WHO: Friar Tuck, Robin Hood, Will Scarlet WHEN: May 2044 WHERE: A barn WHAT: Ch ch ch chaaanges! WARNINGS: Evil Tuck
The last twenty years for the Merry Men had been a fairly quiet time. When it came time to leave New York, they had gone to New Jersey first. It was close enough that Will and Tuck could be near their kids, but far enough to keep people who had known them in the Sacred Heart era from noticing they weren't aging. And then the time came to leave there as well. They had settled on a farm in rural Vermont, surrounded by trees and green and acres of nothing. It was essentially a commune, full of animals and a common space, with everyone having their own separate dwelling. Some of them lived there full time, others part time. But anyone who was a Merry Man or an ally was welcome. They named it - rather uncreatively - New Sherwood.
Things had changed for Will and Tuck too. They had stayed together, happily raising Evie and co-parenting with Addy. Then one day, near the end of 2042, they had both realised their relationship had naturally swung back to deep and loving friendship, and they had amicably ended their romantic ties. Neither of them had hard feelings, and they remained extremely close and affectionate, though the physical affection never strayed to intimacy any longer. Neither of them wanted to risk their peace for that.
Undoubtedly, however, Tuck had changed the most - not that the others knew yet. Ever since the 2018 Robin Hood film had tried out having one of the Merry Men betray the others, every few years an adaptation had tried again with a different one of them betraying the rest. They had always laughed it off, until around a decade ago, when an adaptation fell on the beloved and trusted Friar Tuck being a villain in disguise. It became a surprise blockbuster and the idea had caught on. Stories and graphic novels, a streaming hit television show, and yet another movie were released with Tuck as the surprise villain who betrayed the rest of them. Despite it not being a surprise twist for any of the audiences any more, they still ate it up.
They had joked about it, the Merry Men. Robin had laughed and said they were keeping an eye on their Friar. Art had suggested they set up traps outside Tuck's cottage on the farm, just in case (though Tuck wasn't entirely sure he was joking...). Even Tuck himself had guffawed at the very idea that he could somehow betray the men and Marian he had loved and fought beside for centuries. Until belief caught on. Until the story had become less of an anomaly and more and more considered the true story. Until people forgot Tuck had ever really been an ally. Tuck found himself slowly realising the truth.
The Merry Men were criminals, and criminals required justice.
Nothing outwardly changed. No one noticed, as Tuck made arrangements. He had known these men for so long, he knew what they expected of him and he never gave an inch away. What he did do, was organise a barn - long forgotten now, in the middle of nowhere in a forest - and with help from new allies, it was set up as a holding cell. It was much nicer than the dungeons the Merry Men might be used to - it was fitted out with cots and a small working bathroom. Sure the toilet was a composting toilet, but it had running water for a shower and a sink. No hot water heater, of course. But it wasn't nothing. He filled the place with books and a few puzzles and games. He remembered being held captive and how boring it was. And he didn't hate his former comrades. He wanted to help them.
And quietly, the barn waited, and Tuck waited. He wasn't sure when to spring the trap, but when Evie - now in her penultimate year of her five year university degree - acknowledged that she was going to spend her summer in New Sherwood, Tuck knew he had to act. She was his daughter, and he couldn't risk the Merry Men infecting her with their Ideas. Nevermind that she had spent every summer there since they had found the place, running wild, her blonde hair streaming out behind her as she raced through the meadows that lay beyond the farm. He had watched as Will excitedly made plans, thrilled to be seeing her after months and months of separation for her studies.
On the day Evie was to take the train, Tuck jumped into action. He took Robin first, because he knew Robin would be the most difficult and it was easier if no one was any wiser. Then he used Robin's phone to lure Will away from the commune. One tranquiliser dart later, and Will Scarlet was lying unconscious on a cot, no idea who had even shot him.
There was no way he was seeing Evie that day. Or any other day until he gave up his evil ways.