On a Search [Roe; Will]

[Carter]

Carter and Roe trekked through the forest in silence. Carter was quietly whistling a tune that he had made up in his head, as he brushed away the various leaves and branches that lay in his path. He didn't have any idea where the Outlaw's camp would be, but he and Roe had the idea that they would probably have a lookout, and so they'd probably be seen. Carter only hoped that remembered him, but someone like Carter was not easily forgettable.

It was a while since Roe had spoken, ever since he had asked about the death of Carter's brother. He had probably felt a bit guilty for bringing it up, but Carter had got over it by now. Roe was always full of questions, and Carter could not always be bothered or was willing to answer most of them. But Roe was a nice guy, and in a sense Carter respected that. Any fellow crusader was a pleasure to be by Carters side in his opinion.

They carried on for several more minutes, and the minutes dragged into hours. Carter was getting some-what impatient. He decided now was the time to say something. "Right." he said decisively. "We've been walking around aimlessly for round about 3 hours now. I think we need more of a plan."

[Roe]

Roe had quite willingly trooped on in silence beside Carter. It seemed that everything he opened up his mouth about .... any question .... he was always getting stuck in some subject in a bad way. It was obvious that Carter did not like to talk about his past or anything about himself ..... so it was best for Roe not to go there. "Well ..... you are the leader of this little expedition ..... Carter. These folks know you .... they don't know me ... have any ideas about getting their attention ..... without getting both of us killed would be good,?" he said with a somewhat sarcastic grin.

[Will Scarlett]

Although his head was still throbbing from where Peter had whacked him earlier on that morning, Will strode through the forest at quite some pace. When he and Djaq left the camp last night with Shafiq to go an find Peter, it hadn't occurred to them to tell the rest of the gang where it was that they were going as they had been to absorbed in their thoughts over where they were going to live and who they were going to stay with that night. Will was sure that the gang wouldn't have minded their sudden disappearance so soon after their arrival, but he knew that there was someone who would mind this, and who would feel hurt that Will hadn't told him where it was he was going - Luke.

For reasons still unknown to Will, Luke had suddenly run away during the evening meal yesterday evening, and, according to Gary, went and sat alone in a small glade not far from the camp. Although at the time Will had been out and searched for his brother, he had had no success and gave up searching before long, as he guessed that Luke probably just wanted to have some undisturbed time alone. However, Will thought it best to go back to the camp to let the gang know where he and Djaq would be should they be needed and also to find out if Luke had gone back to the camp after they had left, or whether he was still somewhere alone in the forest.

As Will continued in the direction of the camp, he turned a corner, and to his surprise, found himself standing behind two men facing away from him. Although he could only see the back of him, Will recognized one of the two men straight away, "Carter?!" he exclaimed in surprise. Will did not recognize the other man, but he assumed that he must be a friend of Carter's, and therefore posed no threat to him. But what on earth was Carter doing here in england, let alone only a few minutes walk away from the outlaws camp? Had he just followed Djaq and Will here for something to do? Or was he bringing news from the Holy Land?

[Roe]

Roe wasn't sure if Carter appreciated the humor, sarcastic humor though it was. It seemed to him that neither one of them had much of a new idea on how to find the outlaw camp, so they just kept walking until they saw something or came up with some brilliant idea. Of course they always had the worry that they were going to run across on of Guy's men, unexpectedly in the forest, so there was that fear of the unknown around each tree trunk they circled around. So there was some natural tension as they tried to be prepared for the unexpected, so that it wouldn't suddenly jump out and attack them.

Despite their lack of success in finding the camp, or any clue about its whereabouts, Roe felt that they were poking around in the right area. This area of the forest was a good one in being able to observe others coming from a distance up the small valley and the series of ravines that bisected it. There was a lot of spots that could be natural defensive points. Plus the fact that it felt right in Roe's gut ... instinctively he felt like he could just reach out and touch the encampment and those in it. Then, suddenly, as they were passing through a thicket, Roe heard rustle of brush, some crinkling leaves and twigs, and someone calling out, "Carter!"

