Part 28
"Going somewhere?" The voice was familiar and the tone wry, but Elizabeth's heart still jumped into her throat as she whirled. It was not yet light, but the grey of pre-dawn was beginning to invade the glade within the Forest, making his position easily identifiable. She pulled Max's cloak, the one she had filched, more closely around her, breathing in his scent to try and calm herself before facing the owner of that voice.
Michael was leaning against a tree, his arms folded across his chest, one eyebrow raised, a half-annoyed, half-admiring expression on his handsome face, although Elizabeth wondered if she was imagining the latter.
She had been so sure that she had gotten away without waking anyone.
It had not been easy to evade Max. After they had made love, she had pretended to fall asleep in his arms. She had allowed him to wrap her in his cloak and had felt him lift her, carrying her back towards the clearing where their friends waited. She knew it was because he felt they were safer near them all, but internally she had been cursing, wondering if there was any way she was going to be able to sneak away with the other five all around her.
Fortunately Max had still wanted some privacy. He had gently laid her on the far side of the banked fire, had disappeared for a few moments (she had watched him through lowered lashes as he spoke quietly with Michael on the other side of the fire) and then had returned, lying down next to her and pulling her into his arms. It had seemed to take him forever to fall asleep, but she had finally been convinced when his breathing had become deep and even for a fairly lengthy period of time.
It had taken almost an hour to gradually wiggle out of his embrace. He had only stirred once though, murmuring her name in his sleep. She had watched him sleep for several moments, her heart contracting at the dark circles under his eyes. He was clearly exhausted. She had been breathless with tension, but also breathless with love.
There had been one heart-stopping moment when she had wondered if she would ever see him again. And if she did, would he ever forgive her? It had almost been enough to make her lie back down, to throw her arms around him, to even wake him so that he would again join with her and take her to the plain of existence that only he opened to her.
But she was doing this for HIM. She would save Tess and then they would begin their lives together without sorrow and without guilt.
She had avoided the other four by skirting around the fire and heading straight into the underbrush. She had not even looked in their direction, which was obviously the reason that she had not noticed that Michael was not sleeping at all. Max must have ordered him to stand guard. She cursed herself for not realizing he would do such a thing - not because he didn't trust her, but because they WERE wanted outlaws after all. It would have been careless for them all to fall asleep and Max was anything if not level-headed when it came to HER protection.
Which was what had led her to lie to him in the first place, because she knew she was right and he would never admit it.
Michael had obviously been following her for the good hour that she had been traipsing through the Forest, hoping that she was headed in the direction of Nottingham. She had been fairly certain in which direction the King's Highway lay and so had intended to follow it along the edges.
Michael had only made his presence known when she had paused to get her bearings. She continued to stare at him now but finally opened her mouth to reply. "Clearly." It was all she said. He had to know where she was going.
"I thought Maxwell told you that you weren't going to do this." Michael told her, sounding merely curious, rather than angry.
"He did." Elizabeth returned, raising her chin slightly.
"And you chose to ignore him?" Michael inquired, his tone still wry.
"He was wrong." She eyed him, wondering what game he was playing at. Why hadn't he just thrown her across his shoulder and hauled her back to Max for the tongue-lashing he would likely enjoy seeing her receive? He might even be hoping that Max would set her aside, would have their marriage annulled because she had disobeyed him. He could do it after all. Many marriages had been annulled for less.
"Hmmmm." Michael continued to smirk at her, seeming to be enjoying her nervousness. And so her shock was even greater when he finally said, "I agree."
"You do?"
"Did I not say before that it was a good plan?" Michael asked, scowling slightly.
"Well, yes, but..." Elizabeth just continued to stare at him.
"But Michael would never go against Max?" He grinned openly now. "We've all seen that that is NOT true."
"Are you saying that you want to help me?" She asked in astonishment. "But Michael! You are still a wanted outlaw! If Kyle catches you, he will hang you!"
"Then we will not let him catch me, will we?" Michael replied calmly. "I am trusting in your confidence in your Queen Eleanor. I will NOT let Tess remain in the hands of that madman for a minute longer than necessary. If Maxwell wants to rest on his laurels, then I'm going to go with the monarch who believes in action before caution." He grinned again. "Not to mention, I have to make sure that you stay out of trouble long enough for Max to thoroughly thrash you when we return."
Elizabeth felt a rush of affection for her brother-in-law. It was so sudden and unexpected, she gave into it, throwing her arms around him. "Thank you."
Michael stiffened, took a step back, but didn't seem displeased when she looked up at him again. "So then. Shall we my queen?" He motioned in the opposite direction from the one in which she had been headed. "By the way," he whispered, as though he was telling her a great secret, "The road is THAT way."
Elizabeth felt the heat rising in her face. "I knew that." She muttered, kicking her skirt out of the way and heading back in the direction from which she had just come. Michael's amused snort reassured that he was following.
*****************************************************
"LIZ!" And then, several moments later. "GOD DAMN HIM!"
Isabel's eyes snapped open. She sat up abruptly, nearly toppling over onto Mary, who had been curled up against her back in an attempt to share her warmth. Mary's eyes were staring straight up, as though she was trying to get her bearings.
It was Max of course. And it was obvious that Michael had done SOMETHING to their new queen - again. Isabel sighed heavily. It had been too much to hope that her betrothed would get over Max's marriage so easily.
