It's short but sweet? I am currently writing two stories at the same time (this and Chimaera, a (Spooks/MI-5) Lucas North/OFC fic), so that's really the reason for the once-a-month updates. I will try to do better but can make no promises.
Thank you so much to the people who continue to read, review, favorite, and follow this story. I hope you know how much you are all appreciated.
williewildcat: Yes, I think it was difficult for Ajsa to bare her past to him, but I also believe it was easier than she expected it to be. A mutual trust is developing between them, as they have both stood by each other more than once. This chapter shows as much. Yes, Guy really does want to be good; he wanted to be even in the show. I think there was an element of expectation and shame with Marian that often angered him. And I think because Ajsa isn't as "good" as Marian was, he feels less like a failure for not being good enough quickly enough.
fiamma71: Haha, thank you! But I can't take credit for the dialogue between Guy and Isabella; that's really the show's script. There is definitely a sort of kinship between Ajsa and Isabella (for the reasons you've stated), which will become apparent a bit later on. His respect towards her is indeed for her moment of emotional vulnerability, but also because he touched her bare ankle. Medieval times were super strict about that sort of thing (even an ankle), so Guy, who has likely bedded more women than just Annie, is apologizing for touching her ankle. I think that shows he respects her, that he is beginning to see her as more than his property. And yes, he is trying, unknowingly, to really be "better", as you put it.
Doncamatic: Thank you! I'm glad you like Ajsa. I've worked hard on her, haha.
Guest: Robin will die. Sorry. And I really, really don't want to hear any more about Robin's fate, please and thank you.
Art Counterclockwise: Yes, Ajsa is good for Guy because they are more alike than he and Marian, and therefore they understand each other better. As for Robin...see above, please.
partygirl98: Thanks! Yeah, there are many times that I want to throttle Guy. Sometimes it's tricky to reconcile the bad deeds with the man he wants to become, and there are times when I really struggle to stick with the show's pacing (and therefore keep Guy in-character), while also showing the slow change in private (i.e., with Ajsa).
Chapter 15: Stay
It was well past midnight when Ajsa was roused from sleep by the neighing of horses and the thundering of hooves. She sat upright on her cot, listening. The commotion was heading towards Locksley Manor. The violent slamming of the front door against the wall made her jump, and she covered her mouth to muffle her startled shriek.
Stumbling out of bed, she crept cautiously into the kitchen, just in time to see four soldiers run upstairs. Seconds later, Gisborne's shouts resounded through the house, and she rushed up the stairs without thinking. The soldiers were hauling him from his quarters, though not without difficulty. He struggled. He kicked and jabbed and almost got free, but, strong as he was, Guy of Gisborne was no match for four.
The sight filled Ajsa with dread, and when he glimpsed her, he fought even harder against his captors' hold.
"Where are you taking him?" she demanded. "This is Sir Guy of Gisborne you are manhandling. He is the Sheriff's deputy."
"Outta the way, girl," snarled one of the soldiers.
He pushed Ajsa aside, which seemed to incense Gisborne enough to hit one of the men in the nose with his elbow. Reeling in pain, the man released him.
"I will return, Ajsa," he promised, in between his continued attempts to free himself. "You won't be left alone again."
And then he was being half-carried down the stairs, curses trailing in his wake. Ajsa watched the soldiers lead him outside, before the door slammed shut. She sat down on the top step, heedless of the dirt from the men's boots, and waited. All the while, her fear intensified.
Ajsa did not know how long she'd sat there, but it was still pitch dark when the door opened and Guy walked through it. In the dim interior, his gaze met hers. They stared at each other as he slowly climbed the stairs, stopping when he reached the step below the one on which she perched.
"You return."
"I told you I would," he reminded her.
"Are you injured?"
He sat down beside her. "No."
But she did not appear to believe him, for she scrutinized his face in the dark. He let her, a tendril a warmth unfurling in his chest at her concern. Apart from his disheveled appearance, she could see no evidence of maltreatment. She nodded, satisfied.
"Who were those men?"
