I'm so sad that this story is almost done. Just one more chapter =(

Usually, either the bride or the groom is the one with cold feet. Here, I present Will as being unsure of the consequences of the upcoming marriage. He tells Robin of his feelings, who, being the good brother that he is, reassures Will that nothing's going to ever come between them again.

Watching the movie over and over, I was struck by King Richard addressing Robin as 'Lord Locksley.' Surely he knew of Robin's name in Sherwood Forest. This led me to examine Will's reaction to Robin's title and how it brings back all of his self-doubt.

With that said, enjoy the second-to-last chapter of 'Brotherly Bonding.'

Will woke up before dawn. His revelation from the previous night disturbed him. He decided to take a walk to clear his head and hopefully rid such troubling feelings from his mind.

He swung down to the ground and was greeted by the pre-dawn mist that never failed to leave him in awe of how mysterious and other-worldly everything looked.

Wandering down to the river, he found that he wasn't the only one there—Robin and Marian were hand in hand, looking out over the water.

"This is where you first kissed me," Robin murmured quietly.

"This is where I first realized that I had fallen in love with you," Marian replied.

Robin pulled Marian closer to him. No words were necessary. They knew how much the other loved them, what the other would go through to ensure their happiness.

Slowly, Will backed away, not wanting to disturb the couple. He was struck by how in-tune Robin and Marian seemed to be with each other.

I hope I find that connection someday, he thought to himself.

Having had his spot by the river taken, Will meandered through the nearby forest. He didn't know what to think anymore. His thoughts and feelings confused him.

Life was so much simpler before Robin came and turned my world upside down, thought Will. Yet, I wouldn't trade his arrival for anything.

Will showed up at camp just as the others were stirring. There were many groans, as most of the men had drunk themselves into a stupor. Will laughed, before ducking into his home to change into the scarlet robes that Robin had gotten for him.

My brother's getting married today, thought Will. Everything changes.

"Everything changes."

Will whirled to face whoever was speaking.

"Oh, Robin," he said, clutching his chest. "I should have known it would be you. You have the uncanny ability of sneaking up on me and saying exactly what I'm thinking."

The two brothers chuckled.

"So…," Robin began.

"Everything changes," Will repeated. After a moment of silence as they observed the other, Will spoke up again, "I'm scared. We've only acknowledged each other as brothers for a couple of weeks. Directly after my confession, I almost died—twice! Both times, I regretted not getting to know you while I had the chance. And now, I'm losing you anyway."

"You aren't losing me, Will," said Robin, drawing Will into a hug. "I'll still be living here in the forest with you, side by side."

"I appreciate the sentiment, Robin, but don't feel pressured to live too close to me," said Will. "I have no desire to know what's going on inside your home."

Robin threw back his head and laughed. "You never fail to amaze me, Will Scarlett!"

"Is that good or bad?" asked Will, his voice shrinking in volume as he was overcome with a sudden bout of insecurity.

Robin, sensing this, set about to reassure his younger brother, "It's definitely a good thing, Will. You keep me on my toes with your wit and humorous observations."

"I try," said Will, shrugging his shoulders in a move reminiscent of Robin's actions several nights before.

"You know, you will find someone someday," Robin said softly, after holding Will in his arms for several minutes, "Someone who will be your perfect match."

Will's head shot up at his brother's statement, eyes wide with panic at the realization that Robin had figured out what was subconsciously troubling him.

"It may seem as though that day will never come. But when you find her, or she finds you, the world will never look the same and it'll have been worth the wait. Reality will become better than your dreams. You'll never want to leave her side and vice versa. When you fall in love, the sun rises and sets with her. You'll be willing to do anything to protect her and keep her safe, even if it means dying for her."

Will listened to Robin talk, letting his words wash over him and sooth his frazzled nerves.

Will tried to sort out his thoughts. "I've always been alone," he began. "I didn't know anything different before you came along. Now, in a manner of speaking, I'm losing you. I'll be alone again. Sometimes it seems as if that's all I'll ever be—alone. I'm so tired of it. I want there to be someone for me to love, someone to love me."

