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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 24, 2009 3:47:18 GMT 1
Abigail sighed watching her frail father's hand shake as it reached for the cup. Her eyes were full of worry and fear. What would become of her once her father died? It seemed self-centered but she had to know her own fate. She could hardly stand to watch him now. Abigail had always been distant from her father and had become even more so since the death of her husband but she couldn't stand to see the once lively man so closed to death. It was only a matter of months now she assumed. "Excuse me, please, father," Abigail said quietly. He nodded his head dismissively, his mind was somewhere else, she could tell.
Abby felt the knot in her throat constricting the flow of her breath. She didn't like to cry, and tried to stop it. The knot built until her throat hurt greatly. She finally let the tears flow, not sure what exactly she was crying about. She supposed it was everything at once and everything brought along with her father being so near to death.
Abby ran to the edge of the trees falling down on her knees and clasping her hands together. "Please, God. Please help my father," Abigail pleaded. She repeated her words through her tears and gasps for breath. "I need you now." She looked at the sky expectantly hoping for some kind of miracle that she knew had long been out of her hands. She felt so alone right now any form of comfort helped.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 24, 2009 7:34:03 GMT 1
Will had been urveying some stands of trees near the edge of Sherwood Forest for much of the day. He found a wide variety of forms and grade, which meant that this particular area would be a good source of building materials. He knew he would find a use for them in the peiodic improvements and repairs that he needed to make at the outlaw camp, as well as repairs to buildings in Locksley, Clun, and Nettlestone.
As his day was coming to a close he heard a commotion near the edge of the Forest. It was a young woman, of ome obvious beaty, probably a noblewoman he thought, who was in obvious distress and at the end of her mental rope.
"Please, God. Please help my father."
"Excuse me, I am but a simple woodsman and carpenter, is there any assistance that I can provide you?" Will hated to see woman cry. He had seen enough of it in the villages.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 24, 2009 7:45:53 GMT 1
Excuse me, I am but a simple woodsman and carpenter, is there any assistance that I can provide you?"
Abigail gasped, clearly startled by the voice. She was not expecting someone to come up to her like that, since her return she had hardly spoken to anyone. She struggled to stand up and straighten her skirt. Her hand moved to her eyes, wiping away the tears that clouded her vision.
"My father is in poor condition, he has been seen by doctors," Abby swallowed and continued, "none can help. He is old and is losing his will to live," Abby concluded weakly. "So no, no there is nothing you can do for my father." Abigail hoped it didn't sound rude, she didn't intend it that way at all.
All Abigail could really use was some company and even that she was too shy to ask for. Lately things had been so lonely. There was no one to share the pain with, not that she would wish what she was feeling on anyone else. She pushed away some more tears. "I'm Abigail by the way. Abigail Merton of... Merton," she said with a chuckle realizing that was probably rather obvious.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 24, 2009 13:40:17 GMT 1
Will had done his best not to hock her when he spoke to the woman. However, she still seemed to be spooked when he made the offer of assistance to her. He saw, though, that she tried to make a recovery as she tried her best to regain her composure and began to tell him of the sorry physical state of her father.
"I understand that such a thing is difficult. I lost both of my parents. One slipped away over a period of time, and the other was taken quite quickly, both well before their times. However much that we want to avoid it, though, dying is the last stage of life. About all we can hope for is that there are loved ones tending us they make the passage easier for us. But, I know its always heart-wrenching to live through such a thing, even if you aren't the one dying."
Finally, she observed the social niceties and introduced herself, and Will smiled broadly. The Mertons .... well definitely not peasants then. "Abigail .... Abigail Merton ..... that's a fine name. Do you wish to be called your full name or some shortened version of it? I am Will .... Will Scarlett of Locksley and Sherwood. I am a master carpenter and general craftsman. If you have anything that needs to be built or repaired .... I'm your man."
