Chapter thirty-six: The unexpected

"Guy?" The sound of Marian's voice behind him caused him to whirl around. Her eyes were wide and she grabbed his reins. "Quick, you cannot be seen!"

"Why?" He demanded.

Marian groaned. "God, you're stubborn. Come!"

"No. I'm looking for Meg."

"She's over the hill and in the cavern," Guy's heart rose in his chest. "but you cannot be seen! Get off your horse!" Guy was somewhat skeptic as he did as she asked. Marian studied him. "Guy, you look terrible."

"I've been looking for my wife." He spat. "It's difficult tracking tree roots." Marian frowned in confusion at that comment. He frowned at her. "What are you doing here in the woods? And what happened to your nose?"

Marian inhaled shakily and admitted. "I was talking to Robin Hood." Guy's anger rose. "Meg broke my nose."

"She did, did she?" Guy knew Meg well enough to know she had a reason for it. Moreover, her reason for breaking Marian's nose wasn't a good one. Guy grabbed Marian by the throat and whipped out the dagger he kept in his belt and pointed it at her throat. "Why?" He demanded as Marian gasped. "Why'd she do that?"

"Please Guy."

"No! Why'd she break your nose? And don't even think about lying to me!" he fought to keep his voice down so they couldn't hear him over the hill. "The truth...for once."

Marian trembled as she admitted. "I-I was the one who…told her Uncle." He tightened his grip on her throat. "I was wrong!"

"And…did you know Hood was going to take her?" Marian nodded as tears started to brim in her eyes. "Give me," he seethed as he held the dagger poised above her heart. "one good reason, why I shouldn't run you through, right now?"

"Because," Marian gasped out. "her aunt and uncle arrived, ahead of schedule. They came by horseback instead of carriage." Guy's grip tensed at that news. "If you want her back…then you're going to need my help."

"I don't trust you."

"Then don't trust her." Guy spun around to see Djaq, the female Saracen a few feet away from him. "Trust us. We are women and loyal to our sex." Her dark eyes dared him to disbelieve her. "I do not like you Gisbourne, but I've watched that woman in camp. I've heard the villager's talk about her and I've seen her acts of kindness to others. I do agree with Robin, you should not have married her because of the position she has and the one she has yet to claim. But, I cannot is back and…watch her die."

Guy's head shot up. "Is she hurt?"

Djaq shook her head. "She is dying, in her heart. She needs you." She studied her. "I can see that you haven't slept nor eaten since you've looked for her. I am loyal to Robin Hood, I will help, but we must find a way so it does not look like I'm involved."

Guy released his grip on Marian's throat. "I think….the two of you will make fine hostages."

"I agree Sir." They spun around to see Thomas. "I do believe I can make them look like they were bloodied a bit as well. There's a fine patch of berries over there that should do the trick."

"Fine. Let's do it, I want my wife back." Guy glowered at them. "If you two betray me, I will not hesitate to use any measures to get her back."

Djaq nodded. "We know it. You're in love. And as hard as it is for us to believe, we can see it. Hate is powerful, but love is more powerful. You needn't worry about our betraying you, we won't."

"Meg?"

"Guy?" Meg murmured as she began to wake up. "Guy?" She turned on her side and looked up to see Robin looking over her. She rolled back onto her side and curled her fingers around the smooth moonstone that Guy had given her. "Go away."

"Meagan Bennett!" Meg closed her eyes and fought back the urge to throw up in dread as she recognized her uncle's voice. She rolled over on her side and sat up, looking at her aunt and uncle through her hanging hair. They both froze as they looked at her in surprise.

Her aunt was the first to recover and she hurried up to Meg. "When was the last time she ate?" She demanded. "She looks awful."

Will spoke up. "That would be the day before yesterday. We've tried getting her to eat, but she won't."

"Are these bonds necessary?" She asked. "Her wrists are bleeding."

"That's because," Robin explained patiently. "she wouldn't stop pulling at the ropes. She's the most difficult prisoner we've ever had to endure. Almost makes the sheriff seem friendly."

Much nodded. "Most ungrateful indeed. We tried feeding her, and she's bitten everyone's hand, drew blood from Robin."

"She always bit when she was a child, even bit me." Her uncle shook his head, his brown eyes sparked in irritation. "She takes after her father, always arguing over the most stupid, little things."

Meg's eyes flashed. "The fact that I wish to stay with my husband is not a stupid, little thing!"

"God, Meg! What has that man done to you?" He demanded. "You were never this way until you met that villain! Have you heard nothing they said?"

