CHAPTER SUMMARY: As a newly engaged couple, Katherine and Guy grow closer to each other. Marian fears she might be losing her sister for good.

CHAPTER 9 - My Trust in You

KNIGHTON HALL

Marian was surprised to awake, seeing the empty bed of her sister's next to her. Her mind began to replay what happened yesterday, fearing she had pushed Katherine away. Making her way downstairs, she greeted her father. "Good morning. Where is Katherine?"

Edward put down his cup. "Sir Guy came to see her. They left together."

"Oh." Marian said, looking down as a maid put her breakfast on the table. Katherine was truly serious about her intentions with the Black Knight, but there was something Marian couldn't shake off.

The father noticed the look of concern on his daughters face, reaching out a hand towards her, showing he felt the same.

Marian sighed, picking at her food. "She's serious about him, but I can't help fearing her judgement of him is blinded." Even if she had feelings for Gisborne, was Katherine going through with the marriage because she loved him for who he truly was or because she was trying to fill a void of loneliness?

"Trust in her, my dear. You and your sister are stubborn in your ways." He chuckled. "Don't try to stop what she wants to have happen, just be there by her side for when she needs you."

Marian nodded, taking in her father's words. She would be there for Katherine as she had always been for her, even if her sister thought differently.

NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

After their first outing as a couple, Guy and Katherine returned to the castle with the sheriff who had accompanied them. Taking them to meet his friend, Lambert, who had developed an explosive black powder, the sheriff planned to use it for other means. This didn't sit well with Lambert who tried to escape, but was captured.

Katherine was walking around the castle while waiting for Guy to leave his meeting with the sheriff. Deep in thought about what happened with Robin and her sister, she sighed. It seemed lately with his return to Nottingham that Marian and her were drifting apart, their paths starting to drift from each other as it always was heading out to be.

It didn't help that they were in love with men who were mortal enemies with each other. Katherine questioned if this would cause the rift between them to grow even more before her attention was brought to Guy knocking stuff down in the courtyard, clearly pissed about something. Rushing to his side, she asked concerned. "Guy, what's wrong?"

"I can't discuss it." He sighed, turning away from her.

"Please, don't shut me out." She begged.

Guy sighed. "Forgive me, I am not myself."

He was surprised by her reaching towards him, cupping his face with her hand. The genuine sympathy and concern for him in her eyes made his heart soften despite the fact he was trying to shield it. "You can tell me anything. If we are to be husband and wife, it is only right I know everything that affects you so I can help you."

"I am angry because the Greek Fire was my project and the sheriff took it away from me." He admitted, blue eyes narrowed.

"Why has he done that?" She asked, surprised.

"Because I said I would reason with Lambert. But the sheriff wants to know the whereabouts of his ledger and have me-" He paused, not willing to finish that sentence. She didn't need to know the dirty parts of his job.

Katherine smiled at him. "There is nothing wrong with trying to protect a friend. After all, you did say you and Lambert went back." She paused, gently rubbing his cheek, seeing how this was hurting him. "But the sheriff has his own plans for the Greek Fire and it wouldn't be wise to cross him, even to protect your friend."

"What should I do?" Guy asked, leaning into her hand, searching for advice.

It was a tricky situation to be in. Her heart said he should protect his friend, but her mind said going against the sheriff was punishable by itself. She didn't want Guy putting himself in danger all because he was trying to do a good thing. "It's a difficult situation to be in, but I trust you will do the right thing."

The couple didn't notice the sheriff watching their exchange before walking off.

He smiled at her before she pulled her hand away. "I'm lucky to have you. I wait for the day when I can finally call you my wife."

Katherine chuckled warmly. "As do I." Seeing his spirits were lifted, she finally decided to ask him a question that had been on her mind. "When will I meet your family?"

The question took him by surprise, a frown suddenly appearing on his face. "I have no family."

She was taken back by his sudden reply, feeling her heart ache for him. Did she just hear that right? "What?" she asked, breathing out.

"I have no family." He repeated, finally looking up at her with a sadness in his eyes.

"Guy-"

He took her hands into his, causing her heart to race. She couldn't help but feel bad for the man before her. "That is why this means everything to me. You mean everything to me. I-" Guy paused, finding it difficult to speak. How could he express how much Katherine meant to him. Her love, her kindness, just her presence. She was everything he lacked in his life.

Next thing he knew, he felt her lips gently touching his own. A spark ignited between them. Her gentle, soft lips giving him a small peck before pulling away. Guy didn't want it to end. Brown eyes were wide, realizing what she had just done. "Sorry, I just- I wanted to show you that you mean the same to me."

"Don't be sorry." He chuckled warmly. "This is the happiest moment of my life."

"I believe you mean to say that at our wedding."

