A/N: The next part of episode four, please enjoy.
I don't own Robin Hood.
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The next morning Dan and Luke slept late, they'd been traveling for days on sparse rations and little rest. When they woke the camp was empty, though sounds of movement from outside showed they were no completely alone. As they began to stand and shake the sleep from their limbs Ava entered.
She couldn't have looked more different than she had the day before. She was now back in her customary men's clothing, her hair bound back and a serious look on her face. She'd been trying to talk to Will about what his father had said but he'd shut her out, simply refusing to be drawn on the subject.
As she stepped inside she looked up from buckling on her sword and, seeing them awake, the cloud lifted from her brow and she smiled.
"Do you want something to eat?"
Not waiting for a reply, she went towards the kitchen, instinctively knowing how much it was men needed to eat in the morning. Father and son were to be disappointed however as Robin chose that movement to dart into the camp to announce that they needed to leave for Nottingham. With a sympathetic shrug Ava handed each a chunk of bread and grabbed her cloak before leaving.
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It wasn't until they entered Nottingham that Ava noticed that Robin was in quite such a good mood.
"Right, lads, time to spread a bit of – "
"Happiness?" Much was always ready with a suggestion for his master.
"Happiness," Robin agreed. "Time to spread a bit of happiness,"
Ava threw him an affectionate smile.
"You're very cheerful this morning," she observed.
Slinging an arm across her shoulders he gave them a quick squeeze.
"Today is a good day."
Laughing she turned from him to give money to the poor of Nottingham. As she moved through the crowds, giving a handful of coins here and another there, she realized Robin was right. The sun was shining, they were helping those that were in need and she reveled in the way that made her feel.
It wasn't until she reached the other end of the market place, close to the castle gates, and turned to go back the other way that she realized there was a commotion in the centre of the street with Robin holding a young girl in the centre of it.
She took no more than a few swift steps forward to join them before the gates opened and Marian, the Sheriff, Gisborne and a multitude of guards appeared. Turning quickly aside, she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and sank into the shadows.
As Marian read the damning proclamation and the fate of the people of Pitt Street was sealed, Ava glanced around and saw that the rest of the outlaws had also disappeared.
When the Sheriff began to speak however she realized with a jolt of shock in her stomach that Dan Scarlett still stood forward. There was something in his face that gave her a sickening sense of presentiment. Sure enough as the Sheriff ceased speaking Dan started, arguing against the ruling.
"I said shut up!" the Sheriff roared.
"I've shut up for you once before, Sheriff. It cost me my wife, my hand and the respect of my son, so I'm not shutting up anymore. Now are you saying this is the pestilence?"
On the other side of the square Ava could see Will keeping pace with his father. Suddenly, in a flurry of movement, a guard stood by Dan and with a jabbing motion Dan crumpled to the ground.
Ava stared, breathless, eyes wide in shock.
Through the clamor and hysteria of the crowds and the shouting of the Sheriff Ava managed a clear view of Will struggling with John. She shoved past people, determined on her destination but she was caught up in a group and jostled from her path. When she looked up she'd lost sight of Will. Getting closer she cast around for him frantically. She reached the group just as Robin said,
" – I can't ask you to risk your life, but if you do come with me then do it for Dan. Now, come on," He turned and saw her. "Ava, Pitt Street."
She nodded once to show her understanding and he was off again, weaving quickly through the crowd. It was then she spotted Will. He was sitting, clutching his grief stricken little brother to his chest. His eyes were hollow, disbelieving. She went to him and grabbed his hand to pull him up. As he rose so did Luke, without noticing.
Will stared at her for a moment, almost without seeing or recognizing her.
"Will," she spoke gently. "Pitt Street, we need to go through the back entrance, now."
As she turned to hurry away, he followed in the same daze, pulling Luke with him.
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Barricaded into the street she was at once commandeered into service by Robin who asked her to knock on doors for any herbs or medicines. She met with little success, some people refusing to even open their doors so filled with fear were they by the outbreak of the pestilence. After sometime she had only one bunch of wilted mint in her hand as she rounded a corner and heard Will speak.
"I want to take him home, back to Scarborough and my Auntie Annie,"
She saw Robin nod, saw him agree and was rooted to the spot horrified by what that would mean.
Forcing herself to tear her gaze from Will's face she noticed Luke sitting by them, still fighting his tears, his hands knuckling his eyes and hair. Her ready compassion rose to the surface and she went to him swiftly. Sitting beside him she reached an arm out to place round his shoulders. As soon as he felt the pressure of her arm he turned towards her, buried his face into the crook between her neck and shoulder and clasped his arms tightly around her. She out one hand protectively over his head and ran the other soothingly up and down his back, hushing him with her own tear choked voice. She felt his hot, painful tears seep through her shirt and her heart was wrung for this poor motherless boy who had suddenly become fatherless as well.
A shadow fell across her and she realized that Will and Robin had exchanged farewells. Looking into his eyes it was if he had already gone, there was no warmth behind them, he was hard and cold. She met his gaze steadily, her thoughts clearly reflected in her eyes and there was a sudden flash of emotion across his face, something she hadn't seen before and didn't recognize. Then it was gone, as quickly as it came and he was a stranger, absent once more.
Soon they were both really gone. Ava saw enough of their escape to know that they had made it safely and to see that the treacherous sun was still shining and the sky still blue. She could not understand how a day so beautiful and one that had started so happily could have sunk into death and disease.
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A/N: This is such a sad episode – update soon I promise. Please review.