Chapter Ten

Feelings old, new, strange and strong

"Guy? Meg?" Guy turned to see Robin and Marian walking back. Robin had his arm around Marian's waist, protectively stroking her stomach he noted.

Marian smiled. "Were you two walking out as well?"

Meg nodded, but looked at him for the answers. He merely nodded. "Will you two walk back with us?" Meg said. "Since we're heading the same way?"

"Why not?" Robin shrugged.

"Robin," Marian said. "I'd like to talk to Guy alone."

Guy felt his heart rise a little and the kiss between him and Meg was instantly forgotten.

"Marian."

"Five minutes. Please."

Robin didn't like it. But he wasn't going to dishonor Marian's request. He nodded. "Fine." Meg turned and walked after robin. She walked as if she were upset, but he didn't know why."

Marian walked up to him and he crossed his arms. "Well?" He asked taking a step back.

Marian sighed. "You're not going to make this easy are you?"

"Should I?" He said. "I've been trying to avoid you."

"I noticed." She sighed. "Guy, I just want your friendship."

"So you've stated." All the instances began ringing in his ears. "Many times."

"Guy," she inhaled. "I want to ask your forgiveness. For, hurting and lying to you so many times."

"I do not recall asking your forgiveness."

"Guy."

"I would never ask your forgiveness for stabbing you because I know it wouldn't and couldn't be granted."

"Guy, I would forgive you."

"Then you're a fool. Only a fool would grant forgiveness to an enemy."

"I thought we were friends."

"Were, Marian. We aren't now."

"Guy, why can't things be the way they were?"

"Me begging you to marry me? Pleading, begging, falling over myself to win your heart?"

"Guy please."

"Please what?" he snapped. "Marian, you played that game with me for two years!"

"And I'm sorry."

"Why couldn't you have said flat out 'I don't love you' instead of lying?"

"Because I didn't want to hurt you!"

"The truth hurts, but lies hurt more." He reached out and touched her stomach. She inhaled. "And Locksley's babe is growing in you instead of mine. You know how much I wanted children."

"Yes Guy, I do. I've seen that side of you."

"And you rejected it."

"What about Meg?"

"What about Meg?" he asked. "Meg is Meg. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Guy, could you possibly have a life with her?"

"She's not you Marian. Never will be. God knows, at this moment that I am fighting adulterous feelings towards you. And this going on inside me moments after kissing Meg, I can't help it."

"Guy, why not Meg?" She asked. "She seems perfect."

"Aye, a fine wife she'd be. We'd yell each other to death! She hates men Marian. She's stated marriage is not in her life and I certainly couldn't find happiness in her arms."

"You kissed her." Marian said. "Doesn't that mean something?"

"A mere brush and I was not in my right mind."

"Guy, answer this honestly." Marian inhaled. "Do you have feelings for Meg at all?"

Guy nodded, "I wouldn't not deny that I have feelings for her."

"Then, don't let them go. She does care for you."

"And I for her. But as far as if they're strong enough to last a lifetime. These feelings are only strong enough to cross a bridge." He removed his hand from her waist. "I will get over you Marian. It'll just take a long, long time."

"Meg will be there."

Guy smirked, "I'd rather she be more like you. Not so….loud and irritating. However, she does make me smile and I cannot deny I almost feel…happy when I'm around her. At times, she even makes me forget you exist."

Marian nodded. "give it time. Don't rush the relationship or it could all come to a screeching halt."

"That's it!" Meg shouted dumping her quiver of arrows to the ground. "I've had it."

"Pick up your stuff Meg!" Guy shouted back at her.

"Oh shut up!" She shouted back at him. "I've had it with you today Guy of Gisbourne!"

"This is stupid!" He said. "You're arguing over how I don't encourage you!? Meg, when it's time to praise your shooting, I'll praise you then, not before!"

Meg let out a string of words in Celtic that made everyone look at her. He wasn't sure what they were, but from the look of hate on her face, it wasn't good.

"Ok that's it!" Robin shouted. "I've had just about enough of this! Meg, Guy, come here now!" When they refused he snapped. "John."

Guy moved instantly, he'd felt John's strength and now was not one of those times. Meg made the mistake of trying to stare John down and found herself being propelled towards Robin. Marian stood there beside him as well looking very much like an umpire.

"Now," Robin began. "I have just about had enough of this! The two of you have been fighting like cats and dogs since you walked into my camp! I'm sick of it and I'm sure I speak for everyone else here as well. Now, the two of you settle your differences here and now before I am forced to take drastic measures."

"It's her fault!" Guy said. "I was helping her practice and she got upset because I didn't say she was doing a good job, when she isn't!"

"Well I am doing a good job."

"It's a fine job."

"Good!"

"A fine job."

"Is this an argument over word choice?" Robin moaned. "You two are arguing over words?"

Meg groaned. "Aye, ye could say that." She sent him a scorching look. "The man has not a soft bone in his body!"

With that, Meg spun around and stomped out of the camp. Guy sat down on the ground and crossed his arms. Robin looked at him expectantly. "No, I'm not going after her."

"She could get lost."

"Good riddance."

Robin groaned and called. "Much?"

Meg began pulling the leaves off a branch she'd pulled off. She'd been walking for quite a while now and was quite cross. She came out of the forest to find herself on the hill overlooking Locksley village. The sound of crunching behind her made her spin around.

It was Much.

She frowned, "You following me?"

He gasped for air. "Well…Robin…was worried."

"Not Guy? Figures."

"He is…a…cruel man milady. I've seen…some things he's done."

She nodded and moved down the hill. "As have I."

"Yet…you're attracted to him?" She stopped at his words. "Sorry milady."

"Call me Meg and you're within your rights to ask me. I must confess yes, I am attracted to him." She walked down the hill again. "My head is fighting but I am not winning. Only, during those little spats do I seem to fight my emotional feelings towards him. The heart is a dangerous thing."

Much peered ahead. "No soldiers. Are you planning on visiting your father?"

She nodded. "I should. I miss him, I guess that'll soothe my attitude."

Much nodded. "I guess it would."

"Do you have a family Much?"

"No, just my master."

She sighed. "I only have my father now. And he intends to see me married well."

"I can imagine, he probably wouldn't approve of Guy."

She sighed. "My father is an unusual man. I doubt he'd approve of Robin himself."

"Meg!"

Meg and Much spun around to see a group of children running towards her. Meg felt such joy at the feeling of being home again. Much chuckled as the children ran towards her.

"Yours?" He asked.

Meg laughed. "In a way. Hello."

"Are you going to stay?" One asked.

She shook her head, "I can't. I have to see my father, then I have to go." Everyone groaned. "But, maybe next time, ok?"

"Promise?"

Meg hesitated, "I don't know. I'm staying with Robin Hood." That made everyone gasp and eyes widen. "So, I can't really be seen. Understand?" they nodded. "Good. Now, be off with you. Your parents will be wondering where you are."

The children nodded. Much shifted. "I'll wait for you. Keep an eye open."

Meg nodded. "I won't be long."

She walked down to the house where her father was. She inhaled and knocked.

"Come in." Her father said.

She pushed the door open, and entered, her eyes fell on her father sitting at a table. Suddenly the door slammed behind her. The last person she expected to see was right behind her.

Isabella and group of guards.