Robin Hood [Spin Off] {S2} ~ Chapter Nine - For King and Country *Part One*

Allan didn’t need to go far to find Daine. Either he was very good at finding her or she never went far enough to get completely lost. Where he found her, she was sat on a rock by one of the small rivers they often visited.
 
There was a distant look on the girl’s face, it didn’t take a genius to know it was Adrian on her mind. She didn’t even move when Allan sat beside her putting his arm around her.
 
“Allan he’s gone.” She murmured never taking her eyes off the water that was continuously running, unaware of the rest of the world.
 
“I know.” Allan said softly as Daine rested her head on his shoulders. “I’m sure he’ll be fine though. You’ll see him again.”
 
“I know I will, and I know he’ll be fine, but…” Her voice was cut off by a new surge of emotion. “But I know why he left. He left because he couldn’t cope.”
 
Daine let the tears that threatened fall. Allan’s curiosity wanted her to speak the words that were upsetting her, but his love knew she would so it in her own good time. All he could do was wait and provide Daine with the comfort she needed.
 
“He ran away, he’s hiding from his feelings. He couldn’t cope so he’s gone for glory, hoping it could be a substitute. But do you know the worst part? I can’t cope either. Should I run away too? Like I normally do? Adrian was the most capable person I knew. If he can’t cope, how can I?”
 
“Daine, everyone runs away from themselves at one point. Robin did it. I’ve done it. When I first became an outlaw I could have gone home but I didn’t because I couldn’t handle going back.” This obviously wasn’t helping because Daine stood up and walked into the centre of the stream. Allan followed, placing himself in Daine’s view. When she turned her head he turned it back, fixing her gaze with his. “Daine if you want to leave, I will go with you.”
 
“Allan, I can’t-” Allan put his fingers to her lips, stopping her from talking.
 
“I will follow you to the end of the world, because I love you. We could elope. Get married, travel round England and see it like it should be. What do you say?” Daine snaked her delicate fingers round Allan’s which were still on her mouth. She moved his hand away and held it in both of hers.
 
“Allan I love you too. But I can’t.” He went to protest so she put her hand to his lips, his small beard tickling her palm. “I can’t run away anymore. I’ve been running for too long. And if it was just you and me, I would end up killing you because you still annoy me. And I don’t want to do that. I kind of like loving you.”
 
It was Allan’s turn to take her hands in his away from his mouth. He smiled at her. “I kind of like loving you too.” Their fingers interlocked as Allan closed the gap between them. Butterflies twirled in Daine’s stomach as he kissed her softly, the pair of them ignoring how numb their feet and ankles had got.
 
***
 
Three days earlier
 
The news that the King’s messengers spread through Nottinghamshire quickly, soon everyone knew what the posters said even if they hadn’t seen them. The Sheriff held one in his very hands, a snarl on his face.
 
“‘Men of England. Your King needs you. A vessel in Portsmouth is leaving on March 20th. Be there if you are trained with a sword or bow. Your King needs you to fight.’” The Sheriff read. He cast a look up to his right and left hand men. Gisbourne stared at the floor, seemingly uninterested. The cogs were turning in Merton’s mind as he chewed his thumb. It’d been but two days since his punishment and the Sheriff had planned to make him pay for what had happened. But more important things had come up. “What do we do about this?”
 
The hiss of the Sheriff’s voice echoed around the empty chamber, not even the cooing of the birds softened the harsh sound. Vaysey paced about, slapping the parchment onto his desk.
 
“Maybe Hood will return to the Holy Land. Maybe we need not do anything.” Merton offered, only to have the idea dismissed by the Sheriff.
 
“No. Hood has more important things to deal with here.” Gisbourne said. “Maybe we send someone in to kill the King. Prince John will have full power of Nottingham, Hood will have lost.”
 
“No. We’re not ready. And even if we were, kill the King on foreign turf, and we don’t have that land. No, the King lives. For now. But what about these people that will go running to their helpless King?” The Sheriff turned his eyes to Merton, expecting him to say the right words.
 
“Punish the families.” He said softly. Vaysey knew that poor Petie Merton didn’t want to say those words, and he grinned at the thought that he’d forced maliciousness onto this young man. He still had potential.
 
“Punish the families.” Vaysey grinned, revealing his missing tooth.
 
***
 
Robin too held a poster. Marian peered over his shoulder, reading the words written onto the sheet for the thousandth time. Why did the King need reinforcements? Why now? Was Robin thinking of returning?
 
Robin handed the poster to the nearest outlaw, unable to look at it anymore. His brow furrowed in thought as Will showed the poster to Djaq. Daine tried to read what was on his mind, but his face was too closed even for her. And the look on Adrian’s face was worrying her. He was thinking of going. She could tell, she could see it in his eyes.
 
“Robin, what do we do?”
 
“Do we go?”
 
