Im back from a wierd absence...miss me?? the story?? so i alway say that xx chapter was hard to write but this chapter was really hard to write...i promised rob/mar but its not in this chapter...and guy fans please be patient with me this time...this is interesting and i kinda like it...but i need to know what you think obviously lots of love to you all and to those who reiview this story (you know who you are!!)
Chapter Twenty Seven: New Feelings
He was standing alone in an unfamiliar land. The emptiness surrounded him. He could barely breathe. He did not even want to breathe. One thought kept on hitting him like a sword.
"She does not love you. Marian does not love you. The woman you are married to does not love you. Hood will take her away, and you helped him! You just stood there and helped him steal everything that is rightfully yours!"
He saw a beautiful young woman, with long flowing brown hair. She floated to him. She kissed him on the cheek. As soon as she removed her lips, a scar formed on his cheek. The floating angel kissed his lips. As her lips left his, his lips began to drip with blood. Then Marian kissed his heart. As soon as she removed her lips from his chest, his heart broke.
She laughed at the broken man.
Suddenly Guy sat up in bed shuttering at the dream. There was sweat on his forehead and his neck. He stretched and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Guy looked over at Marian, she was turned away from him. He watched the steady rise and fall of her chest.
But Guy was not happy. He looked out the window into the darkness. Soon the daylight would break, and then…Guy did not know what would happen. Would Robin want to take Marian away from him? He probably would now that he knew she loved him. But what would become of Clara? What would become of him?
Guy shuttered at the thought. He got out of bed and put on his tunic. He needed fresh air and he needed to cool his mind. Guy quietly crept out of the room and past the sleeping outlaws on the floor of his house. He walked out of his house and closed the door behind him.
Guy took a full breath of the cool night air. He let the wind touch his face soothingly. Suddenly he felt a tear slowly glide down his cheek. He brushed it away with his sleeve. Guy needed to walk. He walked down the hill and away from the manor. He walked through the countryside and let his feet guide him.
His feet led him to the sleepy town of Agincourt. Guy smiled at the memories he and Marian had shared in this town. There was no one in the marketplaces and the shops were closed. Guy did not know this, but the town had been buzzing with commotion and news.
The villagers had found the dead bodies of Gabriella and the sheriff of Agincourt. There had been searches for the men responsible but to no success. Guy, however, did not know what had befell Gabriella. He needed advice and walked towards Gabriella's shop for her council. Though she did not like him, she at least, would be honest with him.
The door was open so Guy let himself in. "Hello?"
He was surprised that the condition of the shop was so messy. Gabriella would never let this happen to her business. Guy shook his head in confusion and began walking around and examining the potions when he heard a little gasp.
"Who are you?" a voice called.
Guy spun around in the direction of the voice.
In the darkness of the shop Guy could not see who called out with surprise, but he knew it was the voice of a woman. The voice was not French, but English.
"I'm looking for someone," said Guy.
"I'm the only one here," answered the mysterious woman, "and I don't know you. You are not from around here."
"Neither are you," said Guy with a smile. "Who are you?"
"I asked you first!" she said defiantly.
Guy smiled, thinking of another woman who was defiant and courageous. "Sorry. My name is Guy of Gisborne, I have come to find my, uh, friend, Gabriella. Is she here?"
The voice was silent then she said, "What do you want with her?"
"I need her advice on an important matter."
The voice was interested. "What sort important matter?"
Guy grinned. "Let's make a deal. I'll tell you, if you show me yourself and tell me who you are."
The voice shuffled away and then Guy heard the striking of a match and suddenly a light far off. The candle, which the woman lit, grew closer and closer to Guy. Guy could only see the woman's hands. The hands were white in the candlelight and shaking as she held the candle.
She placed the candle on the table and extended her hand for Guy to sit down. Guy sat down and the woman sat down as well.
Now Guy could see her clearly.
She was very beautiful. The woman was young and had a sweet face. She had big brown eyes and long locks of brown which fell to her shoulders gracefully. She had cute lips too but currently they were frowning at Guy.
