A Fortnight Of Smiles

This is my AU version of how things go after 2x11 and my stories "As Of Yet" and "We've Not Met". The focus is not on political or historical events. It's a light, funny story that tries to focus on Marian's feelings for Guy and for Robin (but I've been told it's not deep enough to be called a love triangle). I'm not sure about the endgame yet but I'm leaning towards Guy/Marian. I like Guy and Robin both, so there will be no character bashing. But if you hate Guy, you should probably stay away from reading this. Then it's not the story for you.

This story starts the day after the events of the prequels.

Day One

Marian woke up, for once well rested. With a content sigh she stretched her arms over her head and peeked out from under the covers. Soft orange light filled her chambers and Marian assumed the sun had risen not an hour ago.

A brand new day lay before her and after all that had happened yesterday she couldn't help but wonder what today would bring. She hoped that it wouldn't be quite as eventful as the day before.

Yesterday Guy had found out that she was the Nightwatchman. As a consequence he had almost had her hung, but then, miraculously, he'd had a change of heart. Guy had not only spared her life but had lied to the Sheriff for her as well. And in return he'd asked nothing of her, nothing but that she'd stay at the castle ("And make this place bearable" – she'd never forget the way he'd said it).

'But', Marian thought when she left the bed and started washing and dressing, 'it wasn't really a change of heart that spurred Guy's actions, was it? It looks far more like his heart is the same it has always been, still beating for me. Only this time it won out against his twisted sense of loyalty to the Sheriff that usually rules his actions.'

Marian realized at once that she was being unfair to Guy. This hadn't been the first time that his feelings for her had made him do something the Sheriff wouldn't approve of if he knew. Guy had said yesterday that he had defended her towards the Sheriff countless times, and she believed him. Also, he had provided what little comfort he could to her father when he'd been in the dungeons, like food and a blanket.

And not to forget: Guy had taken a stand by her side during the siege of Nottingham, when the Sheriff had been missing. He had come back to defend the city and the people of Nottingham against Prince John's troupes. And he had done it for her alone, of that Marian was sure. Guy didn't really care for Nottingham and its people. He cared for her.

'Far more than I ever realized,' Marian had to admit to herself. Their conversation yesterday had made it very clear to her that she hadn't really known Guy at all. She'd never bothered to.

But Marian's resolve from last night was still persistent. She would change that. She'd get to know Guy for real; she'd try to understand him and his motivations for working for someone as twisted and evil as the Sheriff.

'And I will try to be honest with him. No more deceptions, no more lies,' Marian vowed anew and finished dressing quickly.

It looked to be a fine day and Marian longed to get out of the oppressing castle. What she'd like most right now was take her horse and ride out through the fields around Nottingham.

'And why should I not?'

Her mind made up Marian left her chambers and hurried along the corridors, not sparing a glance at the guard that immediately began trailing her.

When she had reached the steps that would take her outside the guard finally called out.

"My lady, halt please!"

Marian turned to face him. She recognized him as one of Guy's men; he wore the black and yellow crest of Gisborne.

"What is it?"

"I beg your pardon, my lady, but where are you going?"

"I am going to the stables to get my horse." Marian tried to put as much confidence as possible into her voice.

The guard eyed her uncomfortably. "I am sorry but you are not to leave the castle on your own. Sir Guy's orders."

Marian had thought as much. But she wouldn't back down now. "Well, then I suppose you go and inform Sir Guy that, since he knows very well that I can take care of myself, I don't agree with his orders and I intend to go on a ride without a guard trailing behind."

She turned back to the steps and started descending. The guard grabbed her arm.

"I am sorry but…"

"No, I am sorry," Marian grinned and in a heartbeat she twisted out of his grip, dodged and spun around and with a well-placed kick with her foot sent the surprised guard tumbling down the stairs.

Without a look back she ran off to the stables.

Her mare greeted her with a soft whinny. Marian quickly talked to the stable boy and then went to saddle her horse. She knew that she didn't have much time.

And sure enough, Marian had just finished fastening the last strap of the saddle when she heard familiar heavy footsteps behind.

"Marian!" Guy called out and entered the stables, a dark expression on his face. He couldn't believe the nerve of that woman! Only yesterday Marian had smiled and promised him 'No more' and he had really thought that perhaps… And now she was defying him again!

Guy quickly made his way over to the corner where Marian stood with her horse. He blocked her path, arms crossed in front of him and back ramrod straight. "What do you think you're doing?"

'He really cuts an imposing figure,' Marian couldn't help but notice. She suppressed a smile and calmly looked into his thunderous face. "I am going on a morning ride. It is such a fine day."

