Propinquity

Marian felt a trickle of fear creep into her heart when she heard footfalls outside the large wooden door. It was not for herself that she feared, Marian could easily defend herself against any oncoming attack - Guy was helpless. He still slept when Allan pounced into the room and slammed the door behind him. Though Allan looked flushed and unnerved, he couldn't hide the satisfied smirk from playing across his lips.

Marian was not amused, "What took you so long?" As Allan opened his mouth to respond, she cut him off, "Don't even bother. You probably paid a visit to the tavern."

The grin faded and he directed a hurt look toward her but Allan was not about to take this accusation without a fight. "Gees, Marian. What do ya think I do all day? Chase whores? You know all the riffraff and scum that do that? Do I look that addled? Why a man could get 'imself the burning by doing that. That could cause a man's - his - uh - um - well - his uh - 'personality stick' to fall off…"

Marian blinked back at him, "Personality stick? Is that what you call it?"

Allan scratched the back of his neck, muttering, "No. I call it my co-." He stopped what he was in the middle of saying - the expression on Marian's face told him all that he needed to know. She could hear him… He chided himself - had not his mother taught him better than that? Using such language before a woman - even if it was only Marian - had been an unspeakable sin in her eyes.

Marian overheard the dampened grumbles and gave him a glare but she was unable to forestall the blush that invaded her cheeks at the mention of his unmentionables. However, she was pleased to note that there was evidence of a crimson splash on his face as well.

Allan coughed to cover up his ill spoken blunder, "I was taken' back that charlatan, you got to take a look at Giz."

"She is not a charlatan," Marian said, gently dabbing at Guy's sweat streaked face. Though he was sleeping, his fever hadn't broken yet.

"Oh, yeah? Well that charlatan," Allan over emphasized the word; he could almost see Marian prickle. "She was talkin' about putting honey - honey mind you - on his wound if it doesn't start healing soon." He pointed to Guy, "Don't be surprised if he starts croaking like a toad!" Allan turned and left, not even bothering to take a better look at Gisborne. If Marian wanted to fight with him he was going to do the only thing in his power - leave. No one, not even the Saints in all their holy glory, could argue and win against Marian. Allan knew he was in no way, shape, or form a Saint and therefore didn't stand a chance.

Marian's upper lip twisted slightly at Allan's back but she didn't say anything more. Despite rebuffing Allan's claims that the healer was more unearthly than not - Marian was beginning to agree with his assumptions. Not that she would ever admit that to him - it didn't take much for her to see, in her mind's eye, the smug expression that would be cast across his face if she did.

Pushing Allan out of her thoughts, Marian looked at Guy - he was much calmer now and was not as physical as he had been. His eerie slumber unnerved her and she caught herself wishing that he would wake. Finally, she made her mind up - as she had for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day. She would show Guy loyalty and stick to him; she would show him affection. She would try harder to show her husband that she cared - though the earth might burn and wither before she was able to.

Marian had cared for him; years had passed since she had felt that initial spark of affection, pity, and compassion - but never love. Nevertheless, as the years carried on, that spark had flamed into a stirring that slowly ate away at her countenance. Marian hated admitting that. Her impression of loyalty was that the first - idea, assumption, object - was to be kept, placed on a pedestal - Robin was her first love. Wiping Guy's brow again, Marian tried to rationalize her affection for her husband - wifely affection… The stirring had cracked her it seemed and now she could only give in. She had admitted it - though she feared it to be far too late…

Guy thrashed his head about suddenly and Marian received a sickening jolt that he was experiencing spasms of pain before he drew his final breath. Upon closer inspection, she saw that Guy was in the throws of a nightmare - brought on by the poison or the cure, she did not know. She smoothed his damp hair back from where it had fallen into his eyes and tried to soothe him. He calmed, gasping her name as he did so; breathing harshly and quickly, his face gripped by pain.

There was a brisk knock at the door and then it swung open before she could respond. "Hope you don't mind, I let myself in," the Sheriff entered on a hop, closely followed by a man she had never seen before.

