Loved in the darkness part 6

By Leah

Summary

Marian has lost the baby and Guy and Ana are doing all they can to help her through the grieving process, but is Marian keeping something from Guy that could ruin their happy marriage?

Dedicated to my fabulous betas and my dearest Angelique.

Disclaimer

Sod it! You know full well what would happen if I owned Robin Hood!

Robin Hood would look like a man, Guy, Allan and Marian would be ruling Nottingham via a massive bedchamber.

Rated M for angst, language and tender lovin.

References are made to Bernard Cornwells "The lords of the north"

The sheriff's quarters.

The next day Guy had Marian moved back into their old chambers.

Vasey was not happy about this at all.

"I said as soon as the baby popped out Gisborne!" he snapped at his lieutenant. "It's popped out; now get your leper of a wife out of my bloody castle!"

"My lord, with respect, Marian is still too weak to travel," Guy protested. "Can she not remain here til after our daughter's funeral?"

"A clue. No!" Vasey was about to bark when Ana and the physician hurried into the room.

"Sir Guy, sheriff," the grey haired man said, trying to remain calm in Vasey's rather explosive presence. "Sir Guy is quite right. The lady Gisborne should not be moved. She is recovering well but please let us not be too hasty. Another week or so is needed."

"She did lose a good deal of blood during the birth," added Guy's sister, her dark eyes naively begging Vasey to listen to reason.

The sheriff looked from Guy to the physician to Ana then sighed.

"Fine!" he growled. "Two more weeks. But mark my words, Gisborne. You will owe me!"

"Understood, my lord," Guy replied smoothly.

Guy & Marian's bed chambers.

"I would like to see her, Guy. Please let me go."

"Marian, you know you are too weak. I will allow you to see our daughter but only when I am satisfied you are stronger."

Marian let out a frustrated huff and slumped back against her mountain of pillows.

"Marian. I am doing this to protect you," her husband reminded with some exasperation. "You have been through an ordeal where you almost died I fear you seeing our daughter's corpse too soon will take you away from me in mind if not physically."

"But I am strong!" Marian protested thus causing Guy tilted his head heavenwards.

"As am I," he replied. "But I did not endure your labour, Marian. I will not be able to understand what you were feeling at that time. Your grief differs from mine."

Marian glared at her husband, loathing him for being so logical.

"I promise. The day before the funeral, you will see our child," he told her. "You can spend the entire day saying farewell to her if that is your wish. But I insist that you wait til you are stronger."

Marian's lips parted in surprise then she bowed her head.

"Forgive me for my wilfulness," she murmured, staring at the furs covering her. "I just hope to see her body before it begins to rot."

She soon felt Guy's leather clad hands upon her arm and sighed heavily, leaning against him, breathing in his trademark scent of leather, dust and horse. A comforting scent.

There was a knock and Guy and Marian reluctantly drew apart.

"Come in," Guy said dryly.

The physician entered, followed by Ana.

"Time to take your medicine, Lady Gisborne," the grey haired man said merrily.

Marian made a face.

"Not again," she complained. "The … stuff tastes foul and makes me sleep for hours."

"Healing sleep," the physician replied gently.

Marian only glared at him and the two men knew what she was silently telling them.

'I am tired of sleeping. I want to see my baby! I want to go home,'


The next day Marian was worse. She pleaded with anyone who came into the room to take her to see her daughter. Luckily, half of the people who entered did not know where the baby had been hidden.

"Marian you must take your medicine!" Ana implored.

Marian rolled her eyes.

"I am not taking it until I have seen my child, Ana."

"Marian, you can't!" Ana cried. "Guy said you are far too weak. He'll have my hide if I let you go!"

"Then come with me and keep watch. If he comes near you can warn me!"

"No!"

"Please."

"Not on your Nelly!"

"Ana!"

"No, Marian!"

"Look. I will be quick! I swear it! No one need ever know you took me to see her. Please Ana, please."

"What part of, no, do you not understand?" Ana cried furiously. "Guy told you to keep away from the baby not to upset you but to protect you."

Marian clenched her fists.

"If you do not take me to her," she growled, "you and Guy will be the ones who need protecting!"

Castle hallway

That night after dining with her brother, Ana received a surprise visit from the physician.

"The hour is late," she exclaimed. "What is it that cannot wait til the morrow?"

"Forgive me, Lady Ana, but you seemed to be the only person I could tell."

"Tell? Good gracious me! What is this all about?"

The man licked his lips uneasy then began to speak in a low voice.

"I fear the lady Gisborne tried to kill her baby."
Ana's dark eyes widened.

"What?" she cried. "That is impossible! She would never-"

"I did not wish to believe it myself, but I must speak! Pray listen to me before you turn me away!"

"Hush! Of course I shall listen to you! But before you tell me everything why is Guy not to hear this also?"

"Your brother is famous for his brutality, Lady Ana. I fear what will become of his wife if he hears what I have to say."

"That is a little far fetched-"

"My lady!"

"Forgive me," Ana apologised. "You surprised me a little. Do continue."

"After the birth, I cut the cord from the babe's body. As I was doing this I noticed that the corpse had a curious scent. That it seemed even more disproportioned then most babes at four and a half months." He leaned forward, speaking in a very, very serious voice. "You smelt it too! The look on your face shows you did! Do not deny it!"

Ana shook her head vigorously.

"I will not! Believe me, I will not!" she cried, "But I will say in Marian's defence that she would never, never wish to kill a baby! Especially her very own child! She adores children!"

"Then why would her own baby come out the way it did?" the physician demanded. "This is not logical."

Ana readily agreed. She gnawed on a fingernail, wracking her brain for anything that could answer their question.

Then it dawned on her.

"Sweet Jesu!" she breathed.

"What?"

"Marian was tricked!" Ana cried. "She wanted to give Guy a son so badly and the midwife. Ursula! That woman claimed to have a miraculous concoction that could influence the sex of the baby. Guy made it perfectly clear Marian was not to take the concoction and Marian told us she would not. Oh lord, she has lied to us both!"

"She was fooled. Many a woman has been fooled by this myth," the physician told Ana gravely. "Influencing a child's sex to your liking, a method like that does not exist!" He gripped Ana's shoulders, thus causing the girl to jump back in alarm. "My lady. For the sake of your sister-in-law, I strongly urge you not to breathe a word of this in your brother's presence. Knowing your brother's reputation as Vasey's iron fist I would hate to think of what he would do to her if he ever found out."

"Ever found out?" Ana cried. "Have you lost your senses? Marian has deceived him! She must pay the price for her deception!"

"In time. In time, Lady Ana. I am sure she will bring herself to tell him, but please. Do not allow vengeance to harm her. I have seen the love you have for your sister-in-law. Would you really wish to give that up?"


The next day Marian asked Ana again to allow her to see her baby. This time Ana readily gave in to her wishes thus surprising the older lady of Gisborne.

"We mustn't stay long," Ana warned whilst helping Marian into a woollen robe and silk slippers.

"I will be quick," Marian assured her.

"Good, and remember, you must face the consequences of your actions should Guy find out about this. You are going against his wishes, Marian."

"I could not agree more, Ana," Marian replied, adjusting her robe. "But I am tired of being drugged and coddled. I need to face reality."

