A/N : Well this is a pretty long read at over 7,000 words, but I had a lot of time on my hands with my net and pc problems. A/N : 2 The marriage debt to which the sheriff alludes was another word for marital sex in the medieval times.
This chapter is a bit more sexually explicit than previous chapters, so if you are underage, don't read...like you will listen to me anyway!
Prisoners of Circumstance – Chapter 21
Robin sat in the corner, his hands behind his head, looking for all the world as if he had spent the night in the finest manor house.
"If there is a joke, I would like to be in on it." Said Much, leaning against the damp walls of the dungeon.
He was feeling very sorry for himself; every possible limb ached from trying to sleep on a straw stuffed mattress. To add insult to the injury, he was sure the thing was crawling with lice too. He felt a tickling sensation down the back of his neck and slapped at it.
"Just be patient Much." Robin smirked.
Little John sat brooding in a darkened corner, opposite to Robin and had not spoken a word since their arrival here. He let out a long sigh before breaking his silence. "I hope Will is as quick on his feet as he is with his hands when I get a hold of him." He said with quiet menace.
There was contemplative silence for a few moments, before Much raised the question that had been troubling him for the majority of the night.
"How do you think the sheriff knew where to find us?" He asked.
"I have been giving it some thought." Robin replied. "Only Marian knew where we could be found." A frown creased Robin's forehead.
Much sucked in a deep breath before speaking in a rush. "Do you think it possible that Marian has betray…"
Robin held up a hand to silence him. "Much, do not even attempt to finish that sentence." He said warningly.
"But…" He tried again.
"For all that has gone on between Marian and me, I will not believe she has turned conspirator for the sheriff."
"Then how?"
"Vasey must have taken the note from her, somehow, either by force or by trickery," Robin replied.
"Do you think he harmed her?" asked Little John. He had always had a fondness for Marian and admired her courage. He hated to think of her coming to any hurt.
"That I do not know, by sending her that note, I may have put her in greater danger, but I trust that Gisborne will protect her. I only hope she did not read it before it was taken from her, if that is what happened, or the sheriff will know that she is aware of his plans."
"He has never gone against the sheriff before now." Much reminded him.
"I think it is different this time. Marian has brought an assassin to his knees with love. Anyone that loves her would do anything to keep her safe." He looked at Much, his eyes, deadly serious.
"Careful Robin, that almost sounds like respect for the enemy." Much reminded him.
Robin shook his head slowly. "There will never be any warmth of liking between Guy and myself, but we do share a common goal, her safety."
"But only one of you has the right of it." John stated.
Robin walked across the floor of the cell and patted John on the shoulder. "I know, my heart is still catching up to that fact."
The sound of footsteps echoing on the stones beyond the door had all three of them turning their heads towards its direction. They stopped just outside the sturdy oak door. A key turned in a well-oiled lock, Much unconsciously clung to Robin's arm.
"Relax my friend. All will be well."
"I wish I shared your optimism." Much said nervously.
The door swung in and with a clank of chains, Little John struggled to stand, anchored to the wall by a sturdy set of shackles. It was hard to make out who stood in the doorway, until the shadowy figure stepped into the dim light of their cell. The man walked into the centre of the room, his hands on his hips as he surveyed the men before him in silence. Little John just glared at him, while Much looked at him with wide eyes. He glanced at Robin for support, disconcerted to see such a wide grin on his face.
The nobleman walked over to Robin, and Much drew on what courage he had left. "Touch him and I'll…"
The man suddenly turned towards him. "You'll what?" He drawled.
"I won't be very happy." Finished Much, lamely.
"You haven't changed Much." He bellowed with laughter.
Much frowned in deep confusion. "What?"
The man turned his attention back to Robin. He slapped him on the shoulder. "Robin, it does me good to see you again. It must have been almost two years since we parted in Acre."
He and Robin embraced for a moment.
"Christopher of Winchester, I almost did not recognise you last night at the tavern yard in all those fancy clothes."
