Fic: Survivor 2: Die another Day
Title: Survivor: 2 - Die another Day
Characters: Team Hood
Rating: G
Warnings: Spoilers for 3x12 & 3x13
Summary: A follow on from Survivor (Allan centric) in which events of 3x13 are drastically changed.
A/N : DeNile Fic. Have taken some conversations/quotes from the actual 3x13 episode. Total fix it fic to make it a more cheery end to the three year run.
~
There’s a cure! - Declared Much
This isn’t fair! - Decided John
*We agree!* said the muses.
DeNile ensued.
~
After many stops and starts and resisting the urge to retreat to the camp to at least clean himself up, Allan reached the edge of the forest. Vaizey had built up a formidable army which had surrounded the castle and already small pockets of patrols were lurking in the near vicinity. He knew he’d have to tread carefully to reach the castle undetected, he didn’t like the idea of being shot at again, the incident in the forest had been too close a call with death to experience again in a hurry.
Settling himself within the thick brush of the undergrowth he allowed himself a few moments rest and set his mind to work as to how to get to the castle. After a time he saw two figures moving from the main gate on horseback, squinting he strained his eyes to see closer, Robin and Guy. They approached Vaizey and seemed to be conversing. Allan thought he could do with a horse right about then, help him get inside. Watching carefully the group seemed to be exchanging heated words which didn’t surprise him before some sort of activity started occurring behind them.
Allan watched as the trebuchet lurched into action, sending a burning barrel into the battlements of the castle. He watched agape at the speed the barrel surged forward before disappearing. This battle he knew was going to bring an end to all the years of fighting against the sheriff and he wanted to be part of it, on Robin’s side where he belonged. Reaching into his pocket he fumbled about before finding what he was looking for, thankful the sky was clear. He just wanted to get Robin’s attention and let him know he was there. Taking the mirror in his palm he reached out and searched for the sun, catching the glare and hoping Robin noticed the signal at the tree line.
Shortly after Robin and Guy turned the horses and raced back to the main gates. Allan had no idea if Robin had gotten the signal but had to hope he had. Meanwhile he still had the problem of getting into the castle, especially with Vaizey’s army so strategically poised. Perhaps it would be best to wait until nightfall, give himself a chance to rest and come up with a plan. The trebuchet’s put Vaizey at an unfair advantage, one which needed to be rectified. The men couldn’t fight against such machines, at least hand to hand and within the confines of solid walls and battlements of the castle they’d stand half a chance of winning.
As he waited his opportunity, which he knew would arise if he waited long enough, he fixed himself up as best he could, ripping off his shirt sleeves to wrap around his arm and thigh. What he wouldn’t do for some kind of magic elixir Tuck tended to mix up to cure all their ills. Sort of like in the days when Djaq would tend their wounds and mix them up cures. Djaq and Will, he hadn’t thought about them in too long a time, tried not to because sometimes even surrounded by the rest of the gang he missed them. Missed the fun, laid back conversations with Will and the playful moments with Djaq.
As the night set in Allan’s attention was drawn to the trebuchet’s again, something niggling in the back of his head about them. He wouldn’t put it past Robin to attempt to somehow tamper with the machines so Vaizey couldn’t use them, after all Robin always did come up with the most dangerous plans though to be fair to him they usually always succeeded without much a hitch.
All Allan needed to do is be in the right place at the right time and that meant getting near to the trebuchet’s which thankfully only had a handful of guards protecting them. And those guards looked like they’d like to be anywhere else but the middle of a field in the dead of the night as part of an uneventful battle.
“Easy,” Allan said to himself. “Just need to get near them without being seen, hope Robin carries out some death defying plan to destroy them, without getting himself killed in the process and hope he believes me when I tell him I ain’t no traitor. And really hope Tuck has something for the pain when we get back to the castle.”
He just had to bide his time and wait it out, the guards became bored of standing around and a chill had set in with the night. Vaizey had been prowling about making plans but as he moved off further the guards became less alert and instead huddled around the fires. With nerves and a wave of apprehension Allan took his chance to start crawling slowly through the dirt towards the large monstrous weapons Vaizey had brought to Nottingham. His wounds were starting to throb and itch mercilessly, their sharp pain had turned into a dull, persistent ache which was starting to drive him mad but he kept on moving closer, not sure what he’d do when he reached the trebuchet closest to him.
Just hope the guards stayed put and Robin had thought along the lines Allan presumed he would. Because if he didn’t, he was a sitting duck for the Sheriff and his men to come and finish him as they had planned to in the forest. Seconds stretched into minutes and Allan started becoming nervous, though the guards hadn’t shifted, he could hear their voices and any moment he expected to hear a shout as he was spotted though he’d crouched down by the thick wooden wheels and hugged his body into the shadows.
He could have cried out in surprise and relief when a shadow suddenly loomed close over him, a face covered in mud as it fumbled with a rope at the trebuchet’s base.
“Robin,” he said through his sudden fright, relieved he’d known Robin would take the risk to try and destroy the weapons.
“Allan?” Robin gasped in surprise, too shocked to do anything at that very moment. “It was you signalling from the tree line! What are you doing here?”
“Long story,” Allan told him, “I was heading for the castle when I saw Vaizey advancing through the woods. Had to take cover before they filled me full of arrows. By the time I got here he had the castle surrounded and I couldn’t figure how to get to you so I figured I’d wait for you guys to come to me.”
