|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 14, 2009 15:35:27 GMT 1
Will just stopped once more and shook his head. Why did he go trough it with this man .... why had he always done it? He didn't know. "Of course you shouldn't let it be destroyed. I was there ..... remember. You convinced me that I wasn't the sort of man who would do that. Personally Robin, I don't thinkanyone actually knows you that well .... you simply won't permit it."
Why did it always come back to why someone else was doing something. "Why am I doing this? If you'll remember you are the one who blew your cork, all because I crossed some invisible line of subjects that can't be talked about. I'm simply tired of it Robin. You said you were talking to Marian about this before you came. Is this what she suggested you do? How could you possibly say that I secretly hate you? How could I have done the things that I have done .... with you and for you .... fought by your side .... protected your back in battle .... and you can insinuate that about me."
"All this tells me is that deep down you don't want me around. At the very least I think you want me to go away for awhile, or you want a different type of p\outlaw than me. The crux of it is that I don't really know what you want from me, and until you figure that out I don't think you want me around. I don't want a bloody apology. I want a leader and a friend, but maybe I can't have both, eh. But from Locksley, maybe I can at least ave a friend, and the rest of the gang can have a leader, and maybe then, all will be well, eh?"
|
|
|
Post by Robin Hood on Jul 14, 2009 15:42:59 GMT 1
All of Robin's anger dissolved completely at Will's words, replaced by a kind of sadness. He found himself at a complete loss as to what to say. The words, as he heard them, seemed to fall heavily on his shoulders, and he had to resist the urge to simply fall where he stood, and give in.
"Will, I do not know what you want me to say to that. You do not want an apology, and you say you think no one...that no one knows me. Am I somehow supposed to...no, I honestly do not know, Will. Do what you must, for I have nothing."
|
|
|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 15, 2009 2:04:58 GMT 1
Will watched and saw the expression on Robin's face change dramatically. He suddenly seemed to be much older. It was if he physically was showing all of the mental burdens that he had been carrying. "I don't want you to say anything, necessarily, Robin. You simply can't shut people off when they approach certain parts of your past. Its one of the things Much has always been right about. Unless you or Marian figure out some way for you to talk about this or deal with it straight up, there will always be the danger that it will just consume you."
Will thought carefully about his next words, because he did not want to provoke Robin, but he wasn't sure that he could do it right. "I am no diplomat, Robin, I am not a man of words. I'm just a builder and a carpenter. I see things in black and white, in things that are done and not done, and in things that are right and things that are wrong. You are doing important work .... it is your calling. I have done what I can .... I have given all I have to give and more. Soldiers come and go in this struggle."
"Perhaps it is my turn to go. I just know that I do not have your complete trust now, and without that Robin Hood won't work right. I hope there will come a time where you can trust me like a brother again. It may be next week or next month, or it may never come. What I know is tat I can do more helping the people directly than if you don't trust me to do my work."
"So, no, I want no apology, but you have to decide what I should do. If we are to separate, then that's the way it will have to be. Once the fighting ends, of course, our social classes will determine the separation for us anyway. eh. So, think well on it Robin. I will walk back to camp with you,and from ther I will go my way."
|
|
|
Post by Robin Hood on Jul 15, 2009 2:18:25 GMT 1
As they began walking back to camp, Robin gazed at Will thoughtfully, contemplating all of his words. Then he laughed, quietly.
"Whether you believe it or not, Will, I think you certainly do make a good diplomat. There is much wisdom in your words. I confess, I do not know how I would even begin to discuss something so serious with Marian. It took me an age to summon up the courage to tell her I love her."
Stopping Will by placing a hand on his arm, Robin addressed the other part of what he had said. "I do trust you, Will. Though it seems to me you and I will always walk very different paths, even to arrive at the same place. If you wish to go and be with your family, help others by a different means for a time, I won't stop you. Though I may seek you out once the camp begins to fall down around us." Robin finished with a laugh.
|
|
|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 15, 2009 3:18:45 GMT 1
"Well if the truth be told, I only show that kind of diplomacy with you. If it had been any other person I would have taken my hatchet to them long ago. I think that she would be open to discussion on many different subjects, when you are ready. And I don't know why it took yo an age to tell her, it was obvious to everyone else for ages. You are a lucky man. I won't say anything more on that since its none of my business and I'm in imminent danger of having my head surgically removed by your blade," he smiled.
