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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
- 6
- 7
- 8
No smut here! Just smarm and a little back-story on Rolly. Oh yeah, and plot. :P

Aubrey was naked and wet. He smelled like lavender and was oh so kissable. Henry found it hard to leave his side, but knew he must. "They may suspect something if we show up together." Henry said, trailing a hand over Aubrey's arm. "Count to 100, then return to the camp." He gave a light headed Aubrey one last kiss before getting dressed and going back.

Henry knew he was walking a bit stiffly thanks to his recent playtime with Aubrey. He tried to school his features into an expression of indifference, but couldn't fight the smile that relaxed onto his face. He felt good all over. His euphoria was laced with the concern that the Merry Men might guess what he had been up to. Well, no one saw it, no one could prove it.

"Fruit?"

Henry froze and slowly turned to the person who spoke. "I beg your pardon?"

"Would you like some fruit?" It was the man who bragged about his arm nearly being taken by a bounty hunter. He had a basket of fruit and was offering Henry a plum.

"Oh. Yes, thank you." Henry took the plum and took a bite.

"How's your back today?"

"Better, thank you."

"Where's your brother?"

Henry almost said "Which one?" but remembered that Aubrey was now his brother. "W-washing up. He wanted to have a bath himself."

"I see." said the other man, inspecting a peach from his basket. "Oh, my name's David, by the way. David of Doncaster." He took a bite of his peach.

"Doncaster? Is it true what they say about the Earl of Doncaster?"

"What, you mean that he's a poof in tights?"*

"So, he is?"

"Well, I never had his company before, so I can't say. I do know if he is, he got off too light. All he got was a nice vacation in the Holy Land."

"You-er-think he should have been burned?"

David chewed a bit of peach as he though it over. "Well, I don't know. Burning alive sounds like a barbaric way to do away with someone. Hanging's more quick-like. I do think that an Earl should be punished the same as a commoner." David shrugged his shoulders. "But, that's the way of the world. Nobles get away with everything while peasants suffer. It's all I can do to make sure a few don't suffer quite so much."

"So, if the Earl had been a commoner, you'd think he should be hanged for his crime?"

David seemed to need a moment to think about it. "Well, I suppose if one fellow wanted to go bugger another fellow, it'd be no skin off my nose. Long as I didn't have to hear it or see it. But, I'm not an expert on law, so what do I know?"

"Well, the Church says it's wrong."

"The Church says a lot of things." David tossed away the peach pit. "Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm a believer. I thanked the Lord profusely for letting me escape that bounty hunter with nothing more than a scar and a story. I believe that all things are God's will. I don't like the idea of hanging someone, particularly since I could hang for my crimes. I think if God really wanted someone dead, then they would simply be dead. But, if someone must be executed, hanging would be better than burning."

"I suppose you're right, David."

"So, Henry, bet there's a ripping story about how you got those lashes!"

"It's...not terribly interesting."

"Oh, I see. Too recent to feel comfortable about telling it? Well, a year or so from now, it may even seem funny. You'll be annoying people with your brave tale for years!" Henry grinned weakly. "Oh, here comes your brother now. Maybe he'll tell me the story."

Aubrey had counted to 100 a bit rapidly and was now joining Henry and David. His hair was still mildly damp and clung to his head. Henry tried not to smile when Aubrey got close enough for him to smell the lavender he had washed with. Aubrey tried not to meet his eyes. "Aubrey," said David. "Your brother is too modest to tell me how he got his lashings. Care to enlighten us?"

"You want to know why Henry got whipped?" Aubrey knew he'd have to think up a story and think it up quick. "Well, there's an interesting story behind that. You're familiar with the Sheriff of Nottingham, I suppose?"

"All too familiar." David said with a frown.

"Well, I trust you're not as familiar with him as Henry was with the Sheriff's niece!" Aubrey nudged David and put on a salacious grin.

"Oh, a tale of ribaldry, is it?" laughed David. "This I must hear!"

"Well," said Aubrey. "My brother and I went hunting one day and were bringing home a brace of partridges when we came across the Sheriff's niece. Her name was...Jane, I believe. Wasn't it, Henry?"

"Ah, yes, I believe it was." Henry decided to go with whatever lie Aubrey told.

"Well, Jane came up, bold as brass and fluttered her eyelashes at Henry and asked if he'd like a little sauce to cook his bird in. And Henry said he'd need to find an oven to put his bird in first. And Jane said she had an oven he could use- a good hot one, if you catch my drift." Aubrey winked. "But, Henry's nice enough to remember his dear brother so he reminded her of my fat, juicy bird. Jane said her oven was big enough for two and she'd like to taste my bird while Henry's was cooking."