"I know, Will, I know. Life can be lonely. But you'll find her someday, Will, I promise," said Robin, rubbing Will's back soothingly, mindful of his still-healing injuries. "And for now, you have me. I love you. And we'll always be brothers. Family is forever, Will."

Will clung to Robin, afraid that if he let go, he'd lose Robin and their family ties would be broken.

"I'm sorry, Robin," he said. "I'm sorry for everything I ever said or did that hurt or offended you. I was angry and I lashed out at you because, in my eyes, you were to blame for my situation in life."

"You were right to blame me, Will," said Robin, "for I am the cause of your outlawry. If not for me, you and your mother would have been treated like family. Father would have had a new wife, and I would have had a new mother and a brother."

"All in the past, Robin," said Will, doing his best to absolve them both of whatever feelings of guilt remained. "So, you're getting married today. Are you nervous?"

"Yes," Robin replied honestly. "Strange, isn't it? I would die for Marian, yet I'm nervous about standing up and proclaiming my love for her."

"No, I think it's reasonable," said Will. "Life is uncertain and you're worried about losing her, or something happening that would prevent you from being there for her."

"Now who's reading minds?" asked Robin with a smile.

From below came a yell of "Robin!" causing the two to pull away from each other as they recognized the voice of Friar Tuck.

He yelled again, "Robin! I know you're up there. Unless you want to disappoint Marian by being late to your own wedding, I suggest you get down here now. You too, Will."

"Guess that's our cue, brother," said Will, gesturing towards the door.

"That it is," said Robin, before swinging down to the ground.

Will followed, right behind him.

They approached the clearing where the wedding would take place, side by side. No words were spoken; none were needed. Will and Robin, enemies for so long, were at peace with one another and had reached an understanding: they were brothers for life and nothing was going to come between them again.

Will took his place next to Azeem while Robin stood near Friar Tuck. Not long after, Marian made her entrance, enchanting everyone with her beauty. Will snuck a glance at Robin, who was staring unabashedly.

Friar Tuck was about to pronounce the two as husband and wife when a procession of riders interrupted his next words.

What the—thought Will.

"Richard!" exclaimed Marian.

It was at that moment that Will realized that he was in the presence of King Richard. He knelt instantly.

Why am I spending so much time on my knees lately? Will lamented.

Looking up through his lashes, he saw Robin rise, protesting King Richard's objection to the wedding.

No, Robin! Will thought. Stay down. He's king, he has the power to destroy you if you don't show the proper respect.

Then, King Richard addressed Robin as 'Lord Locksley.'

Will didn't hear any more after that. He was only vaguely aware of Friar Tuck completing the ceremony, the cheers that followed, and smiling and clapping before embracing Azeem.

Lord Locksley. Lord Locksley. Lord Locksley.

Robin's title running though Will's head made it hard for him to focus on acting pleased for his brother and sister-in-law's good fortune at having found true love.

Robin has said that he and Marian want to stay in the forest with me. But why, when they could be living in a grand castle, giving parties and entertaining royalty? What am I to them, except a nuisance? Robin's going to re-think his decision now. Being addressed as a Lord by King Richard will surely have him doubting his promise to me. Now's my time to be a man, though! I must be strong, I can't show any weakness when he tells me that he and Marian will be leaving Sherwood.

Will stood on the sidelines, observing how Robin and Marian maintained constant contact with each other, whether through hand-holding, kissing, or some other form of intimate touch.

Urged by Bull, Will joined the group, drinking his fair share and eating like all the others. He joked and laughed and did his best to forget that King Richard was still a member of their party.

When the shadows lengthened, indicating that twilight was drawing near, King Richard took his leave, though not before thanking them for their hospitality and even for their outlawry, as their actions had ensured that he still had a throne to come back to.

Everyone watched as King Richard rode away. They'd all been deeply honored by his presence. He'd even secured their pardons. They were free men now, though many would choose to stay in Sherwood. The forest had been their home for so long that many wouldn't know how to exist elsewhere.

King Richard forgotten, the merry men returned to celebrating the union of Robin and Marian, two souls joined together by the power of love.

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