The man was polishing his sword in his private chamber on Sunday morning, when there was a knock on the door.
"Enter." He called.
His trusty henchman appeared in the doorway.
"Ancel, you've returned to me. What have you learned?"
"He has a lady he loves very deeply. Their wedding is scheduled in five days hence." Ancel said.
"How convenient!" He remarked merrily. For it couldn't be better. The Sheriff was going to suffer a greater loss than he did. This was beautiful!
"He doesn't know about your skills with a blade, I trust, sir?"
"Huh! He thinks me a fool if truth be told. But I planned it that way. Better to play the fool when dealing with your enemies, Ancel. It gives you the advantage. He shall never see this coming." Hamon said.
But Hamon underestimated the cunning of the Sheriff of Nottingham, because the Sheriff was already two steps ahead of him.
As this exchange was taking place in Hamon's private chambers, the Sheriff's Lieutenant, Sir Guy of Gisborne, was riding into the town of Portsmouth on his chestnut mare with two men from his patrols. He stopped his horse and paused to consult the map that the Scribe gave to him.
"Which way is it?" One of the men asked. He was tall with black hair and piercing blue eyes.
"This way, Gerad." Guy replied pointing due south. He looked at them both. "Follow me." He said leading the way.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Half an hour after the horrible revelation in the dungeon, the Sheriff slowly opened the door and entered into his private chambers. Rhiannon was found to be in the den again. She was – oddly, still dressed in his clothing. She stood near the fire. Her garments… No. His garments were soaked. She must have run outside. He walked to the table wordlessly. He poured himself a libation of the tincture of rapture and brought it to his lips as he stared at her. He was so angry he could hardly look at her, and yet…why did she have to look like a fantasy while she wore…his clothes? It aroused him to think of his garments against her skin. She was the personification of lust standing there before him. He swallowed.
She turned around, folded her arms and glared at him.
"What – no more insults? That's a surprise." Rhiannon said.
"Don't you dare twist this around to make yourself out to be the damned victim! I'm not buying it!" The Sheriff warned.
"Indeed. You made that perfectly clear." Rhiannon said. "I couldn't begin to count all of the things you accused me of." She added.
"If you would just admit – " He couldn't get the rest of the words out fast enough…yet again.
"That your prisoner was my lover? You'll find out the truth eventually." Rhiannon remarked casually.
"You admitted to me you loved him. You cannot deny that now." The Sheriff seethed.
"Indeed. I did, didn't I?" Rhiannon said. "But you don't understand. And even if I begin to tell you the truth, you still won't understand. You will think it is contrived. So why should I waste my energy?" Rhiannon asked.
"Why else would you? You mean you don't know why you'd bother to explain it? Well, you just spoke volumes to me with one sentence, Rhiannon. You don't even wish to try to repair this between us!" The Sheriff said shaking his head.
"You're doing it again." She said.
"Doing what?" The Sheriff asked impatiently.
"Presuming too much. Go ahead. You just go right on believing what you will. Speak to me when you can be civil with me." Rhiannon said, turning her back to him.
"Rhiannon." The Sheriff said to her. He was so confused. Why on earth was she acting as if she was the one who had been betrayed in all of this? She truly acted like the jilted one! What on earth was going on? There must be more to this!
"It's too late." Rhiannon said. "You have revealed your true heart to me."
"Rhiannon…" The Sheriff whispered.
"I cannot endure this at the moment. You must give me time before you speak to me next." Rhiannon implored him.
"What?" The Sheriff asked.
"Just…leave me. I shall be gone on the morrow. But give me some room to think." Rhiannon said.
His jaw flew agape. He stared at her incredulous. He couldn't make sense of anything she was saying!
"It doesn't have to be too late." The Sheriff said to her. "If you would only admit the truth." He spoke as calmly as he could possibly will himself to.
"I am. I am telling you the truth. And if you don't believe it now, than you will. You shall see very soon how completely, and foolishly as it turns out; loyal I have always been to you, my prince. You shall see the lengths I'm willing go to, to prove my love for you." Rhiannon announced.
The Sheriff stood there shaking his head. She couldn't get anything straight! She couldn't tell him because it was truth. He could not believe she could do this to him. He was a fool to ever have bothered with her! Except that…she gave him a son.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Later, Rhiannon was inside the Lieutenant's private chambers.