Hearing the name, several thoughts came careening through Roe's mind at the same time. If this was a friend, why would they be coming up behind them? Therefore, Roe suddenly whirled, almost instantly pulling out both swords from behind his neck, and going into a slight defensive crouch, while extending both long-swords fairly aggressively, and turning slightly to Carter. Roe looked to Carter for the clues about whether this was a friend or foe.

As he waited on Carter, he did some quick analysis of his own. It was a young man, perhaps in his early 20s, dark, straight hair, and most importantly, no weapons in his hands. There was also something vaguely familiar about him ... was it something about the expression in his eyes. Since the young man carried no weapons, Roe lowered his slightly, still waiting on Carter to tell him what he should do, and who this person that knew the Crusader's name was.

[Carter]

As he heard someone say his name, he whirled around. In an occasion like this, he would have normally sliced the stranged head of by now, but he knew whoever had called his name posed no threat. It was clear in his voice. Not only that, but Carter recognised it. He was facing Will Scarlett. "Scarlett." he said raising an eyebrow. It was definately not the time for warm welcomes. The last time he had saw Will was back in the Holy land. He and Djaq had disappeared without a trace. He wouldn't lie to himself. He was offended that they didn't tell him they had returned to England. He had not really thought about where they had gone, and had more or less let them get on with it. Besides, he had had other things to do in the Holyland.

But seeing Will made things very interesting. Firstly, Will was a former outlaw, and so he would almost definately know where the camp was. Secondly, knowing where the camp was meant knowing where Robin most likely was. Thirdly, if Will was here, then Djaq almost certainly would be to. He had some important news for her too.

He turned to Roe and noticed he was already poised for attack. He placed a hand on Roe's sholder, signalling him that Will was a friend. "It's alright - he's a friend. Well, not just any friend. An outlaw." He turned back at Will. He couldn't help feeling a little sorry for him. He seemed helpless and young without his trademark axe. Carter laughed to himself quietly, and then started walking towards Will.

[Roe]

Roe watched Carter very carefully to gauge his reaction, while he kept his swords in the ready position. He only heard Carter say one word, the word Scarlett. Could it be the same Scarletts that he had worked with in Locksley when he was a teen. It obviously was not Dan, he had been told that he had died along with Jane, his wife. But could this be Will .... he looked to be about the right age, but it was also possible that it was another Scarlett. However, he didn't even know if it was a friend or not, so he decided to cautiously wait.

Relatively quickly Carter indicated to him that he wasn't only a friend, he was an outlaw, and the friendly pat on the shoulder told Roe that he could stand down. Roe had learned by now to take Carter quite at his word, literally, and he re-inserted his 2 swords into their proper place. He also knew that this was a time to give the 2 friends some space to reacquaint themselves, and Roe simply offered the man Carter called Scarlett a friendly nod of the head, knowing that at the proper time he would be introduced.

[Will Scarlett]

Will returned the nod of acknowledgment to the unknown man before stepping forwards to greet his friend. The man appeared to be a friend of Carter's, but Will had never seen him before and Carter had never really mentioned any of his friends and so he had no idea who he could be.
"What are you doing in England.... and... why are you doing here in the middle of the forest?" Will asked bemused as he continued to walk forwards, not quite sure whether Carter was pleased to see him or not, as his expression was not giving anything anyway about what was going through his mind.

((apologies for the shiteness of that ))

[Carter]

Carter smirked at as he reached Will, he gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder. "Well, I'm here because I've got a message, from the King." He looked down at the floor and then peered back up at Will, his head still facing the ground. "And I'm in the middle of the forest, because I'm trying to find Robin." He was aware that Roe was still behind him. He had still remembered Roe telling Carter to not mention his true identity, and so he decided to keep quiet a little longer. First and foremost, he needed to find Robin.

He folded his arms and then stood up straight, displaying his full height. He then tipped his head to one side. "You've got a lot of explaining to do Scarlett. You just left the Holy land without looking back?" he raised an eyebrow. "I never knew you were that desperate to leave?" He shifted his weight onto the other leg and then scratched his head.