The baby's chamber

"I'll sit over here," Ana told Marian as the older woman gazed about her surroundings. "You … Just go over there and see her, Marian."

Marian offered Ana a weak smile.

"Thank you," she murmured. Ana shrugged then added.

"Remember, time is of the essence."

Marian walked over to the small bed in the centre of the room. Timidly, she peeled the blanket away.

She could not believe her eyes for a moment or so. This … monstrosity came out of her womb? Surely not.

'If I had been stronger … She wouldn't be here. She would still be inside me'

Marian bowed her head; hot, fresh tears trickled down her cheeks. Tenderly, she began to stroke the head of the corpse.

'My baby, my little girl,' she whispered. "Dear god it was not supposed to be this way."

Ana Guy and Marian's chambers

Gisborne had bought a pretty jewellery box for Marian on his way back from Clun. He was so eager to present it to her he near prayed that the physician had not called on her. The medicines that man gave her always put Marian to sleep for hours and Guy wanted her awake for his surprise.

He knocked on the door of their chambers.

Nothing.

He scowled.

Curious. Ana had told him that she would watch Marian for the day since Sir Edward was needed elsewhere on business.

Trying hard not to think the worst, Guy reached for the handle, opening the door.


The box fell to the floor smashing into a thousand pieces.


The baby's chamber

Ana was about to ask Marian if she was ready to leave when she heard the distant sound of shoed footsteps. The girl's heart skipped a beat. The footsteps seemed to be getting closer and closer. Sure enough, the door opened and in burst her brother.

Panting, Guy scanned the room til his eyes rested on Marian who was sitting on the bed, cradling their daughter's corpse to her breast, weeping softly.

Ana stood up and walked over to him.

"Brother-"

Before she knew it, he was pushing her roughly out of the small room, into the hallway.

"Earsling!" he snarled, shoving her against a wall.

Ana knew what an earsling was, but she never dreamed her brother would call her one out of anger.

"Please Guy," she whimpered. "Marian … she-"

"Enough!" the master at arms snapped. "I trusted you and you disobeyed me!"

"She was begging to see her child!" Ana shouted back, fists clenching. "It made my heart ache hearing her. What was I to do?"

"You should have ignored her. Used your bloody willpower for crying out loud!" Gisborne barked.

Ana bowed her head.

"F-forgive me," she whispered. "Guy, I only wanted to help."

Gisborne glared hatefully at his sister for a while then nodded.

"Your intentions were not to harm her, I understand," he said coldly. "But you disobeyed me, Ana. I did not make that rule for amusement."

"I know brother."

"As punishment, you are to return to Locksley. You will not be allowed out of the Manor-"

"What?" Ana exclaimed, eyes widening.

"Shut your mouth!" Guy seethed. "As I was saying. You are to return to Locksley and you will not set one foot out of the Manor until I am satisfied you have learnt your lesson, is that clear?"

"But-"

"Is that clear?" he hissed. The tone of his voice indicating he would not tolerate an argument of any form.

"Yes," Ana croaked. "Very clear."

"You will, however, be allowed to attend your nieces funeral. Marian and I will want you there."

"Thank you brother. I am most grateful for your leniency." Ana replied meekly.

"Now go to your chambers. I will have a servant bring you a plate of food. You are to travel to Locksley with Allan on the morrow."

"Guy …. Will Marian be punished?"

"That is not your concern."

"Marian was in an ill state of mind and yet she is not to be punished?" Ana exclaimed angrily. "My god!"

"You were in a clearer state of mind then she and yet you brought her here!" he roared at her. "Now get out of my sight!"

Ana gathered her skirt and ran off, sobbing hysterically.

Guy pinched his nose then headed back to the room.

Marian was still sitting by the bed, cradling the baby in her arms when he saw her. She was weeping still; her cries were soft, muffled against the baby's woollen clad body.

"Marian," her husband whispered. She did not seem to hear him so he tried again.

"Marian, please come away."

She ignored him.

"Marian, please. We must go," he told her, trying to keep the urgency out of his voice. However, the truth of the matter was he had to get her out of the room so he could look after her.

Approaching his wife from behind, Guy reached for her, pulling her to him.

"You cannot take her with you, little mare," he cooed in her ear.

Marian shook her head, clutching her daughter's corpse tightly to her breast.

"I cannot leave her. She needs me,"

"No, Marian, no. She will not mind. Look at her face. She is at peace. She will want for nothing. Come away Marian."

He felt sick whilst saying this. Their daughter looked anything but peaceful.

Marian looked down at the little thing and realised he was telling the truth. The baby did look peaceful.

Perhaps … Perhaps she could go.

She lowered the tiny body onto the bed then, Feeling defeated, she collapsed against him, weeping freely.

Gisborne sighed feeling relieved and vexed at the same time.

Dear god! What could he do to console her?

"Let's cover her up, shall we?" he asked, gently placing a kiss upon the side of her head.

"Yes," Marian replied, sniffing. "She can't be cold."

"She will never feel the cold," he promised.

Like two loving parents, Guy and Marian took their babe out of her blankets then carefully settled her back into them.

Marian muttered a prayer under her breath before allowing Guy to pull her away.

"Come now," he told his wife. "There is nothing else we can do for her."

Guy and Marian's bedchambers

He carried her to their bedchambers. Once there, he tenderly deposited her upon the edge of the bed.

"Take off your clothes," he told her before freeing himself of his leather uniform, leaving his tunic on.

Listlessly, his young wife obeyed.

Once this was done, Guy joined her on the bed, telling her to lie down. He pulled her to his body, covering her with furs and his arms. After nearly an hour of naught but the sound of their breathing, Marian spoke. Her voice was feeble.

"It was my fault," she told him sadly.

Guy brushed a tendril of dark hair from her face.

"All my fault," she groaned and began to cry again.

"Shh," her husband said, rubbing her back. "I'm here," he told her. "I'm here."

"But she isn't, Guy," Marian whimpered tearfully. "I should have fought harder."

"No Marian, no," he said gently, trying his best to make her see reason. "There was nothing you could do. She was probably dead before your labour started. It was," he paused. "My pride allowed this. I wanted you to have the best of everything. I should have listened and allowed you to remain in Locksley. I should have swallowed my pride and allowed a midwife of a lesser reputation tend to you. I am the one who should be sorry, and I am. I am so, so very sorry."

Marian looked into his eyes. Her blue gaze held his own grey/blue for a very long time as if she believed that by looking into it she would become a whole woman again, not this miserable wretched creature.

"I wanted … I wanted," she stopped. She was faltering too much. The lump in her throat made it difficult for her to talk.

"Take your time."

"I wanted … I wanted that baby," she managed at last. "I-I loved that baby."

After saying this, Marian let out a very loud scream of sorrow.

Gisborne held her against his breast, kissing her hair as she shuddered and wailed.

"Oh god!" Marian howled. "Oh god!"

When she had reduced herself to a soft weeping, Guy carefully moved her til she was lying beneath him.

"What are you doing?" she croaked.

"Close your eyes," was the reply.

Normally she would have argued with him, but she did as he bid her, too careless to be stubborn.

Cupping her face in his hands, Guy leant forward, licking her forehead.

