in the room as Allan tried to figure out what to say. Lying had always come easy to him. This was because he felt no remorse lying to someone who didn't matter to him, and seeing as nobody cared about him, nobody mattered to him. But that was before Will and Djaq. He could never lie to Will and Djaq, because he'd finally found friendship in them, and that scared the living daylights out of him.

That was probably been why he didn't know what to say here, because this man was different. This man was the only person Allan had every really considered a friend, other than Djaq. Sure, he liked Robin and the others well enough, when he thought about it, he discovered they were his friends too. But it was nothing like how he felt about Will and Djaq. Will and Djaq had always cared about him, no matter what stupid thing he did. They actually listened to him, and confided things of their own to him. They were the only two really there for him, and he'd let them down. He'd had the best friends he'd ever imagined, better than he thought he'd ever have, and he was an idiot. His idiocy pushed them away. And having this man angry at him, knowing this man had reason to hate him, was killing Allan inside.

Finally Allan choked on his own words. Will had waited patiently for Allan to speak, still upset, but patiently. "Will, I'm so sorry." His whole being was flooded with regret at his stupid idiotic decisions. He wished he could show Will how much he hatred himself. "I know you probably hate me, and you probably should. But I just want you to know, I never meant to hurt anyone. I was stupid and idiotic, just like I always am. And for once in my life, I wasn't the only one affected, or at least I wasn't the only one I cared for. I really care about you. I love you. All of you. And I just wanted to let you know, I'm sorry." Allan's eyes filled with tears and he was mortified by them. He turned away and expected an angry answer. Some response of how he wasn't allowed to feel remorseful, how he'd given up that right months ago. Or he at least expected Will to hobble out the door and try to slam it behind him, but Will stayed where he was, torn.

"Allan" Will said, and honestly didn't know what to say. "Look, what you did to us, it was unforgivable. You hurt me. I thought you were my friend." Allan looked up at him, partially relieved, because this is what he deserved. He saw the pain in Will's eyes, and not the pain of his injuries, which in of themselves caused Allan internal suffering. "You were an idiot." Will half grinned here, then continued, "But even idiocy can sometimes be overlooked between ...brothers." Allan beamed and wiped his eyes.Will went on; "Look, I can't forgive you just yet, alright. Lemme… lemme be angry for a little while longer. What you did to us…" Will closed his eyes for a second to prevent the anger from taking hold of him again, "…it still stings. But… just know I can't stay mad at you forever."

They both nodded at each other, and Allan felt indescribably elated. Will doesn't hate me. After what I did, he doesn't hate me! "Yea well don't worry, you're not the only one. I can't forgive me just yet either." Will smirked at him, but Allan silently decided he would never forgive himself for what he did, that way he'd never hurt his friends like this again. They might eventually love him, but he would always hate himself for what he did.

"By the way…" Allan continued striking his famous smile, "I wasn't being funny, what I wanted to say before was that its about time you two got together." he winked at Will who actually chuckled. This made Will a lot happier than he was letting on. This was Allan's subtle approval, that he would never try to be with Djaq as more than a friend, he knew it, because he knew Allan. This made him relieved, if Allan did come back one day, he wouldn't want a different reason to hate him.

But now Will was tired. He'd been standing for far too long, his whole body was physically exhausted, it had been a long day. He hurt all over. His head still throbbed, his hand shook worse, in fact his whole body had a sort of tremor to it. And man was his back smarting right now.The room spun around him briefly and he felt his knees almost give out.

Allan immediately saw the danger and ran over to Will catching him before he fell. "Alright, buddy." Allan said supporting Will with one arm and fanning his face with the other. "You're all right. You're alright." The room stopped spinning and Will rubbed his forehead with his hand tiredly. He nodded, "Yea…I'm alright." he said weakly. He opened both eyes and looked at Allan who still had his arm around him just in case. "Thanks." Will said, "For everything." Allan smiled at his friend, "It was the least I could do, I mean, I have grown kinda fond of you, I didn't exactly want you to die now did I?" He made a joke despite the fact that that was probably the nicest thing that he could have heard right about then, and was extremely grateful, but Will understood.

"C'mon." Will said grinning, "Let's go before Djaq thinks we've killed each other."

"Sounds like a plan" Allan replied extraordinarily joyful. God I love these two. Then Allan and Djaq helped Will through the west wing until they were out of the castle.

--

Yup it was Allan. I have to admit, I thought I was being really clever and subtle, and no one would guess it was Allan. But then somebody had to mention in the reviews that they thought it was him and I realized I really wasn't subtle enough after all (Good going Rivan Warrioress!). Aw well. I really wanted an Allan redemption scene so I'm glad I could add that in. I also had to have Will hit Allan, it just had to be done, otherwise he might hold onto unreleased, pent up anger toward him forever. Plus Allan kinda deserved it - even if he deserves forgiveness too. There's probably gonna be one or two wrap-up chapters (most likely one). So hold on a bit and I'll get write on it! (haha writing pun gettit? … wow …that was bad even for me…) Thanks for reading and please review! D