Loved in the darkness
By Leah
Summary
This is a very AU story set after "A thing or two about loyalty" after Marian almost broke off her betrothal to Sir Guy of Gisborne.
If you are not a fan of Marian & Gisborne, please look away.
The story is dedicated to my Betas April, Jules & Alyssa, and my dear, dear friend, Angelique.
Disclaimer
The BBC owns the rights to this version of Robin Hood; I do not own a bloody thing!
Drat!
Rated "M" for violence and sexual content.
Prologue
"What is it?" the breath-taking young woman whom Sir Guy of Gisborne was betrothed to asked whilst dismounting her light grey mare.
"I have news," Guy replied. "The king must remain in the Holy land for longer then intended."
"How much longer?"
"Three more years, perhaps even longer then that."
Marian coolly stared into his face, searching for a trace of deceit.
Nothing. There was none to be found.
"Three more years," she echoed, adding wistfully, "such a long time."
She handed her mare to a stable boy before walking to the hall.
"Marian," he begun.
She turned facing him.
"Yes?"
"I know you asked to set the wedding upon the day of the king's return," Gisborne hesitated before adding. "But I cannot wait."
"So, you want to end our engagement?" she asked.
"After a fashion, yes."
He took her slender pale hands in his large leather-clad ones, squeezing them lightly. "I wish to marry you this coming summer, Marian."
The colour fled from Marian's face, she bit down hard upon her lower lip, almost drawing blood.
"You know where I stand in this matter," she told him at last. "There are plenty of other girls who would gladly be your wife. I think we should end our betrothal and remain friends."
"But I am not interested in the others," he told her slightly alarmed by her proposal, "I am only interested in being wed to you! Why would I want any other?"
She frowned, bowing her head.
"Think of what I can offer you!" he added, voice slightly urgent. "Once the sheriff has no more need for my services we can leave. We can move to London to serve Prince John. Once there I will make you the greatest lady ever to set foot in his court! What do you say?"
Her lovely blue eyes filled with rage.
"What do I say? I say that the sheriff will always have need of you, you fool! Do you really think he will ever let you go, Guy? What's more, he is one of the many reasons I do not wish to be part of this union anymore! He humiliates me again and again and yet you do nothing to help me!"
"Marian, if I tried he'll kill us both!" Guy snapped, releasing her hands to fold his arms across his chest.
"Oh, Enough of your excuses!" she sneered back. "I will not be chained to a coward, Sir Guy!"
She forcefully ripped off her betrothal ring and flung it to the ground. With a hateful glare, she spun around, storming away from him, slamming the hall door behind her.
Later, Knighton Hall
"Marian, have you suddenly lost your senses?" Edward of Knighton hissed furiously.
"No," his daughter replied calmly. "I just changed my mind again. That is all."
"But why? Why have you changed your mind again? Gisborne is a demon! He-"
"To keep you safe!" she almost yelled, frustrated with her father's constant questioning. "I'll turn to heaven or hell if needs be, father, and you know it!" She licked her lips. "My fury blinded me. I should have remembered we need Guy's protection. I was just so angry with him."
The former sheriff sighed.
"Then you had better saddle a horse and ride to Locksley. I hope Sir Guy is in a listening mood."
"And I hope he is in a forgiving one," Marian muttered under her breath.
Much later, Locksley Manor.
"Lady Marian to see you, my lord," Thornton announced.
Guy barely hid his surprise.
"Show her in," he murmured, returning his gaze to a fiercely flickering fireplace.
Marian entered a little while later, brushing strands of loose hair out of her face.
"Sir Guy," she greeted formally, coolly.
"Lady Marian," he replied in the same fashion, clasping his hands behind his back.
She bowed her head, licking her lips; it was awhile before she spoke.
"I have spoken with my father. He believes I am foolish to want to bring an end to our betrothal."
"Smart man," Guy thought.
"Your father wants what is best for you," he told her softly, "As do I."
He walked toward her, boots barely audible against the wooden floor. "We do not want you to fall into a position where you could be harmed. Also. You are getting older."
Marian scowled at him, though his words did make sense.
"That, or you and my father were thinking of what a strong noose can do to one's neck remarkably at the same time." She replied sarcastically.
He ignored her comment and reached into a leather pocket, producing the betrothal ring.
"Curious," Marian said observantly, watching the silver gleam in the candlelight. "I threw it quite hard, yet it is not spoiled."
"I had it mended, there was little damage done," he told her simply. "Whether you decided to change your mind or no, I would not waste this ring."
Taking her hand in his own, he gently slid it onto her finger, the girl's eyes watching his every move. Letting it go, Gisborne reached out, tucking an ebony lock behind her ear.
Marian shivered but did not pull away.
