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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 26, 2009 19:44:50 GMT 1
Will saw her look up at the sky. It wasn't clear whether she was looking for where the sub was, or if she had heard some birds passing by. By the way she had squinted her eyes it was clear they were being affected by the brightness of the sun. Despite all of this it did not appear, at leat by her body language and movement, that she had someplace to go or wanted the conversation to end. Actually it appeared, for some reason, that she wanted it go on, although Will thought she must have more interesting people to talk to than him.
"I probably have delayed you too long from important business Abby .... or should it be Lady Abby or Lady Abigail? I should allow you to attend to it I expect. It has been inconsiderate of me to monopolize your morning's time." He observed her carefully t o see if she would take advantage of this opportunity to disengage with him, and to see how much she wanted to continue to talk
"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, .... I also have no doubt that some don't care about personal gain."
Will smiled at the thought that she was putting into her ideas and responses. He thought that it meant that she respected what he said and what he thought enough to make an effort to express what she thought. More often than not nobles would not care to think of such things. "Its easy to see that you have put some thought into your words milady. You don't often see that among those of your class .... other than Robin of Locksley of course. I'm sure that those who are close to you respect you and value your friendship highly, as they should. After all, its so clear a thing even a mere outlaw can see it," and he smiled as he made fun of himself.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 26, 2009 20:24:36 GMT 1
"I probably have delayed you too long from important business Abby .... or should it be Lady Abby or Lady Abigail? I should allow you to attend to it I expect. It has been inconsiderate of me to monopolize your morning's time."
"You may call me Abby. As for this morning, I have nothing to attend to. I was actually quite a bit more worried about keeping you from your business, as I am sure it is far more important than mine," she responded with a smile, trying to prolong the conversation. Abby would be disappointed if Will left now.
"Its easy to see that you have put some thought into your words milady. You don't often see that among those of your class .... other than Robin of Locksley of course. I'm sure that those who are close to you respect you and value your friendship highly, as they should. After all, its so clear a thing even a mere outlaw can see it,"
Abby laughed lightly at his words. "And I never would have guessed that any outlaw would have so much insight," she commented. "I do not often have company," Abby said. It sounded better than admitting she didn't exactly have any friends. Since her return to her father she had alienated herself from everyone. She smiled back at Will, pleased with her progress in the conversation. It was a change, a change for the better. But surely any company she had after this would be quite a letdown. She would now carry to high of expectations.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 26, 2009 21:04:00 GMT 1
"You may call me Abby. As for this morning, I have nothing to attend to. I was actually quite a bit more worried about keeping you from your business, as I am sure it is far more important than mine."
Will found it so pleasant and easy to talk with this woman. He could easily count on 1 hand the conversations that he had that had at least started out so well. He thought to himself that even if they had had a raid planned for today it would have been nigh on to impossible to take him from this spot. "Truly all that I have been doing this morning was surveying trees for wood supplies for repairs and such ..... basically just filling time. I am yours for as long as you need or want me this day, milady," he said with a deferential nod.
"And I never would have guessed that any outlaw would have so much insight .... I do not often have company," she said.
Will knew that when she complimented him so that his cheeks were turning a shade of crimson, the way they tingled. He tried to hide it by simply looking down at the ground, but he wasn't sure how effective it was. "I find it hard to believe that a noble woman who looks as good as you do and speaks with such intelligence can avoid having friends and company all around. It simply does not make sense, unless you don't want them there in the first place. Or is it because of your father?"
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 27, 2009 0:45:09 GMT 1
"Truly all that I have been doing this morning was surveying trees for wood supplies for repairs and such ..... basically just filling time. I am yours for as long as you need or want me this day, milady,"
Abigail found that she liked the way he had worded that and couldn't help but smile in response. "If that is the case then you may be here all day," she said, unable to wipe that smile off her face. She hadn't smiled this much since the death of her husband and it was quite a nice change.
Whenever Will blushed it had some effect on Abby because she found herself begin to as well everytime he did. She kept her sights forward as he looked down trying to pretend she didn't take note of it.
"I find it hard to believe that a noble woman who looks as good as you do and speaks with such intelligence can avoid having friends and company all around. It simply does not make sense, unless you don't want them there in the first place. Or is it because of your father?"
