Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Robin Hood.
Sir Guy's new attire didn't go unnoticed for very long. It attracted the attention of many including the outlaws when they saw it on his person. Robin even took it upon himself to stop a passer-by to inquire as to how Sir Guy had come across such royal-jewels.
"I heard it was from the Duchess of London; apparently she's taken a right shine to him ever since she arrived here. He spends most of his time at Nottingham these days and sends others to collect taxes on his behalf," said a peasant.
The gang of outlaws were dumbfounded and disgusted at the same time. A Duchess with designs on their number one enemy made them pretty ill and horrified that any woman would look upon "Gisborne" in such a manner.
"So let me get this straight; she is here on behalf of Prince John to find out where the hiccups are in capturing us and she ends up flirting with Guy of Gisborne who everyone knows has about as much charm around women as…" started Much.
Robin silenced him as the idea of Gisborne with any woman made him angry after what occurred in the Holy land.
"She has to know what he did. Why would a Duchess of all women show favour to a man like Gisborne? She must be planning something," he added.
"What if she makes him a Duke or worse her Duke? He'd be royalty!" added Alan.
Robin narrowed his eyes in the direction of Nottingham castle. He developed an awful picture of Gisborne with his head on a well- dressed lap, being fed grapes by a jewelled hand, laughing and smiling without a care in the world.
"Not while I'm breathing," he added.
The reality of what was really happening at Nottingham castle was quite different. The Sheriff had been baiting Sir Guy as in his opinion his beloved gift made him a walking, talking, robbery target and it was only a matter of time before the outlaws took it from him.
"I'm impressed Guy; keeping hold of your necklace for five days. It won't be long before the outlaws add it to their collection mind you. I wonder how much it would be worth to you if a peasant got hold of it?" he asked.
"No one is going to steal from me. I keep it in a vault while I am not wearing it," replied Sir Guy.
"Oh so you do remove it? Funny I assumed that you slept in it along with the rest of your clothes," mocked the Sheriff.
Sir Guy was about to get angry until the Duchess appeared once again; she had a calming effect on him whenever she made an appearance. The Sheriff rolled his eyes at how easily Sir Guy seemed to lose his head over a woman, who he spent a lot of time bowing to but never taking her hand to kiss it.
In the Sheriff's opinion Sir Guy had a better chance with Duchess Rose than he ever did with Marian, who had always had a soft spot for the outlaw but the Duchess seemed to only recognize him and treat her host with a certain distain.
"Hello Sir Guy," greeted Duchess Rose.
Vasey rolled his eyes; he was getting pretty tired of being invisible to his guest. As far as he was concerned if there was any mushy stuff to be going on it wouldn't be in his castle. He stood up and clapped his hands.
"What a lovely day? Perfect for riding wouldn't you say?" he hinted.
Sir Guy glanced hopefully at the Duchess, who smiled encouragingly at him.
"I'll meet you at the stables if you like," offered Sir Guy.
Vasey hit his own head and walked away from the madness; it was all very well the Duchess giving Prince John reports but he couldn't help but wonder how the Prince would feel about his cousin becoming very attached to the Black Knight who killed a woman in the holy land, who he claimed to have loved.
The ground shook with the thundering of hooves. Considering she had to ride side-saddle, she gave the Lord of Locksley a slight challenge in keeping up with her as he eventually caught up with flowing dark locks that had come unpinned in with the force of the wind against them.
"I haven't had this much air in years," confessed the Duchess.
The steeds both came to a stand-still. Sir Guy could imagine that Prince John kept his cousin under close supervision in London and that was why she left the castle so much while she was visiting them. He had been surprised that day the Duchess arrived at his home personally without an escourt but he had been most pleased with the result of his gift and her personal favour.
"When will you return to London?" asked Sir Guy.
The Duchess laughed.
"Trying to get rid of me already Sir Guy?" she asked.
Sir Guy shook his head and cleared his throat. His horse made to move but he pulled on the reigns to signal that he was not finished.
"Not at all your Grace; I have enjoyed your company very much. I just wondered if when you return if I have your permission to write to you?" asked Sir Guy.
Duchess Rose's face fell slightly. It hadn't been her intention for Sir Guy to become fond of her as their positions made it impossible for anything to happen between them.
"Oh Sir Guy…" she began.
"I don't mean to force you into anything but I can't explain to you how much these last few days have meant to me; you've been like the sun…" started Sir Guy.
Outlaws surrounded the Duchess and Sir Guy with bows and arrows drawn and swords raised. The Duchess' horse took hardly a few paces back before Robin spoke.
