Author's note: Thanks for all of the reviews! I'm not sure how many more chapters there will be (probably 4-5). Things will get crazier before they get resolved though, lol.
Chapter 9
KNIGHTON
"Edward! Where are you going?" Robin shouted as he stepped in front of the elder gentleman's horse.
"To Nottingham, Robin."
"Is there a problem?" Much interjected. Edward turned to face him.
"Yes, Marian just left for the castle—despite my protestations."
"Marian's in Nottingham?" Robin asked.
"Yes, well, I hope." Edward answered.
"You hope? Would she lie to you?" Much asked with a hint of a smile. He was beginning to get concerned.
"In her present state, I'm not so sure." Edward replied. Robin felt his heart rate increase.
"Current state? What on earth are you talking about?" Robin asked, smiling. He was hiding his unease.
"Last night, when Sir Guy was here, Marian was not…she was not herself." Robin remembered his brief conversation with Marian. "Marian", he thought, "I begged you not to overplay it." Edward continued his narrative. "I think she's become quite…taken with Sir Guy." Edward chose his words carefully, he didn't want to give anyone a false impression of Marian's character, but he wasn't about to lie to his old friends. "I'm afraid she shouldn't be alone with him." For a moment, Robin doubted whether or not he'd correctly switched the potions, but he trusted Djaq and himself.
"Sir Edward, Marian is an intelligent woman; she can take care of herself." Robin assured.
"Robin, she's my only daughter. It's my duty to see that she's safe."
"Indeed, but let Much and I handle this. We'll give her your message." Robin returned.
"Robin, you can't go to Nottingham—you'll be seen and hanged!" Robin smiled at Edward's speech.
"You don't need to worry about us. Trust us." Edward waited a few moments; he was debating whether or not to acquiesce.
"Alright, Robin. Tell her I need to speak with her immediately." Edward slid from his horse's back and headed back towards his house. He planned his speech to Marian trying to imagine what his wife might have said. Once Edward was out of earshot, Much approached Robin.
"You don't think Gisborne would really…take advantage of Marian do you Robin?" He said in a half-whisper.
"I don't know. Image is everything to that man. If other nobles discovered that he engaged in an illicit liaison with a nobleman's daughter it could be bad for him." Robin suddenly laughed and clapped Much on the shoulder. "You should really be asking "would Marian let him take advantage of her" and the answer to that is a definite no." Much seemed slightly mollified.
"I guess we go to Nottingham then?"
"Yes." The two headed back to the forest for their horses.
NOTTINGHAM
Marian waited patiently in the great hall for Sir Guy. He was usually never late when it came to her. Just as she began to pace, Guy entered the room.
"Lady Marian," he began formally, "what brings you here?" Marian was more than a little confused. Less than 12 hours earlier, Guy had insisted that he'd never like to keep her waiting. Had he caught on to her charade? Or, perhaps, once he believed his reward captured, would he less fervently pursue it?
"I came to see you, of course." Guy hesitated and furrowed his brow.
"Oh, of course. We", he paused while he descended the staircase, "discussed that last evening."
"Yes, we did." Guy stared back at her—examining her as though he'd never seen her before. He slowly approached her with his hand clenched tightly on the hilt of his sword to prevent it from encumbering his gait. Guy's thoughts were less dominated by Djaq the further he was from her.
"I apologize—I wasn't expecting you."
"It's alright."
"Can I interest you in a drink?"
"Oh, no. Actually, I was wondering whether or not you'd give me a tour of the castle." Guy laughed at her request.
"You've been her dozens of times. I doubt there is anything new I could show you." He seemed like he was in a hurry.
"Guy," she started in her most coquettish voice, "I'm sure there are things I haven't seen." Guy wasn't given a chance to respond, a guard abruptly entered the room.
"Sir Guy, the prisoner is ready for transport." Guy turned to face the guard. Djaq, of course, Djaq, he had to be with her. He walked away from Marian towards the guard. "Where would you like us to take her?"
"Never mind that, I'll take her myself."
"Alone?"
"Yes, alone!" He barked. He stalked back towards Marian. "We'll have to finish this conversation later." Guy was quickly losing touch with his rational faculties. Marian was standing right in front of him, but he wanted to be with the prisoner—more than anything else in the world. His head was beginning to pound and a sudden feeling of weakness overtook him. He unconsciously leaned forward and instinctively held Marian's shoulder to regain his balance.