“Robin,” Tuck hissed in the darkness. “Are you done?”
“Yes,” Robin whispered hoarsely back before looking to Allan. “Come on, when we get back to the castle you can explain better.”
Allan could have cried in relief that Robin believed him as wasn’t going to leave him lying there, he’d feared perhaps Robin would still doubt his allegiance. He struggled to stand, exhausted from the afternoon he’d had and Robin slung an arm around his waist to help.
“You’re hurt?” Robin asked worried.
“Nothing to worry about,” Allan tried to ignore the pain and gritted his teeth.
Voices alerted them that Vaizey was heading back and they kept to the shadows as they started back for the castle as everyone suddenly sprang into action. The sheriff was yelling above the noise, guards ran to sort themselves and in the midst of it they made for the castle as Archer appeared from the darkness on horseback reigning down arrows on the enemy as they made their escape. Allan ignored his protesting leg telling him he should really be resting it and kept up with the others, John half dragging him through the gates where he sank to the ground with a merciful sigh.
It didn’t occur to him to think he’d been safer in the forest away from the frontline of battle. He was just relieved to be with the gang again, that he’d survived Vaizey’s attack and now Tuck was pulling him to a corner to check his wounds as everyone crowded round asking questions amidst Robin trying to rally the troops to prepare for the inevitable attack.
~
“It’s a scratch, it‘s nothing” Robin spat back at Isabella, who stood paces apart from him, a smug smile on her lips.
Her blade dripped with her brothers blood but she ignored his writhing form at her feet as she fixed Robin with a look of satisfaction.
“No, no, no, you should be careful, I mean this blade could be rusty, or even worse.”
“What have you done?” Guy gasped from the floor, though a sinking feeling already told him the worst.
“I used your poison on the blade A few drops running through your bloodstream. I’d say you’ll be dead by sundown.” She told him, a feeling of happiness coursing through her. She’d won, Guy and Robin both destroyed in a matter of moments.
“Is this true?” Robin would have doubted her if she didn’t look so pleased with herself, it couldn’t come to this. A small cut on his neck was going to be his downfall. Somehow it didn’t seem fair and he looked to Gisborne hoping for assurance.
Guy nodded his head, grunting in pain but giving him the answer he wanted, though he didn’t wish to hear of it.
“Oh this is too good to be true,” Vaizey exclaimed exultantly beside Isabella. “You killed Robin Hood.”
Looking up at him, Robin momentarily forgot his own peril, lifting his blade to Vaizey. He still had a job to do, Vaizey wouldn’t escape with his life but Vaizey was already retreating to rally his troops for the next attack.
“Oh we’ll be back to finish the rest of you off with an army. Please wait for me, I don’t want to miss the big moment.”
Robin watched them leave before dropping to a knee beside Gisborne, already being tended to by Archer. Even in his dying moments Guy showed a willingness for redemption, offering them an escape route to get the people out before Vaizey returned. Archer left to gather the others whilst Robin stayed by Guy’s side.
“Is this the end?” Guy asked him, he felt there was more to do. He hadn’t had enough time to assuage for his sins.
“For you and me both, my friend,” Robin told him.
For a moment Guy felt the years drop away, they were boys again, they’d been friends then, always rivals but a general respect for one another. That had been a long time ago and the years in between had made them bitter enemies, but now was the time to put away the past. Perhaps, if he’d lived on, they’d have learned to know each other again, been friends like they once had been. There was one last thing he could do before the afterlife claimed him, a final parting of the ways to perhaps somehow redeem him for his wrongs.
“There’s a cure,” he gasped as he fought for breath. He could feel the warmth of blood against his skin where Vaizey’s blade had skewered into him. “For the poison, there isn’t much time but there’s a vial, a few drops will remedy the cure.”
His words for faltering but he saw recognition of his words in Robin’s eyes, a look of hope. Robin wasn’t ready to die, it wasn’t his time.
“In my quarters, it’s where I got the poison. There’s a chest in the alcove, a small vial of clear liquid inside it. You’ve got time, if you go now, you can still escape with the others and destroy the Sheriff.”
Robin nodded his head in understanding, overwhelmed by the lifeline Guy was offering him. He could have died and took the information to his grave, a last stand for their bitter rivalry.
“She’ll wait for you, until the end of your days she’ll wait for you,” Guy stuttered. “Marian, the love of my life, she was always yours.”
Robin didn’t say anything, he couldn’t speak of it but he could understand now how much Gisborne loved her. With his dying breaths Guy was admitting he’d never have won her heart, that it had always belonged to Robin.
“I’ve lived in shame, but because of you, I die proud. I am free.”
~
Archer was already moving everyone into the cellars when Robin made his way to the main hall. He caught Tuck by the arm as he was putting the finishing touches to the plan.
“I need to talk to you,” Robin said to him in a low voice. He already felt lethargic, the poison slowly working it’s way through his body.
“You’re hurt.” Tuck exclaimed, taking in the cut on Robin’s throat.
“Isabella, she cut me,” Robin explained with a nod. “With a dagger dipped in poison.”
It didn’t take Tuck long to realise the implications of what Robin was telling him.
“I need you to get everybody out. Get them to safe distance. There’s a chance I can get to a cure but if I can’t, if I don’t make it I need you to make sure everyone is safe. Will you do this for me Tuck?” Robin implored him, they didn’t have time for goodbyes, he just needed reassurances.
