Waiting For The Rest Of The Gang To Return

[Djaq]

Djaq scowled as she saw the obviously connection Alexis and Shafiq shared, and the ease in which Alexis handled him. She marched over and half snatched Shafiq away from her. "Thank-you" she said in the nicest way she possibly could, which had probably come out a lot snappier than intended. She took a breath in, glad to have Shafiq back in her arms. "I'm going for a walk, if thats alright with everyone?" she said quietly. Without even leaving time for anyone to object, she stormed out the camp.

[Robin Hood]

He smiled at the obvious joy in both his friends' voices; the pride was easy to recognise. He was glad; they had both been through, and sacrificed, a lot: they deserved to be happy. "A month?" He raised an eyebrow questioningly, "I'm guessing you were with child when we were back in the Holy Lands then, Djaq? We can't have been back that long, surely," he mused.

As her comments turned to Marian, he looked worried once more. "She's...well, not much better, to tell the truth. She's sleeping now, but I'm worried about her. Since we got back, she doesn't seem to have made much progress in getting better. Could you take a look at her some time? Maybe there's something I'm missing..." There was desperation in his voice as he spoke about the woman he loved; the woman who was injured.

As Djaq left with Shafiq, Robin turned to Will, and spoke softly so that the others couldn't hear. He knew they might not approve, but hoped that Will, who had not one but two people in his life that he loved, would understand. "I want Gisborne to pay, not just for what he's doing to those peasants, but for how badly he hurt Marian."

[Will Scarlett]

Will opened his mouth to call Djaq back but quickly realized that there would be no point - if Djaq wasn't happy and wanted to walk off on her own, then that is exactly what Djaq would do. So instead, Will shrugged apologetically at Alexis and went and sat down on a nearby log frowning, deep in thought, trying to work out what it was that Djaq had gotten upset about. Was she jealous of Shafiq's fondness of Alexis, or was she fed up England already... he hoped that neither were the case and she just felt like going for a walk, but he knew his wife well enough to know that this wasn't the case.

After sitting there in thought for a little while he began to wonder where exactly Djaq and Shafiq had gone - they couldn't have gone far, but he was becoming increasingly worried for their safety. What if they wondered into trouble? Djaq wouldn't possibly be able to fight whilst holding Shaf. But, Djaq wasn't stupid - far from it in fact - and Will knew that she would never let herself be in any dangerous situation whilst she was responsible for Shafiq.

Staring straight a head of him, still deep in thought, Will didn't notice Robin kneeling beside him until he began to speak. Will listened intently, but showed no signs of having taken any of it in as he continued to gaze ahead into the distance in a trance like state. He knew that what he shouldn't approve of what Robin was saying, but he knew that it had to be done. Gisborne had almost taken Djaq's life once and now, he had nearly taken Marian's. Who would be next? Shafiq? The thought was to painful for Will to even begin to imagine. He spun his head round so he was looking Robin straight in the eyes. "I'm in." he said solemnly. "But..." he hesitated and looked at the floor, "...don't tell Saff-" he corrected himself, "...Djaq...She wouldn't want us to..." he trailed off looking back at Robin. But the look in Robin's eyes let him know that he understood.

Both men knew that they should stay away from Gisborne and the Sheriff, and that both Djaq and Marian would disapprove of them stirring up trouble in the name of revenge, but both men also knew that Gisborne was the reason that the two of them had, on separate occasions, almost lost the ones that they love the most in the whole world and caused them more pain than they ever thought possible.

((sorry its not very interesting - I'm half asleep!))

[loz]

John Looked over at will and noticed that he was upset and looking deep in thought. he stood up, walked round the camp and saw that djaq and Shafiq were not anywhere to be seen. he assumed that they had gone off on a walk of something. he looked back at will "is everything ok? you loook upset about something? he said. "you know you can talk to me if you want to talk about anything. you ca nallways rely on me." John was hoping that this would cheer Will up or at least Ease the situation.

John sat back down and realised that everyone in the camp wasn't their usuall selves. what's happened round here? he thought to him self, before lying down to try and get some sleep.

[sazjj17]

much walks back into camp and saw everyone looking misserable and saw little john sleeping.
He wandered over to robin and spoke to him in private about some bad news he had heard.
"Robin can i talk to you" he said "I have some very bad news which is affecting me badly" said much

[Will Scarlett]

Will, who was still sitting on the tree stump next to Robin, nodded in thanks at John's kindness, but this was something that he didn't wish to talk about with anyone other than Robin. Not even Djaq. He and Robin needed to make Gisborne pay, and it would probably be easier without everyone else input.

As Much approached him and Robin, Will decided it would be best to give them some privacy. Robin and Much were very close and something had been bothering Much greatly since they had returned so he thought it best to let him speak to Robin alone. "I'm gunna go see where Djaq's got to..." he said as he got up from where he was sitting and left the camp. Djaq might be annoyed with him for following her, but, hopefully she had had enough time to calm down by now.

[Robin Hood]

Their eyes met, and it was clear the two friends and outlaws were on the same wavelength. "No," Robin murmured, "I think this should be kept between us two. The others...might not understand, they'll think we are taking unnecessary risks. But this needs to be done." He clapped his hand on Will's arm in a sign of affection as John came towards them.

"Okay," Robin replied, "We can sort this later. I'm glad you're back, Will..." As Will left, Much approached. It seemed like the happiness that had descended over the camp at Will and Djaq's return was quickly evaporating; Much looked upset. "Sure, Much," Robin began, speaking quietly so that the others wouldn't be able to hear, "what's the matter?" He was worried about his friend; his eyes made it clear he was upset, and Robin knew he'd been very tied up with Marian lately - perhaps neglecting his best friend because of her.

