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 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.