Tuck lay a hand on his arm and gave a firm nod. “You have my word.”
As Tuck ushered the stragglers out Robin took Allan to one side. “Allan, I need you with me.”
“What’s wrong?” Allan asked taking in Robin’s strained appearance.
“Is there a way to Guy’s quarters without using that door?” Robin asked, nodding upwards to the main door of the chambers where Vaizey’s men were shouting from beyond.
“Yeah, there’s back stairwells to all the main parts of the castle from the kitchens.” Allan nodded, “What for?”
“Show me,” Robin implored him without explaining.
~
It didn’t take them long, Vaizey’s men had concentrated on getting into the main hall and the rest of the castle was abandoned. After taking the servants stairwells they soon arrived at Guy’s old quarters of the castle and they let themselves into the rooms.
“Nothings changed,” Allan mused taking in the room he’d been in many times in the past. Though Guy hadn’t been part of it for some time it had simply been forgotten about rather than changed by Isabella.
Robin drew in some painful breaths and forced himself to walk over to the alcove, looking about for the chest. “It’s not here,” he said with gritted teeth. “He said it would be here.”
“What?” Allan asked him, “What exactly are we looking for?”
“A chest, he said there’d be a chest here with medicines in it.”
Allan frowned as the cast his mind back to previous times he’d been in Guy’s quarters. “Not that I can think of, not here anyway.” He shrugged.
“What do you mean, not here?” Robin asked.
“Well he had a small chest at Locksley, kept some vials in there from what I can remember, along with more personal belongings. Can’t remember him having the same here though.” Allan replied, not understanding why Robin needed the chest so badly.
Robin sighed and slumped against the bed post a moment, not willing to resign himself to his fate. He didn’t want to choose death yet, death had forced itself upon him through Isabella’s wicked ways. He shook his head and regretted not finishing Isabella or Vaizey in the countless chances he’d had before.
“Robin, what’s so important about the chest?” Allan asked him, sensing something was wrong.
“Isabella,” Robin said with a slight chuckle, it was almost laughable how events were turning out. He took in a breath as a sharp pain crossed his chest. “She’s poisoned me Allan and apparently the cure is in that chest.”
“Poisoned,” Allan repeated with a shake of his head as the words sunk in. Robin already looked defeated by it, the battle had already sapped him of strength and now this. “Well then we’ll go to Locksley, get the cure from there.”
Robin shook his head sadly. “There isn’t time, we need to finish the plan here first. We need to get outside, come in at the main gates again. Vaizey’s men have surely broke through to the main hall now.” Drawing up the last of his strength he stood up.
“But Robin,” Allan refused to think nothing could be done but Robin was already walking out of the door.
“Come on, we need to get going.”
They fell silent as they made their way out of the castle. Allan led the way again, down the servants corridors to a door leading outside the castle walls and they made their way slowly round again. As the neared the main gates they spied Archer lurking by the bridge, he climbed up to them, giving Robin a concerned look.
“Did it work? Did you get everyone out?” Robin asked him.
He nodded his head. “Yes, they are at a safe distance.”
“Then let’s do this.” Robin said walking determinedly through the main gate, ready to finish what had been started a long time ago. Just one fiery arrow to end it all.
~
He hadn’t noticed Allan slip away until they were making a hasty retreat from the castle before it blew. As they headed back through the main gates they heard hooves behind them and for a second thought some of the Sheriff’s guards had seen them until Allan shouted to them.
“Robin,” Allan shouted for him and reached out a hand, it took all of his strength to pull himself onto the moving horse as Archer helped him.
“We’re going to Locksley,” Allan yelled to Archer as he urged the horse onward. “Bring the others.”
“Allan there’s no time,” Robin panted weakly as he grasped onto the man. “Take me to the others, I need to say goodbye.”
“No time on foot perhaps,” Allan replied as the horse broke into a gallop. “Just keep fighting Robin, we‘ll get there.”
‘There’s always time,’ Allan told himself, hoping he was right.,
Upon reaching Locksley, Allan brought the horse to a halt by the manor horse and half walked, half dragged Robin through the doors and up the stairs into the bedroom. Since Guy’s fall from grace nobody had moved into the manor house and Guy’s belongings still filled the room. Robin collapsed onto the bed as Allan fell to his knees in the alcove by the window, pulling a small chest from under the window seat. It wouldn’t open and he struggled vainly to open it before finally jarring it open with his sword. Every second was precious and he let out a whoop as the lid sprang open. The chest was filled with a variation of items which Allan tossed aside before falling upon a tiny vial of liquid. It had to be the cure and he jumped to his feet, hurrying to the bed.
“Robin, I’ve got it.” He said victoriously holding the vial out to him.
Robin didn’t respond and Allan rolled him over onto his back. It couldn’t be too late, they couldn’t have come this far to be seconds too late. Pressing the worrisome thoughts from his mind Allan uncorked the vial and poured the liquid into his mouth, urging it with his mind to work.
~
“Where’s Robin? He should be here to celebrate this.” Much exclaimed after they’d watch the castle explode and collapse into dust. Archer had come to join them but there was no sign of Robin or Allan.
“There’s something you should know,” Tuck started.
“Allan’s took him to Locksley,” Archer interjected.
“Why?” Much asked with a frown.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news my friend.” Tuck said solemnly, explaining about the attack from Isabella.
“But if there’s a cure then surely,” Much started.
