Held part 1

By Leah

Summary

A Guy and Marian story set during the episode "For England" before and after Marian rescue from Winchester.

This ditty is very AU and the dialogue does not always follow the script. This was either done due to wanting to change the scene for the story's sake or I really couldn't be bothered checking to see if I had the dialogue exactly right even if it meant seeing the glorious hotness that is Sir Guy of Gisborne again and again. Therefore, a big Soz if the dialogue is incorrect.

Hope you enjoy it. Leah.

Disclaimer

I do not own a bloomin thing. This chappie is rated PG. The following will be rated M for violence and sexual content and references.

Nottingham castle, Marian's chamber

Marian was sitting at her table preparing to write a letter when Sir Guy of Gisborne burst into her room.

"Guy!" she said, alarmed. "At least do me the courtesy of knocking before you-"

"You're leaving," he told her.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You've become part of a negotiation. I cannot protect you."

Marian still didn't get it.

"What?"

Gisborne stormed over to loom over her shoulder.

"Winchester wants you," he told her heatedly.

Marian fell silent. After a few brief moments, she turned in her chair to face him.

"Well …" she began, wetting her lips with her small pink tongue, searching for the best words to use. "Well … tell him he cannot have me."

'Foolish girl,' Guy thought with a snort. He stormed over to her portmanteau, hurling it onto her table.

Once having done that, he grabbed her belongings, shoving them into her portmanteau in a most desperate manner.

Marian, appalled at the way he was treating her things, rushed over to stop him.

"What about my father?" she demanded grabbing a cloak and tunic along with her brown callouts. "I cannot be expected to just leave him here! The sheriff will-"

"I will look after your father," he promised.

"Why should I believe that, Guy?" she challenged angrily. "You have given me no cause to believe you before, why now?"

"Listen to me! You have to run!" he told her, ignoring her questions. Reaching into his doublet, he withdrew a heavy black purse. "This money will secure your passage. I've instructed a man at the west gate to let you out and-"

"I can look after myself. I can-"

"Marian will you stop resisting me whenever I try to help you!" Gisborne thundered.

Marian took a step back, surprised.

"I-I can see you are trying," she stuttered. "And I am grateful but-"

"There is no time for buts, no time for thinking. I have to be quick," he cut off, adding more clothes and trinkets to her case. "If the sheriff finds out I've helped you there'll be hell to pay. My own life will be in danger."

"Then why do you work for him?"

He stared at her for what seemed like forever, forgetting the clothes in his arms.

The question she had asked him had been bold. Very bold. Another man would have struck her.

But he could never strike her.

"I have no body," he revealed at last, quickly resuming shoving dresses and shifts into the portmanteau, acting as if she had never asked the question.

Marian was quiet after this revelation.

'You poor man,' she thought.

oOo

Marian had finished packing, now she was ready to leave. Grabbing her portmanteau, the maiden hurried to the door, going over the plan she had made in her head.

Once she reached Kirklees's Abbey, she would write to Count Frederick then travel to Bavaria. There, she would figure out a way to help Robin and now, Guy.

Staying in England was not safe for her, although she felt gutted that she was not able to say goodbye to Robin or her father, she was determined to be brave and leave her country with a clear mind.

There was no time for loving words. She had to make haste.

Rushing the door, Marian failed to notice someone had already entered till she nearly slammed into them.

Gisborne caught her by the wrist, leather clad fingers pinching into her skin.

"Guy?" she exclaimed surprised.

He stared back at her, momentarily forgetting the situation Vasey had put him in, thinking just how beautiful she was with her face made golden by the flickering flames of the torches.

"What is it?" she asked, voice breaking him out of his reverie.

Guy's heart began to crumble, perhaps for the third time in his life.

How curious it was that it was only because of her.

"What is it, Guy?" Marian demanded nervously.

The look on Gisborne's face did not seem like he was going to tell her anything positive.

"I'm sorry, Marian," he managed at last, letting her go. "orders."

Marian stared at him, confusion written all over her face.

"I don't understand. You-"

Guy nodded toward a shadowy corner. A small group of his men came forth. With them, cuffs and foot binds.

The girl backed up till pressed against a wall.

"No," she murmured, shaking her head.

"Marian …"

A soldier came forward to put her hands in cuffs but before he saw it coming, he was receiving a hard punch in the face.

"Arggh!" the unfortunate individual cried, blood pouring from his nose into and onto his hands.

He staggered backwards into the steadying hands of his comrades, groaning in pain.

Another came forth, only to receive a savage kick in the groin.