David chuckled. "What a saucy wench!"

"A saucy wench indeed!" agreed Aubrey. "There was a barn full of hay not far from where we were. She took us both there and...well, I don't like to kiss and tell."

"Oh, tell! Do tell!"

"Well, you know how when you roast some animals you spit them, with the rod going in one end and out the other? That's how our rods were on the Sheriff's niece!"

"Oh, she didn't!" laughed David. "The hussy!"

"Well, our fun was over with once the Sheriff showed up. He bellowed 'What are you doing to my niece?' as though it weren't obvious! As I was only in her mouth, I was able to slip out, grab my trousers and run for my life. Henry, being stuck in her cunny, was a bit more hindered. I do apologize again, Henry, for leaving you to take the brunt of the punishment that I should have shared."

Henry put an arm around Aubrey, hoping it would be seen as a brotherly gesture. "It's all forgiven, Aubrey."

"Well, I certainly hope the wench was worth it." said David. "Two men at one time? I didn't realize the Sheriff's niece could be so wanton! Of course, I never realized the Sheriff had a niece until now."

"Oh, he does." said Aubrey. "She usually lives in Lincoln and only visits Nottingham ever so often. Quite free with her favors. And she's an animal once you get her on her back! You can see what she did to my neck." He pushed back his hair so David could see the fading love bite.

"Well, that is quite a story, lads." said David. "Not one you may one day tell your grandchildren, of course, but an amusing one. Here, Aubrey, have an apricot for your ribald tale." David gave Aubrey an apricot and walked on.

"Thank God for your story telling skills." Henry whispered to Aubrey.

Rolly and Donna, for their part, were making their way back to camp from the lake, hoping that no one would guess their naughty misadventure. "I'm starting to think those lads aren't really brothers." said Donna.

Rolly snorted. "If they're brothers, I'm their mother! No way could they be brothers. I mean, could you imagine the Book Brothers doing something like that?" Donna said nothing, only smiled. "Donna?"

"I'm imagining!" she grinned.

"Donna!"

"Come on, Rolly. You have to admit the Book Brothers are rather cute."

"If you go for the wiry type, I suppose. They all look the same."

"I know." Donna's grin got wider. "That makes it even hotter!"

"Donna, that's so naughty!"

"Pot calling the kettle." said Donna. "You were watching the lads go at it, same as I was."

"They looked so sweet together, Donna." Rolly sighed. "They must love each other very much. You could tell from the way they looked at each other."

Donna let out a growl. "You too, Rolly? It's official. I must be the only female alive who doesn't get all goopy over romantic mush!"

"Donna!" Will called. "Those deer won't hunt themselves!"

"Right on cue." Rolly mumbled.

Donna and Will were tracking down deer in the woods. "There!" Donna pointed at a pile of droppings with her bow. "There's been a deer around here. The spoor is fresh. It can't be very far."

"You know Donna," said Will. "Most ladies would be disgusted by deer dung and not so eager to inspect it."

"Well, I'm not most ladies, am I? Come on, I want this deer bagged sometime before noon. Help me look for tracks."

"I meant it as a complement, you know."

"You know, Will," said Donna. "Most men wouldn't bring up animal droppings when trying to complement a lady."

"Well, I'm not most men, am I?"

Donna smiled and turned her attention to the ground. "The tracks seem to be going this way. Let's go." They followed the deer's path.

"Donna," said Will. "I had an odd dream last night. Shall I tell you about it?"

"Oh, do I really want to know what goes through Will Scarlet's head at night?"

"I dreamed I was chasing a butterfly through a meadow." Donna suddenly laughed. "What's so funny?"

"The idea of you, the great, tough bandit, Will Scarlet chasing a butterfly through a meadow!" Donna laughed. "So, did you catch it?"

"Well, yes and no. I kept running after the butterfly, but it just kept fluttering away from me. Sometimes it would land on a flower to rest and let me come close, but every time I reached out to grab it, it would flutter away and I'd start chasing it again."

"Why would you chase a butterfly anyway?"

"I wasn't sure, exactly. I just knew I wanted that butterfly. I had to have it. Oddly enough, it wasn't one of those fancy butterflies. It was one of those small, yellow things. Yet, still, it attracted me somehow. I chased it all over the meadow. Finally, I stopped chasing and watched the butterfly fly away. Just when I thought I had lost the butterfly forever, it turned and came back to me, all on its own. I reached out my hand and the butterfly landed just on the tips of my fingers. That's about when I woke up." Will smiled as he remembered the feeling of bliss that washed over him when the butterfly landed. The feeling clung to him when he awakened that morning. "I seldom remember my dreams completely, but this one was so clear."

