For King and Country 3/5
Title: For King and Country 3/5
Rating: pg-13 (this ch.) - overall M
Word Count: 1632
Warnings/Genre: angst, slash
Characters/Pairings: Much/Carter, Robin, Allan, John, Count Friedrich, Will/Djaq
Copyright: BBC & TA own; I just want to play in their universe
Summary: a post series 2 tale of DeNile - yes, Carter still lives! The gang's mission: rescue King Richard from his captors in Bavaria. In this chapter, more help arrives -- Will and Djaq are back!! And Carter reveals some dark secrets from his past.
Previous chapters: 1, 2
>->------------>>
Chapter 3
Robin rose early while most of Count Friedrich’s home remained in darkness. Despite his gang’s assurance that they were doing the right thing, despite the joking that there was fun in doing the bold, the dangerous-yes, the insane-mission, he still felt a nagging darkness in the back of his own mind. Their willingness to follow him could be a frightening thing. Was he making the right decision for them all?
The kitchen staff was busily preparing food for the day and the smell of bread baking wafting through the hallways reminded Robin of home, of Locksley. He slipped outside and wrapped himself with his cloak to ward off the morning chill. The sun was making its appearance, dusting light across the sculpted gardens. Noise from the stables caught his ear and he looked that way just as one lone figure emerged and began walking his way.
The visitor-at least he assumed it was a visitor and not a stable hand-had a familiar gait but was unrecognizable with hood and cloak drawn tight. He wasn’t very tall and with his face in shadows Robin could make out no discernible features. Seeing the archer, the visitor paused and then suddenly picked up his pace, breaking into a run.
Robin squinted against the sunlight and his eyes grew wide as the hood fell back. A huge smile lit his face. “Djaq!”
The Saracen woman flew into his arms. “Djaq,” he repeated. “What are you doing here?” he asked as another familiar face emerged from the stable and waved a greeting.
“Do you want me to leave?” she asked as Will approached them.
Robin kissed her cheek. “No, of course not!” he exclaimed. “I cannot believe you’re here.”
“We couldn’t let you try this foolish mission on your own, Robin,” Will said, his arms around the archer in a brotherly hug.
“How did you-“ Robin chuckled. “The queen?”
Will nodded. “We decided our place is here with you. With the gang.”
“I have missed you all so much,” Djaq said. “And I need to check up on my patient.”
“Carter? No need to worry,” Robin replied, his brows arched with a smile. “Much is taking good care of him …in more ways than one,” he added, his smile dissolving into a mix of emotions that Djaq wasn’t quite able to put a finger on.
Djaq threw the archer a crooked grin. “Ah. I knew it wasn’t just lust at first sight,” she said. “Do you remember Carter’s last day at the camp before he returned to the Holy Land?”
“You mean that goodbye kiss?” Will asked.
Djaq rolled her eyes. “Men!” she exclaimed. “Neither of you noticed the looks passing between those two? And the way Much hovered over Carter when he was recovering from Vaisey’s attack?” she asked. The archer and the carpenter looked at each other and shrugged. “You didn’t know that Much wanted to stay behind.”
“What?” Robin asked, his green eyes wide. “He never mentioned that to me.”
“I overheard them talking before you left.”
Will shook his head. “Eavesdropping?”
Djaq sighed, remembering that conversation as if the two lovers were standing in front of her at that very moment. “Their goodbye was funny, yet tender and so full of passion. It was… beautiful,” she told the men.
“Kalila,” Will said.
Djaq threw an evil look at the carpenter. “It’s true,” she said. “They make such a cute couple.”
Robin cocked his head and smirked. “I’ll let you judge that for yourself.”
“Good for them,” Will said. “Two less men I have to compete against for Djaq’s affections.”
Djaq squeezed Will’s arm. “You have nothing to worry about, Will Scarlett. If they try anything I will flash my ring in their faces,” she said, showing Robin the large jewel on her hand. “And if that doesn’t work, I’ll use it to make a permanent indentation on their jaw!”
“You’re married?” Robin asked.
Djaq and Will both nodded in unison and Robin enveloped them in his arms again. “Congratulations!” he exclaimed. “Wait until the others find out you’re here,” Robin said cuffing Will’s neck, “and that you’re married.”
The young carpenter smiled. “Robin, there is something we’d like you to do for us when we get back to Nottingham.”
“Anything, my friends.”
Will placed a hand on Robin’s shoulder. “Marry us with our friends and family surrounding us.”
