I'm really glad to have you as a beta, xxCee-Gisborne-Cullenxx. A great thank you again. It's been a while since I have posted the last chapter and the next one will take some weeks, too. I hope you like this chapter

Illusions 34

Deep satisfaction filled Gwyneth when she saw Morgan lying on the ground, groaning; the gleeful glances of the surrounding people and the muted laughter showed only too well on whose side they were. The young captain had nearly lost all respect due to his drunkenness and his tantrums, when he lost at a game of dice.

And she would make sure that he would not utter such malicious words again. Gazing at Guy gratefully, she said in a firm voice. "I'm deeply indebted to you, but I want to talk to my father first."

She did not wait for an answer and made her way through the crowd towards her father, who was standing at the other side of the courtyard, talking to one of his knights. Guy cocked an eyebrow; she had surprised him. Gwyneth was graceful and slender and seemed rather fragile; usually, she was a gentle woman, but was obviously, not willing to bear a conduct such as Morgan's towards her.

Guy turned towards the young captain, who had struggled to his feet and had sobered in an instant. Guy's eyes glittered dangerously and his fingers closed around Morgan's arm in a vice-like grip. "You. Stay!" he said grimly.

Morgan had…what? Rhys's mien didn't forebode well as he came near. His contemptuous gaze met Morgan's, who swallowed and looked away, mortified. "You've already got what you deserved and I won't dirty my hands with you. Obviously, I made a mistake in making you captain of the guard. Your father was a good friend and your elder brother Amhar is one of my best men. You are a disgrace to your family and to this court and you are no longer in my services as of today. I'm expecting Amhar any day now and he will decide what happens to you. Don't harbour any illusions that he might be more lenient than I am. He knows well what he owes the name of his family. And now get out of my sight at once!...Guy, you are coming with me…and you, Gwyneth will bear me accompany at dinner tonight."

He smiled at his daughter kindly and knew that the bystanders had gotten the message. Gwyneth was only one of his illegitimate children and a female at that; she had not played a role in his life up to now and would certainly not in the future, but she stood under his protection and anyone who assaulted her, would have to deal with him.

The crowd dissipated soon enough and Morgan was left behind. Some men had laughed at him, and others had turned away, disgusted. This damned woman! It was her fault that he had fallen out of favour with Lord Rhys, hers and the Englishman's, who aggrandised himself. Women and strangers were ruling Wales; Rhys had become senile. Yes, if Gruffydd were Prince of Wales, then he, Morgan, would have gotten his well deserved place at his side, but now… It wouldn't be long and the story would be bandied about everywhere in the castle and his brother Amhar…Damn!... Settled hatred surged up within Morgan, while he made his way to the tavern.

Guy had followed Lord Rhys to the Prince's chambers. Lord Rhys's grim mien had relaxed a little and he beckoned Guy to take a seat. "You know that I am pleased with your services. You are a good soldier and have completed your assignments the way I expected you to do. Today you have proved again that you are a reliable man. If you were a Welshman, I would not hesitate making you the new captain of the guard, but you know very well that this is impossible at the moment. Even so, you will be the leader of the guard for a while; too many of my men are on the way. You will have you reward; this you can be sure of. Some of my men are not quite sure whether you will stay here. It would be to your advantage to marry and prove that your loyalty lies with us now. There is an estate at the border to England and I could use a faithful man there. Drystan was a good warrior once and was given the estate by my father for services rendered. But he is an old and critically ill man now, who knows that his time is almost up. His only son has died a year ago and the buildings are threatening to decay; it's only a matter of time until some English knight in the neighbourhood might try to use this to his advantage."

Marry? The last person who had suggested that he marry had been Osgood, Guy thought wistfully, but he regained his composure immediately knowing that Rhys was watching him. The ruler of Wales war a man he respected and admired, a cunning fox, but also someone who knew what honour meant.

"I will stay in Wales and serve you loyally, my lord," Guy answered. "And one woman is a good as another." He realised that Rhys didn't like his answer to the second question. At the same time he saw an expression in Rhys's eyes he was not able to interpret. "My lord, I'm grateful for the chance you have given me," he added. "Even if there should be a new king in England, I will never return. My future is here."

