Quintessence of Life: Fight for Peace

by Athenais Penelope Clemence

Having been officially declared dead but having survived his grave wound, Robin returns to England only to discover that King Richard disappeared on the way from Acre. No longer enemies, Robin and Guy fight against Prince John and the Black Knights as brothers-in-arms, assisted by Archer and others. This is part three of the long epic (trilogy).

10. Chapter 9 The Rebirth of Evil

Chapter 9

The Rebirth of Evil

Morning dawned upon Sherwood Forest, and its soft light crimsoned the summits of trees. Robin, Guy, Archer, Marian, Megan, and their friends woke up at dawn, when Little John asked who was going to accompany him to Locksley to make deliveries. After John, Tuck, Rebecca, and Kate had left the outlaws' camp, the others sat quietly, bathing in the rosy morning light and watching the forest wake into life.

"We need food," Djaq said. She looked at Much. "Is breakfast ready, Much?"

Much scowled. "Oh, my lord! I have to cook more food today as there are so many of us here."

Allan chuckled. "Yeah, I cannot imagine our ever-hungry Much without food even for one day."

A grinning Robin directed his gaze at Much. "Much, you don't have to cook again. I can do it!"

A look of shock registered on Much's face. "Robin, you cannot cook! You cannot be allowed even to approach the kitchen quarters! You will poison everyone with your cooked food! Once in the Holy Land, you cooked for my birthday, and it was impossible to eat that meal! I don't want you to kill us!"

Everyone burst out laughing, while Robin looked apparently disconcerted.

Robin rubbed his face. "Yeah, something can still make me embarrassed."

Guy, Archer, and other Robin's friends exploded with a laugh at Robin's candid admission. Robin also laughed at himself, and it was a light laugh, an animated laugh of the old Robin.

"Should we talk about our plan?" Archer inquired.

Robin tilted his head and grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Good suggestion. It's time for scheming!"

Robin, Guy, and the others began to discuss Robin's new plan to steal the treasure from Buckingham's estates. Robin repeated what he had said in London: Archer, Guy, Allan, and Megan were going on the new mission, with Archer being in charge. Djaq prepared all the herbs and explained how to use them, mainly to Megan who was assigned with the task to play a key role in the plan.

No one saw a shadow behind a tree that disappeared like a spirit when the conversation was over. Robin, Guy, and the others had no clue as to who the eavesdropper was; they couldn't know that they were better to verify the surroundings before beginning such important discussions.

"It is a brilliant plan," an impressed Will commented.

Robin smiled proudly. "There are only three things that can make you win: your thoughts, your actions, and your gumption. I am filled with gumption, and I don't sit around dissipating and moping about things."

Everyone laughed with a full heart, their eyes sparkling. Robin was well-known for his sarcasm and his dry, contagious sense of humor, as well as for his theatrical speeches; everyone was accustomed to them and found a special charm in them. Guy, too, was smiling indulgently, his eyes resting on Robin. Moreover, it was fair to cite Robin Hood as the finest example of bravery and gumption.

"Of course, it is the best half-a-plan ever!" Much exclaimed enthusiastically.

Robin flashed a vainglorious smile. "My unique plans always work!" All of a sudden, he grew serious. "I used to be too reckless, too overweening, and too brash, as if tomorrow weren't coming and yesterday had never happened. But I have become more level-headed and able to discern the true nature of things."

Silence blanketed the camp, like a gray pall, as if expressing a world of grief over Robin's disillusionment.

Djaq broke it with her speech of wisdom. "Robin, you can never get the best things in life in haste. God is in no hurry to let you understand your true path; His plans are never rushed."

The hero of the woods cast his eyes down, as if wrapped in thought. After a moment's pause, Robin lifted his gaze to Djaq. "Since our return from Acre, I try to not make long-term plans because it is useless. God might always laugh at my plans and steer my life to an unknown path."

Much's sad eyes bore into Robin's. "Robin, don't be so pessimistic!"

Robin laughed morbidly. "Sometimes, I cannot help but feel so! At the moment, we have so few reasons for joy! The fight with Prince John is dangerous, and I am very apprehensive about the outcome."

"Robin," Djaq called. She smiled cordially at him as Robin stared at her. "Never be afraid to trust God that has His plans for you and for all of His children. Unlike many of them, when you will be standing before the Lord at the end of your life, you, Robin, will be able to say that you used all of the talents God gave you to help those in need. You have accomplished so many feats, have had a lot of coups, and have saved many lives that the testimony of your life reads: there is no man like Robin Hood on the face of the whole earth." Her smile grew wider. "You are a lucky man, Robin Hood!"

A radiant smile effloresced on Robin's face. "Djaq, your wisdom is a God's gift," he stated with conviction. "One manifestation of your wisdom is your ability to delve deeply into my mind."

Everyone was quiet, listening to the philosophical exchange with undisguised and vivid interest.

"You, Robin, are one of the most difficult men to understand," Djaq responded in a tone that held the deep affection she had for Robin. "As a clever man, you know that you should turn wounds into wisdom."

Robin answered in a tone that was hinting of understanding and resignation, "My wounds have already made me wiser and more knowledgeable about this life and this world." He stilled for a moment, turning to Marian; then he went on. "All wounds." He noticed Marian blanch and look away, but he didn't care what she was feeling at his obvious hint at the heart wound she had caused him by marrying Guy.

Carter switched to a philosophical mood as well and entered the conversation. "In Heaven, God won't judge you for your glorious deeds, but for your good deeds and for scars."

"Yes," Robin whispered.

Marian glanced back at Robin; anger and pain were warring in her. Anger won out, and she snapped, "Indeed, all wounds, Robin. Even those inflicted years ago."

Now there was a silence that shut out all other noises, even Megan's quiet gasp of amazement. In that silence, the world narrowed to the flaming eyes of Robin Hood and Lady Marian. For a short moment, those who knew Marian and Robin's love story could see the soft light of unwearied love in their eyes. But then Robin and Marian broke eye contact and peered into the surrounding woodland.

Robin ignored Marian's statement on purpose. He veered his gaze to Djaq. "Djaq, as a genteel man, a gallant knight, and your friend, I want to thank you for being with me in the darkest days."

A smile appeared on Djaq's face. "Robin, it is an honor for me to save England's hero!"

A laughing Robin bowed his head; then he stared at Djaq. "And it is my honor to be able to use your great knowledge in medicine, Djaq! Your herbs will surely help our friends on their new mission!"

"It is the right decision that you are staying behind, Robin," Djaq said seriously. "You need to rest."

"Robin, you have to rest before the battle at Pontefract," Allan put in.

Everyone, except for Marian who looked as if she were far away, nodded wordlessly.

Much glanced at Robin, then at Guy and grimaced. "Robin, are you sure that I shouldn't go help?"

Robin shook his head; he didn't want Much to go because of his friend's hatred for Guy. "Much, I want you to stay with me." He swung his gaze to Guy who smiled at him with gratitude.

Much continued cooking. Allan, Djaq, and Will excused themselves and went to the woods for a short stroll. Archer went to the sleeping quarters of the camp, intending to take a nap while breakfast was being cooked. The others were left alone, talking about Prince's John schemes.

When it seemed that the discussion about the Black Knights wearied everyone, Much felt they needed to change the subject. He stared at Guy. "Gisborne, there is one thing you must know."

"What?" Guy asked with exasperation, anticipating Much to hurl affronts at him.

"For a few months, I lived at Glasson Manor, in Northampton, after I had left you in Nottingham," Much began as he took a bowl of soup and tasted it to be sure that it was fine; then he put the bowl on a small table. "The servant maid from Locksley, Annie, lives there with her son."

Guy hung his head. "Thank you for telling me this." He wanted to find Annie. However, joining Robin implied that he wouldn't be able to do that for a while.

Marian sighed heavily, disappointed that Much had mentioned Annie now. Much could have waited a little bit to inform Guy about the particulars of Annie and Seth's situation without witnesses.

Much's expression was neutral. "I just wanted you to know that, Gisborne. I meant no offense."

"Thank you," Guy said, still looking at his boots.

"Who is Annie?" Megan asked curiously. She could see that Guy's embarrassment and shame. But if Much had mentioned a boy and a woman, he could have referred to one of Guy's lovers and his bastard son. She saw nothing criminal in the revelation as many noblemen had mistresses and bastards.

Much snickered. "Ask Gisborne!"

Guy glanced away, ashamed. "I will tell you later, Meg."

Soon, the meal was ready, and Much proudly declared that today's breakfast was delicious: this time they had not only some broth and squirrel, but also the stew, venison, and fish. Little John, Tuck, Kate, and Rebecca returned from Locksley; Will, Allan, and Djaq returned from the woods. The meal was served by Much and John; during the breakfast, no clashes and no verbal sparring happened.

After the breakfast, Megan said that she coveted to have a stroll in the woods and to enjoy the woodland fresh air. Marian also wanted to leave, but she stayed, willing to stop Robin's friends from maligning Guy in her presence. Tuck invited Rebecca and Kate to aid him with mending clothes of peasant children from Locksley, and the two women agreed, not wishing to be close to Guy; Rebecca also felt uncomfortable in Robin's presence, fearing that her lord would eventually execute his recent threats and eject her from Locksley.

Robin looked at John and asked, "John, don't you want to join our friends on their new mission?" John didn't display his animosity towards Guy in public, and he was so strong that he could help a lot.

"I am sorry, Robin. I prefer to stay in Sherwood," John objected.

Those who witnessed the scene stared at Little John in bewilderment.

Much looked astounded. "Why, John? Lads may need you."

"I want to take care of the poor instead of going on the mission," John articulated.

"Well, that's unexpected," Carter commented dryly, displeased.

"John must have compelling reasons to think so." Robin's heart thundered in his chest.

"Yes," John said shortly.

"John, I know what you mean, but I prefer to hear it aloud," Robin requested.

John wasn't surprised by Robin's shrewdness at all. "Robin, I willingly followed you to the Holy Land and served in the private guard under your command. I developed some affection for King Richard because he is a charismatic man who does really care for his soldiers." He paused and glanced away. When he looked back at Robin, a silent apology was plainly visible on his face. "But I am a simple man – I am fighting more for the people than for the king. I am not like you, Robin."

Robin was noticeably discomfited by John's words and tone. "Are you implying that I am more the king's man than the defender and hero of the people?"

John shook his head. "No, Robin," he said, his voice soft and apologetic. "You are both Robin Hood and Robin of Locksley, and everyone wants you to do this and that without asking you whether you can do all these things or not. I understand how difficult it is for you to handle everything simultaneously." He paused, looking uncharacteristically embarrassed. "Yet, I want to say something else because I want to be honest with you. We are saving King Richard, but are we saving England?"

Marian and Guy shared glances of understanding. Much and Carter looked angry but waited for Robin to speak. Archer nodded in agreement. The others were silent, waiting for Robin's reaction.

"John, watch your tongue," Carter hissed, looking at John with surprised eyes.

"Shhh, Carter," Robin said gently, his gaze flying to John. "John, you no longer believe in our king?"

John stiffened. "King Richard always needs to be saved. He hasn't been in his country for so long, and he won't come back soon because he was captured in Austria. What will happen next?"

Robin gazed into the distance, his eyes taking in the birds that perched on a nearby meadow. "The king will return even if I have to go to hell. When he is here, we all will lead a normal life."

"Is that so?" John shrugged his large shoulders.

