XXVII
Revenge
There was a gentle quiet around the outlaw's camp. A calm before the storm; however, while the ran trickled steadily down atop the canopy it was relatively safe and dry inside. All that afternoon, Rebecca had helped gather wood to make arrows while the others gathered any trinkets they could find to melt down into arrowheads. Rebecca was rather enjoying being taught how to whittle the pieces of strong, tough wood into light and flighty arrows. It was altogether too easy to believe that they were not readying themselves for battle.
Then the whirlwind came. Little John and Tuck entered the camp, recently returned from Nottingham. Before anyone could give a friendly greeting Little John grabbed Allan by the throat and slammed him into one of the bunks.
"Traitor!" He hissed, "What did you tell them?"
"It's all over Nottingham," Tuck gasped, "Allan's been pardoned by the Sheriff for services rendered."
"What?!" Allan tried to shout.
"John, let him go," Robin said.
"Let me speak!" Allan pleaded.
"Oh, you're good at that aren't you, speaking...lying?!" John shouted.
Tuck and Robin pulled John off of Allan. He backed up staring at his friends with wide eyes. "I haven't done anything," he said, his voice cracking. "I swear I haven't betrayed you."
He looked around at the gang, pleading with them, begging for them to look him in the eye and tell him that they believed him. No one could. "None of you...none of you believe me."
Rebecca fidgeted uncomfortably. She wasn't sure what to believe, she did not know the man long enough to know his true nature. "Right then," he muttered, "I'll be off..."
"No! He'll tell them about the tunnel!" Much exclaimed.
"Right then..." Robin sighed, "tie him up."
"What? No...no...no Robin?"
"I can't take the risk. What's we've secured the castle we will come back and we will sort this out." Robin said as calmly as his mounting disbelief and anger would allow. "Get it done." He said listlessly to John.
It was then, Rebecca realized the seriousness of the situation. Robin was willing to turn his back on his own friend in order to secure the castle. This was no ordinary raid and this was no ordinary battle. This was going to be a fight to the death. She gave an involuntary shudder at all that that implied.
***
Everything was ready, but nothing felt right. Allan was trussed up back at the camp and Kate was no where to be found. It was down to a simple six, hardly an army, and hardly a force to intimidate Isabella.
Rebecca kept a hand over the hilt of her sword as if to check she still wore it. She was going into open war and she was not a soldier, she wasn't even certain if she could take another man's life. She looked up at Guy, his face was set in stone and revealed nothing. Was he just as frightened as her? She longed for him to take her in his arms and convince her that everything was going to be fine. That brief moment of childish fear was suddenly erased. She had to become a fighter, and quickly. She squeezed the hilt of her blade one more time and let her arms drop to her sides.
Robin stopped walking and motioned for the remnants of his gang to gather around him. "We get into the castle, capture Isabella, release the villagers. If the convoy leaves then we've failed. Tuck, John, Rebecca...it's up to you to stop it, no matter what."
A silence fell over them as they understand exactly what was required of them to stop the villagers from leaving Nottingham. Robin sighed, "This could be the last time we see each other."
That was intolerable to Rebecca. She tried to suppress a chill which shot down her spine. She watched numbly as Robin went to embrace his friends. Rebecca looked over at Guy, he seemed unable to meet her gaze. She could withstand it no longer, she took him in her arms, clutching him as tight as she could.
Guy held her gently, letting Rebecca hide herself against him. He brushed back locks of her dark hair and let his hands trace the contours of her face as if to memorize it. He breathed her in, reveling in the warmth and sweetness of her. He leaned down to kiss her, but found himself pushed away. Rebecca released him, shaking her head. "Ya will kiss me an' accept that as your last an' I can't allow that. This is not the last time we will see each other." She smiled bravely, "Come back t' me alive or I swear I'll kill ya myself."
He managed a smile for her as well and he nodded to her. "Ya swear?" Rebecca said, her voice shaking.
"On my life," he said taking her hand in his and kissing it softly.
"Rebecca?" Tuck asked. It was time to go.
She nodded to him and gave Guy one last glance before turning and heading off towards Nottingham.
***
The gates of Nottingham never seemed so tall before in all of Rebecca's life. They were still closed, but they loomed over her ominously. She stood between Tuck and John; standing in the middle of the two men and the gates—she felt as small as a mouse.
