Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood or BBC, nor do I profit from this writing. Only OCs and plot post series 2 belong to me.
Chapter 46: A Small Family Gathering
Marguerite and Anne rode through the forest silently in the eerie morning night. Mist rolled along the forest floor shrouding them and their path. "I think we've past Robin's camp," Anne commented.
"You did," Robin's disembodied voice eerily called out out.
Anne looked around trying to find where Robin was while Marguerite simply rode on. "On purpose," Marguerite responded, not breaking stride as she and Arkvoir continued on.
Luke rode up to them a moment later. "They are at Bluewater Bend," he told Marguerite.
"Anne, why don't you and Luke spend the day together? You've had hardly any time together, which is especially atrocious since you are just married," Marguerite insisted. Anne and Luke shared a look; they knew it was more of a command than a suggestion. "Take the outlaws with you if you can," Marguerite sighed as she eased Arkvoir into a canter now that the path was clear.
Marguerite wasn't surprised to find the outlaws join her a few miles later when the road became wide enough for several horses to ride together.
She had to fight to hide the fact her heart was soaring to see Guy was also there.
"I'm not being funny, but what are we riding into exactly?" Allan asked.
Marguerite felt the worry he had in Eleanor riding along. Anne must have agreed to watch the kids since Eleanor and Gretchen were riding with the gang. She was proud of them both for refusing to stay at the camp.
"How dangerous can it be?" John wondered making Marguerite laugh.
"Yes, it is only a small family reunion," Marguerite drawled as she led the way into the bend. It was narrow so they had to ride in a single file line; Marguerite won the argument to go in first since they would shoot anyone else on sight.
"I should have known you would come alone," Eleanor, the queen mother, greeted.
"I am hardly alone," Marguerite said as Guy rode in and, to several people's surprise, helped her down. "Dear Ellie. How is Aquitaine?"
Eleanor frowned but nodded. "We have much to discuss."
"Papa!" Marguerite said happily as she hugged her father, then Colin. "John, love," she said happily hugging her cousin who returned it tightly.
"Guy of Gisborne," Eleanor frowned. Guy bowed before the queen mother.
"Now now, Ellie. Guy is helping cher Richard," Marguerite reprimanded. She quickly changed the subject, "I know something is amiss. How long ago did Richard leave the Holy Lands?"
"By the time we received his missive, it had been nearly 5 months," Prince John said.
"Then he should be nearly here," Marguerite frowned. "What happened?"
"Richard, if you can believe it, got himself abducted," John sighed. She could tell by Eleanor's stern countenance that it was the truth.
"By whom?" Marguerite asked.
"Henry," Eleanor sighed as she named the Holy Roman Emperor.
"Does Richard listen to nothing we say?" Marguerite's father, William, asked. "He knew the Holy Roman Emperor still harbored a grudge against him. It's amazing they didn't kill each other during the Crusade."
"Surely …" Colin started but Eleanor glared at him. "Alright, there is no easy answer. What is he demanding?"
"150,000 in gold and jewels," Eleanor said handing over the letter from the Holy Roman Emperor.
"England does not have that in its coffers," William said in shock. "Not in years could we hope to raise such a sum." They all saw the way Eleanor stiffened over the word 'years.'
"Just look at what he has written!" Eleanor insisted, snapping and a servant promptly handed some rolled parchment to her. Eleanor handed it to Marguerite.
Marguerite unrolled the papers with Colin reading over her shoulder. Guy, and everyone else in the vicinity, couldn't help but observe her crinkling her nose in distaste. "This is simply atrocious!"
"Exactly! Now do you see why…"
"You would think Richard had never been subjected to tutors and hours of study based on this sample," Marguerite drawled.
"Wait till you get to page 4," John drawled and it was easy to see they were related.
Marguerite shuffled through the papers. "Mon Dieu, how many pages are there?"
"7 in this letter," Eleanor frowned. "The point, ma fae, is not the quality of my son's poetry but the fact He. Is. Imprisoned."
"Come, come, Ellie. You know Richard is safe. They wouldn't dare harm a divinely ordained king. Not even they could justify it to the Pope. Who can we expect help from?" Marguerite wondered.