"Meridwyn." She said as she looked upon her friend.
"There you are! Listen. We must check on your wedding gown today. Your wedding is only in five days, my dear." Meridwyn suggested.
"There shall be no need to." Rhiannon said, her eyes downcast.
"What?" Meridwyn exclaimed.
"There will be no wedding." Rhiannon announced.
"Rhiannon! What's going on?" Meridwyn implored her.
"It is too complicated to explain. You would never believe me either. But I am doing what I'm doing for good reasons." Rhiannon said.
Meridwyn demanded in a glance that she tell her more.
Rhiannon sighed. "Something unexpected has happened. Someone from my past has turned up. I'm distancing myself so that his life may be spared. But my betrothed will never understand the truth of it. He doubts me too much for me to continue with our marriage plans. I cannot bear it." Rhiannon explained, shaking her head.
"Whatever it is, you must tell him. You know he loves you!" Meridwyn advised.
"I cannot tell him. And, no, I don't believe he does love me. Not after the hateful things he said to me." Rhiannon said. She took a breath. "I only came by to bid you farewell." She admitted.
"Tell me where you'll be!" Meridwyn cried.
"No." Rhiannon said. "You cannot get mixed up in this. You must not ally yourself with me. It might cost you."
They embraced and then Rhiannon went on her way.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A few hours later, the Sheriff went back to the private chambers. He was looking for Rhiannon. He was going to try one last time to get to the bottom of this cursed situation they were in.
He saw the parchment lying on the bed. Something shiny was upon it that caught his eye. It twinkled in the light. He advanced further and bent down. It was the ring he gave to her. He picked it up, and with the other hand picked up her letter. He began to read:
" Sunday, 21st September, 1197 Anno Domini
My Lord;
I say to you one last time that everything I ever said to you, every moment we ever shared was real and true to me. I have never loved a man the way I love you, and I never will again.
And now you see that I indeed know your prisoner. I cannot begin to explain it, because I know you'll never believe me.
You must punish me, along with him then. For no matter whether I tell you the truth or not, that is to be my fate, and it will be issued by your hand.
I am returning to my manor. You know where to find me to make your arrest.
No. I am not cowardly like the late Lady Marian. I am merely accepting my fate. Because if you truly believe that I love your prisoner now or ever the way I love you, than indeed I have aided him, and for that you must punish me. You will do so anyway whether you realize it or not. So let it begin now. And so it shall be done.
I await…your prisoner.
Rhiannon."
His eyes widened. His jaw flew agape. She couldn't be serious? She had truly gone mad! She was practically begging him to arrest her, and then sentence her to die…
WHAT?
His head was beginning to pound. This was pure madness! He would not listen to her. This must be a trick! Still, he could not shake the gnawing concern for her safety while she was away from his protection.
He did love her. But it was apparently too late.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
An hour later he met with Duke Farnsworth and Luke in the Council Quarters.
"You summoned?" The Duke said on behalf of them both.
The Sheriff looked upon each of them. "Indeed." He said. "As you know, I have sent my Lieutenant on a mission in Portsmouth. But now, matters are piling around me here that demand my attention." He began.
The Sheriff looked to Luke. "Gisborne usually oversees the duties of the dungeon. He is the one my jailer, Joseph reports to. Alas, he is unavailable to me. And now I have the couple in there who are charged with kidnapping. The man was at risk of escaping this very morning! I'm appointing you to take charge of the dungeon in Gisborne's absence." The Sheriff said.
"Very well, my lord. I shall report there directly to speak with your jailer." Luke vowed.
"Good." The Sheriff said. "Your first order of business after that is to begin interrogation. I'll discuss the details with you after I speak with my lead investigator, so don't take leave yet."
"As you wish, my lord." Luke agreed.
Next the Sheriff turned to the Duke.
"And you – I'm assigning to keep watch over my lady." The Sheriff said.
"She requires additional protection from what she already has?" Duke Farnsworth asked.
"She has relocated to her manor. True she had protection while she was staying here, but now she needs the protection I can offer her more than ever. You will watch over her, but never let her know it." The Sheriff instructed.
"Alright." The Duke said. "But perhaps if she knew you assigned one of us to protect her, she would come back to you. She would see – "
"She is not to know. Just do it!" The Sheriff huffed. "And do take note that if you find anyone whom would dare to touch a hair on her head, your orders are to kill. I don't care how you do it. Just do it….slow." The Sheriff snarled.
