Denial, Chapter 18: Leaders Can Be Wrong
Title: Denial, Chapter 18: Leaders Can Be Wrong
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Djaq, Little John
Rating: G
Genre: Gen
Words: 719
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial' and is set during "Walkabout"
Betaed by the ever-lovely darkentwisted and robinfanatic
Summary: Extended conversation between John and Djaq as they deliver supplies while the others look for the Sheriff.
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Denial, Chapter 18: Leaders Can Be Wrong
by wastingyourgum
"I can't let people starve." Little John started collecting together the sacks of provisions for the villagers.
"And I won't go against Robin's orders."
"Why?"
"Because he's right - and he's our leader."
John picked up the last sack and handed it to her before moving off. "Leaders can be wrong."
She hurried after him. "But you were a leader yourself! Surely you know how important it is that your men follow orders, even if they don't agree with them! Robin is looking at a bigger picture."
He stopped and looked at her. "Djaq, when I gave orders they were always 'See him? Steal his stuff, try not to kill him' and nobody disagreed with them! It was simple! And then Robin showed up and things got more complicated but I believed him, believed we could make a difference and I started to feel better about myself, about what we were doing. But now he's thinking more and more like a noble again every day. He doesn't see Rose Watler and her twins in Nettlestone or Harold Corder in Clun - he sees 'The Poor'. These people all have names and families and they've come to rely on us. And I'm not letting any of them starve because Robin is trying to save everyone at once. If we find the Sheriff today what comfort is that to a mother who loses her child tomorrow because we missed a delivery she was counting on?"
Djaq put down her sack and put her hand on John's arm. He was breathing hard after his sudden outburst and his lips were a thin line of determination.
"John..."
He shrugged her hand away.
"Will would agree with me. He knows what our deliveries mean to these people."
"But Will is not here. He is in the castle, protecting Marian," and I pray to Allah to protect him, she thought to herself.
John paused, recognising her fear for Will's safety and mentally kicking himself for having brought up the young carpenter's name.
"Much would have agreed with me," he said, trying to take her mind away from Nottingham.
"He might... but he still would do whatever Robin said he should do because he is a soldier and knows to follow orders."
"You and I both know that's not why he did what Robin told him," John said.
"No," she admitted.
"Much would have at least made Robin think for a moment," John continued. "He kept him honest, made him think like a man, not a noble. I miss that. I miss him."
"I miss him as well. We all do. Robin most of all. I - I heard you talking to him when he was dreaming. Saw you together in the camp before we went to the cave."
John scowled, angered at being reminded how much he actually cared for Robin. He thought back to Robin's dream in the thunderstorm, holding him for hours as the rain and Robin's tears soaked them both. "He's like me - doesn't realise what a good thing he has till it's gone forever."
"Forever? You don't think Much will come back?" Djaq looked alarmed by the possibility.
"I don't know. Why would he? He is Carter's squire now and if God keeps him safe in the Holy Land he will return as Earl of Bonchurch and good luck to the lad. We never let him know how much we liked him and needed him. Why would he return to Sherwood?"
"I suppose you are right."
"Still, it would be nice to hear him again. The camp is too quiet without him. When Robin is with Marian and you are with Will I am left with nothing but my thoughts and they give me no comfort. The hours always seemed shorter when Much was there and we would spar or cook or I would listen to his tales of the Holy Land..." John's voice drifted off and he frowned, annoyed at having revealed so much of himself.
"You sound like an old married couple!" Djaq laughed but suddenly realised how lonely John must be with Much gone.
"Less of the old, thank you." He picked up the sack and handed it to her again. "Come on. Let's make these deliveries. We can ask about the Sheriff at the same time."
>>>----------------------->
On to Chapter 19...
Come to Denial... the place we go to make it all better.
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Djaq, Little John
Rating: G
Genre: Gen
Words: 719
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial' and is set during "Walkabout"
Betaed by the ever-lovely darkentwisted and robinfanatic
Summary: Extended conversation between John and Djaq as they deliver supplies while the others look for the Sheriff.
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17
Denial, Chapter 18: Leaders Can Be Wrong
by wastingyourgum
"I can't let people starve." Little John started collecting together the sacks of provisions for the villagers.
"And I won't go against Robin's orders."
"Why?"
"Because he's right - and he's our leader."
John picked up the last sack and handed it to her before moving off. "Leaders can be wrong."
She hurried after him. "But you were a leader yourself! Surely you know how important it is that your men follow orders, even if they don't agree with them! Robin is looking at a bigger picture."
He stopped and looked at her. "Djaq, when I gave orders they were always 'See him? Steal his stuff, try not to kill him' and nobody disagreed with them! It was simple! And then Robin showed up and things got more complicated but I believed him, believed we could make a difference and I started to feel better about myself, about what we were doing. But now he's thinking more and more like a noble again every day. He doesn't see Rose Watler and her twins in Nettlestone or Harold Corder in Clun - he sees 'The Poor'. These people all have names and families and they've come to rely on us. And I'm not letting any of them starve because Robin is trying to save everyone at once. If we find the Sheriff today what comfort is that to a mother who loses her child tomorrow because we missed a delivery she was counting on?"
Djaq put down her sack and put her hand on John's arm. He was breathing hard after his sudden outburst and his lips were a thin line of determination.
"John..."
He shrugged her hand away.
"Will would agree with me. He knows what our deliveries mean to these people."
"But Will is not here. He is in the castle, protecting Marian," and I pray to Allah to protect him, she thought to herself.
John paused, recognising her fear for Will's safety and mentally kicking himself for having brought up the young carpenter's name.
"Much would have agreed with me," he said, trying to take her mind away from Nottingham.
"He might... but he still would do whatever Robin said he should do because he is a soldier and knows to follow orders."
"You and I both know that's not why he did what Robin told him," John said.
"No," she admitted.
"Much would have at least made Robin think for a moment," John continued. "He kept him honest, made him think like a man, not a noble. I miss that. I miss him."
"I miss him as well. We all do. Robin most of all. I - I heard you talking to him when he was dreaming. Saw you together in the camp before we went to the cave."
John scowled, angered at being reminded how much he actually cared for Robin. He thought back to Robin's dream in the thunderstorm, holding him for hours as the rain and Robin's tears soaked them both. "He's like me - doesn't realise what a good thing he has till it's gone forever."
"Forever? You don't think Much will come back?" Djaq looked alarmed by the possibility.
"I don't know. Why would he? He is Carter's squire now and if God keeps him safe in the Holy Land he will return as Earl of Bonchurch and good luck to the lad. We never let him know how much we liked him and needed him. Why would he return to Sherwood?"
"I suppose you are right."
"Still, it would be nice to hear him again. The camp is too quiet without him. When Robin is with Marian and you are with Will I am left with nothing but my thoughts and they give me no comfort. The hours always seemed shorter when Much was there and we would spar or cook or I would listen to his tales of the Holy Land..." John's voice drifted off and he frowned, annoyed at having revealed so much of himself.
"You sound like an old married couple!" Djaq laughed but suddenly realised how lonely John must be with Much gone.
"Less of the old, thank you." He picked up the sack and handed it to her again. "Come on. Let's make these deliveries. We can ask about the Sheriff at the same time."
>>>----------------------->
On to Chapter 19...
Come to Denial... the place we go to make it all better.