A/N: Alright, this gets like, Hella dark and super-di-dooper violent towards the middle-end of this chapter. Guy is gets a bit OOC and carried away with violence in the fight that leads to a mini part of the plot of the next chap, so… semi-M rating for this chapter, I guess. I mean, it's not that bad, but it's not tame either, so it's just to be safe. If you're not into that, stop reading when the outlaws leave and I'll give a quick low-down of what happens in the A/N next chapter.
"Marian! Roland! You there?! We need you! Open up!"
Marian lifted her head at the voice that she couldn't recognize as she came back to consciousness. She could hear the front door knocking all the way from her room. She made her way outside, met with a just as puzzled Roland. The pair went down the stairs, only to find Guy and Allan waiting for them at the base.
"It's Hood," Guy deadpanned as they made it to the door and opened it.
Marian frowned, but opened the door and sure enough, Robin was on one side and Much was on the other, but there was a man who looked half-dead between them. "Who's this? Roland…?"
Roland was already a step ahead of her, taking the man's right side from Robin and helping lead him towards Guy's room.
After a few moments, Robin settled down and glanced at Guy. "What're you still doing here?"
"I'm welcome. Shouldn't you be more concerned about why Marian's stuck with me?" Guy shot back.
"Enough!" Marian called from the hallway. She stormed back into the room. "Are you two that against each other you'll argue over me like a scrap of meat when I am feet from you?!" She demanded, then turned to Robin. "Who is he?"
"Name's Carter. He helped us saved some peasants from the Sheriff's tyranny. Tell me, Gisborne, do you miss doing that?" Robin asked.
"Stop!" Marian objected. "Roland is seeing to the man right now, can you give the man peace?" She insisted.
"No, because I want answers! Why has Gisborne not slit Roland's throat by now? The old man did what needed to be done for him- he's past his use. Why have you stayed with him? Whether you feel responsible or not, he's fine now- clearly! So why are you still here? He has no right to have your pity!" Robin insisted, casting a glare in Guy's direction, which only earned a snarl in return from the other one.
"And you have no right to question my choices! I made them, I can do without you constantly criticizing me!" Marian argued. After a moment, she collected herself. "Now, where did that man get hurt? Is he hurt badly?"
"Enough to pass out," Djaq cut in, entering the house. She wasted no time in looking around, then at Marian. "Where did the man who can help him go?"
"That hallway, the door on the left," Marian replied. "Look, you can trust Roland. He's a good man. He won't harm… Carter, was it?"
"I only wish to assist him if he needs it, not to make sure he is not going to try anything. I mean no harm," Djaq replied with a small smile before heading for the room in question.
The rest of the night had passed in relative silence, with the only voices coming from the people who were making sure Robin and Guy stayed as far away from each other as possible and didn't start hurling insults- or objects, for that matter, at one another.
By early morning, Guy and Carter were the only ones left awake- the former because he wasn't eliminating the idea Hood would try to get one of his lackies to kill him, and the former was trying to walk off the pain.
When Carter came around the corner in the main room, Guy merely arched a questioning eyebrow at him.
Carter limped over to Guy. "So, you're Gisborne…"
"Why?" Guy countered.
Carter cracked a smile. "The Sheriff warned me about you…"
Guy drew back, trying to make it as subtle as possible when he pulled the nearby dinner knife with him. He clenched his jaw when Carter laughed. It wasn't lost on him. Damn it. "You want to start trouble, you start it away from the physician and the lady…"
Carter snorted. "Relax- my problem isn't with you- or them."
"Oh?" Guy asked.
The other man leaned forward. "Sure, earlier today the Sheriff offered me a price to bring you back alive so he could deal with you, since something came up and he couldn't himself-"
"What came up?"
"… The King's returning here," Carter shrugged.
Guy's eyes widened.
Carter smirked. "Come now, can we really be sure that's a reality? He's been 'on his way' so many times before…" he replied, then shrugged. "Now, back to my business that you asked about first- you, I can tolerate. You, I don't mind. Robin Hood, on the other hand…"
Guy arched an eyebrow. He could worry about what would come of Richard's arrival later. "Go on…"
Carter put his feet up on the table, frowning when Guy shoved them off. "How about we call it even and I say I wasn't able to round you up… if you help me separate Hood from his merry band of misfits so I can settle a personal grudge, hm?"
Guy studied the man for a while, then, upon realizing the man was serious, smirked. "You have my full attention… no promises about helping separate him from the pack- I'll help in the killing though, if you need me," He replied. He wanted to smirk so badly. He knew something was off about the man, and it turns out 'off' worked in his favor. At least something did lately.