Marian shuddered then let out a shaky breath; fresh tears cascaded down her cheeks.

Guy's warm, wet tongue slipt and slivered down to lick at the salty liquid as it fell from her eyes before travelling lower and lower til it reached her lips. He hesitated. His actions were not meant to arouse. It was not intercourse he wanted. He wanted to … He wanted to cleanse her, like a wolf would a cub. Just wash her clean with his tongue.

Marian shifted a little in his arms, but did not open her eyes.

Lowering his head to hers once again, Gisborne used his tongue to gently push her mouth open then tongue slipt it inside before settling it in there as if it were a home.

Marian groaned deeply as his tongue massaged hers. A strangely bittersweet sound.

"Shh, shh," Guy soothed as soon as their lips departed.

Placing a kiss upon her cheek, he ran his tongue down and down til he reached her chest. It was there he took a rosy nipple in his mouth.

Marian stretched out a little on the bed whilst listening to the sweet sounds her husband made as he suckled on her teat then gasped loudly as cold air caressed her saliva-dampened breast. Guy's mouth had left that one to give its twin the same attention.

'My beautiful man,' she thought as he continued his ministrations. 'You are doing this to cure me. But you do not know what burdens my heart, mind and soul.'

"Roll over," he told her when finished.

Marian rolled obediently onto her stomach. She felt him sweep her hair off her back then shuddered as Guy's strong, hard hands stroked and massaged her neck, shoulders and back.

"Good girl," he murmured, running a large warm hand along her naked back. "Good girl."


Later, Marian lay in Guy's arms with her back pressed against his chest and his chin resting upon her shoulder.

"Thank you," she murmured.

If possible, her husband hugged her even closer to him. It was as if he wanted her inside of his own body so he could protect her better.

"When … When I was holding her, I gave her a name," she told him slowly. She swallowed thickly. "Judith Maria."

She felt his hand rise from her belly to rest upon her heart.

"Lady Judith Maria of Gisborne," Guy said, listening to the words as the came out of his mouth.

"Do you like it? If not-"

"It is a name worthy of her, Marian," he concluded gently.

Marian rolled over to face him.

"I am glad."


The next day, Marian told Guy she wished to return to Locksley. Guy had been reluctant to allow this but after a lengthy discussion with the physician, he gave into her wish.

Three days later, Marian, Guy and Allan stood beside a carriage. Allan was to travel with Marian since Locksley was to become his new home.

"I will return as soon as I can," Guy told Marian, helping her into the carriage. "Remember Ana is still-"

"Being punished. I know," Marian replied dryly. "But I think you can lift the punishment when you return to Locksley. I do not think she will give in to my pleas again."

Guy snorted.

"We shall see," he replied dryly.

Marian reached out and squeezed his arm.

"Come home soon," she told him then settled into the carriage seat, tugging her fur cloak tightly around her and pulling the hood over her head.

Guy walked over to speak to Allan who was holding the reins of his chestnut filly.

"Get her home as soon as you can. Make sure she is confined to our bedchamber. Do you understand?"

"Yeah."

"And another thing," Guy pointed to eight black and yellow clad men standing nearby. "Since the quickest way to Locksley is through Sherwood, my men will accompany you to ensure there are no incidents with your former companions. See to it they and their mounts are fed and rested before returning to the castle."

"Sure thing," Allan replied and his filly nickered and tossed her head as if to add her reassurance.

"Come on Stiorra," Allan said, pulling the rains over her head, "let's go."

"Stiorra?" Guy questioned raising a quizzical eyebrow.

"Means star," Allan explained proudly, rubbing the filly's velvety white, black and grey nose. "Was going to call her blaze but she didn't like that, tried to bite me bum off actually. So it's Stiorra."

The filly tossed her head again and stomped her foot as if to tell them just how appropriate her name was.

"It's better then what you call me," Allan added with a cheeky grin.

Guy wondered back to the carriage to bid his wife farewell one last time.

"Gisborne!"

'Oh gawd,' he thought irritably then with a heavy sigh, he nodded to the driver.

"Take her home," he said wearily then turned to trot up the stairs.

Sherwood Forest

Robin Hood and his people watched as Allan A Dale, eight of Guy's men and a carriage bearing Gisborne's coat of arms charged through the forest.

"Looks like we have some work to do," the young man said, grinning at his followers.

"Whoa!" Allan cried, pulling his filly up before she could collide with the group of outlaws.

"What the devil-" the driver exclaimed furiously.

"Robin, get out of the way," Allan said dryly.

"Or you'll what?" demanded Much.

"Hand over your valuables, Allan," Will instructed calmly.

"And tell whoever's hiding in that coach to come out and do the same," Robin added.

Guy's men, who surrounded the coach, drew their swords in perfect unison.

"Don't turn yourselves into sport," Allan warned, entwining his fingers in Stiorra's thick, copper mane.

"You're disgusting!" cried Much.

Agreeing with the former manservant, the group charged.

Although the outlaws were outnumbered and devoid of horses, they easily knocked out Guys men.

Djaq, Will Much and Little John covered Robin as he wandered casually over to the carriage.

"So?" he asked the driver. "Who's in there?"

"None of yer fookin business ya filthy earsling!" the balding man spat.

"Language," Robin reprimanded with an annoyingly childish grin. "Tell me who it is and we'll only take a tenth."

The man swallowed hard.

"The lady Marian of Gisborne. We're taking her to Locksley."

"Thank you. That wasn't so hard, was it?" the young outlaw teased.

"Robin …" Allan warned.

"Be quiet!" Djaq snapped at him, her short sword pointing at Allan's throat.

Robin opened the door to the carriage and jumped inside.

He could not believe his eyes when he saw her. Sitting before him was Marian wrapt from head to toe in pale grey furs and woollen cream blankets. Her normally alert blue eyes were dull and tired. Her face lacked its usual fullness, thus making her somewhat gaunt.

"Marian," he breathed. "My god! Wha-What has he done to you?"

Before he knew it, a hand whipt out from beneath the blankets and furs, slapping hard across the cheek.

"Get out!" Marian spat venomously at him.

"Marian, I-"

"I never want to see you again!" she hissed.

"Why?"

"Get out! Get out!" she yelled hysterically.

"Oi! You'd be upsetting the lady ya mucky mongrel! Clear off before the guards wake up!" the driver bellowed.

Robin reached up to touch his cheek that now hurt like buggery. When he withdrew his hand, he's eyes widened with surprise.

Blood. She had cut him. Marian had never done anything like this to him before.

"Marian," he exclaimed. His feelings smarting more then his cheek.

"Go away!" she screamed at him, blue eyes flashing with anger. "I do not want to see you! Go away!"

"I'm going," he told her, slowly raising his hands to prove he had no intention of harming her. "I'm going."

Marian slumped back against the furs and blankets, fat tears trickling down her reddened cheeks.

"Just leave me alone," she whispered.

"Now you've done it," Allan growled at Robin as soon as he had emerged from the carriage. "Guy's gonna have my hide because of you lot."

"What's he done to her?" Robin demanded, ignoring Allan's statement.

"Nothing," Allan replied still annoyed. "Marian lost the baby. We're bringing her home since she didn't want to stay in the castle."

