The Countess and the Black Knight

Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood. BBC has the rights to this particular adaptation.

Sir Guy was taken to London at Prince John's orders. The Prince was sat with his much younger Cousin, the countess Jane of Gloucester when his prisoner was brought forward. She couldn't help herself. It had been a while since a strikingly handsome man had been in her presence. Jane smiled at him and motioned for him to be released.

"Is that any way to treat a suitor?" She asked.

Sir Guy looked alarmed and Prince John sent her a warning look and put his hand on the arm of her chair.

"No my dear Countess. If I was to see you married it would not be to a man as incompetent as this one," explained Prince John.

The Countess remained unconvinced of her Cousin's warning. She tilted her head and smiled at the black knight; who was quite convinced he was going to lose his head at any moment.

"He looks competent enough to me, young, strong and not unpleasant to look at. Why are you so angry with him? How on earth can you be angry with such a man?" She asked.

Prince John rolled his eyes. He was clearly used to and accepting of his Cousin's carefree way that she complimented a man on his appearance but it wasn't doing anything to ease Sir Guy's mind over losing his head or being imprisoned.

"Because pretty though his face is; the man cannot kill a simple outlaw." Explained Prince John.

The Countess simply rolled her eyes and waited for Sir Guy to defend himself but he remained silent as the grave. She then smiled sweetly at him and addressed him personally, even though it was pretty clear that the problem of Robin Hood and his men, was simply no excuse to arrest such a man.

"The floor is yours handsome," she encouraged.

Sir Guy was uncomfortable with a woman of high standing freely complimenting him after all he had done. Surely she was aware of his history? He cleared his throat and tried to excuse his lack of success.

"My men and I are no match for the many villagers who defend and protect him and his gang. I simply don't have the man power," explained Sir Guy.

Before the Prince could challenge him, the Countess took pity on him.

"You poor thing. Don't worry troubled one. I'm sure between us we can send you home with the right skills and equipment needed to bring down this outlaw," suggested Jane.

The Prince glared at her but the Countess seemed not to notice or realize that as far as he was concerned she was in more danger than he was.

"Is that so? Tell me sweet and innocent Cousin of mine, how you suppose we do that?" He asked, his anger increasing.

The Countess had a smile on her face and seemed unconcerned with Prince John's expression. As for Sir Guy he couldn't believe his luck. He still had his head and a member of the royal family willing to help him.

"Your highness this man doesn't need judgment. He needs support and help with his issue with the outlaws. He needs men, weapons and tools. You can't expect him to do it all alone. Get him a chair and some wine. We can discuss it together," she advised.