Carter shrugged. "Could be simple- get your little girlfriend, the two healers, and the two beady-eyed ones in the same room that doesn't have Hood in it-"
"Then you don't know Hood. Hood would be aware of a plan like that," Guy replied.
The pair looked up when Will burst into the room. The younger man glared at Guy, then headed for the hallway. "Robin! The Sheriff and some of his men are on his way!" He called.
Guy shot upright, and Carter sighed before standing up. The former merely sighed before practically letting himself get shoved up against the wall by Robin as he came around the corner mere seconds later.
"Gisborne, you set this up!" the man accused.
Guy scoffed, then shoved him roughly away and pulled back the collar of his tunic, showing the scar. "For future reference, this has severed all ties with the man. Do you really think I'd work for a man who tried and almost succeeded in murdering me?"
"Yes, actually," Robin snapped, shoving him again. Guy returned it and the process continued until Marian came running down the stairs.
"I told the pair of you to stop this!" She insisted, forcing her way between them. "What's going on?
Vasey's coming again?"
"He's no more than a mile that way- you can't miss them," Will added.
"Where we saw him before. We have minutes before he's on us," Guy replied.
"What do you mean 'we?'?" Robin demanded.
"What's going on?" Djaq asked, entering the room.
"Marian, Roland and I. You can all get taken in for all I care," Guy snapped. He glanced over when Allan came in, then heard Roland on his way down. "Allan, same instructions that I gave you before-"
"Left or right?" Allan asked, balling up his fists.
"Neither- not needed this time. Just go," Guy insisted.
Allan nodded before taking Roland's arm and dragging him towards the back of the house before the man could object.
"Hold on! How do we know this isn't a set-up?" Robin insisted. "He's perfectly capable of arranging it!"
"It wasn't one last time, why would it be now? It's not like he planned for you two to show up- nor has been away from here long enough to do so," Marian replied.
"Why are you defending him again?" Robin shot back.
Marian ignored him and went over to get the fireplace poker, frowning when the outlaws all looked at her like she's insane. "It's all we have," she explained.
Robin made a face, then came back with a sword, bow and a quiver of arrows all under his arm. "Take your pick…" To his surprise, Marian took both, and then to his horror, she tossed the sword to Guy, who caught it but looked as alarmed as he did. "What? Why?"
"Because the Sheriff's after all of us. Guy and I have ground here- we can't run. All of you can. Take your injured man and go!" She ordered, casting a look at Carter who stood up, ready to leave already.
"But-" Robin objected.
"Keep that up and I'd be delighted to run you through, Hood. Right now I have more important targets then you, surprisingly," Guy replied. When Robin looked at him, he arched an eyebrow. "I won't warn twice. Do as the lady says,"
Robin looked between them, then practically growled in annoyance. "Much!"
Much, who had been fitting Guy with an even nastier look, snapped out of it. "We're listening to him?"
"We're listening to her- she's right- we've done as much as possible anyway," Robin replied. "Clear out, fast," he ordered. He walked over to Marian and leaned over to whisper in her hear. "If Gisborne turns on you…"
"He won't- and if he so much as tries, he'll be dead shortly after," Marian replied.
Robin hesitated, then kissed her cheek before looking at Guy, who had turned his attention to Allan as the younger man came trotting in.
Before Guy could berate him, the blonde put his hands up. "Roland told me to come back out. He knows what he's doing- said it would be better if I was out here- give you more power here so they can't get in there."
Robin scoffed as he made his way towards the door, followed by the other outlaws and Carter. "Good to see you got so cozy with each other," he spat before exiting the house.
After a few moments, Allan shook his head. "Bloody fool," He reached over and took the fireplace poker.
"Are you going to be alright with that?" Marian asked.
Allan shrugged. "It'll hold me over 'til I can get to one of their belts. How many are out…" He stopped when the sound of hoof beats reached his ears. "Guess we don't have much time to find out, huh?"
"Guess not," Marian agreed, preparing an arrow before heading outside.
Guy and Allan spared a glance at each other before running out as well, just in time to see the small line of soldiers coming- Vasey, whoever Guy's replacement was, and ten others. Not good at all, unless the world allowed for some miracle. They heard an arrow whiz by them, and a second later, one of the soldiers fell off his horse, an arrow sticking out of his chest, just above his heart. One down, eleven to go.
