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May Day Celebrations	By : gallygaskins Category: M through R > Robin Hood Views: 2529 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Robin Hood and I do not earn money from this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 1-May Day Celebrations
- 1
May Day Celebrations

The meadow outside the castle gates was littered with stalls and tents, a bright maypole shot up in the centre and a jousting area had been set up to one side.

Vasey, as always, presided over the event with his own degree of menace from his booth at the centre of the grandstand. Marion stood stock still on a podium in front of him, her face as white as a sheet. Finally she opened her mouth to speak, "I am sorry, Sheriff. I am not able to choose."

"Sorry, Lady Marion? I have given you this opportunity and you are not able to answer my request?" He smiled with glee; this was going to be good.

"No, my lord. I cannot choose between either ... ," she faltered, her eyes quickly moving between the two men before her, " ... between either Sir Guy of Gisborne or Robin of Locksley."

A startled crowd looked at her in awe, she had been ordered by the Sheriff to give him an answer and she could not pick one from the other. The two men in question looked at each other in confusion before turning their attention back to the girl at the centre of the proceedings.

"Oh dear," Vasey shouted standing up and leaning over the edge of the booth. Marion was sure that he could have reached out and touched her if he'd wanted to even though she was a good twenty feet away from him. "What are we to do? Seems like an aborted wedding day in the not too distant past is still grating with this maid," Guy winced, "or perhaps she still remembers the love that left her to go to war in the holy land," now it was Robin's turn. "Not to worry, let the games commence."

"Wait," Marion shouted, "you said ..."

"I said marry or face the consequences, Lady Marion."

Marion dropped her head, a single tear breaking its embargo and trailing down her cheek. How had she got here? How had she got to a point in her life where she couldn't even make a simple decision? Her conversation with Vasey that morning came back to her.

"It's simple, Marion. You are no good to me anymore, especially after the Winchester debacle. No Lord dare come near and pay you homage in case the same exeunt from this world befalls them. This means I cannot get rid of you by conventional means.

"So, I give you a choice. You can either marry my Man at Arms as you promised to do not so long ago, or you marry the outlaw. I do not care which."

"And what is to happen to us, my betrothed and me?" Marion asked boldly.

"You will be taken from this place and married before the sun sets. I will give you a portion of your father's wealth as your dowry, do with it as you see fit and then you and your new husband will be deposited as Lord and Lady of a far off pile that I no longer want nor have a need for."

"And the other man?"

Vasey huffed, "always the kind heart? What does it matter what I do with Gisborne?"

"You expect me to choose Robin?"

"Are you not his sweetheart?"

'We haven't been that for some time,' she thought. In fact, she couldn't even remember the last time that she had seen him. He'd kept away from the castle, she'd assumed to keep her safe but Guy had done so much more for her recently than Robin had ever done. Nothing was black and white anymore, just shades of grey. "What if I cannot choose?"

"There are ways, my lady, in even getting you to choose your companion in life. So which will it be? The boy who would save the King or the man who would murder him? Until midday then, madam." She shuddered at Vasey's words, the slamming of the chamber door signalling his exit. She found she could stand up no longer finding solitude in a chair by an unattended fire. What was she going to do?

And now she stood in front of everyone including God, uttering the words that she knew she could only speak. She could not choose, neither was perfect, but which one would love her and look after her, provide for her even? Her head shot up in defiance, her eyes raged as her bosom heaved, "so, what are you going to do to me, Vasey? There isn't much else considering you have already crushed my ideals on human kindness, humiliated me, burnt down my home and allowed my father to die in the manner that he did."

Both Guy and Robin looked at one another, rolling their eyes. If there was one thing they both knew about the beautiful woman that stood before them it was her need to wage war against her enemies at every opportunity. Both knew it was a mistake but were powerless to do anything.

Vasey's guards were on tenterhooks, awaiting any kind of signal from their leader. Instead he pointed one gloved finger at her. "You are walking a very fine line, missy." He shouted his anger all too evident. He sat back in his throne, relaxing his back against the cool oak. "There is to be a tournament," the crowd shouted and screamed; Vasey hushed the crowd with his hands. "People of Nottingham, this afternoon, as part of our May Day celebrations, Sir Guy of Gisborne and Robin of Locksley will take part in a tournament in order to win the heart of Lady Marion of Knighton.

"Instead of choosing a knight to wear her colour, Lady Marion will decide which of her suitors wins each contest within the tournament. A tally will be counted at the end of the tournament and the one gentleman with the most votes will be the victor. The other, will be put to death."

Across the hush of the crowd a lone voice could be heard. "No!" Marion screamed, "I will not put a man to death."

"Too bad. You will make your choice and give us some sport into the bargain or I will choose for you." She knew what that meant; there were still some willing suitors that would pay even the smallest price to make her theirs. What would she rather have? Better the devil she knew came to mind. She nodded her acceptance tearfully, not wanting any harm to befall either Guy or Robin; she only hoped there was something she could do by the end of the tournament.

The first contest was archery, even before an arrow was shot by either party Marion knew that Robin would outshoot Guy and picked up an ivory handkerchief embroidered with an 'R'. She scrunched it up and placed it into the sealed oak chest which had a slit in the top. Guy took the plate first, his front foot on the line. Taking the opportunity to watch, Marion brought her eyes up to rest on the face of a man concentrating on his goal. He really was no bowman but then perhaps that was not necessarily what was needed here. Perhaps it was better to have a will of iron and a desire to win overall.

