For King and Country (5/5)
Title: For King and Country (5/5)
Rating: M
Word Count: 2279
Warnings/Genre: angst, slash, romance, adventure
Characters/Pairings: Much/Carter, Allan, John, Count Friedrich, Will, Djaq, King Richard
Copyright: BBC & TA own; I just want to play in their universe
Summary: a post series 2 AU tale of DeNile. The gang's mission: rescue King Richard from his captors in Bavaria.
A/N: a bit of fluff near the end but it just had to be done...
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4
>->------------>>
Chapter 5
The moon slipped in and out of clouds long enough for Robin to spot guards along the battlements of Castle Trifels. He tapped Much on the hand then pointed toward the enemy soldiers.
Much sighed. "Guards in the towers,” he said, then waved a finger toward the gatehouse, “and at the gate.”
“Just as we thought,” Robin whispered. The archer eyed the stronghold. He’d committed the layout to memory from Count Friedrich’s maps in case the plan to use the secret passages went awry.
“Good we hadn’t plotted to storm the castle," Much said wryly. "Seven of us. Hundreds of them.”
“What’s wrong with those odds? We’re better than they are!” Robin smirked. “C’mon, let’s get back to the lads.”
“Robin,” Much grabbed the archer’s hand.
Robin turned to his former manservant but before he could reply, Much’s arms enfolded him. “Remember what I told you last night.”
“Always,” Robin replied. He planted a soft kiss on Much’s cheek and then the two men retreated back through the thick underbrush where the gang was waiting.
"Are you sure about that secret passage?” Allan asked Count Friedrich after Robin confirmed their suspicions about the defenses of the castle.
“Of course,” the count replied.
Robin turned to the noble who’d refused to be left behind on this mission. “Can I convince you to let us do this alone? You’re risking the noose for a man you’ve never met, for a king you owe nothing to.”
The outlaws flinched. They didn’t need to be reminded what would await them if they were caught. The count merely smiled. “For the Lady Marian’s memory I could do no less. You know as well as I that she would be here herself if she were still alive.”
“He’s right, Robin,” Will said.
“Him, I like,” John said.
“He’s a bit crazy,” Allan said. “But that’s alright.”
Djaq chuckled. “And we aren’t?”
“Let’s go,” Robin said.
Carter led the gang up the steep, rocky hill toward the northwest corner of the castle. The mountainous path was treacherous in the dark. The moon continued its cat and mouse games with the clouds, forcing them to stop several times when the near-total darkness hid the narrow swath cut through overgrown underbrush. If there was any good in the black night it was that it hid the concern on their faces. There was plenty of heavy breathing going on as they trudged up the hillside…but not the kind any of them found pleasure in.
“Too bad we couldn’t do a practice during daylight,” Allan observed.
“I’m not so sure you would’ve liked that, my friend,” the count replied.
“Why’s that?” Will asked.
“Let’s just say that you need to make sure your feet are on the path and don’t stray a few too many inches to the left.”
“Oh that’s just great,” Much moaned. “Robin, when we get home I think we should ask the king to give all of us land, titles, and an annual income.”
Soft chuckles rose from the front to the back of the line.
“The king gets to travel back down this path with us,” Robin reminded his friends. “Maybe he’ll come to that conclusion on his own!”
The path flattened out and the moon appeared long enough to illuminate a small clearing far below the base of castle wall.
“That is it,” the count whispered, pointing toward the rocky cliffside. Overgrown with vines, the narrow wedge was carved into the rock so naturally that it was barely visible.
With no guards in sight, the gang moved swiftly into the cave. Only one of the old torches they found just inside the entryway held a flame but it provided just enough light for navigation. The underground passage snaked through the dank cave. Echoes of trickling water surrounded them and at times sounded so loud the lads joked that they’d be lucky not to be taking an unexpected swim. Multiple forks shot off their path. The Count appeared confident as he led them to the right, to the left, and to the right again. Robin was glad he’d not argued with the man about staying behind.
