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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 11, 2009 2:18:39 GMT 1
Will collected what he needed as quickly as he could. Much tried to pry out of him what he was up to, but Will would only respond with a nod of the head and nothing more. He wanted to be out and on his way before Robin could get back to camp and intercept him. He quickly packed the extra things that he would need, through them into a sack, which he threw over his shoulder, and headed into the forest, coincidentally in the opposite direction from where he had run across Robin and Marian.
He knew exactly where he was going, since he was very familiar with Sherwood, even parts of the deep forest. He had scoured most parts of the Forest in his earlier teenage years looking for stands of timber for his father's carpentry shop. Once in the deepp wood he had found the remains of a giant tree, in which its lower trunk was hollowed out, provideng an excellent shelter from the element, a good place to build a low fire and a nearby stream.
Will did not know if the tree had survived the past few seasons, but he hoped it had, or he would just have to camp out in the open. He didn't think that his absence would set off too many alarm bells at the camp with the outlaws. He had left before, and been gone several days, recharged himself in the woods. He had found since he had lost his parents, he often had the need to be alone .... he needed his solitude. The pressures of camp and the different combinations of people, especially Robin and Marian, would become too much to take.
He would be able to think out here and relieve some, if not all of his stress,and be ready to go back. He would be able to return and it would be as if nothing had happened, he thought. Robin might ask him again about what he had meant, and he would explain that he was just out of sorts and it would be forgotten .... at least he hoped it would.
Robin probably thought it was all over their little exchange of words by the river. He had no idea that it went back further than that and Will had no intentions of talking about it. In fact, he was kind of embarassed that he had exchanged words with Robin. If he hadn't of done that Robin would not have suspected anything. In fact, he realized, if it became an issue, he might feel forced to leave the gang.
It had been a good walk and he had enjoyed it, and he was happy to see the little camp area was almost exactly the way he had found it. He collected a bit of slow-birning wood, set a fire, and then used a drop-line to catch a pair of fish and settle in for the evening after he had cooked the fish. As it cooked he decided to lean back in the tree and take a short nap. There was nothing to fear this deep in the forest ..... he didn't expect there was even a non-Robin Hood outlaw for miles.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 11, 2009 15:11:00 GMT 1
Robin had spent a good long while following Will's tracks, trying to figure out where he was going. It had not been easy, and he had been at it for a while. Not that he would ever admit that, of course.
As he approached a tree with a fairly sizable trunk, he saw the faint light of what remained of a fire glowing on its opposite side. His mouth pressing into a thin line of determination, Robin approached the tree. He and Will would discuss this, whether the conversation was wanted or not.
When he reached the other side of the tree, his resolve wavered. Will was leaning against it, sheltered by the natural hollow of the trunk, apparently sound asleep.
Tempted as he was to wake him, Robin was also feeling uncharacteristically uncertain. He honestly did not know how to approach this situation. If the problems Will had with him did indeed go back to the past, when he had first left Locksley, how could he right them?
More importantly, how did he question Will on how he could not see what Robin had done as a way to rectify past mistakes, without offending him.
Stretching his leg forward, Robin gently nudged Will with his booted toe, stepping back to allow his fellow outlaw to wake fully before speaking.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 11, 2009 15:47:39 GMT 1
Whoever it was, obviously did not know that Will was light sleeper. He had been awoken by the rustling of branches in the near-edge of the forest. At first he thought that it might be a forest creature, but then he could hear the padding of the feet and he knew it was a person on 2 legs.
He thought, originally, that they had been attracted by the smell of te cooking fish, and he had no idea it was Robin until he came around the side of the tree. 'Great,' he thought to himself, this was the last person on the face of the Earth, other than Prince John, or the Sheriff that he had any desire to see.
He could sense the hesitation in Robin's body language, as he was apparently at a loss as to what to do next. How, Will asked himself, could you love a man as your leader, but hate him so much at the same time. An then Robin got that look of determination and made his move. As Robin nudged him with his toe and then pulled back, Will deftly reached out grabbed his foot and flipped him. Before he could recover, the lanky Will was on top of him holding him down.
