****I was not quite happy with this chapter and so revised it…the plot is still the same…sorry for the confusion!*****

Robin felt more than a mild horror at the state he had found his brother in at the river. He had not seen that look in a man's eyes since returning from the Crusades. The look of a man driven to his breaking point by the horrors of war, by bloodshed, from being thousands of miles away from their home. He had seen madness take over the best of warriors and had skirted the edge of it at times himself during his imprisonment. It bothered Robin to no end to see it in his brother's eyes just now.

He kept a firm grip on Will's arm to prevent his escape as he watched his brother carefully. He could feel the tension in the younger man as Will's gaze fell to the bloody knife on the ground. Will visibly paled and wrenched his eyes away as he leaned his head back against the rock, visibly shaking. When Will's eyes finally connected with his, Robin immediately realized his mistake. Will's voice came out in a choked whisper as his gaze fell to his hands in his lap. He held them out to Robin, palms facing up. His voice was a mixture of a plea and terror.

"I did not intend to kill him…. I…. I cannot get rid of the blood. There is just…just…so much of it. Please…please… let go of me…. I want to go home…please. I….I…won't tell anyone…I promise."

Instincts kicking in at the pain in his Will's eyes, Robin was on his feet in an instant, determined to end his brother's distress. Walking over to the knife, he quietly picked it up from the ground and plunged it into the water, scrubbing it quickly while doing his best to shield his actions from his brother who remained seated by the rock. The handle of the blade was smooth in his hands and Robin noticed once again that the knife was intricate and well made. It was an equal to anything he may have owned in his former life and he wondered briefly how Will had come to be in possession of it. A nobleman's weapon.

Shaking this thought off, he quickly dried it off on his pant leg and tucked it into his own boot. He ripped off a piece of his tunic as a makeshift cloth and wet it before turning his attention back to his brother. He approached the younger man cautiously. Catching his gaze to distract him, Robin smiled calmly at him as he crouched down in front of Will. Slight of hand he quietly slipped the knife back into the sheath in Will's boot, at the same time reaching for his brother's hands as he made to clean them with the cloth. His stomach clenched slightly, and he hesitated when he noted the scar on his brother's hand….Will usually wore gloves. He winced. I struck my own brother with an arrow.

This concern faded away as he was struck with the realization that Will had no blood left on his hands to clean. He felt troubled as he glanced up at the younger man, who appeared in a stupor and oblivious to his surroundings. This only confirmed his fears that his brother was reliving some traumatic event not of the present. Robin had heard tales of men returning from war who were never quite right again. He felt a moment of fear.

Giving himself a shake, Robin turned his attention instead to the cut on Will's neck. Will started and drew back slightly from the sting of the cloth on the wound. His eyes followed his brother's movements, no longer angry, but dazed and full of fear. Robin was struck again by how expressive Will's eyes were, achingly reminding him of his father's many moods. Robin swallowed hard and tried to bury the sudden rush of emotions that flooded him. He finished his task, tossing the cloth away and out of his brother's eyesight. He turned back to his brother, studying him with a frown.

Will looked achingly young without the shroud of anger surrounding him that had been present just moments ago. Robin knew a moment of regret for his mistake of trying to force his brother to speak to him. Azeem was right…he is not just one of my men anymore. I keep blundering this situation with him…. perhaps I am just not meant to have family. I was not a particularly good son and I am proving to be quite a failure as a brother as well.

As much as Will's defiance and temper had made for trying moments in the day, Robin fervently wished to see them return. Anything was better than watching this normally fiery young man in such a state. Having no sibling bond or shared experiences to fall back on, Will felt very much like a stranger to him and Robin felt at a complete loss.

He thought briefly of slapping his brother to bring him out of his stupor, as he had seen done many times with men on the battlefield. His stomach churned at the thought of it. Azeem would know what to do…. but that would mean leaving him alone in this state to fetch him.

Taking a chance, he slowly reached a hand to Will's face, caressing it gently with his thumb and turning his brother's face towards him. He tried to keep his voice soothing and calm as he addressed his brother.

"Will?" Getting no response, he gave the boy a slight shake, trying again.

"Will….Will it is Robin… the blood is gone…. I need you to focus on me right now alright. Can you do that for me?"

Will looked up at his brother and nodded slowly. Robin was relieved to see a spark of reason returning. The younger man looked almost pained for a moment and his breathing was still ragged. His voice when he spoke was a soft whisper that Robin had to strain to hear.

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what Will?"

"I'm…. I'm not sure."

"For what happened with the barbarian in the clearing? The man was dead either way as soon as he laid hands on you. He threatened my family…besides…you didn't kill him…he was still alive when you left earlier…it was me that ended his life."

Will's eyes flickered up to meet his as he blinked in confusion…and relief. Robin did not feel the slightest guilt for the lie as he felt the tension leave his brother. Robin would tell a thousand lies if needed.

"You…you killed him?"

Robin nodded his head, not breaking eye contact. "Yes…. ask Bull."

Robin made a mental note to speak with Bull before Will could. Catching himself, he almost smiled. Will Scarlett is too smart to believe that for more than a moment…once he fully comes back to his senses that is.

Will ran his hand through his hair in slight frustration and sighed heavily. He leaned back against the rock again, fatigue and slight embarrassment evident on his face. He gave his brother a slightly rueful smile.

"I am still sorry….for something," Will muttered.

Robin grinned back at him, touching a hand to his jaw where he could feel a bruise developing. Will's eyes followed his movement.

"That doesn't really make sense little brother…perhaps you are sorry for striking me?"

"Perhaps."