“It will be my honor and a pleasure. But first, we have a king to rescue. Let’s go tell the lads that we’ll have some extra help!”
>->------------>>
Carter woke up before dawn, stoked the fire, and dressed then sat quietly watching the flames. Much’s light snoring made him smile. The outlaw’s naked body lying peacefully on the bed stirred pleasant memories from their love-making only a few hours earlier.
Carter shook his head. It really was so much more than the sex. Oh, the sex was good, he couldn’t deny that. More than good. He’d had a lover or two in the Holy Land but Much was more than just lover. Friend, companion, partner, soul-mate-those were words that came to mind. He gave so much and really demanded nothing. They shared a mutual trust and respect. Half of a whole. When they were apart there was an ache in his heart. What was it about knowing there was someone to come home to?
Wandering over to the window, Carter watched the morning sunlight filter through the trees just as Much stirred.
The outlaw stretched slowly, his eyes on Carter. Sitting up, he threw his legs over the side of the bed. “Everything alright?” he asked.
“Almost perfect,” Carter replied.
“Just almost?” he asked, running his fingers through his blond locks.
“It would only be perfect if we weren’t about to go on this mission,” Carter sighed.
Much nodded. “I try not to think too hard about that. Maybe it’ll sound better after we meet with the count.”
Carter smiled. There was Much trying to look for the positive.
“You never answered my question last night,” Much said. He stood to tug his breeches up then sat back down to pull on his boots.
“What?” Carter looked back at Much.
“About your father. You know I grew up in Locksley but I know nothing of your family. I always imagined that you weren’t raised a poor peasant.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, you’re like Robin. Educated. Speak French and German. You can read and write, too. Trained with sword and bow from a young age. A knight. Not just anyone can be a knight,” Much observed with a nod.
Carter’s gaze shifted outside again and he answered with a shrug. “I think my parents and Thomas watch over me.”
Much glanced toward the heavens. “I like to think mine do, too,” he replied. “Where did you grow up?”
“Wilton. But I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s ancestral home in Trevena.”
“An ancestral home?” Much said, his eyes wide. “Sounds impressive.”
“Thomas and I spent hours exploring the rugged coastline and the old ruins there. They’ve been there since Roman times-hundreds of years.” Carter’s eyes lit up. “We’d swim in the ocean. It’s one of the most beautiful places in all England. Maybe we’ll go there sometime.”
“I’d like that.”
Carter half-smiled, more to himself than to Much. “My grandmother claimed we were descended from King Arthur.”
“I thought he was just a legend,” Much said. He came up behind Carter and wrapped his arms around him, his chin resting on his shoulder.
“As much a legend as Robin Hood,” Carter smiled.
“Robin is real,” Much countered.
“So what does that say about Arthur?”
“Or about you? Hmm…Prince Carter? Has a nice ring to it,” Much said. “What happened to your home in Wilton?”
“My brother holds that title.”
“But Thomas--”
Carter shook his head. “I have an older brother, a half-brother named William. We never got along, and when father died he told me that I should plan to join the priesthood or follow Thomas into the king’s service.”
“He kicked you out of your home?”
“It was his home. He had a wife and two children, and a third on the way.”
“Surely your father would not have agreed to such treatment.”
Carter took a deep breath and visibly trembled. “It didn’t matter, Much,” he replied burying his head in his hands.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Much asked. He turned the soldier to face him, his hands strong on Carter’s arms.
Carter pursued his lips and shuddered. “I…I was not comfortable there,” he replied, his voice cracking. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he struggled to find words that he’d never uttered aloud. “Margaret, William’s wife…I…she forced me to her bed.”
“She forced you-“
“I was barely fourteen. Scared.” Carter bit back tears. “She swore that she would tell William and my father that I raped her if I-“
Much wrapped his arms around Carter. His hand stroked Carter’s head.
“We left for Bavaria about six weeks after she first-“ he paused, unable to say the words again. “When we returned she was with child.”
“Yours?” Much said gently pulling away when he heard the pain in his lover’s voice.
Carter nodded, unable to look at Much. “So she claimed.”
“Do you believe her?”
“Joanna’s hair and eyes are like mine, like her mother’s. She looks nothing like William.” Carter finally looked at Much, whose own eyes were moist with tears. “I’ve never told anyone about this.”
Much's calloused palms cupped Carter’s face. “I’m glad you told me.” He traced a finger across the soldier’s lips and wrapped him in the comfort of his arms. “No one else has to know,” he said softly, brushing his lips with a gentle kiss.
Chapter 4....
