Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

The Long Road Home by Ecri

Part 2: Best Laid Plans

Will struggled to sit, his eyes wide, his hands pushing away the hands that seemed to him intent on causing pain. "Hush now, Will Scarlett," a familiar voice said firmly, but not unkindly.

Will looked at her, relaxing as he realized Fanny and Azeem were treating his wounds. He struggled again when he realized he must have passed out. Fainted. Embarrassment made him unreasonable and he hoped only that he hadn't made too much a fool of himself.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." He repeated again and again, hoping they would leave him to tend himself as they had when Robin had shot an arrow through his hand.

To his surprise, it was Robin who knelt beside him now, Azeem making room for him. "Will, you are not fine. Let them do this." To Will's surprise Robin's eyes clouded with tears. "I will make this up to you if you let me, Brother."

Will tried to find a witty insult, tried to dredge up the hatred he'd carried and nurtured for so long, hatred that he'd felt burning in his heart just moments ago when he'd revealed himself to Robin.

He found nothing.

Truth was, he was tired. The rage and bitterness had worn him out…or perhaps it was the beating he'd received from Nottingham's guards. Whatever the cause looking at the earnestness in Robin's eyes—this man he had tried simultaneously to hate and to believe in—he found he felt only hollow. He knew Robin was waiting for some reply from him, a word that it was not too late to begin again—to be brothers.

He closed his eyes for a moment against the tears he was still too embarrassed to shed. When he opened them, only one escaped. His eyes were locked on Robin's as he tried desperately to read the older man's sincerity.

Taking a chance, almost sure of rebuff, he reached a hand out to his brother, horrified when he could not keep it from trembling. He did not want to appear weak in front of Robin.

Weakness did not appear to bother Robin. That one, trembling and slightly bloodied hand was all the sign he needed. He moved closer, engulfing Will once more in a fierce, protective hug so full of love, hope, fear, forgiveness and a desire to be forgiven that Will could no longer keep reign on his own emotions. He tried. He held in the first sob, but the second and third shook his shoulders to the point that—just for a moment—the others thought he was having convulsions.

Robin tightened his embrace and whispered in Will's ear. "We are BROTHERS. If I had but known about you I would have loved you. We are brothers. I will make this up to you, Will Scarlett."

Will clutched in quiet desperation at Robin's shirt not caring that the lashes on his back and torso ached with the contact and bled afresh. He released a lifetime of sorrow, pain, persecution and loneliness and did not stop until his exhausted body left him trembling and heaving.

Robin rubbed gently at his back, but stopped when he realized he was doing more harm than good. "Will, let them tend your wounds now."

Will nodded, and let Robin push him slightly away and toward Azeem and Fanny. Stoically, he bore the pain of their attentions with no complaint.

To Be Continued