"Maybe this dream is trying to tell you something."

"Maybe- maybe it means that instead of chasing after what I want, I should wait for it to come to me."

"Well, I'll tell you this, Will. That deer isn't going to come up to us. We'd better get moving if we want any supper." She returned to following the deer's trail.

"What if," said Will. "What I want isn't something I mean harm to, but fears that I do?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Will."

"Maybe, instead of pursuing, I should just hold out a hand and hope to be met half way."

"Maybe, instead of jabbering away and scaring off the deer, you can help me track it!"

Will decided to be silent for a while. They finally came upon the deer standing by a small stream. As it dipped its antlered head for a drink, Donna shot an arrow that stuck deep into the animal's rump. Frightened by the sudden pain, the deer leaped across the stream and broke into a run. Before it could go very far, Will hit it with another arrow, bringing it down. The two ran up to their quarry. Will drew his knife and quickly slit the deer's throat to end its pain. "Rather young buck we caught here." Will commented, looking at the small antlers.

"The younger ones taste the best." said Donna. "Let's get a branch long enough to lash it to. And do let's be careful skinning it. I want the hide to make a jacket."

Rolly self-consciously tugged at her clothes, hoping no one would guess what she had been up to that morning. She untied the Merry Men's horses from the makeshift hitching post and approached a blue roan mare that might have been called beautiful had it not been for the scars on her flanks. "Here, Broomstick." she said, mounting the horse. Rolly raised her hand and gave a sharp whistle, signaling the horses to follow her.

"Rolly!" Little John ran up to her and trotted along side her walking horse. "Where have you been all morning, sweetheart?"

"Oh, just some private girl business." Rolly said vaguely.

"What, that time of month already?"

"It's-it's just something I'd rather not talk about."

"I understand. You know, it's rather hard to talk to you while looking up at you."

"Now you know how everyone else feels."

"I suppose I do!" Little John laughed. He took the halter of a gray draft horse. "Here, Storm Cloud." He mounted and rode beside Rolly. They rode to a meadow where they dismounted and let the horses graze. Rolly gave Broomstick's nose a petting before letting her loose to graze. "I'll always be grateful to Broomstick." said Little John. "She led me to you."

"I still don't recall how that happened."

"Well, me, Robin and the boys were taking up Sir Richard of the Lea's invitation to winter at his castle. As we crossed the moor, we heard this shrieking sound of a horse in distress. We found your horse; cold and hadn't eaten in a while. Just when we were discussing whether or not it'd be worth the effort to nurse the mare back to health, I saw you, half buried in the snow. We were afraid we had come across a dead woman at first. But, I touched your neck and found a pulse. Marian gave me a blanket to wrap you in and I carried you all the way to Sir Richard of the Lea's castle. Thought it might be a good idea to bring the horse and put her in the stables."

"I'm glad you did."

"You had everyone confused when you finally woke up and muttered something about a broomstick. We wondered if you wanted the floor clean! Well, it was clean enough. I had been sleeping there the last couple nights, waiting for you to wake up."

"Oh, Johnny, you shouldn't sleep on the floor for some woman you don't even know."

"It wasn't all that bad. I'm used to sleeping on the ground anyway. I just kipped down on the rug by the fire. Richard's dogs thought I was their new pillow." Rolly giggled. "I found you. I felt responsible for you. Robin was afraid maybe I had my head turned by all those fairy stories about sleeping maidens. He told me that I might not like you when you woke up. So glad you proved him wrong, Rolly! Oh, you didn't flutter your eyes and smile sweetly at me when you came to, but I came to love you."

"What did I do when I first woke up? My first memories of you are so hazy."

"Well, you screamed and tried to run away from me." Little John said with a smile. "Ran right towards the fireplace. I grabbed you to keep you from hurting yourself. You fought back, weak as you were. You muttered something about a broomstick and passed out."

"I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"Rolly, you were just too sickly to put any strength in your punches. What's more, you had frostbite so we bandaged up your hands and feet. Your poor little toes just turned black and fell off."

"Only the two smallest toes on my left foot." said Rolly. "I've learned to walk without them." She sighed. "I try sometimes, to remember the first time I saw your face. I remember spending a few days in the room they gave me, living on soup and dry bread. The girls kept me company and helped me learn how to walk again. When they decided I was well enough to join everyone at dinner, Lady Harfloed leant me a gown and rouged up my face so I wouldn't look so wan. She said I could keep the bracelets." Rolly had a gold bracelet on each wrist. "I was still unsteady on my feet, so Marian let me put a hand on her shoulder. They brought me to the dining room and I saw you. And I felt this urge to run away." Rolly laughed at the memory.

