The Force of Destiny - Ch. 5
Title: The Force of Destiny, Chapter 5
Author: railise
Rating: PG
Pairings/characters: Much, the Outlaws
Word count: 2322
Spoilers: While this alters the end of S2, there are still minor spoilers for the whole run of the show, including S3.
Summary: Much makes a big decision.
Disclaimer: I am but a fan daring to dip my toes (or my entire self, with the length of this thing) into the playground provided by the BBC and TA.
master list of chapter links
previous chapter
-5-
The four guards cantering around the coach were right to look nervous. Much met Robin’s eye where his former master was hiding, in a tree on the opposite side of the North Road, and returned the nod to signal that he was ready. Little John, Allan and Marian did the same, and when the caravan was in the right spot, the outlaws moved.
Everyone but Robin unseated a guard, while he swung out of his perch and knocked the coachman off his bench. He reined in the horses and then jumped down, drawing his sword before opening the coach door.
Two startled, young women stared at him from within, a richly-clad noble and her well-clad maidservant.
“Good afternoon, ladies! Sorry to hold you up on your journey--”
Marian made a disgusted noise at his bad pun, which Robin promptly ignored.
“--but we can get you back on your way soon, if you will be so good as to co-operate with us.” He made a gallant gesture indicating that they should disembark, which they hesitatingly did.
From where Much was holding his sword to a guard’s throat, he could see the travelers out of the corner of his eye; and suddenly, his heart lurched.
He saw Eve.
His gaze darted to the maidservant, and his excitement instantly turned to disappointment. The girl was approximately of Eve’s height and build, with thick, golden hair hanging to her waist, but despite a lovely face to go with her other attributes, she could not hold a candle to the vibrancy of the woman with whom he had found so brief a moment of happiness.
The guard noticed his distraction and tensed to move, just as Much’s attention returned to the matter at hand. The sadness in Much’s blue eyes froze over, and he shook his head slightly at the man. “I wouldn’t,” he advised shortly.
Meanwhile, the noblewoman had wisely decided to declare the true amount she carried; it was such a staggering number that even the ten percent which Robin collected would go a long way. “Thank you for your ‘donation.’” He gave them a charming smile. “A lot of hungry families appreciate your generosity.”
The ladies glanced at each other; the noble appeared put out, and the maidservant rolled her eyes. They were clearly not sympathetic to anyone other than themselves, and Much felt a little guilty for having thought the one could be Eve.
As the caravan began rolling once more, the five outlaws moved swiftly back into the forest. All except Much were laughing about their easy success, and it was not until they were nearing the camp that Robin noticed his friend’s unusual silence.
“Everything all right?”
Much was so deep in his reverie that it took him a minute to respond. When he did, rather than answer the question, he asked, “Can I talk to you?”
Concerned now, Robin nodded. His arm had been around Marian as they walked, and he gave her a quick kiss on the head before murmuring something to her.
The action solidified the resolve that Much had come to. As Marian, Allan, and John continued on to camp, he stared blindly at the ground, rather terrified by what he was about to say, but lacking the doubt that had plagued him for over a year.
When they were alone, Robin swung his bow down off of his back and leaned on the strong wood. “What is it?”
Much looked at the man to whom he had dedicated nearly his entire life. He never understood what drew the young master of Locksley to the miller's son who had been hauling out a pigsty when they first met; but at the beginning, he had appreciated the attention, and soon he had come to care greatly for his unexpected friend. They had been two of a pair ever since; when Robin had proposed to Marian years earlier, she even teased, “Should I ask for Much’s permission to accept?”
Since their return from the Crusades, Robin had grown distant; it still hurt, but Much had begun to understand why. And, for the first time, he was grateful for that distance. He did not know if he would be able to do this if things were still the way they used to be between them.
“I’m going to find Eve,” he said.
Robin’s expression turned sympathetic. “We cannot leave the villagers on their own again so soon, Much. Maybe in a few months.”
“No. I’m going to find Eve. Alone.”
Robin blinked. “What?”
“I keep thinking about her. When I lie awake at night, I think of her. When I thought we were going to die in the desert, I was thinking of her. She’s probably found someone else by now, but maybe she hasn’t. And you’ve got Marian. I mean, you’ve had Marian for awhile, but now you’re married. And Allan and Kate are probably going that way, if they ever get things sorted out, and Will and Djaq-- they’ve got a baby coming. And... I should never have left her. I should’ve brought her with me that day. I bet she has found someone else.”
