AN: Thank you so much to those who reviewed. I do truly appreciate.
Chapter Two
She awoke with a start, labored breathing pulling her from the peaceful slumber that had found her despite being determined to stay awake. Looking around the tent in the direction of the breathing, she brushed her strawberry-blond hair from her face. Guy had slept peacefully for hours, unaware that she was there occasionally applying more healing ointments to try to counteract any poison that might be in his system and prevent infection. The sun was starting to slowly light the sky outside her tent, making it easier to see his face across the small tent.
His features were contorted with pain and discomfort, his brow covered with sweat. She felt her own breath catch in her throat as she crossed the short distance to where he lay. Unwrapping the bandage she bit her lip at the sight of the wound on his chest. It was an angry red color, and clearly infection had taken hold of him. Reaching out she placed a hand against the skin of his now creased brow, feeling the heat there for a moment.
Looking at him, she would think him merely trapped in the grips of a nightmare if she didn't look down to the extensive damage to his body. Fevers had been known to bring on horrific visions while one slept and she wondered what it was he was seeing in his mind. It was clear he was no longer at peace, physically or emotionally, and she could do little to change that at the moment. Only time could bring a return of physical peace, then she could try to heal the emotional wounds with would run much deeper.
As her fingers traveled from his brow to his cheek his eyes suddenly shot open, his hand coming up to catch her wrist. His sharp reflexes, she assumed caused the reaction as she noticed that his eyes didn't truly seem to focus on her but around the space she filled. His grip was surprisingly firm, speaking volumes of his physical strength. That at least was a good sign in her mind, if he was able to react in such a way he might still be able to fight the infection.
"Guy," she said, trying to sooth him, "it's alright...You're safe."
At the sound of her voice, his eyes seemed to finally find hers, blue searching desperately for her green. For a long moment he was frozen, his eyes remaining fixed with her own. There was recognition in his, and for that she was relieved. In his weakened state it seemed the old anger was forgotten, and after a long moment his hold on her loosened.
Sliding her hand into his, she lowered it to her lap as she kept her eyes fixed on his. Now there was confusion, followed by a slight narrowing most likely caused by the pain he was in or perhaps the memory of how everything had ended between them. Reaching out with her free hand she grabber a clean rag, dipping it in the now cold water of the cauldron and wringing it out. Gently she used the cool cloth to wipe his brow, hoping it would be soothing against the excessive body heat.
"K...Krista?" he asked, his voice horse and soft.
She felt strangely relieved that he recognized her and hadn't called out the name she had expected to hear from his lips. Even now his voice sent a shiver down her spine, the likes of which she hadn't felt in years. Biting her lip, she gave a slight nod to the affirmative as she continued to try to cool his burning skin.
"It's me," she said softly. "Don't try to talk too much, just rest. There will be plenty of time for talk later."
"I never imagined you would be waiting for me," he told her, his eyes glazing over a bit again. "Even if I managed to redeem myself enough for Heaven, I never dared dream you would want to be here to greet me."
The fever was causing a delusion, and she blinked back the tears that filled her eyes for his words spoke volumes. He had always assumed she would die in the Holy Land, and, given the circumstances between them, that she would never want anything to do with him ever again. She shook her head slightly at the unfairness that was life. All the time wasted on anger and hurt feelings...this one simple statement of his said all that she needed to know, she had been right to return home.
Releasing his hand for a moment she reached out for a nearby container of drinking water, but he grabbed her wrist again as panic filled his eyes. If she could go back and do it all again, she would do anything to prevent them from coming to this moment. She would give anything to not have to see the anguish in his eyes or know that he could easily still slip from this world. Being a practical sort though she knew better then to dwell on the impossible.
"It's alright," she soothed. "You need to try to drink a little water. I'm not leaving, I promise you."
It seemed to satisfy his fear as he loosened his grip on her wrist so she could retrieve the water. Opening the container she smoothed his hair back from his face as she placed on hand under his head. Drinking would be slightly tricky but she hoped the fact that he was slightly delirious would help make this easier.
"Let me do the work, alright," she gently commanded, lifting his head slightly and putting the container to his lips. "The last thing I need is you destroying my handiwork because you think you can do it all yourself."
