IV
Robin
She had only left her master's bedchamber for a moment. She hadn't slept at all the previous night. She had merely lingered in a twilight state of half-sleep. The chair she had been sitting in had not been the most comfortable of places to attempt to fall asleep on. Just before dawn she finally gave up on sleep and left the chamber. Guy was asleep; finally, he had suffered nightmares for the better part of the night and it had taken all of Rebecca's patience to soothe him back to a more peaceful rest. Now all was quiet in the hazy gray of the early morning.
She stumbled, sleepy-eyed down the stairs. She kept a tight hold upon the banister as she walked, yawning and rubbing at her eyes. Her feet led her into the kitchens. Some of the other servants were just waking up as well, although all of them looked more well rested than she did. She splashed some cold water on her face, hoping that would cause her to think more clearly than she was.
Mary, the sharp-tongued maid who had criticized her candle-lighting only a few weeks ago, walked over to her and handed her a dish cloth. Rebecca took it and wiped the water from her face. She nodded a silent thank you to the young woman. "How's the master?" she asked casually.
"Not well..." Rebecca was startled at the hoarseness of her voice. Lack of sleep and frequent tears had temporarily robbed her of her ability to speak properly, "but he's resting now, thank God."
"That's good, eh?" Mary replied.
Rebecca could not help the small, kind smile which spread across her tired and lined face. It was obvious the other maid was trying to cheer her up. She knew that while she was liked among the servants there was always an undercurrent of animosity towards her and her defensive nature towards Guy. A little casual conversation with one of the maids, did serve to raise her spirits slightly as it brought back a feeling of normalcy.
"Think the master'll be back to his usual snarling self?" Mary teased lightly.
She couldn't know the true extent of the damage, as Rebecca was the only servant to tend to him now and, for all of her optimistic nature, Rebecca doubted that Guy would ever be the same again. He was killing himself, it was as simple as that. She wasn't going to say that. Speaking such a thing out loud would hurt her too much. "O' course." She said softly, "I'll sort him out. I always do."
"Jus' make sure ya don't kill yourself over him." Mary said, "You've got t' take care o' yourself too sometime."
Rebecca patted the girl on the shoulder. She was a good girl. "Thanks, Mary." She said sincerely.
Mary smiled at her and left her to get on with her morning chores. Rebecca sighed, letting herself linger in the momentary silence of the kitchen. It would soon be crowded with the rest of the servants. She did not want to be there for that. Besides, she couldn't leave Guy alone for long. She left the room and began to make her way back over to the stairs, feeling considerably more awake than she did when she had first come down.
Before she could place one foot upon the staircase she heard a sharp thud from upstairs; like something striking against wood. An inhuman scream echoed from outside of the manor.
"Gisborne!"
That was Robin's voice, she'd recognize it anywhere; however, she did not have time to think over the possible reasons for Robin's sudden intrusion to Locksley, as the doors to Guy's bedchamber were flung open violently. The bedraggled mess of a man looked more dead than alive as he attempted to make his way down the stairs. He looked like a demon from hell. His face was a mask of murderous intentions and his eyes were practically burning with hatred. He held his sword in his hand, but he stumbled as he walked. If he meant to go out to face his enemy in battle, he would be bound to lose in his condition.
"Master!" Rebecca exclaimed, "You shouldn't be down here."
Guy ignored her as he headed outside. Rebecca knew how much he hated Robin, but now was not the time for petty fights. "Master! No! Don't go out there." She grabbed his arm, hoping to pull him away.
He looked at her then and Rebecca wished he hadn't. His hatred, while not entirely for her, was a terrible thing to behold. He did not speak to her. He did not have to. With a brutal shove, Rebecca was sent careening backwards. She fell to the floor where she was helpless to watch as Guy left the safety of the manor.
Almost immediately the rest of the servants came into the hall. "What happened?" One asked Rebecca as she rose to her feet.
"Robin Hood's here." She explained in a panic. "Master's gone t' face him, but he can't...he's not--Robin'll kill him!"
She could see from the others' faces that they were more concerned over Robin's safety than Guy's. Rebecca let out a small cry as she dashed away from the manor. She could hear the others following her.
She stared in horror as she saw the two men locked in an unrelenting conflict. She looked about her, she could not hear most of what was being said among the villagers and servants alike, but she could see that Robin's name was on all of their lips. Guy faltered a bit in mid strike and Robin quickly took the upper hand. Rebecca wanted to look away, she wanted to blot this from her reality. Guy was in no condition to fight, it was some mad energy which gave him the strength to continue on as he did. She could see from the battle and from the equal hatred in both men's eyes that this was a fight to the death. She realized with a despairing heart, that she was the only one who wanted Guy to survive.
Summer, 1173
The arrow flew overhead with all the sting and annoyance of a wasp. It cut through one of the aprons hanging on the line to dry. Rebecca blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. That would be another afternoon wasted sewing up perfectly good clothing. The maid next to her was chuckling good-naturedly.