"Not Philip," John announced.
"What? Even after my stern letter?" Marguerite asked appalled. "Just see if I spend any holidays with him after this," she said angrily.
"Yes, well, I am sure he knows to expect your displeasure," John grinned. "The problem now is the ransom."
"England is incapable of paying for its own king," Colin reminded everyone.
"Perhaps if your son was here rather than Jerusalem," William pointed out.
"Regardless," Marguerite interjected; the last thing any of them needed was another heated debate between William and Eleanor. They spent the last 30 years with these debates. "The ransom must be paid. Henry is not going to let us forget this embarrassment, either," she sighed.
"England can contribute a tenth of the ransom after all the taxes are completed. It will leave us practically bankrupt," John announced.
"Normandy and Aquitaine have sufficient coffers to cover three quarters of the ransom," Eleanor said. "I refuse to think of my son …"
"Sleeping on a nice feather bed?" Marguerite smiled. "Of course, they are Italian geese feathers, not French ones," she pretended to pout. "Come now, Ellie, you know they will not dare to harm Richard," she pointed out.
"Colin and I have discussed pulling the income from the hereditary estates," William spoke up, meaning the estates her nieces and nephews controlled but her father was regent for. "That should cover for nearly a tenth of the ransom as well."
"Take from my Earldom and Comtess as well," Marguerite said. "Will that be sufficient?"
"Three quarters, nearly a tenth, and nearly a tenth percent," Colin added. "Just to be safe you will need to cover 7 percent, maybe a tenth."
"Il n'est pas de problem," she insisted (a/n: It's not a problem). "Between Flanders, Tours, and Paris I can do that easily." Her French estates were wealthier than her English ones.
"How do we keep this from Vaysey?" Eleanor asked with a sneer. To say she despised the bald man was an understatement.
"He has heard the rumors already of Richard's abduction," Guy spoke up for the first time.
"With the announcement of the taxes, it will be impossible to keep it from him," Marguerite predicted.
"Will he go on the offensive again?" Prince John asked.
"He is hoping that the Holy Roman Emperor will do his work for him, or the men under the Emperor," Guy announced.
"Perhaps we can make Vaysey believe they have," Prince John said thoughtfully.
"Mais oui," Marguerite said happily (a/n: but of course). "If Vaysey believes the ransom has been paid, but Richard has an accident on his return journey… can we intercept his messages?"
"Not with Granger, unless we can discover who Granger is getting his information from," Guy spoke up.
"About this Granger," Colin spoke up. "Robert Granger. His family was disposed in the Norman invasion, lost everything—land and titles and wealth. I'm sure he believes he can gain it again with John as a puppet king and Vaysey pulling the strings."
"Did you learn who is behind him?" John asked.
"All I know is it is someone who joined Richard in the last year in Acre, someone close to him," Colin said. Guy wondered how he found out this information.
"I can think of 2, then," John nodded. "After James defected and died, I know of 2 people that joined Richard in the Holy Lands and are close enough to this information. We'll silence both if need be," he decided.
Guy took a quick glance at Marguerite to see she wasn't upset over the announcement. He wasn't surprise—he had suspicions about how involved she was in everything.
"I'll write another letter to Philip. If nothing else he will learn of my disappointment. Half of France will be contributing anyways because of our estates," Marguerite spoke up. "I'll send word to my men to direct the money to you, Ellie." Eleanor nodded.
"Marguerite, ma fey, leave us for now," Prince John ordered.
Marguerite glared at her cousin. "I am privy to whatever is held her, John. You are not my father, nor my king."
"Marguerite," he said angrily and said something in rapid French Guy (nor the outlaws who were overhearing everything) could not understand.
She said something angrily to him as she stiffened under whatever it was he yelled at her over. Even Eleanor seemed surprised by what John had said. "Come, ma fey. I believe there is someone waiting for you in William's carriage," Eleanor said, giving her son a displeased look.