>->------------>>
Rating: pg-13 (this ch.) - overall M
Word Count: 1632
Warnings/Genre: angst, slash
Characters/Pairings: Much/Carter, Robin, Allan, John, Count Friedrich, Will/Djaq
Copyright: BBC & TA own; I just want to play in their universe
Summary: a post series 2 tale of DeNile - yes, Carter still lives! The gang's mission: rescue King Richard from his captors in Bavaria. In this chapter, more help arrives -- Will and Djaq are back!! And Carter reveals some dark secrets from his past.
Previous chapters: 1, 2
>->------------>>
Chapter 3
Robin rose early while most of Count Friedrich’s home remained in darkness. Despite his gang’s assurance that they were doing the right thing, despite the joking that there was fun in doing the bold, the dangerous-yes, the insane-mission, he still felt a nagging darkness in the back of his own mind. Their willingness to follow him could be a frightening thing. Was he making the right decision for them all?
The kitchen staff was busily preparing food for the day and the smell of bread baking wafting through the hallways reminded Robin of home, of Locksley. He slipped outside and wrapped himself with his cloak to ward off the morning chill. The sun was making its appearance, dusting light across the sculpted gardens. Noise from the stables caught his ear and he looked that way just as one lone figure emerged and began walking his way.
The visitor-at least he assumed it was a visitor and not a stable hand-had a familiar gait but was unrecognizable with hood and cloak drawn tight. He wasn’t very tall and with his face in shadows Robin could make out no discernible features. Seeing the archer, the visitor paused and then suddenly picked up his pace, breaking into a run.
Robin squinted against the sunlight and his eyes grew wide as the hood fell back. A huge smile lit his face. “Djaq!”
The Saracen woman flew into his arms. “Djaq,” he repeated. “What are you doing here?” he asked as another familiar face emerged from the stable and waved a greeting.
“Do you want me to leave?” she asked as Will approached them.
Robin kissed her cheek. “No, of course not!” he exclaimed. “I cannot believe you’re here.”
“We couldn’t let you try this foolish mission on your own, Robin,” Will said, his arms around the archer in a brotherly hug.
“How did you-“ Robin chuckled. “The queen?”
Will nodded. “We decided our place is here with you. With the gang.”
“I have missed you all so much,” Djaq said. “And I need to check up on my patient.”
“Carter? No need to worry,” Robin replied, his brows arched with a smile. “Much is taking good care of him …in more ways than one,” he added, his smile dissolving into a mix of emotions that Djaq wasn’t quite able to put a finger on.
Djaq threw the archer a crooked grin. “Ah. I knew it wasn’t just lust at first sight,” she said. “Do you remember Carter’s last day at the camp before he returned to the Holy Land?”
“You mean that goodbye kiss?” Will asked.
Djaq rolled her eyes. “Men!” she exclaimed. “Neither of you noticed the looks passing between those two? And the way Much hovered over Carter when he was recovering from Vaisey’s attack?” she asked. The archer and the carpenter looked at each other and shrugged. “You didn’t know that Much wanted to stay behind.”
“What?” Robin asked, his green eyes wide. “He never mentioned that to me.”
“I overheard them talking before you left.”
Will shook his head. “Eavesdropping?”
Djaq sighed, remembering that conversation as if the two lovers were standing in front of her at that very moment. “Their goodbye was funny, yet tender and so full of passion. It was… beautiful,” she told the men.
“Kalila,” Will said.
Djaq threw an evil look at the carpenter. “It’s true,” she said. “They make such a cute couple.”
Robin cocked his head and smirked. “I’ll let you judge that for yourself.”
“Good for them,” Will said. “Two less men I have to compete against for Djaq’s affections.”
Djaq squeezed Will’s arm. “You have nothing to worry about, Will Scarlett. If they try anything I will flash my ring in their faces,” she said, showing Robin the large jewel on her hand. “And if that doesn’t work, I’ll use it to make a permanent indentation on their jaw!”
“You’re married?” Robin asked.
Djaq and Will both nodded in unison and Robin enveloped them in his arms again. “Congratulations!” he exclaimed. “Wait until the others find out you’re here,” Robin said cuffing Will’s neck, “and that you’re married.”
The young carpenter smiled. “Robin, there is something we’d like you to do for us when we get back to Nottingham.”
“Anything, my friends.”
Will placed a hand on Robin’s shoulder. “Marry us with our friends and family surrounding us.”
“It will be my honor and a pleasure. But first, we have a king to rescue. Let’s go tell the lads that we’ll have some extra help!”