"You go first," said the woman.
"The matter is of the heart, my heart, now you go."
The woman rolled her eyes. "My name is Margret, but everyone calls me Meg."
Guy was a little transfixed on this girl. She looked very familiar. "Do I know you?"
Meg shook her head. Her curls swayed this way and that. "No."
"Where is Gabriella?"
"She died," answered Meg in a sad little voice. "Killed."
Guy closed his eyes and shook his head. "Oh my God. I cannot believe it."
Meg nodded. "Neither could I."
Guy raised an eyebrow. "How did you know her?"
Meg laughed slightly. "You must not have known her very well, for she did not tell you about me."
"Who are you?" asked Guy.
"Her daughter," answered Meg.
"Daughter? She had a daughter?"
Meg nodded.
Guy raised his eyebrow. "I'd like more of an explanation than just a little nod."
Meg crossed her arms and leaned back on the chair. "Then ask nicely."
"Nicely?" repeated Guy.
"Say please."
Guy sighed. "Please explain."
Meg smiled. "My mother, Gabriella, was born in France but when she was young she traveled to England on holiday. There, she met my father. He was handsome. She fell in love with him because of his smile. At least, that's what he told me. But I'm not so sure." Meg bit her lip nervously.
Guy felt sympathy for the girl who had lost her mother so tragically. "What do you mean?"
Meg shook her head. "My mother and father were not married when she got pregnant with me. When she told my father the news, the supposedly happy news, my father's immediate reaction was marriage. He set up the date, bought my mother a dress, even the rings." Meg paused again recalling the story in her head.
Guy waited patiently for Meg to continue.
"Father waited and waited, the entire day. He stood at the altar, by the priest's side, and waited for my mother to show up. But she never came."
Guy shook his head.
"Then my father went to her house and found her in her room knitting. My father threw the knitting needle and thread to the side and put his hands on her shoulders. He said that the baby would be born with the father and a mother who were married under God! He said that was final. But Gabriella wouldn't have it. She would have the baby, but not the marriage."
"I'm so sorry," said Guy.
Meg shook her head. "It gets worse. Nine months later when I was delivered into the world, screaming and kicking up a storm, my father looked at my mother and felt undying love for her. He proposed to Gabriella as she fed me my first meal. But Gabriella shook her head." Meg paused and a tear slid down her cheek. "She…she said…that I-I was a mistake. Sleeping with my father was a mistake. She did not want to be tied to him, or to me, legally."
"Meg I—" Guy began unsure of how to sooth such a tortured woman.
Meg shook her head. "A few months later, while I and my father slept, my mother left."
Guy's eyes widened. "She just left?!"
Meg nodded. "I never saw her again until a year or two ago when I visited France in the hopes of finding her and confronting her. I found her here and introduced myself. She cried and tried to explain her reasons for leaving, but this time, I wouldn't hear her side."
"So who raised you? An aunt? Cousin?" Guy asked appalled that such sadness should happen to such an innocent creature.
Meg blinked. "My father raised me."
"By himself?"
Meg nodded. "All alone."
Guy's stomach leapt. He said nothing to the girl. He pondered this unheard of idea of a father, a man, raising his daughter all by himself. It seemed impossible to him. His parents hated each other, but they brought up Guy. Though, that might have been the best example for Guy to think of.
Meg leaned closer to Guy and put her arms on the table. "Your turn Guy."
"My turn?" Guy was abruptly pulled from his thoughts.
Meg nodded. "This matter of the heart, what of it?"
Guy scratched his neck. "Well, see, there's this girl…"
At the mention of 'girl,' Meg dropped her gaze and looked at her hands. She was somewhat saddened by the news that the attractive man sitting before her was in love with another. But Meg shrugged off the possibilities and the what ifs.
"Go on," she urged him.
"She does not love me," said Guy shaking his head and smiling bitterly. "She does not love me."
Meg allowed herself to look once again that the strange man. "And you love her?"
Guy nodded.
"Maybe you should move on," suggested Meg who, obviously, did not understand that Guy was a married man with a child.