"Did you see how far that one went?!" Young Robin of Locksley exclaimed as he dashed over to retrieve his arrow, which had landed a few feet away from the laundry.
"I did indeed, master Robin." The other maid said with a smile as she selected one of the pieces of undamaged clothes to fold into her basket.
"Only ruined another decent piece o' linen." Rebecca muttered under her breath as she took the apron down from the line. She poked at the sizable hole at the center.
"Don' mind Rebecca, master Robin, she got up on the wrong side of her cot this morning." The maid laughed, giggling at the sour expression growing on Rebecca's face.
It had been a month since Sir Roger of Gisborne had been cast out of the village as a leper. To fill such a void in the hierarchy of things, Lord Malcolm of Locksley seemed to have taken to spending most of his days in Gisborne with his son. Most of the servants absolutely adored the young Robin; indulging him in almost every whim. The maids especially doted on the boy, perhaps feeling that because he was without a mother he needed more kindness and patience than any other child. Even Rebecca's mother admitted that while the young boy had his faults he had a heart of gold underneath that roguish exterior. Rebecca seemed to be the only one who did not indulge this golden child's every whim. She happened to be annoyed when her laundry was cut down by arrows, or when buckets of water meant to be used to mop up floors was spilled, or when the brooms were stolen and hidden in unusual places about the manor. To the servants' credit many had tried to give him a friendly talking to, in order to get him to stop most of his wildness, but he hardly listened.
"Sorry, Rebecca." Robin said with a sheepish grin that he thought melted the hearts of any who sought to be cross with him.
"I wish ya wouldn't practice your archery with the clothing, master Robin." Rebecca said with a stern gaze.
"Just having fun."
"Aye, but then I have t' sew up the results of your fun." She pointed to the tear in the apron.
"But I thought girls liked sewing. Isn't that why you're always doing it?" It was a genuine question, the boy meant no offense by it.
Rebecca had to cough to cover up a laugh. "Sometimes I like it, but not every day. Jus' learn t' be a bit more careful o' when you shoot your arrows, master Robin."
"All right, Rebecca." He smiled. That was promptly the end of the lesson, although Rebecca knew that by this time tomorrow he would be up to his old tricks again. She rolled her eyes and headed towards the manor with the torn apron in hand. She might as well stitch this up so that the rest of her day would not be spent repairing torn clothes.
She did not see Robin follow her into the manor, a sneaky grin on his face. He quietly drew an arrow and snapped off the sharp steel end. He ducked behind the staircase as Rebecca turned around to see where the noise had come from. She didn't see anything and so she continued on her way to the servant's quarters. Just as she was crossing the main hall Robin took aim from behind the banister. He lined up his shot so that his arrow would fit between the railing. He fired. The harmless arrow struck Rebecca in the backside. She yelped and dropped the apron, whirling about to find the culprit.
She found the cut arrow on the floor behind her. She picked it up, no longer amused, "Master Robin!" She shouted, "Come out from wherever it is you're hiding." When there was no answer she stomped her feet, "Now, young master!"
The boy peered out from over the staircase, "Gotcha, didn't I?"
Rebecca was far from pleased. She gestured for him to come over to her and he did so. "Why did you do that, master Robin?"
"Just wanted to startle you." He laughed, "You made the funniest sound! You didn't even hear me sneaking up on you!"
"Master Robin, I didn't think it was funny. It hurt." Rebecca tried to explain.
"Oh, come on--"
"No. Shooting arrows at someone is never funny and until you finally realize that," She plucked the small quiver of arrows from his back and held it aloft, "I'm gonna take this from ya."
"You can't do that!" Finally realizing that he was going to be punished for his little trick Robin's voice soon gave way to whines of protest.
It was true, Rebecca couldn't just take something off of the young lord, but she had seen her mother handle rowdy situations when Guy had been a child and she had never been punished for trying to teach the boy good morals. He had listened and not complained. Ghislaine had even approved. Surely it would be no different now.
"You." The booming voice of an angered parent caught Rebecca completely by surprise, "What are you doing?" It was Lord Malcolm and he did not seem at all pleased to find her with his son's arrows.
"She's taking my arrows, father!" Robin complained.
"Master Robin was shooting at me. I tried t' tell him it's wrong t' do such things, but he wasn't listening. I...I thought if he didn't have his arrows for a time, he might learn what happens when he doesn't listen..." Rebecca explained hastily.
"Not that I do not find that a sound idea; when did you decide you had the authority to punish my son?" Malcolm questioned.
"I...I..." She was going to be in trouble for this. Malcolm was not like Sir Roger. While he was a kind man, who had good intentions at heart, he was also fiercely protective of his only son. There was a troubled darkness about the Lord of Locksley she found she did not like. Perhaps it had come from her own prejudices of the man, but she felt he had taken to walking about the manor as if he owned it, ever since Roger had been cast out as a leper. "I was only tryin' t'--"
"Will you not address me as your lord?" He interrupted.
