The Consequence of Loyalty
By Cynthia Burnett
Chapter 4
Locksley Manor
Much sat in the corner of his dark room listening intently to the sounds moving up and down the stairs. He heard several people coming and going, but none of them had the resounded beat of Sir Guy's steps. He was surprised when his door opened and Thornton walked in carrying a tankard of water. Much jumped up as the steward handed him the water, but the older man did not make eye contact. The head servant glanced to the guard standing outside his door as if to warn Much. Fighting his ever growing desire to say something, Much clenched his jaw and held his words. Instead of talking, he greedily drank the water offered him. Balancing the container with tied hands proved difficult, but he managed. His severe thirst became apparent as the first drop of water touched his lips. When the water was gone, Much reluctantly gave the vessel back to Thornton, who immediately left the room and closed the door. The tumbler in the lock once again clicked, and Much kicked the rags that made up his bed.
After moving back to his safe corner, Much leaned against the wall and slid down until his backside hit the floor. Carefully, he wrapped his arms around his knees and his bruised stomach that was still tender from the kick he had received earlier.
Wanting to escape in a happy memory, Much tried to remember what had been in the room before he and Robin left for the Crusade. Running his hands across the smooth wooden boards of the floor, he clenched both fists as the memory eluded him. Much finally realized he and Robin had spent most of their time running around the shire, visiting Marian, and causing Sir Edward grief. Robin's reckless behavior that saved him more than once in the Holy Land had also been the catalyst to many stern chidings by his father.
As soon as he brought up memories of Robin's parents, Much realized he was opening old wounds. His chest felt heavy, and he sighed. The Locksleys had taken him in when he was in need of a new home and new masters. They truly cared about their peasants, their servants. Robin had become a close friend, and his mother treated him like a son. He could make her laugh even when Robin was in trouble with the Sheriff. Things that Robin had done as a young noble would now result in a peasant's or noble's hanging. Much swallowed another sob, trying hard to regain his composure. He vowed to himself that he would not cry, not in front of Sir Guy.
When Much finally pulled himself together, he heard the noise he had been dreading, Sir Guy's boots storming up the stairs. Quickly, ignoring the pain in his side, Much jumped to his feet and tried to wipe his eyes, unsure if his crying earlier was still visible to another. His heart returned to a rapid pace. When the door opened, he immediately looked to the floor, afraid to meet Sir Guy's eyes. Light flickered from a candle as the door closed and locked. His heart, however, was not ready to hear the voice that greeted him.
"Much, are you hurt?" asked Lady Marian.
Immediately, Much's gaze shot upward to find the noble woman standing so serenely before him with an ornate metal candle holder in her delicate hand. "My lady…" he gasped as he felt his knees give out. He managed to quickly sit down while Marian eased herself down to her knees before him. Carefully, she rested the candle on the floor.
Embarrassed, Much could not bring himself to look at her. Gentle fingers lifted his chin but he closed his eyes.
Marian tried to smiled reassuringly. "Much, look at me. You are safe." As she surveyed his condition, she noticed his wrists bleeding from the rope still binding them together. "Let me see your hands."
Extending his hands outward, the kindness in her tone sparked a fresh bout of tears, and Much squeezed his eyes tightly shut to stop their flow.
She carefully untied the knots digging into his wrists. The ropes where bloody, but Much seemed oblivious to the pain. Ripping her underskirt into a long strip, Marian wrapped his wounds.
"There, how does that feel?" she asked, trying to get a response. She studied his face, which was still trying to avoid looking at her's. "Much, you can speak to me. Please…"
Much finally gazed into the noble lady's eyes. He cleared his throat, but each time he attempted to speak, he was overcome with emotion.. Finally, he gave in and added words to his tears. "My lady, I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry you are here because of me."
Marian tried to comfort him, "Shhh… it is ok. I'm safe." Her eyes gestured to the door, hoping Much would understand that Gisborne would be eavesdropping. "You need to listen to Sir Guy, Much. He is your master now. If you don't obey him, I fear…" She paused. "I fear you will suffer the consequences."
Finding strength and defiance inside himself, Much forced a smile. He looked to the door, and then nodded, letting her know he knew Gisborne was listening in. "He isn't half the master Robin is." He let a small laugh escape his lips before his fear regained control.