Guy took the shot, surprising everyone with his accuracy, so he wasn't dead centre but he wasn't far off the mark. He glanced in Marion's direction taking strength from the look of amazement he found there. In truth, he had not expected to do as well as he had but he took stock that Marion hadn't either. Perhaps she would put her trust in him after all.

Robin took the stage to rapturous applause, a broad grin spreading across his face as he hardly even took aim before the arrow was shot. It hit its mark, as expected. Even before the caller mentioned it was a perfect hit, Robin had taken a bow in front of Vasey and Marion never breaking eye contact with Marion as he bent over, a smug grin on his face.

The next contest saw the suitor's saddle up. A target was set up at one end of the grandstand as they started from the other, a spear in their hand. Guy motioned for Robin to go first, an order was given that the 'man' mannequin was to be killed with one blow. Robin readied his horse, the beast dancing on the spot slightly as Guy sat aloft his steady stead behind Robin, awaiting his turn. Robin kicked his horse indicating that it should start to move and once he had the chestnut up to gallop, Robin aimed his spear at the ever enlarging target. His spear landed somewhere in the opponents neck and gaily swung there for a few seconds before dropping out onto the floor. The flag stayed down as Robin, slightly crestfallen, got down from his horse and led him behind the grandstand for a stable boy to look after him.

It was now Guy's turn, he patted the beast's neck, smoothing down the silky hair with the leather gloves that he always wore. He whispered into the horse's ear in French, "soyez courageux mon ami, séjour directement pour moi et mon amour." He stared straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the point of entry he was going to make on the mannequin. He kicked away, the horse sped off never wavering from the course Guy had him set to, within seconds Guy had the spear ready for contact, and as he and his stead neared the goal he thrust the spear into the opponents 'heart'. The flag was up before Guy came to a complete stop, the mannequin swinging around wildly, the spear still sticking out of the body.

Marion smiled to herself. That made one each. She quickly folded up a handkerchief that had a 'G' sewn onto it and pushed that into the oak chest with the one that already resided there for Robin. Perhaps no-one would have to die yet. There were two more contests, this could all end in a draw and neither would be a victor nor loser. However, Marion realised that Vasey would have a hanging by the end of the day, even it was her own.

They had decided on a bout of wrestling next. The contest called for the best out of 3 and as Marion was unsure of what a win was had to wait for the flag to signal either a win on Guy's or Robin's side. The next time either of them appeared in front of her they were both stripped to the waist of any cumbersome clothing. Marion had seen Robin's body many times and didn't feel uncomfortable by it. Thinking back to her earlier conversation with the Sheriff it wasn't difficult for her own opinions to come into play. She may not have seen him in such a way for many years but he was still a boy compared to the manly torso of Sir Guy.

A blush spread over her cheeks like wildfire as she took in the rippling muscles and taut curves. She wondered what it would be like to lie with a man that could command such great strength, what would a wedding night be like with him. She shook her head clear of any daydreams; this contest had to be decided fairly.

The bout began. Surprisingly Guy played fairly and soon had Robin pinned to the floor. Robin, obviously assuming that this would be easy, stepped up his game in the second round, taking Guy as he unceremoniously knocked him to the ground as Guy ran at him. By the end of the third round Marion was aware of what it was that each opponent had to do in order to secure a win. A slip on Guy's part put him in danger and Robin soon had the larger figure pinned to the floor despite Guy's efforts to turn the game back to his advantage. Marion sighed, another to Robin. Was that remorse she was feeling for Sir Guy or something else? Silently she scolded herself, hoping that Guy would win the next and final contest.

Marion thanked God when they both returned for the final time as now Guy and Robin were both covered in their respective tunic, Guy in his usual black, Robin in the earthy brown he generally favoured for camouflage. Her heart rate had slowed considerably.

The caller shouted, "Sword combat – the victor the spoils. To the death."

Marion turned her attention to Vasey, his smile beamed from ear to ear. Uncharacteristically she placed her hand on his arm, "wait. Do you mean that this is then not my decision who the victor is?"

Vasey eyed her suspiciously, "well, Marion, if you can tell me that there will be no draw at the end of this contest then neither one has to die."

"Should Guy win, then there will be a draw." She confessed.

"Thought so, and do you think the gallant Sir Guy will win?" She nodded, "thought so. Carry on." He shouted down to the two opponents.

"No." The fight stopped once more. "Let them fight but to win a bout is to wound, please."

"So how will you decide, Marion?"

"Let me have the disposal of the chapel just for an hour. I will sit in the confessional and listen to their answers to questions that will be directed to them both separately by my maid. Once I have listened to them both I will make my decision. But I want neither to know that decision until I am wed to one or the other."

Vasey's brow furrowed. "How exactly?"

"When the decision has been made by me, they will separate but both will be led away in a carriage to a different church where one will wed me and the other wed another. The victor will not know they have won until the marriage is to be consummated. A trusted employee will escort each couple to a church of my choice. I will elect my own and tell you which carriage is to contain my husband to be. Only the coach drivers will know where they are taking their respective husband to be. If your guards follow either carriage then there will be hell to pay Vasey, for once I have your word that you will leave the three of us alone and never darken any of our doors again then I expect this of you. We will no longer be your pets to play with. If this is not carried out as per my wishes then I will not agree to any of your meddling and I will ensure that my wealth will be given totally to the poor, you may have the lands as I cannot stop you but the money is being kept safe by another trusted friend. Do I make myself clear?"

"Clever girl. I suppose you thought about all of this, this morning?" The smile on her face indicated that she had. "Probably put the necessary steps into action too? Even got the other bride sorted out?"

"Yes, all of that and more, the only thing I didn't have time to do was decide which of the two I would marry."