The other man had his head lowered as if he was a wolf on the prowl, or maybe like a dog recently kicked in the ribs… His eyes, though downward, shifted about the room and inevitably fell upon Sir Guy. Marian could feel their coldness and ill will even though she could not see their harshness.

"Ah, Maid Marian - oops clumsy me, your not a maid any longer, are you? No, of course not." He smiled at her but the Sheriff was never known for his benevolence - the smile was evil and caused Marian's to skin crawl. Vaisey turned to the other man, "You remember us speaking of Marian - Sir Guy's blushing new bride?" He gestured to the young man, "This is Sir Spencer - he's stayed on to assist in the capture of Hood. Though I must say that his first attempt was less than admirable…"

Marian watched as Spencer sunk deeper into himself. His teeth bared into a snarl - directed at Guy, Vaisey, or both - Marian couldn't tell; mayhap not even he could. What Marian did know was that his presence was less then advantageous.

The Sheriff clapped his hands together once, letting the vibrations echo over the sparse room before continuing, "Now, how's the invalid?"

Marian felt the creeping feeling of protection slip over her - Guy looked so vulnerable… "He is still recovering, Sheriff." She couldn't stand to address him as 'my Lord' - not with those menacing eyes outright in their mocking of her.

Vaisey circled Guy's sleeping form, somewhat like a vulture, "It's odd isn't it?" Marian assumed that he was talking to Spencer but when he made eye contact with her - those eyes jumping over her and assaulting her with their gleam - she knew that wasn't the case. "It's odd that Gisborne married you. I never felt that you were a proper influence on him. Always pushing him to do good, never letting him unleash his inner - me. No matter what I did to keep his mind on his work and away from you, he still defied me."

Marian shut her eyes and tried to keep her emotions under control. There were so many things that she wanted to say to this sick, conniving man but she bit her tongue. She needed to stay in control for Guy. It did please her to hear that his feelings for her were greater than his need to obey the Sheriff.

"What's odder still," Vaisey said, stopping to examine Guy's wound. "Is that he married you - though you failed to keep your knees shut from Winchester."

Marian felt her shoulder muscles stiffen and grow tight at the Sheriff's words. When she heard Spencer cough to cover his laughter and saw Vaisey smiling at her again, she wished that she could knock them both senseless. It would take but a moment, one swift moment. However, for her own sake and Guy's, she couldn't… The repercussions of her actions would last much longer than her initial self-justification. If Vaisey found out that she was the Night Watchman he would hang her and possibly Guy - if he ever woke that was.

"If he was so desperate to give his essence to a noble woman, I would have preferred him to sniff around one who's - ah - sacred grounds hadn't been dug in already."

The Sheriff tugged one of Guy's eyelids open while the latter mumbled something incoherently. Marian prayed that he would not fall back into his fevered musings while the Sheriff was there. Fortuitously, Vaisey took his leave, flipping a careless hand in his wake, "Inform me as soon as he wakes - I want to have a word with him."

Gently, Marian shut the door behind them; only to clench her fists so tight she was sure they would crack and bleed. She thought of so many revolting, ungodly names that she could call that man and she chose the best one of them. Just as she was saying it, where she thought only the mice in the walls could overhear her blasphemy, Allan suddenly appeared in the doorway - jaw hanging open.

The apparition made a soft strangled noise to himself and avoided meeting her eyes - best let her alone while she fumed. Even if Vaisey didn't know what deadliness Marian possessed, he did and was not about to cross her… At least not this time.

"I thought you left?" Marian asked, sitting back down at her post beside Guy. If she wasn't so angry she might have blushed at Allan's unexpected entry, but she felt as if she had the devil inside her and didn't care if he heard her swear or not. Neither did she care how he felt about it.

Allan sat down on the desk, using his hands to support his weight, "I did but that Spencer bloke is a bit uppity 'bout now and I didn't want ta run into him again."

She wondered privately what Allan had done to cross that man already - that might have been the reason for the snickering clod's odd behavior.

Watching Allan pick and poke around the room, amused Marian while she sat and scrutinized Guy's breathing. Allan wasn't use to being in a place that didn't have leaves strewn about, she figured. She stifled a yawn as the day's toll finally took hold of her. The subdued fretting for both her Father, her husband, and Robin was seeping through her normally thick countenance. It wasn't long before Marian felt her own eyes grow heavy as she looked at Guy and soon she wasn't watching him anymore but joining him in slumber.

