Robin Hood and his Merry Men's Camp - 5 Years BDC

[Hollywood Heidi]

Robin Hood and his Merry Men's Camp

Various places Robin and his men make camp during their travels.

Events occurring 5 years before Dark Curse

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

***Robin, Rose, Snow, and Red enter from King George's Kingdom - Forest***

***5 Years BDC***

The notes of a lute filled the air as a Bard sung all about Robin and his Mens deeds throughout the realm on how the faced the likes of Evil Queens, Dark Wizards and Corrupt Governments and always came out on top most of what the Bard declared was purely fabrication, but on this day the Bard decided to tell a truer tale regarding the robbery of a corrupt Sheriff and how Robin and his Men took what he had stolen and forcibly taken from the people he was to protect and gave it back to them, not keeping a single ounce of gold for themselves.

"Welcome to our little slice of heaven for the moment any while." Robin turned to the woman and lowered his hood for the first time since meeting them. "We hath clean streams to quince thou thirst, a woman of herbs if thou have wounds and if thoust hunger we will share what little we hath. So stay and thy men and I will accommodate thee as needed."

[Hollywood Heidi]

Rose, sticking close to Red's side as they followed the band of men, whispered quietly to Red. "People still talk like that?" she asked in mild confusion, curious at how things were done out in the world and wanting to blend in. Unsure of the proper way to reply, she returned his hospitality with a smile and nod of gratitude. Now that he'd lowered his hood, she had a better look at their host. He was a handsome man and younger than she'd expected, especially when considering his old fashioned way of speaking.

[Storyteller]

The walk to Robin's camp did not take very long, filled mostly with conversation between Mary and their host. Raucous laughter from the other, aptly named, "Merry Men" made sure to keep the attention away from Red and allowed her to take stock of the man called Robin Hood.

He was a strange sort indeed. Cordial, bordering on friendly, but still held such formal speech that it was difficult to tell whether he was being sincere or counterfeit. Red was not quite sure what to make of him, even after observing him right up until the Merry Campfires came into view amongst the Merry Trees.

"Welcome to our little slice of heaven for the moment any while."
 
And then he dropped his hood to reveal a warm, open expression on a handsome face. Red had been right- he was a young man. Probably not much older than herself. But his eyes, thoughtful and deep, seemed to hold an old soul.

"We hath clean streams to quince thou thirst, a woman of herbs if thou have wounds and if thoust hunger we will share what little we hath. So stay and thy men and I will accommodate thee as needed."

It was strange seeing the young face spouting such phrases and it made Red all the more curious about what had brought Robin Hood to this moment. As if reading her mind, Rose's soft voice whispered in her ear, "People still talk like that?"

Red cracked a smile at the blonde beside her and whispered back just as quietly, "No. Not usually."

"We thank you for your hospitality, Robin and we will gladly pitch in to earn our keep." Mary assured the man. Red nodded her agreement. "It is the least we could do."

[Hollywood Heidi]

"I can cook," Rose offered. "Desserts are my specialty," she added with a smile which faltered when she recalled his mention of what little they had. This was far from her kitchen and garden at home, well stocked for her hobby of culinary creativity but in a situation such as this, all she'd learned over the years could pay off. "I can make the most of whatever provisions you have set aside for supper," she reassured.

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

"I can cook,""Desserts are my specialty,""I can make the most of whatever provisions you have set aside for supper,"

I smile and give her a short polite bow of my head "While we hath not many... provisions... Little John hath a boar from the wilds while Tuck may hath some herbs should you require. Thou shalt be able to find them at the fire down the way."

I take a closer look at the one in read, her beauty majestic wrapped in grace and tradition, her eyes shine brighter than a lake as the high noon sun hits it.  I give her a curtsey "Doth there be anything I can help thee with?

[Hollywood Heidi]

"While we hath not many... provisions... Little John hath a boar from the wilds while Tuck may hath some herbs should you require. Thou shalt be able to find them at the fire down the way."

"Thank you," she said, turning in the direction he'd indicated. She took a step and then hesitated. Mary, picking up on it, swooped in to her rescue.

"I'll show you around and make introductions," Mary said as she looped her arm through Rose's.

Rose gave her a smile, looking relieved. This was the first time she'd ever been among strangers and the first time she was not flanked by at least one of the only four people that had been a part of her life up until now. She was excited and nervous to be meeting new people and also feeling unsure and self conscious for the fact that she didn't know how to interact with people.