Leaning in closer, Marian whispered into his ear. "Robin has visited me at Knighton. He needs you to stay safe until he can figure this out." Quickly, she withdrew and added loud enough so Gisborne could hear, "You need to forget Robin, Much. He's an outlaw now and you needn't be serving a man who is wanted by the law. Besides, you will only anger Sir Guy with those harsh words."
When she glanced his way, she feared Much had withdrawn inside himself again, unsure if it had been the words she whispered or the ones she spoke aloud. Marian reached over and cradled his cheek in her hand. Her heart went out to him when she felt warm tears trickling down his face. Suddenly, the doorknob clicked, and Marian sprung to her feet. Gisborne stood menacingly behind her.
"Your time is up." He reached in and grabbed her sleeve. Marian let him lead her out of the room, but stole a look back at Much who was still sitting on the floor, his gaze fixed on the ground. Her own eyes filled with moisture as she watched his eyes close once again. Candlelight reflected off tears as they rolled down his face. Marian could not bear to see him so defeated. When Gisborne closed the door, she tried to harden her voice and gain control over her own rampant emotions.
"My lord, this is cruel." She studied the grave expression, hoping to detect a measure of tenderness, but found the familiar armor of hatred and anger.
"He is an outlaw who is loyal to Robin. Any punishment is justified. Hanging him is within the law, but I chose to bring him here instead." Sir Guy gestured for Marian to take her leave down the stairs, and then he followed suit.
In the great room of the manor, Marian frowned at the iron bars on the windows and the heavy metal locks in the doors. Robin's assessment of the manor paled to the truth of the situation. Gisborne had created a prison for Much and the other servants in the manor.
"What are you trying to do, Sir Guy? Keep the outlaws out or keep Much inside?" She pointed with her eyes to the door and the windows.
Gisborne surveyed the work of his locksmiths and smiled. The manor had been nicely equipped with new fortifications. He desperately wanted to see how Robin and his men would try to test his manor's new defenses.
"Let Robin dare attempt to enter my home again. He may have gained entry in the past, but no more." Even though he could see her hiding her true emotions, Gisborne knew too well that it would be futile to get through to Marian after her emotional exchange with the servant. "My lady, I would love for you stay, but I have to ask that you return to Knighton Hall." Gisborne nodded to Thornton, who obediently rushed to the door and unlocked it. The servant remained next to the open door.
Marian approached Sir Guy, and placed her small hand on his leather glove. With great tenderness, she pleaded with him, "Please, Sir Guy, I beg of you. Please do not harm Much. Is it not enough that he is frightened of you, that you have taken him away from the one person whom he trusts?"
Without meeting her eyes, Sir Guy jerked his hand away from her contact. He was in control of this moment, not her. The Sheriff warned him about the manipulations of a woman. He could see how much power she had over his heart, but now, he needed to let her know who was in charge.
"You are not the lady of this manor, Marian. You have no say on what I do here in Locksley." Staring straight through her, he added, "This servant destroyed our marriage. He humiliated me in front of the other nobles… my men. He will be punished."
New tears filled her eyes. Marian heard the words she knew in her heart were the true reason Much had been brought here to the manor. Unable to rebuff Sir Guy's anger, and fearful of making the situation worse, she fled the manor. Quickly, she found one of the servants who held her horse. She heard the manor door close and lock behind her. Unable to look back, she kicked her horse into full gallop away from Locksley.
Sherwood Forest
Just outside of Locksley, Marian slowed her horse at the whistling signal from one of Robin's men. Everyone quickly joined her on the trail back to Knighton. She watched Allen run behind her to make sure no one had followed. As Marian dismounted, Robin joined her with Little John, Will and Djaq right behind him. She tried to bury any tears with anger. When she finally spoke, she was relieved to speak with a steady voice.
"Much is being held in a small room upstairs." Looking around to the others, she tried to make sure they understood what she saw. "Sir Guy has locked the manor like I've never seen. The upper level windows have been barred, and the shutter where Much is being held is locked from the inside."
Will nodded, "She's right. When I was watching the manor, the doors were only opened to let servants and guards in or out. I could hear the doors being locked immediately afterwards." With confirmation, he nodded to Marian. "As soon as Marian and Sir Guy arrived, the servants went through the house closing all of the shutters to the windows."
