Chapter 6 – Trouble and Strife

Edward: Marian!

Marian: Father I am here!

Edward: Thank heavens child. Where are we?

Marian: Shh! Try to rest.

Edward: I am ill, not a child. Do not speak to me as such. We are in the castle!

Marian: There were no physicians. Sir Guy said you would be looked after if only we moved back to Nottingham. It was for the best. You are getting better now.

Edward: Take me home!

Marian: Father – I

Edward: I will not stay here. Take me home – today!

Much stood back wiping his hands on his tunic after the last rock was placed on the mound. He was sweating with exertion, with worry and with fear. He looked anxiously round the others gathered around Forest's grave, waiting for someone to break the silence and relieve the tension.

Where had Will got to? Again!

Oh alright I suppose I will have to be the one who....

"I liked him"

All eyes turned to Allan a Dale, who had spoken.

He regarded them all as he continued.

"He wasn't the best of us that is for sure. I mean he would rob you blind soon as look at you. But he wasn't a bad man, not deep down. I think he found some purpose after Robin came, bit like us all really" he tailed off at this part, as if coming to a realisation.

"Why did he leave?" asked Djaq, her curiosity piqued.

He shrugged in response.

"We woke up one day and he was gone, no sign, no message, nothing." Much sounded aggrieved at this. "That's all the thanks Robin got for everything he did for him."

"He couldn't write Much" argued Allan.

"That's no excuse for deserting us in the night, deserting John. I mean he ran with John for years before we came along."

Typically Much would not be put off, even now.

John remained silent, staring at the mound, his features expressionless. Robin was equally quiet as the enormity of recent events struck him.

"Just like that, one day they were here – him and Hanson - and the next – gone"

"Much! Shut up!" John did not seem to even have the energy to growl at him. "He went to be with his wife. Just as I should have done." And with that he turned and left leaving silence as an aftermath.

After a while Robin finally spoke.

"It is a sad day for us all. This was not supposed to happen. But it has. Forest is dead. He was one of us. But there are many more who need us now. We have the living to tend to; there is much work still to be done."

Allan a Dale noted the sadness etched in Robin's voice, and recognised the same note of exhaustion that they all had when they spoke. It was a weariness borne of fatigue and despair. An emotion that was entirely at odds with the typical optimistic outlook that Robin of Locksley normally exuded. However the determination was just the same as ever and he wondered, not for the first time, what it must have been like to fight for him in the Holy Lands. Yes they had fought together side by side, but he had never truly seen a battlefield, littered with wounded, dying and dead. Although he would never admit it to the others, he admired Much for his loyalty and unfailing commitment to his master, despite the horrors they would have witnessed.

Could Allan a Dale ever claim to be so loyal?

He did not dare answer the question he posed to himself as Robin wandered away to speak to John, leaving Much, Allan and Djaq staring after them.

"Right! You heard him. Let's go. I suppose no one has considered what we are having for supper? I thought not." He strode off towards the cooking fire muttering "Where is Will anyway? "

Allan a Dale turned to face Djaq. She appeared to be lost in thought and he took the opportunity to admire her coal black eyes, and her cropped hair, which now it was growing a little, seemed to be developing a curl. He fought the urge to feel the smooth skin around her cheekbones, and wondered to himself if it did indeed feel like silk as he imagined.

"Penny for 'em" he quipped.

"Hmm?"

"It's a saying, I give you a penny and you tell me what you are thinking."

"Oh!" for once she did not raise to his baiting.

"Djaq?" he prompted, wondering what was going through her mind.

"I do not think I can defeat this thing Allan" she declared suddenly. "I have tried every herb I know to bring down the fever, all the standard treatment that I have learned is not working. And now we have the first death! I fear it is the first of many."

He sensed her frustration at this illness that would not lie down in defeat no matter what she seemed to do.

"Djaq, it's not your fault." He said, trying to soothe her.

"Robin looks to me for the answers and I do not have them."

She shook her head in frustration, desperately holding back the tears that threatened to fall. No you do not cry like a woman – you are Djaq.

