Disclaimer: All original characters belong to BBC/Tiger Aspect
A/N: Thank you to the lovely Jadey36 for reading this chapter through and giving me her thoughts as well as reminding me when my grammar went on holiday (I blame the cold!).
Previously
'No!' Guy cried, rushing at them, sword drawn. Marian wasn't sure what happened next. She heard Guy's blood curdling cry of fear and anger, the thwack of Robin's arrow embedding itself in the body behind her shoulder, a deep gasp from Guy and then she was released.
She panted heavily as she grasped Guy's arm for support. But instead of finding the strong support she was used to, he buckled under her, clutching his stomach.
Marian looked at his face. Guy's eyes were wide with horror, his face was even paler than usual. He lifted a hand from his middle and even in the gloom Marian could see it was covered in blood. Bright, ruby red, glistening blood running off his fingers and splashing onto the floor as he fell to his knees.
Sins of the Heart Part Nine
'He stabbed me,' Guy gasped. It was then that Marian saw the blade, a long hunting knife, buried deep in Guy's torso, only the hilt visible as Guy cried out, pain now engulfing him.
'Guy,' Marian heard herself gasping, could see herself bending down to help him. She looked at the weapon again, the hilt was large, the blade must be even larger and it was impaled in her husband's guts. She felt sick, dizzy. Only the knowledge that he needed her stopped her from crying out too, falling to the ground in despair.
'Marian,' Guy rasped, gritting his teeth as he spoke, 'you need to get out of here. Robin, get her out of here, get her to safety.'
Marian turned to look at Robin, whilst she slipped her arms under Guy's, supporting him even as she felt warm liquid spill over her hands.
'Robin, help him. Help me get him out of here,' Marian begged. There was no need for pleading, Robin was already calling to his friends for help, his bow still poised to defend them from any new danger.
'We'll get him out, we won't leave him in this damn tunnel,' Robin said, trying to reassure her. 'Hang on, Gisborne.'
Marian saw a look pass between the two men, a look of grim understanding. It did not comfort her, she knew they both believed Guy's wound to be fatal. But Marian would not accept that, would not accept her husband's death was inevitable. Not now, not after everything, not when she had finally found in him a man she could truly love.
Marian caressed Guy's head as she held it against her chest, Guy's breathing was rapid and shallow, she didn't want to let him go, not even so the strong arms of Little John could hoist him out of the tunnel and into the daylight.
Marian squeezed through the trap door, quickly followed by Robin. The gang's faces were shocked and serious. Guy was laid out on the grass beside the gravestone, the hilt of the knife still hideously protruding from his stomach and blood now colouring the dried grass underneath them.
It felt later in the day than it actually was, grey storm clouds had darkened the sky, the storm so badly needed to quench the parched earth of Nottingham was gathering. Marian was oblivious to the clouds above, or the ominous rustling from the trees that had Robin nocking an arrow and drawing his bow. Marian could only see Guy as she knelt at her husband's side and stroked his forehead.
'You will be fine, my love,' she whispered. 'We will get you to a physician and I will stay with you.' Marian believed the words as she spoke them, there was surely no alternative, her husband had thrown himself at her attacker, put himself in the line of danger to save her. Now she would save him.
'Marian, you must flee,' Guy rasped, grasping her hands with his remaining strength. 'You cannot help me, go with Robin. Run.'
'No,' Marian shook her head, tears filling her eyes, 'I will not leave you, you will be okay.' She held his hands tightly, stroking those elegant fingers with her thumbs, even as she did this she could feel his hands growing colder.
'Remember our plans, Guy. We are going to have a family, I am going to have your babies. We will live in a farmhouse, far from here, have our children running around us. The boys will look like you, the girls will adore their daddy, just like I do.'
Guy smiled softly, met her eyes with a sad, tender gaze. Tears escaped Marian's eyes now. 'I will watch you teach our sons to ride, until one day they are as good as you. Then you will come inside and our daughters will sit on your knee whilst they show you their embroidery, they will be good girls, not like their mother.'
Guy smiled again. 'Their mother is perfect,' he whispered, before wincing, pain overtaking him.
'Guy, hold on, hold on, my love,' Marian pleaded, stroking his face and bending down to kiss him. As she brushed his lips she felt wetness and when she looked she saw a small trickle of blood in the corner of his mouth. Marian looked around her, the gang were surrounding them, weapons drawn in defence. She could not see if there were soldiers, she did not care; all she cared about was her husband.
'Robin, help him!' she cried. 'Do something!'
Robin turned and lowered his bow, his face was pained. He knelt beside her.
'Marian, we cannot move him,' he said softly.
'You can, you can!' she cried, her face contorted in pain.