Rhys seemed to be satisfied for the time being and shortly thereafter Guy was dismissed. Satisfaction filled him; it had been only a few months since he had been banished from England, had been thrown off a cart and left for dead and now a promising future was waiting for him. He had not lied to Rhys when he had told him that he would make use of this opportunity. As for a wife… As much as he tried to banish Marian's picture in his mind, he didn't succeed. The feeling of humiliation he had suffered by her betrayal had seemed to extinguish everything else he remembered of her for a while, her smiles, the kiss, her hand on his shoulder... He realised now that he had merely blocked these thoughts out, but that he had not forgotten. Why had she asked the King to spare him? Had it only been pity as he had thought at first or had she spoken the truth when he had confronted her in that dilapidated hut, that she had been attracted to him despite herself? Perhaps this would be worse than believing in her treachery and lies.

But then he snorted contemptuously; she had wanted to save her hide and in this situation she would have said anything.

Rhys remained in his chambers, musing. He knew by now that he could trust Guy and he had seen that his people respected him, although he was English. Guy seemed to be a cautious man and didn't confide in anyone easily; Rhys had realised from the beginning that he could trust Guy with his life if he showed him respect and gave him assignments where he could prove his abilities as a leader. He wanted him to stay in Wales.

If this lady Rhobert ap Morthwyl had spoken of was indeed a woman from Guy's past, this could be important. He had to know which role she had played in his life. Rhobert had not given much away; he hadn't been comfortable to talk about this woman at all, but he had to ask permission to bring her to Wales if necessary. For Rhobert it had been the wish to do his friend a favour, but for the ruler of Wales this was a different matter. If this woman agreed to come with Rhobert and stay here, Guy would be grateful. On the other hand, if he was indifferent towards her, she would be sent away. Rhys had sensed something simmering under the calm surface Guy had shown him; so it was love or hate. Rhys knew what this meant although he had never grasped the true meaning of love. Certain marriages were necessary for the sake of the realm or in order to gain riches and on the other hands a man had physical needs, but passion or even love?

Guy was a taciturn man, but he was loyal; Rhys appreciated him and would have liked to put him in charge of the guard, even though he was no Welshman, but this was impossible now; too bitter was the hatred towards the English. Time would tell, if he could do so in the near future.

Marian closed the lit of the small, carved wooden box containing a delicate golden brooch, the last piece of jewellery she would sell. It would be one or two weeks until the pedlar would come back and then she would be able to leave the monastery. She had counted the coins and it had been much more than she had expected before. Inwardly she nearly laughed when she remembered the pedlar's face, who had thought of getting the better of the English lady and who at last had reluctantly and cussing in a muted voice taken the money out of his pocket. Still he would make a decent profit; this she knew.

How long was it since she had been brought here? Weeks had stretched to months and the last hope she had had that Robin would use his influence on the King to get her released, had died when she had heard the news about the campaign against France. But even if the King who had banished her to this convent should die in combat, she would not be able to return to Nottingham or to the court. The King's successor would be Prince John, then King John and he would put his vassals in charge of all the important posts; Nottingham would get a new Vaysey and she as the former fiancée of Robin Hood would still be in disgrace.

Leaving England, her homeland… She'd never imagine this, but now that her father was dead and she had no one to turn to… Much, Little John and Will were living near Nottingham, but when John reigned, they would have to flee, too. At least Robin had made sure that they got some money.

She was so deeply lost in thought that she probably had not noticed the knock on the door; only now that it knocked louder and she heard Mother Katherine's concerned voice asking "Lady Marian…?" she shook her head as if to clear her head and opened the door. The Mother Superior was standing in front of the door, smiling at her kindly.

Marian forced a smile; the old nun was a good woman, but Marian had not felt like smiling and simply didn't want to pretend.

"I would not disturb you, my child, if it didn't seem important. There is a visitor for you," the nun explained.

"A visitor? Perhaps a message from the King?"

As if she had heard the unspoken question, Mother Katherine shook her head. "He is a messenger of the Welsh ruler. His name is Rhobert ap Morthwyl."

Marian frowned. "From Wales? Did he say why he wants to talk to me?"

"He wanted me to ask you whether the name Guy of Gisborne means anything to you."

Guy? After all this time there was someone who obviously knew Guy, after all these months there was a sign of life from him…although… The man had not said that Guy was alive and even when… Wouldn't it be better to forget Guy? She was about to leave everything behind her. What would she gain, if she spoke to this man?

Long pent up emotions surfaced and Mother Katherine gazed compassionately at the young woman, who was even paler than usual and who fought her tears.

"No," Marian replied eventually. "Please tell him that the name doesn't mean anything to me."