II

Lies

She was at his bedside, with a washing cloth in her hands. He had been in bed for nearly two days straight, and he had not woken once. She bathed his brow gently, she could feel the heat coming off of of his fevered skin even through the cloth. He slept fitfully and thrashed about often, nightmares passing over him. She hushed him; at least she tried. Wherever it was that he had gone, he had come back in a frightful state. His hair was tangled and matted to his face, and his leather coat and tunic had been torn nearly to shreds. What had happened to him? There was a time when she would have known.

She wondered if he knew of Marian's disappearance and rumored death. She bit her lip, feeling slightly ashamed of her elation two nights previous. He would certainly not share such a vicious joy. She wondered how she could have laughed at such news now. It was not like her.

"Kept the candles in the window for ya. Like you used t'do for your father, eh? Remember?" She whispered with a thin smile on her face.

She lowered her head, her brow furrowing with unshed tears. "Fancy ya leaving like ya did. Might have said something t'me. No secrets, remember?"

She dipped the cloth back into the bowl filled with water and reapplied it to his face. She tended to him patiently. Calming him whenever he became too wild in his movements. "This is the last time, master." She said with a false humor in her voice as she chided him, "This time I do so mean it. I ain't your nursemaid." It was funny because she was lying and if he had been awake he would have known she had been lying. She lost her grin again. It had been a long time since he had smiled at any of her jokes. She was beginning to think he had forgotten how to.

She pressed a hand to his head, brushing back a few strands of hair from his face. "You rest now? Stop this thrash'n about, it ain't helping none. You are safe, an' you know it."

His erratic movements seemed to still at her gentle touch. He sighed, muttering in his deranged sleep, "Marian..."

She withdrew her hand slowly, letting it fall back onto her lap. She slumped over, like a puppet whose strings had been cut away. "Sorry, master." she whispered. She sniffled a little, rubbing the back of her hand against her eyes, "Just me..."

1192

Sir Guy of Gisborne came riding back to Locksley Manor in a fine state. His tunic and trousers were dusted heavily with dirt, his hair was disheveled and a few twigs were still tangled around it. His face was cut and bruised, and already the swelling around one eye was turning blue-black. He clutched the reigns of his horse with one hand, his other arm was pressed against his chest and with each jolt he winced and bit his lip to prevent himself from crying out in pain. He was incredibly lucky to be alive and whole. For a time he had almost been certain Robin was going to murder him.

After painfully dismounting his horse he led it into the stables himself, as there were no servants in sight. He didn't mind. His legs were stiff and sore from the scuffle in the forest still, contrary to his hurts, it almost felt good to walk slowly from the stable back to the manor. At least the pain in his legs kept his mind off of the agony that was slowly eating away at his arm.

He entered the manor rather quietly, quite the opposite of how he had left it. He blinked in amazement. He had thought the outlaws would have ransacked the place, but much to his surprise everything had been cleaned and put back in its proper place. He blinked and looked to the doorway leading into the servant's quarters as he heard the soft padding of footsteps.

"Aren't you a sight." A coy and almost amused voice announced. Rebecca stood with her arms folded, her eyes sharp with a chiding light. With a sigh she gestured for him to sit down in the chair by the fire. He didn't need to be told. Exhaustion was running rampant through him, he didn't even have the energy to snap at Rebecca for her casual tone.

Almost as soon as he sat down she went to work inspecting the cuts and bruises which marked his face. He tried to swat her away, but she slapped his obstructing hand away, "Don't be such a stubborn fool." She scolded. "Well," She sighed, rising to her feet again, "The good news is you'll live, master." She laughed, "I'll get some bandages for ya."

He did not even think to thank her as she went to get the medical supplies to treat him. It would be pointless to refuse her help, even if he took this moment to hobble his way up to his room, Rebecca would follow and even if he shut the door she would barge in anyway and no amount of his anger would ever shift her until she had gotten her way. She didn't fear him. Sometimes he wished that she did, if only a little.

Rebecca returned swiftly, balancing the box which she had organized herself to hold all manner of supplies needed for treating illnesses or injuries. She knelt beside him, and taking a cloth, she poured some water onto it and began to dab at the cuts decorating his face. He winced as the stinging water aggravated the already inflamed and swelling gashes. "So," Rebecca sighed, "Want t' tell me what happened, master?"

"No, I don't." Guy grunted.

Rebecca merely shrugged and continued administering to him. She paused at one point and stared at Guy's arm; he was keeping it close to his chest, almost cradling it. She frowned and tried to reach for it only to have him jerk away from her. "Master, let me see..." She advised softly. "You know I won't hurt ya."