"Sit back then Marion, enjoy the show, while it lasts and then ask your questions."

Before Guy even had the chance to strike Robin on the arm, Marion rolled up the handkerchief with her final choice upon it. 'G'. The tournament came to its conclusion and Vasey gave the result. Both men looked at each other in shock and horror as they were led away into the castle, their belongings handed back to them and were then asked to wait outside of the chapel until one was called to go in.

"What is she doing?" Robin complained to no-one in particular. "How could she choose you over me?"

"She hasn't, Hood. Knowing Marion she has done this to make sure that not one or all of us swing from Vasey's gallows."

"So why are we here? This is the chapel isn't it?"

"Perhaps the Sheriff has decided for her? Perhaps she has made a decision she didn't want making public?" He smiled to himself, it would be just like Marion to make it him but do it quietly.

"Don't think too much of yourself Gisborne, she'd sooner die than marry you?"

"Really? So why did we both receive two handkerchiefs? She's obviously thinking about what a real man can give her than the boy who lives in the forest."

Robin's eyes glazed in anger, his nostrils flared, getting ready to take Guy down in any way he could. There was no way he was going to win this. Marion was Robin's sweetheart not Guy's. Just as he was about to set on Guy, Sarah, Marion's maid opened the door to the chapel. "Robin of Locksley?" He nodded, following Sarah into the chapel and flashing Guy a triumphant smile. This could only mean one thing. Marion had chosen him.

The door shut, Guy paced the corridor. So Hood had won, so far. He would kill him as soon as he walked out of that chapel and then take Marion back in and marry her himself if he had his way. He struggled with his thoughts, Marion would never love a man that had slain her husband and that's what he wanted from her, love. He wanted their children to be born of love too. Deciding the best thing to do was walk away; he made for the stairs that led back out to the inner courtyard. "Where are you going?" Allan A Dale shouted down the stairs.

Guy stopped and looked back up to him, "Away, Allan, from here."

"Orders are for you to stay here."

"On whose authority?" Guy snapped.

"On Marion's," Allan countered.

Could this mean that something else was going on? Something more sinister than what either Robin or Guy had imagined. "Why?" He began climbing the stairs once more.

"She has some questions that she wants you to answer. Robin is in there at the minute, when he comes out it's your turn."

.oOo.

Robin had expected to see a priest and a blushing bride as soon as he walked into the chapel. Instead Sarah took a seat and motioned for him to sit opposite her. "What's this?"

"Marion has asked me to ask you some questions, Robin. Once I have satisfied her with your answers she will make her final decision and marry one of you."

"Oh, right. Wasn't quite expecting that."

'No, I bet you weren't,' Marion thought as she sat in her hiding place in the confessional.

"Thought the bride to be had already chosen and was waiting in here to take me as her husband." Sarah shook her head. "Ok, you better ask the questions then."

"First one, what brought you to the castle today, why did you come?" Sarah asked nervously.

"Word got to me that there was to be a tournament and that there was a large fortune that could be acquired from winning it. I thought that using the fortune to feed the starving populous of Nottingham was a better idea than allowing one man to use it for his own gain."

'Typical,' thought Marion.

"And when you realised you would be fighting Guy for Marion's hand?"

"I couldn't quite believe it, can't quite believe she hasn't already picked me, either.

"Smug git," she said, suddenly realising she had said it out loud, clamping a hand over her mouth."

"Is someone else in here, Sarah?" Robin asked.

"Must be the wind ... or mice. Next one, if Marion married you, what would you expect of her?"

"Nothing more than she can already give me and my brothers. She is expert at wielding a sword, fighting the Sheriff and Gisborne and she would turn my bad acts into good with her benevolence."

"Finally then Robin, if Marion married you, what can she expect of you?"

"That I will always do my best for Nottingham, and with her by my side I could never do anything else."

"Thank you, please go now. I'll come and get Sir Guy in a moment." She looked over to where Marion was, Marion had the curtain up, and Sarah could see her fury. "Well, my lady?"

"Where was the talk of love? What I am expected to be just his companion so that he can still get up Vasey's nose whenever he feels like it." She sighed. "I suppose I best listen to the other one and his ramblings on about his love for me." With that she replaced the curtain and awaited Sir Guy's responses.

Sarah went through the same with Guy as she had Robin, asking him Marion's first question. "What brought you to the castle today? Why did you come?"

"Sarah, I am here 90% of the time but if you mean to the tournament that is easy, I am the Sheriff's Master At Arms I was unlikely not to be there."

"Of course, Sir, sorry. Silly question."

In an unusual act of kindness, Guy touched her arm. "Not to worry, our little secret, eh?" It was now Marion's turn to not quite believe what was transpiring. He must know that she was in the room somehow.

"Alright, next one then. What did you then think when you realised you would be fighting Robin for Marion's hand."

"I wasn't sure what to believe, of Marion, Vasey or Hood. I just kept thinking if I can win this then I can win a little piece of her heart."

'Here we go,' Marion thought, 'more protestations of love.'

"There is no denying how much I care for that woman Sarah, even after I found out about her being the Night Watchman and her continuous use of me for her own end. Attempting to and sometimes getting information from me that I should never have imparted. But I would do it again, all of it if it meant that I could just spend one evening with her, loving her and making her mine." He stopped for a second, before continuing in a whisper, " ... and then I would spend the rest of my life asking her forgiveness for nearly killing her."

"If Marion married you, what would you expect of her?"

