Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
The Long Road Home by Ecri
Part 13: Moving On
Will Scarlett watched as Azeem tended his own wounds. Occasional help from Robin was grudgingly accepted, but if he could manage it on his own, he did it himself. Robin had just excused himself to try to hurry Marian along. Will found himself alone with the Moor and realized with surprise that he'd grown to rely on the man's presence, his advice, and his knowledge of Robin.
He had no real knowledge of Robin. What he knew, he'd learned from Azeem. Though he had come to realize that Robin had become protective of him, he had failed to predict his behavior in all other respects. He had thought Robin was a spoiled rich boy who was using him and the others of Sherwood to fight his own war. He had thought Robin would turn and run when things got difficult. He had thought Robin would turn him away once Will made the claim about his parentage. He had been so wrong.
Now, Will wished he could speak…to Robin or Azeem…he wished he could ask questions and answer them and make sense of things. Robin had wanted him to speak as well, but somehow, when Robin was asking him questions and trying to ascertain his health and state of mind immediately following the deaths—Murders, whispered a voice in his head—of the Duke and his men, Will had found himself not without words, but without any desire at all to say them.
He watched Robin leave to help Marian, and felt oddly bereft. It was as though some vital part of him had left the room, and he wondered at that, but his brain was too sluggish, too tired to work out what it meant.
Azeem's self-ministrations completed, the Moor stood and moved to look at the three corpses that littered Marian's floor. Will's gaze followed and he found himself staring at the Duke's wide-open eyes. The look of shock was still there, but it had taken on a macabre and frightening aspect that made Will want to look away, though he found he could not.
He stared into those dead eyes and relived the death of his mother. His mind was quick to show him past agonies, and his imagination was quicker to torture him with what ifs. His mother's death had been a hard one. She had screamed in agony and pain. He had gone to sleep that night with her screams ringing through his head, and to his great shame, he'd awakened everyone in Fanny's sister's household a few hours later when the nightmares had begun. She'd been angered by his presence since Fanny had dragged him there, and though he'd pretended not to hear it, he had heard every word she'd said to Fanny against him and his mother. Fanny, however, had not been swayed. Fanny had threatened her sister telling her that if she threw Will out, Fanny would go with him. That had bought him a night, but no more. The next day, Fanny had taken him back to her own home. He had never felt welcome anywhere after that. He always assumed that, if he'd been welcomed, it was just an act of politeness or of duty, so he never stayed long.
As he stared at the dead eyes of the man who had killed his mother, he felt none of the satisfaction he had thought he might, had told the Duke he would have. Instead, nightmares awoke and some of them featured him in that cage.
He hadn't believed he'd make it out of that cage alive. He'd clung to the hope of rescue at first. He'd believed—hoped—Robin would find him, but the longer he been in that cage, the more he'd been sure he would not make it out again. That was when his father had appeared. It was his imagination, surely, but while it had seemed almost natural at the time, in looking back at it, he was frightened. Why had his fevered brain conjured those images? Why not his mother? It felt like he was betraying her somehow by allowing himself to see his dead father instead of her. He'd heard his father tell him to hold on, but he had tried to ignore him. Seeing a dead man had to mean he was losing his mind, and he hadn't been able to bear it. His father had gotten insistent after a time and Will had had to turn and look him in the eyes.
To his surprise, the ghost like image did not resemble the corpse he'd seen hanging in the cage, but rather he seemed strong, young, and alive…if a bit transparent.
What did you say to the ghost of a dead parent who'd abandoned you? Will's brain hadn't supplied an answer, so he'd just stared at the image.
"Will?"
"Why? Why did you abandon us?" He'd replied.
"I didn't know." His father's ghost had supplied the words.
"It's almost as if we're having a conversation," he'd laughed to himself, and with a look of sadness on his ghostly face, his father had disappeared. Momentary triumph gave way to fear. Better to be crazy and talking to a ghost than sane and completely alone. "Don't leave! Don't leave me…not again!" He called out to his transparent father, but he was too tired and the brief conversation had sapped his strength. He passed out after the ghost disappeared.
The eyes of the dead Duke were not disappearing, and Will felt oddly cold as he stared at them. He felt a shiver run down his spine and he ran his hands up and down his arms to try to make himself warmer. When that failed, he sat, arms crossed over his chest and sat there unable to tear his eyes from the sight.