Reluctantly he allowed her to take hold of his arm. She pulled it away from his chest very carefully. She gave a great gasp upon seeing the ugly, molted burn wound upon his lower arm and part of his wrist. The cloth of his tunic had been burned away, although pieces of it clung to the burned skin. The skin was red and already blistering. It looked like someone had splashed fire onto his skin judging from the way it was spread out upon his arm. "Lord have mercy..." She whispered to herself. "Who did this to you, master? Was it Robin?" She asked swiftly, her eyes glaring up at him, bright with injustice.

Guy merely shook his head, wincing as she ripped up the remains of the shirt sleeve. "No?" Rebecca raised an eyebrow, "Then who?" She asked as she wrung some water from the cloth so that it dripped lightly down onto the burn wound. Guy sucked in his breath, hissing out in pain.

"You don't...need to know." Guy gasped as Rebecca set about to properly cleaning the wound.

Rebecca tried not to look insulted. She chalked his quipped tone to the fiery agony he must be feeling. She cleaned the wound and bandaged it tightly. "Do you think...do you think she was impressed?" Guy asked, looking down at her through bleary eyes.

"She?" Rebecca asked as she put her medicine box back together, purposefully playing ignorant.

"Marian." Guy specified. "I went after Hood to get her ring back...do you think she was impressed?" He smirked at her, but Rebecca could see by the flush in his cheeks he was getting feverish from the pain.

Collecting her emotions she gave him a smile. It was a smile she had cultivated these past few years. It was a most reassuring and honest smile and it concealed all lies perfectly. She had become so good at giving him such a smile that she could do it even when she was most heartsick or miserable. She once smiled at him like this even as tears threatened to fall down her face, but he only saw the smile and heard her reassuring words. He never saw everything she concealed behind it. "Of course she was."

"You think?"

"Don't be daft, master, I know." Rebecca insisted, "If it helps I was rather proud of you."

He ignored that last remark. He pulled out a ring from the pocket of his trousers. He toyed with it for a time, staring idly at it. Rebecca could not resist stealing a glance at it herself. "It's beautiful." She whispered.

"I have to return it to her." He tried to rise from his chair.

Rebecca caught him and wrapped her arms about him to keep him steady, "Time enough for that, master." She hushed, "You need t' rest first."

"Tomorrow then." He found he had not the strength to argue you with her, he hurt everywhere and while he longed to see Marian once again wearing his ring, he could not deny the fact that he was in no shape to ride to Knighton Hall at the moment. He let Rebecca help him to his bedchamber.

As he was laid down upon his bed an idea came to him. He gripped Rebecca's hand gently before she could turn to leave. Rebecca stopped and stared down at him; a very hopeful expression on her face. Perhaps he was going to ask her to stay for a minute or two. "Becca," She smiled at the use of her nickname, "do something for me."

"Anything, master, name it." She placed her hand atop his.

"Go to Knighton, inform Marian that I have her ring and that I am well."

She tried not to look too disappointed, "I'll leave right now, master." She told him.

Guy merely nodded before allowing himself to finally relax. He released Rebecca's arm and gestured for her to go without the slightest hint of gratitude. Rebecca headed for the door, "Master?" she hesitated in the doorway.

"What is it?"

"I'm glad you're all right." She smiled.

"Becca, I told you to get going." Guy snapped, his patience waning.

Rebecca felt her breath grow hot and tight in her throat as she tried to still the rapidly rising tears in her eyes. She gave a brief nod before exiting the room, shutting the door behind her. She leaned against it, and allowed herself a small cry. Wiping frantically at her eyes even as the tears were falling she chastised herself, "Come now, Becca, not right. Got a job t' do." She heaved a sigh, bottling up her tears. She set her face in stone, masking her tears, and with a brisk stride she set out for Knighton Hall.

***

Rebecca was possibly one of the few servants to have been taught how to ride a horse. She'd never tell who had taught her, none of them would ever believe her if she did; however upon explaining her business to the stable handler she was turned away. Frustrated, but having no time to argue with the man she set out to Knighton on foot. She broke into a run halfway down the path. If she was quick she would still reach the village in good time.

She only paused to rest twice. By the time she reached Knighton Hall she was halfway out of breath and her legs felt about as useful as torn cloth. She was a bit surprised to find Marian out in her garden. The Lady appeared almost content to be going about her daily chores. It was as if her betrothed hadn't risked his life to win back her ring.

