Thanks for the responses! I love reading what you guys are thinking, so please take a moment to review, let me know you are enjoying the read!

Chapter Three: Fraying Edges

"You are never doing that again."

"Come on now," Robin told him, pulling his shirt over his head, "you and I both know you were overdue for a bath."

"Disgusting mud hole, I've never like that lake. It is slimy, and smelly…and there are things in it. Slimy and smelly things…"

"Oh Much," Robin laughed quietly. "You can't tell me that you are afraid of getting wet. It is only water, it will not harm you."

"Frightened, no," Much answered crossly, pulling his cap off. "If I was frightened, I would be dead, I should think. Dead from fear...and I am wet…I am sopping wet, and so are you! I don't know about you but now I stink…"

"You don't smell any different to me," he offered, jumping over a fallen log.

"Laugh all you want, it is not funny to me."

Robin only smiled, taking the lead as they moved further into the forest. The sun was already in the sky and soon the cold of the night would be setting in. Leaving Locksley had been problematic, but then again he always enjoyed the challenge. Much's distraction had served as a way in, but there was little for him to do to provide a way out.

Though Much had returned, it was still only the two of them, against nearly a dozen guards. Robin and Much had done their best fending them off as they were pushed back against the lake. Gisborne being confident that he had once again the outlaw had drawn his guards off, giving the two the mere seconds they needed. Robin had pushed Much in the lake first, following shortly after.

He could hold his breath a long time, and knew that Much could as well. Keeping towards the bottom of the lake Robin had led him towards the reeds near the side, where they first had surfaced for air. Gisborne had been searching the lake frantically, even sending guards in after them, despite the fact they couldn't swim in all the added gear they were forced to carry.

The two had gone under again, surfacing near the opposite side of the lake, waiting for an opportune moment to escape. The moment came shortly after, courtesy of Collin who had drawn the guards' attention back to the reeds where they had first gone in. The pair hadn't needed a second invitation, and within seconds they were in the safety of the woods.

Up ahead the fire could be seen, and the aroma of food could be smelt as well. Robin mused the rest of the gang had already returned, and most likely were eagerly awaiting their arrival. He had not set any times to be back at the camp, only towards sundown, which it nearly was now. He met Allan's gaze with a grin as they came over the last hill.

"What happened to you?"

"Um…we went swimming," Robin shrugged it off, dropping his shirt near the fire.

"You mean to tell us that while we were busy robbing the rich, the two of you were taking a leisurely swim?"

"It was revolting," Much told him. "Truly disgusting, and the guards didn't help, or Gisborne…"

"Much," Robin hushed him quickly.

"Gisborne?" Will glanced at him. "What business did you have with Gisborne?"

"My own," Robin answered curtly, pulling out some dry clothes. "I was visiting my house, and a good thing I did."

"Why?" Djaq wondered, watching him from across the fire.

"There is going to be a feast tomorrow, a dance, at Nottingham, and we are all invited."

"I don't do dancing," Allan warned him, wrapping up in his cloak.

Will scoffed at him, shaking his head. "Tomorrow?"

Robin nodded, "In the evening; there is going to be a large sum of money, just waiting to be taken."

"But what about the food drops?" Will asked him, "we were going to be doing that tomorrow."

"And we will."

Robin moved back out near the fire, dressed in dry clothes once again. He took the time to spread out his wet ones, hoping that they would dry before they bedded down for the night. "If we can get this chest, not only will we be able to provide the people food, but money as well. It'll be enough to ensure them until we can start making our regular drops again."

"We were going to make the drops at first light," Will told him. "If this…dance, whatever it is, goes too late, we will have to wait till the next day. The food can't sit out overnight."

"There will be time," Robin told him.

"Will is right," John cut in. "Everyone has waited long enough. We drop the food off in the morning; we can drop the money off afterwards."

"A prize like that being gone won't be lost on the Sheriff or Gisborne. They will come after us shortly. We cannot hold it for long," Robin argued.

"But surely the Sheriff…he will know the villagers have it," Much pointed out. "What if he hurts them to get it back?"

"The Sheriff knows we give the villagers money Much; they have yet to find any of it, the people know what to do."

"The money can wait," Will told him, "the people cannot. They are hungry Robin."

"I know," he answered coldly. "I have seen it too; but that does not allow us to make rash decisions. We will need the morning to prepare for the feast, and we will have only this one chance to get it right. If we do not go, then the money will be gone."

"Why do you always insist on doing this?"