"Home? You're calling Locksley home, Allan?" Robin sneered. "Well, it is her home perhaps, but I thought your home was between the sheriff's thighs!" Robin then yelped in pain as Stiorra stomped hard on his boot.

Djaq could not help but laugh softly, her humour was short lived when Will, Much and Little John gave her harsh looks.

"Control your horse," Robin grouched, cradling his foot in his hands.

Allan merely rolled his eyes and patted the filly's satiny neck.

"Good girl," he murmured.

"Come on," Robin said to his group. "We'll leave them alone."

"Oi, Giz will want compensation!" Allan protested, pointing at the yellow and black guards who were beginning to wake up.

"You lot are still alive," Will stated coolly. "He should be pretty satisfied with that."

Locksley Manor.

Once they had arrived at the Manor, Allan dismounted Stiorra and walked over to the carriage.

"We're here," he told Marian, poking his head through the door.

"Mmm, thank you for telling me, Allan," Marian replied groggily.

Allan opened the door and held his arms out for her.

"Come here," he said.

"What are you doing?" she asked curiously, raising a dark eyebrow.

"Chivalry ain't dead, Maz. Come on."

Despite herself, Marian smiled warmly at Guy's squire and wriggled toward him.

Allan carried her into the Manor where Ana was waiting.

"Marian!" she cried, gathering her skirt and rushing towards them. "How good it is to see you!"

"You make it sound as though I've been gone for years, Ana," Marian joked wearily. "Allan, put me down. I want to retire to my chambers."

"I can carry you," Allan told Marian without hesitating. "Guy will never know."

Guy and Marian's chambers

Once Allan had set Marian down and left the room, Ana helped Marian strip and wash then tucked her into the bed.

"Thank you Mother Hen," Marian joked sarcastically.

Ana smiled and smoothed back Marian's hair.

"Do you need anything?" she asked gently.

"No."

Ana leaned over, kissing Marian's forehead.

"Sweet dreams," she whispered.


As soon as Ana was gone, Marian got up and padded over to the window. She took a deep breath of fresh afternoon air then placed a slender pale hand upon her flat stomach. It was flat now for she had lost whatever weight she had put on during her pregnancy. According to the physician she was dangerously underweight and was to follow a sensible diet and gently exercise for at least six weeks before even entertaining the idea of trying for another child.

The Marian of old would have argued strongly about this but now … Now she was happy to be meek and do whatever was asked of her.

How ironic it seemed, Marian thought to herself some time later. The baby she had birthed had been the very thing she had been trying to avoid.

Why hadn't she been stronger though she asked herself with a mental frown. Where had her willpower gone? She knew it was the brew Ursula had given her that had killed her baby; no one else could tell her otherwise. But what on earth possessed her to do something so stupid? What made her so insecure?

In addition, was she going to tell Guy she had gone against his wishes? Of course she was! But when to tell him? When!

Hearing footsteps, Marian darted for her bed and was under the furs and blankets only a mere second before the door opened.

"Here be some supper for you, milady," Hannah told her with a smile.

"Thank you, Hannah," Marian replied, inspecting the neatly arranged sliced sheep tongue, apple and fresh bread.

"And we've received word from the master. He said he won't be back til late this evening."

"Oh? Well … Thank you for telling me. That will be all."

The young woman curtsied then left Marian alone to her supper.


Gisborne returned from the castle much later then he had intended. After handing Glory to a stable boy, he headed inside and as quietly as he could, hurried upstairs to his and Marian's bedchambers. Mere seconds after entering the room, Gisborne was rendered as still as a statue.

With a flickering beeswax candle upon her bedside table, his wife lay dormant upon their bed, dark hair sprayed over the pillow like silken thread. Pale pink lips parted ever so slightly.

Releasing a breath he had been holding for god knows how long, Guy wondered over to the changing screen, stripped then climbed into the bed, facing her.

She was so … enchanting. Like an angel.

Carefully, he reached for her, drawing her to his chest, cushioning her head with his arm.

'Dear god, you are thin,' he exclaimed mentally when feeling her ribs underneath the thin material of her shift. He would have to tell the servants to tempt her with her favourite foods as often as possible. Though the pressed cow's udder might have to be banned for good, he decided wrinkling his nose at the thought of his wife tucking into such a gruesome meal.

Today, he had finalised the date of their daughter's funeral. He had also hired a carpenter to create Judith's coffin.

Whilst stroking Marian's hair Guy wondered what a child's coffin looked like. He had never seen one before.

Marian moaned softly and snuggled closer, her small nose rubbing against his chest.

Guy closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

On the day of her funeral, he supposed he would find out.


A week later Marian was deemed well enough to begin some gentle exercise and was allowed to ride to Knighton to see her father. Ana, after some bullying from Marian, was released from her punishment and was to join Marian for the journey.

The girl seemed less gay about this news then Guy had thought she should have been, so he asked her if he should change his mind. Ana quickly told him no and added that she was a little under the weather, that the fresh air would do her good.

Days went by and Marian was fast becoming her old self again. Her hair gleamed with health and the curves Guy loved so much returned.

"I'm surprised you haven't found some pretty doxy to satisfy your needs," Marian said one afternoon while he was being a bit cheeky with her backside.

He had been watching over one of his pregnant mares when Marian entered Locksley stables with pie and ale. Ignoring the food, he backed her into an empty box. Pressing her against its wall, he turned her around so he could nuzzle her neck and fondle her bottom.

"Allan's tumbled them all," he admitted against her ear, squeezing her bum.

Marian moved so she was facing him.

"Guy, tell Allan to be careful. We do not need another Seth situation on our hands."

Gisborne sighed removing his hands from her waist.

"Thank you, Marian," he growled. "Thank you very much."

Marian shrugged.

Giving her a sour look, Guy stalked out of the loosebox, roaring for Allan.

Marian, rolling her eyes, cooed a goodbye to the bay mare then took Guy's pie and ale for herself.

Locksley Graveyard

Marian and Gisborne stood before the small hole in the ground that was to be their daughter's grave. They were solemn as the dirt covered the tiny wooden coffin whilst Ana clung to Allan, weeping softly.

Allan usually would have been thrilled to have a beautiful maiden sobbing in his arms, but today he could not find any delight in this moment. He was far too sad.

'Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. If God can't get you, the devil must,' he thought bitterly.

Locksley Manor

It had been seven weeks since the funeral of their daughter and Marian felt ready to go back to her most important duty as a wife.

To bare children.

The physician had paid his last visit a few days ago, she was no longer tired. Her first discharge since the pregnancy had gone without a hitch. Marian felt more then ready to try again.

This time, nothing would go wrong. She would become pregnant; the birth would be at Locksley. Nothing would go wrong. She would not allow anything to go wrong.

Marian and Guy's bedchambers

"Guy," she murmured.

"Yes?" he groaned against his pillow. It had been a long, hard day and he was very tired. He wanted to get as much sleep as possible before he had to rise at dawn.

"I want to be with you," Marian whispered in his ear.

Guy's eyes flew open and he rolled over to face her.

"Now?" he asked.

"Why not?"

"Marian …" he hesitated, not wanting to anger her. "I don't think-" he could not finish his sentence for Marian had already taken him in her cold hands.