They both chuckled, looking into each other's eyes. Nothing else in this moment mattered except each other. Two lonely people were brought together, falling in love and helping to mend the others' broken heart.

Nothing else mattered but their love.

KNIGHTON HALL

Night had fallen and when Katherine had returned back, the sisters made small talk. Something seemed different about her sister today, probably having to do with the scene she saw unfold between Gisborne and her at the castle. Marian decided she would stay out of it, focusing on other matters at hand, such as helping Robin with his task.

She had visited the newly appointed Lord Much, leaving him with a note for Robin. She was happy to have another ally on their side in the system. Just as she was getting ready in her Nightwatchman gear and preparing her horse, she was surprised by the outlaw himself.

He tapped her on the shoulder and she turned, surprised. "Are you alright?" He chuckled. "I got your note. So...you think Gisborne is going to help us?"

"I overheard him speaking with my sister today. They were talking about protecting Lambert."

Robin rolled his eyes, finding this hard to believe. "Really? I doubt Gisborne would suddenly develop a conscience because of your sister."

"I don't see how we can get Lambert out any other way. I trust my sister will do the right thing. Maybe then we can find the ledger."

"I already have the ledger." Robin pointed out. Marian's eyes widened. "And I am not going to burn it. I am going to keep it safe for Lambert."

"At the risk of the sheriff getting hold of it?" She retorted. "And what then? It is too dangerous."

"How is it our calling to judge what shouldn't exist or exist as knowledge?"

Marian narrowed her eyes at him, trying to remind him. "It is our calling to protect others! If it is glory you seek, then god help you." She bumped past him, annoyed, leaving Robin by himself.

NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

"What's the matter?" The sheriff asked, looking up from his toes to Gisborne who sat contemplating. He knew his right-hand-man was up to something, having spied in earlier. "Is Katherine getting you down?"

"I'm tired, my lord."

"You're probably wondering where your loyalties lie. Well, let me you where they lie. Your friend, Lambert, he has slighted your loyalty. You do know he told Robin Hood where the ledger's were hidden." Guy's eyes went wide, looking over to him. "The information he kept from you, he gave to your enemy." Guy felt the knife cutting deeper into him at the sheriff's words. "Now, what friend would act so callously when your every effort has been to protect him. Hmm?" He patted Guy's shoulder. "Take heart, look at the bigger picture. Your black powder will open so many doors for us, Gisborne. It is power beyond imagination. And take heed, this sorry state of affairs has no way affected my judgement over you. Trust...when all others around us falter, that is the thing. We make a find team my friend...let's build on it."

Guy sighed, realizing the only people he could trust was the sheriff and Katherine. Even someone he thought was his friend had betrayed him. There was no chance at saving Lambert now, especially once his betrayal was known.

"So...I'll go and pay our friend a visit. Shall I teach him a thing or two about loyalty?" Guy nodded silently. "Yes...it's play or pay."

NOTTINGHAM CASTLE - Next Day

The sisters stood in the hall of nobles together for the usual meeting. Katherine's head perked up seeing Guy walk in, but he seemed down about something. She went to his side with concern. "What's wrong?"

"Lambert is dead." He whispered to her, causing her to gasp.

Marian watched from a distance, her eyes wide from surprise, only guessing what could have happened from the look on her sister's face. Katherine stood beside Guy as the nobles took their seats, listening to what the sheriff would have to say today. "Nobles, Ladies, let me introduce the latest addition to your well fed circus. Lord Much, Earl of Bonchurch."

Katherine's eyes went wide, realizing he was one of Robin's men. Glancing over to her sister, they exchanged knowing looks with each other.

Guy rolled his eyes as the nobles applauded. Much took a seat beside Marian as the Sheriff continued on. "You know, I've heard that it was a Roman emperor who made his horse a senator. Can you imagine that? The other senator's, smiling, their latest member drops dead at their feet." The nobles continued to chuckle. "You're not going to do that, are you Lord Much? Down to business."

Marian looked to her sister with a sad look, realizing that things had changed between them. She couldn't trust her sister if her sister trusted Gisborne. Katherine on the other hand was looking down, feeling bad for her betrothed over losing his friend.

She was broken from her thoughts at the sheriff's yelling, seeing his target was Much. "Come along! Come along! What do you think? Should it be yay or should it be nay?"

"To an increase in the plow tax, I say nay."

The sheriff beat his fist on the table, jumping up. "Nay! I KNEW HE WOULD SAY NAY! Neigh. Horsey, horsey, horsey. Neigh." Katherine almost felt bad for the man, being made fun of in front of all these nobles by the sheriff. But that was what happened when going against this man.

"I have to say-" Much tried to defend himself, but it was to no avail.

