In the depths below the Sheriff's private chambers, the witch was feeding her pet crow. Leaning in for a closer look with her one good eye, the left. At the moment she was tempting him with raw meat, when she heard footsteps on the stone stairway. Lady Margaret was advancing down the stairs toward her, picking up her grey cotton skirts at the front, to prevent a fall in her haste.
"She is gone. They are both gone!" Lady Margaret exclaimed.
"Who is gone?" Mortianna inquired curiously.
"Lady Rhiannon. And the Lady Meridwyn! They are both gone. Disappeared!"
"That's not possible." The witch stated as she walked towards Lady Margaret.
"Yes. It is. I informed the guards when I couldn't find her. So we looked for Lady Meridwyn to seek her assistance, but she's missing too!"
"Gone?" Mortianna replied in awe "From this castle? They must be somewhere out on the grounds. At the garden perhaps?"
"No. They have left. It was discovered someone broke into the Sheriff's stables. One of the Sheriff's guards just informed me. What shall we do?"
"We send some guards to search for them. We have the authority. We were designated charge over Lady Rhiannon by the Sheriff." Mortianna suggested.
"Already done. Two went in search of them."
"She will grow tired, Lady Margaret. Wherever they went, it can't be far. She won't endure." Mortianna attempted to reassure.
"I hope you are right, Madam." Lady Margaret said as she twisted some of the fabric of her skirts in her hands.
As the Sheriff and Gisborne were making their way on a road that forked in two directions, Guy came up beside the Sheriff.
"This is the more direct road, sire. I thought you'd prefer the shortcuts. I have a copy of that map if you've forgotten yours. There's the path to our right." He pointed.
"We're not taking the shortcuts." The Sheriff replied "The back roads can present some challenges that could slow our journey. That outlaw got a head start on us, cousin. Let's stick to the more direct route."
"As you wish." Guy replied.
And so they continued along the main road. After a time, out of sheer curiosity, Guy decided to ask the Sheriff a question that had him puzzled.
"Cousin, I've been meaning to ask you something." He began. The Sheriff glanced over at him briefly. "A few nights ago, when you found us, you mentioned Lady Rhiannon remembers nothing of the infant. It's true, cousin? She doesn't remember the…"
"Yes. She truly doesn't remember anything about it. Him. Her. Whatever." The Sheriff stated.
"Are you sure she had a child? I think the Fallen Knight is sending you on a wild goose chase. It's impossible a maid couldn't recall her own child!"
"Trust me, cousin. I had her thoroughly examined. It's true. Apparently I have a child." The Sheriff sighed.
"I suppose you're going to tell me that that's what all the blood was about?" Guy asked, still skeptical.
"Well, no. I wasn't, but since you mention it." The Sheriff replied, rather annoyed at the conversation thus far.
"I think you're being tricked." Guy stated matter of factly.
"If it's a trick, cousin, it deserves mention in a scroll of history. It would be one hell of an elaborate trick!" He turned to Guy, his eyes widened when he continued "Even I never would have thought it up."
"Are you absolutely, without a doubt certain that Lady Rhiannon delivered Your child?" Guy asked suddenly.
The Sheriff looked at Guy with one eyebrow raised. He took a moment to answer, and then he responded.
"Just where exactly are you going with this line of questioning?" The Sheriff demanded.
"Are you certain she indeed delivered Your child?" he asked again.
"Yes."
"Either she, or that murderous bastard are playing a trick on you, cousin. Maybe the child is not yours but his! If there is a child at all? Don't you see? This could be a trap!" Guy exclaimed.
The Sheriff pulled on the reins to stop his horse. His cousin followed suit. Guy wished he didn't have to ask, but he had to let the Sheriff know if he felt he was being played. It was not only his responsibility as the Deputy, but as family.
"Look." The Sheriff began "I'm not going to get into details about it, but suffice to say that all indications point to the fact the Lady did indeed deliver a child. I bedded her at the approximate time the child was conceived." The Sheriff spoke, his jaw clenched in anger. His black wavy hair gleamed in the sunlight like the down of a raven.
"I know. But, he too could've – could be, the father."
"How?" the Sheriff asked.
"He could've forced himself upon her. Taken liberties with her. Or, who knows? Maybe there was someone before you?"
The Sheriff paused a moment to consider a reply before responding in an effort to control himself.
"Cousin, you and Lady Meridwyn are intimate are you not?" he said evenly.
Guy just looked at him, unable to answer right away.
"You recall the time I sent for you and the rest of the men that night we first left to search for Rhiannon? The page told me when he entered your chambers, that Meridwyn was with you." The Sheriff stated.
