XXVI

Dreaming Interrupted

Captured. That was what Robin continued to tell them; they thought they had been captured, or worse, killed. Where had they been? Were they not aware of the danger they had placed themselves in, or the rest of the gang who had had to go searching for them? Rebecca had to explain the situation from the beginning, but after a while she could no longer continue her report of their disappearance with a straight face. Guy picked up right from where she left off without skipping a beat. He explained how they had hid themselves to avoid detection. They had been trapped, he stated quite calmly. They had had no choice but to wait until all signs of the danger had passed.

This placated Robin and he immediately let the matter drop. They returned to the camp, much to the relief of everyone, no one had been hurt. It was no surprise to anyone that Isabella was vigorously scouring the forest for the outlaws. They would have to take extra measures, and be cautious upon leaving the camp from now on. Certainly, no one was allowed to leave the camp for the rest of the night, until they could be certain the soldiers were well clear of the canyon.

As it was, the gang seemed content enough to bunk down for the rest of the evening. Plates of food were passed around and accepted greedily, as no one had eaten since early that morning. Kate left a space beside her and Robin open, thinking that perhaps Rebecca might join them, but much to her surprise she chose to sit further apart from the gang next to Guy. Kate watched her, confused, she was just beginning to trust the newcomer into the gang, thinking that Rebecca's feelings for Guy remained rooted in the past. Seeing her now shattered that misconception. Rebecca was positively glowing as she and Guy conversed in low tones, separate from that of the rest of the gang.

Kate looked around at the others, wondering if they had noticed this change in temperament, but no one seemed to bother. Even Robin was not looking over at the pair, but Kate wondered if his ignorance was more purposeful in his manner.

After the gang had finished their meager meal they retired to their respective bunks, leaving Guy and Rebecca to their corners of the camp. Rebecca gathered up her blankets and compiled them with Guy's to form a make-shift bed. Finally, Rebecca took heed of the rest of the gang's incredulous stares. She took no offense to them, nor did she particularly care of she had lost their respect. While she had been adjusting nicely to life as an outlaw, and had even begun to admit that she was forming friendships with these people, their judgements would never be enough to deter her from her attachment to Guy.

She could still feel their eyes on her as she pulled the blankets up and over herself and Guy. Let them judge. She was going to go to sleep in the arms of the man she loved and she was going to wake with him. If there was a heaven more perfect than this she had no care for it.

Guy was quick to bring her to him. Rebecca smiled like a contented cat and wrapped an arm about him as she rested her head against his chest. Guy tilted her head upwards, placing a soft kiss upon her lips.

"I would have you now if it were not for this damnable gang constantly keeping watch," he whispered huskily.

"Time enough for that," Rebecca said, although already she was frustrated at the prospect of having to steal away only brief moments with him. "I've already thought of several ways our disappearances would go unnoticed."

"Clever fiend."

"That I am."

It was difficult not to kiss or caress the other, but each little movement only furthered the reality of their frustration. Guy held her as tight as he could, but it was not enough. The two lay awake, unable to sleep due to the restrained and heavily bound passion steadily mounting between them.

"Guy? Ya don't mean to stay with Robin for long do ya?" Rebecca asked.

"I will stay only until I see Nottingham rid of Isabella," Guy replied.

"And then? Where will ya go?"

"I do not know. I suppose we will have to figure that out together."

"Ya intend t' take me with ya, then?" Rebecca said coyly.

"On one condition," Guy whispered.

"Oh? What might that be?" Rebecca chuckled.

"That when we leave Nottingham, we leave as husband and wife."

The very breath was dashed from her lungs. She pushed away from him in her shock. "...what?" she whispered, sitting up as she tried to convince herself that she had indeed heard him correctly.

"Rebecca, I am asking you to marry me."

The silence hung heavy between them and the longer Rebecca left the statement unanswered the greater Guy's fear of rejection grew. "You...you are under no obligation to accept." He said coldly, masking his hurt, "I thought--"

A kiss silenced him. Rebecca fell atop him, peppering his face with light kisses. Guy could feel her tears against his skin. "Yes," she whispered and sobbed, trying desperately to remain as quiet as possible to avoid waking the rest of the gang. "Yes, an' damn ya; that's the second time today you've made me cry like a child."