"If Marion married me. I'd be the luckiest and happiest man in the world but I would expect nothing from her. I would just hope that in time she could forgive me for becoming the man I should never have become, the man that could've killed the only thing he loved."

"Lastly, Sir Guy, if Marion married you, what could she expect of you?"

Marion expected him to say love and provide for her. "That I will always try and do as she asks of me."

"Not love and provide for her?" Sarah posed Marion's unasked question.

"Of course I will, I'll do everything in my power to keep her safe. Provide for her and our family with everything that they need and love her till I don't have an ounce of breath left in my body, both emotionally and ... physically."

Surprised by his declaration, Marion realised that she had unconsciously held her breath. She let out the air through her mouth, breathing naturally again as her heart raced. Her hands were clammy and she felt faint, but she had to wait until Guy had finished before she could slip from behind the curtain and regain her composure. Sarah shouldn't have asked that question of Guy but Marion was glad that she had. At least she had a better picture of which man she would marry and love. As soon as the coast was clear, she would make her choice.

She heard the door close again, and opened the curtain up to see Sarah wandering towards her. "Well?"

"I've made my decision."

"Very good, my lady."

Marion walked over to the chest where two handkerchiefs lay on top of it. She picked up her choice, folded it and posted it into the oak chest. Taking the other she smiled at Sarah, walking over to the fire and throwing the fabric onto the fire. "Goodbye." She whispered as the handkerchief was consumed by the fire and finally was no more.

Sarah called for the guards to take the oak chest to Vasey, instructions had also been written by Marion's hand and posted into the chest. This information would tell the victor which carriage to take, she only hoped that Vasey wouldn't take it upon himself to interfere, however she knew the threat of him losing valuable additional money from Nottingham's coffers would deter him. Both Marion and Sarah fled through the castle as quickly as they could reaching the stable block in good time, as they passed quickly through the courtyard she could see that Allan was following her instructions to the latter, a quick nod of heads and she was on her way soon to become a married woman.

.oOo.

Vasey sat in the main hall of the castle, the oak chest in front of him, the two suitors stood at the other end of the long dark oak banqueting table. "Today it ends, for my association with you both anyway. Marion has made sure that both of you will be looked after and that neither of you will be dead before the end of the day. So you have her to thank for saving you both from my noose.

"Everything has been planned by Lady Marion and if it therefore doesn't meet with your wishes then take it up with her. I no longer care. The results are in and I am to give you your instructions. You are both to go into the courtyard; Gisborne is to take the coach to the left, Hood the one on the right."

"That's it?" Guy protested, "after all I've done for you, I'm to be dismissed like one of the servants."

"Be thankful Gisborne that I allowed your possessions and money to be packed as is and will be travelling with you."

"Where too?"

"I don't know, only Lady Marion knows where the two of you are going. Well, if that's it I bid you both goodbye and good riddance."

Both men walked from the hall and out into the courtyard. The mid afternoon sun was still warm as it slowly began to sink back down toward the earth. Guy was the first to say anything. "So, here we are. Both at the start of another leg of our lives."

Robin nodded, "let's hope it's better for us both." He held out his hand to Guy, "whichever one of us is lucky enough to have ended up with Marion we must remember that it was her choice."

Guy took Robin's hand in his. "Yes, we must. Good luck, Hood."

They shook hands. "Good luck, Gisborne."

Onlookers would never have guessed that they had fought one another on countless occasions. The merry men would not have believed it either, had they not seen it with their own eyes. Guy and Robin parted, seemingly, as old friends.

Taking their respective coaches and after driving out of the city, the two carriages took their leave from one another; Robin went north, Guy went west. Each travelled for about an hour before reaching a chapel where a simple ceremony took place with a trusted servant as a witness. Each husband was eager to see his bride but the servant stayed with each couple as an escort to make sure that neither Robin nor Guy knew who they had wed until the time was right.

Both journeys seemed to take forever as both husbands grew more and more anxious the further from Nottingham they went. Both had been told that they would be spending their first night in a tavern and that they would have to wait until they were called for. Guy protested to his wife, he wanted to know who she was and now. But he soon grew tired and irritated with Allan's continued whining that it was what Marion had wished for and that Guy should respect what she wanted. He nodded, moving away from his wife and looking out of the carriage window hoping that the ale was good at the tavern so he could drown his sorrows before he went to bed.

Robin fared no better, his bride had quickly moved from him as soon as he had sat in the coach and became increasingly frustrated by Much's nagging of this is what Marion wanted, if that is what she wanted then this was what she was going to get. He too hoped the ale was good; he needed to wash away Much's voice still ringing in his ears.

Once they had reached their tavern for the night, the bride had been shown to a room where a rose scented bath had been laid out for her so that she was able to make herself fragrant and beautiful for her first night as a married woman. She only hoped she would not disappoint Robin.

Across the Midlands of England, another bride was also washing away the grime of the day and thinking of her husband. On the journey he had asked her if she was a maid and she had acknowledged that she was, she only hoped she would not disappoint Guy. After drying her skin with some linen, she put on a silk semi-transparent chemise and dried her hair. She wondered how the other couple were doing as she made her way to the bed and the maid closed the bed curtains, securing her within the confines of the bed awaiting her husband.

The maid quickly found Allan and instructed him that all was ready. Guy was now able to see his bride for the first time. Allan took a seat opposite his master and drank some of his ale. "You're up, Guy. She wants you. Hope you haven't drunk too much?" He asked with a knowing glint in his eye.