“By the looks of it they hadn’t found one,” Archer said with a helpless shrug. “Robin could barely shoot the arrow, he was already weakening. Perhaps he took him to Locksley to,-”
Much didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence, but instead took to running up the fields in the direction of Locksley. He didn’t care if the others followed or not, he needed to know the truth. He wouldn’t allow himself to think of the consequences, that when he reached Locksley, Robin would be gone. Robin couldn’t be gone, he was nothing without Robin. Yes it was selfish, but Much needed him, couldn’t imagine life without Robin to follow, to experience life with. It wasn’t time for Robin to die yet, he had more to do, they both had more to do, the fight wasn’t yet over.
His lungs were burning from the run as he reached Locksley bank, allowing the downward motion to speed him up. His legs threatened to collapse from under him as he reached the village, raced past people who looked in surprise at his appearance as he reached the manor house and burst through the doors. It took him a few moments to catch his breath, looking about the room which was empty.
“Allan?” he gasped, throat dry and hoarse from the run. “Robin?”
He stumbled forward towards the stairs even as the others appeared behind him, also all breathless as they entered the room. Much started up the stairs, finding his voice as he shouted more clearly.
“Allan.” He moved towards the bedroom fearing the worst and flung open the door.
Allan was stood by the window, looking out over the village and didn’t move as Much entered the room.
“Allan where’s Robin?” Much asked as he looked about the room. “Where is he?”
“Much.”
Whirling round Much could have sunk to his knees in relief as Robin leaned on the doorframe. Instead he lunged forward and pulled him into a deathly hug which all but squeezed the breath from Robin’s body. Robin didn’t complain though and returned the embrace heartily.
“They thought you’d be dead,” Much sighed in relief. “I knew you weren’t dead, I knew it.”
“Well I might end up dead if you keep squeezing me so tightly.” Robin chuckled, but he was relieved to be alive. It had been a close call.
Much eventually let him go and let him breathe, allowing the others who’d followed him upstairs to make their own embraces as he approached Allan who was standing grinning.
“Glad you’re all right too,” Much told him honestly.
“Are you now?” Allan shot back sarcastically but there was a glint in his eye. “Not sure I can believe you on that one.”
“I am sorry,” Much assured him. “We all are, we should never have doubted you.”
“S’alright mate,” Allan gave a grin and threw his arms round Much for a hug of his own, though he instantly regretted it as pain shot through his arm from his wound.
Much chuckled as Allan grunted in pain and pulled back, putting an arm round his shoulder.
“C’mon, lets celebrate.”
~
The evening was spent in celebration, they’d think about how to go on in the morning. For the now they would celebrate the end of Vaizey and mourn the loss of the people who’d died in the battle. For the first time in years Robin, Much and Little John felt like they were home as they walked freely around Locksley without fear of being arrested by sheriffs guards. As the night wore on the small gang convened in the manor house, each lost in their own thoughts as to what had happened the past few days. Robin had wandered back and forth through the house as if trying to get a feel for the place again, it had been a long time since he’d called it home and though little had changed it still felt strange to be within Locksley Manor’s walls again. He left the gang informing Archer of some of their more cheery ‘adventures’ and made his way up the stairs to master bedroom, opening the window shutters so he could look down over the village.
The hour was late but the villagers were determined to celebrate into the early hours and people still milled about around the large campfire which had been lit at the heart of the village. The effect of the poison hadn’t fully left him and he was exhausted from the day of fighting but they’d succeeded, so long a battle but finally they had won, at least against Vaizey. He wondered how Prince John would react after finding out Nottingham had been destroyed along with Vaizey and Isabella. He regretted it had come to this with Isabella, would have liked to have spared her life, that she could somehow have found a calm for her tortured soul.
Life and circumstances hadn’t been kind to her and she’d been seduced by the darker side of life, of power, corruption and control. How strange that Guy had started on a path to redeem himself of such qualities and Isabella had spiralled out of control to embrace them. Robin hoped in death she’d found a peace which had evaded her in life.
The door creaked open into the room and he looked around to see Much entering and closing the door behind him.
“Robin,” Much asked tentatively. “Are you okay?”
Robin smiled as he looked out over Locksley again, hearing the ever present concern in his friends voice. Much was still worried he’d drop dead from the poison at any moment though Tuck assured them the vial Allan had found was indeed a powerful cure for most poisons.
“Yes Much, I’m fine,” Robin replied. “Just feels strange to be in this house again.”
The last time they’d returned to Locksley they’d been under it’s roof all of half a day and a night before they retreated to the forest to live as outlaws.
“Home shouldn’t feel as strange,” Much agreed sitting on the bed with a sigh.
“Still,” Robin exclaimed turning and sitting on the bed beside him. “More comfortable than the camp.”
Much nodded before chuckling, “Just don’t let Will hear you say it.”
They fell into a companionable silence, voices filtering up from where the others were laughing boisterously over a few tales.
“Don’t know what I’d have done if I’d lost you,” Much said soberly into the silence, voice cracking with emotion at the thought of finding Robin dead.
“Much,” Robin consoled him, putting an arm around his shoulders. “You are a good man, a better man than I will ever be. You don’t need me to make a good life for yourself.”
“Yes I do,” Much replied. “We’ve always needed each other.”
“I think perhaps I’ve needed you more than you’ve needed me,” Robin said in thought. “Anyway, I’m still here aren’t I. There’s still a fight to be fought.”
“Together,” Much agreed with a nod.