"Any time now, boys!" Marian called from her spot just behind the house as she prepared another shot.
The two advanced, and a moment later, the knights dismounted and made their own charge. Guy took one down easily enough and didn't bother to check if he was dead or alive, and Allan baited another to give chase in order to get the fallen one's friend. Within moments, they were down to six knights to deal with. Decker dismounted, heading straight for Guy. Guy caught the man's movement quickly enough to parry one of the knight's blows before shoving him towards Allan before swinging his sword to meet Decker's.
"Still haven't been ruined," Decker informed him after their blades bounced off each other once more.
"I give it a month," Guy replied, swinging at him.
Decker turned to avoid it, but Guy was faster and nicked his armor. He shoved Guy away, which caused the man to knee him hard in the stomach and punch him in the face a moment later. After stumbling, Decker gladly returned the favor, and delivered a second kick to the chest to send him flying back.
Guy hit the ground hard, then looked up to see where the others were.
Allan was having difficulty taking on two soldiers, and somehow Marian had gotten a hold of a sword. He risked watching her for a minute because the way she moved right after he glanced at her- it was oddly fluid for a relative newcomer to a weapon, and then she curled in on herself and rolled forward. His heart skipped a beat. That's the second time she's looked like- the thought was cut off when the edge of Decker's sword came into his peripheral vision. He rolled to the side to avoid it, kicking Decker's legs out from under him. He went to plunge his sword down into the man's heart, but it lost strength when he heard Marian shout in pain. He turned sharply and saw her suddenly hold her side, still trying to fight one of the guards off- and the bastard who had hurt her was laughing. He made a mental note to deal with him later. Decker was up and upon him again, and after a moment, he realized Vasey was on his way over as well. As a last ditch effort, Guy took a few steps back and took a wide swing at Decker and got the result he wanted. The sword hit Decker diagonally across the face- it wasn't deep- just a scratch that would bleed like Hell and probably leave a scar in certain places- and take him out of the fight.
Decker howled in pain and stumbled back, and Vasey took over, shouting in anger himself. When Guy parried his blow, he pulled back his sword. "You know, I really liked you, Gisborne! You were a son to me! Tell me, is the old man still in hiding in the house? Can't wait to visit the bastard. Maybe I should make you bleed out slowly so I can bring him out and kill him in front of you. That's the rough equivalent to what you've done to me!" He hissed. He swung at Guy, and Guy jumped back.
Guy, at the moment, realized he didn't much care to hear what the man had to say after the first bit. He wasn't going to get to Roland. He owed the older man that, at least. He let out a roar of his own and slashed wildly at Vasey for a while, who unfortunately parried or dodged every blow.
The sheriff tripped over a rock for his trouble, then laughed. "Oh, you've just given it away…" He looked at the three remaining guards who were grouped together, with them on one side of the house and Marian and Allan coming at them from the other. "Guards! Get in the house! Find the old man, bring him out here! We'll stick to the original plan of killing him and the girl in front of him!" He barked.
Guy snarled and dropped to his knees, holding the edge of his blade to Vasey's throat. "Do it and the sheriff dies!"
That alone stopped the fight, and the six others turned to look at them.
Guy pressed the blade harder against Vasey's throat and drew blood. "Drop your weapons. Now," Guy ordered.
The guards looked around.
"He's the one that insures you get paid, you fools. Drop the weapons, or he dies," he repeated.
The guards reluctantly obeyed this time.
Vasey let out a dry laugh, which earned a second cut just above his chin.
"Allan, take Marian inside," Guy continued.
Marian stepped forward. "Guy, we had a-"
"Quiet, Marian! Allan- take her inside." When Allan nodded and did as he was told after a moment, Guy turned his attention to Decker and kicked him lightly. "Get on your damn horse and leave. Tell the people at the castle it'll be a while until the others get back,"
"Do you t. think-" Decker began but stopped when Guy put the pressure back on Vasey's throat that had been lessening by the second. Decker put his hands up and backed up to his horse before getting on it and riding off.
Guy turned his attention to Vasey. "Now comes you…"
Vasey sneered. "You do realize that Prince John will not be fond of you if you kill me when he arrives…"
Guy scoffed himself. "I'm not going to kill you,"
"… … You're not?"