Tuck laid a hand upon her shoulder. "Are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Rebecca said. "Don't worry," she chuckled noticing the almost pitying looks she was receiving, "I'll fight just as hard as any o' ya. Can't die yet, things t' do."
She made them laugh and for just a moment the tension was broken. She sighed, "How are we gonna stop the convoy?"
Before Tuck could explain, he became distracted by the sight of something at the corner of his eye. He turned around: the villagers from Locksley were emerging from the forest, armed with whatever rudimentary weapons they had found. Rebecca uttered a small prayer at the sight of them. "Their brave, but they can't fight...look at them. It'll be a massacre." John whispered.
Tuck gave a knowing nod and went to speak to the villagers, "Gentlemen, these gates will open soon. Now, it is our task to stop the supply train in its tracks. And that is exactly what we are going to to do. When these gates open, and the supply train pulls out we are going to sit down. Just sit, in silence. My friends, we are going to turn the other cheek."
Both Little John and Rebecca lurched forward, questions on their lips. It would be suicidal to stand in the way of an army. Tuck continued, heedless to his comrades doubts, "The Sheriff's men will be faced with a choice: stand aside, or carry out a massacre."
"No!" Rebecca hissed, "They'll kill all o' us!"
"Then we are dead men either way!" Tuck countered.
A cry came from within the town to open the gates. Tuck turned and calmly sat down in the middle of the road. Rebecca stared at him with a mixture of awe and horror. She wanted to draw her sword, at least the cold metal acted as some amount of protection. If she willingly sat down, would she not be conceding to die? John sat down beside Tuck, and soon all the others followed.
Rebecca felt words of protest rise to her lips. Tuck looked up at her, pleading with her to join them. Realizing that there would be no winning this battle she relented and sat down, her limbs feeling like lead even as her heart pounded blood—urging her to stand up and fight for her life.
The gates opened, reveling the army of guards ready to move out the convoy of men and supplies. The commander surveyed the mob of people sitting in the way of their train. "You there!" He shouted, his voice booming and grating, "move out of the road!"
Rebecca felt the breath catch in her lungs as the soldiers were ordered to draw their weapons. She was going to die. This was how everything was going to end. The commander approached Tuck, his sword drawn and aimed directly at his heart. Rebecca felt as if she would scream, but then...the man lowered his sword. Rebecca felt the breath race back into her frame. Tuck had been right. It took courage to kill a man in battle, but it took more cowardice than a hundred men to murder a man in cold blood.
"Get out of the way!" An icy voice shouted from the battlements. Isabella stood with a crossbow aimed for the protesting men. Rebecca eyed her like a hawk. She wished she would come down to their level, she highly doubted Isabella would act so lordly then. She wanted her so badly, her hands were itching to wrap themselves around her throat.
The arrows was released from the bow and it sped straight into Tuck's shoulder. "Cut them down!" Isabella cried.
Rebecca stared at her injured friend. She twitched, wanting to spring to her feet and race after Isabella.
"Start with me then!"
Rebecca turned, as did all the others. Kate came marching up from behind, fire burning in her eyes. She held out her sword for one of the soldiers, "Start with me, and kill an innocent girl."
The man hesitated, but raised his sword regardless of his momentary affliction. He never got the chance to strike out at Kate, for he was dead before he hit the ground. A man standing behind the troop of soldiers let out a roar of anger and drew his swords. He attacked like a lion, catching the guards completely unawares. It was a signal. Tuck and Little John rose to their feet, weapons at the ready.
Rebecca unsheathed her sword, "Isabella!" She shouted up to the horrified woman. "Ya had better run an' hide. I'm coming for ya!"
Isabella staggered backwards as if she had seen a ghost. She disappeared from the battlements. Rebecca gave a ringing laugh and ran in through the gates. Soldiers were everywhere, but that didn't matter to her. It was incredible how easy it was to fight once the blood was up. She could feel her sword piercing through armor, stabbing through flesh. The hum of swords passed dangerously close to her own skin, but that seemed only to thrill her. Isabella was somewhere in the castle, and she had all the time in the world in which to catch her. She was no longer one of the meek and helpless.
As she ran into the castle she was suddenly blocked by two soldiers. She swung out at one, but the other grabbed her arm, twisting the blade from her hand. She gave a cry as she was flung to the ground. She kicked out with her legs, tangling the soldier. Pushing herself up with her arms she was once again on her feet.