"Djaq if anyone can beat this thing it is you. You are the best physician I have ever seen. You will find a way, I know you will."

"I do not think so. I have seen this before. Better physicians than I have not been able to find a cure. All I can do is hope, but there is little of that left to us." As she spoke the treacherous tears made their presence known and she scrubbed furiously at her eyes to stop them.

"Come here!" he said simply. And he enveloped her in his arms and she found herself sinking into his strength with relief, letting him bear the burden just for a short while. Allan a Dale was the last person she expected to offer her comfort in an hour of need. But here he was, quietly comforting her as she battled with her demons. It felt so good for all that it was somewhat unexpected and in her surprise at his act of compassion, she found her control again. Her cool analytical mind began to take over as she started to formulate new herbal combinations to try and defeat the fever. She needed to discuss her ideas with someone. John was the obvious person.

She missed Will, where was he?

Dismissing the unbidden thought she moved away from Allan and smiled up at him.

"Thank-you Allan"

He smiled in response and lifted his hand to wipe away the evidence of tears, cupping her cheek as he did so. And with a nod she gently moved his hand away and walked back to the barn to look in on her patients.

Still feeling the softness of her face on the palm of his hand Allan could not help but grin as he turned to follow Robin and John, only to come face to face with a scowling Will Scarlett, his exhausted reddened eyes doing little to hide the look of disgust on his features.

-o0o-

Will let the axe fall, using its own momentum for its final strike, simply not having the strength to put any force into it again. As its echo died out in the forest he became aware of the total silence surrounding him and stood for a moment to savour the moment of calm.

It was a welcome respite from the turmoil that was coursing through every fibre of his body and the exhaustion that threatened to consume him and he rubbed his grubby hand across his face

Every moment of spare time these last three days he had been working, escaping to the gully that he had discovered in his fall after his brawl with Allan. He realised that he had in fact been running for days. Running away from prying eyes and condescending glances from the lads.

Not that he hadn't been doing his fair share to help the sick. God no! Whatever Robin had asked of him he had done without complaint at how menial it had seemed. Gathered firewood to keep the sick warm, made simple a-frame cots for those unfortunate enough to have succumbed to the fever and illness, fed them and sat with them to offer comfort. However hollow the words had felt when he had spoken them.

For how could a man who doubted himself so truly offer comfort?

He had seen Robin struggle with the weight of the situation on his shoulders, becoming short tempered after his words with Marian and barking out orders to Much as he scurried backwards and forwards. He had watched John going off to gather medicinal herbs for Djaq and wished he knew more about them to be of some help. As for Djaq he had seen the look of despair on her face when she thought no one was looking in between tending to her patients. But he had been too uncertain about her reaction to him to approach her and offer her comfort even though he wanted to with his whole being. To wrap his arms around her and tell her that everything would be alright.

He had barely even looked at Allan. Still feeling guilty at what they had done together and still too ashamed at throwing the first punch in their fight.

So whenever Robin had told him to go and get a few hours rest he instead had disappeared off to work on the camp. The permanent camp that he envisioned would seal over any doubts that the others had of his intents and that would also seal over his guilt.

When all of this illness was over and he was complete he would show them how he had worked to put everything right and how sorry he was that it had happened in the first place.

The pace that he had set himself however was daunting and Will was exhausted. In three days he had barely gotten more than an hour's sleep at a time and every muscle and bone ached. Looking at his hand as he lowered it from his face he saw that it shook slightly from fatigue and that it appeared paler than even he was used to.

Maybe he should be getting back to the barn? After all he had been gone for about 3 hours now and Robin had said to him "Go and get a few hours rest my friend, I cannot be doing with my lads ill at this time too."

Yes he needed to get back and splash some water on his face to wake him up and make it appear at least that he had been getting some rest.

So it was that thought that made him stow away what he was working on under the great branches of an old oak tree and begin to make his way back to the barn. Every footstep feeling heavier as he drew near.

He wondered what the others would be doing as he approached from around the far side of the barn and stopped dead in his tracks at the scene which greeted him. Too shocked to move he stood peering around the corner of the barn and watched.