"God!" he gasped, feeling himself go stiff almost instantly. "Woman! Who taught you to do that?"

Marian merely smiled and began to stroke him.


"Harder!" she demanded beneath him, finger nails sinking into his shoulders.

Gisborne groaned with effort and thrust himself as hard as he could into her wet depths before slumping onto her, panting heavily.

"Marian … Please," he whimpered.

"I know we should stop," Marian breathed. "But oh god, I can't!"

"Please," he begged shaking his head. "I can't go on."

Marian wanted to deny him but the look of him suggested that if she pushed him any further he would die of exhaustion on top of her.

"Alright," she consented. "I'll let you go."

Trembling, Guy eased himself out of her and forced himself to roll off her onto his side of the bed.

"You were amazing," he panted.

Marian tried to smile at his compliment, but could not bring herself to do so.

"Tomorrow night will be different," she promised him before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.


The next morning Guy was nearly late for his meeting with Vasey. He was so tired from Marian's midnight urge to fuck him senseless he nearly slept in.

Guy was tempted to yell at her for putting him in such a predicament but the problem with that was that he had enjoyed it so much.

The memory feel of her cold hands grasping then stroking his member beneath the sheets, her nails scratching his shoulders and back, sinking into the cheeks his arse.

Lord, his wife was an amazing woman.

It did not cross his mind til much later that Marian had behaved in a similar fashion when she had tried to conceive for the first time.

Guy frowned. Was Marian keeping something from him?

No. Marian was a loyal woman and she knew how much respect and loyalty meant to him.

Perhaps Marian felt she had let him down by losing the baby and wanted to please him by falling pregnant again.

"What do you think, Glory?" he asked the young black horse as it settled into one of Nottingham castle's exclusive looseboxes.

The equine only tossed its head and nickered softly.

Ana's chambers

That night Ana tossed and turned in her bed wishing for Guy and Marian to be quiet. Their loud banging, moaning, groaning and sometimes screaming had been going on for days and days.

It seemed Marian was so hungry for Guy she would not even let him eat a decent meal before dragging him off to the bedchamber to ravish him til dawn.

This display, this sound, sickened Ana profoundly. Marian was obviously having an attack of the guilt's and hoped to ravish Guy silly til she was with child again and That was pure manipulation. There was no other term for it.

It was obvious to Ana that Marian had not told Guy about taking the concoction for if she had, he would have, without a doubt, punished her for disobeying him.

Perhaps she was wrong though. Perhaps Guy did know and was being tender hearted. Her brother loved Marian more then most men loved their wives after all.

Too vexed to sleep, Ana got up from her bed and paced the room.

What to do? What to do she wondered gnawing on a fingernail.

It was her duty as his sister to tell him what she knew. Then again … perhaps Marian planned to tell Guy of this folly in her own time.

Ana hoped that was the case. She cared dearly for Marian, but loved her brother more.


A few days later, Ana was in her room trying to make a pretty pattern on a cloth when there was a sudden knock at the door.

"Come in!" she invited setting the cloth aside. She paled when seeing her visitor was Guy,

"Something wrong?" he asked frowning.

"No," she said, "I am just feeling a little restless; I think I need to go for a ride. Please excuse me, brother." She rose from her chair and began to sort through a trunk for a cloak.

"Wait!" he told her firmly.

Ana stopped.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Marian is to go with you since Allan and I are needed elsewhere."

"I would prefer to go on my own," Ana insisted, her tone of voice accidentally cold as ice.

Guy raised an eyebrow.

"Has my wife offended you?" he asked in an ominous tone.

"No! She has not!" Ana told him quickly, relieved when seeing Guy's harsh expression switch back to neutral. "I just want some time on my own."

"Well we can't have everything we want," he told her dryly. "Hood has been sighted near Locksley. You are not to ride unaccompanied til I am sure all is well."

"But-"

"No buts!" Gisborne growled. "Under my roof you will do as you are told!"

"Very well, brother, very well," Ana replied, trying hard to keep the venom out of her voice.

Giving her one last warning look, Guy turned and marched out of her chambers muttering about women and their odd moods under his breath as he went.

She walked into the main room ten minutes later to see Guy and Marian sharing a tender moment near the doorway. Guy had Marian's face cupped between his hands. He was talking to her and she was beaming and blushing at whatever he was saying.

Ana stared for a while before noticing her own face was colouring. Nervously, she wiped a hand across her forehead then cleared her throat to catch their attention.

Guy and Marian instantly drew apart.

"Hello Ana," Marian greeted as though Ana had walked in on nothing at all. Guy however gave Ana another warning look.

Wanting to avoid questions, Ana tried to put on a pleasant face but truth be told she felt like being anything being pleasant.

Just outside Locksley village

Marian and Ana rode past Locksley village in silence. This silence, for Marian's part, was puzzling. Ana was usually quite talkative whenever they went out for a ride. Why was she being so quiet now?

Finally, Marian had enough.

'Ana what is wrong with you?" she demanded pulling up her gelding.

Ana turned her grey mare so she could face her.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You're so quiet," Marian replied whilst urging Glide to walk forward til he stood beside Ana and Emmett. "What troubles you?"

Ana bowed her head. Biting her lip, she stared at the skirt of her dress for a long time before speaking.

"I do love you as a sister, Marian. You know that, don't you?"

Marian offered a puzzled smile.

"Of course I do … But Ana … What is it? You are making me nervous."

"I'm sorry. I do not mean to do that but …"

"But what?"

"I know you took the concoction, Marian."

Marian's blood went cold as ice.

"I don't know what you are talking about," she wanted to say, but that sentence was stupid. Why lie? There was no point. And in a strange way, she was glad someone knew her secret.

"Ana," she begun, licking her lips for they were suddenly in need of wetting. "What you must understand is that-"

"What I understand is that you disobeyed my brother!" Ana suddenly snapped, dark eyes flashing. "And you have yet to pay for your folly!"

Marian felt ill. So very ill. Gripping the reins tightly, she breathed in and out several times, trying to think of something to tell her angry companion.

"Ana," she said at last. "I am so sorry, I-"

"Don't you dare apologise to me," the girl sneered. "Apologise to Guy!"

"I will!" Marian cried. "I do want to tell him the truth. But in time! We are trying for another baby and we-"

"Oh spare me your excuses you manipulative bitch!" Ana snarled.

Smack!

Ana's head snapped backwards instantly.

"You slapped me," she gasped, staring at Marian in horror.

"You called me a manipulative bitch," Marian replied coldly. "Thus making you deserving of a slap."

Blinking rapidly, Ana raised a hand to her cheek, rubbing the smarting area timidly with her fingertips.

"Be honest with me, Marian," she asked after a while. "Are you going to tell him at all?"

"Yes. Like I said before, I do want to tell him the truth. … In fact I planned to after I became with child."

"Aft-After you become with child?" Ana spluttered. "Marian … What has happened to you?"

"You know Guy's reputation!" Marian cried. "If he were to find out too soon he would-"

"He is going to find out today!" Ana interrupted fiercely. "And you are going to suffer the consequences! Like you should have long ago!" She then let out a bitter laugh. "Why do you think I disobeyed Guy by taking you to see Judith? So you could see what you did! So you would confess!"