As Mary led her toward the fire, she sent Red a smile over her shoulder to reassure she'd be alright.

[Storyteller]

"Doth there be anything I can help thee with?"

Red's eyes widened as Mary whisked Rose away, leaving her alone with the man they called Robin Hood. She suddenly felt unsure, about to make some excuse and follow them when Rose sent a reassuring smile over her shoulder. No, she couldn't take this away from Rose. This was a huge step for her- a necessary one if this was to be their life for any period of time. Even if it wasn't...her aunts had shielded her for far too long and now she needed to prepare for the real world. It wasn't lost on Red that the same sentiment could very well describe herself and Granny. 

The sound of a beating heart snapped her back to attention and Red realized that Robin was still awaiting a reply. "No, I believe I have everything I need for now. Thank you." She fidgeted, uncomfortable with the proximity of the undeniably handsome man. "So," Small talk seemed harder now than it had ever been before and Red found herself grasping for conversation. She supposed, 'I'm a she-wolf on the run from hunters because I accidentally ate my true love' wasn't the best place to begin. "Do you always speak like that? Not that there is anything wrong with it, I've just not heard many who follow such formal speech."

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

"Do you always speak like that? Not that there is anything wrong with it, I've just not heard many who follow such formal speech."

I smiled and let out a sly laugh before running a hand through my hair and ruffling it, I wasn't sure what it was but something told me I could trust her.

"Allow me to reintroduce myself, fore I was known as Robin Hood, traitor to King Richard and made an outlaw by the Sheriff Nottingham." I hoped his change in dialogue wouldn't freak her out too much, most didn't get to hear me speak so casually. "I was formally Sir Robin of Loxley." I bowed as I introduced myself to her again. "I just wanted to look after those who could not look after themselves. It all started small and innocently enough and before I knew it I was no longer Sir Robin but had grown into Robin Hood the Outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor. So I guess I just lived into the symbol to provide hope to all those cast out. So to answer your question, no I dont always speak like that but there are not many with whom I communicate so informally."

I begin to untie my hood and remove before stretching my neck. A nagging sensation never leave me there was something special about her, maybe it was just that we both had hoods albeit of different colour.

[Storyteller]

The facade dropped and he reached up to ruffle his own hair. It was a somewhat endearing gesture, so unlike what he'd shown thus far, and it made her curious of his story. 

"Allow me to reintroduce myself, fore I was known as Robin Hood, traitor to King Richard and made an outlaw by the Sheriff Nottingham." "I was formally Sir Robin of Loxley." "I just wanted to look after those who could not look after themselves. It all started small and innocently enough and before I knew it I was no longer Sir Robin but had grown into Robin Hood the Outlaw who steals from the rich to give to the poor. So I guess I just lived into the symbol to provide hope to all those cast out. So to answer your question, no I dont always speak like that but there are not many with whom I communicate so informally."

Red took it all in- the noble cause striking a chord. She had to respect one who helped those unable to help themselves, especially at such personal cost. A small smile crossed her face, something that had not happened very often over the past several days, "It seems to me that the title of 'Sir' can be given or taken at will. But not many have the true, noble spirit of a knight. That is something that cannot be stripped away." Red paused as he fully removed his green hood and pushed her own off of her hair, not yet daring to take the garment off her shoulders until she had the opportunity to test the Dark One's claims. "I am glad to have made your acquaintance, Sir Robin." Though Mary had done introductions before they left for the camp, she extended her hand to him and continued, "Red. Everyone calls me Red."

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

"I am glad to have made your acquaintance, Sir Robin.""Red. Everyone calls me Red."

Taking her hand I kissed the back of it and followed it with a bow.

"Please call me Robin, as you said a title like Sir can be given and taken and once the king calls you a traitor you tend to lose it along with all the land and perks. But I also no longer have to pay tithe to his 'majesty'."

A longing smile unintentionally past my lips as I thought about the old homestead. It truly was a beautiful place, I hope one day after all this is over I can go back and rebuild although I wouldn't mind if Red joined me there this time.

"And please the pleasure is all mine you are after all my guest in my hearth, anything you need just let me know. I will have somewhere set up for you and your companions to rest and store whatever things you may like." I said while indicating her hood.