And Michael had seemed so earnest when he had recognized Elizabeth as Max's consort.
"What's wrong?" Mary asked wearily, sitting up as well. They were both still under the small shelter Alexander had constructed for them while Max and Elizabeth had been off together the evening before. It was into this space that Alex poked his head a moment later, concern etched on every feature. Isabel felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of the handsome knight despite herself.
But for once, Alexander reserved his admiring looks. "Good. You're awake. Bella, you had better get out here. I think Max is going to bring the whole of the Sheriff's guard down on our heads if he doesn't compose himself."
"What has happened Alexander?" Isabel demanded as she crawled out into the bright morning sunlight. She stared around her in amazement. It was at least mid-morning. Max had ordered Michael to awaken them at first light.
Which meant that Michael had to be gone.
This surmise was only accentuated by the sight that greeted Isabel's astonished eyes. She had never seen her brother in such a fury. He was pacing back and forth on the far side of the clearing, his hands clenched at his sides, his expression ferocious. He actually wasn't making any noise, but he looked like he was truly about to explode in rage.
Mary stumbled out after her, paused next to her in amazement. "Well, someone certainly got up on the wrong side of the pine-needle encrusted floor." She murmured, sounding a little frightened.
Max stopped pacing, glared at her. Isabel felt Mary jump next to her. Bella took her friend's hand in reassurance, but also to bolster her own courage. She had never had to face Max down in such a state - EVER. And that was saying a lot.
"Did any of you know he was planning to do this?" He growled.
"Who?" Mary asked in confusion.
"Do what?" Isabel demanded at the same time.
"Elizabeth is missing." Alexander informed them under his breath. "Michael is gone as well."
"Where did they go?" Isabel asked. She looked at Max. "Max, you don't think that Michael did something to her?"
"Oh no..." Max replied, his voice suddenly TOO calm. He was moving towards them, making Isabel back up despite herself. "I think he TOOK her somewhere. Namely to Nottingham to find the Queen."
Mary, Alexander and Isabel all exchanged looks. "You think he took her against her will?" Isabel inquired incredulously.
"That's impossible!" Mary exclaimed. "He would never do such a thing!"
Max continued to speak in that frighteningly calm tone. "She told me that she would not go to the Queen. She would not lie to me and, thus, Michael took her."
Isabel saw Mary glance at Alexander. He was grimacing, as though he knew something that the others might not. When Isabel saw the expression on Mary's face, she realized that her friend knew whatever it was too.
Mary moved forward slightly, her face crinkled. "I think you had better tell us exactly what Lizzy said to you last night Max."
Max stared at her for a moment. "Why?" He demanded.
Alex rolled his eyes. "Our Lizzy has a way of saying one thing and meaning quite another Maxwell. My guess is that she never told you that she would not go to the Queen, but rather something that made you think that's what she meant."
"I told her that I could not let her go and she told me that we would find another way." Maxwell replied impatiently. "What double meaning could that have?"
Mary tentatively smiled. "Er, perhaps the other way was by sneaking off, so that you wouldn't HAVE to give your consent?"
Isabel watched her brother's face become one of absolute dumb-founded amazement. "Are you telling me that she LIED to me?"
"She didn't lie." Alexander insisted. "She never SAID that she was not going to go."
Max stared at him. "This is ridiculous!" He bellowed a moment later. "She LIED to me."
"She did not." Alex yelled back. "She told you what you wanted to hear."
"Stop it!" Mary shrieked. Both Max and Alex whipped their heads around to stare at her. "It doesn't matter. The point is that that they are gone and they are falling into danger." Isabel could hear the tears in her voice. "How could Lizzy do this?"
Max sighed heavily. Isabel could see that his anger was beginning to burn itself out and that now he simply seemed resigned. "She is desperate to save Tess. She has convinced herself that our marriage is doomed to failure if she does not rescue her herself." He shook his head. "How could I have believed her?"
Mary went to put her arm around him. "You are only just learning how stubborn our Lizzy can be Maxwell. You may love her, but you are still getting to know her." She paused, continued gently. "Lizzy will not be content to be a pretty ornamental queen you know. She will expect to be your partner, consort and helpmeet in every sense of the words. But I think you did know this about her - its why you love her because if she wasn't so stubborn she never would have hazarded all to be with you anyway. I think you convinced yourself you believed her but you knew what she was going to do all along."
Max rubbed his eyes wearily. "Although I hate to admit it, I think you are right." He shook his head again. "Which does not negate the fact that she and Michael have both foolishly thrown themselves right back into Sir Kyle's clutches."
"Not necessarily." Alexander replied. "If I know Lizzy, she will try and rendezvous with the Queen before Eleanor ever makes it to the city."
"Which also means that we will never find them." Max sighed again. "They are all alone wandering through this Forest in search of a Queen who may never come, in danger of stumbling across the Sherriff's men at any moment." Isabel could hear the fear in her brother's voice. She better than anyone how little he liked to be out of control.
But it was the price he paid for his marriage to Elizabeth. Because, whether he would admit it or not, the thing he most loved about his bride was her courage and the fact that she had a mind of her own.
"Well, at least they are together." Isabel spoke up, trying to reassure him, although her stomach was clenching at a sudden vision of Michael in chains in Nottingham Castle's dank dungeon. "What do we do now?" She directed the question at the other three, knew that no one had any better idea than she.
