Author's Note: I believe I've fixed a formatting issue and I tried with this chapter to post the full chapter as I'd intended it rather than two shorter chapters in place of one. Didn't work properly, so I have reposted this chapter in two pieces. Thank you for your patience. Please don't forget to review. I'm as needy as any other writer when it comes to hearing from my readers.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

The Long Road Home by Ecri

Part 3: Misconceptions

When Will heard the Sheriff order that he be strung up, he tasted fear. Not only for himself—though, to be honest, that was a large part of it—but also for those he was trying to help. He was supposed to be helping to free Wulf and the others, and instead, he was making things more difficult for Robin. Now, someone would have to do what he was meant to do, and something told him that would be Robin. He struggled in vain as he was passed above the heads of the spectators, screaming at them to let him go. They were not above hurting, pinching When he reached the platform, it took him a precious moment to regain his balance, and in that moment he realized there was not enough rope to accommodate him.

"My Lord," Scarlett called to the Sheriff, relief forcing him to clutch at one of the support beams. "I'm afraid there's no more room. I must respectfully decline!"

But the hangman was too clever or else too afraid of the Sheriff, and Will found himself being shoved face first into one of Azeem's barrels. HE fought to push the man away, but his struggles were awkward because of his kneeling position. In no time at all he was secured and unable to break the ropes that held him. His heart pounded in his chest as his eyes sought Robin's. He willed his brother to understand the apology he felt in his heart. He'd screwed up, and it was his fault. How many of them would die now because of him? He could not help but feel he should have concealed himself somehow from Wulf's eyes. He should have guessed that Wulf would attack him, believing him to be a traitor.

He heard the thud behind him, realized that someone had fallen. He couldn't see much of what was happening, but he tried to listen to everything to piece it all together. He was startled from this endeavor when he felt the kiss of the cold axe blade on his neck. The Executioner was going to take his head. He clenched his eyes shut…but the sound he heard was not the sound of the axe hitting bone, but of an arrow hitting its target and of flames crackling. He opened his eyes, surprised to see Robin taking to the platform and releasing his bonds.

In the fighting that ensued, Will wasn't entirely sure that Robin knew what he was doing, and when Azeem climbed up on the catapult next to him, he was convinced the two shared a madness they'd acquired during the Crusades. Once they'd cleared the wall, his surprise was short lived however. He turned from the catapult to see the battle raging. Outlaws, bystanders, and Nottingham's soldiers fought well, but the bystanders had little stomach for it, and the outlaws were badly outnumbered.

Will picked up a fallen sword just in time to deflect a blow and disarm the soldier who'd come after him. So focused was he on the man in front of him, he never noticed the ones coming up behind. Two men grabbed him from behind trying to force him to release his sword. He swung wildly and managed to stab one deep in the arm. Turning on the one remaining, he realized it was the one who'd given him the worst of his beating the night before in the dungeons. The bloodthirsty grin on the man's face stopped him for a moment. "I'm goin' to enjoy this!"

He was in a frenzy vowing to himself that he'd let the man kill him before he'd be anyone's prisoner again. As he swung, he buried the sword hilt deep through the man's torso, pinning him to the ground. He stared down half in satisfaction and half in shock at what he'd done. When he felt someone approaching from behind, he was just skittish enough after this encounter to swing around slipping his dagger from his belt and aiming to do the most damage.

The familiar yelp surprised him, and he froze, bloody dagger still in his hand and his eyes wide at the sight of Much the Miller holding a hand to a bleeding gash in his forearm a look of betrayal and disgust on his face.

"Much! I'm…s…"

"Save it!" Much cried, and Will was quick to realize he was fast being surrounded by the Sherwood Outlaws, the soldiers having fled or been dispatched or captured.

"But…" Will began, but he wasn't allowed to continue.

Cal and Byram, two of the strongest of the men who'd lived in Sherwood had come to Much's aid. "You're a traitor, Will Scarlett! And you're going to regret it!"

They each grabbed Will, who struggled madly kicking, but eventually Cal, the bigger of the two, forced Will down to his knees. With a firm grasp around his neck with one massive hand, he leaned in close to Will and whispered. "I'll give your 'ead to Robin 'ood!"

Cal drew back his fist and punched with as much force as he could, which was considerable, landing the blow to the side of Will's head. It felt like a tree limb smacking into him, and Will's vision doubled momentarily.

Sounds shifted and it seemed as though he were hearing things under water. He clawed at Cal's other hand, which held tight to Will's right arm, immobilizing it while he continued to rain blows down upon him with his own right. Struggle as he did, he couldn't break free, and he feared he was losing consciousness.

Will heard John and Fanny arrive and knew intellectually that they were trying to convince Cal and Byram to release him, but deep inside he didn't think they'd mind if Call succeeded in removing his head from his soldiers. He'd never made a real friend in his life, so here, at its end, he wasn't counting on anyone stepping forward to rescue him.