Marian felt a shiver of sensation run down her back as she was waking up. The room was black and there was no indication that Allan was around anymore. She felt the shiver again and looked in the direction of the bed; Guy was awake gently stroking her cheek.

She jerked into a sitting position, hating to be caught sleeping instead of tending to him. She hated to need rest. "Guy - how do you feel?"

He gave a weak smile, "Better than a dead wolf's head." His eyes locked on Marian's and she knew that the wording was a test - one to see if she reacted.

Poisoned and hurt he was still the same Guy - testing her loyalty to him. It angered Marian that he didn't trust her but she realized ruefully that she hadn't given him any reason to. Making no response to his statement, other than pressing a mug of water to his dry lips, Marian said, "Here drink this."

Guy gulped thirstily and she had to pull the mug away from him, lest he choke. He moved his wounded arm to wipe the wetness from his mouth and winced. "What happened?" he said, eyeing the throbbing appendage disdainfully.

"You were poisoned by Winchester's knife. You're just barely alive."

"So it seems," Guy said, giving a muted groan as the pain in his head made its presence known. He rubbed his eyes and laid his head back against the straw pillow.

Marian could feel herself shrinking back from any kindness on her part - it could wait till later. She only then callously reminded herself that he almost didn't have a 'later.' She should not put off the inevitable, "How is your shoulder?"

"It is a wound - it hurts the way most wounds do," he replied, his words were meant to distance her from him. That was what she appeared to want after all…

Marian gritted her teeth together and brusquely stood up, intending to leave him to his own devices. If he couldn't be civil to her attempts at concern - languid though they were - then she wouldn't be polite to him.

She felt Guy grab her retreating hand, "But my head feels like you poisoned me as well." His failing attempt to reconcile himself with her, by giving her something to tend to, almost caused Marian to laugh. She stayed.

"I did not."

"Then who bloody well did?"

"I had the healer tending my father, come and help you. If it hadn't been for her, you would have died."

He muttered something and though Marian couldn't quite make out all the words, she was sure it was something akin to, 'I would have been better off.' Then, loudly he said, "You let her poison me?"

"Yes!" Marian said, her jaw tightening as she spoke - why did he have to be so difficult? She made herself pause and reflect yet again: wasn't she being challenging as well? Shouldn't she let him have his demanding idiosyncrasies while he lay - hardly recovered from his deathbed? Marian supposed that she should… She needed to let Guy have his way - if that was the only thing she could do to show some concern.

Marian sighed, more frustrated with herself than anyone else. She looked down at her hand still gripped by his large one. She gave a sad smile and lightly squeezed his hand. Only for a second. Only for a moment. No longer.

Even in the darkened room, Marian could see his face contort into confusion - he was unused to this treatment. He smiled though, and it was almost surreal; his eyes far away as if seeing something in the distance - a future only he realized.

"Don't look so surprised. I am, after all, your wife." Marian enunciated her words with a determination that startled even her, despite her action of affection. But, she knew that having to convince herself of that affection - let alone her husband - was going to be harder then she imagined… She didn't want to overly encourage him, it was better to keep her distance.

He struggled to get up; he wanted to be closer to her. However, Guy felt the world resume its spin and he retched - trying hard to keep whatever was in his stomach there. "What did she give me?" he gasped, swallowing hard and running his hand down his face.

"Mandrake root," Marian said, preparing her words for his next set of questions; assuming he would have the same reaction to the plant as Allan had… Not that Marian was one to ignore superstition but she was grateful that Guy was alive. Moreover, without a doubt, God had already condemned him to hell - what harm could be done?

"Did she already have it with her or did you send some poor wretch after it?"

"Allan went."

Guy laughed loudly to Marian's astonishment. She looked mystified upon him as he spoke his next words, "He probably thinks you tried to kill him and damned his soul. Did he go willingly or did you have to use force?"