For, in the end, there was only one thing to do.
Wait.
Part 29
Isabel brought her arms up to wrap around her middle. She was trying not to shiver because she knew it would just worry Alexander more. He had already insisted on giving her his cloak, and while he seemed perfectly comfortable in his mail, it would be dark soon. The last thing she wanted to do was make him cold.
It was difficult enough sitting on the hard ground behind a bush watching an empty road. It was getting colder every night that they stayed in Sherwood, and it was taking all of her effort to hide her discomfort now that the sun had finally set.
It had been almost a full day since Michael and Elizabeth had disappeared and at least six hours since they had all decided they had had enough of sitting still, waiting for them to return. When Max's pacing had reached the point of literally almost driving Isabel insane, she had suggested that they split up and go watch the highway, in hopes of finding their two wayward friends sooner.
Isabel had not intended that she would end up with Alex, but it was he who had suggested it, insisting that it would likely be important to have one human and one visitor together, unforeseen circumstances having the tendency to arise and the aliens' powers making them a necessary presence on each team.
She was not unhappy with the development however. She had longed to talk to him alone since she had seen the look on his face when she had returned from the Forest, hand in hand with Michael, the evening before - after Alexander and Mary had been made aware of the fact that she and Michael were betrothed.
But now, after they had been seated quietly together for nigh on an hour, she still had not had the courage to speak to him about it.
"I wonder how Max and Maria are getting along." She asked, grimacing to herself when she realized how stupid it sounded. She didn't understand why she couldn't just say what she wanted to say to him. Clearly Max and Maria were getting along fine - unless they had been captured. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, one which Alexander noticed because he glanced at her sideways.
She wondered why she couldn't tell him that, although she had known for her entire life that Michael would one day be her husband, she had never loved him in the way she wanted to love the man she married. That she had never felt for him what Max felt for his new wife Elizabeth.
That she believed that she might, someday, be able to feel that way about Alexander.
"Are you cold?" Alex asked, sounding concerned. "Perhaps we should return to the camp. I don't believe that they will be returning tonight anyway."
"No." Isabel stated. "I am frightened and worried."
Alexander looked at her. "It does you credit Isabel." He grinned slightly. "But I do think you are cold as well."
She did not deny it. "I do not think we should return yet." She did not add that she liked being alone with him, although it was on the tip of her tongue to do so.
His expression was shuttered as he turned back to stare out at the road. "Very well." There was a moment's silence. "Mary and Elizabeth are often cold." The comment was so abrupt, Isabel stared at him.
"Oh?"
"Aye." Isabel was surprised to see him swallow hard. She tensed when she realized what he was about to do. "I often warm them thus." Her heart began to beat strongly as his arm came up and wrapped itself around her shoulders. The heat that ran through her body instantly DID warm her up, but Isabel did not think that this is what Alex meant when he said that it helped Mary and Elizabeth.
She forced herself to relax against him. "It helps. Thank you." She realized that she could feel his heart beating almost as quickly as hers against her back. Now that she did not have to look him in the face as she spoke, saying what needed to be said did not seem as difficult. They had settled into a companionable silence again, one which she was loathe to break, but she would never have a chance like this again.
"Alexander. I would speak to you about Michael." She instantly regretted it when she felt him tense against her back.
"You are concerned for him." He finally choked out. "You may tell me of him if you wish."
"You do not understand." Isabel replied quietly. "Of course I am concerned for him. He is like my brother. I love him." She paused. "But you do understand that our betrothal was fixed from our births? I do not love him like a wife loves a husband."
There was another long silence. Isabel could hear Alex breathing quietly as he took this in. "I was betrothed once." He finally said.
Isabel jumped in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. To the daughter of the Earl of Kent. I was only ten years old when the betrothal was consecrated. She was five."
"What happened?" Isabel asked. He had said "once," which meant that the betrothal was no longer in effect. But she knew that betrothals were often stronger than marriage contracts. Once formalized, the wedding ceremony was merely a formality.
"She died." His voice was sad. "She was only seven years old."
"I am sorry." And she was. It sounded like he had grieved for his little wife.
"I did not know her well," Alex replied. "But I have always believed that a husband is meant to love his wife. My father loved my mother very dearly. Mary and I have always wanted that for ourselves as well, but in our world, marriage is often nothing more than a contract. But I convinced myself that Adela was destined for me. I was a foolish boy of course, barely a squire when she died, but I missed her."
"It does you credit." She echoed the words that he had spoken several minutes earlier. They seemed trite and ridiculous to describe Alexander however. Everything he was did him credit. He was the kindest, gentlest, most trustworthy person she had ever met.
She even included Michael and Max in this. She loved her brothers but they were often self-centred and did not think of others. It came from their acknowledged positions of power, of course, but it could be tiresome. While Isabel loved Max and was happy that he had found his Elizabeth, there could be little doubt that his actions had put them all in jeopardy, most particularly Tess. Michael, on the other hand, was often so stubborn, he threw himself into danger, dragging others along with him, this time Elizabeth.
"I do have a point." Alexander added. "It is a happy thing that you love Michael, whether as brother or not. Many marriages are formed on much less." He snorted. "Imagine the disastrous marriage that would have formed between Sir Kyle and Lizzy for example. They would have both been miserable and it would have ended in tragedy for certain."
