"Malak... Malak!" Guy called out as he gingerly patted the young girl's cheek, which earned him nothing but a moan. Her breathing was unsteady and labored, and unnaturally warm.

The Black Knight placed his hand over the lass's forehead, gently pressing it to feel her temperature, "Oh God... You are burning up."

Guy felt a surge of panic. He had never found himself on the end of this kind of a situation before, most likely, he had never really cared if he ever did. He now found himself searching for someone for help, for Gytha. She would definitely know what to do, he thought to himself.

"Don't worry." Guy whispered softly as he brushed his knuckles across the lass's cheek, "I will take care of you."

The tall man wrapped his arms around the lass's thin figure, bringing her close to his chest as he stood up to his full height. Without giving it any second thought, Guy hurriedly carried Malak, and headed toward Gytha's house.

The rain was pouring down like sharp needles. The sound of the wind was like a single long howl of an angry beast. The ground was so oversaturated with water that Guy felt like the earth itself was sucking him in. Yet all he could think about was how a frail girl such as Malak was able to travel in this dreadful weather.

xXxXxXxXx

Gytha was preparing a cup of milk, as she wondered about Guy. She hadn't seen him for two days, and found herself worrying about him, wondering if he had eaten yet or if he was still ignoring his body's daily needs.

The grey-eyed lady poured herself a cup of the warm milk, and sat in her usual spot; an armchair that was gifted to her by her late husband on their fifth anniversary. The armchair was handmade out of red pine, and delicately carved by her husband himself.

Ever since her husband had passed away, Gytha developed a habit of sitting on that armchair, next to the fireplace, every single evening. And on some days, she would speak to her husband of her day. She had found solace in such an act. And today seemed to be one of those days.

"Oh, my dearest Warren. I know he did not mean what he had said, and I shouldn't have said what I said either. I had no right. I have already left him once. And I can't stop thinking of how things would have turned out if I were there... the day his parents died..." She paused momentarily as she traced her fingers along the surface of the wooden arm fondly, "I know I must not drown in the past, and that is exactly why I shouldn't have spoken those words. I have promised to support him no matter what, I at least owe him that much-"

A prompt knock at the door interrupted the middle-aged widow. The urgency in the knocks gave her an uneasy feeling. She hurriedly placed the cup in her hand over the nearest shelf, and raced to answer the door.

"My goodness, Guy." Gytha exclaimed as she saw the drenched Black Knight, "What is so- Oh, Lord! Is that Malak?"

"Gytha... please..." Guy panted with the lass wrapped around his shivering arms.

In respond, Gytha ushered her master to her bed, where he gently placed the unconscious lass.

"What happened?" Gytha asked as she examined the sick lass.

"I haven't the slightest clue." Guy fumed in approaching anger at Malak's foolishness, "She suddenly appeared at my door, and fell unconscious instantly."

"She has an awful fever. Her whole body is burning up. We must try to cool her down." Gytha explained, and then she added in dismay, "Unfortunately, I don't have the necessary medical herbs, and Matilda is in Nottingham."

"What should I do?" Guy pleaded with arms wrapped around his shivering body. His dark locks were plastered to his forehead and cheeks, and droplets of water were sliding and dripping off his chin.

"First, get yourself dry." Gytha instructed as she grabbed a towel from the top drawer and handed it to the tall man, "Go by the fireplace to warm up. We can't have you falling sick as well."

Guy nodded as he grabbed the towel, but hesitated as he looked at Malak's burdened face.

"Don't worry. I will look after her." Gytha assured with a smile.

Guy sighed in acknowledgment and headed toward the fireplace.

xXxXxXxXx

A couple of hours had passed, yet Malak's body still refused to cool down even against Gytha's best of efforts.

"I'm afraid I can't do anything without the necessary medication." Gytha grimaced as she admitted defeat.

"Her body is just as stubborn towards folly as her." Guy chuckled grimly. It was then that he remembered another stubborn fool who had happened to have someone with a physician's experience and a wide knowledge in herbalism amongst his gang.

He stood up abruptly and looked at the window, "Is it still raining?"

"No. It stopped some while ago. Why?" Gytha asked as she looked curiously at Guy.

"Then there is no need to wait for Matilda!" Guy exclaimed, "I know someone who can help."

"Who?" Gytha asked, "And it's still rather dark outside."

"It matters not." Guy replied in determination, "I have been through worst, and the lass needs immediate help. Does she not?"

Gytha nodded hesitantly, "I do hope you know what you are doing."

"I hope so too..." Guy mumbled. As much as he hated the idea of asking for help from his archenemy, Gisborne knew that it was something that had to be done, for the sake of the lass.

xXxXxXxXx

Guy of Gisborne rode to Sherwood in full speed. The weather was now crystal clear. There were almost no clouds anymore to blind the starry sky that shone so brightly. And the air carried a cool crisp that gave Guy a feeling of refreshment as it brushed against his skin.

The Black Knight could not believe how fickle the weather was. It actually reminded him of how he had felt around Marian. How for a moment she could be as sweet as honeydew, and the next as wild as a mare. The Lady of Knighton is definitely as fickle as tonight's weather, Guy thought as he chuckled inwardly.

A moan and a stir had brought Guy back into focus. The sick lass in his lap was still as warm as when he had first caught her in his arms earlier that evening, or dare he say, even more so. Her fever had not budged ever since, and it made him restless.

As soon as Guy reached an area, where he thought was closest to Robin's camp, he dismounted his horse and called out for the outlaw.

"Hood!" Guy shouted at the top of his lungs, "I come here disarmed and with no intentions of harming you or any of your gang."

Unfortunately, yet predictably, he didn't get any response.

Meanwhile, behind the trunk of one of Sherwood's prideful birches, "As if you can harm us even if you intended so, oh great Sir Guy of Gisborne."

"Would you stop fooling around, Robin?" Marian nudged the man next to her irritably. "Just answer him already. It does not seem like a trap, especially at this kind of hour. And he looks rather... distressed?"

"Well then. May I suggest that you hide somewhere far, preferably back at the camp, if you expect me to oblige." Robin replied with a frown, "I don't want him anywhere near you."

"Fine." Marian scowled at the idea of being ordered around, "Just be safe."

"Safe is my given birth name, milady." Robin grinned before placing a hasty peck on Marian's cheek and heading in the direction of the Black Knight.

Stealthily, the outlaw approached Guy of Gisborne, and was still in hiding when he cried out, "What do you want, Gisborne?"

Guy was about to give up when he heard Hood's voice. His head shot up searching for its location.

"Hood! So you've finally decided to show up. I need..." Guy began, but trailed off. Coming here had already taken a huge blow to his pride, and now he found it hard to speak up the words he came for. Unfortunately, Robin wasn't planning on making it any easier.

"You need? Oh, now this is rich!" Robin jested, "The great Guy of Gisborne 'needs' something- OUCH!"

"Will you ever stop acting so childish?" Marian scolded after delivering a swift slap against the back of Robin's head.

"Marian!" Robin exclaimed while rubbing his head to sooth the pain, "I thought I asked you to hide as far away as possible from Gisborne."

"Well, I guess you had best stop trying to order me about." Marian rolled her eyes as she ignored Robin's protests, and stepped out of her hiding and right in front of the Black Knight.

"Marian?" Guy questioned, yet not fully surprised to see his love interest at such place.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and don't forget to review, because believe me it does make me update faster!