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Wish I Could Love You Out Loud	By : MelissaMaxwell Category: > Robin Hood Views: 2039 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
A/N: Sorry it took so long to post this chapter! Writer's block and other projects. No smut, just plot and some twitterpation. Maybe next time.
Andrew sighed as he packed up camp to move on. He had been searching Sherwood Forrest for nearly a week and no sign of his brother. If he didn't find him soon, he'd have to return home. Then what? Andrew had been plagued by nightmares since he saw his brother being raped. (For in his mind, it was rape.) He had visions of finding that Aubrey hung himself in shame. He imagined Henry dragging Aubrey away in the dead of night and killing him. Andrew hoped and prayed his brother was still alive, or, barring that, in a state where he could receive a Christian burial. He looked at the sword Edmund the Smith had lent him. Would he have to use it?
It was soon that he heard footsteps. "Show yourself!" he demanded, sword drawn. What he saw was a young lady somewhere between girlhood and womanhood. Andrew sheathed his sword. "Well, if it isn't Edith Shepherd." he sneered. "Be glad you're a girl! Else I would pummel you for what your brother did to mine!"
"My brother never hurt anybody!" Edith snapped.
"Oh? Why did he run away then?"
"Because he was going to be burned at the stake, you twit!"
"A civil tongue, young lady!" A thought occurred to Andrew. "You didn't by any chance help the little pederast escape, did you?"
"Humph! You'll never know!" Edith said peevishly.
"What are you doing out here anyway?"
"That's for me to know and you NOT to find out!" She stuck out her tongue and stalked off.
"If you do anything to help that sodomite, you'll be marked a wolf's head!" he called after her. Edith kept walking, pretending not to hear him. "Don't think they'll go easy on you for being a girl! They'll hang you just as well!" She disappeared into the trees. *Oh, why should I bother about her anyway?*
Edith trembled. She was afraid to be in the woods alone. She knew her parents would be angry at her for leaving. But, she had to know. Something in her gut told her Henry was in these woods. Another gut feeling- one she had been ignoring- told her that her brother had not hurt Aubrey. She had to find him. Had to know the true story. Had to say good-bye to him before the family moved.

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"Wanna come hunting with us, Little John?"
"I can't, Mark." said the large man. "Friar Tuck wants to talk with me and Rolly before we marry on the morrow. Otherwise, I'd love to."
"Ah. I understand. Another day, then." said Mark.
"After the wedding, I'm taking Rolly back to my hometown to meet my sisters. We may be gone for a fortnight or more."
"Such a long time." Mark sighed.
"Don't think I won't miss you, lad. Robin's promised me quite a party tonight while Marian slips the girls into Castle Fitzwalter to make Rolly's dress."
"As long as there's plenty of mead, it should prove to be a good party."
"Why don't you invite Henry and Aubrey to go hunting with you? It will be a good way to get to know them better."
"Good idea, John. I'll do it."
Mark saw Aubrey returning from the lake. *He must really like bathing.* Mark thought. *He goes every morning with Henry and stays for a long time.* "Aubrey!" he called out. "Aubrey, my brothers and I are going hunting. Would you and your brother like to come with us?"
"My brother?" Aubrey remembered the charade. "Oh, yes, Henry, he'd like that. But, I'm not much good for hunting, I'm afraid. I'm terrible at archery and, well, I admit to being a tad bit squeamish."
"Best get over squeamishness if you plan to make it in the woods." Mark suggested.
"Yes, I suppose you're right."
"You may want to try and improve your archery too."
Aubrey shook his head. "It's my eyes. Everything more than several paces away looks blurry."
"Well, I suppose there's no helping that." He saw Henry returning from the lake. "Henry!" Mark called out. "Henry, would you like to go hunting with us?"
Henry looked at Aubrey. "Oh, you go ahead, if you want." Aubrey said with a smile. "I'd only trip you up."
"Well, alright." said Henry.
Matthew and Luke showed up with bows and quivers. Luke carried a scroll. "You lads ready to watch me bring down another stag?" asked Matthew.
"Not if I bring it down." said Mark. "Or Henry. He's coming with us."
"Well, just remember, Henry." said Matthew. "Whoever makes the killing blow doesn't have to carry it back."
Luke flushed as he handed the scroll to Aubrey. "Thanks for letting me borrow it."
"You're quite welcome."
"Well," said Henry. "I suppose I should get a bow and quiver together." He smiled a good-bye at Aubrey and went away with the triplets.
