They kept drawing nearer and nearer to the house against all of Melissa's wishes. Yellow sleeves protruded from silver skin that reflected all sunlight and focused it back up, gleaming out in a ray of blindingly pure white light. Her little brown eyes rested on the windowsill while her calves strained and burned to remain on tip toes. Eventually one of the two dozen castle workers returned her stare and scoffed.

"Why's Gisborne wasting his time with this lot again?"

"Didn't say," another loyal man replied with an equal level of attitude, "but I won't be the one to say no to an order." This welcomed a clamor of agreement that washed tiny Melissa away into a world of overpowering and brutish men that kept strolling around her home, swords on hip, grimace on face. She did what any toddler would do and shrieked in a victim's role as she dashed to April's quarters. Teenager Max grabbed out to settle her but missed, giving the child leeway to burst open the oak door, say nothing, and leap onto the hay bed all with her lungs reeling out cries of horror.

April darted upright and let maternal instinct flood her veins and capillaries; this was an alert for danger to her young. She held Melissa and pulled her head into her own soft breast, lying through her teeth that everything was fine. In reality April was oblivious to what the matter even was. Max also disregarded courtesy and let himself in before saying a word; his eyes, though, were apologetic.

"She's alright. Everyone is alright… for now."

"What on earth is going on?" April managed to get out over the dwindling sobs of the orphan.

"April, they're gonna kill us!" Melissa whelped. She furrowed her brows at Max, who shot down this ridiculous claim.

"Nottingham guards have been snooping around since sunrise. We have been putting together things to defend ourselves with –"

"Defend – what are you talking about? Why did nobody get me if we are in trouble?"

"Well nobody has threatened any of us… yet."

"Then how do you know they want to hurt you?" April countered with mild frustration. She had hoped that her efforts to raise these kids had led to trust and benevolence, but now that it was put to the test, they all turned to violent protection. She gave Melissa a kiss on the forehead before setting the child aside and rolling out of the bed. After a brief period of privacy she had laced herself into proper clothing and emerged to solve the swirling cloud of uncertainty that fogged through Kirkslee's orphanage. The hem of her powder blue dress tickled the dirt as April faked courage and swept outside to see the cluster of Vesey's men filtering over newborn grass with tools and lumber strung about. Her fingers were daintily picking up the skirt with strength as her mind drained into paranoia. Her emerald eyes became fixed on an overseer's dagger that dangled from his side; suddenly the only thing she could see was the Sherriff in his dank office, blade in hand, vile nature paraded. April then remembered the trenches in Gisborne's back and all that Nottingham castle was capable of. She shivered just before making her way up to what looked to be an importantly ranked officer.

"M'lady." He half-heartedly gave her. The guard sized her up with a moment of desire but solid minutes of professionalism. It only took a second for him to remember that his boss had claimed April for himself; the simple concept of crossing Guy petrified him. There was no level of animalistic cruelty that could fathom the sadistic and vengeful acts Gisborne would incur to anyone who tried to steal this girl away.

"I demand to know what is happening here." April squinted some in the sunlight, hoping that he couldn't see her eyes shift with insecurity. She never could lie or act and this brave façade was crumbling away like the ruins of the Druids.

"Putting up a building, ma'am."

"This is church property! You have no authority to do so."

"We are under the direct orders of Sir Guy of Gisborne, I suggest you take it up with him." A new voice piled in to the conversation. His sarcasm irked at April's gut but she was stuck on his gist; Guy had told them to build here? Was he taking advantage of their relationship to fashion a base camp?

"Well then bring me to him." She shakily returned with clumsy footing in an attempt to clamber for control over her own home.

"No need for that," came yet another voice from behind her, "he's right here." She whipped around with cellophane command and melted in the instant she saw him. Guy appeared quite smug as he looked down from his lifted chin; even in the commotion April felt her heart twinge with glee. His black hair traced above his shoulders as a breeze found its way over.

"Guy…"

"So, what do you think?" he beamed as he put his hands to her waist, feeling her deep inhale, wishing he could have the privacy to kiss those lips.

"I don't know what to think; what is all of this?"

"This," he motioned with a calloused hand, "is the second house for your orphanage." Small cogs wound in April's brain before his words soaked into the tissue. She focused into his gaze with doubt, but this was soon assuaged with the pride that shone from Gisborne's face; it was a very similar expression to that which a proud father would bestow upon a child of great achievement. The outer building would be devoted to sheltering the eldest children that demanded more space but in reality it was a token from Guy towards her.

"No, no, no, no sweetheart. I could never ask you to –"

"Nobody asked. I'm giving this to you… weren't you the one who told me everyone needs charity?" As his eyebrow escalated the self-righteousness that perfumed Gisborne clouded over the patch of yard the couple had taken up. April chuckled and let her arms encircle his torso, a mood of lightheartedness setting in.

"Hmmm yes. Now what charity is it that you think I need, Sir Guy?" Her candy tone tasted of nectar but Gisborne fell to a patch of seriousness.

"I think," he began before shifting his hold on her hips, "you need somebody to tell you that you don't have to do everything by yourself. You are not alone April, you never were, even in an orphanage. And I swear to you now that I am here… you can never be alone again." As he stooped to kiss the crown of her head he took in her scent of fresh lilies, intoxicating himself on her essence, and wading in the pool of her company. April smothered tears back into their ducts and refused to look in his face with the fear that Guy would see how right he was. She pressed her head into his shoulder and clutched the back of his jacket with resonating gratitude and modesty. A peaceful quite had globed around them before she pulled back and gave a distracting laugh.

"Well now you realize the youngsters will be jealous of the new home." April's lips yanked tight to artificially stimulate a whole new subject that did not have the reach to touch her. Guy, though, had an answer for this, too. His hard blue eyes targeted an officer and motioned towards a cart where several supplies were in waiting for use. The henchman drifted off to the wagon and pulled off a small crate, brought it to April and Guy, and bowed before stepping off. Gisborne crouched down and extended a hand; with a moment of hesitation she took the offer and met him near the soft ground of northern England. Black gloves slid off the top and extended to the bottom with a painfully slow buildup of anticipation, but April was sure he was doing this on purpose to tease her. Out of the box came a small whine and warm body.

At only four or five weeks the mastiff's head had already grown into the distinct and meaty bulk of the protective breed. Its stature was large for the age but still small enough to fit in one hand, the brown fur still silky from youth, the eyes still reluctant to wake for any reason. Guy lifted the puppy with a grin and handed it off to the woman he so desperately was trying to court. She let out a small squeal and clapped her hands before taking the baby mastiff and cradling it on her pale chest. With a couple of kisses she had already fallen in love with the orphanage's new dog and, though she had not been prepared to say it, also her beau.

"Guy, he's precious! I cannot even believe you… you have put me so far into your debt." She massaged behind the baby's floppy ears with cheery response. April could no longer cover the tears that were revolutionizing on her eyelids; Guy wiped one free drop away with a fizzing balminess that overtook his stomach.

"I do not want you to be obliged. I want to be forgiven." Gisborne pleaded. April slid her mouth to one side and pulled the dog up close to make room before stretching over and placing a kiss on his begging mouth. She would not say anything else on the matter, but they both knew it would not be long before all would be forgotten.