Abigail felt her heart race when he complimented her, more heat rushing to her cheeks. She thought about how to respond. Her emotional health was at a delicate state and talking about things that could set it off didn't help. She said the words, not giving much thought to what they actually meant. "Well, thank you Will. But it is my fault that I do not recieve much company. Ever since returning here after the death of my husband I have not been very friendly. I rarely ever leave home, mostly take care of my father. I couldn't take anything else happening to somebody I knew after my husband... and my still born child," Abby was finding it difficult not to think about it and let the memories replay in her mind. "Obviously, I can't escape the pain with my father in the state he is in." Abby swallowed staring beyond Will at the forest, fighting back the thoughts and all that she knew would come with them.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 27, 2009 7:04:30 GMT 1
Will waited patiently for her response. He was being truthful. If she needed or wanted him to be there the rest of the day, he was available for her. He sensed that she really needed someone adult to talk to and e with, at least to escape from her problems for a short time. And he was glad to be available to hder for that purpose, since he had found quite quickly that he was developing a certain affection for her.
"If that is the case then you may be here all day."
She replied to him with the most authentic smile on her face that she wanted him to stay all day. He understood from the tone of what she had said that she was fairly lonely, while still having the responsibility of looking after her father. However, he was surprised by the readiness of her agreement, so much so that he knew he was blushing, so he looked down to try and hide it from her. However, she also developed crimson cheeks from some of his remarks.
"Well, thank you Will. But it is my fault that I do not receive much company. Ever since returning here after the death of my husband I have not been very friendly. I rarely ever leave home, mostly take care of my father. I couldn't take anything else happening to somebody I knew after my husband... and my still born child .... Obviously, I can't escape the pain with my father in the state he is in."
It suddenly became clear to Will that Abby had suffered at least as great a personal loss that he had, and perhaps more, and as a result his heart went out to her, just as it had in the many stories of loss and suffering that local villagers had related to him. "You have my condolences and sympathy for your losses in the past and the slow ongoing loss of your father. The Sheriff was responsible for both of my parents' deaths."
"My mother starved herself to death so that her children would have enough food to survive as the Sheriff reduced food deliveries, and one of the guards killed my father in the Nottingham Square when he challenged the edict of the Sheriff. I was so grief-stricken that I made an attempt on the Sheriff's life. So I understand loss and what it can drive you too." And Will reached out to take both of her hands in his. "If you ever need my support or help just remember that I'll be close by and that I understand."
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 27, 2009 19:52:59 GMT 1
"You have my condolences and sympathy for your losses in the past and the slow ongoing loss of your father. The Sheriff was responsible for both of my parents' deaths."
Abby nodded weakly, again trying not to think about it. It was true that her and her husband had not been that close towards the end of his short-lived life, but she did love him. She could feel the lump in her throat beginning to form again, so she listened to his story instead of thinking about her own.
"My mother starved herself to death so that her children would have enough food to survive as the Sheriff reduced food deliveries, and one of the guards killed my father in the Nottingham Square when he challenged the edict of the Sheriff. I was so grief-stricken that I made an attempt on the Sheriff's life. So I understand loss and what it can drive you too."
Abby's eyes widened as she looked back at Will. Her losses had been very tragic, but she couldn't imagine having her mother dying to feed her, she hadn't ever had to worry about starving at all until recent months. Or her father having been killed standing up to the Sherriff "I am so sorry to hear that," she said softly. And again Abby was at loss for words. Now she knew where Will had gotten his brave spirit. It sounded as though both of her parents were the same, she couldn't say the same for her own.
"If you ever need my support or help just remember that I'll be close by and that I understand." Abby was so surprised to feel his hands on her own that she barely registered what he next said, but caught the latter part of the sentence. "I'll remember that. Whether it be if I need something built or repaired or emotional support," Abby responded with a smile. "The many talents of Will Scarlett."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 28, 2009 15:00:08 GMT 1
"You have my condolences and sympathy for your losses in the past and the slow ongoing loss of your father. The Sheriff was responsible for both of my parents' deaths."
Will nodded his head toward Abby in thanks for what she had said. He had tried not to dwell on his losses or speak on them with anyone. He was quite a private man with his own private demons. He thought here would be no purpose to such things. It would only rip him up to go over and over it again. "I thank you for your kind words and thoughts milady."