He began to rock forwards and back, though he didn't think it was for warmth.
"Will?"
For a moment, Will thought his father's ghost had returned. He didn't move, though. He lacked the energy to reply, and, he reasoned, a dead man couldn't really harm him if he chose not to respond.
"Will?"
Persistent as his father's ghost seemed to be, Will vowed to ignore it. He rocked back and forth, his eyes still glued to the dead man.
"Will!" Hands grasped his shoulders and shook him lightly. He blinked into Robin's worried face.
"Robin? What…what is it?" He saw Azeem also peering at him with concern written across his face, though Azeem's glance bounced between Will and Robin.
Robin breathed out a heavy breath. "What do you mean 'what is it'? You were staring at him…" Robin gestured to the Duke. "…and you were rocking and muttering…"
"What? What was I muttering?"
"You said, 'don't leave'…Will, I won't leave you…I'd never do that."
Will blinked rapidly. He was still rocking forwards and back, and with effort, he stopped himself. He forced himself to close his eyes, and he shook his head. "Sorry," he said, "Nightmares."
Robin almost laughed. "You weren't asleep…"
Azeem stopped Robin and pulled him aside. Robin cast furtive, terrified eyes to him once or twice during the conversation, and Will felt his own eyes drift as though drawn to the Duke once more. The rocking started again, but almost immediately, Robin and Azeem stood before him, blocking his view of the Duke.
"Azeem, let's get him out of here."
Azeem nodded. "I will take him upstairs. He must have blankets if he is to make the journey to Sherwood in this cursed English weather."
Robin interrupted. "No, I'll take him."
Will was irritated now. "Stop talking like I'm not here!"
"Will," Robin said, "I'm sorry…but, you weren't yourself."
Will looked away in confusion taking in the room, the bodies still on the floor, and shook his head hoping to clear it. "I'm all right," he said as he turned to look at Azeem and Robin. "I was just…lost in thought, I suppose."
"You're shaking," Robin told him as he sat down next to his brother.
"I know. I can't stop…" He glanced at his shaking hands and saw the blood there. Instantly, he felt the emotion of that moment, the anger, the rage, the overwhelming need to save his brother from the Duke lest the man be responsible for taking his family from him for a second time…he felt his stomach churn, and then he was bolting for the door. He knew Robin and Azeem followed, but all he could think about was getting outside where either the shock of the cold air would snap him out of this or at least he would be saved the humiliation of being sick all over Lady Marian's floor.
He threw open the door and raced outside falling instantly to his knees. He'd eaten little in the preceding days, but that would not dissuade his rebellious stomach. He heaved until his stomach muscles ached and then he heaved some more. When he was finally through, he dropped from knees and hands to lie on the ground on his back. He was still shaking, almost violently, and he felt weak in absolutely every sense of the word. Embarrassment sent a warm flush to his face, and he closed his eyes so he wouldn't have to see either Robin or Azeem.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin followed Will out of Marian's home with Azeem close behind. He'd put a sympathetic hand on Will's back and found himself supporting his brother's near-convulsive movements with his other hand across his brother's stomach to keep him from throwing himself head first to the ground and hurting himself.
When Will finally fell to the ground having exhausted his weakened stomach, he put a hand on his brother's head. Will was still shaking slightly, but he couldn't tell if that were muscle fatigue from having vomited or if it stemmed from his shock over having killed the Duke and his men.
He and Azeem gently helped Will to stand. They cleaned him up as best they could. They brought him inside and he willingly did as they said, moving, walking, sitting, standing, he took every direction and let himself be steered around the room.
Robin and Azeem loaded the bodies into a wagon and covered them with a blanket. They would be dumped at an appropriate place somewhere well before Sherwood, but well away from Marian's lands. He helped Marian mount her horse, and Azeem took to his own. Robin drove the wagon, insisting that Will ride with him. He needed to keep a close eye on his brother.
They'd traveled over an hour before Will spoke. It was a whisper and Robin was hard-pressed to hear it. He sat beside Robin, his elbows resting on his knees and his hands dangling down between them. His head was down, and his eyes were closed.