Robin paced and then asked, "So he let you see Much?"
Marian looked down to her hands, which had dried blood on her fingertips. Robin quickly reached for her hands as Marian added, "His wrists were bleeding from the rope tying them. I removed the binding, and wrapped them." The lady finally shed a stubborn tear. "He is frightened, Robin, and he has every reason to be. Sir Guy admitted this is about revenge. He blames Much for what happened at the wedding. He knows that he is hurting me and you with this cruel action."
Frowning, Robin ran his hands through his hair and threw his head back. Marian understood his frustration. She added, "You have to be careful, Robin. If you try to rescue Much, and fail, Sir Guy will punish him. I think he wants you to try. He is baiting you."
"I cannot just leave Much in Locksley." Robin threw up his hands. "He trusted me to protect him, and I failed. I cannot fail him again by leaving him at the mercy of Gisborne."
Robin searched the others, hoping someone had a solution, but everyone shook their heads. Remembering the chase through the woods which ended with the trap and Much's capture, the noble let out a cry of frustration. After a few minutes of silence, Robin shared what happened earlier in the forest. "Much would not leave me in the trap. He was willing to die to protect me from Gisborne. When Gisborne took my saber and ordered Much placed on a horse, he looked up to me for help, but I could do nothing. I feel like I'm still trapped in that net, unable to do anything."
Will remembered what Allen had mentioned earlier. "Robin, we just need time to think and to watch the manor. We will rescue Much, but we have to be careful. He knows that you are safe now thanks to Marian, and that you are out here. None of us will give up on him." Will hefted his ax, adding, "Gisborne and the Sheriff are always underestimating what we can do. We will get him out."
Robin's jaw relaxed at his friend's words. He nodded, and then looked around, noticing the sky had grown dark. "Marian, you need to go home before nightfall." He searched her eyes, and gave her a sad smile. "Thank you. I am sorry that you had to face Gisborne again."
Marian studied the gang surrounding Robin. "Promise me you will make sure he does not do something rash or dangerous. If anything happens to any of you, he will never be able to forgive himself. In the manor, Much blamed himself for me being there with Gisborne." Finally, she looked directly to Robin. "If you do something to get yourself killed or captured, he will blame himself." Pulling herself up on her horse, she watched Robin take in what she had said before turning her horse for home.
Robin watched her outline fade into the grayness of dusk, and then turned to his men. Without saying a word, he headed for the clearing overlooking the manor. He needed to be able to see Locksley in order to think. Silently, his men fell in step behind him.
Locksley Manor
Still on the floor, Much stared at the candle that had been left in his room when Marian was pulled out by Gisborne. Her words echoed in his mind. Robin did not know how to get him out. With light in the room, he stood and walked over to the shutter. Reaching up, he gave it a rough shake. The chain and lock rattled, but the shutter did not budge. Besides, the bars in the window would prevent him from getting out, but he desperately wanted to look outside, to see if he could find a hint that Robin and the others were out there, trying to find a way to rescue him. He then walked over to the door, and rattled the knob. It, too, held fast.
His gaze wandered from wall to wall as they closed in on him and he felt suffocated and oppressed. In silent frustration, he balled his fists and closed his eyes. Gisborne had lured Marian into his manor with his capture, something he was sure she would not have agreed to if not for him. He could not help but feel torn. He reached up and touched his cheek, remembering her hand cradling his face. For one moment, he had felt safe, until the door opened, and Gisborne reappeared in this nightmare.
His eyes found the door again, and for the second time during this ordeal, he heard the boot falls of Gisborne ascending the stairs. Much grimaced and closed his eyes, sure that this time, he would be facing Sir Guy. Several moments passed as he held his breath, waiting for his fate to arrive. He stood facing the door, gathering as much courage as he could. Finally, the key turned and the door slowly swung inward. Again, Much refused to look and kept his stare focused on the floor as the light from the hall filtered into the room's dim candlelight. A huge shadow was cast across the floor where his eyes were affixed. Much could feel Gisborne's eyes upon him.
The lord of the manor spoke, his voice startling Much, who tried not to jump. "Ready to talk?" Gisborne stepped aside as Thornton walked in and unlocked the shutter. As soon as he completed his task, Thornton quickly exited, but the door remained open. Much felt the cool air from outside fill the room, and was thankful to have the window open. He turned around to glance out the window and caught sight of the dark orange sky as the day faded into dusk.
