Chapter twelve: To be miserable with one


A month later,


Meg rested her hand on the knob of Guy's door for the thirty-second time. As it was expected of her, she visited 'Guy' every day to help cover up the fact that he was gone in the holy land. During the time he was gone, she'd realized that she missed him far more than she thought it was possible. She barely knew him, but she knew his heart, manners and even his walk. The extent to how deep she knew little things about him surprised her immensely. However, she honestly didn't know if Guy was going to kill the king or not. Her soul was in turmoil and she couldn't help but wonder if his was in turmoil as well. However, even if he did or didn't kill the king, her mind was made up and nothing was going to change her mind.

Marian, had worked with Meg, attempting to turn her into a fine lady. Though Meg could dress the part, talk like a lady, hold herself like one and act like one in polite society, she was still a fraud and all who passed her and Marian made it clear to her that she was one. True, Marian could defend her, but what was the point? She was a girl born in the streets and from an unsavory bloodline. Moments of confrontation always caused her to reflect on why Sir Guy, a lord with lands and a position of such authority would actually desire to marry a woman like her. The obvious answer would be because he loved her. Any other man would have taken her to his bed, with or without her consent. After all, she had been purchased by him; she could have been his to do with as he wished, but again, he hadn't done anything to her. He'd treated her with the highest form of respect. Even though his position demanded that he not show to her any mercy, he'd done so.

She knew that he really loved her, but she wasn't sure if she could love him the way he deserved to be loved. The other day, she'd looked at her reflection in the mirror and studied herself. She wasn't very pretty, her face was round and her hair was untamable. She wasn't very intelligent, she could barely read or write. He was a lord, a man of great importance. With his looks, he could easily win the heart of any woman in the land, possibly even a princess in another land. So why, did he want her? She was broken, battered and used, she had nothing to give him.

She sighed as she pushed the door to Guy's door and the basket fell from her arms. All previous thoughts fled from her mind as she saw Guy standing there, shirt off, bent over a water basin washing his face and arms. He didn't look very different from the last time he saw her, but the presence in the room felt different, as if he'd changed somehow.

Guy stopped and turned towards her instantly. She held his gaze for a moment before rushing into his arms. Guy lifted her up from the ground and set her on the table beside the basin. She wrapped her arms around his wet shoulders, smiling softly as she recalled another moment with a shirtless Guy. Not that she was complaining, as improper as it was, Guy's body was sculptured in a pleasing way.

"I promised you," he said as he studied her face closely, a light dancing in his blue eyes and a playful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I'd come back to you."

"Guy."

That was all she was able to say, for he pulled her towards him for a wet embrace. She moaned at the sensation of his mouth on hers again. She'd wanted to hold, touch and kiss him for so long. This kiss was wonderful, Guy took his time, desperate to make her breathless, which wasn't too hard for him to do. After a few moments, he pulled away from her and kissed her nose. "Wait here."

She smiled as he went to the door, peered outside a few times. As he turned around, she said the words that her miserable heart had decided to tell him. She'd made her decision and if he was a villain or hero, she didn't want to have any regrets. She'd rather be miserable with him, than without him.

She inhaled and spoke the words clearly. "Guy, I've decided to accept your marriage proposal."

Guy stopped in mid-step and stared at her in amazement. Her heart fluttered in her chest as he held out his arms and shook his head. "Oh, come here you." Meg didn't hesitate to hop off the table and scurry over to him. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Oh, Megan, my love." As she drank in his warmth and closeness, he murmured and breathed into her hair. "Meg, you won't regret it. I swear here and now that I'll always be the man you need me to be."

"You're always there when I need you."

We need to talk." She nodded and pulled back as he studied her face closely. "I didn't kill the king. However, I did go to the holy land with the men. I arranged to have the king's men ready to intercept them. The king, wants me gather more information about the men who want him dead."

Meg began shaking her head. "That's a huge risk for you."

"I swore my allegiance to him and I intend to hold my word." He exhaled. "One of the sheriff's men, wounded Robin of Locksley while attempting to kill the king. Locksley, will be returning to here shortly, as his injury will prevent him from fighting in the holy land. He will soon be causing conflict around here. I will be reporting any information that the king needs to know to him and also informing him of whatever news of treason I happen to hear."