Watched as he saw them gathered around a fresh grave. Someone had died? But who had died that would cause the mixed emotions that were playing out on the faces of his friends?

He was too far away to hear what was being said but knew from the way that John stormed off that he was angry and upset. It was what happened next though that made a darkness descend upon him. Allan and Djaq! Allan had scooped an emotional Djaq into a comforting hug. His arms enveloping her, muttering words to her and when he released her he lifted his trickster hand to wipe the tears from her face!

Will felt anger and jealousy rising in him but he stood rooted to the spot. Now wasn't the time to go rushing over and demand an explanation. They would all look at him in disbelief and probably disgust.

Instead he straightened himself up and stood rooted to the spot as he saw Djaq make her way back to the barn. Allan made to follow Robin and John and Will suddenly found himself glaring into the blue eyes of his friend.

-o0o-

Marian wandered through the all too familiar passages of Nottingham Castle with a troubled mind. During her youth, the familiar passageways had always been a source of excitement for her as she explored the stairwells and alcoves, and a place of solace whenever she missed her mother and needed to be alone. Now there was no comfort for her within the thick walls that served more as prison than sanctuary these days.

The irony of her situation irked her. It was so unfair. She had made a bargain with Sir Guy and was honour bound to keep her end of it. She had done it to give her Father the best chance possible to survive, and it appeared to have been a successful ploy. But now her Father wanted to go home, and she had to find a way to make that happen. Could she appeal to Guy's better nature?

She rolled her eyes at the thought, knowing full well that Guy's reasons for holding her at the castle were little to do with the welfare of her father or her for that matter. He was punishing her for leaving him at the altar, despite her justifiable reasons for doing so. Often she would find herself worrying that he had discovered her secret about who her heart truly belonged to, but then would comfort herself with the thought that if he truly did find out about her and Robin, then she would be in mortal danger.

Small comfort!

She sighed as she meandered towards her father's chamber, trying to think of some way that they could leave and return to Knighton. Clearly not today, Father was still not well enough, but perhaps they could be home before Sunday.

She jumped suddenly as the door to the chamber opened and the physician walked out with the black clad figure of Guy of Gisborne. Her heart pounding, she rushed over, suddenly frightened that her Father had relapsed.

"Relax Marian, all is well." Sir Guy may have intended to be soothing, but Marian could sense the sinister undertones in his words. "I asked the good man here to look in on your father to be sure that he is on the mend as you say."

"You are both too kind" she managed to say, as she nervously stood on the balls of her feet as if ready to flee.

"Yes, he is making a good recovery. I am very pleased with his progress. I expect that it has a great deal to do with the loving care he has received. I wish all my patients were faring as well."

The physician had clearly said too much as he was dismissed with a nod of the head before Marian could ask any more questions. Not that that had ever stopped her before.

"What other patients? Does the Sheriff not fare well?"

"He is still with the fever. It is a waiting game for now" Gisborne replied curtly. He made to leave, but Marian needed to find out more.

"Sir Guy!" she walked over to him, putting her head to one side in a way she knew he couldn't resist. "You are acting Sheriff. What news from the Shire? Has the fever spread as we feared?"

He regarded her for a moment before answering. "The fever has struck all the villages. There are reports of dead in Locksley, Clun and Nettlestone, as well as here in Nottingham. Many more are ill and not expected to last the week."

Marian was horrified. Robin was right. How could she be so blind to the needs of the people? Whatever it took she had to do what she could to help.

"What are we doing to help them?"

"There is little we can do but wait. This illness has done little for the war effort Marian, with people sick, or nursing the sick; no one is tending the fields, or trading in the market. People are desperate and prepared to steal, so I have had to double the guard on the winter stores, and on the vaults. These are testing times Marian and we must be strong against them. We cannot show weakness, especially not now."

She shook her head in denial at his words.

"Sir Guy, it is not weakness to show your fellow man that you have compassion for his plight. Do you not see that by helping people by giving them food and blankets, they stand a better chance of recovering and then returning to the fields? People are sick! Children. Surely by principal we cannot leave them to suffer..."

