Chapter 6

Guy! I follow the sound of his voice until I reach the road. My heart skips at the sight of him. He quickly dismounts from his horse, taking me in his arms.

Are you alright? I'm sorry I didn't come for you sooner.

I rest my hands in his gloved ones. You got Allan's message from me?

Yes, he reassures me. You're too stubborn for your own good.

I know, I smile at him; his lips meet mine, urgent and searching. Reluctantly I break our kiss. Guy, not here.

Why not?

I try to keep a look out to see if we're being watched. I don't want Robin to see.

Guy ignores me. That's no excuse. He wraps his arms around me, unwilling to let me go. His kiss is passionate; I wonder at how long he had been repressing his feelings for me. Now they were revealing themselves in a rush I couldn't fathom.

Guy, we have to go, I say, finally able to find my words.

Oh, right. He gives me a lift up and then mounts his horse after me. We make our way in the direction of Locksley.

I can't go back with you to Locksley Manor, I inform him. I've been offered another place to stay that's not far.

Very well, Guy murmurs in my ear, but I'm not letting you out of my sight again.

With the help of Kate's father, I'm gradually able to adapt to my temporary life as a peasant. Guy isn't too excited about it, but he understands it's to protect me from the Sheriff. Without the night watchman, I have to go under cover some other way. Guy secretly visits me every evening so as not to arouse suspicion. One evening he surveys me in my simple peasant dress, my hands callused from the field work. He kisses my palms.

When you're my wife, things will be different, I promise you. I have made plans to have a new home built for us. It will be where your home, Knighton Hall, once stood.

A wave of sorrow crosses over my face. I remember that horrible night and Guy's anger with me. It was as uncontrollable as the flames that tore my house down. How could I ever keep it in check?

Marian, he says, interrupting my thoughts. I want you to be happy. I want to atone for my past actions. His hand brushes my cheek trying to comfort me. Slowly I embrace him; I would give anything to forget the past, to move forward with my life. I can tell Guy wants that too.

The sooner we're married, he tells me, the safer you'll be from the Sheriff.

Every day I help Kate's father with the chores. Whenever Guy sneaks visits to me in the evening we talk for hours. Another evening I fell asleep in his arms after a hard day's work. He told he had carried me to my bed. I never thought I would anticipate the day I would become Lady Gisborne, Guy's wife. I heard nothing from Robin, but on occasion I would receive arrow messages from Kate. She would inquire about my safety and her hopes that I was getting on well. Kate was always careful never to reveal Robin's activities in Nottingham.

The day of my wedding came sooner than I expected. The ladies of Locksley help me get ready. Gazing into the mirror, I remember standing by Guy's side when Nottingham was going to be destroyed by Prince John's men. It was the strangest feeling waiting to die with a man who has opened up to me more than anyone else.

Marry me now and make it the last thing we do. Those were Guy's words. I'm glad I had said yes now when I actually meant it.

Guy has his guards escort me to the church that day. I never thought I would have a fiancé who was so paranoid about my safety. When I finally reach the church, I am relieved to see Allan waiting for me. In spite of his betrayal to Robin, I had begun to view him as a friend.

Lady Marian, he teases, is it like you to be smiling this much? Aren't brides supposed to be unhappy on their wedding day?

Allan…

I know what you'll say, he shrugs, shut up.

I shake my head at him before stepping through the door of the church. There is Guy standing at the altar. He has radiance in his eyes I have never seen before. He can't even meet my own without a shy smile forming on his face.

I, Sir Guy of Gisborne, take thee, Lady Marian to be my wedded wife…

I stroke his rough hands in my own. I have no regrets. I can finally leave the past behind me.

I, Lady Marian, take thee, Guy of Gisborne…

To have and to hold…

For richer, for poorer…

In sickness and in health…

Until death do us part, I murmur softly. I stop short. What's that smell−it's smoke! Guy's grip on my hands tightens.

My God, he cries, the roof!

Fire spreads quickly across the thatched roof of the church. The bell tolls within the church, alerting all the villagers.

It's the night watchman!, cries a villager. He's set fire to the church!

My knees threaten to buckle. Who's impersonating me? Guy catches hold of my arm steadying me. Marian! He takes my hand, leading me to the church entrance. Fortunately I make it outside through the panicked rush of everybody else, but I turn around and Guy isn't with me.

Marian! I turn around. There's Robin, rushing to my side. Are you alright? I heard the alert. My men and I are fetching water.

Robin, help me find Guy!

Without hesitation, Robin rushes into the church along the way assisting families out. The roof is ready to topple. I tear off my veil, trying to put out the sparks that have fallen upon it. Finally Robin emerges, supporting Guy. I race toward him.

Is he alright?

He's so heavy now, groans Robin, stumbling to the ground with Guy.

Behind us the roof collapses. Fortunately Robin has made sure everyone has made it out safely. He gently lays my unconscious husband on the ground. He was trying to assist an elderly woman out of the church. I never thought I'd see the day…

Thank you, Robin, I reply, embracing him. Robin slowly backs out of my embrace.

So, he sighs, you're married now.

I think we managed to exchange our vows in time. Robin, they said it was the night watchman who set fire to the roof. Allan had told me had burned my disguise. Who would be impersonating me?

Robin tries to reassure me, his gaze unwavering. I will investigate this. I promise.