"And what do I owe the honor of this visit .... my lord and Earl .... care for some fish?," he inquired as a smile slowly crept across his face.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 11, 2009 15:54:31 GMT 1
Robin could not help it, he burst out laughing at the intensely serious expression on Will's face, even pinned to the ground as he was.
"Well, the fish does smell good, I grant you that."
Bringing up his hands, Robin pushed Will back off him and moved to a seated position, retrieving his bow from where it had fallen from his hand at Will's attack.
"How long shall this continue, Will? Are we to spend the rest of our days with you throwing me to the floor and calling me lord at every one of our encounters? I do not know about you, but the idea is rather tiresome to me. I suggest an alternative. You tell me what is on your mind."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 11, 2009 16:07:35 GMT 1
Will let out a long sigh. "Very well .... Robin .... but there is really very little on my mind. Things just build up in me if I'm in camp too long, and then I have to get away for a bit, and then all is fine. Besides, with your physical prowess I would expect that it would be a rare thing that I would be able to down you. You must be tired from your journey catching up with me. I am glad, though, that you find it humorous enough to laugh about."
Will leaned over the fire and handed Robin one of the slabs of fish. "I don't understand, Robin, are you not my 'lord'? Haven't you always been. You most assuredly will be when this is over and the Lionheart is back upon his throne." Will wondered if these answers and questions would be enough to satisfy Robin. He didn't really want to delve any deeper. He was afraid that their relationship would be damaged even more than it already was.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 11, 2009 16:20:34 GMT 1
Robin did not move to take the food, speaking quietly.
"I do not wish to sit and eat fish with you, Will. I want to sort this out."
Robin looked down at his hands, contemplating Will's words.
"I was once your lord, Will. Yes. But I am hardly more your lord now than...well, than Much is. I suppose, yes, once King Richard returns things will go back to how they had been, and yet things will in so many ways never be the same. Do you think I would simply cast you aside, out of my life? Will, why are you so mad at me?"
Robin sighed, thinking on past conversations with Marian. "It is because I left, isn't it? I left, Gisborne stepped in, and somehow I am accountable for things that occurred when I was not here. When I was fighting for this country thousands of miles away. Because make no mistake, Will. I was not in Locksley, I was not in England, but I still fought for my people."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 11, 2009 16:36:03 GMT 1
At first Will smiled, "So you don't like my fish, Robin. Well .... it can stay warm over the fire I suppose." He now understood that he had come to hash things out, and Will put his serious face on, the one he knew that was the most difficult to read; at least that's what his father used to say. Will refused to look at Robin in the eye, at least not yet.
"Are you sure Robin? Are you sure that you want to stir these coals up. Its really not necessary. We can go on from this. If we talk about it, we can never go back," he said looking at Robin in the eye. "It may end in a fight or it may end in me not coming back to the camp, ever. And you may think you know what this is about, but in truth, you don't have a clue what it's about, and you may discover that its something that you didn't want to know."
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 12, 2009 16:00:10 GMT 1
Robin could tell, not only from the words that Will spoke, but from the tone of his voice that this was a very serious thing indeed.
"I would seek the truth, Will. You are right, if we speak of this now we can not go back. And yet, if we ignore it, it will always be there. This lingering doubt in my mind. Do I trust the man who perhaps does not trust me? Honestly, Will? I do trust you. I believe you are a good man, and I do not wish to jeopardise that trust. However, I also believe that you would not feel anger towards me without a good reason."
Robin paused, taking a breath and gathering his thoughts.
"It would be a terrible loss if you were to leave, and it bothers me greatly to know that whatever this is would cause that to happen. I know I do not speak often of my troubles, or my worries, but Will, this worries me. I do not wish to force you away, or force you to speak, but I will ask it of you. Please Will, tell me what troubles you."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 12, 2009 16:24:29 GMT 1
Will sighed a long sigh. he knew Robin was the most difficult to resist when he was like this ... when he simply had to know something. He could simply be like an English Bulldog when there was something that he had to know or understand.