“To the end,” Robin promised with a smile.
~fin~
Characters: Team Hood
Rating: G
Warnings: Spoilers for 3x12 & 3x13
Summary: A follow on from Survivor (Allan centric) in which events of 3x13 are drastically changed.
A/N : DeNile Fic. Have taken some conversations/quotes from the actual 3x13 episode. Total fix it fic to make it a more cheery end to the three year run.
~
There’s a cure! - Declared Much
This isn’t fair! - Decided John
*We agree!* said the muses.
DeNile ensued.
~
After many stops and starts and resisting the urge to retreat to the camp to at least clean himself up, Allan reached the edge of the forest. Vaizey had built up a formidable army which had surrounded the castle and already small pockets of patrols were lurking in the near vicinity. He knew he’d have to tread carefully to reach the castle undetected, he didn’t like the idea of being shot at again, the incident in the forest had been too close a call with death to experience again in a hurry.
Settling himself within the thick brush of the undergrowth he allowed himself a few moments rest and set his mind to work as to how to get to the castle. After a time he saw two figures moving from the main gate on horseback, squinting he strained his eyes to see closer, Robin and Guy. They approached Vaizey and seemed to be conversing. Allan thought he could do with a horse right about then, help him get inside. Watching carefully the group seemed to be exchanging heated words which didn’t surprise him before some sort of activity started occurring behind them.
Allan watched as the trebuchet lurched into action, sending a burning barrel into the battlements of the castle. He watched agape at the speed the barrel surged forward before disappearing. This battle he knew was going to bring an end to all the years of fighting against the sheriff and he wanted to be part of it, on Robin’s side where he belonged. Reaching into his pocket he fumbled about before finding what he was looking for, thankful the sky was clear. He just wanted to get Robin’s attention and let him know he was there. Taking the mirror in his palm he reached out and searched for the sun, catching the glare and hoping Robin noticed the signal at the tree line.
Shortly after Robin and Guy turned the horses and raced back to the main gates. Allan had no idea if Robin had gotten the signal but had to hope he had. Meanwhile he still had the problem of getting into the castle, especially with Vaizey’s army so strategically poised. Perhaps it would be best to wait until nightfall, give himself a chance to rest and come up with a plan. The trebuchet’s put Vaizey at an unfair advantage, one which needed to be rectified. The men couldn’t fight against such machines, at least hand to hand and within the confines of solid walls and battlements of the castle they’d stand half a chance of winning.
As he waited his opportunity, which he knew would arise if he waited long enough, he fixed himself up as best he could, ripping off his shirt sleeves to wrap around his arm and thigh. What he wouldn’t do for some kind of magic elixir Tuck tended to mix up to cure all their ills. Sort of like in the days when Djaq would tend their wounds and mix them up cures. Djaq and Will, he hadn’t thought about them in too long a time, tried not to because sometimes even surrounded by the rest of the gang he missed them. Missed the fun, laid back conversations with Will and the playful moments with Djaq.
As the night set in Allan’s attention was drawn to the trebuchet’s again, something niggling in the back of his head about them. He wouldn’t put it past Robin to attempt to somehow tamper with the machines so Vaizey couldn’t use them, after all Robin always did come up with the most dangerous plans though to be fair to him they usually always succeeded without much a hitch.
All Allan needed to do is be in the right place at the right time and that meant getting near to the trebuchet’s which thankfully only had a handful of guards protecting them. And those guards looked like they’d like to be anywhere else but the middle of a field in the dead of the night as part of an uneventful battle.
“Easy,” Allan said to himself. “Just need to get near them without being seen, hope Robin carries out some death defying plan to destroy them, without getting himself killed in the process and hope he believes me when I tell him I ain’t no traitor. And really hope Tuck has something for the pain when we get back to the castle.”
He just had to bide his time and wait it out, the guards became bored of standing around and a chill had set in with the night. Vaizey had been prowling about making plans but as he moved off further the guards became less alert and instead huddled around the fires. With nerves and a wave of apprehension Allan took his chance to start crawling slowly through the dirt towards the large monstrous weapons Vaizey had brought to Nottingham. His wounds were starting to throb and itch mercilessly, their sharp pain had turned into a dull, persistent ache which was starting to drive him mad but he kept on moving closer, not sure what he’d do when he reached the trebuchet closest to him.
Just hope the guards stayed put and Robin had thought along the lines Allan presumed he would. Because if he didn’t, he was a sitting duck for the Sheriff and his men to come and finish him as they had planned to in the forest. Seconds stretched into minutes and Allan started becoming nervous, though the guards hadn’t shifted, he could hear their voices and any moment he expected to hear a shout as he was spotted though he’d crouched down by the thick wooden wheels and hugged his body into the shadows.
He could have cried out in surprise and relief when a shadow suddenly loomed close over him, a face covered in mud as it fumbled with a rope at the trebuchet’s base.
“Robin,” he said through his sudden fright, relieved he’d known Robin would take the risk to try and destroy the weapons.
“Allan?” Robin gasped in surprise, too shocked to do anything at that very moment. “It was you signalling from the tree line! What are you doing here?”
“Long story,” Allan told him, “I was heading for the castle when I saw Vaizey advancing through the woods. Had to take cover before they filled me full of arrows. By the time I got here he had the castle surrounded and I couldn’t figure how to get to you so I figured I’d wait for you guys to come to me.”
“Robin,” Tuck hissed in the darkness. “Are you done?”
