By far the hardest thing Guy had ever had to do was leave the Lady Alyss in the castle gardens. More than anything he had wanted to stay with her and confess his love, but he'd had no option but to go. He had barely gotten out of her sight when he heard her sobs, and it had taken every ounce of strength he had to not go back and comfort her. Alyss was the only truly good thing in his life, and he wished only to make her happy. She had made him a better man, and for that he was grateful. He had been surprised to learn that she blamed herself for what had happened, but he knew that this was just who she was. It had hurt him to hear her words in the trial, but he had known that she was trying to save him. Never had he met a woman who would do anything to help him, and he had never expected to find one who cared for him as he did for her. Yet he had found Alyss, and just as he had learned the truth of her feelings, they were to be parted. He knew he could not make her wait for him, but he was determined to return to Nettleworth. He did not care if she was married by the time he came back. He had promised to find her, and he was not going to break his word.
"My lord, the horses are ready and waiting." Osric said as Sir Guy finished packing. It was just a little before sunrise, and the knight had barely slept. Every time he had closed his eyes, he had been taunted with dreams of what might have been, and he had eventually given up on the idea of sleep altogether.
"Horses?" Gisburne queried, having believed that he would be travelling alone. Osric looked a little sheepish, and that was when the knight noticed that the soldier was carrying a bag.
"My lady did not ask me to join you. This is my choice alone, and Lord Edgar fully understands." The soldier explained.
"Are you certain about this? I cannot guarantee your safety, or that you will see Nettleworth again." Guy warned.
"I am." Osric said. "So long as…"
"It will be good to have a friendly face." The knight pointed out, and Osric smiled. "How is Alyss?"
"Upset, but she will be alright." The soldier explained. "She has already been through this heartache before, but she has her people to keep her occupied."
"Good." The knight said, heartened at the knowledge that Alyss would be distracted.
"Are you still here Gisburne?" The two men looked up to find the Sheriff standing in the door, and Osric excused himself. Sir Guy stared at his employer curiously, having believed that De Rainault had already said everything he needed to after the trial.
"I will be gone very shortly my lord." Gisburne said. The Sheriff took one look at him and shook his head.
"I always knew you were a fool when it came to women, but this time… This time you have truly outdone yourself. Do not expect to have your job when you return."
"I understand." Guy said, somewhat glad to have his suspicions confirmed. "I should…"
"You should go. You don't want to anger the King any more than you have." The knight turned to leave, but had only gotten a metre out of the door when he heard his name.
"Yes my lord?"
"Good luck Guy. Give them hell in Normandy." The Sheriff wished, and the knight gave a slight smile before leaving.
It had been a long time ago now since he had left Nottingham, and Gisburne was growing weary of seeing death each day. He and Osric had fought together and both were counting down the days until they could return to England. The five years was nearly at an end, and both men had started to discuss their plans for the future when they weren't fighting for their king. Osric was determined to become a carpenter and settle down with a woman, while Guy could not help but wonder what had happened to Lady Alyss. He hoped she was happy. He did not dare think that she may be unmarried or that she would still feel the same way about him, but he was determined to see her again. The thought of her had been the only thing which had kept him going in his darkest moments, and he had dreamt of her often. He prayed that she was safe and well, and that she no longer worried about her home. He just hoped that she would still be happy to see him, and wondered how she would react when they reunited.
"My lord, we have orders to march immediately." One of his men said, and Guy sighed. They had been camped for less than a day, and all of them needed a rest. However, orders were orders, so Guy instructed the others to take down the tents.
They were on the road within the hour, and all were cursing as they trudged along the muddy road through the French forest. Gisburne had been forced to dismount and lead Fury on foot, but he was used to leading men through woods. His time spent patrolling Sherwood had given him much experience, and he felt uneasy as he realised that there were no birds twittering in the trees. He looked ahead and then around him, before motioning for his men to stop.
"Ambush!" Came the cry from the back of the troop just as the first arrows flew. Hours of practice were put into use as the men stood and faced the trees, and shortly after the French soldiers came to face them. A fierce fight followed, and Guy slashed and hacked his way through, wondering if he would get out of this. The French had the advantage of surprise, but the English were not going to give up easily. That was when Osric gave a roar of pain, and Guy turned to find his friend surrounded. Not wishing to let the man die, Gisburne made his way over and soon the pair were fighting back to back. It was not much longer after this that the French realised they were beaten, and quickly retreated back into the woods.
