The Church bells ringing joyfully woke Alyss up on Christmas morning, and she smiled sadly at the sound, as for the first time in her life she would be spending the festivities away from her family. Osric and Edmund were spending the day with their families in Nettleworth, and she had no doubt that she would be left to spend the day on her own. She thought of last year's festivities, when she and her father had decorated the manor with a selection of holly and ivy, and found the biggest log possible for the fire. Though food had been a simple affair, it had been one of the happiest days she'd had in a long while. The whole village had come together to celebrate, sharing stories and singing and dancing into the night, and it had been almost magical. Blinking away a tear as she felt an overwhelming pang of sorrow, she realised just how much she missed home. Though her father had driven her crazy some days, she loved him, and she missed him terribly. She could not help but hope that she would soon be reunited with him, but so far nothing had been mentioned about the debt or if the agreement still stood.

It had been five weeks since Alyss' failed attempt to go home, and she was recovering rather well. Her ankle had healed completely thanks to being stuck in bed, while her wound was almost healed. She was now able to move about her room with a little pain, and she had spent many an afternoon sat by the window while bundled up in blankets. Though it was the middle of Winter and few people were visiting the castle, she still enjoyed watching the servants and townsfolk running about their daily business. She still did not know the future of the manor, for she had rarely seen Gisburne during her recovery, and Osric and Edmund knew nothing. All she knew was that her father still lived there, and for that she could only be grateful.

She was disturbed an hour later, and was rather surprised when Gisburne walked inside the room. She had barely spoken to him since pleading for her manor, for he had always simply enquired if she had everything she needed. Still, he smiled slightly at her as she finished brushing her hair, and she realised just how handsome he looked. He wore his winter cloak over robes of blue and gold, and Alyss had no doubt that he had made an effort with his outfit for the day.

"Good morning my lord." She greeted as he stood at the foot of the bed. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I wished to see if you would like some company, for I am aware that your friends are away." He said simply, with little emotion.

"I would much prefer that to spending the day alone." She admitted as she stood up, wincing slightly as the familiar pain in her chest made itself known.

"Very well. Can you walk far?"

"I... I have no idea in truth." Alyss sighed as she struggled to put her own cloak on. "I have only really been going between the bed and the window."

"Then we shall have to build your strength if you are to resume your daily walks about the castle." He stated as they left the room. She barely made sense of the words, for she was too busy concentrating on walking. Alyss made it only a couple of yards down the corridor before she had to stop and rest, and she flashed an apologetic smile to the man as he turned around to see why she was not following him.

"Change of plan." He murmured to himself. After a few minutes, Alyss felt a little better, and she turned to follow him. She was only a little surprised when he unlocked his chamber, but was glad to be seated by the fire with a goblet of hot spiced wine. It was a luxury she had rarely had at Nettleworth, but Gisburne assured her that there was plenty more available.

"It is good to see you have recovered so well my lady." He said as he sat next to her.

"I must thank you for your help in that. Osric explained how you treated me and I know that had you not intervened then..." she sighed while Gisburne sipped his wine. "I truly was foolish. I had no idea what I was thinking that day."

"You were concerned for your father, which is understandable." He pointed out. "Though I still cannot fathom why you acted so rashly. Had you only asked..."

"You would have let me see him?" She asked, surprised.

"I am not a callous man my lady. I am aware that you would lose the manor if he dies and so..." he paused. "I have given it a great deal of thought recently. I am glad that both of you have recovered."

"So that the money will be paid?" Alyss was sceptical.

"And that there is a chance you will be reunited under happier circumstances."

"Oh..." Alyss inspected the goblet's contents, trying to understand what the knight was saying. "But I broke the agreement. Why would my father still pay the money if..."

"True as it may be that you broke my trust and the terms of the agreement, it still stands." He pointed out, and she was surprised.

"How much is owed?"

"The same as before." He said as he drank.

"But surely I am to be punished for my actions?" Alyss was very confused now. She had barely seen the knight for a month, and yet here he was, telling her that she still had a chance to see her home again.

"My lady, it seems that you are forgetting who is in charge of the agreement." He pointed out kindly, and she glanced up to find him smiling at her. "The Sheriff wanted nothing to do with it other than gaining your lands. As he is still incapacitated, he need never know of what you have done."

"But..." she shook her head, trying to understand what he was saying, and work out his motivations. "But why?"

"I need not explain my reasons." He told her before draining his goblet. Alyss blinked, before turning to watch the fire for a moment to try and clear her thoughts. "Just try not to do it again."

"I…"

"You nearly died that day Alyss. I cannot..." He hesitated as he looked at her. "It will not happen again." He told her, and for a moment she glimpsed a hint of sorrow in his features.

"I promise it will not." She assured him. "So I am forgiven?"

"You are forgiven my lady." He told her, and she smiled ever so slightly.

"Thank you, my lord." She said, truly relieved.

"Even your father is unaware of what transpired." Guy pointed out. "The events of that day are known only to us, Osric and Edmund. It is of utmost importance that it stays that way."

"I understand." She paused. "My punishment?"

"You have already suffered enough." He told her and Alyss was very surprised at the knight's kindness.

"Thank you." She said gratefully as he got to his feet and wandered to his desk. Here he retrieved a folded piece of parchment and then handed it to her. Alyss paused as she recognised the writing, and then looked at the knight, unsure of what it meant.

"This arrived yesterday for you." He explained while she broke the seal. Her father's neat script filled a sheet of parchment, and she blinked away a tear. "I will return soon." He left her then, while Alyss read.