Will wondered what Abby's life had been like. He knew that she was a noble, so it had undoubtedly been different from his own, and in some respects easier than his had been. e knew that she was caring for her ill and fading father. But why was it just her? What about the other members of her family. Hers was definitely an interesting story he thought, and she was definitely someone he wanted to know better.
When he took her hands he saw the shocked look on her face. The good thing, though, was the look and words that followed were not ones of outright rejection. Will smiled and responded, "I don't know what talents I have Abby was so surprised to feel beyond wood .... I am but a simple carpenter with not much to offer a lovely noble lady such as yourself. But my words are true," saying it with one of those intense looks that the other outlaws would have recognized from when he talked of the over-taxed and the poor of the countryside that he believed was his mission to protect.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 28, 2009 23:20:48 GMT 1
"I thank you for your kind words and thoughts milady."
Abby nodded slightly. She started to say something, her lips parting to do so, but she decided against it, not wanting to keep going with the conversation. She did enjoy learning about Will's life story but it was a hard thing to talk about and she wasn't sure if he readily discussed such things.
"I don't know what talents I have beyond wood .... I am but a simple carpenter with not much to offer a lovely noble lady such as yourself. But my words are true,"
Abby returned the smile, glad to see it on his face once more. "And I have quite little to offer a handsome outlaw with as much wisdom and intelligence as you," Abby responded. "But my words are true as well," she smiled at how easily the words flowed, how easily she could talk to Will. She could feel her palms beginning to sweat and herself begin to blush again as she looked into his eyes that were bearing that intensity once again. "I think you have a lot to offer," she said while gazing at him.
(Sorry that was kind of short.)
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 29, 2009 5:54:58 GMT 1
Will could tell by the way she held her mouth that there was something else that she wanted to say, but was obviously hesitant about something. He did not know her well enough yet to have a clue about what she might be wondering about. he assumed that if it was something important eventually she would bring it up herself.
Will really thought she underestimated herself greatly. She had spent too much time in the care of others or giving care to others, such as her father, to truly understand what she had to give to others, especially to a husband. He knew that at worst he would die and outlaw, and at best he would be a good carpenter scratching out an honest living in a small place like Locksley or Clun.
Will grew embarrassed when she called him handsome and wise and intelligent. No such similar terms had ever been used to describe him, save his blessed departed mother. "Milady .... I am just the carpenter .... with little hope of rising far beyond that station. I don't know what I would have to offer."
"I think you have a lot to offer," she said with a certain intensity that she hadn't before. Was she referring to him generally or to her specifically. He gazed intently back to see if he could determine the answer.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 29, 2009 6:30:01 GMT 1
"Milady .... I am just the carpenter .... with little hope of rising far beyond that station. I don't know what I would have to offer."
Abigail rolled her eyes, amused with his obscured image of himself. "No, you are much more than that," she thought about how to word all the thoughts running through her mind. "Maybe as far as people who don't know you are concerned, you are just the carpenter, but to me," she shook her head, trying to put it together, blinking maybe a little more than necessary, "you offer the most stimulating company. You speak with much intelligence and wisdom. You...," she chuckled, "I've known you for a few minutes and already I think the world of you."
She paused, "You have hope to offer to the poor. You have happiness to offer to the families that you help. And friendship to those who know you, and who wouldn't want that? You have offered me support, help, guidance," Abby raised an eyebrow wondering if she was getting her point across.
She stared at him, wondering how he could see himself as so much less than he really was. She could easily see herself as nothing more than what her social image was, but him, he actually tried to make a difference. Abby didn't. "So don't sell yourself short," she concluded.
Beyond that, she didn't know what to say, though she didn't doubt she could go on and on about him. For only knowing him for such a short period of time, she already felt very close to Will. He made her feel like her opinions actually mattered, and that was something very few had actually tried to do. In the company of men specifically she hadn't ever readily given her opinion often, unless it was asked of her, and even then she was careful to edit. With him, things were different.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 29, 2009 15:27:07 GMT 1
Will did not know how to get across to her what he was trying to say. It was something very difficult for him to put into words. He didn't really believe in himself as an individual, only as part of group or a teameffort, where he could play a role. He didn't look at himself as a leader. Will blamed himself, indirectly for his mother's death. She had sacrificed herself for he and his brother. His father had tried to prove himself to his son and had stood up to the Sheriff. And now, Will was developing feelings for Abby, and hethought that she might be for him as well. He just didn't want to fail her at some point ... he didn't know if he could be worthy of her or someone like her. That was the worst kind of failure for him ..... failing others.