“That wasn’t there before,” the count said as the first sign of trouble appeared. The passage had been sealed with a metal gate.
“Will?” Robin called from the head of the line.
Carter brought the torch close so Will could inspect the lock and hinges. He gave the gate a shake and looked at Robin. “It’ll be quicker if we let Little John have a go at it.”
“Won’t that be a bit too noisy?” Much asked as John scooted past him.
“Let me give it a tug,” John replied. “I’ll try to keep it quiet.”
“That would be good,” Much said.
John gave a slight tug and could feel the gate give. Everyone held their breath as John put more force into it and the metal creaked under the strain. It was old and rusted so he made quick work of it and without too much noise. The gang stood perfectly still after the gate was opened. They waited. Listened. Then there was an audible sigh of relief.
“C’mon,” Robin urged them.
Count Friedrich moved a few meters beyond the gate and turned to his left. His fingers danced across rough stone and settled in a notch on the very non-descript wall. A door slid aside and with a flourish, the count waved the outlaws through the opening and into a chamber that seemed massive despite the torch’s dim light. The count pointed them toward stairs that disappeared far above them in darkness.
Will, Djaq, and Little John took positions at the bottom of the stairs. The count reviewed their escape routes. “Remember,” Robin told them as the others began the long climb up, “you know the signal. If anything should happen, get out. Wait for us at the rendezvous point. If we don’t arrive by first light, head home.”
“Robin-“
“I mean it, Will. You and Djaq have a life to lead back in England. John has little Little John there. Go home. Be well. And never…never forget the outlaws.”
“We’ll see you at the rendezvous point,” Little John said.
The stairs had long since seen better days. Creaking wood splintered beneath their feet and the wobbly hand rail became a life line at least twice.
“We are close,” the count whispered as they neared the top of the stairwell.
Loud voices suddenly filtered through the thick stone walls and they forced themselves to step even more quietly than anyone thought possible.
The stairs widened onto a landing built for a dozen meters along the wall in either direction. Like the stairs, the landing was peppered with rotting wood. Count Friedrich moved across it cautiously and gently began tapping the wall. He paused after a moment then ran his hand along a man-made seam until a lock snapped. Another secret entrance opened and the gang quietly slinked into a long narrow space built behind the hearth of the king’s bedchamber. The voices emanated from an adjacent room so Robin slipped through the opening and hid behind rich red-gold draperies that lined the wall.
"You may demand nothing, Your Majesty. Your usefulness is questionable these days. The Emperor is more patient than I am. We have had no word if your people will raise the ransom we’ve agreed to. If you'd prefer to move from your palatial suite to the dungeon I would be happy to oblige."
"Get out! Now,” Richard shouted, "before I tell the Emperor of your deceit.”
Doors slammed and footsteps echoed across the room. The king stormed in and smacked the pitcher and goblets on the desk. He uttered a curse as they clattered to the floor then spotted Robin.
"Wha--"
Robin held a finger to his lips and pointed toward the outer room. "What a dreadful person." He bowed. “Your Majesty.”
"Robin, how did you get in here?" the king asked.
Robin cocked his head toward the hearth as the count and Allan appeared. Carter remained on the landing and Much stood in the doorway. “Back door,” Robin replied, “courtesy of Count Friedrich, an old friend of ours.”
“Your Majesty,” the count bowed, “I suggest we leave now.”
The king frowned, walked over the ornate desk, and sat down.
“Your Majesty?” Robin asked.
"Did my mother send you on this fool mission?” he asked, his tone almost accusatory. “What right does she have to risk war with the emperor?”
Robin managed not to smile and didn’t dare look at his companions for fear one of them might be ready to punch the king. He heard Allan shift uncomfortably and could almost imagine the incredulous look on Much’s face. He cleared his throat hoping to stave off words that someone might regret. “The queen felt that the emperor would back down, and that some smaller monetary arrangement might be made once you are safely home.”
