A.N. A very BIG Thank YOU to Lady Ava of Gisborne and blauhoernchen 55! It's nice to know that at least two readers enjoy this little story:)
Edward of Knighton. If there was any other face beside Marian which he didn't want to see it was the face of her a father.
"Are you ready? "
" I don't...you are ..."
Guy didn't know what possibly he could tell to a ghost of former sheriff. Edward sighed heavily.
" Guy, I am here to help you "
"How can you say that! I killed Marian! "Guy took a step backwards" I killed Marian " he heavily sat on the bed and hid his face in his hands. Today's night was exhausting, he was worn out.
"I know boy, I was there, I could see it and believe me I suffered with you and my daughter" Edward came closer "but today I am here to help you"
"Why would you? I killed your daughter, if it was not for me she would have lived, would have been happy! "
Edward laid his hand on Guy's shoulder "She would live long enough to come back to England, but my daughter wasn't destined for happiness in this life "
Guy raised his head surprised with this revelation" You're wrong, she would have been happy with Hood"
" No, she would not. My daughter went too far. She would not have been happy with none of you. She would have sought for something more, something else. In truth Marian loved none of you and none of you loved her, not entirely, not enough in order to build a life together "
Guy wished to deny it, to contradict that statement. After all he loved Marian, he had always loved Marian. He was ready to do all for her, believed that she was the one who could change him!
"You see Guy, love, true love, doesn't have to be violent or consuming the body and soul. Sometimes love comes slowly, in the smile, shared struggles, but love always, always causes changes in peoples heart. You believed and still believe, that Marian could repair your soul, while it is you alone driven with the purest of emotions should change it. It is what love brings, acceptance of flaws and constant labour to better yourself for the happiness of that other person "
Guy hung his head, ashamed "Hood loved her"
"Yes, just like you, but not enough to renounce the fight, not enough to stop himself from using her to triumph over you, not enough to put her good over his ambition. Too little, too late " Edward sighted " I know it, Guy. I've seen it. Marian is with me, safe and a time will come when she and Robin will find again all that they squandered in this life, when she gets rid of her anger, and he recognise his flaws. But today, today I am here for you, so come, don't allow the chance your mother gave you become waste "
Guy swallowed the bitterness and stood up " I am ready "
They were in Nottingham, but the castle seemed different .
Guy looked around nervously not recognising most of the servants who were in process of carrying steaming dishes out from the kitchen.
"Welcome to Nottingham Guy, Nottingham 10 years in the future" Edward pointed the confusion "an extraordinary honour met the county, the King decided to spend the Christmas day in the castle. The sheriff ordered the vast feast "
Guy stood alerted. The King. Guy almost felt the rope of the gallows tightening around his neck. It was not possible that Richard could forgive him the assassination attempts.
"We have to move fast, the feast won't lasts forever !" the great room looked almost the same. Almost, because this time at the head of the table sat not a Sheriff but a meagre ginger man wearing a the crown.
"Prince John?!" Gisborne stopped stunned
"King John" Edward corrected him "Richard perished in the war, so his brother became a king"
The place next to the king was occupied by a very beautiful young woman "The queen , unusually for the kings they have married out of love"
Gisborne with jealousy observed the sincere affection showing on monarchs faces. Not being able to bear the view he turned his eyes onto the other side of the king, wanting to see how Sheriff of Nottingham responds to so openly shown tenderness and experienced another shock. By the King side, on the seat reserved for Sheriff of Nottingham he saw himself, older, dressed in the black his face tired out and sulky.
"Yes Guy, you are the Sheriff" Edward confirmed "one of the King's trusted ones"
Guy smiled like never before. He did it! He sustained a victory! Success! He, Guy of Gisborne restored the magnificence of his family name! He was still living through the joyful moment, when the King gave the sign and the noise died away. Everyone focused on the monarch who lifted his goblet
"Good people of Nottingham, it's a pleasure to celebrate this day with you! For England "Applause accompanied the King's toast
" For the king! For the king! "
The King rose his hand" To stay true to our customs on today's evening I will show favour to one of the prisoners awaiting the executions , Sheriff , if you please"
Sheriff gave the sign and guards led in two chained prisoners. The older walked with the meekly bent head the younger strode proudly with rage clear on his face. Guy smirked, his worst enemy, Robin Hood, tied up and sentenced to death . The triumph of the new Sheriff was complete. He enjoyed this future!
