Does He Understand Flight, the Pale One?

Chapter Six

When Luke finally returned back to the outlaws' camp a few hours later, Much was the first one to see him as he quickly motioned to Robin, who then made his way over to Will's younger brother before he could go back inside the shelter where Djaq and John were still taking care of their ill friend; a never ending task. Luke attempted to simply push past him, but the leader of the band of thieves grabbed hold of him firmly and looked into the boy's eyes, sympathy appearing in his own.

"Listen, I can only imagine how angry you must be, and how scared you are for your brother, but right now Will needs you to be here for him with a calm mind and to know that Djaq is not the reason why he is suffering," Robin said quietly when he finally looked at the archer. "She loves Will and I know that she would have taken his place if she could have, without a doubt."

"Neither one of them would have had to suffer if she hadn't made my brother feel that some bloody pigeons were more important to her than he was!" Luke answered coldly and loud enough for everyone within the camp to hear. "Why couldn't he have just left with her, instead of going back? They all could have gotten away!"

John walked out of the shelter as he spoke up angrily saying, "Because, your brother wasn't just going back into the burning home to save those birds! He was saving those he loved. Will knew that those soldiers would see him re-enter Bassam's home and that they would focus on him instead of on those trying to flee. It worked. His wife, Bassam himself and his family, as well as a few others all survived because of his bravery and strength to do what was needed. Instead of being angry at Djaq or the pigeons he fought to free, show your brother empathy and be here for him the way he needs you to be."

Everyone stared at the big man in surprise, especially Luke, who then nodded and responded calmly, "You're right. Thank you."

"Is that really true?" Much asked after they watched the younger Scarlett take a moment to calm his temperament and then continue to walk back to the shelter where his brother was being taken care of, while John came over to stand with them. "Did Will really do what you just said he did?"

"Truthfully, I don't know if that is why he went back inside or not," John replied softly so that Luke wouldn't be able to overhear them. "I only said those things because I knew that that was what the boy needed to hear, something to might help him to see reason and to forgive Djaq. But I do believe that Will did see a way to protect those he loved and that he willingly put himself in harm's way to keep them safe. It is the kind of man he is."

Upon hearing John's words he said to her husband's brother, Djaq looked down at the man she loved and kissed him gently and then whispered, "I do believe John is right. And if it is true, then I am deeply touched, and angry at you too because you sacrificed yourself to keep me safe. Not really, I love you, you foolish man."

When Luke entered, at first he looked fearfully down at his brother for a few moments and then turned to look over at the Saracen woman as he stated sincerely, "Forgive me, Djaq. I was wrong to blame you for Will's suffering. I know how much he loves you and I can see how much you love him too. I'm angry and I'm scared, but it isn't right for me to treat you as though you're one of the monsters who did this to him. I'm very sorry."

"Thank you, Luke," she answered with a smile, then motioned for him to sit beside his brother. "And please, call me Saffiya. I don't blame you for your anger. I blamed myself plenty for allowing this to happen to him, but it won't do him any good. We simply need to focus on making him well again and I believe that he will be alright, in time."

"I should also thank you for bringing him home," the boy said again. "I missed him. When Robin sent word that he remained behind in the Holy Land with you, I was happy for him, but also angry at him for leaving me here alone."

Djaq looked at Luke in confusion as she asked, "Did you not receive Will's letter?"

Luke shook his head and responded, "No, I never received anything from him."

"Will sent you a detailed letter explaining everything as well as enough money for you to travel safely to the Holy Land to join us," she replied sincerely. "He never abandoned you, Luke. Will would never abandon you."

"I should never have doubted him," the younger man answered sadly. "His letter must have gotten lost."

Robin and the other men entered as Djaq responded, "Or perhaps it was stolen. First, somehow the Sheriff of Nottingham and Gisborne knew of our presence there in Jerusalem, allowing them to ambush us in the desert. Then, Salah ad Din knew that Bassam had helped us when seeking protection from our people so long as we remained in Jerusalem, the reason for him sending the Saracen soldiers to attack our home for harboring Englishmen. And finally, we learn that Will's letter went missing. All these things cannot be a coincidence. We must have had a spy within our home."

As Djaq gently placed her hand across her husband's forehead, then began to feel along his face and chest as she pulled away the old rags to look at his wounds, Allan spoke up saying, "I don't suppose that much matters now though, does it?"

"No, I don't suppose it doesn't," Robin replied, though not feeling quite as confident.

"Robin, I need some more herbs," Djaq stated worryingly. "I have run out. I wouldn't ask you to risk going into Nottingham with the Sheriff and Gisborne on high alert, but it appears that his infections are finally beginning to heal and without the herbs, I won't be able to keep his fever at bay."

Their leader nodded and answered, "You don't have to ask, Djaq. We'll go now. There was someone I needed to speak with anyway."

She responded, "Please, just be careful."

"Aren't I always?" he asked smugly, then became more serious as he looked amongst his men. "John, I'm going to need you with me. Brother Tuck…"

"Take everyone with you," Djaq replied quickly. "You will need their help to escape trouble if the Sheriff's men attack. Luke will stay here with Will and me. We'll be safe here inside our own camp."

Robin was about to say something more until Will suddenly struggled to speak as he opened his eyes as wide as he could, weakly calling out her name, "Saf… fiya? How… How are you… here? I did… didn't be… lieve I'd see…"

His wife gripped his hand as tightly as she dared to and tried to move her face into his line of sight as he quickly reclosed his eyes tightly and cut himself off when his pain flared up, then she exclaimed softly, "Will! It's all right, just breathe. You are safe now. And at home back in England, with Robin Hood. We're all here, including your brother."

"L… Luke?" he slurred as his eyes slowly looked around for sight of his brother as the younger Scarlett moved in closer and took his free hand as well.

"That's right," the fourteen year old answered fearfully as tears slipped out from the corners of his eyes. "I'm here. God, I thought I was going to lose you too, but you're going to be fine. Your wife and friends have been taking good care of you."

Will struggled to sit up until his brother and Djaq stopped him by keeping a firm hand on his chest, then he turned back toward the woman he loved as he asked again, "It's true? You're al… alright? And Bassam? The oth… others? Your birds?"

Robin slowly knelt down at the carpenter's feet and smiled as he said, "It's good to see you awake and more yourself again, caring for everyone else, except yourself."

"I'm just fine, as is Bassam and his family, a few others from our wedding night, and the pigeons too," she responded with a smile. "All thanks to you."

"We will leave the two of you alone with him, while we head into town," their leader spoke again quietly as he looked between Djaq and Luke, while he and the others all moved to leave the shelter. "We'll be back as soon as we can with the herbs you need."

She looked up at him and nodded, then once they were gone, she turned back to her husband and noticed his eyes were closed once again and that he was no longer conscious, then she gently caressed his cheek and stated quietly, "He will be very weak for awhile, but he's going to get better now, especially once they return with the herbs that I sent them out for."

Luke nodded and replied, "Thank you again, Djaq."

After what felt like in a long time, things finally appeared to be looking up for the band of thieves after the number of tragedies that have befallen them since they all became outlaws over two years ago for fighting against the injustice throughout England. Little did they know that trouble was about to find them again thanks to Gisborne's and the Sheriff's latest plot. Unbeknownst by Robin or the others as they left, a stranger was lurking outside of their camp, observing the outlaws from a safe distance after having searched for them since he had come to Nottingham as a favor to the traitor who had once saved his life long ago.