Hi, Sorry for taking so long to update this time...I have been doing some sales shopping in a huge mall in the other side of the city...Robin Hood series 1 has just started here in my country and they are still doing the marketing campaign and there was a huge tree on the middle of the mall and you could practice with a bow and some arrows...I am rubbish shooting arrows with Marian´s bow but I would be an amazing Robin Hood, his recurve bow is so much better!!
---------------------------------------
Lives a legend...
The guards were not exactly winning in the figth against three outlaws. The sheriff was certainly not impressed, but, what was worse was that Hood was nowhere around. Gisborne gritted his teeth in frustration. This had to end, he couldn´t live with such an agony for much longer. He was consumed by regret and even by guilt. He was a man of action, he was a soldier, and killing came natural to him. He had never felt like this, he had never remembered the faces of the corpses he left behind, he had not felt any kind of guilt when he left his own son to die in the forest. But now, his nights were plagued by nightmares in which he was running in the sands of the Holy Land looking for her, following a shadow that was playing with him but he was never really able to see her. Hood had to be there, because he had to kill him, he needed to end this story once and for all. This was it, the final fight, the last battle.
Djaq had left the cart and mounted with Robin, John´s horse was already struggling with his weight, and Luke had mounted the horse he had stolen from the sheriff´s stables. It was an old stallion but was more than willing to help them.
- We won´t last much longer -Will counted the guards that were still standing and then looked at his friends. Allan was doing alright but Much was tired and he could make a mistake- Much, stay with me.
- I am fine -Much shouted offended, he knew he was not, but he was not going to die as an invalid, he was going to fight like the rest.
- But I am not -Will lied, he couldn´t let his friend die because of his pride- Come and help me.
- Sure -Much ran to his side- Will, It´s been an honour.
- Would you stop the crap and help me? -Allan shouted, a guard was attacking with a sword from the right and another was running to him from the left- Can´t protect the camp on my own, you know.
- And you won´t have to -Robin´s voice resounded like a thunder in the small valley- Sheriff, I think I have told you to stay away from my gang.
- Just keeping them company -He smirked, moving his horse in order to stay as far away from Hood´s arrows as possible, he could still remember the last time they played this game and he lost a tooth- They were so lonely.
- Not anymore -Djaq dismounted and took off her red hood.
- Djaq! - Will shouted, anyone could see his heart in his face, his eyes were shinning like the morning star, he was the perfect symbol of optimism and love.
- Red Riding Hood? -The sheriff was not pleased, not at all- What is she doing here? I left her chained. Gisborne!
Luke dismounted and made a mock curtsey to the sheriff, who was, by then, enraged.
- Gisborne! You have let another spy in the castle! You are an idiot. Why can´t any of my plans ever work? I just can´t get it -While he was protesting he didn´t lose time and aimed a daga at Luke. He was not going to risk injuring her, he needed her knowledge but the boy could die, in fact, that could make it all better. Now, if the damned boy could stay still for a second or two. There! That was the exact place where the boy had to be to throw the daga to kill him on the spot. The sheriff threw the daga and laughed.
Will have been mesmerised by the image of Djaq, since the moment she had dismounted. Nevertheless he was aware that he was surrounded by guards and he was not going to risk his life or anyone else´s now that he had recovered her. He saw what the sheriff was planning but had no time to warn Luke. The daga was already on the air, aiming for his little brother and he couldn´t just wait there and see the tragedy unfold once again in front of his eyes. Will ran and jumped just in the nick of time, bumping on Luke and throwing him downhill.
- Will! Are you out of your mind? Why are you attacking me? I have just saved your wife -Luke shouted but when he got back on his feet he realised that his brother was not moving.
-Will! -Djaq ran to his side, kneeled close to the body of the carpenter and Luke helped her to turn him around. The daga had hit him on the shoulder, a deep gash crossed it and the blood was pouring out of it. Djaq felt the nausea coming back but fought it, this was not the time. She had to stop being a pregnant wife to become a doctor and save him. The injury could kill him if she didn´t stop the blood. But if she kept her mind clear and focused she was sure she could do anything.
- Is he going to be alright?- Luke prepare his sword, he was going to defend them while Djaq saved his brother, no one would dare come near them while he was there.
- Yes, Luke, I promise -Djaq said, tears in her eyes, but she was not going to give up, not now, after all they had suffered, after all the battles they had endured to be together- Will Scarlett, listen to me, I have just promised your brother that you will survive so you better do it, or I will be called a liar, and you know how much I hate lies, so...do this thing for me and I will be forever grateful.
Will opened his eyes and smiled at her. The gash was deep but as she cleaned the wound with her dress she saw it wasn´t so bad as it looked at first and laughed, relieved.
- It seems you will have to endure living with me a little bit longer -He smiled, he felt so good next to her that he couldn´t register the pain.
- Yes, I am afraid that´s true -She kissed him, she was so happy to see him- But if you are not more careful I do not know how long would that be...thank God you married a doctor.
