Alyss paced her chamber in a desperate attempt to tackle the nerves that were threatening to overwhelm her. Her stomach felt like it was full of butterflies, her heart was racing, and she could not settle. Though she had expected to feel a little nervous on her wedding day, she had never imagined that she would feel like this. She had scarcely been able to sleep, and she was somewhat reassured to hear Sir Guy also pacing in his room, for it meant that she was not alone. More than once she had considered going to speak to him and get some reassurance, but she had been told that it was bad luck for them to see each other before the wedding, and she had no wish to cause such a thing. Lord knew that they had waited a very long time to finally be together, and she did not want to risk anything else happening to them. She could only be grateful that the knight had forgiven her for what had happened in Sherwood, and that the outlaws had actually listened to her message. There had been no sign of Hood or his men in or near Nettleworth for months now, and she hoped that it would stay that way. Her people were not in need of anything, but though everyone knew the risks to the village, no one would turn the outlaws away if they were in need of help, even if Gisburne was not far away. On more than one occasion over the years Alyss had found the wolfsheads talking to her people or sheltering in cottages, and even she had not had the heart to send them away. She was torn now though, for her heart lay with Sir Guy, who was Hood's mortal enemy, and yet she still supported what the wolfsheads stood for.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Alyss looked out of her window and watched the sunrise. The village had been decorated especially for today's celebrations, and she could see a couple of people hurrying to get the final preparations finished in time. It had been many years since Nettleworth had held a marriage ceremony, and Sir Guy had not hesitated to order only the finest food and wine for the occasion. Even the people had donated what they could towards the feast, and Alyss knew that they were doing this all for her. She truly could not help but wonder if some of them were also motivated by fear, for all remembered just how harsh Gisburne and his men could be when they were collecting the taxes, but the knight had been nothing but kind towards Nettleworth's residents since he had returned from Normandy. Truly, Alyss hoped that this would continue once he was officially the Lord of Nettleworth, but a small sliver of doubt sat in her mind, and she could not shake it. It did not help that she had grown used to running the manor alone, and she was a little unwilling to give over her duties to her husband, but Guy had assured her that they would split their duties evenly. She could only hope that he would keep his word once she was his wife.

Of course, this was not the first time she had been preparing for a wedding, and she had been having some difficulty quelling the memories of the lecherous Hugh of Dunwich. Not only had she been betrayed by her father, but she had nearly lost everything she held dear because of that man, and she had always blamed herself for what had happened. It had taken a long time to get over the traumatic events, and she could only be grateful that Sir Guy had survived his time in Normandy. His return had given her a safe and secure future, and she could never repay him for paying off Nettleworth's debts. He had claimed to want nothing in return, and yet his actions since that day had only proven to her that he loved her. She knew that he still felt guilty for tearing her away from her home all those years ago, and he was still trying to prove himself worthy of her love with every day that passed. Never had Alyss imagined that she would be able to marry for love, and she knew just how lucky she had been to get this far, but even now she could not believe that she was marrying Gisburne.

A slight chuckle escaped her lips as she remembered the first day that she had met the man over ten years ago. The stories of his cruel actions in the villages had reached Nettleworth weeks previously, and at first Alyss had not believed that anyone could be capable of such things. But then he had ridden into the village and sent his men tearing through the houses in search of taxes, before he had come to the manor. Alyss had been sat embroidering cloth when the knight had strolled in as if he owned the place, and she had wondered how a man so handsome could be so callous. She could hear the cries of her people outside, begging for more time to pay, while Lord Edgar had been doing his best to calm everyone down. Gisburne had scanned the room in search of something, and then his eyes had met hers. It had only been for a moment, but Alyss had shivered at the cold gaze, while he seemed to soften ever so slightly. Thankfully she had been rescued by her father just minutes later, but every time the knight had returned to Nettleworth after that day, Alyss had been aware of his gaze on her. As time had passed and she had gotten older, she had decided to use this to her advantage in order to protect her people and her home. It was only when she had been trapped in Nottingham that she had realised that there was another side to the knight, and then she had fallen for him, despite much inner turmoil. She had despised the man before moving to the castle, and yet… Yet she had seen just how trapped he had been too. His actions were the result of his reputation and his orders, and it seemed he had many regrets. The fact that he had not punished her for breaking the agreement had told Alyss all she had needed to know about him. Truly, he could be a kind and good-hearted man, and never had she felt so safe or content in the company of another nobleman that was not her father. The fact that he was now to be her husband…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door, and Alyss sighed as she opened it, for she knew that she ought to start getting ready. The problem was, she wasn't sure that she could sit still long enough to allow them to style her hair. Thankfully, Eleanor gave her a reassuring smile before handing her a goblet.

"Drink this. It'll help with the nerves."

"Who says I'm nervous?" Alyss asked weakly.

"I've known you for as long as I can remember. I know you're nervous, and I know you're questioning if this is the right thing to do." Eleanor pointed out as she sat Alyss down. "But, trust me, this is what you have wanted for years. You love him, and he loves you. Even a blind man can see that you are meant for each other. No one in this village has anything against this match. We've all seen what he has done, both good and bad, but he makes you happy, and that is the most important thing."

"But…"

"No buts. I have not postponed my wedding just to have you back out at the last minute." Eleanor stated, and Alyss sighed.

"You're right of course. You always are." Alyss shook her head before downing the drink. "Right, I suppose we ought to get ready."

