Aftermath

Chapter Five: Return to Normalcy

Another month had passed, and Robin had almost fully recovered from his experience at Nottingham Castle. He was eating better and had fewer nightmares. Everyone was glad about that; especially Robin.

Talk began again of getting revenge on the Sheriff. Robin had returned to camp after a short stroll in the forest to find his men plotting ways to get back at the Sheriff.

“What are you talking about now?” he asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

“How we should get even with the Sheriff for…what he did…to you,” answered Will.

“Wanna join us?” asked John.

Robin shook his head.

“Thank you, but no,” he replied.

****

After Robin had left, Much said, “What was that all about?”

“It appears that Robin does not wish to exact revenge on the Sheriff,” stated Shamir.

“That’s odd,” said John, scratching his head, “why not?”

The others merely shrugged. They were equally at a loss.

****

Robin immediately sought out Marian after leaving his men. He soon found her mending one of Much’s tunics.

“Robin, what is it?” she asked, gazing upon Robin.

“It’s nothing,” he answered, “I’ll be fine in a few moments.”

“Robin, tell me what’s wrong,” demanded Marian, not angrily, “I can tell something is bothering you.”

Robin shook his head.

“It’s nothing, Marian. Really.”

Marian set her sewing materials aside and stood up. She approached Robin. He stood with his arms crossed and looking down towards the ground. His posture was slightly more slumped than usual, and he was unusually unsure of himself. She really hated seeing him like this. It was heartbreaking.

She wrapped her arms around Robin’s shoulders.

“I only want to help and I can’t do that if you keep everything inside like this,” she said, quietly.

Robin nodded slowly.

“I know,” he replied, “I’ve been reliving a portion of my life that I really wish I could forget.”

“The castle?” asked Marian.

“Yes. The others are plotting revenge as we speak. I know they mean well, but all they’ve accomplished so far is spark a series of very unpleasant memories,” remarked Robin.

“Do you wish them to stop?” asked Marian.

“If they truly wish to seek vengeance they feel I deserve, I will not stand in their way,” said Robin, “but I do not plan to be around while they do so, nor will I participate in any of their plans.”

****

Robin was sitting high up in a tree, when Will and Much found him.

“What’cha doin’, Robin?”

Robin looked down at his two friends.

“Sitting in this tree,” he replied.

“What fer?” asked Much.

“Just thinking,” replied Robin.

“What about?” asked Will.

“Nothing terribly important, I’m afraid,” answered Robin.

****

Will was finishing his watch. Marian stood at the base of the tree and looked up at him.

“Robin appears to be better,” commented Will.

Marian nodded.

“Yes, he does,” she agreed, “but he’s still not really the same.”

“I doubt he ever will be,” replied Will.

“I think you’re right,” said Marian, “I don’t think anyone could come out of that completely unchanged. Not even Robin.”

Robin was on his first watch shift since before he was kidnapped. It felt good to have regained that level of normalcy. Everything went smoothly and soon it was time for Robin to wake Much and go to sleep himself.