Returning his gaze to the floor, he added, "Yes." Much knew that any other answer would not bode well for him.
Guy strode silently forward and stood closely in front of Much, then began to pace slowly around the trapped man, the leather from his coat brushing lightly against Much's bare arm and making him shudder imperceptibly. Stealing a quick glance to the guards still positioned in the open doorway, Much kept his eyes downcast, afraid of sparking any outburst from his captor. Stopping in front of him once more, Much felt Gisborne's hot breath in his face when he breathed, "Do you know why you are here?"
After swallowing over his cotton throat, Much lifted his eyes to find Gisborne's dark orbs inches from his face. "I…" Much swallowed again and cast his eyes around the room before continuing, "I serve Robin and King Richard?" The question hung silently in the air for several beats before Sir Guy released a cruel laugh. When Sir Guy finally reacted, Much lost his balance and fell back as the noble grabbed his shirt, slamming him against the back wall.
"No, that is not why you are here!" Gisborne shouted. "Robin is a thorn in my side, but you…" Gisborne yanked Much away from the wall before roughly shoving him against it once more. "You ruined my marriage to Lady Marian!" The terror in the servant's eyes fueled Sir Guy's buried fury. The noble lost control of his inhibitions as the pent up anger he hid since the failed wedding finally escaped. Without a second's consideration, Sir Guy launched his right fist with all of his energy into Much's stomach. The noble did not let the other man out of his grip as he buckled forward in pain. Refusing to give the servant a chance to absorb the punishment, Guy buried his fists in the man's shirt, and relentlessly bashed him against the wall a third and fourth time.
Gisborne ignored the soft moans as he continued his rant. "I cannot protect her from the Sheriff if she is not my wife."
While struggling to catch his breath from the solid punch to his midsection, Much could not let the audacity of Gisborne blaming him for his woes justify his treatment. Thoughts and words quickly formed in his mind, and no matter how much he knew to keep his mouth shut, he could not. "You kill for the Sheriff." His words were no more than a whisper, but Gisborne heard them.
Snarling with rage, the noble brought a brutal knee to his captive's stomach before swinging a double fist down hard across his lower back. Once on the floor, Much tried desperately to roll away, but Gisborne would not give him a moment's freedom. Once more, Gisborne gathered the servant's loose clothing in his fingers, dragging him swiftly to his feet. Eyes full of tears from pain and fear, Much tried to prepare himself for the harsh beating he could not escape. Desperate to avoid the full brunt of the shouting, he twisted his head away as Gisborne continued yelling.
"I will not tolerate your insolence. Robin may give you free rein to behave beyond your station, but I will not." Once again, he slammed Much against the wall with every ounce of the resentment he felt towards the man. Gisborne pressed the servant against the wall, his hot breath on the man's neck. "You will learn to regret that day! I will make sure that every moment here is a reminder of what happens to anyone who double crosses me!" Before releasing him, Gisborne delivered a swift and forceful backhand across Much's face. The momentum of the hit drove Much to the floor in a limp heap, only this time, Gisborne felt content to leave him there.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Much willed this to be over. He covered his face with his arms, fearing that now that he was on the floor, Gisborne would begin kicking him. Instead, he heard a calmer voice. "Now that you know why you are here, you will do well to remember that I am your master now."
As Gisborne's shadow disappeared from the room, Much peeked out from under his arms. He saw Thornton quickly enter to remove Marian's candle. As the steward secured the room, a breeze from the closing door stirred the loose rags. Soon the footfalls faded, and the only sound Much heard was his own heavy, ragged breathing along with the drumming of his heart beat. When he swallowed, he tasted blood. Immediately, he reached to wipe his split lip.
As if in the sudden calm after a storm, a strong evening wind caressed his cheeks from the open window. His arms shaking, Much tried to pull himself up using the edging of the window sill but the effort proved more difficult than he expected and he slumped back down. For the first time since running away from the Sheriff with Robin to Sherwood, he desperately wanted to be out there, sleeping safely under the stars. As he finally eased himself into a sitting position, his situation became clear. This had not been about Robin or King Richard. His words at the church had brought him here. Revealing to Marian that King Richard had not returned from the Holy Land allowed her to stop her wedding to Gisborne. Resigned to the consequences, he swore to himself and God that he would do it all over again to protect her from that fate. Once more, her whisper echoed in his mind. Robin did not know how to get him out. This time as tears fell from his eyes, Much did not bother to wipe them away.
