Sweetly Stirred
By Leah
Summary
Very AU tragedy ditty set before Robin's return from Acre.
Guy and Marian are officially courting and Guy is hoping to propose to her but will happen to greatly upset his plans?
This fic is based on a music video I made called "Fate" you can find it if you do a search for "leahday" on YouTube.
Warning, it does contain quite a lot of spoilers for this fic. Especially for the ending, so please do not add spoilers if you want to comment about it in your review.
Disclaimer
You would not recognise the series if I did own it. Rated PG 13 for now, will be rated M later.
Nottingham Castle, the great hall
'Intolerable creature,' the lady Marian of Knighton hall thought as the short man grandly swept past her and her father. Her dark thoughts then brightened when her eyes fell upon the man following close behind him, Sir Guy Crispin of Gisborne.
Guy was an unusually tall man with a thick mane of well-oiled black hair and neatly trimmed black stubble.
His face was quite hard yet when he smiled warmth radiated from it, thus softening the hardness.
Unfortunately, Sir Guy was rarely a smiling man. Being Vasey's captain left little time for smiling.
Marian and Gisborne had been courting for a little over six months. Sir Edward, her father, was pleased with the match for Gisborne was a handsome, healthy and quite the ambitious young man. He also had enough coin and influence to guarantee Marian a comfortable life.
Alas, there was Vasey.
Vasey was a small man who cared naught for wives' or children and ever since Guy had shown interest in Marian he had become quite odious.
Guy seemed more pained by the sheriff's taunts then Marian.
However, when Vasey chose to make horrid remarks about lady Marian's father that was a totally different story all together.
Marian's ice blue eyes would shine with anger. She would clench her fists and use all her will power to keep herself from beating the living daylights out of the tedious little demon.
OoO
After the council, Marian retreated to a corner of the hall where she would wait for her father whilst he conversed with the other nobles.
"Alone, milady?" a deep voice rumbled from behind her.
Marian looked over her shoulder and smiled faintly at Gisborne.
"Father does not wish me to listen in on his discussions, Sir Guy," she replied clasping her hands in front of her.
"And so he leaves you unattended?" the captain asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I am too old to interest anyone so he leaves me be," Marian replied, aloof.
"Good," was the soft as velvet response.
She raised an inquiring eyebrow.
"I wish to take you riding. The sheriff has no need of me. Will you come?"
"I have no horse. Father is not well today so we had to take the carriage," Marian said a little wistfully.
"I am sure the stables can provide you with a suitable mount," Guy told her, his lips then curled into a playful smirk. "What do you say?"
Marian returned the smirk with a bright smile of her own.
"Very well," she said.
In between the castle and Knighton
Marian bent over her colt's gleaming white and pink neck, squeezing its barely sweating sides with her legs, urging it faster and faster in order to keep up with Guy and his liver chestnut rouncy filly.
The strawberry roan rouncy colt was more then happy to oblige, Neighing, he pounded after the other horse and rider, gaining on them with ease.
Determined not to be beaten by a piece of skirt, Gisborne kicked the chestnuts sides and smacked its rump.
"Get up!" he roared.
"Ha!" Marian cried, noting how close she and her horse were to winning. "Ha! Ha!"
The colt obeyed and within moments they flew past Gisborne and his mount.
Ahead of the two riders was a stream.
It had been Guy's idea that the winner of their race would have to successfully jump their horse over it. If he won, Marian would have to give him a kiss. If she won, Guy would persuade Marian's father to let her keep and breed from the colt she was riding.
"Jumping. Jesu! Guy, why couldn't you have thought of something more challenging?' Marian thought with a mental yawn then gathered herself to prepare her and the colt for the leap. In her mind, she counted how many strides til they had to jump.
One … Two … Three … Squeeze!
They flew up in the air, sailing effortlessly over the bubbling stream landing with a heavy thud.
Marian slowed the rouncy down to a brisk trot as she waited for Guy.
"You owe me a horse!" she crowed smugly.
Suddenly, the equine reared up on its hind legs, crying in fear, nearly throwing Marian.
Gisborne, having just crossed the stream, leapt off his filly and slowly began to approach the horse and rider.
"Steady," he murmured. "Steady there big man. Steady."
