It was nearing moonrise Wednesday when Ancel was back at camp in Sherwood Forest reporting to Hamon.
"I was told the Sheriff's lady visits her manor on Tuesdays, though occasionally she comes on a different day." Ancel said.
"Oh, that is good, Ancel!" Hamon sneered as he rubbed his palms together. "We'll keep an eye on that manor of hers and when she shows up – we got her!" He exclaimed excitedly.
"Indeed." Ancel agreed.
"See what else you can find out. This lady servant of hers is proving very valuable indeed." Hamon grinned.
"Oh, indeed she is." Ancel smirked wickedly.
"What is that look for?" Hamon asked curiously.
"It is nothing." Ancel shrugged.
"Good. Know your boundaries, Ancel. You're gathering information from this maiden. Do what you must to get her to talk, but do not have any illusions about her! This cannot go anywhere with her." Hamon said firmly. He sighed and folded his arms. "You do know she will die along with that cursed little bitch who employs her?" Hamon pointed out as his eyebrow quirked knowingly.
"Aye." Ancel sighed. "I am no fool."
"Good. You seduce her all you want. Just remember what I said!" Hamon spat.
On Friday at dusk, ladies Rhiannon and Meridwyn were dining together in the Sheriff's den. Rhiannon couldn't leave the chamber so Lady Meridwyn asked for the chef to send her tray to the Sheriff's chambers. There was no use in both of them dining alone.
"Well, it looks like our men won't be joining us today, Rhiannon. I thought we'd see them by now if today was the day they would return." Meridwyn sighed.
"Indeed, Meridwyn." Rhiannon frowned. "I had hoped they would have been here by now but I suppose we shall have to wait another day." She lamented.
"I hate it when they must leave on a mission, but you know how it is." Meridwyn sighed.
"Aye." Rhiannon smiled. "They will return. They always do. This is how it must be when you're the lady to the most important man about town." Rhiannon winked as she repeated Meridwyn's usual mantra.
"You catch on fast, honey." Meridwyn smiled as she took a bite of venison pie. "I'm glad I thought of requesting this of the chef this morning. I've been craving these venison pies ever since we had it last Thursday." Meridwyn remarked as she savoured the taste of it upon her tongue.
"Oh, indeed you're right, Meridwyn. That reminds me, I must speak to Jean Louis and ask him to prepare these for the wedding feast. George already agreed it would be a fine dish to serve then." Rhiannon said.
"Yes, I'm sure your guests will love it!" Meridwyn exclaimed. She took a sip of wine from her goblet and took a breath before she continued with another topic. "I've decided to try that little trick of yours on my husband when he returns." Lady Meridwyn said slowly as her eyebrow quirked.
"Oh, he will love it." Rhiannon smirked.
"Really, Rhiannon? I must say, I'm a little nervous about it." Meridwyn admitted as her face flushed slightly.
"You mustn't be, Meridwyn. Guy loves you. He will be delighted that you wish to please him, I'm sure." Rhiannon smiled as she took a sip of her wine.
"I hope you're right." Meridwyn sighed.
Rhiannon smiled and looked to her right toward the window and gazed out of it a moment. She hoped her lover would be home soon. How she missed the touch of her dark prince.
Later that evening the Sheriff was entering into the private chambers. He was pleased when Luke reported that Lady Rhiannon had remained in the chamber since Monday. He hoped his lady would still be awake. He opened the doors to his bedchamber. There were a few candles burning on the tables inside there. They cast a glow upon his lady's perfectly flawless skin. He sighed. The corners of his mustache curled as a sensuous grin formed.
Rhiannon was lying on her side holding his pillow to her. The silk linens were at the level of her waist. She was wearing the black silk nightdress he liked on her that was embellished in pale pink ribbons. She always looked beautiful in it. It did something to the shape of her breasts, but now that her breasts were altered – in a good way, the gown made her look even more appealing. He licked his lips at the sight of her in sweet repose. He took off his gauntlets and removed his surcoat and placed them both upon a chair. He slowly went to the bed.
Lady Rhiannon looked quite serene as she lay there holding his pillow to her. When he got to the bedside she startled him when she began to murmur softly, almost inaudibly in her sleep.
"George… come back… to me…" Lady Rhiannon breathed as she moved her hand slowly down the silk covered down pillow.
The Sheriff smiled and reached down with his right hand to softly caress her left cheek, then his hand moved down to her neck. She subconsciously turned to her right toward him and lay supine before him. He leaned down to her and began to kiss her soft lips, feather light. He lingered there until he knew she was awake.
