A/N: This chapter does not take place during an episode. It picks up soon after season 2 episode 3, 'Childhood.' This chapter is a two part special. Part II is coming soon. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Murder at Nottingham Castle (Part I)

His warm breath brushed against my dampened skin. I was laid on my back, my chest pounding up and down. At first I thought this was pleasure, until his hand, covered by a leather glove, clasped around my neck. The pressure began.

"Guy… no, please," I gasped. My hands grasp his in attempt to pull them off, but he was too strong.

"I can't…" My breaths shortened.

Guy of Gisborne hovered above me, smirking, his glove still tightened around my neck.

"It appears I win," he sneered.

My body grew weaker by the breath struggling for each bubble of air. I tried to call out but no one would come, not now, not ever…

My body jerked awake as I started continuously coughing. I lay on my right side, staring at the wall.

As I tried to process the dream I just had, I felt am arm on my hip. I looked down and touched the hand. Strange. I don't remember inviting anyone to my bedchambers last night.

Slowly, I turned my body only to shriek at what I saw next.

Brian was stretched out beside me. His dried out eyes stared right into mine and his throat was slit.

I scrambled out of my bed, throwing a robe on and scurried to the door.

"HELP!" I hollowed. "Someone help!"

Guy, who happened to be walking by rushed over. "What is it?"

My sweaty palms clasped his hands. Unable to speak, I pointed my shaking finger in my bedroom. With caution Guy stepped into the room.

"He's dead," I finally managed to get out.

"Guards!" Guy motioned with his hand. "Get that out of there."

I could barely catch my breath as I watched two men pick Brian up as though he were a lumpy sack.

"Did you invite him to your chambers last night?" Guy asked me.

I shook my head, my fingers brushing my hair back. "No. I was alone last night. When I woke up he was there." When Guy raised his eyebrow, I stammered, "I'm telling the truth! I don't know who did that to him."

"You didn't hear anything strange during the night?" he pressed on.

I shook my head. "No, I suppose I was too deeply asleep."

When Guy did not respond I asked him, "What do we do?"

He sighed. "I suppose the only thing we can do is report this to the Sheriff. Though I doubt he will do much seeing as that boy was just a stable boy."

I nodded, still in a daze, and followed him to the main room in the castle where Vaisey stood chatting with one of his advisors. When his eyes moved to us, he held out his arms and offered a broad grin.

"Ah Gisborne, what news have you for me today?" When he looked to me, he let out a chuckle, and muttered, "Lacey, I see you're not entirely dressed yet."

I glanced over to Guy who said, "My Lord, we seem to have a problem. A boy has been killed."

Vaisey looked at him blankly and shrugged. "I don't see how that's a problem, Gisborne."

I stepped forward and clarified, "His name was Brian. He worked in the stables here, and…"

As my voice trailed away, Guy continued, "He was found in Lacey's bed this morning with his throat cut."

"I see…" Vaisey scratched his chin for a moment and turned his gaze to me. "Lacey, was he that bad?"

"I didn't do it!" I raged, my throat burning. "Someone murdered him and put him in my chambers."

"I see…" Vaisey stepped between us, strolling towards the front gates. "It appears to me we have a murderer right here in the castle."

"Right," I agreed with him. "So what do we do? How do we catch this killer?"

"Yes, yes…" Vaisey muttered, while nodding, "Well, I have no doubt you two will figure this out. I have business to attend to. I am meeting with Prince John himself today, so…"

"Wait, you're leaving?" I gaped at him in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"Yes, well these things happen," Vaisey said, brushing his hands together. "When I return, I expect you two will have this murderer put in chains."

Guy nodded. "Yes, my Lord."

I did not say anything as Vaisey walked towards the doors, motioning his men. He did, however, turn around and add, "Oh, and if I come back to find one of you dead, I will have the other put in the mines, forever!"

xXx

I sat on a green cushion in a small room, biting my nails. Guy paced back and forth in front of me. I knew at least two guards were positioned in front of the door. I gazed out the window where I saw men installing steel bars right outside my own bedroom windows.

"Do you have any idea who might have done this?" Guy asked me, brushing his gloved hand through his dark hair.

I shook my head. "I can't imagine who would dare."

I heard the guards clasps their spears together followed by a voice, "Let me pass."

"That's Marian," I told Guy. "We can let her in."

Guy looked to the entrance and nodded and the Lady Marian came rushing in.

"Lacey," she began in a breath. "I heard about what happened. Are you alright?"

I shrugged. "I'm alive."

"For now," Guy gritted.

I looked at him sharply. "Is that a threat?"

He shook his head and smacked his hand on the table in front of me. "No, it will be a fact if you can't figure out who might have a grudge against you!"

I merely raised my brow. "Funny, the first person that comes to mind that hates me enough to do this is you."