"You are wrong, John," Carter barked.

Much was seething with anger, considering John ungrateful and disloyal. "John, your words reflect badly on you! The king pardoned us and was generous to us. What else do you need?"

An utterly embarrassed John was unable to look at Robin and averted his gaze. "I do believe in our liege and I am loyal to him. But he ordered to execute us in Acre, sparing only Robin's life out of his affection for Robin. The king had only the proof of Robin's guilt, even though it was a fake one; but in a fit of anger he decided that the people associated with Robin had to die as well." He sounded more and more agitated as he spoke. "What if the king does the same again?"

"That's enough," Carter warned. "Stop, John."

Robin heaved a sigh. The thought that Richard hadn't believed him on the day of the regicide attempt in Imuiz was still tormenting him. John couldn't know that Robin was more affected by the king's decision than the others because he shared blood with the king. A shudder ran up his spine at the memory that his friends could have paid with their lives for Vaisey's deceit. Richard's words that the deaths of his friends would be Robin's punishment for his alleged betrayal of his sovereign haunted him for many days.

Swallowing against the thickness in his throat, Robin forced a smile. "I understand you, John. I don't condemn you for your thoughts and words."

A shocked John looked back at Robin. "Robin?"

Carter stared at Robin. Despite his surprise, he managed to keep his voice steady. "The king was deceived by Vaisey, and he had the written proof of Robin's spurious treachery. It is only the sheriff's fault."

As Robin didn't reprobate John for speaking irreverently about the king, Much decided to speak. "It is the sheriff's fault, but the king was mad at Robin. He was also harsh and unfair to us."

Robin smiled glumly. "I didn't expect that he would order your execution. Vaisey spun a story for the king, and I blame him for our misfortunes, but I cannot deny that Richard… should have been more reasonable that day."

John gaped in amazement. "Please forgive me, Robin. I have no right to say anything to you after you gave your life for the king that day… while nothing happened to me."

Robin smiled wanly. "There is nothing to forgive."

Everyone was stunned, listening to the conversation with bated breath.

Though he was puzzled, John had probably never admired Robin more than he did at the moment. "Robin, I will always follow you. If you want me to go on any mission, I will gladly join you."

Robin requested, "I ask you to help me free Queen Eleanor from Pontefract Castle."

"I will do as you wish," John obeyed, and his leader smiled at him.

"Thank you, John," Robin replied quietly as he rose to his feet.

Not saying another word, Robin grabbed his quiver and his Saracen bow, and strode into the woods, taking the air of quiet melancholy with him. Much and Carter climbed to their feet and followed Robin.

Walking away from the camp, Robin was looking down, his eyes taking in the green grass and the wild flowers; he could hear the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves in the forest. They crossed a wide clearing where oaks and meadows crowded a shallow ravine and stopped on the edge of another clearing.

Robin didn't speak for a long time, staring into the same space. Carter and Much watched their friend.

"Are you alright, Robin?" Much inquired anxiously after a pause.

"I am," Robin said in a voice that lacked his usual confidence.

Carter was sure that Robin's sudden mood swing was caused by their argument with John about the king. "Robin, why did you let John speak so disrespectfully about King Richard?

"Robert and I once discussed the king's missteps," Robin murmured gloomily.

Carter emitted a sigh. "I discussed the same with him as well."

Much frowned. "What?"

Robin looked thoughtful, his gaze oscillating between Much and Carter. He took his time in answering. "When I was young, I was convinced that it was a happiness to die saving the king's life, even better to die before his eyes while saving his life. I was really in love with the heroic King Richard, the glory of England, and the hope of our triumph in the Holy Land."

"But that has changed," Carter inferred.

"After your death," Much assumed.

Robin couldn't lie. "Many things have changed," he nearly gasped. His heart flurried with anxiety, and the heat of pain and anger welling up in him. He found himself feeling like his friends who had been strung up in the desert, under the incinerating Eastern sun, at the king's order. "I realized that the king is the main symbol of the nation, but he is not England. The people are England." His throat tightened as a flood of anguish overwhelmed him. "I love my people, but now I have to save the king, again."

"I know what you mean," Carter murmured, shifting closer to Robin and looking into his friend's eyes. "Richard himself is at fault for his misfortunes in Austria. He led himself into a trap."

"I have no right to judge our king," Much spoke, amused by the turn of the conversation. "But I confess that I wasn't happy when the king ordered our execution, not wishing to assume that we were innocent."

Robin exhaled with frustration. "I don't blame you, Much."

Much's intent eyes showed surprise, but then he nodded. "Gisborne was right at least in something. From the beginning, he claimed that the king didn't care about the people while we fought for our liege."

"It is true," Robin admitted in a nearly decadent voice. "I love Richard… as my king and my friend, and I sacrifice myself for him again if I must." He repressed a groan as his nails bit into the skin of his palms. "Unlike Richard, I have never liked war fervently, and I have been long battling with my conflicting allegiances to a martial life. I cannot deny that if the king wasn't absent in England for years, fighting a futile holy war, Prince John wouldn't have a chance to weave all these conspiracies against Richard. If there were no plots against Richard, we wouldn't have needed to always save our liege and protect his throne."

"But he is our king," Carter uttered in a very low voice. "And we all would die for him."

"We will do our duty to the king and England," Much professed.

Robin nodded slowly, his expression dejected. Much and Carter both sighed, becoming sure that Robin was completely disillusioned.

Neither of them had any intention to ever talk about such things with anyone else, preferring to leave such thoughts within a narrow circle of the king's loyal men. Their hearts and minds were scarred by war and all that had led them to where they were now – in the situation where they were obliged to save the king, whom they loved, once again. And Robin Hood was the most damaged one among them, for he was closer to the king than even Robert de Beaumont was, given Robin's true relationship with the king.

"Please leave," Robin said suddenly.

Carter nodded. "Of course, Robin."

Much's expression turned into puzzlement. "Robin, did I do something wrong?"

Robin smiled languidly. "No, Much. I just need to be alone. I need to think."

Much frowned. "Robin, please don't tell me that you are going to think of Marian. You must–"

"Oh, Much," Robin interrupted. "I am not thinking of her. At least not now."

"Is that what I think, Robin? I know what this gaze of yours means." During their journey from Acre, Carter had seen Robin prefer solitary confinement to everyone's company many times.

"Yes," Robin corroborated.

Much looked worried. "What will you do without us, Robin?"

Robin put a hand on his best friend's shoulder. "Much, I love you and I need you. But sometimes I need to be alone." Then he marched off along the forest path through the woods.

"Much, don't follow him," Carter exhorted the other man.

Much swallowed nervously, and that hurt his throat. "I won't."

§§§

Robin headed to the depths of Sherwood which he knew so well since his childhood. He was planning to have a target practice there, which always let him work off his anger.

He stopped near a tall, branchy oak; he unshouldered his bow and pulled a fistful of arrows from his quiver. Taking ten arrows out of the quiver, he measured a considerable distance from the tree and took his Saracen bow in his hands. He shot one arrow that struck the trunk of the oak exactly where he had aimed; the second arrow split the first arrow in half, and the same happened with the remaining arrows.

"Bravo, Sir Robin," Tuck said as he appeared behind Robin unexpectedly.

Robin recognized Tuck's voice without looking at the monk, inwardly releasing a sigh of annoyance. At last, he turned to face the friar. "Do you want to give me a new sermon, Friar Tuck?"

Tuck smiled. "No, I don't, Sir Robin."

"Good. That's for the better."

"I just wonder whose face you are imagining before releasing an arrow."

Robin sighed. Tuck had a shrewd mind, and he was sure that the monk understood that he imagined his arrow penetrate Vaisey's skull. "It is none of your business, Tuck."

"You will never begin to like me, Sir Robin? I only want to help you."

"I don't need your help," Robin growled. "If you keep saying this, I will use you for my target practice."

Instead of being offended, Tuck looked sympathetically at Robin. "Young man, your heart is full of pain and doubts. I cannot take away your pain, but I can assist you in having your head cleared."

Robin turned his blank eyes to Tuck. His eyes were so empty and cold that Tuck shivered. "You cannot help me decide what whom I need to be – Robin Hood or Robin of Locksley. Nobody can help me."

Tuck moved towards Robin with a slow, shuffling gait, and stopped beside him. "Why, Sir Robin?"

"Robin," a correction followed.

The monk let out a smile. "Robin Hood."

"I am only Robin." The bow slipped from his hand, and Robin took a step back, holding the monk's gaze. "You know nothing about me."

"I know that you want to fight for the people and the king. But you don't know how to set priorities."

Robin laughed bitterly. "The king will always be my first priority."

"It is only your choice, Robin. You can bring the king home and then devote your life to the people as Robin Hood should do."

"No! It is not my choice!" the hero cried out miserably. "It is God's choice!"

Tuck frowned, having no clue as to what Robin meant. "It is only your choice."

"No," Robin breathed. "It was God's decision that I am the Queen Mother's illegitimate son."

Tuck's astonishment was so great that he felt as if a divine spirit were enshrined in Robin's now blazing eyes that stared at him with a fathomless gaze. "How can it be true?"

Robin sighed. "It is true, Tuck. But you must never divulge this secret to anyone."

Tuck nodded meekly; his expression became sympathetic as he crossed himself. "My lips are sealed!"

"My conflict of loyalties cannot be resolved. I will always stay at Richard's side," Robin continued in a colorless tone. "At times, I think that it would have been better if I didn't know the truth."

"Robin, God will guide you through the Holy Spirit if you are seeking His will," the friar said simply.

Robin swept his eyes over the surroundings. The left side of the clearing was in the shade of the trees; the right side gleamed in the sunlight. He glanced back at Tuck and inquired, "Tuck, do you want to serve in the church in Locksley after the king's return?"

The monk rewarded Robin with a smile. "I would be grateful for that, Robin."

Robin added, "You won't see me often because I am not going to reside in Nottinghamshire." He crouched and grabbed the bow and quiver of arrows. Then, making a small, formal bow, he walked into the forest, determined to continue his target practice somewhere else.

"God bless you, Robin Hood," Tuck said, gazing after the hero who soon blended with the greenwood.

Meanwhile, Marian and Guy had left the camp and were now strolling in the woods, listening to twittering birds and contemplating the beauty of the blossoming foliage in the spring sun. The morning sun shone brightly through the trees; there was no breeze, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky.

As they reached a familiar clearing, Marian stopped abruptly and disentangled her hand from Guy's. "Let's go to another place," she requested in a low, trembling voice.

Marian glanced around, her eyes focused on the carpet of the green grass that clothed the ground and in the trees fringing the clearing. As her gaze fell on the meadow where she and Robin had met many times in the past, her heart began to writhe in her chest as unutterable agony besieged her entire being. There, near that meadow, Robin had confessed to loving her for the first time, and there she had last seen him before his departure to the Crusade more than seven years ago. On this clearing, under that meadow, Robin had taken Marian's maidenhead on the day of her father's death.

She smiled dreamily, and her lips tingled at the memory of Robin's kisses. A pleasant heat filled her as she envisioned herself wrapped in Robin's arms, imagining the heavenly feeling of his skin against hers, his scent of woodland, horses, and earth mixed with hers, his tongue dancing with hers. As visions of Robin kissing and caressing her continued to resurface in her mind, the heat in her body was becoming like an incandescent flame, most of it concentrated on her desire to experience these sensations once again. Her heart was dead within her for grief and despair at the thought that Robin wasn't hers.

