Guy of Gisborne - This Changing Life

This Changing Life - Part 20 -Goodbye, Hello

The morning was cloudy. Guy was relieved he had gotten the old sheriff's body out of the castle with no issues. He and Marion, as well as four of his trusted men, rode beside the wagon carrying Sir Edward of Knighton to rest on his land. Marion was dry eyed, having cried most of the night. She was also quiet, with no talk of what had happened the day before. Guy was glad of this. Addressing any feelings she might have on her father's passing, or for him was beyond his capability or desire, at the moment. His mind was on Kes. She had not spoken to him before he left. Not that he had expected things to be normal. He simply wanted to tell her it was nothing and move on. But he knew it would take much more than that. And he was at a loss. 

Tuck was waiting for them when they arrived at the burned-out ruins of Knighton Hall. Guy had a wave of guilt sweep over him at the site of the burned and charred remains of what had been a comfortable home to Marion and her father. He had burned it at the command of the sheriff, in anger at her for running out on their wedding. "Teach her a lesson," Vaisey had told him. He knew that night had been the start of the decline of the old man he was about to bury, and he felt tremendous guilt about his behavior.

Tuck had brought some men from the village to prepare the gravesite. They had suggested a spot next to his deceased wife, which Marion had been pleased about. She had never known her mother, who died shortly after her birth, but she knew her father had loved her greatly, and would have chosen this exact spot.

Afterwards, Guy ordered his guards to escort Lady Marion back to the castle, planning to take the short ride to his home by himself. Marion objected. "No! I am not going back there. I will go to the village and find a place to stay." Guy stood there in surprise. Whatever was she thinking! He could not allow this. "Marion, you cannot live there. It makes no sense." Guy was trying to be considerate to the grieving girl, but she was making this hard. 

"I can stay with Mathilda until I decide what I will do," she stated. She was fairly certain the old healer would take her in, possibly even train her. It would give her time to contact Robin and join his gang.

Guy raised his eyes to the sky. Heaven help him. The women in his life were causing a great many problems for him. 

"No. You will come to the Manor with me." This was certainly not what he would have chosen to do, but he felt no choice.  Perhaps if Marion were there, Kes would see he truly had no interest in the girl. He had hope this would be the case, but pretty certain it was sure to come back and bite him. 

Marion looked at him in surprise. "Really? You think the Princess will not mind?" Perhaps she had been mistaken about her shock yesterday. Or perhaps Guy had managed to talk his way out of it. She knew that the Princess was in love with Guy, and would obviously believe anything he told her. 

Guy didn't answer, he simply helped her onto her horse, and sent the men back with the wagon, and started the ride to home, and Kes.

Kes was sitting with the Queen Mother in some comfortable chairs in the small garden in front of the Manor. She watched as the two riders approached. 

"Who is that with your husband Dear?" Elanor asked. "It looks like a woman."

Kes quietly said, "That is Lady Marion of Knighton. She buried her father today.  I am not sure why she is with Guy."

As they dismounted, the Queen stood and hugged Marion, showing her compassion at the death of her father. "Dear child, I am so sorry for your great loss. Is there anything we can do to help you through this time?" She was sincere. A child losing a parent, and left alone. Her heart went out to the young woman before her.

Guy was the next one to speak. Kes had not taken her eyes off him, although her face showed no trace of emotion. "Marion refused to go back to the castle. I thought it best she stayed with us until we could work something out." No response from Kes.