Alyss shivered as the rain became heavier, and as a rumble of thunder filled the air, she realised she should probably go inside. She had spent most of her time recently by her father's grave, scarcely able to believe that he was gone. She felt numb, for she knew she would only crumble if she thought of what lay ahead of her. Her father's death meant that she was now an orphan, left alone to face the world with no one to guide her. She had no idea who would be running the manor once she left, but she hoped that they would be kind to her people, and part of her wished that she would be gone before the new owner arrived. She had no idea how she would react otherwise. Seeing the flash of lightning across the sky, she said her final goodbyes and then hurried back to the manor, wanting nothing more than to change into some dry clothes and warm herself by the fire. The smell of stew wafted from one of the cottages, and Alyss smiled sadly. She still had to say goodbye to many of the residents, and she knew that it would be difficult. After all, she had known some of them for all her life. But she had no other choice. Her home now belonged to the King, and she was to spend time in Kirklees Abbey until a husband was chosen for her. The manor was all packed up and ready for the new owners, and she knew that she would be spending the rest of the day in her chambers. After all, it was the only room which had a fire burning in the hearth, and it pained her to see the rest of the house so empty.
"My lady!" Young Edward came running out of Hilda's cottage as Alyss walked past, and the noblewoman frowned.
"You shouldn't be out in this storm!" Alyss said as she herded him back towards the door.
"Osric was here my lady!" Alyss glanced over to the manor, and then frowned. Was it true that her friend had returned?
"Did you see where he went?"
"I think he went to find Eleanor." Hilda explained as she brought Edward inside. Alyss thanked her, before hurrying to her friend's house.
Eleanor smiled widely as she let Alyss inside. Though the noblewoman felt guilty for interrupting their reunion, she knew that Eleanor would understand. After all, Osric had been a faithful friend for most of Alyss' life, and she desperately needed to know if he had any news of Gisburne. She was ushered towards the fire and Alyss hesitated as she found the soldier staring morosely at the flames. She had not expected to find him so upset when he had been reunited with the woman he had loved, and the raven-haired lady sighed as she realised that she would not like the news he had for her. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she moved towards the fire and was glad of the warmth on her cold hands.
"Hello Osric." Alyss said softly. The soldier paled, and looked like he had seen a ghost. Alyss gave him a kindly smile as he reached out and felt her hand.
"They said you were…" He began, then shook his head. "There were two graves."
"We lost Aelswith shortly after my father." Alyss explained, and Osric sighed.
"I am sorry to hear about Lord Edgar. He truly was a remarkable man." He said before getting to his feet. Alyss smiled sadly as she hugged her friend, knowing that their time together was short.
"He was. It was painless in the end. He passed in his sleep." She paused as she let go of him. "It is good to have you back."
"It is good to see you my lady." He smiled. "May I ask something?"
"Of course."
"Why is the manor empty?"
"Because I am leaving tomorrow." She told him, and he frowned.
"Then you should speak to the man who came with me." He said. "He has business with you."
"Do you know where he is?"
"I left him at the churchyard." Osric explained. "He didn't give a name."
"Then I shall find him. You are more than welcome to dine at the manor tonight, though I understand if you wish to stay here." She turned to leave, but Osric called out before she got to the door.
"My lady, I also have news." She turned around and knew exactly what he was going to say from the look in his eyes. She was not sure she could bear to hear it said aloud, and so she bowed her head.
"I know Osric. I have accepted that he is gone."
"I'm so sorry Alyss." He sighed, and she gave a wry smile.
"I will let you catch up with Eleanor."
"Thank you, my lady." Alyss left then, her heart heavy as Osric had confirmed her suspicions. Though she had sort of accepted that she would never see the knight again, it still hurt to hear it. After all, she had never cared for a man like she had for Gisburne, and she owed him much. She felt guilty for what had happened to him, and she knew that it was her fault that he had gone to Normandy. Sighing deeply, she blinked away a tear and found a figure kneeling by the graves. Knowing that this must be the man who had travelled with Osric, she approached them and hoped that he would not need much persuading to go inside. After all, the weather was horrendous and the storm was not dissipating.
"Excuse me sir, but I hear that you wish to speak with the Lady Nettleworth?" Alyss asked as she stood beside them.
"I was told that she…"
"She lives." Alyss stated, wondering who was spreading the rumours that she was dead.
"That is good news." He said as he got to his feet.
"Now, I don't know about you, but I think it would be preferable to discuss this business in the warmth?" He bowed his head, and so Alyss led the way back to the manor. Once inside she took off her sodden cloak and lit the fire in the hall, while the hooded man stood to one side. She could feel his eyes on her, and she felt a little uneasy as she stood back up.
"I'm sorry. I was not expecting visitors. I leave tomorrow, so the manor will be yours. I am assuming you are to be the new owner?" She asked, but the only response she got was a soft chuckle. "I did not catch your name earlier."
"Surely you recognise me my lady?" he asked, and Alyss frowned for the voice did sound somewhat familiar. The only thing was that it could not be him. He was dead. Osric had confirmed it. So this had to be her mind playing tricks on her.
"I…" she began, then stared at him in shock as he took his hood down. A very familiar man was staring back at her, except he was grinning, and he had a scar down the left side of his face.
"Hello Alyss." He greeted, but this was too much for her and she fainted.