"I could not let him take you. I couldn't! I couldn't let him kill you, brother…" He opened his eyes then, and stared into Robin's. "I would do the same again to save your life, but it's not a crime I expect the Crown to pardon. I should leave…I should go far away…maybe even abroad…when Azeem leaves for his homeland, I could go with him as far as the Holy Land…"
"NO!" Robin shouted with all the vehemence any man could muster, surprising his brother and drawing looks from both Azeem and Marian. "Will, understand this; I will not let you leave any more than you would let Essex kill me. We have only just found each other. Even if I were willing to see you go, I cannot let you go to the Holy Land. The Crusades aside, it is not a pleasant place and for a man with your lack of position…" He stopped, unwilling to hurt Will with such words, but not sure how to make his brother understand how hard life would be for him there. "You've seen how people here don't take to Azeem right off. It would be the same for you there. You'd be a stranger, and an infidel. Will, the punishment for theft is to cut off the thief's hands. There are few things a man with no hands can do to support himself." He watched Will shudder at the thought. His shaking had nearly subsided, but this seemed to start him up again.
"If the King does not see fit to pardon this crime, you and I will leave together," Robin said realizing as he spoke the words how true they were.
Will stared at him wide-eyed. "What of the Lady Marian?"
Robin wasn't sure what to say to that. He imagined that Marian might accompany them, and if they traveled far enough away, perhaps they could make a pleasant life for themselves. He shrugged. "I would have to speak to her. If she would come, she would be welcome, but I would not ask her to give up everything to be with me."
"Go on, ask," Lady Marian's voice drifted over to them.
"Marian…" Robin said, but didn't know how else to respond.
Her eyes twinkling at him, she looked at Will. "If King Richard does not pardon you, we will yet find a way to make a family, Will Scarlett, but do not sell my cousin short. He is a just man."
"I meant n-no disrespect," Will began."
"I know, Will," Marian said, then she urged her horse forward and gave the brothers some more time alone.
"Don't fret, Will, and do not think you can slip away in the night. I would only follow you."
Tentatively, Will smiled. He nodded once to himself, and the smile broadened. Robin was relieved when Will sat back on the seat and drifted off to sleep. By the time he awoke, they were home.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
By morning, the castle was spotless. No blood, no bodies, and indeed, no one living there any longer. Lady Marian had agreed to leave her beloved family home for two reasons; one was that Robin was truly concerned for her. The other was Will Scarlett. He'd seemed truly frantic about her safety, and, from his argument, she knew that he would blame himself were anything to happen to her as a direct result of what he'd done.
She had to admit, as she packed her clothes and most precious possessions, that the murder of Essex and his men would most likely make things difficult for her. Prince John might be less inclined to take an interest in the goings on in Nottingham, but once a Duke was killed, he'd be obliged to look into it or risk others of rank turning on him. She would pen another letter to her cousin, but she could only hint broadly at what had happened. If she were to commit those deeds to paper and that paper fell into the wrong hands, it would be as if she'd tied the noose around Will's neck herself.
She packed quickly and efficiently taking only what was vital or special to her. As she followed Robin, who continually glanced back to be sure she was following, she realized what a step she had taken. She was publicly committed to Robin Hood's cause now as she was to the man himself. She loved him, of course, but he had not yet asked her to be his wife, and though she suspected it was entirely because he was an outlaw, she couldn't help but think she and Robin might never marry if he were indeed waiting for a pardon before he would make a commitment to her.
She heard him talking to Will, telling him that if he weren't pardoned, Robin would stay with him. Will's question didn't surprise her. He had a low opinion of himself and undoubtedly believed that if Robin had thought through his vow, he wouldn't have made it. Robin's answer was not unexpected, and she found she didn't blame him for wanting to hold on to his family. She brought her horse alongside the wagon.
"Go on, ask," she said to him.
"Marian…" Robin said.
She smiled at him, but then she looked at Will. "If King Richard does not pardon you, we will yet find a way to make a family, Will Scarlett, but do not sell my cousin short. He is a just man."
"I meant n-no disrespect," Will said."
"I know, Will," Marian said, then she urged her horse forward and thought about these two complicated, compassionate, proud men. They were more alike than they knew, but they were also very different. Right now, the biggest similarity was the desire to learn about each other.