Amidst the din there was a hiss.
Guy froze.
Another hiss. Louder this time.
"Marian, get off," he told the girl urgently but calmly. "Get off him right now."
"Guy?"
"Get off him right now!"
Before Marian could make her descent, and to both hers and mans utter relief, the large animal dropped back onto all fours.
Marian was just about to dismount when the colt abruptly returned to its previous position, sending the maiden falling backwards.
"Marian!" Gisborne cried, frantic.
The colt dropped back to the ground, snorting and stomping, nostrils flaring, ears pinned to its head.
Suddenly the large animal gave a sharp shriek and, once again, reared up, hooves slashing the air.
This time the colt did not remain on its hind legs for long. Instead it seemed to wobble then fall over sideways, landing on the ground with a sickening crash.
Thanking god that the maiden had not been crushed, Guy rushed over to where she was lying.
"Talk to me," he said, brushing tresses of dark hair from her face.
There was a groan. Not from Marian.
Her horse.
Gisborne's heart sunk with regret.
Snake bite. The poor sod would be dead within moments.
There was nothing he could do to save him.
"Marian," he urged, turning to the girl. "Wake up. Open your eyes!"
As if on cue, the maiden gave a low moan.
She stirred slightly then her eyes fluttered open.
"Ow," she mumbled.
Despite his fear, the corners of Gisborne's mouth curled into a diminutive smile.
"Do you think you can stand?" he asked.
"I don't know," Marian replied weakly. "Guy. The horse. Is he alright?"
"Don't worry about him," the man told her gently, ripping his gloves off. "Let's get you back to the hall."
'Jesu, her father's going to have my hide,' Guy thought darkly, helping Marian into a sitting position. 'I don't think even Vasey can protect me from him,'
His thoughts of facing Marian's father were disturbed when Marian suddenly lurched forward, depositing pale vomit onto the ground.
"Shit," Gisborne grumbled, brushing Marian's hair from her face.
Marian groaned, coughed, and then retched again.
When finished, she leaned against him panting and sweaty.
"I need to get you to a physician," he told her, carefully helping Marian to her feet.
"The horse," she protested woozily.
Gisborne sighed.
"He's dead, Marian," he told her sadly. "I'm sorry."
Marian faltered.
"D-dead?" she echoed.
Fearing she would hurt herself more if he made her walk, Guy swept her off her feet, carrying her to the waiting filly.
"It's all my fault," Marian mumbled miserably against his shoulder. "I'm the one whose sorry."
"I promise you, Marian, it was not your fault," Guy murmured. "It was mine."
Matilda's cottage
"Oi! Open up!"
Matilda grumbled a curse and dropped the hem of Rosa's skirt.
"Let me see what he wants," she told her daughter who offered her an assuring smile before carefully stepping off the stool to return to her chambers to change.
"I said open up!"
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" Matilda roared back, bristling with annoyance. "Ya needn't break me flippin door down!"
She opened the door and her jaw dropped.
"Sir Guy!" she exclaimed. "What on earth …"
"Enough of your questions! The lady Marian fell off her horse. I need you to tend to her."
The woman nodded.
"Come this way. We'll put the mite to bed then I'll take a look at her. Does her father know she's here?"
"No."
"I'll have Rosa fetch him. Put her on the bed here, Sir Guy."
Carefully Gisborne lowered Marian onto the bed.
"I'll need you to wait outside," Matilda told him afterwards.
"Why?"
"Why? Because I need to take a look at her!" the stout woman insisted. Feeling a little astounded that he had not already anticipated her request.
Gisborne bridled at her tone.
"You forget your place, woman," he growled ominously. "I am the sheriff's captain. You cannot expect to order me about!"
"I need to remove her clothing to check for injuries. The lady won't want you hovering over her when she's so exposed, will she?"
Guy hesitated momentarily.
"No," he admitted in a low rumble.
Matilda softened.
"Sir Guy," she said gently/ "Your sweeting will be fine."
"She is not my sweeting!" he growled defensively.
"I should know," Matilda went on, ignoring Guy's denial. "I bloomin well delivered her. And I know a strong girl when I see one. Now get you gone and fetch her father for me."
"I thought you were sending your daughter to fetch him?" Gisborne said, bamboozled.
