Summary: Anne attempts to run but gets surprise
She stood there. Shocked.
She knew stories, rumours about his behaviour. How he'd dealt with people. She just thought ... hoped that he'd changed.
She went to the stables. She didn't have to wait anymore. She could go. She had no one to care for. No loyalties.
She mounted, heading for the courtyard. She didn't care if people chased, she just wanted out.
"Anne!" Gisborne.
She headed off, going as fast as her horse would let her.
She ran through Nottingham, knocking over stalls and people, not caring any more. She looked behind to see Guy following her, his eyes burrowing into her.
She turned into Sherwood forest, ducking under branches, jumping over roots and logs. She could still him behind her. She twisted her horse to see a dead end. She jumped, clapping her horse to go back to Nottingham.
She started to run. She didn't know why. She just wanted to breathe. She began to stumble, tripping over tree stumps and roots. She could heard him distantly dismount.
"Anne!"
She crawled out to see her village. She ran into the manor, running up the stairs to lock herself in her room, the thudding behind signalling guy's closeness.
"Anne! Open up!" No. why should she? So he could hit her again.
"Anne, I'm sorry. I just ... I didn't mean to," Really?
"Open up," She ignored him. She hadn't been here long enough to actually explore it. She held onto the curtains round the bed, soft, silk. Still warm, as if someone had only slept in them last night.
She noticed a small box at the end of the bed. She sat down, afraid to touch it. It opened easily, like it had been waiting for her. A letter. She read it quickly, only making out odd words; Fountains Abbey...delighted...crusades...King Richard...Prince John...daughter...eligible match...arrange...convent...
"Anne?"
She couldn't breathe. Tears rained down from her eyes. This was it. The letter that had left her alone at a time she most needed her family. The letter that caused her abandonment and disgrace.
"Anne, I know you hate. But ... I feel for you. I still believe we have a future. And I know you believe in it too, do you?"
She couldn't move. How could he?
"Anne, Prince John's guards will come if you don't come out right now. Don't destroy yourself over whatever past you have. It doesn't help. Trust me"
She knew he was talking sense. John knew her too well. He would find her and punish her. She hid the letter in her dress and dried her eyes. She wasn't going to appear weak again. She had lost too much to lose anymore. She would follow the original plan. Find someone good to marry. Not Guy.
She opened the door to find Gisborne leaning on the doorpost, as if he knew she would come. He held his arms to her, imprisoning her as she entered. He brushed her hair again, just as he had the previous night. He was soft, calm. He wasn't forceful but tender, moving to the next step when she felt ready. He moved his head down towards hers as she whimpered. He touched her lips with his fingers as she moved up towards.