Guy shook his head and started to laugh at the very suggestion.
Meg raised her eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
"I think I failed to mention two important parts of this matter," he said.
"And they are?"
"I am married to this girl, and we have a child together," explained the broken man.
"Oh," said the broken girl with her eyes wide, "I see. So, she is your wife, the mother of your child, and she does not love you?"
"Yes," Guy sighed.
Meg swished her mouth from side to side thoughtfully. "Can you see where I might be confused?"
Guy grinned despite his melancholy state. "She married me under unusual circumstances."
Meg crossed her arms on the table. "What sort of circumstances?"
Guy put out one hand and said, "Marriage to me." He put out the other hand and continued, "or certain death."
Meg nodded. "I can see why she chose to marry you." She looked at the man before her in the candlelight. His eyes seemed pitiful yet beautiful and full of mystery. His hair was long and thick about his neck. But, still, he seemed wretched with sorrow and looked as if he had seen things she could only imagine.
Guy bit his lip. "Right now, I'm not sure if she would have preferred death to me."
Meg shook her head. "No, that's not possible, I'm sure she wanted to be married to you more than she wanted to die."
Guy raised an eyebrow. Meg shook her head. "That didn't come out right."
"You said you had a child?" asked Meg.
Guy smiled on the memory of Clara. "A girl named Clara."
"How old?"
"She has not yet seen a year of life," answered Guy. "She is beautiful. She has her hair, and smile, but she has my eyes. God those eyes, you could get lost in them."
"Who is this her?" asked Meg.
"Marian, the woman I am married to."
Meg nodded. "Oh. Right." She looked down again and began to twirl her hair. She twirled her hair when she was nervous or angry. It seemed that now she felt both of these strong emotions. Meg was nervous in front of the handsome Englishman who reminded her of the home she missed, and angry that he should be snatched away by someone who did not want him.
Guy watched her twirl her hair and found himself smiling. Marian would do that sometimes. Meg's hair was so much like Marian's, Guy could not get over it.
Meg realized Guy was watching her. She looked up at him and stopped abruptly.
"Sorry," said Guy. "Don't stop on my account."
"Why where you staring?" asked Meg.
Guy shook his head. "You remind me of someone I know."
Meg smirked. "Marian?"
Guy nodded and Meg chuckled.
"So," said Guy tapping his fingers on the table, "what should I do?"
Meg leaned close to Guy. "Maybe it's something you are doing wrong."
Guy cocked his head to the side. "What do you mean?"
Meg shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe it's the way you look at her, or the way you are quick to anger—"
"Wait," Guy held up his hand. "Did I tell you I was quick to anger?"
Meg shook her head. "Just a guess. It could be the way you touch her, or the way you…" Her voice trailed off.
"What?"
"Kiss her," suggested Meg quietly.
Guy raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think of that." But then he remembered Gabriella' s words that Marian would always keep her eyes open when they kissed.
"Your mother mentioned something like that to me," said Guy.
"My mother met Marian?"
Guy nodded. "They were good friends."
Meg rolled her eyes. No wonder I hate my mother so much. If this Marian was good friends with her, I never would have been. She thought this in a fit of passion but was quickly regretful of her words and felt the urge to twirl her hair again but she stopped herself.
"What did my mother say?"
"She said that Marian closed her eyes to tightly when we kissed, because she was picturing another man's lips, not mine."
Meg looked sadly at Guy. "Maybe you are not a good kisser."
Guy smiled at her. "Want to test your theory?"
Meg's brain was telling her to nod furiously, but she merely shrugged. "Sure."
Guy stood up and Meg stood up. They walked close to each other. Guy was a bit taller than Meg he felt he could have overpowered her easily. Yet, at the same time, he felt nervous around her. Marian was the only other woman he ever felt nervous around.
Meg smiled up at Guy. "You sure you want to do this? You are married after all."
Guy nodded. "My wife does not love me. I do not think one kiss from a total stranger would be considered cheating."
"My name is Meg," said Meg sternly. "I am not a total stranger Guy. I would not consider us to be strangers anymore."
