Let It Be

AN, I changed my pen name... sorry for any confusion this may cause. See my profile.

Part of the "Fab Four" challenge. This one's Will/Djaq. It's set after Episode Four, when Will's dad died. So post random-light-show. Beta-ed by the charming Matriaya.

Rated K

o0O0o

Will Scarlet sat close to the fire, as close as he could without the flames blistering his face, however, he was still cold. He had lost feeling in his limbs; everything was numb. Luke had since gone to sleep, and only he was up.

Except Djaq. She watched Will silently from her bunk, waiting for an opportunity to speak to him, though any words of comfort she knew would be meaningless as soon as she said them. She knew what it was to lose one's parents. Will was lucky to still have Luke.

But she knew he did not feel blessed; he was hunched over the fire, watching the flames dance upon the embers.

She watched as a tear trailed down his face, and something maternal in Djaq took over. The same emotion that prompted her words to Allan-A-Dale when his brother, Tom was killed by the sheriff. After all, she could not just sit there and do nothing.

"Let it be."

He looked up and locked eyes with hers. There was anger there, and grief. There was denial, yes she could see it, and depression. He wore his heart on his sleve, she could see every trouble in his eyes.

No other words were necessary. Will read the expressions in her eyes even as she read his; empathy, sadness, acceptance, and love. She got up and sat down again next to him. She took his hand in her small one.

"You are a good man, Will Scarlet. But you cannot control the fate of any man, even your father. Even yours."

They were silent while he absorbed her wise words.

"My parents died, and my brother, in the crusades. But good has come of it, it led me here. To you."

His heart jolted. He still had Luke; she had no one, and was so far from home.

"Let it be."

The clouds that had threatened rain cleared enough for them to see the moon. It shone down on the camp, giving Will and Djaq a soft glow and an illusion of peace. But even though the harsh light of dawn would shatter it instantly, an illusion was enough to get them through the night.

They sat next to each other for a long time, the fire burned down to its very embers, Djaq stoked it back up again. Her very presence was comforting, reminding him that things would go on as they had before. He was powerless to bring his father back, or his mother, or her parents. But he could make them proud. He could fight with Robin for justice, for peace. For Luke. And she was right again, he could not control it if he died, he could only be brave and hope God was on his side.

Djaq certainly was, if nothing else. He chanced a look at his silent companion. Will was surprised to discover that she was sleeping against his arm. He hadn't even noticed when she leaned against him.

He sat with her leaning against his shoulder, unwilling to wake her up, even if it meant sacrificing his own sleep.

Let it be.