All Along the Watchtower 11/?

[Goldberry]

So, they were all outlaws.

Heero closed his eyes briefly as he leaned back against the cottage wall, arms folded over his chest. He wasn?t sure exactly what he thought of his current situation but he knew it had not turned out as he expected. Everyone in the room except for himself had a price on their heads. Even the lad, Harry, who apparently was a very good thief. They all had their stories. Sally, a Saxon peasant, had been unable to pay her taxes and was going to be dragged off to jail, when she had run away, leaving everything behind to wander into Sherwood Forest after a band of outlaws she had heard of. The leader of this band, Trowa, had been accused of drowning a young girl and had left home to spare his family the ridicule. No one knew if he had really done it. Duo, the monk, had begun his lonesome journey when the monastery he had been a part of was burned by Nottingham soldiers. It was ruled an accidental fire but the Sheriff?s men had been drunk and full of themselves. This event prompted Duo to learn the way of war, to retaliate for the loved ones he had lost. Trowa had taken him in when he had heard of the monk?s plight and he was now an essential part of what Sally had termed ?The Outlaws of Sherwood?.

They were a strange group, held together only by their common crimes and Trowa?s tenuous leadership. They lived among the trees, in hiding, just trying to survive in a world that had shown them little kindness.

Heero was disgusted.

He did not believe in letting crimes against innocents go unpunished. Neither did he believe that a life in hiding would ever accomplish anything. These outlaws would not survive for long. They lacked the will and drive to fight for themselves, and the leadership to hold them to their task. The Sheriff would slaughter them all.

The Sheriff.

Something had to be done about that man. His plots had woven themselves into Heero?s life and, so, had involved him in the fate of those around him. It was time he took matters into his own hands.

?The Sheriff is winning,? he said, his quiet voice bringing everyone?s attention to him. Harry piped up from where he sat cross-legged on the floor.

?What do you mean? Winning what??

?The war,? he replied, meeting the boy?s gaze. Sitting on one of the old stools, Sally frowned.

?We?re not at war, Heero, and if you mean the Crusades??

?The war is here, Saxon against Norman, the Sheriff against all of you. He?s winning, and you don?t even realize it.?

Trowa shifted but did not speak.

Heero continued, ?The Sheriff is taxing everyone out of their land and homes.? He looked to Wufei. ?His subordinates rape young women and burn homes, and then wrongfully imprison those who retaliate. He orders the kidnapping of a lady of royal blood so that he might himself marry her and gain even more power.? He leaned forward, intense. ?Where will his treachery end? How long will you allow him to rule your lives??

?What would you have us do?? Duo asked, violet eyes hard, clearly exasperated. ?Those that live in Sherwood are outlaws, not warriors. We don?t stand a chance against the Sheriff?s men.?

?Not yet,? Heero amended. Sally arched an eyebrow and tilted her head.

?I may be mistaken here,? she said lazily, ?but are you suggesting we go into <i>battle</i> against Nottingham??

?If it comes to it,? he replied solidly, ?but I, for one, am sick of meaningless battles.? He straightened, dark cobalt eyes burning intensely. ?Unfortunately, my hands have been stained with too much blood, I can?t turn back from the road I?ve chosen. The only think I know how to do is fight. It is the only weapon I have to use and I will turn its razor-edge to the Sheriff if I must.? He stopped to catch all their eyes in turn. ?If you wish to live in your trees, in hiding, for the rest of your lives, that is your choice. But I think you can be more, and if you are willing, I can tell you how.?

For the first time, Trowa spoke, his voice smooth and honest. ?I do not pretend to love the life I lead. I am here out of necessity, to protect the people I love from harm. Neither do I pretend to be a leader,? His deep emerald eyes caught Heero?s. ?but I believe in the power of people who fight to protect.? He paused, sharpening everyone?s attention. ?I will hear your plan, Heero Yuy.?

There was a collective release of pent up breath as Heero, knight of the Crusades, stepped forward and began to fashion warriors for a war unlike any the world had ever seen.

* * * *

?Are you sure you know what your doing, Heero?? Relena asked softly, carefully avoiding his gaze by running her fingers over the long grass near her. They were sitting outside the little forest cabin, just the two of them, passing time until nightfall when Heero would escort her back home and return to Huntington himself. She was feeling much better, her knife wound healing rapidly thanks to the care of the only two outlaws she had met, Duo and Harry. She had yet to be introduced to Trowa and Sally, but she had a hunch about the outlaw leader that would be resolved as soon as she laid eyes on him. Unfortunately, everyone except Duo and Quatre had disappeared into the forest early that morning on some kind of mission Heero would say nothing about. He said it was for her own protection, but her curiosity was eating her alive. ?I can?t say that I understand your methods, though I know your reasons are sound. Are you sure this isn?t just asking for more trouble from Nottingham??

Heero tilted his head back, looking up at the canopy overhead. ?These people are being oppressed simply because there is no one who will stand up to the tyranny that takes place while the king plays his war games oversees. There are even rumors that his brother, John, fancies the throne. Alliances are forming everywhere, with little regard to the poor people of this land. Who looks out for them while the nobles are busy with their intrigues?? His eyes closed briefly. ?I cannot stand by while the Sheriff gathers power for some unholy plot.?