Sir Guy wondered quite what to do with himself. He had not been able to sleep, and he was wondering if Alyss was having second thoughts. It had not helped that he had heard her pacing for most of the night, and it had taken every ounce of strength not to go and reassure her. He had been left with his thoughts for hours, and he was starting to doubt that this was the right thing to do. Though he loved Alyss and had fought many a battle to even get this far, he was certain that she deserved so much more in a man. She deserved only the very best, and he was far from that. His past had been haunting him recently, and despite his attempts to be a much better man than his younger self, he could not shake the feeling that he would mess this up. He had never had anything so good before in his life without it being taken away or destroyed, and he had no wish to hurt Alyss or her people. He knew that she trusted him completely, and he still had no idea what he had done to earn her love. After all, though he had been interested in other women previously, he had not fallen so deeply, nor had they returned his feelings.

It was different with Alyss. She had caught his eye when he had first visited Nettleworth, and he had not expected anything more to come of it. It had been as clear as day that she had despised him from the moment he had arrived in the village, and yet Guy had not been deterred. Though he had rarely visited Nettleworth other than to collect taxes, he had always engineered some way of spending some time with the noblewoman. It had been somewhat selfish of him to steal her away when Edgar could not pay the money owed, for Gisburne had decided that having Alyss as his prisoner would give him plenty of time with her. Yet he had quickly realised his mistake in tearing her away from everything she knew and loved. The woman he had spoken to in those first weeks in Nottingham was much changed from the person he thought he had known, and it had been difficult to see her so upset. Oh, how he had wished to take her back home and see her smile again, and yet he had known that she would lose everything had he given into his heart. It had been awful seeing her sorrow, and he had done everything he could to try and make her life in the castle better. Never had he imagined that she would fall in love with him, and he had not truly entertained the idea of making her his wife until the day of his trial. Though it was true that his actions had cost him his job and six years of his life, he would not have changed a thing, for it had meant that Alyss had been safe and well.

Unable to settle, and sick of the sight of the same walls, Guy decided to go for a walk. He smiled as he watched Eleanor head towards the manor, and knew that it would only be a few hours before Alyss was his wife. He still could not believe that he had found her again after Normandy. Truly he had thought that he would never see her again after that moment in Nottingham Castle's gardens, and yet… Yet he would go through it all again if it meant keeping her safe. Never had he wanted something so dearly before, and he was determined not to screw it up now.

"Please tell me you aren't having second thoughts?" the familiar voice startled Guy, but the two friends soon fell into step as they walked around the edge of the village.

"No. I'm just pondering." Guy replied. "You must be excited for next week."

"I would have married her the moment I returned home if I had been able to." Osric pointed out. "But next week cannot come soon enough."

"I am grateful that you were willing to wait another…" Guy began, but Osric shook his head.

"The pair of you have been waiting so long to be together that you deserve to have these celebrations without having to share them."

"I can scarcely believe this is really happening in truth. I know I talked of it often in Normandy, but it was just wishful thinking…" Osric offered a sympathetic smile.

"Alyss truly loves you Sir Guy." The ex-soldier stated. "I know that for a fact."

"So she is not marrying me because I gave her Nettleworth Manor?" Guy asked, for it had been playing on his mind.

"That may be a small part of it." Osric teased, before realising how unhelpful that was. "You released her because you loved her, did you not?"

"I did."

"And she would not ask you to stay if she did not love you." Guy knew the man spoke sense. "Alyss is not marrying you out of gratitude."

"Then why did she decide to be my wife?" Guy asked, his doubts finally known. "She can surely find a man who is…"

"There are none like you." Osric interrupted. "I have known you both for many years, and I can tell you now that Alyss has loved you for years. She loved you in Nottingham, and she refused to believe that you would not return from Normandy. I have never seen her like this with anyone else."

"That still does not…" Guy frowned.

"She loves you. Surely that is enough."

"Yet she could surely find…" He trailed off as Osric gave him a pointed look. "What is it?"

"The pair of you are well suited for each other." The former soldier smiled as they reached an area where Alyss' favourite flowers grew. Guy instantly stooped down and picked some, while a bemused Osric watched.

"Well, if she is to be my bride, she'll be needing a bouquet." The knight pointed out.

"And if you are to be her husband, you ought to be getting ready." Osric stated, while Guy shook his head.

"It will not take long." The knight assured him before choosing only the best blooms for his wife-to-be, somewhat grateful for the distraction.

Alyss' heart was racing as she heard everyone moving around outside. She had scarcely eaten anything, her appetite lacking, and she kept fighting back tears. She was in dire need of advice and comfort, and yet there was no one with her to give it. Eleanor and a couple of the older women had helped to prepare her for the day, and yet now it was here, Alyss was a complete mixture of emotions. As excited as she was to be getting married to the man she loved, she could not help but question if this was the right thing to do, and she worried that something might happen to stop the wedding. Though her people had accepted her choice, she had no doubt that the other villages would be against such a match and may strike today. She fiddled with the cuff of her sleeve as she paced, trying desperately to calm her nerves. Rarely had she felt so anxious, and she wished that her family were here to guide her. The closest thing she'd had was Eleanor, and she had gone ahead to the church now that Alyss was dressed. Though she looked every bit the bride, she did not entirely feel like one.

"Nervous?" Osric asked as he appeared in the doorway. Alyss flashed him a weak smile.

"What gave it away?"

"I would not worry my lady. You are doing the right thing, and he does truly love you." He assured her as she walked towards him.

"But…"

"I know you have your doubts. That is only natural. But I know you are doing the right thing."

"Am I?" She asked quietly. "What if this all goes wrong? We have waited so long to be happy, and yet there are so many people out there who would wish to see him dead…"

"I am certain that nothing will happen to him today." Osric assured her. "These are for you, by the way." He handed her a bouquet containing her favourite flowers, and Alyss felt more tears form. "Your fiancé picked them this morning for you."

"Are they all at the church?" She asked as she dried her eyes.

"They are."

"Then we had best not keep them waiting." She said as she took a deep breath to compose herself. Osric offered her his arm, and together they left Nettleworth Manor.