Robin smiled at that, but was unable to resist teasing his friend. “Probably. She is quite clever, and lovely.”
Having worked himself into a worry, Much agreed, “Right. She’s too lovely not to have found someone.”
If they had been talking over any other subject, Robin would have strung him along more. But having almost lost Marian so recently made him hesitant to make light of anyone’s love life. “She did find someone. You.”
“She’s found someone better.”
Leaning forward, Robin caught the other man’s eye. “Much. She could not find someone better. There isn’t anyone better.”
Startled by the compliment, Much tried to think of something to say. For the first time in his life, he came up empty. “Right. Well. ...Right.” He gave a heavy sigh. “I was trying to wait until things improved. I wanted to give her Bonchurch. But things aren’t going to improve, are they?”
Robin hesitated, and then finally said, “They will. They have to.”
“They might not.”
The friends stared at each other.
“You’re really going to do this,” murmured Robin. “Alone.”
Much hesitated, and then nodded decisively. “Yes. Today.”
“Are you sure you can handle it?”
No, he was not, but he had to. “Of course.”
Robin studied him, finally nodding as he straightened. “Okay. Go get her.”
“There’s also her mother,” Much reminded him.
Grandly, Robin said, “We’ve got a huge, new camp underway. There will be plenty of room.”
Gaining confidence in his plan, Much slowly grinned. “You mean that.”
“I do. If we are in this for the long haul, we might as well settle in and make ourselves at home.” Robin winked.
His confidence was brewing over into full-blown excitement, and Much laughed. “Well, all right, then.”
Robin came over and slung an arm across his friend’s shoulders, guiding him back toward camp. “Come on, let’s go tell the others.”
If Robin had been startled, the rest of the gang was gobsmacked.
“Do you even know where to look?” Allan asked doubtfully. “Not being funny, but if I was her, I’d’ve left the country.”
Much’s smile dimmed. “I’ve got some ideas. And I’ll find her, even if she did leave.”
“I’m not certain you should go alone,” Tuck said gently.
“Hey,” Robin finally put in, glancing around at the whole gang. “He’ll be fine.”
Much was not sure which surprised him more: Robin sticking up for him, or that it really sounded like his former master had faith in him.
While Much packed his things, everyone else put together a care package for him. This mostly consisted of food, but Marian had an extra gift for him: his jumper, which he had stopped wearing when Will inadvertently unraveled a sleeve whilst picking at a loose thread. Not knowing how to repair it, Much had tucked it away in his pack, where it had resided, one-sleeved, ever since. Marian had apparently retrieved it and fixed it for him.
Not expecting such a gesture, he was touched. “Thank you,” he nearly stammered.
“It was going to be your Christmas gift,” she said. “But now, it is a token to remind you of us.”
He pulled it on, smoothing down the familiar stitches-- and a few new ones. “It’s perfect; I love it.”
Djaq was next in line. She would have been fine under normal circumstances, but the pregnancy was currently making her incredibly emotional. She managed to give him a squeeze and say, “You will be missed,” before bursting into tears, then spinning around and storming off in frustration at the outburst, while still crying.
Will had been beside her, and the look on his face as he watched her walk off was a combination of love, pity and amusement, as he had grown used to moments like that. Much, meanwhile, was totally at a loss as to how to deal with a sobbing Djaq, and was relieved when her husband gave him a nod, said, “Take care,” and went to see to her.
Then, came Little John. Much flinched when John slapped him manfully on the back. “This place won’t be the same without you.” He suddenly pulled Much into a bear hug. “You, I like. Be careful.”
When John released him, Much moved back a step and fixed his cap. “I will.”
Allan was holding the care package, and stuck it in Much’s pack. “Don’t wanna forget that; you can’t be sure there’ll be squirrels to hunt where you wind up.” Much gave him an exasperated look, and Allan grinned before patting him on the arm and sobering. “Keep an eye out, eh? The Sheriff would love to get his hands on her, and on you.”
Robin was standing by the doorway. Much was anticipating this farewell the least. The two exchanged a heartfelt hug, and when they moved back, Robin kept his hands on Much’s shoulders. “You look after yourself, all right? This could turn into quite a journey, and I want you back safely.”
“You, too,” replied Much. “If you get yourself killed while I’m away, I’ll never forgive you.”
Robin chuckled. “I shall keep it in mind.”
The gang walked him to the road, and waved as he set off. Just as he was about to turn the corner that would take him out of sight and truly begin his adventure, Much turned around and waved back.
