Alyss' heart was racing and every second felt like an eternity as she waited for the knight to respond. Until a few minutes ago she had not actually expected to ask him, for she had thought that he would never accept her, but now she was desperate for an answer.

"What?" He asked quietly, confusion overtaking him as he was unsure that he had heard her correctly.

"Marry me." She repeated, meeting his gaze. Gisburne was silent as he stared at the woman he loved in disbelief, uncertain as to why she would choose him as a husband. After all, was he not a tyrant and a killer? One of the most hated men in Nottinghamshire? Why would she want to spend her life with him? Was it out of gratitude? Or safety? Or wanting someone familiar with her? Or was it because she truly loved him? There was something in the way she was looking at him, and he realised he had not yet answered her. As much as his heart was screaming yes, he had to make sure that she was asking for the right reasons.

"Are you certain about this?" He asked cautiously, searching her face for the slightest hint that she was not, but all he could see was how vulnerable and earnest she looked.

"I have thought about this for so long, and have considered every outcome." She assured him, before hesitating as she reached a hand to his cheek and stroked it tenderly. "I want you, and only you, by my side." Alyss told him, and his heart rose in his chest. He had dreamt of this moment so many times, and yet he still could not believe that this was happening. It was certainly unusual for the woman to do the asking, but then their relationship had hardly been straightforward, and he had given her the option to choose. He held her closer, and she nuzzled into his shoulder. It felt so natural, and he could not wait to make her his wife.

"I… I love you Sir Guy." She whispered softly, as she shifted slightly. The snow had grown heavier, and large flakes stuck to their hair and clothes, yet neither wished to move.

"Truly?" He whispered, and Alyss smiled. She had always believed the knight to be so sure of himself, and yet it seemed he was not like that when it came to matters of the heart.

"With all my being." She admitted, and Guy laughed at himself. How could he have ever believed that Alyss would reject him? The lady looked a little hurt at this, but Gisburne shook his head before explaining himself.

"I'm sorry Alyss. I truly thought that you would never want me. I had no expectation that you would wait whilst I was away, or that you would even feel the same way when I returned." He paused as he summoned the courage to say his next words. Though it helped to know that she loved him, he was unused to showing his emotions. "My lady, I have loved you from the moment I saw you, and I can think of no other that I would rather spend my life with."

"Is that a yes?" She asked hopefully, and he smiled lovingly at her as he rested his forehead on hers.

"Yes." He murmured quietly before pressing his lips to hers. Alyss quickly melted into the kiss, holding on tightly to him as he held her closer. Her heart rose in her chest, and tears of joy fell from her eyes as she realised that he loved her as much as she loved him. This kiss was different to their first one too, for there was no sorrow present. Instead there was only joy and happiness, and neither cared about anything else. There was only each other, and that was all that mattered. By the time they broke apart, Alyss was breathless, and she wished that the Interdict was over for she would have married him today had she the option. Gisburne was silent, for he could only look at her lovingly as they held each other, the snow steadily falling around them. Never had they felt such joy, and Alyss hoped that they would have a good life. Lord knew that they had both waited long enough to be together. She just hoped that her people would understand and accept the knight as their new Lord. Shivering a little in the cold, she realised that it would not be long before her absence was noted in the manor, and though she had no wish to leave Guy's embrace, her duties called.

"What is it my love?" He asked as he noticed the look of worry in her eyes. Alyss smiled at the term of endearment, then glanced back to the manor.

"It won't be long before they come looking for me." She sighed as he stroked her cheek.

"You wish to go back?"

"Truthfully, I want to spend as much time as possible in your arms." She admitted. "I dreamt about you often while you were away. I still cannot believe you returned to me safely."

"I made you a promise my lady, and I will never break my word to you." He smiled. "It was only the thought of you that kept me going."

"You have truly loved me since Nottingham?" She asked as the snow soaked through her borrowed cloak.

"I did not realise it at first, but it only really came to light when your father took you home. As happy as I was for you, I almost wished that he did not have the money." Guy admitted.

"What would you have done if the manor became the Sheriff's?" She asked curiously.

"I don't know. I guess I would have done what I could to ensure your safety." He paused. "Just how long have you…?"

"I realised it only once I had returned to Nettleworth." Alyss admitted as she bit her lip. "I had to bury those feelings, and they surfaced when I found you in the woods. I had hoped… well, I was going to admit them to you, but then I discovered I was to marry and I thought it would be unfair to…" she shook her head. "And then I thought I was going to lose you forever. I wanted to tell you everything that day in the gardens, but…"

"You held out hope that I would return?"

