Signs of Things to Come

[robinfanatic.livejournal.com]

Title: Signs of Things to Come
Author: robinfanatic
Characters: Robin, Much; mentions Marian & Edward
Rating: G
Words: 625
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; I just want to play in their universe
A/N: take place preseries
Summary:  Much's & Robin's first encounter

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Signs of Things to Come
by robinfanatic 

A misstep sent Much tumbling. He rolled a few feet before coming to a rest, face pressed into the ground.

"Are you all right?"

Startled, Much jumped up. His heartbeat calmed when he saw the boy he'd landed beside.

Robin of Locksley's blue eyes sparkled with youthful exuberance but his face wore the countenance of a man weary with the burden of life. 

"I'm...I'm fine. I, er, didn't see that hole," Much said, brushing himself off. He sat back down then pointed toward the village at the bottom of the hill. "Do you live there? It looks like a pleasant place."

Robin nodded. "If you don't crave adventure," he sighed.

"Ha! Adventure. I would prefer food... and a bath." Much smiled dreamily.

Robin eyed the slightly older teen whose clothes were dirty and tattered. "You do look like you could use both."

"Oh no, I mean, well, yes." Much sighed. "Adventure is highly over- over- "

"Overrated." Robin stood, laying his recurved bow across his shoulders. "I don't plan to stay there forever."

"My mum always said be careful what you wish for," Much said.

Robin stared at the tall grasses brushed by the late afternoon breeze. "I have no mum," he said quietly. He pressed one end of his bow to the ground and ran his thumb along it. "No father. No family."

"Me either," Much said.

The loneliness in Much's voice made Robin's heart ache. He missed his father terribly - and there was always that sense that he was alone. But he realized he was lucky to have Thornton and Mary to watch over him. This boy, on the other hand, had no one. "I'm Robin," he said. "And you do look hungry."

"Much."

"Don't you mean 'very'?" Robin asked.

"No, I mean yes, I mean... my name is Much."

"I like that. Much." Robin's eyes suddenly grew mischievously bright. "There must be an adventure in how you came to be called that."

"No, not really, but I'll gladly tell you the story."

"There's no time for that now, Much." Robin stretched, eyeing the dust rising on the road into Locksley.

"There's not?" Much followed Robin's gaze.

Robin looked back at him. "I will let you know when I am ready to hear it," his voice a bit sharp.

Much's eyes widened. "What--"

"C'mon then," Robin called as he sauntered down the hill. "Go to the manor house. Tell Thornton I sent you for food and a bath. Perhaps a soft bed, too?"

"You sent me?" Much chuckled. "That sounds very nice but why would he listen to me?"

"Just tell him it was my idea. And then you must promise to wait for me."

"Why?"

"I have a plan."

Much was completely befuddled but before he could ask another question Robin pointed at two riders approaching the village. "They've come for me."

"Have you done something wrong?" Much eyed the older man and young girl.

"She is quite... amazing," Robin sighed.

"The horse?" Much asked.

"No!" Robin laughed. "Marian of Knighton. Look at her. She can ride, shoot bow, and climb trees nearly as good as me." He stopped, grabbed Much by the arm, and gave him an evil eye. "Don't you ever tell her I said that."

"Of course not," Much replied. "I hate climbing trees."

"You'll have to learn to like it if you want to work for me, Much," Robin called as he ambled lazily down the hill. "I hope William has saddled my horse. The Sheriff hates to be late for the Council of Nobles meeting."

"Work for-- council of--?  Who are you?"

Robin looked back with a smile. "Robin of Locksley, Earl of Huntingdon and lord of this manor."

Much got his food and bath from Thornton. And he waited.

Comments

[marjattak.livejournal.com]

This was sooo perfect and sweet. I was sorry to see it end. :D

[robinfanatic.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[neaptidea.livejournal.com]

I like the idea that Much came to Locksley by accident (and by accident I don't mean the falling into that hole...;)), not because he was sent to work there. And how the lack of family is something they have in common, which I suppose makes Robin see Much like a potential friend right away.

[robinfanatic.livejournal.com]

Yes! Exactly! Thank you for reading. :)

[jadey36]

Really like the way you've written their first meeting, and their dialogue is delightful.

[robinfanatic.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! It's always great to hear that the dialogue works. :)

[hippie-girl-31.livejournal.com]

And the rest is history, yes? This was very nice. Poor Much though...you just know he's got absolutely no idea what he's signed on for. Robin's idea of adventure would not be everyone's cup of tea, lol. :)

[robinfanatic.livejournal.com]

History except for the part where they forgot to bring Eve back. Other than that, Much is in for a wild ride! Thanks for your lovely comment. :)

[mylogiceatsyou.livejournal.com]

This is perfect as a meeting for the two of them, loved it.