John waited for Marguerite to be out of hearing distance. "Don't think I haven't guessed your motives for being here, Gisborne," John fumed. "If you think you can manipulate my cousin…"
"I doubt there is anyone who can manipulate Marguerite," Guy frowned. "If you are daring to suggest…"
"Not dare, I am suggesting that you are using Marguerite to save your own neck." If looks could kill, Guy would have been a corpse after just the look on John's face, let alone Colin and William.
"My feelings for Marguerite are genuine…" Guy trailed off. He still didn't know the words to tell Marguerite and here he was trying to persuade her family. "More than ever before I know what I feel for your cousin, and that I want your permission to marry her."
"You have some nerve, attempting to kill my brother and then marry my cousin. You won't live long enough to regret it," John promised.
Colin placed a hand on John's shoulder. "At least give the man a chance to speak before we gut him."
"Regardless of what you do to me, you will apologize for what you said to Marguerite," Guy informed John.
"You don't even know what we discussed," John said.
"It doesn't matter. She didn't like it, it hurt her. She is finally starting to move on, I won't let you hurt her," Guy said coldly.
"What would you know of my daughter's pain?" William demanded.
"I understand your daughter's pain very well, Sir," Guy said knowingly as Robin, Allan, and Little John slid down the bank to join them. "This is my fight, Robin," Guy told him coldly.
"Bloody hell, Gis," Allan said. "We're just showing you a little support."
"Besides, if you die and Marguerite thinks I didn't do anything, she'll come after me," Robin grinned.
"You may think you understand about Marguerite and Michel, Gisborne, but I assure you, whatever you think you know you don't," John said.
"I understand you are her cousin and care for her. You need to understand I care for her and understand her, too," Guy said, his arms crossed not willing to draw on her family.
"Wait, Michel is dead?" Robin said but was ignored.
"I was there," John said angrily. "I was there, listening to her keening wails over Michel. I was the one who brought his body home for the last time. I was the one to carry her deadly still form away from her dead twin brother's body, terrified that she was dying, too. And then hating myself afterwards because I wish she had, it would have been easier for her," John said angrily. "So don't tell me you understand."
"John," William said. That single word was enough to make John stop. "If by some bizarre twist of fate you were to marry my daughter you will not have a cent of her fortune, or have claim to her lands," William sternly informed Guy, leaving no room for interpretation or debate. "The name of Gisborne will die with you."
A muscle ticked in Guy's jaw. "Despite your low expectations of me, I am not after your daughter's land and titles."
A spear landed at John's feet. "Marguerite!" he yelled glaring at the spear, not even bothering to look up to see who tossed it. Everyone else looked up to a smug Marguerite. "This is treason, you know, " John called up to her.
"John, love, you have been saying that since I was 10, you were 12, and I threw that pear at you. I just want to make sure you understand my displeasure of this grilling of my ally," she said. "Now, Genevieve, when you are older I will teach you how to do that," she told the 4 year old next to her.
Marguerite looked down to Eleanor, Gretchen, Marion, Will, and Much who were overlooking the whole thing in case Robin needed back up. "That was excellent aim, Marguerite," Marion smiled.
"Pierre taught me that," she smiled. She picked up the four year old and walked back to the carriage. "Genevieve, I missed you so much," she said sadly as she set the girl on the grass and took a seat next to her again.
The girl was making frantic motions with her hands and Marguerite was trying to understand her. "I love you, too, ma coier. Do you have fun with your little friend, Joan?" the girl nodded happily and did something with her hand. "Hide and seek is a popular game. You are so good at it," she said and the girl smiled. She did something else with her hands and Marguerite nodded. "Do you still get extra sweets from cook?" the girl shook her head sadly. "No?" Marguerite said angrily. Oh, she was going to fire her cook for this. "The first thing you do when you get home is go and ask for some. If she doesn't, I will find a cook just for you," Marguerite vowed. (a/n: ma coier=my heart).
Queen Eleanor cleared her throat and Marguerite kissed the girl. "I'll be right back, love." Marguerite and Eleanor walked off a safe distance by themselves where they were protected but couldn't be overheard. "What are you keeping to yourself, cousin?" Marguerite asked. She knew her cousin well, and knew Eleanor was keeping something from the men.
