Chapter Twenty-Five
Sorry for the long delay (I keep saying that a lot, I know). Real life was terribly busy and I got sick. As a result this isn't the best chapter but I had to give you something.
The instant Guy climbed out of the hole and stared into the eyes of Robin Hood, silence fell over the cellar. You could have heard a needle drop to the stony ground, the tension was so high. Everybody, it seemed, was holding their breaths.
Guy slowly straightened up, his moves cautious as if in slow-motion. He stared at Hood and instinctively reached for his sword, only to realize that he didn't have one. Hood saw his move, of course he did, and the man had the audacity to smirk. Then he suddenly turned away without a word. Guy watched him like a hawk, equally silent.
With Hood out of his face, it seemed as if life was coming back to the others. They started moving and softly talking amongst themselves. Guy stood straight, still tense, waiting. And with Hood gone, the path was clear for Marian to once again approach him.
Much to Guy's private contentment he noticed Crispin standing close behind her, an edge of her cloak firmly clasped in his fist. It looked like the boy was taking what Guy had asked of him very seriously, even though there was no need for Marian to run off.
Marian looked up into Guy's face, eyes all wide and innocent, and once again pleaded with him to let her explain. But Guy only met her with a stone-cold glare before he concentrated his eyes back on Hood. He couldn't bear to talk to her now, and certainly not with Robin Hood standing two feet away. Apart from his anger at Marian's betrayal, Guy was far too apprehensive of his current situation to concentrate on anything she'd have to say.
Guy watched Hood's every move. He suddenly felt like a sheep that had somehow managed to escape slaughter, only to realize that it had run away with a pack of wolves.
He was waiting, nerves strung tight and on edge, for the attack that had to come.
But instead of attacking Guy, Hood continued to ignore him. He walked up to Allan instead, eyed him critically for a while and then pulled him aside for a quiet talk. Guy had no idea what was being said, but he saw both men giving him looks all through it. In the end Allan nodded at Hood with a mixture of shame and gratefulness in his eyes, so Guy assumed that the former traitor had more or less been welcomed back into the fold.
Guy tried to disregard the stab of anger (or was it disappointment?) he felt. He would not mourn the loss of a friendship that he hadn't wanted in the first place! If Allan wanted to go back to Hood and his band of outlaws, then so be it, and good riddance. He didn't need Allan and he would not waste another thought on him.
And he would certainly not ask Hood to be taken in as well. Never! He might not have a clue as to what to do with his life now that he had lost everything, but he would not stoop so low as to become one of Hood's men!
Guy of Gisborne would never take orders from Robin Hood!
Even though, Guy had to admit now that he was witnessing it, the man seemed to be good at what he did. He was a born leader.
Until now Guy had never really thought about how Hood might manage to keep some sort of order amongst his band of outlaws. He'd more or less seen them as a chaotic bunch of men that did what they wanted.
But apparently there was more to it than that. Robin was giving out orders and he brooked no argument but showed a strong sense of leadership and a stoic finality in his command. Guy had to admit that he was more than a little impressed.
Hood ordered the gang to meet the two remaining members (Little John and the Saracen woman) at the west gate and then head back to the outlaw camp in the forest. He told Marian to take Crispin back to his father who, Guy understood, had already gotten word of the boy's safety. Guy briefly wondered when Hood had organized this (and where he'd been during the rescue), but then his concentration was taken up by the argument that followed.
Marian was loudest in her reluctance to obey of course. She refused to leave the two of them alone, clearly afraid they'd kill each other. Much and Allan were next to voice their protests, but Hood shut them down all the same.
"I'm going to talk to Gisborne, alone," was all he said on the matter. Nothing swayed him. "No argument. Now, go! I'll meet you later."
And that was that.
Guy watched everyone climb the stairs that led to the merchant's house. He took one last look at the ones he didn't completely hate (meaning Allan, Marian and the boy), not knowing if he'd ever see them again, and saw Allan give him a nod. "I'll see you at the camp, Giz."
Guy didn't know what to reply. He didn't want to go to the outlaw camp but, seeing that he had nowhere else to go and no means to support himself, he was beginning to think that maybe staying with the outlaws wasn't the worst idea. It was better than camping out in the forest by himself. Well, first he had to survive the 'talk' with Hood. He'd make plans for later after that.
So Guy simply nodded back to Allan and watched him leave. Then he turned to Hood.
"Now, Gisborne." Robin had taken a casual stance, leaning against the wall next to the stairs with his arms and ankles crossed. He eyed him with open curiosity. "Tell me why you did it."
Guy watched the man, realizing fully well that he was effectively blocking the exit, and moved to mirror his posture. He crossed his arms over his chest and tried to look as unimpressed as possible. "I won't justify my actions to you, Hood."
"Yes, you will."
When Guy didn't react Robin let out a sigh. "Look, Gisborne. You don't really have a choice here. Either you tell me what I wanna know or I will send you back to the Sheriff so that he can finish the job the jailor obviously started on you."
Guy held Robin's gaze. "I'd like to see you try."
"No, you don't."
