Took the trouble to set the two deer free (8)
I believe the answer is:
bothered
'took the trouble to set' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'the two deer free' is the wordplay.
'the two' becomes 'both' (synonyms).
'free' is an anagram indicator.
'deer' with letters rearranged gives 'ered'.
'both'+'ered'='BOTHERED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bothered that I've seen before include "Was a pest" , "Took the trouble to do something" , "''Bewitched, ... and bewildered'' (song) (8)" , "Hot and exasperated" , "` `Bewithched, ... and bewildered' '" .)