"Guy? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." He collected himself and walked away. As he left the room, Vasey intercepted him.
"Taking the prisoner to Locksley, eh Gisborne? Good thinking. No doubt Hood will be trying to infiltrate the castle to rescue his beloved Saracen." The Sheriff noticed the apprehension in Guy's expression. "Oh, perhaps you're taking her there for entertainment?" He smiled maliciously, "well have fun." Guy was suddenly disgusted at himself and the Sheriff and his expression showed it.
"M'lord." He said with a slight bow and exited the room.
"Ah! Marian, what a pleasant surprise!" Vasey smiled as he always did when presented with an opportunity to mentally torture someone. "You seem a little depressed." Marian looked down, she was, but not for any of the reasons the Sheriff was about o assert. "Oh, I see, your man isn't spending enough time with you. Such is the pain of a relationship, my dear." He walked over to a bowl of nuts on the long table in the center of the room. "Women should get used to spending time alone—their husbands have to find ways to support them, broods of children and their entertainments." Marian was becoming increasingly angry—she knew that's
exactly why the Sheriff was giving her this speech. She wondered how much of it he actually believed.
"I assure you, I'm quite alright."
"Now there was a hint of anger there. Wait, no, jealousy." He said as he inspected her eyes. "You fear that your dear Sir Guy has found another, more interesting woman"? He finished. "Well", he said as he circled her and approached her right ear, "That's what happens when you dangle a carrot in front of a horse too long, Marian, he finds apples instead." Marian abruptly drew away from him.
"You misunderstand me, Sheriff." Marian replied. Vasey projected an air of disinterested nonchalance, but he was beginning to wonder at Gisborne's motives for moving the prisoner. He signaled for a guard to follow his lieutenant.
"I wouldn't worry, he really only has eyes for you—heaven knows why." Marian curtseyed and left the room.
Guy took Djaq gently by the hand and began to lead her to the courtyard.
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"To my home." He replied. Djaq analyzed the situation. Would it be better to make a break now, or once they were at Locksley? The Castle was heavily guarded, but Locksley would undoubtedly be heavily manned as well. She had to get him alone—she preferred those odds. She hadn't been focusing on their route and she tripped on the first step of a narrow staircase. She collided with Guy; he held her strongly. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Her precarious position forced her to grip Guy's left forearm. She felt him shudder slightly—she'd forgotten about his gash. "Your arm?"
"It's nothing." He more slowly guided her down the staircase. "My men have prepared horses. You will ride beside me." Even though he was under the influence of a powerful drug, Guy noticed Djaq was apprehensive. "There's no need to be concerned, I'll protect you."
"Of course." She smiled a little. She had to work fast; she had given Guy far more of the potion than she should have, but she knew, from observing the Sheriff's birds, that it was only a matter of time before he came to his senses.
Marian rushed back to her horse. She knew that Guy must have Djaq, but why would he take her form the castle? She couldn't understand what was happening. A light tap on her shoulder alerted her to Robin's presence.
"Robin, I think Gisborne might have Djaq."
"What?"
"He didn't stay to speak with me and he spoke to the guard about moving a prisoner."
"He didn't want to talk to you? Even after your theatrics last night?" Robin smiled.
"Your father was very upset, Marian, what did you do?" Much said, with disapproval in his voice.
"It's none of your business, but I did nothing I should be ashamed of."
"You need to go back to Knighton, Marian." Robin interjected.
"I need to follow Gisborne."
"No, you have to see your father and if Gisborne saw you, what on earth would he think?"
"He'd think I couldn't stand to be away from him."
"Marian, promise me, you'll go to Edward." Marian stared at him, but finally acquiesced.
"I promise." Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Will.
"Robin", he began, "I just saw Gisborne leaving with Djaq and a whole slew of soldiers".
"I was right!" Marian shouted. "We need to follow."
"No," Robin commanded, "we wait for nightfall. If they are going to Locksley we can more easily rescue Djaq by infiltrating the manor. It will be simpler and safer than ambushing a whole squad of soldiers." Robin's men nodded. Marian fulfilled her promise and headed toward Knighton. The Nightwatchman, however, hadn't made any promises.
To Be Continued…