Both men continued to stare at each other in silence. How much time passed, Guy couldn't tell. Eventually Robin pushed off the wall and started pacing. "Damn it, Gisborne. We're wasting time!"
"What," Guy raised an eyebrow. "You've got somewhere else to be? Afraid they'll start the birthday party without you?"
Robin's head shot up and for a moment he couldn't manage to mask the surprise. "You remember that it's my birthday?"
Guy could have kicked himself. Why did he have to mention that? He quickly tried to play it down. "The Sheriff had something special planned for you. He told me."
"No, he didn't." Robin smirked.
"The servants at Locksley talked about it," Guy knew Robin wouldn't fall for it. Still, he had to try.
Robin grinned openly now. "Admit it, you remembered the date."
Guy looked away.
"It's alright. I know yours, too." Robin stopped his pacing in front of Guy. "I remember your last birthday party at Gisborne Manor. Your mother…"
"Stop right there!" Guy fixed him with a glare. "We're not doing this. Don't bring up the past!"
"Fair enough," Robin shrugged. "Then start talking about the present. What happened? And don't tell me you've suddenly had a change of heart. People like you don't just wake up one day and think 'Oh, I've had enough of this. I'm switching sides now!' They just don't."
"You know nothing about me, Hood!" Guy growled.
"Then tell me!" Robin exclaimed. "Help me understand why I should even consider trusting you!"
"You shouldn't," Guy gave back. "I certainly won't trust you. Ever."
"Well, then I'm obviously the better man because I'm willing to try. But my patience is wearing thin and if you don't start talking soon then, Marian and Allan be damned, I will walk out of here and let the Sheriff do the rest." Seeing Guy's frown Robin clarified. "Yeah, that's right. I'm giving you a chance only because of them. They begged me to listen to you. But you don't wanna talk, fine. I'll be sure to…"
"What do you want me to say?" Guy suddenly exclaimed. "That you're right? Fine, you're right! I didn't just wake up and think: 'Today I'm gonna kill the Sheriff!'. The urge has been there for years now, so nothing new. I cannot tell you what happened! It wasn't just one thing, it was all of it. Vaisey's mad plans, his humiliations, his threat against Marian, the time I've spent with her…"
"You leave Marian out of it," Robin glared menacingly at Guy. "If she's the reason you're here, then you can just as well go back to Vaisey now. You'll never have her. She's mine!"
Guy glared right back. Having it thrown right into his face, and by Hood of all people, cut like a knife. But then he remembered and almost smirked. "Is that so?" He crossed his arms over his chest again. "Is that why she kissed me?"
All the colour drained from Robin's face. "She what? You're lying!" He grabbed Guy by the front of his leather jacket. "You're lying!"
"Am I? Ask the boy," Guy smirked fully now. "He got more than an eye full."
SMACK
Robin's fist shot out to collide with Guy's chin but of course Guy had anticipated something like that. He blocked Robin's punch with his arm. What he hadn't anticipated though was the left hook to his kidneys Hood dealt out at the same time. Guy wheezed and bent over, pain shooting through his middle.
"Marian's mine!" Robin growled.
"She's not. Not yet anyway, from what I hear," Guy looked up with a smirk. Then he rammed his head into Hood's stomach and lurched forward with a cry. The move sent both men to the ground. They rolled around, fists shooting out, trying to land a blow. Guy had come out on top first, thanks to his sheer size, but a punch to his chin knocked him sideways and Robin managed to scramble out from under him. He jumped to his feet again and quick as a lightning drew his sword. Before Guy had a chance to stand, the cold steel was held to his throat.
"You won't have her!"
"Oh, that's rich," Guy ground out, eyeing the sword warily, still on his knees. He slowly stood up, the sword following his movement. "Pointing your weapon at a defenceless man. Why don't you give me a sword and then I'd be happy to end this right here, right now."
"Shut up," Robin suddenly hissed and threw a look over his shoulder.
"What? Can't bear to hear the truth, Locksley?"
"Shut up!" Again Robin's eyes darted from Guy to something behind him and back. Then he suddenly ran to the trapdoor in the ground. Bending forward he listened closely.
Guy frowned and listened, too.
Noises came through the hole; faint voices and running feet. Robin looked back at Guy. Their eyes met.
"Soldiers," both men hissed at the same time.
"Shit!" Robin exclaimed and ran back to where Guy stood. "Come on!"
"What? You expect me to follow you?" Guy planted his feet, arms crossed defensively.
Robin let out a sigh. "Don't make the same mistake twice, Gisborne."
He left Guy standing and quickly dashed towards the stairs. At the foot of the first step he looked back, tilting his head as if waiting for an answer from Guy. When nothing came, he shook his head and climbed up the stairs. "Stubborn as a mule! I don't know why I even bother!"
Guy watched him go, then he threw another look at the trapdoor. The faint light of approaching torches drew closer more and more. They would see the trapdoor soon. And then they would come, God-knows how many of them, and he didn't have a weapon to defend himself.
He didn't really have a choice, did he?
Guy let out a curse and quickly followed Robin Hood up the stairs.
