Hello Old Friend

Epilogue

It was a warm summer day and Lady Alexandria of Gisborne stood outside the manor house that she called home. When she was taken to France from Nottingham years ago, she felt that this place would never be a home to her. Guy and their two sons changed that.

The small village that surrounded her home was a bustle of activity as it was a market day. Thankfully, the servants took care of the market purchases. 

She was content and happy how her life turned out.

Twin boys, not yet five years old, were pretending to be knights as they rode their stick ponies and brandished stick swords at an unseen enemy. She couldn't help but smile at her sons. They looked so much like Guy. She remembered the same sort of play from when she was a child. Their black hair was curled like her's. Yet their features, save for the smile, were like their beloved father's.

Something was amiss. She could feel it prickle up her spine and bite at the nape of her neck. With a careful gaze, she looked out across the vineyard and into the horizon. Nothing. Another glance, that was just as unnoticeable as the first, found a spot in the high grasses that was vacant. It shouldn't be.

"Colette? She spoke quietly in French to one of the servants. "I shall return in a bit. Keep a close eye on the boys."

Walking back into the family home Alex picked up her weapons and exited to the opposite side of the large manor. It was a long way around but on her horse, she was able to eat up the distance quickly. She had dressed for this unknowingly. Wearing a long dress that was split from hem to waist over a pair of wide legged pants, Alex rode easily.

Coming around the back of a small thicket of trees, Alex let her horse roam. She nickered three times and two more horses found their way to her. Unable to help but chuckle and shake her head, she had bow and arrow in hand.

Like a wraith she moved between the trees. Soft leather soles of her boots kept footsteps silent while she walked and looked about for what had made her skin prickle. Finally making her way to the clearing, there lay two men watching her home. Well, one man and one barely past his boyhood. Exchanging one arrow for two different ones, she drew the bowstring back and shot each of the men on their posterior region.

Both shots hit within seconds of each other causing both men to yelp and jump. There was no head to the arrows. The shots just stung a bit rather than doing any damage. The Lady Gisborne was rarely ladylike and when the two men yelped, she had to sit down she was laughing so hard.

The younger of the men looked mortified while the elder looked angry. The anger bled away from his face when he realized who fired upon him.

"Wife!"

"Yes husband?" Alexandria was still laughing.

"I should tan your hide for doing this! Interrupting training time between a knight and his squire is no laughing matter."

"I beg to differ!"

"Victor, gather the horses and return to the stables. The Lady and I shall return on foot."

"Yes Master." The young man quickly left. Guy of Gisborne's temper was legendary. While his fuse was short, he did remain fair and good to those around him.

Guy stepped towards his wife and with a finger he tilted her chin upwards. His lips met her's with a loving kiss. Gazing into her eyes, he couldn't help but smile. He had loved this woman and this woman alone for nearly his entire life. He would love her for eternity more, if possible.

"I know you track and lurk better than that Guy. I assume Victor was trying to show off some newly acquired skills?"

"Of course. Sit with me my Alex?"

"I have work to do since I had to take time off to find who was watching my home when my husband was nowhere to be found." She taunted him, unable to keep a straight face.

Guy charged at her, only to scoop her up in his arms. With laughter he spun his beloved around. Landing on the ground beneath the shade of a tree, he looked into her eyes.

"There is no luckier man than I."

"And why is that?"

"I was given a second chance in life."

Shifting, Guy let Alex take the spot against the tree and they looked out to their lands. The summer sun made for a lovely day. The small village made of farmers and fishermen adjacent to the large manor house was a vision of happiness. Shielded from the brightest rays by a flourishing apple tree Guy rested his head against her thigh. Running her fingers through his dark hair, they relaxed with each other, happily.

"Alexandria? Have I told you today how much I love you? It is more than just simple love. I appreciate you in all that you are."

"You have been the love of my life since I was just a girl. You have been my closest confidant, brother, lover, husband, ally and enemy." When he tried to comment on the enemy part, she shushed him with a delicate shake of her head. "You know it as well as I do. It changed things for the better to know that side of you. I know there was always something dark in you Guy. I am the same way. To have seen it and worked through it was a good thing."

Placing a hand upon his chest, she could feel Guy's heartbeat. His hand covered her's "My heart beats because of you."

In the warmth of the sun, Guy became drowsy with the slow touches of Alex's hands. With her at his side, he feared nothing. It was only with Alex that he could relax fully. Yet, today was a special day, although Sir Guy of Gisborne didn't know that yet.

"My love?"

"Mmmm?" Guy mumbled.

"I have news for you."

"Is it good news wife?"

"Perhaps."

"Then tell me this news before I take a switch to your backside."

Alex started to laugh. Shoving him off of her leg. Gisborne rolled to his back and pulled his wife down on top of him. He kissed her softly showing, without words, how much he loved her.

"Now what is this news?"

"Well. Come late winter, you shall be a father once again Sir Guy of Gisborne."

His eyes widened with the news and words failed to come forth from his lips.

"Alexandria........are you certain?"

"Yes Guy, I am."

"Will you give me a daughter this time?"

"That is not my decision." She kissed him again. "You will have to speak to God or someone else."

Alexandria went on to bear six children by her husband. The children were raised with a firm and loving hand by their mother and father. Guy of Gisborne passed into the next world surrounded by his family. The illness that took him at the age of 85 was brief, thankfully. He did not suffer. Alexandria was grief struck by the loss of the man she had known her entire life and loved like no other. She followed him to the grave two days later. Their legacy of love lived on in their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and further into the centuries that followed.

I have always known what love was. Yet, it had no intrinsic meaning to me.

Now I know how to love and be loved because of you.

– The last words of Sir Guy of Gisborne to Lady Alexandria of Gisborne