Marian's mouth dropped open in realisation.

"Oh god," she whispered.

"You didn't say anything! You had him wrapt around your little finger! He thought her death was his fault! But that's not right is it, Marian?" Ana sneered.

"Ana … Please," Marian whimpered feeling suddenly so very small and afraid. "Give me a chance to make things right. I beg you! Think of how this could affect my father if Guy were to-"

"Oh you are going to make things right!" Ana hissed. "Today!"

With that, the enraged teenager kicked Emmett hard in the flanks, urging the horse into a gallop.

Realising what was taking place Marian commanded Glide to follow.

Locksley Manor, Ana's chambers.

"Ana I can't let you go through with this!" Marian said as soon as she flung open the door merely moments after Ana had slammed it in her face.

Luckily, Guy was not home yet. Hopefully she would have some time to convince Ana to keep silent so she could think up something to keep Ana silent.

"What will you do, Marian? Hit me again?" Ana taunted.

"If need be," Marian replied grimly. "As much as I love you, Ana, I will not be pushed into a corner."

"Then tell Guy the truth!" Ana yelled. "For god's sakes Marian, he loves you too much to punish you too severely! He won't hurt your father!"

"You don't know that. Haven't you heard them call Guy "Vasey's devil" or "The iron fist?" Marian glared at her sister-in-law, "You need to wake up, Ana," she snapped, adding. "And fast!"

"It is you who needs to wake up!" Ana screeched back. "You could destroy him with this treachery!"

"This lie will come to light but not before I am well and truly ready!"

Outside

Allan and Guy had just returned from the castle. Upon hearing the raised voices of Marian and Ana, Guy leapt off his gelding then handed the panting animal to a stable boy before marching for the Manor entrance.

"I'll be in there in a bit," Allan called over his shoulder as he led Stiorra to the stables behind the stable boy and flea bitten grey gelding.

Locksley Manor

"What is going on, Thornton?" Gisborne asked, yanking off his coat and gloves.

"The lady Gisborne and Lady Ana are having a quarrel, Sir Guy," the older man explained hurriedly.

"A villager claims to have seen them arguing," Guy revealed grimly. "She told Allan that my wife struck the lady Ana, is this true?"

"I cannot tell you, Sir Guy, I was in the kitchens when they arrived. I dare not go up there. It sounds quite vicious"

"It's up to me then," Gisborne grumbled, raking a hand through his dark hair.

With a heavy sigh, he sprinted in the direction of Ana's bedchamber.

Ana's chambers

Marian was just about to deliver a punch that would surely knock Ana out cold when Gisborne burst into the room.

"WHAT IN GOD"S NAME IS GOING ON HERE!" he bellowed.

"Guy we-"

"A villager saw you two quarrelling!" he snarled. "Hell's Bell's! She said she witnessed you slap Ana, Marian!"

Marian bowed her head; face colouring. Guy stared at her utterly bewildered. "So it is true?"

"Yes," Marian answered in a small voice, hands clasped in front of her.

Guy pinched his nose not believing this was happening.

"What possessed you to … to do something so foolish?" he demanded, glaring fiercely at both ladies. "Any one could have seen you!"

Marian looked to Ana, her eyes silently imploring her to be silent.

'Don't say a word,' she pleaded. 'Please don't,'

Ana of Gisborne had always been a sweet and intelligent girl. She had never been known to have a vicious or vengeful bone in her body.

Til today.

"Ask Marian!" the girl told her brother. "Ask Marian why your daughter really died, Guy. Ask Marian why she is so eager to have you ravish her over and over again! Go on! Ask her!"

"Ana?" Guy asked, suddenly feeling uneasy. He turned to Marian who looked like a frightened rabbit. "What is this about?" he asked warily.

Ana smirked, completely satisfied.

"Ask your precious, perfect wife, Guy" she sneered. "She has a lot to tell you."

With a parting scathing look aimed directly at Marian, Ana walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Guy watched her leave, the dread he felt making his blood turn cold. After a while, he turned to face his wife.

"Oh Marian," he croaked. "What have you done?"

Locksley stables

"Allan! Allan!"

Allan looked up from Stiorra's hoof to see Ana running towards them.

"What is it?"

"I told Guy!" Ana said breathlessly, "I told him about Marian and the baby!"

Allan stared at her for a while unable to say anything til at last his surprised face turned to one of anger.

"You stupid girl!" he yelled at her.

Ana jumped.

"Allan … I-"

"I told you to let Marian sort this out on her own!" he shouted, startling Stiorra so much she whinnied loudly.

"And that's exactly what you told me when I came to you the first time I found out about this whole thing!" Ana shot back. "Allan … She was playing with his head, manipulating him. What was I supposed to do? Just-just let Marian go on and on making my brother believe that the death of Judith was entirely his fault?"

"Well Guy did have a hand in this!" Allan argued. "He took Marian to Nottingham when he knew it was a bad idea! He should have listened to her! Had he done that, your niece wouldn't have been whelped yet!"

"I love my brother!" Ana screamed. "He has done everything in his power to make sure I was safe and happy after we lost our home! If it weren't for him I would be dead!"

Allan groaned and raked a hand through his hair.

"Look … You can't stay here," he told her wearily. "I'll take you to Knighton. I'm sure Sir Edward won't mind."

Ana wanted to protest but she knew Allan was right. Her face was the last face Guy or Marian would want to see right now.

"Guy and Marian were in my room when I left. I do not know where they are now."

"Best not risk it," Allan replied. "I'll saddle Emmett for you and we'll ride over to the hall, come back for you when things have cooled down, yeah?"

Ana nodded meekly.

"Look," he added grimly. "You're a good girl. But sticking your nose where it's not wanted isn't going to help your brother. You've made a huge mistake, Ana."

Ana's chambers

'Please say something,' she thought. 'Please say something, please.'

She never moved toward him. She remained standing before him trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Please … Please say something." She stammered eventually.

Silence.

She swallowed hard.

"I will do anything. I'll say anything to make up for the wrong I have done … Just please talk to me."

Slowly … Ever so slowly, he raised his head.

When he was actually looking at her, she put a hand to her mouth.

Sitting on the bed was not her husband. It was a monster, face distorted with cold, untinted hatred.

'What have I done?' she thought.

Rising to his feet, he walked toward her.

As he came closer and closer, she felt her heart begin to pound fiercely in her breast. She longed to runaway, but was determined to stand her ground as well.

Taking a deep breath, she clenched her fists and waited.

Reaching out, he wrapt his hands around her slender arms.

She did not flinch.

He leant forward; one would have thought he was going to kiss her had the occasion not been so horrible, beautiful mouth drifting past her cheek til it neared her ear.

This time, she did recoil a little; his breath was as cold as ice on her skin.

"Beg," he hissed then withdrew.

So this was to be his vengeance. Much, much harsher then any beating. He wanted her to beg. To him this was far worse then a stinging slap in the face.

She swallowed thickly and lowered her head.

"I beg for your forgiveness," she croaked, nails digging into the flesh of her palms. "It was wrong of me to defy you."

'Not good enough,' her husband thought.