[Storyteller]

"Please call me Robin, as you said a title like Sir can be given and taken and once the king calls you a traitor you tend to lose it along with all the land and perks. But I also no longer have to pay tithe to his 'majesty'."

Red nodded, noting the longing on his face. The image of a little cottage on a snow covered hill passed like a vision in her mind. She had only been gone a short time, but she deeply understood a look of homesickness when she saw one. 

"And please the pleasure is all mine you are after all my guest in my hearth, anything you need just let me know. I will have somewhere set up for you and your companions to rest and store whatever things you may like."

"Thank you, Robin. For everything." Her fingers tightened around her cloak, pulling it a bit closer. "If there is anything I can do, please let me know. I have skill with a bow and experience hunting, if you need another pair of hands."

She turned to walk away but something made her turn back. Maybe it was the connection she felt with him, as hard as she tried to deny it to herself. Maybe it was the need to talk to someone who didn't know. Though while Robin had trusted her with his secret, Red was not ready to share hers with anyone else. Whatever it was, she turned back and stood before him again. "I know what it is like, to yearn for a home that you cannot return to. Why don't you tell me about yours?"

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

"I know what it is like, to yearn for a home that you cannot return to. Why don't you tell me about yours?"

A request he was more than happy to fulfill.

"Oh it was a beautiful place passed down in my family for generations, I grew up there and always thought I would pass it down to one of my children." That longing smile passes over my face again. "Was spacious and open yet always warm and cozy. It laid just off the beaten path from the core of the town, easy enough to get to yet far enough out of the way you never got unwanted visitors. Surrounding it was the most beautiful trees and flowers every season there was the beauty of a completely different colourscape surrounding it. Just down the ways there was a stream where we use to picnic and play as children."

I felt something getting caught in my throat and cleared it before getting too choked up.

"I can tell you are guarded about your past, that's fine I wont ask. If you feel the need to tell me you will when you are ready. I feel as though I can trust you so should you ever need it you will always find a home here with me... with us I mean. The men and I. In the encampment." As I struggled to make sense I could feel the warm familiar redness form in my cheeks.

Luckily there was no Little John or Will Scarlet here to see me make a fool of himself as they would not let me live the embarrassment down.

[Storyteller]

"Oh it was a beautiful place passed down in my family for generations, I grew up there and always thought I would pass it down to one of my children." "Was spacious and open yet always warm and cozy."

As Robin spoke, Red's eyes closed. Every word so vivid that she could see it. Just as beautiful as Robin said.

"It laid just off the beaten path from the core of the town, easy enough to get to yet far enough out of the way you never got unwanted visitors. Surrounding it was the most beautiful trees and flowers every season there was the beauty of a completely different colourscape surrounding it. Just down the ways there was a stream where we use to picnic and play as children."

And then he stopped. Most people wouldn't have noticed the slight catch in his voice, he so expertly hid it. But Red heard it. Her eyes opened, trying to read his face. There was more. Something that he wasn't telling her. A greater loss, perhaps? Maybe they had more in common than just their hoods.

"I can tell you are guarded about your past, that's fine I wont ask. If you feel the need to tell me you will when you are ready. I feel as though I can trust you so should you ever need it you will always find a home here with me... with us I mean. The men and I. In the encampment."

Red smiled thinly but sincerely, Peter's sweet face shining from where it was now permanently etched into her mind. "My past is still...fairly in the present," she admitted softly. "So present that it hurts like wildfire to even bring it to mind. I do appreciate the offer Robin and please know that it goes both ways. I feel we have a great deal more in common than we know."

[Hollywood Heidi]

---

SEVERAL DAYS LATER

---

For the first time since they'd arrived, Rose finally had some alone time.  She'd loved all the attention, all the people, and their stories.  They'd loved having her entertain them with song and, much to her embarrassment, were highly entertained by her innocent naivety.  It was not, by any means, a cruel mocking but rather a refreshing take of the world by someone who was first experiencing it.

She'd heard so many tales, many of them she figured to be embellished, but she did not mind.  They loved telling her their stories for where else would you find someone who was genuinely enthralled by them?  Others who have been around and heard and told many tales of their own would generally show a passing interest or try to outdo the other with some tall tale of their own but not Rose.  She sat on the edge of her seat, wide-eyed with her rapt attention, laughing with enthusiasm at the humorous parts, asking questions here and there allowing them to go into more detail or branch off to yet another story her questions had them recalling.