Waiting for Marian to glance up from her work, Rebecca stood by awkwardly, shifting her weight from foot to foot. Marian eventually spotted her and gave her a slight wave, signaling that it was all right for her to come forward.

"My lady." Rebecca gave a small bow as she approached.

"Rebecca, isn't it?" Marian replied.

"My lady is correct."

"Did you walk here from Locksley on your own?" She inquired, taking stock of Rebecca's current condition.

"Yes, my lady, I was sent here by my master t' tell you he has your ring and that he is quite well, so you need not worry." Rebecca said, although Marian seemed far from worried.

"You may tell Guy that I am pleased to hear it." Marian said, turning away to go back to her gardening.

Rebecca was dumbfounded. She had practically been dismissed, but she found she could not move. "Don't ya want t' see him?" She asked.

"What?" Marian glanced back up at the servant.

Rebecca fidgeted, "He was injured, my lady, an' while he'll never admit it, I think he's in quite a lot o' pain....I think he hoped you would--"

"Did Guy tell you to suggest this?" Marian sighed.

"No, my lady...I..."

"Then tell him that I may call upon him tomorrow."

"But, my lady, he's your betrothed! He risked his life for you, don't ya want t'---"

"Rebecca," Marian snapped, cutting off the sudden flow of outraged words from the servant, "I see that you mean well in coming here, but you overstep your boundaries."

"'M sorry, my lady..." Rebecca dipped her head apologetically, but she glared at Marian from under her long eyelashes.

"I suggest you start heading back to Locksley, it's going to get dark soon, and I would hate to think of you walking back alone in the dark." Marian sighed with a small friendly smile on her lips.

Rebecca nodded, biting her lip to keep from shouting her true feelings at Marian. There had not even been the slightest hint of concern in her eyes when she had mentioned Guy's pain. She turned to go, the sour taste of envy poisoning her thoughts. Marian may be the most beautiful woman in Nottingham, but no amount of beauty meant she was worthy of Guy. Such jealous thoughts worked their way into every corner of Rebecca's mind, as they always did when she had a run in with Marian. They kept her occupied on her trek back to Locksley Manor, she had hardly noticed the distance or her own exhaustion.

Her mind cleared a bit as she entered the manor. She trudged up the steps to check on her master. She opened the door slowly, peeking inside.

"Becca?" He was still awake.

"Yes, master, it's me." She took this as an invitation to come in.

Guy was an expert when it came to concealing his emotions, but even Rebecca could see the brief flash of disappointment when he realized she had come alone. "Did you speak to Marian?" He asked her, swallowing his disappointment.

"I did, master, she...she was going to come with me to Locksley, but...but her father forbade her, he was worried about her riding away when it was so close t' dark." Rebecca lied with a small smile on her lips.

"What did she say?"

"Oh, master...I..."

"Tell me what she said!"

"She...she said she was so pleased t' hear you were well. She," Rebecca gulped seeing the false hope she was raising in the man. She couldn't look at him as she spoke her lies to him. They were not Marian's thoughts or words she spoke now, but her own, masked behind the image of the woman he thought cared for him, "She didn't even care about the ring, she was so glad ya were all right."

"She said that?" For an instant Rebecca worried that maybe she had gone too far in her lies. Marian had never expressed such concern for Guy before, perhaps he was not going to be fooled by her words.

Rebecca nodded, "She said she would try t' come to Locksley tomorrow." While this was the truth, she doubted Marian would come to Locksley, even if she did she would find some reason to leave just as she arrived.

This seemed to placate Guy, even as he tried to hide it, Rebecca could see the small, but triumphant smirk upon his lips. "Thank you, Becca, you may go."

Somehow he only remembered to thank her when she brought him news of Marian, or if she came to announce her presence in Locksley. Oh, he was so very grateful then. "Master, I could stay with ya for a time..." No one else was going to bother to tend to him.

"Why would I want that?"

"Well...that...that wound is gonna need t' be cleaned again an' I thought..."

"If I need you I will send for you." He waved her away dismissively.

Rebecca gave a mute bow and left him. It was as if he was staring right through her, but never seeing her. When had the shy and gentle boy she had known turn into such a brutish and unfeeling man? She had asked herself this question over several years, but it did no good. For each moment she was so certain the Guy she had known was lost there would be a glimmer of the soul she had once known and her hopes would be raised once again. She pressed a hand against the door. "But I need you, Guy..." She whispered as if to answer his last words to her. "I need you..."

A/N: Really very pleased that you all liked the first chapter! Hope this one provided lots of thought. Much more to come soon!