Outside Locksley Manor
Robin stood transfixed on the manor house as the shutters were thrown open. From atop the hill, he heard a few of the screaming words with which Gisborne berated his prisoner. When the words 'ruined my marriage' echoed over the hilltop, Robin felt himself grow ill. Much's love for him and Marian drove him to the church. His bravery shined that day, facing down Gisborne's men to tell Marian that the King had not returned and that she did not have to follow through with her marriage promise. Even after all of the hurtful words Robin had thrown at him, Much's love for him had not been destroyed.
Finally, a loud slap resonated out of the manor. Robin immediately tried to run down the hill, but Little John's hand stopped him. He looked up to the big man, and saw him shaking his head. "No," was all Little John had to say.
Distressed, Robin looked back at the manor house and saw the light in the room fade. Finally, the room grew dark and he swore he saw the outline of his friend in the window that had been left open, but like all of the other windows in the manor, they were barred with metal. To make matters more difficult, Gisborne had stationed several guards around the perimeter.
None of his men wanted to speak. They all knew that Gisborne had purposely opened the window, hoping Robin could hear him tormenting Much.
Shortly after, Will returned from Locksley Village carrying a basket of food. The young man knew that food was the farthest thing from their minds, but felt they all needed to eat something. None of them would be able to rescue Much if they did not stay strong.
The young wood smith walked around handing out bread and cheese. Little John took two servings, but Robin refused anything from the basket. Sadly, Will turned away and stole a bite himself, wondering if Gisborne had given Much anything to eat today. He tossed Allen a chunk of cheese. Without warning, the older man pulled Will aside to speak privately.
"Something happened in the manor while you were gone." Allen steered Will away from Robin.
Will looked around, and began to notice that everyone was on edge, especially Robin, who was still pacing, his eyes fixed on the manor house. Will lowered the basket of food to the ground.
"What? What happened?" Will whispered. Djaq walked over to the two men, while Little John stood near Robin.
Djaq answered, "Gisborne made a show of his cruelty to Much." She nodded to the manor. "He opened the window. He wanted us to hear him when he…" Unable to say the words, she looked to Allen.
Allen sighed. "We heard him beating Much when he wasn't screaming at him."
Will shuddered, thinking about how horrible it must have been. Looking back at Robin, he could understand the nervous energy their leader was exhibiting, pacing back and forth. Curious, Will had to ask the question, "How did he take it?"
Djac glanced over to Robin. "Little John stopped him. I think he would have tried to charge into the house to kill Gisborne with his bare hands." The Saracen bent down and grabbed another small loaf of the soft bread out of Will's basket. They had been running all day, and no one had time to think of food. Sadly, she looked to the large house. When she was captured in the war, she knew fear. Right now, Much was trapped and alone. He had no one to comfort him. No one could help shield him from Gisborne's fury.
This strange war in Nottingham, England was not as bloody as the one in her homeland. Here, she was helping men whose cause in life was to help those less fortunate, to right an injustice that ruled their land. She had learned to trust these men. Much was the first one who tried to help her. His heart was always so caring for others. He did not deserve this.
Looking to Will and Allen, but loud enough for Robin and Little John to hear, she stated, "We will get him out. Gisborne cannot keep him."
Robin stopped his pacing and looked back to his men. John stood by his side, while Will, Djaq and Allen stood near the path back into the forest. Despite the fading light, he could see the hurt in their eyes. Finally, he gathered his bow and headed for the forest.
"We cannot stay here all night. Gisborne is no fool. He will expect us." After stealing one last glance back at the manor, Robin walked over to his men. "We need to stay smart and stay safe to rescue Much. Gisborne has won today, but he will make a mistake and we will be ready when he does."
After Robin slipped into the trees, Will, John, Allen and Djaq followed. The gang had to leave one of their own behind, but each hoped that Much knew they were out there, worrying and planning his rescue from Gisborne. But until then, Much had to face everything in the manor alone.