Chapter Forty-Four: Forgiveness
Fàelàn walked back to the clearing and the fire-ring. Watching Allan hold his daughter, he knew she had chosen correctly, particularly since the young man now turned a face black with wrath toward him. Most men trembled when Fàelàn O'Niall was irate; Allan A' Dale did not seem to suffer from that affliction. In fact, Allan was quick to jump between Deirdre and any known danger from what Fàelàn had seen. For that fact alone, Fàelàn would have supported her choice of Allan—it was obvious the man loved his daughter more than anything and would protect her no matter the cost.
Allan spoke, his tone acerbic as he glared at his father in-law. "Milord, meanin' no disrespect, but I believe you owe Deirdre an apology. Maybe what she done wasn't right, but she done it out o' the goodness of 'er heart. I watched 'er in Nottingham this last winter, and there's dozens o' families what woulda starved or froze to death if she hadn't 'elped 'em. You go into Nottingham today and you watch 'ow the people treat 'er. They love your daughter—every man, woman, and child; even the dogs love 'er! You shouldn't be ashamed of 'er, you should be proud—I know I am."
"You're right." Fàelàn's words stopped Allan's tirade and had Deirdre looking up hopefully. "I've spoken to Martin, who also reminded me of what a willful, but kind-hearted, daughter I have."
"And why did it take Martin to remind you?" Deirdre wiped the tears from her eyes as she glanced to the side, refusing to meet her father's gaze.
Fàelàn sighed. "Because I am a foolish old man who does not deserve the forgiveness of his beautiful daughter."
Deirdre raised her head haughtily, looking at him out of the corner of her eye. "So why should I forgive you?"
Allan's eyes went wide at this, not knowing this was a game they had played for years.
"Because I love you."
"And?"
"And because you're a sweet, wonderful, forgiving girl, with a heart of gold."
"And?"
Fàelàn grinned at his offspring, as always delighted with their verbal sparring.
"And because if you don't, I won't be able to spoil my grandchildren."
Deirdre lowered her head, her expression solemn as she thought of the lie she had told to Robin.
"What is it, Muirnín?"
"It's nothing, Da."
Fàelàn mistook her look. "Do you think I do not know what goes on between a husband and wife? That I thought you two, young and healthy and in love, were married in name only?"
Deirdre glanced up, eyes wide in shock and horror. "Father!"
Fàelàn laughed at his daughter's alarm. "Please, Mo Chroí, your mother has already been choosing names for all the little ones she's planning on you two having."
"Please, Da, you're forgiven. Just stop talking about babies and … how they get here. I've enough brothers and sisters to give me nightmares if I thought about it."
"Fair enough." Fàelàn sobered. "But Deirdre, in all seriousness, you must stop your raiding. You are married and grown now and will soon have children of your own. Are we understood?"
Deirdre sighed heavily. "You sound like Martin."
Her father lowered his head, glaring at her.
"All right, all right. Understood."
Later that night, as Deirdre lay dreaming, Allan got up, too worried to sleep. Approaching the fire, he saw his father in-law and sat down a short distance from him. For long moments, neither man spoke.
"Tell me the truth, Milord. Do you think the prince will rule in our favor?" Allan looked up anxiously at Fàelàn.
O'Niall held Allan's gaze solemnly. "Allan, I am his advisor. It would not be in his best interests to antagonize me. He will rule in whatever way pleases me in this matter."
"Does he always do as you tell 'im?"
"No, but it's rarely personal. Don't worry Allan, by tomorrow evening we'll be leaving Nottingham for Dun Aisling, where you and Deirdre will be properly married."
Allan paused, afraid to bring up a subject that had been nagging at him.
"Milord, somethin's been botherin' me..." Allan swallowed, looking miserable. He would fight to Hell and back for Deirdre, but the idea of asking her father if he was in league with Prince John was daunting.
"Yes, Allan. What is it?" Fàelàn stared curiously over at his son in-law, who seemed to be fidgeting.
"Robin says all the time 'ow King Richard's the rightful king and Prince John's tryin' to steal the throne…"
Fàelàn smiled in understanding. "So you're wondering if I advised the prince to try to usurp the crown?"
Allan looked uncomfortable. "Did you?"
"No. I returned from the Holy Land when King Richard sent me to check on his brother. The king is no fool—he assumed his brother was up to something and so sent me to become Prince John's man. Truth to tell, I don't think either man is a good ruler; they are both too self-absorbed. But then I suppose, that's the way of royalty."
"So you're really King Richard's man?"
"I am the man of whoever wins in this fray, although I would prefer it to be Richard."
"And if it's not?"
"Then I will do what I can to soften John's rule. If need be, we'll flee back to Ireland."
"We?"
"You are family now, Allan. You and anyone you count as friend." Fàelàn grinned at Allan. "Besides, your wife would skin me alive if I tried to leave you behind."
Allan smiled back, giving a little laugh. "That's true, that."
Outside the light cast by the fire, Robin smiled to himself, more at ease now. He had heard that O'Niall had become John's man, but hearing the affection in the older man's voice when he spoke of Richard calmed Robin's suspicions.
The next morning, the little group was ready to leave by shortly after sunrise. They made their way apprehensively toward Nottingham and Prince John's verdict.
In Nottingham, Guy paced before the fire in the great hall. Prince John had arrived the day before, and a messenger from O'Niall had said that their party would reach Nottingham that morning. When questioned, the messenger had answered that both Deirdre and Allan were with Fàelàn O'Niall.
Guy clenched his fists. He wanted his revenge. He wanted Deirdre in his bed whether she wanted it or not. He wanted Allan dangling from the gallows, with no bag this time, and no Robin Hood to save him. All he had to do was keep calm for a short time longer and he would have a lifetime to make her pay.