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 25, 2009 1:09:36 GMT 1
"I understand that such a thing is difficult. I lost both of my parents. One slipped away over a period of time, and the other was taken quite quickly, both well before their times. However much that we want to avoid it, though, dying is the last stage of life. About all we can hope for is that there are loved ones tending us they make the passage easier for us. But, I know its always heart-wrenching to live through such a thing, even if you aren't the one dying."
Abigail listened intently to his words and nodded in agreement. He seemed to be a nice man, one that would not judge her. It was kind of embarrassing to be found at the edge of the woods on the ground crying and desperately praying. She gave him a small smile of thanks for sharing. "I am so sorry to hear of your parents deaths... Thank you for sharing your wisdom with me," Abigail responded gratefully. He was so different from most of the men she had been exposed to. He was so much more sensitive and caring. She was glad he was the one who had found her and not someone else.
"Abigail .... Abigail Merton ..... that's a fine name. Do you wish to be called your full name or some shortened version of it? I am Will .... Will Scarlett of Locksley and Sherwood. I am a master carpenter and general craftsman. If you have anything that needs to be built or repaired .... I'm your man." It was nice to see him smile and she returned it as she wiped her eyes, thankful the tears had stopped. "Well thank you. Some call me Abby, you may if you wish... Well that is a fine name as well. And I will remember that," she responded with another smile.
She paused for a moment thinking of something to say. "So tell me Will Scarlett, what were you doing in the woods on a fine day like today?," Abby said trying to start a conversation.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 25, 2009 10:28:53 GMT 1
Will noticed that Abigail's frame of mind had markedly improved from when he had discovered her. She had changed from being a daughter in desperation to a person that had empathy for others and their problems. She seemed to be a good listener, at any rate, Will thought. She was definitely not reresentative of the general view that most had of the upper classes. He wondered what her view of his real life would be.
"I am not sure that I have much wisdom, but I am most willing to share what I believe with others, especially those who are really willing to listen and try to understand their fellow man. You do seem to have a good heart. Very well ..... Abby it will be," and he very willingly returned her smile.
Now, was she just trying to be polite or did she really want to know what he was doing here, he wondered. He decided to take the risk. "I'm afraid the Sherwood Forest is a natural place to find a woodsman and one of Robin Hood's outlaws, as he finds wood for repairs to make on his camp. You have nothing to fear from me milady, but I do make a point of checking up on my old village of Locksley, and do what we can to protect it from the ravages of the Sheriff and Prince John," he said waiting for a reaction from her.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 25, 2009 19:56:48 GMT 1
"I am not sure that I have much wisdom, but I am most willing to share what I believe with others, especially those who are really willing to listen and try to understand their fellow man. You do seem to have a good heart. Very well ..... Abby it will be,"
Abby smiled and glanced down at the ground for a moment. "As do you Will," she responded. He had more of a good heart than she did, she was sure. Abby looked back up through her lashes wondering what he was thinking. "You have the most lovely smile," she commented. Abby had never much been one to carry out a fluent conversation, but it wasn't so difficult with Will.
"I'm afraid the Sherwood Forest is a natural place to find a woodsman and one of Robin Hood's outlaws, as he finds wood for repairs to make on his camp. You have nothing to fear from me milady, but I do make a point of checking up on my old village of Locksley, and do what we can to protect it from the ravages of the Sheriff and Prince John."
At first Abigail didn't quite understand what Will was trying to say, but she realized with much surprise that he was saying he was an outlaw. One of Robin Hood's men, as well. Abby had been raised to fear outlaws. She bit her bottom lip and stared at him with curiosity in her deep brown eyes. Abby wasn't afraid, Will didn't seem dangerous at all. In fact, from that statement she gained more respect for him. She had never quite believed that Robin Hood or his men were evil. The sheriff and Prince John were a whole different story.