"Yes. It's true. But she's not with child. Or claiming to be." Guy responded weakly. He knew his answer didn't hold any weight.
"I've known this for some time. That you and she are….shall we say? Close." He reached over suddenly and grabbed Guy by his collar and shouted "Have I ever referred to your Lady as a whore? Because that's essentially what you're calling mine!"
"No, my Lord." Guy replied hoarsely.
The Sheriff let go of him and straightened. "It's easy for you, Guy. You're younger than I. Look how long it took me to find a lady such as she? I gave up long ago. But now, not only do I have her, I have a family. Besides you, somewhere out there – I have a son or a daughter…" he stopped himself. He revealed too much. It was making him feel vulnerable.
"You truly believe it." Guy stated. It wasn't another question. He could tell by the look on his cousin's face – the Sheriff really believed it to be so.
"Yes. I truly believe it. And, the page who brought the first scroll with the ransom demands described the child to me."
"And? You didn't tell me this?" Guy said.
"I asked him about his master." The Sheriff began as he remembered that day. The boy standing before him, telling him all about the Fallen Knight. "I asked the lad if the man was alone. He told me he had a baby with him."
"Oh." Guy replied quietly, now starting to realize the enormity of the situation. Because he didn't really believe the nonsense about the baby before. When it was first mentioned, the Sheriff was falling asleep in the saddle and standing in front of his tent. Guy thought the Sheriff was delusional because of exhaustion!
"So I asked him to describe the infant." The Sheriff continued "I wanted to know if it was healthy, and if a boy or a girl."
"And?" Guy asked.
"How did he describe it? Oh yes – dark curly hair. Green eyes. Chubby cheeks." The Sheriff said.
"That's it?" Guy asked.
The Sheriff leaned in close and continued "My hair. Her eyes! That child is mine!" the Sheriff exclaimed.
"A boy or a girl?" Guy asked.
"He couldn't tell me. Obviously he wasn't meant to know."
"Because he's very cunning." Guy said quietly, his eyes downcast.
"What's that, cousin?" The Sheriff asked.
"This madman we're after. If we're after him – I don't know anymore. He's cunning. He kept the child's gender a secret – so you wouldn't find out. To make the search more difficult."
"You're just now starting to see what we're dealing with. Good. Glad we're on the same page." The Sheriff commented as he slapped Guy on the shoulder.
"He really is mad. And he's really headed to Nottingham Castle isn't he?" Guy said. It wasn't really a question. Now he knew for certain, the danger that Meridwyn was in.
"Yes. Now – are you with me?" The Sheriff asked.
"Meridwyn…." Guy breathed in a hoarse whisper.
"Yes. Meridwyn, and Rhiannon. We must get to our ladies, Guy!" With that, they both sent their horses into a gallop.
Guy hurried to catch up to his cousin to ask one more question. One he never thought to ask until now.
"Cousin! Wait!" he shouted as he came up beside him. The Sheriff looked over at him as he continued.
"You said you asked the page about his master. That madman. Did the lad describe him?"
They both slowed their horses in an effort to talk more freely.
"Yes. He said he was very tall, and the man wore a hood over his face. The lad never saw his face." The Sheriff answered.
"He mentioned his face in the document. The second one you showed me."
"Yes he did, didn't he?" the Sheriff mused.
"Do you know someone whose face was disfigured, sire? It could be someone from long past. Obviously in Nottingham, since he's quite familiar with it."
"I can't think of anyone. I have been wondering about it, though. The man presumes to know me, so I must have been acquainted with him somehow. I don't remember anyone with a facial deformity, though."
"If you knew him, it wasn't in a friendly manner. My guess would be, he was once one of your prisoners."
"Maybe so, but I still don't recall any who wore a hood over their face. But believe you me…." He started as he looked over at Guy "We Are after him. Just so you're no longer confused about the plan. We're going to go straight to the castle, find our ladies and move them to safety. Then we wait for him."
"But he got a head start." Guy pointed out.
"Now look who's doubtful? I have to focus on the prospect of us arriving there first. We must. If we don't we are giving up on Rhiannon, and Meridwyn."
"You're right. I think I'm going to fix something when we return. Something I should've done some time ago." Guy remarked more to himself than anyone.
"What's that, cousin?"
"As long as it's alright with you."
The Sheriff looked over at him, puzzled.
"I will ask for Lady Meridwyn's hand. But I do not wish to take away from your upcoming nuptials with Lady Rhiannon." Guy said.
The Sheriff smiled as he replied "It's about time you made her my sister in law, cousin."
"I don't know if that's the proper term for it, since we're cousins."