When he withdrew, Guy watched her stare at the flames, absent-mindly rubbing her arms.
"Is fear of me holding you back from being happy about our marriage?" he asked suddenly, voice barely above a whisper.
Her eyes widened and she licked her lips again.
"Is it?"
"I must go," she told him, backing away slowly. "Father needs me."
"You did not answer my question."
"I do not know the answer."
"Marian-"
"Guy … I-" She stopped, taking a deep, shuddering breath, trying to gain some control. "Guy," she repeated. "I believe that there are times when I am terrified of you. Other times, I find I'm actually quite glad that you are alive."
"I see," he said, somewhat bitter.
Though he knew that this was something she'd never readily admit to anyone, he was disappointed she did not tell him that she loved him dearly and was grateful that he wanted her as his wife.
Oh well. Her previous confession was something he supposed.
"However," she continued with some haste. "You beating me til I am left bleeding, black and blue are the least of my concerns." She hesitated, eyes darting around the room. "My greatest fears," she continued, "are that marrying you will kill my spirit. You will cage me. That I will be nothing more then a miserable broodmare to you. Secondly, that you will threaten my fathers life to make me more obedient. Those are the two things Guy; scare me more then you will ever know."
She waited for a response there being none Marian decided to leave. Carefully, she removed the ring and set it on a table.
Guy's eyes widened. But he could not speak to stop her. Speech was suddenly beyond him.
She was almost vanishing from his sight when she paused. She walked back and spoke to him in a weary voice
"I may be willing to go ahead with our union if you can make two promises to me, Guy."
"Promises?" he asked, one black eyebrows risen with curiosity.
"Yes."
"I'm intrigued. What do you want, Marian?" He inquired and folded his leather clad arms across his chest, waiting.
"One, do not threaten my father. Do not threaten him at all! If the sheriff wants revenge for my defiance, then make sure it is my neck that goes through that noose."
Guy took a deep breath then let it out slowly. "The second?" he managed.
"If my life was devoid of both parents this would be my only concern."
"And that is?" he pressed carefully.
"Encourage me," she began passionately. "Do not clip my wings. Teach me ... If you can promise me all this I will be your wife. I will try to give you as many heirs as you could possibly want!"
Having said that with profound purpose, Marian felt close to panting at the end of her plea. She added a conclusion to her speech by finishing with, "Now, what do "you" say, Sir Guy?"
He was quiet for a while, seemingly deep in thought.
"The sheriff will make life difficult for us," he said eventually. "He could either make us the laughing stock of Nottingham or-"
"kill us." Marian concluded.
"Yes."
"The sheriff doesn't need to know I am an independent woman away from the castle, Guy."
He only offered a doubtful look.
Frustrated, she pushed back a dark curl from her face.
"Guy, what I ask of you is quite small. I will not make a fool out of you, but just please try to see things from my own point of view. I am still young. I have a good mind. I am eager to learn. I want more from this life then looking after babies and mending your tunics." She folded her arms across her chest, blue eyes bright with defiance. "Will you promise me this, Guy?"
Guy of Gisborne turned his back to her, looking deep into the flickering flames again. He loved everything about Marian. From her pale skin, to her independent nature.
But Vasey would give him hell if he gave Marian too much free rein and he would never forgive himself if he gave Marian up.
God's balls! What should he do?
"I need time," he said at last.
Marian sighed, trying to conceal her disappointment.
"Then I will wait for your decision," she told him.
Later, Knighton Hall. Marian's bedroom
The young girl lay in her bed, tossing and turning. She was dreaming.
The Dream
"So, what did Sir Guy have to say?" Sir Edward asked as he and Marian sat down to eat.
"I've given him a task," Marian told him simply, reaching for a jug of wine. "I told him he must make two promises to me and keep them, or I will end any chance we have for a union for good. He then told me that he needed time to think."
Edward dropped his knife.
"What?" he exclaimed, astonished.
She rolled her eyes.
"Father," she said in an exasperated tone, "Guy is not like any other man. He is the Sheriff's right hand! And-"
"Are you toying with this man so he will release you, Marian?" Edward demanded, suddenly quite angry. "You should know better then this!"
"Father, I-"
"There is no way out, Marian! Gisborne cannot protect you or me unless your hands are bound in wedlock. He knows it, I know it!"
"Robin could help us," she said softly after a lengthy pause. "He could ride out to the hall with horses; you and I could travel on a ship to seek a meeting with the king and then-"
"No Marian!" Edward shouted, banging his fist so hard upon the table, his goblet toppled over, spilling blood red liquid onto the floor.
Rising from his seat, he stormed over to where she sat and loomed over her, actually causing the girl to shrink back in fear for she had never seen her father so enraged.