"I do not fear you, Will," Abigail began, not exactly sure of what to say. What does one say upon learning their new acquaintance is an outlaw? "I find it...," she began, not sure where she was going with it. "I respect you for it," she finally got out. There was more she wanted to say but she didn't know how to word all her thoughts. "I hope I'm not keeping you from....," she began making a small gesture to the woods showing what she was talking about. Abby assumed she sounded stupid. "I'm sorry, I suppose I am not exactly sure what to say," she added bringing her eyes to his, waiting to see his response.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 25, 2009 20:31:12 GMT 1
Will had really no good idea where this conversation was going. However, he was more than happy to continue it. In some ways she seemed to be almost as shy as he was. He wasn't shy when it came to battle, or to his carpentry, but he was in most other things, especially if it involved the talent of speaking, so he was generally quiet most of the time. From that, most people who knew him, understood that he something it had an important meaning to him.
Almost as soon as he spoke of her good heart, she sent the compliment back his way, as she looked down at the ground, shyly, much as he would: "As do you Will .... You have the most lovely smile," she commented. Will knew his face must be turning some shade of red with those remarks.
Will could tell by the expression on her face at first that Abby was having some difficulty understanding what he was trying to explain about his outlaw status. Eventually, however, it became apparent that she understood, as she began to stumble over her words.
"I do not fear you, Will .... I'm sorry, I suppose I am not exactly sure what to say." It was obvious that she was expecting some response when her eyes met his, and she appeared to be quite nervous about what it would be. Significantly out of character for Will, he stepped forward, and put his fingers first on his lips and then on hers. "I am glad that you don't fear me, and there is no need to explain yourself or worry that I don't understand .... I do. So there's no need to talk further of it unless you feel you have to. After all, most fear the Sheriff so much that people won't even talk to us, so this is a pleasant change," he chuckled.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 25, 2009 21:12:06 GMT 1
The moment Abigail took notice of the red on Will's face she felt heat rushing to her cheeks. She looked down again waiting for the blusing to subside a little. Abby pushed her back behind her ears for the first time realizing what a mess she must have looked like. She hadn't taken the time to make herself look presentable seeing as she hadn't expected to see anyone. She didn't think Will seemed like the type to take note and judge upon such things, but in all reality she had just met him and couldn't be sure.
As Will touched her lips with his finger she began to blush even more and could only imagine how red her face was. She glanced away and then looked back to him embarrassed at how easily she blushed.
"I am glad that you don't fear me, and there is no need to explain yourself or worry that I don't understand .... I do. So there's no need to talk further of it unless you feel you have to. After all, most fear the Sheriff so much that people won't even talk to us, so this is a pleasant change."
Abby let out a breath that she hadn't realized she was holding before. She was glad he understood and didn't think there was a need to keep talking about it. She smiled as her eyes flickered to his face and then behind him and back to his face. Abby was having trouble putting her words together now. She turned around slightly looking at her house and then straightened her posture as she looked back forward. "I do fear the Sherriff, however I refuse to let fear change..." again she wasn't sure how to end the sentence, "or rule me. You are very brave. I admire that. What you do is so helpful to the people."
(Sorry that was a bad post. Lol.)
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 25, 2009 21:40:14 GMT 1
Will noticed both the fact that the blush had returned and she was not able to look him in the eye again. That was not the kind of effect that he had been trying for. He had hoped it would relieve some of the tension and not cause her to be more uncomfortable. One of the few things he had learned was that you couldn't always control the many different ways your words and action might be interpreted. Will had no idea how much he was blushing in return.
When brushed her hair back for the first time was the first time he had really noticed anything other than her riveting brown eyes. He had not had any sisters, but he did have a dim memory of his mother, Jane, fussing over her appearance. He figured that Abby, especially being a noble, did many of the same things. He had heard that appearance was so much more important to that class of people. He wanted to tell her that appearance was good, and hers was great, but that was not how he judged people, and besides he didn't even know how to talk about such things with her, especially since they had just met.
