-The River-

Fueled by her anger, Elsie walked aimlessly through the wood, following an old, overgrown path. She knew that it was foolish to be wandering alone through unfamiliar territory, but Robin's word had infuriated her so much that she cared not where she ended up. It would be a lot better than returning to camp where Robin would be arranging her departure.

As it happened, the path she was walking led down to the river that flowed through Sherwood. The surface of the water sparkled like diamonds as the sun got caught in the ripples of the current. The fresh coolness of the water looked all to inviting, particularly because it had been days since she last bathed. She could finally rid herself of the castle stink, which clung to her clothes.

It took less than a second to free her feet from the confines of her boots. Elsie stepped cautiously over the rocks that lined the riverbank and dipped her toes into the shallows. The water felt lovely and refreshing, not bitterly cold; it rose slowly up her legs as she waded away from the shore. When it reached her hips, she stooped and submerged the rest of her body. After minute or two, Elsie plunged her head under.

Surfacing, she spluttered and wiped the water from her eyes. Instantly it felt as if all her feelings of hurt and irritation had been washed away. She twirled in circles, feeling the hem of her dress brush against her legs. Then she swam a few strokes to stretch her muscles and made her way to a rock that jutted out into the water, much like a port for ships would. Elsie dipped her head back and ran her fingers through her hair before pulling herself out of the water.

The rock was wonderfully warm from baking in the sun. The water trickled into little puddles all around her. She laid back, letting the sun dry her while a gentle breeze played against her face. She took a deep breath and listened to the calming sounds of the forest.

She laid there for some time, soaking up the beauty of nature that surrounded her. It was easy to think and reflect on all that had passed: everything she had learned the night before and what possibly lie ahead in the future. Elsie was still angry and hurt by Robin's hasty decision, but now after having some time to think she would be able to argue her perspective with more clarity.

Lost in a cloud of thought, Elsie's heart nearly lept from her chest when something nearby crackled loudly. Rolling over on her stomach to investigate the source of the noise, Elsie narrowed her eyes and raked the edge of the forest. Although there was no further movement, she was certain someone was there - hiding.

With her heart humming against her chest, Elsie propped herself up on her elbows and called out, "Who is there?" When there was no response, she swallowed her nerves and called out once more. "I know someone is there. Show yourself."

After a few seconds, a figure stepped out from behind one of the trees.

"Luke." Elsie breathed, relieved to find a friendly face. She rolled onto her back and gave a shaky laugh. "You startled me."

"Sorry," he said, nearing the rock. "Are you alright?"

"I am fine," she assured him. Sitting up, she tucked her knees under her chin and watched him carefully out of the corner of her eye. "Were you spying on me?"

"No," he replied, a little too quickly. His cheeks tinged pink.

Elsie arched a brow over a skeptical eye.

"I just walked up," he added. His eyes darted guiltily about. "Anyway, you shouldn't be alone in the forest, my lady. It's not safe."

Elsie frowned. "Is this you talking, or my brother?"

Luke kicked at a rock and they both watched as it tumbled into the water.

"He does have a point though. It is not safe for you to be on your own, my lady," Luke replied with a timid grin.

Rolling her eyes, Elsie sighed. "I can look after myself."

"Yeah?" Luke said, challenging her. "And what would you have done if it weren't me just now?"

"I do not know," she confessed nonchalantly. "I would have just made it up as I went along."

Luke laughed, which made Elsie smile.

"Fine, I admit; I am glad it was you and not some other rogue outlaw." She grinned, casting her glance across the water.

After a few moments in silence, Luke made another attempt to coax her back to camp. "Are you ready to go back yet, my lady?"

"No," Elsie replied flatly. "And stop calling me lady. I noticed no one calls Robin lord."

Nodding, Luke tested her name tentatively. "We really should be getting back, Elsie."

"No," she repeated, drawing in a deep breath. It was rather liberating to be released from her title for a moment - no expectations weighing down her every move and decision. It was funny that such a small thing could lift her spirits. "Why is it that Robin insists I be watched like a child? I have not even been in the forest a whole day. I am certainly not going to go looking for trouble. And this bit about sending me off to Kirklees, I mean, he has not given me a chance here, has he?"