'Hood,' Guy said, his voice strained and ragged as he grabbed Robin's sleeve. Robin lowered himself further so Guy could talk without straining. 'Robin,' Guy continued more softly. 'Robin, promise me something.'
Robin nodded, unable to refuse the request of a dying man.
'Promise me you will look after Marian. No more heroics, no more running off after the King. Just look after her and love her, as she deserves to be loved. We have both let her down. Promise me.' He looked expectantly, desperately at Robin
'I promise,' Robin said gravely.
'You must make things right with Prince John, look after Marian. Isabella will help,' Guy continued. He was struggling now, but spoke with determination. He needed to say these things, needed to tell Robin, his enemy, but also the only man who could give him the peace he craved, the peace of knowing his wife would be cared for.
'Promise me you will do whatever it takes to look after Marian, forget your principles, she comes first.'
Robin nodded, he took Guy's hand in his own, clasped it tightly. Marian had slipped her arms under Guy's head, cradling him, heedless of the blood spilling onto her hands and clothes. All she cared about was Guy, her beautiful husband; the man who adored her, forgave her for the worst of crimes, the man who would lay down his life for her, had laid down his life for her.
She stroked his long hair back from his face, her fingers savouring every touch as Robin spoke.
'I promise. You are right, I let Marian down, you did not. You fought bravely and saved her life.'
Guy nodded, closed his eyes, apparently satisfied at this answer. His breathing was lighter now, Marian stroked his cheek, it was cold and pale. The life was draining out of him.
'Guy,' she said softly. 'Don't go, don't leave me. I love you, Guy. I love you.'
Guy opened his eyes at her words, a blissful smile spread across his face.
'Marian, you are the love of my life,' he murmured. 'I love you with all my heart. All my life I have lived in shame. But because of you I die proud.' Guy sank deeper into her arms, his breaths lighter and lighter as the pool of blood underneath them grew ever wider.
'No, no, you can't die,' Marian cried, tears helplessly splashing down her cheeks now. 'I love you, Guy, I love you so much.' At her last words, another smile passed over Guy's lips. His face looked soft, peaceful, he looked at her once more, his blue eyes locking into her own, that look of adoration reserved solely for her was still there. Then his eyes closed. The effort was too much.
'I am free.' Guy spoke so softly he was barely audible. Marian leaned forwards and kissed his lips again. A soft, loving kiss, but desperate too: to feel his breath on hers, to feel the warmth of his skin.
Guy remained motionless. 'I love you,' she said again, stroking his cheek. Guy was still now. His eyes stayed shut, he was unresponsive to the gentle caresses of her hand on his face, the rise and fall of his chest had finally ceased. He was a dead weight in her arms.
Marian shook him gently, 'Guy,' she sobbed, 'please wake up, Guy!' Marian choked, the realisation that he would not look at her again was hitting her, that she had seen his pale blue eyes for the last time, heard his voice for the last time.
'Marian,' Robin said softly. 'Marian, we need to move. There are troops coming.' Robin spoke kindly and gently, but Marian didn't care. His words were confirmation. Robin would never leave a man who could be saved, not even Guy. He had proved that in the strong room.
'No!' She screamed, tears choking her voice to a harsh sob. 'I don't care. I'm not leaving him.' She held Guy's body tighter, bowed her head to his, her tears mingling with the blood that streaked his face.
'Marian,' Robin tried again. 'Guy wanted you to be safe, we must move.'
Marian could hear the hooves, the beats of many horses approaching, the cries of their riders. She could feel the cold drops of rain that had started to fall, hitting her arms and head. But still she stayed, kneeling on the hard earth cradling her husband, stroking his hair, murmuring to him, as though her words of love might have the power to resurrect him,
'Marian, please,' Robin was begging now. She heard the swoosh of an arrow being loosed. 'Stay back!' Robin cried, before turning once again to Marian. 'Marian, come, you cannot help him now.'
'This is your fault!' she screamed suddenly, raising her head, tears and pain clouding her vision, her voice a strangled cry. 'You should have saved him, you save everyone. Why didn't you save him?'
'I did my best,' Robin sounded genuinely pained. 'Please, Marian, he did not give his life so you could be cut down moments later!' Robin was starting to panic, he laid a hand on her shoulder.
'Get off me! I am not leaving him.' Marian turned back to her dead husband. 'I'll never leave you, my love, I'm so sorry, I'm so, so sorry.' Words then left Marian, she buried her face in Guy's bloodied chest and gave herself over to grief. Her sobs were unending, her tears did not stop and still she clung to him, even as strong arms tried to pull her up and the rain grew heavier, soaking through her dress and hair.
