A:N/ I'M ALIVE! New chapter, whoop whoop! Be prepared, this is going to jump from different points of view.

Edyn was sure that time had come to a complete stop. It felt like a year had almost passed since she had spoken to Will but sadly no more than a few days had gone by. One morning while she was scrubbing one of the many floors of the castle she began daydreaming and fantasising about running away and leaving this horrid place. With Sir Edward's death and Marian's departure she really had no reason to stay. She was wondering about going to Henry and staying with him until she could find other arrangements, she doubted Victoria would mind, she'd probably love another person to listen to her endless wittering.

Exhausted, she picked herself up off the floor and went to the next room the Sheriff had insisted she clean from top to bottom. Odious man! Leaving the room she practically barged right into Allan who was hurrying passed. "Oh, Allan. Sorry, I didn't see you," she puffed bending down to retrieve the objects she had dropped.

"No, it was you I was looking for," he said.

Edyn rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, the Sheriff needs some more wine? Or some bread and cheese? Or–"

"No, Edyn," Allan spoke over her.

"What is it?" she asked slightly nervous by his stiff position.

"Look, if the Sheriff or Gisborne knew I was telling you this then I'd be in a lot of trouble, yeah?"

She nodded. "Tell me."

"I just heard from some guards that the Sheriff organised to have some of his men go to Clun and ruff up the people a bit. Scare them and what have you."

"But… why?" Edyn asked.

"I have no idea, probably some plan against Robin or something, but the point is I know your brother and his wife live there. You might want to go see if they're alright. Help them clean up and stuff."

"See if they're alright?" Edyn echoed his words. "What exactly happened?"

"I don't know, I'm telling you what I do know. So go sneak out or whatever it is that you and Marian used to do," he urged.

Edyn merely nodded her head and left him without another word. She felt odd, numb almost and she had no idea why. Surprisingly getting out of the castle with her horse was a lot easier than she had thought it would be. The guards standing nearby barely acknowledged her let alone tried to stop her. Reaching Clun she forgot how far it was from the castle and it was almost midday by the time she arrived. What she found there would haunt her for the rest of her life.

The entire town was a mess. Broken fences and shattered pots scattered around, children screaming, women crying, it was all too much. The sight of a noose hanging over a beam made Edyn shudder. That was until she noticed several bodies all laid together at the far end of the town. She couldn't get a clear sight of them but as she dismounted the discomfort she had felt in her stomach earlier was nothing compared to what she felt now.

She left her horse without even considering tying him up. She needed to see the bodies; she had to know Henry was not one of them. Her hands began to shake and her breathing was so loud she could hear it over the commotion surrounding her, competing with her heart beat that she could suddenly hear pounding in her ears. Getting closer she could see there was four of them; a woman in her later years from what Edyn could see, a small boy little older than an infant from his size being cradled by a grieving mother, and two men lying further off, though she was still too far away to distinguish their faces. It's not him, it's not him! Rudely she pushed through the people gathered, she had to know. She then felt a strong hand grab her shoulder and pull her around away from where she was headed. Towering over her was a middle aged man with long greasy hair. "No, miss. You should come away."

She pulled against him. "Let go of me."

"Trust me!" he growled.

She pulled harder, fearful of this stranger. "Edyn!" She turned to the sound of her name and spotted Victoria standing beside her mother, her complexion was much paler than Edyn thought was healthy. "Oh, Edyn!" she bawled as she ran over and threw her arms around her neck. "He's gone, Edyn! They killed him!"

"What?" If it wasn't for Victoria's grip on her she would have surely fallen. "No…"

"Yes. He was trying to protect me," Victoria sobbed.

"I have to see him," she said, her voice was oddly calm.

Victoria's grip on her tightened and the strange man beside them spoke, "No, its best you leave him."

"No," she said again more firmly pushing Victoria off her. Again, a large hand was placed on her shoulder and she roughly pushed it off. "Don't! He is the strongest, bravest man I know, I'm not going to simply believe you when you tell me he is dead. I have to see it myself!"

