His one and only.
June 2009.
The one good thing about Robin's order for Rachael to remain Lady of Locksley, was that she would have full access to the castle, a castle she didn't know very well and could easily claim a wrong turning or two, if she was caught.
She already knew that she had to visit Isabella, to give her some terms and conditions of her release. A residential talk was planned, Guy waited anxiously for sight of either his sister or future wife, late one evening.
Rachael crept down to the dungeon and smiled at a guard to allow her in, he was reluctant at first until she gave him a glare, that caused him to assume the trouble he would be in if he didn't give her entrance.
Isabella looked up as Rachael approached her. She shook her head at her and made it very clear that she did not want to see her.
"Come to twist the knife further?" She asked.
"No. Listen, Guy is outside and I am going to let you escape, on the conditions that you don't try to harm anyone. We're risking our own lives to help you," replied Rachael.
"I can't make that promise," she said.
"Then you'll die wanting to kill. Isabella, this is your last chance to live," said the ex-maid.
"I would rather die!" Snapped Isabella.
"Don't do this, don't make me your enemy. I have tried to do my best by you, so has Guy," said Rachael.
"You lie. Were you doing your best by me when you brought my husband back? I think not. You did that to help him, the man you were in love with. If I'm going to escape it will be straight back into my place as Sheriff of Nottingham," said Isabella.
"Why am I here Isabella? Guy and I know you hate us, but we had hoped you'd at least accept our help in this matter. Prince John will come for your death," said Rachael.
Isabella smirked at her.
"I know, shouldn't you be planning a wedding?" She asked.
Rachael left. There had been no helping Isabella as she would not help herself. Guy was going to be heartbroken and she hated that idea, yet Isabella seemed so confident that Prince John was her way out, that she couldn't help but wonder if there was something she didn't know.
She left the castle to see Guy and shook her head as he took her hands.
"Where is she?" He asked.
"She would not accept my help, if I let her go she would come after us, she thinks she can get Nottingham back through Prince John," replied Rachael.
"That's insane!" He hissed.
"I'm sorry Guy, I tried. I just hope I can convince Thornton to let me keep Locksley," she added.
Guy growled slightly. He didn't like the idea of his wife having control over the village, that was a man's job as far as he was concerned, his job and his right as given to him by Sheriff Vasey, however Locksley was Rachael's right by an ex-Sheriff also.
"I thought we had agreed?" She asked.
"You know my true feelings on this," he replied.
"There is nothing I can do. Without my rule over Locksley, Hood will never allow us..." she began.
"Then lie to him," suggested Guy.
"Oh and then have him make your life a living hell? No!" Added Rachael strongly.
"I was given rule over Locksley once," he said angrily.
"So was Robin Hood, thank God he doesn't have a say," she added.
Guy glared at her, she was supposed to be on his side. Politics had made her more argumentative, even towards him and they were supposed to be equals. Rachael knew that he wasn't happy.
"You will always have Locksley..." she began.
"Go back to the castle, have your chat with Thornton," he began, turning away.
"Guy!" Protested Rachael.
He turned back to her and looked rather coldly at her, enough to turn her into stone. Rachael couldn't live with him resenting her, it wasn't what she wanted.
"Thornton can give and Thornton can take away. I have a plan, you'll have Locksley and maybe the end of your enemy," she added.
Guy smirked at her and she smiled with relief. Before he returned to Locksley, he took her into his arms, everything he held dear.
"Where have you been all my life?" He asked.
"Under your nose cleaning and looking after your house for some of it," she replied.
"My house," he repeated.
"Soon," she added.
Guy kissed her and Rachael knew that she had done right by him. She would have felt strange going back to the castle without any affection from him and being on his bad side. Thornton had seen her out at night with Guy and when she returned he coughed to let her know.
"One night, you can't even manage that. Tell me, what is so important?" He asked.
"My wedding is in danger Sheriff, Hood will ruin any attempt at a marriage if he thinks Locksley will go back to Guy," she replied.
"I won't change my mind, you know the law," he said.
"I'm not asking you to break it, I'm asking you to bend it. As Sheriff you can give and take whenever you please," added Rachael.
"Quite so my lady, quite so, pity, you rather suit politics for a woman," he said.
"Will you make an announcement? Tell Locksley that I will always be in charge?" She asked.
"As long as I face no trouble afterwards," he replied.
"Hood won't be happy that I tricked him," admitted Rachael.
"You know I have just about had enough of this outlaw and his antics?" asked Thornton.
"Haven't we all my lord? But our plan is working, he is restless, that is why he has stooped to such a low level, preventing a marriage because he can't do anything else," replied Rachael.
"With Gisborne in charge again, the people will want Hood back," said Thornton.
"My Lord?" asked Rachael.
Thornton was in deep thought. Rachael had what Guy did not, the support of the people, the love of the people. If he took that away, there would be trouble under a Gisborne rule and that would mean trouble for him too, but he knew Guy would not take anything less than leadership.
"We have a few issues, Guy is not as loved as you are, nor is he as kind as a ruler. If he took charge again, my own popularity would be in danger," he said.
"Please, don't change your mind. He has his heart set on taking Locksley," she said.
"I thought the idea of marriage was that his heart was set on you?" He asked.
"He does love me, but mainly because I gave him back what was his, I don't care why he loves me, my lord you must let me give him Locksley as a post-wedding present," she replied.
Thornton smirked at her, Rachael assumed that he would not give her what she wanted, she got to her knees and he raised an eyebrow.
"Please, I can't loose him," she begged.
"On your feet lady, you do not beg to me, you will have your wedding and Guy will have Locksley," he said.
Rachael got to her feet, but it didn't stop her kissing the ring on his finger before she left, Thornton watched her leave with a sudden amusement.
"The only woman who has ever loved him, yet she owns many hearts, but treasures his the most," he said.