The crunch of leaves behind him drew Robin's concentration away from the wooden figure of a house that he was carving with a dagger. Crouched by the fire pit he looked up from the model of Nottingham Castle that was finally beginning to come to life on the ground. Robin was pleased with his progress and that he had found some semblance of a plan that may work to save their comrades.

Noticing his friend, he quickly glanced up before returning his attention to the ground.

"Is our distraction ready yet? I think I have the makings of a plan." He frowned as he pointed with his blade to the model. "I just wish there were more of us."

When the other man did not immediately respond, Robin sat back slightly and looked over at him.

Although Azeem was rarely ruffled out of his calm state, Robin knew the man enough to know that something was amiss.

"What troubles you my friend?"

"I fear I have upset your brother."

Robin met his gaze with a slightly rueful smile. "It doesn't take very much Azeem. It would seem that I have become rather skilled at it myself. Who knows…perhaps he will even try to kill me again before the sun has set."

When the older man didn't respond Robin continued, "I wouldn't trouble yourself about it too much for now. I plan to speak with him tonight about things."

"You may wish to do so sooner than that."

Robin frowned. "Why? Has something happened?"

Azeem hesitated, feeling torn between his loyalty to his friend and the fact that Will had inadvertently confided elements of his past with him. As awkward as the relationship was between the two men at the moment, somehow Azeem doubted this would improve upon it. Still…the boy had seemed in distress and Robin did have a right to know.

"Did you know of your brother's existence?"

Surprised by the question, Robin shook his head.

"No. Today was a shock for me….I had no idea that my father had another child….I do not even know if he knew. Will obviously does not wish to speak of this just yet and so I have no answers."

"I do not wish to upset you Sadiq. I just know he was distressed when he left my company and I wished you to know. His wounds are not troubling him as much. I will return to my work now."

Robin straightened up to standing and tossed the dagger blade first into the ground. He met his friend's gaze evenly and raised a brow.

"What are you not telling me? Has he confided in you?"

"I do not wish to betray his confidence."

Robin felt the frustration of the day rising and thus responded sharper than intended. He leaned in close to his friend, his eyes sparking with frustration.

"He is my brother Azeem. If there is something wrong with him than it is my right to know.

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Robin strode purposively towards the clearing, glancing about the trees, intent on finding Will and Bull. After checking several locations in camp he figured this was the last place to look. Father Tuck had assured him that they had passed by here not long ago. Of course….Robin had no idea what he planned to do once he found them but that did not slow his stride. At this point he felt almost relieved to have some outlet of action that he could take to relieve the stressors of the day.

While Will and he had only exchanged a handful of words today, albeit mostly angry ones, Robin was determined to get to the bottom of his brother's shocking disclosure. All thoughts of delaying a talk with Will had disappeared and Robin wanted answers, even if he had to shake them out of the boy. Azeem's well-meaning admonishment to calm down before dealing with Will had largely fallen on deaf ears. He easily sidestepped burnt out debris of what was left of the village as he moved through the woods.

As he broke through the trees on the edge of the clearing, to the left of him he could see the field littered with the remains of the battle from the day before. After years of war, Robin wondered if he would ever become immune to the devastation found on battlefields. The sight was both familiar and gruesome, more so from the loss of their comrades buried not much further afield. And Duncan. I already miss that old man. Did he know about Will? He was father's closest confidante over the years, especially towards the end. The only one now with any answers is the one person who wants little to do with me. Then again, how the hell do I force him to speak with me?

The sudden sound of laughter drew his immediate attention, the noise so out of place with the surrounding devastation and the horror of the past two days. Robin frowned in confusion. As he glanced about his eyes immediately lit on Will's slight figure, crouched in the clearing by the dead body of a soldier, the arm of the soldier moving in the air and hitting the sunlight in a blaze of red and golds that reflected off the leaves of the nearby trees. Bull sat beside him a yard or two away, the man almost doubled over in laughter at something Will said. A moment later he heard his brother's laughter join in.

As Robin drew closer, he was hard pressed to contain his own amusement as he witnessed the comical scene between the two. At any other place and time Will's antics with the dead soldier may have been deemed blasphemy in polite circles. But somehow the lightness of the moment and sounds of laughter were the perfect antidote for the heaviness of the day. Besides that, in all his time in the forest Robin could not recall seeing Will smile, let alone laugh.

Robin was taken with the scene in the clearing as he stood there quietly watching, his eyes fixated on the younger of the pair. He wondered idly if bonds between siblings were somehow innate, as he felt a wave of sudden affection towards Will. His experience with family was confusing at best, only amplified by his years away. Yet he yearned for it.

With a sudden flash of realization Robin realized how much his own presence must have disrupted his brother's home in the woods and his relationships with the other woodsmen. Robin had always just assumed that the young outlaw was just naturally sullen and temperamental. His solitary nature and intelligence had earned him respect amongst the others, but Will was just…well….different. I robbed him of two homes it would seem.

Robin turned to retrace his steps, having little desire to interrupt his brother's moment of fun. The impending battle would be sobering enough. From what Azeem had shared of his conversation with Will, Robin knew there was a world of hurt standing between them. He would stick with his plan and speak with Will tonight.

Robin had barely taken one step forward when he heard Bull's voice suddenly ring out in distress.

"Will!"

Robin whipped back around, freezing in horror as his eyes took in the danger that had suddenly taken over the moment.