Alyss was more than a little confused when she opened her eyes, for she was lying in her bed but in wet clothes. Sitting up, she winced as the room span, and she reached for a drink to find one already poured out for her. She knew she must have fainted, but she could not remember what had happened leading up to it. All she could think of was warmth, so she dragged herself off the bed and routed through a packed bag for a clean outfit. A few minutes later found her sitting by the fire, savouring the feeling of dry clothes on damp skin, and attempting to plait her sodden hair. She could hear someone moving about downstairs, and she frowned as she remembered that Osric was back. Was it him pottering about? Had he found her collapsed in the entrance way? She knew she would have to find out. Wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, she then spotted a small wooden figure on the table. She felt a spark of hope ignite in her heart as she recognised it, for she had given it to Sir Guy just over five years ago. How had it gotten here? Had Osric brought it back to her? Or was it the other visitor? Alyss paused. The man had said he had business with her. Was it to do with a husband? Or the manor? Or did he have news of the knight? She knew there was only one way to get the answers she needed, so she carefully made her way downstairs and was surprised to find the manor empty.
"Hello?" She called out, but got no response, and she sighed for she really did not want to go back outside in the storm. Hovering by the fire, she held onto the wooden phoenix and wondered just how it had gotten to her. It was definitely the same one she had given to Guy after the trial, and from the smooth polish on it she could tell it had been treasured by him. She was about to go in search of her visitor when she heard footsteps outside, and the door opened to reveal a very familiar blond soldier with two saddlebags over his shoulder. Alyss stared at him, before her lips curved into a smile.
"Hello Alyss."
"Sir Guy." She whispered. "I thought… I mean, Osric even said… It can't be…" she uttered, scarcely able to believe her eyes. Gisburne just placed the bags on the floor before standing in front of her. He gently took her hand in his to prove that he was really there, and then shook his head.
"I know. I can scarcely believe I'm here either." He told her, and Alyss laughed. "I'm guessing this is quite a shock?" Alyss found herself speechless, but nodded. He escorted her to a seat and poured them both drinks before sitting opposite her. Guy could hardly believe that he had found her after all this time, especially as half an hour ago he had thought she was dead. It had been a surprise to find her in the manor, but he was grateful to see her again. Even though she looked pale and her damp hair stuck to her forehead, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever laid his eyes on. The pair sat and drank in silence, before Alyss regained her senses.
"Wait, Osric said that he travelled with someone who had business with me. Is that…?" Guy merely smiled as he retrieved a scroll from one of the saddlebags and handed it to her.
"I do indeed my lady." He told her, watching as she inspected the seal. She frowned as she recognised it, and then shook her head.
"Sir Guy, there is something you should know." She said, looking troubled.
"Perhaps you should read this first." He prompted, and Alyss sighed.
"I am leaving tomorrow. The manor now belongs to the king and I am to wait in Kirklees until…" She explained, then blinked away a tear. "Why must we always be parted?"
"My lady, I think you will find that this is not the case." He assured her. Alyss met his gaze and realised that he was being honest. Opening the scroll, she quickly scanned it, then read it in more detail. Guy could not help but smile as he watched a number of emotions play out on Alyss' face, and then she stared at him with even more tears in her eyes.
"Guy, this must have cost… I can never…" she shook her head, feeling rather speechless. "Why would…?"
"The manor is yours my lady, as is your choice of husband." He told her, while Alyss stared at him in confusion. "That is, should you wish to marry. There is nothing owed. Nettleworth's debts are paid."
"But…"
"It has all been agreed with the King." Guy paused. "I am only sorry that I was so delayed. I had intended to be here much sooner."
"Guy, I…" Alyss paused, took another drink, then got to her feet. "I can never repay you for this. I do not even know what I have done to deserve such a thing. I only ever asked to see you again. I…"
"I am a man of my word, my lady." He assured her. "I promised that I would see your manor in safe hands, and I know of none better than yours. Nettleworth Manor will always be your home regardless." Alyss felt like crying, for she had never expected to be rescued like this. She had accepted that she would be leaving forever tomorrow, and that the man before her was dead. To find out that he lived and that she could stay… Well, it was a lot to take in.
"But why here? Surely you could have bought land and titles and a wife for what this must have cost. Why did you…?" She asked after a moment. Guy looked a little hurt, but knew that she deserved answers. After all, he would be suspicious of someone's motivations if they had just swept in and solved all his problems, without asking for anything in return.
"I still could buy land and titles." He shrugged. "Normandy was perhaps one of the best things that could have happened for me, my lady. It freed me of the Sheriff, and I amassed quite some wealth while abroad. I thought I would use some of it to ensure a safe future for you."
"But I cost you everything." She said with a pained expression. Of all the times he had dreamt of their reunion, he had never thought that it would go like this. But he could not bear the thought that she felt guilty for what had happened to him. After all, she had saved his life, and it had been his choice to keep her actions quiet.
"You blame yourself?" She bowed her head in response. "I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if it kept you safe my lady." He meant it. Alyss was silent, and Guy wondered what he should do for the best. He knew that she would need time to take in the news, but he had no wish to leave so soon. Then again, if she did not want him to stay then he would respect her wishes.
"What will you do now Sir Guy?" She asked quietly after a few moments.
"I do not know my lady. I had only ever thought of keeping my promise to you." Alyss gave a slight smile, then looked hesitant as she considered her words carefully.
"Then would you be willing to stay here for a short while? I fear the manor is rather quiet since my father and I have fallen behind with some of my duties…" she paused. "I mean, you are welcome to stay. I would be grateful for the company."
"You wish for my help?" He asked.
"Only if you want to. You can stay regardless, or you can leave. I cannot stop you." Guy chuckled, and Alyss frowned. "What is it?"
"I've missed you my lady." He pointed out, and Alyss smiled.
"I've missed you too."