Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood or BBC. OCs and plot (not related to series 2) belong to me.

IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: Neither Vaysey nor Guy know that Marguerite is royal. She never clarified. They just know she is a dear friend of John's, and is at least some sort of titled person who attends court. They will find out some things (some things Robin didn't mention before) soon…

Chapter 33: Expectations and Ideals

Marguerite and Anne were shopping in the village when Guy walked past. "Guy," Marguerite called out. She waved him over. "What do you think?" she asked holding up a gown. "It isn't quite what I am used to," she frowned.

"It looks fine," he insisted.

"Truly?"

"Marion I recall wore this stunning red piece when we hosted a game night," Guy said and she frowned at him.

"I am not Marion," she reminded him. "I am partial to blues and greens and purples, not red."

"Then do not ask me for my opinion."

"I asked if you thought this would look good on me, Guy," Marguerite repeated. "Not if it was something Marion would wear," she said. "Can't you see who is before you?" she asked sadly, setting the gown down and walking onto another booth.

"Marguerite!" Anne whispered excitedly. She looked to see what the girl was happy about. "It is my Luke." Marguerite grinned and let the girl go off to see her fiancé, slipping a letter in her pocket to give to Luke, hoping he could somehow pass it on.

"Where did your girl go?" Guy asked behind her.

Marguerite held her head high, not turning around. "She went to say hello to her fiancé. She is my companion, not my slave, Guy. And she is my friend. I am happy to see her happy."

"You aggravate me."

She snorted. "You are aggravating," she said still not looking at him.

"I…" he looked at the guards, his glare sending them off to give them privacy. "My conduct was not the best."

"I know you are laden with guilt and grief, but you need to move on, Guy. You wouldn't have been happy with Marion," she predicted. "She wasn't who you thought she was," she said. "I know you see that."

"I can't let go of that ideal," Guy said. "It is the only thing keeping me sane in this God forsaken place."

"Do not give up the ideal, Guy. Simply try to find it in someone. You were more in love with the thought of Marion than the woman. There are good people out there, a woman who is your ideal, not just playacting." She let him process what she said before she continued. "Marion said she would marry you when Richard returned, when you killed the sheriff, when you did this or that. Do you truly want a woman who will love you only on condition?"

He scowled as he looked off in the distance. "You have been here twenty days, surely you can see what this place is like."

"Then why do you allow yourself to fester here?" Marguerite asked. "You're a good man, Guy. If you weren't you wouldn't feel anything for Marion's death, and the loss of what you had hoped for. Grief shows the human heart, Guy," she said squeezing his hand. "It is humanity, but it is not weakness."

Not that she allowed herself that sliver of humanity.

"It is here in Nottingham," Guy sighed.

"No, Nottingham is intrigue, and dastardly deeds, but I believe it is humanity that will prevail. Robin Hood's men are acting for the greater good."

"I thought you despised him?"

"Don't get me wrong, Robin has fallen from my good graces," she admitted. "It was…" humiliating, she thought. To have been sent there and refused so publicly.

"I told you about myself," Guy said. "But you do not return the favor."

"It was humiliating," she admitted. "Happy? He was a charming lad who doted on me in London before he left. I didn't want to marry him, but resigned myself. To be so publicly refused was humiliating."

"I know," he said. "But here in Nottingham, the only way to get real power is to be the Sheriff's man."

"Really?" Marguerite raised an eyebrow. "You once told Allan that you are the men who make your 'betters' look good. No glory, no power, just work and no gratitude." She saw the surprise in his eyes. "So now I ask you, Guy of Gisborne. Are you willing to die for your supposed betters? Because that is how this is going to end, and if you are on Vaysey's team that is the outcome. He will make sure everyone below him—including you—dies to save his own neck. Are you willing to accept that?" she asked walking back to the castle, the guards flanking her.

Anne joined her later. "Thank you, Marguerite."

"Of course. You talk about him so much I feel like I know him. I am sorry I didn't meet him," she admitted.

"I wanted to introduce you, but since he had his, um, errand," Anne faltered since guards were outside, "he wanted to have enough time to finish."

"Tell him I said thank you," Marguerite said. She knew it was risky for Luke but she had no other way of getting letters out of the castle. And if he proved himself, it would be a means of getting those shoes to the wee babes. "When do you plan to marry?"

"In the spring," Anne said with a smile. "As long as you don't need me that is," she added.

Marguerite waved a hand. "Even if I am still stuck here you shall wed, one of us deserves to be happy."

"I saw you and Guy," Anne added. "It looked fine, until the end. What happened?"

"The usual. I told him he was a good man and he disbelieved me," she said.

"Why do you try so hard? I mean, I understand he is attractive, but he did 'kill' Marion," Anne wondered.