Robin met Will's gaze suddenly, "Doing what?"

"Getting even with the Sheriff, with Gisborne? That has been your only concern; meanwhile there are people out there who need our help."

"We need to talk," Robin warned him, moving to his feet, "now."

There was guilt; that much was for sure. Though Robin of Locksley had abandoned his house long ago to retreat into the forest, he still felt guilty sleeping here while the Master of the house slept out in the woods in the cold of the night.

The words Robin had spoken earlier still hung in his mind, and Collin knew he was right. There was something going on, he could feel it in the air. Gisborne himself had been in and out of the house several times, each one without so much as a single word. He had been quiet…withdrawn. Or maybe that was his normal mood.

Collin could only guess as much. He had not spent much time around Guy of Gisborne prior to now. The reassignment made him sort of ill. At first he thought it to be a trap. That the Sheriff and Gisborne somehow knew that it was him who had set Robin free.

It was only his first day, and thus far the man had hardly paid him any heed. It was as it always had been; he was merely another face. If he slipped out the back, and never returned, Collin doubted he would be missed.

So if it wasn't a trap for himself, disguised as a clever mission, then what was it? Guards had been stationed around the house in watches, throughout the night, and already there were those who would be stationed inside during the day. Collin could not fathom a reason for doing so. Robin had been right, if Gisborne was fearful of losing his life to the marksmen, then even a thousand guards wouldn't make a difference.

Settling down on the bed he removed his helmet, along with the rest of his armor. Being assigned as one of the head guards did have its advantages however. He had a room to himself, even if it was one of the servant quarters.

"These are my people."

Robin would still blame him. There was nothing Collin could do other than offer support. He had been out to see them, pretending to do a normal round. More than anything he wanted to tell them that Robin still cared for them. But he wouldn't dare whisper the man's name, not while Gisborne was around. Maybe he could bring them something, after Gisborne had gone to sleep…

Collin picked up the apple that rested on the table, tossing it in the air. Fruit was a rarity at this time of the year, and it had been so long since he had last had some. Though it had been a moment's thought on Robin's part, it meant a great deal to him. Collin wondered briefly if that was what the others felt, and after a moment mused that it was.

But his thoughts were interrupted, the echoes of footsteps parading on the stairwell. Gisborne's room was right next to his, so it wasn't a surprise if the man was going to bed for the night. Though they did not stop when the reached the top. Collin barely had time to hide the apple as his door swung open. Gisborne of course had no real desire to respect privacy, especially for his guards.

"I need for you to take the night…"

Gisborne had been talking even before he entered the room, pausing as Collin moved to his feet quickly. "Sir Guy?"

"What was that?"

Collin was silent for a moment, trying to sort out an answer in his head. "I…"

"What are you hiding, show me?"

"It is nothing, Sir Guy, I was just hungry, that is all. You surprised me."

Resistance, of course, was not the wisest of ideas. Innocence, when played wisely, could go a long way. Slowly he pulled the fruit out, holding it in his hands. But the cold glare in the man's eyes showed nothing of believing what he was saying.

"An apple…interesting."

"It was all I had," Collin nodded, "If you would like it…"

"Where did you get it?"

"I um…" he took a breath, trying to keep calm. He couldn't give the truth, but what lie was good enough to convince him otherwise.

"You seem short of words."

"I am trying to think, Sir Guy. But I cannot remember."

"There was only one batch of apples, and they were stolen…by Robin Hood."

"Who?"

Gisborne smiled coldly, shaking his head. "Do not play me for a fool. Associating with an outlaw is a hanging offense."

"Forgive me Sir Guy, but I do not associate with such low life. I give you my word, as true as it is, I found the apple yesterday, on my way to Nottingham in Sherwood Forest."

"I have trouble believing you," Guy told him pityingly. "And your performance earlier suggests that you are indeed in league with Hood. It was your incompetence that let him get away; unless you are to tell me that I have mistaken once again."

"I have not told a lie," Collin answered boldly, hoping that it was enough for the man.

"Which is good then, for you. Spitting lies would lose your tongue. Not that it would matter much if you end up in the gallows. But I am an understanding man; maybe there is a way you can prove your loyalty."

"How?"

The response worried him; how could he prove his loyalty to save his own neck, and still keep faith with Robin?

"Show me where you found it. Might we find one of his food stores; or better yet Hood's camp."

"No," Collin said quickly, biting his tongue as he did so.

"No?" Gisborne laughed quietly. "So you are in league with Robin; how interesting."