If the Sheriff had asked whether someone had balked at fetching him something, Marian would have been hesitant to inform him. However, the way Guy's eyes were dancing - well Marian didn't figure any harm would be done by a man who hadn't looked so amused since - she didn't know when. "Force is too strong a word -a threat worked well, though."

She let him take another drink of water, "Don't you remember anything from earlier?" Marian knew that Guy had been conscious for at least some of his illness; it was then that her stomach contorted into a tight knot and she prayed silently to the Holy Mother that he did not recall Robin's appearance. Though he had been asleep and fevered Marian was positive…

The laughter drifted from his eyes and his expression was stone cold once again, "No." Truth be told, Guy did remember hazy instances from the past day but he was unsure what was imagined and what actually happened. Why, he even thought he had heard Hood's voice but that was not possible. If that man were near him while he was ailing, he would unquestionably be dead. Besides, Marian would not betray him - so blatantly to his face that is… He must have been dreaming that time.

What did it matter what he thought he remembered and what actually happened? Surely, he must be dead for Marian had shown him some affection that wasn't coerced out of her - this was heaven.

Before Marian knew what he was about - Guy's expression changed again from distant to soft and he raised his hand higher and laid it upon her arm. He wanted to know where he stood now - a proper opportunity had not presented itself since last night. "I care for you, Marian. Isn't that enough?"

She looked startled, "Isn't what enough?"

"Enough to be content with one person who cares for you - many women are not so fortunate."

Many are not married to a murderer who wants to kill your former love. She almost winced at the words 'murderer' and 'former' but held back. "How so," she asked after a weighty pause - though she knew that her gender was taxed and put upon, she wanted to hear his view on the matter. He was a man after all - the other half that caused many a woman's problems.

"They marry and bear children to husbands who don't care for them - that only see them as a way to expand their lineage."

"Oh, and I suppose that is not how you view me?"

"No. It is not." He strategically left out that was how he felt about her at first. A Lady wife to add strength to his irreputable name. It hadn't helped that Vaisey tried to instruct him on the ways of women - that she was only a noble good for producing heirs, and other than in the bedchamber, he should keep his distance.

She almost felt vulnerable, he was telling her how he felt and she didn't have the courage to respond in turn. Once she said something - she could not take it back… Marian wanted to be sure that whatever she said - be it of hate or affection - that she meant it. She had to say something to temper the blow, "Guy, I am wed to you and will remain so. Isn't that enough?" She used his own statement - what more could she say?

Heaving a sigh, Guy looked into her face, his fleeting expressions a mixture of gloom, hope, and finally acceptance, "I'll take that." For now. He couldn't argue with her; his only consolation was the remembrance of the other night, the way she felt in his arms and how she held onto him. One day he hoped that he would again gain that feeling without pretence - that she would give her affection freely and willingly. He didn't want to have to take it from her… Guy felt that instead of drawing them closer together - their lovemaking had only succeeded in pushing her farther away.

It was at first light when Allan slipped back into Guy's room. He was startled to find Guy conscious and on speaking terms with his wife. The moment was too far gone for him to leave - they had seen him. Allan felt ill at ease for having interrupted them, "I was just seein' if all was well. I'll come back later."

"No, wait," Marian interrupted his progress. "Tell the Sheriff that Guy is awake." She looked in Guy's direction, "He wanted to speak with you."

Allan felt the need to cringe; if it were anything like he assumed it would be, Spencer would be on Vaisey's heels… Intercepting that man was not on his list of desired activities. He steeled himself; he would do it - he was not to be cowed!

Embarking on his assignment, Allan took the opportunity to replay the events of the previous day in his head. He secretly hoped that Guy would never find out about his un-loyal heroics. Yet, he wished that Robin would learn from Much what his role was in the matter. Of course, with his luck, Robin would likely blame him for the entire escapade…

Before he knew it, Allan was standing outside the Sheriff's chamber. Taking a deep breath he entered the room. Behind his desk Vaisey sat hunched over, examining something intently. Allan was hopeful that he was alone but then, just as he expected and dreaded, Spencer was there, staring out the window. They hadn't spotted him and Allan stood in the doorway catching the tail end of their conversation. It was about Guy.