"Why did you do it, Marian?" his voice an icy whisper.

"I wanted to please you," she whispered back.

"By killing our child? By killing yourself?"

"You needed a son!" Marian choked, eyes glistening with virgin tears.

"In time!" Guy yelled making her jump, his rising fury giving heat to his voice. "Marian, a female first born would have not been the end of the world!"

"But the sheriff said-"

"You actually listened to the sheriff?" he thundered. "Marian …" he could not go on. Dear god, he did not recognise this woman anymore.

"No!" she protested. "He-he dropped hints. So many people had been dropping hints. It was only when the midwife explained her remedy did I decide to take it. I knew I should have been stronger, but I only did this to please you, Guy. I gave no thought for me."

"What do you think I would have done with the child had it lived? Killed it for being a girl?" he roared. "Taken it to the forest and left there to die?"

"It's been known to happen!" Marian shot back immediately regretting her words and mentally kicking herself.

Guy stared at her, face turning from a furious red to a dirty white.

"Do you think me a monster?" he asked, frowning.

She said nothing.

"Yes you do! You think me an ogre who would have made you smoother the child! Say it Marian!"

"N-no," she murmured.

"Say it!" he snapped venomously. "Say what I am to you!"

"I will not lie to you, Guy!" she cried. "Nor will I give you the satisfaction by telling you what you want to hear! You are not a monster! Nor will you ever be in my eyes!"

Storming over, he grabbed her roughly by the upper arms.

"Say it!" he yelled, shoving her against a wall. "Tell me I'm a monster, Marian! Say it!"

"No!"

"Say it!" he screamed, shaking her.

She only stared at him. Lovely blue eyes filled to the brim with sorrow and regret. She would not call him a monster because she believed she was one.

Eventually he released her, backing away. Marian leant against the wall, chest heaving.

"Did you do it because you wanted Hood's baby in your belly instead of mine?" he rasped.

She stared at him shocked.

"Well?"

"Guy … I-"

"I'm right, aren't I?" he was suddenly laughing. A cruel mocking sound.

"No!" she shouted. "You are not! How many times must I prove to you that my body is yours? I would never give it to Robin. He has never known me but you have Guy."

Gisborne's lips peeled back to scorn her yet he held his tongue. He remembered taking her to their bed and playing her body as a musician would a favoured instrument. Beneath his skilled hands she had moaned, writhed, begged for more. But love … No words of love had ever been exchanged between them. Her heart belonged to the hooded boy. She was in love with Robin Hood.

He bowed his head, taking a shaky breath; he stared at the wooden floor.

'Witch,' he thought bitterly. 'I should take you to the pond and drown you right now!'

"So does the little runt please you more then I, Marian?" he hissed.

She rolled her eyes.

"You are being foolish."

He let out another harsh bark of laughter.

"Foolish! I? You were the one who killed our child!"

'Damn you!' she thought losing her temper.

"Not intentionally!" she shouted. "I wanted to give you a son so badly. Guy, the pressure was so profound. If you had been in the same situation, you would have done the same as I!"

He stared at her, disgusted. Positively disgusted.

Marian edged toward him, face white as snow. Standing close to him she timidly raised a hand to touch him but he flinched from her.

Hurt perverted her lovely features.

"Oh, Guy," she breathed and reached for him again. "Please."

"Get away from me!" he hissed, pushing her from him so violently she fell to the floor. "You sicken me," he snarled, towering over her. "You intoxicate me and then you sicken me. Do you find that amusing, little bitch?"

"N-no."

He made a sniffing noise and raked a hand through his black mane.

"I do not want to listen to anymore of your lies, Marian,"

She looked up at him, eyes glistening with crystal tears.

He was going to leave. He was going to runaway.

"No," she whimpered feebly. "Guy, no!" She lunged for him, wrapping her arms around his leg in a mad effort to keep him with her. "G-Guy, I-" she started to say but he kicked her away like she were an annoying dog.

Marian fell back with a cry.

"Don't touch me!" he spat at her venomously. "Don't speak to me! I cannot handle any more torment from you, Marian. I cannot!"

She raised her head again. Blood trickled down her chin from where she had torn her lower lip with her teeth.

"Don't go," she pleaded her voice barely audible. He merely stared back. All of his anger was gone, replaced by shock and sorrow.

"I can't stay," he replied in a strained voice, backing away from her. "I can't."

"Guy!"

He turned away and left in a run, running from the sight of her.

Curling into a ball, Marian sobbed, sobbed and sobbed as soon as the door had slammed shut.


In the main room of Locksley Manor, Hannah was keeping herself busy by sweeping.

Sir Guy and his wife had the entire Manor gossiping already from the passionate argument they had only moments ago. She, being a hard working, no nonsense young woman, had tried her best not to listen to the distressed cries of the young lady Gisborne or the ferocious roars of Sir Guy.

But it had been so hard.

'Poor thing,' she thought sadly, setting the broom aside. 'Best go to the kitchens and make a tonic for her," She was about to do just that when a tired looking Sir Guy appeared before her.

"Where is Lady Ana?" he asked, voice strained from yelling.

"She went to Knighton Hall with your squire, Sir Guy," Hannah replied.

Guy swore under his breath.

"Very well," he murmured and began pulling on his gloves. "Have a servant ride over to Tell Allan my sister that I've gone to the castle. I cannot say when I will return."

"Of course Sir."

"Go and-" He paused, licking his lips. "Go and see to Lady Gisborne. She is unwell."

'That's putting it mildly,' Hannah thought coldly.

"Of course, Sir Guy," she told him again, pushing any other disrespectful thoughts she had for the man to a far corner of her mind.

Not wanting to linger any further, Gisborne nodded then swept past her.

Hannah picked up her skirt and hurried upstairs to Lord and Lady Gisborne's chambers.

"My lady?" she asked, knocking briefly. From the other side of the door she could hear a muffled sobbing.

"My lady," Hannah continued. "Sir Guy asked me to take care of you. So … I'm going to come in."

Taking a deep breath, Hannah opened the door. When she opened it, her heart ached.

Marian lay on the floor in a fetal position, sobbing quietly.

"Oh my lady!" the wench exclaimed. Picking up her skirt again she rushed over and knelt by Marian's side. "Come on, sit up, sit up," she murmured, aiding Marian into a sitting position. "There," she brushed some dark locks from Marian's face then frowned. Marian's lower lip was bleeding.

"My lady. This is none of my business, but did he beat you/"

"No," Marian replied and sniffed. "But I wish he had."

"No … Oh no, my lady. You must not think that way."

"But I do, Hannah," Marian choked out. "I am wicked. Perhaps the wickedest woman in the world!"

"Surely that cannot be so," Hannah contradicted. "For you are good and kind. Why … It is my fancy that your goodness makes Robin Hood and the Nightwatchman envious."

Marian managed a feeble laugh.

Hannah rose to her feet, taking Marian with her.

"Come on. I will have a bath made for you then try to tempt you with a little dinner later."

"I don't want-" But the servant easily cut her off.

"I cannot put you to bed with an empty stomach. The tonic will not work if you do not eat."

With a heavy sigh, Marian meekly accepted Hannah's help and before she knew it soon found herself allowing the young woman to strip her til she was in her shift.