"Changed me mind. I need her to assist me. Now get you gone. If it's a mere bump on the head she should be fine."
"Pray you are correct, woman. if it isn't a mere bump there'll be the devil to pay," Gisborne promised most savagely.
"Yes milord," Matilda replied with the slightest hint of sarcasm in her tone.
With a parting glare, Guy pivoted around and stalked out of the room, black leather surcoat billowing behind him.
He returned later with an anxious Sir Edward right behind him.
"How is she?" the older noble demanded. "Sir Guy tells me she fell from a spooked horse."
"My lord I need you to keep your voice down!" Matilda pleaded. "I've given your daughter a tonic. She is resting. But please, for her sake, be quiet!"
"May I at least see her?" Edward beseeched.
"Of course. But you are not to linger. She needs rest."
"I'll have a carriage readied to take you both back to the Hall," Gisborne told the worrying father. "Your daughter will mend faster if she is in familiar surroundings."
Edward barely acknowledged the younger man, sweeping past him to follow Matilda.
In between Locksley and Knighton
Gisborne accompanied the carriage back to Knighton.
Whilst riding alongside it. He noted Edward's cold, stony face and felt rather peeved.
He had saved Marian's life for crying out loud! The least the old goat owed him was one word of gratitude.
Marian sat on the other side, dozing. She was wrapt from near head to toe in furs and blankets, her round face was pale, scratched, and bruised from her fall.
She was beautiful. Like an injured bird.
A sudden longing grew within Guy.
Jesu he longed to hold her, cup her fragile face between the palms of his hands, warm her with his breath. Talk to her. Kiss her pain away.
Knighton Hall, Marian's chambers
It did not take long for Sir Edward to disrupt Marian's peaceful slumber.
The maiden, although quite weary and sore from her accident, raised a black eyebrow, frowning at her father's abrupt entrance.
"Father," she acknowledged coolly.
"Leave us," Sir Edward ordered Marian's servant. "I shall send for you after I have spoken to my daughter."
"Ais milord," the waif of an eight-year-old girl replied, setting aside the shawl she had been knitting and rising to her feet, curtsying respectfully to both man and girl before making her departure.
There was silence between the lord and his daughter for a long time. Marian stared at her hands, noting the scratches and bruises whilst Edward stared out of a window, growing steadily angrier and angrier by the moment.
Finally, he whirled on her.
"How could you be so reckless?" he demanded.
"Father I have ridden rouncy's before."
"You were riding a green colt Marian! A green colt! I would not be surprised if Sir Guy goaded you into it!"
"Guy has never goaded me into anything!" Marian protested heatedly. "He respects my abilities as a rider. He knew I could handle the horse. In fact, he was going to give the colt to me if I won the race. He-"
Marian stopped, realising she had said far too much.
"Oh my daughter ... This wilfulness must stop."
"I-"
"You find Sir Guy's company satisfying because I have not kept you on a tighter rope," Edward interrupted. "I agreed to allow this courtship because I believed Gisborne to be a man of discipline. Now I find he is too easily swayed by you."
"What are you saying … He can no longer court me?"
"He should have known better then to allow a lady of noble birth to gallivant over the countryside like a care free peasant girl!" Edward snapped. "And you should have thought of your position! My reputation!"
Marian mentally rolled her eyes and dubbed her father a fool.
"Father. Guy is the sheriff's man," she tried to explain. "My courting him has allowed me to gather valuable information about the sheriff. You know this."
"And how would Sir Guy feel if he were to learn that you have been using him just to feed me information?"
"It is not like that!" Marian cried, her cheeks burning with anger. "It has never been like that! I genuinely care for Gisborne. After Robin left for Acre, I did not believe I could bring myself to care for anyone else in a similar fashion. I thought I would die an old maid or become a nun. Father … Guy has changed everything!"
Sir Edward stared his daughter for a long time then with a heavy sigh and shake of his head, departed her chamber.
Apprehension knotted within Marian's stomach but she willed it away.
Too anxious for sleep, she brightened when her servant re-entered the suddenly rather stifling chamber and tried to forget about the quarrel.
Nottingham Castle
"Ah, Gisborne. So good of you to make an appearance. I've a job for you my dear boy."