"Right, now if you'll be so kind as to direct me and my companion to the Outlaw's camp?" he said, curling his lip into a smile.

[Will Scarlett]

As Carter spoke of Will and Djaq's sudden departure from the Holy Land, Will looked at the ground - uncomfortable and embarrassed, for he was ashamed that it did not cross his mind that Carter would be just a little hurt to say the least. When he and Djaq had discussed leaving the Holy Land that time in Basaam's house, Djaq had asked what they should tell Carter, but Will had dismissed it, saying that it didn't matter as Carter would be happy for them and that they should just get on and leave straight away. And, if he remembered correctly, that was the last time either he or Djaq had mentioned him.

But as Carter changed the subject to that of Will taking him and his companion to the outlaws camp, Will looked back at him, unsure of what to do. "Oh... um... well I dunno if I should..." he stammered. Leading people that weren't in the gang to the camp was something that was never done unless Robin had given them permission and or they were blindfolded. Even so - coming to the camp was reserved only for close friends and family, and although Carter fell into this category, his companion certainly did not, and Will was still none the wiser as to who he was.

But, Will thought to himself, if he was traveling with Carter and he trusted him, then he must be alright. "Okay," Will began, "I'll take you there... but you'll have to be blindfolded I'm afraid... nothing personal or anything - it's just the way it is." he grinned at Carter. "But first, " he said turning to face the so far anonymous man "If you don't mind me asking... who are you?"

[Roe]

Roe had made sure that he kept a separation from the two friends. He found himself, now, mentally kicking himself for not thinking and planning ahead to be able to answer who he was when the question arose. And right now he felt that the question would be coming up soon. Should he tell the truth or lie outright, or just try and tell not the whole truth. He decided that he couldn't lie straight out .... he would probably see right through him.

Carter had gotten to the heart of the matter now ... could he take them to the Outlaw's camp. After some indecision he responded, "Okay .... I'll take you there... but you'll have to be blindfolded I'm afraid... nothing personal or anything - it's just the way it is." Roe was relieved that at least Carter's mission was going to fulfilled. However, he then turned Roe, "But first, if you don't mind me asking... who are you?"

So the big question had finally been asked, and Roe glanced at Carter for a moment. looking vainly for support. Roe imagined that Carter wondered exactly what he was going to. Roe wondered whether he should gamble. Will was so young when he left that it was likely that he didn't remember him, and was even as likely that after he left that he wasn't even mentioned by Dan and Jane. Still, they had often joked with him that they had named him after Roe's last name. Anyway, he thought he could take the chance.

Roe stood there with his arms folded leaning back against a tree he responded. "I will tell you a bit about myself if you agree to answer me a personal question first. I know from Carter here that your last name is Scarlett. What is your first? Years ago I knew a carpenter in Locksley named Dan, as well as his wife Jane. Are you related to them by any chance?"

[Will Scarlett]

Will eyed the man cautiously, still unsure of what to make of him as he stood there leant back against a tree staring at him in a way that Will found quite unnerving.

"I will tell you a bit about myself if you agree to answer me a personal question first"

Began the man as Will frowned in thought and focus - what could this strange man want to know about him before he was able to answer Will's simple question. It wasn't as though Will had asked for the man's full family history - just a name would do!

"Years ago I knew a carpenter in Locksley named Dan, as well as his wife Jane. Are you related to them by any chance?" he continued.

Will's eyes shot up and locked with the man's, the moment his parents names were mentioned. So not only did this, still anonymous, man wish to be taken to the outlaws camp, but he had known Will's parents. He must have known them before Will was born as he was sure that this man was never around when he was living at home as he didn't recognize him in the slightest, and it couldn't have been after he had left home as that was not that long ago, and Jane had died long before Will left.

"Yes.... yes I am..." Will replied slowly, choosing his words carefully. "...and, my name is Will... William Daniel Scarlett..." he paused, waiting to see if his name meant anything to the man.