"Marian?" a dumbfounded Guy called.

Marian swung her gaze to Guy. For a long moment, she didn't speak, shrouded in the sweet memory of her first time with Robin. Finally, she pulled herself together and whispered, "Guy, I want to leave this place. The forest is large, and we can go somewhere else."

Guy nodded slowly. "Fine. Let's go to the river."

Marian chose the shortest path to the River Trent, and soon they were slowly walking along the shore. All along, Guy watched Marian, marveling at the sight of her beautiful, vigorous body, her sapphire and now thoughtful eyes, her full lips, and her enigmatic smile that was made him wonder what she was thinking about.

He was impressed that Marian knew the forest so well. But he reminded himself then that she had been the Nightwatchman for a long time and had spent a lot of time in Sherwood in childhood, with Robin. And then the realization dawned upon him why Marian had wished to leave that clearing: the place should have been connected with Robin. Bitterness gnawed at his heart, but, to his astonishment, there was no pain.

Guy stopped and grabbed Marian's arm, making her pause. "Why were you so adamant about leaving that place, Marian?"

Marian couldn't tell him the truth. "Just memories. Don't ask me anything else."

"How wonderfully you put it!" he exclaimed impulsively. "You were with Robin on that clearing!"

She blushed profusely. She had to deny it. "You are wrong, Guy."

Her embarrassment confirmed Guy's suspicions. Both pity and rage churned in his stomach – pity for Marian's obvious misery and rage at her refutation of the fact. "It always inevitably comes back to Robin. I used to think that I should ignore your existing ties to him, but I cannot do this anymore." He raised his voice, letting his anger spill out. "Robin is a married man, Marian! You cannot be with him!"

Marian's anger spiked, instigating her to step aside. "I know that very well!"

"The more I watch you, the more puzzled I am becoming, Marian."

Marian turned to the river. "I told you that you don't know me."

Guy looked frustrated. "I always learn something new about you. I knew nothing about your relationship with Robin; I had no idea that you were betrothed to him after his return." He shrugged. "I had no idea that you were the Nightwatchman either, and I was angry when I learned the truth. At first, I blamed you for your deceits, but then I tried hard to understand you, and I realized that you wanted to help the people."

Her anger abated, and she smiled faintly. "I am blameworthy too, Guy."

"I accepted your past with Robin, but I feel that I still don't understand your mind."

"No, you don't."

Guy gazed at her dismally. "Why is it happening to us, Marian? Why?"

Marian heaved a sigh. "Maybe you have failed to puzzle me out because my heart and mind are as dense as Sherwood, but it is not your fault," she said. "You are a good man, Guy. Being with me would have been a self-punishment for you. And you deserve a woman who is better than me."

He shook his head. "No! Don't say this!"

She looked into his eyes and continued her unrelenting course on making him disillusioned, "It took me much time to understand the difference between love and obsession."

"And did you realize the difference?" He feared to hear the answer.

Marian sucked in her breath. "Yes, I did." She stared fixedly at a nearby oak. "Love is more a state of living, and it doesn't fade away for a long time, not even after long separations. When you love someone, it is pretty effortless and only enjoyable; it is true and pure – you don't need your loved ones to be exactly like you want them to be." She looked back at him and smiled sadly. "Does that make sense to you?"

Guy swallowed heavily. "Please speak."

She regretted that her words made him feel discontented, but she had to continue. "You loved me and wanted to possess me. You loved having me in your life, and… I liked having you in mine. We had our moments of passion and happiness." She paused, searching for words. "But every time you learned something new about me, you were outraged, feeling like suffocating in our marriage."

Guy remembered how he felt when he had learned about her exploits as the Nightwatchman and the truth about her relationship with Robin. He had been secretly proud of Marian who had been defying the sheriff for at least three years in secret. But when he had discovered that she had been twice betrothed to Robin before marrying him, he had wished to kill Marian; he had been furious, but he had forced himself to accept the truth, overlooking it against his will. These revelations didn't make him happy.

"But I accepted your past," he said quietly.

"You accepted it with difficulty," she amended. "Or have you truly done that?"

Guy was literally stunned as if he were concussed. "I don't know."

Marian mustered her courage to speak. "Guy, you may love me, or you may also love the idea of me. What is your case, Guy?" she inquired in a strangely soft voice.

Guy felt numb and empty. Yet, there was some newly found, painful clarity in his head. He loved Marian obsessively and devastatingly when his heart had desperately craved redemption. There always was the element of idealization in their relationship; after all of the revelations, there was a genuine appreciation of her as well, but never the full acceptance of her true self. For an overwhelming amount of time, their relationship was not about enjoyment and happiness: there was too much pain and doubt in their hearts.

With a small smile, Marian articulated slowly, "Think about what I said for your own good." Then she spun around and stalked into the woods.

Guy remained standing there for a long time, his heart torn between the present and the past, his mind whirling in a million directions, all of them leading to Megan for some peculiar reason. Then he started walking along the shore of the river and soon dived into the woods.

After wandering aimlessly for a while, Marian returned to her and Robin's clearing. She stopped near the meadow and stared down fixedly, exactly in the same place on the ground where Robin had been making love to her. Her heart thumped harder, and a delightful dizziness blanketed her as ambrosial memories slowly shaped themselves into the sweetest dream that would never come true. The heat in her body was growing, as if she were stirred by a muse of temptation. The thought that she wanted to be Robin's again flashed in her mind; that wish became an intense desire, the thought of a life perhaps.

As her mind meandered over the events of the afternoon when she had become a woman, Marian didn't notice Robin enter the clearing and stop a small distance from her. It wasn't difficult for him to fathom why she was standing near that meadow. Remembrance flooded him as he looked over Marian, then directed his gaze at the meadow, and then lingered it on the ground, where he had once made her his, with her permission and after her appeal to him. Their first time didn't happen on the wedding night in Locksley Manor, as they had planned; and it was their last time as well.

"Are you reminiscing about that afternoon, Marian?" Robin asked in a throaty voice, struggling to keep it devoid of the tempestuous emotions bubbling in his chest.

Marian turned around and stared at Robin. Her whole body was trembling, and her heart was thundering like the feet of a stampeding herd. There was also a precipitant excitement in her at seeing him in this place. Apparently, he was thinking of her despite the powerful bonds which bound him to another woman – his wife, Melisende. She eyed Robin, noticing that he was wearing his bow and empty quiver on his back; definitely, he had been having a target practice before discovering her accidentally.

Her eyes full of longing she couldn't conceal, she parried, "And what about you, Robin? Aren't you remembering that day in spite of being married to another woman?"

He closed the distance between them and stopped beside her. Having deciphered the yearning for him in her eyes, he sighed grievously. "You don't need to coax a secret out of me, Marian," he said huskily, gazing into her eyes warmly. "I admit that I remember that afternoon very often; more often than I should."

"Robin… I…" The words died on her lips.

Robin smiled mirthlessly. "Don't you know that it is difficult to forget the old days, Marian?"

"Robin…" Her voice came to a halt as she felt his warm hand on her shoulder.

"Ah, Marian!" he exclaimed with a hint of sarcasm. "You know that very well! You are half in love with the old life, and half in love with the oblivion you covet to find because in that oblivion you may feel at peace."

Marian wanted to scream that she was in love with him, but she knew that the consequences of her confession might be mortifying. She flicked his hand away and listened to it flop to his side. Glaring at him belligerently, she riposted, "You presume you know too much about me, Robin of Locksley."

He chuckled. "I would love to roll my eyes at you, Marian of Knighton; but I won't."

"Grow up, Robin!" she cried out, her eyes flashing like bolts of a lightning.

Robin laughed outright, his laugh echoing across the clearing. "Yeah, we rarely spoke the truth to each other, and instead of being sincere with me, you preferred to chastise me." He took a step to her. "Yet, in my eyes you are a terrible liar. I can feel that you are clinging to the old days, like it is happening to me."

His astuteness irritated her. "Robin, your clever head and your noble heart are a formidable weapon in the fight for justice. But it is one thing to be smart and another to be wise."

He sniggered. "So I am not wise."

"No, you are not."

"And now you will say that I need to grow up."

"I think so."

Robin made another step to her. "Then, you need to grow up too."

Marian took a step back from him, leaning against the trunk of the meadow. He was dangerously close, and, to make matters worse, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. "No," she whispered.

He smiled wistfully. "It seems that we are back to the old days against our will."

"Yes," she admitted breathlessly.

He took her hand in his and kissed it in a chivalrous manner. "I am trying to forget the past, but the truth is that it has never been out of my thoughts. At times, I think that my childhood and the months of my life in the woods will remain the happiest days in my whole life." He made a quick perusal of the clearing and then looked back at her. "Marian, don't you know that beneath the leaves of all these trees and in all the greenery around us beats a heart of the glorious past that loves and suffers like our own hearts do?"

She squeezed his hand and smiled broken-heartedly. "I can feel the beating of this heart in my own chest, Robin." She laced her fingers with his. "But these days are gone, and we have to look ahead."

Robin stroked her fingers with his thumb. "We should shut out the past, even all the bright days."

Tears sprang into her eyes. "We have to forget even those whom we love and reverence."

Sighing regretfully, he pulled free of the seductive contact and took a step back. "We have to forget them, heedless of their beauty and the happiness they once gave us. Otherwise, we will doom ourselves to pain."

Marian sniffed, tears running down her cheeks. Her face was a cameo of grief, giving away that her world was turning to cinders. "Haven't I already doomed us, Robin? Haven't I already destroyed everything good we could have by marrying another man, your worst enemy?"

Robin wasn't sure that it was a suitable moment for frankness, but he wanted her to know the truth about her betrothal agreement with the Earl of Buckingham and her old betrothal to him. "You were never truly married to Gisborne." Then he told her what Melisende had shared with him.

Her tear-stained eyes widened in shocked astonishment as the truth sank in. "So my father wasn't planning to marry me off to this traitor because I was… still betrothed to you…"

His face was a personification of immense sadness. "Yes. You have understood me correctly."

"Where is our betrothal agreement now?" She trembled in the wild fever of expectation.

"I burnt it to ashes," he articulated slowly. "It is for the better."

Shaken and chagrined, Marian dissolved into tears. She trembled, and her eyes shone a brilliant blue as fresh tears trickled down her cheeks. "It was the right thing to do."

Robin's eyes were dry, but his heart was breaking. "It is for the better," he repeated.

She glanced away, her eyes flickering around the clearing. "You chose her," she forced the words to come out. "I understand you, Robin. Lady Melisende is your wife, and you love her. You are too honorable to leave your family. You–" She broke off abruptly. Her shoulders slumped, and she slipped to the ground.

For a moment, Robin stood rooted to the spot, watching Marian sob. His heart was sore on account of her distress. He should have forestalled her emotional breakdown before beginning to talk about their betrothal agreement. He rushed to her and eased himself on the grass next to her.

He cupped her face with his hands, and his thumbs tenderly wiped the tears from her cheeks. He gazed into her eyes admiringly. "Marian, you exemplify strength, bravery, and resilience! There are so many feats that attest to your strength of will!" He smiled at her tragically, his thumb caressing her face. "You will cope and survive! Life does go on, and you will find your peace and place in the world."

Marian cupped his face like he had done with hers a few moments ago. Looking into his eyes, she ran the pad of her finger over his stubble, his jaw, and his lips. Her lachrymose eyes unveiled her despondency, and she swallowed a sob. "Without you, my life has become too dark, and it is only my fault."