A resounding roar filled Rebecca's ears. Much came running down from the castle steps. Rebecca could only watch, surprised, as he disposed of the soldiers. He held out his hand and helped her to her feet. "Much, you're all right!"
"Oh..yeah...fine. And no need to thank me for saving your life and all..."
Rebecca giggled, "Thank ya."
They both stood in the courtyard, watching the remaining guards retreating towards the town gates. The villagers were overwhelming them as they scattered, at a lost for leadership. "They're falling back!" Rebecca said before laughter burst out of her. She jumped up, holding her sword aloft, "They're falling back! We've won!"
As soon as the rush of immediate victory left her she turned towards much, looking at him as if for the first time, "Much...where's Robin? Where's..."
"Becca!"
"Guy!"
Rebecca threw her sword to the ground as she ran towards him. Guy caught her, lifting her off of her feet with the force of his embrace. He could hear her laughing as she pulled him towards her. She kissed him, but she was trembling so much it felt like dozens of smaller urgent kisses. Their hands went everywhere, examining the other for any sign of injury no matter how insignificant.
Guy smiled, widely and openly without shame of being seen. The day had been won, and they had both survived it. There was only the future to be looked towards now. He pressed his lips to hers in another warm kiss. Tomorrow they would be married and they would leave Nottingham for a new life. It wasn't possible to feel so much complete and absolute happiness.
Rebecca was beginning to believe Guy would never let her go again, when she noticed the rest of the gang congregating in a small alcove. She slowly parted from him when she spotted Isabella being restrained by Robin. Anger flushed through her and she tried to run over towards her. Guy gripped her arm, "Vengeance does not suit you, Becca," he said gently. "Let it go."
"I need this, Guy," Rebecca said, "She tried t' take ya from me. I need this."
Reluctantly, he let her go, but his hesitation was enough to steady her. She walked calmly over to the others. It only took a light touch upon Robin's shoulders for him to give her space. Isabella and Rebecca stared at one another, for once level with each other. She stared at the bedraggled woman who had fallen so far from the seat of power. The sound and force of her slap echoed with a sharp finality. Rebecca's dark eyes iced over as she saw the redness bloom in Isabella's cheek where she had struck her.
"I remember the day ya were born," Rebecca said, her words falling to the ground like pieces of glass, "An' all I ever gave ya from that day was love, not from that o' a servant, but that o' a sister. An' I know...ya loved me too. It is only because o' that that I can not kill ya. That does not mean that I can not condemn ya. You're going to live, because it's not Robin's way t' kill his enemies. I want ya t' live in this misery ya created for yourself, knowing that for every moment o' despair ya have, all those ya once loved an' tried so hard t' destroy are living in complete peace and happiness. That is my revenge on ya an' all between us is finished. Good bye, Isabella."
"This is far from over, Rebecca!" Isabella spat, "You should have killed me when you had the chance!"
The threat fell upon deaf ears as she was dragged off by Tuck and John. Rebecca returned to Guy's arms, fully content at last. "So, when do we leave Nottingham?" she asked.
"First light tomorrow, so you had better get some rest." Guy kissed her forehead.
"How ya can even think o' rest at a time like this astounds me," she giggled.
"No," Robin interrupted, "Guy's right. You should rest. It's been a long day and there are still several matters to attend to. Kate, Much...help me tend to any injured."
Left to their own devices, Guy took the moment to sweep Rebecca off of her feet and into his arms. She let out a shriek of surprise at the suddenness of his gesture. "Am I t' be carried off like a sack o' grain?"
"I'm told most women enjoy this sort of treatment," Guy laughed.
"Well, I am not most women," she purred in his ear.
"No you are not, thank God."
Guy carried her through the empty halls of the castle leading towards his old chambers. He smiled faintly as he remembered the last time he had walked these halls with her, only then she had been supporting him as he stumbled through with a wounded leg. It seemed only fitting that he should be carrying her this time.
He kicked the door open to the bedchamber. The curtains were still drawn back from when Rebecca had tended to the place. The evening light brightened the usually dark and dreary room. It was more like a cell than an elaborate chamber; built for solitude rather than company. Guy laid Rebecca down on the bed. He looked down at her, the light catching on her skin and reflecting in her midnight eyes.
