Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood BBC
John and Alan were concerned and restless as they waited for Robin's return. They had been able to get food as though there was no need for their arrest unless they went near Nottingham as the Sheriff was not as forgiving as Rose and the newly-tamed Sir Guy.
Rose was surprised at how she was enjoying married life. Part of her expected Sir Guy to lose interest in her after a few days but she was pleasantly surprised how he remained caring and affectionate towards her especially out of public view.
As for Sir Guy, he expected Rose to deny and to argue with him when evicted those who could not pay their taxes but she did not. Sir Guy often gave fair warning to people and if they weren't willing to make cut backs then it was their own fault and her husband's business was his own as far as she was concerned.
Mary the seamstress had been kept very busy by Lady Rose of Locksley, who had a wardrobe full of dresses that were only yellow and black. Sir Guy had done some travelling in order to get her certain shiny gifts and jewels that were perfect for her but not quite in the multitude that she was once used to. Sir Guy knew that he was no Prince but his wife couldn't thank him enough and made him feel as though he had returned her to her former station. A part of him wished that he could make her royalty again but knew that was impossible since they lost favour with Prince John at their wedding or rather he lost favour with them.
Sir Guy and Rose were having breakfast together. Unlike most married couples with a high station they ate quite close together at the table and remained quite satisfied with each other. Sir Guy finished his meal but knew better than to leave the house without kissing his wife as she stood up when he did and he smirked at her. 'Kissable' was how he found him and 'kissable' he would be to her.
Rose was going to get some berries for the kitchen and was about to leave with a basket when she walked outside and heard the sound of one hundred horses and their riders coming her way. She dropped the basket as her husband turned to her and pointed back at the manor.
"Get back inside!" he ordered.
"Come with me!" she pleaded.
It was the one time that Sir Guy had been forceful with his lady-wife as he took her by the arm and tried to force her inside. He assumed the worst; that it was Prince John who had come to invade his village and take his wife by force.
"You need to keep out of sight! I will deal with him!" ordered Sir Guy.
Rose stopped struggling as the riders came to view. It was not Prince John at the front of the army but the outlaw Robin Hood. Sir Guy stood perplexed and a little frightened at the sight of Robin with an army of what he recognized as King's men and he released his wife as Robin smirked at him and called forward his wife.
"Lady Rose I have a message and some aid from the King himself. These men have travelled far to be at your side," he informed, holding out only one of the two scrolls the King gave him.
Rose cautiously stepped forward and was quite startled as the army dismounted and bowed to her as though she was in charge of the country rather than a small village in the heart of England. Sir Guy angrily started forward until Rose passed the scroll to him without reading it.
"He is the Lord of this village not I," she informed, strongly.
Robin rolled his eyes at the loyalty Rose showed her husband. The King's seal was broken and Sir Guy read the scroll with some interest and some disappointment. His wife would be the ruler of the country but he would only be her husband even in the event of his death. Then there was the small army that was infront of him; there was going to be a civil war in England and he wasn't sure that he was on the winning side.
"Robin what did you tell the king?" asked Rose, desperately.
Sir Guy passed the scroll to her and walked towards Robin.
"Are you mad?" he asked.
"I'd rather see you next to the throne than Prince John on it. He isn't a popular ruler Gisborne; I am willing to bet that most of his forces will come to you after what happened at your wedding. Your wife is known far and wide for her diplomatic skills. She married you didn't she?" asked Robin.
Rose couldn't believe her eyes as she read her cousin's writing. What did she know about the country? How could she stand above her Lord and husband? What if she wanted Sir Guy to be King should anything happen to Richard?
"Robin what have you done?" asked Rose.
"These men are willing to travel to London with you and your husband to get you what the King has granted you. He has left it up to you what you do with Prince John once he has been removed from the throne. England needs a good and honest ruler; what do you say Princess?" asked Robin.
Rose turned to Sir Guy, who was shaking his head in disbelief. It wasn't something she could decide for herself. As far as she was concerned she was part of a unit with her husband Sir Guy of Gisborne and Locksley.