Robin was desperately tying to wrest her away from Guy's body. In years to come Marian would be grateful for his care, for the risk he took in trying to get her to safety. But in those moments all she could think was that she was being pulled from her husband, that he would be left to Prince John's troops, that she would never see him again. Marian fought off her protectors, continued to cling to Guy, sobbing over his lifeless corpse, even as the rain turned the ground underneath her to mud, Guy's blood mingling with the wet earth.
It was Little John who moved her in the end. As Marian prostrated herself over Guy, crying to the heavens, the rain washing her tears away as fast as they fell, John lifted up Guy's body, removed the blade that had taken his life, flinging it to the sodden ground.
'We will take him too,' John said firmly as Marian cried out at the loss. She nodded numbly, heard voices around her, the men were talking, to her, about her or something else, she didn't know. It didn't matter anymore. Marian felt arms around her again, lifting her up this time. She looked up expecting Robin, but these arms felt different. It was Much.
Carefully Much and John carried Marian and Guy to the cover of the trees. Robin and Allan were covering their backs, arrows flying through the air in warning to anyone coming close. Robin's defiant voice rang out, but Marian could not hear the words.
As Much lowered her to the forest floor he held her still, rocking her as one would a child. For once he did not talk, what could anyone say to her anyway? Marian let him hold her for a few moments before once again seeking out Guy's body.
It was very important to Marian that he should lie comfortably, even though he was now in a place where such things ceased to matter. She spent careful minutes making sure his arms and legs were straight, before stroking his hair and face, the splash of her tears marring the stillness of his features.
Marian could hear the shouts of men fighting, she heard the twang of Robin's bowstring, the shrieks of men hit by arrows or caught by blades. But it all seemed a world away. All she could see was the unmoving face of her husband. The man she had loved, betrayed and now led to his death.
If Marian had thought that she was guilt wracked before, it was nothing to the all-consuming loathing she now felt for herself. Had she not come up with such a stupid, reckless plan . . . had she not allowed herself to be grabbed by the soldiers in the tunnel . . . but it was too late. Guy was dead and nothing in the world would bring him back to her now.
Marian did not know for how long she knelt beside Guy as the gang fought off Prince John's men. Her bitter tears flowed until exhaustion and cold reduced her to wracking shivers instead. Marian was soaking wet, the rain continued to fall steadily and even under the trees it was heavy enough to wash away the blood from under Guy's body.
A person crashing through the undergrowth, shouting, interrupted Marian's relative solitude. Marian looked up, these were not the shouts of soldiers, but the shrill cries of a woman.
Marian's grief was instantly overwhelmed by utter hatred. The slight form of Isabella was racing towards her, hair was wild, red dress splattered with mud, hands clutched her skirts, raising them to allow her to run over the slippery mud underfoot. She skidded to a halt in front of Guy's body.
'No,' Isabella cried, sinking to her knees and picking up one of Guy's hands. 'No, no!' Her voice was becoming a scream. 'Guy, no!'
Isabella brought Guy's cold fingers to her lips as she began to cry. Marian was enraged. How dare she come and cry over his corpse when it was her betrayal that had condemned him. Marian leapt to her feet and dragged Isabella off him by her hair.
'Don't you touch him!' Marian screamed, the rage that had been lying dormant since Guy succumbed to his wound exploding. 'You betrayed us, you told Prince John about the tunnel.'
'No, no, I didn't,' Isabella pleaded, sobs choking her voice as her hysteria rose. 'I didn't know about the tunnel. I told John nothing. He guessed you were leaving, he guessed something would happen.'
'Liar!' Marian cried, jerking Isabella's head back, her hand still gripping her hair.
'No, I swear I am telling the truth. John knew about the tunnel, he commissioned it!' With that, Isabella threw Marian off her and quickly got to her feet. Marian stared at her, trying to weigh up the truth of her words.
'How?' Isabella demanded. 'Tell me how my brother died.'
'He was stabbed by one of the soldiers in the tunnel,' Marian said flatly, tears welling as she spoke the words.
'What were you doing in the tunnel?'
'Robbing the strong room, we wanted money for a new start . . .'
'You mean you wanted money for a new start. And you have the nerve to accuse me of betrayal!' Isabella's voice rose angrily. 'If it wasn't for your betrayal Guy would never have lost his mind, never killed the Sheriff and been outlawed, never agreed to your crazy scheme. You murdered him as sure as if you'd held the knife!'
'No, I loved him, I loved him,' Marian protested. But there was truth in Isabella's harsh words, truth Marian could not ignore. She had caused Guy's death. She who had claimed to love him – did love him – had led him to his death.
It was the worst moment of her life and as Marian watched Isabella sink to her knees again and sob over Guy's body she wished it were her lying dead on the forest floor, wished it were she who had received the fatal blow.
To be continued . . .