"Very well." Duke Farnsworth replied.
"Is there anyone you trust to take with you? For this is a delicate matter. If anyone wishing to harm her finds out she's not staying here any longer, they could use the information to get to her. But I don't want everyone to know that she called off the wedding. I need someone I can trust to work alongside you." The Sheriff implored the Duke.
"Then I choose Officer Mordrid." The Duke said.
"Good. Now find him, and make haste to my lady's manor. She is already a number of miles ahead of you!" The Sheriff commanded.
Duke Farnsworth nodded and took his leave to carry out his tasks. Luke remained standing and the Sheriff instructed him on how to deal with the cursed man who had dared to touch his lady.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rhiannon was riding swiftly toward the outskirts of Nottingham toward her manor. Memories came flooding over her. As she flew down the dirt path and the scenery flashed quickly past her, so did moments from the last year vividly play in her mind. She saw his handsome face. She saw his amber hazel eyes burning on fire as he bore them into hers. And she kept hearing that smooth chocolate, baritone voice of his, echoing in her mind:
"Lady Rhiannon. A beautiful name, for such a beautiful lady…You set my soul on fire…My lady, you're safe now…you…are my Lady of Nottingham. Lady of my heart…or are you?…Will you be my wife?…My angel…I plan to take You – to eternity…Whatever comes lies in store for us…If I ever choose my duties over you, that's when I'll know I've reached the lowest point of my life…My Lady Nottingham…Look at me…know this. I've never loved anyone, until you…The only woman whose ever heard those words uttered from my lips, is you…Rhiannon…Promise me I won't hurt you or I will not proceed…Oh, my lady…"
And then, she heard all of the hateful words he had said to her since.
She blinked away angry tears. And then she remembered something… what was it he said to her just recently?…
"…heed my words: you're the only woman I've ever touched with true meaning behind it."
And then, she knew exactly what she could do to find out for certain how deep the Sheriff's love was for her. But could she handle the truth of it, if things didn't work out the way she hoped? She realized she had nothing to lose. For if the truth came out that he could indeed forget her so easily, than she was better off without him.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Who the hell are you?" Robert asked the Knight who suddenly appeared in his cell on Sunday afternoon. He was accompanied by an older man who was holding a writing tablet and chalk. He took a seat on a chair. He guessed the man was the Sheriff's Scribe.
"I am here to interrogate you. I have been asked by the Sheriff to do it." Luke said.
Robert laughed. "Fine. Begin then." He said.
"State your name." Luke demanded.
"Robert Whitfield."
"What is your occupation?" Luke asked.
"I am a blacksmith." Robert answered.
It is a shame he is one of the prisoners, Luke thought. The Sheriff could surely use one of those! He turned in the direction of the Scribe.
"Did you get all that down, Scribe?" Luke asked.
"Yes, Master Luke." The Scribe replied.
Luke nodded and looked to the prisoner again. "How long was the child in your care?"
"Three months. This is ridiculous! Why are we bothering with this formality? It shall make no difference!" Robert huffed.
"What makes you say that?" Luke asked, curiously.
"He shall hang me regardless!" Robert announced.
"Well, that would depend. You have anything else besides kidnapping you wish to confess to?" Luke demanded.
"No." Robert lied.
"How did the child come to be your charge?" Luke asked.
"The Sheriff knows the answer!"
"Just answer the question!" Luke barked.
"He was placed on my doorstep. He was inside of a basket wrapped in blankets." Robert said.
"Why did you not surrender the child to Duke Farnsworth and Officer Mordrid of the Sheriff's militia when they came calling on you? When indeed you found out – that the child belongs to the Sheriff and his Lady?" Luke asked pointedly.
"Because I knew he would be better off with me and my Lady Isabelle!" Robert snapped. "And you are wrong on one point." Robert hinted.
"What is that?" Luke asked, curious to hear the answer.
"The child indeed belongs to the Sheriff. Any fool can see that! But it does not belong to the Sheriff's lady. I cannot tell you how I know this. I just do." Robert said.
"How dare you!" Luke spat. "How dare you insult my master. You are accusing him of being unfaithful to her. You have no right!"