Finally, her eyes opened. At first Lady Rhiannon was startled, but soon she was beaming at him.
"You're back!" Rhiannon squealed with delight. "Am I dreaming?" She threw her arms about his neck and brought him to her and kissed him softly.
"Yes, my love, I am here. And, no, you are not dreaming." The Sheriff smiled. I am truly the luckiest man in England. He sighed.
Rhiannon sat up. "What do you need? You must need sustenance? Something to drink? Perhaps I could ask the servants to bring forth a tray for you? Or rest? You must be exhausted after all of that riding." Rhiannon suggested as she caressed his cheek, then threaded her fingers through his hair. She bit her lip. She thought her lover was the most handsome man she'd ever seen. Nothing had changed her opinion of that over time.
Nottingham pulled his lady close to him. "I am fed and well rested, beautiful. There is only one thing I need." The Sheriff growled in her ear as he began to kiss her neck. Then he moved to her lips and kissed her slowly and passionately.
"Then you had better come to bed, my sweet prince." Lady Rhiannon purred. "Get in here!" She demanded. She grabbed him by his leather doublet and pulled him toward her for another deep and passionate kiss before she released him, both of them breathless.
Nottingham straightened up and slowly moved to the other side of the bed. She licked her lips as she watched him move. He slowly unfastened his doublet and removed it, then he took off his tunic. His garments were carelessly cast to the floor. When he arrived at the other side of the bed he kicked off his boots, untied his codpiece and tossed it to the floor, then joined his lady in his bed.
She leaned over and stroked his chest. "You sure you're not tired, my love?" She asked.
"Oh, my angel." He whispered. "Quite the opposite. It is you I worry about, but it doesn't matter because… we shouldn't." The Sheriff sighed as he put his arm around her and held her to him.
"My love, all has been well since you left. In fact, for almost a week now." Lady Rhiannon smiled as she kissed him softly and teased his tongue with hers.
The Sheriff sighed. He was so hard for her. "Are you sure, my angel?" He breathed as he kissed her.
"Yes, my prince. I wouldn't lie about that. You know how I want your child." She said.
"I want you, Rhiannon. I want to ravish you until we both collapse from exhaustion!" He breathed hungrily in her ear. "But, I'd never forgive myself if – "
"Shh." She whispered as she put her fingers to his lips. He grabbed her hand and sucked on her fingers, kissing them softly. She sighed. "It will be okay, my love. Take me." Rhiannon pleaded. "I have missed you, George!" She breathed as she kissed him longingly.
"Rhiannon." The Sheriff sighed. "I've missed you too, beautiful. Are you absolutely sure?" He asked her once more.
"Yes, sugar." She purred as she moved her hand down and stroked him through the leather of his breeches. "My love, you forgot to remove your breeches." She said with her eyebrow quirked knowingly.
"I didn't forget, lady. I like it better when you take them off me!" The Sheriff grinned wickedly.
"Mmm. Then I had better do something about that." Rhiannon grinned.
Guy of Gisborne found his lady sitting up upon the bed reading a large manuscript bound in leather. The title of it read "Lancelot – a Tale written by Chretien de Troyes". He took his leather gauntlets off and threw them upon a table.
She looked up and gasped.
"Oh, lover, you've returned to me!" Meridwyn shrieked with glee.
She put the book down beside her and arose from the bed. She went to her husband and threw her arms around him. He pulled her to him and kissed her lips hard.
"I've missed you lady." Gisborne breathed.
She sighed at the sound of his voice in her ear. "Oh, Guy. I've missed you too." Lady Meridwyn whispered as she kissed him.
"What were you reading, my love?" He asked as he nodded to the large book upon the bed.
"Rhiannon suggested I read it. It came from your cousin's library." Meridwyn said.
"I see." Gisborne smiled.
"I had to do something to occupy my time while you were away." Meridwyn said. She eyed him up and down. "You're wearing too many clothes." She winked. She slowly unfastened the sash that held her ivory silk dressing gown closed, then opened her gown. She was naked underneath.
"Oh, Meridwyn." Gisborne sighed.
She slowly removed his surcoat and his tunic. He pulled her to him and kissed her hungrily as his hands moved to her breasts and kneaded them.
"Indeed I have missed you, lover." Meridwyn purred as she softly kissed him. "Allow me to show you how much." She winked.
