Characters: Guy, Vaisey, Isabella
Disclaimer: All original characters belong to BBC/Tiger Aspect.

A/N: Set pre series, explores how Guy came to work for the Sheriff. I have taken used info from series 3, but ignored the fact Isabella and Vaisey didn't appear to have met before. I have also made Isabella older than she would have been at this point (without wanting to give too much away) as I felt uncomfortable writing what I wanted to write about a 13 year old.

Prologue

Guy rested his arms on the rails of the ship's deck and looked out to sea; the boat was rocking gently, but not enough to bother him. He tasted the salt in the air as he was carried back towards England, towards the land of his birth and the land of his father.

They had been in France for nearly ten years, finding sanctuary first with his mother's relations and then, as soon as he could, he had entered the service of a knight looking for a manservant, securing a roof over his head for himself and Isabella. She had not wanted to leave their aunt, but Guy couldn't bear the daily reminders of his father's downfall, of his failures and by default, Guy's failures.

You should have held Locksley; it was yours, foolish boy. Running when you should have fought, you are weak.

Guy watched the waves as they splashed against the side of the boat and tried to stare into their dark depths. He recalled their last boat journey: their escape. They had both been horribly seasick on the rough crossing and Isabella had sobbed herself to sleep every night. Guy had felt like doing the same, but most of the time he was just numb. They had eventually arrived on his aunt's doorstep, bedraggled and malnourished. They had been given sanctuary, but whilst Isabella was coddled and comforted, he had had to explain. Explain what had happened to leave his parents dead and them washed up on a doorstep in France, alone and friendless. The family had been greatly grieved, but when the shock had worn off, he had found himself blamed for what had happened, blamed for their family's loss of position and honour. He had born the crushing disdain of his relatives as well as his own consuming guilt.

Guy knew they all blamed his father too, for letting his mother down and causing her death. Guy hadn't exactly told them the full story, he'd told them about the fire, told them his father had returned injured from the crusades. He had omitted to mention the leprosy, he was too ashamed. He felt guilty for his shame, as if he was disowning his father, of whom he had been so proud. He had also omitted to mention his mother's ill fated affair with Malcolm Locksley. His blood still burned when he thought of that man. The only good thing about that fateful day had been his death.

Isabella was below deck, he knew she was scared of what lay ahead for her in England. When told she would be married she had cried, begged and implored him to change his mind. He had held her and brushed away her tears as he had so many times over the years, but was resolute. He couldn't give her anything himself, but in securing this marriage he would be able to give her some status, she would have a title, her children would have lands and he would have money.

Isabella's suitor had been quite taken with her beauty and offered a decent amount for her hand, though Guy had neglected to tell Isabella this particular bit for information. Guy had been reluctant initially, he had not intended to marry her off so soon, but at seventeen she was older than many and he could not pursue his ambitions with her at his side always.

Isabella now approached him; she stood beside him, her look both reproachful and resigned. He placed his arm around her shoulders, but said nothing. There was nothing more to say. She had shouted, cried, besieged him; appealed to his better nature and his worst. He had tried to reason with her, comfort her and persuade her. He had also done something he had never done before. He had hit her. Hit her hard around the head, leaving her gasping and shaking on the floor, blood streaming from her temple where his ring had caught her. He had then warned her to learn some obedience as not all men were as forgiving as him. She had laughed at this and he had come close to striking her again. Only a black gloved hand on his arm had stayed it.

'How long, Guy?' she asked quietly. Guy glanced at her face, there was still a mark on her head from his blow.

'A day at most,' he replied. 'You will have a night in Weymouth, we will then meet Thornton.'

'Guy, I'm scared.'

'There is no need. You will have your husband to care for you. You will be Lady Thornton; you will have everything you need. You will be able to hold your head up and be proud of your name and position in the world. Your children will have position and money. I will not feel sorry for you Isabella. If I could so easily get these things do you not think I would?'

'Of course, you are right.' She sounded resigned and leaned her head against his chest. 'What will you do? Do you still plan to go to London?'

'Yes, I will go to London.'

'Will I ever see you again?'

'You will not miss me, not when you have your manor house and your children. You must promise me you will not miss me.' Guy knew he was asking the impossible of her, but it made it easier for him to imagine her in splendid luxury, too busy choosing beautiful dresses and chasing her children to think of him.

'You are all I have, Guy,' she said softly. 'Are you definitely going with him?' her voice and face darkened as she said the word 'him'.

'Yes, Vaisey is a powerful man, he has the favour of the King and he is going to introduce me at court. He believes I can get our lands back. I will have land and status again Isabella. The Gisborne name will be restored.'

'But what does he want from you in return?'

'I will be his lieutenant, I will assist his plans, he has been looking for someone to help him and I am a knight, I am a good fighter, I will be of great use to him.'

'I don't trust him, Guy, I don't like the way he looks at you.'

'You're being ridiculous. Is it so hard to believe that someone might value me? I am a good solider, a good knight. If I had money, land . . . it would be different. He has been true to his word in everything. Anyway you won't have to worry about him soon.'

'Please visit me, Guy, I know what you said, but please,' Isabella's voice was soft, but with an edge of desperation.

'I have told you before I will visit you when I have our lands back. I would not shame you by being the beggared relative. I may have a title, but without lands and wealth what does it mean? I would not have the respect of a lord.' Guy let go of Isabella and leaned both hands on the deck. She started to say his name, but he gripped her wrist hard and faced her. 'Enough!' he told her harshly. She stared at him for a moment, pulled her arm free and hurried off to towards her cabin.

Guy sighed, he was fed up of her complaints and now looked forward to the wedding, when he would be free of her. He felt a pang of guilt , but it passed quickly enough. He had done his duty to her, kept her and cared for her and now found her a husband. He had more pressing matters; namely pursuing his ambitions to restore his lands and gain power and influence. And thanks to his good fortune six weeks ago he now had the means to do it.