"Well, Rolly, when you first woke up, you saw me standing over you. Likely, you had the wrong idea about me. Agnes said that you probably thought I was going to do something, well...untoward. If I hadn't already. I do know when you first opened your eyes all the way, you shrieked, jumped out of bed and tried to run away, stumbling as you did. I grabbed you to keep you from hurting yourself, but you probably didn't see it that way."

"Oh, that's why I remember being afraid of you." said Rolly. She laughed. "Imagine! Me being afraid of a sweet, gentle thing like you."

"I'm only sweet and gentle with the ones I love." Little John reminded her. "Agnes and Marian took over for caring for you then. They said a man's presence might upset you. You were feverish and delirious for a while. Kept asking about a broomstick. After your fever broke, you were able to tell us Broomstick was your horse's name."

"Ah, I remember that part now." said Rolly. "I was glad to know she was safe." She looked up and saw a black and white filly starting to stray off. "Jewel! Come back here!" The young horse turned back to the herd. "Always gotta keep an eye on that one."

"Rather keep my eye on this filly." Little John said, putting his arms around her and holding her close. "Rolanda, will you marry me?"

"Yes, John."

He pressed her closer to him. "I'm so happy." he whispered around the knot that suddenly formed in his throat.

"So am I." she replied, snuggling closer to his chest.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Aubrey had just finished changing Henry's bandages when Robin approached them, laughing. "David of Doncaster just told me your story, lads!" he laughed as he sat down with them. "Oh, the both of you on the Sheriff's niece at once? That's quite the saucy tale, lads!"

"Yes, saucy." said Aubrey, blushing at the memory of his own ribald tale.

"She was willing, of course?"

"She suggested it." said Henry. "You can see the love bite she put on Aubrey." He pushed aside Aubrey's hair. "You have to do a fair amount of suckling to get it that blue."

Robin examined Aubrey's mark. "Oh, that's a nice one." he said approvingly. "Well, all I can say is don't repeat this tale around Agnes unless you like the taste of lavender soap." Robin had another laugh and took a breath. "Well, lads, I've been talking with my associates and we're considering inviting you to join our band."

"You-you mean it?" Aubrey could scarcely believe it.

"If you'd like." said Robin. "If you'd rather go on to Lincoln as planned, you may. I'll even send one of my men along with you as a bodyguard until you get there. Or you may stay here. It won't be the easiest of lives, but as a Merry Man, you will have the eternal protection of the rest of the band. No doubt the Sheriff has put a price on your heads. Any enemy of the Sheriff of Nottingham is a friend of mine. In return, you will be expected to aid the Merry Men to the best of your ability and swear loyalty to the group. What do you say to this?"

Neither boy spoke for a while. "I-I think we may have to think about this." said Henry.

"Take as much time as you like." said Robin. "We have agreed to offer you our hospitality at least until Henry's stitches are removed. My friends and I aid those who need our help in any way we can. That may mean taking a bit here and there from the rich who have lived off the backs of the poor. There is a bit of payment to Merry Men who assist with certain 'jobs'. It's based on merit. Are either of you very good at archery?"

"Henry is." said Aubrey. "And he's good with a sling. I'm afraid I can't see far away targets very well."

"About how far do you think you can see?" asked Robin.

Aubrey looked about. "Well, I can see Friar Tuck over there by the hedges, but everything past him is just all blurry."

"That's about fifty paces, I think." said Robin. "And let's admit, Friar Tuck is a hard target to miss. Well, not everyone can be an archer. Can you fight with your fists?"

"I-um-I don't get in many fights." said Aubrey. "But Henry and I wrestle sometimes." Aubrey flushed when he remembered how their wrestling matches usually ended.

"How about the staff?"

"I've practiced with Henry. I think I'm fairly well at it."

"The sword?"

"Never touched one."

"Do you think you could learn?"

"I-I don't know. I played at sword fighting as a child." Aubrey laughed a bit when he remembered the games he played with sticks. "But I could never afford a real sword."

"You forget, Aubrey, we're thieves." said Robin. "We need something, we take it. Or at least the money to buy it. I think you could learn to use a sword. You only need to be able to see to the tip, and that's far shorter than fifty paces."

"Are you sure? I-I'm not all that strong."