In truth, Guy had hardly touched his drink. The ale had been good but he just didn't fancy it. He wanted the games to stop but he also wanted to make sure that whoever was upstairs waiting for him, he was able to show her respect as he made love to her. He walked up the stairs in anticipation, not sure of what to expect but knowing that this was the first day of the rest of his life so he'd better make it count for something good. He walked through the door noticing the bed curtains were closed. He smiled, still the games but not for too much longer. He closed the door behind him, bolting it shut, before making his way across the floor to the bed. He hesitated, his hands on the edges of the curtains ready to open them, silently sending up a prayer to God that he hoped God would answer.

As his bride had heard her husband enter the room and bolt the door behind him, she adjusted herself on the bed, hoping that her new position would aid in showing her body off in its best quality. She closed her eyes in anticipation and wetted her lips; she could hear him coming closer to her, his boots lightly sounding against the floorboards as he moved toward the bed. He stopped at the curtains, he was taking his time, was he going to give up and go away? He couldn't, not now, she had to do something, call out, anything.

He readied himself, whatever happened, whoever lay on the bed he was going to make sure that they had a good life together. His hesitation had obviously stirred something in the young woman as he heard her speak for the first time. "Guy?" The voice cracked with its own eagerness to talk. He flung back the curtains, taking in the form of the lovely Goddess he saw before him with his cool blue eyes.

.oOo.

Once Robin was given the all clear from Much, he also allowed himself a little prayer to Allah. He only hoped that whoever was there, it was Marion.

He scolded himself; of course it was going to be Marion. Taking the stairs two at a time he was soon at his marital chamber and within seconds he was within its confines, the door bolted behind him. He looked across the room toward the bed, there she was, her body laid out provocatively over the bed in a matching chemise to the one that was worn by the other bride, her opaque veil still over her face. "Still playing games Marion?" Robin asked as he sat down on a chair by the fire and pulled off his boots and stockings, "thought you'd be tired of them by now. By the way, you look very fetching in that chemise and the veil ..."

He looked over to her once more; she was beckoning him over with her finger. "What's this? Keen to get this over with?" He watched her nod, "alright," he said pulling at his tunic and leaving it on the floor as he made his way over to the bed. "Haven't slept in one of these for a while, might be keeping you up all night because I can't sleep," she shrugged. "What is with you?" She beckoned him again. He slid closer, his body stretching along the length of hers; he looked her up and down liking what he saw, and never failing to notice the pink tint of her nipples and the dark curls that covered her sex. He could take this no longer he had to see her face. His fingertips caught the lace edge of the linen and, after meeting no resistance, pulled the veil away from his wife's face.

He smiled; she never failed to amaze him. "You're not Marion." He said.

"No, I'm Lady Leah of Hardwick, an old friend of Marion's but left in a similar position as she. Actually, I suppose I'm Leah of Locksley now." She smiled.

"Hmm, only in name at the moment, Leah. However, given time ..." He leant in, his mouth grazing hers with a kiss that threatened to burn them both. Each responding to the other's protestations. 'Thank you, Marion,' Robin thought, 'you've done very well.'

.oOo.

As Marion lay there waiting for her husband to open the curtain or bolt for the door, she knew she must do something to keep him there. The only thing she could think of doing was call out his name. It had been hours since she had said anything, particularly to him, her mouth was dry and she wasn't even sure what to say. He seemed to be hesitating so surely it was best if she asked a question. "Guy?" She finally managed.

He tore the curtains open. She steadily watched him as she noticed his eyes roving hungrily over her body in the semi-transparent silk, they finally rested on her face a smile finally taking shape as he realised he finally had his prize. "Why?" He asked.

"Why what?" Marion asked meekly.

"Why me?"

"Because I realised I could never love a man that would not think of ever putting me first."

"So I was second choice," he snapped out bitterly, removing himself to the chair by the fire, getting away from her as far as he could.

Not that Marion was having anything of it. She nimbly jumped from the bed and joined him by the fire, kneeling at his feet. Laying her hands over his she looked up into his face. "Why must you always fly off the handle, Guy of Gisborne? This is your wife you now talk to. I trust that you will begin to mellow as we start our lives together. If you'd only let me finish?"

"What else is there to say?"

"That wasn't my only reason, Guy, and it certainly wasn't my first either. When I heard you answer my questions ..."

His hands grabbed her wrists, pulling her closer to him. "You were there?"

"Yes, hiding in the confessional. I heard every word. I heard how you told Sarah that you would love me and our family; provide for us, that you expected nothing from me but that you hoped I could forgive you for stabbing me."

"I meant it."

"I know. That is why you are here and not Robin. Vasey may not know everything but he knows Robin is still a boy who wants to play at war. I do not want a boy. I want a man. I want you."

"I am trouble."

She took one hand and placed it over the scar that he had left on her body after he had stuck his dagger into her, not knowing then that she was the Night Watchman. She allowed his fingers to follow the line, up and down, sighing at the touches he was ministering. "You were," she countered, smiling at him. "I don't think you will be from now on. You're free Guy, you are no longer the Sheriff's Man at Arms, and he no longer has any power over you."

He pulled her up to sit in his lap, "I will never be free of him."

Marion swatted him on the arm, "you, my husband," she reminded him, "are not listening to your wife. You are quite free. I have secured it. He offered us land at the darkest reaches of Nottingham but I declined. I knew that if we took the land then we would never hear the end of it from him, which is why Robin and his wife, Leah, will soon be taking up residence there instead."

"Leah?" He quizzed.

"An old friend, Lady Leah of Hardwick."

"He will not be disappointed then."

She gave him one of her stern looks. "What do you mean by that?"

"Only that she is young enough to tame the boy within. So, going back to Vasey."