Aubrey met up with David of Doncaster. "One crown." he said. "And give it back tomorrow morning."
"Pleasure doing business with you." David paid the one crown rent and walked away with the scroll. Agnes called out to Aubrey. Aubrey was glad to have rented the scroll out. It would've been embarrassing to stand before Agnes holding such ribald works.
"Aubrey, tell yer brother I wanna look at his wounds." said Agnes.
"He went hunting with your sons, ma'am." said Aubrey.
"Ach! If he pops those stitches, all four of those lads are goin' over me knee!" Aubrey stifled a giggle. "Do you know what chamomile is, lad?"
"Yes, ma'am." said Aubrey. "I know it by look and by smell."
"Good lad. Would ye be so kind as to fetch me some?"
"I'd be glad to." Agnes gave him a basket and Aubrey went off in search of the healing herbs.
Aubrey walked until he came upon a glen where several small, white daisy-like flowers were growing. He picked one and smelled it. It was a light, sweet, floral scent that made him feel calm and relaxed. This was chamomile. Aubrey picked the flowers and put them in the basket.
Andrew couldn't believe his eyes. There was his brother, alive and well, picking posies like he hadn't a care in the world. He swallowed the lump in his throat and cautiously stepped forward. "Aubrey?" Aubrey froze shock still, like a frightened deer. "Aubrey, I'm so glad you're alive!" Aubrey turned slowly. The man was standing too far away for him to see clearly, but there was no mistaking his brother's voice. He was taking tentative steps closer. "Aubrey, everything's going to be alright now. I've come to take you home!" Aubrey sprang to his feet and dashed off. Andrew pursued, calling him. "Aubrey! Aubrey, come back!"
"Leave me alone, Andrew!" Aubrey shouted as he ran.
"Aubrey, give it up!" Andrew called as he ran after him. "You know I can run faster than you."
That was true. Aubrey knew he'd never outrun his brother. He drew his scimitar and turned to face Andrew. "Don't make me use this, brother." he said.
"Aubrey, where did you get...? Oh, never mind. Just put that down and come with me. Everything's going to be just fine, Aubrey."
"I won't come with you, Andrew." Aubrey kept his scimitar at ready, though his hands trembled and his palms sweated.
"Aubrey," Andrew said gently. "Listen to me. No one blames you for what that monster did to you. Why, Jane's still willing to marry you, even! Come home, Aubrey. Everyone misses you. You'll be safer at home."
Aubrey shook his head. "I can't...I won't...."
"Aubrey, don't be an ass about this!" said Andrew. "I promised Mum, Dad and Anna I'd bring you home. What am I supposed to tell them?"
"Tell them...tell them that I love them all very much, but I can never go back. I'm sorry, Andrew. My mind is made up."
"Oh, bollocks, Aubrey!" Andrew was becoming angry. "Be reasonable! These woods are teeming with outlaws. A bow is useless in your hands. You nearly fainted when you saw the tanner slaughter that hog. Do you plan to live on those daisies you were picking?"
"Chamomile. They're called chamomile."
"You can call them ham and eggs, but they won't fill your stomach! Andrew, please! I don't know if you know this, but, Henry escaped before his execution." Aubrey didn't seem to react at all to that bit of news. "Aubrey, come home and we'll all protect you. That bastard will never touch you again if you come with me. I promise."
*That's exactly what I'm afraid of.* Aubrey thought. "Andrew, I'm sorry. Please don't ask me to explain, but I can't come with you. I love you, brother, but this is good-bye."
"You're out of your head." said Andrew. He sighed. "With all that's happened, I'd be surprised if you hadn't gone a little mad." He spoke gently, as if to a shy child. "It's alright, Aubrey, just put the sword down and let's go home."
"It's a scimitar."
"Whatever it is, you may hurt yourself with it." Andrew made his voice sterner. "Aubrey, you'll go home with me if I have to force you."
"Don't make me fight you, brother." said Aubrey. "I don't want to hurt you, but I won't leave with you."
Andrew drew his sword. "If I must fight you to force you to reason, so be it."
With a clank of metal, the two brothers dueled. Andrew was surprised by the strength and swiftness of Aubrey's strikes and parries. The only thing holding either man back was a desire not to hurt his brother, yet both were determined to fight for what they wanted. Aubrey wished to stay in Sherwood as badly as Andrew wished him to leave. The clashing of their sword blades reflected that. Aubrey did the trick Will showed him, taking advantage of the scimitar's curved blade. Andrew was disarmed. He raised his hands in supplication to his younger brother, a bit surprised at his defeat. "Will you kill me now, brother?" he asked. "Are you that far gone into madness?"
