Dusk settled over the camp as the last of the sun faded behind the trees in the forest. Plans made, their small party slowly started settling for the night, finding lodgings in whatever remained of the destruction from the previous day.
A roaring fire remained, with Friar Tuck charged with taking the first watch of the night. Even after so much destruction, their safety was not guaranteed from their enemies and the price on Robin's head remained high. They were all wanted men.
Robin stared moodily into the fire from his seat on a nearby log. He knew they had a good plan, but not one without many dangers ahead. He wondered how many would be dead by nightfall tomorrow, himself included. The sheriff meant to wipe them all out in his terror and desire for power.
He rubbed his eyes, feeling weary and tense at the thought of more deaths among their small band of those that remained.
He thought of Will, his newfound brother. Robin wondered why he had agreed to allow the young man to take such a dangerous role in the rescue. While it made sense, his stomach clenched at the thought of losing the only family member he had left, one that he did not know existed until today. The day felt eternal with its many challenges.
"You ok Rob?"
Robin glanced up from the fire, meeting John's gaze with a wan smile. For a giant of a man he had been quiet in his approach.
"Of course. I just have some….Robin felt at a loss as to how to describe his feelings…-misgivings about tomorrow."
The larger man met his gaze and nodded his head towards the trees where the others were finishing up tasks, Will among them.
"You worried about the lad?"
Robin followed his gaze and looked away for a moment. He was reluctant to admit his concerns. Yet John was a trusted friend.
"Yes….for him and for all of us. More for him because I have only just learned of our relation. I do not wish for anything bad to happen to him."
John nodded in agreement.
"I can understand that. I have the same worry for my boy tomorrow. It is normal to worry about loved ones, but we are all aware of the dangers Robin. He's not a child anymore….come to think of it I don't think he's ever been one. He had to grow up faster than most because-" He stopped abruptly.
Robin became alert.
"Because of what John?"
John looked at the ground for a moment before turning to leave.
"Nothing. I have to get back to Fanny and the little ones. I will see you in the morning."
Robin half made to rise in protest.
"But-"
John turned back to face him, his expression solemn in the firelight.
"He's a good lad Rob. That is all you need to know. I can't say that he didn't lose his way since you came to Sherwood and I can't say that I blame him for feeling angry. None of us had any idea he was keeping such a secret all these years. I can't say I am unhappy about it...it will do him some good to have an older brother to keep him out of trouble."
The older man broke into a soft chuckle and shook his head. "Will sure as hell has a knack for finding it. I reckon your hair will be as grey as mine trying to keep that one in line."
Robin smiled sadly and again glanced over towards the trees. "That is if he ever accepts me as his brother. I truly don't think he would have ever told me if he hadn't of been in such a state today. It is vexing that I had no inkling of it all this time."
"Give it time…Will is…well he doesn't exactly trust easily."
Robin gave a frustrated sigh and absentmindedly threw a piece of straw into the fire. He thought of Will's strange behaviour earlier in the day.
"That is true. Tell me something John….have Will and his mother always lived in Sherwood? Did anything happen to them that you are aware of? Was Will hurt in some way?"
The other man looked at him askance. His voice when he responded was full of confusion.
"His mother? Rob-" John stopped himself suddenly, as though uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. He again glanced in Will's direction. "I think you need to ask the lad about that…it is not my place to discuss such matters."
Robin stood up from his place by the fire and walked closer to the man. He caught his eyes and his voice came out as a soft plea.
"John please-Will is not exactly forthcoming at the present time. I just want to have a better understanding of who Will is. This is all very new to me and I have no idea what I'm doing. If I knew something, anything about my brother it would put me more at ease. Especially with the dangers of tomorrow."
"Will is an orphan Rob….has been since he was younger than Wulf. I will tell you that much since it isn't a secret amongst any of the men or people in town that know him."
Robin felt a wave of shock and dismay roll over him. Not altogether dissimilar to how he felt with Will's disclosure earlier in the day. He took a slight step back as he fought to regain his composure. He almost regretted asking about Will's past and suddenly wished he could take the moment back.
"An orphan…what…what do you mean? He fought to keep his voice calm and felt embarrassed in front of the other man at his sudden lack of composure. He was used to being calm under pressure, but he was reeling from all the events of the day. "How can that be…his mother-?"
"Rob-we shouldn't be discussing this. You and the lad will have plenty of time to hash this out once this whole business with the sheriff is finished. It shouldn't be coming from me or anyone else….Will can speak for himself."
Robin regained his composure enough to grab the man's forearm as he once again turned to leave. "What are you not telling me about Will? I can tell there is something….please John."
John looked down at Robin's hand and frowned. He looked ready to argue and any other intelligent man would have backed away from the larger giant. The other man sighed loudly in frustration but gave in.
"I don't know who is more stubborn between the two of you fools….you can certainly tell you are related.
"You want to know about Will? Fine-the lad didn't grow up in Sherwood. No one knows where he came from and there was never a mother in sight….none that we ever saw anyways. The boy arrived one day out of the blue…in typical Will fashion he caused quite a stir in town. The lad….well-
John paused and looked away, a slightly pained expression on his face as if he was reliving a past moment. He glanced towards the tree and leaned towards Robin, dropping his voice slightly to avoid being overheard.
"Will….well…he stumbled into town one day covered in blood and half dead….just a wee thing...half starved to the point that a gust of wind could have blown him over. Got himself quite a reputation from it too…the bishop was in the square at the time and denounced him as the devil's child...Will collapsed at his feet in front of everyone. Of course of all the people it had to be that devil-"
Robin visibly flinched and he dropped John's arm. Involuntarily his hands curled into fists. This did not go unnoticed as John paused before continuing, glancing down at him. John softened his tone slightly.
"The few of us that tried to help him and take him in when we could had to do so in secret…near broke Fanny's heart at the time. The boy grew up wild and on his own because of that...he was ostracized for the most part as no one would go near him after the bishop's calling him that.
John sighed and caught Robin's eye. He smiled ruefully.
"Your brother was so angry at the world back then that I am not sure he even noticed to be honest...he wouldn't speak to anyone for nigh on a year. We all figured him for a mute….part of me feels that the boy wasn't able to speak somehow because of what he had been through. None of us knew of his relation to you…nor would have guessed it. I will admit Will did not seem himself at all the night we got new of Locksley-your father's death. He left camp suddenly for several days without a word to anyone. I imagine that it hurt him more than he will ever admit to."
Robin swallowed hard and nodded as the man finished, barely able to meet John's eyes. His voice was a hoarse whisper as he forced himself to respond."
"Thank you for telling me John."
"Rob-"
"I am fine….truly. You were right...I was impatient for answers and they were not what I was expecting. We have other things to focus on and we all need some rest." Robin turned to leave.
"Rob-"
"I will see you in the morning."
Before the man could say anything else Robin turned and walked away.
