When Mariella next awoke, she at first couldn't remember where she was. Laying on her side and looking out into the room, the first thing she noticed was that she was not in her own bed.

And then she remembered.

Morning was just beginning to leak into Guy's chambers, making the air blue and hazy.

She turned her head to look around, slowly regaining feeling in her limbs as she roused them from rest. Once again aware of her body, she could feel the heavy arm of Guy encircling her rib cage from behind, but as she began to stir into motion so did it. It traveled across her front and to her side, pausing only for a moment before it began to run up and down the length of her. The stimulation brought her further into the waking world.

Mariella turned over to see the owner.

Guy appeared to have been awake before her, his eyes already sharp as he laid next to her, propped up on an elbow and examining the woman beside him.

"Good morning, my lord," Mariella greeted sweetly, a smile on her lips and a twinkle in her eye.

Guy's face did not falter from its serious and pensive expression. He leaned down and gave Mariella gentle kiss on the lips. "Good morning," he returned softly.

This strange behavior did not go unnoticed by Mariella. "Is something wrong?"

"Mariella," he began as he averted his gaze from her, trying to piece together what he wanted to say, "Last night… was amazing."

"I'm glad you thought so," Mariella smiled as she propped herself up to level with him, wondering to herself what could possibly be on his mind.

"And you're amazing," Guy went on, "You are an amazing woman…"

Now the direction of the conversation began to unsettle Mariella, but she stayed silent as she listened intently.

"You are like no one I have ever met before. You're the only one that could ever make me believe that I can be saved from what I am. I want to be with you always."

"Guy…" she pined as she tried to stop him. She wasn't ready for this.

He reached under the pillow and pulled out a ring with a little, red ribbon tied to it. Floral design and tiny sparkling gems traced the band. It was truly the work of an artist, fit for the finest noblewoman. Mariella sat up in bed, holding the blankets to her body like a shield.

"Mariella…" he whispered as he sat up with her, "I want you to be mine." Tears began to stream down Mariella's face.

Guy reached for her hand to place the ring, but Mariella jolted it away as if he was a venomous snake. Guy looked up to see her shaking her hanging head side to side with tears pouring down her face.

"No," came the unexpected denial as she rose from the bed and pulled on her robe, "I'm sorry. I can't."

Before Guy could do anything to stop her, she was racing for the exit. He jumped up as she closed the door behind her, he heard her footsteps scamper to her room, open its door, and close it again. He shuffled for his trousers, scrambling clumsily into them in a wild haste as he tried to go after her.

Once laced decently, he went for the door, taking long strides as he headed for her room. He reached for the latch and shook it violently in his frustration. It didn't give.

"Mariella," he snarled, trying to keep his temper, "Open the door."

"No!" she called from behind the wooden barrier.

"At least… talk to me!" he demanded heatedly, "I deserve an explanation."

The door unlocked and Mariella opened it just enough to converse. Her lovely green eyes sparkled with anger and frustration that nearly equaled Guy's. "Why can't you understand?" she whispered harshly, "I can't marry you! I don't want to!"

Guy's face transformed from anger to confusion. "You… don't want to marry me?" From confusion to pain. "Why don't you want to marry me?"

Guilt began to weigh heavily on her heart. "It's not you, Guy," she assured tenderly as she attempted comfort him with a gentle caress on his cheek. He pulled away from her. He refused to look at her. Mariella brushed the rejection off and tried to go on. "Guy… You are very special to me. I'm just not ready for marriage yet. I don't want it."

"Then when will you want it?" he questioned as he stared her down, the hurt apparent in his eyes.

Mariella gave a weak shrug. "I don't know."

Guy cast his gaze to the ground and crossed his arms in front of his chest, nodding his head as he processed he response and tried to reel back his emotions. "Very well," he bit before looking back up and leaning in towards her, "I will keep asking." He turned and left back to his room, thus ending the discussion with the slam of a door.