"I wouldn't be alone with him if I were you your Grace! He's a danger to women!" warned Robin.
"Oh very nice Hood; threatening a member of the royal family," mocked Sir Guy.
"I'm not threatening her; I am warning her. This arrow is for you if you try any funny business," added Robin.
John walked up to Sir Guy and hooked his present from the Duchess over his staff. Sir Guy made a brief scramble for it but Robin tightened his bow.
"Call it part of your penance for your sins Gisborne!" snapped Robin.
The Duchess folded her arms and glared at Sir Guy expectantly.
"That doesn't belong to him or the poor; I gave that to you personally and it is my wish to see you wearing it," she added.
Sir Guy glared at the Duchess; he had been made a fool of once again by a woman, a woman who knew that Hood would want to steal anything that gave him any sign of happiness. She had planned it all along and that was why she hesitated when he asked if he could write to her.
The Duchess returned to Nottingham; she was a little more generous with her attention to her host as Sir Guy entered the great hall and she refused to look at him. The Duchess secretly felt guilty for toying with the black knight's affections but it was the only way she could draw the outlaws out to figure out what the problem was.
"You used me!" he snapped.
The Sheriff jumped and almost knocked over his drink that the Duchess had poured for him. It made no sense to him when he sent them on their way as love's young dream, only for his henchman to suddenly raise his voice to visiting royalty.
"Gisborne mind your manners!" ordered The Sheriff.
The Duchess held up her hand to prove that she was not offended. She gave Sir Guy the floor and let him say his piece.
"Carry on Sir Guy," she requested.
Sir Guy glared at the Sheriff and the Duchess briefly glanced at him and fought the urge to roll her eyes. She gently placed her hand on the Sheriff's arm.
"Would you give us a moment Sheriff?" she added.
"Your Grace…" warned the Sheriff.
Duchess Rose held up her hand. She didn't want to hear about the danger she was in when it came to being on the receiving end of Sir Guy's displeasure. The Sheriff rolled his eyes and left the hall but left his men stood by the door and made a gesture to them to keep watch.
"You were saying Sir Guy?" she asked, taking the Sheriff's seat.
"You lied to me!" he snapped.
"Did I?" asked the Duchess.
"Don't play me for a fool again! You had it planned all along, you knew that they would try and take it from me!" added Sir Guy.
The Duchess sighed almost fondly at the angry knight. She remained perfectly calm and collected despite how Sir Guy had shouted at her and called her a liar.
"My dear Sir Guy; I have been sent with the task of finding the underlining problem between the law of this town and the outlaws. Granted your gift was partly a worm in order to draw out the fish but it worked. Besides I know what your problem is," explained the Duchess.
Sir Guy shook his head.
"Really?" he asked, coldly.
The Duchess nodded.
"Too much anger and too many outlaws; Can I make a suggestion?" she asked, standing and walking towards him.
"By all means," added Sir Guy, sarcastically.
The Duchess fearlessly linked his arm and treated him like a friend. Sir Guy was put instantly on edge by her touch as he was used to betrayal and fought hard not to push her away.
"Clear your mind when you fight him; picture him as a faceless dummy, emphasis on the dummy if you wish. Now, rather than fight and capturing the outlaws as a unit; pick them off one by one. Isolate your enemy and take him as your own," she whispered.
The Duchess then raised her head from whispering and cleared her throat.
"What an excellent idea Sir Guy? You'll be rid before you know it," she added, removing her arm from his.
Sir Guy was not finished with the Duchess. She made him feel used, inferior and unworthy; he hated feeling small and grabbed her by the arm.
"Tell me, was it part of your plan to belittle me?" he asked.
The guards started forward but the Duchess calmly placed her other hand on the hand that held her in place.
"Sir Guy, troubled one, I have the upmost respect and regard for you. I deliberately gave you a reward that you would be keen to keep hold of but the gift is still yours if you want it. I've enjoyed the time I have spent with you and judging by what you said to me before the outlaws…" replied the Duchess.
Sir Guy released her quickly and the Duchess bit her lip; she had gone too far and she knew it. It would take more than a few captured outlaws to ease the rift between them.
"I made my request to write to someone I thought had mutual respect for me. Your intention is irrelevant to me; I won't be used!" snapped Sir Guy.
The Duchess took a deep breath as he took his leave. The Sheriff hurried back into the hall as Sir Guy stormed out of the room.
"Oh good you're alive," he said.
The Duchess rolled her eyes at him. She pinched the bridge of her nose as she tried to figure out a way to get back her only true ally. It had never been her intention to anger Sir Guy although it was good to see that he still felt something for the fairer sex.