Chapter 8
The King's will
In the spacious living room in Locksley Manor, Robin of Locksley stood near the window, looking out, his eyes taking in the clear sky with the sun high above the hills. King Richard had finally returned to England, and Robin had been reinstated as the Lord of Locksley and the Earl of Huntingdon. Now Robin and Marian could live in Locksley, taking care of their people and ruling the lands which had belonged to Robin's family long before the Norman conquest of England.
The past months were full of adventures. Robin and the outlaws had traveled to Poitiers and had met with Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, who had told them that they could do nothing to save the King and that she herself would negotiate the terms of her son's release. Queen Eleanor had asked them to help to collect ransom for the King, so the gang had left Aquitaine and had returned to England, but only for a week. In London, the outlaws had stolen a chest of gold from Prince John's treasury; then they had returned to Aquitaine to give the funds to the Queen Mother.
Robin couldn't believe that the King had returned to England. He had been fighting fiercely against Sheriff Vaisey against tyranny; the outlaws had ruined all of his treacherous plots against King Richard. They hadn't given Prince John a chance to seize the throne while Richard had been crusading in the Holy Land. For about three years, Robin had been dreaming of the King's return, and now it finally happened. He should have been happy, but his mood was mournful.
Robin lost himself in an ocean of despair. After his return from Germany, King Richard had landed in Sandwich where he had been met by many of his loyal noblemen and knights. Robin, Marian, Guy, Archer, and the outlaws had also been there. The King had engulfed Marian and Robin into a warm hug, greeting his loyal subjects with a large smile on his face and presenting them to all his lords as the two finest heroes in England who had heroically saved his life. Then Richard's gaze had fallen on Guy, and a smile had vanished from his face.
He drew a painful breath as he remembered how King Richard had ordered to arrest Guy in spite of the vigorous protests of Robin and the outlaws. Guy had been surrounded by the King's guards who had shackled him. Archer had foolishly tried to prevent Guy's arrest and had even unsheathed his long curved sword, but Robin had restrained his young hotheaded half-brother, understanding that it would only create more problems. Marian and the outlaws had watched Guy being dragged away by the King's men while Robin had begged the King to release Guy but failed.
Since Guy's arrest, Robin had already tried to talk to Richard three times, giving the King long and defensive speeches on behalf of Guy and saying how much Guy had helped him win the siege of Nottingham and defeat Vaisey. But the King had not relented in his decision to execute Guy and all other traitors. Shaking his head, Richard had replied that he couldn't grant Robin's request.
King Richard had decided to destroy all his enemies in England. The King's loyal men had arrested all the Black Knights and had thrown them into a prison in Nottingham which hadn't been destroyed by the explosion. Intending to have all his enemies executed in the same place, Richard had headed to Nottingham that had been the center of the conspiracy against him. Robin, Marian, and the outlaws had traveled home with the royal convoy. Guy had been transported to Nottingham under a heavy guard together with several other disloyal noblemen, whom the King had also planned to execute. Archer had stayed as close to Guy as he could during their voyage.
Suddenly, Robin had heard the footsteps in the hallway and then the sound of the opening door. He turned around and saw King Richard standing at the doorway. Richard was staying at Locksley Manor because the Castle of Nottingham had been destroyed and Locksley was the closest place to the town where Richard could spend several nights before departing to London.
Robin knelt, bowing his head to the King. "My liege," he greeted.
The King smiled heartily. "Robin, please rise. I don't wish to see you of all my subjects bowing to me when we are in private." He used "I" instead of "we", dropping the royal etiquette which he didn't wish to follow in Robin's presence. "I should bow to you for everything you did for me."
"Thank you, milord," Robin said as he rose to his feet.
"I bet you want to talk about Guy of Gisborne," Richard said in a high voice.
Robin nodded. "Yes."
"Let's sit down," the King invited, pointing at the two chairs in the corner, near the fireplace.
Robin and Richard seated themselves comfortably, and then a long silence reigned in the room.
"My liege, I beg you to reconsider your decision," Robin said at last.
The King shook his head. "I'm truly sorry, Robin, but I cannot do that," he responded dispassionately. "Guy of Gisborne will be executed as a high traitor together with all other Black Knights. The execution will happen today at noon, in the central courtyard in Nottingham."
Robin still hoped for a good outcome. "Sire, Guy changed. He is no longer the man who served Vaisey. He switched sides and assisted me in defeating Vaisey when Nottingham was besieged by Prince John's troops. He helped me save the surviving civilians when we escaped from the castle through the tunnels. He helped me steal money from Prince John to collect your ransom."
