"Gisborne! Gisborne! Where in the hell have you been? Off playing with your new toy? Lepers, Gisborne! Lepers! Welcome back to the real world! Everything's a mess!" Guy handed off his reins to a stable boy and walked away without a backwards glance at Faelyn.

"M'lady! Oh I was so worried! Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he? He didn't...touch you?"

Faelyn felt suddenly irritated. "No. I'm hungry. Have food sent to my room." She marched past Cherry and up to her chambers. She collapsed on the straw bedding and groaned. 'Welcome to the real world' indeed.

Faelyn didn't leave her room all day. She lay in bed, thinking. Cherry's urging went unheeded. What was going on with Guy? Did he at least notice her? Did he really think her a child? Was she simply a nuisance? Should she try to scrape together some other relationship? Why couldn't she read him? Should she continue to pursue him? Why was he so guarded? Did he even know she was trying to pursue him? Probably not. She was only trouble for him.

When evening fell she finally sat up and instructed Cherry to dress her for dinner. She would simply confront Guy and ask him if he was ready to try again.

But Guy was not at dinner. In his place sat the Lady Kensington and next to her Lord Kensington. The sheriff was flirting rather raucously with Lady Kensington. He had little care for anyone else in the room and no matter how hard she tried to catch his eye, he completely ignored Faelyn.

Disappointed, Faelyn trudged back to her room. Maybe she could find out where his quarters were and bring him dinner? He must be hungry. But what if he was working? Now she knew what he meant when he said she was a lot of trouble. Disheartened, she continued back to her room and fell asleep.

...

"M'lady, today's the day! It's the sheriff's birthday! I need you to try something on for me once you fully waken."

Faelyn sat up excitedly. Surely some note must have come for her by now explaining Guy's absence. "Has anything been left for me?"

"Mm-mm, m'lady, nothing. Come, let's try this on."

Faelyn sunk back in bed. "If this is what it means to try to catch a husband I don't think I want to play the game anymore. Just disappointment."

"Oh, m'lady come, come, you can't possibly expect Sir Guy to take wooing seriously! Please, you must concentrate on others! Now let me try this out on you, the masque is tonight and your costume isn't totally finished."

"Ugh, why bother? How am I going to meet anyone at a masque?"

Cherry chattered away happily about all the proper ways of flirting at masques, but Faelyn's heart wasn't in the conversation. She really just looked forward to leaving and wanted the evening over so she could prepare for the journey home.

The evening came soon enough, and Faelyn readied herself. At least she could hide behind her mask and avoid people. Her dress was made with hundred of pieces of faux "leaves" of many different kinds of fabric. Tiny muslin butterfly wings shaped around wire were affixed to the back of the gown. She wore a white fur collar and her mask was made of glittering pieces of dyed metal. Two elegant antennae made of trimmed peacock feathers arced gracefully from the center.

"There! Fae by name, fae by dress!"

Despite her turmoil over the evening, even Faelyn couldn't believe her costume. "Oh, Cherry! It's lovely! Thank you!" She embraced her friend happily.

"Now do try to have fun!"

...

Faelyn was quite impressed at the array of creative costumes. The theme was animals, and no noble had underdone it. She saw bears, foxes, dogs, horses, cats, even an old couple dressed as a rooster and hen. And what glorious colors! She'd never seen such lovely silks! Even the sheriff himself had spared no expense. He was dressed as a black raven and was entirely outfitted in a stylish array of shiny black feathers.

She met up with Lady Marian who was for some reason dressed as a robin, and Lady Kensington who was of course, a swan. But no Guy. Faelyn felt as though she could not hide her disappointment and very seriously considered leaving early. But to please Cherry and honor all her hard work, she stayed and made an effort to dance.

After a few hours she decided to call quits. She was tired and disappointed and very ready to pack. She curtsied to her current dance partner and squeezed through the other couples.

"May I have this dance?"

Faelyn froze. Her breath caught in her throat. Slowly she turned. It was no doubt it was him, she recognized his stature without difficulty. He was dressed in his usual black leather pants, but instead of his coat wore a vest of silver embroidery over a black cotton shirt. His dark blue eyes glittered out from behind a furry mask with ears and whiskers.

"Sir Guy, I presume?" Faelyn asked, happiness inflating inside her. He bowed elegantly.

"At your service Lady Faelyn."

She giggled. "What are you supposed to be?"

He frowned. "I should think it was obvious. A wolf." He turned to show a lovely black wolf tail tied to his belt. "Now, about that dance?"

Faelyn allowed him to lead her to the dance floor and waited anxiously for the music to start. "Where were you yesterday?"

The music began, a playful jaunt.

"I told you, the sheriff needs me. And just like I assumed he was angry. I was quite busy all day."

They held their hands up and spun around one another in time to the beat. "Will you leave tomorrow?" Guy asked her. Faelyn nodded. "Oh."

Was it just her imagination or did he sound disappointed? They switched hands and directions.

"Sir Guy, I wonder...If it wouldn't be too much to ask...Well, do you think you could write me?"

"Yes, if I find myself with spare time, if so you wish."

"Do you not so wish?"

The music died down and the dancers applauded the musicians. Guy looked around. "Walk with me." Faelyn followed him out of the Hall and down several corridors. When he found an empty spot he pulled his mask off.

"I do not know how to tell you this."

Faelyn didn't remove her mask. She sensed what he had to say was not good and prefered to hide behind it.

"While I appreciate your...attention these past couple days, I must inform you you have wasted your time. I have been down this road before and I will not go down it again. I have devoted myself to my ambitions. I have no room in my life for anyone else."

Fae couldn't move. Her throat was too tight to make any noises. She nodded her understanding.

"Would you like me to escort you to your room?"

She shook her head and turned slowly away. The walk back was long and painful.

...

I feel like I'm starting to lose Sir Guy's character so I'm going to go back and watch more of the show. (Ooh, bummer! Lol) Don't forget to review!