Victoria began howling hysterically again and at her mother was soon rushing to her side, but Edyn ignored their little moment, she was already once again moving towards where the dead lay. He wasn't going to be there, they were mistaken. People around her all had the same sympathetic look etched upon their faces and she glared back at them angrily. They were wrong! Finally squeezing through to get a clear look she saw to her horror they were right. There he was, pale and sickly looking, but his expression was content and peaceful. Edyn inhaled sharply and brought her hand to her chest, it ached terribly, unlike anything she had felt before. Forcing herself to move closer she stood beside him before she slowly sank down beside where he lay.

"I told you that you didn't need to see it yourself," the man's voice returned.

"Leave me," Edyn said softly. She waited a moment but she still felt his presence standing over her. "Please! Just go!" her voice cracked.

Finally she heard the crunching of gravel as he moved away from her. She sniffed but forced herself to hold her tears in. Gently she placed a hand on Henry chest; so eerie that it did not rise and fall. Her bottom lip began to tremble and she shook him. "Come on, Henry. Stop fooling around," she told him. "You know I hate jokes, yet you always would play them on me. I swear I'll laugh about this one, but first you've got to open your eyes." Behind her she could hear the whispering amongst the villagers watching her. "Henry? Please?" Her voice was slowly getting higher and higher with each word she spoke. "You said you would always look after me, Henry. You promised! How is this protecting me?"

Her sadness turned to rage and she moved her hands to his shoulders to shake him harder. "Get up!" It was then she felt the moisture. Lifting her hand she held back a gasp at the sight of her fingers stained with blood. She leant over him to get a better look. The soil beneath where his head lay was darkened with his blood; there was so much of it. How had she not seen it before? It was then she broke. "Oh, Henry," she wailed and slumped down across his chest burying her face into his shirt. He was cold; she could feel it through his clothes. He had always been so warm, bringing her into his large arms whenever she had gone to him and warming her with his body heat. This was wrong. She desperately wanted his arms around her now, to comfort her like he had always done whenever she was upset, but they remained still and unmoving beside him, never to hold her again.

She had no idea how long she had laid there beside him. She was vaguely aware of the other bodies being moved to be wrapped before being buried that afternoon. Some people even came over to her to offer her comfort but she ignored them all. There was only one voice she wanted to hear but she was never going to hear it again, ever. One man even went so far as to even try and lift her off him, yelling at her that he had to be moved, that there were children around and they should not be subject to seeing such things at such a young age. Why, Edyn thought to herself, life is cruel and full of sadness. They should know before they grow up believing nothing bad will ever happen to them. She managed to fight the man off screaming and carrying on before he gave up and she resumed her position beside Henry, weeping silently.

Robin slowly made his way through the town dragging Carter behind him. He watched as Will and Djaq offered a now widowed woman some food and sat with her consoling. "Robin," he heard his name being called. Turning he faced a nervous man, his brow beaded with sweat. "We have a small problem."

"Go on," Robin said kindly trying to reassure the man.

"It's, err, well it's one of the men that died earlier. There's a young woman refusing to let us near the body. We need to wrap him before we bury him this afternoon," he explained.

"I'm sure there is nothing wrong with letting her say goodbye," Robin sighed.

"N-no. It's just, the body has been lying in the sun for quite some time and it won't be long before it starts to… smell. And with children around it really should be moved."

Robin sighed and ran his hand over his stubbled chin. "Of course. Much, you stay here and watch him," he jerked his head toward where he had tied Carter. "John, I might need your help with this."

The two of them slowly made their way over to where everyone was still gathered simply watching the poor woman grieve. The people of Clun really were a strange bunch. When he caught sight of the mess of red hair lying pathetically over the body of a young man he stopped and sighed. There was only one person he knew of in Nottinghamshire with that coloured hair. "Oh, no."