"That doesn't change the past," the King replied unhesitatingly. "Gisborne tried to kill me twice, and I cannot forget about his attempts on my life." He let out a sigh. "Gisborne stabbed you from the back, and you almost died in the Saracen attack. He actively plotted with John and Vaisey against his King. He killed Roger of Stoke, my loyal knight and your friend. He almost killed your wife, Lady Marian." He smiled sarcastically. "He even made an attempt on John's life."
"I haven't forgotten about his crimes."
"So doesn't he deserve a death sentence?"
"Yes, Guy is guilty. But doesn't a changed man – a better man – deserve a pardon?"
"Not in this case," Richard said coolly.
Robin flinched at the chillness in his monarch's tone. "What do you mean, sire?"
The conversation wasn't easy for the King, but he was ready to talk to Robin. Normally, Richard didn't discuss his decisions with his subjects and didn't explain anything, but Robin's case was exceptional. He owed Robin his life, and Robin was his most loyal man and friend; he loved Robin.
"I have been absent from my country for too long. The Black Knights tried to kill me many times, and many of my loyal men died saving my life.
Robin sighed. "I understand that you cannot pardon other Black Knights, but Guy's case is different. Guy proved that he can be loyal to you. He will never try to kill you again."
Richard smiled sardonically. "My realm is full of traitors who can again start plotting against me with my brother if he promises to give them estates and titles."
"You don't believe that Guy can be loyal to you, milord?"
"I don't know and I don't care," the King said indifferently. "A man, who was once ready to kill his King to earn power and wealth, can always try again if he is tempted by promises of riches. His loyalty cannot be unconditional and staunch – it can easily be bought."
Robin was barely holding onto his temper. "Guy has realized that power doesn't make a man happy if he has to act against his conscience."
"You cannot know how Gisborne will act if he is given a chance. Therefore, I cannot pardon a man who tried to kill me twice but eventually switched sides because he suddenly developed a conscience. Gisborne is an ideal example of the man who cannot be trusted at all."
Robin blanched. "Sire, you won't change your decision, will you?"
The King gave a nod. "Gisborne will be executed today," he said with authority. "Out of my love for you, Robin, I will cancel my order to have him hanged, drawn, and quartered." He sighed. "He will be hanged, which is an easier punishment than he deserves."
Robin quietly watched the King's sad face that was rather responsive to every passing thought in Robin's head. He knew that the King could predict in advance what he would tell him as his last attempt to save Guy from execution. Richard had always been able to read his mind very well, except only one case when in Acre he had considered Robin a traitor without a solid proof of guilt.
"My liege, you can pardon Guy out of your love for me," Robin declared boldly after a long pause. "I saved your life many times in the Holy Land. I survived a nearly fatal wound I took for you. I fought for you in England, doing everything to stop the Black Knights." He raised his voice. "But in return, you ordered to execute me when I arrived in Acre to protect you from Vaisey."
The King's expression evolved into sadness. "Robin, I betrayed your loyalty. Believe me that I deeply regret that I was so unfair to you and your friends in Acre."
"But you can return your debt by pardoning Guy."
"Robin, my debt to you is huge. But I also have a greater debt to the nation and the country."
Robin looked lost. "I don't understand."
"Soon I'm going to depart to Normandy to fight against Philippe's troops. I have to make sure that nobody of English lords, whom I pardoned, will again conspire with John to kill me. I want peace in England, and we need demonstrative executions which everyone will remember."
Robin stared at his liege incredulously. "You want to make an example out of Guy, don't you?"
"Exactly. I must eradicate treachery. I have to punish a foul traitor who once served John and then switched sides. Gisborne will become an example for all backstabbing parties."
Robin jumped to his feet, his expression revealing his anger. "I have never imagined that I can ever be disappointed in you, sire. A fair King cannot execute a man who repented of his crimes."
The King looked hurt. "Politics is a deadly thing, Robin. There is no heart in politics, and Kings often must make decisions which are ruthless and unfair."
"I don't agree with you, milord," Robin retorted, bowing to the King and intending to leave.
"Robin," the monarch called.
Robin stopped. "If you don't need me, then I want to leave, with your permission, my liege."
The Lionheart looked into Robin's eyes, his expression almost vulnerable. "I hope that you will begin to understand the motives for my decision over time."
Robin glared at his liege. "I don't know."