Aubrey sheathed his scimitar. "I cannot spill my brother's blood." he said. "Andrew, look at me. Do I look like a madman? Do I speak as one?" Andrew regarded his brother. His hair was a smooth red sheet rather than the betangled mass of a derelict. His clothes were more rumpled than usual, but in good repair. While Aubrey's green eyes glinted with a defiance Andrew had never seen in his brother; the blank gaze associated with madmen was completely absent. His complexion was good, even if a bit flushed. He was no thinner than usual. Somehow, in these woods, Aubrey managed not only to stay healthy, but to thrive. He was stronger somehow, both in body and mind.
"No, you're not mad. I can see that." said Andrew. "But, you have changed, somehow."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Andrew." said Aubrey. "I feel just the same as always. I hope you understand now that I have no desire to return to Nottingham with you. I'm not at liberty to explain everything. Just know that I am happy and safe. Please, do try and be happy for me. Just as I am happy for you and the rest of our family." Andrew could only stand in shock at Aubrey's calm words as his brother came forward and hugged him. "Fare well, brother." Aubrey kissed his brother's cheek and retrieved his basket of chamomile before leaving the way he came.
Andrew was in a quandary. What to do? Follow his brother? Let him go? He called out to him. Aubrey neither stopped nor turned his head.

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"The deer are making themselves scarce today." Matthew observed.
"Oh, I don't want a deer anyway." said Luke. "I want to catch a nice fat rabbit."
"We need enough food for everyone." said Mark. "A rabbit will only provide enough meat for two people."
"Or one person named Luke." laughed Matthew.
"Should we split up?" Henry suggested.
"That's an idea." said Matthew. "You and me will go north. Mark and Luke can go south. We'll meet back here at noon." The hunting part spit up.
Mark and Luke examined the forest floor for tracks. "Something rather large has been through here." Mark said, pointing at various snapped twigs and broken bramble.
"A deer, perhaps?" asked Luke.
"I don't see any hoof prints." Mark looked around as he readied an arrow. There was a rustle in the brush. Mark shot an arrow at the noise.
"You almost killed me, you idiot!" a girl's voice screamed.
"Who's there?" Mark demanded, knocking another arrow. "Show yourself!"
A young lady came out of the brush, arrow in hand. "Just who do you think you are?" she scolded, shaking the arrow at Mark, who was lowering his bow. Who would fear an angry, unarmed girl? "You hear a sound and you shoot without thinking! You could have killed me, you great stupid lunkhead!"
"If you hadn't been skulking in the woods like an animal," Mark retorted. "I wouldn't have shot at you! What's a silly girl like you doing out here off the main road and scaring off all the game?"
"If I'm so silly, why should you care? You pin-headed oaf!"
"Listen, if you weren't a girl I'd smack you so badly you'd...."
"Hold, Mark." said Luke, who had been gazing upon the girl since she emerged from the brush. *She's so pretty!* Luke thought for the fifth time since he first saw her. "Arguing won't solve anything. Miss, I do apologize on behalf of my brother." Mark glared at Luke. "I'm sure he wouldn't have shot if he knew it was at a person and not an animal. I for one would be very sorry to see such a beauty come to harm."
"I'm not beautiful." The girl tried in vain to hide her blush.
*She's so pretty!* Luke thought again, feeling his insides squirm. "My name is Luke. May I ask your name?"
"I'm Edith the Shepherd's Daughter." she said with a smile that made Luke's heart do back flips. Mark looked like he was going to be sick as he stared at his brother.
"Well, Edith," said Luke. "These are dangerous woods to be in all alone. Would you like some company?" Mark rolled his eyes.
"Well, I'm sort of looking for somebody." said Edith.
"Who is it?" asked Luke. "Maybe we can help."
"So much for roast venison." Mark sighed.
"Oh, Mark, we have a damsel in distress here." said Luke. "We have to help her. I apologize once more for my brother's rudeness, Edith."
"Are you twins?" Edith asked, realizing the two were remarkably similar in appearance.
"Not exactly." Luke laughed.
"You're right." said Edith. "You're not so alike. You're much more handsome, Luke."
"He is not!" Mark protested. Edith stuck her tongue out at him.
*She's even got a pretty tongue!* Luke thought. "Edith, who are you looking for?"
"My brother, Henry."