"Well, what – am I supposed to call her my cousin in law? It doesn't matter. Neither of us have siblings. We're the closest each will ever get to a brother."
"My lady tell me that all the time, cousin." Guy said.
"Tells you what?"
"That she thinks you and I are more like brothers than cousins."
"She is clever too." The Sheriff remarked. "Anyway, as I said – it's high time. How long has it been? Three years now?"
"Almost three." Guy replied, embarrassed.
"Lucky for you she waited all that time." The Sheriff said.
"We were never ready before. But I know now."
"Because she's in danger." The Sheriff surmised.
"I suppose. I guess I never considered before, the possibility of her absence from my life."
"Oh yes, I know." The Sheriff agreed. "I never thought I'd be choosing a wife. Then when she was gone all those months, I just knew. Next thing – as soon as she was recovered I was asking for her hand." The Sheriff paused a moment before he added "Our paths are taking new directions, cousin."
"Yes they are."
"I'd like you and Meridwyn to remain in the castle with me and Rhiannon."
"But, sire!...." Guy began. He was interrupted immediately.
"It has always been your home. The castle is so grand in size we'll hardly notice each other. Plus, our ladies enjoy each other's company. It would be good for them." The Sheriff said. And good for my child, he thought.
"I'm sure my lady would like that, cousin. I would too."
"Then it shall be done."
The day turned into night. Then the dawn of a new day began. And so the journey continued. Onwards on the main road leading directly to Nottingham, the Sheriff and Guy traveled. It was now nine days since they commenced the journey back to Nottingham. The weather had been fair, but now it appeared a storm was approaching from the west. They took a path that they knew lead to a clearing where they could stop for the night. The clearing was between the main road and the shortcut that was illustrated on their map. The wind began to kick up as they set up their tents.
Not too much further south from where the Sheriff and Guy were setting up camp for the night, were the ladies Rhiannon and Meridwyn. Despite being somewhat ill prepared, somehow they'd managed for several days on their own.
Meridwyn was fingering the gold locket she wore around her neck. She was stopped ahead of Rhiannon this time. Rhiannon glided up beside her on her horse. Meridwyn was looking off to the west.
"There's a storm coming, Rhiannon. We've been lucky so far, but where shall we go now?" she said as she kept toying with her necklace absently.
"I don't know. Let me think a moment." Rhiannon replied. Then she added "What is that about your neck?" as she pointed to Meridwyn's locket.
"Guy gave it to me. At the Yule Feast last winter. It's inscribed on the back." She showed it to Lady Rhiannon. The words on the back of the ornate, heart shaped medallion read : "All my love, GG"
"It's beautiful." Rhiannon commented.
"I wear it for luck." Meridwyn said as she tucked it into the bodice of her gown.
"We could do with some luck." Rhiannon said as she took a moment to take in her surroundings. "Maybe there's somewhere around here we can stop for the night?"
"Let's hope." Meridwyn said.
And so they continued off the path in search of a clearing or somewhere they could safely rest. A shelter from the storm that was fast approaching.
His hood was lashing about his face in the fierce winds that were stirring all around him. Even though the scars were healed by now, he still found it irritating. He knew of a vacant cabin in the vicinity. It was best to stop and wait out the storm. The ladies would still be waiting for him at Nottingham Castle. The Sheriff couldn't possibly have come this far by now. He decided he could afford to stop for awhile. Even though he was eager to continue. He was not tired. He was very much awake. There was a taste creeping up inside of him. The lust for torture and killing. He pulled a flask of wine out of his coat pocket and took a generous gulp. Lightening flashed and illuminated the scene in the distance. It appeared two maidens riding horses were in the distance headed toward him. He decided to go off the path and hide in the trees. Maybe he could partake of some amusement before he went to the empty cabin.
"Let's stay close, Rhiannon. I don't like this." Meridwyn voiced her fear.
"I agree. I don't know why, but I get a strange feeling too."
"Do you see anything?" Meridwyn asked "A safe place for us to stop?" A flash of lightening illuminated their faces.
"Not yet." Rhiannon replied, as the thunder started and the first drops of rain fell.
They continued side by side together, down the path. With thick forest on either side. The rain began to pelt harder, and the thunder relentless. Which is why they didn't notice right away, when a bow struck Meridwyn's horse. The horse kicked up in terror, and Meridwyn was thrown. Rhiannon let out a scream in the watery darkness.
"Meridwyn!!"
He flew out at them from between the trees. Meridwyn lay on the ground, supine. Unconscious. Her cape was open, her golden chain had fallen out of her bodice. The madman went to her. He was pleased that he recognized her. He grabbed her by her chain and used it to pull her up to him.