"Yes ... you would be a fool if you did not fear him. Its good that you understand that and can keep your principles too. I don't know about brave .... Robin is brave .... and my fellows are too .... I just try to do what I can, and hope that it enough to make a difference for the people .... the poor," he said with a determined and somewhat intense face.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 25, 2009 22:37:01 GMT 1
Abigail finally felt the heat begin to escape her cheeks and looked up, trying to keep her face up and quit avoiding eye contact. She smiled slightly as she anxiously watched him stretching her fingers out at her sides so she would quit twiddling them around because she was nervous. There was something about Will that could make her completely nervous and comfortable at the same time, she couldn't figure it out.
"Yes ... you would be a fool if you did not fear him. Its good that you understand that and can keep your principles too. I don't know about brave .... Robin is brave .... and my fellows are too .... I just try to do what I can, and hope that it enough to make a difference for the people .... the poor."
Abigail laughed lightly. He was modest, she liked that. She had never really seen Robin or his men firsthand. She hadn't been home for so long herself. But, oh, the stories she had heard. "You are all very brave. And what you do helps them so much. Without you all, what hope would they have for the future," Abigail said. She swallowed and continued, "I have always been afraid of everything, myself, from my own shadow to disobey my father or disappointing my husband," Abby said trying to make him realize how amazing what he did was.
Abby sighed, "I am ashamed to admit to someone as selfless as you are how self-centered I am," she said quietly saying her thoughts out loud. She looked into Will's eyes, unblinking, taken aback by the intensity she saw in them.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 26, 2009 3:18:39 GMT 1
Will noticed she had finally overcome her shyness, at least for a moment, and looked back up into his dark eyes. His were deep-set and seemed to take in everything without being intrusive. However, at times they could give a momentary view into his personality, when he let his intensity burst out. He found her, despite being a noble, to be one of the most naturally interesting people that he had ever conversed with. A lot of it was that she seemed to be comfortable with him the way he was. He tended to have trouble with people who tried to change him.
Will listened to her obvious comments about the bravery of himself and others. He just couldn't look at himself that way. If he had been so great and so brave he wouldn't have lost his parents the way that he had. "That may all be true .... maybe .... but you have to remember that there are all kinds of bravery. There is the bravery on the field of battle and the bravery to live by your vakues and principles, every day."
"Which shows more bravery? I'm not sure, but I think its the one that faces life well evry day. Robin Hood's gang may be gone tomorrow, but the struggle of the poor and oppressed will go on and on. And I have no doubt that you, in your own way, have been just as brave as the bravest of us. Besides, I have lost so much, its easy to be brave and have no fear," he smiled.
"Rest assured, we all have our weaknesses. You may turn into one for me," he said. "However, its the way we overcome our failings that shows bravery and courage, and you have given me no proof of your selfishness. As long as we can focus on what we should be doing we can't be too far wrong," he said once more with the focus and intensity that he had shown earlier.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 26, 2009 5:40:25 GMT 1
Abigail was not used to talking so much. With her father she was only challenged to say a few words, but now she was trying to think of entire conversation and she was finding it most difficult, not having been subject to much over the past few months of her life. All she had been doing was taking care of her father, which was a full-time job in and of itself. She kept telling herself to just say what she was thinking, but nor was she used to doing that, always editing her words so she wouldn't sound so iditiotic. By doing so, she just sounded like more of a fool.
"That may all be true .... maybe .... but you have to remember that there are all kinds of bravery. There is the bravery on the field of battle and the bravery to live by your values and principles, every day."
Abigail had abandoned all of that after losing everything, but she did not feel like speaking of that. She nodded in agreement. He was right and she felt almost intimidated by his wisdom of the world. Who knew outlaws could be so wise and passionate about such matters.
"Which shows more bravery? I'm not sure, but I think its the one that faces life well every day. Robin Hood's gang may be gone tomorrow, but the struggle of the poor and oppressed will go on and on. And I have no doubt that you, in your own way, have been just as brave as the bravest of us. Besides, I have lost so much, its easy to be brave and have no fear."
Abby hadn't really ever thought about this, at least as in depth as she was now. She returned his smile as she tried to think about how to respond. "I hardly think the two can be compared. Robin and his gang do what they do every day and live by their values and principles every day. They, obviously, just do it to more of an extent than the majority. Both are brave, just in different senses of the word, as you have pointed out," she concluded, not completely sure that she was making sense. It made sense in her mind, she just had trouble tying all the lose ends into words.
