"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3) by Gratiana Lovelace, 2015 (a Wattys2015 Nominee)

Ch. 14 (PG-13, D): A Cost Too Dear

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 14 (PG-13, D):  A Cost Too Dear,  
March 09, 2015 Gratiana Lovelace

[An Original Fan Fiction adaptation of the characters from the BBC's Robin Hood; 

& a Sequel to "Sir Guy's Dilemma" (Book 2) by Gratiana Lovelace]  (All Rights Reserved; No copyright infringement intended)  [(1) story logo, top right] 

[From time to time, I will illustrate my story with my dream cast of:  Richard Armitage as Sir Guy of Gisborne, Clive Standen as Lord Archer of Locksley, Emma Watson as Lady Roseanna Gisborne, Tommy Bastow as the young Seth Gisborne, Lucy Griffiths as the spectre of Lady Marian, James McAvoy as Lord George Middleton, Toby Stephens as Prince John, Dakota Fanning as Lady Caroline Havorford,  Chris Hemsworth as Sir Roderick Merton, Tamsin Egerton as Lady Rebecca Oxbridge, Lee Ross as Sir Jasper, etc.]

Author's Mature Content Note:  "Sir Guy's Atonement" is a story of romance and intrigue set amidst Medieval times.  As such there will be some passages in this story involving heartfelt love scenes (S) and some passages involving highly dramatic moments (D), or foul language (L).  I will label the maturity rating of those chapters accordingly.  Otherwise, the general rating for this story is PG or PG-13 due to some mature situations and topics.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read the chapters with those labels.  This is my disclaimer. 

Nota Bene:  And though I may refer to some historical timelines, events, and personages, I reconfigure them somewhat for this storyline--and they should not be taken as literal historical fact.    The citation links are provided for you to find out what really happened historically.

Author's Recap from the previous installment:  After Sir Guy and his son Seth Gisborne talk at Gisborne-Middleton Manor about Seth's early life--and Seth  being born out of wedlock after an assignation his father had with another woman, Annie, who died of the plague--Seth gained some measure of peace learning that his Uncle Lord Archer was also illegitimate but then became a noble, as has and will Seth.  Sir Guy's goal was to reassure his son Seth of him being loved and of his place in the world.  Since Seth as Sir Guy's first born will inherit his soon to be awarded title of Baron Gisborne.  And Seth will walk behind him in the investiture ceremony whilst carrying Sir Guy's father's sword.  And Sir Guy is pleased to learn that all is well at home this Saturday, March 30th, 1199--primarily with the buried Nottingham Treasure undiscovered.  However when Sir Guy and his son Seth return to Gordon Castle in Leicester this afternoon--with Lady Sarah's blanket and dolly, Sir Guy's father's sword, and the Healer Woman Althea--they will discover to their dread that all is not so harmonious. 

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 14 (PG-13, D):  A Cost Too Dear

Sir Guy of Gisborne vehemently slams his hand down upon the polished surface of the Oxbridge Family Sitting Room dining table.  He is furious.

Sir Guy: "NO! NO! NO!  There will be no discussion!  If I am targeted as a means to assassinate Prince John, that is one thing. But I will not have Seth--my son and heir, or any in my family--used as a decoy to bait the conspirators out into the open.  I will not place he or them in such danger!"  Having been in the Holy Land, Sir Guy was naturally exposed to new concepts and words, such as assassin [(2)]. 

This is a nightmare for Sir Guy--to possibly not be able to protect his son or other children and wife from harm.  He believes that he has attained such happiness in life, now only for it to be snatched away from him again in recompense from his past deeds.  But god or the fates want too much from him, Sir Guy fears.  Sir Guy feels that his  children should not be made to pay for his sins--the cost is too dear.  Sir Guy's children have his heart--especially his eldest son Seth whom it was only through the grace of god that Sir Guy was able to save Seth as a toddler and bring him home as an adorable three year old [(3) right]  when Sir Guy married Lady Roseanna seven years ago.