"No… a limp can only harm you for so long, though," he replied. He leaned back to get Vasey's dagger from his belt and stabbed the man in the thigh. When the guards called out and advanced on him, Guy leaned forward again. "What did I tell you? He'll recover. Consider it the first part of your warning…" He yanked Vasey off the ground. "Come back here with any more soldiers to finish what you started and I will end all of you- including him," Guy motioned at the guards. "Take him," he instructed. When the one who hurt Marian got closest to him, he motioned for him to stop. "You tried to harm Maid Marian…"
"Sheriff's orders, originally. You keep refusing coming back- Decker really is a git- we had to try and get you back to the castle- if you refused, we'd have to take you back by any means necessary, and if it meant harming 'er-"
"Then you shouldn't have so much as touched the girl," Guy replied before using Vasey's dagger to stab the man in the chest. The guard who hadn't taken hold of Vasey scrambled to get him.
"There's part two of the warning. Now leave and don't dream of coming back," he insisted.
The guards rushed to get the Sheriff and the near-dying man onto the horses before getting on their horses and hurrying off.
Guy waited another few minutes before going back inside the house slowly. His head was spinning. He felt ill. He merely put his hands up when Roland, Allan and Marian came rushing over to him. "I'm fine…"
Marian spotted the drying blood on his hands and the dagger. "Guy… what did you do…?"
"What I needed to do to protect all of you," Guy shot back. He looked at her and his stomach turned. It was his own fault he was back to being the monster in her eyes. He looked at the others, and even they looked unnerved. "… Go on about your business. They won't come back," he instructed.
The three didn't move for some time, but eventually cleared out, with Marian going down the hallway as fast as possible and Allan and Roland heading up the stairs, having a near silent conversation with each other. Guy couldn't make anything out of it- whether that was because of the ringing in his ears or pounding head, he would never know. He collapsed into the nearest chair and hoped he would be back to normal soon.
Guy came to after falling asleep a few hours into the night to the sound of floorboards creaking. His eyes adjusted to the light and when he saw the outline of Marian, he closed his eyes. He assumed it was a dream- or possibly nightmare after the afternoon's events.
"… Guy?"
Guy opened his eyes again. That seemed too real. "Marian…?" He let his eyes finish adjusting. She looked dazed and beyond sick. Had she been downstairs the whole time? Was she upstairs and made it down in that condition? The guard wounded her, he remembered. He stood up and walked over to her slowly, putting his hands out ever-so-slightly.
Marian merely whimpered and swayed on her feet.
Guy darted over to her when she swayed even more, steadying her with a hand on her back. "What's happened? When the guard attacked…?"
"He got me- I thought it was just a scratch, but apparently not…" Marian replied. She reluctantly leaned into him for fear of collapsing in the other direction. She knew she was at least safe with him, despite what he had just done earlier. He had made that abundantly clear. "I…"
"Move your hand," Guy instructed, finally realizing she had been crossing her arms to hide how badly the guard's blow had heard her. When she made no movement, he tried again. "Marian, please…"
Marian swallowed hard, then moved her hand just enough to show where the guard's sword had cut her, but stayed it when it crossed over the scar that he had caused what seemed like ages ago now- no, he hadn't inflicted it on her- it was on the Nightwatchman. It was still you- another part of her argued. She hissed. Now wasn't the time for that. The fabric seemed to be on a mission to curl right where it would've revealed it as Guy pulled the bandage she had put on it back, so that would be a problem soon. He was about to find out her biggest secret, and of course it would happen right after he was in the most emotionally unstable condition she'd ever seen him in. She prayed he would've at least calmed down slightly by then. She held her breath and waited.
Guy looked over the damage. It could've been a lot worse, but she still lost a fair bit of blood. From what they could tell, it wasn't that deep, but he knew it was probably quite painful all the same. He took pride in knowing the fool who did it was hopefully dead by now. "Roland! Marian needs help now!" He called.
Marian flinched at the yelling, and then his fingers gliding along her side. He was getting closer and closer now. She watched his face. Closer… closer… there. Her heart just about stopped when she saw him feel the scar. She swallowed hard when he went from looking to aware of something being there, and then… the realization. His eyes widened but went cold, and then met hers. Her throat clenched. Guy's jaw visibly did the same. She was somehow relieved he had still managed to hold it together up until now- and then… he was slowly reaching for her hand- the one he had cut even before that- the one that still had a shallow, thin scar across the palm. He turned it carefully, and then saw the scar. He stood stock still for a second, just staring. Marian was terrified. She expected him to yell. To throw something. To hit something- maybe even her. And then he moved- back, two steps. When she heard Roland and Allan coming down the stairs, he didn't bother looking up at them. His eyes went back to the scar at her side before he turned and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