Then she knelt before him and slowly untied his codpiece and cast it aside. Next she unlaced his breeches and pried the edges open, the suede leather grazed his skin. Gisborne sighed as he watched her. She took him in her hand then moved her sweet lips toward him and took him completely in her mouth.
He felt ecstasy he'd never known as his beautiful wife continued to please him.
Lady Rhiannon murmured softly as the Sheriff moved slowly inside of her. She wrapped her velvet smooth thighs around his waist and pulled him down to her.
"Oh, my sweet prince. I love the way you love me." Lady Rhiannon breathed.
"I don't deserve you, lady." The Sheriff whispered as he kissed her.
"Oh, yes you do, George." A beat. "We deserve us." Lady Rhiannon sighed as she tickled his earlobe with her tongue.
Nottingham closed his eyes and gasped. She was driving him mad! Then she did something that made him almost as crazy as when she pleased him with her talented tongue, though some would think it was innocent enough. She leaned in and bit his shoulder lightly.
"Oh, God, lady – what you do to me!" Nottingham said in a raw whisper as he bent down and kissed her neck.
Then he looked into her eyes while he blissfully moved inside of her. She could get lost in those fiery depths. Indeed his eyes were burning like fiery torches for her as he bore into her eyes. Rhiannon swallowed and bit her lip. She reached up with her hands and brought his face down to her. She kissed his cheek then traveled down his jaw line with her lips. Nottingham's soft, black whiskers grazed her skin. She moved toward his perfect lips. Their lips were so close they could feel each other's hot breath upon them when she spoke.
"I love you so… George." She breathed.
"My angel, I know. I love you too… my Lady Nottingham." The Sheriff whispered then kissed her lips softly.
On the morning of Saturday October eleventh, the Sheriff arranged to meet with his Lieutenant, his Captain of the Black Knights, and some of his men in the Council Quarters. Gisborne was the first to arrive. He strolled into the chamber with a stupid grin spread across his face. Nottingham quirked his eyebrow as he regarded him.
"What the hell happened to you?" The Sheriff asked, shaking his head slowly. "Did somebody give you a good lot of gold or something?"
"No, but I think our ladies had a little chat." Gisborne replied with a knowing grin.
"What do you mean, Gis?" The Sheriff asked as he narrowed his eyes. He was too focused on what he had to tell his men to think of anything else.
"I think your lady must have told mine about that clever little trick of hers you told me about. You know the one, cousin?" Guy reminded him as he quirked his eyebrow.
The Sheriff grinned deviously. "Oh. Yes, cousin. Well, good for you!" The Sheriff remarked as he slapped him on the back. "If she is nearly as talented as my lady is, you shall be a very happy man, indeedy!" The Sheriff grinned.
"Oh, I can see what all the fuss is about, cousin." Gisborne agreed.
"Indeed. Aren't we lucky men, cousin? We have perfect noblewomen who are great ladies indeed – but they don't mind being our little sluts when we need them to be!" The Sheriff laughed.
Gisborne chuckled. "Aye, cousin. Very lucky indeed." He smiled.
Just then Duke Farnsworth opened the door. Officers Mordrid, Luke, and Adam followed behind him along with Gisborne's men, Gerad and Alex. The men moved toward their master. The Sheriff moved from around the table and faced the group of them as he clasped his hands together.
"As most of you know, the mission in Portsmouth wasn't completely successful. We have obtained the evidence we need to charge him with heresy, but the cursed infidel is still at large!" The Sheriff huffed as he folded his arms.
"What is your plan, milord?" Duke Farnsworth asked as he rubbed his beard thoughtfully.
The Sheriff grinned at him, then looked over to Luke. "Luke, I thought about what you told me of his warning when he had the audacity to show up here a week ago! The cursed little insect is still in Nottingham or near to it. He pretty well spelled it out to you in his message!" The Sheriff spat.
"Milord?" Luke asked.
"He said he is watching my belongings or something to that effect – am I right? How can he watch them in Portsmouth, Luke?" The Sheriff pointed out as his eyebrow shot north.
"Hmm. You have a point, sir." Luke nodded.
"Indeed I do, and as usual – a very good point." The Sheriff snarled. He cleared his throat and looked to the group. "Starting today, the lot of you along with Gisborne shall begin to spend your days scouring Nottingham and the surrounding villages until you find me the cursed, sodding bastard and his foolishly misguided henchman!" The Sheriff snapped. "I want every inch within a hundred mile radius of this town torn apart until you find the pudgy, stubby, little insect!" The Sheriff ordered them.