"He is a passionate man," Marguerite smiled. "But I can see something, something that makes my heart flutter," she blushed. "Honestly, I have never felt this way. I was betrothed several times, it is actually quite odd that I am still unwed. Richard's sisters were all wed before 16, my sister Jacqueline almost 21."

"Who were you betrothed to?" Anne asked curiously.

"First to the son of Henry, the Holy Roman Emperor, when I was born. It was hoped that a union between us would end hostilities between the Germans and my families. Sadly, he died when he was 7, though, and I was 5 so Henry still has no reason to like us," Marguerite grinned. "Then again to Ignacio, youngest son of the Spanish king, but it was canceled several years ago because of some delicate issues between Spain and France," Marguerite smiled. "Then, when Richard and Phillip went off on this war, it was decided I would remain unwed in case they needed to bargain my hand to the Saracen princes—not that either of my cousins would admit to that; they truly believed they would accomplish their goals on their own without the help of a woman," Marguerite sighed. "But I never had any attraction to anyone, it was always family politics. But this… I actually think I feel something for Guy," she said surprised.

She didn't elaborate that it terrified her. She had gone for so long not feeling anything, purposely burying her emotions to save herself. She couldn't live if she truly did feel, so she faked going through life. She knew what everyone expected, knew how she used to act, and could easily fake the Marguerite everyone expected.

But Guy seemed to be forcing her to actually feel, and that terrified her.

Anne grinned. "You look like you do, when you talk about him."

"This is new to me," Marguerite admitted. "I think I like it, even if he is aggravating a lot of the time."

"Love isn't perfect," Anne said. "You have tough times. Luke didn't want me to come to the castle. He wants to earn it all himself. I told him it was ridiculous, it would take years. And he would continue to be the provider after we were wed. I didn't want to wait another 3 years, though."

"You are young enough 3 years isn't long," Marguerite commented.

"It is to long to me," Anne said. "I think it was too long to Luke, too. He just wants to prove to his brother he is a man. He hasn't forgiven Will for several things."

"Family," Marguerite said sadly. "I hope they get over it, and learn to enjoy the time they have."

"You never talk about your family, except your nieces and nephews," Anne commented. She heard endless talk about Marguerite's petites chous, as she called them.

"There isn't much to say. They are …," she didn't finish. Couldn't. "But enough of this talk," she said trying to find enthusiasm. "We need something to cheer us up."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They heard the alarm and went rushing off to the north road. "Luke?" Will yelled seeing his baby brother. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Certainly not to see you. Lady Marguerite wishes for me to pass these on to you, Robin," Luke said handing him some letters, not even looking at his brother. One was addressed to Robin, one to her father William, and one to John.

Robin opened the one addressed to him.

It may interest you to know that the ball in my honor is being held
the end of this week. I have had Vaysey invite all the nobles from
your shire to Nottingham,so the roads will be more than busy.

Make the best use of it.
--M

PS If I manage to get these out of the castle, please send these others on for me.

"It looks like we are going to make a lot of money this weekend, lads," Robin grinned. "We'll pass on her letters," he told Luke.

"Why is she asking you?" Will asked concerned. "If you get caught…"

"I know the risk," Luke countered, ready to leave.

"Wait, you just got here," Will said.

"I only came to deliver those," Luke said. "I may again, if the Lady has use of me."

"But why?" Will asked.

"Anne asked for my help, and I was happy to give it," he said.

"Anne? Wait, the Anne?" Will asked. "From when you were children?"

"Yes, not that it's your business."

"Of course it is, you're my brother!" Will stammered in shock.

"So much for brother. You didn't even have the decency to send word you were married. You would chose to live across the world," he pointed out. "It was one thing when you chose Robin Hood over your family, and look what happened."

"Luke," Will said, reaching out, but Luke pushed him off.

"Don't, Will. If Lady Marguerite has any more messages I'll find you," was all he said walking away. "Not all of us have forgotten the road to Scarborough."

Djaq laced her hand in Will's to comfort him. "Brothers," Allan said. "I'm not being funny, but they don't listen," he told Will in sympathy.

They returned to the camp. "A ball in her honor? She must be thrilled," Marion said.

"Marion," Robin warned.

"Sorry, I'm trying," she frowned.

"Won't most know to avoid Sherwood by now?" Tuck asked thinking logically.

"The sheriff reroutes his passengers," Eleanor spoke up.

"He started with Count Fredriche, then did the same with Harold and others," Gretchen remembered.

"Where does he reroute them?" Robin asked.

"He changes it," Gretchen said. "Fredriche went several miles west."

"Harold went nearly half a days journey south," Eleanor added.