"Do not preach to me Marian. Where were your precious principals when you bargained with me for a physician for your father? You quickly acquiesced and returned to the luxury afforded you here. If you cared so much for your people you should have stayed at Knighton to nurse maid them."

With those stinging words in her ears she watched his retreating back, knowing that this time Sir Guy of Gisborne had the better of her. She stood for an age, cursing her own blindness, her lack of rational thinking in the face of a sick Father. She had made her bed, now she had to lie in it. Sir Guy had insisted that she stay at Nottingham all the while he was acting Sheriff, and in return he would give her access to the physicians tending the Sheriff. And for the sake of her Father and against her better judgement she had agreed.

Robin had told her it was folly. And he was right. She wished she could see him, talk to him, even help him. But she was trapped in Nottingham.

But what about the Nightwatchman?

Filled with resolve she turned and entered her father's chamber.

-o0o-

Will Scarlett had not looked directly into the eyes of Allan a Dale for over a week. His shame and guilt had not allowed him to do it; he might see the self loathing that was there.

But for that instant while the exhausted young man stared into the satisfied features of his closest friend, the self recrimination was washed away in a flood of jealous frustration. No! It could not be true. Instinctively Will's hands gripped his hatchet at his waist as he fought to control the surge of anger that threatened to overwhelm him.

How he longed to wipe that smug smile off his face!

Allan a Dale, in contrast, was pleased with himself. There he was being a good friend to Djaq, offering her comfort when it was needed. You never know where that may lead my lad he thought to himself as he strode purposefully in the direction of the others. He stopped short at the bedraggled sight of Will Scarlett and realised that he had probably been witness to the scene between him and Djaq.

He hoped that Will knew that it had been innocent. Well sort of.
At first Allan was relieved to see his friend and his smile widened to a grin. He had been worried about him, always disappearing off, and by the looks of him he was not resting during those times. His smile faded to a frown as he took in his appearance, the gaunt features, sunken eyes and haunted expression amid fading bruises told him that all was not well.

"Where have you been?" he demanded, "you look like death!" he had not intended to sound like a parent chiding an errant child, but the words were said now and there was no taking them back.
Will's exhausted mind had no words to say in response. Hanging on to rational thought by a hairs width, he decided that this was one of those times that discretion was the best option and he turned and walked away, leaving a perplexed Allan a Dale standing staring after him.

"What did I do? He yelled after the retreating figure. Still getting no response other than a wave of his hand, he felt the stirrings of anger towards Will, which swept aside any feelings of sympathy or concern. He ran after him, not wanting to let this one alone.

"Oi! I was talking to you!" he growled.

"Just leave it Allan!" Will spoke through gritted teeth, as he attempted to control his temper.

"Leave what exactly? Look mate, I don't know what your problem is, but you ain't been here have you? So don't think you can swan in all high and mighty and acting as if people aren't allowed to have feelings except you. For your information, Forest just died! So we are all feeling a bit angry and frustrated not just you. We had to bury him straight away, as we had other people to consider. And where were you eh? Gone! As usual!"

The impact of Allan's words struck him like an axe blow.

"Forest is dead?" he looked down to the ground in remorse. What did his petty jealousies matter in the face of that? Closing his eyes, his shoulders slumped and he sighed, feeling tears prick behind his eyelids.

He looked back up to his friend, shaking his head.

"Allan, I'm s-"

But Allan a Dale had little time for apologies and had walked away in disgust from a bereft Will Scarlett.

He walked over to the grave and stood beside it, lost in thought. He had known that Forest had been brought into the camp, delirious with fever. They had all exclaimed their concern at his condition and he had vowed to go and see him when he returned from building. But now he was gone! So quickly! How could they defeat such an onslaught? His thoughts turned as ever to Djaq and how she must be struggling, and understood why she must have needed comfort in the arms of a friend.

"I'm sorry" he mumbled to the grave, not quite sure who he was apologising to. His head ached and he shivered as he closed his eyes as if in prayer. Deep down he knew that it wasn't simply down to exhaustion.