Marian glared at all of them absolutely enraged.

Did they really think she would yield so easily?

Looking on, Gisborne swore inwardly.

He knew Marian would not want to come quietly, but this? He would have to grab her. If she continued this way, she would be severely punished for her defiance either by one of his guards out of frustration, or worse, Winchester himself.

"Damn you little bugger, be still," one of his men cursed under his breath.

If looks could kill, the glare from Guy would have sent the man to the pearly gates on the spot.

The soldier swallowed hard, understanding his superior's wishes and moved to attempt a more gentle approach.

Marian sneered at him, lashing out with her fists.

Before she could come in contact with her would be captor, she was pulled backwards.

"Let me go!" she yelled, bucking and writhing.

"Marian, listen to me! Do not struggle! Do "not" struggle!"

Guy whirled her around to face him, ignoring her fingernails as they clawed into his arms, backing her into a wall.

"Submit," he told her, roughly gripping her arms. "Don't struggle, don't fight, just submit."

"No!" she yelled, wriggling like a wild cat. "Let me go!"

"Stop trying to be the night watchman for crying out loud and act like the noblewoman you are!" he roared back.

Marian, to his utter amazement, stopped, slumping her shoulders in defeat, a plump tear slid down her pale cheek.

"I don't know how to be that kind of person," she whispered.

Guy almost laughed aloud.

How fucking ironic was this?

"I will get you out of this," he told her, relaxing his grip on her. "But you must listen to me. You must do exactly what I say without complaint. Do you understand?"

She parted her lips to argue but thought the better of it. If Guy meant what he said, she had to trust him.

She nodded.

Gisborne turned to one of the uninjured men and gestured to him.

The soldier moved to apply the binds himself but the master at arms shook his head.

"Give them here," he ordered.

Wordlessly, the man obeyed.

Kneeling before Marian, Guy bound her feet then rose up to do her hands. He did not look at her face as he performed this task. If he did, he knew it would be his undoing.

OoO

Without further delay, the small group began their journey toward Harold's chambers. Sir Guy walked ahead with the Lady Marian behind him, staring at her binds as she hobbled onward.

As they neared their destination, Marian felt the anxiety build within her. She had agreed to be submissive, but the idea of being sold off like livestock to a man she barely knew terrified her.

'Calm down!" she scolded herself. 'You will only do harm to yourself and Guy if you do not calm down right now.'

As though he had read her mind, Gisborne turned his head in her direction, offering her a cold look of warning.

Nottingham Castle, Winchester's Chambers

"Ah, the icing on my cake!" Sir Harold greeted unctuously as soon as his cold eyes rested upon Marian.

"Get these off me!" she demanded. "I will not be treated like this!"

Gisborne silently cursed her. She was fast becoming a glutton for punishment.

"No," Winchester denied lazily. "I think they should be made a little tighter. Oh, and do gag her, please," he implored Guy in a tone which reminded the master at arms of a whining child. "She's pretty till she talks."

Marian's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"How dare you!" she cried.

"My lord, I assure you that is not necessary," Guy told the older man hurriedly. "Lady Marian is … spirited. She will obey your every whim."

The man looked from Guy to Marian then nodded.

"Fine, but tighten her binds any way. If she's anything like her mother she'll have more than a few tricks up her sleeve."

OoO

When the horrid excuse for a man was gone from their sight, Guy turned to Marian.

"I told you not to fight," he growled at her.

"Guy …" she bowed her head. "I panicked," she then revealed in an almost sheepish tone of voice.

"We cannot afford to panic, Marian!" Gisborne snapped. "Defiance will only destroy you. Grow up!"

Instantly the girl's cheeks turned crimson, her blue eyes widened with surprise.

They stared at each other till she looked away from him, worrying her lower lip, fighting the urge to sneer at him, or worse, burst into tears.

"You'd better tighten these," Marian told Gisborne in a strained voice, holding out her bound hands to him.

"Marian-"

"Do it," she hissed. "Make sure they're extra tight or there'll be Hell to pay."

Gisborne sighed. He wanted to apologise for his outburst. Marian had every right to feel anxiety. Sweet god … How was he expected to get through this day? How was he expected to let her go?

Guy pushed his misery down, down and down till it was swallowed up by darkness, until he couldn't feel it anymore, then reached for Marian's hands.

Inside Winchester's carriage

Winchester turned to Marian to observe her.

'So very much like Kate,' he thought.

Marian could not bring herself to look at the odious silver haired man. The sheer sight of him made her ill. Therefore, she faced the opposite direction or dropped her head to stare at her hands, concentrating particularly hard on the little bleeding marks around her wrists, courtesy of the iron cuffs.