Rose stared at the blank parchment, quill poised to write but no words came to her.  What did one say to the family she'd left without word?  There were many things she wished to convey and she was starting to lose light.  Assurance she was alright.  Anger for the secrets they kept regarding Red.  Apologize for slipping away without so much as a note.  Determination to continue on this journey of discovery despite their warnings.  Stories of her adventures so far (pirates and bandits edited out, of course).  Which did she start with?

A bluebird landed on her knee above the parchment and chirped, causing Rose to smile.  "Well, hello there, little one."  Noticing that one wing was slightly off as the bird fluttered her wings, she looked closer and grinned with recognition.  "Blue, is that you?"  The bluebird tilted her head and trilled the few notes of the song the two of them used to sing to each other while she'd been mending under Rose's care.  Rose chuckled and repeated the notes as she ran the back of her fingers over Blue's feathers.  "Silly girl, have you been following me?"

"Friend of yours?"  Will asked as he approached.  He hated to interrupt but this was the only time he'd caught her alone, most likely due to the fact they'd given her privacy to write her letter.

"Oh!" she said, startled when Blue's wings fluttered in panic as she flew from Rose's knee to the log beside her, further from Will.  "It's okay, girl.  He's a friend," she quietly cooed.  "This is Blue," she said to Will.  "I mended her wing and had released her back into the forest but apparently," Rose fished out some seeds from her pocket, holding it out to Blue, "she formed a bond with me."  Rose gestured for him to join her.

"Well then I guess congratulations are in order," he began, careful to move slowly and leave enough space so as to avoid startling the bird.  In reply to her quizzical look, he added, "to the new mum.  She got your voice."

Rose laughed.  "Why thank you."  After a quiet pause, she looked over seeing Will fidgeting and by his expression, the gears in his mind turning as he tried to work on telling her something.  "Will, what's wrong?"

"You see, well, I been tryin' to catch ya... There's something...  Bloody hell."  Rose waited patiently.  It seemed he had the same predicament she'd just been facing with her letter just now.  He fished a folded up parchment from his coat, turning it in his hands.  "The attacks on you and your companions, thing is," one more glance to be sure nobody else was around to see, "I'm not so sure they were all after Miss Mary."  Will unfolded the Wanted poster and handed it to Rose.

"What--" Rose took the parchment and her face went ashen.  Her own image stared back at her, the words 'Wanted' and 'Reward' in sinister bold letters.  "But..." she looked back up at Will, thoroughly confused. "I don't understand."

Will and the rest knew that no one outside of this camp, save for her aunts and Red's granny, knew of her existence so he understood her confusion.  "I been thinkin' it over and I got some theories."

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

I had given her the space she needed yet I couldn't keep my eyes off her though I don't think I could even if I wanted to.  I was perched near a tree top looking down, watching over her while the sweet scent of moisture in the atmosphere filled the air. Red sat on a log as she seemed to find her way here most days and just look out at the forest I was unsure whether it was with a longing for the forest to swallow her up or a want to bring it down pulling out every root along the way. Her long flowing hair encompassed her face her beauty still a vision of precision to behold. The other night I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of her radiant beauty in the moonlight there was something striking about her eyes in those luminescent beams. It was hard to catch but there was something wild and untamed behind them that seemed to back up her gentle and exquisite frame. Something told me I didn't want her to find out I was watching over her just in case she decided to tear into me besides on the good side of this red hooded beauty was were I wished to stay.

[Storyteller]

The forest stretched out before her, dappled in dwindling beams of golden light. Somehow they found their way through despite the canopy of ancient trees overhead, the sturdy leaf filled branches doing their best to keep the wooded world in darkness. Red wondered if the sunlight might not also find its way back to her someday.

She had tried. With all her might and willpower, she vainly tried to forget. To move on. But Peter's face visited her dreams nightly, along with the men of the hunting party. Wild nightmares played out, each more gruesome than the next. Red had not had a full night's sleep since that night and it was taking its toll on her. Instead, she had taken to hunting each day. It was easy with her superior senses. She managed to bring back more than enough to feed the camp with only a few hours of work. The rest of the time was spent sitting in the forest. Somehow it was easier out there- isolated with only the sounds of the wildlife.

Mary had seen through her act right away and in a way Red was grateful for it. Occasionally, on the worst days, she accompanied Red out amongst the trees and Red was able to share the darkest areas of her soul- things that she didn't dare share with Rose knowing the heavy burden that they would bring. But Red had found a friend in Mary as sturdy as those old branches above.