"There is a faster way of ransoming Richard without emptying everyone's coffers. A way to save all of us from going bankrupt," Eleanor said.
Marguerite raised an eyebrow. "And the fact that you are telling me this, alone, tells me that my father and, or, John will not approve of this. What is it?"
"Emperor Henry's brother needs a wife since his last wife died in childbirth and he is still childless…"
"No," Marguerite cut her off.
"Think about it, Marguerite. Henry's sons are all dead through crusades and war and disease. His wife is too old to bear him any more children. His brother is next in line to be Holy Roman Emperor. It moves you into the perfect position to rule, Marguerite."
"There are other things more important in life than becoming Empress, or Queen, or Czarina, Ellie," Marguerite frowned.
"Love? Don't tell me you are resting all your hopes on this black knight," Eleanor scoffed. "The last time he believed he was in love he killed her. Men like that are incapable of love. No one man is worth sacrificing the world, Marguerite. Not. One," Eleanor emphasized.
Marguerite simply stared at her cousin. "Michel."
"I know you …"
"No," Marguerite interjected. "I always looked up to you, Eleanor, but for the first time I pity you. Just because you had 2 husbands and several sons you didn't care for doesn't mean that all the men in the world are worthless. Michel was the world, was worth the world and everything you think I should just take now."
"And he's gone, Marguerite," Eleanor emphasized. "I'm sorry for it, I truly am. I wouldn't wish your sorrow on anyone—except maybe Henry. So start over! A new life with the power and wealth I had, a new family, ma fae," Eleanor enticed.
Marguerite shook her head. "I won't. I think Guy may be just such a man, too."
"You will. Maybe not now, but you will see what I mean. This Guy, the one you are resting your hopes on now. You know how well it ended the last time he thought he was in love. He is incapable of what you need or want. At least with Henry's brother, Prince Otto, you would know what to expect, and maybe even be surprised."
"Don't you even remember that I vowed not to have anything to do with the Germans? They killed one of my brothers!"
"You get along with Frederick well enough," Eleanor pointed out.
"I appreciate you are doing all you can to save your son," Marguerite consoled. "I do. I love Richard dearly, you know that, he knows that. He wouldn't ask this of me, Eleanor, and he wouldn't want you to either."
"I wouldn't be so sure. He had no problem sending Joan off to marry her husband when she was only 15. You were meant for the Saracen Prince, Marguerite. Richard just decided to marry you off to the Germans and not the Saracens."
Marguerite frowned at Eleanor as the men began to make their way to them. "The answer is still no, Eleanor," Marguerite whispered.
"We'll see, ma fae," Eleanor whispered back. "You would bankrupt 2 nations rather than swallow your pride?"
"This is more than my pride. I found him," Marguerite announced. It took a moment for Eleanor to understand what Marguerite was saying, but Marguerite saw the moment of recognition in Eleanor's eyes.
"You have already disposed of everyone involved. This Grey Ranger was just a story they told to save themselves."
"I had convinced myself of that as well, but I've seen this Granger and I tell you, he is the same man. I'm not leaving this shire till he is dead."
The two women shared a look between them as the men reached them. When Genevieve saw William, her grandfather, she knew it was time to leave. She ran up and hugged Marguerite tightly, tears spilling out her big, brown eyes. "Shh, I will see you again soon, I promise. In the meantime," Marguerite said as she took out a present in her pocket. The girl ripped it open to find a necklace. "Just for you," Marguerite said putting it around her neck. "Your mama had one just like it," Marguerite explained. She was too young to understand but when she was older Marguerite would explain it to her.
The girl hugged Marguerite tightly until William pried her off. "Marguerite," he said looking over everyone. "You can come home now. You don't have to stay here."
"Papa," Marguerite said kissing his cheek. "I am happy here."
"Are you?" he studied her.
"Happier than I have been in a long time, even if I do miss you and the little ones," Marguerite said.
"That is what I thought I saw," he said with a knowing grin. "That, and I was so relieved when Richard made peace without resorting to using you as a bargaining chip."