"What is it, my lord?" Guy asked, helping himself to a goblet of Vasey's wine.
"My dear sister has lost her babies," the sheriff explained, petting the hand of his distraught blond maned sister. "We would appreciate it if you were to go out to the north road and find them."
"Babies?" Gisborne echoed, thoroughly bamboozled.
"Yes, my serpents." lady Davinia explained in a most agitated manner. "A fool left the lid open by accident and thus the majority of my dear little ones have escaped." She then turned to her brother who was now lounging in his seat of power. "How is Malcolm going?" she cooed. "Is he dead yet?"
"Last I heard he was babbling for his mother," Vasey answered with a sly grin.
"Good," Davinia purred, feline eyes locking with Guy's. "Very good. I like suffering."
Her satisfaction diminished.
"What on earth is the matter with you?" she demanded, glaring at Gisborne.
"One of your precious serpentine babies," the dark haired lord of Locksley spat aggressively. "Attacked lady Marian whilst she and I were out riding." Guy set his goblet roughly onto the table, it's red contents splashing over the brown polished wood and then onto the floor. "Because of your babies, Lady Marian could have died!"
"Oh boo hoo!" grumbled Vasey into his goblet.
"Have a care, Gisborne," Davinia warned im a soft whisper. "Have a care, or you will be quite sorry."
The captain glowered at her.
"Go home, Gisborne," Vasey drawled lazily. "I'll find someone else to retrieve Davinia's wee widdle hatchlings."
"My lord," Guy murmured.
He pivoted around and strode out of the hall.
Davinia whirled on her brother.
"Why did you do that?" she demanded hotly.
"Peace, glamorous one, peace," Vasey placated. "I had to let him go. He would have killed your precious pets out of anger and then you would have had killed him. Believe it or not, dear sister, there is enjoyment to be had looking at that spectacular behind from time to time. I do not wish him dead … yet."
Knighton Hall
Guy was not at all surprised to see the scowl on Edward's features when the older man opened the door to receive him.
It seemed nothing he did today would ever put him back into the old goat's good opinion.
"Sir Guy," the former sheriff greeted gruffly.
"Sir Edward," Gisborne answered. "I wish to inquire after your daughter's health. She took quite a spill."
"My daughter is sleeping, but I shall be sure to tell her that you called on us, Sir Guy," Edward answered stoically, eyes narrowing. "Now, may I get you anything? Wine? Food?"
"No, I am to return to Locksley," Guy licked his lips, feeling strangely uncomfortable. "My thanks, Sir Edward; I am glad your daughter will recover from her fall. Good evening to you both."
"Sir Guy," the elderly man muttered then as soon as Gisborne's back was to him, slammed the heavy wooden door.
Three months later, Locksley Manor
"Robin," Guy greeted, folding his arms across his chest. "It's been a long time."
"It has," the younger man agreed slowly.
"As you can see I have taken care of Locksley in your absence," Guy rumbled. "Taxes have been paid. The-"
"I am not satisfied."
"Beg yours?"
"I said," Robin murmured coldly. "I am not satisfied. You have done everything to your satisfaction, to the sheriff's, but not mine."
He set about removing his cloak. "Your services are no longer required, Gisborne. Go back to your master."
Knighton Hall
"Robin, it is good to see you again. Sit down, sit down."
"Thank you, Edward," the light haired youth replied, taking the seat he had been graciously offered.
"Marian should be here any moment now. I am afraid I did not know you were going to call on us, I've sent her to the blacksmith in Nettlestone."
"I can wait, old friend," Robin assured him, clasping his hands then unclasping them then finally choosing to rest them upon the table before him.
Edward glanced at the door one final time, sighed, then sat himself down across from Robin.
"You should mind what you say in front of Vasey," he whispered after a bout of silence. "Slighting him the way you do, it does more harm then good."
The younger man chuckled lazily.
"You sound like Marian. God, I thought she was going to throttle me when I saw her."
"She had every right to be angry, Robin," the former sheriff informed gravely. "Vasey is not a tolerant man. You cannot make a fool of him, especially in front of the council."
"He needs to be taken down a peg," Robin scoffed. "No, more then that. Why would Prince John allow such a savage take over from you? This doesn't make sense."
