He was marched out of the outlaw camp, his hands tightly bound in front of him. He wasn't alone though: many, many prisoners were being escorted back to Nottingham. The soldiers allowed them to mingle a little bit and everyone was trying to find their family and friends within the throng. Will scanned around, but he couldn't see Azeem, Fannny, or Noah. Thank God. But there was Fanny's boy, Wulf, the one who admired Locksley so much. Will didn't like him all that much (and he had a feeling it was mutual), but he was Fanny's boy and…well, he shouldn't be here. It wasn't going to be pretty.

Scarlett shook his head as the conversations of others drifted his way. There was a rumor going about that Robin had been killed trying to flee from the fires, but Will refused to believe it.Robin of Locksley wouldn't die by a lousy fire. And they were just rumors.Probably started by the soldiers anyway.

"Will!"

"Noah!" Will's heart dropped down to the pit of his stomach as he heard the boy's voice. He scanned around and finally spotted Noah. Quickly, he forced his way through the torrent of prisoners to reach the boy's side. He gave the lad as close to a hug as he could manage with his hands secured together. "Noah, where are you parents?"

Noah's bottom lip trembled, just slightly, but he answered bravely. "I don't know. We were together, and then all these people started running away, and they were pushing us and running into us, and then I turned around and they weren't there. But they're all right though," he added quickly, "they'll be coming to get us any time now."

Will didn't reply to this for a second, but then he nodded encouragingly and they walked on in silence for a while.

"Where are they taking us?" Noah asked without any trembling to his voice, his natural curiosity overcoming his fear for the moment.

"Nottingham, I suspect. The Sheriff might want to meet all us famous outlaws." He gave a little smile.

"Yeah, and you even have a price on your head," the boy added eagerly.

"Oh, yeah," Will echoed. "Let's not tell anyone else about that, okay?" he advised, a real grin spreading over his face this time.

Noah responded with a sheepish smile of his own. "Okay."

It was night when they finally passed through the gates of Nottingham Castle. All the children were so tired, they had walked such a long way and the soldiers hadn't allowed them a moment of rest. All of them were bearing it bravely, though—especially Noah, Scarlett determined. He had never once complained, and had been determined not to show any weariness. Stubborn kid, Will thought with pride.

Movement drew Will's eye up. He scowled when he saw the Sheriff watching them being herded in like cattle. Disgusting, cruel, evil little nobleman. There was also, Will squinted, someone with him—Marian. Before he could figure out what they were doing up there, the Sheriff yelled down at one of the guards.

"The children!"

Instantly, the soldier began gathering up a couple of the kids. Will silently took hold of Noah's arm. The soldier only had three kids; he looked around for some more.

"You there, come with me."

Will kept hold and guided Noah along as if they hadn't heard, hoping the soldier would just turn and find another.

"Hey!" No such luck. The soldier walked over and stepped in front of them, forcing the two to stop.

"Come with me." He grabbed Noah's arm and started to lead him away, but Noah jerked out of his grasp and grabbed Will's hands.

"Will!" Will held on tight. The soldier stormed forward and Will kicked out with one foot, connecting solidly with the man's gut. As the man hunched over, he lashed out again, hitting him under the chin which snapped the man's head painfully up and back. Others were on the scene instantly. One wrapped his arms around Noah's small frame and started to pull him away. Their grips were weakening, fast. Please no. No!

"Noah!"

"Will!"

The boy was too weak and little, Will couldn't grasp firmly with both hands bound together. As two soldiers came and held Scarlett firmly in place, the other was able to pull Noah farther and farther, Will was clenching the wrists—please no--, now the hands—Noah--the fingers—God please no—empty air.

"Will!" the boy almost screamed as he was hauled away. Will could only watch as he was led up the stairs with the other children. To the Sheriff. To the evil, half-crazed Sheriff. Oh, Noah. I'm so sorry. He barely even registered the first blow as the soldier he had kicked began to exact his revenge. It was a while before he was herded into the grisly dungeon with the rest of the men.