The Road to Middle-Earth

A fanfiction by MushrooomsPTook

Disclaimer: I own nothing. You might as well say it owns me!

A/N – I love you all! 100 reviews? You guys are the best, thank you! I hope you like this chapter. It was so weird to write, I don't even know why. Let me know what you think. :) ::Many kisses to you all::

Chapter Twenty-Five: A Silent Farewell

My heart was racing as I neared Sherwood forest. Soon I would be reunited with Robin's merry men and hopefully Robin himself, and then we could start to formulate a plan. But right now, I was biting back the panic that was threatening to spill out into tears. I had to be strong, not for myself but for my cousin. She needed me, and I would go to any length in order to get her out of that dreaded castle. I ripped the Galdorcarr from around my neck and clutched it in my hand, wishing I could squeeze it into a thousand pieces for the trouble it had gotten me into. After all, I knew the Sheriff was not interested in me, but the key that I bore. If I were to marry him, who knows what would happen the day after. He may just as well murder me.

An arrow shot down in front of me and I stopped with a start, panting as I waited. "It's all right!" I heard someone say. "It's Alayna." At once I recognized the voice as Will Scarlet's, and I rushed in the direction. Little John, Allan-a-Dale, and Will all trotted out to meet me and I caught a trace of concern in John's face as his eyes glanced around me, obviously looking to see if I was carrying any extra baggage.

"What is it?" he asked, noticing my worry and taking my hands. "Alayna?"

"Where's Robin?" I asked, catching my breath.

"We thought he was coming back with you," Will replied. "What happened, Alayna?" I shook my head and shivered at the night air. "Can't you tell us?"

"I really should wait for Robin."

"Well, come warm yourself by the fire then," John said, taking my arm. "It's cold out here and you're in no shape to be getting sick."

I nodded and followed the men back to the camp where I saw Charming fluffed up near the fire, grooming himself. His eyes came up to meet mine and he waddled quickly toward me, also straining his neck to glance around me, looking for his friends, as Little John had. When he saw no sign of the children, he looked up at me with sad eyes. "Alayna?" he asked cautiously, "where's Alice and Tom?"

I swallowed and knelt down, opening my arms. "Come here, Charming, and let me hold you for a bit." He blinked a couple of times, but obediently waddled into my embrace. I picked him up and sat down by the fire, stroking his feathers and holding him close to my chest.

For the next couple hours, nothing was said within the camp, but it was obvious to everyone that my news was not good. Will sat by me after a time and put a reassuring arm around me. He offered me some wine, but after I declined we continued to sit in companionable silence. I fingered the Galdorcarr nervously in my hands, watching and waiting for Robin's presence. After a time, Will glanced down and noticed me playing with the key. I had no doubt he knew what it was, for he stared at it for a while, then slid a concerned hand down his face and then clasped his hands together in thought.

"I have a feeling this is all going to end very badly," I muttered after a while, keeping my gaze focused on the fire.

He looked at me in surprise. "Hey now. Don't say that. Why would you think such a thing?"

"It's just a feeling. Will?" I looked up at him for the first time since my arrival. "Do you believe in miracles?"

Will looked back with an element of surprise in his eyes. "Sure, I believe they happen from time to time. Why?"

I returned my gaze to the fire. "I'm having trouble believing in them, so I need someone to believe for me." I touched his arm. "Thank you."

Will put his hand on mine. "Listen to me, Alayna. Whatever happened, we can make it right. We will make it right. So don't lose hope."

I said nothing in reply but held his arm tighter, holding my gaze on the fire. It was very dark now, and I tried to ignore the growing concern of Robin's disappearance. I was beginning to think that perhaps he had been found out and was now captured with Alice and Tom. I looked into the restless faces of the other men, who were sitting around in silence, drinking mead, or reading to preoccupy their minds. I was about to suggest a search party, when Allan-a-Dale shouted something from the tree tops. I looked up and saw a figure coming towards us. All of the men stood, but Will continued to sit by me in silence. As the figure neared I recognized the person as Robin. I sighed in relief, but his face was far from calm.

I stood up and ran into his embrace. That's when I let the tears flow. He held me tightly and rocked me a bit until I could get my emotions under control. Then he pushed my shoulders back to take my face in his hands. "You worried me," he said. "I didn't know you'd left."

"I'm sorry," I sobbed and allowed him to hold me again.

"It's all right," he whispered. "What happened, Alayna? Tell me."