"You know that I can't let you ride out alone." Guy glared down at her, blue eyes blazing.

"I wasn't planning on riding out alone," Marian smiled back and threw a discreet nod to the stable boy at the entrance.

"Oh, really?" Guy lifted one eyebrow. Did she think him a complete fool? "Then who did you plan to ride out with? I don't see anyone else!"

A suspicion suddenly struck him and Guy's face darkened even more. "You were going to meet Hood!"

"No, I wasn't!" Marian was slightly hurt by how quickly he'd jump to conclusions. But then again, she couldn't really blame him, could she? Given the fact that she'd done exactly that countless times before…

"Guy," Marian sighed and let go of the reigns to lay a hand on his still crossed arms. "It is nothing like that! I was only…"

Guy didn't let her finish. "You only knocked out a guard and tried to run off first thing in the morning. What am I supposed to make of that?"

"I didn't knock out the guard," Marian denied at once. Seeing Guy's expression and remembering her vow not to lie to him anymore, she quickly amended "I merely tripped him. Then he fell down the steps and knocked himself out. And I wasn't trying to run off. I only wanted to go for a morning ride!"

Guy shook his head in exasperation. "Marian, you know the Sheriff hasn't actually lifted the house arrest. You can't leave the castle alone! Why do you always have to…"

They were going around in circles and Marian had had enough. She balled her fists and made a frustrated sound. "Arrgh! I wasn't going alone! I wanted you to ride out with me!"

Guy stared at her, dumbfounded. Marian looked to the ground.

"I thought that we could ride out together and, you know, talk. I knew that if I managed to shake the guard someone would alert you and you'd come." Marian's voice was barely above a whisper. She motioned to something behind Guy's back and when he turned around he saw a stable boy with his own horse, all saddled and ready. Guy turned back to Marian.

"You…" He had to clear his throat and start again. "You wanted to ride out, with me?"

"Yes."

"So you deliberately deceived my man in hopes of someone alerting me? So that I would come? And you secretly had my horse saddled so that we could ride out together?"

"Yes." Marian finally looked up and met Guy's incredulous stare. "Yes, I did."

"Good God, woman!" He shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You will be the death of me! Couldn't you have just asked me?"

"Well, I…" Marian shrugged, embarrassed. Then she noticed that Guy was fixing her with a certain kind of stare and she realized that he was waiting for something.

"Guy," she grumbled. He merely crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. His eyebrow rose expectantly.

Marian let out a sigh and finally caved. "Guy, would you care to accompany me on my morning ride?"

Guy stayed silent but his eyebrow rose even higher, still waiting.

Marian looked away and whispered: "Please?"

"It would be my pleasure," he grinned and bowed his head in a mock salute. Then, without another word, he walked over to his horse and gracefully mounted it. Marian watched him and swiftly followed suit. She steered her horse to his side.

"Shall we?" Guy caught her eyes and Marian noticed that his grin had transformed into a gentle smile. She threw him a quick smile back and then clicked her tongue to get her horse moving.

Side by side they slowly rode out of the stables and towards the castle gate. Once they'd passed the portcullis Marian steered the horse onto the path along the field and fell into a quick gallop. Guy followed at a slower pace but never let her ride so far ahead that she'd be out of his sight.

Marian enjoyed the sun warming her skin and the wind in her hair and she revelled in the feeling of freedom that she'd always feel while riding. But after only a few minutes, much to Guy's delight, Marian slowed down and looked back at him.

"Guy," she called out. "What are you waiting for?"

He quickly brought his horse to where she was waiting. "I thought I would let you enjoy yourself for a while. Undisturbed by my presence."

"Thank you, that's very thoughtful."

Guy inclined his head but Marian wasn't finished. "But it is not what I wanted." His confused frown made something inside her constrict painfully. He hadn't believed that she'd really wanted to spend time with him.

"Guy, if I'd merely wanted to enjoy a solitary ride I would have done with a guard. But I wanted to ride out with you. I want to…"

"What? What do you want from me, Marian?"

Marian wasn't sure she knew the answer herself. What did she want from him? She looked around, searching for the right words, and suddenly remembered what she'd promised yesterday. A sly smile twisted her lips. "I want to get started on my new daily task."

"Your… oh!" Guy remembered and couldn't help but comply. He threw her a quick smile.

"There it is," Marian triumphed with a smile. "Now, how about a race to the forest?"

Without waiting for an answer she made her horse storm off.

Guy allowed himself a second to appreciate the stunning sight. She was truly beautiful and he could feel his heart skip a beat. His smile grew wider and he pushed for his horse to give chase.

TBC

What do you think? Good start? Bad? Let me know while I work on more.