Staring into her tearful eyes, Robin thought that his beautiful Marian was noble-minded despite her betrayal of their love. No, she wasn't his anymore! He couldn't think so! She would never be his again! Nevertheless, at this very moment, he realized that he would never forget Marian. His longing for the old days and his lingering affection for Marian were eternal, like Sherwood Forest was.

"You will cope and survive," he reiterated with conviction.

Taking control over her emotions, Marian replied, "I will be fine on my own."

Robin blew out a sigh of relief. "I am sure you will choose the right path, Marian."

"I will," she assured him and herself.

He removed his hands from her face, and rose to his feet. "We shouldn't stay alone from here on out."

"You are right, Robin."

"Take care of yourself, Marian," he said. Then he walked away about without a backward glance.

Robin didn't see Marian tilt her head back and look up, at the endless blue canvas. Even if she appealed to the Lord to give her and Robin a second chance, her solicitations wouldn't be answered. Then she crossed herself, asking God to forgive her for such sinful thoughts, for she didn't wish Melisende dead. Now she had her freedom and her own cause, and maybe choosing her freedom was the best thing she had ever done.

§§§

Strolling in the woods without trying to get anywhere, Guy felt as if Sherwood were an unfriendly place; he felt as lonesome as he had probably felt during the dark years of his service to Vaisey. His thoughts were reverting to Megan, not to Marian, and he was suddenly consumed with fervent desire to see her.

He discovered Megan on one of the clearings. She sat on the grass, under a willow and near a forest stream, her eyes focused on the sky. She didn't know that Guy was watching her for an age-long moment, her gaze taking in a few clouds colored in brilliant red and orange by the rays of the sun. With her dark, long hair, falling down her back in gorgeous disarray, dressed in a dark green gown that was too elaborate for living in the forest, Megan looked like a forest nymph.

"Meg!" Guy called, smiling with an amicable smile.

"Guy!" Megan said, not looking at him; she recognized his voice.

Guy approached her and stopped, his eyes taking in her peaceful face. She looked so lovely in the glowing sunlight that the world seemed overwhelmingly beautiful and perfect. Suddenly, he no longer felt lonely; airiness filled his entire being. He felt in himself a new force opposing evil and bringing goodness into the world. Megan gave Guy hope, like Marian had done before.

Involuntary, Guy compared Megan to Marian. Both women were beautiful and unconventional in all ways. Yet, Megan was more mature and wiser, although Marian matured a great deal after the tragic events of the last year. There was no confusion in Megan's head, and she knew what she wanted and what she felt. Marian had been confused whom she wanted for too long, and there was no clarity in her head even now, he thought; he didn't know that Marian had spared him pain by not disclosing that she loved Robin. Guy was attracted to Megan's mature attitude to life and to her high moral code.

Now, when he stood so close to Megan, Guy felt something different from what he felt while being near Marian. He enjoyed her company and their friendship. He didn't feel as if he were walking on eggshells, worrying that he might displease her by doing something not as great as Robin Hood would do. There was no struggle between them and no pain in their relationship, and he saw his life in bright colors, as if all the light of the world, all the grace and beauty, became natural parts of her life. He didn't want to entirely possess Megan – he needed her company and wanted to have her by his side.

"What are you doing here, Meg?"

"I wanted solitude and found this place." She still watched the movement of the clouds.

"I also had a stroll with Marian, but then she left me."

Megan turned pale at these words; she was relieved that Guy didn't see her face at the moment. "I see." She finally turned her eyes to him.

"Meg, you were alone for such a long time. Aren't you in the need of someone's company?"

Her mouth curved in a smile. "I am never lonely! If you are not with anyone, you totally belong to yourself, and no one trenches upon your freedom and independence."

"Your independence is undeniably precious to you, and it makes you who you are – a unique lady," Guy commented, and his sincerity was unmistakable. "I was looking forward to seeing you," he added.

An enigmatic smile spread across her face. "When I was a small girl, my father and I often spent time outdoors watching clouds in the sky. Father also told me that clouds are passing across havens like people are wandering in labyrinths of this world."

Guy settled on the grass next to her. "Your father was a wise man, and you grew up a wise woman."

"Yes, he was." Her expression changed into sorrow at the thought of her murdered father before turning blank. "When I watched clouds with my father, he didn't know one thing about me." She smiled. "I dreamed that one day a brave man would become my own hero and become my husband. In my dreams, he was tall and muscular, with dark hair and a well-defined jawline. In my dreams, this man was blue-eyed because my own eyes are blue. I imagined that his smile would brighten the world. I dreamed that he would take my hand, and together we would go to an unknown world of beauty and love."

Guy smiled kindly at her. "I like this dreaming side of you."

"Wait." Megan lifted her hand. "And what was your dream?"

He heaved a sigh. "After my banishment from Locksley, throughout many years, I dreamed only of taking my revenge on Robin and his father," he responded bitterly. "But there was also another dream. I dreamed that one day I would find a young and pure woman, with an innocent and honest soul, who would love me for who I am. I wanted to marry her, to make her happy, and to have children with her."

Megan gazed away, peering into the greenwood. "And you found her. This woman is Marian."

He hesitated for a few moments. Then, with a pained look on his face, he spoke. "I thought that Marian was the lady of my dreams, but I must admit that I was mistaken. She had never been as pure as the woman in my dream was, but I loved her anyway."

Her heart started beating faster. "Then, you may be happy with her."

Guy sighed. Could he be happy with Marian when she was so different from what he wanted her to be? He didn't have the answer. "I begin to doubt that there would be no shadows of the past between Marian and me," he said hoarsely. "Or maybe I am too tired and too melancholic now."

Megan was silent. What could she say? She knew the story between Marian and Guy, and she thought that Guy's conclusion was certainly right. But she had no right to interfere. "You will think of it later."

"Yes, I will."

"My father often said: if you expect the worst, you will never be disappointed. That's why you should be positive and never think of bad things which might happen in your life."

"It is a wise approach."

"Naturally."

"What about your mother, Meg? Do you have any memories of her?"

She shook her head in denial, a sorrowful look on her face. "My mother died in childbirth, and I never saw her. My father never remarried, and that's why I was his only daughter."

Guy uttered sympathetically, "I am sorry that my words hurt you."

"Don't apologize, Guy, when you are not guilty."

"I didn't want to hurt you."

She gave him a dazzling smile. "I have no doubt." She slightly narrowed her eyes, playfully. "You really think that I am wise?" She was somewhat astonished to hear that from him.

"Yes. You are very clearheaded and mature for your age, Meg."

"But what makes you suppose so?"

Guy flashed a smiled. "I have known you for several months, and I spoke to you very often when we were imprisoned. You told me many things about yourself, and I did the same. We became friends."

She shrugged eloquently. "I always try to learn more about myself before learning something new about the world. Then I use this knowledge to adorn myself with eminence, dignity, and greatness."

He scoffed. "You never adorn yourself. You are not a liar."

"Well, I guard my emotions, and it is also a sort of lie. I grew up at court, and I can do it very well."

"You have to wear a mask when you are at court," he pointed out.

Megan breathed out a sigh of frustration. "Yes, I have to do it, so I am also a hypocrite to some extent, although I do try not to lie in important and life-changing situations even for the benefit of King Richard and Queen Eleanor. If I can avoid lying, I don't lie; but I will most certainly lie in most critical situations." She laughed, ignoring the aching pain in her legs from sitting in the same position for a long time. "So you cannot say that I am entirely honest, but maybe I am wise just because I understand myself very well."

Guy laughed at her. "Oh, Meg, when you come up with a new idea or start throwing your witty barbs at me and everyone, nobody and nothing can stop you."

"Guy, it seems that you remembered my words, and it is good for you," she retorted with a slow smile. "Now you will never trench upon my independence, and I won't have to push you away."

"Well, let's not talk about it again, for I will never forget that," he surrendered. "I don't want to be unlucky and lose such a friend as you."

Megan winked at him. "Then we have a deal."

"Yes, we do." Guy's voice was joyful.

As Guy and Megan walked in the direction of the camp, there was the sudden crashing of boughs, which could be heard occasionally in the depths of the forest, announced that someone was roaming through the underbrush. And then Allan and Kate emerged; they alone and looked quite disheveled after spending some time in the bushes, hiding from Isabella's men and talking about Kate's treachery.

"Hey, mates, it is such a good day!" Allan greeted, smiling widely.

"Allan, it is good to see you." Guy's gaze fixed on Kate, and he forced a smile. "And you, Kate, too."

"Of course, Gisborne," Kate forced the words to come out. She had done as Robin had suggested: she had confessed to Allan about her betrayal of Guy and had explained her motives, and she was surprised to find understanding in him. They hadn't discussed private life yet.

Megan laughed. "Allan, you look as if you had again fallen from a horse."

Allan laughed back. "Meg, you look less angry today than on the day of our first meeting in the bewitched woods and, thus, lovelier."

Megan chuckled. "You are a cheeky rogue, Lord Rochdale, right?"

A laughing Allan nodded vigorously. "Yes, I am."

Guy eyed Kate with interest, then shifted his gaze to Allan. "It seems that you, Allan, don't lose time in vain. As soon as you recovered, you began to woo village girls."

"Guy, this is not what you think," Allan said in a strangely soft tone.

At Guy's words, Kate staggered and almost fell. Allan rushed to her and supported her. As Allan wrapped his arm around her waist, she clasped her hands firmly together with a visible effort. He guessed that Kate was shocked to see Guy after their long conversation about Guy's capture by Prince John's guards.

"I am alright, Allan," Kate assured him; but her voice lacked confidence.

Allan looked anxious. "Kate, we should return to the camp. Djaq will examine you."

"I am alright," Kate repeated as she pulled her gaze from Allan to Gisborne. "Gisborne, I told Allan why you had spent many months in the dungeons. I wanted Allan to know the unsavory truth that I, however, don't find a bad one." She narrowed her eyes. "But it doesn't mean that I regret doing what I did."

"Oh," Guy breathed, exasperated.

"What an achievement," Megan commented sarcastically; she knew the story of Kate's betrayal.

Allan sighed. "Kate, you did not do right by Guy when you informed Prince John about his whereabouts."

"And Gisborne did something worse: he murdered Matthew!" Kate screeched.

Megan and Guy stood in silence, watching the exchange and not wishing to interfere.

"Kate," Guy addressed the blonde girl. "I committed many heinous crimes when I served Vaisey, and I will probably never atone for them." He heaved a sigh. "I regret that I killed your brother. If I could take it back, I would have done that. But I am not God, and I cannot resurrect Matthew."

"Liar! Liar!" Kate screeched.

Allan didn't wish to argue with her, but he wanted her to understand something. "Kate, you should never betray anyone again," he said in a preaching tone.

"He deserves death," Kate spat as she disentangled herself from Allan quickly.

Allan gave Kate a thoughtful look and stood in silence for a moment, as though trying to make up his mind about something. Finally, he said, "I betrayed Robin, and I learned my lesson – even an innocent betrayal can have. You should also learn your lesson."

Guy sighed with aggravation but said nothing. Allan had betrayed not only Robin, but also him, but he had a hunch that in Allan's eyes his betrayal of Robin was a far worse crime than that of Guy.