The two men parted, all smiles.
"Strange how good clothing and a shave can change a man."
"The Christopher of Winchester…the king's agent?" asked Much.
"Sometimes spy when occasion needs and lately the Earl of Winchester." He tapped his nose at Much. "Thanks to Lord Vasey."
"You knew this all night and you didn't tell me?" Asked Much, affronted.
"Sorry for the lack of hospitality dear friends, but I had to be sure the last of the sheriff's men had left the town before I let down my guard. As you know, places like these have eyes."
"As much as I would love to stay and talk over old times, we must be away, for I fear I may have placed a lady of my acquaintance in grave danger." Robin said, his face sobering.
"Marian of Knighton, I presume?" The new Lord Winchester inquired. "I had heard that she had recently married."
"She has." Said Robin, his jaw visibly tightening.
Winchester raised an eyebrow, but decided to drop the line of conversation. He knew Robin well and was sure his friend would eventually find another pretty maid to heal his heart. Two of Winchester's men entered the room carrying their confiscated weapons.
"Thank you Winchester." Said Robin, while strapping his sword back around his waist and securing the quiver of arrows to his back, lastly taking his bow from the soldier.
Winchester motioned for his men to leave them. He leaned closer into the group and spoke in hushed tones.
"Last night the sheriff asked me to join the order of the black knights and take my father's place." He pulled back his sleeve and lifted his hand to display the heavy silver ring of the knight's order.
Robin frowned at it. "You know of the latest plot to kill the king when he arrives at Portsmouth then?"
"Yes, Vasey's men are careless and cheaply bought. I have known for some time." He smiled.
"You always were very good at extracting information. Is there anything you have for me that might help our cause?"
"As my old father would say, I have a sweetener for you."
Robin briefly wondered how anyone so charming and pleasant had sprung from the loins of the old Lord Winchester.
"Then tell me friend, we are in need of some good news."
"The news that I bear is only good for some." He warned.
The fingers on Robin's bow tensed until they were white. "Then tell me quickly so I may be on my way."
"Vasey will have a great disappointment when he reaches his destination."
"How so?" Robin asked.
"The king is not coming to Portsmouth. His ship was caught in a terrible storm as they neared Calais, almost a week ago. He has decided to rally for more troops and funds within France."
"Are you sure he will not be coming at a later time?"
"He will not. I have received word personally by pigeon only yesterday. Vasey's men know nothing of this. I have used my own men in place to put the word around that the king set sail from Calais to Portsmouth. There are enough of Vasey's lackeys hidden about the town to feed him the false information on his arrival.
Robin looked at him, slightly agape.
"You are not the only one who works for justice, Robin. Some of us do it from the inside out; you sometimes get further that way than hiding in forests and picking the pockets of the rich."
"But someone has to take care of the people Christopher, the ones with no voice." Grinned Robin.
"When Vasey finds out that the king is not coming, it will not go well for anyone travelling with him. My advice to you Robin, get those out who are important to you."
"Thank you for the warning." Robin replied. He flashed his friend a brief smile and with that, he was gone.
They had been travelling for hours now, and there were still many hours ahead. For a large part of the trip, no one had been in the mood to talk. Only the sheriff had retained a smile on his face and it made them all uneasy.
"Ah, can you smell the salt air? Not far now. I do like the sea." Said Vasey, rubbing his hands together. "And the wildlife, more gulls and less robins."
Marian looked up at him, sharply. He gave her a hard stare before looking out of the window. Allan was fast asleep on the seat next to him, but all was right with the world. Robin was probably dead already under the blade of Winchester's executioner or hanging on a gibbet being feasted upon by the crows. Either option sounded good to him.
Marian had a travelling rug of fine wool draped across her lap; she nervously played with its folds. Her other hand was hidden from view, entwined with Guy's as it rested on her thigh. Both were lost in their thoughts, but the connection brought them the nearness they needed.