"I think we need a moment…" began Rose.
"A moment? Princess…" began Robin.
"I mean a moment, in my home, with my husband to discuss our options. One doesn't just declare civil war willy-nilly Robin," added Rose, as calmly as possible.
Sir Guy dismissed his guards and servants from the house while he spoke with his wife. The doors were bolted and the windows were closed and covered as best to his ability. He was about to have strong words with his wife about what was going on outside.
"You must be joking; you can't even be considering removing the Prince from the throne!" snapped Sir Guy.
"Nobody is removing anyone from the throne; John is supposed to be a caretaker and Richard doesn't want him doing it anymore after what happened. Besides it could be a great opportunity for you to make amends from afar," explained Rose.
Sir Guy raised an eyebrow. He really couldn't see how ruling alongside his Princess-wife would improve that fact that he had tried to kill Richard twice. What was she going to do if he returned and demanded his head on a spike?
"You want me to rule alongside you in hopes that King Richard will see that I am good enough to be pardoned and be married to you? He has offered to make me a Duke," added Sir Guy.
"And what if Richard doesn't return?" asked Rose.
Sir Guy narrowed his eyes and folded his arms.
"You'd be Queen," he replied bitterly.
Rose smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him.
"I'd make you King not leave you as a Duke. Look at you Guy; you have always been destined for greatness and here it is at our feet. We have an army and we have a legitimate claim; of course we can get more from Nottingham and the surrounding villages just incase…" began Rose, whispering in Sir Guy's ear.
"Are you insane?" asked Sir Guy.
The Princess narrowed her eyes.
"I want what is best for us Guy and our future children. Lords and ladies are one thing but Princes and Princesses, your first born to be King of England; any man would jump at that chance. Guy what are you afraid of?" she asked.
Sir Guy looked astonished and became very defensive as he distanced himself from her.
"I'm not afraid of anything. I just don't understand why you gave up a kingdom for me and now you are willing to go to war over it," explained Sir Guy.
"I am going to war as my current King commands. I am the new heir and I have enough knowledge of the world to know how to fix this land but I am not willing to do it without my husband. I'd never leave you to fight John," added Rose.
Sir Guy had his doubts; he had heard stories about women and ambition and the idea of Rose, his wife being Queen or simply ruling in Richard's absence worried him. He worried about losing his say and his rights as a man but at the same time he wanted rid of Prince John as much as the next person. Then there was Locksley to consider and how Rose seemed to get on with the outlaws; there was a chance that she could pardon them on Richard's behalf and Robin would get his home back. The world as he knew it would be completely different and he wasn't sure if he was ready to rule with his wife. He had doubts and there were many of them, the air was hot and his head was spinning. He needed fresh air, a ride, space to think about the man he was and the man that he could become; the man that Rose saw when she looked at him but with fine clothes and a crown on his head.
She didn't stop him leaving; Rose had bigger matters at hand such as the army of men outside waiting for her command and orders. Then there was Robin giving her a strange look as he didn't understand what the problem was.
"Can I have a word with you Robin? Oh and the Captain of the army please," she added.
Robin was cautious as he couldn't remember the last time he was invited into Locksley Manor or entered it with permission from the current owners. He wasn't sure how long Gisborne was going to be gone for and he wasn't sure why Rose had called such a private meeting.
"Yes your highness?" he asked.
"Gentlemen I am flattered by the trouble you have all gone to. I am sure my kitchen staff will feed and water you well after your long journey and that of your men even if we have to go to Nottingham in order to feed the numbers. However, I have to ask you to be realistic with me. What are our chances of taking London?" she asked.
Robin grinned at her.
"Are you accepting the position as new regent?" he asked.
"I can't deny my blood but there is the question of my husband's place in all of this. I know Richard wants me to step up and act as though I am a man. I am not a man Robin; I'm a woman…" began Rose.
"A formidable woman who has ridden into a burning forest for what is right for this land and saved my life twice. You have changed the man you call husband for the better and he might not deserve it but your love and marriage has done in him some good. I only wish he had met you sooner and maybe the woman I called wife would still be alive today," added Robin.