Richard snapped his fingers, and one of the guards entered. The young man bowed to the King and the Earl of Huntingdon; then he gave his liege the rolled parchment and was dismissed.
"Take it, Robin." The King handed to his subject the parchment.
"What is it, sire?" There was a hint of impatience now in Robin's voice.
"This is your permission to visit Gisborne. Without this document, you won't be allowed to see him. You can take only Lady Marian with you."
Robin dropped his eyes, gazing at the parchment in his hands. The blood rushed to his face as burning emotions coursed through him. He was furious, his hands were shaking, but he was trying to control his temper, knowing that he could only aggravate the situation if he quarreled with his sovereign. The world seemed so unfair that Robin wanted to scream in helpless rage. He had truly believed that he would be able to get Guy pardoned, but he failed.
"Thank you, milord," Robin hissed.
The King of England knew that his favorite was displeased, but he wasn't going to change his decision. "No tricks, Robin," he said softly but with a ring of finality.
King Richard could have spared Guy's life, but he needed to teach his brother John and nobility a memorable lesson – a bloodbath for traitors to settle fear in the hearts of his disloyal subjects. The Black Knights had caused deaths of many of the King's loyal men, and Richard's thirst for vengeance was unlimited. Guy was a former Black Knight who had eventually changed allegiances. To Richard, Guy seemed a turncoat who could run to Prince John tomorrow and betray his King again. Richard could never trust a man who had tried to kill him twice and who had even attempted to take John's life during the coronation which Robin had ruined.
Robin bowed to the King and stormed out. He headed to the parlor where Marian and Archer were waiting for him. When Robin appeared at the doorway and then stepped into the chamber, Marian and Archer swiftly stood up from their chairs, wearing saturnine and worried expressions.
Archer smiled morbidly. "Robin, I guess that the King was unrelenting. I can see it on your face."
"Yes." Robin was barely able to speak.
Marian let out a sigh of frustration. "Did the King explain why he doesn't want to pardon Guy?"
"Yes, he did," Robin replied. Then he told them about his conversation with Richard.
Archer grunted, "Politics and power, right? That's why the King needs Guy dead."
Marian sighed. "I expected that, but I still hoped that the King would change his decision."
"We can overpower the guards and get Guy out of the dungeons," Archer said with conviction.
"We cannot do that," Robin parried.
"Why?" Archer asked, anger boiling in his blood.
Robin rubbed his cheek, his expression lost. "Have you forgotten that the Black Knights are heavily guarded by King Richard's troops? Or do you want to fight with the King's whole army?"
"But we have to do something," Archer snapped. "We have to save Guy."
"We can do nothing." Robin's voice sounded grave.
Archer looked at Robin expectantly. "You are Robin Hood. You can do everything."
"No, I cannot," Robin claimed. "Even Robin Hood cannot outwit every soldier in the King's troops. If I try to break Guy out of the prison, the King's men will only capture and detain me, but Guy will be executed in any case."
Archer narrowed his eyes at Robin. "You just don't want to go against the King's decision."
"That will give us nothing because I know that this time, we will lose for sure," Robin made an attempt to explain, looking at Archer with apologetic eyes. "I confess that I overestimated my influence on the King. I just don't know what he will do even to me if I try to openly defy him."
Marian listened with breathless interest. "I'm in agreement with Robin. The King knows too well what Robin can do – he knows many of Robin's tricks and strategies." She sighed. "I'm sure that he has already done everything to toughen security measures in the prison."
"I will try to do something," Archer stated. Then he stormed out of the parlor and the manor.
Robin came to Marian, and put his other hand on her stomach. "I cannot risk quarreling with the King; I don't know how he will react." He looked very sad. "I have to protect you and our child."
Marian shook her head. "It is not your fault that the King doesn't want to pardon Guy."
Robin's glance turned to guilt. "I will never forgive myself for my failure to save Guy."
"You did everything you could, handsome."
"I should have tried harder."
Robin protectively wrapped his arms around Marian, and she gladly came into his embrace. He pressed a tender kiss upon her brow, him other hand resting on her still flat stomach. Marian was only three months along in her pregnancy, and she wasn't showing yet. They were so happy that Marian had conceived in less than a year after their reunion. They had become a family they had dreamt of having for so long and, finally, had everything they needed for happiness.