>->------------>>
Carter woke up before dawn, stoked the fire, and dressed then sat quietly watching the flames. Much’s light snoring made him smile. The outlaw’s naked body lying peacefully on the bed stirred pleasant memories from their love-making only a few hours earlier.
Carter shook his head. It really was so much more than the sex. Oh, the sex was good, he couldn’t deny that. More than good. He’d had a lover or two in the Holy Land but Much was more than just lover. Friend, companion, partner, soul-mate-those were words that came to mind. He gave so much and really demanded nothing. They shared a mutual trust and respect. Half of a whole. When they were apart there was an ache in his heart. What was it about knowing there was someone to come home to?
Wandering over to the window, Carter watched the morning sunlight filter through the trees just as Much stirred.
The outlaw stretched slowly, his eyes on Carter. Sitting up, he threw his legs over the side of the bed. “Everything alright?” he asked.
“Almost perfect,” Carter replied.
“Just almost?” he asked, running his fingers through his blond locks.
“It would only be perfect if we weren’t about to go on this mission,” Carter sighed.
Much nodded. “I try not to think too hard about that. Maybe it’ll sound better after we meet with the count.”
Carter smiled. There was Much trying to look for the positive.
“You never answered my question last night,” Much said. He stood to tug his breeches up then sat back down to pull on his boots.
“What?” Carter looked back at Much.
“About your father. You know I grew up in Locksley but I know nothing of your family. I always imagined that you weren’t raised a poor peasant.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, you’re like Robin. Educated. Speak French and German. You can read and write, too. Trained with sword and bow from a young age. A knight. Not just anyone can be a knight,” Much observed with a nod.
Carter’s gaze shifted outside again and he answered with a shrug. “I think my parents and Thomas watch over me.”
Much glanced toward the heavens. “I like to think mine do, too,” he replied. “Where did you grow up?”
“Wilton. But I spent a lot of time at my grandmother’s ancestral home in Trevena.”
“An ancestral home?” Much said, his eyes wide. “Sounds impressive.”
“Thomas and I spent hours exploring the rugged coastline and the old ruins there. They’ve been there since Roman times-hundreds of years.” Carter’s eyes lit up. “We’d swim in the ocean. It’s one of the most beautiful places in all England. Maybe we’ll go there sometime.”
“I’d like that.”
Carter half-smiled, more to himself than to Much. “My grandmother claimed we were descended from King Arthur.”
“I thought he was just a legend,” Much said. He came up behind Carter and wrapped his arms around him, his chin resting on his shoulder.
“As much a legend as Robin Hood,” Carter smiled.
“Robin is real,” Much countered.
“So what does that say about Arthur?”
“Or about you? Hmm…Prince Carter? Has a nice ring to it,” Much said. “What happened to your home in Wilton?”
“My brother holds that title.”
“But Thomas--”
Carter shook his head. “I have an older brother, a half-brother named William. We never got along, and when father died he told me that I should plan to join the priesthood or follow Thomas into the king’s service.”
“He kicked you out of your home?”
“It was his home. He had a wife and two children, and a third on the way.”
“Surely your father would not have agreed to such treatment.”
Carter took a deep breath and visibly trembled. “It didn’t matter, Much,” he replied burying his head in his hands.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Much asked. He turned the soldier to face him, his hands strong on Carter’s arms.
Carter pursued his lips and shuddered. “I…I was not comfortable there,” he replied, his voice cracking. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he struggled to find words that he’d never uttered aloud. “Margaret, William’s wife…I…she forced me to her bed.”
“She forced you-“
“I was barely fourteen. Scared.” Carter bit back tears. “She swore that she would tell William and my father that I raped her if I-“
Much wrapped his arms around Carter. His hand stroked Carter’s head.
“We left for Bavaria about six weeks after she first-“ he paused, unable to say the words again. “When we returned she was with child.”
“Yours?” Much said gently pulling away when he heard the pain in his lover’s voice.
Carter nodded, unable to look at Much. “So she claimed.”
“Do you believe her?”
“Joanna’s hair and eyes are like mine, like her mother’s. She looks nothing like William.” Carter finally looked at Much, whose own eyes were moist with tears. “I’ve never told anyone about this.”
Much's calloused palms cupped Carter’s face. “I’m glad you told me.” He traced a finger across the soldier’s lips and wrapped him in the comfort of his arms. “No one else has to know,” he said softly, brushing his lips with a gentle kiss.
Chapter 4....
>->------------>>