"Lord Fenwick," Allan bowed his head imperceptibly.

"My lords," Fenwick returned to the younger two men. "Please have a seat. My servants have prepared a particularly fine roasted pheasant for our pleasure tonight."

"Ah, pheasant. It is one of my favorites. Our cooks back home make a glazed pheasant that even Prince John has commended," Allan said smoothly, seating himself at the table.

"Well, Prince John has yet to visit here, but I'm sure he would be singing its praise as well. His close personal friend, the Sheriff of Nottingham loves this meal," Fenwick responded with an insincere smile. "Tell me, what is the Prince like?"

Allan waved his hand in the air as if the question was insignificant. "Like most princes, powerful and cunning. A loyal supporter of those who support him," Allan said with a direct look to Fenwick.

The Lord nodded thoughtfully and they were interrupted as the servants brought the food in, causing Allan's mouth to water. Looking away, Allan discreetly wiped his mouth only to turn around and see Fenwick staring at the carpenter.

"Tell me, Lord William is it? Have we met before, perhaps at a tourney?" Fenwick asked with furrowed brow.

Will looked up from where he studied the table, startled. Looking nervously at Allan, who could only bite his lip, Will answered in a quiet voice. "I don't believe so...Lord Fenwick."

"My younger brother doesn't travel much," Allan interrupted. "He doesn't have the best constitution, always the sickly child. This was to be his first hunting trip."

"Pity it ended so unfortunately," Fenwick drawled.

"But with your help, I'm sure we can remedy this tragedy," Allan interjected smoothly. "My father would be ever so grateful once he hears the story; if only he wasn't overseas on an ambassadorial trip to the Holy Land to see the King as a favor to Prince John."

"He sounds like a busy man," Fenwick said, obviously impressed.

"The constraints of power and influence keep him busy, but such is the burden on our family. The Prince himself is grooming my brother to follow our father's footsteps," Will said, ignoring the warning look Allan shot him. I'll show him I'm not worthless.

"And yourself, William? What service will you provide to our ruling family?" Fenwick asked, helping himself to more food.

"In whatever capacity I am needed," Will answered gravely.

"Ah, yes, my brother has quite the head for numbers. Our father hopes he will one day be the Royal Tax Advisor."

"That would be a very high position indeed," Fenwick said, his voice becoming more and more honeyed.

"Actually Lord Fenwick, I couldn't help but admire your accoutrement of the manor. This is a most fine and handsome table; it must have been very expensive."

Will gritted his teeth at the feeling of Allan's foot on his shin. Ignoring the slightly panicking thief across from him, Will took a sip from the wine goblet feeling emboldened by his newly embraced role.

"The fine things in life are often costly," Fenwick said with a pleased satisfaction. "It was crafted by a p…master carpenter from France."

"From France, huh?" Will continued. "It seems your village is quite prosperous and prompt with their taxes. I must ask how you do it, along with the name of your carpenter, master craftsmen are so hard to find nowadays."

"Good leadership guarantees good results from the peasants. As for the craftsman, he, he died," Fenwick said quickly. "This was his last piece."

"It must be quite valuable then," Will said.

"Please excuse my brother; he has this weird obsession with furniture, my lord."

"We all have our quirks," The Lord said slickly. "But are you sure we've never met? There is something very familiar about you."

"I would remember any meeting with you, I think," Will said, looking Fenwick in the eyes for the first time that night.

"He has this crazy memory," Allan laughed weakly. "Thank you for your fine dinner and hospitality this night, my lord. Perhaps you and I can continue talking and find a mutual arrangement that would benefit all of us."

"Very well," the Lord said. "I am certain we can come to an agreement, Lord Allan. Will you be joining us, Lord William?"

"My brother grows wearied easily," Allan began, stopping when Will placed a hand on his shoulder. With a sour look, Allan waited for Will to open his mouth and get them killed.

"Perhaps a servant of yours would be so kind as to lead me to a bed, as I am tired, Lord Fenwick. I will leave the discussing of services and payment to my brother for the evening," Will said, feeling the muscles in Allan's shoulder relaxing.

"Of course," Fenwick bowed graciously. "Have a pleasant sleep; my steward will show you to your chambers."

"You are most kind, my lord," Will said bowing deeply.

With his head held high, Will followed the steward out of the room and up the stairs to a large room with two beds, and a washing basin in the corner. Once he was alone, Will released a shaky breath and plopped down on the bed nearest the window. He had done it; he had actually faced Lord Fenwick. The con was almost complete, and if Allan managed to cinch the deal, which Will knew he would, then Fenwick would be duped out of his precious money. And Will and his family would finally have some revenge.