'My dearest Alyss, I hope this finds you well. I fear I have been a little under the weather recently, but have been told I will survive. I am truly sorry that you are not here in Nettleworth yet, but rest assured I am doing everything I can to raise the money that is owed. Osric tells me that you are doing well in Nottingham, and that you miss me. We all miss you too. The children keep asking when you will be able to join their games again, and wish to hear your stories. Ruth and Bronwen send their love, and hope that you were not too worried about them when you received their dresses. They have plenty available to themselves, and in truth Bronwen had outgrown them. She is due to have a child in the Spring, so it seems Nettleworth will have another little one waiting to join in with the fun. Osric and Edmund have been determined to help out where they can whenever they are home, and the roof no longer leaks in the manor. Abraham has appointed himself my second in command, for he is not yet of age to do anything else. His parents do not mind, and he has proven to be very helpful, so you need not worry. The manor will still be waiting for you when you return.

I do hope that we will be together soon. I do miss you, and I am so proud that you have managed to keep to the rules for so long. I just ask that you do so for a little bit longer. I swear that Nettleworth will always be your home, regardless of what happens. Once you are home, you need never return to Nottingham or deal with Gisburne again. That I can promise. I ask only two things of you now. Do not lose hope and never forget that I love you, my precious Alyss.'

She sat and read the letter three times over, before letting her tears fall. She leaned forwards and rested her head in her hands, sobbing freely. Never had she felt so homesick, and she so desperately wanted to see her friends and family again. She needed her freedom, and her way of life back, and she had neither of these in the castle. Had she only agreed to marry years ago then perhaps…

"My lady?" A concerned voice asked, and she choked back tears as the knight walked towards her.

"Is it your father?"

"I… He…" She paused as she tried to take a calming breath. He handed her a drink, and she sipped it before trying to speak again. "He is well. I… I just miss everyone terribly." The knight smiled sympathetically.

"I am sure you will return soon." He promised her. "Believe me my lady, I never intended on keeping you trapped here for so long." She dried her eyes and gave a heavy sigh.

"I know you believed that we were hiding the money."

"I was foolish to think so." He admitted. "I should say, you can write to him." She blinked and felt like crying again, for she knew she did not deserve the knight's kindness after what she had done.

"I…"

"There is ink and parchment in your room, and there is no hurry. Once it is written I will ensure it is delivered to him." He explained. "Call it a gift."

"Thank you Sir Guy. I… I do not know what I can do to repay you."

"Just try not to escape again."

"I promise."

"Good." He smiled. "Now then, I suppose you are hungry?"

"A little." She admitted as her stomach growled.

"Do you think you can make it to the Great Hall?"

"I…" she stood up, and swayed a little on her feet, before smiling. "I think so. I may need to stop a few times though."

"We'll go at your pace my lady."

After a couple of rest stops, Alyss was grateful to reach the Great Hall and sit down. As she gained control of her breathing again, she looked around to find that it had been decorated with holly, ivy and other evergreens, while a large fire burned in the hearth. The smell of roasted meats and woodsmoke filled the air, and she found the top table covered in a variety of platters of food. She was certain there was more there than she had ever seen in a long while, and her stomach growled as she realised just how hungry she was. Gisburne sat next to her and a servant topped up their drinks, while Alyss looked around in wonder. Though the hall was normally dank and gloomy, it was almost beautiful today.

"I hope you like it." Sir Guy said as he took an apple and bit into it.

"I do." She nodded as she took a sip of wine. "But surely you have not gone to all this effort for me?"

"The castle is always decorated this time of year." He explained, though she was not entirely convinced. "Would you like venison or goose my lady?"

"I have never tried venison." She admitted, and Guy duly cut some of both meats for her. "I am sorry to say I am unused to such quiet festivities. My people tend to spend the day at the manor, and it can get a little rowdy after too much ale…"

"The Sheriff does not enjoy the holiday." Gisburne admitted. "This is the first chance I have had to enjoy the festive period for a long time."

"Well, we should raise a toast." She said as she raised her glass. "To absent Sheriffs, and a quiet Christmas." Gisburne raised his, and the pair began to eat in relative silence.

Once full, Alyss reclined a little in her chair, feeling the effects of the wine hitting her. Gisburne was smiling as the servants retrieved the platters and took the leftovers to feed the poor, while music streamed through the hall from the minstrels' gallery.

"What did happen to the Sheriff anyway?" She asked, for no one had mentioned it to her.

"His horse was spooked and threw him." Guy explained. "He broke his leg." Alyss winced a little before shaking her head.

"He is lucky the fall did not kill him." She paused. "And we are lucky he is still away."

"We are." He agreed, before motioning for a servant. They stepped forwards and placed a board on the table, while Guy proceeded to pour the gaming pieces out of a velvet pouch. Alyss merely chuckled.

"A rematch?" She asked, and he laughed.

"I am aware that you are good at chess, but I thought that you would enjoy a game or two."

"You are quite correct."

Plenty of wine and laughter was shared that afternoon, and the chess board was soon forgotten as the pair swapped stories. The alcohol had gone straight to Alyss' head, and she knew she would soon feel the effects of it in the morning. Gisburne however did not seem to be bothered at all by the wine, though he did seem to have let his guard down. Never had she felt so relaxed around the steward, and though she was a little bothered by this, she also had not had so much fun in ages, and all her worries had been forgotten. By the time the church bells rang midnight, both were still talking, though Alyss was beginning to feel sleepy. Trying to excuse herself, she stood up and winced as the room span, while Gisburne chuckled.

"Allow me?" He offered her an arm, and she took it. It was not long before they reached her chamber, and she lingered a little in the doorway as she tried to steady herself.

"Thank you Guy." She said.

"Sleep well my lady." He wished, and she could only watch him walk to his own room before she closed the door and collapsed into bed, wondering just how many more surprises the knight would spring on her before she was released.