Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

The Long Road Home by Ecri

Part 2C: Best Laid Plans

Will drank the cup that John offered him and took the bowl of stew, though he was sure he would be unable to eat. He had never had the best of appetites, and truthfully he had nurtured this lack since he was never truly certain when his next meal would be. He had believed it best to encourage his body to become accustomed to pushing forward with little or no food rather than gorge himself when the opportunity arose and then deal with the ache of an empty stomach.

He moved the stew about in its bowl and tried a small spoonful. It was truly delicious as all Fanny's meals were, but his stomach rebelled. He reached once more for the water hoping that would settle him.

Fanny nodded in sympathy, guessing what had happened. "Eat what you can, Will, but don't force it down. You've had an ordeal, and there's no telling when you'll feel better.

Will smiled, relieved that he wouldn't have to pretend to enjoy the food as he replaced the cup on the ground beside the bowl. "Thanks, Fanny." His eyes burned with fatigue, but he would not close them. He hadn't been surprised when John had attacked him, not really, but it did make it a bit difficult not to flinch when the large man approached. Most of the others, both here and in Nottingham's prison, saw him as a troublemaker at best or a traitor at worst.

He sighed rubbing his hands up and down his arms to ward off the first of the night's chill. The real reason he wasn't comfortable here was Locksley. The telling of his secret to the man…to his brother…had left him feeling vulnerable, and he had done it not just in front of Locksley, but also in front of everyone. Locksley, Azeem, John, Fanny, Friar Tuck, and Bull all knew the one thing he'd never expected to reveal to anyone. Too often once noblemen found out about bastard children, the children were killed to avoid scandal. It was his mother's biggest worry and why she'd never allowed him to speak of it.

She'd refused any plan he might devise to tell his father about him…about what his rejection had done to them. She insisted that many would consider Locksley within his rights to kill Will or to deny ever having known his mother.

He hadn't intended to reveal the secret to anyone. When Locksley had asked, Will had turned away intending to storm off, but then…something had stopped him. The desire to know why their father hated his mother…and by extension himself; the desire to know why Robin had hated his mother enough to demand their father send her away…the desire to put down the burden he'd carried all these years…

Whatever his reason, he'd turned around and revealed it all. Even now, he could not say how the others had taken the news. He had seen only Robin of Locksley. He had not seen the forest or smelled the still smoldering fires, or heard any words any of the others might have uttered.

But they knew. He was exposed. Vulnerable. Naked.

He did not like how this felt, and he wanted to disappear, but Locksley had vowed to stand with him, so he had to make a stand. But a small part of him could not believe that Robin had accepted him. Will had heard all his life that he was worthless, a bastard, a peasant, a scrawny runt, an annoyance…the insults had come from every quarter. Even, on occasion, from his mother, who had not been entirely herself at the time of her death, and for whom life had been less than kind. Friendless and alone, she turned on him from time to time, though she always regretted it later.

Why would Locksley bother with him? Even if he felt some sort of familial obligation, once Robin really got to know him, he would know how worthless Will was. Robin would be disappointed that this last link to his dead father was not worthy to bear his name. Will was certain he would be abandoned once more.

His eyes continued to ache, so Will placed a hand across them. He could not recall ever feeling so tired in all his life. He might have dozed or at the very least lost any concept of his surroundings, for he was startled from his position when Robin sat beside him. He blinked rapidly noting that Fanny and John were gone.

"Robin…" Will began unsure why they were alone together.

"Will, I wanted to check to see if you're all right. You should lie down. Rest. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Robin spoke haltingly and Will wondered if it were the words he found difficult to speak or just the fact that they were being spoken to him.

"Don't worry, Robin. I will not hold you to your vow."

Robin's confusion was plain. "You may not, but I shall. Will…you're my brother. I can't begin to tell you what that means to me."

"But…I'm a…b-bastard." He cursed himself for stuttering, and swallowed once hoping to keep it from happening again. "Noblemen do not acknowledge their mistakes."

Robin shook his head. "Will, our father never would have considered you a mistake. As for me, you need to know that I will stand by you…now, through these times…and for the rest of your life."

Will shook his head in disbelief, but the look in Robin's eyes stopped him. He smiled. "You mean that." He could not keep the astonishment from his voice.

Robin returned the smile. "Yes, I do. Now get some rest, Will."

Will settled himself down in the blanket Robin provided and for the first time in a long time, he slept peacefully.

To Be Continued