When she initially heard the light breath coming from behind her, she had assumed that it was Mary. It had been another rough night. But as she picked up the faint scent of spice and a pine that only grew on the edges of the camp, she knew immediately that her friend was not the one who had followed her today. She had decided to ignore it, understanding that he must have had good reason. But when the sun had moved well across the sky with him maintaining his position, she knew that it was time. 

"You know, Robin, it is much more comfortable down here on this log than it must be crouched in the branch of a tree."

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

"You know, Robin, it is much more comfortable down here on this log than it must be crouched in the branch of a tree."

I was taken aback as she called out, how had I given myself away? I must have done something during the time I spent being perched and in awestruck but what I could not tell you. I made my way down slowly hoping she wouldn't be too upset that I was watching over her, spying one may have called it, but secretly I was glad I got a chance to talk to her again, to her the sweet inflections of her voice. A twig cracked under my foot as I reached the forest bed, I made my towards Red my face hidden under the green of my hood.

"Forgive me, I did not mean to disturbed your solace fair maiden."

[Storyteller]

"Forgive me, I did not mean to disturbed your solace fair maiden."

"Solace would mean peace. Rest easy that you are disturbing nothing." Red replied lightly, her gaze still focused forward. "I come out here for solitude but my thoughts never quite cooperate."

Then she was silent again, listening. A squirrel buried an acorn almost half a mile away, his tiny hands swiftly moving through the dirt. A nest of young robins cawed noisily for their lunch in the other direction. But none was louder than the man beside her, though he did not move to speak. The blood rushed through his veins, his heart beating in time to a rhythm she knew too well. Air, pulled in and then expelled back out of his lungs into the world. She heard everything and it brought an uncomfortable feeling of familiarity. Almost frantically, she searched for a way to break the silence. To give herself something else to focus on. Something other than what she was feeling.

Despite her hurry, she kept her tone steady. "What brings you into the forest today?" 

[The Jester Of Tortuga]

"Solace would mean peace. Rest easy that you are disturbing nothing.""I come out here for solitude but my thoughts never quite cooperate."

She seems taken for amount before calmly asking me.

"What brings you into the forest today?"

You, is the answer that springs into my head. Even doing something as simple as sitting on a log staring out into the surround forest causes her ruby coloured effervescent beauty to beam off of her. I am glad my face remains hidden beneath my head for I feel a slight warming of my cheeks just thinking about her, the girl in the red hood.

"Little John has received reports of wolves in the area and I was just keeping an eye..." I begin to to my best but lying is hardly my strong suit as I feel my heart quicken. One should never lie to a Lady and yet I did again as both my eyes were firmly drawn to her as they still were now. "Out for the people who have entrusted their safety unto me." I take a seat on a small stump near where she sat yet off to the side. "It will never cease to surprise me just how ones thoughts refuse to cooperate with ones mind especially after being coerced by life into going solo." For the first time my gaze moved past her and out into the ever infinite forest that lay before us. "The ebb and tide of the oceans of emotions the waves of what could and should have been is enough to drown and drag one down through the never ending depths." My eyes lock down at my feet as I push it all back behind the locked door from whence it came. "I don't know what is going through your head and I wont pretend to even try." I slowly lower my head and look directly at Red "But if you ever need to talk we are all here for each other, I am not saying you need to talk or tell me anything but should you need it Friar Tuck is always willing to lend an ear and give his gods forgiveness if you are one to take to that. If you need to deal with it through hitting something with a big stick Little John will be more than willing to help. Should you just need to lock it all away..." my words catch in my throat causing me to cough to clear them "Then by all means. The only thing I can tell you that will happen is here I... We are never going to let go."

[Storyteller]

"Little John has received reports of wolves in the area and I was just keeping an eye..."

"Wolves?" Red's voice was sharp as she repeated him. The quickening of his heart told her that was not his true purpose. But it did not tell her why he would lie or how the coincidence came about that his lie was about wolves. She searched his eyes as he continued, looking for some tell that he knew but she found nothing but compassion as he sat beside her.