"That is not what I meant," Collin was quick to correct himself. "I do not remember where I found it, so I cannot take you there."

"Then that's bad for you," he responded, turning to look over his shoulder. "Take him to the castle dungeons, he will hang at sunrise."

"Wait," Collin stepped towards him. "I might remember…if we go there, to the forest, I may be able to find it."

"I thought you might."

They had moved away from the main fray of the group, but Will knew the attention was still on them. Robin had not waited for an answer, had not spoken, not till now. And alone, Will felt…outnumbered. It was an odd feeling, but he squashed it quickly as Robin turned to face him, the man folding his arms in front of his chest.

"So?"

He wasn't afraid of being challenged, and he met Robin's gaze, trying to sort the words out in his head. But what was he to say? That he disagreed with Robin's choice? That was already known. Perhaps he could tell Robin that he was being a fool, but being cocky with your leader was never the best route to travel, even more so if wanted to remain on fair ground.

Finally Will shook his head, letting out a sigh. "Nothing."

"You certainly had a lot to say just a few moments ago," Robin pressed, watching him. "Tell me."

Having turned away the comment caught Will's attention, and he turned back to face him. "What is this about?"

The question had come about without much thought, but Will knew it had been playing on his mind for some time. He had seen the change in Robin for the last several weeks, the man was quick to anger, and the closer you tried to get, the further away he seemed to go. Part of Will worried, worried that one day he wouldn't come back. He owed his life to the man, more than once, but it wasn't just that. Robin had a belief, one that was similar to what he had held for so long, but it was stronger; much stronger. Robin had helped him see that belief turn into a reality.

When Robin had first returned to Locksley after his long absence, Will had been cautious. In the given times it was always better to pretend to be an enemy, rather than a friend. It was wiser to hide, than to stroll out in the open. He had done many things wrong; there was no arguing about that. With Robin's help, Will had been able to turn that wrongdoing into something that was right. He didn't want to lose that, nor did he want to lose the ability to help those who needed it.

Painful memories of how his mother had suffered resurfaced each and every time he dealt the poor and the hungry. He knew how precious each day was, and knew that with each passing one; it could be one day too late. Of course he couldn't blame Robin for the long winter, or for the happenings that had taken place, the ones that set them behind so far. But he could blame him for the lost time that was happening now.

"What are you talking about?"

"Is this some sort of game you're trying to play? Ever since you got out of the dungeons your only concern has been hurting the Sheriff and Gisborne in one way or another. Stealing their money, taking their prized possessions, flirting with danger and taking advice from guards. Whatever happened to helping the poor?"

"We have always stolen from the Sheriff," Robin told him fiercely. "Usually you are the one to jump at an opportunity like this. It is a good one."

"And the Sheriff will be expecting us!" Will cried. "One of Gisborne's men told you for crying out loud. How long before he goes cooing to his master? It is a trap."

"Collin is not against us," Robin warned him. The man shook his head, closing his eyes. "And the Sheriff is always expecting us. We haven't failed yet."

"There are more important things to do."

"And so we do our food drops," Robin told him, "Then what? We have nothing…everything in our store is going to poor. How long will we have to wait before we get more? We don't have any money left…we can't barter or trade. The Sheriff is buying the meat out of every village for tomorrow's feast. If we do not go, then we lose both the food, and the money. Neither of which I am willing to sacrifice if I can help it."

"So we wait another day, and let the hungry die?"

"One day isn't going to make a difference Will!"

"Try telling that to my mother."

He felt the guilt as soon as he had said the words, and expected the retaliation. Instead there was silence; it was far worse than anything Robin could have said.

The man was shaking his head again, sympathy in his eyes. "Will…"

"I'm sorry," Will said quickly, cutting him off. "I shouldn't have said that."

"I know you mean well," Robin nodded towards him. "You're heart is the right place, but trust me. We need to think what is best for everyone, for what will come next. It will take time before the markets and the mills flourish again, until then we need to do what we can to help them."

"We could still do both," Will reminded him.

"We could," Robin agreed, "but we need that time in the morning if we are to prepare for the night. The Sheriff will be expecting us like you said, so we must be one step ahead of him."

"Robin…"

The man was shaking his head, "Enough…alright?"

Will let out a sigh nodding, though he was reluctant to agree. Yet it was Robin's choice, not his own. The man had already left the clearing, heading back towards the camp where the warm file and fresh meal waited. But as enticing as they were, Will wanted nothing more than to be further away.

TBC