Isabel sighed. "I am pleased that we managed to save Elizabeth. Not only for her sake, but the sakes of all who love her." She paused. "This discussion of betrothals has left me wondering...there was a formal betrothal between Elizabeth and Kyle, was there not?"
"Yes."
"Is her marriage to Max legal?" Isabel inquired, still uncertain of exactly how the Church functioned. She and her brothers and sister had never attended Church, Lord Edmund deeming it too dangerous, but the Christian faith had long intrigued her.
Alex did not reply immediately. "Kyle MAY have some grounds for complaint about the legality, but I believe that Max would be proven to be her husband." He paused again. "The consummation of the marriage may be the deciding factor and despite my comments about Queen Eleanor yesterday, I do believe that she will support Lizzy's choice in the end."
Isabel felt herself blush scarlet, not hearing this last bit about the queen at all. She had not allowed herself to reflect too much on the physical aspect of marriage, although she had acknowledged that it was possible that Elizabeth already carried her brother's heir. And yet, she had not wanted to think about her brother in that way - it was just too, too embarrassing.
Thinking about it now, however, made her acutely aware of how close she was sitting to Alexander. In fact, the back of her head was resting against his shoulder, her cheek very close to his. They were of a height. Isabel knew that she was tall for a woman, but she liked it, liked being able to look men directly in the eye. She had never been the simpering type, but at the moment, she wished that she knew how to ask for what she wanted.
Alex's comments about her impending marriage to Michael showed her that he would never make the first move.
"Max and Elizabeth were very brave." She blurted out. "They knew what they wanted and they took it. While, I am angry with Maxwell for hurting Tess, I cannot blame him. I envy him in fact."
Alex did not answer, but she could hear him beginning to breathe a little more erratically. It was almost completely dark by now and even if she could see his face, she was thankful that she would not be able to read his expression.
"I do not want to marry Michael and I know that he does not want to marry me." She said it so quickly, she wondered if Alex would even understand what she was trying to tell him. She knew that it was coming out all wrong, but she could not very well tell him straight out that HE was the real reason that she was now unwilling to go through with her betrothal. "We are not even legally betrothed." She added for good measure. "At least not in Earthly terms."
"Isabel..." Alexander trailed off. She could feel him moving behind her, as though he had thought better of the way they were seated and was trying to get away from her. She closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath and turned her head. Her lips lightly grazed his cheek. She heard his breath hitch and he froze.
Their lips were a breath apart. He was staring into her eyes, his expression masked by the deepening shadows of the Forest, but she could feel his heart thundering under her hand. In fact she could hear it thundering in her ears, although she realized that it might very well be her own heart.
It took her a full moment to realize that the pounding was external rather than internal. Horses. Many, many horses.
Alexander recognized the sound before she did. She was already lying flat on her stomach, his body covering hers in the foliage, before she understood what was happening. "Shhhhhh." He whispered it against her ear, sending her heart into crazy palpitations yet again. "It is the Sheriff's men."
She felt her heart almost stop, and this time not due to Alexander's proximity, when the leader of the horsemen suddenly pulled up directly in front of their place of concealment. They had been found. There was no other explanation.
Her terror was so piercing, it was long moments before she saw that the guards were not looking in their direction at all. Instead they were heading into the woods on the far side of the King's highway. Several remained on the road to watch the horses.
Isabel's body was beginning to cramp up due to lack of movement, although Alexander was doing his best to keep his full weight off of her. It seemed like a millennium before the men who had disappeared into the green wood returned.
Her eyes widened when she realized what they carried.
It was a chest and it was clearly full.
The leader, Isabel could see now that he was a captain, motioned for the chest to be brought to him. "Open it." He commanded.
Another guard knelt next to it and smashed the lock with the butt of his sword. It was all Isabel could do to keep herself from gasping as the torchlight that surrounded the men illuminated more gold than she had ever seen.
"The Sheriff will be pleased." The captain smirked. "Despite all the strangeness that has occurred over the past few days, the taxes are still safe."
"We are to take them directly to London milord?" One of the other men asked.
"Yes. Prince John is waiting for it."
"To ransom the King?"
"No. To secure himself a throne."
Isabel felt Alexander flinch above her. "Holy Mary..." He barely breathed it, but she could hear his shock. "That traitorous bastard."
He did not speak again until the guards were long gone, half headed back in the direction of Nottingham, half south to London.
"We must find Maxwell. It is imperative that I find Queen Eleanor immediately." He climbed to his feet, pulling her lightly after him.
"I do not understand Alex. What has happened?" Isabel asked as he led her carefully back towards their camp.
"The Sheriff is not the man I took him for." Alex replied. "He is in on the plot to usurp King Richard's throne." He paused. "It is no wonder he has allowed Kyle to pursue Maxwell so ardently. You four were the only witnesses to the theft of the shipment of taxes that the Sheriff was supposed to protect."
"But he seemed so reasonable!" Isabel exclaimed. "Well, at least until Max broke up the wedding."
"He is a traitor." Alex replied simply. "And I fear now what he will do to Tess even more. Not to mention Lizzy and Michael if he gets his hands on them. He will do anything to hide his secret. He will not rest until he has hunted us all down."