"It won't happen again, I promise you," he said, taking the woman in his arms.

"We'll go far and away from this place," Rebecca whispered. "Build a home...a family."

The image of home and family was a dream Guy had never yet been able to realize. At one time the simple idea of a peaceful life would have bored him. The game of politics and power had made up the inner workings of his life since he had been thrust into the world alone. He was done with it now. He was tired with the betrayals; with vain loyalties to men only interested in helping themselves. Rebuilding a life with Rebecca would be truly rewarding. He would spend the rest of his life atoning for his negligence and ignorance, but he would never speak of those years again. He had a life to look forward to now, beyond that of revenge and bloodshed. This thought was enough to lull him asleep, and for the first time it was without the disturbances of nightmares.

***

Rebecca could not recall a time when she had been more annoyed in her life. She had been walking beside Robin Hood for the better half of the morning and each time she tried to double back for Guy she had been urged to remain with him.

"I see you and Guy have managed to reconcile," Robin said thinly.

"We have," Rebecca agreed.

"Enough to befriend him again?"

"Yes."

"Enough to love him?"

"Enough to marry him."

"Have you taken leave of your senses?!" Robin shouted, stopping in his tracks and turning to face her accusingly.

Robin looked at the surprised faces of the rest of the gang, "All of you, go on...Rebecca and I need to talk."

"Robin..."

"I said go!" Robin shouted, shutting Guy's intervention down.

Rebecca nodded to Guy, indicating that she would be fine alone with him. The gang went on, their eyes constantly shifting back to glance at her and Robin. Everyone knew what they were talking about, and it was clear she wouldn't be receiving their sympathies.

"Robin, you can not be angry with me," Rebecca said.

"Not angry, no, just disgusted."

"I was never seeking your approval in the matter," Rebecca scoffed.

"It's not a matter of my approval. We may need Guy in order to defeat Isabella, but that does not excuse him from the crimes he has committed! He is still a traitor and a murderer..."

"He knows!" Rebecca shouted, "Oh, Robin, I assure you he knows an' he will never forgive himself for what he has done, nor will he ever forget it. He believes himself bound for Hell an' whose t' say if he will not burn for all the wrong he has ever done?"

Robin turned away from her, not wanting to her her defense of Guy. Rebecca grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. "Robin, there is no amount o' love that I can give t' him that will ever absolve him o' his crimes, or heal him, but we have a chance now for a life together. All we want is t' be able to live out the rest o' our lives in peace."

Robin's temper slowly abated. "And you should be given that chance," he sighed, "Rebecca, I..."

"Don't apologize," Rebecca said, "I don't deserve t' hear it. Ya have a right t' your grief an' anger, I'm not denying ya that."

Robin could only nod. He patted Rebecca's arm and she released him. They walked on to catch up with the rest of the gang. "We intend to leave Nottingham," Rebecca said. "When all this is over, and Isabella is gone...you will never have t' see us again."

"Robin!" It was Kate, she was running down the path towards them, "There's a messenger riding up the path! I think it's from Isabella!"

They exchanged looks before running off to meet this supposed messenger. Once they caught up with the others Robin and Kate went out to stake an ambush, while the others waited to catch their prey once it had arrived.

"What did Robin want?" Guy asked her quietly.

"Oh nothing, just a friendly chat that's all," Rebecca said cheerily, "A little misunderstanding..."

Tuck was at a loss as to what Rebecca meant, but Guy seemed to understand. "He understands now, does he?"

She nodded, "Perfectly."

The sound of arrows thudding into the ground was enough of a signal for the rest of the gang. They emerged from their hiding place. Guy went to relieve the messenger of his burden. Rebecca stood over the man with her sword in hand. Guy passed the parchment off to Tuck who read from it aloud:

"My Prince, I understand the urgency of your request. Richard returns from the Crusades within a month troops loyal to him await his return in Loughborough, we must be ready. You ask for three hundred men, food, and supplies I will dispatch them at sunset to join with your northern forces in Donecaster. England will soon be yours."

