PART FOUR

Alix awoke the next morning to pale sunlight streaming in through her window. With a smile, she stayed in bed and thought of Sir Guy of Gisborne. Their tour of Nottingham had gone well, and Guy had even promised to take her to the surrounding villages one day soon. She was excited, and she knew that her excitement had nothing to do with seeing villages and peasants but everything to do with Sir Guy. She couldn't quite place what it was about the man that had made him such a quick friend to her, but she just had the feeling that she could trust him. That scared her. She hadn't trusted anyone in years, not since...

With a sigh, Alix closed her eyes and banished the memory that had come to her. When it was gone, she called for the maid that Sir Guy had sent to attend to her and asked her for the gown that Guy had insisted on buying her the day before. The maid, Elizabeth, helped her dress, and Alix relished in the feeling of the soft silk against her skin. She knew that the green in the gown would bring out her eyes and she smiled as she realized that she had to seek out Sir Guy's assistance.

"Would you like me to put your hair up for you, my lady?"

"Yes," Alix decided, sitting down. "Can you braid?"

The maid smiled, obviously happy that her new mistress had asked her to do something that she liked to do. "Yes, my lady. Would you like it all in one braid?" she asked, picking up a brush and running it through Alix's beautiful hair.

"Yes, please," Alix replied, distracted by thoughts of Sir Guy and the secrets that plagued her. She hardly paid attention to the tugs on her hair as Elizabeth braided it, only coming back to herself when she heard, "I am finished, my lady."

"Thank you, you may go now." The maid hurried away and Alix stood, running a hand over her braid. Satisfied, she put on her best necklace-a thin gold chain that held a golden locket-and left to find Sir Guy.

Moments later, she almost groaned in disgust when she saw Marian standing in the hallway, deep in conversation with Sir Guy. Alix sighed and crossed her arms over her chest, not trying to hide her presence as she watched them curiously. Marian had her hand on Guy's arm, and Guy was looking at her with a smoldering gaze that nearly made her melt, and it wasn't even directed at her. After a moment of observation, Alix had enough. It was obvious that they were too wrapped up in each other to notice her, and so she walked up to Sir Guy and announced herself. "I am sorry to interrupt," she said apologetically, "But I was wondering if I could borrow you for a moment?"

"Yes, of course," Guy answered. "Lady Marian and I had nothing further to discuss, did we?"

Marian quickly removed her hand from Guy's arm and shot Alix a hard look. "No, I do believe we are done, Sir Guy. Thank you for your help," she told him before turning to walk away. As soon as she was out of sight she stopped behind the wall so that she could hear their conversation.

"Good morning, Lady Alix. I trust you slept well?"

"Good morning, Guy," Alix said with a smile, testing the waters. She did not fail to notice the smirk that crossed Guy's face when she addressed him so informally. Marian scowled from her hiding spot. "I slept very well indeed."

"Very good. What did you wish to speak to me about?"

"Well, as you know I am running low on supplies. I need to hire a messenger to go to London and collect some things for me. Do you know anyone who could help?"

"Yes, of course. I will give you the services of my best man," he replied. "We can go now if you'd like."

"I would like that very much. I do appreciate your kindness yesterday, but I do not like to depend on others."

"I understand, Alix. But if you ever need help I do hope that you will not hesitate to call on me," Guy told her. "Now, if you're ready..."

Marian quickly hurried down the hallway and into her chamber, just squeezing past the two guards before Guy and Alix could make their way around the corner and see her. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it and tried to rationalize what she was feeling. She had only spied on Alix and Guy because Robin had asked her to do so. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that every time she saw the two of them together it made her blood boil and her face become flushed.

xxxXXXxxx

After Alix sent the messenger to London, she allowed Guy to walk her back to her chambers. She was warier of him now because of the way that he behaved with Marian, but she still couldn't bring herself to show it. Conversation was easy with Guy, and that was something that she had seldom experienced in her life. She wouldn't give it up because of jealousy.

They were discussing the Sheriff when four guards walked up to them. "Excuse me, my lady," one said to her, gently separating Guy's arm from her own and holding it firmly. Two on each side had a hold of him, and as they began to walk him down the corridor she heard him yell, "Unhand me!" as he came to his senses and began to struggle. As she watched him fight, Alix suddenly understood why four guards had been sent to collect him.

"We're sorry, Sir Guy," one guard said uneasily, obviously fearful of possible repercussions. "Sheriff's orders."

Alix suddenly realized what was happening and she raced to stand in front of the guards. "Stop!" she cried, "Unhand him now, or Prince John will hear of this!"

Guy's struggles slowed as he remembered the Sheriff's words the day before, and his blood ran cold as he imagined what could happen to Alix if word of her actions reached the Sheriff. Prince John's niece or not, he knew the Sheriff would not sit by and allow anyone to question his authority. "Don't," he said desperately. "Do not worry about me, Lady Alix. Go to your chambers and say nothing more about this." He stared into her eyes, trying to wordlessly impart the seriousness of the situation to her.

Alix understood Guy's message, but she wasn't the type to stand down because of danger to herself. But as she considered the situation, she realized that she might stay Guy's punishment for now, but that he would be punished eventually and that her actions would just have made it worse. "Come see me as soon as you can," she said softly, forcing herself to stand aside and allow them to carry her only friend down the hallway and down to the dungeon.

Covering her face with her hands, Alix groaned in frustration and fought the urge to storm into the Sheriff's chambers. She didn't know the situation, she told herself firmly. It could very well be that Guy deserved whatever punishment it was that they were giving him, though she seriously doubted it.

After a moment, Alix composed herself and decided to go back to her chambers. She really wasn't hungry anymore, and she wanted to be where Guy could find her when he was released. Her mind couldn't let go of the image of his face as he had pleaded with her to let them take him. There had been coldness there meant to hide his emotions, but a trace of fear and concern for her had still been slightly visible. But why was he so concerned for her, a stranger that he had just met?

TO BE CONTINUED