Before Edward could answer, the hall door opened, through it came Marian, hair quite dishevelled, dress torn in places and covered in dirt, her slender hands scratched.
"Father," she greeted, ignoring the despairing look he gave her. "Robin," she added coldly.
"Where have you been?" Edward demanded with much exasperation.
"One of Jackas and Mary's children was caught in a tree," Marian explained, helping herself to a goblet of watered down wine. "I got the imp out then as I climbed down but I also slipt and fell onto a blackberry patch."
Edward groaned.
"Reckless, reckless," he grumbled. "A noble woman such as yourself cannot be seen climbing trees! Falling into blackberry patches!"
"No one saw me!" Marian snapped angrily.
'At least no one you would consider important anyway,' the maiden added silently.
She forgot Robin was there and with a loud huff of annoyance, stomped up the stairs to the quiet sanctuary of her bedchamber.
Edward cursed her as soon as the door slammed then rose to his feet, pacing back and forth, much to his young guests' amusement.
"Headstrong! Foolish!" he muttered as he moved. "No concern at all for me! No respect at all!"
"Seems like you have your hands full," Robin said observantly. "I thought she would have been married by now."
"She almost was," Edward growled. "To Guy of Gisborne. I thought he was a good choice, Robin. Truly I did. But he fell for her charms. He could not say "No" to her."
"I see," Robin murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Deciding it was time to leave, the young earl finished his wine then rose smoothly to his feet.
"Forgive me, Edward. I need to get back to Locksley. Send my regards to Marian when she comes down."
"Of course and thank you, Robin. It is indeed a small mercy having you back in the shire."
"Hopefully we can figure out a way to overthrow this tyrant. I will speak with you after the feast at the castle tomorrow, till then, farewell old friend."
Nottingham Castle, Gisborne's castle chambers
Guy was adjusting his sword belt when a servant entered; telling him that Vasey was waiting for him and was not in the mood for tarry on his part.
'You never are,' the handsome man thought with an angry scowl.
Since Robin's return and the departure of the lady Davinia, the sheriff had proved to be a most bothersome pain in his derriere.
Everything ranging from a visit from the night watchman to the weather had become Guy's fault.
Nothing, absolutely nothing he did was ever deemed good enough.
"Petulant old fart!" Gisborne snarled kicking at the wall. "When will I be free of you?"
Ever since his return from France he had been forced to struggle to retake what Bailiff Longthorn of Locksley had stolen from him and his sister.
After marrying Isabella to Lord Thornton of Shrewsbury, whom he had considered to be a fair and decent sort of man, Guy hurled himself directly into politics, charming the most perverted of minds with his good looks, steadily deepening voice, sword and dagger skills and natural affinity with the equines.
He whored himself. He fought. He courted. He danced. He sung till people informed him that his baritone was no longer pleasing to their ears. He struggled and struggled till at last no one could call him, Guy the lanky lad. Till no one could say he was slightly above a peasant with only a bony ten-year-old bay nag and fifteen crowns a week in his possession. No, they had to acknowledge him now.
He was Sir Guy Crispin of Gisborne again. He could hold his head high.
Taking a breath to compose himself, Gisborne opened the chamber door.
Marian, he hoped, would be attending the feast. It would do him some good to listen to her soft, warm tones.
The great hall
Vasey had Huntingdon nicely ruffled.
The puppy faced boy seemed like he was about to chuck the biggest of wobblies.
Well, he was until Marian arrived.
The young man could not get rid of his angry scowl, but he could smile weakly upon the beauty that had just entered the hall.
The maiden from Knighton was luminous. Her white woollen gown accentuated her flawless ivory skin. Her lustrous near black mane cascaded rebelliously down her slender shoulders, down her back like a shining river of silk.
The girl noticed that Robin was angry and guessed it was with something the sheriff had told him for the tedious man seemed quite happy which was odd for he was known to claim that feasts, unless held in the royal court, were intolerable affairs one should avoid at any cost.
Marian turned her attentions to the man clad in black leather; her heart jolted then began to thump at a slightly faster pace then before.
OoO
Noticing Marian's arrival, Gisborne stepped forth to offer her a greeting. Robin spoke.