She chewed on her lip. Who had taken the note? It was too much of a co-incidence to be a random thief. She had been unconscious, yet he had not attempted to take her ring, which would have been worth far more than a few silver coins. A cold wave of fear washed over her and she paled. If only she had known the contents of the letter before it had been taken from her. What if one of the sheriff's men had taken it and it had led a path straight to Robin? She closed her eyes, unable to take the smiles of the sheriff any more. Robin made his own fate, and she had to believe whatever consequences came of the lost note, he would be able to free himself from it. The only things or people that truly mattered to her at this moment in time were the man beside her and the child she carried.
With each turn of the wheels, they came closer to their destination; it was going to be a very long day, and night for that matter. There would be no stop over at an inn, except for the changing of the horses. They would be spending a cold and uncomfortable night in the carriage.
Guy stared straight ahead of him, his mind wandering from the surroundings in which, he sat. It was strange that at a time like this his thoughts were not of what lay ahead, or even of his dearly loved Marian, but of Gisborough and his happier times there as a boy. He had been so contented with a mother and father that truly loved, a rare thing in arranged marriages. He had found such felicity in his own marriage that at times he scarce felt worthy of it. Guy stifled a yawn. He was so bone tired. The rocking of the coach made his eyelids grow heavy and he closed them for just a moment.
The scene before him, dissolved, as sleep took him and he was back at Gisborough, in his twelfth year. It had been the last happiness he had known for a long time, until Marian.
"Guy you are twelve summers old now and it is high time you were sent to another household to learn your skills in weaponry and other such things that behoves a man in your station." His father had sighed as he said it. It would be a sad, but necessary separation for the family and Sir Glais was fiercely proud of the son he had sired. When it came time for Guy to leave, he would be sorely missed, but it was the way of the world.
Guy was a tall and gangly lad for his age and nearly as large as his father. His height almost belied his twelve years. His heart had chilled at his father's words. He knew it was what was expected of him, but he wanted more time.
"Father, please do not make me go." He pleaded.
His father frowned and looked down at him. "Guy it is your duty, how can you protect what is yours if you are not trained in the ways of combat. Your tutor has prepared your mind, but you will not survive by your wits alone."
Guy hung his head. "Could I not stay at least until the babe is born? I will be gone for many years." He asked quietly, looking back up at his sire.
Sir Glais knew he should not give in to the boy, but the hopeful appeal in those blue eyes, melted his heart. He ruffled Guy's unkempt hair and winked at him. "Very well, but not more than a sennight after the child is birthed, after that you must take your place and train as a squire.
"Thank you sir." Guy grinned at his parent in unconcealed happiness.
Together they walked back through the courtyard, met by Father Thomas who had just arrived, invited to dine with them that evening. He was very fond of the elderly monk.
"How are you enjoying the story of Beowulf and Grendel Master Guy?" Smiled the old man, kindly at him.
"It is very long." Guy replied, thinking about the book, Father Thomas had loaned him.
"Poor scribes like me, spent many hours writing out that book, remember that." He looked at Guy sternly for a moment before winking at him. "But what do you remember from it?"
Guy thought for a moment. "There was one line from it…death its self is better than a life of shame."
"Gisborne!" snarled the sheriff.
"Guy?" Marian removed her hand from beneath the blanket, touched his shoulder, and shook him gently. "You have been asleep all night and it now almost the dawn. We are here."
"Where, is here?" asked Guy, still somewhat disorientated. The final words of his dream, faded back into the recesses of his mind.
"Portsmouth of course." Grinned Vasey. "Where else Gisborne?"
Guy felt sickened. The words hung on the air, like the ringing of a death knell. He concealed the effect they had on him and concentrated on other matters. "Where is Allan?" He asked, noticing the empty seat before him.
"He has gone to the inn to secure our lodgings." Marian answered him.
"I thought the idea was to stay at Bernard's property he has rented in the town."