“Yes,” Robin whispered hoarsely back before looking to Allan. “Come on, when we get back to the castle you can explain better.”
Allan could have cried in relief that Robin believed him as wasn’t going to leave him lying there, he’d feared perhaps Robin would still doubt his allegiance. He struggled to stand, exhausted from the afternoon he’d had and Robin slung an arm around his waist to help.
“You’re hurt?” Robin asked worried.
“Nothing to worry about,” Allan tried to ignore the pain and gritted his teeth.
Voices alerted them that Vaizey was heading back and they kept to the shadows as they started back for the castle as everyone suddenly sprang into action. The sheriff was yelling above the noise, guards ran to sort themselves and in the midst of it they made for the castle as Archer appeared from the darkness on horseback reigning down arrows on the enemy as they made their escape. Allan ignored his protesting leg telling him he should really be resting it and kept up with the others, John half dragging him through the gates where he sank to the ground with a merciful sigh.
It didn’t occur to him to think he’d been safer in the forest away from the frontline of battle. He was just relieved to be with the gang again, that he’d survived Vaizey’s attack and now Tuck was pulling him to a corner to check his wounds as everyone crowded round asking questions amidst Robin trying to rally the troops to prepare for the inevitable attack.
~
“It’s a scratch, it‘s nothing” Robin spat back at Isabella, who stood paces apart from him, a smug smile on her lips.
Her blade dripped with her brothers blood but she ignored his writhing form at her feet as she fixed Robin with a look of satisfaction.
“No, no, no, you should be careful, I mean this blade could be rusty, or even worse.”
“What have you done?” Guy gasped from the floor, though a sinking feeling already told him the worst.
“I used your poison on the blade A few drops running through your bloodstream. I’d say you’ll be dead by sundown.” She told him, a feeling of happiness coursing through her. She’d won, Guy and Robin both destroyed in a matter of moments.
“Is this true?” Robin would have doubted her if she didn’t look so pleased with herself, it couldn’t come to this. A small cut on his neck was going to be his downfall. Somehow it didn’t seem fair and he looked to Gisborne hoping for assurance.
Guy nodded his head, grunting in pain but giving him the answer he wanted, though he didn’t wish to hear of it.
“Oh this is too good to be true,” Vaizey exclaimed exultantly beside Isabella. “You killed Robin Hood.”
Looking up at him, Robin momentarily forgot his own peril, lifting his blade to Vaizey. He still had a job to do, Vaizey wouldn’t escape with his life but Vaizey was already retreating to rally his troops for the next attack.
“Oh we’ll be back to finish the rest of you off with an army. Please wait for me, I don’t want to miss the big moment.”
Robin watched them leave before dropping to a knee beside Gisborne, already being tended to by Archer. Even in his dying moments Guy showed a willingness for redemption, offering them an escape route to get the people out before Vaizey returned. Archer left to gather the others whilst Robin stayed by Guy’s side.
“Is this the end?” Guy asked him, he felt there was more to do. He hadn’t had enough time to assuage for his sins.
“For you and me both, my friend,” Robin told him.
For a moment Guy felt the years drop away, they were boys again, they’d been friends then, always rivals but a general respect for one another. That had been a long time ago and the years in between had made them bitter enemies, but now was the time to put away the past. Perhaps, if he’d lived on, they’d have learned to know each other again, been friends like they once had been. There was one last thing he could do before the afterlife claimed him, a final parting of the ways to perhaps somehow redeem him for his wrongs.
“There’s a cure,” he gasped as he fought for breath. He could feel the warmth of blood against his skin where Vaizey’s blade had skewered into him. “For the poison, there isn’t much time but there’s a vial, a few drops will remedy the cure.”
His words for faltering but he saw recognition of his words in Robin’s eyes, a look of hope. Robin wasn’t ready to die, it wasn’t his time.
“In my quarters, it’s where I got the poison. There’s a chest in the alcove, a small vial of clear liquid inside it. You’ve got time, if you go now, you can still escape with the others and destroy the Sheriff.”
Robin nodded his head in understanding, overwhelmed by the lifeline Guy was offering him. He could have died and took the information to his grave, a last stand for their bitter rivalry.
“She’ll wait for you, until the end of your days she’ll wait for you,” Guy stuttered. “Marian, the love of my life, she was always yours.”
Robin didn’t say anything, he couldn’t speak of it but he could understand now how much Gisborne loved her. With his dying breaths Guy was admitting he’d never have won her heart, that it had always belonged to Robin.
“I’ve lived in shame, but because of you, I die proud. I am free.”
~
Archer was already moving everyone into the cellars when Robin made his way to the main hall. He caught Tuck by the arm as he was putting the finishing touches to the plan.
“I need to talk to you,” Robin said to him in a low voice. He already felt lethargic, the poison slowly working it’s way through his body.
“You’re hurt.” Tuck exclaimed, taking in the cut on Robin’s throat.
“Isabella, she cut me,” Robin explained with a nod. “With a dagger dipped in poison.”
It didn’t take Tuck long to realise the implications of what Robin was telling him.
“I need you to get everybody out. Get them to safe distance. There’s a chance I can get to a cure but if I can’t, if I don’t make it I need you to make sure everyone is safe. Will you do this for me Tuck?” Robin implored him, they didn’t have time for goodbyes, he just needed reassurances.
Tuck lay a hand on his arm and gave a firm nod. “You have my word.”