He squatted down beside the young man across from where she lay. "Edyn," he said in a soft voice. "I'm sorry." He got no response from her. "Edyn?" Placing a hand on her shoulder she flinched away from him. "You have to let him go, Edyn."

"I can't," she croaked and slowly she looked up at him. Her face was almost as red as her eyes, all blotchy and puffy. She sniffed pathetically. "He's all I have. And now he's gone!"

"This isn't going to bring him back," Robin told her.

"I know that," she said somewhat childishly. "But I can't let him go, I just… I can't."

"We're not going to let anything happen to you, alright? I promise you that." He brought a hand to the side of her face.

She shook her head and he removed his hand knowing best not to upset her further. "I just want him!"

Silently Robin nodded his head wishing there was something more to say to her. "You have to get up now."

"No–"

"Yes!" Robin said firmly.

"I'm not leaving him!" she said through gritted teeth.

Robin exhaled and turned to his burly companion. "John." He indicated his head to the young woman and John didn't need to be told.

"Sorry, Edyn," Little John muttered before he brought his strong arms around her waist and pulled her away.

"No! NO!" she screamed. Instantly her arms began flailing around and Robin noticed John took a few blows to the face but his grip remained tight as he dragged her away from her brother's body. People immediately moved to the body and carried him away from the town to where Robin could only guess where the other bodies were being kept. "HENRY!" Edyn's screams continued. "NO! Let me go! Henry!"

Much moved beside Robin and shook his head. "Unbelievable. Even Marian didn't react that badly over her father's death."

"That's because Marian has us, me. What does Edyn have but her master the Sheriff," Robin replied.

"Yes, but still…" Much continued.

Will and Djaq then moved passed them heading towards where Edyn was now screaming uncontrollably. Robin's eyes focussed on the young carpenter as he stared in horror at Edyn's state. "Although…" Robin muttered raising an eyebrow.

"Hmm?" Much asked. Robin ignored him and turned back to Carter who had almost been forgotten. He trusted that Djaq would have some tricks to calm Edyn, if not then maybe Will.

Edyn continued to pull and struggle against Little John but it was hopeless. He was the biggest man she knew and she had no more strength than the next woman. She eventually slumped down relying fully on John to hold her upright. Her cries and screaming continued and the shrieks that erupted from within her were unlike anything she had ever heard, deep and guttural, it was almost unnatural. But then the tearing feeling in her chest could not be normal. Her screams got louder and louder as her pain peaked.

"It's alright, I've got you," John was muttering in her ear. "Let it out."

"John, let her go," Edyn heard a female Saracen speak. Edyn didn't bother raising her head to know that Djaq was standing in front of her.

"What?" John asked.

"Just do it," Djaq said.

Gently John loosened his hold on her and helped her down to the ground where she sat slumped in the dirt. After a few moments she had calmed down slightly, her tears still fell and she continued to sob but her shrieks had died away, though her chest continued to rattle with every breath she took. She heard footsteps approach her and she waited for Djaq to speak some useless words of comfort, she didn't want to hear them, she just wanted to be alone. "Edyn." It was not Djaq's voice that spoke to her. It was the deep, quiet voice of Will. She felt his hand gently rest on her shoulder and strangely she flinched away from it.

"Don't!" she snapped struggling to get to her feet.

"Edyn, please…" he tried.

He tried to move closer to her again and this time she managed to get her legs to support her as she moved away from him. "Just leave me alone!" Her breathing began to labour again as she desperately tried to get away from them stumbling back towards the town. She didn't make it far before she fell back down to her knees gasping for air. Again her hands went to her chest and she tried to claw at it with her nails. It hurt so badly she just wanted to rip it open and be done it.

Djaq was suddenly crouched in front of her roughly grabbing at her wrists to restrain her. "Edyn, stop it!"

But Edyn continued to fight with her. "I can't breathe! I can't– Oh God, it hurts!"

"This isn't going to make it better!" Djaq argued.

"I can't breathe," Edyn gasped again.