How on earth was she going to get out of this mess? Guy could not help her. Vasey would never let him.

Robin? She wasn't sure. Perhaps he thought Guy would be able to save her and had bolted back to the camp with his gang? Perhaps he thought she could handle this on her own?

Marian stiffened all over when she felt a hand under her chin. She shivered with revulsion. Her captor's glove devoid hand was cold and clammy, reminding her of Vasey.

"Let's take a good look at you, shall we?" Winchester murmured, fingers pinching her chin, forcing it a little higher.

"Get your hand off me," Marian told him, making her voice as cold as winter snow.

"Spirited," Harold commented slyly. "Like your mother."

"I am not a horse, sir," she growled, yanking her face away.

"Oh, but you are mine to mount," Winchester purred. "To mount wherever, whenever, I like as well."

Before she could blink, Harold pulled her to him, claiming her mouth in a brutal kiss.

Marian swiftly jerked her head away, grimacing with disgust but Winchester gripped her tightly, fingers digging into the fabric of her tunic.

"You are bound, young lady," he hissed, voice soaked with lust. "And soon you will be bound to me in wedlock like your mother should have been long ago."

"No!" Marian shouted kicking him hard in the leg.

The man withdrew, hissing in pain.

"Stupid girl!" he roared then struck her.

Marian fell backward, hitting her head on the wall of the coach. Everything went black for a time and when her vision returned, she sat up, her breathing quite laboured as she fought to keep from swooning.

Seething with fury, Winchester struck her again.

"You will submit to me," he snarled, watching her fall back.

Grabbing her arms, he drew her to him once more.

"Stop!" Marian protested weakly.

Harold rolled his eyes.

"Stop! Stop!" he taunted in a high pitched girlish voice. "Shut your mouth and you might even enjoy it!"

With menace in his eyes, he began ruthlessly tearing Marian's tunic apart.

'No," she thought tearfully. 'Not like this. Not like this.'

OoO

Harold was preparing to free the girl of her hideous brown callouts when the carriage came to a halt.

Frowning, he released Marian and adjusted his tunic.

Marian sagged against the seat, mouth gaping, eyes rolling to the back of her head.

"Stay there!" Winchester barked at her, not caring whether she could hear him or not.

Far too dizzy to disobey, Marian groaned her response, continuing to lean against the seat of the carriage.

She knew had to try to make a run for it. If she could just slip out and escape into the forest, she could lie in the bushes, find Robin and-

The world spun crazily and darkness enveloped her.

OoO

"Marian?"

Groggily, she stirred.

"That's it, open your eyes."

She groaned, and with some effort, forced her eyes to open.

"G-Guy," she croaked.

Her vision was blurry but she was certain he was smiling at her.

"Let's get these off you," Gisborne told her, nodding at the binds. His voice unusually husky with relief.

Marian hesitated.

"I don't think I can-"

"I'll help you," he assured. "Come here, Marian."

"He tore my tunic, Guy," she explained warily.

This confused Gisborne for a moment but when he realised Marian would be exposed; he decided he could give her his surcoat. Then he cursed himself for he remembered she would still be bound and far too weak to put it on.

"There is no one here but me," he told her gently. "Come out so I can put this on you," he pointed a gloved finger at his huge leather coat.

Marian hesitated a little more then gave up.

"Look away," she mumbled.

He did what she asked of him without complaint.

Marian adjusted her tunic as best she could. "Fine, you may look now," she told him when satisfied and clumsily wriggled toward Guy, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the harsh sunlight.

Vasey's Lieutenant was silent whilst taking in Marian's appearance.

The girl's right nostril and bottom lip were bloody. There was a bruise slowly blossoming on her left cheek. The upper right side of her head was bleeding, sticky blood mixing with her dark hair, sliding in a gradual fashion down her cheek in thick, dark streaks.

Rage swelled in him, but like the intense misery he had experienced only hours prior to this moment, Gisborne pushed it down till he could not feel it anymore.

"You're safe now," he told her, reaching for her hands, inserting the key into the small hole.

"Thank you Guy," she replied softly.

After helping her to the ground, Gisborne placed his leather jacket around her shoulders, trying hard not to look at her exposed chest.

OoO

"Well, well, Gisborne, did you have fun rescuing the little damsel?"

"My lord," Guy greeted coolly, thanking jesu Marian had managed to cover herself in time.