Rose couldn't imagine what happened that day. Of course she had heard Guy in the night and knew why he did what he did. She knew that if ever she was caught in the arms of another man that she would meet the same fate. Rose was safe in the palace at the time of Marian's death; she was doing needle work with her Aunt the Queen Mother, who she was very fond of as a woman and friend more than a family member. It was the Queen Mother, who explained to her what happened on a woman's wedding night and how children were made with love and duty.
"But I can't put him somewhere that he doesn't want to be and I can't leave him behind. It is against my vows," explained Rose.
"So this country will live in fear of Prince John because you want a happy marriage?" asked Robin.
"As do I! I am terrified of the idea of him coming back to these parts," replied Rose.
"Then do something about it!" snapped Robin.
He was met with a punch to the face. Rose jumped as she saw Sir Guy with his fist curled into a ball and still in the same position that he had struck the outlaw.
"You do not speak to the Princess that way," he ordered.
Robin decided to with-hold his pardon a little longer but Rose was delighted when he put his arm around his wife and kissed her deeply.
"I want full control of this army and I don't want you anywhere near the battle if there is to be one. Do you understand me?" asked Sir Guy.
Robin glared at the couple. He was tempted to retaliate but he knew that Rose would defend him swiftly if he tried anything. He shook his head repeatedly as he clutched his face in pain from where he was struck.
"I'm hoping it won't come to that. I require only two things at the moment and that is my Captain to politely ask my cousin the Prince to graciously step down as regent as his brother wishes and I will be merciful or he can face civil war. I also require my finest attire so that I may meet with him and discuss his issues calmly and as royalty," replied Rose.
Sir Guy was not accustomed to watching his wife undress and then dress again to leave him and the village that she practically owned with him.
"What are you playing at?" he asked.
"John is still family and a Prince; he has the right to an option of war. A good ruler would rather come to a peaceful agreement than endanger the lives of his or her countrymen," replied Rose.
"And a wife is a woman you would lay down your life for. I am willing to go to war for you to get back the country you sacrificed for me. I am willing to kill in your name but only if you promise not to forget who I am," added Sir Guy.
Rose finished getting dress and she looked every inch a Queen as far as he was concerned. She put one hand on his face.
"You will always be the love of my life Guy. I'd never part with you or hurt you; you have to trust me to know the difference between my role as a ruler and that of a wife. In public you might be expected to bow to me as you once did but when we are alone; I am your wife and you are my husband," she explained.
Sir Guy pressed her head against his but did not kiss her. He had enjoyed his time married to a Lady of Locksley but he knew deep down that she deserved more. She was born to be Queen as far as he was concerned but when he looked in the mirror he did not see a man fit to be King.
"You can have the army darling; full command and nothing less. They are your men now but let me speak to John first," added Rose.
"We need more and I need them all to the highest standard," explained Sir Guy.
Rose curtsied before him and didn't look up until she had finished speaking.
"As you wish your Grace," she added.
Sir Guy rolled his eyes in disbelief and steadied his wife to her feet. He looked into her eyes and saw that despite her kindness and supportive ways; there was a leader in them that was ready to go to battle with her own family if it should come to it.
"Be careful at the palace," he ordered.
"You have my word," she added.
Sir Guy couldn't let her leave without kissing her one last time and holding her close to him. He feared for her safety and wellbeing but her plan was perfect for that of a ruler. She would not see blood spilt unless she could help it and that is what made her quite different from her cousin Prince John.
"Give me three days; if I have not returned then he has imprisoned me and possibly the Captain. In this event I give you permission to declare war on Prince John in order to set me free and take the throne as our own," explained Rose.
Sir Guy knew that if Prince John laid a finger on his wife let alone imprisoned her that he would unleash all manner of hell upon the Prince. He had a feeling that Rose would simply want him locked up until Richard's return or until he decided what to do with him but Sir Guy was protective and obsessive about his wife's well being and nothing but the worst punishment would do for him as far as he was concerned.