"We'll split into two teams, then," Robin decided. "Marion, Will, Djaq and I will watch the roads to the west of Sherwood. Allan, John, Much, and Tuck will watch the south," he said.

"What about the ones who come through Sherwood?" Marion asked.

"We'll have plenty of traps for them," Robin grinned.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Marguerite was happy when Guy joined her again that evening—and again without her sending anyone after him! It was becoming his habit to come to her now. He couldn't be too upset with her if he did. To keep the peace, she talked about anything and everything light hearted. Marguerite certainly knew how to keep guests entertained. She didn't want him to even think about Marion that evening.

She considered the fact she got a grin out of Guy after all this time—over a fortnight—a good sign.

She was also terrified by how affected she was by that grin.

Anne had all of her gowns out the following day as they looked over her wardrobe. "Normally, I would wear something like this," Marguerite pointed to an elegant blue gown with purple laced through to show her signs of nobility. She was one of only about half a dozen people who could wear signs of purple. "But, I think on this occasion, I don't want to allude to too much. I am going to shock them enough as it is, Marguerite grinned.

"Blue is a wonderful color on you, though," Anne said thoughtfully studying the fair complexion and white blond hair of her mistress. "I think any of your gowns would look gorgeous on you."

"But I don't want to look simply gorgeous. I need to make Guy think. I can work the crowd well enough for Vaysey in a burlap sack," Marguerite drawled. "I want Guy to notice me."

"But," Anne asked looking at the new dress Marguerite was considering. "Do you want to risk it? He could end up thinking about Marion all night."

She eyed the dress. "I know, that is my fear. But… nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?" she said, deciding to be bold. "We'll have the tailors take this to make it more to my liking. The cut isn't to my taste, but considering this is Nottingham and not Paris…"

"I'm nervous about this. I'm nervous whenever the sheriff is involved," Anne said.

"You came to the wrong town, then, dear," Marguerite smiled.

"Well, I met you. It was the blessing of a lifetime. I'll get the tailors."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Work took all the outlaws, including Marion, to various drop offs and villages so Gretchen and Eleanor decided to act while the weather was still manageable. Barely. They bundled up Ygrainne and Tom warmly till Tom looked three times his normal size and was immobile.

They first stopped at the storage shed Robin had Will build when they returned from the Holy Lands. They were storing the goods Marguerite had brought with her, and what little they had salvaged from Gretchen's garden. It was only a few bushels or so, but it would be enough to serve their current purposes.

With Tom strapped in securely against Eleanor's front in the harness Will had made, and carrying Ygrainne on Gretchen's hip, the two women handled the heavy load of vegetables between them. "Who do you think we should go to?" Eleanor asked.

"Hester would have the best yarn, but she despises us."

"Not you, only me," Eleanor pointed out. "I'm the one with the bastard child." The despicable woman had gone out of her way to make sure Eleanor knew what she thought of her. At least she didn't resort to throwing stones, Eleanor thought, although Eleanor was sure the idea had crossed the despicable woman's mind a time or two.

"Well, she certainly didn't do anything to help me when Gideon was trying to kill me," Gretchen argued. "Then again, Annie might have some."

"Annie," both women laughed as they trudged to Locksley. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, winter settling in heavy amongst them. The camp, to their surprise, was warm and comfortable with all the work Will had done to it lately. Eleanor wondered if he had expected them to arrive at some point.

"Why do you still flirt with John?" Eleanor asked.

"I know he remains impassive, but he will warm up to the idea soon," Gretchen insisted stubbornly.

Eleanor decided to change the subject. She knew Gretchen's reasoning, and more importantly she understood her underlying sadness and anger that was the basis for her reasoning. She thought Gretchen was wrong, but didn't argue the point. Plus, if they talked about men, Gretchen would probably ask about—

"What is going on with Allan?" Gretchen asked.

The one subject Eleanor didn't want to talk about. "Nothing."

"Come on, Elle. You can tell me."

"I know, I just meant there really is nothing between us. He hasn't even brought up the idea of marriage since before Marguerite arrived," Eleanor confessed.

"Maybe he's just waiting for the right time?" Gretchen offered.

"Wouldn't that have been, in an ideal world, before we had a child together?" Eleanor grinned making Gretchen laugh. Eleanor changed the subject. "You already asked Will to help us?"

"He said he would have them finished tonight," Gretchen nodded happily, readjusting the blanket around Ygrainne's feet.

They arrived at the widow Annie's house and knocked. "Gretchen? Eleanor?" the woman said surprised. "Come in, you must be cold."

"We came to barter," Gretchen said as they set the basket down in relief. "Do you have any wool left over?"

"I have a few skeins, yes."

"Would you be interested in a trade?" Gretchen asked, keeping the hopeful note out of her voice. She knew that one should never show desperations in negotiations.