"You are not to worry about him. We are travelling to a land that is so far away from him that he will not wish to follow us. Plus, I have given him Knighton and most of my father's wealth; it is up to him what he does with it. I do not have much but we should be comfortable."

"You paid him off?"

"Yes. With more than he would have ever got from selling me to the highest bidder too. I wasn't worth much, you put paid to that when you dispatched Winchester on my behalf."

"My clever wife."

"Yes, I'd like to think your equal?"

"More so. Would you like to tell me where we're eventually headed?

"We have a long journey ahead of us, first we go west and then we go north. Eventually we will end up at Lancaster, where I will meet with one of my father's oldest friends. He has some land and a manor that he would like us to look after for him."

Guy only dared to dream, "what is it called, this land that we will manage?"

"Now let me think," she teased, "what was it? Begins with 'G', if I remember rightly."

Full of mischief, Guy began tickling Marion, not a difficult task considering what she was barely wearing, "tell me wench!"

Through her giggles, Marion told her secret. "Gisborne. Guy we are going to live in Gisborne. I had confirmation this morning; we will be safe there, protected by Lancaster."

"How did you manage that?"

"With a little bit of knowledge and a lot of courage things are not difficult to achieve. My father told me about his old friend just before he died, he asked me to contact him in order to see if I could gain a new life for myself. We have been writing to each other ever since, on one such occasion he told me of Gisborne and the need for someone to manage it for him as he no longer had the time. I agreed to it, I was going to leave Nottingham anyway as soon as I had the news I needed. And I hoped that, in time, I could persuade you to join me."

"It wouldn't have taken much persuasion, Marion. Only why ask for me?"

"You still do not see? I have been thinking about you for a long while now. Well, thinking about you and me together, if I'm honest. I just didn't know that Vasey was so intent on marrying me off. Today of all days. I just needed to make sure that Robin stayed safe and this was the only way that I thought I could do that."

He couldn't believe it; he really did have a clever wife. He brought her close to him; she could feel his breath upon her neck as he held her to him. His lips finding the juncture between her neck and shoulder. A welcome feeling of need swept through her body as he continued feathering kisses upon her neck, over her jaw and finally upon her mouth, claiming her as his own once and for all. She burned from his caresses, desire licking at her core as she finally allowed herself to be loved by him.

Moaning from the loss of her as she got up from her seat in his lap, she positioned herself in front of him. The glowing flames and embers of the fire allowed him a view of Marion that he hoped would never leave him. He watched, dumbstruck, as she reached behind herself and tugged at the tie that held the chemise up over her body. Once loose the garment slid down over her body and pooled at her feet. He stared in wonder at the glory of blossoming womanhood that stood before him wanting him to love her. A golden glow cast its light over her body, the scar he had made shining curiously like a beacon on a dark night. He slid off the chair onto his knees, examining the line of the incision before his hands found their way to her hips and brought her closer to him. He kissed the centre, a lone tear escaping one eye and landing on her hip below. Her hands found their way into his hair and pulled him closer, sighing as she felt his breath tickle the hair on her pubis. The faint smell of her musk hit his nostrils and he looked up to her, their eyes meeting and never leaving one another as he stood up. He soon had her in his arms, carrying her to the bed, laying her in the centre of the bed spread.

He sat on the edge of the bed facing her, a hand reaching over her abdomen and swirling circles over it. "What it would be to have you carrying our child, I never dreamed ..."

"Did you have no thought at all that it would be me you wed?"

"I hoped, Marion. I never thought that you would want me. Especially after the last time."

She smiled, thinking back to a time when she really hadn't cared too much for Sir Guy's attention and gaudy presents. But he had changed and she was only very well aware of what it would be to be carrying their child within her. One thing she knew was that she loved him, body and soul. She picked up his hand as she sat up and kissed the back of his fingers and across his knuckles. Holding it against her heart she eventually said, "that is the past, and this is the future. I love you, Guy of Gisborne that will never change."

"I love you, Marion. Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank me for; all I ask is that you love me forever, as I will you."

"That shouldn't be a problem." He countered.

"Good, because I'm freezing sitting here waiting for my new husband to ravage me and make me his own."

Guy needed no more encouragement; he kicked the boots from his feet, as Marion knelt behind him and helped him remove his black leather jacket and then his black linen tunic, her nipples brushing against his back as she attempted to help him unlace his breeches. His hands stilled hers, getting up from the bed and breaking contact, he needed this to last, and he had no chance if Marion kept trying to move things along quickly. "Patience, you've never seen a man before, Marion. The last thing I want is for you to be frightened of me."

"Why would I be?" She asked.

He lent on the bed and kissed her on the mouth as she knelt there before him. "So innocent," he whispered, "no longer after tonight. I want you to enjoy this night, Marion. I want to love you as you ought to be and that means slowly. If you continue to hurry we will never make this last."

"I don't know what you mean?" She said miserably.

"I know, but you will, you will learn from me. Do you trust me?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then do as I say. I have wanted you for so long that it is burning a hole into my very core. When a man wants a woman his body changes, Marion. The part that joins him to his mate as they love one another becomes hard. I don't want you to be frightened of any part of me, ever. Do you understand?" She nodded. He stepped back away from the bed and as she opened up the curtains to gain the best view of him, he had stripped down to his braies; she noticed a slight bulge at the front. He turned away from her, pulling the cord and allowing the garment to pool at his feet. He felt her eyes on him, burning their course over the back of his body, falling to his bottom as she took in the well toned posterior. She made a mental note to touch that later. "I'm going to turn around now." He said nonchalantly hoping that his even mood would keep Marion from reacting irrationally.