Meg exhaled and looked up at him. "But if you're caught-

He kissed her deeply, silencing that train of thought. After a few moments, he pulled away. "So, when, will you be mine?" he studied her. "All things considered, I've compromised your reputation, so it had better be soon." She blushed slightly and nodded her head. "I want you and I need you." those words, for the first time, actually terrified her as something she hadn't thought about penetrated her mind. She'd have sleep with Guy and fulfill her wifely duties to him. She froze there, unsure of what to say. "I can't wait too long, in case something does happen to me, I want the lands to go to you and hopefully, to our heir." That made her break away from him. "Meg," he said softly, yet with a firm tone in his voice. "I know what's going on in that head of yours. I am not going to hurt you."

She shifted. "Can't we just not-

"No Meg," he shook his head. "I won't even consider it. I want a full marriage, in every way."

She shifted. "But Guy, I can't-

"Meg," he tilted her face upwards so she couldn't avoid looking at him. "you just agreed to marry you. You must feelings for me, otherwise you would have turned me down." Reluctantly, she nodded in agreement. "I need you to trust that I will never hurt you. I killed the man who did, I actually massacred him!" he inhaled, collecting himself. "I'm not going to lower myself to his level by abusing you. I love you and I will teach your body to feel love." He gently brushed her cheek with his hand. "Can you trust me on this?"

Meg's eyes watered slightly as she nodded. "I will."

He kissed her on the forehead before reaching for his shirt. "I'll go speak to the priest. The marriage will be within the hour." She could only nod her head; terror and anticipation refused to allow her to do more than that. He exhaled and stepped towards her, his shirt hanging down by his side. "Meg, you can object."

She bit her lip before admitting. "I can't."

Guy shook his head before locking his arms around her hips and lifting her up off the ground. Meg shook her head as her legs dangled in the air, forcing her to lock her legs around his waist. He smirked at her. "Try it, I missed hearing you snap at me." She shook her head as she ran her hand down his cheek. He leaned forward and kissed her deeply. She shuddered and grabbed a hold of his neck as he worked his mouth against hers.

"Meg?" they broke the kiss and whipped around as Marian pushed the door open. She gasped and stared the two of them. "Sir Guy!"

He bobbed his head. "Marian."

"Sir Guy, put her down this instance!" She protested. "You've no right to compromise her reputation in such a manner! Shame on you!"

"I bought her Marian," he reminded her. "if anything, that compromised her reputation."

"I suppose, but this, is not right!" she cleared her throat. "I'm glad to see you are faring well Sir Guy, but surely, you shouldn't be up and about."

"I assure you Marian, I am well." He set Meg down slowly. "Now," he kissed her forehead. "go fix that pretty face of yours and I'll make the arrangements."

Meg nodded and walked slowly towards Marian. Marian stared at her as she shut Guy's door behind her. Meg couldn't think of a thing to say, but Marian could. "Meg, what is he talking about?"

Meg stared at her before stammering out. "We're…getting married. Today."


The priest shook his head. "I cannot do such a thing without the bans having been read. This marriage will not take place."

"You will make us husband and wife! Else I shall take to my chambers and live with her in sin until you've deemed it proper for us to marry!" the priest twitched in shock at Guy's crass words. He'd never do such a thing to Meg, but the priest didn't know that. "I have no family or relations alive. There is no one in this world who could possibly object! Her parents are deceased as well, there is no one in this world that cares for her, except me." Guy snarled. "Now you will marry us!"

The man looked pale, but he nodded and opened up the bible to begin the ceremony in Latin. "I will, when the bride arrives."

The door behind them creaked open and they both turned as Marian entered. She shook her head. "Sir Guy, you really must work on you matters of persuasion. Your tone is very loud."

He rolls his eyes. "Only when I don't get what I want."

"And," he turned as Meg entered the room wearing a new, exquisite dress of turquoise with silver embroidery. Her hair was tamed into a bun and a veil was fastened atop her head. She'd found the pearl necklace and earrings that he'd left in her room for her. She was nervous, anyone could see that, but he could see happiness amongst the fear. She was so beautiful. He felt himself losing his heart further to her with each glance. "do you…always get what you want," she licked her lips and twisted the three purple roses in her hands. "Sir Guy?"

He could only nod his head and say . "When it matters." He held out his hand to her. "Come."

The priest turned to him. "Sir Guy, wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife? To live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"

Guy nodded, holding eye contact with Meg. "I will."

She blushed becomingly as the priest asked her. "Megan, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

Meg nodded as she smiled at him. "I will."

The priest took both their right hands and joined their hands together. Guy's heart pounded in his chest as he held Meg's gaze throughout the final moments of the ceremony. Finally, something wonderful and good had been given to him and he'd be damned if he ever failed or lost her.