"He shouldn't have bothered," Vaisey said with disinterest tainting his voice. Allan shuddered with repulsion when he saw that the man was busy fussing with his toenails.

"It was a waste of his time, my Lord - and yours. Since she had already been whored, it would have been a kindness to leave her to her fate. Not attempt to reintroduce her into society, she'll be ostracized by many, without a doubt," Spencer responded in turn. He was trying to usurp Guy in the Sheriff's graces - Allan was certain of it. It brought to mind Tom, his younger brother. Oh, how Allan loathed all the times that little imp tried to better himself by agreeing with their mother when his elder brother had gotten wedged into a tight corner.

Allan was not one to tempt the workings of the god of fortune but in this case, he felt he must. He chimed in, "I dunno. I thought it was a rather brave sort'a thing ta do." It was at that moment that he felt two sets of eyes boring into his body. Allan shifted uncomfortably under their weighty gaze. Spencer snorted and then, after a slight pause, laughed mirthlessly. Smirking, he said to Allan, "Hard to tell the two apart sometimes; what one considers brave - more consider stupid."

The Sheriff broke into a broad grin and ceased his ministrations with his nails, leaving his foot positioned on the edge of his desk, "Ah, Spencer - have I told you how 'brave' you were for running after Hood without telling me?"

Sir Spencer choked. He then grappled with his words and finally said, "Well, at least I didn't get laid on my death bed."

The Sheriff strummed his fingers against the wood of his desk, "But Gisborne got what he went after - you - you didn't even get a trinket for your efforts."

Allan spoke up again, "Actually that's what I'm 'ere about - Guy is awake."

Guy was alone. Marian had left to inquire about some food from the kitchen, though Guy had begged her not to - he didn't feel like he could stomach anything right now. The door opened and the Sheriff walked in unannounced, "Gisborne - good to see you alive. It looked doubtful for a while - but I had a lovely eulogy prepared for you - though it eulogized my exceptional influence in your life more than your actual pitiful life, I'm afraid. Can't have the peasants seeing you for what you really were - a leper, loving do-gooder."

"Milord," Guy said as the words bit into him. The man he looked up to - idolized even - took true pleasure in ridiculing him. Guy felt even sicker at the derision. He struggled up into a sitting position - he wanted to stand, show Vaisey that he was a man - not the scared, hungry lad he once was. He managed to stay upright, though his stomach lurched violently, "I regret - I cannot stand."

"While you lay mewling and moaning, Prince John has requested a favor."

"What kind of favor, Milord?"

"He hasn't directly said, but - I do believe that it will be a large one… See, it has something to do with the crown and its - uh - illicit lineage."

"Milord?"

"Enough of the questions, Gisborne! What? Does marriage not satisfy your carnal desires enough? Must you plague me to keep your mind off what you're not getting from your finicky wife?" Humm? Is that it? Well don't expect any assistance from me on that head - you brought this upon yourself."

Guy sighed, letting his eyes meet the floor - anywhere but Vaisey's face. He didn't dare question his mentor anymore. He knew better than that. The only thing that he was even remotely grateful for was the fact that Marian was not present to witness his humiliation.

Unbeknownst to him - she was. Marian stood outside the door, listening to the Sheriff belittle her husband. It made her blood boil and though she wished it did not bother her so, she couldn't prevent the feeling. However, what troubled her more was the 'favor' that the Sheriff spoke of. A request from the Prince could not bode well…

The Sheriff stared down at Guy, with a superiority that could drive the willpower out of King Richard himself, "Well, you better pray that you can get your carcass on its feet, before Prince John comes. You know full well what they do with lame horses - don't you Gisborne?"

A/N Sorry for the long wait - been really busy. Next chapter will skip ahead in time - I promise. :) I hope that Marian was in character. I have such a hard time writing her… Trying to get her emotions and actions to coincide is like pulling teeth (the Sheriff's to be precise :P). I am literally biting my nails thinking about her. I also hope that Sheriff Vaisey behaved accurately for his personality… I tried to get him to insinuate more, as LadyKate suggested. :D I hope it worked… Any ideas about PJ? And who is Spencer…? Thank you for reading - I hope that you enjoyed it. :)