Her emotions were a churning mess as they arrived at the new settlement, and while she didn't like the idea of leaving her home, she could not deny that there was a charm to living here in these woods with the man she loved.
The community was serene. There was a feeling of elation and victory here, even though things were not exactly settled. They had defeated the Sheriff, and they truly believed it was only a matter of time before King Richard returned and set things right.
She glanced around the campsite. Everyone was helping in some way. The women were cooking, warm, pleasant smells permeating the air, while the children ran about the camp playing. The men prepared the weapons. They were still dependent upon them for defense as well as food, so they spent their spare time keeping them in good repair and adding to their cache.
She was more than a little bewildered by how quickly everyone seemed to accept that she was now going to live there, but they seemed to have been prepared for her arrival. As she dismounted, Fanny came to her and led her to a comfortable looking home set high in a tree. She ascended the ladder carefully and once at the door remarked to Fanny, "What a lovely home."
"Glad you think so, Lady. It's yours."
"Mine?" Marian asked.
Fanny nodded. "We built a home for you and Robin to share. We assumed he'd be bringing you back at some point, but he says he'll share with Will until you and he reach some kind of an arrangement." Fanny blushed a bit.
Marian wasn't sure how she felt about the assumption that she'd agree to such an arrangement, but she didn't dwell on it. Impulsively, she hugged Fanny.
"Thank you," she whispered, not sure why she was so overwhelmed, though she suspected leaving her family home might have something to do with it.
Fanny left her to get settled, and Marian set about making the little tree house her own. When she was finished, she sat down and drew out her pens, inks, parchment, wax and seal. She had a busy day ahead of her. She would persuade King Richard to come home or else she would find him herself.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Azeem was sharing a joke with Friar Tuck and John Little as Bull and Much began to call out. The pair was returning to Sherwood from a brief visit to Nottingham.
"Robin!" Bull called, his tone demanding immediate attention.
Azeem, Tuck and John joined Robin, Marian and Will as they gathered around Bulll who was pulling parchments from his pockets. He waved them at Robin and Lady Marian. "They said in town that you've both been charged."
Marian stared at the parchments, and Azeem could see over her shoulder that upon them were poor likenesses of the Christian and his brother. "'Wanted', Robin read. "Robin of Locksley for kidnapping. Robin of Locksley also known as Robin of the Hood has kidnapped the Lady Marian DuBois. $1000 gold pieces for his capture or the return of the Lady Marian.'"
"I've never kidnapped anyone before, My Lady. How do I rank?" Robin asked.
Marian smiled. "I have only one other time to compare it to, and as that was the Sheriff's men, I must say I'm enjoying this one infinitely more." She kissed him and turned her attention to the other parchment. Her smile fell.
"'Wanted," she read, "Will Scarlett, one of Robin Hood's men, for the murder of Henry, Duke of Essex and five of his men. He is considered armed and dangerous. $2,000 gold pieces for his capture, dead or alive.' Oh, Robin! This is much worse than I'd imagined."
Robin nodded. "I had no idea they'd lie so badly. He didn't kill five of the Duke's men, and it wasn't murder. It was a life and death fight."
Azeem stepped closer. "You knew he would be so charged, Christian. They would not have lost the chance to call one of your men a murderer."
"Yes, but I didn't count on the 'dead or alive' clause."
"Will shouldn't leave Sherwood at all, Rob," John said, eyeing Will warily. "Anyone would turn him in for that amount of money, and killing him first would make it easier to bring him in."
Tuck nodded. "He's right, Robin. These are trying times and a fortune is to be had to anyone willing to turn him in." He glanced around the camp. "Friend or foe," he said with a worried glance back at Robin.
Robin's head snapped up from the study of the posters to stare in disbelief at the Friar.
Azeem put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "He is right, Christian. We must be diligent in protecting him."
Robin looked at his brother, and Azeem could see the regret in his eyes. Will did not take well to having his movement limited. He had been living on his own for too long. Even when he'd stayed at Lady Marian's estate, he'd snuck out at night just to see the stars or to inhale the clear night air. Azeem had found him more than once, and he and Marian had conspired to keep it from Robin. Azeem had always been nearby, keeping an eye on him without being seen.