A few more steps, and he was on his own.
He had never been on his own before.
That was to say, he had been out by himself before, sometimes for nearly a day; but it was always with the knowledge that he would be back with the others soon. This time, though, he was not sure when he would have a chance to chat with his friends again.
He fought down the wave of uncertainty and kept walking.
Robin said that Much was two years older than himself, which he then said made his friend twenty-nine this year. Numbers had always rather escaped Much, but never in any of those years had he only had himself to rely upon. First, there were his parents; then, when they were taken by consumption, Robin had brought him on. And he had been with Robin ever since. Life in the forest, as well as the time with King Richard, had ensured that he could look after himself just fine. But, there was nobody to talk to.
He had not been walking long when the sense of aloneness truly started to get to him. He hummed a bit, tempted to try out a song-- after all, there was no one to stop him or complain. However, there was always the danger that he might run into sheriff’s men, and there was no sense in alerting them to his presence if they happened to be along.
Considering that, he realized that wandering the road might not be his best bet, so he moved off into the trees alongside it and picked his way through the underbrush.
It was funny, he mused. When they first came to Sherwood, he thought there was nothing worse than having to run through the woods, trying not to trip over a fallen branch or exposed tree root. And the bugs; he hated the bugs. But he had grown so accustomed to it all by now that he moved along the forest floor with nearly as much ease as he did the road. He still hated the bugs, though; as he thought it, he swatted at a gnat that decided to nibble on his neck.
He wondered what the gang would be having for dinner. They would probably have Marian cook; the rest of them were passable at best, but despite her protests, she had a knack for it. Maybe rabbit, if they had caught a couple of them. He would not mind some rabbit. Or deer; deer would be lovely. And that boar John caught last week had been quite tasty.
Much hoped that wherever Eve turned out to be, that she would be eating well. Not because he hoped there would be food waiting... well, not entirely. But because he was worried about her.
He should not have just left her like that. What if she was hungry, or cold, or sick? What if something had happened to her?
He was starting to panic, and knew he needed to calm down. That would never happen if he kept letting his thoughts wander, though.
Listening closely to make sure he did not hear anybody coming, Much started singing.
“Westron wind, when wilt thou blow?
That the small rain down can rain.
Christ, that my love were in my arms,
And I in my bed again...”
next chapter
master list of chapter links
Author: railise
Rating: PG
Pairings/characters: Much, the Outlaws
Word count: 2322
Spoilers: While this alters the end of S2, there are still minor spoilers for the whole run of the show, including S3.
Summary: Much makes a big decision.
Disclaimer: I am but a fan daring to dip my toes (or my entire self, with the length of this thing) into the playground provided by the BBC and TA.
master list of chapter links
previous chapter
-5-
The four guards cantering around the coach were right to look nervous. Much met Robin’s eye where his former master was hiding, in a tree on the opposite side of the North Road, and returned the nod to signal that he was ready. Little John, Allan and Marian did the same, and when the caravan was in the right spot, the outlaws moved.
Everyone but Robin unseated a guard, while he swung out of his perch and knocked the coachman off his bench. He reined in the horses and then jumped down, drawing his sword before opening the coach door.
Two startled, young women stared at him from within, a richly-clad noble and her well-clad maidservant.
“Good afternoon, ladies! Sorry to hold you up on your journey--”
Marian made a disgusted noise at his bad pun, which Robin promptly ignored.
“--but we can get you back on your way soon, if you will be so good as to co-operate with us.” He made a gallant gesture indicating that they should disembark, which they hesitatingly did.
From where Much was holding his sword to a guard’s throat, he could see the travelers out of the corner of his eye; and suddenly, his heart lurched.
He saw Eve.
His gaze darted to the maidservant, and his excitement instantly turned to disappointment. The girl was approximately of Eve’s height and build, with thick, golden hair hanging to her waist, but despite a lovely face to go with her other attributes, she could not hold a candle to the vibrancy of the woman with whom he had found so brief a moment of happiness.
The guard noticed his distraction and tensed to move, just as Much’s attention returned to the matter at hand. The sadness in Much’s blue eyes froze over, and he shook his head slightly at the man. “I wouldn’t,” he advised shortly.
Meanwhile, the noblewoman had wisely decided to declare the true amount she carried; it was such a staggering number that even the ten percent which Robin collected would go a long way. “Thank you for your ‘donation.’” He gave them a charming smile. “A lot of hungry families appreciate your generosity.”