"Out for the people who have entrusted their safety unto me."  "It will never cease to surprise me just how ones thoughts refuse to cooperate with ones mind especially after being coerced by life into going solo." The ebb and tide of the oceans of emotions the waves of what could and should have been is enough to drown and drag one down through the never ending depths." "I don't know what is going through your head and I wont pretend to even try."  "But if you ever need to talk we are all here for each other, I am not saying you need to talk or tell me anything but should you need it Friar Tuck is always willing to lend an ear and give his gods forgiveness if you are one to take to that. If you need to deal with it through hitting something with a big stick Little John will be more than willing to help. Should you just need to lock it all away..." "Then by all means. The only thing I can tell you that will happen is here I... We are never going to let go."

The soft, caring tone of his voice left her feeling unsettled and uncomfortable. She wanted nothing more than to go sprinting away through the forest, somewhere he would never be able to find her. Where he would be safe from her. Where her heart would be safe from him. Peter's face, never far, now seemed disappointed in her.

"You speak from experience," she deduced abruptly, her gaze returning to the forest and far from the man. "I appreciate the offer, Robin. But you do not the circumstances of me coming here and I hope you never do. I am not who you think I am."

[Hollywood Heidi]

Will indeed had had several theories, none of which Rose could guess the validity of as she knew very little of the world outside the little cottage she grew up in and near to nothing of the kingdoms or its people.  In her mind, all his theories seemed incredibly far fetched.  They revolved around Maleficent and those who had crossed her, most involving people of high status ranging from knights to even kings and queens.  It boggled the mind of a simple peasant girl raised in a simple peasant village.

She'd had some time to mull it over and kept coming to the same conclusion: The only person who could give her answers, who seemed to know all about her, was the one wanting her hunted down and brought to her.  Will had tried to talk her out of this foolish plan of hers but she argued adamantly, backed by the anger and pain so apparent in her words.  She felt betrayed, lied to her entire life by the very three who had raised her.  The same three who had also shared the lie with Granny regarding Red.

This Maleficent would not stop, she argued.  Only a mere day away from the sheltered life she'd lived and they'd already been attacked because of her, not because of Snow as they'd all believed.  If she stayed, she put them all in danger, she argued.  She did not care of the warnings of what could happen to her.  She only wanted answers.  The truth.  And she was determined to go to Maleficent on her own terms, not as someone's bounty.  She understood the risks and accepted them.  Whatever the outcome, at least it would end with her knowing the truth of who she really was.

Rose told him she'd go, with or without his help and even if he decided to betray her confidence to Red or the group as a whole, she would keep finding ways to sneak away.  She was done having others instruct her on how to live her life,where she could and couldn't go, what she could and couldn't do.  It was her life and she had every right to do with it as she pleased.  When he finally heaved a sigh of defeat, they began working on a plan.



Now here she was, all plans in order and on her way to face the part that would be harder for her than walking into the dragon's lair; saying goodbye to Red.

Rose took a shaky breath, blinking back the tears that already threatened.  She squared her shoulders and gritted her teeth, mentally chastising herself.  This wasn't going to be easy, lying to someone she'd always been honest to and the only person who had always been honest with her.  She had to be strong.  She had to be careful to not raise any suspicions.  No one knew her as well as Red did.

Relaxing, Rose put on her easy smile and continued, nearing the sound of Robin's and Red's voices.  Red sounded rather irked.  On the one hand, it bothered Rose but on the other, it meant her friend would hopefully be distracted by anything slightly unusual in Rose's voice or mannerisms.

"Red, may I have a word in private?" she asked with a glance at Robin perched on a tree stump.

[Storyteller]

"Red, may I have a word in private?"

Rose? Red turned, startled that she had not heard her oldest friend coming. Sure enough, the blonde appeared through the trees only moments after her voice.

This business with Robin must have completely thrown off her senses. Eager to use the escape Rose presented, and not to think about why this man had such an effect on her, Red excused herself from the him and broke away quickly. 

"You have impeccable timing!" she exclaimed once they were out of earshot. Then she gained a good look at Rose's face and immediately her temporary relief shifted to worry. "Rose, what is it? Are you alright?"

They had never talked, Red realized with a sinking feeling. After everything that happened, she was so wrapped up in her own guilt and fear...never once did she stop to see how Rose was adjusting when this step was just as tremendous to the other girl.

What a friend she'd turned out to be. 

[Hollywood Heidi]

"You have impeccable timing!"

A slight spark of curiosity over her friend's eagerness for a reason to escape had Rose sparing a distracted glance back toward Robin. Rose always pictured Red as the fight and herself as the flight.  Strange as it appeared their roles had temporarily reversed at this same moment in time.


