(So, this is it, basically. I want to thank everyone who reviewed loads.
RocMySox, Mira-and-Allan, Suzanne-rh, LittleMissSparkles, Mizco, twin1, Musicislife-x, Emoras, Scarlet's Baby, DeathlyElegance, DeanParker, confessions-of-a-secret-lover, Honey Dipped Roses, El Gringo Loco, Soulprovider, Small-fri, Candyfloss77, Beauty11, Keiri Brandon, Kat Priestly, MissWed, Javelinbabe73, and CalonLan.
Thank you especially to those of you who reviewed the whole way through. This story is for you.
Kat Priestly: Thanks! Yeah, I really wanted Will to be happy before he died, and I wanted him married. This is the last one!
Mira-and-Allan: I actually found it very difficult to kill Will. Seriously, these two chapters are possibly the hardest pieces I've ever had to write.
Small-Fri: I know! I'm sorry...
Emoras: Really? You're okay with this? -Is relieved- That's alright, then... Erm, this might sound weird, but I've forgotten exactly what the 'ray of hope' was... which is a little worrying...
Candyfloss77: I'm sorry... it was a very sad day for me...
Keiri Brandon: Yeah, I know. Kind of takes the suspense out of it...Thanks!
Epilogue
She held his hand until the light left his eyes.
They buried him the next day, in the forest.
It's what he would have wanted. Or so they told themselves.
A spot was chosen, beside the memorial of his father. They would have made him one, too, but they couldn't. They had lost the skills and expertise that such a project required.
"…He will always be remembered as the hero he truly was." Robin Hood stopped, waiting for someone to speak.
"Him…Him we liked." Little John. The silent-but-strong giant. His tough exterior masked the emotions he felt. Djaq could feel them, whirling through him…
"Yes. He died a hero. He…" Marian stopped, unable to continue, and Robin put a comforting arm around her. She buried her head in his shoulder, crying softly.
Much stepped forward. He was once Robin's most trusted manservant, before the days of the war… He continued for Marian, "We won't forget him."
They all look at Allan. Aside from Djaq, he was the one they sympathised with the most-- Allan and Will had been like brothers. The trickster, usually unable to shut up, choked over his words, "Yeah... I'll miss you, mate..."
The gang had only accepted Allan back because that had been what Will had wanted... Allan hadn't been there for Will-- he had even admitted to causing Will some damage himself.
Tears, unusual for Djaq, although she seemed to have been experiencing them a lot lately, ran down her cheeks, but she made no attempt to stop them. There was no point any more.
With Will gone, there was a horrible, empty sort of hole in her.
A hole that only Will Scarlett, with his incredible talent and charm, could fill… I love him. She always would. There was no doubt about that.
The other Outlaws wished collectively that they could comfort her. But there was nothing they could say. Not ever. What she needed now was her husband.
When Will died, a part of Djaq had died, too. Her heart, she supposed. It would always belong to him.
Gisbourne had ruined many lives, by murdering Will.
Djaq remembered her father's words when they had buried her mother, "The dead are in peace, my darling. Only the living suffer." She knew instinctively that he was happy.
And yet, only the ghost of Djaq remained.
Will's brother and sister approached. Becky was crying openly for her twin, and Luke's face was hard and set. He was trying to stay strong, but failing. He held on to his sister tightly, as if just having her there would comfort him.
"Sorry, Will... I'm sorry... I'll do my best to live up to your standards..."
Becky nodded silently, still sobbing. They had lost both their parents, and now their brother.
But at least they still had each other.
The remaining Scarlett's turned to one another, conversing quietly. After a minute or so, Becky nodded with an air of dreaded finality. But it was Luke who spoke.
"I want to join you, Robin. I can't replace Will, but I share his skills. I could be of use to you."
Robin nodded, thinking it over, "But what of your sister? You cannot leave her..." He turned to regard her, "Perhaps... she should stay, also."
Her eyes widened at the proposition, and she nodded quickly, "Yes. I will do whatever I can."
Djaq's thick, Saracen accent stumbled over the words as she tried to force them from her mouth. She started again, "Will… Will was everything to me… He was my world… I loved him, my husband…"
She looked away, trying to escape the sympathy of the others. Her eyes fell again on his body, laid on a bed of wood. He could be asleep…
He made that bed. In fact, looking around, there was hardly anything here that wasn't made by him. He had certainly made his mark. But she wouldn't change that... She wouldn't forget him. None of them would ever forget him.
Elizabeth was last to speak. Her eyes were devoid of tears, but they shone brightly, remembering, "I won't ever forget you, Will. And though... though your heart belongs to another, you will always hold mine."
She glanced directly at Djaq, and their eyes met for a minute. Each understood the pain the other was feeling.
Despite their differences, they would be united forever in the love of one man.
Will Scarlett; Outlaw, Carpenter, Brother, Husband, Friend, as much a Champion of the poor as Robin Hood himself.
Freedom Fighter.
XxXxX
10 years later...
Djaq visits his grave every day. She brings flowers, too, and tell him about the Gang. About Becky and Luke's many triumphs, of Much's dreadful cooking, and of the King's much-anticipated return. She told him of the Sheriff and Gisbourne's hanging-- there had been no champion to save them, and they had died. She mentioned Robin and Marian's wedding, of Much's appointment as the new Sheriff of Nottingham, with Lady Deannie as his wife, and of John's happy return to his wife and son. She even tells him of Allan and Becky's wedding, and of Luke.
But this morning, the whole gang comes with her, along with their children. Robin and Marian come first after Djaq, a child on each hand. Much and Deannie arrive next, with their son, who eyes up Robin's oldest daughter. She blushes prettily in return, the spitting image of Marian, who looks stern.
They are betrothed, just as Robin and Marian once were.
Becky arrives, looking weary. Djaq doesn't blame her. She knows how cheeky and troublesome the twins are. Just like their father, who still often wears his cocky grin.
Luke talks to Elizabeth. He recently started courting her, and Djaq is happy for them.
John, who now has more grey than brown in his beard, comes last, with Alice and John. They complete the group once known as the Outlaws.
It's been ten years since he died.
Everything else has changed, but not her love for him. That is undying; as deep as the oceans, and as high as the heavens above. It will last for eternity.
And, as Will Scarlett smiles down at his friends from that exact place, he is certain of that knowledge.
FIN.
(So, that's it. I really hope you liked it... I wanted to update quickly, just to finish the whole thing off. Thank you, once again, to all those who reviewed. You keep me writing. Feel free to drop another one, before you go... (That was a hint, by the way...)
Much love, as always, BeckyScarlett x )