Guy brushed a lock of hair from Meg's face. Then he slowly bent down and kissed her gently on the lips. His eyes were closed and hers were closed. Unlike the other woman Guy kissed, this girl thought only of the man in front of her. Meg ran her fingers through Guy's hair and suddenly Guy picked her up and began to kiss her with a bit more passion.
Suddenly it came to an end.
For no other reason then, that, moments, even beautiful moments, must end.
Guy gently let her down and Meg let go of Guy's thick locks of hair. Guy took a deep breath and Meg twirled her hair again.
"So?" he asked.
Meg nodded. "Very good, so now we can rule out the kissing option."
"What should I do?" asked Guy sinking back in the chair.
Meg sat down as well. She realized that she had a lot of power over this man. He would listen to her advice, she was most certain of that, no matter what that advice might be. She wondered if she could convince the man to leave his wife and child and move on.
But then Meg thought about her own family. Her mother had gone off and left her family behind. Was she going to put that misery on a little innocent child?
You must do what is right Meg.
Meg sighed. "If you love her, truly love her, you will fight for her."
Guy shook his head. "That I cannot do. She loves him. It's that simple."
Now Meg shook her head at the man before her. "Guy, you have a child with her, you have a marriage with this woman. The fact that she loves another does not matter, not legally anyway. And if you truly loved her, you would never let her go right?"
"The man she loves," said Guy sadly, "and his gang, are stationed at my house for the night."
"What?" Meg raised an eyebrow.
Guy shook his head. "Long story."
"I've got time," said Meg.
So Guy told the long story of what had happened in Nottingham, with the sheriff, Edward, and Robin. He spoke quickly and in short sentences conveying entire feelings into simple words. Meg heard every word.
"He is planning to leave anyway," said Meg at the end of Guy's tale. "Just make him leave."
"But I told him how she felt," said Guy bitterly.
"A marriage is binding," said Meg.
Guy shrugged. "An annulment can break a marriage."
"You need a priest for that," Meg pointed out.
Guy smiled bitterly. "I think his brother is a priest."
Meg shook her head sadly. "But, for an annulment, you need either the husband or wife, to find some fault with the marriage. You find no fault in it, do you?"
"A fault like what?" asked Guy.
Meg bit her lip. "The man who married you was not really a priest, or one partner cheated on the other, or something like that."
Guy nodded. "I guess I find no fault in the marriage."
"Do you think it consensual?" asked Meg. "That might be another fault."
"Remember?" Guy reminded the girl. "Death or marriage?"
Meg nodded. "So it was consensual."
Guy shook his head. "I still do not know what to do."
"It is your home," said Meg, "order them to leave. If Robin so much as suggests bringing Marian with him, then force them out of the house. He thinks that you have given your blessing, that would be the only reason he would be so bold. Show him that she is yours, and not his to have and to hold."
"He will fight me," said Guy. "Meg, he will try to kill me, because, the moment he sees me mistreating her, no legal bound by God will stop him. You do not know him."
Meg smiled. "From the look on your face, it seems that no legal bound by God would stop you from much Guy."
"We could run away," said Guy.
"You and I?" asked Meg awkwardly.
Guy blushed and shook his head. "No, I didn't mean that, I meant me and Marian."
Meg pulled aggressively at the strands of her hair. "I knew that. But do you actually think it would work?"
Guy shrugged. "It is still night. I could leave now, take Marian out of bed, take Clara, pack our things, and we could just run!" He began to get excited at the thought.
"A romantic idea," said Meg, "but Guy, where would you run to?"
"Anyway," said Guy with a smile. "The important thing is that we would be together, a whole family together."
"What will you do?" asked Meg sadly.
"I don't know," said Guy feeling a sense of adventure, "I could build her a house, a home for us. I'd make sure that they wouldn't know where we were."
Meg nodded. "Sounds lovely."
"You don't seem too excited about it," observed Guy.