"Rose, what is it? Are you alright?"

"Yes. Yes, everything is fine," she quickly assured.  She'd come up with a story and she'd gone over the words in her mind several times and yet, she was finding this incredibly difficult.  Betraying her dearest friend with lies, the frustration of feeling the need to, the anger and hurt toward her aunts for their betrayal, the fear of the unknown world she would venture into, the uncertainty of her fate when she faced this Maleficient, the trepidation of learning who she really was and where she'd really come from, how much she'd miss Red... it hit her all at once.

Rose swiped at the tears that escaped.  "I'm going home," she said on a shaky breath.

[Storyteller]

"I'm going home,"

It took a moment for Red to process what Rose had said, followed by a period of disbelief that she'd heard correctly. Finally she managed a single syllable, "What?"

Rose was leaving. Immediately the floodgates of emotion begged to be opened as she valiantly tried to fight it back. Her dearest friend seemed to be upset enough that Red knew better than to let her own hurt shine through. 

Yet the hurt was there, rough and raw. Throughout everything Rose had been with her. Every step of her life. She thought that they would face this new world together. How could she do it on her own?


"When do you leave?" Red finally said, after a silence that seemed much longer and tenser than it must have been. 

[Hollywood Heidi]

"What?"
 "When do you leave?"


Rose had remained as quiet as Red during the pause.  She was thankful that Red did not try to argue her out of her decision because she wasn't sure she would have made it far without breaking.  She swiped at a couple more tears that had escaped and did her best to steady her resolve.

"If we leave straightaway, we can make it back before supper tomorrow.  Will has agreed to serve as my guide," she added in an attempt to avoid more worry than necessary on Red's part and to also try avoiding Red feeling obligated to go along.  "I am so sorry, Red," she said, a hitch in her voice over all the things she was apologizing for within that one 'sorry'.

"I wanted this.  So very badly I wanted to go on this adventure with you, but... I've come to feel as if I do not know myself."  She broke off, taking a shaky breath and stopped to face Red.  She searched for the right words so that one day, if Red ever learned the truth, she could reflect back and understand that her words had been more than just a metaphor.  "I need to figure out who I am."

[Storyteller]

"If we leave straightaway, we can make it back before supper tomorrow. Will has agreed to serve as my guide," "I am so sorry, Red," 

Will? Red's brow knit together. When did Rose become close to enough to Will to travel back with him? Why not ask Mary or herself...? Red was about to object when she remembered why she had to leave to begin with. She was wanted. Going back would be dangerous, for her and her companions. Rose would know that. Still... Red studied her friend closely. Her face, her eyes. The tension in her shoulders.
 
Red had to give it to Rose- her deception had improved. Most wouldn't catch her barely perceptible tells. But Red was no ordinary person and she knew her best friend. Rose was most definitely not telling her everything. What remained to be seen was what and why. Rose had never, ever lied to Red before. What was different?

The blood drained from Red's face. There was one big difference. One huge reason why Rose would not want to continue traveling with her. And it was the one thing that Red could not change.

She could see Rose continue to speak but didn't hear the words over her own thoughts. The accusing voice in her head had now taken on the painfully familiar tone of her best friend. 'Monster.' 

Her quiet forest had gotten a lot louder. Her eyes darted around for a new escape. She needed to go, before Rose saw the hurt that threatened to reveal itself. 

"H...have a safe journey," she managed to stumble out. She hesitated, wondering if she should, but clasped her hand over her dearest friend's. She hoped that Rose would feel through it all of the love that she still had for her, the sincerity of her words. And that she understood. Then she quickly retreated through the trees.



 

[Hollywood Heidi]

Rose watched Red's retreating form and felt the tears start. She was glad for not having to go through a debate on the subject but found herself sad that Red hadn't put up a fight. It was better this way. Rose would have failed miserably and her whole plan would have been ruined.

She headed back toward the camp, taking a slight detour in a secluded spot to let herself cry it out. She would not cry in front of other people and once she started out on her quest, there would be no room for tears.

Once composed, Rose met Will at their agreed upon spot and left without a word to the camp. The less everyone knew, the better. She'd only allowed herself a farewell with the one person who mattered most to her.


***Rose (and Will) exit to King George's Kingdom - The Laughing Dragon Tavern***