“Master?” The questions got nowhere, Robin was lost in his thoughts. So lost that not even Marian could rouse him. The outlaws would just have to wait. They scattered themselves around the camp whilst Marian led Robin to a place to sit. She was the only one who stayed with him while he thought.
 
Daine, Allan and Much all went to Much’s kitchen, busying themselves with anything, though their thoughts never strayed far from the poster. Will worked on some repairs, the spring rains had proved quite damaging in some places. John did whatever he did when he sat alone and Djaq offered to fetch some wood for Will. Adrian followed.
 
They walked in pleasant silence for a while. Djaq was thinking over this poster. She hoped Robin saw the bigger picture. He was needed in Nottingham. The Sheriff and Prince John were obviously planning something big, which Robin needed to stop, or stall at least until the King returned. If he left for the Holy Land, the Sheriff would have what he wanted. No Robin Hood messing up his plans. But would he see that?
 
Adrian saw that. But who was to say that any of them couldn’t go? What was holding him back? He’d seen his mother, lost his father, but they’d never stopped him leaving before. But there was Djaq this time. She was with Will, but was there a chance for him? He doubted it, but he had to find out. If there wasn't then he was definitely going to fight for the King.
 
He stopped dead in his tracks and Djaq turned in surprise. The usually confident Adrian stood there, hardly able to keep the wood he’d collected in his hands. She asked if he was alright, and he took a while to answer.
 
“I’m thinking of going.” He said bluntly, suddenly looking up. Looking dead into her eyes. A hint of panic rose in Djaq, what was he thinking of?
 
“Why? You are welcome here. You are fighting for England right here.” Adrian surged forward, closing the gap so there were only inches between them.
 
“I may be welcome, but do I have a place? I don’t have anything here. Nottingham hasn’t been my home since I left seven years ago. I need to wander, and maybe when I return, this’ll be the Nottingham I know. But there is one thing keeping me here, Djaq.” Adrian gulped, building up the courage to say it. Djaq mirrored his action, she feared where this was going. “It’s you.”
 
She gasped, even though she’d seen it coming. She’d read all the quick glances away, all the burning feelings of someone watching her; she’d read them all correctly. “Adrian, I… I love Will. I’m sorry. I’m not going to leave him.”
 
The young man stepped back, head hung. “I thought that’d be your reaction. That’s why I knew I was going. I packed as soon as I heard. If I leave today, I’ll make it to Portsmouth in time.”
 
Djaq put her hand onto Adrian’s shoulder, and he looked up into the mysterious face he’d fallen for. “I wish you all the luck in the Holy Land. You’ll make us proud.” A silent nod was exchanged and the two headed back to camp. Adrian thought of how to tell them all. Not everyone needed to hear the full reasoning for his leaving, but Daine did. She had the right to know, even if she’d already guessed.
 
***
 
Peter returned to Merton shortly after the Sheriff’s meeting. Vaysey was composing a proclamation stating that those who went to the King’s aid were sentencing their families to a worse life. He did not want to be part of it. He kept trying to tell himself that the Sheriff had already thought of the idea, and that he wanted someone else to say it. As one of his little games he liked to play. But there was always that voice of doubt telling him that it was all his idea. All he could do was pray for the souls of those he’d condemned.
 
Maggie, even in her state of grief, saw his plight and did everything to make it better for him. Peter refused her fusses, telling her she should rest – she’d had a hard week.
 
“Peter Michael Merton.” Maggie snapped. Using his full name often got Peter to listen to her. It was something all parents did to their children, but Maggie had to wonder if it was his father’s name that silenced Peter now. “I can’t. I have to keep going, it’s what Brian wanted me to do. My heart is broken and wants to give up; but England isn't fixed. Only then can I stop. I mourn my husband when I can, but right now, you need me.”
 
“I’m sorry Maggie. I didn’t know these tasks kept you going. I was just doing what I thought was best for you.”
 
“I know,” Maggie sighed, cupping Peter’s head in her hand so she could look at the sad eyed Lord. She knew exactly what the sorrow was for, or rather who. He’d known her for not even a day, but he’d given his heart to Thayet and missed her sorely. She now resided in a small town on the outskirts of Scarborough with a young woman named Eve – who Much had been delighted to see apparently – but Peter couldn’t see her. Not for a while. “But doing something is best for me. Now what do you want for lunch?”
 
Peter mumbled his response and received a motherly smile from Maggie. Whatever she cooked, he’d eat it – she’d make sure of it – and she could put the leftovers into a basket for the outlaws.
 
***
 
Robin had just about come out of his thoughts when Djaq and Adrian returned with wood for Will. She gave a quick kiss, not to rub it in Adrian’s face but to calm her upset nerves. Will smiled that smile that lit up his face and wrapped an arm around Djaq. She shared the smile, but it soon disappeared as Adrian stepped into the centre of the camp.
 