"Change of plan." Vasey informed him. "Tomorrow the black knights will assemble at his house. I have it on good authority that our very important person's ship is expected sometime that same day. The port is being watched."
"Who are you expecting?" Marian asked.
"Do not worry your pretty little head about men's business Marian." Vasey smiled at her evilly. "Tell you what, since I am in a good mood, I'll give your husband the rest of the day off. You can always spend it working off the marriage debt. I am sure Gisborne here, will be an appreciative collector." He leered.
Guy shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Marian did not like the tone of his voice; but she refused to look ashamed at his suggestion, neither did she offer thanks for what he obviously thought was a generous offer. The whole situation had a strange finality to it. Her instincts told her that she had to act, and tonight or it would be too late. Marian's thoughts went to the monkshood.
Allan popped his head through the door of the coach. "There has been some mistake. Provision has only been made for Sir Guy and Lady Marian and yourself."
"No mistake Gisborne's boy, you will be sharing the stables with the rest of the hired men."
The sheriff patted his shoulder and opened the coach door with so much force, that he almost knocked Allan into the mud.
"Guy?" Allan questioned.
Guy got out of the carriage and helped Marian from it. He waited until Vasey was gone, reached into his coin purse and handed Allan a few coins.
"Find yourself a room and make it as far away from the sheriff as you can get it." He warned.
Guy took Marian's arm and led her into the inn.
"I hate riding at night." Much complained. He rubbed his lower back, stiff from many hours in the saddle.
"So you have said before." Djaq gave Much a hard stare.
"Time is of the essence." Robin replied, still managing to hold on to his optimism.
"So, what is the next move?" asked Will.
"To talk to Gisborne." Robin informed them.
"Are you mad? Conversations with Gisborne never go well." Much looked horrified.
"I think for a change he might be willing to listen to what I have to say."
"You are not going to tell him about the king?" Little John asked.
"That is exactly what I plan to do."
His reply was met with stony silence.
Djaq found her voice first. "It is a huge risk Robin, what if Guy tells what he knows to the sheriff?"
"He won't." Said Robin confidently.
"I wish I could share your belief." Much mumbled.
Robin brought his horse to a stop and dismounted. "Now let's find somewhere to hide the horses and search the town for one evil henchman. Wherever the sheriff goes, Guy goes, so that is the first place to look, I think it is best that we split up and meet back later."
Their baggage was stored away and finally Guy and Marian were left alone in the privacy of their room. Guy had not spoken a word to her since they had entered the inn, except to give orders to the servants. She closed the door and walked over to her husband. He had been staring out of the window for several moments. The sea was visible from their room; the water looked grey and turbulent and matched the colour of the early morning skies. Marian watched the waves as they crested and broke on the beach.
"It is beautiful, is it not?" She put her arms around his lean waist. "I have not seen the coast for a long time."
"I have not seen it for two years at least…the last time was on my return from the holy land." Guy felt the tightening of Marian's arms around him.
They had never really discussed Much's revelations on their wedding day to any great degree. It only reminded Marian of a past she would rather forget.
"It was a different man who did those things back then, a man who would follow the sheriff's orders without question." She kissed his shoulder.
Guy made a sound of disgust that was directed towards himself. He roughly removed her arms from around his middle and turned around to face her.
"Do you think I would still not kill at the sheriff's command, and murder the king?"
Marian paled as realisation dawned on her. "No…please Guy do not tell me that is why we are here!"
He smiled at her, a hard smile, devoid of any warmth or feeling. "You see, I am not as changed as you would like to believe, Marian. I would add more blood to what already stains these hands." He grasped her shoulders. "You wanted to know so badly why we were here, and now you do."
"I will not believe it, even with the last breath of my body. That is not my Guy talking that is the sheriff's pawn."
"Do you not understand? We are all players in a much bigger game and the stakes, well…"
"Why are you doing this? Apart from the other night, you have been shutting me out for days now. This thing the sheriff wants you to do, you do not have to do it!"