"Members of Prince John's elite guard," replied Gisborne. "He summoned me because he wants me to kill Vaisey."
"What?" Ajsa gaped at him. "But why? I thought he and the Sheriff were allies."
"Apparently Vaisey does not love him," Gisborne said dryly. He made a face, almost of disgust. "And the prince needs to be loved. So, I pledged my fealty to him and agreed to kill Vaisey, in exchange for becoming the new Sheriff of Nottingham."
She was still gaping at him, but not in shock anymore.
"Sir Guy, no."
"No?" he repeated. "What do you mean 'no'? Do you know what I have endured from that foul, little man? He has ridiculed me, scorned me, denied me the glory I deserve, and used me as payment to Prince John." He glared straight ahead, his hands clenched into fists. "So don't tell me no."
"I do not tell you not to kill him," Ajsa said, "merely not to become Sheriff."
Now Guy was surprised. "Why not? I will be powerful and wealthy, which will benefit you, too."
"There are more important things than power and wealth," she said softly.
"Really?" he asked mockingly. "Like what?"
"Like freedom."
"But I will be free," he stated. "I'll be free of Vaisey and free to pursue Hood how I want to."
"But you will not be free of Prince John."
"So what do you suggest? That I refuse the prince's mandate?" He scoffed, partly in amusement and partly in derision. "I may as well slip the noose around my neck."
Ajsa sighed in exasperation. "Leave Nottingham."
"And let Hood win? Never," growled Guy. "Besides, what would happen to you if I left? Vaisey would seize you again or you'd be passed from one man to another. Or worse, you'd end up an outlaw with Robin Hood."
"And being a slave for the rest of my life is a better fate?"
Gisborne raised his hand, hesitating, then clasped her own.
"No, it's not," he agreed. "I wouldn't leave you here."
She laughed mirthlessly. "You would take me with you so that I may continue to serve you. How very generous of you, my lord."
"Aye," he said, bristling. "It's generous that I don't let you be fucked by the scum of Nottingham. That pretty redhead who was also in the slave market likely met such a fate, as did many of the other women and even some of the men."
"You are right, of course," she said and squeezed his hand. His brows rose in surprise; he had clearly expected her to continue arguing. She shrugged when she glimpsed his expression. "I am too tired to bicker with you now. Perhaps in the morning." Ajsa let go of his hand and stood. "Good night, Sir Guy."
She turned to descend the stairs, but Gisborne caught her hand again.
"I'm aware this isn't proper," he began, with a hint of uncertainty in his voice, "but would you...stay? I don't want to sleep alone tonight."
"No, it is not proper. You are master, and I am slave."
He almost smirked. Of course she would protest. Nothing was ever easy with Ajsa, but he no longer minded.
"You're more than a slave," he said gently. "I confide in you. I trust you." He paused, his eyes scanning her face in the silvery light of the moon. "Nights are...bad, Ajsa. You know this."
And there it was-the subtle softening of her stony expression.
"Will you light the hearth?" she asked, and Guy knew that was her acquiescence.
"Yes." He stood, as well, and led her into his bedchamber. After lighting a fire, he joined her on the bed. "I will sleep atop the quilt, if you would prefer."
She settled under the covers, and Gisborne couldn't ignore the faint pull of lust in his groin nor the realization that he wanted her in his bed for more than just companionship.
"That is not necessary," she said, giving him a small smile. Her smiles were few and far between, and even less often directed at him, so he savored each one. "I trust you."
A warmth spread through his body that had nothing to do with the crackling hearth. He lay down under the quilt, ready to sleep. But when he felt Ajsa's lips on his forehead, his eyes flew open. He must have looked stunned, for she indulged him with yet another smile, except this one was much sweeter.
"May your dreams be peaceful tonight."
Guy opened his mouth, but no words came out. By the time he had thought of a reply, Ajsa was already on the other side of the bed, her eyes closed, with one hand beneath the pillow and the other resting against her breast.
"Yours, too, Ajsa," he whispered.
She made no indication of having heard him, but somehow, he knew she had.