"Check for survivors. We need to…" But the knight was silenced by a well-aimed arrow. The last thing he thought of was his lady, before his world went dark…
Five and a half years had passed since that day in Nottingham, and Alyss had never forgotten those stolen moments in the castle garden. That kiss had been everything she had wanted, but more than anything she had wanted him to stay. Her heart had broken that day, and it had taken many months for it to heal. Still, she had at least been able to distract herself with running Nettleworth Manor, and she could hold onto the hope that Gisburne would return. She often wondered about her future, for she knew it was in the King's hands but he had not yet decided on a husband for her. She was somewhat glad of this, though she wished that Nettleworth would remain hers after her father died. Thankfully Lord Edgar was in fine health, and it seemed it would be a while yet before Alyss would be living elsewhere.
Walking across to the fields, Alyss allowed herself a deep sigh. It was six years since she had found Sir Guy wounded by the road, and she wondered what had happened to him. She had heard nothing of him in the last six months, and she hoped that he was still alive. The letters he had sent her were kept in a box by her bed, and were one of her most treasured possessions. He had let her know that Osric was alright, and she prayed for both men often. She hoped that both were alive and would return soon, but with every day that passed without a sign of them, she was being forced to accept that they may be dead. Everyone else seemed to believe it, but Alyss kept hold onto the hope that they were wrong.
"Any news my lady?" Eleanor asked as she joined her.
"I'm afraid not." Alyss sighed. Eleanor asked every day about Osric, and she hoped that there would be at least one happy reunion in the village soon.
"He'll be here soon. You'll see." The young woman said before getting to work in the fields.
"I wish I had your optimism." Alyss murmured, before turning her attention to bringing in the harvest.
It was a little after midday when Alfred came running into the field, shouting for Alyss. At first, she was confused, wondering why on earth she should be needed at the manor, and then her heart rose a little as she thought of who might be visiting. Her hopes were quickly dashed by three words though.
"it's your father!" She did not hesitate to abandon her work, and was instantly running home as quickly as her legs would allow. Her heart was in her mouth as her mind raced. Her father could not be ill. He was strong, and could survive anything. He was also the only family she had left. She could not lose him. Not now.
The physician was already there when she arrived. Catching her breath, she did not care that she looked a state as she entered her father's chamber. He was lying in bed, looking very pale, and Alyss realised that this illness was different to any she had seen before. The physician looked at her sympathetically, and she shook her head.
"No… No! It can't be…" She began, but the doctor sighed.
"I have done all I can my lady, but I fear that it is not enough. He has but days left."
"Father!" Alyss cried, as she sat beside him, tears falling down her cheeks.
Alyss barely moved from Edgar's side from that moment on. Fear had gripped her very soul as she wondered about her future. Not only was she terrified of losing her father, she was scared of losing Nettleworth too. The village would no longer be her home, and she had no idea who would be her husband. All the guilt and shame she had long since buried had come flooding back too, which only made her feel worse. After all, the Manor would still be hers if Gisburne had not saved her, and Gisburne would probably still be in Nottingham if… Well, it was pointless dwelling on the past. All she could do was cling on to the small hope that the physician had been wrong.
"I am sorry to disturb you my lady, but you have a visitor." Alyss looked up from the bed to find Hilda in the door. The older woman had been happy to help around the manor, and had done everything she could to support Alyss since her mother had died.
"Will you…?"
"Of course. If there's any change I shall let you know." The two women switched places, and Alyss realised that she was not really in any fit state to be hosting visitors. She had not changed her gown for a few days, and her hair was in desperate need of brushing, but she was certain that any guests would understand given the circumstances. Going downstairs, she found Edmund warming himself by the fire, and he gave her a kindly smile.
"How is your father my lady?"
"It does not look good." She sighed deeply.
"I am sorry to hear that. You have tried everything?"
"Everything I know." She paused. "What can I do for you Edmund? For I take it this is not a social visit."
"I have news my lady."
"News?"
"Of Nettleworth's new owner." Alyss felt the blood drain from her face, and she leaned on the table to keep herself upright.
"My father still lives and yet they choose a successor?!"
"It may only be rumour, my lady." The soldier said calmly, and the noblewoman sighed. It was only natural that the King would choose someone to run Nettleworth for him, and with the monarch staying nearby it was not surprising that he would have heard of Edgar's illness.
"Do you have a name?"
"I'm afraid not." Edmund sighed. "I only know that they will be here by the end of next week."
"Thank you for letting me know." Alyss said, feeling her world come crashing down around her.
"I hope your father makes a swift recovery my lady." Edmund wished, before leaving. Alyss could only sink into a chair and break down in tears, knowing that everything she knew and loved was about to be torn away from her, and there was nothing she could do about it.