Locksley blanketed thinly in snow was both iridescent and saddening for Catrine as she looked out the bedroom window. She pulled her fur blanket tighter around her, trying to stop shivering. She longed to see the sun again, to feel its warmth, to smell the wildflowers and to make love with Guy again on the hillside. Instead she opened her eyes to see her own breath and the smoke from each house in the town of Locksley float away into the grey winter sky.

She hated stripping down to her skin in order to get dressed. But they were due to arrive at Nottingham Castle; after all, it was Christmas Eve.

She shuddered at the very thought of dropping her blanket to dress herself, even though Guy had bought her a beautiful dress for tonight- red velvet with even deeper shades of red in the bodice, trimmed heavily in white rabbit fur around the sleeves and collar. His Christmas present to her. It lay on her bed, waiting for her to brave the cold to finally put it on. Bracing herself, Catrine did just that, quickly dropping her fur wrap to step into the heavy fabric. She pulled the dress up, trying to lace the bodice's ties in front of her, but they were too tight, especially around her middle; she couldn't finish lacing them up. She paused as she thought for a moment.

Guy laughed from the door. "You move really quickly with the right incentive."

Catrine turned to face him, her bodice half laced up and her face twisted in surprise and frustration. "It's not funny, Guy. It's cold and I can't seem to dress myself today."

"Let me help you then." Guy walked over, thinking how perfect the dress was for her. He first kissed her, but she pulled away, handing him the laces to her bodice.

"Here."

Guy tightened the laces, first with the lowest pair, then higher and higher, taking his time with the laces over her breast. His hands strayed from the laces, wrapping around her breasts. Catrine narrowed her eyes, reminding him that he was helping her dress, not undress. He chuckled, tying off the final lace. Then he kissed the bare skin of her shoulders, to her neck, then her chin, and finally her lips. Catrine reached for his cheek, gently tracing her nails through his stubbly beard.

Guy grabbed her hand from his face and kissed it. "Merry Christmas, Lady Gisborne."

They walked out to their carriage, filled with fur blankets, setting off for Nottingham in a light snowfall as night began to fall.

***

The entrance hall to the castle looked completely different, lit up brilliantly with hundreds of tapers and draped in bows of holly and ivy. Catrine gasped as the light reflected everywhere. All through the Great Hall too, candles lined the room and fires burned for warmth. A group of musicians sat in the corner, strumming lutes and beating drums while recorders played lively music in the season's spirit. The music was barely audible over the crowd; every important noble had accepted the invitation to the banquet.

The Sheriff sat in his chair at the other end of the hall, wrapped in black furs and wearing a holly wreath around his head. Seeing his right-hand man, the Sheriff rose to welcome them.

"Ah! Merry Christmas, season's greetings and all that, my lovelies," he said as he handed them each goblets of liquid. "Only the best Wassail here, my friends. And don't forget to tell your wife about the surprise." The Sheriff smiled, "Drink up, friends, this is a party after all." He turned back towards his seat.

Guy led Catrine to the corner of the hall, twirling her around. "That dress really is perfect on you." He caught her mid-spin, turning her to face him. Her golden hair glowed in the candlelight, made even more striking by the deep reds of her dress. But her eyes seemed different, glowing deeper and happier than he'd ever seen before.

"Now, Guy, what surprise?"

"Well, you know about my mission. It's soon approaching, sometime before summer the Sheriff thinks. And I am in charge of choosing my own men; as I thought, I decided something. Who wouldn't I trust more on this mission than my wife?" Catrine's face smiled in surprise. "I've asked the Sheriff and he agreed to the idea."

"Do you really mean it, Guy? You asked the Sheriff for me to come with you? On your mission?"

"Yes," he murmured. Leaning in to hold her.

Catrine cuddled into his neck, kissing him. She sighed contentedly. "And now, Guy, I have a surprise for you. Something along the lines of a Christmas present."

"Oh really?" Guy's voice deepened, and Catrine felt his hand move up her front, wrapping around her breast.

"Guy," her glowing eyes smiled up at him. "Guy, I'm carrying your child." Catrine moved his hand from her breast to her lower stomach. Guy felt it slightly round under the dress. "Remember how I couldn't tie up my dress? I also have missed my monthly course. Twice. Guy, we're going to have a child."

He couldn't believe it. He smiled as he rubbed the slight swell in her stomach, "A little Gisborne," he whispered.

"So, now you see Guy, I can't go with you. I'll be here, raising our infant." Her voice choked on the last word.

Guy took her into her arms, kissing her gently, savoring her every movement.

***

Guy handed Catrine into the carriage, and she gratefully curled up in the seat under a think blanket of fur. Guy sat next to her, equally grateful to be returning home after the feast. He lifted the blanket, feeling her snuggle into his shoulder. He placed his hand on her stomach once more, the news still sinking in. He had fought to bring her with him to the Holy Land, and now he'd have to fight to just return to her. Her and the new life inside her.

Catrine breathed in Guy's scent, a single tear rolled down her cheek. She wanted to go with Guy, but she knew she couldn't travel pregnant, and not on a mission to the Holy Land. Fear clutched her heart as she thought about being alone for months, going into labor and giving birth without him. She thought about another woman she knew, and hated, whose man went to the Holy Land and had yet to return. Another tear rolled down from her eye. Catrine clung tighter to Guy's jacket, and she felt a hand wipe away her tears.

Guy lifted her face towards him. "I promise you, I will return. After this mission, I'll be done with the Sheriff, and you and I will just be Lord and Lady Gisborne, and we'll raise our child, together. " Another tear rolled down her cheek.

"Our child…" she whispered.