"Not yet!" he told himself. "Too much to do."

"Ah! So there you are!"

Will opened his eyes again preparing himself for the lecture from Much, who did not look overly friendly.

"Have you eaten?"

"What?" he hadn't expected that.

"There's food over there – I suggest you go and eat something. Whatever it is you are doing when you disappear, it better be good. But my Master does not need us all falling over from hunger and exhaustion, and by the looks of you that is exactly what is going to happen to you."

And at that Much walked off leaving him alone again and confused this time.

He saw the logic in Much's words though and decided to get some food before reporting to Robin. He was relieved to see that there were few people at the cooking pot and he gratefully received a bowl of warm broth from one of the village women helping with the running of the hospital.

He found a hidden niche by a giant oak tree and sank into it, quickly ladling the comforting liquid into his mouth. Once finished he rested his head against the tree and closed his eyes, just for a second, his mind going over the plan for the hideout he was creating. He had just enough rope to make a net for the entrance door he had built. He was sure the lever and hoist mechanism he had made would work and thanked the Lord for the time he spent with Stephen, the genius who could engineer all sorts of mechanisms and who had taught him many skills of his trade. He mentally listed all the logs and beams that he would need and went over his plan to take a horse for pulling the logs over towards the gully.

Drifting off with his thoughts, his subconscious became aware only of the sounds of the forest, the rustling of the wind through the trees, the calls of the woodland birds, and the faint murmur of conversation in the distance. Soothed by the hum and the breathing of the world around him he found himself falling, deep and downwards into blissful sleep.

He snapped his head up as he heard the sound of voices approaching the cooking pot.

"I sent him here for food John! I swear!"

"Hmm where has that lad gone to this time?" John sounded peeved and Will knew that he should make his presence known, but the next voice he heard stopped him.

"It is not like him! He should be here helping us, not disappearing! I do not understand this behaviour!"

Djaq's words were spoken in anger and they stabbed like a dagger through his heart. It screamed for him to own up, to take away the obvious disappointment that they felt towards him. But his body refused to move and instead he listened, anticipating the punishment that he knew he deserved.

"Whatever it is lass, I am sure there is a good explanation. And if I need to I will shake it out of him! Come on maybe he is with Robin" and they wandered off again.

"Show them Will, show them what you are doing! They will understand!" The inner voice urged him desperate for him to find peace with the others and with himself.

"No!" he replied to it stubbornly. "No explanations, I have to finish this on my own. I have to give them the camp before it is too late."

And he quietly rose and made his way back to the gully, knowing that he could not leave it now until he had finished what he had to do.

-o0o-

Marian urged her horse on through the last of the woods before Locksley keeping low in the saddle to avoid low branches and boughs as the trees thinned out. Keeping both hands firmly on the reigns she tried to ignore the dull throb in her stomach where the stitches that Djaq had so expertly sown up her wound were jostled by the up and down motion in the saddle.

It had been a miracle that she had survived at all and Marian thanked god every morning for her life, for the skill of Djaq and for the death bead admissions that she and Robin had finally shared. Admitting their true feelings only when faced with loosing each other and finally being honest.

Now however her last words to him had been harsh before she had agreed to go with Guy and followed him to the castle to get better treatment for her father. She had been angry with him, furious even that he should suggest that she didn't care about the people of Knighton in their time of need. Her father was ill, he was the only family that she had now and she had been blinded by that fact.

Until the harsh reality of the situation had slapped her in the face in that meeting with Guy outside her father chamber. People were suffering all over the surrounding area not just her beloved Knighton and yet she was seeking sanctuary in the grey imposing walls of the castle for the sake of her father who did not even want to be there.

That had made her mind up.

After making sure that her father was comfortable for the time being and sleeping she had gently kissed his forehead and made her way to her own chambers loudly telling the servants that she needed sleep and was not to be disturbed.

Pulling the Nightwatchmans disguise on she had winced when she saw the sewn up hole where the small blade had plunged into her with evil intent. The mask sliding into place to cover her features made her bolder and she had allowed herself a small smile of confidence. No one would believe that the Nightwatchman was alive let alone be looking for him.