"Older brothers have a bad habit of being over protective," Luke mumbled. He empathized with her frustrations; it wasn't long ago that he had dealt with a similar feeling. He glanced across the river, speaking offhandedly. "I know how you feel."

"Really? How so?"

Aside from being genuinely curious, Elsie hoped to keep him talking since it would delay their return to camp.

Luke pursed his lips. He seemed to be debating whether or not to share his personal matters with her - things that even he wasn't sure he had a handle on yet. Drawing in a deep finalizing breath, Luke sat down on the edge of the rock. "My own brother wouldn't be pleased to know I've joined up with Robin."

"And why is that?"

Luke inhaled a breath of confidence before continuing. "After Robin rescued Will and I from the gallows, my father and I moved to Scarborough to live with my aunt. About a year ago, we came back to find Will - he stayed with Robin - but my father was killed by one of the sheriff's men. When that happened, I stayed here in Sherwood with Will for a bit and really got to see what goes on. It finally made sense to me why Will chose to remain behind. But Will didn't want this life for me, so after a few weeks he insisted that I go back to Scarborough. He said I wasn't ready, that it was too dangerous to live as an outlaw." Luke gave his head an angry shake. "He always did treat me like a baby."

"So you left?"

Luke nodded. "I did, but not to please Will. I went back to give our family the news of my father. I was intent on returning as soon as I could."

"You stayed Scarborough for a year though?" Elsie pointed out.

"You don't know my Auntie Annie." Luke chuckled fondly. "She wasn't exactly keen on letting me come back here - not after what happened to my dad. She shared Will's concerns for my safety. So, for her sake I stayed as long as I could manage. I had only been back a few days when I met up with Little John in Nottingham and I wanted to help after they told me what had happened. They were grateful since they were lacking in numbers," he explained bitterly.

Elsie was stunned. "So you only just found out about Will and Djaq then? You had no idea he had left England?"

She knew what it was like to have a brother on the other side of the world - to wonder if he would ever make it back home again. Luke's situation was very different from hers however; he had no idea of Will's intentions with Djaq, which led to their stay in a foreign land. Elsie watched as Luke's brow furrowed in anger. Pain and sadness mixed across his face as he tried to fight back the emotion. His nostrils flared and his voice cracked as he spoke.

"I'm glad Will is happy, really I am, but it's like he forgot about me. He just made his decision without thinking about how it might affect the family he's got left. He obviously didn't care enough to send word about it. I just thought...I just thought he'd be here, you know?"

Tears were now visible in his eyes and he hastily wiped them away. Elsie rested a comforting hand on his arm and nodded.

"I do know. That is exactly how I felt when I arrived in Locksley, only to find Robin not there. It is hard when you are expecting one thing and find another. Trust me, it is a lot to handle." She smiled warmly. "Besides, there is no way Will could have forgotten you. I mean, you are his little brother and like you said, older brothers have a bad habit of being over protective. He is bound to return to England once he finds out you are with Robin."

Luke sniffed a little and cracked a smile. "Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"Of course I am right," Elsie assured him. "Love does funny things to people - makes them forget all about the rest of the world."

"Thanks, Elsie," he replied, still using her name carefully.

Giving a quick nod, Elsie stood up, stretching. Spotting her boots in their discarded heap, she stepped gingerly over the rocks to retrieve them.

"I really wish I had a change of clothes," she said as she tugged one of the boots onto her foot. She glanced around as though something might magically appear. "All of my things are still in Locksley - that is unless Gisborne has gotten rid of them."

"Maybe we can go fetch your things," Luke offered, crossing to her.

A shrewd grin spread across Elsie's face. The glint that appeared in her eye was reminiscent of Robin's when a plan was forming in his mind.

"We could," she said thoughtfully.

"No, Elsie, I didn't mean us," Luke explained, horrified by her insinuation. "I mean some of the lads and I."

"Don't be such a spoilsport, Luke," Elsie quipped, starting off towards the trees. "Are you with me or not?"

Before she had gone too far, Luke called after her hesitantly.

"Yeah, I am. But Locksley is this way," he said, pointing behind them with a faint smile.