As Tuck ushered the stragglers out Robin took Allan to one side. “Allan, I need you with me.”
“What’s wrong?” Allan asked taking in Robin’s strained appearance.
“Is there a way to Guy’s quarters without using that door?” Robin asked, nodding upwards to the main door of the chambers where Vaizey’s men were shouting from beyond.
“Yeah, there’s back stairwells to all the main parts of the castle from the kitchens.” Allan nodded, “What for?”
“Show me,” Robin implored him without explaining.
~
It didn’t take them long, Vaizey’s men had concentrated on getting into the main hall and the rest of the castle was abandoned. After taking the servants stairwells they soon arrived at Guy’s old quarters of the castle and they let themselves into the rooms.
“Nothings changed,” Allan mused taking in the room he’d been in many times in the past. Though Guy hadn’t been part of it for some time it had simply been forgotten about rather than changed by Isabella.
Robin drew in some painful breaths and forced himself to walk over to the alcove, looking about for the chest. “It’s not here,” he said with gritted teeth. “He said it would be here.”
“What?” Allan asked him, “What exactly are we looking for?”
“A chest, he said there’d be a chest here with medicines in it.”
Allan frowned as the cast his mind back to previous times he’d been in Guy’s quarters. “Not that I can think of, not here anyway.” He shrugged.
“What do you mean, not here?” Robin asked.
“Well he had a small chest at Locksley, kept some vials in there from what I can remember, along with more personal belongings. Can’t remember him having the same here though.” Allan replied, not understanding why Robin needed the chest so badly.
Robin sighed and slumped against the bed post a moment, not willing to resign himself to his fate. He didn’t want to choose death yet, death had forced itself upon him through Isabella’s wicked ways. He shook his head and regretted not finishing Isabella or Vaizey in the countless chances he’d had before.
“Robin, what’s so important about the chest?” Allan asked him, sensing something was wrong.
“Isabella,” Robin said with a slight chuckle, it was almost laughable how events were turning out. He took in a breath as a sharp pain crossed his chest. “She’s poisoned me Allan and apparently the cure is in that chest.”
“Poisoned,” Allan repeated with a shake of his head as the words sunk in. Robin already looked defeated by it, the battle had already sapped him of strength and now this. “Well then we’ll go to Locksley, get the cure from there.”
Robin shook his head sadly. “There isn’t time, we need to finish the plan here first. We need to get outside, come in at the main gates again. Vaizey’s men have surely broke through to the main hall now.” Drawing up the last of his strength he stood up.
“But Robin,” Allan refused to think nothing could be done but Robin was already walking out of the door.
“Come on, we need to get going.”
They fell silent as they made their way out of the castle. Allan led the way again, down the servants corridors to a door leading outside the castle walls and they made their way slowly round again. As the neared the main gates they spied Archer lurking by the bridge, he climbed up to them, giving Robin a concerned look.
“Did it work? Did you get everyone out?” Robin asked him.
He nodded his head. “Yes, they are at a safe distance.”
“Then let’s do this.” Robin said walking determinedly through the main gate, ready to finish what had been started a long time ago. Just one fiery arrow to end it all.
~
He hadn’t noticed Allan slip away until they were making a hasty retreat from the castle before it blew. As they headed back through the main gates they heard hooves behind them and for a second thought some of the Sheriff’s guards had seen them until Allan shouted to them.
“Robin,” Allan shouted for him and reached out a hand, it took all of his strength to pull himself onto the moving horse as Archer helped him.
“We’re going to Locksley,” Allan yelled to Archer as he urged the horse onward. “Bring the others.”
“Allan there’s no time,” Robin panted weakly as he grasped onto the man. “Take me to the others, I need to say goodbye.”
“No time on foot perhaps,” Allan replied as the horse broke into a gallop. “Just keep fighting Robin, we‘ll get there.”
‘There’s always time,’ Allan told himself, hoping he was right.,
Upon reaching Locksley, Allan brought the horse to a halt by the manor horse and half walked, half dragged Robin through the doors and up the stairs into the bedroom. Since Guy’s fall from grace nobody had moved into the manor house and Guy’s belongings still filled the room. Robin collapsed onto the bed as Allan fell to his knees in the alcove by the window, pulling a small chest from under the window seat. It wouldn’t open and he struggled vainly to open it before finally jarring it open with his sword. Every second was precious and he let out a whoop as the lid sprang open. The chest was filled with a variation of items which Allan tossed aside before falling upon a tiny vial of liquid. It had to be the cure and he jumped to his feet, hurrying to the bed.
“Robin, I’ve got it.” He said victoriously holding the vial out to him.
Robin didn’t respond and Allan rolled him over onto his back. It couldn’t be too late, they couldn’t have come this far to be seconds too late. Pressing the worrisome thoughts from his mind Allan uncorked the vial and poured the liquid into his mouth, urging it with his mind to work.
~
“Where’s Robin? He should be here to celebrate this.” Much exclaimed after they’d watch the castle explode and collapse into dust. Archer had come to join them but there was no sign of Robin or Allan.
“There’s something you should know,” Tuck started.
“Allan’s took him to Locksley,” Archer interjected.
“Why?” Much asked with a frown.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news my friend.” Tuck said solemnly, explaining about the attack from Isabella.
“But if there’s a cure then surely,” Much started.