And so she had managed to sneak from her chambers unnoticed and through the dank passageways of the castle in flickering torchlight. Guy had been right that there were more guards on duty but she knew when to make a move and when to remain motionless.

Besides it had been easy for her to silence the two guards outside the stables. They had hit the ground unconsciously before they could even cry out and were now bound and gagged in the dark recesses of the stable. No one would find them for hours and she would hopefully be back by then.

Now she could finally see the old barn on the outskirts of Locksley after a furious ride and she pulled tightly on the reigns to stop the horse. It neighed loudly and came to 'a stop where she slowly dismounted so as not to tear her wound. Tying the horse to a nearby tree she walked over to the barn.

There were people milling around outside, some stood around a makeshift cooking pot holding out bowls for a meagre portion of stew and others carrying stricken family members towards the half open doors. One burly man who was obviously ill himself held an ashen faced child in his arms. She couldn't have been more than four years old and her mass of blonde curls hung limply besides her face

She saw Much rush out and scoop the child into his arms concern etched across his face mingled in with anxiety and exhaustion and then there was John appearing to help the man. Pulling one of his arms over his shoulder and supporting his weight effortlessly.

Much didn't see her approach as he went inside the barn but John certainly did. He stopped for a moment with a shocked look on his face and closer up Marian could see that even he was showing signs of stress and strain. How could she have let them do this alone whilst she had swanned off to the castle?

John inclined his head in the direction of the barn answering her unspoken question.

Robin was inside. She needed to talk to him.

Taking a deep breath she followed John inside and stopped suddenly when she saw the scene before her. The sick were everywhere, taking up most of the floorspace on simple makeshift cots. There was a fire blazing in the centre to heat the place and those who were not as ill as others were tending to those worse off.

The smell was overpowering at first but Marian fought against the urge to run back out into the fresh air. She saw Much tenderly lay the small child on a cot and then saw the nimble form of Djaq rush over to assess her. Marian watched in wonder as Djaqs skilled hands and mind went to work, checking the girl for a fever and any other symptoms. It wasn't worth placing a wager as to how had she was working to find a cure.

Every fibre in Marians being wanted to rush over and help the girl, help the others but she needed to speak to Robin first and so with a heavy heart she tore her eyes away from the scene in front of her and began to scan the barn, looking for his wiry figure.

She couldn't see him at first, he wasn't around any of the beds or the fire...where was he?

Then her heart gave a lurch as she saw him. He was up in the loft section of the barn and deep in the shadows. It was a wonder that she had seen him at all to be honest but the way he appeared made her forget her anger from when they had last spoken. He was sitting slumped down against the barn wall with his head down and propped up by his hands that rested around his eyes and on his temples. She had not seen him like this before and was shocked.

Without even knowing what she was doing Marian found herself walking over the barn and climbing the ladder to the loft space. She was ghostly quiet as it was the only way she knew to move when dressed as the Nightwatchman and he did not even notice her until she crouched beside him and put her hand on his arm.
He seemed lost in his own thoughts and jumped at her touch. "Marian! What are you doing here?" he said softly looking at her through sad eyes.

She pulled down her hood and slid her mask over her head now that nobody else could see her. There was no use in going over the argument that they had had three days previously. She regretted it deeply and saw that he had been right. Yes her father was ill but the people needed her too.

"Robin...I am sorry for what I said to you and for leaving you to deal with all of this. I was stubborn and pig headed. All that I could think about was the wellbeing of my father. I forgot the people who I am responsible for and..." she said but was interrupted.

Robin reached a hand up to cup her face and her gaze was drawn to his. She saw the thin lines of strain around his eyes and the dark circles that told of his worry and fatigue.

"Shhh now...all that matters is that you are here now Marian. I am at a loss of what to do? More ill come in by the hour and no matter how hard we work we don't seem to be able to stop it! Djaq is trying everything to find a cure, Much is playing nursemaid to everyone, Allan and John are running around doing everything possible and Will...well when he isn't slogging away at whatever I ask he disappears! We cannot go on like this. I need your help."

