Will Scarlett-A Man of Nottingham

It had been a strange night in Sherwood with the King's knights amongst them and Robin and the King talking. Throughout dinner, either Will or John had been at Robin's elbow in case he had need of them and so they could tell the others what was missed as Allan sang songs of King Arthur. Now the caves had been given over to the King and his men though Robin and the King still spoke as John and Will passed between them a wooden mug of Tuck's strongest mead.

"This is true, aye? The Good Folk 'avena taken us up an tricked us," Will asked to the darkness and John grunted before touching the blade of his dagger to Will's arm. At the touch of steel, Will and John said a prayer together and the world remained the same, King Richard illuminated by the fire's glow and Robin beside him.

"Tis true, Will though I've na idea what it means. Are we to become guards, stewards, proper men o'the land? I think I've forgotten the way o'it," John rumbled and Will grinned though it never reached his eyes.

"We'll serve Robin an the King an England isna free yet. There'll be blood an the proper king shall sit upon the throne. But we're na Arthur's men, just Robin's," Will said as he took another swig.

"Aye, we're Robin's an King Richard's an Sherwood's an alive."

"Oh aye, I'll drink to that an bein' alive to seein' Richard where 'e should be," Will lifted the mug and took a gulp before passing it to John. Then they watched the fire burn low as King Richard plotted with Robin of Locksley how a dark time would be ended.

The knight had traveled the course of England, listening or what was said and what wasn't. He heard of taxes raised beyond bearing and men had forgotten that might does not make right. At every tale he would nod and notice those who would not speak more to him, for he was a knight and all nobles did share some blood. North he went until a storm trapped in Lincoln where there were whispers of those who provided Lincoln Green for the outlaws of Sherwood.

It was always shushed around him but finally a boy not even twelve told him in a rush, "You see, sir, Robin saved me Papa. When the men came for him with whips and chains, Robin came with his men and his arrows. He said, no, this isn't right. He has done no more than you asked him and you shall ask him no more. The men did scatter like birds, angry and full of curses but have not returned. Since then he's given them good cloth, not fine, but he's never asked for that, just cloth to last them through their trials. But their trials and our shall end, milord, Richard shall return."

The knight nodded as the boy's father chased him away with an apology of how his head was full of dangerous stories.

As the winter laid its cloak upon England, the knight lay not in state but in the guest room of a fine inn where all of Lincoln and travelers upon the road spoke of the cold and what was missing. In his sight, they were quieter as they knew not who he might have been but he listened as did his men. England had changed much since he was last here but then he was not the man who had left.

There are days when the fight seems neverending and the only hope exists in Robin's eyes that see a better future for Nottingham. Now though there are rumors of Richard returning and he wants to believe that that the king will help. But he knows and he saw in Doc's eyes that they're outlaws, happy endings aren't usually given to them.

That's why he's out at the punching bag with his shirt off and hitting all the things that he can't change.

The Sheriff thought he could keep secrets from the people of Nottingham and the men of Sherwood but he forgot that all walls can listen. A message from a maid to a brother to a woodcutter and soon to Sherwood that spoke of when John was to be hung and the extra guards that had been brought in. It left little time for planning and Will saw no doors but perhaps this fight was meant for the men of Sherwood as his rescue had been.

They gathered what men they could that would risk their lives for a man of Sherwood and as always were amazed at how Nottingham rose up around them to provide weapons and information.

Too soon the time drew near and as the church bells chimed in the deep of the night, they made their way to Nottingham. The extra guards on the walls were silenced with fists and those who cried out to die soon found their wishes met. Then they waited for the dawn with the gallows rising from the market square promising death for any who stood upon it. As the light seeped through the low hanging clouds that spoke of a storm soon to come, all of Nottingham stood in the square and by their doors.

Little John was led out struggling each step of the way and if he knew who waited for him in the grey light, he gave no sign. It took four men to get him upon the scaffold and he looked at the Sheriff and said, “Ye may hang me for bein’ Robin’s man but he willna fall.”

Then he stood before the noose as an arrow flew to strike the beam above his head and the men of Sherwood emerged from shadows and cloaks. Will dealt quickly with the men on the stairs and cut John free so they stood to fight all before them. The Sheriff cried for his soldiers and there was bloody fighting as the people of Nottingham aided as they could, but it was a hard battle and the gates clanged down with Sherwood holding her men safe. Lightning darted across the sky and rain began to fall that would wash away the blood but not what brought it and kept it there. Nottingham’s scars were deep and new ones had been created, but for this day there was a measure of hope as Little John was once more a man of Sherwood.

Will is always on the lookout for doors in Sherwood, but he's not surprised when they're far between. He knows in his bones that he won't lose Milliways, but he is grateful to have some time to think on all that's passed.

Some days though there's an ache, he wonders how Guppy's children are looking, what new troubles Atton has found and if Doc's plans have happened yet. Then he fades into the hard work of surviving and protecting and Milliways moves to his dreams and memories.

Little John hasn't stopped being angry instead he seems to have become quieter, a dark and unhappy figure. Everyone treads carefully around him, Will is the only one who will yell at him and fight him but it never does enough to truly break the tension.

Finally Tuck after being told off for how the stew tastes one time too often, "If ye wish to fight, fight our enemies. Go in disguise and break some heads."

John grumbled and chose a beggars' disguise of rags and tatters before stooping his great frame with a smile, "Now I may chatter and grumble as I wish."

The men watched him go as the snow began to fall again, he would gain news and Sherwood some peace for a time.

The rain has slowed, but not fully stopped. Allan pulls up his cloak and gestures to Daiki,

"Should make things easier as all the good souls will be in the taverns drinking and quite glad to hear some fine music."

In the early morning, guards come down to grab Daiki, stripping off most of his clothing and hauling him upstairs.

There's an eerie quiet in the morning, Nottingham has never been known for burning witches, more for hanging outlaws.

Nottingham is full of strangers with the Fair and so one more won't cause any excitement.

The fights haven't started yet but they will soon and there's something to see every where.

There's a sharp chill in the air as they step through the door. Will pulls his cloak around him and moves out of the way for Atton,

"'ere we are. Could do with 'ittin' someone."

The weeks leading up to tax time felt far too long since every day there was someone to test themselves against the men.

Time to rest and sleep and recover or even to hunt disappeared into one more fight, one more person who had forgotten all they'd done. Will found some small rests in Milliways but always the grind remained.

The tax was actually a relief, to attack men who deserved it, guards paid by the Sheriff not faces they knew and the spill of gold onto the road made more sense. Distributing the tax helped to right things as faces still carrying bruises looked up in surprise at help, they hadn't believed would happen.

Finally everyone could sleep and Tuck cleaned out the pot as it was time to prepare for Winter.