The gang had managed to leave Nottingham town undetected and had met John and Djaq at the west gate. The Saracen had thrown a close look at Allan's bruised face and limping form and had deemed him unfit to make the long walk back to camp. His injuries were too severe.
So it had been decided that they'd all accompany Marian and Crispin to where Crispin's father was waiting. They hoped he would agree to take Allan back to Knighton on his cart.
They had turned onto the road to Knighton, Crispin walking next to Marian at the front of the group. He lifted his head to look ahead and he could see a cart waiting in the distance. That would be his father.
Crispin gulped and tried to shake off the worry that wanted to take hold of him. But he didn't quite manage and the thought of his father's fury slowed his feet. And since Crispin was still clasping the edge of Marian's cloak in his fist, it slowed down Marian, too. The others passed and took point, Allan limping with Much and Will as human crutches by his side.
Marian had noticed Crispin slowing down and she threw a look at his worried face. She tried to put on an encouraging expression. It wasn't easy, seeing that she was fuming on the inside (how dare Robin order her to leave?). "Don't be afraid, Crispin. Your father might be angry with you, but he will be even more relieved to have you back unscathed."
"I know," the boy replied softly. "Still, he will be furious. And he's right to be. It was a dumb thing to do, wasn't it? And completely unnecessary. I didn't need to rescue Sir Guy."
"What do you mean?" Marian stopped walking.
"It was you," Crispin stated with a shrug. "You made him come with us in the end. If it hadn't been for you, Sir Guy would have taken me to the Sheriff or… worse."
Marian didn't know what to say. Was it true? Would Guy have harmed the boy if she hadn't shown up? And had she really been the one to make him decide to break with the Sheriff for good?
"Can I ask you something?" Crispin suddenly pulled Marian out of her thoughts.
"Of course."
Crispin took a deep breath and looked to the ground for a moment, as if to gather his courage. Marian felt a flutter of nerves, she didn't know why.
"Will you be marrying Sir Guy?"
"What?" Inwardly, Marian groaned. 'That's why the nerves! I knew he saw the kiss. Of course he'd ask!'
"I mean, I know you love him but…" Crispin looked up at her and his blue eyes (blue like Guy's, Marian's mind supplied very unhelpfully) were wide. "He's an outlaw and you can't marry an outlaw, can you? It's against the law."
"I…" Marian didn't know where to begin with her protests and explanations. She didn't love Guy! She loved Robin! But she couldn't talk to Crispin that way.
"You're right," she managed to say eventually. "Marrying an outlaw is against the law. So, no. I won't be marrying Sir Guy." She sighed softly. "Looks like I won't be marrying anybody any time soon."
A small smile flit over Crispin's face. "Good."
Marian shot him a frown and Crispin quickly schooled his features. Then his voice got even softer than before. "If I promised not to become an outlaw, would you marry me?"
Oh.
Marian had to suppress the smile that threatened to overtake her face. It wouldn't do to make the boy think she was making fun of him. He would surely take it the wrong way.
"Well Crispin," Marian took Crispin's downcast face in her hands and made him look up to her. "Something tells me that it'll be much more difficult for you to uphold that promise than you think. You're on your best way to become an outlaw already!"
Crispin couldn't help but grin sheepishly. She was right! What he'd done today had been very outlawly, hadn't it?
"So," Marian continued with a smile. "Why don't we postpone this conversation for a few years, and if nothing has changed, and you haven't changed your mind, then I'll think about it. Would that be alright?"
"I guess," Crispin blushed. She hadn't said no! And she hadn't made fun of him, or told him he was only a child. He liked her all the more for it.
Suddenly a loud voice called out from ahead. "Crispin!"
They both turned towards it and saw Tom, Crispin's father, come running. "Crispin!"
Marian looked down into Crispin's once again worried face. "Here goes nothing," she shrugged and gave him a clap on the back. "Go on, run ahead. He's been worried sick."
Crispin squared his shoulders and started walking towards his father. Marian couldn't help but be proud of him. He wasn't a coward and he was ready to face the consequences of his actions.
'If only I could be that brave when it comes to facing the consequences of my actions,' she thought when, unwillingly and completely out of context, the memory of Guy's fervent lips on hers arose.
'I can't run from my feelings forever.' Marian watched Tom reach his son and saw him almost fall to his knees in his haste to pull Crispin into his strong arms. The rest of the gang had gathered next to them, patiently waiting.
Marian braced herself and then started walking over. But after only a few steps she suddenly stopped. Crispin was safe, the others were occupied and would return to camp or to Knighton… this was her chance.
"I can't run from my feelings forever," Marian repeated out loud. "I won't. And I certainly won't let Guy and Robin kill each other." She made sure that her sword and dagger sat where they belonged and once again secured the Nightwatchman mask back on her face. Then she turned on the spot and ran back the way she'd come, back to Nottingham, back to Robin and Guy.
I know that this doesn't solve much and this is not how I wanted to end this chapter. But I don't have time for more and I desperately wanted to post this today. So, tell me what you think, please.
To MargretThornton: I hope you like that I did make Guy feel like a sheep now, too (see your review for Ch.2).