Disclaimer: I do not own BBC Robin Hood
"Robin!" commanded Duchess Rose.
She went to Sherwood Forest to face the outlaws on her own. Robin Hood appeared by himself leaning on his bow and quite polite towards her considering he hadn't made up his mind about her.
"What can I do for you your Grace?" he asked.
"Return the chain to me; it wasn't really the Black Knight's to have stolen from him. It was a loan from me and belongs to the crown," she replied.
"What crown would that be?" challenged Robin.
"My forefather's; my right as a member of the royal family; I'd like it returned to me in exchange for several coins to aid your cause," replied Duchess Rose.
Robin stopped leaning so idly and glared at the Duchess. He couldn't figure her out and looked around nervously.
"Do you come alone?" he asked.
"Apart from my horse yes; I came in peace and good faith Robin and just want what is mine returning to me. You wouldn't steal the crown jewels would you?" asked Duchess Rose.
Robin rolled his eyes as his conscience got the better of him. The Duchess had the item returned to her and she smiled to herself in relief as she left the forest with not so much as a mark. She made her way to Locksley and sent the guards a warning look so that they wouldn't challenge her again.
"Lord Gisborne?" she inquired.
There was silence so she left the chain on his table in the main hall. When she turned she found herself face to face with the man she was looking for. She hadn't heard him coming and so startled and backed into the table.
"What can I do for you your Grace?" he asked.
"I was just returning something that belongs to you. If there is anything else I can do to mend the bonds of friendship between us let me know," she replied.
Sir Guy glanced in amazement at the return of his most valued possession and then back to the lady who secured it back again.
"How did you do this?" he asked.
"They are of no threat to me. I played nicely and got what I wanted but I hope not at the expense of your displeasure," replied Duchess Rose.
"Your Grace what you have done…" he started.
"You know I don't hear my first name enough? I give you permission to use it," added Rose.
"You must be joking?" asked Sir Guy.
The Duchess smiled warmly at him.
"Oh please Guy, if I may? We're better as friends than not; please don't leave me on my own with that silly old man at the castle. Surely you don't wish that much hardship on me?" she asked.
Sir Guy couldn't help but smirk. If anyone else had insulted the Sheriff it would have been treason and an excuse to have someone put to death but Rose said it so matter of factly that it couldn't be denied.
"Am I forgiven?" she asked, holding up the chain.
Sir Guy tried to fold his arms but Rose was already putting the chain back on him and seemed to gently massage his shoulders.
"Please," she added.
Sir Guy almost tilted back his head but realized that he was playing with fire and liable to get burned if he allowed any further physical contact between them. He was not over Marian by any means, he wasn't eating or sleeping and had no reason to believe that a woman like Rose was interested in him for anything more than his ability to capture outlaws.
"Fine, but can I ask you not to do that?" he asked.
Rose stopped touching him.
"Do what?" she asked.
"Whatever you were doing to my shoulders," he replied with a small smirk.
Rose almost blushed but smiled at him. She appeared back infront of him so that he could see her and to her surprise he actually held her hands for a moment.
"You shouldn't put such hands on a man like me; I'm not the sort of man you should be associating with but as you insist on being in my company, can I at least ask that you keep anything physical to a minimum?" he asked.
Rose felt instantly sorry for her new friend. He noticed her expression change as he released her hands and they hovered in the air for a moment.
"Why is it now that you have said that do I want to wrap my arms around you and assure you I'm here?" she asked.
Sir Guy held up his hands to defend himself from any further physical affection from the visiting royalty.
"That is pity and you can keep it to yourself if it's all the same to you," he replied.
Rose shook her head at him.
"No Guy; listen to me, listen to what I am about to say: I care about you. It isn't pity. I want to help you get back to…" she started.
"If you say human emotion or anything to do with love we are done as friends! I meant every word you keep those royal hands to yourself!" he snapped.
"Guy…" began Rose.
He pointed at the door and gave her quite a cold stare. She left and he followed her to his court yard and saw to it that she was seated upon her horse safely.
"No more Duchess, I can't do this," he pleaded.
Rose went to reach out to him but stopped remembering his request that she didn't touch him as freely as she had already done.
"I'll never ask you for anything Guy, not if I can help it," she pledged.
Sir Guy rested his hand on the steed but only nodded before he sent the steed and its owner away with a heavy smack. Why did women seek to torment him so? On one hand there was Marian who teased him mercilessly with her secret little kisses and touches, while she truly loved another and then there was Rose, Duchess of London, the King's youngest cousin, lavishing him with gifts, facing his enemy with courage, making him took the part of a Lord and yet he couldn't stand to be touched by her.
Treason was something he had only ever come close to. He had tried and failed to kill King Richard but if he felt hard done by once again by a woman he couldn't guarantee the Duchess' safety. He knew how he reacted to heartbreak and it wasn't nice. What if she married some Prince or Duke from France? That would be the end for him and for her as he knew it.
The Duchess returned to the castle at Nottingham feeling a little low. She noticed that a few decorations were going up. It was almost time for a great gathering of noble men and women that she would usually attend in London but the idea of not seeing Sir Guy in London made her reluctant to see her cousin again.
Your Highness,
I wish to remain here for the noble dinner. I still haven't quite figured out the weak link in the chain of command. I have my suspicions of course but believe that the amount of wealth and nobility here will be too much for the outlaws to resist. There is bound to be trouble and then I will be able to deliver you a full report in person.
Have a lovely ball,
Duchess of London
There was some truth in the letter that she wrote; she was quite suspicious that there would be a raid at the ball and that she would witness first-hand how Nottingham dealt with the problem of outlaws and their light fingers.
As she planned her outfit, jewels and contributions, Rose could only dream of dancing around the hall with Sir Guy as her partner. The idea of the Sheriff putting hands on her made her blood run cold and shiver with disgust. In her opinion it was he, who had no right to put hands on her or have any form of physical contact with her not Guy.
However, she was aware that due to his temperament that Guy was unlikely to dance with anyone that night and she was foolish to get her hopes up in such a manner. If she cared for him as she claimed to, she would have to respect his wishes not to be touched.
'What did that girl do to him?" she wondered.