The Journey To Acre

Chapter 12

If Marian thought time had slowed since she'd been on board the Mary Peel, she'd honestly had no idea.

The journey might have seemed endless so far, but the days leading up to their arrival in Spain, with Guy out of action and her future more uncertain than ever, were quite possibly the longest she'd ever known.

If there was one thing to be grateful for, it was that Guy was no longer unconscious - his injuries, however, ensured that he remained bedridden, and for the most part, completely out of it. Marian told herself that this was a good thing, because he needs rest to heal, and considering the immense pain that accompanied any periods of wakefulness, she wasn't wrong on that one.

She misses him, though.

She laughs at herself because how could that be? How could she miss him? He was the worst conversationalist on earth! Surly, bad-tempered, irascible... loyal guard dog to a deplorable man who treats him no better than a mutt...

Maybe not so loyal anymore...

The images line up in her mind - all the ways he's defied Vaisey... for her...

Is that what it is about? The shift in his loyalty? The selfish wish to have him fight for her? Because as much as she might like to think otherwise, she doesn't stand a chance alone...

Is it because he would die for her?

Might still...

She blinks away tears and wonders where they keep coming from - her tears for him. Is it desperation that has her crying? Praying he'll survive? She tells herself it is. That all this upset is in the name of self-preservation. She finds it abhorrent that she could be so selfish, but it is better than facing up to the reality that her distress is borne of something else... something that makes her distinctly uncomfortable... that has long troubled her... an unwanted secret, deep inside her, buried but not forgotten... Robin knew it. Could see it in her. Knew her better than she knew herself at times...

Thankfully, the background hum of daily life on the Mary Peel brings her out of her reverie before she can fall too deep down that particular rabbit hole, and her thoughts turn to the men who work to bring them closer to Spain. For the longest time she'd had a picture in her mind of how these men would be, and of course, they've ended up nothing like it.

For example, contrary to her violent introduction to the crew, the men have taken to keeping a respectful distance, not that Sully would let them near, even if curiosity did get the better of them. With the perpetrators under lock and key, and the captain keeping the rest in line, it's merely a precaution, but she's glad of it all the same.

That is not to say that nobody came to visit, but from what she could gather, any who did venture to her door were there to talk to Sully (who rarely strayed from the spot these days), with most asking how Guy was faring and one or two cautiously asking about her as well. There were 'gifts' too – a most pleasant surprise; food and drink, fresh linens and bandages, blankets, items of clothing (none of which were as good quality as Guy's, but certainly a better fit), someone had donated a deck of cards...

"I don't think Guy's quite up for that yet," Marian sighs, but ends up smiling because she can't picture Guy playing cards somehow.

Every day came something new; today a woollen hat had turned up for Guy and Sully laughed because apparently it already belonged to the knight, but he's been reluctant to wear it.

"He's hardly gonna wear it now wi' a swollen bonce is he?" he jests and squeezes Guy's hand as he so often does since the big man became incapacitated. Marian smiles, a small chuckle bubbling out of her because she can just picture how grumpy Guy would react to all this if he were able.