Yes I do, if I do not, he will kill you and our child along with you. The unspoken words raced through his mind.
"You are wrong Marian, I must do whatever the sheriff wishes and I cannot let anything get in the way of that, not even you. I regret that I ever put you in the path of danger by marrying you when I only sought to protect you."
"How can you stand here and say to me that you regret us, to say that would mean you regretted everything, even the child I carry."
"Maybe I do." Guy replied unemotionally. The pain in her eyes was unbearable for him to witness. He almost gave in to the impulse to fall to his knees, kiss her gown, and beg forgiveness. Instead, he strode across the room, glancing at her figure, still standing by the window. "I need air."
He closed the door quietly behind him and walked downstairs. Every fibre of his being rebelled against the blatant cruelty he had just dished out to her. It was better this way. If he could make Marian hate him, it would be easier for her when he was slaughtered by Richard's knights for killing their king. Even if he survived, he would be hung for treason and of course, the sheriff would come out of it, smelling of roses.
Guy opened the tavern door. He really did need fresh air, the sickly sweet smells of stale ale and mead almost made him want to wretch. He stood on the threshold for a moment and closed his eyes, breathing in the salty air. It was not long before he sensed a presence behind him. He turned to see Allan, standing there.
"What is it?" Guy asked more harshly than he intended.
"I heard Maz crying in her room as I passed it." He looked at Guy.
Guy hated himself and wanted nothing more than to rush upstairs, but he hardened his heart against the impulse.
Guy looked away. "It is the way of females in her condition."
"Oh yeah, what's that then?"
"Marian is to have a child."
Allan blushed to the roots of his hair. "That didn't take long, but the way you two were always at it…"
Guy looked back at Allan; the look on his face silenced him. "Not a word of the child to the sheriff."
"Whatever you say, these lips are sealed."
"Good." Guy walked off, Allan still following at his side.
He had intended to walk about the town alone, but found he did not object to the other man's presence.
"Allan, have you ever cared about someone so much you would risk all for them?"
The question came unexpectedly and he had to consider it for a moment. "Not a woman, but my brother. As you know, the sheriff had him hanged last year. He was not a bad man, just a bit wild."
"But it is law that thieves are hanged." Guy told him coldly.
"I know that, rather ironic that I end up in his employ through you, when I should want to kill him." He said dryly.
"We do not always have a choice over the circumstances we end up in."
"True…Guy I am not being funny, but I think we are being followed or something." Allan glanced around the marketplace.
Guy's hand went to the hilt of his broadsword. "Did you see something?"
"Over there by those fishing baskets."
A sandy haired Much, popped his head over the top, his eyes widening when he saw Guy and Allan looking directly at him. He got up from his hiding place and made a run for it.
"Get him!" Yelled Guy.
Both men drew their swords and gave chase. Much was quite agile on his feet as he weaved through the narrow streets, but Guy and Allan were closing in fast. Much ran up a back alley, only to find he was cornered. He crouched down behind some abandoned crates, trying to control his breathing. He waited for a while, praying to all the saints that he would not be discovered. He almost screamed as he felt the flat of a sword touched his shoulder.
"Don't move, I promise you that my sword will not be making you Earl of Bonchurch this time, if you try anything." Said Guy coldly. "Get up slowly."
Much began to obey.
"And I suggest, Gisborne that you drop your sword, unless you want to feel the point of one of my arrows." Suggested another voice behind him.
Guy could feel the arrowhead digging in his back and he did as he said and dropped his sword. Allan did the same.
"Good boy, now turn around."
Guy turned around to look at Robin and his followers. He sniffed at him in distain. "I might have known you couldn't keep away Hood. Still begging for scraps at Marian's table?"
"Oh, like you used to?" Robin sneered.
"Will you two just be quiet and put your personal grievances aside?" Asked Djaq impatiently.
