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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 29, 2009 7:11:05 GMT 1
Will understood what Robin was trying to tell him he thought. "No matter how much a man may try to hide, his true inner nature is bound to come out sooner or later. It sounds if you knew him in close quarters quite well. If he was a man of good character then I expect that he is now as well. I suppose he, like many, has just not set the priorities we would like to see. If his vision is clouded, the day will come, where the sky will break clear, I'm sure."
Will was unsure about that. He had no idea, after all that had happened, whether he would ever be able to accept someone as warped as Prince John or the High Sheriff as people that were fit to lead all of England. "I am sure there will be a division over that Robin. Even those who accept him as king I think will only accept him under certain conditions. the real question is whether the Prince will find that acceptable."[
Will laughed along with Robin before turning more serious. He wasn't sure exactly how serious Robin was taking the subject. "Yes, I believe that Heaven will be a place of peace and happiness. However, anyplace that would not have the Lord of Locksley might be a bit too boring to be paradise. In fact, I would be saddened if it did not contain my brother-in-arms. Whatever else might be said of him, I have not met any in life I would regard as a better man."
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 29, 2009 7:45:09 GMT 1
He nodded at Will's words. "He taught me much, when we spoke. Showed me what honour, respect and loyalty truly mean. He will see reason soon enough." Robin spoke with confidence, hoping there was truth in the words.
"Whatever kind of King he became, I'm sure there'd be a few of us yet willing to keep an eye on him, eh will?" He laughed.
Robin felt pride at Will's words, knowing he thought of him as a brother in arms. And yet, he knew Will was not correct in regards to the last part of what he had said. "There are many better men than me out there. It is only because of the position I am in that people think I am somehow...unique."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 29, 2009 18:34:42 GMT 1
He nodded at Will's words. "He taught me much, when we spoke. Will nodded his head. It was always important to have one person, sometimes more than one, that you could look for guidance. "It is unfortunate, as a consequence of these crusades, the number of young boys who have been robbed of such guidance and wisdom, since their fathers were lost in the Holy Lands."
"I am glad that you continue to have such confidence in him Robin. It remains a difficult thing for many of us to have that confidence. Our confidence remains in you. You can rest assured, Robin, whoever our monarch will be, from this time forward, there will be many who will keep an eye on them, depending, of course, on which of us survives."
Will smiled and shook his head slightly, wondering if Robin would ever truly accept his role in the world. "If there are these 'better mean', why have they not yet stepped forward. Don't you understand, Robin, that your greatness lies in the uniqueness of your position and your willingness to act, no matter what the personal consequences are to yourself. That is where greatness and leadership lie, in always being true to what is right .... its not ability. There are many a man who have the potential to be great, but were not, because they never tried. You have both tried and been trying, I know that first-hand," he smiled broadly.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 30, 2009 4:12:56 GMT 1
Robin glanced sideways at Will. "And Father's have lost Sons. It is a terrible thing, that the longer this cursed war continues, the more this loss spreads, even to families not directly involved. It has a hold over us all."
"I am very thankful that you have such confidence in me, Will. It is comforting to know that that is the case. Hopefully, soon enough, we will no longer be living in a world where a person does not have to look to an outlaw for leadership," there was laughter in his words, though he meant them.
"What I have given up matters little. Who could honestly sit and enjoy a servant pouring their wine, lighting their fires, knowing their inaction had caused the deaths of four good men? I know of one, standing beside me now, who could not allow it to happen. We are all made for greatness, Will. It is simply that some of us stray from that path, from time to time. Or in the case of the Sheriff, stray completely and lose our way."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 30, 2009 5:57:18 GMT 1
Will glanced back at Robin, "In both of our cases, though, the important losses were of our parents, here. The losses in the crusades for you were of your fellows. For me its simply people that I once knew that will never return. Some of the problems are merely connected to the crusades. The present sheriff would never have attained his rank without them. Anyway, maybe some of this is related to my need or desire to re-connect with Locksley, eh?"
Will knew that, although he was jealous of Robin in many ways .... his position, Marian .... he always had a certain level of respect. "You know Robin .... I have never looked at you as an outlaw. The people don't either .... and that's why they look up to you .... protect and help you when they are able, as I and the rest of the outlaws do. You've helped each of us in the past when you didn't have to .... and that's what we remember."
"We are all human, strayed from the path, and I have let hidden jealousies get in the way in the past. Hopefully I will be able to re-join the gang soon, but I don't think that I would be more of a help than a burden at the present. And that's what you need right now. By the way, I trust that Marian is well?"
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 30, 2009 7:49:44 GMT 1
Robin nodded. "Many good men have been lost, in this war. Some we have lost and they have not even died. They become lost in their minds. My parents, well, on that I can not say much. Their deaths were a long time ago now. It matters little. You, on the other hand, must still feel the burden of your Mother's death. I have no doubt on some level you blame me for that," he looked at Will passively, knowing that he was right.