"Going somewhere?" The voice was familiar and the tone wry, but Elizabeth's heart still jumped into her throat as she whirled. It was not yet light, but the grey of pre-dawn was beginning to invade the glade within the Forest, making his position easily identifiable. She pulled Max's cloak, the one she had filched, more closely around her, breathing in his scent to try and calm herself before facing the owner of that voice.
Michael was leaning against a tree, his arms folded across his chest, one eyebrow raised, a half-annoyed, half-admiring expression on his handsome face, although Elizabeth wondered if she was imagining the latter.
She had been so sure that she had gotten away without waking anyone.
It had not been easy to evade Max. After they had made love, she had pretended to fall asleep in his arms. She had allowed him to wrap her in his cloak and had felt him lift her, carrying her back towards the clearing where their friends waited. She knew it was because he felt they were safer near them all, but internally she had been cursing, wondering if there was any way she was going to be able to sneak away with the other five all around her.
Fortunately Max had still wanted some privacy. He had gently laid her on the far side of the banked fire, had disappeared for a few moments (she had watched him through lowered lashes as he spoke quietly with Michael on the other side of the fire) and then had returned, lying down next to her and pulling her into his arms. It had seemed to take him forever to fall asleep, but she had finally been convinced when his breathing had become deep and even for a fairly lengthy period of time.
It had taken almost an hour to gradually wiggle out of his embrace. He had only stirred once though, murmuring her name in his sleep. She had watched him sleep for several moments, her heart contracting at the dark circles under his eyes. He was clearly exhausted. She had been breathless with tension, but also breathless with love.
There had been one heart-stopping moment when she had wondered if she would ever see him again. And if she did, would he ever forgive her? It had almost been enough to make her lie back down, to throw her arms around him, to even wake him so that he would again join with her and take her to the plain of existence that only he opened to her.
But she was doing this for HIM. She would save Tess and then they would begin their lives together without sorrow and without guilt.
She had avoided the other four by skirting around the fire and heading straight into the underbrush. She had not even looked in their direction, which was obviously the reason that she had not noticed that Michael was not sleeping at all. Max must have ordered him to stand guard. She cursed herself for not realizing he would do such a thing - not because he didn't trust her, but because they WERE wanted outlaws after all. It would have been careless for them all to fall asleep and Max was anything if not level-headed when it came to HER protection.
Which was what had led her to lie to him in the first place, because she knew she was right and he would never admit it.
Michael had obviously been following her for the good hour that she had been traipsing through the Forest, hoping that she was headed in the direction of Nottingham. She had been fairly certain in which direction the King's Highway lay and so had intended to follow it along the edges.
Michael had only made his presence known when she had paused to get her bearings. She continued to stare at him now but finally opened her mouth to reply. "Clearly." It was all she said. He had to know where she was going.
"I thought Maxwell told you that you weren't going to do this." Michael told her, sounding merely curious, rather than angry.
"He did." Elizabeth returned, raising her chin slightly.
"And you chose to ignore him?" Michael inquired, his tone still wry.
"He was wrong." She eyed him, wondering what game he was playing at. Why hadn't he just thrown her across his shoulder and hauled her back to Max for the tongue-lashing he would likely enjoy seeing her receive? He might even be hoping that Max would set her aside, would have their marriage annulled because she had disobeyed him. He could do it after all. Many marriages had been annulled for less.
"Hmmmm." Michael continued to smirk at her, seeming to be enjoying her nervousness. And so her shock was even greater when he finally said, "I agree."
"You do?"
"Did I not say before that it was a good plan?" Michael asked, scowling slightly.
"Well, yes, but..." Elizabeth just continued to stare at him.
"But Michael would never go against Max?" He grinned openly now. "We've all seen that that is NOT true."
"Are you saying that you want to help me?" She asked in astonishment. "But Michael! You are still a wanted outlaw! If Kyle catches you, he will hang you!"
"Then we will not let him catch me, will we?" Michael replied calmly. "I am trusting in your confidence in your Queen Eleanor. I will NOT let Tess remain in the hands of that madman for a minute longer than necessary. If Maxwell wants to rest on his laurels, then I'm going to go with the monarch who believes in action before caution." He grinned again. "Not to mention, I have to make sure that you stay out of trouble long enough for Max to thoroughly thrash you when we return."
Elizabeth felt a rush of affection for her brother-in-law. It was so sudden and unexpected, she gave into it, throwing her arms around him. "Thank you."
Michael stiffened, took a step back, but didn't seem displeased when she looked up at him again. "So then. Shall we my queen?" He motioned in the opposite direction from the one in which she had been headed. "By the way," he whispered, as though he was telling her a great secret, "The road is THAT way."
Elizabeth felt the heat rising in her face. "I knew that." She muttered, kicking her skirt out of the way and heading back in the direction from which she had just come. Michael's amused snort reassured that he was following.
*****************************************************
"LIZ!" And then, several moments later. "GOD DAMN HIM!"
Isabel's eyes snapped open. She sat up abruptly, nearly toppling over onto Mary, who had been curled up against her back in an attempt to share her warmth. Mary's eyes were staring straight up, as though she was trying to get her bearings.
It was Max of course. And it was obvious that Michael had done SOMETHING to their new queen - again. Isabel sighed heavily. It had been too much to hope that her betrothed would get over Max's marriage so easily.