"You're beautiful," he whispered. He could have elaborated, perhaps told her in detail what he found beautiful about her, but he was never one for any overuse of words. Besides, Rebecca was not a vain creature and she would never think to ask him to tell her why.
Rebecca smiled, but did not blush in flattery; seeing the look of true and pure love in Guy's eyes was enough. He did not have to say another word to her, she felt all that was unsaid as keenly as if he had spoken the most eloquent words of admiration.
He fell beside her on the bed, immediately drawing her close and taking her lips in a fervent kiss. "My Becca..." he said, with a tired sigh, his exhaustion over the days violent and chaotic events finally catching up with him. He heard Rebecca give a similar sigh, content to be resting with him at last. Guy draped an arm about her and rested his head against her breast. He could hear the steady slowing of Rebecca's rapidly beating heart. Rebecca's fingers wove through his dark hair. She sighed, snuggling further down against the bed, delighting in the feel him of him pressed so closed to her.
"Guy," she whispered idly, half to herself and half to the drowsy man beside her, "My most perfect and wonderful and beloved Guy..."
He laughed lightly at her words of endearment, "I am not all of those things," he said as he moved his head off of her chest to let it rest on the pillow behind him. He was now eye level with her and he flashed her a cheeky grin.
Rebecca smiled, "Now ya listen t' me, Gisborne; I love you an' I always have loved you. I would have loved you even if you were the poorest man in all the world, or the richest. If you were the most admired and all loved ya no one could adore ya as much as me. If all the world hated ya, I'd still love ya and let the rest o' the world despise me too. An' I'd still love ya even if ya were the ugliest man in the world, or the most handsome. So there."
"....you don't find me the most handsome man in all the world?" He asked her after a moment of silence.
He was rewarded with a light punch to his chest. Guy laughed taking her hand in his own, in truth touched beyond proper words at her bold statement. "I do not deserve you, Becca."
"Oh, you stupid man, ya didn't understand a word I said," Rebecca sighed exasperatedly. "Ya do deserve me, Guy. Just as I deserve you. I said I love ya, because I love ya even for all o' your faults and for all the wrong ya have ever done, just as I love ya for all the goodness in ya and all the things no one else knows save for me. That is why I say ya are perfect. You are perfect to me."
Guy's heart swelled at her words, so much so that he could feel it as a deep aching joy pounding within his chest. He kissed her sweetly, "You are the most precious thing to me. I've always known this, even when we were children. I went through half my life thinking I could forget this; that I did not still love you. I can't expect you to ever forgive me for what I did to you, I will not forgive myself..."
"Shhh..." Rebecca placed a hand against his cheek, "Don't speak o' it anymore. Ya still have me, ya have not lost me. Do not think that ya could have."
He knew that she was only trying to comfort him, but he knew how close he had come to losing her entirely. He shuddered at the idea of what the remainder of his life would have been like if he had lost her only to realize how much he still needed her.
Rebecca smiled for him, caressing him gently before lowering her hand once she saw the look of darkness pass out of his eyes. She curled up beside him, proving her very real and tangible presence.
"Now, I believe we should do as we were told," Rebecca said.
"What was that?"
"Rest," she said simply, "I would hate for us t' be tired for our journey tomorrow."
"Should I retire to different chambers, then?" Guy asked.
"How could ya suggest such a thing?" Rebecca accused, gripping him tightly, daring him to try and pry himself away from her.
Guy laughed, bringing his mouth to her ear as he whispered, "Is it not bad luck for a man to see his bride before their wedding?"
"Yes," Rebecca acknowledged, "but that would imply that ya have not already seen me." She pushed her body against his, "An' I assure ya it's far too late for that."
He smirked, he simply could not argue with her logic. He renewed his embrace and kissed her softly before bidding her to close her eyes and sleep.
1192
"Becca!"
The shattering cry startled everyone within the manor. Guy came striding in through the entrance hall, turning about impatiently. His behavior was one that could easily be construed for that of anger.
He moved down the hall at a fierce pace, his eyes scanning the manor with a look of such intensity it could have burned through the walls. There came a scuffling from the foyer which was followed by the scattered figure of Rebecca. She came running towards him, her dark eyes wide and worrisome.