"Yes, you can!" Djaq said firmly. Edyn felt her small hands restrain her face so she had nowhere to look but into the Saracen woman's eyes. "I'm going to help you through this but you have to listen to me. Understand?" Numbly, Edyn managed to nod her head.

Will stood beside John as the two of them watched as Djaq somehow managed to calm Edyn. Edyn was now sat slumped in the dirt while Djaq was speaking to her softly. Will assumed she was probably telling Edyn about how she had also lost a brother. He hated just standing there, desperate to go and help in some way. He had felt so unwanted and rejected when Edyn had pushed him away, as if he was the last person she had wanted with her. When he had lost his father she was the one person who had been with him when he had needed it the most and he desperately wanted to repay that favour, but the fact she was pushing him away was making it awkward for him.

"This," Little John said beside him, "I do not like."

Will was silent for a moment before he said, "I want to help her, John. How can I do that?"

When he looked up at the bigger man he was surprised to find his eyes narrowed. "I think it would be best for you to leave her be."

"What?" Will asked puzzled.

"There are things I don't think you fully understand. It may seem like a good idea now but in the long term it may have shattering results," John replied.

Will's brow furrowed as he tried to understand the situation. Little John was very observant and more often than not he had a better understanding of things, but Will had no idea what he was meaning now. Shaking his head he left him ignoring the advice he had just been given and slowly moved towards where Djaq and Edyn were sat.

Edyn remained silent as Djaq finished the tale of her own brother's death. She knew she meant well and she had always had a high standard of respect for Djaq, but hearing that was probably the worst thing Edyn wanted to hear from her, it was almost like she was saying Henry's death wasn't heroic enough, or that her grief didn't compare with Djaq's. But she remained silent, staring blankly at the soil beneath her.

She looked up at the sound of footsteps and Will hesitantly moved closer. He gave her yet another sympathetic look and asked, "How are you feeling?" She didn't reply; there were no words she could answer with to explain the pain she was feeling. He lowered himself down and muttered, "I'm sorry, Edyn."

Slowly she looked up at him. "You know, I've never understood that expression. You didn't do anything, so why the need to apologise?"

It seemed it was Will's turn to remain silent, unsure of how to respond.

"Quick! Get up! He's gone!" They all turned at the sound of Much's voice as he ran over to them. "Carter's escaped!"

Beside her Djaq leapt to her feet and sent Edyn an apologetic glance. Will however hesitated. "I'm sorry, I have to go."

Edyn felt a new bout of emotions rise in her. "No…"

"I'll come back, later. I promise," he reassured her gently placing a hand on her arm.

She watched him leave as he tears began to fall again. Strangely they were no longer just over her brother, but for the sudden feeling of rejection she felt as she watched Will's tall figure chase after where the other gang members had just left. Why did she push him away? She had finally had what she wanted, him close to her and now she had blown it.

Edyn spent the remainder of the day sitting with her back leant against a tree overlooking the strange village. She let her mind wander, thinking of everything she had gone through with Henry, the changes they had had to make after they had left Yorkshire, the fun they had, not to mention the arguments.

As the day's end was getting closer the strange man from earlier came forward and sat himself beside her. Now that she was calmer she was able to study him closer. He must have been in his forties she guessed, his face was beginning to wrinkle, his long oily hair thinning. But what caught her attention were his mismatched eyes. One of them was a greyish blue colour while the other was a dark hazel. She could tell he must have been very handsome in his youth but sadly he was now passed it. He introduced himself as Sloan before he explained how he was a friend of her brothers, acquaintances at first but as he was the one to introduce Victoria to Henry the two of them had grown closer.

"You're a friend of Victoria's?" Edyn asked.

"Her father's," he corrected. Silence then fell. "With my kind of work I have very few friends so it grieves me greatly for the death of your dear brother."

"What kind of work?" Edyn asked.

Shaking his head he said, "I hope you never find out." Edyn suddenly felt uneasy around him but remained where she sat.