"Yes! And I won't listen to it!"

"He's murdered, stolen and committed dozens of other crimes and you won't listen!"

Meg shouted back at her uncle. "He will tell me all I want to know."

"You can't get a man to confess emotions like that!" Her uncle's voice rose. "You can't trust a man like him."

"Guy always talks to me about everything and he's never lied to me yet!"

"Control your emotions niece." Her aunt said firmly. "You never did learn to control your emotions."

Meg laughed sharply. "Are you saying that I have to have control over my emotions? My loving him is not a choice, it is who I am!" Meg clutched onto the necklace around her neck as tears filled her eyes. "All I've ever wanted to know was that some man needed me and he does! I'm all he has and you've no right to take me from him!"

"The fact that I am your uncle gives me every right." Her uncle's firm tone caused as shiver to run down her spine. "I swore on the day that your parents died that I would protect you, that includes men that you think you're in love with!"

"You're wrong." She shook her head. "He'd give away his soul to be with me."

"He sold his soul to the devil years ago." Robin said quietly. "He doesn't have one to give you."

Meg whipped her head and glowered at him. "You and Marian deserve each other! I hope she makes your life a living hell! You two will never, ever have what Guy and I had!" She whipped her head around to glare at her aunt and uncle. "You may not believe me, but he will find me and I will go back with him!"

Her uncle groaned and threw up his hands in dismay. "I don't have time for this! It's late, your aunt and I rode hard to get here!" He turned to Robin and reached into his pocket, pulling out a large bundle of money. "I've heard of your deeds, so accept this as a small sum for taking care of her."

Meg snorts. "Guy's a villain, yet you pay a common thief and kidnapper!"

Her uncle glowered at her. "I owe this man a great deal to prevent you from making the biggest mistake of your life, even if you can't see it!"

"I'm your niece, uncle, not your daughter! You'd do well to remember that!" Her sharp words stung even her, but she had to say it. She now had her uncle's attention. "You cannot control me! If you expect me to stay in Ireland you shall have to chain me up, because I will not stop fighting you!"

"Why must you be so damn stubborn?"

"Because I know I'm right!" She insisted. "I know Guy of Gisbourne! I may not know his favorite things yet, but I know his heart. I see its darkness, I'm not a fool, but I have seen and felt its strength and tenderness as well."

"No more Meg, no more." Her uncle stalked way. "Follow me, I will have words with you without my niece hearing them."

Meg made a face and exhaled deeply. Her aunt's hand on hers caused her to jump. Her aunt was calm and collected. "I wanted to see what you're holding in your hand." Meg cautiously opened up her hand, showing the moonstone. Her aunt's eyes widened slightly. "Oh my word! Where did you ever-

"He gave it to me on our wedding night." Her aunt drew her hand away from the stone. Her aunt was a more carefree woman than her uncle and she hoped that she could have her on her side. "Aunt Maria, please," she begged her. "let me go."

Her aunt shook her head. "Megan, I cannot go against-

"I know you've loved my uncle for many years." Her aunt's eyes flashed with a warning. "I also know that due to laws and circumstances it is impossible for you two to even marry. If my uncle were wise, he'd marry you, but he doesn't see." Meg reached for her aunt's hand. "Please, do not deny me my right to live my life in the arms of the man I know is the one for me. He loves me and I've never loved, wanted or needed anyone as much as him." She held her aunts gaze. "You know I've met dozens of eligible men and a few princes, if any of those men were the man for me, I would have known. I know that Guy is, please, believe me."

Her aunt was silent for a moment. "I will talk to your uncle, see if he will talk to this Guy of Gisbourne, but that is all I can promise you for now. I will not set you free."

"Aunt, please."

"No Meg." Her aunt stood up. "You must eat and put some clothes on."

Meg opened her mouth to plead her case, but a loud thundering voice, echoing in the cavern, cut her off. "HOOD!" Meg gasped and tears of relief had filled her eyes as she recognized the voice of her husband. "COME OUT OF THERE! AND YOU BETTER BRING MY WIFE OR I WILL RUN MARIAN AND YOUR LITTLE SARACEN FRIEND THROUGH!"

Meg gasped in relief and exhaled. "He found me." Robin stomped towards her, dagger in hand, he knelt and undid her feet. He didn't say a word as he grabbed her and pulled her towards the sound of Guy's voice. "I told you, he'd find me."

"He found you, that doesn't mean he has you."

Meg fought the urge to laugh through her tears. "You're wrong. He's found me…he's not letting me go."