Will understood that Robin was making the attempt to bridge the vast chasm that had separated them. Will would not dissuade him, he was just sad that it was a necessary exercise. "You do show it in strange ways, Robin, but you always have tried to show that trust. Understand, Robin, by taking that path for a time I will open myself up to the danger of being arrested. If that happens don't make any attempt to retrieve me. I won't have the people lose their Robin Hood on my account."
Will reached out with both hands and said, "Robin, despite the issues that we have I have always loved you like a brother, and you have no idea how it guts me when we assault each other as we did. And you know if you call I will come. I'm just not sure how the others will look at my leaving, even for a short time. I think that they will look at me as abandoning you and them. But I guess it can't be helped, eh? I promise you I won't be farther than Locksley, and of course my heart will always be with you, and after a time I may show up on your doorstep once more."
|
|
|
Post by Robin Hood on Jul 15, 2009 3:33:21 GMT 1
Robin laughed heartily at Will's comment. "Certainly not your head, Will. Though perhaps an arm..."
Robin once again agreed regarding Marian. "I certainly know she would happily discuss anything, it is more that I fear her reaction to the things I might say." Grinning, Robin continued. "It was sheer cowardice on my part, Will. In the end she unknowingly forced it out of me in the middle of a disagreement we were having. The appropriateness of my uttering those words during such a moment was not lost on either of us, I think."
Robin placed a hand on Will's shoulder. "Do not worry about what the others might say. I will tell them that the fault lies with me, Will. For we both know that is the case. I am a stubborn fool, most of the time. It shall surely be the death of me. We will always look forward to the time when you might decide to return to us. You must know, Will, that I can hardly heed your words. If you are arrested, we would have no choice but to help you."
|
|
|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 15, 2009 4:08:12 GMT 1
Will laughed in return, "Well I don't know Robin, with me an arm is an essential part of the use of my axe, whereas I never make much use of my head. Surely that is clear from experience." Will knew that he could not give him advice on these matters. "You of course, Robin, are the only one equipped to make these decisions, but I am sure that from conversaions with her while you were gone her imagined fears of what would happen to you almost had to be as horrible as what you actually went through, as terrible as tat had to be. You have to make your own decisions, but don't shortchange heron what she can take and what she can't. that had to be the most interesting exchange of I love yous that have occurred in Sherwood in some time."
"I always worry Robin, just not as much as Much, since that's not humanly possible. I know, Robin, no matter what you say there's the strong possibility that Much will never forgive me. Coming back to the gang may be the reverse of the dungeons: easy to get out but difficult to get back in. You have some responsibility Robin, but I won't let you take it all. That's not fair to you. Besides, you can tell them that leaving them is like willing amputating my hand, and I don't know if I'll be able to survive without them, but I have to try, for Locksley's sake."
"I look forward to returning as well, and if I am taken don't take foolish measures or I may have to commit suicide to prevent any of them from being carried out. I won't have even one more person die in my place. It was once said that it isn't just the act of dying that is so horrible, its the chunk of human life that's lost in the process as well."
|
|
|
Post by Robin Hood on Jul 15, 2009 4:26:25 GMT 1
Robin looked down when Will spoke of Marian. "I am truly sorry that she might have worried for me so. I would not have her concern herself so greatly with my welfare. Not if it upsets her so."
He had to shake his head when Will spoke of Much. "He will forgive you, Will. And there will always be a place amongst us for you. Do not talk so of taking such drastic measures! Nothing so serious would be necessary, my friend. You know we would see you to safety whilst staying out of trouble ourselves. Well, mostly."
|
|
|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 15, 2009 4:48:44 GMT 1
Will listened closely to Robin's concern about Marian's past concern. "I'm afraid, Robin, that's what love and caring tend be about. She looked, even at that point, even with you leaving her, as part of her. Asking her not to be concerned was like asking the sun not to rise in the east, eh," he said with a smile and a laugh.
Will wasn't as sure as Robin that everything might go so easy if and when he returned. "I will take your word for it, and I'll refrain from drastic measures, Robin. But if a rescue attempt resulted in even one death I don't know how I would live with that sort of responsibility. Yeah .... right .... mostly."
|
|
|
Post by Robin Hood on Jul 15, 2009 4:53:05 GMT 1
Robin sighed. "I suppose you're right. I can no more ask her not to worry for me than she can ask me not to be concerned for her."