Gisborne grinned and looked downcast at the Sheriff's choice of adjectives to describe Homely Hamon.
Luke and Adam looked at each other and cast knowing, satisfied smiles to each other. They were quite pleased they had been asked to join in this mission. The Sheriff noticed them engaged in their own private exchange and cleared his throat. They looked back at him then both looked downcast, embarrassed they were caught not paying attention to him.
The Sheriff moved slowly toward them and stood before them. His Officers look up at him.
"Luke and Adam, I am sending you lads because you have both seen the outlaw and his henchman. My Lieutenant has also seen the outlaw I'm after. This shall be useful should you divide in groups – to make further use of your resources." The Sheriff added as he looked to his Lieutenant and his Captain, knowingly.
"Aye, cousin. We shall do our very best to find him." Gisborne nodded.
"We shall not fail you, milord." The Duke said, unmoving.
"Good. Drake and… what's his name shall continue to man the portcullis." The Sheriff said, then he looked to Gisborne. "Your orders are the same as three years ago when I asked you and your men to find me Locksley. From dawn until dusk you and the Duke shall lead the men on this mission. You are to report to me every night." The Sheriff said as he folded his arms.
"Very well." Gisborne said.
"Now go. Find me the heretic and bring him to me!" The Sheriff ordered his men as he pointed to the door.
Mortianna was troubled. She was pacing the floor of her apothecary in front of her cauldron. She had debated for a number of hours whether or not to summon her master. In the afternoon while she was working on the recipe for Byzantine fire – a form of alchemy she had laboured on for years to perfect, she saw a vision in the crystal ball she had recently bought from the privately run shop where she obtained her implements.
In was then, late Saturday night when the Sheriff's counsel pulled the cord that attached to the tiny bells upon the wall of her masters den, to summon him.
The Sheriff arrived in moments. He opened the creaking door at the foot of the long, winding, stone staircase and Mortianna stood right there waiting for him. He knew right away the matter was urgent.
The Sheriff narrowed his eyes upon his counsel. For indeed the crone appeared troubled.
"What is it, madam?" The Sheriff asked.
"I need to speak to you, child. Come in and sit." The witch said. She beckoned for him to enter by motioning with her gnarled hand.
The Sheriff followed her inside and seated himself upon the wooden chair at the small wooden table in her apothecary.
"Let's hear it. What portents do you wish to impart to me?" The Sheriff asked.
"I saw a disturbing vision today, milord, but I don't know what to make of it. I cannot really predict the outcome." A beat. "I saw someone we both know. They were in grave danger." Mortianna announced as she wrung her hands in her skirts and looked downcast.
The Sheriff felt rather sick. The witch didn't care for too many people, but she indeed seemed quite troubled by this vision. "Tell me, Mortianna – whom do you refer to?" The Sheriff asked slowly.
Mortianna looked up at him slowly and took a deep breath. "Your lady." Mortianna replied somberly.
The Sheriff's eyes widened in horror. He shook his head. "The child! It's the child my lady carries isn't it?" The Sheriff gasped. "Is something going to happen to my lady and my child?" The Sheriff demanded.
Mortianna shook her head and sighed. "That's the thing about it, child. What I saw in the vision only involved Lady Rhiannon. There was no infant in this vision. I couldn't begin to predict what shall happen with your child, nor can I even predict what shall happen with your lady!" Mortianna exclaimed. She wondered if it was because she was a bit fond of the maiden that she was unable to use her keen third eye to see what will happen in this matter?
"What do you mean?" The Sheriff asked.
"I saw fire. A lot of fire. And I saw your lady in the midst of it. She was alive. I did not see her death, but then the vision was gone – just as quickly as it came to me." Mortianna said.
The Sheriff shook his head. "Did you see anyone with her in this vision?"
"I think there might have been another maiden with her. I only saw it for a fleeting moment. If there was I can tell you I did not recognize the other one." Mortianna stated.
"Could you see where they were? What was burning in this vision of yours?" The Sheriff asked pointedly.
"I'm not sure, milord. I think it was someone's home." Mortianna shrugged.
"Hmm. But you cannot tell me… if…" His words trailed off as he looked downcast.
"No, child. I cannot tell you whether this fire shall be the demise of her. I debated whether to tell you, but perhaps it is better if you know." The witch said.
"Indeed. I shall take precautions, I can tell you that!" The Sheriff said firmly.
"Milord?"