Fearing that there could be some complications with her pregnancy, Marian had confessed to Djaq that she had been pregnant and had lost her baby because of her injury. Djaq had told her that she should be extremely cautious if she wanted to carry the child to term and not to suffer a miscarriage. Djaq had even revealed the truth to Robin about the baby Marian had lost in Acre, hoping that he would watch his reckless wife and make her be more careful and attentive to herself.
Marian tenderly ran her fingers through Robin's hair. "My love, I don't want Guy dead either, but you cannot go against the King."
"It may sound selfish, but I cannot sacrifice our future," Robin said; the pain in his voice made her shudder. "I hate myself for my inability to save Guy, but I must accept the King's decision."
"Yes," she whispered nearly inaudibly.
If the King had wanted Guy dead so much, it wasn't clear how their liege would act if Robin had helped Guy escape. The King loved Robin a lot, but everything could change in the next moment, like it had happened in Acre. Robin could try to save Guy despite the threat of punishment and repercussions from the King, but now he would have risked not only his own life, but also the lives of Marian and his unborn child: the King could order his execution in an outburst of anger, and then Marian and the baby would have become the family of a dispossessed and disgraced traitor.
Marian and Robin left Locksley and headed to Nottingham, intending to visit Guy in the dungeons. As they arrived at the outskirts of the town, they were shocked to see almost half of the King's troops positioned in the area around the prison. Many Black Knights were imprisoned there, waiting for their death hour, and Guy was one among them; in an hour, they would be taken out of their cells and would be hanged, drawn, and quartered before the eyes of the bloodthirsty crowd.
Marian and Robin passed by the King's men who were guarding the prison. Mane soldiers recognized Robin and his brave wife who had spent enough time in the Crusaders' camp in Acre, so they bowed to the heroes of England and smiled earnestly at them. But Marian and Robin didn't care about them, thinking only about the condemned man whom they failed to save.
Robin showed the parchment with King's signature which permitted them to visit Guy. Then Robin and Marian were shown to Guy's cell by the guards. Guy's cell was guarded by six soldiers from King Richard's Private Guard; each of them greeted their former Captain with a smile. Having recognized Marian, the guards also bowed to her. One of the men then opened the door to the cell.
Dressed in a black prisoner's uniform, Guy of Gisborne was sitting on a wooden bench, looking at the stone floor. His ankles and wrists were shackled; there was a thick chain around his neck, which was fastened to the wall. There was no way the former outlaws could have taken Guy out of the dungeons without creating a chaos and a noise in the prison. They really couldn't save Guy.
Guy lifted his eyes from the floor and stared at Marian and Robin as the guard unlocked the door and let the couple go inside. The guard was unwilling to leave them alone with the dangerous prisoner, but Robin knew the man from the time when he had served the King in Palestine. Robin had assured the guard that he wouldn't try to break Guy out, and only then the man left.
"I know why you came," Guy began. "To say farewell to me before my death."
Robin sighed heavily. "We couldn't come earlier because King Richard prohibited everyone from visiting you. Marian and I needed an official permission from the King himself to see you."
"The King allowed us to come to you before your… execution," Marian said, her eyes downcast.
Guy smiled vaguely. "I'm glad to see both of you."
Robin's expression revealed the guilt he felt. "Guy, I ask for your forgiveness. I tried everything I could, but I failed," he said in a low voice. "I never thought that it would come to that."
The prisoner shook his head. "Robin, you don't need to apologize for what it not your fault. You don't need my forgiveness because there is nothing to forgive," he said flatly, with his familiar smirk on his lips. "The King needs to make an example out of the treacherous and rotten-hearted man who tried to kill him twice and then ran to the opposite side, joining Robin Hood."
Robin swallowed heavily. "Yes."
Guy laughed. "I'm a political prisoner!"
Marian glanced at Guy. "Guy, we are very sorry that we cannot help you."
Guy smiled at Marian, thinking how beautiful she was. "I know you are sorry. I feel and see it."
"I would love to break you out of here, but I cannot do that," Robin declared, a deep regret creeping into his voice. "You are so heavily guarded that breaking you out would be… impossible."
Guy glanced around. "Robin, I understand everything. Once the King tried to execute you, when the Sheriff spun a story about your alleged treason."
Robin nodded. "Yes."
Guy let out a snort and laughed. "Robin, if you deprive the King of the brilliant chance to have his special prisoner executed for his crimes, he can severely punish you." His gaze slid to Marian. "But you have to put Marian before everyone else in your life."
Robin looked ashamed. "You are right, Guy. I don't know what to expect from Richard."