And Michael had seemed so earnest when he had recognized Elizabeth as Max's consort.
"What's wrong?" Mary asked wearily, sitting up as well. They were both still under the small shelter Alexander had constructed for them while Max and Elizabeth had been off together the evening before. It was into this space that Alex poked his head a moment later, concern etched on every feature. Isabel felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of the handsome knight despite herself.
But for once, Alexander reserved his admiring looks. "Good. You're awake. Bella, you had better get out here. I think Max is going to bring the whole of the Sheriff's guard down on our heads if he doesn't compose himself."
"What has happened Alexander?" Isabel demanded as she crawled out into the bright morning sunlight. She stared around her in amazement. It was at least mid-morning. Max had ordered Michael to awaken them at first light.
Which meant that Michael had to be gone.
This surmise was only accentuated by the sight that greeted Isabel's astonished eyes. She had never seen her brother in such a fury. He was pacing back and forth on the far side of the clearing, his hands clenched at his sides, his expression ferocious. He actually wasn't making any noise, but he looked like he was truly about to explode in rage.
Mary stumbled out after her, paused next to her in amazement. "Well, someone certainly got up on the wrong side of the pine-needle encrusted floor." She murmured, sounding a little frightened.
Max stopped pacing, glared at her. Isabel felt Mary jump next to her. Bella took her friend's hand in reassurance, but also to bolster her own courage. She had never had to face Max down in such a state - EVER. And that was saying a lot.
"Did any of you know he was planning to do this?" He growled.
"Who?" Mary asked in confusion.
"Do what?" Isabel demanded at the same time.
"Elizabeth is missing." Alexander informed them under his breath. "Michael is gone as well."
"Where did they go?" Isabel asked. She looked at Max. "Max, you don't think that Michael did something to her?"
"Oh no..." Max replied, his voice suddenly TOO calm. He was moving towards them, making Isabel back up despite herself. "I think he TOOK her somewhere. Namely to Nottingham to find the Queen."
Mary, Alexander and Isabel all exchanged looks. "You think he took her against her will?" Isabel inquired incredulously.
"That's impossible!" Mary exclaimed. "He would never do such a thing!"
Max continued to speak in that frighteningly calm tone. "She told me that she would not go to the Queen. She would not lie to me and, thus, Michael took her."
Isabel saw Mary glance at Alexander. He was grimacing, as though he knew something that the others might not. When Isabel saw the expression on Mary's face, she realized that her friend knew whatever it was too.
Mary moved forward slightly, her face crinkled. "I think you had better tell us exactly what Lizzy said to you last night Max."
Max stared at her for a moment. "Why?" He demanded.
Alex rolled his eyes. "Our Lizzy has a way of saying one thing and meaning quite another Maxwell. My guess is that she never told you that she would not go to the Queen, but rather something that made you think that's what she meant."
"I told her that I could not let her go and she told me that we would find another way." Maxwell replied impatiently. "What double meaning could that have?"
Mary tentatively smiled. "Er, perhaps the other way was by sneaking off, so that you wouldn't HAVE to give your consent?"
Isabel watched her brother's face become one of absolute dumb-founded amazement. "Are you telling me that she LIED to me?"
"She didn't lie." Alexander insisted. "She never SAID that she was not going to go."
Max stared at him. "This is ridiculous!" He bellowed a moment later. "She LIED to me."
"She did not." Alex yelled back. "She told you what you wanted to hear."
"Stop it!" Mary shrieked. Both Max and Alex whipped their heads around to stare at her. "It doesn't matter. The point is that that they are gone and they are falling into danger." Isabel could hear the tears in her voice. "How could Lizzy do this?"
Max sighed heavily. Isabel could see that his anger was beginning to burn itself out and that now he simply seemed resigned. "She is desperate to save Tess. She has convinced herself that our marriage is doomed to failure if she does not rescue her herself." He shook his head. "How could I have believed her?"
Mary went to put her arm around him. "You are only just learning how stubborn our Lizzy can be Maxwell. You may love her, but you are still getting to know her." She paused, continued gently. "Lizzy will not be content to be a pretty ornamental queen you know. She will expect to be your partner, consort and helpmeet in every sense of the words. But I think you did know this about her - its why you love her because if she wasn't so stubborn she never would have hazarded all to be with you anyway. I think you convinced yourself you believed her but you knew what she was going to do all along."
Max rubbed his eyes wearily. "Although I hate to admit it, I think you are right." He shook his head again. "Which does not negate the fact that she and Michael have both foolishly thrown themselves right back into Sir Kyle's clutches."
"Not necessarily." Alexander replied. "If I know Lizzy, she will try and rendezvous with the Queen before Eleanor ever makes it to the city."
"Which also means that we will never find them." Max sighed again. "They are all alone wandering through this Forest in search of a Queen who may never come, in danger of stumbling across the Sherriff's men at any moment." Isabel could hear the fear in her brother's voice. She better than anyone how little he liked to be out of control.
But it was the price he paid for his marriage to Elizabeth. Because, whether he would admit it or not, the thing he most loved about his bride was her courage and the fact that she had a mind of her own.
"Well, at least they are together." Isabel spoke up, trying to reassure him, although her stomach was clenching at a sudden vision of Michael in chains in Nottingham Castle's dank dungeon. "What do we do now?" She directed the question at the other three, knew that no one had any better idea than she.
