Here is the final chapter. Thank you to all the readers who have stuck with this fic and all the generous reviews. It has been such a pleasure to write this!

Chapter 12

We all have to be careful in carrying out Robin's plan. Now that Isabella is gone, a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. We bolt the door waiting until late in the evening for Robin and Allan to return. A rush of relief fills me when they do.

Isabella is safely under cover on a ship booked to northern France, Robin explains. She plans to write to me once she's made it there safely.

What about Gizzy? asks Allan. What's going to happen to him now that the Sheriff's dead?

He is a part of my plan, Robin replies, taking off the insignia ring from the Sheriff's finger. He races to the Sheriff's study, returning with his seal stamp and writing materials. I watch him anxiously as he pens a letter. After he finishes it, I ask if I may see it. Slowly I read it over.

Dear Prince John,

I regret to inform you that here have been a series of unexpected events in Nottingham. The night watchman, an enemy of the Sheriff recently was spotted setting fire to a church. The very church I was being married in! He escaped unharmed evading my guards. Not long after, I went to inform the Sheriff of my marriage to Lady Marian of Knighton Hall. The Sheriff proposed a toast to my marriage only for me to realize he had been poisoned. Before I could run and get help, I was attacked by the night watchman. I am grateful to have miraculously survived in order to give you this message. As Sheriff Vaisey was dying he gave me his insignia ring, choosing me to replace him as the new sheriff of Nottingham. I am uncertain when, or if King Richard shall return; nevertheless, I promise to govern Nottingham to the best of my abilities and make sure justice is carried out when it's required. I ask that you spare Nottingham; the people and the outlaw Robin Hood had no part in the Sheriff's death. The night watchman has been found and killed.

Yours,

Robin, I ask, looking up from the letter, who's going to sign this?

You'll see, Robin replies, taking the letter from me. He approaches Guy's bed, as my husband wearily opens his eyes. Gisborne, I need your signature.

What for? Guy murmurs.

There's no time to explain! Just sign it.

In his exhaustion, Guy asks no more questions and signs the letter.

Robin smiles stamping the Sheriff's seal onto the envelope and slipping the Sheriff's insignia onto Guy's finger. Thank you, Gisborne. You have done me a great service and you are now the new Sheriff of Nottingham.

Guy's eyes peacefully close until he quickly falls asleep. Djaq smiles at Robin's cleverness. Robin, you're too clever, but how are you going to get the letter to Prince John?

Easy, says Robin, Allan will deliver it for me. After all, he's Gisborne's right hand man.

Robin, that's brilliant, smiles Allan. I didn't think you'd ever trust me again.

I still don't trust you, Robin replies. You'll earn my trust if you make sure this letter reaches Prince John's hands.

I promise you, I will. With these parting words, Allan carefully stows the letter away in his coin purse before stealing out of the castle. I turn to Robin, amazed at what he has done for Nottingham, for Guy and me.

Thank you, Robin, I say, embracing him. You've saved all our lives. You will get Locksley back, I promise.

I appreciate that, Robin smiles, but I'm just glad to know you're safe, that we're all safe. You'll have to make sure Gisborne keeps his promises in the letter.

What do you mean?

We can't have another Sheriff Vaisey, he explains. You'll make him a better man. That's why he needs you.

I know.

During the days of Guy's slow recovery in the castle, Robin helps him write an announcement to be posted around Nottingham about the news of Vaisey's death. Everyone despises Guy in Nottingham; I fear he won't like being sheriff. I barely leave his side during the days that follow after the announcement.

Marian, he confides in me, what can I do to win the approval of the people? They fear me because of Vaisey.

Well, I suggest, you could return Locksley to Robin. I'm sure they'd appreciate that. That would mean you don't see him as an outlaw.

Guy heeds my advice, granting Robin's lands back to him. At the same time, I dislike living in the castle. There are too many painful memories of my father's death here for me. To me, the castle has always been a prison, a center of injustice, nothing more. Guy hopes to change that for me. After I bid farewell to Djaq, Robin, and Kate, I return to the Sheriff's room where Guy sits up in the bed hearing me come in.

Marian, you look troubled.

I sigh, opening up one of the Sheriff's bird cages. Gently I hold one of the birds, carrying them to the window. There are those here you yearn to be free. I release the bird, smiling as I watch it take flight. We must release the prisoners here, Guy. Every one of them is innocent.