Just before the sun was to begin to set the graves had finally been dug and the small village gathered together. As Edyn approached Victoria once again came over to her and hugged her. This time she was gentle and less clingy. Slowly Edyn brought her own arms around the distraught woman though she was more than relived when they broke apart. Victoria asked her to join her and her family but Edyn declined wishing to stand alone.

A priest had ridden out from Kirklees to respect the dead and pray for them. Edyn listened numbly. This was all happening too fast. As she listened she heard someone approach her and she could feel their presence beside her. There was a moment of stillness where Edyn refused to turn and look at them. But when she felt a calloused hand shakily brush against her own in what she could only guess as a nervous attempt to hold hers she knew instantly who it was. She closed her eyes and moved her hand so that she was now holding his. Her eyes began to well up once more and she slowly glanced up at Will. The moment she looked into his perfect eyes she couldn't help but let out a sob pathetically. Edyn wasn't sure if it was instinct or if he had a sudden burst of confidence but he was then bringing an arm around her and pulled her closer to his body as her shoulders began to tremble. He hushed her quietly while running a hand through her hair. She was amazed to find that soothed her more than anything else. His rough yet gentle hand softly massaged her scalp while the other rested in the dip of her back. Her own arms she wrapped around his waist and she relied on him fully to support her weight. She had her face buried in his neck and she was slightly surprised when she felt him rest his own face close to hers.

"What am I going to do, Will?" she asked him.

She felt his grip tighten. "Whatever you feel is right," he responded softly. "I'll always be here for you if you need me. We all will."

Edyn let out a shaky sigh and snuggled her face closer. Gently he rocked her and they both remained that way even after everyone else gathered began to depart. He moved his head so his chin was resting on the top of her head and for a moment her heart began to pound as she thought he was going to press a kiss onto her forehead but sadly she was mistaken.

Saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing she had done. She didn't want to leave him, she didn't want to return to the castle, but where else could she go? Her back-up plan was now dead and she couldn't go to the forest like Marian had done, she didn't belong there. It only took one look from Will and she knew what to do. She wasn't going to give up; with Marian gone it was up to her to inform Robin of the happenings in the castle. It would help keep her mind off everything and give her a reason to get up each day. She was going to do it for him.

When she went to leave she stared at him awkwardly. She didn't know what to say. He was so close and so perfect she simply let her instincts take over. She stood up on her toes and left a soft kiss on his cheek, barely touching him. "Thank you," she said, "for everything."

He was silent, his eyes wide and his lips slightly parted as he stared at her with shock. His expression then made her regret what she had done. When she got no reply she muttered a quick apology before she spun around and ran from him ashamed. She could have sworn she heard him call after her but she didn't stop.

"Edyn!" Will called again, but her figure ran further from him. Angrily he ran his hand through his hair and grunted with frustration. Why had he not said anything? This was probably the worst day of her life and he had gone and made it worse for her. He turned and swore loudly as he pounded his hand against a nearby fence post. She had caught him off guard, he had not been expecting her to do that, ever. He was so confused, women were such a mystery to him, he could never tell what they were feeling or thinking, but then he barely could tell how he was feeling at the moment. These new emotions were so strange to him; he didn't know what they meant or what to do about them.

A:N/ I'm so sorry this took me so long to get to you. My new job is crazy, I'm awake before its light and often getting home when it's dark so it's hard to find the time to write. But I forced myself to sit down and write this, had to tell my hands I don't care how much they hurt, how badly they're bruised or in need of stitches I will finish this! So I hope it was worth the wait!

OMG, character death! Trust me when I say there is a reason behind my madness; it's all part of a plan. I hope I didn't butcher my attempt to write sorrow, I know the feeling but it's hard finding the right words to express it. So any advice would be greatly appreciated! So excited, next chapter is the beginning of the build up to my big finale! Just a rough guess, but I think they'll be another 5 or so chapters to go, depending on how I end it; it always gets changed as I write. Please, please, PLEASE review, I'm dying to hear your opinions, even if you just point out where I went wrong, I love to hear from you all!