- Or Allah -He laughed, trying to touch her face with his other hand- I might have to thank all the gods in heaven and hell.
- Heresy, that is good- Tuck smiled kneeled next to them- It is a clear sign that this young man is not dying, you see, people tend to become more religious when death is near, but heresy means death is still far away. Come on, let´s get you out of here, there is a battle going on in this valley, in case you haven´t noticed.
Luke help them, protecting his family with his sword and his bow.
Allan had done pretty well himself, a guard lay death at his feet and another had ran away after seeing his friend on the ground. Little John was helping Much and Robin was shoting his arrows to some guards that were trying to escape. Robin didn´t want to kill but to scare them enough not to return anytime soon.
- Hood! - A masculine voice shouted, the sound reverberating in every tree- It´s time!
Robin raised his head and saw Gisborne, all clad in black leather, sword in hand and a wicked smile in his face. He had lost weight, and was looking weird, but. in Robin´s opinion, that man had never been very normal.
- Robin -Will called his friend, he was on the ground, Djaq was tending to his wound but he knew what that meant, it was a duel, the moment he had feared since Marian was killed.
- Robin -John was just as worried.
- Lads, please, let me do this, stay out of it. Whatever happens, even if I die, please, stay out of it -Robin said, not turning around to see them, because seeing them would make this even harder. Robin didn´t felt pleasure killing anyone. He hated Gisborne with a vengeance, but killing another person was a horrible thing to do and he rather not kill anyone else in his entire life.
- Finally, this gets better, I was starting to get bored -The sheriff laughed- Gisborne, kill him or I will kill you.
- No problem, my lord -Gisborne smirked and charge with his sword against Robin- Let the best man win, and we both know who is the best one.
- You are only the strongest brute -Robin ducked to avoid the attack and tried to make him lose his balance. Gisborne was taller than him, his best chance was to make him fall. So he ran for his legs and charged against him with all his might. Gisborne wasn´t expecting it and fell to the ground with a terrible noise. The sword fell some feet away from his hand and Robin used this to his advantage. He was kneeling next to Gisborne and his sword was raised, ready to end the fight.
- Look how the mighty fall - Robin mock him, but was unable to go for the kill.
Gisborne realised that and waited, biding his time.
- Kill him, Robin -Allan shouted- Why is he waiting? That man killed Marian!
- He can´t -Will replied, closing his eyes, scared of seeing what was going to happen.
- He can´t -Much said sadly but also proud of his master- He is not Gisborne.
- You can´t -Gisborne laughed- You are too weak.
Gisborne used his knee to throw Robin to the ground and then he jumped on top of him. It was Gisborne who could end it all now, and he wasn´t going to hesitate. But this was his moment of glory and he wanted to enjoy every second.
- You are mine, Hood -He said- Just like she was mine before I got rid of her, Didn´t she tell you, Hood, about our passionate nights in the Holy Land, in the ship, everywhere? She had such a fire inside.
- Liar! - Marian´s ghost smiled at Robin from behind Gisborne´s shoulder- He tried, but he was so wimpy it wasn´t hard to refuse. He has no idea of the fire I had, but you knew me better than anyone else.
Robin smiled and that made Gisborne get really angry.
- I won´t hesitate, Hood -Gisborne said- Like I did not hesitate when I killed her.
- You cried all the way back to England -Marian added- Gizzy, Gizzy, don´t play the macho man with me, I know you.
- Robin! - Luke took the chance to throw him the small daga he had hidden in his boot.
- I don´t kill if it is not necessary -Robin catch the daga and then he drove it into Gisborne´s heart- She never loved you and she laughed at the tears you cried when you returned to England.
Gisborne opened his eyes, at first he didn´t register the pain, he was just asking himself how could Hood know about his tears on that ship, those damn first nights without her. Then he felt an excrutiating pain and he was scared. This was dying, and he wasn´t ready. He had done so many horrible things. For the first time he saw the faces of everyone he had killed in his life. He had forgotten most names, he didn´t know them all at the time. But it was her face which made him cringe inside. She had felt this pain, this void that was opening at his feet, treathening to eat him and his fear was mixed with guilt. He sobbed and then he simply died, then and there.
- It´s over -Robin said getting up, standing in his beloved forest, with the body of his enemy dead at his feet.
- It will never be over, Hood, I will get my revenge -The sheriff left in a hurry, he didn´t want to die too.
Robin saw the dead eyes of Gisborne and felt a sense of peace. Then he turned around and saw her leaving the battle camp, she was walking between the trees, she turned and looked at him during a brief second.
Robin ran after her, leaving the others wondering what was wrong with him.
- Master! -Much shouted, he was injured but wanted to go after him.
- No -John stopped him- Give him a minute.
- A minute? For what? He needs us -Much said bewildered, brandishing his sword in the air.
- Give me that -Allan took the sword from his hands- Before you hurt yourself. He needs time and we need to get our things and flee.
- What? -Much moved the hand, not realising his sword was long gone
- The camp is near, it won´t take the guards too much to find it, we have to get the hell out of here -Allan explained.