"Training with the sword will *make* you strong." said Robin. "And the sword isn't all that heavy anyway. This one I'm wearing is only three pounds." Robin had a sword sheathed at his hip. He stood and drew it. "Here, try holding it yourself." Aubrey stood and tentatively took the pommel Robin offered to him. "Your hands are a bit bigger than Marian's." said Robin. "If her tiny hands can wield a sword, yours can. Now, come, take a good grip on it." Aubrey stiffly put his fingers around the handle. "A good grip! Good God, man, it won't bite you!" Aubrey wrapped both hands around the handle and held tight as Robin let go. "You only need one hand for that sword, Aubrey. You'll need your other arm for balance. Just see if you can hold the blade up." Aubrey held up the blade, pleased to find it wasn't quite as heavy as he thought it would be. "Very good, lad! Now, I want to see how you swing it."

"You...want me to swing it?"

"Like this." Robin stood behind Aubrey and showed him how to grip and swing the sword as Henry scowled. "Henry, you'd do well to stand back, as would I." They stood back and watched. Aubrey swung the sword, then winced at the sudden spasm in his shoulder. "Not bad. Just needs practice." Aubrey gave back the sword and rubbed his shoulder. "Anything else you can do?"

Aubrey flushed darkly. "I-er-I can weave." he murmured. "And dye."

"They're useful skills." said Robin. "Sometimes I need a disguise to help me pull off my job and cloth can be hard to come by. Agnes tells me you're good with herbal medicines. And I like the way you've done Henry's bandages. Given training you could be a decent healer one day."

"Maybe." said Aubrey.

"No maybe about it!" Robin clapped him on the back. Well, no doubt I've given you and your brother a lot to discuss. I'll leave you to it." Robin sheathed his sword and walked off.

"Well, he seemed to like you." Henry said bitterly, starting to walk away.

"What's wrong with him liking me?" Aubrey jogged to catch up with him. "He likes you too."

"He was looking at you the whole time." Henry grumbled as he walked.

"Yes, Harry." Aubrey said patiently. "People look at people when they talk to them."

"And Robin did a lot of talking. And touching. Put his arms around you, touched your hands. Patted you on the back."

"He was showing me how to use the sword!" Aubrey smiled as an idea occurred to him. "Henry, you're jealous!"

"Oh, that's ridiculous." Henry spat, not meeting Aubrey's eyes.

"Henry...." Aubrey put a hand on his lover's shoulder. He peeked to make sure no one was watching, and gently caressed Henry's arm. "Henry, dearest, Robin only paid me such attention because I need training. You're a stronger fighter than I am and don't have my vision problems. There's not so much room for improvement for you as there is for me." Henry relaxed under Aubrey's touch. "And we both know I could never compete with Marian for Robin's heart. And Robin could never compete with you for my heart."

Henry smiled. "I'm a silly, stupid ass." he said.

"You're *my* silly, stupid ass." Aubrey took a quick glance about then took Henry behind a tree for a quick kiss. "Now, why don't you rub my shoulder? If you feel like it, I'll give you a back rub tonight to break up the scar tissue."

Henry sat between the roots of the tree and had Aubrey sit in his lap as he kneaded his shoulders. "Do you really think we should, Aubrey? Join Robin Hood's Merry Men?"

"Think about it, Harry." said Aubrey. "We'll be heroes! Just like those games we played when we were kids. We can give back what the rich have taken from the poor."

"It's a lovely idea, Aubrey, but what about us?" Henry stroked the red hair before him. "What will happen if these men learn our secret?"

"Well, they can't very well turn us in to the Sheriff, can they?"

"No. And I was talking to David of Doncaster when the subject of buggery came up. He didn't seem as disgusted about it as I half expected him too be."

"And why were you talking to David about buggery?"

"Now, *you're* getting jealous!"

"I was only teasing you, love."

Henry nuzzled Aubrey's neck. "Do you really want this? The life of a wolf's head? Living outside the law?"

"We're already living outside the law, Harry. Might as well help a few people while we're at it." Henry kissed Aubrey's neck. "Ah...yes...there...." he sighed.

"I think I should stop before I mark the other side of your neck."

Aubrey took Henry's arms and wrapped them around himself. "I don't really care where I go from now on, Harry. As long as you're there. I really would like to learn to use a sword, though."

"Well, by the time my stitches come out, I think we will have made up our minds." He kissed Aubrey's cheek. "By Jesu, you smell so nice, Aubrey! I could kiss you all day long."

"I won't put up any argument." said Aubrey.

* Sorry for ripping off *Blackadder*. In the first series episode, “The Queen of Spain’s Beard”, there was suggestion that the Earl of Doncaster preferred the company of men. ("Well, who doesn't?") In the *Blackadder* special "Back and Fourth", a modern day Blackadder and Baldric use a time machine to visit Robin Hood and refer to Will Scarlet as "a poof in tights". My depiction of Will Scarlet is a bit more butch, but not without a sensitive side.
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Wish I Could Love You Out Loud