AN: This concludes Robin's story. Thanks to all who have read it and keep a watch out for Redemption Lost which will delve into Gisbourne's past and his attempts to come to terms with his actions.

The jokes and laughter have returned to the outlaw's camp. New men have joined them. Men with hope of a better England where good people aren't forced to lie, and cheat, and steal or die for doing the right thing.

The new come to follow a legend not knowing or caring about the man he once was. Robin Hood is simply their savior, the spirit of England, the county's only hope.

The old, who remember the man before cruel fate stole his soul, the man with the fierce ideals and cocky grin, watch their leader closely always ready to step up when his fight seems too long. To be there when the savior needs saving.

If he prefers to sit by himself lost in memories they are content to let him be. He does his job. They can even manage on rare occasion to get a small smile from him and they know he will be alright. It is enough.

Robin Hood keeps watch over Nottingham now. He has finally grown up and grown cynical. He no longer views King Richard as some superhuman who would save them all. He is only a man the same as any other and when, if, he returns the poor will still need help. The fight must continue on. Hood knows the people can betray him, that even friends can.

Robin of Locksley is dead, buried in unforgiving desert sands with his wife. He has no desire to reclaim Locksley now. Without her beauty to light its interior it's just a place as dark and cold as any other. The forest is his home now and will remain so until his fight is over.

He is truly Robin Hood now: an ideal, a cause. Her cause and he will not let her down even though the temptation to end it all is sometimes overwhelming. He relies on the gang to get him through those moments of weakness. They remind him of a promise made and that he must keep and he finds the strength to be patient. He'll be with her again someday. For now he has a job to finish.

With every victory he can feel her smiling down on him. Sometimes he swears he can see her. Her name is never spoken but she's always in his heart and thoughts still as much a part of him as the air he breathes. He knows she's still with him, that she'll always be with him and that urges him on.

In dreams he lives the life fate has denied him only to wake to feel the same aching emptiness. He knows it will not go away until he is allowed to join her. This is his path now. He's accepted that and can only hope death comes sooner rather than later.

The breeze kicks up strongly stirring the leaves around their tree and he smiles. "I'm going, my love." He kisses the ring he wears with his tag before heading back to camp. There is work to do and heaven and Marian are waiting. It is enough.