"No, you are much more than that .... Maybe as far as people who don't know you are concerned, you are just the carpenter, but to me .... you offer the most stimulating company. You speak with much intelligence and wisdom."
It was almost impossible for him to believe that someone who had known him for just a small slice of time could have such an elevated opinion of him. He had never been complimented, outside of his carpentry and innerspring skills, for his intelligence. He had been described as having a quiet, reserved dignity, but never wisdom. He seldom said a word to anyone unless they spoke first and was never identified as being one who could stimulate conversation. It was if she was talking about an entirely different person than he had always recognized. Perhaps that was her skill ... to bring out things in him that others could not see.
"You .... "I've known you for a few minutes and already I think the world of you. You have hope to offer to the poor. You have happiness to offer to the families that you help. And friendship to those who know you, and who wouldn't want that? You have offered me support, help, guidance. So don't sell yourself short."
Will had never thought himself as worthy. He had a job to do and a role to play with gang, and he thought, finally, that was something he did well. Will had never stepped back and thought abouot what he contributed to the larger whole. Was it possible that he really did all of that, he wondered.
"I just do what I can. Robin saved me from the gallows. For the longest time before he came back I think I blamed him for not being here to help us when he was fighting in the Crusades with Much. But then I knew it wasn't his fault, that he had his own sense of guilt for not being there, and that I wanted to give back to him and help restore to the people what should have been theirs all along. You have been very good about telling me what I should understand. What is it, though, that you want out of life now? Beyond that, she didn't know what to say, though she didn't doubt she could go on and on about him. For only knowing him for such a short period of time, she already felt very close to Will. He made her feel like her opinions actually mattered, and that was something very few had actually tried to do. In the company of men specifically she hadn't ever readily given her opinion often, unless it was asked of her, and even then she was careful to edit. With him, things were different.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 29, 2009 18:13:15 GMT 1
Abby wondered what he was thinking, she had never been good at reading people, except the obvious emotions, and Will was quite a complex character, as she had gathered. It was impossible to decipher what she look on his face meant, she waited for his words to give her a glimpse of what he was feeling.
It felt good to say all of those words to him. She hoped it would give him a better image of himself, though she wasn't sure how effective the words of someone you've known for a few minutes were. Momentarily, she wondered upon how the gang saw Will, how he acted around them, what they all were like, until she heard Will begin to speak.
"I just do what I can. Robin saved me from the gallows. For the longest time before he came back I think I blamed him for not being here to help us when he was fighting in the Crusades with Much. But then I knew it wasn't his fault, that he had his own sense of guilt for not being there, and that I wanted to give back to him and help restore to the people what should have been theirs all along. You have been very good about telling me what I should understand. What is it, though, that you want out of life now?
Abby nodded as he spoke, her eyes full of understanding, but her mind not able to peice together a response to show it. When he asked her the question of what she wanted out of life, she had to stop and think. Did he mean realistically or fantastically?
"I want happiness and that satisfaction of knowing I did all I could to make a change for the better. I want a family who loves me, not for the wealth I can bring, but for the person that I am," she said referring to her father, who had arranged a marriage that had brought quite a lot of wealth. "I want love of my choosing, not my fathers, and to raise a family. And peace and...," Abby cut off as she looked at Will with a smile, "of course if you want a realistic answer, my response will be quite a bit different," she laughed, imagining her dream life versus the dreary one she had been given.
She looked up at the blue sky, pleased with the perfect image in her mind, not wanting it to return to its former dull mindset of her current life. Abby could bet that was quite an obvious answer. What she wanted and what she could have were two very different things.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 30, 2009 2:02:21 GMT 1
Will got the sudden feeling that Abby's eyes were looking right through his head and wanting to read his mind. Will, internally, did his best to shake the feeling. He had not ever been a particularly easy person to read, and he had always liked to keep most people guessing.
He, his family, and his village had suffered for so long, and so badly, that he did not want to expose himself to being hurt. That was a primary reason why, although he maintained a relatively friendly demeanor, he had tried not to get overly close to anyone. She was presenting a problem for him in that he did not want to keep her away.