“By the looks of it they hadn’t found one,” Archer said with a helpless shrug. “Robin could barely shoot the arrow, he was already weakening. Perhaps he took him to Locksley to,-”
Much didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence, but instead took to running up the fields in the direction of Locksley. He didn’t care if the others followed or not, he needed to know the truth. He wouldn’t allow himself to think of the consequences, that when he reached Locksley, Robin would be gone. Robin couldn’t be gone, he was nothing without Robin. Yes it was selfish, but Much needed him, couldn’t imagine life without Robin to follow, to experience life with. It wasn’t time for Robin to die yet, he had more to do, they both had more to do, the fight wasn’t yet over.
His lungs were burning from the run as he reached Locksley bank, allowing the downward motion to speed him up. His legs threatened to collapse from under him as he reached the village, raced past people who looked in surprise at his appearance as he reached the manor house and burst through the doors. It took him a few moments to catch his breath, looking about the room which was empty.
“Allan?” he gasped, throat dry and hoarse from the run. “Robin?”
He stumbled forward towards the stairs even as the others appeared behind him, also all breathless as they entered the room. Much started up the stairs, finding his voice as he shouted more clearly.
“Allan.” He moved towards the bedroom fearing the worst and flung open the door.
Allan was stood by the window, looking out over the village and didn’t move as Much entered the room.
“Allan where’s Robin?” Much asked as he looked about the room. “Where is he?”
“Much.”
Whirling round Much could have sunk to his knees in relief as Robin leaned on the doorframe. Instead he lunged forward and pulled him into a deathly hug which all but squeezed the breath from Robin’s body. Robin didn’t complain though and returned the embrace heartily.
“They thought you’d be dead,” Much sighed in relief. “I knew you weren’t dead, I knew it.”
“Well I might end up dead if you keep squeezing me so tightly.” Robin chuckled, but he was relieved to be alive. It had been a close call.
Much eventually let him go and let him breathe, allowing the others who’d followed him upstairs to make their own embraces as he approached Allan who was standing grinning.
“Glad you’re all right too,” Much told him honestly.
“Are you now?” Allan shot back sarcastically but there was a glint in his eye. “Not sure I can believe you on that one.”
“I am sorry,” Much assured him. “We all are, we should never have doubted you.”
“S’alright mate,” Allan gave a grin and threw his arms round Much for a hug of his own, though he instantly regretted it as pain shot through his arm from his wound.
Much chuckled as Allan grunted in pain and pulled back, putting an arm round his shoulder.
“C’mon, lets celebrate.”
~
The evening was spent in celebration, they’d think about how to go on in the morning. For the now they would celebrate the end of Vaizey and mourn the loss of the people who’d died in the battle. For the first time in years Robin, Much and Little John felt like they were home as they walked freely around Locksley without fear of being arrested by sheriffs guards. As the night wore on the small gang convened in the manor house, each lost in their own thoughts as to what had happened the past few days. Robin had wandered back and forth through the house as if trying to get a feel for the place again, it had been a long time since he’d called it home and though little had changed it still felt strange to be within Locksley Manor’s walls again. He left the gang informing Archer of some of their more cheery ‘adventures’ and made his way up the stairs to master bedroom, opening the window shutters so he could look down over the village.
The hour was late but the villagers were determined to celebrate into the early hours and people still milled about around the large campfire which had been lit at the heart of the village. The effect of the poison hadn’t fully left him and he was exhausted from the day of fighting but they’d succeeded, so long a battle but finally they had won, at least against Vaizey. He wondered how Prince John would react after finding out Nottingham had been destroyed along with Vaizey and Isabella. He regretted it had come to this with Isabella, would have liked to have spared her life, that she could somehow have found a calm for her tortured soul.
Life and circumstances hadn’t been kind to her and she’d been seduced by the darker side of life, of power, corruption and control. How strange that Guy had started on a path to redeem himself of such qualities and Isabella had spiralled out of control to embrace them. Robin hoped in death she’d found a peace which had evaded her in life.
The door creaked open into the room and he looked around to see Much entering and closing the door behind him.
“Robin,” Much asked tentatively. “Are you okay?”
Robin smiled as he looked out over Locksley again, hearing the ever present concern in his friends voice. Much was still worried he’d drop dead from the poison at any moment though Tuck assured them the vial Allan had found was indeed a powerful cure for most poisons.
“Yes Much, I’m fine,” Robin replied. “Just feels strange to be in this house again.”
The last time they’d returned to Locksley they’d been under it’s roof all of half a day and a night before they retreated to the forest to live as outlaws.
“Home shouldn’t feel as strange,” Much agreed sitting on the bed with a sigh.
“Still,” Robin exclaimed turning and sitting on the bed beside him. “More comfortable than the camp.”
Much nodded before chuckling, “Just don’t let Will hear you say it.”
They fell into a companionable silence, voices filtering up from where the others were laughing boisterously over a few tales.
“Don’t know what I’d have done if I’d lost you,” Much said soberly into the silence, voice cracking with emotion at the thought of finding Robin dead.
“Much,” Robin consoled him, putting an arm around his shoulders. “You are a good man, a better man than I will ever be. You don’t need me to make a good life for yourself.”
“Yes I do,” Much replied. “We’ve always needed each other.”
“I think perhaps I’ve needed you more than you’ve needed me,” Robin said in thought. “Anyway, I’m still here aren’t I. There’s still a fight to be fought.”
“Together,” Much agreed with a nod.
“To the end,” Robin promised with a smile.
~fin~