For, in the end, there was only one thing to do.
Wait.
Part 29
Isabel brought her arms up to wrap around her middle. She was trying not to shiver because she knew it would just worry Alexander more. He had already insisted on giving her his cloak, and while he seemed perfectly comfortable in his mail, it would be dark soon. The last thing she wanted to do was make him cold.
It was difficult enough sitting on the hard ground behind a bush watching an empty road. It was getting colder every night that they stayed in Sherwood, and it was taking all of her effort to hide her discomfort now that the sun had finally set.
It had been almost a full day since Michael and Elizabeth had disappeared and at least six hours since they had all decided they had had enough of sitting still, waiting for them to return. When Max's pacing had reached the point of literally almost driving Isabel insane, she had suggested that they split up and go watch the highway, in hopes of finding their two wayward friends sooner.
Isabel had not intended that she would end up with Alex, but it was he who had suggested it, insisting that it would likely be important to have one human and one visitor together, unforeseen circumstances having the tendency to arise and the aliens' powers making them a necessary presence on each team.
She was not unhappy with the development however. She had longed to talk to him alone since she had seen the look on his face when she had returned from the Forest, hand in hand with Michael, the evening before - after Alexander and Mary had been made aware of the fact that she and Michael were betrothed.
But now, after they had been seated quietly together for nigh on an hour, she still had not had the courage to speak to him about it.
"I wonder how Max and Maria are getting along." She asked, grimacing to herself when she realized how stupid it sounded. She didn't understand why she couldn't just say what she wanted to say to him. Clearly Max and Maria were getting along fine - unless they had been captured. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, one which Alexander noticed because he glanced at her sideways.
She wondered why she couldn't tell him that, although she had known for her entire life that Michael would one day be her husband, she had never loved him in the way she wanted to love the man she married. That she had never felt for him what Max felt for his new wife Elizabeth.
That she believed that she might, someday, be able to feel that way about Alexander.
"Are you cold?" Alex asked, sounding concerned. "Perhaps we should return to the camp. I don't believe that they will be returning tonight anyway."
"No." Isabel stated. "I am frightened and worried."
Alexander looked at her. "It does you credit Isabel." He grinned slightly. "But I do think you are cold as well."
She did not deny it. "I do not think we should return yet." She did not add that she liked being alone with him, although it was on the tip of her tongue to do so.
His expression was shuttered as he turned back to stare out at the road. "Very well." There was a moment's silence. "Mary and Elizabeth are often cold." The comment was so abrupt, Isabel stared at him.
"Oh?"
"Aye." Isabel was surprised to see him swallow hard. She tensed when she realized what he was about to do. "I often warm them thus." Her heart began to beat strongly as his arm came up and wrapped itself around her shoulders. The heat that ran through her body instantly DID warm her up, but Isabel did not think that this is what Alex meant when he said that it helped Mary and Elizabeth.
She forced herself to relax against him. "It helps. Thank you." She realized that she could feel his heart beating almost as quickly as hers against her back. Now that she did not have to look him in the face as she spoke, saying what needed to be said did not seem as difficult. They had settled into a companionable silence again, one which she was loathe to break, but she would never have a chance like this again.
"Alexander. I would speak to you about Michael." She instantly regretted it when she felt him tense against her back.
"You are concerned for him." He finally choked out. "You may tell me of him if you wish."
"You do not understand." Isabel replied quietly. "Of course I am concerned for him. He is like my brother. I love him." She paused. "But you do understand that our betrothal was fixed from our births? I do not love him like a wife loves a husband."
There was another long silence. Isabel could hear Alex breathing quietly as he took this in. "I was betrothed once." He finally said.
Isabel jumped in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. To the daughter of the Earl of Kent. I was only ten years old when the betrothal was consecrated. She was five."
"What happened?" Isabel asked. He had said "once," which meant that the betrothal was no longer in effect. But she knew that betrothals were often stronger than marriage contracts. Once formalized, the wedding ceremony was merely a formality.
"She died." His voice was sad. "She was only seven years old."
"I am sorry." And she was. It sounded like he had grieved for his little wife.
"I did not know her well," Alex replied. "But I have always believed that a husband is meant to love his wife. My father loved my mother very dearly. Mary and I have always wanted that for ourselves as well, but in our world, marriage is often nothing more than a contract. But I convinced myself that Adela was destined for me. I was a foolish boy of course, barely a squire when she died, but I missed her."
"It does you credit." She echoed the words that he had spoken several minutes earlier. They seemed trite and ridiculous to describe Alexander however. Everything he was did him credit. He was the kindest, gentlest, most trustworthy person she had ever met.
She even included Michael and Max in this. She loved her brothers but they were often self-centred and did not think of others. It came from their acknowledged positions of power, of course, but it could be tiresome. While Isabel loved Max and was happy that he had found his Elizabeth, there could be little doubt that his actions had put them all in jeopardy, most particularly Tess. Michael, on the other hand, was often so stubborn, he threw himself into danger, dragging others along with him, this time Elizabeth.
"I do have a point." Alexander added. "It is a happy thing that you love Michael, whether as brother or not. Many marriages are formed on much less." He snorted. "Imagine the disastrous marriage that would have formed between Sir Kyle and Lizzy for example. They would have both been miserable and it would have ended in tragedy for certain."