"Just thought I'd ride over and see what happened to old Harry," Vasey explained casually. "Your boy's here to give you a hand with the leper. Quite the scamp he is to. I'm glad you plucked this pup from Hood's litter. Well done, Gisborne, well done!"

Allan said nothing in response to Vasey's jest and rode over to fetch Guy's mount that grazed nearby.

Marian warily eyed the sheriff who sat on his bay mare, snickering at her and Guy as though this was all for his amusement.

A harsh retching sound drew her attention away from the man. She turned her head to see Allan leaning over his mare's neck, vomit sliding out of his mouth to land in a pale green puddle on the ground.

'Serves you right,' she thought scornfully.

"We must return to the castle," Guy murmured, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Allan will see to your things."

Marian nodded, allowing him to escort her to his gelding. Again, with his aid, she mounted the horse then waited for Guy to mount behind her.

Nothing prepared her for the warmth of his lean body against hers, his even warmer breath on her neck.

She trembled.

"Marian?"

"I am dizzy," she told him weakly. "I hit my head quite hard when …"

She stopped; she did not want to talk about the event anymore.

"He will never touch you again," Guy murmured.

Marian could not help but offer a small smile of gratitude and relaxed against him.

Vasey and his mount sauntered past them.

"Sweet," he mocked silkily. "Very sweet. Come along, Sir Allan of chunder land, we haven't all day!"

Allan let out a loud burp then groaned, clutching his stomach.

"Is it always going to be like this?" he mumbled under his breath.

Guy wrapt an arm protectively around Marian's waist as soon as he knew Vasey could not see him, glaring hatefully at the back of his superior, silently cursing him to Hell.

'Never again, old man,' he promised. 'You will never harm her again.'

Squeezing his gelding's flanks, he urged it into a leisurely walk, wanting to savour this moment for as long as possible.

OoO

What the three men and one girl failed to notice was Robin Hood.

The young outlaw was staring on as they disappeared from his view, his heart breaking.

Nottingham Castle

Once reaching the castle, Guy and Marian were separated.

Marian was half carried to her room by two servants whilst Gisborne handed his bay gelding to a stable boy then hurried to hall to meet with Vasey and Allan.

Marian's chambers

"I am fine, Sarah, pray go away!" Marian grouched as her maid tried to fuss over her.

The servant girl had changed Marian's ruined tunic for a night shift and thick woollen robe. She was about to put Marian to bed when her charge spat the dummy.

"Milady, I should send for a physician! You are not well!" Sarah cried in her defence.

Marian groaned.

"Sarah, please listen to me. I want to be alone. I am not an invalid! All I have is a few bumps and bruises. My nose and lip have stopped bleeding. My head is just fine! There is no need for you to remain. Please go away!"

Sarah pouted.

Marian groaned again.

"Oh for the love of-Sarah, go to the kitchens, fetch me ointment and wine if that will make you happy. But I shall tend to myself without your fussing."

The girl beamed gratefully.

"Thank you, milady. That would put me more at ease, it really would."

OoO

Thankful to be alone, if only for a little while, Marian poured some water into a bowl, opened her portmanteau and began unloading her belongings.

Suddenly the world began to spin.

Gasping, she put a hand to her forehead, flopping in a most ungracious fashion on her bed before she could fall in a heap on the floor.

Knock, knock.

'Oh go away,' she thought irritably.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," she moaned, far too dizzy to get up and receive whoever it was.

The door opened and in came Sarah, balancing a bowl of ointment in one arm and holding a pewter goblet in the other. Not far behind her was Guy, in his arms were clean rags and a jug of wine.

Marian offered Sarah a questioning look.

"Sir Guy was already coming to see you, milady," the girl explained.

"I see." Marian muttered coldly, refusing to look at Guy.

"That will be all," he told Sarah. "Leave us."

"Yes, my lord," Sarah replied, setting the items onto the table next to Marian's portmanteau.

OoO

Only when the door had closed behind the wench did Guy choose speak to her.

"You are pale."

"You are tired," Marian answered, observing him for a brief moment then adding. "You shouldn't be here."

Ignoring her, Gisborne set the objects onto the table and removed his gloves.

"I fear I still do not have control over my own head," Marian confessed wearily. "A wild horse has that pleasure." She winced, putting a hand to her forehead then cursed when she found it bleeding again, adding sourly. "Hence the pounding."

Guy reached for the wine jug. Pouring red liquid into the goblet, he handed it to her.

"Drink this."

After making sure she had an ample mouthful of wine, he sat beside her, placing the bowls of water and ointment between them.

He took the goblet from her, set it down on the floor then dipped a cloth into the bowl of water.