"You are right." Sighed Robin. He looked to Little John. "Were we followed?"
Little John shook his head.
"Good, now let us get down to business."
"Going to kill me in a back alley without a sword to defend myself?" Asked Guy, cynically.
"I leave the backstabbing to you Gisborne. Have you told Allan why you are here yet, or does he know and doesn't care?"
"He doesn't know." Guy replied. Guy looked at Allan. "We are here to kill the king and I am guessing that Hood is here to stop me."
"Wrong." Said Robin.
Guy looked at Robin in shock. "What?"
"The king isn't coming. Vasey only thinks he is." Robin surveyed the other man, watching as he paled at the news. He found he took little satisfaction in Guy's reaction to it. "Trust me Gisborne, it is the truth."
Guy stared him in the eye, satisfied with what he saw, he nodded.
Robin lowered his bow. "Now we have that out in the open, perhaps you will tell me why you put Marian in danger and brought her with you on such a foolish mission."
All the anger and bitterness drained out of Guy. "I did not want to kill the king. I did once; I wanted his death more than anything, but now…" Guy hung his head in despair. "It was for Marian."
"Explain how killing the king would help her." Said Will, a little doubtfully.
Guy took a few moments to get his emotions under control. "It was weeks ago, the sheriff could see how much I love Marian, and he did what he always does, he used it against me to get me to do his bidding." There he had said it. It was like the lifting of a millstone around his neck. "I had one choice, and that was to kill the king, or the sheriff would kill Marian."
"I knew it!" Robin said triumphantly.
"While you are congratulating yourself on your deductions, maybe you can help me figure a way to get Marian away from here. Your news puts her in more danger than ever. If Vasey does not get his way he usually strikes out at those closest to him."
Allan finally found his voice. "Marian needs to be away from all of this, especially now."
"What is it?" Robin was instantly on his guard.
"So much for not saying anything Allan." Guy drawled.
"You only said don't tell the sheriff."
"What are you talking about?" Asked Robin.
Guy folded his arms about himself, defensively.
"Marian is having my child."
Robin felt physically sick. It was his turn to grow pale. He sat down on a step of a nearby house.
"Marian is having a baby?"
He looked up at Guy. There was no triumph on his face, just the pride of a father to be.
"Yes," He replied.
Robin recovered himself and got up from the ground. He pulled a dagger from the waistband of his trousers and held it at Guy's neck.
"You had better treat Marian's child better than Annie's, or you will deal with me."
Guy reared back. "You do not know everything about that situation, and I do not have the time to tell it. I would defend my wife and child with my life." He told him vehemently.
"Okay, Gisborne, for the first time in our acquaintance, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Do you have any idea how we can get you all out?"
"I have had a hundred ideas running through my head ever since we left Nottingham." Guy sighed. "Tomorrow I am to meet with the black knights at the house of Bernard, a friend of the sheriff's. Vasey still believes the king will be arriving tomorrow evening."
"Then if you want Marian out of harm's way, it will have to be tonight." Said Robin thoughtfully.
"I know that, but she will never leave me willingly."
"What do you mean, leave you? All three of you are coming with us."
"Do you not see, if the sheriff lives, we will be hunted men? I have served him for over twenty-four years; do you think if I go on the run, he will ever give up looking for me?" Guy looked at Robin. "I cannot condemn Marian to a life like that. I must finish what I have started."
Robin nodded understandingly. "I will see her safe." He promised. "And I think I have an idea about how we will get Marian to go with us."
"Guy you don't have to do this alone. I could help."
"Yes I do Allan; I am the only one he trusts even a little to get close enough to him."
"Tonight you are to take Marian with Hood and his men, and you guard her with your life."
"How will you explain Marian's absence tomorrow?"
"I will say she ate some bad food, is too ill to rise and that I have left you to see to her care." He stopped outside of the inn. "I will attend the meeting as expected."
"You are a brave man Guy. I will watch over your family for you."