She ate up every last ounce of him with her eyes as he turned around, her eyes falling on his manhood and examining the length and girth of it. She wondered at its size, biting her lip as he slowly walked towards her and lay upon the bed next to her. "Does that all fit in?"

"Yes, it will, my love. When you are ready to accept me. Do you wish to touch me?" She nodded absently, leaning over him and touching the silky smooth shaft. How could it be so velvety to touch? "Marion?"

"Yes?" Her voice a whisper.

Her small fingers running up and down the length of his shaft were doing things to him that he had never experienced before. It was exquisite. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I just can't believe how smooth it is. Not frightening at all."

He leant up on his elbows, catching her eye as he did, "really?"

"If it fits into me and its smooth as silk how can it possibly hurt me?"

"It does depend on how the owner uses it. Not that I wouldn't be anything but gentle with you." He noticed her bending down. "Marion?"

She stopped moving, "what?"

"What are you about?"

"I just wanted to kiss you," she responded. "Is that so wrong?"

He shook his head, who was he to stop her from wanting to experiment. Only now he could feel her tongue exploring his length, he only hoped she wouldn't ... "Oh God, Marion." He attempted to breathe as he felt her mouth suckle over the end of his cock, if he'd just died and gone to heaven it couldn't feel like this, surely? He regained control, his hands on her shoulders pulling her up onto his chest, "that, wife, is a lesson for another day. You finish me off like that now and I will be no good to even touch you in places you can imagine, let alone consummate our marriage."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. You're certainly going to be a wanton wife in our marriage bed but tonight I want to feel you around me, I want to be inside you, taking you to a place that you've never experienced and then fall back down to earth with you after I've spilt me seed in you."

"Teach me, Guy." He rolled her over from on top of him to lying with her back on the bed. His eyes took in every minute detail as he experienced her body for himself; a hand cupped her cheek as she looked at him and waited patiently for him to love her. He kissed her, her lips parting so as to let him taste her and in turn, she him. His hand found its way down to the first peak, still alive in the cool air in the room. It hardened further under his gentle touch and she was sighing against his mouth as her body started to move rhythmically. He replaced his hand with his mouth, licking the swollen bud, grazing it with his teeth and suckling upon it, finding out what Marion liked, listening for the moans that were sure to come. He wasn't disappointed. "Guy?" She asked.

"Mmm?" He returned continuing his assault of the first bud's twin.

"I feel wet, is that normal?"

"Yes, Marion. Perfectly. It is how I know you a beginning to get ready for me." She nodded her understanding. He got up from the bed and walked to the end, she moaned at the loss. "Come here," he knelt down helping her to position herself on the edge of the bed. "This will help to," he said, Marion could have sworn she had noticed a glint of wickedness in his eyes. Before she knew where she was his hands cupped her bottom and his mouth was over her core, suckling at the centre and exploring her with his tongue. He soon found her nub, sudden shockwaves pulsated throughout her body as she responded to him, her juices pooling as her hips fervently began to buck to his command of her until she could take it no longer and she soared over the edge. Guy continued to lap at her honeyed juices until the stars of her orgasm had faded and her body had slowed down. "How do you feel now, Marion?"

"Wonderful," was all she could manage. Her hand found its way down to her core, feeling the dampness of the downy hair. "Is this just from me?"

Guy found his way back onto the bed and pulled her up so that they were level with one another. "Mostly. Did you enjoy it?"

"Very much, but what about you and me, together?"

He smiled at her, "I hope you're not always in a rush, my lady."

"Not always. I'm just so anxious to feel you inside of me Guy; I've wanted you like this for weeks now."

"Now the truth is coming out."

"Is that so wrong?"

He shook his head, bending toward her again and plundering her mouth, his hand was at her sex, deftly working her once more so that she was soaking wet. He entered a finger into her, she shuddered a chill rising up her spine before relaxing to the pleasure of him sliding his finger in and out of her. Another finger soon joined the first and then a third, she was now ready to take him but he wanted to make sure that she was aware of that. "Marion, your body is ready for me, are you?" She nodded. "Say it, I have to hear you say it."

"Guy, please. I cannot stand it any longer. I need you inside of me, spilling your seed in me, creating our child from our united love." He parted her legs gently with his hands before climbing between them and laying his stomach on top of hers. His eyes never left hers as he reached between them and placed the tip of his shaft against her entrance. His fingers gently opened her up to him; she instinctively opened her legs wider and arched her hips towards him. She smiled; loving the sensation as he gently entered her before pulling out again and then slowly pushed back in. She let out a small sigh as he pulled out once more although leaving the tip inside her this time. Each time he stroked in he went a little farther, opening her up to him until he was finally at the last obstacle of her maidenhood.

He continued pulling out and pushing in for a little while until he felt sure that she would be capable of taking him fully without it hurting too much. "Marian, the next time I push you will no longer be a maid, are you ready?" She nodded; he pulled back a little and thrust in a little deeper, stopping movement as soon as he had completed that task. He covered her mouth with his own as she cried out, a whimper sounded in her throat. "I am sorry. I did not wish to hurt you." He wiped away the tears that had fallen over her cheeks.

"It only hurts once?" He nodded, "then that is the only time you will ever hurt me. I think perhaps you can go on now, Guy. The pain has subsided."