Guy rises from the bed, opening up one of the drawers from the dresser. He walks over to me, placing the keys to the dungeon in my hand. You can be their Lady of Hope.

I smile, kissing his hands. You are a good man, Guy of Gisborne. I don't need to be the night watchman anymore to help the people. I can finally be myself.

The people are beginning to warm up to Guy's presence as the new Sheriff. Now that they know he holds Robin Hood in esteem, they aren't so quick to judge him. It isn't long before I receive two letters from Robin of Locksley.

Dear Lady Gisborne,

I hear the people speak very highly of you and the man your husband is becoming for them. I wish you both nothing, but happiness. You were right. I have found the woman you promised I would one day find. Kate is everything to me. She misses you and hopes to pay you a visit soon. We're settling in well back into my old home. I have distributed some of my lands to Little John, Djaq and Will, and my dear friend Much. Allan has earned my trust; he has helped in saving Nottingham. Enclosed in this letter is a note from Isabella. I thought you might want to hear how she is faring.

Your friend,

Robin Hood

I smile at Robin's letter, holding it close to my heart. Without him, Guy and I would not have survived. The letter from Isabella is brief.

Dear Robin Hood,

I can't thank you enough for what you've done for me. I've found safety and security here in Normandy. I have found someone now who cares for me. It has been a relief to start a new life here. Tell Marian she has all my apologies and best wishes. She is a good woman.

Yours,

Isabella

Who is the letter from? Guy asks me, startling me from entering my former room in the castle.

It's from Robin Hood, I smile, laying it down open on the table.

Who is the other one from?

I cringe, unsure how to respond. Should I tell him that Robin helped his sister escape? He should know the truth. Since Guy has recovered, he has remained unaware of his sister's whereabouts. It's better that he knows. It's from your sister to Robin Hood.

What? She's not dead? Guy is stunned.

Robin wasn't going to kill her, I explain. I almost did though for what she did to you. I thought I'd lost you.

Where is she now? Guy inquires, pacing about the room. Her husband will come to me looking for her and I must send her back.

No, I won't let you do that, I challenge him.

Guy is unable to contain the frustration in his voice. Marian, this is a family matter.

I know, but it's too late for that anyway. She thinks you're dead. Robin lied to her.

Guy weighs my words before meeting my eyes. You know where she is, don't you?

How does he read me so well? She's in France and has built a new life there. It's better she thinks you're dead. She has lived in fear all her life, Guy.

My husband sighs, resigning to my words. I relate to Guy the entire story Isabella had told us and all the contents in Robin's letter to Prince John. Afterward he is silent for a few moments. Marian, I'm sorry for what I've put you through.

It's hasn't been easy Guy, I say, watching him close the distance between us, but I'm just glad you're alive.

Well, Guy smiles, we both have our share of war wounds. His lips slowly meet mine, this time tender and not rushed. We have all the time in the world now. Gently I remove his jacket and then his tunic. There is the scar on his side from where Isabella stabbed him. My fingers stroke it, grateful that Djaq had successfully healed him. I feel Guy's hands stroking my hair, until he releases my hair pin causing my hair to cascade down upon my shoulders. I guide his hands to unlace my corset until I'm only wearing my under dress. Letting out a peaceful sigh, I feel a bliss I have not felt in days. I never fully realized before that I need Guy as well; I was right to have faith in him. In that moment all train of thought leaves me as Guy takes me in his arms carrying me to our bed.

I have a surprise for you, Marian, Guy says, leading me out of the carriage blindfolded.

I smile, remembering how he had once showered me with gifts, hoping to win my affection. He is not as vain as he used to be. I already told you, Guy, I don't like surprises.

Guy stops me, taking off the blindfold from my eyes. There standing before me a house where my home Knighton Hall once stood. Oh, I murmur, words leaving me. If only my father could have been here to see this. All those painful memories seem to have vanished from me. Everything is coming full circle.

This is our home, says Guy, the one I've always wanted to have with you.

I don't know whether to burst out crying, or laughing with joy. Neither seems to matter. Instead the words I've never said finally come to me. I love you, Guy.

His eyes widen, savoring words that he has never heard before. He takes me in his arms, no limit to his bliss. I can't wait to tell him that King Richard is returning and that someday we shall have a child to call our own.

The End

If you're interested in reading more related to this fic, I am now in the process of writing a sequel to it. I've posted it as "The King is Coming Home-Marian Guy" Enjoy!