His eyes looked to hers and she saw the fear in them now. Fear that he couldn't help the people. Fear that more would die.

"What do you want me to do Robin? I am here to help." She leant forwards and put her arms around him to comfort him knowing how he hated to show weakness in front of his gang.
Here though- out of prying eyes she could allow him to let his guard down.

-o0o-

When they climbed down the ladder Robin had put his fears aside and wore the mask of a leader again. Strong, confident, exuding strength. Marian meanwhile had donned her mask and hood again in front of the villagers.

They stood side by side, ready to fight this illness and take on the task of getting everyone well again. Robin saw Allan slink in the doorway and called him over with a wave and a shout. He then turned to Much, Djaq and John and beckoned them over.
Once again Will was nowhere to be found. What on earth was he doing?

"Right listen up everyone. Obviously this illness is still spreading faster than we can cope and we have already lost far too many people to it...God rest their souls."

Lowering his voice so that the Villagers could not hear he said "Marian as agreed to return to Nottingham castle and raid the Sheriffs alchemy stores to see what herbs and remedies he has there for Djaq to use...she is also going to keep us informed on the goings on there. Apparently the Sheriff has been struck down by the illness and Gisborne is in charge...and we all know how tyrannical he can be."

He looked towards Marian and although he could not see her features under the mask he knew that she would be staring at him with a determined appearance on her face.

"Whilst we wait for the supplies we keep doing what we have been doing for now. You are all working so hard and I thank you my friends. I know that it has not been easy. I am proud of you."
He heard Much give a disdainful snort next to him and turned to the man questioningly.

"Well I am sorry to interrupt Master but what about Will? He keeps disappearing and when he turns up he looks like he is going to keel over himself! Have you spoken to him recently?" said Much.

Robin thought for a second and realised that Much was right. He hadn't seen Will for hours and even then he had barely spoken to the man as he had been helping a woman to her bed. In fact he remembered he had yelled over to Will to go get a few hours rest after he had seen the man stumble over some firewood.

Much had obviously seen the look on his face and continued on. "He was back a while ago- looked a complete state, as though he hadn't slept in days. Took a bowl of broth and then I had to come back in here. I have no idea where he is now. Another disappearing act again?"

"We went to look for him before too." Said Djaq in a weary voice. "After you had told us that he was eating the broth by the tree but we could not find him. You say he looked bad Much? How bad?"

Much looked like he was about to retort but it was at this moment when Allan gave an awkward little cough. He had been silent until this point mulling over the harsh words that he and Will had exchanged again.

Everyone looked towards him and saw him standing there with his right hand scratching the side of his face. "Err...look I saw him before too. Right after we buried Forest he was stood besides the barn and he wasn't in the best of moods. His eyes were as red as anything and he was as pale as a ghost. Stalked away from me in a foul mood and got me really riled up."

Allan looked up at the others awkwardly not wanting to admit that they had had another argument. "See, the thing is that I was angry myself at loosing Forest and err...well maybe I said some harsh words...things I regretted straight afterwards."

"Another argument!" growled John.

"Where has he gone now?" said Robin. This wasn't good news. He thought that they had put their differences behind them during this time. Now wasn't the time for them to carry on the fighting. Will needed to be here with the gang...well after a good rest by the sounds of the state that he had worked himself up into.

Allan glanced over nervously at Djaq and inwardly cringed when he saw the glare that was emanating in his direction from her. He shrugged apologetically.

"Allan, did he look feverish to you? Did he shake at all? You said he looked ghostly pale. Tell me?"

He thought for a moment at Wills appearance. True he had never seen the man look like that before and come to think of it he had been sweating slightly but he could not remember seeing him shake. He let his eyes drift to the floor as the implications of what Djaq was implying hit him.

Kicking at the dirt floor awkwardly in front of him he spoke "Yeah he looked a little sweaty."

'Oh god' he thought to himself. "Please don't let him be ill."

He saw Djaq step forward and look at Robin, fear in her eyes.

"Robin we have to find him."