"You think I'm stupid enough to attempt a stunt like this with the Sheriff watching every move we make?" he stammered, flinging his arm to the side.

"Stop," Marian interjected. "We won't get anywhere if you two keep fighting."

I huffed. "She's right." Eyeing Guy, I added, "Besides, I can't fathom you would risk your position to murder a stable boy just to get at me."

Guy nodded. "The only way we can figure this out is if we work together."

With a sigh I added, "I imagine that's what Vaisey was trying to tell us when he threatened to send the surviving one of us to the mines."

Marian then asked me, "So this stable boy, Brian, what exactly was his relationship with you, Lacey?"

I let out a breath and put my hand to my head. "It wasn't much. I invited him to my chambers a couple nights, but that was quite some time ago."

"I see," Marian mumbled, and then asked, "Do you know anything about his family?"

I shook my head.

"Or perhaps he had another girlfriend?" Marian suggested.

"I don't think so," I said, recalling Brian's visit to Davina's chambers while she was here. If she were still alive, she would be my number one suspect.

"Lacey…" Marian paused. I could tell she was trying to word her next inquiry delicately. "Have you taken in any other men around the same time as Brian?"

Guy chuckled and muttered, "You have no idea how many…"

I glared at him and snapped, "This is coming from a man who leaves his illegitimate child in the woods to cover his indecencies."

"You of all people do not dare lecture me about indecencies!" Guy roared, shaking his finger at me.

"Enough!" Marian intervened. "This isn't helping. I was only suggesting if there was another man around the same time as this Brian, perhaps he was jealous and lashed out."

"I suppose that's possible," I mumbled, looking down at my hands.

Guy started towards the door. "I'm going to go begin questioning all your recent affairs."

I looked up at him. "How do you know who to question?"

He glanced downward and admitted, "I've had guards patrolling outside your chambers at night. They report to me exactly who comes in and out."

"What?" I stammered, rising up. "You've have men spying on me?"

"You should be bloody thankful for that," he retorted, storming to the door. He turned back and added, "Oh and you are not to leave the castle or go anywhere without at least two men escorting you. Do you understand?"

"Just because Vaisey isn't here does not mean you have the right to boss me around!"

"LACEY!" Guy roared, clenching his fist.

I huffed and slumped back on the cushion. "Fine."

Guy stormed out, slamming the door behind him. I folded my arms and glanced up at Marian.

"Why did you have to save him the other day?" I demanded of her. "Robin Hood was drowning him. You could have left it be and he would be gone."

Marian gazed down at her palms and muttered, "I wanted to make peace with him."

"Why?" I pressed on, waving my hand up. "He burned down your house. He's the reason your father is in the dungeons right now. He's a bad person, Marian."

"I don't believe he's all bad," she insisted. "Besides, I need friends here."

"You have me," I said, quietly. "I do appreciate you coming now." I looked to her and asked, "How's your father? Does he need food?"

For the past few weeks, I have been helping Marian get decent meals and medicines to her sick father. Now that Vaisey moved him to the dungeons that challenged matters but did not make it impossible. I just had to be extra mindful of my timing.

"He's fine right now," Marian replied, graciously. "Guy already provided for him this day. It's a lot easier without the Sheriff around."

I sunk down and grumbled, "What a hero."

xXx

For the rest of the day I had two guards following me everywhere I went on Guy's orders. The sun had just gone down. I decided to head to my bedchambers even though I doubted I would be able to sleep.

"Well you are sure looking more dashing than ever, love."

I glanced over to my side and saw George approaching me. The two men behind me began to draw their weapons.

"He's fine," I insisted, waving my hand. "He's a friend."

"A very good friend," he added, stepping closer to me and taking my hand. "I haven't seen you in some time, my lady."

I had invited George into my chambers for the night a couple times. He definitely knew ways to please a woman and I enjoyed his company. But I did not want to keep inviting the same man to my chambers. It might appear suspicious of a love affair. I was always mindful not to draw too much attention to my nightly visitors. Vaisey claimed he did not care what I did in my spare time but his moods can be quite unpredictable at times.

George leaned in and tried to kiss me. I placed both hands on his chest in attempt to push him back.

"I don't think now is a good time," I said, shooting the guards a side-glance.

He laughed. "Why? Because of them? Well, order them away. I can protect you the rest of the night."

I giggled but shook my head. "They have to stay with me. Guy's orders."

"Guy of Gisborne," George remarked, tickling my chin. "Why must you do as he says? After all, who's in charge when the Sheriff is gone, you or him?"

I looked up to him and smiled. "It should be me."

He simply motioned his arm out towards the guards.

I turned my gaze to them and said, "Leave me. Sir George here will watch over me the rest of the night."