[Roe]

"Years ago I knew a carpenter in Locksley named Dan, as well as his wife Jane. Are you related to them by any chance?" he continued.

Roe could see instantly that he had the young man's attention and that his words had struck a bit close to a raw nerve. His parents being dead, Roe could understand that kind of raw nerve. Roe knew that Carter needed him to guide him to the outlaw's camp. Therefore, Roe had to tread very carefully in the subject area he was in.

"Yes.... yes I am....and, my name is Will... William Daniel Scarlett..."

"William Daniel," he half-whispered to himself, "yes .... you would be about right in age. Well .... you did exactly what I requested. You answered my question. Its only right that I tell who I am. My given name was Robert, but my friends call me Roe, if they wish. I could tell you many stories, but I won't bore you. I left England many years ago, not planning to ever return, fighting with Frankish forces, eventually being granted a knighthood in the Holy Land. In fact, they called me Ro'ber."

"I never fought with Carter here ..... in the Holy Land. We met for the first time in Nottingham a short while ago. He explained his need to reach Robin Hood and his outlaws in Sherwood, and after staying at my pace in Locksley .... actually your place come to think of it ..... he graciously allowed me to tag along. However .... Will .... I could understand if you didn't have the level of trust in me to allow me to go to your camp. If you wish I can leave you two and head back to Locksley if you wish it."

"I wouldn't want to force myself on you or Robin .... the decision is yours. Also, if you have any more questions feel free to ask, although Carter can tell you here, I'll tend to talk way too much if you give me the chance," he laughed, smiling broadly at his little joke.

[Carter]

Carter raised an eyebrow when he found out he had to wear a blindfold. "Surely, you know me well enough by now that you can lead me to camp without me having to be...blindfolded?" But Carter shrugged. He understood. He was not one of them, and outlaw, even though he came quite close to it. "Alriiight," he said reluctantly.

He had already started walking away when Will asked Roe who he was. He spun around and eyed Roe. Roe was giving him a what-do-I-do look, but Carter simply shook his head and allowed him to get on with it. Sooner or later things were going to have to be explained. He remembered Roe mentioning the Scarletts, and he probably had some connection to them.

As the two conversed, it seemed the history between them was starting to be unravelled. Carter yawned. He could tell this was going to take some time. He was eager to get to camp, and somewhat annoyed that they had to discuss things now - when they were obviously so close to their destination.

"I'll tend to talk way too much if you give me the chance."

Carter made an unamused grunt. He knew this was true enough. Ask any question, and you get a torrent of an answer. Carter prepared for the worst. Will probably had a few questions he needed to ask, so he quickly stepped forewards so he was exactly imbetween the two men. "Yeah, well as nice as that sounds, I think we need to get to camp, as soon as possible? You can have you're nice little family reuninion chat once I've spoken to the rest of the gang. Or maybe even on the way?" Carter looked at Will and Roe in turn, a straight emotionless look on his face.

[Will Scarlett]

Will stood there, listening in silence to Roe's explanation, and remained silent once he had finished as he processed all of this new information in his mind. What did he mean "...you would be about right in age...." and how and why was he staying in Will's old home in Locksley - that had became a derelict ruin many years ago. Will had so many questions he wanted to ask Roe, but like Carter had said - now wasn't the time. Some other time, when they were alone, and Will felt that the time was right, he would question this mysterious man and find out how and why he knew his parents.

Will nodded in agreement with what Carter said, and pulled the scarf from around his neck and handed it to Roe solemnly, indicating for him to tie it around his head as a blindfold. He then turned to Carter and handed him the scarf that usually doubled as a belt around Will's waist, and before long, using a vine-like branch, Will was leading the other two men towards the outlaws camp.

As the camp came into view, Will slowed down to a stop and let go of the vine. "We're here." Will said matter of factly. "Take off your blindfolds and follow me." he continued as he walked towards the entrance of the camp. "You can... um.... sort out what you need to with Robin, but I've gotta go look for someone..." said Will, turning back to face Carter, before entering then camp, surveying it with his eyes in search of Luke.