"I will do it. I shall try to keep her in the castle." The Sheriff said, unblinking. "You say it didn't appear she was in a part of the castle?" He asked.
"It didn't look familiar to me, but there was so much fire and smoke I'm sure I wouldn't have recognized it anyway." The witch replied evasively.
"You said it looked like someone's home before." The Sheriff said with his eyebrow quirked.
"Aye. That is what my initial instinct was." Mortianna nodded.
"Then technically – if I keep her in the castle she shall not come to harm." The Sheriff said as his eyebrow shot north.
"Perhaps, child, but you cannot keep your lady held inside the castle forever." Mortianna pointed out.
"Well, I can for now. I have very good reason to keep her confined. It was only a week ago that Lady Rhiannon nearly lost the child. I'm sure she won't be permitted to go riding or venture very far after that episode." The Sheriff smirked knowingly. "I'm told she's been permitted to move about the chambers. I'm going to speak to Thomas about it. If he had any plans to tell her she could step outside the chamber door, I shall put a stop to it." Nottingham said firmly, folding his arms.
"I see, milord." Mortianna sighed. "You do know you may not be able to prevent what I saw in the vision no matter your actions?" The witch pointed out as her eyebrow quirked.
"I can damn well try!" The Sheriff huffed. He sighed. "Do you ever see the same vision more than once?" He asked curiously.
"Sometimes." Mortianna nodded.
"Pay attention the next time you see this vision, illusion, or whatever it is of yours again. Try very hard to take in as much detail as you can and then report to me immediately." The Sheriff instructed.
"Very well, milord." Mortianna said.
The Sheriff spoke with his physician following mass on Sunday. He entered into the private chamber to inform his lady that the medicus was there to see her. He found her sitting up in the bed reading a new book. It was a large, leather bound manuscript by the same author as her last book. The title read: "Erec and Enide – a Tale written by Chretien de Troyes."
"Ah, a new book, I see?" The Sheriff commented as he nodded to the book she held up in her lap.
"Yes, my prince. I finished the other one and loaned it to Meridwyn. Lady Margaret brought this to me when I finished the first one." Rhiannon said.
"Aren't you reading them in the wrong order though? Kind of… backwards?" The Sheriff pointed out.
"Aye. It's true the character of Lancelot was first introduced in this book." Rhiannon explained as she nodded to the manuscript. "But it really doesn't matter with these two books." Rhiannon smiled.
"Hmm." Nottingham grinned. He moved to the bed and sat down beside her. "So, what did you do with the proclamation then? You know – the one that you kept in the back of the other book?" The Sheriff teased.
She quirked her eyebrow knowingly at him and reached to the back of the book she held in her lap. She fiddled a moment and then extracted the proclamation. "Why, it's right here, my lord!" She exclaimed.
The Sheriff grinned and shook his head.
"I was thinking… whomever the artist was who created this was talented indeed. He perfectly captured my brother!" Rhiannon exclaimed as she looked once more upon it.
"It was my Officer, Richard who drew the image originally, but I had it reproduced here in Nottingham." The Sheriff explained. "So, what exactly were you thinking?" He asked.
"I was thinking I would like to ask your knight to draw you." Lady Rhiannon smiled.
"What?" The Sheriff asked, stunned. He wasn't certain if he felt horrified or flattered?
"My love, it is your image I wish to look upon during those times you cannot be with me. Sometimes you're gone for days and days on missions. It was nice to have a drawing of my brother, but you must understand – I thought he was dead. And anyway, he is my brother!" Rhiannon said, shaking her head. "I'm telling you – your knight is very talented. I dare say if the King knew of his gifts, your Officer could make a better wage using his talent than working for you." Lady Rhiannon grinned. "If I were you, I'd make use of him." A beat. "Why don't you consider it your wedding gift to me?" She suggested.
"What – you want me to sit still for him for how ever many hours it will take so he can draw a likeness of me?" The Sheriff asked with a shudder.
"Well… yes! What's wrong with that?"
"My love, I think it's quite remarkable that you wish to have a drawing of my likeness, but I'm really not afforded the time to sit idle." The Sheriff pointed out.
"Not even for me?" Rhiannon pouted as she fluttered her long dark lashes at him.
The Sheriff sighed. "I'll ask my Officer what is required for him to achieve this. If I must spend my entire day posing for him, I can tell you I might not be able to fit that in for awhile." The Sheriff explained.
"Very well." Rhiannon sighed. "Just talk to him about it, won't you?" She implored him.