She allowed him a small amount, pulling it away despite his protests when she felt he had enough. She hushed his complaints, gently lowering his head again. Closing the container again, she set it to the side before once again dipping the rag in cool water for his head. Eventually he would lose consciousness again, and she could tend to his wounds without having to cause him unnecessary suffering.
"You were always my angel," he said, causing her to smirk slightly. If he were in his right mind he wouldn't be saying such things, and she didn't fool herself into thinking other wise.
"I will remind you of that when your fever breaks," she told him, trying to keep her voice light. "I doubt the word angel will be the first one that comes to your mind."
He looked at her in complete confusion for a moment and she gave him a gentle smile as she took hold of his hand again. He honestly believed they had both perished, and for now she would stop trying to allude to the fact that he was very much still alive. There was no reason to upset his peaceful state of mind just yet...there would be plenty of time for coming to terms with reality later.
"You should try to sleep," she said, lifting his hand from her lap and brushing her lips against the skin on the back. "You need your strength...I won't leave, I promise."
His fingers intertwined with hers as she lowered his hand back to her lap. He seemed to accept her promise, as his eyes slowly left hers. They closed again and it was only a moment before his breathing evened out telling her he had once again slipped into the unconscious world. Slowly she released his hand, reaching for the bottle containing an ointment to help fight the infection.
As she worked to spread it over his wounds her mind wandered slightly. When he spoke to her it was like the past six years had not happened, and in some ways she desperately wished that were the case. The clearest view of an event always seemed to be when one thought back over what had occurred, and she could clearly state everything she would do differently were she given the chance.
"So you're leaving then," Guy said, standing in the doorway of her chambers. "Just like that...The King calls and you put your entire life on hold to follow."
Krista looked up from the bag where she had been packing her close, sighing slightly as she answered, "You know I have to go, Guy. I have a duty to my King and my country."
"You have duty to me," he told her, his voice tense and sharp. His eyes bore into hers and the pain he was feeling was quite evident.
Her hands fell away from her clothes as she simply stared at him for a moment, at a loss for words. It had always been understood that her duties to King Richard would always come first and she tried not show that she felt as if someone had just knocked the wind from her lungs. They had been over this time and time again, and she felt weary at repeating the conversation, especially now.
"Guy," she said softly, her eyes fixed on his, "we have talked about this so many times...he's the only family I have left. I can not abandon him now."
He laughed in a way she was not accustomed to hearing. It was a dark, sadistic sort of sound from deep in his chest and it frightened her to her very core. There had always been a darkness within him, but until now he had kept it at bay.
"If we were married already, I would be your family as well," he answered.
"Yes, but we're not now are we? You're too worried you're inadequate in some way since your family lost their lands. We're not because pride won't let you simply marry me!" she snapped, regretting it nearly the instant the words left her lips. "I'm sorry.... I shouldn't have..."
He held up a hand for her to stop and for once she complied. She had gone to far this time, and she knew it. He looked away from her, his eyes landing on the frame of the doorway. The conversation was as good as over, and the damage was done. She knew that look; it was a look that meant he was finished with the fight. Guy was giving up and the thought caused tears to fill her eyes, forfeit was not usually a part of his vocabulary.
"May you be safe in your travels, Krista," he said slowly, before turning and leaving the room.
She watched the space where he had stood for some time, wondering if she should go after him. Somehow she doubted it would do any good, he seemed to have made up his mind. If she left their engagement was over and he was not willing to negotiate this point. If she stayed they would continue on as they had, betrothed but never seeming to get any closer to taking their vows. He had sworn there would not be a Lady Gisbourne until he once again had lands to claim as his own.
That had been the last time she had laid eyes on him before leaving to follow her cousin and king. It was the final memory of him that she had carried until the day before, as she stood helpless to stop the pain that tore through his body. At least today she could say she saw him look at her the way he did long ago and that was an image she would carry with her always.
Carefully re-applying the bandages around his torso part of her was relieved he didn't stir again. Perhaps a moment ago in his delusions would be the only time she would see an inkling of the feelings behind the carefully erected facade. She wanted to hold on to that for as long as she could, for the demons within him would return soon enough.