"Oh! Heavens!" Kate cried out, staring at Allan with a challenge. "How can you admit a thought that I can forgive Gisborne? You cannot forgive a murderer of your loved ones!"

Allan affirmed, "Kate, you don't know Guy. He is not a bad man. He was just misguided."

Kate laughed acidly. "Really?"

Allan nodded. "Yes."

"It is not a reason for killing and terrorizing innocents; nothing can justify that," Kate confronted Allan. "Gisborne oppressed the villagers for years when Sir Robin was in the Holy Land. He destroyed many lives and left a trail of dead bodies in his wake, on top of the obvious fact that he cut countless limbs, fingers, and tongues of the peasants in Locksley and in other villages. That cannot be forgotten, forgiven, and repaired." Her voice became a hiss. "He killed my brother in cold blood."

No one likes to be on the receiving end of castigation, but Guy knew that he deserved Kate's hatred. "I know the list of my crimes. You cannot forgive me, but I cannot forgive myself either."

Kate's eyes blazed with anger. "You deserve all possible torments, Gisborne."

"Kate, even Robin has accepted Guy," Allan emphasized. "They are allies now."

Kate shook her head. "I cannot tolerate Gisborne, and even if Lord Robin extended his forbearance to him, I never will." She glowered at Guy. "My skin crawls in disgust in the presence of this immoral bastard whose hands are dirty in blood." Then she stalked into the woods, her head high and proud.

"I will find her, and I will talk sense into her," Allan avowed.

With a twisted expression, Megan opened her mouth to say something else, but Guy shook his head. He took Megan's hand and led her away towards the outlaws' camp.

It wasn't difficult for Allan to catch up with Kate, and soon the two of them were heading to the camp. "Kate, we have to talk. I want you to accept Guy as one of Robin's men," Allan admonished.

Kate tossed her head in disagreement. "I cannot."

Allan grinned. "And if I request that you do that for me? I am not asking you to forgive Guy, but I am asking you to accept him in our lives."

A confused girl blinked. "Why, Allan?"

"Guy is my friend, and I like him." He took a step towards her and she stopped; then he placed his hands on her shoulders. "And I am not being funny, but I want to say something I never said in my life."

"Oh! And what is it?"

"I… am asking you to marry me." He smiled timidly.

Kate stared at him in startled awe. "What?"

"I ask you to marry me," Allan repeated, smiling blithely. "Well, I am gonna say that I deserve to have a good wife, and you are worthy of having a good husband." He grinned boldly. "I think that I am good enough for a marriage: I own the lands King Richard restored on my name, and I have my famous biography in Sherwood. I am not as heroic as Robin, but I am one of Robin Hood's men."

"Young man," she replied with a playful smile. "Your words don't please me." Her eyes danced with imps of joy. "Robin Hood is an irresistible rogue, but I don't need him."

Allan knelt before her, gazing into her eyes warmly. "Will you marry me, Kate?" he asked again, his expression hopeful, his blue eyes sparkling.

"Frankly, you embarrass me," Kate drawled, "but I will marry you even tomorrow!"

Allan bounced to his feet and pulled Kate into his arms. Looking into her surprised eyes, he kissed her on the mouth, softly and affectionately, giving her kisses of warmth and trying to reign in his passion. Then they parted, there was comfort and lightheartedness between them, and they both began laughing.

He cupped her face and let his mouth hover over hers, as if he were teasing her. "It is not gonna be funny for me to say this," he said in a slightly trembling tone. "Believe me that I have become an honest man, although I once was a liar, a poacher, and a thief." He smiled naughtily. "Some dissipation, gambling, and theft were essential parts of my life in the past, but I am a different man now."

She laughed delightfully. "I like your cheerful and playful nature."

He brushed a strand of blond hair from her forehead. "Let's hope you will never be bored with me."

"I will never grow tired of you, Allan. This is impossible!"

He suddenly looked very serious. "And that's why I beseech you to accept Guy. Do this for me."

After a moment's pause, Kate surrendered. "I will be civil towards him, but I cannot forgive him."

Allan responded, "Thank you."

"Only for you," she stressed, although she had no idea how even to tolerate Guy.

Kate and Allan stood locked in a tight embrace for a while, talking about their future. Allan promised to take her to the lands that had once belonged to his family. Kate listened to him enthusiastically, thinking that she was one of the luckiest girls in the world because she had captured his heart and he had proposed to her. They had a very deep affection for one another, and they both wanted to settle down: Kate was itching to marry a good man who could protect her and provide for her, and Allan wished to have the lady of a manor, although she was also attracted to Allan's privileged position.

Allan threw his head back and looked upward, at the gray sky. "It is going to rain heavily soon."

"Let's return to the camp," she suggested.

The sky rumbled, a black lightning shot across the darkening canvas, and stormy clouds unleashed a curtain of rain. Holding each other's hands, Kate and Allan ran under a heavy downpour of rain, laughing and feeling exhilarated at the wonderfulness of the day. When they returned to the camp, they were soaked to the bone, but didn't rush to change their clothes, as if they didn't care about anything, aside from of their happiness that overshadowed the nastiness of the weather.

§§§

Prince John had a secret private audience with his guest in the library. He was pacing the chamber back and forth, his arms folded over his chest. To his guest, who sat comfortably in a high-back chair near the hearth, it was clear that John was in low spirits, for the prince's cold attitude and nervousness alluded to a storm of emotions brewing inside him. Dressed in black trousers and a black tunic, a large black hood that entirely covering his face, the guest sat in silence, waiting for the prince to talk.

John ceased pacing and stopped near a large wooden shelf that was full of books; he would have given everything for not being with the other man in the same room. John didn't know what to do next because Robin Hood had not only squelched all of his plans but also had brought many troubles into the prince's life.

"Well, really, this is a great time for the meeting!" Prince John grumbled.

"Sire, do you mean that Robin Hood came back from the dead with pomp and triumph?" The man was surprised and angry to learn that Robin had returned to England alive. It was the last thing he had anticipated, although he wasn't as astonished and shocked as Prince John and the Black Knights were.

"It is really hilarious. I am sure that you would have never guessed that Huntingdon had survived if he hadn't appeared on the feast and ruined everything, with the help of my cousin, Melisende, and his friends."

"Yes," the man admitted, sighing.

"You failed to kill Hood like everyone else – he has always bested you. You failed me, your sovereign, too many times." The prince enjoyed humiliating the older man, like he enjoyed insulting anyone who had ever disappointed him.

"Gisborne was also there, wasn't he?" the man asked in a barely controlled voice; he loathed Hood for his survival, but he still hated Gisborne more for his betrayal.

John laughed morosely. "Hood and Gisborne became allies. Hood stopped Gisborne's execution. Now they are fighting together to bring my brother back to England."

"It is unexpected, to say the least," the man replied in a chilly tone.

"We failed to rid ourselves of Gisborne who betrayed you and me; it is ultimately your fault."

"Well, I am not related to Gisborne's escape. I wasn't in Nottingham at that time."

John sighed, his features softened. "I know that you were very sick after this Judas had stabbed you, but it is not the justification for your other failures."

The man removed his hood, and Prince John stared into the sneering face with a stubble gray beard. Everything in the second man's face – the clearly marked wrinkles on his cheeks and his forehead, the malicious grimace on his lips, the jeweled teeth gleaming between his lips, the demonic fire flaring up in his eyes, and the reflection of the ebony blackness of his heart in his gaze – all was peculiarly frightening, and the man was fully aware of that, rejoicing in the knowledge. He was Lord Peter Vaisey, the former Sheriff of Nottingham, who had barely survived the stab wound Guy had given him five months ago.

Vaisey had been hidden for a long time; his grievous wound in his chest had been tended to by John's physician. Vaisey and Isabella had foreseen that Guy would return to England and would try to kill his former master after the events in Acre, and they had hastily invented a plan to cast the blame for Robin's death and for the attempted regicide in Imuiz on Guy. John had liked their idea and had accepted it.

Vaisey had gone further: he had proposed to accuse Guy of murdering him, suspecting that his former henchman would pledge his loyalty to Richard and then would be intent upon taking vengeance on Vaisey. For Vaisey, it had been important to get his revenge on Guy for the betrayal of their partnership and for choosing to side with the king. They decided that they would capture Guy on the place of the crime; Kate of Locksley had assisted them by informing them about Guy's location in the castle.

Prince John, Isabella, and Vaisey had intended to make Guy a scapegoat and execute him for the alleged crimes and for all other real murderous deeds he had committed at Vaisey's behest. John and Vaisey had decided that Vaisey would disappear for a while and would come back later. Yet, they hadn't expected that Vaisey would be injured so badly in his intense fight with Guy: Vaisey had been almost killed by Guy and had struggled for every breath throughout many weeks. Only Prince John and several people, including the Earl of Buckingham, were aware of Vaisey's survival; Isabella was kept in the dark.

Vaisey placed his hand to the place where he had been stabbed; even now, when he was mostly recovered, there was still a nagging pain in his chest when he inhaled or exhaled sharply. He had been lucky that the blade had missed his lungs, for otherwise he would have died from the internal bleeding or would have been unable to recover completely, like the Baron of Rotherham. For an instant, Vaisey looked chagrined at the thought that, in spite of Guy's old fealty to him, Guy, his almost son, had still betrayed him; but it was quickly replaced by a fiendish grin.

"Gisborne betrayed us, and he would pay for that with his life," Vaisey avouched.

"For God's sake, Lord Vaisey, don't think only about Gisborne now! I know that you hate this traitor, but his death is not the first thing that you must be worried about."

"I want to thank you for sending your doctor to me, sire."

"Yes, you should be endlessly grateful to me. You will never repay me for everything I gave you – power and wealth." The prince's voice sounded indignant. "And what have you achieved? Only failures!"

Vaisey was nervously chewing his lower lip. "It is not my fault that Hood survived."

"But it is your fault that Hood was stabbed!" John screamed, his anger erupting like the blazing sun bursting forth in the east. He turned to the window, his eyes taking in the sky that had a dull-reddish shade and a few fleecy clouds in the heavens.

A tense silence stretched between them. John turned his head suddenly, looking at the window and observing the sunrise. Vaisey was silent, thinking about the perilous predicament Robin had put him in.

"What should I do with you now?" Prince John asked in a low, hissing tone as he resumed pacing the room, his eyes frantically wandering around, not fixing at any point. "You are dead, and yet you are alive." He remained quiet for a while, until he stopped near the window and turned to the older man. "What should I do with you after the Earl of Huntingdon thwarted all of our plans?"

The prince's companion laughed aloud so hard that John grimaced in displeasure.

"Blah-di-blah-di-blah! Hood's return from the dead was a grand and dramatic performance," the man said in singsong tones, laughing. "Hood has many problems, but I cannot say that I have never enjoyed his passion for theatrics and our little mocking skirmishes."

"You told me that you had finished off Robin Hood."

Vaisey shrugged. "His wound was fatal. I have no idea how he could survive."

"It is a miracle that Hood is alive."

"What are you planning, my liege?"

John narrowed his eyes to slits. "You dare ask me what I will do?" he shouted, gesticulating aggressively. "You failed to kill Richard, but you accidentally wounded Huntingdon. I didn't need Hood dead after he had wedded Melisende!" He pointed an angry finger at Vaisey. "Do you know what the consequences of Hood's death are for me? Do you know how many nobles from Aquitaine and Normandy labeled me his murderer?"