He did not know what was the best way to respond to the words that she had spoken to him. His overall experience and instinct told him that the best course was not to completely open up. The problem, of course was his heart told him that the best course, the only sensible course was to tell her how he felt. However, could he accurately express something that had not even taken a day to develop?
Will thought the best route without telling her exactly how he felt, as if he knew anyway, was to giver her a history, an idea of how he had gotten to this point. She then responded by answering his question:
"I want happiness and that satisfaction of knowing I did all I could to make a change for the better. I want a family who loves me, not for the wealth I can bring, but for the person that I am .... I want love of my choosing, not my fathers, and to raise a family. And peace and .... of course if you want a realistic answer, my response will be quite a bit different," she laughed.
"Well, at least we dream of the ideal. And who is this dream love of yours .... some tall and handsome prince I suppose. You know you should never give up on your dreams, and understand that life is made of choices. If you are given and select the right choices you never know what you might achieve. Some dreams do come true," he winked at her, not knowing if she had an inkling of how he felt. Despite his feelings he only wished the best for her .... that she realize her dreams, whatever they might be.
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Post by Abigail Merton on Jun 30, 2009 2:51:38 GMT 1
Abigail drew in a deep breath, trying to clear her mind of the thousand thoughts running through it. She felt something at this moment she had never felt before, and she tried to convince herself it wasn't what she thought it was. She wasn't actually starting to fall for Will Scarlett, was she?
"Well, at least we dream of the ideal. And who is this dream love of yours .... some tall and handsome prince I suppose."
Abby laughed, did he think her that arrogant? "Not at all, though tall and handsome's always nice," she smiled. "My dream love would be...," she paused tilting her head slightly as she thought about it, "He would be thoughtful, caring, giving, determined, intelligent, passionate, strong, bold and daring, sensitive to my needs, a good listener, comforting, wise," she paused thinking about the list of traits that her dream love would have. "Kind of like... you," Abby blushed as soon as she said the words, not believing she had actually said that. It was so out of character for her to say something so openly. She quickly looked down at the ground, but found herself very curious as to how he would respond, so she looked back up, shyly, through her lashes.
She realized then, she did indeed have some very strong feelings for Will, and convinced herself she was gaining them way too fast. She had not even known him a day. She wondered what he would make of her words. What if he felt entirely the opposite that she did? What if she was making a whole lot of something out of nothing. Maybe he was just like this with everyone.
"You know you should never give up on your dreams, and understand that life is made of choices. If you are given and select the right choices you never know what you might achieve. Some dreams do come true,"
"Yeah..., " she said thoughtfully. "The problem is there is what society deems as the right choice and what my heart says is, so it is hard to know which one is right. And duty often gets in the way of making the choice that I know is right. And there isn't a way to please everyone, and if you try to then you end up not being happy yourself because you're so worried about everyone else... but if I lost sight of my dreams there wouldn't be anything else to live for. So I must believe that some dreams do come true," Abby smiled, and looked away for a moment, realizing that she was going on and on about it.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jun 30, 2009 4:14:08 GMT 1
What was she thinking? Will was fine with building a new camp for the outlaws, building and refining weapons, doing fine carpentry, but figuring out people and what drove them. That seemed to be an almost an impossible task. However, sometimes when Abby was looking at him, he could swear he saw a faint smile, as if she approved of him in some way. She ....a noble .... couldn't have any interest in him .... could she?
What did she laugh for, he wondered. Wouldn't that be a dream of any noblewoman .... to find someone of her own class and station, as well as age?
"Not at all, though tall and handsome's always nice .... My dream love would be .... He would be thoughtful, caring, giving, determined, intelligent, passionate, strong, bold and daring, sensitive to my needs, a good listener, comforting, wise, .... kind of like... you!"
Suddenly Will's eyes opened slightly more wide than normal and his moth dropped open. "Surely you jest! I, of course, am honored that you would say such a thing of me. But we have known each other only part of a morning and afternoon. Of course I am taken with you, but I .... don't see how you could even think to marry so far below your class. Our worlds are so different. You would never want life in the Forest would you. That would mean that you would have to wait until the King returned and made everything right. I could never ask you to make any of those sacrifices. I'm afraid I would care for your well-being too much." He then reached out and took both her hands. "Are you acting and saying these things too much out of haste? What is it that you truly wish?"
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