Laying in bed, Will watched the progress of the moon in the sky as he awaited Allan's return. Not more than two hours has passed when Allan entered the room, slightly drunk and jubilant. Waiting a few minutes to make sure no one was around to hear, Allan bowed deeply before Will's bed, "Dearest brother, our fine Lord Fenwick will be gifting us with two horses and forty gold coins to assist us on our journey home. We will of course let the Prince know of this generosity and give him a letter that Fenwick is currently composing."

Allan gave his biggest lopsided grin as he stripped off his jerkin and sat on the other bed. "Whadda think?"

"You have got to be the luckiest bloke that ever lived," Will said. "So we actually did it? And we didn't die?"

"We did it, mate. No thanks to you, though. What were you thinking during dinner?"

"I don't know," Will said honestly. "I'm not sure what possessed me, but…"

"But, we'll make a fine liar of you yet. For a beginner, you really do show some promise. You show a truly terrible time to start taking risks, are you sure you don't secretly have a death wish, but I have to admit you did help pull off the illusion."

"Maybe I secretly am a lord," Will said with a smile to the thief who was currently snuggling with a pillow.

"We're all lords, deep down, friend. Some are just born to the title, while the rest of us have to fight to get there," Allan replied drowsily. "Now get some rest, it's been a long day."

"Goodnight, Allan," Will said softly.

"Night, William," Allan said in his posh voice, before reverting back to his normal tone. "But if you don't shut up, I'm going to smother you with this very comfortable and rare pillow. Go to bed!"

***

The next morning found the thief and the carpenter dressed in the finest clothes either had ever worn, astride two well-bred mares, with a heavy money bag at their side. Biding farewell to the fawning Lord Fenwick, they rode off into Sherwood Forest; Allan constantly touching the gleaming sword at his side. Will watched somewhat dourly as he looked at the small, sharp knife that Fenwick had gifted to the younger.

"I never would have thought you could love something more than yourself, but then you prove me wrong," Will said as Allan caressed the sword once more.

"You wouldn't say that if you saw how you act with that damn axe," Allan rejoined quickly. "When we got to our hiding place, it was like you were reunited with your long-lost wife."

Will patted the axe that was firmly attached behind his back, feeling more comfortable. His new clothes were rolled up and safely under the saddle; it would arouse too much suspicion if he arrived back in Locksley in such finery. Allan had only picked up a few items from the hidden stash, such as his flint and bow and oddly enough, a rabbit's foot and small silver coin. Will was curious as to his selection, but didn't pry. The two continued traveling in relative silence until the path diverged, and Will started on the left fork back to Locksley only to realize Allan had stopped.

"Are you not coming back to Locksley?" Will asked surprised.

"Why, Will, do you miss me already?" Allan asked with a smile.

"No, I just…just…where are you going?"

"I think I'll go east for now. It's been awhile since I've been that way."

"Sure you don't want to come?" Allan asked suddenly, looking down.

"I thought you worked alone," Will reminded. "Besides, I need to go home."

"Home," Allan echoed softly. "Your mom is one hell of a cook, you know."

"I know," Will said.

"What you don't know, is that you'd be a good thief. You may think you're good and righteous but there is that side to you, Will Scarlett. It's just lying in wait," Allan said, with an intense look to the young, gawky lad in front of him. "And don't fight it, that's my advice. You might need it one day."

"I don't know what you're talking about, I'll never be like you," Will said in indignation, dismounting. "Isn't that just like you, to ruin a goodbye."

"Fine," Allan said, with a shrug. "Bye, Will Scarlett the carpenter. Have a nice life."

"Goodbye, Allan A Dale the liar. Don't get yourself killed."

With a nod to the other, the two headed off in their opposite directions; Allan kicking his mare into a gallop and Will stalking off back in the direction of Locksley. It was time he returned home and forgot all about this mess and that damned thief. It was time to kiss his mother, practice bow shooting with his little brother, and shape the wood like his father had taught him. It was time to leave behind Lord William and become simple Will Scarlett once more, and if he never saw Allan A Dale again, his life would be perfect.


A/N: Well here is the last chapter, all that is left is a small epilogue. Hope you guys enjoyed it, I know I enjoyed writing this story. Thanks to the suggestion of VidaLoca, I'm debating a "follow-up" series. What do you guys think? Would anybody be interested in reading it?