The flash of steel met with flesh in a haze of red as the midafternoon sun was high over the clearing. The blood gurgled from the man's throat as he took his last breath, his face frozen in a grotesque sneer as his body jerked once before it finally went still.

Will drew back in disgust and horror, the bloody dagger slipping out of his limp fingers as he turned away from the now dead Celt lying on the ground, his throat slit. He felt a feeling of warmth and stickiness on his hands, and looking down at them, realized they were covered with the man's blood. The world spun out for just a moment in time and he stumbled slightly as he took a small step backwards away from the body.

Bull ran up, his eyes wide and staring at Will with a mixture of shock and relief. He gaze fell to the dead man and he gave a slight shake of his head, as if struggling to come to terms with what he had just witnessed. Will had gone from hostage to killer in mere moments, in just a flash of movement that had taken the Celt off guard.

Robin joined the pair, still slightly out of breath. He too glanced at the dead Celt, as if to confirm the man's demise, before quickly rounding on Bull.

"You might want to make sure the men are dead next time before you engage in….he struggled to find the right words…..in games. Will could have been killed!"

Taken aback, Bull retreated a step backwards as he felt the full force of the man's glare.

"Sorry Rob….he….he looked dead. Didn't he Will?" Bull glanced over hurriedly at the younger man for support and got only silence in return.

Bull tried again. "Right Will?"

Robin followed his gaze to Will, who stood just a few feet away. His chest tightened as he relived the panic of the Celt holding a knife to his brother's throat. Robin was more than a little taken aback by how quickly his feelings had grown and changed towards Will in a mere matter of hours and this unfamiliar feeling of worry did little to lesson his anger. He felt himself torn between wanting to hug his brother and strangle him at the same time.

Bull looked visibly worried as Robin's ire shifted towards the younger man.

Robin walked up to Will, who stood standing by the Celt's body. Robin took a deep breath in an effort to calm himself as he addressed his brother.

"And you…what the hell were you thinking? What if you had missed….? he scolded him in a tight voice, one that shook slightly with anger and some emotion Robin couldn't clearly identify, nor was he ready to.

Robin frowned at the lack of response from the younger man. Will stood quietly staring at the dead man, as if oblivious to their presence. His brother's face was a mask apart from his eyes, which sparked with some unknown emotion.

Robin's eyes suddenly landed on the blood at Will's neck. He cursed, scanning his brother head to toe, searching for a sign of possible injury. He noticed the blood on Will's hands. Robin softened his voice slightly.

"Are you alright Will? Did he harm you?"

Concerned over Will's silence, Robin reached over and gently grabbed Will by the shoulder, giving him a small shake in an attempt to elicit a response. Will lost his footing slightly at the movement and took a slight step away from his brother. His eyes dropped to the ground.

Robin turned and threw a questioning look at Bull, knowing the man was closer to Will than most. Bull looked just as confused by Will's behaviour. The other man shrugged.

Turning his focus back to the younger man, almost certain of rebuff, he reached out suddenly and pulled his brother in for a hug. Robin felt his heart swell slightly when, surprisingly, Will didn't resist. Neither did he make an effort to return the embrace. The older Locksley tightened his hold as he felt the boy suddenly shake with emotion.

"Are you alright little brother? Please say something."

Keeping an arm wrapped firmly around Will, he let go of him just enough to reach one hand to his chin, raising it gently. Robin kept his voice as soft as possible.

"Will? Will…please look at me."

Fully prepared for tears, Robin was stunned by the fury in his brother's green eyes. For a moment he struggled to register anything, as he looked into eyes so like the man who raised him that for a moment it hurt to breathe. Robin felt as though he was almost transported back in time. Anger….raised voices….a father disappointed in his son. Hatred. Death. Robin released Will abruptly as though holding onto a hot coal. He swallowed hard.

So caught up in the emotional moment, he didn't see the blow coming.