"What? You have to say what?" The sheriff barked back. "Well, let this serve as a reminder of what nay means. To me: descent. Neigh means horses, and horses have to be ridden hard. They have to be whipped." All the other nobles remained silent, knowing what was best for them, even when he started calling out towards them. "Lady Marian, Lady Katherine...how's your father?" Both girls glanced at each other. Katherine remained calm and Marian looked with worry. "Is he still pulling? Well, you will remind him about my position on naying, won't you?"

Once the meeting was adjourned, Katherine looked up at Guy, giving him a look. The Sheriff had started taking his jabs at her family and it was something that hit a nerve with her. She followed after her sister, leaving him concerned for her.

"Marian!" Katherine called out to her in the halls.

Her sister stopped, turning to address her. "How can you stand this? Is this really what you chose to be going through everyday for the rest of your life?"

"I don't like what he just did in there either, but there is nothing to be done. The sheriff is the one who makes the laws."

Marian scoffed. "I don't even know you anymore. It's like you've changed and become a new person since being involved with Gisborne."

Katherine was hurt by this, feeling the familiar stab in her chest. "No, that isn't it. You just don't know me like you think you do. And you don't know anything about him!"

"I'm starting to see that now."

Katherine sighed, feeling bad. She didn't want to push her sister away, that was never her intention. But she knew that Marian would never support her decision on marrying Gisborne. "I'm doing what needs to be done."

Marian sighed, not sure what to think about anything right now. "I'll see you at home."

Seeing that it would be left at that, Katherine continued to walk down the halls of the castle, completely lost in her thoughts.

SHERWOOD FOREST

Marian had made her way to the forest to inform Robin of what happened. Her chest ached and twisted with emotions, thinking over the conversation with her sister. Robin appeared from where his base camp was to greet her.

"I'm sorry. He's dead." She sobbed to Robin who held her as Marian released all her emotions. For the first time ever, she felt truly useless. She couldn't help him and it seemed she was losing her sister in the process. "Katherine won't help us. What do we do now?"

"We'll figure it out." He said.

The two of them walked into the encampment, seeing Djaq talking to the men about the ledger. "Think of this as progress. Other scientists could do other things with Greek Fire."

"Yeah!" exclaimed Allan. "You can burn the whole entire castle with that stuff!"

"Lambert's dead." Robin announced sadly to the group.

"What?" Little John asked, looking just as surprised as the rest of the group.

"He died believing I'd protect his work."

"Let me study this ledger, create black powder!" Djaq tried to convince him. "With this, we could be unstoppable!"

He gave her a look, causing her to hand it over. "First, we need to destroy the sheriff's powder. That is a weapon he must not wield. It's time to call on our noble on the inside." Marian knew this was where she came in, having to visit Much again and inform him of what was going on.

NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

Katherine decided to spend the night at the castle, feeling it wasn't best to go home after her fight with Marian. Her thoughts were jumbled, in a mixed state of confusion, not quite sure where to be. Here...you are supposed to be here. She tried to convince herself.

Completely lost in her thoughts, Katherine didn't even see Guy walking past her, trying to get her attention. "Katherine-" He grabbed her wrist, getting her attention.

"Oh, Sir Guy." She mumbled, breaking free from her thoughts. "I'm sorry to hear about Lambert."

He sighed, gritting his teeth from that subject. "He betrayed me to Hood." Her eyes went wide, noticing how this would affect him. Guy looked back to her, taking her hands into his. "You're the only one I can trust." He looked to the betrothal ring on her finger with pride.

Katherine swallowed, suddenly feeling like a huge weight was on her shoulders. She knew it was because her sister was involved with Robin Hood, and if Guy found that out, she could only guess how he would react towards it. And it wasn't pretty. Katherine began to question where her loyalties lied with Robin. He was her childhood friend, but she knew how Marian felt for him. And if she betrayed him then she would be betraying her sister too.

It was a tightrope Katherine was walking on. If she didn't keep balanced, she would be sure to fall if she leaned on either side, losing herself in the process.

"I'm always here for you, Guy."

He gently caressed her face, a smile on his lips. "And for that I am grateful."

"Sir Guy." A guard came up, interrupting them.

The Black Knight sighed, remembering his current mission. "I must be off. We've received information on the whereabouts of the ledger."

Katherine's eyes went wide. "Okay, be safe my love."

Watching him walk off, Katherine knew in that moment she would do anything for him. It hurt her heart knowing he had no family to go back to. The only person he could ever return to for any sort of comfort or support was herself.

She knew she was lucky because at least she had her father and sister. But Guy didn't have anyone...and her heart went out to him. Realization came over Katherine figuring out that the reason he put on such a cold, untouchable front was because it had been his way of learning how to survive all this time.

And Katherine would be damned if she subjected him to this loneliness any longer.