I wasn't sure how to begin, but I had a feeling it wouldn't end well. After all, Robin had gone across the sea in search of the Galdorcarr, and now having been accepted into his camp, trained for warfare, and fallen in love with him, I would have to admit that it had been in his possession this entire time. "He wants me to marry him."

Robin looked at me incredulously, his face gone slightly pale and his brows knitted together. "What? But...that doesn't make sense. He couldn't gain control of the kingdom unless he had possession of..." Then an understanding passed over Robin's face and he released my shoulders. "You have the Galdorcarr."

I nodded slowly and opened my hand to reveal the key in my palm. "I should have told you."

His jaw set slightly. "Yes. You should have." He sighed. "And now he knows you have it."

"But what stopped him from taking it?"

"Marrying someone who has the Galdorcarr would make it legal. If he were to have snatched it from you right then, there would be many suspicions and questions. He thinks you're royalty, Alayna."

"But I'm not."

"He doesn't know that, Alayna! And you should have known better after what I told you about him. Why didn't you tell me? Don't you trust me?" He was mad now and his face was turning redder every second. I wasn't sure if any words I said would help reverse what had happened.

I bit my lip. "Well...you didn't trust me to tell me your real name!"

"I did that for protection! What did you keep the Galdorcarr for, Alayna?"

Tears bit into my eyes as his cold gaze stared me down. "Are you going to help me rescue Alice or not?"

"Do I have a choice?" he asked then sighed deeply. "I need some time to think. I'll see you in the morning."

He turned his back to leave, but I caught his arm. "I only have one day to make a decision."

"Wonderful." He yanked his arm out of my grasp and disappeared into the darkness. I started after him, but Will stopped me.

"Let him be, Alayna," he spoke remorsefully. "You should get some sleep too. Long day today."

I nodded, watching into the darkness, and rubbed the back of my hand against my nose. Everyone sundered off to their sleeping quarters without saying as little as "goodnight", and the night ended in uncomfortable silence. I laid awake for a long time, sobbing, and dreading over the next day's events. I was feeling angry at myself, but mourning over my cousin's situation. If Robin couldn't help me come up with a plan within the next day, I would be married to a stranger, and could be dead the morning after.

No one said very much in the morning, nor did I see Robin at all during breakfast. I realized he must've still been angry with me, so I kept to myself for the most part, except for the occasional question as to Robin's whereabouts. No one could give me an answer. After lunchtime, I snuck off to the training area and sat down in the long grass, staring out into the sea. I began to try and come up with a plan of my own. Perhaps Robin could go back as Gamble and try to serve meals to Alice and Tom, but there were so many guards there, and the Sheriff would most likely expect a rescue attempt. But maybe Robin's men could disguise themselves as the guards, but even that would take careful planning, and I didn't want any of them captured or hurt. I realized I was being selfish asking them for their help, especially when they all had warrants for their arrest hanging over them. And Robin's poster seemed to pop inside my head— "wanted...dead or alive." I would be giving the Sheriff his wish. I couldn't ask Robin to risk it all for me. It would be too dangerous, and this was my own battle to fight. I would do this on my own, but I couldn't afford telling anyone and having them worry about me. No. I would sneak off later when no one was looking.

After I had made my decision, I felt footsteps on the grass and momentarily, Robin came to sit down next to me. He sighed and gazed into the sea along with me. It was an awkward moment, knowing someone had to be the first to apologize, but realizing these last few moments with him could be my last.

1"You know," Robin started just as I opened my mouth. "The Galdorcarr, I'm not so upset that you didn't tell me, surprisingly. Yes, it is a way to gain control of the kingdom. I'm more upset that he's trying to use you like this." He lifted my chin to meet my gaze. "I can't lose you, Alayna. I'm sorry I got angry."

I blinked back tears. "I'm sorry too, Robin. Can you forgive me?"

"Of course," he smiled slightly, still gently holding my chin. I noticed his gaze flicker from my eyes to my lips. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on them. He pulled back to look at me, smiled, and leaned in again. He snaked his arm around my waist and deepened the kiss, pushing me to the ground. But I reluctantly pushed his chest with my hands and as we parted, he gave me a questioning stare.

"No. No, I can't," I protested, avoiding his eyes.

"Alayna..." he whispered and tried to kiss me again, but I kept my hands up.

"No, Robin. Please."

"What is it?" he asked.

"This isn't right."