The king sighed. “She has always been an astute politician.” His eyes gleamed. “I’m surprised she is not with you herself.”
“You know the queen mother well, Majesty,” Robin said feeling the mood in the room lighten. “She decided that two days at full gallop in the saddle was better suited to the young. She awaits your arrival on the coast.”
Richard threw Robin a grin. “I imagine her quarters there are not nearly so pleasant as Fontevrault. We should not keep her waiting.”
“It is time to go home, Your Majesty,” Robin nodded. “England needs you.”
“England needs us, Robin of Locksley.”
“Robin,” Much called from the entryway, “signal from John. We have company. About five minutes behind us."
“Right,” Robin said, turning to Count Friedrich.
"There is another way out," the count told them.
"Lead the way," Robin said.
The count and Allan pushed past Much, the king on their heels.
"Wait,” Much cried, “they're coming in that way!"
"There's another doorway just a few meters along the landing," the count replied waving a small amulet that hung from a golden chain around his neck, "and I have the key."
They moved into the narrow passage behind the hearth with Robin bringing up the rear.
"Hurry," Carter said as they reached the landing. He passed the torch to Allan then greeted King Richard with a bow.
“I should have known you’d be part of this crazy scheme,” the king said as he moved past the soldier. “You appear to have found a new home.”
Carter smiled and his eyes landed on Much. “That I have, Your Majesty,” he replied.
Count Friedrich placed the amulet into a notch in the wall and another door quietly slid open revealing a darkened stairwell.
“You Bavarians and your secret passages,” Allan said as he led the way. “You’re worse than the English!”
"Very slick," Robin told the count. "You never mentioned this particular escape route!"
The count smiled. "Even friends should have a few secrets."
Thirty minutes later the gang rendezvoused with their companions deep within the woods. They bid thanks and goodbyes to Count Friedrich, mounted their horses and took the road north on the first leg of their journey back to England.
>->------------>>
Will and Djaq stood before Richard the Lionheart, King of England, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Robin, Earl of Huntingdon. They were surrounded by their friends, the men they called family. Luke Scarlett stood proudly at his brother’s side. The villagers of Locksley gathered around them on this warm spring day while they repeated vows in the eyes of those who cared most about them.
Much and Carter watched the ceremony from the back of the crowd, standing close, hands touching, fingers dueling. As the king asked Luke to pass the ring to his brother, Carter looked at Much and pulled his hand to his heart. He mouthed the words as Will did and slid a band onto Much’s finger. Much smiled and followed his lead, repeating quietly along with Djaq. I, Much, lord of Bonchurch, take you Carter of Wilton, prince, descendant of Arthur, master of my heart, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.
A huge cry rang out as Will kissed Djaq and applause filled the air. Much brushed Carter’s lips then smiled as they both joined in the applause to celebrate their good friends’ wedding.
>->------------>>
Epilogue
Much woke early and stoked the fire until it was blazing then crawled back into bed. Bonchurch was quiet except for the roosters first calls of the morning. The servants would be up soon to light the kitchen fires and the smells of pork and eggs would waft through the manor house.
Carter stirred, moaning softly as Much spooned his body, warm flesh against warm flesh. He could still smell the lingering effects of the rose petal bath they'd shared last night.
Much planted a kiss on Carter’s neck, another on his shoulder. The young soldier turned in Much’s arms and found warm lips to greet him. Their breaths became short, their kisses deepened. Carter’s hands moved to Much’s hips, and he pulled Much on top of him.