Vaisey looked perturbed for a moment before his face regained neutrality. "I have heard that many Black Knights from Aquitaine and Normandy switched sides and are again loyal to King Richard."

"Exactly! I lost the support of almost all Poitevin nobles!" the prince screamed wrathfully. "We spent so much time cultivating our relationships with Poitevin and Norman nobles, and all for nothing."

"My king, you had wished fervently to see Robin Hood dead before you dispatched us to Acre. I did nothing you didn't want me to do," Vaisey parried in a calm, confident tone, grinning at the prince. "And I didn't kill Hood on purpose. He jumped between your brother and my blade to save his beloved Richard."

"You dare defend yourself, Lord Vaisey!" John hissed. "You met Guy de Lusignan on Cyprus, and he told you that Hood had wedded my cousin!" He crossed the room and stopped near the other man. "De Lusignan must have noted that Hood's death was not in my interests from that time onwards!"

Vaisey rose to his feet, bowing to the prince. He hated that he had to go through so many troubles and that he had to behave submissively before the prince now. He had to act this way because now he needed John's favor more than ever before.

"Sire, I have never meant to cause you and your reputation any harm," Vaisey responded humbly, his head still bowed. "I have done everything to get rid of King Richard and seize the throne that you deserve much more than anyone else and that is rightfully yours. I have always been loyal to your esteemed father, King Henry, and to you. I have never considered your brother a man who should be our king. Your father wanted you to be king after his death, and I wanted the same."

Vaisey's words pacified John's anger a little bit; he was very fond of flattery. "I know, Lord Vaisey, I know. You and Lord Buckingham have always been my most loyal subjects."

Vaisey smiled. "I love you, my king. I will do anything to prove my love and loyalty."

John only sighed deeply. "But the circumstances changed, my lord. You surely understand that."

"Courtesy of Robin Hood," the former sheriff hissed.

"Exactly, Vaisey. Robin of Locksley returned," the prince said in a tired voice.

"And he blackened my reputation," Vaisey mentioned with devilish calmness. "Actually, I am astonished that the idealistic Hood became so politically astute." He laughed menacingly. "Maybe his stupid dreams faded away when I plunged his own scimitar into his pretty lithe body."

"At least Hood helped me restore my image."

Vaisey arched a brow. "My liege, I don't understand why we are paying so much attention to Hood. We had a deal, and we should proceed with our plans as if nothing had happened." His lips curved in a smile. "We can also do something… to our little friend Robin who seems to be quite vulnerable now."

"Don't pretend that you are a fool, Vaisey! Hood's recent actions changed everything. You cannot go to Nottingham and take the town back from Isabella after you had been publicly accused of attempted regicide, of arranging Richard's capture, and of almost killing Hood, one of Richard's most loyal adherents."

Vaisey reminded the prince, "My king, you need me now more than ever before."

"What makes you think so? Maybe I have other plans for you!" John enunciated slowly, in an undertone of ambiguity, smiling slightly. "Hood accused you of the things that make you the most dangerous criminal in England!" He snickered. "Hood and my cousin set an effective trap for me, but they also helped me clear my name in the eyes of my nobles. I cannot say that I am displeased with that!"

"All these nobles understand that Hood was playing a game and that you are the mastermind of the regicide attempts on King Richard's life. Hood couldn't have accused you in public as Richard would have been displeased then." Vaisey knew that the prince was right, and he hated Robin for his political games.

"I know, but I can still use Hood's tricks for my benefit."

"My king, your success is temporary."

Prince John took a step ahead and gripped Vaisey's collar, looking into the eyes of the older man. "Don't speak to me so rudely, Lord Vaisey!" He gnashed his teeth, his face contorted in anger. He shook Vaisey violently. "You are nothing without me! I can kill you right now, with my own sword! Or I can order your execution for the crimes Robin of Locksley had accused you of!"

Vaisey managed an impudent smile, although inside he was trembling in fear. He had a trump card up his sleeve that would corner John and make him more agreeable; now he was going to use it. "My king, you have a short memory!" he proclaimed. "I know some of your secrets that may affect your chances for kingship."

Prince John released Vaisey and took a step back. He stared at the other man, his expression bewildered, for he didn't catch Vaisey's train of thought. "You dare threaten me, your king?"

Vaisey felt more confident now; his tactic was working. "My liege, I would never do anything to undermine your position," he spelled out slowly, as if he were giving the prince enough time to digest information. "And I want us to be in a valuable partnership."

"What do you want to say?"

Vaisey grinned wickedly. The moment of his triumph over Prince John was close. "I did many important things for you, most of them at your order, sire." His grin widened. "We failed to find the Queen Mother's golden boy, but I know about his existence."

Prince John blanched; his heart was beating at a furious pace and his nerves tight in his stomach. He had just received another profound shock, and he was again cornered, but this time by Vaisey, not by Melisende. Vaisey couldn't know that Robin was Queen Eleanor's son, but that didn't make his life easier. He was intelligent and astute to realize what the revelation of this secret would mean for the Plantagenets. Suddenly, he was seized by bloodlust, and all he could see was red – the color of Vaisey's blood.

With a feral growl, Prince John almost ran to Vaisey. "You will pay for your disobedience."

Vaisey didn't look frightened, enjoying John's panic. "You cannot harm me, sire."

John stopped beside Vaisey. Being physically stronger, the prince twisted Vaisey's hands behind the older man's back, making him temporarily immobilized. Then John extracted a dagger from the inner pocket of his doublet and pressed the blade to Vaisey's throat. "I may slash your throat."

Vaisey's lips stretched into an evil grin. "Milord, I prepared three pigeons, which in the case of my death will carry three small parchments to King Philippe of France, to Holy Roman Emperor Henry, and to King William of Scotland." He laughed jubilantly. "Do you know what they will carry? The sensational news about the Queen Mother's golden boy! Each of these rulers will be happy to learn such a delicious secret!"

"You won't dare–" John broke off, pressing the dagger to Vaisey's throat. "You won't do that to your lord and sovereigns – to me! You will never prove that my mother had a child of out-of-wedlock! Richard and mother had covered all the tracks of her disgrace! You won't be able–"

Vaisey flashed a perfidious smile. "I don't need to prove anything," he interrupted in a cheerful tone, his expression gleeful. "Only rumors about Queen Eleanor's bastard will be enough to place the line of the Plantagenets into doubt."

"Shut up, you swine," the prince thundered with savage vehemence.

Vaisey's smile turned insolent. "This is so sweet! This is so charming! All kings would learn that King Richard and you, sire, may be only bastards, and they would try to conqueror England and the Angevin Empire! Imagine the situation: many kings and rulers may attack the Angevin Empire from all the borders, and you will probably lose not only the kingdom and your throne, but also your own life!"

Prince John paled more than a dead man. His heart was gripped with a mad fear. He had been scheming incessantly against Richard and Robin, trusting Vaisey too much; he had fallen into one's own trap. He was greatly shocked by the double blackmail of him by Melisende and Vaisey. He knew that he had lost today's battle with Vaisey, but he vowed that he would make the older man pay. He had been disappointed in Vaisey after the second failure to assassinate Richard; now he was outraged beyond measure.

Vaisey used the blackmail as a last-resort method to get what he wanted from the prince. But John wasn't entirely trapped: he had a way out if all of his plans failed – he could escape to France, then somehow make peace with Richard and save himself. John was also not in danger from Melisende as long as Robin was alive. Vaisey was in a much worse situation, and the prince was going to use that to his advantage.

Finally vanquishing his emotions with effort, John took away the dagger and released Vaisey; then he stepped aside, his gaze focused on the blackmailer. "It makes a big difference, Lord Vaisey."

The only way for Vaisey to stay in John's good graces, willingly or unwillingly, was through blackmail. "I am so glad that we understand each other," he nearly sang, another vicious plan forming in his head.

John sank into a nearby armchair. "Never threaten me again, Lord Vaisey. Or I swear you will pay for that." Vaisey would pay in any case, but now he had to say these words to preserve his own dignity.

The former sheriff smiled. "My king, what have I done wrong?" He outstretched his arms. "I will do everything for you, milord! I will try to murder the king again!"

Prince John was shuddering in rage. After a moment's silence, he said quietly, "Lord Buckingham has the funds we collected during the last several months to pay for the transfer of Richard into my custody. It is very important that you deliver it to King Philippe of France who will help us deliver Richard from Austria to France, where we will make him bleed to death."

Vaisey smiled. "I will go to Lord Buckingham, and we will get the treasure to the continent."

"Yes," John barked. "Be careful with the money. If it is not delivered to King Philippe, the deal is lost."

"What about Robin Red Breast and his friends, my lord?" Vaisey eased himself into his chair.

The prince's expression was hateful. The murder was written across his features, and his eyes screamed the rage that was bubbling in his chest. "I want Robin Hood dead, but I cannot kill him recklessly."

Vaisey was bewildered. "Why should we spare his life if you want him dead so much?" He coveted to kill Robin with his bare hands for defying him again and for winning the battle with death; he had never hated the leader of the merry men more than he had hated him after Robin's resurrection. "I know about the Poitevin nobles, but I can arrange that Hood's death will look like an accident."

"Can you really do that, Lord Vaisey?" a hopeful Prince John inquired.

John was interested in all of the existing options to rid himself of the Queen Mother's golden boy. If Robin's death could be arranged without the direct involvement of the Black Knights and him, if they could circumvent Melisende, John would approve of the plan of the bastard's assassination.

"My king," Vaisey began in a servile tone, crossing him and glancing towards the door, "I swear if we do as I suggest, it will be impossible to prove your implication."

"Share with me your ideas." John's mind was trying to invent a plan of murdering Robin and casting the blame on Vaisey, and then executing the blackmailer. It would look realistic that Vaisey could try to murder Robin again. In this case, Melisende would be unable to ascribe Robin's death to him.

"We will need Lord Sheridan's assistance to kill two birds – our beloved Robin of Locksley and our dim-witted Guy of Gisborne." Vaisey's eyes began to glisten with malice. "I am sure that Hood, Gisborne, and Hood's friends are currently preparing to free Queen Eleanor from Pontefract Castle."

The prince was nervously clutching the jeweled collar of his doublet. "I have already sent Lord Sheridan and Sir Jasper with my men from the elite guard to Pontefract. We toughened the security measures there."

"I know, milord. We cannot work without Sheridan at all," Vaisey answered. Then he told John the plan his crafty mind had designed to bring down both Robin and Guy.

As Vaisey finished and lapsed into silence, Prince John gave him a long, impenetrable look. There was something so terrible and so truculent in the prince's expression and in his cold, ingenious smile that even the former sheriff was unable to speak and move, as if he were under some spell.

For a moment, there was a perfect silence in the library. Prince John smiled grimly at Vaisey, and then he glanced away. Then a burst of laughter boomed in the stillness.

"It might work, Vaisey. Ask Sheridan to help you if he thinks he has a chance to do that at Pontefract."

"I will do as you command, my king."

"I suppose Gisborne will be together with Hood; you can kill them both."

Vaisey nodded, smirking darkly as visions of the dying Robin and Guy flickered in his mind. "Gisborne and Hood will be dead soon. This trap will work for certain, and their deaths will seem accidental."

The prince narrowed his eyes at her and warned, "Don't fail me, Vaisey."

"What about Nottingham?" Vaisey continued. "I want my town and my position of sheriff back."

"Ha!" John thundered. "I cannot make you Sheriff of Nottingham now, but I will allow you to recruit an army to take over the city later, after we complete our new plan."

