Chapter twenty-nine
The decision
Guy ran his hands through his hair while trying to focus on the task ahead. But it was almost impossible for him to do so. He and Robin had an audience with the king in his private chambers and he could still see Meg's frightened face in his mind.
"Rough night?" Robin hissed.
"It was awful." He nodded. "I hardly slept and Meg slept in the nursery."
Robin nodded, "I can imagine. But there's more, isn't there?"
Guy nodded. "She wants me not to accept the king's mission."
Robin frowned. "But this is your chance."
"I know that. But she's scared. I don't blame her; I don't even want to leave her after this. Last time it was two hours away, now it's eight."
"She knows how important it is, right?"
"Yes." He nodded. "But listen, you know, I spent a little more than five months with Meg before I left her for eight months. During that time, I was flat on my stomach for a better part of two months. I spent one day with her after she had Robert and Hugh. I leave for another month, get back yesterday, only to have to tell her a few hours later, I'm leaving again for the same period of time. She's scared, you can understand that." Robin nodded. "I am missing so much of my children. I could come home one day and they'll be referring to someone else as their father."
"So," Robin said slowly. "What are you going to do?"
Guy exhaled. "I don't know."
"Ahh Gisbourne." The king said behind him. Guy bowed as did Robin "I'm glad to hear of your progress in my kingdom."
"Thank you. An honor to serve your majesty."
"Your services will well be appreciated in Carlton and the neighboring villages for those eight months."
Guy glanced at the king. "Excuse me your majesty, did you say eight months?"
The king nodded. "I did."
"I believe you stated earlier, that it would be five months."
"True. But there's another village nearby that could use some more help."
Guy exhaled and spoke. "You majesty, I don't think I'm the man for the job."
"Nonsense. I've heard nothing but praise about you from the villagers you helped. This should be a good task for you to prove your loyalty."
"Your majesty." Guy glanced over Robin's head. "You have my loyalty."
Robin cleared his throat. "He has something to say, and I beg your Majesty, please, hear him out."
A hesitant knocking on the king's chambers caused them to turn. The king cleared his throat. "Enter." Guy couldn't have been more surprised when his wife did just that.
Meg clutched the basket holding both babies tighter. She hoped she hadn't been too late. She had hurried as fast as she could, but it wasn't possible. Guy had obviously already told the king that he refused to leave his family.
Meg held her breath, but Robert started crying and all heads turned to where she was standing. Guy exhaled. "Meg, you're not supposed to be here."
Meg nodded. "I-I wanted to tell you something."
Guy walked forward, his blue eyes were tired, but held concern for her. "What is it? Is it Robert? Hugh?"
She shook her head. "No, I-I forgot something." She exhaled. "Have you talked to the king yet?"
"No. Why?"
Meg took off her ring and twirled it. "Do you remember the vow I said when we were married?"
Guy nodded. "I released you from it."
"I said where you go, I will go. If I have to, I guess I will."
Guy shook his head. "Meg, its eight hours away. Robert and Hugh aren't even two months old. You cannot make the trip. I won't allow it."
"I can take the trip much slower that you." She said. "Make it an sixteen hour journey instead of eight."
"No!" Guy said. "You cannot."
Meg exhaled. "Then I'll let you go and move into the castle into Marian's quarters. I'll be safer there."
He shook his head. "Meg, you have no idea."
"I do. I was upset and I just want to say….I want you to go." Guy started beside her. "I insist."
"Meg. I cannot leave you alone for another eight months!" He grabbed ahold of her shoulders. "When I get back, we'll have been married for almost two and a half years! Do you know how much we'll have seen each other?"
"Hardly. Please, I'm asking you to go Guy. Don't deny me this."
"So," the king said impatiently. "do you mind if I ask what's going on?"
Guy studied her face for a long time before shaking his head. "No your Majesty. I'm at your disposal."
Dear Guy,
It's been three months since I last saw you. I was so happy the king allowed you to stay with me a month before leaving. Now, my body can mend from your attention. Guy smirked as he pictured Meg's face in his mind. But as quickly as it recovered, it soon discovered that it missed yours. It has just been confirmed by Djaq. I wish I could tell you this face to face though. We're having another baby or babies.
Guy sat up straight and stared at the paper. "Something new?" Allan said behind him.
He nodded with what he suspected a drunken grin on his face. "Meg's having a baby."
Allan made a face. "Again Gisbourne? Going on three already?"
"My wife happens to be very…..none of your business."
"Fertile?"
"If she were here she'd knock your ear off." Guy laughed and gave him a shove. "Get out of here before I do it for her!"
Talk about our baby has already reached the king's ears and he wondered if we were going to name him Robin. I told him that we we're going to have to argue over baby names again. But if it's a boy, could we call him Allan?
"Over my dead body." He groused.
I like that name. Personally, I think Robin is more suited to a girl instead of a boy. Guy laughed out loud. Don't tell Robin I said so, or I'll give you an earful when you get back. If it's a girl, how about Lily or Eve? I hope it's a girl. I know you're the last of your line, but I will not surround myself with a group of rowdy boys just to re-increase your line. He laughed. I'm glad to hear about that little boy James, have you found a home for him yet?
James had been living with his grandfather, but he'd died and he'd been living on his own for almost a month. No, he hadn't been able to find him a home yet. He was a good boy, stayed out of trouble and Guy had formed an attachment to him. He was going to leave until James was settled with a good family.
If not, maybe we could adopt him. Now don't laugh at me Guy, it would be nice to have the help of an older boy around the house. I can tell you care for him too and I'm curious to meet this young boy.
I've been very busy. The king arranged for a nurse to watch the children while I try to help out in the orphanage. I also help people who are ill. Djaq's tutoring has taught me many new things. I've also been making some improvements to the prisons with the king's permission. You and I have spent some time in there so we know how it is. Fresh straw and I'm trying to get better food but I'm not being as successful as I would like. Things like this take time.
Allan came racing around the corner his tanned face was worried. "Guy, come here. Quickly."
"What is it?" He asked jumping up again gripping the letter firmly.
Allan shook his head. "Don't know."
He groaned. "What do you mean you don't know?"
"You'll see."
Guy frowned as he folded the letter and tucked it in his pocket. He followed Allan through the streets. He frowned as he saw a woman pull up in a wagon, his frown grew deeper when he recognized the woman as his wife.
"Meg?" He called as he ran towards her. Meg's head jerked as she yanked the horses to a stop.
She jumped out of the wagon and ran up to him. her arms were around his waist before he laid a finger on her. Meg's clinging hands, her tear stained face, red eyes and wrinkled clothing told him something he didn't want to know. Something had happened to Meg.
Allan lifted up the basket holding Robert and Hugh and gave him a curious look. "Take them to my quarters." He said as Meg's arms gripped his shoulders tight. "Shh," he soothed. "I'm here Meg."
She nodded. "Guy."
He pulled back. "Meg, did something happen?"
"Sir Guy?"
Meg stiffened in his arms at the sound of James's voice. She wiped her eyes and turned her back to the thirteen-year-old boy. Guy smiled and tousled the boys red hair.
"James," he said. "this is my wife."
James stared up at Meg. "You're pretty."
"Thank you." Meg laughed and wiped her eyes, "I've…heard a lot about you. Guy told me."
"He took me fishing." James said. "It was fun.
Guy kept his eyes trained on Meg. She kept a good enough act, but to his eyes, sharpened by absence, he could see that something had frightened her. Something that had frightened her straight to him. And that frightened him most of all, for the only time his wife had been fearful, was when it was an experience that rivaled death.