Guy smiled. "That's why you shouldn't have interfered. It was a pointless waste of time."
"But I should have tried, and I did try," Robin persisted.
Guy looked between Marian and Robin; then his gaze focused on Robin. "I was a cowardly and selfish idiot for a long time. I blamed everyone for my own mistakes and sins because it was easier to blame others than myself. I killed many people for a bleak chance of reward from the Sheriff." He swallowed hard. "I lived in shame for so long, but I don't want to continue that way. I want to pay for my crimes and die with honor."
Robin felt more ashamed than before for his inability to save Guy. Guy really wasn't the same man who had killed for power and wealth. "You are a good and decent man, Guy," he said.
"I'm a wretched man," Guy parried.
In one large stride, Robin was beside Guy. He knelt to Guy and took Guy's shackled hands in his. "I'm sorry, Guy," he said quietly. "We could have been friends and even brothers, but we were foolish and made many mistakes." He smiled sorrowfully. "I wish we had been friends before."
Guy smiled back at Robin. "I would have liked being your friend in another life, Robin." He squeezed Robin's hand. "Don't blame yourself because you did nothing wrong to me."
Marian stood watching Robin and Guy together. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she trembled all over. She could see that if Guy had been given another chance, he would have proved to everyone that he had changed. For the first time since the tragic events in Acre, Marian was able to feel old friendly affection for Guy, and at that moment she forgave him for everything he had done to her.
Robin felt tears stung his eyes. "Impossible," he muttered.
Guy was moved by the sight of the unshed tears in Robin's eyes. "Robin, you gave me freedom by allowing me to fight alongside you against Vaisey and Isabella. You gave me a chance for redemption." Tears stung his eyes. "You did for me more than you should have done."
"I will miss you," Robin said sincerely.
Guy chuckled. "You will have no time to remember about me. You are not an outlaw anymore, and you will help rebuild Nottingham. You will help people now. You are a married man who will have a child in your arms soon. You will have too many other important things to do."
Guy's voice faltered. He looked away from Robin to Marian, letting his gaze dwell over her still slender figure. He had already known that Marian was carrying Robin's child before his arrest. He had felt pain every time when he had stolen a glance at Robin caressing Marian's abdomen. He had also been happy that God had given Marian and Robin what he had taken from them by the strike of his sword in Acre. But deep down, Guy envied that it wasn't his child growing inside Marian.
Robin coughed, attracting Guy's attention. "Guy?"
Marian felt uncomfortable under Guy's scrupulous gaze. "Guy, we will always remember you."
"What else can I do for you, Guy?" Robin asked as he rose to his feet.
A ray of dark humor touched Guy's face. "Make sure that nobody spits upon my grave," he said with a smirk. "Please bury me in Locksley, if you don't mind."
Robin's chest was heavy with emotions. "I will do that."
"Please look after Archer." Guy regretted that he didn't have more time to spend with his young half-brother. "He was a knave, but he can become a good man if he doesn't make wrong choices."
"I will," Robin pledged.
Guy tossed his raven-haired head. "My son Seth," he said, remembering the boy whom he had left in Sherwood to die. "Robin, I know that you found him in the woods. What happened to him?"
"Annie is working for Lady Glasson. Seth lives with her," Marian interjected. She then told Guy how she had arranged everything for Anne and Seth to leave Nottingham and settle down at the Glasson Manor.
"We will take care of Seth," Robin promised.
Guy hung his head. "I would have been a bad father for any boy. Seth is better without me."
A bitter smile crossed Robin's face. "Don't exaggerate."
"Thank you for Seth," Guy said, still looking down at the floor.
"You are welcome, Guy," Robin replied.
The heavy iron door opened, and the guard came in. "Your time is up," he announced the guard.
Guy raised his eyes to Robin. "Robin, please let me talk to Marian," he begged. "Just a minute."
Robin nodded, unable to reject Guy's last request. He exchanged several words with the guard, who nodded at him in agreement, allowing Marian to stay alone with the prisoner against the standard rules. Then Robin came to Guy and gave him a quick embrace around his shoulders. As he pulled away, he could see a warm, content smile on Guy's face. Robin paused at the doorway, casting the last apologetic glance at Guy, and then he went out.
There was an ominous silence in the cell as Guy and Marian stared at each other. They did have only a little time to talk in privacy, but nobody dared say a word.
"I don't know what to say," Marian said eventually.
Guy's expression turned pained. "Marian, can you forgive me for what I did to you?"