"Well, well, well! The one who got away!" He laughed as he tore at the chain until it broke, then tossed it to the ground. "And who is your friend?" he remarked as he looked up.
"Get away from us!" Rhiannon shrieked. She wanted to reach in the pocket of her gown for the Sheriff's dagger. But he wouldn't take his eyes off her. He would surely notice!
"Oh. It's you again!" He said as he got up and swiftly advanced toward her. "My, my. I see the Sheriff let his personal physician work his magic on you." Quickly he moved in, and suddenly grabbed her pulling her off the horse. She tried to struggle free but his strength overpowered her. She stood before him, he covered her mouth with his gloved hand and hissed "You've recovered well." Before she knew it, she was being bound and gagged. The madman picked her up and carried her to the wagon he pulled behind his horse. Then he placed her in the same cart that held her infant just days ago, before going back for the first one to complete the task.
When he carefully lay Lady Meridwyn beside her companion who was glaring at him. Her green eyes staring in anger at him when the lightening flashed and lit up her face made his spine tingle in excitement. He leaned in close to Rhiannon so she could smell the dampness on his hood.
"I didn't know you could ride, my Lady. You see – I was coming for you. And her as it turns out." He pointed to Meridwyn who lay unconscious beside her. "And here you are! You see? It was meant to be!" he laughed as he jumped off the cart and mounted his horse. Rhiannon looked over at her friend as the wagon started moving. The cold rain coming down hard upon them. By some miracle, she thought – please let him find us!
The rain was pelting on the tent. The Sheriff awoke. He was once again reminded of the first day and night he spent with his lady. Every time he heard rain, he thought of it. He lay awake listening to the rain and the thunder which occurred at regular intervals. He wasn't too certain, but he thought he could make out the sounds of a woman's scream in the distance, in between two claps of thunder. He listened for it again. It was gone. It was only the storm.
The next morning it was still raining. The Sheriff and Guy had traveled about a half mile when they came upon some trees that had fallen across the path, they assumed during the vicious storm the night before. They stopped their horses.
"You have that map, cousin?" The Sheriff asked.
"Yes." Guy pulled it out of his sack. "Here." He gave it to the Sheriff.
The Sheriff unrolled it and studied it. He pointed to another path. "That will take us to the shortcut. We're going to have to take it to get around this mess."
They set their horses on another route and continued on a narrow path with walls of forest on either side. After another half mile or so of traveling, they decided to dismount, stretch their legs, and take another look at the map that the Scribe penned for them.
"Do you think it's safe to head back to the main road?" Guy asked
"We should try. It is easier to travel." The Sheriff said as he took another moment to read the map.
Guy started to pace for awhile, when his eyes found something shining in a small puddle nearby on the path. He advanced toward it, and bent down to pick it up.
"There's a path up there we can take to get back to the main road." The Sheriff called to Guy.
"Oh, no." Guy said aloud.
"Cousin?" the Sheriff walked toward him. Guy was crouched low to the ground, holding a golden chain in his hand, studying the heart shaped medallion.
"Meridwyn." Guy said softly, his eyes squeezed shut.
"What is it?" the Sheriff asked.
"I gave this to Lady Meridwyn." He said as he stood up holding the chain out to show the Sheriff. "This is hers!" Guy exclaimed
The Sheriff looked at him in wide eyed astonishment. What would her chain be doing all the way out here? What in the devil? As his mind began swimming with endless questions, just then they heard the sound of horses naying. It was coming from….the forest?
The Sheriff left Guy for a moment to investigate. He walked toward the sounds he was hearing. Not far into the forest – maybe 30 yards, he saw them. His eyes widened again. There were his own horses!
He emerged from the forest. Guy was still standing there looking down upon the golden chain.
"They're here." The Sheriff called as he walked swiftly back to his cousin.
"What? Who?" Guy asked, startled.
"That's Meridwyn's chain?" he said as he pointed to it. Then he gestured off in the direction of the forest "Well those are My horses in the forest! One of them is injured!" He wanted to hit something. He couldn't believe it. Captured. Again.
"What? Our horses are over there!" Guy pointed to them.
"No, no, no! There are two additional horses from my lot – right in there!" He pointed to where the two other horses were in the forest.
Guy swallowed dryly.
"Our ladies are somewhere around here, cousin! They must have decided to come for us, for some peculiar reason!"
"Oh God." Guy sighed as he pocketed Meridwyn's chain.
"Come, cousin." The Sheriff said as he lead Guy back to their horses. "Our ladies need us."