"Rest assured, we all have our weaknesses. You may turn into one for me... However, its the way we overcome our failings that shows bravery and courage, and you have given me no proof of your selfishness. As long as we can focus on what we should be doing we can't be too far wrong,"
Abigail thought about it for a moment as she absent-mindedly switched her weight from one leg to the other and crossed her arms of her stomach. "I suppose so. Will, you do give me very much to think about," she said with a laugh. There it was again, that look in his eyes. Abby swallowed as she gazed into them, unable to pull her eyes away. There was something about that look that mesmerized her. It was intimidating almost, but to the extent that it only made her more curious about him, not afraid.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 26, 2009 12:32:39 GMT 1
Will thought that Abby was a fairly shy and inward-oriented person like himself. However, with each passinfg minute it appeared that she was becoming more and more comfortable with him. This was occurring even with the cklass difference between them, her being a noble and Will being a commoner carpenter as well as an outlaw. Despite this difference she seemed to be opening up to him more and more. Will thought to himself that the more at ease he could put her the easier it would be for her to talk and express herself and not worry what she sounded like.
He could tell that she was listening to him pretty intently, by t he look in her eyes and her nodding in agreement from time to time. If she wasn't, he reasoned, she was doing a pretty good acting job, at least one on a par with Allan, and that would be saying something. Occasionally he even caught a look that could only be described as wonderment, as if she was amazed at some of the things that were coming out of his mouth.
"I only meant there are different kinds of bravery. It is easy for some men to commit themselves to aggressive conflict on the battlefield for 15 minutes, but are incapable of the kind of day-to-day bravery against taxation and oppression that makes just as much of a difference. That is the kind of bravery that we often do not see in our woman-folk, but is just a important a what I di wielding axe and bow against the Sheriff. In fact, one could argue that whhat we do in feeding the poor, especially in the cold and wet winter is the mot important and bravest work we do."
Will knew that he was not the most talkative sort. However when he talked about the right s of people and what they should all be doing for the poor and the oppressed he knew he could be both talkative and intense. The first reflex of most people was to turn away from that intensity, but Will could see that it had the opposite effect on Abby, and he wondered what th meant and whether it was a good or a bad thing. He basically wondered what she was seeing in him that was worth watching that others did not, and he looked down at the Forest floor once more.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 26, 2009 18:18:17 GMT 1
Abigail looked at the sky, wondering what time it was. She squinted her eyes, getting a glimpse of the sun before blinking multiple times and looking back at Will. Noon, she guessed. She assumed her father was asleep, so there wasn't any need for her inside yet. Even if there was a need for her inside, she would have found incredibly difficult to leave this conversation.
"I only meant there are different kinds of bravery. It is easy for some men to commit themselves to aggressive conflict on the battlefield for 15 minutes, but are incapable of the kind of day-to-day bravery against taxation and oppression that makes just as much of a difference. That is the kind of bravery that we often do not see in our woman-folk, but is just a important a what I di wielding axe and bow against the Sheriff. In fact, one could argue that whhat we do in feeding the poor, especially in the cold and wet winter is the mot important and bravest work we do."
Abby raised an eyebrow absently, thinking about his words, curious as to how much time he actually spent thinking about this himself, or if he could really just put this all together on the spot. "And I would agree with them. Physical fighting is often done not only for the cause one commits it to, but also for themselves and their own image. I have no doubt a great many fight for a just cause, but their image also has to be a great underlying thought," Abigail again spoke her thoughts out loud, unable to recall now exactly how she had worded it. She went through the conversation in her mind, as she often did. "I also have no doubt that some don't care about personal gain," she added looking back at Will, realizing that he could have taken her previous statement the wrong way.
Abby took in a deep breath once the gaze was broken and Will looked towards the floor. She blinked a few times, realizing she had failed to do so.
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