Isabel sighed. "I am pleased that we managed to save Elizabeth. Not only for her sake, but the sakes of all who love her." She paused. "This discussion of betrothals has left me wondering...there was a formal betrothal between Elizabeth and Kyle, was there not?"
"Yes."
"Is her marriage to Max legal?" Isabel inquired, still uncertain of exactly how the Church functioned. She and her brothers and sister had never attended Church, Lord Edmund deeming it too dangerous, but the Christian faith had long intrigued her.
Alex did not reply immediately. "Kyle MAY have some grounds for complaint about the legality, but I believe that Max would be proven to be her husband." He paused again. "The consummation of the marriage may be the deciding factor and despite my comments about Queen Eleanor yesterday, I do believe that she will support Lizzy's choice in the end."
Isabel felt herself blush scarlet, not hearing this last bit about the queen at all. She had not allowed herself to reflect too much on the physical aspect of marriage, although she had acknowledged that it was possible that Elizabeth already carried her brother's heir. And yet, she had not wanted to think about her brother in that way - it was just too, too embarrassing.
Thinking about it now, however, made her acutely aware of how close she was sitting to Alexander. In fact, the back of her head was resting against his shoulder, her cheek very close to his. They were of a height. Isabel knew that she was tall for a woman, but she liked it, liked being able to look men directly in the eye. She had never been the simpering type, but at the moment, she wished that she knew how to ask for what she wanted.
Alex's comments about her impending marriage to Michael showed her that he would never make the first move.
"Max and Elizabeth were very brave." She blurted out. "They knew what they wanted and they took it. While, I am angry with Maxwell for hurting Tess, I cannot blame him. I envy him in fact."
Alex did not answer, but she could hear him beginning to breathe a little more erratically. It was almost completely dark by now and even if she could see his face, she was thankful that she would not be able to read his expression.
"I do not want to marry Michael and I know that he does not want to marry me." She said it so quickly, she wondered if Alex would even understand what she was trying to tell him. She knew that it was coming out all wrong, but she could not very well tell him straight out that HE was the real reason that she was now unwilling to go through with her betrothal. "We are not even legally betrothed." She added for good measure. "At least not in Earthly terms."
"Isabel..." Alexander trailed off. She could feel him moving behind her, as though he had thought better of the way they were seated and was trying to get away from her. She closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath and turned her head. Her lips lightly grazed his cheek. She heard his breath hitch and he froze.
Their lips were a breath apart. He was staring into her eyes, his expression masked by the deepening shadows of the Forest, but she could feel his heart thundering under her hand. In fact she could hear it thundering in her ears, although she realized that it might very well be her own heart.
It took her a full moment to realize that the pounding was external rather than internal. Horses. Many, many horses.
Alexander recognized the sound before she did. She was already lying flat on her stomach, his body covering hers in the foliage, before she understood what was happening. "Shhhhhh." He whispered it against her ear, sending her heart into crazy palpitations yet again. "It is the Sheriff's men."
She felt her heart almost stop, and this time not due to Alexander's proximity, when the leader of the horsemen suddenly pulled up directly in front of their place of concealment. They had been found. There was no other explanation.
Her terror was so piercing, it was long moments before she saw that the guards were not looking in their direction at all. Instead they were heading into the woods on the far side of the King's highway. Several remained on the road to watch the horses.
Isabel's body was beginning to cramp up due to lack of movement, although Alexander was doing his best to keep his full weight off of her. It seemed like a millennium before the men who had disappeared into the green wood returned.
Her eyes widened when she realized what they carried.
It was a chest and it was clearly full.
The leader, Isabel could see now that he was a captain, motioned for the chest to be brought to him. "Open it." He commanded.
Another guard knelt next to it and smashed the lock with the butt of his sword. It was all Isabel could do to keep herself from gasping as the torchlight that surrounded the men illuminated more gold than she had ever seen.
"The Sheriff will be pleased." The captain smirked. "Despite all the strangeness that has occurred over the past few days, the taxes are still safe."
"We are to take them directly to London milord?" One of the other men asked.
"Yes. Prince John is waiting for it."
"To ransom the King?"
"No. To secure himself a throne."
Isabel felt Alexander flinch above her. "Holy Mary..." He barely breathed it, but she could hear his shock. "That traitorous bastard."
He did not speak again until the guards were long gone, half headed back in the direction of Nottingham, half south to London.
"We must find Maxwell. It is imperative that I find Queen Eleanor immediately." He climbed to his feet, pulling her lightly after him.
"I do not understand Alex. What has happened?" Isabel asked as he led her carefully back towards their camp.
"The Sheriff is not the man I took him for." Alex replied. "He is in on the plot to usurp King Richard's throne." He paused. "It is no wonder he has allowed Kyle to pursue Maxwell so ardently. You four were the only witnesses to the theft of the shipment of taxes that the Sheriff was supposed to protect."
"But he seemed so reasonable!" Isabel exclaimed. "Well, at least until Max broke up the wedding."
"He is a traitor." Alex replied simply. "And I fear now what he will do to Tess even more. Not to mention Lizzy and Michael if he gets his hands on them. He will do anything to hide his secret. He will not rest until he has hunted us all down."