The ladies glanced at each other; the noble appeared put out, and the maidservant rolled her eyes. They were clearly not sympathetic to anyone other than themselves, and Much felt a little guilty for having thought the one could be Eve.
As the caravan began rolling once more, the five outlaws moved swiftly back into the forest. All except Much were laughing about their easy success, and it was not until they were nearing the camp that Robin noticed his friend’s unusual silence.
“Everything all right?”
Much was so deep in his reverie that it took him a minute to respond. When he did, rather than answer the question, he asked, “Can I talk to you?”
Concerned now, Robin nodded. His arm had been around Marian as they walked, and he gave her a quick kiss on the head before murmuring something to her.
The action solidified the resolve that Much had come to. As Marian, Allan, and John continued on to camp, he stared blindly at the ground, rather terrified by what he was about to say, but lacking the doubt that had plagued him for over a year.
When they were alone, Robin swung his bow down off of his back and leaned on the strong wood. “What is it?”
Much looked at the man to whom he had dedicated nearly his entire life. He never understood what drew the young master of Locksley to the miller's son who had been hauling out a pigsty when they first met; but at the beginning, he had appreciated the attention, and soon he had come to care greatly for his unexpected friend. They had been two of a pair ever since; when Robin had proposed to Marian years earlier, she even teased, “Should I ask for Much’s permission to accept?”
Since their return from the Crusades, Robin had grown distant; it still hurt, but Much had begun to understand why. And, for the first time, he was grateful for that distance. He did not know if he would be able to do this if things were still the way they used to be between them.
“I’m going to find Eve,” he said.
Robin’s expression turned sympathetic. “We cannot leave the villagers on their own again so soon, Much. Maybe in a few months.”
“No. I’m going to find Eve. Alone.”
Robin blinked. “What?”
“I keep thinking about her. When I lie awake at night, I think of her. When I thought we were going to die in the desert, I was thinking of her. She’s probably found someone else by now, but maybe she hasn’t. And you’ve got Marian. I mean, you’ve had Marian for awhile, but now you’re married. And Allan and Kate are probably going that way, if they ever get things sorted out, and Will and Djaq-- they’ve got a baby coming. And... I should never have left her. I should’ve brought her with me that day. I bet she has found someone else.”
Robin smiled at that, but was unable to resist teasing his friend. “Probably. She is quite clever, and lovely.”
Having worked himself into a worry, Much agreed, “Right. She’s too lovely not to have found someone.”
If they had been talking over any other subject, Robin would have strung him along more. But having almost lost Marian so recently made him hesitant to make light of anyone’s love life. “She did find someone. You.”
“She’s found someone better.”
Leaning forward, Robin caught the other man’s eye. “Much. She could not find someone better. There isn’t anyone better.”
Startled by the compliment, Much tried to think of something to say. For the first time in his life, he came up empty. “Right. Well. ...Right.” He gave a heavy sigh. “I was trying to wait until things improved. I wanted to give her Bonchurch. But things aren’t going to improve, are they?”
Robin hesitated, and then finally said, “They will. They have to.”
“They might not.”
The friends stared at each other.
“You’re really going to do this,” murmured Robin. “Alone.”
Much hesitated, and then nodded decisively. “Yes. Today.”
“Are you sure you can handle it?”
No, he was not, but he had to. “Of course.”
Robin studied him, finally nodding as he straightened. “Okay. Go get her.”
“There’s also her mother,” Much reminded him.
Grandly, Robin said, “We’ve got a huge, new camp underway. There will be plenty of room.”
Gaining confidence in his plan, Much slowly grinned. “You mean that.”
“I do. If we are in this for the long haul, we might as well settle in and make ourselves at home.” Robin winked.
His confidence was brewing over into full-blown excitement, and Much laughed. “Well, all right, then.”
Robin came over and slung an arm across his friend’s shoulders, guiding him back toward camp. “Come on, let’s go tell the others.”
If Robin had been startled, the rest of the gang was gobsmacked.
“Do you even know where to look?” Allan asked doubtfully. “Not being funny, but if I was her, I’d’ve left the country.”
Much’s smile dimmed. “I’ve got some ideas. And I’ll find her, even if she did leave.”
“I’m not certain you should go alone,” Tuck said gently.
“Hey,” Robin finally put in, glancing around at the whole gang. “He’ll be fine.”
Much was not sure which surprised him more: Robin sticking up for him, or that it really sounded like his former master had faith in him.