"You Majesty, these are two criminals sentenced to the death, for crimes against the law and against you" the voice of the Sheriff sounded sonorously "Robin of Locksley, known by the name Hood, accused of thefts, fire-raising and … murder" the Sheriff continued, when his younger version watched not understanding.
"After the death of Richard Robin rebelled. He refused to recognise John as the king. His gang disintegrated, some perished, the others fled. He was left alone. His desire for revenge blinded him In the end he crossed the line and became an ordinary thug "Edward explained
" The second convict is sir Rolf of Stapleford, accused of murder of his niece Lady Marguerite of Stapleford " the Sheriff turned to convicted " Now You are allowed to address the King and beg for his mercy"
Sir Rolf immediately fell down to his knees " Your Majesty, I beg for mercy, I killed on the spur of the moment, it happened 10 years ago, I beg You, My King, show pity to your loyal servant, my niece was a cripple, my actions only shortened her ordeal "
The Sheriff huffed with anger.
"And you, the one they called Hood, what do you have to say" the King turned to the still standing Robin.
Robin answered him with harsh look "I am faithful servant of the true King, King Richard. I won't beg the usurper or his devilish servants! "
The King pondered his decision "Rolf of Stapleford, your life will be speared , but you will hand over all the wealth you seized after your niece death to the Sheriff of Nottingham "
The fuss rose, when prisoners were led out. Pardoned fainted from relief, the younger strode confidently not paying heed to insults.
Guy in astonishment watched as his older self instead of celebrating sat down with the frown on his face. Where was the joy from the triumph. He defeated his enemy and he wasn't pleased with it?! Why the bitter expression?
"Forgive me Sheriff, but I came to belive that you would have preferred seeing the old man hanged. Is it that you knew the young lady ? Was she a crippled? "the Queen turned to Sheriff when the King in the company of his secretary headed towards the end of the table " You must admit that it is quite unusual to arrest somebody after so many years, why wasn't he punished before? "
"Yes, My Queen, I met the Lady just prior to her death. She was a sweet young women who didn't deserve her fate "
Guy neared the table and listened to the exchange.
"Sir Rolf escaped punishment for his crime because he was a friend of the former Sheriff and paid him" anger fought with the fatigue in the Sheriff's voice
" And after all this years you tried to make it right by her, to make him pay. Well, at least now her estates would be in better hands " the Queen offered in consolation
" I care very little for estates, my Lady. I live to serve your husband and England. I don't have wife or children to look after, no one to inherit my wealth. Years ago I chose a life of solitude"
" Nonsense, Sheriff. I'm sure that there are ladies who would gladly give you their hand in marriage "
" Certainly my Queen, they are ladies who would be happy to marry a Sheriff, but not so happy to marry me. In my life I've met only one woman who was willing to accept me for who I am. Unfortunately I was to blind to recognise her worth and I missed my chance "
" And what happened with the Lady ? "the Queen asked
" She died, and with her I lost my one chance of happiness "
" Have you lost your mind?! " Guy screamed at himself " you have it all! What happened to me? Why am I like this?" he turned to Edward
" You got wiser " Edward replied "you see, this man, he is a Sheriff, he achieved all you ever wanted, money, power but look at him Guy, look closely. He is as lonely as he was when his mother died, he is still as unhappy as he was 10 years ago when he left Lady Marguerite with her uncle "
" And what exactly happened to her? " Guy asked remembering the lovely smile and slight figure. It wouldn't take much to kill her.
" You heard it, she was killed by her uncle after they came back from Nottingham. He pushed her to hard and she took a bad fall. He claimed that it was an accident"
" And was it? "
" No, he beat her to death not wanting to share her dowry with the convent she was going to join "
" Convent?" Guy was clearly surprised " Why would she do that? She was young and wealthy enough to find a husband, any man would be happy to have someone like her" he remarked remembering her sweetness and willingness to please him.
" You rejected her" Edward pointed " and since she was crippled and little shy not many man would consider her a great match"
" So that is way you brought me here? To show me my failure? To prove that I'll achieve nothing? " Guy struggled to understand " I am a Sheriff, but I am a nobody, I still have nothing. What's the point then? "
"Guy, the future isn't written in the stone"
WHAT DO YOU THINK?