Much gasped, his breath hot against Carter’s ear. The friction of their bodies hard against each other urged him to move faster in a steady rhythm that brought both to a heart-pounding climax. They lay together panting, planting soft kisses on each other, feeling the gentle beat of their hearts return. Smiling, they kissed again, and then drifted back to a light sleep safely in each others arms beside the warm hearth.
the end
>->------------>>
Rating: M
Word Count: 2279
Warnings/Genre: angst, slash, romance, adventure
Characters/Pairings: Much/Carter, Allan, John, Count Friedrich, Will, Djaq, King Richard
Copyright: BBC & TA own; I just want to play in their universe
Summary: a post series 2 AU tale of DeNile. The gang's mission: rescue King Richard from his captors in Bavaria.
A/N: a bit of fluff near the end but it just had to be done...
Previous chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4
>->------------>>
Chapter 5
The moon slipped in and out of clouds long enough for Robin to spot guards along the battlements of Castle Trifels. He tapped Much on the hand then pointed toward the enemy soldiers.
Much sighed. "Guards in the towers,” he said, then waved a finger toward the gatehouse, “and at the gate.”
“Just as we thought,” Robin whispered. The archer eyed the stronghold. He’d committed the layout to memory from Count Friedrich’s maps in case the plan to use the secret passages went awry.
“Good we hadn’t plotted to storm the castle," Much said wryly. "Seven of us. Hundreds of them.”
“What’s wrong with those odds? We’re better than they are!” Robin smirked. “C’mon, let’s get back to the lads.”
“Robin,” Much grabbed the archer’s hand.
Robin turned to his former manservant but before he could reply, Much’s arms enfolded him. “Remember what I told you last night.”
“Always,” Robin replied. He planted a soft kiss on Much’s cheek and then the two men retreated back through the thick underbrush where the gang was waiting.
"Are you sure about that secret passage?” Allan asked Count Friedrich after Robin confirmed their suspicions about the defenses of the castle.
“Of course,” the count replied.
Robin turned to the noble who’d refused to be left behind on this mission. “Can I convince you to let us do this alone? You’re risking the noose for a man you’ve never met, for a king you owe nothing to.”
The outlaws flinched. They didn’t need to be reminded what would await them if they were caught. The count merely smiled. “For the Lady Marian’s memory I could do no less. You know as well as I that she would be here herself if she were still alive.”
“He’s right, Robin,” Will said.
“Him, I like,” John said.
“He’s a bit crazy,” Allan said. “But that’s alright.”
Djaq chuckled. “And we aren’t?”
“Let’s go,” Robin said.
Carter led the gang up the steep, rocky hill toward the northwest corner of the castle. The mountainous path was treacherous in the dark. The moon continued its cat and mouse games with the clouds, forcing them to stop several times when the near-total darkness hid the narrow swath cut through overgrown underbrush. If there was any good in the black night it was that it hid the concern on their faces. There was plenty of heavy breathing going on as they trudged up the hillside…but not the kind any of them found pleasure in.
“Too bad we couldn’t do a practice during daylight,” Allan observed.
“I’m not so sure you would’ve liked that, my friend,” the count replied.
“Why’s that?” Will asked.
“Let’s just say that you need to make sure your feet are on the path and don’t stray a few too many inches to the left.”
“Oh that’s just great,” Much moaned. “Robin, when we get home I think we should ask the king to give all of us land, titles, and an annual income.”
Soft chuckles rose from the front to the back of the line.
“The king gets to travel back down this path with us,” Robin reminded his friends. “Maybe he’ll come to that conclusion on his own!”
The path flattened out and the moon appeared long enough to illuminate a small clearing far below the base of castle wall.
“That is it,” the count whispered, pointing toward the rocky cliffside. Overgrown with vines, the narrow wedge was carved into the rock so naturally that it was barely visible.
With no guards in sight, the gang moved swiftly into the cave. Only one of the old torches they found just inside the entryway held a flame but it provided just enough light for navigation. The underground passage snaked through the dank cave. Echoes of trickling water surrounded them and at times sounded so loud the lads joked that they’d be lucky not to be taking an unexpected swim. Multiple forks shot off their path. The Count appeared confident as he led them to the right, to the left, and to the right again. Robin was glad he’d not argued with the man about staying behind.
