Chapter 3
*MEG'S POV*
A/N: Just wanted to thank you all for reading this, especially those who review- and I know that this sounds like a cliché, but it does mean a lot. BeefPie and SleepingwithinWater, your continued support is astounding, and Clarissa13 (if you're reading this) you really should know that 'mostly extinct is not extinct enough'- there now I should know if you're reading this despite the fact that you strongly dislike the main male character in this. (Apologies to everyone, but I really had to get that out.) Oh, also, thanks if you have added this to alerts! :D
Disclaimer: If I owned Robin Hood, then I would be rich, and I'm not, no matter how much I wish it to be true.
"I hope you go to Hell!"
The words replayed in my head, over and over. I hated to admit it, but it was a harsh thing to say, even to Gisborne. I didn't really want him to go to Hell... so why did I say it? I racked my brains for an answer to this simple question. I couldn't find any reason that I should hate him, even after all the terrible things he had done; even after Isabella making her dislike towards men evident, and I think she hates him (although siblings do tend to go through the 'I hate you' phases); I couldn't even hate him when applying my 'hating men' ethic. I guess…I guess it was because he was going to die that I didn't hate him- like it was a waste of effort to hate him.
I mean, he didn't show any signs of defensive attitude, or any anger towards me. In fact, I'd go as far as to say he looked emotionless- which could mean he didn't have the strength (which I doubt, because from what I have experienced and seen of Sir Guy of Gisborne, he was never without strength, even if he only had a little), or he was miserable. A part of me felt…felt sorry for him…
I glanced across at the man in the neighbouring cell. His chest rose and fell rhythmically; his eyes were closed, and there was a faint trace of a smile on his lips. Sleeping. He seemed to be having peaceful dreams- he had good body language, and seemed undisturbed in his own world.
A groan escaped from my mouth as I wondered when Isabella would come to let me out. She had to come eventually- Thornton couldn't stay forever, and Isabella would surely come to free me from this hellhole. I hoped that she would get rid of that nasty husband and free me; she shouldn't forget about me… What was I thinking? Isabella was my friend! She wouldn't forget about me! I just hoped that she would get here before they killed me… Execution. Oh, God no. I really don't want to die. Is this a punishment for not taking any suitors? If my life was spared, I suppose I could try… I just hate them all! They're always so…so… stupid! But if it got me out of this place alive...
A flicker of movement in the corner of my eye made my attention turn to Guy. His body was rigid; his eyelids were scrunched up; his face was contorted with agony; and his hands were gripping the floor, as if for safety. For some strange reason, I felt really sorry for him, and…and I wanted to go and comfort him? What? No. I couldn't want to comfort Sir Guy of Gisborne- the man who has killed countless people in cold-blood!
To prevent any more uncharacteristic thoughts, I turned in the opposite direction to him, and pondered over my fate.
The burning sensation in my wrists became the most prominent thing in my mind. The shackles.I desperately tried to remove them, to stop the pain.
"Just leave it will you."
Guy's voice said that he was annoyed and tired (well, he didn't get much sleep, and if this has been happening every night, I couldn't blame him for being snappy).
"But it hurts!" I retorted, looking up at him. He had dark shadows under his eyes, proving my theory about lack of sleep. His face showed no tell-tale signs of emotion.
"That's why they do it- deal with it."
Guy dropped his head into his hands, and I rolled my eyes. Typical man. Then I realised that my throat was really dry.
"I'm thirsty."
"Well best save your breath and stop whining." He snapped.
"Nasty piece of work you, aren't you?" I shot back. "No wonder Isabella wants you dead!" I paused and thought about what I had just said. "What did you do to her anyway?"
"Oh give me strength! It's almost worth dying to be spared your endless chatter!"
Thanks.
"Oh come on. You're here, I'm here. What else are we going to do?"
He seemed to consider this for a moment before his eyes showed some emotion of which I couldn't place- hatred? Loathing? Remorse?
"I found her a husband, that's what I did!" He snarled and glowered at the ground before mumbling, "Good price too."
"You sold her? Your own sister?!" I exclaimed.
"It was her best chance in life. It's not my fault she went and made a mess of it."
"Well of course it is! All of it! You sold her to a monster!" I regretted the words almost instantly, which confused me- why am I thinking these things and regretting things that I say? He's a man, and I shouldn't be treating him with any exception just because he was going to die.
"You stupid girl! You know nothing about it!"
"I'm not 'stupid girl'. I'm Meg." I countered. "And I'm still thirsty."
I heard a sigh come from Guy's direction. He must be bored stiff of my endless whining, and why shouldn't he be? I knew I had the tendency to be annoying (something I had put into practise to get rid of the suitors), but something in me was trying to make me refrain from being so, causing my trained brain to act according to the opposite of these 'feelings'.
"That stone around your neck." His voice was softer, gentler, almost defeated, so I picked up the stone on the cold necklace and looked at him. "Suck it; it will make your mouth water."
And it did.
It seems that every time I try to banish these 'feelings' some invisible force interferes and makes him do something to bring them to the forefront of my mind.
"Thank you." I whispered, hoping upon hope that he didn't hear me. I was just giving the force what they wanted; it wasn't like it would happen again or stir any emotions.
"You're welcome." Came the soft reply, causing me to smile.
Wait, smile? So much for those emotions not coming into play…