"I have more rights than you shall ever know." Robert commented with his eyebrow raised.
"My lord has been nothing but devoted to his Lady Rhiannon." Luke said.
Robert was sickened to hear the name of his sister associated like that with the Sheriff. Even though she told him this was true, he did not like this.
"It wouldn't be the first time he's indulged in sins of the flesh, I am certain." Robert spat.
Luke shook his head in disgust. He was starting to understand why the Sheriff appointed him to act in this role in Sir Gisborne's absence. Maybe the Sheriff knew deep down that Luke would be hard pressed not to kill this cursed prisoner!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
She was glad she found the large pouch of gold hidden in the den. Too bad she couldn't seem to locate the opium! She had what she needed. She decided her manor could wait. Just up ahead was the place of business she was going to pay a visit to. She found a tree nearby to secure the horse and made her way down the path to the door. She hoped someone here would listen to her proposal.
A middle aged woman wearing a low cut brightly coloured, garish gown, answered her knock. A chuckle escaped her lips when she looked upon Rhiannon.
"I don't have anything you would be interested in, milady. For I can see you haven't come here to work for me!" The woman remarked brazenly. She had fiery amber eyes and ivory skin tones. The freckles had been camouflaged with powder somehow. Her lips were stained pink. Her long neck was accentuated by her brightly auburn hair which was fashioned elegantly upon her head.
"Yes. I have a business proposal for you instead. I wish to buy one of your courtesans to service someone for me." Rhiannon hinted.
"Oh. I get it. You want to prove whether or not your lover is unfaithful?" The woman said. She chuckled. "The oldest trick in the book, honey! Welcome to the lonely hearts society." The Madam rolled her eyes and sighed.
"I have gold." Rhiannon announced.
"Come in, milady." The woman smiled greedily and beckoned.
The Madam took Rhiannon into a small room. Rhiannon guessed it was her office.
"I am Madam Birghiva, the owner of this winning operation. Tell me more." The Madam prompted her.
"It is not just any man I wish for you to have your courtesan service. It is the Sheriff of Nottingham." Rhiannon said.
"Oh. Indeed! You are to be wed in five days hence, am I not correct? The heralds announced this just recently." Madam Birghiva said.
"Yes. And I need to find out if his love for me is true." Rhiannon said. She preferred not to mention the point that the wedding had been called off. It was no business of hers, nor the courtesan she would hire. "Can you arrange it?" She asked.
"That all depends….how much are you going to pay me, honey?" The Madam asked.
"Fifty gold pieces. Will that be sufficient, Madam Birghiva?"
"Indeed, it is, my dear. Tell you what. I'm going to gather a few of my best ladies, and you can choose. Then you can tell her for yourself, what your instructions are." The Madam suggested.
"Very well." Rhiannon replied nervously.
She selected a young beautiful maiden whom on close inspection, bore a slight resemblance to herself. She was slightly shorter than Rhiannon, but she was slender and finely featured. She had vivid blue eyes that were striking with her dark chestnut brown hair. Her hair came down to her shoulders in shiny silky waves. Her lips were full and perfectly shaped. She had a dainty nose, high cheekbones, and a long neck. She was perfectly curved and knew exactly how to accentuate it with her gown and accessories.
Lady Rhiannon nodded toward the maiden to Madam Birghiva. The Madam dismissed the other ladies from the room. Following that she nodded to Lady Rhiannon and took her leave so they could discuss the details.
"You." Rhiannon said. "Tell my your name, miss."
"It is Celestria, milady."
"You are to attempt to seduce my betrothed, the Sheriff of Nottingham." Rhiannon said.
"Alright. What is the purpose of this then? I take it this isn't a gift for him?" Celestria guessed.
"What?" Rhiannon asked incredulous. She shook her head in disbelief.
"The liberal minded ladies sometimes buy one of us as a gift for their men. Though, just between you and I – they would never admit this to anyone." The beautiful maiden winked.
"You must be jesting!" Rhiannon exclaimed. "How could – " She was cut off.
"If you ask me, I'm sure the ladies are up to clandestine endeavors themselves to request such a thing. Otherwise, how could they hire one of us to please their men and not care about it?" Celestria said, shaking her head.
"Indeed." Rhiannon remarked absently. "The purpose of this is to test his love for me. I'm sure you know what I mean." Rhiannon hinted.