"Lean forward," he told her.

"Ouch!" Marian complained as water stung the cut on her head.

"You know the rules," Gisborne replied like a parent speaking to a silly child. "It has to be cleaned to avoid an infection. The sting means it's healing."

"Oh, just finish cleaning it and leave me be!" Marian snapped, eyes watering.

"Perhaps you would prefer to catch a fever then?" he growled back.

"You are being childish."

"And you're too stubborn for your own good. Be quiet and let me tend to you."

Marian gave a huff and folded her arms across her chest.

"Fine!" she grouched.

Eventually the stinging was reduced to a dull throb. The patient closed her eyes, relaxing whilst the man tending to her continued to dab the ointment on her wound.

"Did he frighten you?" Gisborne asked softly, patting the wound with the cloth.

"I don't want to talk about it." Marian murmured.

"Marian-"

"No Guy."

He glared at her.

"Woman!" he snarled. "I risked everything for you!"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Marian demanded weakly. "I did not ask for you to rescue me!"

"Because someone else would have?" Guy asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

Marian gave him a look of pure loathing.

"You are being ridiculous," she sneered. "You really are. This … This jealously. It does not do anything for you. It really doesn't. Grow up!"

"How else am I supposed to feel?" Guy demanded heatedly. "You do love him!"

"Who?"

"Hood! Your face lights up whenever his name is mentioned. Your eyes dance."

He suddenly dropped the cloth, cupping her face in his hands.

Marian did not flinch from him but she did tremble.

"What of me?" he asked urgently, softly. "Is there any room in your heart for me?"

"Oh Guy," she whispered, suddenly feeling very sad. "Not-"

"Have I not proven myself to you?" he choked out. "I have defended you; I have provided your father with as much comfort as I possibly can. Why …" he stumbled. "Why do you reject me?"

Marian stared at him for a long time. Deep within her breast, her heart pounded like hooves of a galloping horse.

Guy had never told her he knew about her and Robin. How could he have known?

Allan … Dear god. Had Allan told him she was the night watchman?

"Marian?"

Bile rose up in her throat and before she could warn him, she leant foreword, throwing up all over his boots.

Disgusted, Guy leapt off the bed, glaring furiously at the mess she created.

An unappealing image of Robin Hood humping Marian crossed his mind; Gisborne quickly swatted it away as though it were naught but a tiresome fly.

This vomiting had to be due to her head injury. There was no way she could be with child. Not to that whinging, preachy runt!

Once she had finished retching, Guy reached for her, helping her sit back onto bed.

Dipping a clean cloth into the water bowl, he gently wiped her mouth.

"I'm sorry," he told her.

"Apology accepted," Marian mumbled. "You are right to have suspicions," she paused, breathing in deeply. "I will answer all your questions, Guy. But not now. Dear god, not now."

Happy with her answer, Gisborne eased off Marian's silk slippers.

"I will have a physician see to you later," he informed, setting the shoes aside then rising to his full height.

"I just need to sleep," she protested feebly, lying down. "That is all."

"Don't argue with me," Guy told her, covering her with furs and blankets.

Marian rolled her eyes then wrinkled her nose.

"Send for a servant first. The mess stinks."

Outside Marian's chambers

After seeing to the Lady Marian, a short, fat, grey haired physician quietly made his exit.

"Oi."

The little man squeaked his freight, jumped and swung around; looking to the direction the voice had come from.

Sir Guy of Gisborne and his new squire, Allan A Dale, approached from a shadowy corner.

"The Lady Marian," Guy murmured, towering over him. "Is she with child?"

"Better tell him, mate." Allan added. "Giz can get a bit cranky if you don't spill the beans within five seconds!"

Guy whipt around to give Allan a menacing glare before returning to the trembling fat midget.

"I can tell you she is not, my lord," the little physician replied nervously. "Tis but a nasty blow to the head."

Guy's body language changed to a more relaxed state.

"Good."

The master at arms casually handed the fat physician a pregnant purse then told him to bugger off.

As soon as he was gone, Allan A Dale received a swift punch in the face.

"You thumped me for no good reason," the former outlaw cried, eye swelling.

Jesu, this was going to be one Hell of a shiner.

"Give me cheek again, Clapa, and I'll thump you again," Guy snarled.

"Fine, fine. Well … onto a happier subject … If Maz chooses you … What about Robin?" Allan asked innocently.

"That runt can piss down his own throat!" Guy returned arrogantly. "He had his chance."

'And If anyone's going to ride that palfrey, it's going to be me," he added silently.

End of part 1