Guy patted Allan on the arm. "Thank you, now I am going to spend what time I have left with my wife."
The sheriff decided to come out into the courtyard of the inn at that moment. "My, what a touching scene." Vasey immediately turned his attention to Guy. "I heard there was some trouble in the town earlier Gisborne."
"Nothing my lord, just a pickpocket who tried to relieve Allan of his coin purse."
"Seems to be a lot of that going around. Did he succeed?"
"Against me? You have to be kidding." Grinned Allan cheekily.
"I thought I told you to spend the day with your wife Gisborne."
"I am about to my lord."
"Well, run along and don't wear her out, she has been looking rather tired of late."
Guy walked past the sheriff, who watched him and Allan until they were both out of sight.
Marian had cried herself to sleep on their bed. She had woken a while ago, hoping that Guy had returned so they could talk, but the room was still empty. She had ordered some hot water and soap so she could wash the dust of the roads from herself. She quickly stripped and washed, covering herself up again in her bed robe and sat on the bed and waited…
The latch lifted on the door, she was alarmed until she saw the leather clad figure of her husband. He walked over to the table by the window and removed his gloves. Marian looked away, her anger was still too fresh. She felt the bed depress as he sat down next to her. She flinched as a finger stroked along the bare flesh of her shoulder.
"Marian, forgive me."
She could feel herself weakening as those fingers continued stroking her shoulder.
"You hurt me beyond words, Guy." A sob caught in her throat.
"I know, and if you cannot forgive me, then I understand."
"You will not kill the king. Promise me."
"No, I will not kill the king Marian, I swear by my life."
"Can we leave this place, tell the sheriff you will not do as he commands and leave?"
She was being hopelessly naïve. "You will not have to stay here much longer. I give you my word." He replied, quietly.
Ever since they had left Locksley, he had been avoiding any instigation of intimacy between them for her sake. He had thought to build walls so she would not feel the sting of his death so harshly. He knew he had the chance to steal away with the others tonight, but he could not do it. Marian deserved a safe home with a roof over her head to raise their child. His dreams of reclaiming Gisborough were no more than dust in a breeze.
Marian turned and sought the shelter of his arms. Guy felt another need for her rise within him; he could be selfless no longer. He needed Marian so badly; his whole body ached with it.
"Marian." He whispered softly, against the head, which rested on his chest. His voice cracked with emotion.
Marian looked up at him. Her own desire for him, mirroring his, the breath caught in his throat at her expression.
"I thought that you did not want me anymore." She said quietly.
"Give me a moment to secure the door, and let me show you just how much I want you. I always want you Marian; you are like a fever that burns my skin.
Guy got up from the bed and walked over to the door, sliding the two bolts in place, ensuring they would not be disturbed. It was only late afternoon, but the light was already fading. He closed the shutters on the windows and the world, the only space existing was the two people in this room. He lit a taper from the hearth and began to light the candles dotted about the room. Soft candlelight cast a warm glow and gave the room a sense of closeness. He blew out the taper and turned around to face his wife.
Marian got up from the bed, slowly unbelted her robe and slipped it from her shoulders, the silk floated to the floor and pooled around her ankles. Guy felt a constriction in his throat as his eyes travelled over every inch of her body. He noted the changes in her, since he had last loved her she was ripening with his child. Her breasts seemed fuller to him, Guy reached out and touched the curve of one of them. His thumb slid across the warm flesh until his fingertip brushed a nipple. He circled it with his thumb and watched it grow hard under his touch.
He bent his head and replaced his fingers with his tongue, drawing the small peak deep into his mouth. His teeth gently nipped her, lavishing attention on one breast and then the other. She felt she would go mad with wanting his hands on her. Marian groaned aloud, her head slightly tilted back. Guy closed the little distance between them and pulled her into his arms, almost crushing the breath from her body.
"Marian, Marian."