"What's not right about it?"

"Don't you see?" I asked as a tear escaped out of my eye. "I don't belong here. I come from another world."

Robin shrugged, but I could tell that this statement made him uncomfortable. "You feel it too, don't you? I know you do. We can make it work."

"Of course I feel it, Robin. That's why this is so hard."

He took my face in his hands, stroking my cheek gently with his thumb. "Then stay with me. We can be together."

I looked into his eyes, and for a moment I wondered if there was anything worth going back to my own world for. I had a glimpse of a fantasy in which I did stay in Nottingham, where I lived with Robin always, becoming an outlaw myself, fighting tyrants and criminals, and defeating all sorts of enemies. And I was happy. Robin seemed to get the impression that I was breaking and he bent his head to meet my lips again. But a moment was all that lasted of my fantasy as I put my fingers on his lips before they could touch mine. "Alice," I said quietly. Robin's face fell and his eyes met the ground in defeat. "I can't take her from her parents." Robin nodded in silent understanding.

"Then we'd better work on a plan to get you home after we rescue her."

After I rescue her, I thought. But I did not share this thought out loud. Instead, I nodded, and Robin reluctantly helped me to my feet. "I'm sorry," I whispered. Robin said nothing.

2The sun had just set and Robin was making plans with his men on how to get inside the castle and rescue Alice. He was drawing a map of the kingdom on the ground with a stick and the men were watching with focused eyes. I didn't hear much of anything they were saying after Robin made it clear that I was not to be among them. That confirmed my decision for me, as I realized I wouldn't allow Robin to get trapped or die because of me. After all, I still loved him, didn't I? They all had their backs turned toward me and Charming had disappeared for a swim before the meeting. It was now or never. The Galdorcarr was lying on the rock beside me and I snatched it into my hand as I stood up. I watched the men for a bit, silently saying my goodbyes to Robin and whispering a farewell to the duck. I picked up a stray feather as a token of memory and began walking away.

A whispering breeze turned into a chill as I made my way out of Sherwood forest. I pulled my arms around me, clutching the Galdorcarr tighter in my hand, and kept my eyes focused on the road before me, reminding myself not to look back. There was no going back after all, not now. I was doing this for Alice, for Robin, and for his men. I had no idea how it would end, but I knew having Alice and Tom free from imprisonment would make it a little better.

When I got out of the trees, night had fallen, and I could see the faint outline of the castle in the moonlight. It towered over me as I neared it and I forced myself to keep going, despite how heavy my feet suddenly started to feel. I paused for a moment, swallowing, and regaining my composure. I gripped the Galdorcarr in my fingers and realized I was sweating. I took a deep breath and continued my pace towards the castle, towards my new home.

"Hey, who goes there!" someone shouted. I held my hands up in surrender as two guards ran over to me, pointing swords at my throat.

"I'm here to s-see the Sher—the king," I stuttered. They roughly took me by the elbows and pushed me ahead of them, forcing me to walk faster, almost jogging. If I wanted to turn back, it was no longer possible. I had sealed my fate. One of the guards opened the gate and led me into the courtyard. I couldn't keep my eyes off the tall castle; it looked dark and treacherous underneath the black sky. Finally, we were in the main hall and there was a man standing in the center with his back to us. As we came to a stop, the man turned around and smiled evilly at me.

"Welcome home, Dear," said the Sheriff.

Next Chapter - Alayna's about to face her biggest test yet as she finds her courage.

Seafarer – Alice's age is also mentioned in the first chapter. :) And as to your previous question, no, I have not seen the BBC version of Robin Hood, but you've got me interested. :)

daddys number 1 girl – Thank you! :) :) :) :)

Re-Animated – Wow, I'm glad to see you enjoying this story! Thanks for all the reviews. :)

Calemireth – I don't like the Sheriff either, but then again, I don't remember a story in which you were supposed to like the bad guy. But he's about to get a lot worse...just a warning. :-/ And please don't die. RTME would be lonely without your reviews. ;)

GoldenStarlight – Well, this chapter was probably a cheery one for you. Sorry. :(

crazyelfchild – I hope it's good. I'm a little nervous actually. It was very awkward to write and I couldn't seem to get out the words the way I wanted. Oh well. :)

1The Holiday soundtrack (Hans Zimmer) - "Iris and Jasper"

2Transformers 3 soundtrack (Steve Jablonsky) - "The Fight Will Be Your Own"