"Marian, would you do me the honour by accompanying me this evening?" he asked.
The girl's lips parted in surprise. Her blue eyes turned to Gisborne who seemed to be already seething with anger.
"Marian?"
"I, ah … I was to sit with my father, Robin," she replied uneasily, taking her gaze off Sir Guy.
"That's not a problem. I planned to sit with him anyway," Robin answered casually. "So. Will you?"
From behind Robin's back, Much gave the girl an expectant look, hence making Marian feel steadily worse.
She smiled weakly, taking Robin's arm.
As Robin led her to the awaiting table, Marian looked for Gisborne. When she saw him looming over the barrier like a fearsome black crow, she mouthed a genuine "Sorry" at him.
Guy merely glared back at her accusingly then pivoted out of sight.
Knighton Hall
"My thanks to you for seeing us home, Robin," Edward told the young man. "I daresay your carriage is much more to my liking then our own. It is most bothersome that our carriage team should turn lame, very, very bothersome indeed."
Robin laughed heartily.
:"My pleasure, Sir Edward. What's mine is yours."
He smiled at Marian who stared back, not amused by this display at all.
"Of course, it's all yours as well, Marian," he added almost … hopefully.
Marian fought the urge to sneer and pasted a false smile on her lips lest she upset her father.
"Thank you," she answered. "Please excuse me, father, but I am tired. I'd like to retire."
"Yes … good night, Marian."
"Good night, Marian," Robin echoed, smiling that infuriating smile again.
"Good night," Marian murmured.
Picking up her skirt, the girl hurried upstairs, eager for her bed.
OoO
As soon as Edward heard the door leading to Marian's bedchamber slam shut, he turned to Robin.
"Stay awhile." He invited. "We have business to discuss."
Marian's bedchamber
With her blue eyes as wide as a startled doe's, Marian backed away from the door.
He couldn't … Surely, he wouldn't … It was preposterous!
There was no way she …
Running to her bed, kneeling beside it, Marian yanked out a brown leather satchel.
"I need you tonight old friend," she whispered feverishly. "The sky has truly fallen on my head!"
Nottingham Castle, money chamber
Gisborne roared with rage and slashed his way toward the night watchman who dared to stare back at him mockingly before cartwheeling just out of reach.
"Don't you know me, boy?" he demanded hatefully, frustrated that the masked criminal had yet to utter a single yelp in terror.
The intruder rolled its eyes, laughing silently at him.
"You think me pathetic now?" the man sneered; he lashed out with his sword. "how will you feel when I march you up to the gallows?"
He bounded forward, snarling, teeth bared, more then ready to deliver the final blow.
The night watchman was quicker. With such deadly accuracy it swung the sack of coin over its head, smacking Gisborne with it.
The tall knight gave a grunt then fell to the floor with a heavy thud.
"Someone's in my treasure chamber! Gisborne! Get your lazy backside in there and deal with it! I'm trying to eat my dinner in peace! Gisborne? Gisborne!"
Not wanting any more complications, the night watchman slung the coin-filled sack over its shoulder and made for its exit.
Now, it was time to distribute this gold to the poor.
Knighton Hall, Marian's bedchambers
Panting hard, Marian scrambled into her bedchamber through her open window. Wasting no time, she yanked off her uniform, folded it neatly, and replaced it back into the satchel.
The full moon was still high in the sky when she had returned from Nettlestone village, Marian was grateful for this for fighting against Guy as her alter ego always drove her to the point of exhaustion.
She needed to rest. Conserve her energy before she ventured out again, before she dealt with her father and Robin.
Maybe she had misheard her father tonight Marian thought whilst climbing into bed, pulling up the blankets and furs. She had been listening through a key hole after all and mistakes did happen.
For example, she had been most unfortunate this evening. She always tried to avoid interacting with Guy as the night watchman although fighting him was always thrilling.
She had, on many an occasion, considered the possibility of actually telling Gisborne about her secret identity, but a time to reveal it had never truly arisen.
Marian also knew that Guy had a fearsome temper. That aspect of him could not go ignored. It was something she had treated with extreme care.
Anger. Rage. Fury, whatever you wished to call it, clouded judgement. One could not always do the right thing when swept up into a passion.
It was best to wait.