"Imprisoned already," Will said, trying to make it a joke, but Azeem could see the fear in his eyes.
Azeem looked at Robin. "I will pledge to you, my friend, that your brother will be safe while I draw breath."
"No!" Will spat the word. "I can take care of myself. I don't want anyone else hurt. Azeem, you were injured the last time."
"Not by you, Young Christian, and I was aiding the Lady at the time."
"But she was only in danger because the Duke was after me!" He turned to Robin. "Please, let me leave. I'll go far away and no one has to worry…"
"No! Will, I can't let you do that! What are you thinking? We will get through this together. I promise you."
Will shook his head, and though Azeem could see Robin had won this argument, Will was still too shaken to abandon his half-formed plan entirely.
Azeem was certain keeping Will Scarlett safe would be more difficult than saving Robin's life had been.
Over the days that followed, Azeem was always near Will Scarlett. Will made it easy. He was keeping to his home most of the time, venturing out only seldom and then only when it couldn't be avoided.
It was a week later that the young man made his vow a more challenging one to keep. The moon shone brightly through the trees and the slight breeze made it a much less chilly night than it had been in the preceding weeks. Azeem found, much to his surprise, that he was getting accustomed to the cold nights, but the slight improvement had lifted his spirits. He had taken to sleeping at the base of the tree Robin and Will shared, and when he looked up at it as he did many times during a night, he saw a dark shadow creeping downward.
He recognized Will Scarlett immediately, and he wondered if the man truly believed he would be able to sneak away so easily. When Will reached the ground, Azeem stood in front of him making the young man jump.
"Are you unwell, Young Christian?" Azeem asked.
"Azeem…no…I just…have to…" He gestured toward the trees.
Azeem nodded. "Ah, and that is why you have packed a bag?" He took the bag in question from Will and looked inside. "Bread, fruit, dried meats…" Did you plan to be about your business so long?"
Will dropped his gaze and his stance took on an edge of defeat. "I need to go, Azeem. I need to find a way to fix this."
"How does your leaving fix the problem, Young Christian? I know you do not want to run away from your problems any longer."
"I thought I might be able to find the King,' Will admitted.
Azeem's eyes widened. "To what end? Would you be permitted an audience?"
Will deflated at the thought. "No, I don't suppose so."
"You might be recognized and turned in or killed." Azeem shook his head. "No, I cannot permit you to go."
"I have to!" Will shouted now, then glanced around as though realizing he might have woken someone else and given himself away.
"Will?" Robin's voice drifted down from above, and Will Scarlett turned away as though wanting to escape, then checked the impulse and pounded on the tree trunk in frustation.
In moments, Robin stood beside his brother.
"What's going on? Will? Azeem?"
When Will did not reply, Azeem revealed what Will had told him.
"Will? Is this true?" Robin asked.
"I need to do something! We're waiting. Just waiting! We're sitting around and hoping that the King will come through for us based on letters we can't be sure he's even seen!" He hung his head and his voice was nearly a whisper. "I can't do it. I can't sit around and wait like this."
Azeem understood and said as much. "It is a horrible thing for someone accustomed to action to be forced to inaction." He smiled at Will. "But like all trials, it is the journey that makes us stronger, not the resolution to the problem."
"Come on, Will, let's go back to bed." Robin suggested.
Will shook his head. "I can't sleep," he admitted.
Azeem shook his head in sympathy. "I am going to return to my post," he said and settled himself at the base of the tree.
Robin took the hint and herded Will up the ladder. "You don't have to sleep," Robin told him. "We'll talk instead."
Azeem smiled when Will's face revealed that he wasn't entirely sure that was an improvement on the situation. When they were both safely inside and the flicker of a candle told Azeem they were indeed settling down to talk, Azeem settled back and cast eyes around the serene camp. "It's about time, Christian," he whispered.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Robin lit the candle and reached for a jug of Tuck's ale. He poured a cup for Will and one for himself and sat at the small table across from his brother. "Will," he began, "I understand your frustration. I share it."
"I'm sorry," Will whispered.
Robin looked startled. "What? Why?"
