Author's Note: This takes place some time after the episode 2x10 Walkabout. Also note, I can't guarantee complete medical or historical accuracy though I'll try my best. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

The Unwelcome Guest

By Daylight

Chapter 1

As he rode through Sherwood, Allan found his eyes constantly flickering back and forth to either side of the wooded road searching for any sign of his old friends. Gisborne had put the former outlaw in charge of a small group of soldiers escorting the latest tax collections to the castle. Six armoured men walked behind him and ahead of a carriage containing the money. Two men rode on the carriage and two inside while six more walking behind it. Allan hoped that for once news of the convoy hadn't reached Robin through his favourite little castle bird, though he couldn't recall the last time such a thing had happened. It seemed as if every carriage going through these woods was automatically doomed for an ambush. He should know. He'd been involved in most of them, just usually not on this side.

As it happened, Robin Hood's gang of outlaws had already been flitting amongst the trees unnoticed for several minutes, gritting their teeth and shaking their heads at the sight of Allan. News of this trip had reached them the day before and they had been counting on a quick in and out leaving with enough coins to take care of the poor for a long time. Plans had been made, the area had been scouted and traps had been set up. They, however, hadn't counted on Allan.

He actually missed the first trap. Allan had been busy gazing into the forest having half thought he saw a familiar face. So he passed under the first one unnoticed. Then he saw the ropes of the second ahead of him hanging high in the trees amongst the leaves and branches. He quickly reined in his horse and called for the soldiers to back up and surround the carriage.

Because of this, only half of the soldiers were caught by the nets as they fell and the free ones were quick to help their trapped companions. Unfortunately, it was too late to stop the ambush. The call of attack had already been made. So Robin's plans were forced to adapt as they usually did from a quick grab of the coins to an all out battle. A wave of arrows flew through the air as the outlaws charged forward. Allan ducked but unfortunately his horse ended up one of the first to fall, an arrow in its side. Allan rolled to his feet spinning and dodging as he found the battle already raging around him. Eventually, he set his place with his back to the carriage and drew his sword preparing to defend himself as the soldiers fell around him. He hadn't counted on the first person he'd have to defend himself against being Will Scarlett.

The other combatants were too busy to notice the two young men hesitate, that Allan swallowed as he slowly raised his sword and Will's face grew pale as he gripped his axe. Both of them wanted to say something. Neither of them knew what to say. So their weapons met instead. For the flicker of a moment as sword and axe swept through the air, it almost felt as if they were just practicing like they used to amongst Sherwood's trees, but then they got caught up in the energy and tension of the battle surrounding them and their movements went from hesitant to fierce and desperate.

Despite their complete focus lying on each other, the two fighters weren't in a fight all on their own. It was Allan's eyes widening that clued Will in to the soldier creeping up behind him. Spinning around, Will was able to twist the sword aimed at him out of its owners hands and used his elbow to knock the soldier out. Unfortunately, the flailing limbs of the man as he fell knocked Will off his feet. He landed hard on the ground losing the grip on his axe. Twisting around, he was able locate his weapon again and was reaching for it when he saw Allan standing above him with his sword raised. But instead of attacking Allan hesitated. Will didn't. Acting on instinct, Will grabbed his axe and swung. The blade sunk deep into the side of Allan's left leg bringing the former outlaw to the ground.