- I love the camp -Much protested -My kitchen...my bunk...my...my things and stuff.
- To the caves -John offered as an option. Allan nodded.
- I hate the caves, can´t we vote? -Much asked- I do hate the caves.
- Much, shut up -Little John pushed him towards the camp.
- I really, really hate the cave -Much insisted.
Robin could hear Much protests from where he was standing. Marian was just a few feet away.
- Gisborne is dead -Robin announced- but we will have to move, things won´t change that much, another Gisborne will arrive tomorrow. Prince John has plenty of them.
- You cannot give up -She said- Your family is alive and well, and you have to take care of that child.
- Yes -Robin couldn´t hide a smile- I thought we have lost them.
- No.
- Are you going to leave me? -Robin asked- For good.
- Do you want me to? -She didn´t turn around this time.
- No -Robin´s answer was fast and firm- But you said you were going to leave as soon as I stopped needing you.
- And killing Gisborne has made you stop needing me? -She asked.
- No -Again he answered quickly- I will always need you.
- Then, do not worry -She turned and smiled. Second later she was gone.
In the caves...
Luke and Much had been walking, making circles around the same spot for a while. Allan was tending to Will´s wound. Mathilda had said that they had to be very careful to avoid a nasty infection, but that the carpenter was going to make it. John was tired and his knuckles were still aching and covered in blood. He made sure Will was okay and then sat on the ground of the cold cave, next to the friar, who was falling asleep after the eventful day.
- Much, stop that -John ordered- We need a fire, it´s cold in here.
- And if you keep doing that you´ll get dizzy -Allan laughed- Come on you two, it is not like she is having the baby or anything.
Will´s low chuckle made Allan focus again on his friend.
- Mate, can´t imagine what they´ll do when you little one comes out -Allan finished wrapping the bandage around his shoulder- Mind you, I am going to love watching what you do then.
- What do you think you are doing? - Mathilda appear from the smaller area of the cave on the left- Stop that if you want me to tend to your injuries, I can´t stand men doing foolish things.
Both Luke and Much stopped at once. Will raised his head and asked Allan to help him to get up.
- Is she alright? - Will asked, fearing the answer.
- She is fine and the baby seems to be strong enough to survive all of this nonsense -Mathilda announced happily.
Will smiled and walked towards the area where Djaq was. Mathilda went to Little John.
- Take off your shirt -She ordered.
- What? - John asked shocked.
- Don´t think I want to see you half-naked, big man, but I have to clean that before it gets infected and you start singing because of the fever - Mathilda cocked her head- I do hate when men do foolish things.
Will walked slowly, the pain in his shoulder was starting to affect him. But he saw her, sitting on what was left of her bunk, in the middle of the cave and felt a great sense of gratitude. She was alive and well. His shoulder was not a problem. He was just too happy.
- I am sorry -She started- I tried to let you know that I was fine, but I couldn´t shout through the windows of the castle. I am so sorry that you had to go through that.
- Sshh! -Will said, sitting next to her, his hands finding their place between hers. It felt so right, so perfect- I am so glad you are here, talking to me. I thought I was never going to be able to do this, you know, just sitting with you and talk.
- You don´t talk too much -She laughed nervously- It´s always me talking and talking till you fall asleep.
- I love your voice.
- You said I have a silly voice -She replied feigning to be offended.
- There is not a single thing in you that is silly -He looked into his eyes- Well, maybe your husband.
- No -she kissed him. Her hands touched his cheeks and caressed his temples- Is it very painful?
- No, not really - He shook his head- After thinking I have lost my family this is nothing. It will be hard to build a new camp with just one arm for a while, but I will manage.
- You have Luke now -Djaq smiled- And Allan, he said he repaired the roof while we were gone.
- And did you see the state of that roof? -Will shouted, Djaq laughed, happy to see the man she loved again. Will relaxed talking about his plans for the new camp. He was going to built better bunks, one for Luke and a double one for them, and he was going to start working on a small cradle for the baby and a new table fot Much kitchen, a big one, as he was going to have to help them with all the baby food and...
- Are you happy about the baby? -Djaq asked. So many things have happened since she had found out she was pregnant that she had not been able to talk with him about the baby. She didn´t hear an asnwer, instead of that Will hugged her with only one arm.
- I have been thinking in names and in the toys I am going to make since Mathilda told me about the baby -He said after a minute.
- I love you, Will Scarlett -She was so proud of him. There was not a better man. Then she thought about what he had just said and asked- What names?
- Well, you know -Will stuttered- If it is a boy Dan would be nice and if it´s a girl...
- Only English names? -Djaq continued.
- No, of course not, but, Dan Luke Allan Bassam Scarlett will sound too strange -Will replied
- Bassan Dan would be nice -She was pulling his leg by then, enjoying the fact that she was still able to make him blush and stuttered.
- I love you -Will said when he realised she was joking- But you do like Dan as an option, don´t you?
-------------------
I am thinking of a last chapter, a farewell one...hope you have liked it so far...reviews always welcome