While Much packed his things, everyone else put together a care package for him. This mostly consisted of food, but Marian had an extra gift for him: his jumper, which he had stopped wearing when Will inadvertently unraveled a sleeve whilst picking at a loose thread. Not knowing how to repair it, Much had tucked it away in his pack, where it had resided, one-sleeved, ever since. Marian had apparently retrieved it and fixed it for him.
Not expecting such a gesture, he was touched. “Thank you,” he nearly stammered.
“It was going to be your Christmas gift,” she said. “But now, it is a token to remind you of us.”
He pulled it on, smoothing down the familiar stitches-- and a few new ones. “It’s perfect; I love it.”
Djaq was next in line. She would have been fine under normal circumstances, but the pregnancy was currently making her incredibly emotional. She managed to give him a squeeze and say, “You will be missed,” before bursting into tears, then spinning around and storming off in frustration at the outburst, while still crying.
Will had been beside her, and the look on his face as he watched her walk off was a combination of love, pity and amusement, as he had grown used to moments like that. Much, meanwhile, was totally at a loss as to how to deal with a sobbing Djaq, and was relieved when her husband gave him a nod, said, “Take care,” and went to see to her.
Then, came Little John. Much flinched when John slapped him manfully on the back. “This place won’t be the same without you.” He suddenly pulled Much into a bear hug. “You, I like. Be careful.”
When John released him, Much moved back a step and fixed his cap. “I will.”
Allan was holding the care package, and stuck it in Much’s pack. “Don’t wanna forget that; you can’t be sure there’ll be squirrels to hunt where you wind up.” Much gave him an exasperated look, and Allan grinned before patting him on the arm and sobering. “Keep an eye out, eh? The Sheriff would love to get his hands on her, and on you.”
Robin was standing by the doorway. Much was anticipating this farewell the least. The two exchanged a heartfelt hug, and when they moved back, Robin kept his hands on Much’s shoulders. “You look after yourself, all right? This could turn into quite a journey, and I want you back safely.”
“You, too,” replied Much. “If you get yourself killed while I’m away, I’ll never forgive you.”
Robin chuckled. “I shall keep it in mind.”
The gang walked him to the road, and waved as he set off. Just as he was about to turn the corner that would take him out of sight and truly begin his adventure, Much turned around and waved back.
A few more steps, and he was on his own.
He had never been on his own before.
That was to say, he had been out by himself before, sometimes for nearly a day; but it was always with the knowledge that he would be back with the others soon. This time, though, he was not sure when he would have a chance to chat with his friends again.
He fought down the wave of uncertainty and kept walking.
Robin said that Much was two years older than himself, which he then said made his friend twenty-nine this year. Numbers had always rather escaped Much, but never in any of those years had he only had himself to rely upon. First, there were his parents; then, when they were taken by consumption, Robin had brought him on. And he had been with Robin ever since. Life in the forest, as well as the time with King Richard, had ensured that he could look after himself just fine. But, there was nobody to talk to.
He had not been walking long when the sense of aloneness truly started to get to him. He hummed a bit, tempted to try out a song-- after all, there was no one to stop him or complain. However, there was always the danger that he might run into sheriff’s men, and there was no sense in alerting them to his presence if they happened to be along.
Considering that, he realized that wandering the road might not be his best bet, so he moved off into the trees alongside it and picked his way through the underbrush.
It was funny, he mused. When they first came to Sherwood, he thought there was nothing worse than having to run through the woods, trying not to trip over a fallen branch or exposed tree root. And the bugs; he hated the bugs. But he had grown so accustomed to it all by now that he moved along the forest floor with nearly as much ease as he did the road. He still hated the bugs, though; as he thought it, he swatted at a gnat that decided to nibble on his neck.
He wondered what the gang would be having for dinner. They would probably have Marian cook; the rest of them were passable at best, but despite her protests, she had a knack for it. Maybe rabbit, if they had caught a couple of them. He would not mind some rabbit. Or deer; deer would be lovely. And that boar John caught last week had been quite tasty.
Much hoped that wherever Eve turned out to be, that she would be eating well. Not because he hoped there would be food waiting... well, not entirely. But because he was worried about her.
He should not have just left her like that. What if she was hungry, or cold, or sick? What if something had happened to her?
He was starting to panic, and knew he needed to calm down. That would never happen if he kept letting his thoughts wander, though.
Listening closely to make sure he did not hear anybody coming, Much started singing.
“Westron wind, when wilt thou blow?
That the small rain down can rain.
Christ, that my love were in my arms,
And I in my bed again...”
next chapter
master list of chapter links