A/N: Careful my sweet readers this is M, read on!

King Richard nodded for the soldiers to leave the pair of them.

"There has been no sorrier a tale than that of your life Guy. After losing your parents, you seemed to have died with them." The King said.

"Oh how I only wish that were true. I am death…Richard. I cannot bare my heart any more than I have already told to you."

"I knew the boy, but I do not know the man." The king known as the Lionheart had known Guy since he was a mere newborn. Roger had named a then Prince Richard of Aquitaine his son's Godfather.

"The Man is a traitor…" Guy admitted gritting his teeth.

The King gently lifted the wretched man's chin to look him in the eyes.

"I am glad you told me of this so called betrayal Guy but there is still unrest in my wary heart, why would you let yourself destroy the Maid's love?"

Guy seethed, the thought of Marian choked his soul, "For her love to me is as insubstantial as seeing my parents' specters in my nightmares."

"But my God Guy, Marian seems to be a blessing. You were always one for the stubborn women." Richard smiled.

"I don't think there is much point to letting us love unless there is righteous King back on the throne." Guy smiled back.

"You have a point there Guy of Gisborne… I am actually pulling troops out as we speak." The king saw the knight's eyes roll.

"What?"

"Not good enough, these crusades will be the death of you, come back to England Richard."

"Fine my good knight you shall have these conquests to cease once the treaty has been signed. Happy?" The King roared with laughter at Guy's face.

His facial expression was one of pleasure but deep behind his blue eyes there was also disquieted pain lurking and waiting. He exhaled and asked,

"If I return to England how long will I have to wait until you, yourself return Your Majesty?"

"You will know that your former lord will try to kill me and, or you… So I am thinking about another fortnight more here and then I shall be back on my throne." Richard's smile had faded, as his courier came in;

"Robin of Locksley and Marian of Knighton beseech a word with you, my King."

Guy felt himself become numb in a desperate however futile effort to conceal his burdened heart as the King let his messenger go and gather the pair of Marian and Robin.

They conferenced, and argued. Debating, resolving old scars and finally far greater than by all things they left; all three of them. The Circe took them back to England. Marian had been seen the hell Guy was going through more clearly than ever before, it was held within him so tightly locked away. They had been met with hostility by Vaisey and Guy had suffered a harsh blow. Robin and his gang took him to see the one person that could heal him when Djaq gave up;

before they began, Matilda had given him a sedative and he knew he'd feel the effect of the drug soon. He felt her warm and soft hands on the sides of his neck, and he permitted his head to be tilted to the side. His own hands rested at his sides, and he tried not to move them onto her. He found he did not know what to do with them. This also implied that he wanted whatever Marian was going to do, and maybe he found that he did want her in his arms but he kept them agonizingly to his sides. No reaction he thought and reasoned. Thankfully, Marian left the gagging in place.

Marian's hand retreated from his neck, and he breathed shallowly, head still at an obdurate angle. Then her hand slipped over his throat, and into his tunic, brushing across his chest. It lingered over his heart. He kept his breathing even, but he could do little to nothing about his pulsating heart, and knew the Maiden could feel the hastening beat.

Breath blew across his cheek. He felt paralyzed within its sweetness. He heard a sudden noise that made him jerk his head away, feeling nails rake his flesh under the leather tunic, and her hands retreated from him without a word. Guy was self-conscious of his autonomy, away from her; realizing the burden of being farther away from Marian had been a greater penalty and without the consequence of his heart loudly beating in his chest he heard her finally speak to him.

"Do wish me to go down farther?" she asked intentionally removing the tightened belt from his waist. He remained emotionless and undaunted but elsewhere on his body spoke many unsaid things. She quickly undid the gag from his mouth and asked again but emphasized it differently;

"Do you want me?" and as he looked her in the eyes, she wasn't getting off on his discomfort this time, she was genuinely giving herself to him, and he then stated with his whole pressured heart,

"Yes…"

She then in a movement so fluid it looked natural straddled him, her knees to his chest, her left kneecap riding into his breastbone thus making him gasp in immeasurable pain and ecstasy. He finally could not hold it back and as Marian found his outburst scantly she allowed her knees press harder against him. Guy's body quaked under her pressure. "Do with me what you will I am yours body, heart and soul…." He breathed the deep pride added to the fact that he was a tad shaken had superiority over the bass of his voice. Underneath his leather his body betrayed him as Marian stripped him bare.

Guy felt her pressing against him, he didn't want this and her pleasure in his unwillingness was almost too much for him to endure. His chest tensed as she reached for his erect manhood, his body became rigid but he buckled emotionally.

She continued to toy with him, he let out an audible panting gulp. She has me right where she wants me he thought in thralls of pain and pleasure. It was inescapable but he knew that she wanted something more than he was willing give.

"I am not-"

He felt her soft lips against him again silencing him. This side of Marian scared him; though she was a maid she had an incredulous knowledge of how to bring out his carnal beast.

He loathed his body's reaction to her touch. He hated the way she had pressured himself inside her, had he been at his full strength he would have tossed her over, but the drugs were quick and made him unfortunately aroused despite his better judgment. He cried out again in agony as she pulled herself in and out.

Then Guy's eyes opened he realized he was alone in a bed, in his own bedchamber well not entirely considering how the village physician; Matilda stayed in a chair watching him in a bedside vigil. He then remembered Vaisey's sword going through him (as he stepped in the way of him) applying the killing blow that was meant for Marian. Guy thought back to it.

"You, Leper…-Vaisey snapped his fingers then pointed at her- Did he not tell you that he wasn't the only one to die if he came back. Bind her hands!"

"No!" he screamed. Guy leapt himself to aid Marian as Vaisey duly yelled at her and him.

"Then she dies now for everything she's done to you." Vaisey's usual smug look had been replaced with one of concern and fear. He tried to stab Marian but his former master of arms got in the way yet again.

Guy let out a strange sound and Marian was forced to look at him and opened her eyes to see the sword sticking up, then through and lastly out of his chest, his blood quickly fell from his body upon her dress.

Vaisey was not pleased but escape was impossible for him now as the King's men surrounded him…

"Where is Marian?" he finally found his voice again though even in his own ears he heard his strain.

"She's been outside helping Robin with his drops." Matilda yawned. "Allow me to fetch her for you; you need all your strength conserved." She said rising and smiling. Guy simply nodded but it didn't feel right to move, to breathe, and to be alive, it was almost unnatural.