A silence fell over the gang at the news that King Richard would be returning to England at last. Before they could recollect themselves shouting could be heard from over the hillside. Little John was calling out, and as they raced up the hillside to meet him they could hear him saying that a hundred men had been taken from Clun. Much quickly followed behind him, yelling that a hundred men had been kidnapped from Nettlestone as well. The gang exchanged dark looks. There was only one place left for Isabella to claim her promised three hundred troops: Locksley.

They were away like arrows loosed from a bow. Robin Hood drove them on, his anxiety for his peoples' safety was palpable. It did not take them long to enter the village and the sight which greeted them was far from sane. Soldiers were everywhere, and the men were being dragged away from their homes. Some where already chained to carts to be dispatched off to Nottingham, and from there to meet up with the rest of Prince John's army.

There was no strategy, they hardly had time to commune over the best way to enter the situation. Robin fired two shots from his bow, felling two of the soldiers. This seemed to be a suitable signal for attack. They went rushing in, weapons drawn. There was no time to give quarter to any of the men.

As Rebecca rushed to engage one of the soldiers in battle she found herself tugged swiftly out of danger. Guy disarmed the man and ran him through. He turned to Rebecca. "Stay behind me."

"I can fight, too!" She protested.

Guy was not interested in her pleading. He kept her in his line of vision, the battle was swift and chaotic. Anyone could get swept up in the melee. He knew Rebecca had learned a few tricks during her brief stay with Robin Hood and his gang, but he was not going to risk her life on those rudimentary skills. She was a part of this fight now, whether she liked it or not, but she was too precious to be lost in the heat of battle.

The gang rounded up the village men, urging them to crowd together at the center of the village. The soldiers were already in retreat by the time the last chain of men was broken. Relieved that no one was hurt, the gang quickly led the men off into Sherwood, where they would be safe for the time being.

Rebecca did not speak to Guy as they walked back to the camp. She would eventually calm down and he realize his protection of her was not a slight to her pride, but he knew her well enough to understand that there would be no point in arguing with her.

It had already begun to rain as they made their way back to the camp. Questions hung answered in the frigid air. What was to be done with the fugitives? They could not live out the remainder of their lives in Sherwood. Certainly, there would be repercussions for this attack against Isabella? Should they not deal with the threat of her reign once and for all.

"We take the castle," Robin said, breaking the silence, "claim it under King Richard. Put Isabella under house arrest. Release the supplies. Release the men. And we hold that castle until King Richard returns."

It sounded of suicide. The castle was filled with soldiers, they would be cut to pieces the moment they stepped through the gates.

"But we can't take a castle!" Much cried, voicing the gang's mutual thoughts.

"We can if we go down the tunnel," Guy said steadily.

All eyes were on him as he explained the construction of a secret passageway which led directly into the heart of the castle. It's location was remote enough that they could feasibly enter undetected and emerge in the castle and take Isabella unawares. It was certainly better than fighting off hundreds of soldiers.

Rebecca was about to agree to the plan when Kate interrupted, "Well count me out. I don't trust him. "

"How do we know this isn't a trap?" Little John concurred.

"Because," Guy snapped, aggravated to have his loyalties questioned, "we want the same thing."

"Since when have you cared about our people?" Kate exclaimed.

"I don't," Guy growled restraining the urge the strangle the intolerable woman, "I just want Isabella. She betrayed me to Prince John and I intend to make her pay!"

"Now that sounds like the Gisborne we all know and loathe!" Kate shouted.

"Well, I don't see ya coming up with a better plan," Rebecca snapped, hand on the hilt of her sword.

"No one asked for your opinion. We all know you'll side with whatever Gisborne says anyway."

"That's enough!" Robin shouted, breaking up the ensuing fight. "We go through the tunnel, and that's my final word."

No one contested this statement. The gang was split into groups to gather tools to make arrows. Rebecca saw Guy slink out of the camp, a dark expression clouding his eyes. She went after him, "Don't listen t' a word o' what Kate said."