Relena ducked her head, knowing the truth of his words. Heero had related to her the Wufei?s story and his own conclusions about her kidnapping. She still couldn?t believe it. It made her furiously angry just to think of it, and sad, too, that William would stoop so low. But she feared the damage was already done. She had been in Sherwood for two days and she was sure that the Sheriff had spread some rumor about her current position. She was both frightened and tense about learning just what it was, and how badly her reputation had been torn to shreds. She said nothing to Heero about it though, he had enough to think about with this revolt he seemed to be planning?

She looked over at him only to find him watching her and their gazes melted together rapidly, startling her. She looked away first. ?I just don?t want you to get hurt, Heero. We have seen how the Sheriff works, if you are caught?? He shifted and she trailed off, looking up at him again. He had leaned over and his knuckles brushed her cheek gently, an almost unconscious caress. She blushed but held his gaze this time.

?Nothing will happen to me, Relena. I promise. I will protect you.?

She smiled sadly at him, ?There are some things even you cannot fight, Heero.? His hand fell away but his deep eyes still held her firmly, drowning her.

?I will try.?

Her answer was a whisper.

?I know.?

* * * *

?Guy of Gisbourne to see you, my lord.?

The Sheriff of Nottingham waved a hand nonchalantly, concentrating on the dinner before him. He barely looked up from his turkey leg as his cousin came flying into the room, breathing heavily and generally looking excited about something.

?My lord! You will not believe the news I have for you! It?s completely? ?

William sighed, cutting his enthusiastic underling off. ?Calm yourself, Gisbourne, and don?t jump around so.? He glanced at Guy briefly. ?What is that has you running in here at this hour??

Guy clasped his hands together. ?The minstrel, my lord, that one that took advantage of Miss Dorothy. I was following him, you see, when your lady friend, Relena Dorlain, was kidnapped.? William sat up straighter, motioning for him to continue. ?I followed the little bugger clear into Sherwood and, Sheriff, you won?t believe what I saw!?

William growled, ?What, damn it!?

Guy flinched but held his ground. ?This Chang Wufei is consorting with other outlaws, my lord! I recognized quite a few of them, and even more, Sir Heero was there, son of the Earl. He seemed to know them. They took the lady and the minstrel inside and, as far as I know, they are all still there, hiding out.?

William was on the edge of his seat, adrenaline pumping through his veins. How wonderful this all was! He couldn?t have planned it better himself.

?So,? he breathed, ?Sir Heero is consorting with outlaws. Who knows? He might have even planned the kidnapping of Lady Darlian to further his own devious plans.? He chuckled. ?Well, we can?t let this criminal get away, can we, Guy?? His cousin smirked. ?I suppose you can remember how to get back to this cottage??

Gisbourne bowed. ?Yes, sir.?

?Excellent.? He stood abruptly. ?It looks like Lady Darlian is in trouble, Gisbourne. It?s our duty to see her safe from her thieving captors.?

?I?m sure her gratitude to you will be overwhelming, my lord.?

The Sheriff smiled. ?I?m sure.?

TBC

* * * *

Sorry this chapter was so short, everyone. I?m off to my wonderful vacation and I wanted to get this posted before I left. A little present to tide you over until I get back. Ja ne, minna! *waves and blows kisses* I shall return!

*huggles*

Berry

[blackrose]

Oh, indeed you are mistaken - there IS no vacation from fic writing!!!!

Gah! The Sheriff. Oh how I loathe thee....

Heero: What's with all this pussy-footing around, give me that. **grabs Rose's gun, aims at the Sheriff and shoots him dead** Ha!
Berry: HEY! You're not supposed to do that!
Heero: Come on, Relena. **grabs Relena's arm and drags her off to the cottage in the woods**
Relena: Um, Heero, where are we going?
Heero: It's time for the lemon scene.
Berry: O_O There's no lemon scene in here! Bad Heero **swats Heero** ROSE! I blame you for this!!!
Rose: Hey, he has been completely unmangeable lately, I don't know what to say.
Heero: Lemon scene a lemon scene...
Relena: O_O Help!


Great chapter! Have a good vacation - but remember, there's NO VACATION FROM FIC WRITING! (so bring back more chapters or else) :razz:

Love,
Rose

[Hitomi Lei]

NO!!!!

I must have more...Oh and have fun of said wonderful vacation!!! I wouldd like to humbly reqest that sometime in this fic that you have the Sherif suffer horible pain and die a slow painfull death!!! The fans want this badly!!!


Hitomi

[Tsukiyo]

Getting better and better each time!! More and more little plots to keep it interesting. Oh how i can't wait for you to come back from vacation! but i do hope you have a lovely time filled with lots of ideas for the story!!

~Tsukiyo

[orchid]

i'd first seen your fic at ffn, and i came here only to find 11 chapts!! jackpot!!

love your story!