"Very well, sire," Vaisey said, not satisfied.

"The audience is over, Lord Vaisey."

Vaisey nodded wordlessly. He wanted to leave as he was tired after riding to London from Oxford for several days without intermissions. He needed to get some sleep before traveling to Buckingham's estate and then departing to Dover in order to cross the English Channel; he planned to leave Buckingham in Calais and then to travel to Pontefract to set a trap for Robin and Guy.

Vaisey climbed to his feet. "With your permission, my lord, I will see myself out."

"Oh, yes, I am bored." John waved a hand of dismissal. "Get out of my sight!"

Vaisey bowed, put on his hood, and headed to the exit. The Earl of Durham was waiting for Vaisey in the corridor to accompany him out of the White Tower through one of the many secret passages.

After Vaisey's departure, Prince John sat quietly for a long time, exceedingly pale and solemn. Then he laughed. "Let's hope that this time, you won't fail me, Vaisey," he muttered to himself. "But you are anyway a dead man walking. I never forgive humiliation and disrespect of a servant to me."

§§§

Megan walked out of Bolebec Castle owned by Sir Walter Giffard, the Earl of Buckingham, a traitor to King Richard and Prince John's beloved favorite. She had never been in the village of Whitchurch in Buckinghamshire before, and she didn't like the place at all: it was easy to imagine that the village had been prosperous before King Richard's departure to the Crusade, but now it was dreary and impoverished.

There were many cottages around the castle, which were shabby, with patched roofs and shutters hanging askew. Every house and cottage had traces of abject poverty that struck nobles and peasants hard due to the extreme taxes which Prince John had imposed on everyone in England to finance the final stage of the Shah-Mat operation. Yet, inside Bolebec Castle, everything was different as Buckingham was very rich and wasn't overburdened with taxes, unlike many other nobles.

Megan kept walking along the road in the magnificent garden that surrounded the castle. A large smile blossomed on her face as she heard nightingales – her favorite birds – sing and more birds twitter. As she looked around, her heart began to pound harder in delight at the sight of numerous flowerbeds where huge pink peonies, white lilies, and red roses grew. She lifted her eyes and gazed at the sky: the sunset colors were just beginning to fade, and a soft gray veil was slowly drawing over them.

Megan was full of energy, enthusiasm, and excitement, and for a short time, she was able to push away her anxiety and alarm, enjoying the splendor of the gardens. The breeze blew in her face, soft and cool, and she enjoyed the freshness of its touch upon her skin.

She shook her head as if to remind herself that she was on the important mission. She stopped near a small fountain, looking around and thinking that the garden was the only place in the castle where she felt free and where she could breathe with full lungs, not suffocating in the darkness of the treacherous forces. She loathed the Earl of Buckingham, but she couldn't deny that the man used the wealth inherited from his father in the most extravagant and fashionable way; he had exquisite taste.

In the last few days, Megan worked in the disguise of a servant girl in Buckingham's estate. Guy, Archer, and Allan were staying at the local inn. Every morning, at dawn, Megan took horse from the stables and rode to a nearby village, where she met with Guy and reported to him about the recent happenings at the castle. So far, Megan was unable to figure out where Buckingham had hidden the treasure – the chest of gold that Prince John had ordered the earl to deliver to King Philippe of France.

Megan was heading to the distant part of the garden. The place was so remote that only gardeners visited it, but she felt that there was still more life and gaiety in this part of the garden than in any other place within the estate; maybe it was so because Buckingham rarely went there.

As Megan seated herself on a stone bench near the river, she felt relief wash over her – she was alone and didn't have to serving dinner in the castle. She hated that she had to work in disguise, but it was the only way to sneak into the castle. Amicia de Beaumont had told Robin and the others that Buckingham planned to depart to the continent very soon, and they had to stop him. Megan was the only woman whom they could send on that mission: Buckingham would have recognized Marian at first glance, while Djaq was a Saracen and it was suspicious to send her to the Black Knight, and they didn't trust Kate.

Suddenly, Megan heard the sound of approaching footsteps, as well as two quiet male voices, one of them a low and firm voice and the other rancorous and singsong; someone's distant laughter was heard too.

Megan resolved to learn who the mysterious people were. Her gaze wandered around as she was trying to discover the source of the voices. She was not far from the speakers and could hear them talking about the upcoming departure to France. A nervous tremor passed through her; she picked up her pace and her strides became longer. She swiftly reached the top of a small hill and stopped there, hiding behind the trunk of a willow, her eyes searching for the Black Knights.

"I am so glad you have come here, my lord," the Earl of Buckingham in a voice laced with incredulously.

Vaisey grinned widely. "Oh, blah-di-blah-di-blah! Of course, I am here, Lord Buckingham!"

"How are you feeling now, Lord Vaisey? I feared that I would never see you again."

The older man patted Buckingham's shoulder fondly. "I am feeling much better than a few months ago." He clenched his fists as anger built up in his chest. "My mood will improve when Gisborne draws his last breath. This worm will most definitely suffer and beg me for forgiveness before I send him to the devil."

Buckingham smiled. "I am relieved that Gisborne failed to kill you, milord."

Vaisey sneered. "Gisborne is the most incompetent henchman in England!"

"He is the worst assassin too," Buckingham added contemptuously. "All of his attempts to dispose of Robin Hood proved abortive. He failed to finish off the king. He failed to murder you, which is good."

A dark shadow crossed Vaisey's face. "Gisborne not only betrayed me in the Holy Land but also tried to murder me with his own hand. He signed his own death warrant that day."

"Lord Vaisey, you are a man who always gets what he wants," the earl stated admiringly.

Vaisey nodded. "Nobody will stop me: I will kill Gisborne and Hood."

Megan's mouth twisted in disgust at the sight of Vaisey's sneering face. She loathed the evil man wholeheartedly; she hated Vaisey fiercely for what he had done to Guy. What she had overheard heard made her blood boil in rage that was as burning as it was unbounded by anything.

"When are we leaving for Dover and then for France?" Buckingham inquired.

"The day after tomorrow, at dawn," Vaisey answered. "We have no time to wait."

"Yes. We must deliver our little bribe to King Philippe as soon as possible."

"When is King Philippe planning to pay the ransom to the Holy Roman Emperor? Or is he scheming something else against Richard?" Vaisey asked Buckingham about that because the earl was the one who had developed and cultivated international relationships with the king's foreign enemies.

"King Philippe is a sly man, and we shouldn't trust him completely," Buckingham replied, staring in the direction of the river for a brief moment and then turning his gaze to the other man. "Once Philippe was Richard's dear friend, but he betrayed him and attacked Normandy during the king's absence. He also allied himself with Prince John, seeking to destabilize England. Philippe is a turncoat: he can betray or abandon his allies anytime – he can renew his friendship with Richard again."

Vaisey laughed spitefully. "Yeah, Richard and Philippe are lovers according to some rumors!"

Buckingham laughed nastily. "Richard must be very displeased with certain abominable rumors about him. It was Prince John's idea to make his elder brother look like a sodomite; you and I executed John's plan."

Vaisey scoffed. "Well, we have been working to undermine Richard's power for a long time." He sniggered. "You and I wanted to make John happy, and so they spread the gossip about Richard's delicate preference for… fine-featured boys and young handsome men… in bed. It worked so well!"

The two old friends burst out laughing. After the two of them had spread a nasty rumor about Richard, John had begun to favor and trust them. In the same way, Vaisey had spread false rumors about Ghislane of Gisborne's infidelity to King Henry, which had predestined the tragedies in the lives of Guy and Robin. Buckingham and Vaisey had worked for King Henry and then had pledged allegiances to Prince John.

"And now we must make Prince John happy and kill the king," Buckingham finished.

"We will do our best, my boy," Vaisey assured his companion.

The receding footsteps alerted Megan to their departure. She peeped from behind the willow and saw the two of them stalk towards a gate, from where Vaisey could leave the estate undetected. Her mind churning with negative thoughts, she hastened to leave the remote part of the garden.

On the way to the castle, Megan's eyes took in the gorgeous landscape around her, and she thought that the beauty of the garden was the only thing that distracted her from an ever-increasing anxiety and alarm. She had often spied for Queen Eleanor at court in Poitiers, but she had never been on a mission of such a vital importance to England and the king, with such significant risks for her own life.

In the evening, Megan was serving a dinner for the Earl of Buckingham who was entertaining himself with a young kitchen maid. Megan struggled to ward off the urge to vomit as she watched the earl take that girl on his lap and kiss her on the mouth. She placed a tray full of food at the table near the fireplace. As she was about to leave, Buckingham's shrilling voice made her pause.

"Stay with me here, you wench! I want to bed two girls tonight!" the Earl of Buckingham shouted as he drew back slightly from his lover and directed his gaze at Megan. "You are very beautiful."

Megan didn't understand why Buckingham found her lovely when she was dressed in such a plain, well-worn dress. "I am sorry, milord, but I have a lot of work to do in the kitchen."

"My dear girl, I want you to warm my bed tonight," Buckingham proclaimed, pushing his lover away. "For more than two weeks, I have been growing sick of boredom in this cursed village."

Megan smiled ironically: Buckingham was inebriated, and that goaded him into being more forthright in his communication. "My lord, I am sure that Prince John will soon send you his summons back to court."

The earl looked insulted. "Wench, you know nothing! I am doing extremely important things for my liege!" He hiccuped. "But I want to go to court so much. There are many beautiful women there, but there are so few pretty lasses in this damned place!" His eyes scanned Megan's slender figure. "I need you here."

The kitchen girl laughed at the complaints of her drunk lord, shooting Megan a grin.

A sickening feeling crept over Megan, leaving her body cold and clammy. She saw many men in her life, ranging from pious lords with eyes aglow with mirth to womanizers and court debauches. She had grown up at stellar royal court in Poitiers, and she had never been treated so rudely before, except for the Baron of Rotherham's rough handling of her. She was tolerating the humiliation only for the sake of the mission.

Megan made a helpless gesture. "My lord, I would have gone to your arms if I could, but I have to clean the kitchen now. I also have to do a lot of sewing for your lordship."

Buckingham giggled. "Get out of here! Be ready to come to me at my first request tomorrow!"

Megan stormed out of the dining room as fast as her legs carried her. She had deceived Buckingham, but it didn't matter because he was so inebriated that he wouldn't remember her words tomorrow. She was awash in relief when the steward permitted her to retire to her room after her complaint about her headache; servants at the castle were kind in spite of working for such a wanton and undignified lord.

The next morning, Megan woke up at the first light; she was an early-riser, maybe due to her upbringing at court in Aquitaine. She had a meeting with Guy, as it happened every morning. She dressed in a gray gown made out of coarse cotton, with a high neckline and long, tight sleeves; her undergarments were peasant as well. She arranged her hair in a simple up-do on the nape of her head.

She made her way from the servants' quarters to the stables without being seen. She took one of the horses and mounted, her heart hammering harder in anticipation of meeting Guy again. Their meetings warmed her heart and soul. Despite Guy being viewed as a cold-blooded murderer by many people, Megan never felt being in danger from him, and a thought that someone could be afraid of Guy made her laugh.

Lost deep in thoughts, Megan didn't notice that she already was in the woodland. There was stillness in the forest, and a marvelous freshness of the air nearly made her head spin. She glanced heavenward, smiling at the sky where the sun was rising; the day promised to be glorious, and that cheered her. There was a whispering in the greenwood that stretched around Megan, as if the forest were waking up.