"I will see to your bath now, my lady," Hannah murmured.

"Hannah … Wait."

The servant girl turned.

Marian rubbed at one of her eyes with a balled fist.

"Do you think ill of me?" she asked lowering her hand.

Hannah shook her head, smiling warmly.

"Now that … It is really not my business, my lady,"

"But-"

"It is not my business," Hannah repeated firmly.

Marian smiled weakly grateful that someone still liked her.

"Thank you."


Several days had past since Guy and Marian's terrible row and still the lord of Locksley had not returned, nor did he give Marian any message to say when he would, possibly, be returning.

Ana had returned from Knighton with Allan two days after the fight but she was much too scared to seek forgiveness from both parties thus avoiding Marian and not entertaining the idea of travelling to Nottingham Castle.

Allan, on the other hand, found himself avoiding Gisborne which seemed easy enough to do for all the master at arms seemed to want to do was mope around in shadowy corners and, on occasion, talk to Vasey who seemed thoroughly interested in what Gisborne was telling him according to Allan's observations.

One day, Hannah was asked to fetch Ana. When she found the girl she told her that the lady Gisborne wanted to have a word with her in her bed chambers.

Gathering her wits, Ana straightened her shoulders and followed Hannah up to the bedchamber Marian had shared with Guy.

Hannah opened the door and ushered Ana inside the room. Upon looking at Marian, Ana put a hand to her mouth in shock. Marian was pale and gaunt though nowhere near as bad as she had looked after losing Judith.

"Ana," the frail young woman addressed in a tired voice. "Come, sit," she patted the bed with a thin white hand.

"I'm worried about Marian," Ana told Allan when she had returned from seeing Marian. "She will not leave her room. She is so thin and talks to me in such a sad voice Allan."

Allan smiled at her.

"At least she's forgiven you."

"Yes," Ana agreed.

"Look," Allan said. "I'm not going to the castle anymore. I'll stay here and look after you and Marian."

"But what about Guy?" Ana said. "Won't he-"

"He's not doing anything except sulk and talk to Vasey," Allan replied dryly. "Until he lifts his game I'm staying right here."

Beaming, Ana hugged Allan.


Late one night after a meal and a tonic she did not want Marian trudged downstairs to sit by the fireplace. A nightly ritual she had began since Guy had left.

The young woman stared sadly at the flickering flames remembering the time she had stood in this very spot talking to Guy about marrying him, about her concerns, her wishes.

It all seemed such a long time ago.

Marian bowed her head, staring at her rings. She had worn these symbols of her marriage with mixed feelings, fear, anger and pride.

Pride.

For such a sort time she had actually been proud to be his wife. Now, because of her own weakness, she lost any reason to feel pride.

Marian raised her head heavenwards. Her lips parted and she gave a sad, mournful sound. It was a moan, a cry. It was the sound of her loss.

Outside, a horse neighed and an owl hooted but she ignored the sounds.

Feeling cold, Marian wrapped her arms around her knees and gazed into the flames.

'I did it for you,' she thought bitterly. 'Everything I did was for you."

Anger swelled in her breast. This was not all her fault! Why had he not listened to her in the first place? She told him of her fears. Had he listened? No! He had not!

The fool!

Marian smacked the arm of the chair, hot tears travelled in a leisurely fashion down her cheeks.

"All of this!" she choked out. "All of this I did for you!"

She wanted to cry some more but her body ached from all the sobbing she had done prior to this moment. She had been crying for him on a regular basis which concerned everyone for this was not like her at all.

They knew it and she knew it, but Marian could not fight the constant waves of grief that struck her body again and again.

'I want you back,' she thought miserably, constantly. 'Come back to me Guy, come back,"

If he would only come to her. She would take him into her arms and kiss all of his fears and doubts away. Not because she and her father needed him but due to the fact the she cared so very deeply for him.


Another week later and the Marian of old was slowly pulling herself together. She now realised that sitting around and sulking would not help the situation. She now realised that she needed to try to get some proper sleep and eat regularly, only then she would have a clear head and be able to seek out and reason with Guy.

Yes, that was so much more practical then sitting in an armchair bawling one's eyes out.

Marian adjusted her wrap around her thin body and rose from the chair to head for the bedchamber.

The door opened and in came Guy.

His eyes were red rimmed, hair matted and wild. His handsome face ashen and needing a decent grooming.

Marian's mouth opened to say his name but she found she lacked a voice to do so.

He continued to stare at her for sometime seeming shocked that she was standing before him.

Letting the door slam behind him he whispered her name.

To acknowledge him, she blinked.

Breathing heavily, he staggered toward her.

"Marian!" he groaned then stumbled.

Fearing he had been drinking heavily, Marian rushed to catch him.

Guy went to his knees shaking violently.

"Guy!" she cried. "What has happened? Talk to me!"

He responded by wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his head into her stomach.

"F-forgive me," he moaned against the woollen fabric of her robe. "Forgive me Marian!"

Surprised and a little scared, Marian timidly reached out to stroke Guy's hair, smoothing it into place. He did not smell of ale, she was thankful for that. She did not know how she would deal with a drunken Gisborne without punching his lights out.

"Shh," she murmured, caressing his dark hair. "Shh."

"Say you forgive me Marian, I need to hear you say it," he pleaded.

"I …" she hesitated briefly. "I forgive you Guy."

He shuddered beneath her hands and moaned.

"I am so very sorry," he whimpered.

"I know," she told him. "I know you are. But it is alright now. You came back."

Slowly Guy raised his head and looked up at her and Marian almost wept.

He seemed so childlike, so lost. This could not be the face of Vasey's iron fist.

No.

This had to be the face of an Angel.

She went on her knees so she could be on the same level as he. Taking Guy's face in her hands she placed soft butterfly kisses all over his nose, lips forehead and eyes.

With each kiss Guy grew calmer but became agitated again when she rose to her feet.

"Come with me," she told him, offering her hand. "You are tired. You need to sleep."

Wearily, Guy reached up and wrapt his big hand around hers, letting her pull him up, too emotionally drained to wonder how she had the strength for such a task.

"That's it," Marian coaxed, leading him up the stairs. "That's it. Come to bed."


Once in their chambers Marian helped him undress then led him to the bed.

Guy was uneasy til he felt her arms around him, then he relaxed and allowed her to cradle him against her chest.

Like a frightened animal desperate for warmth and affection, he snuggled closer and closer.

"Guy, Guy," she murmured. "Calm yourself. Calm down."

He shuddered and whimpered.

"I-I forgive you M-marian," he told her weakly. She smiled tenderly and kissed his forehead.

"Shh," she cooed. "Hush now."

End of part 6

Author notes

Ana has revealed lady delectable's secret! I would like to say that I made Ana react this way because I think I would have done the same thing. She adores Marian, she really does, but she loves Guy as well and her love for Guy blinded her from thinking straight. As the author, I am extremely fond of this character and I don't hate her for what she has done to Marian, but something very evil will be happening to Ana in the next chapter or so.

Why is Guy so distraught? What has he told Vasey? Will he and Marian recover from this tragic revelation? Can Marian ever forgive herself for what she has done to Guy? We are getting even closer to the last chapter! How will it end?