Mistress Celestria nodded.
Now, for the difficult part. Rhiannon sighed. "Now…you must heed the following instructions: you must be patient with your seduction of him. If you come on too strong and too quickly he'll be uninterested. Do not whine about anything. Do not tell him you love him, because I can tell you – he will not like it. He'll think you are mad. Do not mention me in any way. Not even as a casual reference about his betrothed, or he will not participate. You must make him believe you're the only woman he can see in that moment. And if he cannot go through with it, then I shall know." Rhiannon instructed.
"Anything else?" Mistress Celestria added.
"Yes. He likes the colour burgandy. At least on me, he does." Rhiannon smirked.
"Noted." Celestria grinned knowingly. There was a short pause before she continued. "What are the rules?" Celestria asked. "As specified by you, I mean?"
"You can…touch him." Rhiannon choked out the words. She gritted her teeth. You must be strong! She willed herself. "You may kiss him. You can undress and permit him to see your body." Rhiannon said. "You can touch him intimately, but do not use your mouth." She added. If they should be together again, that was her duty alone to perform on the Sheriff!
"Hmm. I must remember that point, milady. For that might yield me more payment in future!" She winked. "And…what if he wishes to proceed?" Celestria asked the dreaded question.
"Then do it." Rhiannon replied abruptly. "And when this is done, you are to report to me directly – every little detail of the encounter. Everything he said and did. Am I clear?" She asked with her eyebrow raised.
"Oh yes. Crystal clear, milady." Celestria acknowledged. Though she was annoyed about having to go to the bother of reporting to the lady when it was done.
"Good. You are to tell him that you were sent to him as a gift. Tell him you came at the request of an anonymous sender. Your Madam has my address, when you are ready to submit your report." Rhiannon said.
"Look honey, I am a courtesan, not a spy!" Celestria said indignantly.
"You shall be paid well. Does twenty five gold pieces sound good enough to you?" Rhiannon asked with her eyebrow raised.
"Fine. You shall have your report." Celestria agreed. "When?" She asked Rhiannon pointedly.
"Go to his chambers tomorrow night. After dusk." Rhiannon directed. She knew he wouldn't be coming for her for a few days. He would need to think about her letter. But she needed to get this over with soon.
"What about the guards?" Celestria pointed out.
"Tell them… that you were sent to the Sheriff by a member of the Black Knights who wishes to remain anonymous. Tell them this 'Knight' wishes to bring the Sheriff out of the insufferable state he is in, and that you are the gift. "Rhiannon said. "Trust me, they will grant your access." Rhiannon rolled her eyes.
"That is a good one, if I may say so!" Celestria grinned.
"Indeed." Rhiannon said. "Here is your payment." She said as she handed a sack containing the twenty five gold pieces to the hired courtesan. The agreement was made. "Do not fail to report to me." Rhiannon reminded her.
She mounted her horse and continued on her way to her manor. She would have the answers she was seeking by Tuesday. And then, if the Sheriff had conducted himself properly, she just might listen to him should he try to make amends with her. And if he failed to do that, then he would come for her. And he, along with her brother, shall suffer for the way in which they both treated her. Like a child. Presuming she couldn't handle the worst of his crimes – Robert. Assuming she was having adulterous relations, or failed to reveal a (hypothetical) steamy affair from her past – the Sheriff. Failing to defend her and finally reveal the damn truth of it when the Sheriff stood there accusing her, and fired off a series of insults to her – Robert. Accusing her of being an opportunist and a liar all along – the Sheriff. Damn them! They were both going to squirm! For that was indeed her intention when she penned the letter to her lover.
Robert was being obstinate, he would never tell the Sheriff he was her brother! She had forgotten what a nuisance he could be when he made up his mind. He was opinionated, and always believed he was right. He was never easily dissuaded. And, if the Sheriff indeed submitted to the charms of Mistress Celestria, he would prove he had no love for Lady Rhiannon. It would be easy then, for him to arrest Rhiannon…or so she thought. And no doubt, if he chose to arrest her, he would reveal this to Robert in order to taunt him. So she would be a doomed prisoner just like Robert. Both her lover and her brother would be consumed with guilt, and they would both get what they deserved! She had no wish to die, not by any means. She challenged the Sheriff to do this out of anger and pride. To hell with the two of them! She would make both of them suffer!