That changed everything. This was to be a simple matter easily solved, easily explained. Why did he have to change it into something bigger? She looked up to the top of the staircase where she saw both Ghislaine and Guy peering over the ledge. They must have heard her yelp when Robin shot at her. Ghislaine was nodding at her for her to speak to Malcom, but Guy was merely staring worriedly down at the scene unfolding before him.
"No." Rebecca said, anger dulling her common sense for just a moment. She was being unreasonable and prideful. Malcolm was a lord and good man, but she viewed him as the one who was the source of the upset in the village and of the order of the manor. She was in discontent, she was frustrated, and she still stung from the blunted arrow Robin had shot at her. She was also a foolish young girl who would one day get her very brains whipped out of her head; or so her mother often said.
"What did you just say?"
"I said no." A strange thrill swept through her. What she was doing was completely out of bounds. She would be flogged for this, but the lashes would be worth it. The look upon Malcolm's face was too good. "My lord and master is Sir Roger of Gisborne." Out of the corner of her eye she could see Guy looking at her. Somehow she could feel him goading her on. It's what gave her the courage to keep her head even as she was beginning to shake in fear of her outburst.
"He is a leper and is no longer master of this manor." Malcolm said.
"I apologize," she said sincerely, ducking her head as if in penitence for her former words, "My master is then Guy of Gisborne."
"I have never seen such impudence in my life. Right then, since you desire to teach others lessons in manners I shall give you one as well. Pack your things. You are to leave this manor by this time tomorrow."
"No!" Guy shouted.
"Malcolm!" Ghislaine snapped. "That's enough."
Rebecca stared hopefully at her mistress as she made her way down the stairs. Rebecca hung her head. She had gone too far. She had overreacted and landed herself in more trouble than a playful shot from a harmless arrow was worth.
"Give Robin back his arrows." She ordered Rebecca gently.
She did so and the boy took them almost reluctantly. In a way, it seemed, he had realized that his actions held consequences. He hadn't meant to cause trouble for anyone. It was only meant to be fun. He would never be so careless again.
"Now dry your eyes, you aren't leaving this manor tomorrow or any day." Rebecca hadn't even realized she had started crying. She wiped at her tears with a shaking hand.
"You would keep a girl who doesn't know the meaning of respect?" Malcolm said rather calmly for such a stinging remark.
"No; although, I would keep the maidservant of my daughter." Ghislaine said defensively. "However her actions today do merit some form of punishment, but I suggest you leave that to me."
Malcolm conceded without further argument. He placed a hand upon his son's shoulder and led him away. Robin looked back at the sobbing Rebecca and mouthed an apology to her. So the boy had a goodness somewhere in him. Rebecca gave him a tiny smile to show she was all right, and then they were gone.
She turned to Ghislaine, her eyes shining with panic and tears, "I'm sorry, my lady! I don't know what I was thinking! I didn't mean it! I swear!"
"Hush, Rebecca, I know." Ghislaine said. "You were ever one to speak your mind, but I would have at least expected more sense from you. You should know your place."
She hung her head, "Are you gonna have me whipped, my lady?"
"No." Ghislaine sighed, "I'd say the scare you received today served as a better punishment than anything I could think of."
"Oh, my lady! Thank you!" She found herself crying again.
"You will mind what you say from now own though. Malcolm is a good man, Rebecca, I know your father was loyal to Roger, but you must try and see what is before you now. You could come to respect Malcolm as you did Roger, I know it."
"Yes, my lady, I will." No she would not, but Ghislaine was trying to keep a hold on the family and home she felt was slipping out from under her, and Rebecca would do anything to give her some sense of security. For her mistress's sake she would curb her temper and her tongue.
"Go and clean yourself up now. Isabella won't like seeing you with tears marking your face." Ghislaine patted her arm gently.
"Yes, my lady." Rebecca replied softly as she turned to exit the hall. She went through the kitchens and out the back door which led out to the servant's quarters at the back of the manor. She heard the sound of frantic footsteps behind her. She knew who it was even before he called out to her.
"Becca!"
Guy stopped as soon as she turned around to face him. His cloak stirred up the dust about his boots. "Forgive me, Guy." Rebecca said sadly, "Don't tell your mother I lied t' her. I meant everything I said t' Lord Malcolm. I did. I meant it! I meant everything!" She grounded out her words from between her teeth, her frustration and anger evident in her voice.
It had been a hard few months for the both of them. It had been a long time since either of them had something to smile over. Guy placed his arms about his friend. There were no servants around and there was no fear of anyone overhearing them or spying on them. Rebecca reacted in kind. Guy kissed her forehead, rocking her in his arms. The tension in Rebecca's body lifted, but they remained in one another's arms fumbling for a sense of peace and normalcy in a life that had suddenly become filled with unrest and uncertainties.
A/N: Don't view Malcolm too harshly in this chapter. The fault of everything that happened to Rebecca is almost entirely her fault, but you've probably already picked up on that.
If you're doing a double take at the kiss Guy gave Rebecca and her lack of shock at the action, let me just say that a lot happens in between the last flashback of Ch.3 and this one. ;) And it will all be explained....eventually. Hope you are all still enjoying this story!