Annie looked over the vegetables they were offering and nodded as she grabbed the wool yarn. The three sat before the fire talking as Ygrainne played with her friend Jess.

By the time the girls made it back to camp, the outlaws had returned. "Here you go," Will said handing Gretchen several knitting needles she had asked for.

Gretchen gave Will a kiss on the cheek. "They are perfect, thank you!" Gretchen said happily, handing Eleanor half of them.

"What do you need them for?" Robin asked.

"Knitting," Gretchen replied like it was the simplest thing in the world, making Eleanor laugh. Ygrainne was tired after her play date and took a nap like Tom. Gretchen and Eleanor used the time to get started as they rolled the yarn into balls and then began to knit, talking amongst themselves as the outlaws planned.

"I think Robin's upset," Eleanor observed.

"Should we knit him a cap to cheer him up?" Gretchen teased.

Eleanor smiled. "Sadly, we will barely have enough for the socks, caps, and mittens for Tom and Ygrainne. A green cap would look smart though, don't you think?" Eleanor teased as they giggled.

Their needles flew as they tried to make up for lost time. Everything had been lost in the fire, obviously, but it was the setting in of winter that made both women want to work quickly.

Djaq moved to sit between the two women and watched as their needles clicked. "I have never seen this," Djaq commented.

"Really? Your mother didn't knit?" Gretchen asked curiously. Sometimes Eleanor and Gretchen felt incredibly ignorant around the outlaws, especially when discussing the Holy Lands since Gretchen had never been out of Nottinghamshire, and Eleanor had only traveled a week's long journey within England.

"We have weavers who make beautiful garments. They are filled with such color," Djaq reminisced. "I would sometimes sneak down to see them weave, but my family did not do this. Is that a sock?" Djaq wondered at what Eleanor was doing as the mass began to take a recognizable shape.

Eleanor nodded and handed it over to Djaq to study. They worked until it was time to eat the evening meal and then again when everyone else had long go to bed, they sat around the fire kept low in the Much's kitchen. It provided just enough light for them to see by as they worked.

"You are right, Robin did seem upset," Gretchen commented as she finished the sock she had been working on. She didn't doubt Eleanor's power of observation.

"He'll talk to Marion about it. She doesn't let things fester with him," Eleanor grinned. Whispering seemed too loud so they worked silently together. It mirrored life in the castle when they would be working side by side, usually serving, but unable to talk to each other. They had learned other ways of communicating, and even just silent companionship, to help past the time.

Eleanor finished shaping the crown of the hat, showing the pattern to Gretchen before she stitched the side up, turning it into a proper cap. She set it aside with the socks and peeled off her worn socks, tucking her feet under her for warmth as she darned the socks. It seemed she had spent most of her life darning socks because she spent so much time on her feet.

They finally finished and would get a few hours sleep before the sun rose. Gretchen had slipped into bed as Eleanor found something to drink first. Gretchen studied her friend. She would never admit it, but she was insanely jealous of her best friend. Everyone could see Allan was still crazy about Eleanor. Everyone except Eleanor, that is. She could understand her friend's hesitation—trust was such a fragile thing, especially with Eleanor.

But as she watched Eleanor slip into bed, Allan lifting up the sheets so she could get in under the covers close to him, Gretchen wished for one moment that it was her. Not snuggling next to Allan, just to have that moment. If she could have someone care for her like that and still care for Ygrainne, Gretchen would die a happy woman.

But she didn't expect both.

Is everything really this smooth between Allan and Eleanor?

HUGE thanks to my wonderful reviewers!
House of Nickel I was saddened by the lack of Luke, too. I tend to incorporate numerous characters (I even brought Tuck in in my first fanfic long before they announced it for season 3). I imagine Tuck and Guy striking up this odd, inexplicable relationship-almost-a-friendship. And I am SO happy you loved the bantering! I laughed out loud as I reread it, and I enjoyed it even if it is more difficult to write. Guy is slowly evolving and becoming more human (everything is very subtle with Guy, Allan, and Much...)
katieee I added this bit with Eleanor and Gretchen thinking of you (and all my other Allan/Nora fans). Most of the story for the next few chapters will be Guy/Marguerite, but we will still see the camp occasionally! I love that you are still enthusiastic about this story. Thank you!!!!
Padme4000 I appreciate reviews--late or otherwise! Thanks! And I could see Vaysey perfectly in my head as he said 'a clue: non.' Vaysey is just an awesome character to write when I have time to. I will definitely have to write more Vaysey/Marguerite banter! I have one scene, I just don't know where to put it.... and Vaysey doesn't know she is noble... we'll find out what exactly he knows, soon. There are a few surprises for Guy and Vaysey coming up at the party!!