Robin knew all too well of such a feeling of responsibility burdening you. "It is not an easy thing to live with Will, knowing you are possibly the cause of another man's death. In that you are right. But indeed, necessity brings about things in all of us that we did not know existed. Over time, you find ways to deal with it." Robin laughed, "Yes...mostly. You know how Much can be."
|
|
|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 15, 2009 5:45:56 GMT 1
It was good to see, even in the sea of troubles that they were in, that a pair of people such as Robin and Marian could find each other again, bu thrive as a couple. "Well Robin, its clear to see that you understand how lucky a person you are, and appreciate what you have. Love is not often so kind."
Will understood that Robin had had many such experiences in the fighting in the Crusades. These were episodes where some died and others lived, and those that lived felt that they were responsible to the ones that had lived. "I suppose it is not easy and that you would know from first-hand experience. I do suppose that some things you just have to accept as the normal path of conflict if you want to survive, both physically and mentally."
Suddenly a question occurred to Will that he had not considered in the last day. "By the way, Robin, I have a question. Actually it was raised by a young woman in Locksley the other day. She asked me if I had ever heard of a Rowan Hood. Does that have a familiar ring to it Robin. Marian is not riding out as someone similar to the Nightwatchman now is she?"
|
|
|
Post by Robin Hood on Jul 15, 2009 6:08:35 GMT 1
Robin smiled, the sort of smile reserved only for when his thoughts were of Marian. "Yes. I am lucky. I am very much aware of that fact, Will. I do not plan on losing her again."
Robin's expression turned slightly more serious. "Yes, that is indeed how it goes, Will. We make our peace with it as best we can. It does not always work, but as long as we can find some peace from it, I suppose."
When Will spoke of Rowan Hood, Robin laughed. "I take it you have met Mary? Or Margaret, I suppose you might know her by? She found herself lost in the forest on her way to Merton a few days back, I helped her find her way again. Apparently I am something of a...hero to this Rowan Hood character, or so she informed me. I am not exactly thrilled about it myself, someone risking themselves because they see my actions and think them heroic. However, I can assure you it is not Marian, at any rate."
|
|
|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 15, 2009 10:43:30 GMT 1
Will knew that it was not likely that they would lose each other again .... at least from factors that they could control. Robin would never leave her again .... and with her coming to the forest. Will just hoped that Richard would return soon, and that they would take up residence in Locksley manor soon, where they belonged.
That was one of the things that Will feared the most about himself. He knew from his own experience from when his father had been killed that he had a cold and ruthless side to is character. He as afraid that he could, without any remorse, begin to kill, given the right instigation. He knew if he went down that path, with his tendency for a vindictive nature, end up destroying him.
"Yes .... exactly .... I have met her. She didn not indicate that she had met you or that you had had any discussion. She was quite ambiguous in what she said about this person. KI'm glad its not Marian. Is she this Rowan Hood or is it somebody else, or did she not indicate to you. Should I try and limit this person's activities. I'm afraid that it my attract te attention of Sir Guy to Locksley and the other villages in terms of a crackdown. What do you think?"
|
|
|
Post by Robin Hood on Jul 15, 2009 10:51:45 GMT 1
Robin contemplated for several moments whether or not he should reveal Mary's secret, before deciding it was best. If she was indeed spending time in Locksley, Will could keep an eye on her.
"It is she. She told me as much when she spoke of the actions which brought her to Merton. I warned her of the great risks she took, and tried to persuade her to take a different path, but she is as stubborn as Marian, that girl."
Considering Will's question, Robin continued. "It is a concern, yes. Especially if she spends much time around Locksley. A name like Rowan Hood will gain unwanted attention there. People will likely assume her in league with me, and that puts her under even greater threat. Do you think perhaps you could try reasoning with her? Or at the very least, keep an eye on her for me?"
|
|
|
Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 15, 2009 12:46:15 GMT 1
Will could tell that Robin was contemplating hard over something, but he wasn't sure what. Normally, of course, he tended to hold information quite close to the vest. He hoped it was his question about Mary. He could help the unknown activist much more easily if he knew who she was.
"I thought as much. You could see a sort of twinkle in her eye, as if she knew a secret that nobody else did. From the way that she talked about this 'person' it did not sound if you were very successful. I don't believe that she mentioned meeting you, but I would say it just inspired her more."
"I have found that reasoning with those who are defending the people against the tyrannies of Prince John and the Sheriff tend not to be very successful," he said smiling at Robin, "and I don't doubt that they will be any more successful in this case. However, I will keep an eye on her and try to steer her when I can into less dangerous area. Who knows, you may need her to break me out when they arrest me," he laughed.
|
|