"You don't look at me as an outlaw?" He chuckled. "If that is the case, Will, none of us are. Your only crime to date has been to steal, what was it? A few sacks of flour. And as far as I can figure it, that flour belonged to me, so I say you were not actually stealing it at all."
Robin bit his lip, looking at the ground with a smile on his face. "Marian is...well."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Jul 30, 2009 8:19:20 GMT 1
Will, as Robin knew, he though, was a practical man. As a villager, a forester, and a peasant, there was no other way to survive, even in the best of times. He thought that maybe this was a good time for a least a bot of a practical conversation. "So, many good men have been lost. Is it a good war or a bad one? Why do we fight it. If it is a bad war why is it encouraged by the Pope, by the King. If it is a good war, why does it feel so wrong when so many good men die. Explain this to me Robin, I am but a simple man."
"How can you say that their deaths mattered little, Robin, if their lives meant so much that they made you into the man we respect today. No, my real burden is my father's, since his I feel personally responsible for, My mother's death shames me, as it did my father, since we did not see that she was willingly starving herself until it was too late. Yes, it shames me to this day the blame that I assign you. I can not but help to think that she would have fared batter under the Earl of Huntingdon, than Sir Guy."
Will laughed as well at Robin's sarcastic comments. "You are quite correct on all counts, Robin. I don't look at any of us as true outlaws, for we have tried to be law-abiding all of our lives. However, interfering with an approved public hanging ... some might look at that as being an outlaw, though I still be grateful. I hope she remains so, and the two of you have many happy years together," Will smiled thinly.
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Post by Robin Hood on Jul 30, 2009 8:45:42 GMT 1
Robin contemplated Will's questions. "You ask much. I can not say it is a good war. Those two words do not belong together. What is fought for, that is good. We fight for our Holy City, for Jerusalem. And yet, it is just as much their Holy City. It feels bad knowing people die, Will, because it is bad. It is senseless, needless. I worked to become Captain of the King's Guard simply so my own fight was for the King. I fought to protect the King because I did not see what else I had reason to kill for."
He disregarded what Will had said about his parent's lives, focusing on what was said about his Father. "You did not cause that, Will. That was the Sheriff's doing. Everything that happened that day is on Vaizey's head. Your Mother did not deserve such a fate, and I can only say how deeply I regret that such an awful thing was allowed to happen. She was a good, kind woman."
"Many happy years together? Well, that does sound good," he smiled again, thinking of her.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Aug 4, 2009 0:12:27 GMT 1
Will tried not to think on these questions much, since he knew that his opinion would not change reality. "I don't have much education Robin, but it seems to me that wars are fought for money, power, land, and religion, or a mixture of them. The only good and proper wars are defensive ones, where you are protecting your lands and your people, or their rights."
This war simply did not make any sense to Will. It was obvious that this city was important to many peoples and many religions, and therefore could not me owned or controlled by one group, no more than he water in the river Trent or the air could be owned. So, why waste the blood and treasure? "You have obviously thought about these things more than I have. I am just a simple carpenter. If you believe that he has such great value that you would lay down your life for him, it must be so."
Will listened to Robin's words closely, he was an observant young man. He noticed what Robin commented on and what he strove to ignore. Will had recognized for some time that Robin was extremely sensitive to the issue of his own parents. He was always amazed how Robin saw no problem in having an opinion about others,but others could not have an opinion about Robin's. He assumed it had something to do with Robin being a noble.
Will spoke pointedly at Robin, "You can have whatever opinions you want Robin, or not allow the spoken opinion on certain subjects, but on this one my mind will never be changed. While it is true that he would not have died that day without the intervention of the Sheriff, it was I who drove him toward that fateful decision. I would even say that I was more to blame for my father's death than blame can be lain at your door for my mother's death."
Will knew that both of his parents had a very good opinion of their lord, Robin of Locksley, as did almost all of the villagers. "Whether anyone deserved what happened to them really is not the issue. Did you do all that could be expected of one man to do. You made the decisions that appeared to be right at the time. I know that they would wish you and Marian as much happiness as they had in their too-short lives. Though it was short, they were happy with what they had. The one thing that pleases me is the obvious fact of how happy Marian is when she is with you," Will said, as much as it pained him to say it.
"Many happy years together? Well, that does sound good," he smiled again, thinking of her.
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Post by Robin Hood on Aug 4, 2009 4:08:09 GMT 1
Robin found Will's opinion a curious mix of different, contradicting ideas. He appeared to believe that King Richard was a good leader, some one who, once he returned, would steer things right. And then he seemed to disagree with the idea of doing what was necessary to protect him. "And would that be such a bad thing? Giving my life to spare the life of our King is something I would do, have seen other men do, in a hearbeat. My life is worth nothing next to his."