[sazjj17]

Much wasn't quite sure how to put the bad news forward to robin, he quickly glanced around camp to make sure no-one was goin to eavsdrop in on the private converstation.
"Robin i dont know how to put this" said Much "but i have just lost a member of my family and i dont want the rest of the gang knowing just yet" he said trying really hard not to cry but he found it so difficult not to, he sat down and just started crying, Robin sat down beside him and spoke to him in a really calming voice. Much then looked up at him and said "thanks Robin i really appriciate that". Much was looking a little bit happier when the rest of the gang looked towards Robin and Much.

[loz]

Little John woke up and looked round camp. he saw Much talking to Robin and decided not no get involved allthough he could guess what their conversation was about. He Knew that much was going through some difficult times and foumd it very hard to talk to people about it as it made him so upset. "are you ok now Much?" he said unsure if Much had heard him or not. He wanted to be sur ethat he wasnt ear dropping on the conversation, but also wanted to know if Much was ok because he didn't like his friends being upset. John got up from the log, looked round camp then said "i'm going for a walk if anyone wants to come, they are more than welcome to join me. I will be back later."

John had a last look around then left the camp. he was worried because he didn't know why everyone was so upset. he knew about Much, but not the others. "i hope it all gets sorted out soon". he thought to himself as he walked round the wood.

[Alexis Bailey]

"It's no problem." she gave Djaq a smile as she took Shafiq back, slightly disappointed actually, she'd enjoyed holding him for that little bit of time.
Her expression turned apologetic as she watched her leave the camp, feeling slightly guilty about it. Noticing Will's look, she smiled at him, to reassure him she hadn't taken offence. Much seemed down, very down in fact. She watched him approach Robin, then got up off of her seat, moving further away to give them some space to talk.

[Robin Hood]

"Much," Robin murmured quietly. "I'm really sorry. I know what that's like..." Robin had lost countless friends and loved ones - it seemed to be part of going against the authority. That didn't make it hurt any less though. "No-one else has to know, don't worry. Can I ask - who did you lose?" Family stopped being a part of life once you were an outlaw - you just couldn't risk seeing them in case they got in trouble - and so many of the outlaws didn't know much about each others families. Despite the fact that Much was his best friend, Robin couldn't think which family member of his could have died.

Robin placed what he hoped was a comforting hand on Much's back; he hated seeing his friend crying, and in pain. Thinking of pain, he glanced back at the cave where he had left Marian, but there was no sign of any disturbance there...

[Allan A'Dale]

Allan felt a prickle of guilt as he hurried back towards the camp. What had started out as a quick foray into town to check if their sources had picked up any hints of the Sheriff's next move had turned into a marathon dice game in the Trip Inn. He knew Robin disapproved of his gambling, even though he always gave a hefty slice of his winnings to the stash. It was almost certain that people had noticed that he'd been away far longer than he should have been, and he was probably going to cop it.

By the time home was in sight, he was confused. There was Robin and Much, obviously, seemingly deep in conversation and Alexis sat a little further away. But who was the fourth figure? Too slight to be John, too tall to be Luke, yet obviously a friend, to be here.

It almost looked like...well it looked like Will to be honest, although he knew that was just wishful thinking.

Except it wasn't. The closer he got, the more and more it looked like his friend, until he was certain, and broke into a run.

"Will! Will, you're home! In England! It's really you!"

He laughed and embraced him, still out of breath. But when he pulled away, suddenly he was uncertain.

"I can't see Djaq anywhere, Will, what's happened? What's brought you home? Is she still there, in the Holy Land?"

[Robin Hood]

As Robin saw Allan approaching, he smiled; he knew Allan would be as pleased as he was that his old friend was back. He looked around the camp and realised how much the group of outlaws seemed to be growing; himself, Marian, Much, Little John, Allan, Djaq, Will, Baby Shafiq, Alexis...they were a fast growing bunch! But he needed every one of them; England needed every one of them. Once Marian was better he knew he could focus on the important things: helping the poor, and getting rid of the Sheriff.

As they embraced, Robin realised Allan had been gone a while, and found himself wondering where he'd been: he hoped he hadn't been gambling again. How many times did he have to tell Allan that it was a reckless waste of money? He didn't want to ruin the moment, though, and so turned to Alexis.

"Have you heard the rumours about the Sheriff forcing the men of the villages into an army?" Robin asked, "I heard some guards talking, but I need more information..."

[Alexis Bailey]

Her expression instantly turned to worry as he spoke, her mind going back over everything she had heard whilst she was away from camp.
"I remember hearing something.. but it was only rumours, it might not be true.. at least, I hope it isn't true." She sighed, pausing to think again before continuing, "Why would the Sheriff need an army..? Surely its not just to hunt us down..?"
Her expression of worry had a hint of confusion in it now.

[Robin Hood]

He nodded gravely; "I think there's truth behind the rumours. Besides, it sounds like something the Sheriff would do." He paused, thinking about what Alexis was saying; why would the Sheriff need more men in an army? He already had his guards, men who didn't think twice about killing people and doing his will, so why force people into an army? It wouldn't work...if people were forced into something, they never did it well - not as well as if they'd chosen to do it.

"I haven't a clue. Damn the Sheriff...can he not just leave them alone?" He slammed his fist angrily onto the log he was sat on. "We need to investigate this further, and soon if we can. We can't have him taking a whole generation of men. If you hear anything else, let me know, ok? Maybe you could go into the villages disguised and see if you can find any more out..."