Megan spotted Guy on the clearing near a small lake, where they had met in the past days. There was no breeze, and the lake was perfectly still, its glassy surface reflecting the rose-tinted sky. Her heart thundered as her gaze fell on Guy's handsome face that lit up with a smile as their eyes met. Guy was dressed in brown flat trousers and a black muslin tunic, and she wondered whether she would ever see him again clad in black leather. She liked him in black so much because the color fitted him; but whatever he wore, he always looked stunning. Guy became her favorite repentant sinner with a mysterious past.

Guy eyed Megan, letting eyes dwell on her slender form, smiling at the thought that even in her peasant clothes she looked enticing and charming. "Good morning, a beauty of Aquitaine!" he teased her.

Megan looked down at him from her horse. "Flattery doesn't always help you make friends, Guy."

"I am not kidding, Meg."

"Maybe." She smiled facetiously, pleased that she had been complimented when she didn't wear rich gowns and jewels. She tightened the reins and hopped down from her saddle, finding herself in Guy's arms. "It is such a nice day today. It is not raining," she purred.

"The weather is good, but I bet you don't like English weather," he hazarded a guess. His heart hammered harder at the sensation of his hand touching her waist; then he took his hands away.

She nodded. "I hate rains and cold. I like the climate of Aquitaine."

"Of course, you do. I guess that you feel more at home in Poitiers than in England."

"Yes, Guy."

He pointed at the basket that stood on a blanket strewn on the grass near the lake, and her gaze followed his. "I have something for us. We will have a short picnic." He wanted to provide them with some distraction at least for a while, and the warm, sunny spring day was ideal for a picnic.

She smiled brightly, her gaze lingering on his full mouth for a moment; then she looked into his eyes. "Bravo, Sir Guy! It is an excellent idea to allow a poor kitchen maid to have some decent meal!"

"As always sarcastic," he noted as he took the basket and retrieved the blanket from there.

"Always, Guy," she echoed with a smile.

They seated themselves on the blanket. He unpacked a loaf of French bread, some butter, sweet tarts, and a large bowl overflowing with fruits; there were many oranges, apples, mulberries, and raspberries.

Megan was wonder-stricken. "Where did you take these delicacies?"

He chuckled. "Yesterday, Archer and I went to the central market and bought many delicious things there." His face darkened. "There is a tavern near the market. Its owner frequently ships food to Bolebec Castle for Lord Buckingham, who seems to be an expert in French cuisine and wines, unlike Prince John."

"Well, this man has great taste in many things in spite of being a vile traitor."

"I agree."

Guy put lobsters and oysters on Megan's platter, and she gasped in amazement. Queen Eleanor liked them a lot, and they were often served at court in Poitiers.

"Guy, there did you get them?" she asked in a surprised voice. "I love lobsters and oysters!"

"We bought them in the same tavern, and Archer cooked them." His face was illuminated with a radiant gladness: he was elated that he had pleased her. "I knew that you would love to have them for breakfast."

He handed her a platter, and she took it, flashing him a smile of gratitude. "Thank you so much, Guy." She started eating a large lobster that was so delicious that her mouth watered and her stomach grumbled. "Did you buy these delicacies especially for me?"

"Yes, I did, Meg."

She arched a brow. "Oh, it is very generous of you. I didn't expect that you would do that for me."

"As you know, my mother spent her early youth at Queen Eleanor's court, and she liked French cuisine a lot." He smiled languidly as his mind replayed the image of Ghislane's beautiful face. "Mother cooked lobsters and oysters in special sauces for Isabella and me. After her death, I remembered those quiet family dinners with… my family."

Megan clearly saw the changes in Guy. "You have good memories of childhood."

"Yes," he said with a smile.

Megan laughed, and Guy laughed back. They sat eating and chatting, luxuriating in a short moment of peace and calm. The world with its troubles, grieves, sorrows, and calamities ceased to exist, and a veil of translucent lightness enveloped them. They felt very comfortable together, as if they were old friends. They could ask each other anything and could easily deal with unpleasant arguments and conundrums. There was always that lightness between them. At times, Megan, as disagreeable as a stormy wind, criticized Guy in some way, and he listened to her eagerly, thinking again that she was very shrewd and wise.

Guy had never had that peace and calm in his relationship with Marian: there were always fierce fights, serious confrontations, hot arguments, a cobweb of noble lies, and ever-present danger in their touches and interactions. Once he had looked at Marian as if she were the only woman and the greatest beauty in the world. But Megan was also very beautiful, and there was more graciousness in her than in his former wife, perhaps because she possessed manners of a courtier – they were impeccable.

Megan smiled joyfully. "I am so glad that we have this moment of quietude today. Let's try to make this a really golden hour before I have to go back to the castle."

Guy smiled agreeably. "This moment is precious to me. It is a pity that we have only one hour."

"First things first!" Megan put a sweet tart into her mouth.

He couldn't suppress an exasperated sigh, for her words reminded him of Marian. For a moment, he was irritated that everyone was so focused on the king's salvation. "You are correct," he said as he nibbled a small piece of green apple. "But I prefer to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the woods while we are here."

Megan gave him a dazzling smile; then she put a large raspberry into her mouth. "Well, I want to play a game, Guy." She chewed slowly, savoring the taste; then she resumed speaking. "If we want to have a good time, then you should think of something that makes you happy. And if this conversation doesn't give you positive emotions, you don't need to feel honor bound to talk to me."

Smiling tentatively, Guy took one raspberry and began to eat it. "I admit that I considered you talkative when we were imprisoned, but I quickly realized how intelligent you are; I became addicted to our chats."

"Yes, I like talking and meeting new people," Megan retorted, taking another raspberry from the basket. "Yet, I have always believed that if you can spend with someone half an hour in silence and be fully comfortable, then you and that person can be friends. But if we always talk, then who are we to each other?"

He smirked. "What you say is always witty but makes sense, right?"

Her eyes glowed. "Of course."

Megan proceeded to tell Guy about the conversation between Buckingham and Vaisey which she had overheard. Guy listened to her very attentively, his eyes clear and focused, his fists clenched.

The news awakened an old red-hot anger in Guy – anger at Vaisey and at himself that he had wasted so many years serving such an evil man. "So Vaisey is alive. Robin was right," he hissed.

She gave a stiff nod. "Yes, the monster is alive. It seems that you wounded him severely."

Guy mused aloud, "I wonder where Vaisey is now."

"Maybe he is hiding, like you and our friends," she assumed.

Guy lowered his eyes, looking at the ground. "Meg, you must be very careful in the castle."

"Guy, you should calm down because I am not in immediate danger. Lord Buckingham thinks that I am a kitchen maid. Vaisey is not staying anywhere in Buckingham's estate, and even if I meet him by chance, he won't recognize me as he hasn't been at court in Aquitaine for years."

Guy smiled at her patronizingly. "Meg, I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself, but even an incredibly talented, strong, and brave woman can be… reckless and can underestimate the danger."

Megan scoffed. "Ah, Guy! Do you want me to be a damsel in distress whom you will save?" she mocked, her eyes gleaming with merriment. "My father was Prince Richard's loyal knight and was honored by our king on a battlefield many times. He didn't raise me as a helpless little girl!" She smiled soothingly and attempted to assuage his concerns. "Don't worry about me, Guy. You won't have to pray near my grave for my restless soul on a cold morning or a damp evening."

He took her hands in his and kissed each of them in turn, fondly and reverently. Gazing into her eyes, he told her sincerely, "This is such an awful joke, Meg! I cannot bear the thought of your death!"

Her heart was beating fast at the concern she could see on his face and hear in his words. "Ahem, I am sorry! I never meant anything bad or apprehensive."

Guy sighed with resignation. "I hope that you know what you are doing and will be alright." He knew that he would be unable to control her rebellious spirit, even though he was very worried about her.

Soon the picnic was over, and it was high time for Megan to return to the castle before servants began to look for her. She jumped into the saddle and glanced down at Guy, giving him a smile of unparalleled brilliance. Then she spurned on her horse and set it into a full gallop. Looking at her silhouette flickering between the trees, Guy prayed that Megan would not encounter any danger in the castle; he could say that there was some tantalizing lure of a mystery in their friendship, and he treasured it a great deal.

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I hope you truly enjoyed this chapter and the plot.

It was another transitional chapter that is necessary to build the setup for the resolution of all the love triangles and for the next action chapters, each of them dynamic and dramatic.

I wanted to show how Robin, Guy, and the others are interacting after their arrival from London in Nottingham. Now they are all in Sherwood, and the tension between the certain characters is great.

Robin faces a split of loyalties among his men, reflected in Little John's relevant unwillingness to save the king. I warned you several times that Robin Hood had become a different man – death changed him. That is fully reflected in Robin's tolerance to John's disrespectful but truthful speeches about King Richard. As you can see, Robin has already realized many truths about the king and the world, but his conflict of loyalties cannot be resolved because he is Queen Eleanor's son and Richard's brother.

Guy is adjusting to the life in the woods; it is not easy for him to be in the company of Robin friends, but he is coping. Marian and Guy have a heart-to-heart conversation: she tells him some interesting things about life. Guy is comparing Megan and Marian, he is most certainly confused with his own feelings. My Megan is not canonical as I deliberately made her not compliant with canon; I think she is more mature than my Marian. I hope you like the Guy/Meg scenes because I have a lot of fun writing them.

Marian and Robin are in a hopeless situation. She is brokenhearted because now she knows that Robin could have his marriage to Melisende annulled, but he didn't. Robin chose his wife and his son. The scene in the woods is heartbreaking, and I hope you enjoyed a small dose of angst in this chapter.

I was planning to ship Allan and Kate from the very beginning. I've always liked Kate more with Allan than with Robin in the show. And Allan needed someone for happiness!

I am aware that some Guy/Marian fans are disappointed on a personal level because you anticipated Marian's happy reunion with Guy. I do apologize for causing you some unpleasant feelings, but I want you to understand me – no writer can write things they don't believe in, and I don't deny that my opinion about Guy and Marian's compatibility was changing throughout the last five years. In all of the three author's notes (in the prologues to all the three parts of the epic) I mentioned on purpose that I cannot guarantee there will be no changes in pairings – by saying this, I provided myself with the liberty to make changes in the final shipments. But, as I once said, Marian and Guy can still end up together under some unusual circumstances.

I hope that Guy/Marian shippers won't abandon this story just because the Guy/Marian current situation is not exactly such as the one they want to see; if it happens, I will be saddened, but I understand that it is possible and you should do what is best for you. I know for certain that many Robin fans might be displeased with the outcome of the story as well; at least until the epilogue. But there is a reason for every storyline! I reiterate that both Robin and Guy survive the siege and find happiness and peace in the very end. I assure you that there are many interesting events and adventures ahead.

Vaisey is alive, and he is back! The chapter is called "The Rebirth of Evil" because Vaisey returns alive. Vaisey already has a crafty plan to kill both Robin and Guy! Prince John fell into his own trap and was cornered by both Vaisey and Melisende. In the next chapter, Guy, Archer, Megan, and Allan will complete their missions, but not everything will go smoothly.

Reviews are always appreciated, including constructive criticism.

If you find any typos and/or mistakes here, please let me know about them in a private message.

Thank you for reading this chapter. Have a lovely weekend.

Yours faithfully, Penelope Clemence