The Ghost

Chapter 16 - The Siege

The floor of the little chapel was hard and cold under his knees, but Guy didn't even notice it. He was nervous, more than the first time he had tried to marry Marian.
This time, at least, he knew that he had to wait for her inside the chapel, at the altar.
He hoped that she would come soon.
He hoped that she would come.
A light step made him turn to look: Marian was there, on the threshold.
She wasn't wearing a rich dress like the first time, but she had taken some time to change into clean clothes and to comb her hair in a simple braid. She was wearing comfortable clothes, good for traveling and riding a horse, but Guy thought that she was even more beautiful than the first time.
In her wedding dress she had looked sad, uneasy, like a little bird trapped in a golden cage, but now she was just herself: the proud, brave girl, always ready to fight to help people in need.
How could I never notice that she was the Nightwatchman?
She wasn't smiling, and Guy thought sadly that he had dreamt to see her happy to marry him someday. He rebuked himself: in a situation like that, who could ever smile?
She had come, it had to be enough.
Marian walked to reach the altar, unaware that her father was at her side, walking her down the aisle to give her away, as he should have done the first time.
Guy stood up to meet her, taking her hand, then they both knelt in front of the priest.
The ceremony was quick, with only Allan in attendance, and Guy thought that his dream was coming true in a totally unexpected way.
In a wrong way.
It should have been a day of joy, a feast for everyone, and the bride should have been joyful, happy to start her new life with him.
Still, when the priest asked him if he wanted to take Marian as his bride, his voice trembled with emotion when he answered that he did.
Then, the priest asked Marian if she wanted Guy as her husband, and Guy looked at her, in fear that she could say no.
He met Marian's gaze, and the girl took his hand and held it in hers, with a short, sad smile.
"I do," she said, and she stood still, waiting for Guy to put the ring on her finger.
She gave a quick, guilty glance at the little scar under his eye. She knew that Guy was afraid that she could run away again, that she could refuse his love for a second time.
She didn't move while he fumbled to slip the ring on her finger, and she just glanced at it.
It wasn't the same ring, she noticed: this time it was smaller and simpler, a thin silver band with a blue stone. It was more comfortable than the other one, and she liked it better.
Guy seemed to be petrified, holding his breath in fear, and her heart softened to see him so nervous.
When the priest proclaimed them man and wife, she smiled at Guy before brushing his lips with a light, reassuring kiss.
Guy hugged her, holding her tight, seeking comfort in her warmth, and the girl hugged him back.
The priest went away in a hurry, without saying goodbye, hoping that the soldiers would let him run away from the town before it was too late.
Allan stood up and cleared his voice.
"Sorry to interrupt you, but I think it's time to go."
Guy and Marian looked at the window: the sky was turning golden.

Jasper grinned, looking at the gate that was being opened.
Three horses came out of it: Guy of Gisborne on his black stallion, his boy, Allan, on a brown mare, and lady Marian, mounting the white horse that had belonged to the sheriff.
"Sir Guy, and his family. So in the end she married you, didn't she?"
Guy glowered at him.
"She did."
"I had no doubts. She would have been an imbecile to do otherwise."
Marian bit her lip to refrain herself from answering.
Guy kicked the sides of his horse, and he went away without looking at Jasper and at the army.
Once again he had to run away from his home, humiliated by someone more powerful than him.
They galloped away, headed to London, trying to ride at least some distance before nightfall.
They followed the road even when there was no light at all, riding in the dark, but, when they arrived at a inn, they had to decide if they should stop.
Marian wanted to keep riding, even if it was too dark to see, but Allan disagreed.
"It has been a terrible day, we are all tired."
"But we must hurry to reach London! We can't stop!"
They both turned to Guy, waiting to hear his opinion. Gisborne hesitated, trying to think about his options.
"We will have to stop anyways, sooner or later," he said after a while, "If we travel during the day, it will be safer and we can go faster. I think we should rest now and travel all day tomorrow."
Marian was about to reply, but she stopped, reflecting on his words, and she nodded.
"You are right, I guess," she sighed, dismounting.
When they entered the inn, she glanced at Guy, suddenly nervous. She couldn't almost believe that they were married, now! She wondered what he was expecting from her now. Had he been sincere when he had said that he'd let her choose if they should nullify the marriage? Or maybe he was going to ask what it was now his right to get from her?
He had respected her till now, she thought, but now he had power over her, the power of a husband.
Could she still trust him?
Guy was talking to the host and she heard that he was asking for a single room with three beds.
They sat at a table to eat something, and Guy looked at her, worried.
"I hope you don't mind. I couldn't sleep knowing that you were alone in a room. This inn doesn't look very safe for a woman."
Allan looked around.
"It doesn't look safe for anyone, look at those faces. I guess that choosing to not take the gold with us was wise, Giz. If Prince John agrees, we'll organize a safe delivery."
Marian was about to berate Guy for thinking that she was helpless just because she was a girl, but the knight looked so dispirited, that she decided to keep silent.
A little, shallow part of her mind kept suggesting that Guy should look happier after marrying her, but Marian kept those unwanted thoughts at bay: who could feel happy when Nottingham was in such a serious danger? If Guy should express joy for their marriage, she would be mad at him, she knew.
"We already slept all together in the same room at the Flaming Turnip when you were ill, it's not a problem for me," she said instead, stifling a yawn. She was tired, and Guy and Allan looked exhausted too.