One consolation that Mariella received came in the form a new privilege. Mariella was now allowed out into the village so long as two guards accompanied her. She took this newfound freedom and used it to stroll about Locksley. She wanted to forget the morning's discourse.

She spent an hour or so that morning walking amongst and talking to the villagers. Impressively, most reported that they somehow managed to get enough food when thy truly needed it; the season had been plentiful even if wages were poorly. They were getting by, but with much difficultly. She listened to their talk of hunger, of aches and pains, of weariness and discomfort. She heard all of them. Then she came to a maiden plagued by a troublesome cut.

"Caught it on a splinter," she explained as she unwrapped the rag from her hand to reveal the vile thing, "It's not healing too well."

"Come by the house later," Mariella told her, careful not to let on how angry the gash looked, "It needs proper care."

"I don't want to trouble you, miss."

"I insist," Mariella replied, placing a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder, "Come by later, whenever you can manage."

This being her last call, she went to work, her guards making sure to follow closely behind.

"My lady," one said as she hurried along, "Where are you going?"

"I just need to gather a few herbs," Mariella explained as she headed towards the village border, "I imagine there will be some useful ones around here somewhere."

"Lord Gisborne instructed that you were to remain in the immediate vicinity," the other one protested, "We can't let you wander far."

"I won't go too far then," she agreed as she lessened her pace and looked around. She saw a splash of color and went towards it. From this splash, she began picking flowers. The guards exchanged glances as they watched the lady innocently collect a variety of flowers, then move on to her next spot. For the next ten minutes, she collected a variety of flowers, leaves, and weeds. The guards didn't feel brave enough to question it. Upon returning to the manor, they watched her reenter the house and take the plants to her room there she stayed with servants bringing her things until that wounded maiden came to call.

She was received immediately, accepted into the lady's room where she stayed for ten minutes, leaving with a freshly bandaged hand and happier spirits. It didn't take any genius to tell that Mariella was starting to change things.

Later that day, she even made deliveries of her simple remedies. It brought her a sort of peace to see the gratitude in the villager's eyes. It reminded her of her younger days when she would accompany her mother on her rounds. She felt as though she was truly returning to her old, Venetian self again.

"My lord," Gisborne greeted as he entered the Sheriff's office, "I must speak with you."

"If this has anything to do with the other day then don't waste your breath," Vasey sighed, "I've forgotten all about it. Now, you're only job is to run about all day in the forest and hunt down those which have repeatedly escaped your grasp."

"It doesn't concern the outlaws," Guy insisted as he approached the desk, placing his hands on it and leaning forward, "It's about Mariella."

Vasey's brows furrowed and his eyes narrowed as he awarded Guy with his attention. "What about Mariella?" he inquired suspiciously.

"I want your permission to take her as my bride." Once said Guy regretted it almost immediately. It was too brash. He knew the Sheriff would never approve.

"Is that all, Gisborne?" Vasey sighed as he went back to his work.

The unexpected nonchalance of the Sheriff threw Guy off. "Yes…" Guy confirmed with an extremely confused expression on his face. Was this a trap?

"Twenty-eight outlaws, Gisborne, by the end of the month," the Sheriff assigned as he stood up from his chair and went to the window.

"Is that your price?"

"That is your job," the Sheriff pointed out, "And there's no need to bother bringing them into town, making a fuss. Should make things a bit easier. I just want a list of twenty-eight names, signed by at least two witnesses to the deeds. As for your request, I'll consider it."

"Consider it?" Guy repeated as he took two steps towards the Sheriff, "That's it? No price? No demands? Lord Dante offered five-hundred-"

"Do you want me to make demands, Gisborne?" the Sheriff mocked in that condescending tone, "Do you really want me to because I will. I'll do it." Guy kept his mouth shut and yielded. "Twenty-eight names, Gisborne… by the end of the month."

"Yes, my lord," Guy bowed before leaving again.

When the door shut behind him, the Sheriff allowed himself a smirk. He couldn't say that he didn't see this coming.