A look of mingled affection, regret and pain, came into Marian's face, as she replied, "It was not easy for me, but I have already forgiven you, Guy."
"But you said that you would probably never forgive me for the death of your child. You said that–" He broke off; hope flashed in his eyes. "Have you really forgiven me?"
"Yes, I have."
Guy inclined his head in courtesy. "Thank you, Marian. Thank you."
Marian strode forward and stopped next to the bench. She knelt to Guy. "When we were in the Holy Land, I told you that you were a decent man, not a killer, and I meant it."
He blinked in amazement. "How can you say that after what I did to you?"
"Guy, you proved that I wasn't mistaken when I saw a better side to you." She trailed off, collecting her thoughts. "The way you are accepting your fate makes me proud of you."
Guy smiled. "I don't fear death because it will give me ultimate freedom from all my demons." Tears suspended his voice, and he paused for a moment. "But I wish that I had listened to your words in Acre and killed the Sheriff instead of trying to kill the King. It was really my last chance to be a good man, but I failed to use it and instead I entirely ruined my own life."
"You redeemed yourself," she said hoarsely.
He gazed long and thoughtfully at the fresh young face of the woman he had loved so much. He was happy that she had finally forgiven him because now he could die with a light conscience. "You were the first one who saw goodness in me," he said with a smile.
"I saw it, and now some others could see it too, Guy."
Guy was shackled and couldn't touch Marian's face, but he could squeeze her hand. "Marian, I love you," he murmured, looking into her eyes. "I have loved you since the day I met you after my return to Nottingham. I cannot stop loving you, even though you are Robin's wife, and I respect it."
Marian gazed away, letting her gaze wander across the cell. She felt guilty that she couldn't reciprocate his feelings. Guy was one of the most handsome men she had ever met, but she had never been as attracted to him as she had always been to Robin. But his honest confession made her heart thunder in her thorax, and she could hardly concentrate and continue their conversation.
She bit her lip. "I'm sorry that I cannot say the same about myself." She spent a few moments longer in a pressing silence. "We cannot choose those whom we love."
He gave her a tiny smile. "Your heart has always belonged to Robin," he said, surprised that he didn't feel pain at the acknowledgment. "I should have never tried to take you away from Robin."
Marian let out a sigh. "Thank you for your understanding and kindness," she said softly.
The door opened and the guard entered the cell. "Lady Marian, you must leave. We cannot wait any longer," he said. "Lord Huntingdon is waiting for you in the corridor."
"One moment, please," Marian pleaded, looking at the guard with eyes full of pain and despair.
"Fine," the guard barked; then he slammed the door behind him.
Marian caressed Guy's cheek with her hand. "Guy, I wish you to find peace in your next life." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek; then she climbed to her feet.
He was barely aware of the sting of tears in his eyes as he looked at her for the last time. "Marian, I wish you happiness with Robin and your child," he murmured. "I wish you all the best."
She's cheeks were flushing; her expression changed into regret. She was too full of Guy's words, and she knew that she would never forget this moment. "I'm sorry, Guy. I'm so sorry."
With a heavy heart, Marian rushed to the door. She couldn't look at Guy anymore, the pain was too great. She would pray for his soul as long as she lived, she swore. She was relieved that Guy had made peace with Robin and her. She had really forgiven him and didn't wish him dead.
Marian walked away from the man whose love for her had always been unrequited, though she believed that Guy's feelings were quite unhealthy. Marian felt her heart leap with a burst of joy as she saw Robin at the end of the corridor. Robin opened his arms to her, inviting her into the warmth of his secure embrace. Her face lit up with a dazzling smile, and she started running to Robin, her only true love. Robin pulled her into a hug, and she felt she was home at last.
I hope that you don't hate me; I wanted an original twist for Guy. The situation is outrageous: Robin tries to get Guy pardoned, but the King wants to make an example out of Guy to show everyone what happens to those who can betray him at first and then switch sides.
Guy committed many heinous crimes. It is possible that King Richard wouldn't have pardoned Guy even if Guy had survived the siege and Robin had vouched for him. Regicide is a grave crime, and no King easily forgives traitors. Imagine if everyone thinks that it is easy and normal to try to kill the King, like Guy thought. And then, what shall we have? Everyone will be eager to attempt regicide then, justify their actions by stating that King Richard is the absent King and England would be better without him. Regicide may lead the nation to a bloody civil war or to a foreign war.
You will learn what will happen to Guy in the next chapter.
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