"I could not even think of another man in such a way." She told him. "Since you returned to me, I have gained a true friend and partner, and I never wish to lose you again."

"I will stay with you forever." He promised, and Alyss smiled widely, before frowning as she realised the birds had stopped singing. The knight noticed it too, and they both glanced nervously around the clearing until Osric and Eleanor appeared in the trees. Alyss laughed nervously, while Guy let go of her, trying to hide what had happened. It was too late though, for the pair had been spotted, and both villagers were grinning.

"It's about time!" Osric said as Guy helped the lady to her feet.

"I take it you finally told him?" Eleanor asked, and Alyss nodded.

"We are being missed?" Gisburne queried, and the soldier nodded. "Then we should be heading back. I don't want any of you to miss out on the festivities because of me."

"I think I may need to change into something dry first." Alyss pointed out, before motioning for her friends to go ahead. The pair led the way, and Alyss realised that she had no idea how to break the news to the village when she had not really discussed anything with the knight. Gisburne just fell into step with her, then whispered in her ear about being happy to follow her lead.

"Give it a few days, then I'll tell them." Alyss told him, and he nodded.

"I'll go check on the horses while you go inside. If anyone asks, I'll claim I found you in the churchyard." He said softly, and she smiled.

"Thank you." So he headed off to the stables, while Alyss asked her friends to keep the truth quiet. Both agreed, and they returned to the festivities while Alyss returned to her room to get changed. Swapping into dry clothes, she warmed herself by the fire for a few minutes and let the news that she was engaged sink in. She had not expected to propose that day, but she felt happier than she had done in a very long time. Hearing footsteps on the landing outside, she waited for the knight to reach his room before she returned downstairs. She knew it would not be too long before her people noticed that something was different, but as all of them knew that today was Alyss' favourite day of the year, she figured they would not pick up on it yet.

—-

Gisburne swapped into a dry tunic and smiled as he heard the sound of singing and laughter downstairs. It seemed that everyone was having a good time, and it was certainly different to the winters spent in Nottingham. He could not wait to learn more about Nettleworth's traditions and celebrations, nor could he wait to make Alyss his wife. He still could not believe what had just happened, and part of him wished he had told her everything sooner. He desperately wanted to tell the world that he loved her, but he knew he would have to keep it quiet until she told everyone that they were to marry. He hoped that the news would be met kindly, but he still had a few people to charm in the village. They were mainly the older members who knew exactly what he had done during his time working for De Rainault, and he had no doubt that there were also supporters of the wolfsheads present. He had tried to ask about Hood, but no one had answered him. He was only curious, for he had no interest in chasing the outlaws down now, but wished to know the risks associated with Sherwood. Being so close to it, he wanted to ride through the forest but knew that it was a death sentence if Hood and his men were still around. He vowed to ask Alyss at the first chance he got, for he had no doubt that she knew what had happened to them. After all, she had always been a little sympathetic towards them, and they had visited the village every so often.

"You told her then?" Osric asked as he handed Gisburne a cup of ale once he returned downstairs.

"I did."

"And she didn't reject you?" The ex-soldier looked smug, and the knight rolled his eyes.

"You were right." Guy said.

"So when will you propose?" The knight didn't answer, instead taking a drink, and a grin spread across Osric's face. "Or should that be when is the wedding?"

"Shh…" Guy hissed as he glanced around to make sure that no one had heard. "We don't know yet. There is still much to be discussed." He pointed out as he spotted Alyss dancing with a few of her friends. Never had he seen her look so happy, and she smiled as she caught him watching her.

"I'm glad for you both. It's about time you were together after everything you've been through." Osric smiled as Eleanor appeared in front of him, looking for a dance partner. The soldier disappeared, while Guy stood to the side. He had enjoyed the rare occasions where he got to dance, but it had been a while now and his leg was sore from being in the cold. Even so, as the next tune struck up, Alyss approached and asked for a dance, and he found he could not refuse.

As time wore on, people started to make their way home, and eventually the two nobles were alone together. Alyss was tidying up, while Guy stoked the fire and wondered just what to say to her. It had definitely been an enjoyable day, and he had so much that he wanted to tell her, but he had no idea where to even begin. Alyss yawned as she finished clearing the table, and then sat next to the fire after handing him a drink. He sat next to her, and she rested her head on his shoulder as she watched the flames dance.