“That wasn’t there before,” the count said as the first sign of trouble appeared. The passage had been sealed with a metal gate.
“Will?” Robin called from the head of the line.
Carter brought the torch close so Will could inspect the lock and hinges. He gave the gate a shake and looked at Robin. “It’ll be quicker if we let Little John have a go at it.”
“Won’t that be a bit too noisy?” Much asked as John scooted past him.
“Let me give it a tug,” John replied. “I’ll try to keep it quiet.”
“That would be good,” Much said.
John gave a slight tug and could feel the gate give. Everyone held their breath as John put more force into it and the metal creaked under the strain. It was old and rusted so he made quick work of it and without too much noise. The gang stood perfectly still after the gate was opened. They waited. Listened. Then there was an audible sigh of relief.
“C’mon,” Robin urged them.
Count Friedrich moved a few meters beyond the gate and turned to his left. His fingers danced across rough stone and settled in a notch on the very non-descript wall. A door slid aside and with a flourish, the count waved the outlaws through the opening and into a chamber that seemed massive despite the torch’s dim light. The count pointed them toward stairs that disappeared far above them in darkness.
Will, Djaq, and Little John took positions at the bottom of the stairs. The count reviewed their escape routes. “Remember,” Robin told them as the others began the long climb up, “you know the signal. If anything should happen, get out. Wait for us at the rendezvous point. If we don’t arrive by first light, head home.”
“Robin-“
“I mean it, Will. You and Djaq have a life to lead back in England. John has little Little John there. Go home. Be well. And never…never forget the outlaws.”
“We’ll see you at the rendezvous point,” Little John said.
The stairs had long since seen better days. Creaking wood splintered beneath their feet and the wobbly hand rail became a life line at least twice.
“We are close,” the count whispered as they neared the top of the stairwell.
Loud voices suddenly filtered through the thick stone walls and they forced themselves to step even more quietly than anyone thought possible.
The stairs widened onto a landing built for a dozen meters along the wall in either direction. Like the stairs, the landing was peppered with rotting wood. Count Friedrich moved across it cautiously and gently began tapping the wall. He paused after a moment then ran his hand along a man-made seam until a lock snapped. Another secret entrance opened and the gang quietly slinked into a long narrow space built behind the hearth of the king’s bedchamber. The voices emanated from an adjacent room so Robin slipped through the opening and hid behind rich red-gold draperies that lined the wall.
"You may demand nothing, Your Majesty. Your usefulness is questionable these days. The Emperor is more patient than I am. We have had no word if your people will raise the ransom we’ve agreed to. If you'd prefer to move from your palatial suite to the dungeon I would be happy to oblige."
"Get out! Now,” Richard shouted, "before I tell the Emperor of your deceit.”
Doors slammed and footsteps echoed across the room. The king stormed in and smacked the pitcher and goblets on the desk. He uttered a curse as they clattered to the floor then spotted Robin.
"Wha--"
Robin held a finger to his lips and pointed toward the outer room. "What a dreadful person." He bowed. “Your Majesty.”
"Robin, how did you get in here?" the king asked.
Robin cocked his head toward the hearth as the count and Allan appeared. Carter remained on the landing and Much stood in the doorway. “Back door,” Robin replied, “courtesy of Count Friedrich, an old friend of ours.”
“Your Majesty,” the count bowed, “I suggest we leave now.”
The king frowned, walked over the ornate desk, and sat down.
“Your Majesty?” Robin asked.
"Did my mother send you on this fool mission?” he asked, his tone almost accusatory. “What right does she have to risk war with the emperor?”
Robin managed not to smile and didn’t dare look at his companions for fear one of them might be ready to punch the king. He heard Allan shift uncomfortably and could almost imagine the incredulous look on Much’s face. He cleared his throat hoping to stave off words that someone might regret. “The queen felt that the emperor would back down, and that some smaller monetary arrangement might be made once you are safely home.”