At last, sleep overwhelmed her and she succumbed to it readily.
Her lips parted slightly, eyelids batted repeatedly till their movement was no more.
She moaned softly, slumping further into her pillow.
Knighton Hall, main room
"Father," Marian greeted, hurrying down the stairs. "How are you this morning?"
"Well enough." Edward told her then nodded to the servant woman standing behind the table. "Serve my daughter, Hilde."
"Yes, milord."
"Robin wishes for us to dine with him at Locksley this afternoon," the noble informed his daughter when Hilde had left them to attend to other duties. "I want you to be at your best behaviour, Marian. I shall not endure another bout of rudeness on your part."
"I have not been rude!" Marian protested. "I have simply stated that I have no interest in resuming another attachment with him."
"Well I'm afraid you do not have a choice anymore. Robin and I will be discussing your dowry whilst we dine."
Marian's pink lips peeled apart in horror.
"I beg-I beg your pardon?" she stuttered. "My dowry?"
Sir Edward cut into his venison, refusing to look at her.
"Father, no!"
"For once in your life, Marian, you will do as I bid you," he snapped at last. "Robin is ideal. A much, much better choice then Gisborne. He is capable of looking after you and keeping England safe from snakes like the sheriff."
"He is also the king's puppy!" Marian shouted, banging her fist hard on the table. "Have you not given any notice at all to how Robin continuously sings the kings praises? By god, you must be deaf!"
"Foolish girl, you do not care for me at all!" Edward cried. "All I am asking is for you accept the earl as your husband, not love him!"
"I do care for you," the girl cried passionately. "On the contrary, I care for you very much, but you forget that a union with Robin may not be a wise choice. Sheriff Vasey has made it plain that he does not like him. What if Robin should be set up for a fall by the sheriff and I am widowed? Both of our necks will then be on the line if they are not already."
"You are speaking folly!" Edward snapped all the while giving his daughter a look of frustrated annoyance. Frustrated annoyance for he knew that Marian was disturbingly correct. "Ungrateful child, leave me be. I find I cannot look at you."
So furious she wanted to scream, the girl flung herself away from the table and ran out the door, leaving her father staring at her vacant chair.
Knighton stables
She hated him!
Lord how she hated him!
The fool!
Not bothering to properly tack up her mare, Marian swung herself onto the grey animals back, gripping the rope and cream mane hard in her trembling hands.
"Get up!" she ordered, kicking the snorting equine hard in her sides. "Go on! Get up!"
Eager to please her owner, the palfrey trumpeted like a stallion and sprung forward, carrying them away from Knighton and Marian's father.
Locksley Manor stable yards
Guy was working a red roan yearling colt on the lunging rein when Marian and her light grey mare burst into his view.
Slightly annoyed with the girl for disrupting his training session, Guy called for one of his men to take over and walked over to speak to the obviously bothered maiden.
"What is it?" he asked as she dismounted, wiping sweat off his brow. "I need to have him used to the saddle before the week is over."
"My father has agreed to betroth me to Robin of Locksley," Marian told him, her demeanour not changing. "He and I are to dine with Robin later today to discuss my dowry."
Gisborne froze.
"You are betrothed to Robin?" he whispered.
"Yes."
Guy's lips curled back into a furious snarl.
"Get back on your horse and come with me," he told her, stalking over to untether the reins of a tall and slender light bay filly standing nearby.
"Why? Where are we going?" the girl demanded, mounting nonetheless.
"To your home, I want to have a few words with your father," Guy growled back. That being said, he kicked the bay filly into a gallop, leaving everyone behind in a cloud of dust.
End of part 1
Authors note
Hee! This is so much fun to write!
I've always wanted to try to write a fic where Guy and Marian are courting and getting along before Hood showed up. The thing is, it's hard not to make Guy and Marian too lovey dovey with each other. The coldness and the heat and rage have to remain before they can fall in love and the sweet stuff can begin.
It's all about keeping a nice balance and good timing.
I feel comfortable with how I've written this chapter I don't think either of them have slipt too much out of character.
Shrugs, could be wrong, but that's for you to decide.
So. Will Marian be forced to marry Robin? What is Guy going to say to Sir Edward?
Thank you very much for reading. Leah.
