Chapter 7

Locksley is not her lover? She has sworn on her mother's grave…What else can she have to reveal?

Marian bit her lip, then swallowed. "I am the Nightwatchman."

Guy was caught completely unawared by her revelation. Marian -- the Nightwatchman? He blinked. "No, this is not possible." But when he looked in her face, he knew that she had not lied to him. A woman had struck him down? Did she want to humiliate him?

Marian knew exactly what Guy was thinking. "My father… he always wanted a boy and taught me everything he knew. I learned from others too, strangers from a far eastern land, particular self defence methods. Most of the things I know have nothing to do with strength…I wanted to help the poor and…" She laughed, embarrassed. "Embroidery just wasn't going to do the trick."

Guy stood still frozen to the spot, stunned. She saw his shocked expression, saw how he tried to understand why she had done this and why she had told him rightnow. Marian stepped forward and laid her hand on Guy's sleeve, looking up to him. Being so near to him…. Granted, she had touched him when he had been near death, but that had been different. She had tried to convince herself that he'd only been a patient then, but even back then, she had known that she was deceiving herself. Her hand moved forward to his beautiful long fingers. They stood close now, very close and she smelled his scent; inhaling a little.

Guy noticed Marian's reaction to him, her nostrils inhaling his scent, her hands touching his. In the past, she'd always seemed to reject him, but now… Groaning, he pulled her to him somewhat roughly, embracing her and stroking her hair. She felt so good. When he heard her moaning softly, he pulled back abruptly. "Have I hurt you?" Marian shook her head. Reluctantly, Guy released her completely and stepped back. "I still don't understand. I see that you trust me and I see… but why would you think that I'd save Locksley, even if I could? You know we hate each other."

Marian felt a lump in her throat. All the things people had told about him were probably true. She'd seen him doing so many cruel deeds herself. The man was dangerous and despite his feelings for her, he would remain dangerous. She was mad, falling in love with Guy of Gisborne. She swallowed. "Do it for us, Guy, for the right case, and for your soul."

Guy shook his head and laughed. "I have no soul, Marian; I lost it long ago. At that time, I thought it was worth it. For the right case? It's too late. You know what I have done. I will hang when the king returns and for us…" He looked at Marian, the yearning in his eyes obvious, and then continued. "Perhaps…I've committed hideous crimes, Marian. I had hoped that if I took you in the holy wedlock your pure heart would cleanse mine."

"I'll help you. It's not too late. I will marry you, Guy, and I want it to be a real marriage."

Guy looked at Marian incredulously. "You know what I have done and you still want me?"

Marian did not answer but drew near and touched him. Guy's shirt hung still open and she felt his warm skin, the hair on his chest. Despite his dark looks, he didn't seem to be overly hairy and she liked that. "Oh, Marian," Guy groaned; so long, he had waited for her to touch him. He believed her; she wanted this as much as he did. He bent his dark headdown to her and captured her lips with his, hesitatingly first, then more forcefully. She felt his passion and was swept away. Eventually, their minds cleared again. His hands still embraced her, moving tenderly over her back; then he released her.

Marian looked at him, at his beautiful eyes. It was a rare combination, the dark hair and his blue eyes and he looked at her tenderly. Tenderness was not a virtue one would associate with Guy of Gisborne and it seemed directed only towards her. The truth sobered her a little; she had begun to love this man she barely knew.

Guy noticed the flicker in her glance instantly. "You already regret the kiss?" he asked tersely.

"No, I don't, but I've just realised that I don't know anything about you and I would like to get to know you. Would you tell me, just later, not now?"

Guy straightened. "I will help you, you, not Locksley. I will think of a way to free him, but it's not for his sake. I detest the likes of him more than I can say, the rich and idle, having everything in their life, only thinking about adventure, and I hate the way he looks at…" He stopped, his face rigid.

"Guy, I only love him as a brother, please keep this in mind. I have thought of a way to rescue him without jeopardising your safety." Marian pulled a little vial out of the pocket of her robes. "A wise woman gave this to me. If Robin drinks this, he will collapse and will be seemingly dead. An antidote has to be administered within twenty-four hours, though. Otherwise, he'll die."

Guy took the flask out of her hands and turned it in his hands. If he administered this potion to Locksley but "failed" to give him the antidote, he would get rid of his rival for good. "You were sure that I would help you?" he asked after a pause.

"I had hoped so much; there is goodness in you; you can repent from your ways. And I'm sure there is a future for you." Marian answered softly.

Guy entered the oubliette and the guard greeted him submissively. "Robin Hood is locked away safely. He cannot escape this time. Seems, he's too weak to even move now."

Guy grinned evilly. When he rubbed his chin, the guard saw the brass knuckles gleaming on Guy's fingers. "I'd like to…talk to our captive once more," he sneered. "Give me the key and leave!" The guard hesitated shortly, and then did as he had been ordered. It would be no good to contradict Sir Guy; his temper was well known.

Guy approached Robin who looked up to him. "Come to gloat, Gisborne?" he ground out. He was suffering from blood loss and the guards had kicked and punched him some more.

Guy bent down to him. "If it were up to me, you would be dead by now…" He didn't continue but took a scroll out of his robes and held it out to Robin. Robin narrowed his eyes and then took the scroll, unrolling it with trembling fingers – Marian's handwriting.

This is the last chance to save your life. Sir Guy will help you to escape. Drink the potion he will give you. You will fall into a deep sleep and will be pronounced dead. Don't think; just do what I'm telling you.

"What mad scheme is this?" Robin laughed, although it hurt. "Am I to believe that you are on my side now?"

"No!" Guy spat. "I'll never be on your side, Locksley, but Marian wants to free you. She told me you wouldn't believe me and I won't be sad if you choose to just sit here and wait to be hanged tomorrow. Take it or leave it." Then he added reluctantly, "There is a little sign on the bottom of the letter; it will prove that the letter is no forgery or forced."

Robin examined the letter; indeed, Gisborne was right. He opened his mouth, but Guy cut him off. "No time for questions, time to obey, Locksley. You will die from your wounds tonight and to make this more believable, I will… Well, you've seen my brass knuckles, haven't you? Then I will administer you the content of this vial."

Robin nodded. Then he nearly snorted -- Gisborne trying to save him!