"I've been nothing but a burden to you since I told you who I am. The plan at the hanging…I messed that up. Then I attacked the Duke at Lady Marian's and he…"
"He kidnapped you, Will, and almost killed you. How is any of that your fault?" Robin demanded. Just saying it brought back the feelings of helplessness and frustration he'd felt when he'd been looking for his brother.
Will cringed at Robin's tone, but he didn't answer. Robin sighed and forced himself to calm down. "Will, these things were done to you. That doesn't make them your fault. Now, why can't you sleep? Did you have another nightmare?"
Reluctantly, Will nodded. "It was the cage again…I…" He shuddered. "It feels so real. It seems like I'm there again, and when I wake, it feels like this is the dream." He looked out the window. The moon hung low and seemed larger than normal, but, Robin knew, the light was no comfort to his brother. "Did I ever tell you…I saw him…our father? I saw him in that cage.
"I tried to climb up there and cut him down, but Duncan chased me off." He allowed himself a short, derisive laugh. "I lacked the courage to return and try again."
"Courage, Will, is not something you lack."
"You said it yourself, Robin," Will insisted.
"I was wrong. Please understand that and let it go. You saved Marian. You saved me. You saved Azeem. Those men would surely have killed us all. You have faced more challenges than many a man I knew during the Crusades." He sighed. "You have nothing to prove, Will Scarlett."
To Robin's surprise, Will smiled. He couldn't be sure his brother wouldn't one day be plagued by doubt, but for now, he seemed to believe Robin.
"I don't suppose you'd be willing to try to sleep again?" Robin asked. When Will agreed, Robin knew that though they still had a long way to go to become the brothers Robin hoped they would be, the path was set now, and he no longer feared Will wasn't interested in traveling it.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
When morning came, Azeem stood and stretched. He could tell the temperature had dropped significantly and he heard some of the others discussing snow. It was not something he was looking forward to seeing. He shuddered at the thought and moved away from the tree when Robin leaned out and waved him away.
Robin and Will came down soon after, and Will, who'd become a hero to the children because he'd saved Robin, was escorted away by the youngest of John and Fanny's children to tell the tale once more.
The young man was uncomfortable with such adulation, and Azeem thought he would rather not have to go through the telling one more time, but he would never disappoint the children. For days now, he'd dealt with watching them as they reenacted the rescue throwing sticks and pretending them to be knives and embellishing Will's bravado as only children were able to do.
Azeem took a seat by Robin as they ate their breakfast. "Did you manage to make him see he was not to blame?"
Robin sighed. "I think so. It's going to be hard for him. He doesn't think much of himself."
"He is growing. He will learn." Azeem paused, but decided to finish the statement as he'd intended. "As will you."
Robin didn't hide his confusion. "What? What have I got to learn?"
"Ah, do not be arrogant, Christian. A man has something to learn each day of his life. The day he stops learning is the day he dies."
"Yes, but you sounded like you had something specific in mind," Robin prompted.
"You take a long road home, Christian."
"What does that mean?"
"It has taken you some time to talk with your brother. It has taken you some time to talk to Marian." He shook his head as though in disbelief at the amount of time. "You have made a start with both, but only a start." He looked his friend in the eye. "These relationships cannot be collected like fine clothes or jewels or furniture. No, they must be forged like the finest sword. You must labor over their creation and once made, they must be maintained or they will lose their edges, their shine, their shape." He glanced across the camp where Will was laughing with the children.
"You're brother has been alone a long time. His life has not been an easy one. You say you want to make it easier. Do not think this can be done with titles and land and money, Christian?" He gestured to Will. "Have you seen him laugh like that before?"
Robin shook his head. "No."
"Nor have I. He needs a brother, a family. That is far more important to him than the money and castles and titles you hope to share with him." He gestured toward Lady Marian who stood nearby with Fanny watching the children and laughing as hard as they were. "Your Lady, you told me she was worth dying for, but if she is not also worth living for, if she is worth something to you only when you can give her titles and lands like you intend to give your brother, then you will lose her, Christian. You wait for something, not understanding that what is important is already yours."
He stood then, brushed the crumbs of his breakfast from his clothing and began to walk away. Just before he left Robin alone, he looked at him once more. "It is your choice, Christian, but if you do not choose wisely, you will regret it for the rest of your life."
To Be Continued