Chapter Twenty-Four

A Child Shall Lead Them

The north east wind had a chill, promising a frost to follow as fog spread across the wold, hiding the outlaws as they crept into Locksley. The sun was setting in the west, denying them his warmth as twilight lent its cloak. Witching hour was a time when men's eyes could not be sure whether or not they saw a shadow or a man.

Allan sulked at being sent on this fool's errand while Much could scarcely bite back his indignation at Gisborne's new stance on public welfare. A'Dale had listened to Much's tirades about Gisborne's past cruelties and heinous crimes which would not be white-washed out with a little help with the harvest. -How many innocent people had starved to death because Gisborne had burnt them out of their homes and seized what little they had? How many fathers and sons had died in Gisborne's mines or at the point of his sword if they resisted?

"And Lady Marian!"

"Be quiet, Much!" Allan hissed. There were many things he could endure to listen to, but to be reminded of Marian caused an ache in his belly tonight. He often wondered if Marian might still be alive if he had never betrayed Robin to Guy. Perhaps she would have been in less danger, perhaps she would never have been exposed if it had not been for him. It was certainly his fault that the sheriff learned she was the Nightwatchman.

Guards patrolled the grounds, but their patterns were predictable: Allan knew exactly what time Gisborne would set and smiled when he was right. He left Much waiting in the hedge, while he creeped up to the casement.

Mary passed by the open window and he ducked, hiding in the shadows, then listened to the sound of footsteps retreating, followed by the sound of a woman... singing?

Allan stilled his breath and listened carefully as the lullaby grew more distinct. It was one he had never heard before, but the voice was sweet and trained. He guessed it was Rosalie and the song came from the south, but why would she be singing in the manor hall? Certainly not to entertain Gisborne.

My bonny prince has sailed away

And left me standing on the bay.

But here I'll stay till break of day

Singing lu-la-lu.

Finally, he summoned the gumption to peak through the lattice and saw Lady Gisborne. Her back was turned to the window and all he could see was her hair and her gown. He had never seen her without her hair pleated and thought that it suited her better to let her tresses fall loosely: she looked less like a noble and more like a maid. Allan's eyes went wide when Rosalie turned as though in a dance and he saw the child balanced on her hip. It looked like a boy, though he could never tell the difference until they were old enough to be breeched or left in dresses, but it was about two or three years of age with thick dark curls and bright blue eyes.

The child rested its head upon Rosalie's shoulder as a chubby fist gripped her hair, but did not pull. Allan could have sworn he had seen the child before. Rosalie continued in her song.

My bonny prince is far away

And night is cold here on the bay.

But here I'll stay till break of day

Singing lu-la-lu.

The sound of Gisborne's heavy stride was scarcely hear before he appeared, blackening the heavenly sight of woman and child with his dark brow.

"Mary, come take the boy to the nursery," Gisborne ordered, his voice betraying only the slightest hint of annoyance. He had not set eyes on the child once since he entered the room.

"There is no need," said Rosalie softly, "I will see to him."

"No," Guy interjected, "you will sit down and sup with your lord."

Rosalie frowned, but made no move to protest. Allan hid himself as best he could while still keeping her within his sight. He watched a white hand rub soothing circles upon the boy's back as her face turned to kiss his black hair.

The boy pulled back and put two plump hands with stubby fingers splayed upon each of Rosalie's white cheeks causing her to give him a wide and shining smile. No one in Nottingham had ever seen Rosalie smile and Allan knew it was a mercy that Robin was not witness to it. Allan could scarcely train his own heart not to grow warm.

"Mamma!" babbled the child as he dove down and smacked his open mouth upon Rosalie's in a wet kiss that made her laugh and turn, her skirts rising.

"Goodnight, little love," she cooed, pressing the child in her arms. "Angels watch over you, sweet one."

Out of the corner of his eye, Allan saw Guy glower as he threw back a large gulp from his tankard.

With many reluctant kisses and coos, the child was surrendered to the care of the maid and the lady turned to join the lord at his table.

"Is the meal to your liking?" Rosalie inquired, breaking the silence.

Guy did not look up from his boar stew. (Allan knew the dish well and his mouth watered at the scent of it.)

"It will suffice," the black knight replied. "We will have a visitor on the morrow. Will the house be prepared?"

Allan smirked when he saw the corner of Rosalie's mouth twitch in offense.

"The household is always in order," she answered. "Will the guest break fast with us?"

"Marry, I hope not," Guy groaned. "The sheriff is coming. It is my hope that he will not stay above an hour, but there is no telling."

"You will want me well out of your way," Rosalie juxtaposed.

"No, I will want you to at my side looking every bit a cousin of Prince John," he answered.

Rosalie nodded. "Plantagenet colours would be best," she said. "I have a blue gown that will suit. -I can make alterations to your wine-coloured doublet tonight."

Guy looked at her profile with a small smirk, then frowned and sat back in his chair. He seemed ill at ease, as though he were weighing words that had a foul taste upon his tongue.

"Seth should also be present to greet the sheriff," he said slowly, causing Rosalie to look up. "He is my legitimate heir: he is proof that my line is secure and that will rankle Vasey."

Seth! The name resounded through Allan's mind and he recalled where he had seen the child before. It was Annie's son, Guy's bastard. -Even when Allan served under Guy, the black knight never made mention of the child. When had he become Gisborne's heir? Had he done this because of Rosalie's miscarriage?

Rosalie only bowed her head and, without her eyes on him, Guy turned to watch her face. Allan saw something he had not seen in Guy since Marian was alive: the storm receded in his eyes and he seemed... quiet and tired.

The shrill call of a badly mocked mockingbird echoed on the wind and Allan knew Much was signaling that it was time to return to camp. There would be no telling what Robin would do when he learned this.