As my lips moved towards George's, one of the men raised his eyebrow and started to say, "My Lady, I am not sure we should…"

"I'm ordering you to leave!" I snapped, whipping my head back around to them. "Vaisey never said anything about Guy being in charge so as far as I'm concerned, you do what I say. Now, I will only tell you one more time, leave us."

They glanced at one another awkwardly and then bowed their heads and muttered, "Yes, my lady."

As they marched away, George laughed and held my shoulders. "I've always admired a woman who isn't afraid to take command."

"And I admire a man who knows what he wants," I remarked with a smirk.

He leaned in to kiss me. His soft lips felt warm on me and his tongue began to massage mine.

In the heat of the moment, something Marian said earlier struck me. After all, I invited George to my chambers around the same time as Brian. Perhaps he…

"Wait." I broke away taking a step back from him.

"What's the matter?" he asked, tilting his head.

My breaths grew heavy. "I… I, uh… I feel ill."

George grinned and reached out his hand to me. "Really? You seemed fine just a moment ago."

I took another step back, my hands pressed against the stonewall. Suddenly I feared just his touch.

"Come now, Lacey," he insisted. "I know you like me. You've made that quite clear before…"

"Guards!" Guy's voice bellowed down the hall. "Arrest that man for making a threat against the Sheriff's ward!"

Despite my fear, my face showed disbelief when I faced him.

"What?" I stammered at Guy. "You don't have any proof!"

"I know all I need to know," Guy grunted, as our guards chained George up and started to drag him away. "He will be executed first thing tomorrow morning."

"Please, Sir Guy, I know nothing of this plot!" George pleaded in desperation, throwing his head towards me. "Lacey, please! Tell him I'm innocent! I wouldn't hurt you!"

I whirled my body to face Guy. "We don't know for sure it was him."

"I questioned a lot of people today and the most suspicious one was him," Guy informed me.

"Do you have any proof it was him?" I demanded.

"I have what I need," he claimed as he began to walk away.

I marched after him and pulled his arm. "Guy!"

He lashed around and pointed his finger at me. "You disobeyed me by sending the guards away!"

I gaped at him in utter shock. "So that's what this is? I didn't follow your exact order and now you're going to put an innocent man to death for it?"

"No man in this castle is innocent, or woman for that matter," he stated, darkly. "And as I recall, before his arrest, you seemed to be inching away from him."

I brushed my hair out of my face and admitted, "I was scared… I thought maybe it could be him… but I don't know for sure!"

Guy shrugged and pointed out, "Well, if the murders stop after his death then we'll know for sure it was him."

Leaving me speechless, he started forward but turned to the same two guards that watched me before and added, "Do not dare let her out of your sight. If you disobey my orders again, you'll have the Sheriff to deal with when he returns."

xXx

To no surprise, I barely slept through the night. I tossed and turned in both fear and anger. Fear that the killer might still be able to slip in for me. I felt rage towards Guy for having a man put to death just to punish me. I wanted to get back at him but I knew it would be better to focus on staying alive until the real killer is caught if it's not George.

I slipped on my dress and walked down to the dining room where Guy sat alone at the table. The guards that followed me remained positioned by the door.

Barely offering me a glance, Guy muttered, "You're awake early."

"Couldn't sleep," I responded, taking a seat across from him.

I motioned at one of the servants for food. A young girl brought a plate of bread and fruits.

"Some wine, my lady," she asked me.

Normally I would say yes, but I found myself shaking my head. "No thank you."

Guy looked at me for a moment, appearing mildly surprised but did not say anything.

"So is it done yet?" I question, picking up a grape. "The execution?"

He wiped his mouth with a cloth before responding. "It will be done by the hour. The executioner is running late I am told."

I popped the grape in my mouth and did not say anything. It was pointless to plea for George's life. Perhaps he was the murderer after all. He did manage to convince me to send the guards away. Who knows what would have happened if I remained alone with him. Perhaps Guy was right and I should be grateful to him.

"Where's Marian?" I asked.

"She's taking food down to her father," he answered simply.

We both sat quietly and ate, but just for one silent moment.

Guy's head suddenly lifted up, pointing to the door. I looked too as I heard was he heard. Someone was running towards us.

"Guy!" Marian dashed into the room panting. "Come quick… the dungeons! Please… it's not safe for my father there! He has to be moved!"

Without hesitation, Guy brushed up and followed her. I went after them, my heart suddenly pounding.

We rushed down the stairs into the dungeons. Three guards were passed out on the ground. I gasped in horror covering my mouth when I spotted what Marian saw. George's body was hung from the bars on the window by a cloth tied around his neck. Blood continued to drip down from his slashed wrist.

"Oh my god…" I breathed quietly, feeling the same daze as when I saw Brian's body.

Marian placed her hand on my shoulder and said, "Lacey, there's something else you should see."

She pointed at the wall and I immediately saw what she meant. Blood was smeared all over the grey uneven stones. In the middle they bore words. You are next, Ward.