He listened to Robin's words and felt the pressure to speak on the subject that Robin wanted him to talk about, although he was sure that Robin did not know .... did not have the slightest suspicion of him. Robin said he knew that once spoken that they could never go back, but were those just high-sounding words to him. Did he not know and understand that their potential consequences could be deep and long-lasting. Will always tried to keep the feelings and memories buried and hidden, so that his day would never come. But the day had come anyway.
"The truth .... Robin. What is the truth to one may not be to another .... it might only be hateful. When it comes to the work we are doing there is nobody I trust more than you Robin, be you noble or not, it does not matter. However, I don't consider myself to be a good man .... not better than any other, at the very least. I do think that we believe in the same things, and unfortunately, we've always cherished the same things too, I think."
"I am not more important than any other outlaw. While I do have special skills, I can be replaced easily enough. You have more important worries than me, or anything connected with me. That's why, when it gets too much for me to handle, I just go away for a few days. I think Robin that, in the end you would be better off with someone more dependable to me." He paused for several moments.
"Robin .... this goes back many years .... before the Crusades .... and it involves both you and .... Marian. I pray Robin, though, before I ay anything more, that you just let sleeping dogs lie, and let me go my way .... please."
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 12, 2009 16:40:31 GMT 1
Robin's eyebrows shot up in confusion.
"Marian? This is about Marian?" Seeing how very much Will did not wish to speak of it, Robin chose to focus on his other words instead.
"Okay, Will. If you do not wish to speak of it, we will not. However, I must protest the notion that you are replacable, my friend. There is so much we have done that could not have been done without you. You are needed here, Will. You are wanted here. If you need to leave for days at a time go, take your time. Do whatever it is you do, besides eating fish. But do not leave us. Please."
Robin hoped Will would know how hard it was for Robin to say please to someone in that way, and hoped it conveyed his sincerity.
"Will, you are a good man. Do not doubt it. I have seen the integrity you have, and the kindness of your heart. It is not rivaled by many."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 12, 2009 16:57:27 GMT 1
"Yes .... Robin .... it is about Marian .... in many ways .... it all has to do with her directly or indirectly. I thank you for putting my contributions in such high regard. I am sure that you would have accomplished much, if not all, without my presence, though. WE have known each other for many years, Robin, and even though you were 5 years my elder, I almost always considered you a friend. Saying that, I hated you at the same time, as little sense as that makes."
"However, you should know that I overheard your conversation with Marian when I walked up with the wood. And I heard that you not only invited her into camp to stay again, but that she had basically accepted. I know that it is not place to eavesdrop on you, or anyone else for that matter, but if she comes to stay permanently, I will have to go."
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 12, 2009 17:03:18 GMT 1
"You would have to go? Will, what is this about? Has Marian offended you in some way? No, that does not make sense. Do you not wish a woman to be living...no, that can not be it either. Djaq is there. Why, if Marian came to stay would you...oh. Will, do you...? Have you feelings, for Marian?"
Robin knew Will would hate to discuss this with him, and yet he could understand completely that if he was correct, Will would be uncomfortable with her living in camp.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 12, 2009 20:30:27 GMT 1
Will hung his head in shame, as if he had just been caught stealing something pure and good. "We were all played together. She was only 2 years older than me and you were 3 years older than she was. Mostly, we all got along fine, but you alwys seemed to win in the end. You were always better in the things that counted, and in the end, always seemed to get the things you wanted. I, on the other hand, grew up knowing that I would probably have nothing of what I wanted, unless it had to do with wood." "
Marian, was a dream that I had, a young crush. Just as I was building up the nerve to ask her .... good 'ol Robin swept in to take her heart, and then almost as fast you were gone. .... I loved my friends Robin and Marian, but I absolutely despised the thought of the Earl's son, and then the Earl himself. It was as if you were two different people. Its horrible, but I almost wished at the time that you weren't coming back, ever. I thought I would have to protect from Sir Guy, and then you came back. I never thought you would give up everything that you had .... for .... you know .... us. But I was wrong and you saved our lives .... so I knew that we had to give you another chance .... especially after you turned yourself in."