"Today went well." She said, and he smiled.

"You were right. It was certainly like nothing I have experienced." He paused. "After all, it's not every day that a knight is proposed to by a lady." Alyss laughed.

"I truly had not planned to do that today." She admitted.

"Yet you had been planning to ask at some point?" He asked curiously.

"In truth I would have asked weeks ago if you had only told me the truth." She pointed out. "I have long had suspicions that your feelings towards me had not changed, but I needed to hear you say it."

"I had no idea you felt the same way." Guy told her. "I have always struggled to read women, and I truly thought that… well, it all seems obvious to me now." He rolled his eyes as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, holding her close to him. "Had I known, I would have asked the King for your hand when I bought your lands." He teased, and Alyss poked him playfully.

"Was this your plan all along? Buy a girl her manor and hope she'll fall madly in love with you?"

"I've never been good at planning." He pointed out, and Alyss laughed. "But it seems to have helped." He teased.

"Well, it seems we both gained more than we bargained for when you stole me away all those years ago." She smiled before yawning again. She had no idea what time it was, but it must have been late. "I never expected to fall for you."

"I never thought that any woman would want me." He paused. "But you gave me hope that I was not entirely unlovable. I have done many terrible things in my life, and I do not expect you to forgive me for them. Just know that I will do all that I can to keep you and your people safe and happy."

"Thank you." She paused. "All I ask is that you stay safe and happy too."

"So long as I have you by my side, that is all I need." He said, meaning it. "We can talk everything over tomorrow. I'm sure you must be as tired as me."

"It has been a long day." She agreed. "And we need to work out when to tell the village." Gisburne looked a little sheepish at this, and Alyss sighed.

"I am afraid that Osric knows." He admitted.

"Then that means Eleanor does too." The noblewoman paused. "It won't be long before news spreads. I'll arrange for a meeting tomorrow."

"And the wedding?"

"We can't legally marry until the Interdict ends." She sighed deeply. "I wish it had not even started in the first place. It's meant that we have been unable to give people the funerals they deserve, or baptise the children, and so many couples are…." She trailed off.

"Yet surely there are people who are ignoring it?"

"I have heard rumours of a certain renegade friar conducting services in some of the villages." Alyss admitted sleepily. "But they have not been anywhere near here recently. Not since my father…"

"So Hood and his men are still in Sherwood?" He asked, but received no answer. Instead Alyss had fallen asleep, and the knight smiled softly. Carrying her to bed, he tucked her in and lingered by the doorway, scarcely able to believe that his dreams were coming true. For so long he had loved this woman, and it seemed that she felt the same. He had never truly believed in fate or destiny, but he knew that he had found his soulmate, an that they were meant to be together.

"Sweet dreams my lady." He wished, before retiring to his chamber.

—-

There were many a sore head the next morning, but this did not stop the residents of Nettleworth from greeting Alyss warmly when she knocked on their doors. A fresh blanket of snow covered the village, but this did not deter her or the knight from their mission. The pair had spent the morning talking things over, and the decision had been made to marry the moment the Interdict was over. With rumours that it may not be continuing for much longer, they knew that they would not have to wait too much longer. In the meantime, they could buy their wedding clothes and get everything in order so that they could move quickly once the Interdict was finished. That meant visiting a tailor, and they had agreed to visit Nottingham together once the roads were fit to be travelled again.

"Good day my lady." Hilda greeted as she answered the door. "What can I do for you?"

"I wished to tell you that…" Alyss began, but the older woman merely grinned as she looked between the pair.

"Congratulations." She said. "When's the wedding?" The two nobles were speechless, and Alyss blinked before responding.

"How did you know?"

"I've seen how in love with each other you are. It's about time you were both happy." Hilda pointed out. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Alyss paused. "Please don't tell anyone else until I've been around the village."

"Of course, my lady, my lord." Hilda bowed her head before returning inside. Alyss walked to the next cottage and received a similar reaction, and by the time they reached Eleanor's cottage, both were convinced that Osric had spread the news. The ex-soldier however pointed out that he had kept quiet, but it was rather obvious to everyone what was going on.

"Well then, I suppose we ought to celebrate in some way." The knight said, and Eleanor grinned.

"I'll let everyone know." And so Nettleworth's residents spent the evening in the manor, rejoicing in the news and celebrating the fact that their lady was to marry the man she loved.