Luke and Mark shared a look. Was she looking for their Henry? "What does Henry look like?" Luke asked.
"Well, he's rather tall." said Edith. "About as tall as you two, but broader. He has blond hair in a sort of pudding bowl cut and blue eyes and...he probably has some scars on his back."
The brothers shared another look. That was Henry. "Edith," said Luke. "Are you by any chance looking for another brother besides Henry?"
Edith shook her head. "All my other brothers and sisters are safe at home. I'm really worried about Henry. Have you seen him?"
"Are you sure you're not missing another brother?" asked Mark. "A red haired chap named Aubrey?"
Edith shook her head. "I know someone like that. A friend of Henry's, but, well, that's a very long story that I'd rather not get into."
Luke and Mark shared another look. What was going on? "Edith," said Luke, looking into her eyes. "We've met your brother."
"What? Where is he? Is he alright?" Edith asked breathlessly.
"He's just fine." said Luke. "In fact, he's off hunting with our brother, Matthew. We plan to meet up with him at noon. We'll take you to him."
"Y-you will? Oh, I'm so happy!" Edith embraced Luke.
*So am I!* Luke thought with a smile, hugging the girl.
Hours later, Matthew and Henry were making their way back to the designated meeting spot, carrying their quarry. "Pity the deer were so scarce." said Matthew.
"Oh we have enough birds and rabbits to satisfy everyone." said Henry, who carried a dead cockerel pheasant in one hand by its feet. His other hand slung a string of several dead rabbits over his back. He winced when one kicked him and sprung free. "That one wasn't as dead as we thought." Henry said as it leapt away, leaving a bloody trail. Henry gave the rest of the quarry to Matthew. "I'll catch him. A wounded rabbit can't get that far."
As Henry went off to chase the rabbit, Matthew heard his brothers call his name. "Coming!" he called back. Matthew met his brothers and their new friend. "Well, that's not a deer." he said with a smile. "Not even a rabbit. Have you lads forgotten everything about hunting?"
"Now I see why you're not twins!" the girl laughed. "You're triplets."
"Her name's Edith." said Luke. "She's looking for Henry. Apparently, she's his sister."
"Well, he put up a fight." Henry came forward with a dead rabbit. "But I got him!"
"Henry!" Edith ran to him and embraced him. "Oh, Henry, I missed you so much!"
Henry stood in shock. "Edith? Edith, what are you doing here?"
"Henry, Henry, I missed you so much!" Edith was crying. "Everyone at home does!"
"Not everyone, I'm sure." said Henry, stroking her hair.
"Dad won't admit to it, but I'm sure he misses you too. Henry, you're his oldest son! He can't help but love you. Maybe-maybe if you come home, he'll forgive you."
"And maybe pigs will fly." Henry said gently, hugging his sister.
"Not if you tell him what really happened." Edith protested. "Surely there must be some mistake. Or someone just lied about you. I know you'd never hurt Aubrey."
"It's true, sister, I wouldn't. I never did anything Aubrey didn't want."
"W-what are you saying, Henry?" asked the bewildered girl.
"Would someone tell us what's going on?" asked Matthew.
"Henry," Edith clung to her brother. "Dad wants us all to move! I-I don't want to leave you! I love you! I don't care what you did, you're my big brother!"
Henry patted his sister's back. "That's good." he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. "You can go somewhere else. Start over. Be happy."
"We can't be happy without our big brother."
"Edith, you're a big girl now. And you need to go home. Everyone there needs you more than ever now." He kissed her forehead. "I love you, little sister, but we must part ways now." He turned to the triplets. "Would one of you be so kind as to escort my sister home?"
"I'll do it!" Luke quickly volunteered.
"Thank you." said Henry before turning back to his sister. "Now, Edith, you be a good girl and go home. Luke will look after you. He's a good man. If you must tell anyone in the family anything, tell them I love them."
"It was you, wasn't it?" asked Edith. "You put those jewels and gold where we could find them."
"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about."
"You can't fool me, Harry."
"I suppose I can't, can I?" Henry smiled sadly. "How long before the family moves house?"
"A few days, I guess. A week, perhaps. Dad wants to sell some things first."
"Good. Tomorrow night, you'll be left a special surprise in the barn."
"What is it?"
"A surprise. You'll see it the next morning." He kissed her again. "Go home now. Be happy." He took up the rabbits and walked back to camp before she could see his tears.
"Where do you live, Edith?" Luke asked sadly.
"This way." she sighed.
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Wish I Could Love You Out Loud