"Why does everything have to be so complicated.? I don't even think I feel the same way about Marian, but having you bring her into camp just brings too many old memories up, and I just didn't know if I could deal with, or make the gang deal with it. Besides, its the Marian's and your life .... its your choice .... not mine. At this point I just don't want to cause you any grief Robin .....," his voice trailed off as the tears welled up in his eyes, probably the first he let himself have since his father had died. And those were tears of rage, much different than the ones he had now.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 13, 2009 1:33:07 GMT 1
Robin took his time in responding. Will was obviously hurting, and he did not want to make it any worse.
"Will, I do not pretend to understand how hard things may have been for you, of what you have had to sacrifice. I was born into a world of much greater privilege, and for that I can not apologise for it was not something within my control. After my Father was gone, I tried my best to do right by the people of Locksley. I hope you feel I did not lead you too far astray."
Robin grimaced, not particularly liking the subject of his leaving. "I am not yet able to speak of my leaving so readily, Will. I know now that I hurt people, and I will forever be sorry for that. I also know that the past is what it is, and we can no more change that then we can predict the future, and so all I can do is apologise for the pain it caused. I felt, at the time, that I was doing the right thing. As for Marian...you know how I feel about her."
Robin laughed at his own comment, "Of course, everyone but I apparently knew about my feelings for her long before I did. I have never been good at judging feelings. I have always been better with actions than words, Will. If there is something I might do to convince you not to leave, tell me."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 13, 2009 6:39:33 GMT 1
Will listened to Robin's extensive explanation. He nodded his head, at least in partial agreement. He could tell that Robin was thinking carefully about each word and phrase that he uttered. He was undoubtedly aware of the importance of what he was saying and about to say to Will.
"That is all true Robin. Much of that .... maybe all of it was outside your control. However, that would never have made me feel better about the situation. All I had to sacrifice was a family and a home. Yes .... Robin .... I know you willingly gave up those things to fight for the common people ....your people. However, in many cases, you had a choice, but I did not. I must admit that as much as you could you tried to give us a choice and you did as good a job as you could, while you were here. But I do know that when this over you will go back to being an Earl ..... I won't have anything to back to"
Will could see that Robin did not want to talk about his departure, but he knew that it was not something that could be avoided. "Just because it is something that you don't feel comfortable about, Robin, is no just reason for avoiding it. The King called, and you left, not thinking of the effect it could eventually have. You didn't just abandon me, you abandoned Locksley, .... and you abandoned Marian. If you would have been killed, what would have happened to Nottingham? All it did for me at the time was reinforce a negative opinion of you, that wouldn't be changed until well after you had come back."
"Yes, Robin, we all know how you feel about Marian, how you both feel about each other, whether you're both able to admit it to each other is another question," he laughed. "You are not as good at hiding your true feelings as I am I suppose. I don't know if I'm a man of action. I know that I am not like you in that regard. All I can recognize are those things that are right and those things that are wrong, and do what I can to make it right. Oh .... I don't know about that Robin, you were always good with words when you had to be. I don't know what you could do to convince me. But I do think if you two have made the commitment that she should join you in camp. Its obvious that you two belong .... with one another," Will said with some difficulty.
"Are you going to tell Marian about all of this?," he said looking at him levelly in the eyes. "I think you should .... you shouldn't hide anything from her .... if she is going to be your wife. Well .... after we eat the fish I will walk back with you, but I can't promise how long I'll say .... I'll have to play it by ear. I may find that I have to go back to Locksley, or even Scarborough to be wit Luke and some family there. I just don't yet if I'll be able to make it work, so i won't promise you that things are ok, or will be ok, since that's something I don't know."
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