Tenderly, he slowly pulled back out of her before thrusting back in so that Marion had him totally within her. Curious as ever, she placed her hand between them and delighted in feeling his cock slide through her fingers as he continued to enter her and pull back out. Her hands clasped at the nape of his neck, bringing his face down to meet hers, they kissed, their mouths wrestling as much as their bodies were, both lost in the other as they continued on their journey toward their ultimate union. Marion's legs clamped around Guy's hips thus allowing him reach further inside of her. They broke their kiss, unable to carry on as they lost control and both came to the crest of their release uttering their partners name into the electric atmosphere around them, the headboard signalled the end to their joyous union as it made its final bang against the wall behind. "I hope that no one is in the room next door," Guy uttered unable to move.

"I don't care if there is," Marion said, "at least they know how much my husband means to me. I could never have done that with someone I didn't love."

"You love me, then, Marion of Gisborne?"

"Yes, very much, Guy of Gisborne. And do you love your wife?"

"Your husband loves you very much. Marion?" He pulled them both onto their sides, allowing their union to subside before pulling the bed covers over them both.

"Yes?"

"I don't actually feel married, not yet. I mean, I know we had the ceremony and now we've definitely consummated it but in the chapel, not knowing it was you and you not speaking, it didn't feel right."

"No. There is something else I have to tell you."

"Yes?"

"Well, I sent word ahead that when we arrive we would like to have our marriage blessed in sight of God and the villagers of Gisborne, and then there is to be a feast laid on afterwards so that we have the opportunity to meet with the people of Gisborne. Will that do?"

His fingers brushed the tresses of hair away from her eyes and behind her ear. "That will do wife, very well." He could tell that she was not going to stay awake much longer. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I'm yours, Lady Marion, forever." He soon drifted into slumber, the like of which he never had had whilst working for the Sheriff.

.oOo.

"Ralph," Guy shouted, "stop doing that to your sister. You are supposed to be looking out for her, not threatening to kill her."

"Sorry father. I just see the way you and mother act and think it is ok."

Guy tried to understand what his son was talking about but thought better of it. "It is different for your mother and me, when you are a man in love you will understand."

"I will not do it again."

"Good. You may need your sister in future; you would not want to walk this earth without family."

"No father."

Guy smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkling as he did so. He closed his eyes as he lay back on the blanket, daydreaming of the last time he and Ralph's mother had 'wrestled'.

It had been in the woods about six weeks ago. The nursemaid had been keeping watch on the children, so Guy and Marion had decided to go for a walk in the woods. She was picking wild flowers, her voluptuous bust nearly freeing itself from the low cut dress that she was wearing as she bent over. From where Guy sat with his back against the tree he had felt the urge to have her. In the years that they had been together his wife had continuously surprised him and that afternoon had not been an exception.

She had noticed his line of sight, a fire suddenly ignited at her core and she crawled the short distance to him. She had kissed him whilst undoing the laces at the front of her dress. The next time he caught sight of her breasts they were bobbing in front of him like two ripe melons. He had loved the fact that after bearing two children her breasts had seemingly doubled in size. She knelt over him allowing him to catch a nipple in his mouth as one hand found the other and his other pulled up her skirts and found her liquid honey as soon as his fingers touched her sex. She mewled for him against his finger as he slowly edged two inside of her, that was the other thing, two children and she wasn't as tight as she once had been, but when he sunk himself inside of her, she still responded to him and he could still feel her contract and shudder around his shaft as she came.

Marion reached for his tabard, undoing the ties at the side before throwing it over his head. She opened the ties of his braies and pushed them down out of the way as she found his ball sack and began to fondle it and hold her fingers around his girth. She had soon positioned herself above him and was working herself up and down his length. She bit into his neck as she quickly came over him, weeks of sexual frustration released in a wood near their home at Gisborne. She continued working him until he too was ready and spilled his seed within her. They had stayed coupled for as long as it took for them to calm down, Guy's head rested between Marion's still exposed breasts, kissing them and her neck until they separated, Marion wondering at the silver grey hairs that had started to appear just behind his ears. It had been a wonderful afternoon. They had walked the short distance to the river, stripped themselves naked and run into its cool depths, enjoying the feel of the water around them, seemingly cleansing them before they had made love again on the river bank.

The sound of a galloping horse broke his reverie. He sat up looking toward the house, Marion was home. She had been sickening of late and had gone to visit a physician in Lancaster; he hoped there was nothing seriously wrong with her. From the day they had married he had prayed that nothing would take her away from him. He got up from his seat and after picking up the blanket and calling the children he was making his way back to the house.

"Where is Lady Marion?" He inquired as soon as he arrived.

"She has gone to change, Sir Guy." Said the nursemaid. He left the children with her before climbing the stairs to their bedchamber. He knocked lightly on the door before entering. She was sitting on a stool in front of the long mirror thoughtfully brushing her hair. A smile played on her lips as she noticed him watching her, totally in awe of her movements. He walked up behind her and took the brush from her; the stool was big enough for the both of them so he sat behind her and began brushing her hair for her. She loved him brushing her hair and he loved doing it, he always took care to make sure that all the tangles were brushed away before he invariably took her to their bed and ravished her.

"Guy?"

"Hmm?"

"Nothing is wrong with me."

"I'd have thought you'd have told me if there were by now, love. Everything is good then?"

"Yes, very." She said cryptically. She took his free hand and placed it over her abdomen. His eyes searched for hers in the looking glass, an unanswered question was spoken there. She nodded her head.

"You are with child?" She nodded again. "Another child, we are blessed. My clever wife. I love you."

"And I love you. I never thought at the tender age of 19 that Sir Guy of Gisborne could give me everything I wished for, but he did, he has," she took his hands in hers and kissed them. "I could not have asked for anymore. We are blessed, husband, with great love."

THE END
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