His voice was a deep husky caress against the skin of her throat, as his mouth worked its way up to her lips and claimed them in a bruising kiss. Down and down it pulled her with its dark intensity. She felt as if she were drowning. Guy finally released her, but only to tear at the fastenings of his clothing. A wolf's head clasp came loose and slid across the floor. Sensing his desperation, Marian covered his hands and stilled them.
"Here, let me."
Guy's hands fell to his sides. His ardent passion thrilled her and frightened her at the same time. She quickly unfastened his leather jerkin and let it fall to the floor. He raised his arms as she pulled off his woollen tunic. Marian paused for a moment to run her hands over his shape, starting at his well toned forearms and working her way up to his chest. She experimentally rubbed a finger across one of his flat nipples and was surprised at his response as the skin puckered and his breathing grew shallower.
She stopped what she was doing and dropped to her knees, her hands going to the waistband of his trousers and her fingers skilfully unlacing the fastenings at the front. Marian looked up at him while she did so, gently rubbing him through the leather with her other hand. Guy felt himself grow harder, relieved when she finally freed his shaft from its confines. He finished the job, removed his trousers and boots, and pulled her on to the bed with him.
Marian lay back and parted her thighs, Guy thrust against her, but did not enter her. It was an exquisite sense of torture. She grasped his buttocks and pressed him against her, enjoying the feeling of his velvety hardness next to her skin. Guy claimed her lips again, licking her lips with his tongue before thrusting it into her mouth, as she imagined him thrusting himself into her. She moved her hand between their bodies and took his member in her hand, slowly pumping it. Guy groaned into her mouth. He could feel her wet heat as the tip of his shaft brushed against it and it took all of his self-control not to bury himself inside her.
Marian speeded up her movements with her hand.
Guy broke their kiss and stilled her fingers. "I will not last much longer if you keep doing that."
"That is my idea. I need you inside me Guy; I have felt so empty without you. Make me feel alive in the way that only you have ever done." She pleaded.
"Are you ready for me?"
Marian took his hand, so he could feel the wetness that coated her thighs. He slipped a long finger easily inside her, his thumb rubbing the little nub of flesh as he did so. He removed the finger and with his hand, parted her thighs wider until she was exposed to him. Marian greedily took his member in her hand, easing the head inside her and stopping there, she tried to thrust forward and pull him into her, but he would not let her take control. Guy slid his hands under her bottom and pulled her forwards and on to him, embedding himself deeply within her. She had been more ready than he thought as he felt her contract around him. Her inner muscles gripped him tightly until her spasms ceased. He thought he might spend himself too at the sight of her taking pleasure from his body.
Marian came back down to earth, she looked at him a little embarrassed. "I presume my body had missed you more than I realised." She covered her face with her hand.
Guy pulled her hand away. "It is not over yet."
"But I have...surely I cannot again so soon?"
Guy did not answer her; instead, he thrust inside her with a force, now that she had taken her pleasure from him. He pushed one hand under her upper thigh to part it further, as he slid deeper and deeper into her, Marian felt the pleasure begin to build up inside her again, and she drew his head down and took his tongue into her mouth. The force of his thrusts was causing the bed to knock against the wall, but neither of them cared, as they were lost in the pleasure of each other.
Guy shouted out as his body tensed, Marian's hands grasped his rear as she pulled him into her as deep as he could go. Her inner muscles gripping him once more as her body milked him of every last drop of seed. They rocked together gently together in the slow after tremors of their lovemaking; Guy rolled off her and pulled her onto her side, his arm draped about her. They lay there for several moments, looking into each other's eyes as they regained their breath.
"I love you wife." Guy whispered
She smiled gently at him, her hand going to his hair and brushing back a damp strand of hair from his face, before she ran a finger down his long distinctive nose.
"I love you husband." She echoed in return.
Guy propped himself up on one arm. "The night is still young, any ideas on how we can spend the rest of it?" He asked, lazily.
"I can think of a few things." Marian smiled at him, a picture of innocence.
TBC