Campaign of the Heart
Author: mideltone_one
Title: Campaign of the Heart
Words: 727
Genre: Gen
Rating: PG
Disclaimer:The Robin Hood characters written about here belong to Tiger Aspect and the British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved. No copyright infringement is intended nor is any money being made. I don't own them - if I did I'd be too busy drooling to write! All mistakes are mine.
Summary: Will asks his friend for advice.
Warnings: Set a little after S1x8.
Characters/Pairings: Allan, Will, mentions Djaq, John
"Can I talk to you ... in private." Something was clearly on Will Scarlett's mind as he stood waiting for Allan to answer.
"Course you can mate," he said, getting up off his seat and straightening his tunic, "where d'you want to go?"
"The clearing out by Clun?"
"Must be serious if we 'ave to go that far."
The blush as he said "It is" made it clear that not only was it serious, it was also embarrassing. The thief guessed it must be something to do with the fairer sex.
There was almost no conversation on the way to the clearing. Will was caught up in a world of his own concerns, and each time he was asked a question, would give the shortest answer he could, before retreating into his silence. Allan wondered if there was something medically wrong with the boy. Perhaps he had an embarrassing illness, and couldn't tell Djaq, who performed all the medical duties for the gang, for fear of destroying the, as yet non-existent, romance between the two if them.
Once they arrived at the clearing, they found a convenient fallen log, and sat on it facing one another, close but not touching. Will sat in silence for a moment, possibly collecting his thoughts. "I can't 'elp you if you don't tell me wot's wrong" said Allan.
Gathering his courage, the young carpenter began to speak. "We're friends, aren't we? Good friends?" A nod of agreement allowed him to continue. "I think of you as like the older brother I never had."
It was Allan's turn to blush. "An' you remind me of Tom. Well a brighter, safer, better version of Tom." The sadness at the reminder of his brother, not long dead, caught him by surprise.
"Sorry," said Will, "I didn't mean to upset you."
"'Salright," said the thief, "I didn't see that much of 'im after I left 'ome. An' I've got meself a new little brother, ain't I?" He put his hand on the boy's shoulder and gave it a hearty shake. "Now what do you need brotherly advice about?" He had a fairly good idea, but best not to jump in until he was sure of the facts.
"It's about girls, well women." Bingo! "You're a man of the world."
"I've 'ad a fair number of encounters with the ladies," interrupted Allan, "an' with any luck I've got many more to come."
"It's not sex I'm worried about. Not yet anyway. It's more about how to treat them ... The one's you want to keep, I mean."
"You've always seemed quite confident with the ladies. A bit shy sometimes, but that's an attraction to some. What's put these doubts in your mind?"
"Djaq told me that in her land men are expected to be physically strong to protect their women. She said John would be a good husband back there. I think she might fancy him. How do I compete with him?"
"'Ow did I know it would be Djaq who was the one?" said Allan, "'Ave you considered that she might be jokin'?"
"Why would she do that?"
"I dunno? Why did she tell me everyone out there knows that the world is round, like a ball? I mean, it makes no sense, does it? If that was true, we'd 'ave fallen off just goin' to Nottingham, wouldn't we?"
"I suppose. So if she's teasing me, what do I do?"
"Tease back, but gentle like. Trust me Will mate, she ain't got the 'ots for John. That much I am sure of. I'd say its between us two, and you 'ave my word, for wot it's worth, that I won't encourage 'er, now you've declared an interest."
Will looked much relieved as he took in what his friend had told him. "If that's all?" asked Allan, getting to his feet. Will nodded. "Well then," he continued, "on the way back we can come up with something to make Djaq realise the best man for 'er is master William Scarlett, skilled carpenter, and first rate friend. An' when you're ready to talk about sex, I can give you lots of tips about - Ow." Elbow removed from his ribs, a winded Allan put his arm around his friend for support, as they strolled back to camp, plotting the next move in the young carpenter's campaign of the heart.