"I will, my angel." The Sheriff smiled. Curses! Why did it have to be Richard? He won't be able to do it – he's guarding my son! He sighed and shook his head. "Right. You almost made me forgot what I was here to tell you." The Sheriff said.
"What is it, George?" Rhiannon asked.
"The physician is just outside the doors, my angel, waiting in the den. He is here to speak with you." The Sheriff said.
"Oh, I see. Alright. Well, let him in. Everything has been fine for eight days now, so there shouldn't be a problem." Rhiannon smiled.
"Indeed." The Sheriff said.
He went to the doors and opened them. He beckoned for the physician to come forward. Thomas walked to the bedside and looked down upon Lady Rhiannon. The Sheriff stood beside Thomas.
"It's the same news as yesterday, Thomas. The pain has not returned. It's been eight days now." Rhiannon said.
"That is good, milady. Now I would like to wean you from the wine gradually and see how you respond to that." Thomas smiled.
"I see. So, does that mean I must still stay within these chambers?" She asked pointedly.
"Yes." Thomas replied then looked downcast. It was true he would have recommended it anyway while weaning her from the wine, but he still didn't understand the Sheriff's reasons for wishing to keep his lady confined as long as possible. Thomas looked up at her slowly. "I need to be certain while you're being weaned from it, and for a time once the treatment is discontinued that ye shall continue to respond favourably." The physician explained.
"How long will this process take?" Lady Rhiannon asked.
"For the next three days you shall only receive two measures of wine in a day, then for the following two days you will have one measure, and then we shall continue to observe." Thomas said.
"So on Friday I will not be given wine?" She asked.
"Aye. That is correct, milady." Thomas nodded. He looked to the Sheriff. "I've spoken to Lady Margaret and she's agreeable to stay as long as you need her, so you shall have us both available while we try this." Thomas suggested.
"Yes, I would feel better if you're both nearby until we know this will work." The Sheriff nodded.
Rhiannon sighed and folded her arms. "Well it better work because I am not getting married in this chamber!" She huffed.
"I am sure in a month's time all will be well, milady. Now, you mustn't excite yourself over these matters or you shall put yourself at risk of another occurrence like last week." Thomas stated firmly as he folded his arms.
"Oh, alright." Rhiannon sighed.
"Let's get you through this week and we'll talk again then." The physician said as he quirked his eyebrow.
"Yes, Master Crumwell. If you think it's best, I shall comply." She smiled weakly.
The Sheriff smiled. He folded his arms and looked downcast. This was turning out to be much easier than he thought it would be!
After Thomas left, the Sheriff sat back down upon the bed beside her.
"My lady, there was one more thing I wanted to tell you. Actually, it's a request." The Sheriff said.
"What is it, my love?" She asked. He suddenly appeared quite serious.
"Once this is over and you're permitted outside of the chambers, promise me that if you have any plans to visit anyone's home including your own that you will tell me?" The Sheriff implored her. He suddenly put his hands upon either side of her face.
"George?" Rhiannon asked as she searched his eyes with hers.
"Promise me, Rhiannon!" Nottingham said sharply.
"Alright. I will tell you if I plan to visit someone's home." Rhiannon said slowly, still rather bewildered. She stared at him strangely.
"And your manor too!" The Sheriff stated firmly.
"George, what is going on?" Rhiannon demanded.
He stared into her eyes a moment, then he took his hands from her face and looked downcast. He exhaled an audible sigh then began to respond to her. "I cannot explain it to you, Rhiannon." The Sheriff said softly as he slowly looked up at her. "I just need you to trust me. I know you visit your manor each week. I would feel better if you were granted protection from now on when you visit. I shall accompany you, and if I cannot I'd prefer you remain at the castle. So, from now on you will tell me where you're going at all times – once the physician allows you out of these chambers, that is." The Sheriff said as his eyebrow quirked.
"George, this isn't like you?" Rhiannon said, shaking her head.
"Believe me, lady. You must believe in me." The Sheriff implored her. He grabbed her suddenly and held her in a tight embrace so that she could scarcely breathe.
Rhiannon was troubled by his behaviour. He seemed quite disturbed by something.
"It is to keep you safe, my angel. Believe me, my lady – this is not punishment. It is an act of love, and that's all I can say about it." The Sheriff said softly as he smoothed her hair.
"I'm sure, my prince." Rhiannon sighed as she held him.
He was certainly confusing her. For one of the first times ever – he was frightening her in this moment.