Robin hadn’t noticed what the rest had. Adrian was about to announce his news, but Robin spoke first. “There’s nothing we can do. Not until we know what the Sheriff does. We just stay and wait, until we find anything out. It shouldn’t be long.” Marian came to Robin’s side and nudged him. He looked at her, confused and a little annoyed, but then he followed her line of vision. He spotted Adrian, fidgeting on the spot. “What is it?”
 
Daine looked to her friend, fearing the worst. He can’t be thinking of doing it. He can’t!
 
“I’m going.” Adrian looked over his new found friends, the look lasting slightly longer on Djaq but that was to be expected. Daine found tears burning at the corner of her eyes. “I’m going to go to the Holy Land and fight for the King.”
 
“What?” Allan had expected the call to have come from Robin, or Much, but it was Will. “Why?”
 
“There’s nothing here for me in England. I remember a better Nottingham and I feel out of place. You have been good friends to me, but it’s time for me to move on.” He nodded to Djaq, but only Daine noticed.
 
Robin stepped forward, putting his hands on Adrian’s shoulders. Quietly, he said, “Horrors await you in the Holy Land my friend, but any man can see that your mind has been made up. I wish you luck and good health.”
 
“When do you leave?” Much asked, stepping up to Adrian as well. Soon the outlaws formed a smaller circle around him.
 
“Tonight, or sooner. If I am to reach Portsmouth in time.” The outlaws each in turn said their goodbyes to the young man, all except Daine. She stood there still as a statue on the outskirts of the circle looking broken. Once Adrian had detangled himself from the mass of best wishes, he walked over to Daine.
 
“Why?” She croaked, blinking the tears that were obscuring her vision.
 
“Because I couldn’t cope.” He said honestly. “This is not my Nottingham.”
 
“It’s more than that isn't it.” Her voice wavered. “It’s Djaq.”
 
He nodded. “Yes it is. I can’t handle the fact that she is with Will. Don’t get me wrong, I wish them all the happiness in the world, but there will always be that resentment. I can’t control it.”
 
“But you can’t avoid it!” She cried.
 
“I probably can’t. But I can get away from doing something stupid. And who knows, maybe glory will serve as a replacement.” He hugged his friend tightly. “Daine you are the little sister I never had, can’t you not be proud of me.”
 
“I am. It just makes me sad. Seeing you leave when you’ve only just arrived. I want to see you again. If you die in the Holy Lands, when we see each other in Heaven, I will kill you again.”
 
“I’ll return. You haven’t seen the last of me Daine Alexis Merton.” She playfully hit him for the use of her full name but smiled.
 
“I better not have.” She stepped out of the hug and the outlaws surrounded them. “You better get going if you’re to get to Portsmouth.”
 
Adrian nodded, accepting the reins of a horse handed to him by Allan. “Say goodbye to my mother for me please. And good luck with the Sheriff, give him a kick for me.” A ripple of laughter spread through the outlaws, and they watched Adrian speed off like proud parents. He’d do well in the Holy Land.
 
***
 
The following morning, on a trip to Clun to deliver food, the outlaws found the Sheriff’s response. Will held the proclamation in his hand, outstretched to Robin. “He’s punishing the families of those who leave, to deter others from going.”
 
“What?” Daine exclaimed as Robin took the sheet from Will. “The family?” Will nodded gravely as Daine gawped back in horror. They all knew what it meant if the Sheriff found out that Maggie’s son had gone. “Maggie…”
 
“Daine, we won’t let a thing happen to her.” Daine nodded to Robin's promise, but she didn’t know if he’d be able to keep it. Maggie wasn’t exactly the Sheriff’s favourite person right now. By his books, she should be dead and the Sheriff wasn’t fond of the ‘dead’ walking. Once he knew her son had gone, there’d be Hell for her for certain. “Right now, though, all we can do is find out who has gone. Split up and meet here in an hour. Then we do the same in Nettlestone, Locksley, Merton and Knighton.”
 
They nodded and went off into their groups. Allan took Daine’s hand as they headed off. “You ok?” He asked.
 
“As fine as expected.” She said, obviously putting on a brave face. You didn’t need to have Daine’s level of face reading to see it. She may be able to read people like books, but she couldn’t cover her feelings very well. Allan had to stop her. He walked in front of her, pushing her to a halt. “Allan! Stop it! We have a job to do.”
 
“Daine, I have to know you’re ok.” She tried to push past him after answering him, but Allan held her firm. “You’re not ok. You’re upset and worried. And it’s going to affect your judgement.”
 
“Allan!” She yelled, voice cracking though she’d deny it if he pointed it out. “I’m fine. We have to do this.” She tried to push past him again, and he held her on the spot. She let out an exasperated sigh, turning her head to push back tears she could let fall. Not yet anyway.
 
“Daine, I can see you’re not. I’m worried about you that’s all.”
 
“I can’t stop. This has to be over with. Just let me get on with it.” She pleaded. Allan eventually gave in, stepping back to her side. He held her hand tightly as if to stop her falling. She would crash soon. She’d been bottling it up since Brian’s death. Allan just she could make it to the end of this fandango before she did.