"Really?"

A tiny spark of mischief flickered in Will's eyes and Robin was relieved beyond belief to see it. Will examined his brother as though contemplating. He shook his head.

"No."

Robin pinned his brother with a mock glare of indignation. Will broke into a full grin and raised a brow at him.

"You are still arrogant and insufferable and…." He ducked easily as Robin gently reached a hand up as though to cuff him.

"bossy…..milord."

"I am not insufferable."

Will was clearly amused. "Just arrogant and bossy then?"

Robin bit back a smile and tried to look stern.

"I imagine you have wanted to do that for some time. You have good instincts…my jaw is killing me right now."

"Azeem has some medicine that would probably help with that."

Robin laughed, feeling lighter than he had all day…. lighter than he had in years. The moment felt almost surreal, especially considering the darkness of the past two days and the battle ahead.

"If you had been nicer to me earlier, I may have warned you about it."

"Hmmm…he seems very loyal to you. He met Robin's gaze evenly. "You do know that it was him that took your arrow out of my hand way back when."

Robin rolled his eyes. "Of course he did….don't worry…if Azeem finds out that you struck me I can promise you that it will somehow end up being my fault."

Will's lips curved up briefly in an amused smile before his countenance suddenly turned serious. He made a face and looked slightly disgusted. His gaze fell to the rocks, his voice hesitant.

"Locksley…I am sorry for my….my…behaviour just now….and mostly for weeping on you earlier…..I mean I didn't mean..."

Robin reached out and swiftly pulled the boy into a tight embrace, cutting him off mid speech. Will made no move to pull away and Robin could feel his brother make a half-hearted attempt to hug him back. Robin spoke softly into his brother's hair.

"That is not something you ever have to be sorry for Will. If life had gone differently for us, I would have seen you weep many times…. likely the cause of it at least a time or two. I assure you that it did not bother me in the slightest."

Robin could feel the immediate shift in mood, as Will stiffened and gently disentangled himself from the embrace. The moment between the two brothers seemed to shatter, as if an invisible wall had suddenly come between them. Fearing a repeat of earlier events, Robin released his brother almost immediately. He felt bereft.

Will avoided his gaze and quickly schooled his features…but not before Robin caught a brief flash of his brother's emotions. Pain. Hurt. Longing.

Robin recalled what Azeem had confided in him earlier. I have betrayed him in some way….he has some reason to distrust me beyond me rejecting his mother years ago.

Will turned back to meet his eyes, his face now a mask.

"I am fine now…. I was only tired and…your eyes…." Will stopped himself suddenly, as though unwilling to say more.

Robin felt confused, which came out in a slow breath of frustration. "What about my eyes Will," he prompted the younger man "...and what did you mean earlier when you said you wanted to go home?"

"I do not wish to speak of this."

Robin felt torn…there was much to speak about, but he knew now was not the time. His brother was closed off and Robin worried about his mental state if he continued to press the issue. As much as he wanted answers it would not be at the cost of his brother's wellbeing. It can wait. We have a war to fight first.

Robin reluctantly stood up and stared down at the younger man. When he spoke, his words came out haltingly.

"I know you do not trust me and we do not have a relationship Will…I am not going to demand this of you….all I ask is that we come to some kind of accord. I only ask for you to act as my brother…. Be real brothers….until all this is over…. after that we can speak more of this and figure out where we go from there."

He held out his hand. "Truce Will?"

Will ignored his hand but met his gaze finally, a challenge in his eyes.

"If we can bury the Celt."

Slightly stunned, Robin glanced down at his brother swiftly, a refusal on his lips. He felt more than a little dismay over the notion of burying an enemy with their own…. especially one that had just tried to kill his brother. He looked down at Will for answers, but the boy was unreadable. Robin knew instinctually that his future relationship with Will rested on his response.

Against his better judgement, Robin acquiesced. As frustrating and confusing as Will had been for the better part of the day, Robin felt a growing affection towards him. He did not want to risk losing him by making any more missteps. He needed to start somewhere in repairing past trespasses, even ones he didn't completely understand.

Robin chuckled and shook his head in slight disbelief. "You are not as tough as you seem little brother. If you need this from me than it is done…. but we will keep this between us. I do not have time today for penance and lectures if the good friar finds out about this."

Will nodded, finally taking his hand and Robin helped his brother to his feet. Will turned to head towards the clearing, but Robin quickly stopped him….After events of earlier he wanted his brother no where near dead bodies….or to see proof that he had indeed been the one to kill the Celt.

"I will take care of this alone Will."

Will looked up at him, looking for all the world as if he planned to argue with his brother's plan. Robin mentally braced himself for yet another battle of wills.

"You said it yourself Will...I am bossy. I will not allow you to come."

Robin was slightly shocked when Will instead nodded, a slight smirk coming to his lips. He looked Robin dead in the eyes, his voice clearly amused.

"Perhaps that is your penance…he is quite smelly…you were the one to kill him after all…Brother."

"Head back to camp so that Bull does not think I killed you and send Azeem. The poor man was almost in convulsions after you left. Perhaps you can try to find us some food…none of us have eaten in a day…. you probably longer…we need some sustenance for tomorrow.

As Robin turned to leave, Will grabbed his arm.

"Locksley…. Robin." Will looked forlorn for a moment, as though at war with himself. He dropped Robin's arm quickly, as though uncertain he had the right to touch his brother.

Robin reached out and tugged his brother towards him as the younger man started to back away.

"What is it Will?"

His brother's voice held a slight tremor.

"Swear that you will bury him properly?"

"Yes I swear it….it will be done."