He frowned at the younger man. "What do you mean, not allow the spoken opinion on subjects? I value your opinion, Will, and would hear it," he paused for a moment before moving on. "You must believe me on this Will, your Father would not want you to be feel such guilt for what happened. Regardless of what you said or did, he would have acted. He was doing what he thought was the right thing. You do not honour him by blaming yourself."
Robin smiled, thinking of the ring he had given Marian, of her answer to his question. "I can only hope I will be able to make her as happy as she has made me."
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Post by Will Scarlett on Aug 10, 2009 12:24:27 GMT 1
Will found the views of his leader interesting, but debatable. Some of the implications of Robin's remarks Will simply could not agree with, in principle. "I'm afraid that I can't agree with you there, even in principle. I find that every person's life is as valuable than the next. I have no quarrel with you in having the desire to give up your life so that the king can be saved. My problem is having you advocate for it on the basis that your life is worth far less than his. That kind of view is what gives the Sheriff and Prince John their power, and implies that some people are above the law. Is that what we have been fighting for, Robin, the inequality of life?"
Will shook his head, knowing that most of the time he knew Robin as a fair-minded, open, and tolerant man. He frowned at the younger man. "That may be true in most cases, but there are several that I know not to cross the invisible line on. On these you value no one's opinion but your own. As you have already demonstrated its Marian, your past, and often King Richard, and many of these overlap. Much of this does not deal with the gang, but you personally. However, as Marian becomes more a part of the gang, it becomes more significant, and possibly important."
"Now, you dare to know how I should feel about my father, but I have not the ability or the knowledge to know how you feel. It must be a special power you have been granted, eh? You know how best to honour a father, do you? Well, as far as Marian goes, I do hope you can bring her happiness. I think you will have the best chance of anyone to complete that worthy goal," he smiled at last.
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Post by Robin Hood on Aug 10, 2009 13:14:18 GMT 1
"I do not think there is inequality in that way, Will. I would not suggest that one man's life is worth more than anothers, at least not fundamentally. I only mean that if we know of a man's ability to do something extraordinary, we should do what we can to protect that."
Will obviously closely guarded the subject of his Father. "I did not intend to upset you, Will. I was only saying things as I saw them. I knew your Father as a good, honourable man. And that is how he should be remembered. What Marian and my past have to do with what I decide to share I do not see," he disagreed with Will's analysis of the situation.
"Special power? I think maybe you are insulting me," he laughed.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Aug 11, 2009 13:12:59 GMT 1
Will did not believe that that was what Robin had said. To him it clearly sounded like he was putting even the value of his own life, Robin's life, below that of the King's, and Will found that to be simply unacceptable. "Just understand, Robin, that we find that your ability to do extraordinary things nearly at the same level as his. Besides, you have to understand, that from a young age we were taught that your life was something we should be willing to sacrifice ourselves for, if we faced the choice."
"Likewise, Robin, we believe that your father had to be a good and honorable man, given the lessons he passed on to you at a young age. And yes, that is how I remember him, although he was way too stubborn for his own good. All of that, though, will never absolve me of responsibility in his death. .... If you cannot see the connection between Marian and your past and with what decisions you make, no words from me or anyone else will suffice," he said, turning from Robin as he intended to drop the subject entirely, since it wasn't going anywhere that was useful. He was his Lord, and Will was his peasant, and there were certain things that Robin would not accept or agree to discuss.
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Post by Robin Hood on Aug 12, 2009 1:30:05 GMT 1
Robin shook his head at what Will said. "That is not true Will. You would never be expected to do that. I do not expect it, in fact I forbid you from going out of your way to do it. What I said to Much was true. If anything happens to me you will all carry on without me and continue the fight."
He laughed again as Will continued to refer to him apparently not listening to other peoples opinions. "It is not that I would not listen to what other people said on the subject, but I can hardly agree with something if I do not believe it to be true, can I?"
He let the subject of Will's Father drop, knowing it would take a lot more to ever change his opinion on the subject.
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Post by Will Scarlett on Aug 12, 2009 12:33:36 GMT 1
How could Robin underestimate what he meant to his people and the cause in general. Will couldn't even shake his head at that one. "Robin, the thing is that you look at things from our perspective as an independent individual. It is not a question of what you expect, its a matter of what we feel and what we do. Besides, I think the whole point of freedom is that you can't forbid us. Yes, the core of the group may carry it on, but you are our organizing principle. I may be our conscience from time-to-time, but you are our spine. Hell, most of the time Much doesn't remember to wait for the last man."
"The whole point of leadership, Robin, is to listen to all sides and then make decision. There are some things and people that you won't talk or consider, that you only keep your own council. Then its .... well ..... Robin's made a decision to do something again .... out of the blue .... he's got that silly grin on his face, and we are all expected to fall into line."
Will did note, thankfully, that Robs had stopped trying to convince him about the death of his father not being his fault. Will didn't think it was because he had swung to Will's point of view, but that he had simply given up for the time being.
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