"Listen to me," he told her in a fierce hiss. "You will marry Gisborne; you will be the perfect wife. All thoughts of fleeing England to see the king will cease this very moment. You will learn that as an adult you must make sacrifices, do you understand, Marian? You must become an adult now! And as an adult, you now understand that the mature thing to do is to marry Sir Guy."
"Why?" she cried, passionately bolting from her chair, heart pounding within her breast. "Why is your mind going around and around in circles? First you tell me you do not want me married to Guy and then you tell me that I must grow up and marry him! I don't understand this at all!"
"Then I will make you understand," he whispered coldly.
End of dream
With a startled cry, Marian woke up. Shaking, the girl peeled the covers aside and departed her bed. Walking over to a table, she poured some water from a jug into a cup. Still shaking, she raised the cup to her lips, whimpering softly as she gulped down the freezing substance.
When she felt a little calmer, Marian set the cup down and looked down at her hand.
Though all of the candles in her room had been put out some hours ago, the full moon provided enough light for her to be able to see
"A dream," she thought. "It was just a dream."
Suddenly the door burst open. Marian whirled around to see her father enter, the candle in his hand making his face seem golden.
"Marian," he cried, "I heard you cry out. What happened? are you ill?"
"No, no," she told him, smiling weakly. "I had a bad dream."
Her dear father stared at her, considering her revelation.
"That is perhaps why you are sweating," he sighed."
Marian said nothing.
"I will go downstairs and make you a tonic to help you sleep."
"Father there is-"
"Do not protest, get into bed Marian."
Marian meekly obeyed and returned to her bed.
Locksley Manor
Guy wanted to go to sleep. He really did. Yet the thoughts inside his head would not allow him to do so.
Satan's turds! Why did marrying the perfect woman have to be so bloody difficult? What she had asked of him. The ability to be a freethinking, independent woman. To be considered his equal.
Guy stared at the ceiling, his nostrils filling with air. Could he do that? Could he give her all that? He would give her the moon and its stars if she asked it of him. But equality?
He groaned, rubbing his forehead.
Then again ... Having a fresh mind to aid him in his struggle to gain recognition for the Gisborne name might just be the very thing he needed. And Marian was far from a swooning tavern wench.
From what he knew of her she could speak, read and write in several languages besides her native English. Also, she was rumoured to be quite handy with a bow.
He smirked. No wonder she always said she could look after herself.
Gisborne got up from his bed and padded over to the table where the betrothal ring lay glinting in the moonlight. He picked it up, laying it against the palm of his large hand before lightly caressing the stones and silver setting with his thumb, recalling how nervous he had been when he had placed it upon her finger for the first time.
There had been some momentary exaltation when revealing their betrothal to the invited guests then that pretty boy; Locksley just had to barge in and ruin everything.
Damn that little basterd to Hell! He had his chance with Marian, but he chose King Richard and the battlefield over her. No, Locksley didn't deserve her at all. Not now, not ever.
Guy could almost imagine Marian living in the forest as an outlaw with Hood and his rabble. She would be filthy and stinking from lack of a good wash, cold and hungry from lack of a roaring fire and a decent meal.
He was the better choice! He could have her want for nothing and- Oh there was that bloody problem again.
With a frustrated snort, Gisborne set the ring back on the table and retreated to his bed.
The next morning, Knighton Hall
Sir Edward and Lady Marian had just finished breaking their fast on porridge mixed with honey when there was a knock at the door.
"Who could that be?" Edward asked, very confused. "Really, it is too early for visitors!"
Marian sipped from her goblet then rose from her chair. Merely seconds after she had risen, a servant girl hurried towards them.
"My lord, my lady. Sir Guy is here and he wishes to see Lady Marian privately."
Sir Edward was about to protest when Marian raised a hand to silence him.
"No. That is fine. Tell Sir Guy I shall meet with him in our stables in a few moments, Sally."
The girl nodded, curtsied and hurried off to give Gisborne Marian's reply to his request.
Ignoring her father's scowl, Marian headed for the stairs with the intention of making Sir Guy wait a good half hour whilst she fixed her hair.
Knighton Hall stables
"Sir Guy. So sorry to keep you waiting, we were not expecting visitors so early."
Gisborne turned from the tall brown gelding he had been admiring to address Marian.
"I have had ample time to think, my lady," he said.
"Oh."
Her large blue eyes coolly ran over his face. He seemed somewhat troubled, anxious.
"Then tell me what you've decided," she said, trying to ignore the thumping of her suddenly anxious heart.
End of prologue
So. What has Guy decided? Will Marian suffer Vasey's wrath? Or will she and Gisborne become husband and wife?
You will know when the first chappie is posted.