Title: Campaign of the Heart
Words: 727
Genre: Gen
Rating: PG
Disclaimer:The Robin Hood characters written about here belong to Tiger Aspect and the British Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved. No copyright infringement is intended nor is any money being made. I don't own them - if I did I'd be too busy drooling to write! All mistakes are mine.
Summary: Will asks his friend for advice.
Warnings: Set a little after S1x8.
Characters/Pairings: Allan, Will, mentions Djaq, John
"Can I talk to you ... in private." Something was clearly on Will Scarlett's mind as he stood waiting for Allan to answer.
"Course you can mate," he said, getting up off his seat and straightening his tunic, "where d'you want to go?"
"The clearing out by Clun?"
"Must be serious if we 'ave to go that far."
The blush as he said "It is" made it clear that not only was it serious, it was also embarrassing. The thief guessed it must be something to do with the fairer sex.
There was almost no conversation on the way to the clearing. Will was caught up in a world of his own concerns, and each time he was asked a question, would give the shortest answer he could, before retreating into his silence. Allan wondered if there was something medically wrong with the boy. Perhaps he had an embarrassing illness, and couldn't tell Djaq, who performed all the medical duties for the gang, for fear of destroying the, as yet non-existent, romance between the two if them.
Once they arrived at the clearing, they found a convenient fallen log, and sat on it facing one another, close but not touching. Will sat in silence for a moment, possibly collecting his thoughts. "I can't 'elp you if you don't tell me wot's wrong" said Allan.
Gathering his courage, the young carpenter began to speak. "We're friends, aren't we? Good friends?" A nod of agreement allowed him to continue. "I think of you as like the older brother I never had."
It was Allan's turn to blush. "An' you remind me of Tom. Well a brighter, safer, better version of Tom." The sadness at the reminder of his brother, not long dead, caught him by surprise.
"Sorry," said Will, "I didn't mean to upset you."
"'Salright," said the thief, "I didn't see that much of 'im after I left 'ome. An' I've got meself a new little brother, ain't I?" He put his hand on the boy's shoulder and gave it a hearty shake. "Now what do you need brotherly advice about?" He had a fairly good idea, but best not to jump in until he was sure of the facts.
"It's about girls, well women." Bingo! "You're a man of the world."
"I've 'ad a fair number of encounters with the ladies," interrupted Allan, "an' with any luck I've got many more to come."
"It's not sex I'm worried about. Not yet anyway. It's more about how to treat them ... The one's you want to keep, I mean."
"You've always seemed quite confident with the ladies. A bit shy sometimes, but that's an attraction to some. What's put these doubts in your mind?"
"Djaq told me that in her land men are expected to be physically strong to protect their women. She said John would be a good husband back there. I think she might fancy him. How do I compete with him?"
"'Ow did I know it would be Djaq who was the one?" said Allan, "'Ave you considered that she might be jokin'?"
"Why would she do that?"
"I dunno? Why did she tell me everyone out there knows that the world is round, like a ball? I mean, it makes no sense, does it? If that was true, we'd 'ave fallen off just goin' to Nottingham, wouldn't we?"
"I suppose. So if she's teasing me, what do I do?"
"Tease back, but gentle like. Trust me Will mate, she ain't got the 'ots for John. That much I am sure of. I'd say its between us two, and you 'ave my word, for wot it's worth, that I won't encourage 'er, now you've declared an interest."
Will looked much relieved as he took in what his friend had told him. "If that's all?" asked Allan, getting to his feet. Will nodded. "Well then," he continued, "on the way back we can come up with something to make Djaq realise the best man for 'er is master William Scarlett, skilled carpenter, and first rate friend. An' when you're ready to talk about sex, I can give you lots of tips about - Ow." Elbow removed from his ribs, a winded Allan put his arm around his friend for support, as they strolled back to camp, plotting the next move in the young carpenter's campaign of the heart.