The king sighed. “She has always been an astute politician.” His eyes gleamed. “I’m surprised she is not with you herself.”
“You know the queen mother well, Majesty,” Robin said feeling the mood in the room lighten. “She decided that two days at full gallop in the saddle was better suited to the young. She awaits your arrival on the coast.”
Richard threw Robin a grin. “I imagine her quarters there are not nearly so pleasant as Fontevrault. We should not keep her waiting.”
“It is time to go home, Your Majesty,” Robin nodded. “England needs you.”
“England needs us, Robin of Locksley.”
“Robin,” Much called from the entryway, “signal from John. We have company. About five minutes behind us."
“Right,” Robin said, turning to Count Friedrich.
"There is another way out," the count told them.
"Lead the way," Robin said.
The count and Allan pushed past Much, the king on their heels.
"Wait,” Much cried, “they're coming in that way!"
"There's another doorway just a few meters along the landing," the count replied waving a small amulet that hung from a golden chain around his neck, "and I have the key."
They moved into the narrow passage behind the hearth with Robin bringing up the rear.
"Hurry," Carter said as they reached the landing. He passed the torch to Allan then greeted King Richard with a bow.
“I should have known you’d be part of this crazy scheme,” the king said as he moved past the soldier. “You appear to have found a new home.”
Carter smiled and his eyes landed on Much. “That I have, Your Majesty,” he replied.
Count Friedrich placed the amulet into a notch in the wall and another door quietly slid open revealing a darkened stairwell.
“You Bavarians and your secret passages,” Allan said as he led the way. “You’re worse than the English!”
"Very slick," Robin told the count. "You never mentioned this particular escape route!"
The count smiled. "Even friends should have a few secrets."
Thirty minutes later the gang rendezvoused with their companions deep within the woods. They bid thanks and goodbyes to Count Friedrich, mounted their horses and took the road north on the first leg of their journey back to England.
>->------------>>
Will and Djaq stood before Richard the Lionheart, King of England, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Robin, Earl of Huntingdon. They were surrounded by their friends, the men they called family. Luke Scarlett stood proudly at his brother’s side. The villagers of Locksley gathered around them on this warm spring day while they repeated vows in the eyes of those who cared most about them.
Much and Carter watched the ceremony from the back of the crowd, standing close, hands touching, fingers dueling. As the king asked Luke to pass the ring to his brother, Carter looked at Much and pulled his hand to his heart. He mouthed the words as Will did and slid a band onto Much’s finger. Much smiled and followed his lead, repeating quietly along with Djaq. I, Much, lord of Bonchurch, take you Carter of Wilton, prince, descendant of Arthur, master of my heart, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live.
A huge cry rang out as Will kissed Djaq and applause filled the air. Much brushed Carter’s lips then smiled as they both joined in the applause to celebrate their good friends’ wedding.
>->------------>>
Epilogue
Much woke early and stoked the fire until it was blazing then crawled back into bed. Bonchurch was quiet except for the roosters first calls of the morning. The servants would be up soon to light the kitchen fires and the smells of pork and eggs would waft through the manor house.
Carter stirred, moaning softly as Much spooned his body, warm flesh against warm flesh. He could still smell the lingering effects of the rose petal bath they'd shared last night.
Much planted a kiss on Carter’s neck, another on his shoulder. The young soldier turned in Much’s arms and found warm lips to greet him. Their breaths became short, their kisses deepened. Carter’s hands moved to Much’s hips, and he pulled Much on top of him.
Much gasped, his breath hot against Carter’s ear. The friction of their bodies hard against each other urged him to move faster in a steady rhythm that brought both to a heart-pounding climax. They lay together panting, planting soft kisses on each other, feeling the gentle beat of their hearts return. Smiling, they kissed again, and then drifted back to a light sleep safely in each others arms beside the warm hearth.
the end
>->------------>>