Guy looked frightening and imposing standing with his arms crossed as he watched her approach him. Had she done something wrong? They had hardly spoken to one another, what cause did he have to call for her in so callous a manner? "Master?" She hesitated.
"My chambers. Now," he barked, turning on his heels and speeding away up the staircase towards his bedchamber.
Rebecca gawped like a fish out of water at the whirlwind of demands. She heard a whispered giggle and a few nervous sounding laughs. She turned to see a group of servants hiding in the corner watching the interaction. They did not seem too nervous upon being seen by Rebecca, their laughter redoubled in intensity causing Rebecca to blush a deep crimson.
She walked over to the staircase, mounting it tentatively, she climbed her way up to his room. Guy was waiting for her when she appeared in the doorway. He hastily pulled her inside, practically slamming the door behind them. He took both of her hands in his, an action which startled Rebecca into nearly pulling away from him.
"There is something you should know," he said cryptically, a smirk beginning to emerge on his face which was erasing all former traces of what Rebecca had previously perceived as anger.
"And what is that, master?" she asked, swallowing the lump in her throat at the intense gaze he was shooting at her.
"I wanted you to hear it from me, before the others are given word," Guy went on.
Rebecca found her own excitement building as she noticed the look of hidden and bridled joy behind Guy's blue eyes. Her trepidation vanished, "What is it? Oh for God's sake, master, tell me!" she laughed.
"I have asked Marian for her hand in marriage."
She was positive she had not heard him correctly, but she found she had not the breath in her lungs to ask him to repeat the statement again.
"And she has consented. We are to be married."
"Married?" She finally managed to utter, trying desperately not to let any of the former light in her eyes fall.
"Yes."
"T' Marian? And...and she said yes....?"
Guy nodded fervently, for a moment forgetting he was talking to his servant, "Are you not pleased by this?"
"Oh no—I...I mean, yes, yes of course. It's just...so soon..."
"Hardly," Guy chuckled.
Rebecca decided her heart should fall from her chest. She had no more use for it and as it pounded inside her it sent stabbing shocks of agony racing through her blood making her weak and sick to her soul. She wanted to take her hand and pull the damnable organ out.
"The reason I told you first is because I want you to be Marian's maidservant when she comes to live in Locksley," Guy said this as if he was granting her a great favor.
Now Rebecca was certain she no longer had need of her heart. "I...I am...flattered, master, but...surely there are others more capable than me." No, she would not do it. He could not ask her to. She was already sick with the idea of another woman wearing his ring, becoming his wife. She did not have to see her rival everyday let alone serve under her. Her body silently shuddered at the thought. Marian may care for Guy, but she certainly did not love him, but the poor man was too painfully in love with her to notice the difference.
"Becca, you do not understand. Marian will want for female companionship, and I want her to grow to think of you as a friend as I do. Besides," he went on, letting his thoughts run away with him, "there is no one I would trust more to take care of those I love. You are the most loyal, compassionate, kind...." his voice suddenly trailed off as they both stared at one another, a similar, suffocating silence consuming them.
"Does she love you?" Rebecca whispered.
"She is...stirred by me...I believe...in time...she will," Guy stammered his bravado dissipating. He found he could no longer look Rebecca in the eye.
Rebecca nodded, "And will she make ya happy?" For a moment she was no longer his servant and he was no longer her master. She was his friend again, and he was the confused and vulnerable boy wanting to assure her he was in fact, fine and not hurting.
"Yes," Guy answered.
"Then I will befriend her gladly," Rebecca said honestly. She began to make her way towards the door, "If that is all, master?"
Guy nodded. Rebecca paused in the doorway, turning to face him a sad and tender smile on her face, "Master? I am happy for ya." It was all she was capable of saying by way of congratulations. She slipped from the door and Guy could hear her hurriedly pound her way down the stairs.
Things were all going perfectly. The woman he loved was finally his betrothed and she would soon be his wife. Already he could picture her wandering the halls and rooms of Locksley Manor, the start of his family. Everything was finally falling in to place, just as he had planned and as it should be. If that were so, then why did he feel so empty?
A/N: We're coming up on the ending, people. Prepare yourselves.
Also, this is an edited version of this chapter. While I know many of you are of an age where explicit content is probably fine for you all to view, I don't feel the need to post gratuitous explicit content on this site. If you wish to see the original piece send me a PM and I will send you the chapter in it's entirety. :)