Meg shook her head and smiled. "Obviously. Guy, from what you told me about this man, he seems like he would move heaven and earth to find Marian. He would find you Guy, and then he would kill you, and he'd have a good reason to. You kidnapped someone, two someones, counting Clara. And I don't want you dead Guy."
"Why not?" asked Guy crossing his arms. "Everyone else wants me dead."
"I'm not everyone else," said Meg quietly.
"You're Meg," said Guy.
"Yes," replied the girl, "I'm Meg."
"So," said Guy, "why don't you want me to die?"
Meg shrugged and almost tore off a strand of hair. "I don't know."
"Meg?" asked Guy. "You can tell me."
"Because," said Meg, "it would kill me if you died."
"You've only just met me," Guy insisted. "People who've known me for years wouldn't think twice about it."
"I like you," said the girl.
Guy did a double take. He blinked shook his head, and then blinked again. He shook his head trying to shake away her words.
"What?" he asked with disbelief.
"You heard me," she said.
"How can you possibly like me?" asked Guy. "You do not know me. You just met me tonight."
Meg shrugged. "Sorry, I cannot help it."
"You don't know me," said Guy. "You don't know what I've done. The pain I've caused, the lives I've taken."
Meg bit her lip. "But you are more than your past Guy."
She truly seems to care. How can she possibly care about me? No one cares about me, apart from Clara.
Guy stood up. "How could you care about me?"
Meg stood up too. "I see some of you in me."
"You what?"
Meg nodded. "Your eyes Guy."
"What about them?" Guy asked.
"There is sadness behind your eyes, not sadness of what you have done, but of what has been done to you. There are marks of abandonment and loss behind your eyes, as there are in mine. And yes, I care about you, though I have only met you." Meg said all this hastily but with determination.
"I am married," said the man with sorrowful eyes.
"I know," answered the girl who shared his sorrow.
"God has bound me to another," he said stepping closer to Meg.
"A priest," she answered simply stepping closer to Guy.
He gently caressed her cheek with his index finger. She kissed him tenderly on the mouth. Suddenly Guy began to enjoy this kiss in a way he never did with Marian. It was simply because he knew that the girl in possession of these lips liked him. Truly liked him, without being forced or under duress.
But he was married.
But he had a child.
But men, who would take his wife from him, were now in his house.
Guy broke off the kiss and backed away from Meg. "I need to go."
He began walking to the door when he felt a tug on his arm. Guy turned around and looked at Meg. She looked up at him pleadingly.
"What are you going to do?"
What was he going to do?
"What I must," he answered.
She released her grasp on his arm and watched him walk outside and close the door behind him harshly. Meg bit her lip and slammed her fist against the door. She could not believe her confession had led to this.
So he will fight for her, just like you told him to. Perhaps you are just a foolish girl Meg. Besides, he won't remember your name by this time tomorrow you mean nothing to him. And he…means nothing to you. He's just a man after all, nothing special.
Meg suddenly felt a tear glide down her hot cheek.
Or maybe, possibly, you do care for him.
Meg returned to the table and sat down on the chair. She blew out the candle, put her head on the table, and tried to dream away the events of the night.
Meanwhile Guy walked with determination back to his manor. With each step leading him closer to Marian, his thoughts turned to Meg. To her sweet smile. To her laugh. To the way she twirled at her beautiful hair.
Guy shook his head.
He would not think of the girl anymore. Instead his thoughts turned to the impending deed he must do.
Guy resolved what he must do.
When he reached his house, dawn was just a little ways away, he quietly tip toed past the sleeping outlaws huddled together. He looked down at their faces. They all seemed so peaceful and calm. They still believed, innocently, that their master would find bliss again. Guy shook his head at them. He then walked to his room where Marian still slept.
Guy tapped her shoulder. She groaned and blinked.
"What is it?" she asked sleepily.
"Pack your things," he told her, "get Clara from her crib, we're leaving!"
yeah...i brought back meg...sorry but i brought roy back too so...its what i do so whats going to happen??? is meg going to step in and save the day?? do you really think marians going to leave that easily?? what about robin?? the gang?? please tell me what you think!! lots of love