"They have a right to doubt me, Becca," Guy said, "I'm not one of them."

"So? I'm not one o' them either. Think that I mind so much? Ya have me, is that not enough?"

Judging from the way he stopped to kiss her, Rebecca had to conclude that she was indeed more than enough. She smiled up at him, "It's one more fight, Guy. We'll win it; we have t'. Then we'll finally be free o' this place."

1188

She was a fever in his blood. There was not a moment that passed where he was not fervently aware of how much he wanted her. There was no way to avoid her, and yet he had found every excuse to do so. Guy was not blind to the effect this was having on her. He could see quite plainly the confusion and pain in Rebecca's eyes. Good, he wanted her to hurt. He wanted her to know what it felt like to be abandoned and lost.

She no longer sought him out, and she had ceased to greet him with a naïve smile or a kind word. It was as if she was turning to stone and his bitterness was chipping away at her. While this gave him some amount of pleasure it also provided its own torment.

So engrossed was he in his own dark thoughts that he failed to pay attention to what was right before him. He was jarred from his own private revelations when he collided into another figure. Before he could berate whatever imbecile had run directly into him, Guy was shoved forcefully backwards.

"Why don't you watch where you're going?"

Guy blinked, staring into the bright eyes of an aggravated young woman. The woman had long and luscious curls which trailed down past her shoulder. She eyed her intruder with a look of annoyance. She carried herself upright and straight, but she was still slightly smaller than him. Her dress was green it rustled when she crossed her arms as if she expected him to apologize to her. Guy was at a loss for words.

"Well?" The woman snapped, "Have you nothing to say for yourself?"

"I..." Guy swallowed. The most beautiful woman in the world was asking if he had anything to say to her. Of course he did not.

She sighed, "Impossible. Just like the other guards. The new Sheriff certainly chose his men wisely," she brushed past him to continue marching down the hallway.

"Guy!" He blurted out suddenly, whirling around, "My...my name. It's Guy...Sir Guy of Gisborne."

She stopped and turned about, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. "I know that name," she walked back to him. "You're Sheriff Vaysey's right hand man. I suppose then, Sir Guy, you're going to make me apologize to you?"

Guy smirked, quite the firebrand, this one. "I'll settle for your name instead."

She shot him a crooked, little grin. Her eyes studying him intensely, "Marian, or if you so prefer, Lady Marian of Knighton."

The name ricocheted around in his mind. "Well then, Lady Marian, I apologize for disturbing your walk."

She laughed, "Be assured, Sir Guy, you do not disturb me at all."

That was a challenge, it was to be expected. She must be the daughter of the old Sheriff he and Vaysey had ousted a few months ago. How had he not had the pleasure of meeting this veritable angel before? Perhaps he had seen her, but he had been so distracted lately he might have passed her by without ever knowing her. He could not even fathom that now.

They both eyed each other like predators sizing up their prey. She certainly did not trust him, and she had every right not to. "Perhaps, as we are apparently walking in the same direction, we could continue on our way together?" Guy asked the hint of a low growl in his voice.

"And how would you know if we were going the same way? As I recall you ran into me, Sir," Marian retorted.

"What if I planned for us to meet in such a way?"

She laughed again, and slowly he could see some of her hesitations slipping away. Was she beginning to take a liking to him? God knew he was already enamored with her.

"Quite the elaborate scheme when a simple 'hello' would have sufficed," Marian said, "If this was your aim then, Sir Guy, I must concede to your excellent strategy," she performed a mock bow. "You may walk with me."

She said this as if she was giving him a great privilege and something told him she did not give out this favor to just any man who ran into her. There was a quiet and secretive way about her, even if she covered it with clever talk. She walked with him, keeping a fair space between them which discouraged him from taking her arm. She was playing a game with him, he could see it in her flashing eyes. That was fine, he could use the challenge. He walked on with her, all former frustrations and thoughts melting away.

A/N: A little treat for all of you Guy/Marian shippers out there. :) Had a delightful time writing this little flashback.

Also, if the sound of approaching doom is beginning to become audible to you...that is not a trick. Ready the tissue box. I leave you on that note.