Thanks to Kegel for the beta

Epilogue

With the wind in their hair, the sun on their backs, there was a joy they had not experienced in some time. Sea travel had been rough, rougher than it had been the first time, and days miserable. Arrival at Portsmouth had been a good day, for more than one reason.

Robin knew that Much was grateful to just be on land, he didn't care what land, just as long as it wasn't moving beneath his feet. The man probably wouldn't have cared if the vessel had careened off-course and landed back on Turkish land. Robin wouldn't have been surprised if that had been the case, considering how many storms they had sailed through. Even he had felt the queasiness during the journey.

They had stayed at Portsmouth long enough to eat, once the seasickness died of course. Then they had set off, heading north, relishing in the simple fact that they were almost home. Still another week to go, possibly longer, but so much closer than what they had been before. Robin could almost taste it. Apparently Much could as well.

"When I get to Bonchurch, I'll have a feast. There'll be pork, and beef…lamb even. Fish maybe…but I don't really care much for fish, have I ever told you that?"

Robin gave his companion a wry smile as he nodded. Much had told him, and had proceeded to tell him again and again as if to prove the point that he really didn't like fish. Robin could almost believe that Much would go as far as banning it altogether from Bonchurch if he could. It was possible, but not probable, as he was certain that food would be the one thing that would never be scarce in the lodge, no matter what it might be.

"There'll be food, and dancing, music. You're invited to come too, if you'd like," the man finished eagerly.

"But what if I want to have a feast of my own when I return?" Robin wondered, curious now. He could see Much ponder this, his face falling into a frown as he was silent.

"Then I'll miss you," he finally answered.

"Much," Robin laughed, turning to face his friend.

"I am going to have a feast the day I get there. I'll have a feast everyday, in fact. It'll be glorious, much better than whatever that stuff was we had earlier. I think the food we ate in the Holy Lands was better than that."

"You can't have a feast everyday," Robin told him, smiling at the last comment. Even Robin wasn't sure of what it was that they had eaten, but they were starved and had little money in which they could part with. Meals would have to come by trade or work for the remainder of their trek, unless they were able to beg some, but Robin wasn't that hungry yet. Perhaps he would send Much…

"Why not?"

"Why not what?"

Robin didn't want to admit he had been caught in his thoughts, but he couldn't answer a question when he wasn't even aware of what the subject was about.

"I am the Lord of Bonchurch…or will be, soon…in time," Much corrected himself feebly. "If I want a feast every night, then I will have one."

"And where will all the food come from?"

Another pause of silence. "Well, they can be small feasts then. Just some pork, or beef. Not both though; unless it's a special day, like Sunday, then we could. And some cheese, and fresh bread, a bit of fruit. It's been so long since I've last had fresh fruit. Apples, and berries, strawberries…do you think any of the strawberries are ready?"

"Much?"

The man looked at him. "Yes?"

"Stop talking. You are making me hungry."

It would last for only a short time, Robin knew. They had been playing this game ever since leaving Acre. If it was not talk about food, then it was a song, or a story that he had heard a million times before but pretended to not know just for the sake of not having to listen to silence.

"Did I ever tell you the reason why I don't like fish?"

Robin knew he would regret asking, but he wondered if he would regret not asking even more. He couldn't help the grin that crossed his face, and even though they were closer to home than before, Robin had a suspicion that it would seem a far longer journey than what it really was.

"Why?"

-Fin-