John cleared his throat behind them. Father and daughter glared. "He used me?" Marguerite demanded.
"He might have sent a message regarding such an idea. Richard is becoming burdened with so many horrible messengers lately I never know how bad a message will be in," John grinned.
Marguerite laughed and hugged her cousin. "I did hear from Philip, who seemed displeased Richard would marry you off to some country noble when he knew your true potential. Sadly, Philip's letter seems to have gone astray, too."
Marguerite laughed and kissed John's cheek. "John" she said happily. "Thank you."
"Marrying you off to Robin was hard enough. I was not going to send you around the world and never see you again. Even Geoffrey told me to burn the missive."
"I'll let your insolence to your brother pass this once, John," Eleanor frowned behind him.
"Mother," John said the same time Marguerite said, "Eleanor!"
"Ah, Ellie, these children of ours never listen," William told the matriarch.
"They take after their parents too much," Eleanor told the patriarch. William said farewell to his family before entering his carriage. Marguerite gave Genevieve one last kiss before the carriage pulled away.
"Well, Robin, I am pleased to see you all again. Especially you, big bear," she said flirtatiously, a finger stroking Little John's chest. "You know, it is a long journey to Aquitaine. I would be ever so thankful for the company."
Prince John shot Marguerite a horrified look. It was one thing to know your mother's preference for men. It was quite another to see her openly flirting with one in front of you.
"Ah," Little John stammered, embarrassed.
"Mother, I believe your guard wishes to return to the inn before nightfall," Prince John said, shuffling his mother away from a relieved John. "I have had your guard doubled, Geoffrey will meet you once you reach Normandy to ensure you reach Aquitaine safely. Joan said she would be joining you for the summer," he added.
"Robin," Eleanor said as she stood before her carriage. He came and bowed before her. "I was reminded that we sometimes get so lost on the big picture that we forget those little ones below us. I see you don't make that mistake. Keep at it," she said handing him a pouch of money.
"Yes, Majesty," he bowed. Everyone bowed before her except for John and Marguerite who waved as the carriage drove off.
"Phew," John said. "Now," he said cheerfully. "Cousin, I believe introductions are in order."
"Could you have been any more forceful with Ellie? Now she is going to write to Richard and tell him that you are pushing her around again."
"Richard knows how mother is. And you know just as well that Richard would have lifted her in the carriage himself to get her to leave," John countered. "And what was with Colin?" he demanded. "He still doesn't look at Genevieve."
"Perhaps it's for the best. She doesn't know he is her father."
John sighed. "Send your missive to Philip as soon as you can. I am eager to hear his reasons for sitting on his throne and letting Richard rot."
"Yes, those Italian goose pillows!" Marguerite sighed making her cousin laugh.
Everyone watched the exchange between cousins. "John, love, you met Guy of Gisborne. I am still displeased with your conduct," she warned him.
"I believe we have an understanding between us, dear cousin," John told her.
"The infamous Robin Hood," Marguerite introduced. Robin bowed and when was allowed to stand introduced the rest of his gang.
"From the way my mother spoke of you," he told Little John, "I expected you to be… bigger."
"Wha…" Little John looked to the gang in surprise.
"Robin, I expect to be there when you explain to my brother that Marion is not dead," he grinned. "It should be a good warm up to telling him all ma fey's been up to," he laughed.
"John!" Marguerite said pushing his shoulder. "Sometimes you act like you are still a boy."
"Can you blame me? Those were the good days. Even with mama pitting us against each other. Remember when we were in Paris, right after Philip was crowned?"
Whatever the memory was made the cousins laugh. John kissed the top of her head. "Stay happy," he ordered as a man servant opened his carriage.
"I'm trying."
"Good. Michel would be proud," he whispered in her ear. She nodded. Guy joined her as John's carriage pulled away. "I am a little wary of family reunions," he said and she burst into laughter till she cried.
"Oh, this was just the beginning, mon knight."
Huge thanks to my readers! Huge thanks to Fireheart & starry-eyed-peoples for the reviews!