Grant What I Wish

Grant What I Wish - Chapter 24. Immortal, Part I

Grant What I Wish

Chapter 24. Immortal Game, Part I

The speechless full moon
comes out now.
-Rumi

Aquitaine
1196

Queen Eleanor looked with great exasperation upon the knight standing before her. Had there ever been anyone more ungrateful than this handsome, bad-tempered man? She clutched the arms of the gilded chair in which she sat to prevent herself from bellowing out the orders to her guards to drag him from the room and throw his sorry carcass into the darkest corner of the dungeon. Reminding herself to remain calm, she flexed her hands and loosened her grip on the chair. It was too, too aggravating.

It had been several weeks since Sir Guy of Gisbourne had shown up at the gate of the castle, bloodied and disheveled, begging admittance to her presence by claiming to have news of great import. She had been skeptical, but her curiosity was piqued and she had bid her guard to allow him entrance.

Before he would show her the papers he carried, however, he demanded that she send her guard after a small band of his men who had acted as decoys and were thus in danger from Prince John's soldiers. She had stiffened at his peremptory tone, and thought of dismissing him. Upon second glance, she had noted the concern in his eyes and the urgency of his tone. The man feared for his companions, and this honest concern had softened her to the point that she acquiesced. With an airy wave of her hand, her guard had been dispatched; within the hour, her men had routed her son's men, as she knew they would-when had John ever had factotums who were brave or worthy?- and retrieved the small group of men belonging to Gisbourne.

She had noted with interest how he had sprung forward at the appearance of the small group's leader, a lean, handsome man with a raffish swagger and wide grin. He had not returned the man's saucy smile, but had pulled him into a crushing embrace in his relief to see that his companion was unharmed. She learned later that this man was his half brother who had volunteered to come along on his mission.

With his men settled, the queen had demanded to see the documents he had brought to her. She had been highly suspicious of Gisbourne's claim, but when he offered her the clutch of papers he carried, she had recognized Richard's seal and her interest was definitely caught. Upon retiring to an antechamber to read the missives delivered, she had been astonished to note that Richard had finally come to his senses where John was concerned, and had decided to place her grand-son Arthur upon the English throne in his stead.

When she returned to the main hall, she had demanded that Gisbourne and his brother-Arthur? Ardwen? No matter, she could not recall his name-tell her all that had happened to lead to this momentous decision. Before doing so, however, she ordered that a repast of cold meats and ale be served to Guy and his brother, whom she could clearly see were in want of a good meal. Dismissing his other soldiers to the kitchens, she waited impatiently until the men broke their fast before she demanded a full recital of the events in Nottingham leading up to this decree, and what her youngest son had been about.

Hesitant at first, Guy had purposely kept his narrative vague as to Prince John's activities. However, several sharp questions from the queen had forced him to reveal the part that John played in attempting to capture the castle and overthrow his brother's rule. Guy had been relieved to note that while the queen was disturbed by this tale, she was not surprised.

"My youngest son has always been a thorn in the flesh of his brother," was the sole comment she made before urging Guy to continue his story.

He had related the king's reluctance and eventual grudging acceptance of the advice of his counselors that led to his own journey, and had quickly explained their progress across the channel and over the terrain of France to Aquitaine.

"I thank you, Your Majesty, for the quick actions of your guard in allowing us entrance into the castle keep," he had stated with simple sincerity at the close of his narrative.

She had smiled thinly. "You were clearly outnumbered-I did not like the odds. Besides, my youngest son has always employed underhanded tactics to gain his own way."

Contented that she understood what was behind Richard's decision, she had dismissed Gisbourne and his brother, ordering that rooms be prepared for both men. She would meet with them that evening when they were commanded to sup with her.

Eleanor was pleased with the way in which events had transpired, but knew she must move quickly, before Richard changed his mind or John had the chance to worm his way back into his brother's affections and confidence. Upon further thought, she decided that her grandson Arthur must go to London. It was imperative that he be placed in the hands of Gilbert and the other noble knights who stood by Richard yet desired nothing more than stability and prosperity for England.

If Arthur were to go, then she must accompany him, thereby throwing the weight of her approval behind this momentous decision. She did not look forward to being in England once more-the last time she had gone, just a year or two before, she had been pursued, chased to the coast by those who would harm her to get to the king.

However, it might be of interest to see London once more-and perhaps meet up once more with Robin of Locksley, handsome rogue that he was, and his massive man of arms, John Little. The queen smiled in remembrance of her dealings with both men during her close escape from Nottingham and the clutches of her son John.

If she went to London, she would need a guard. After a few moments thought, she had decided that Gisbourne would be best suited to accompany her entourage. She had presented the plan to him at dinner that same evening, expecting him to be humbled by the honor she bestowed upon him. After all, it was not any man to whom she would entrust the lives of her grandson or royal person. She had pronounced her decision and waited with anticipation for his pleased expression and stuttered acceptance.

To her astonishment, Gisbourne's face had grown dark with displeasure. With his jaw set, he let her know in carefully crafted terms that he had no plans to return to England; instead, he begged her to release him from this service so that he might proceed to the Holy Land.

"The Holy Land?" she had queried as an angry flush swept up her neck and over her cheeks. She had drawn herself up to her most majestic height and gazed coldly at this errant knight. "There can be nothing in the Holy Land as important as the task of getting my grandson safely to England. No, Sir Guy, I shall not release you and you will accompany me to London. I plan to depart within the week." Not waiting for his response, she had swept from the room, swiftly followed by her attendants.

She had expected him to inure himself to the idea, but as the days went by she could see that he was morose and downcast. She approached his half brother, Archer, to ask his advice on how best to appease him. Archer had explained that Guy's family estate was lost to him, that he was a man of no means now and had accepted this mission in order to redeem his reputation in the eyes of the king.

Eleanor had thanked Archer for this information, and pondered what she had learned. Gisbourne was a handsome man, and might be wealthy once more if Richard were to reward him for his service. He was not married, and therefore in need of a wife. The right wife could help him reestablish the name of Gisbourne as a noble one, besides bringing a dowry and lands to him. Her great niece, Jeanne, a lovely girl, would be a perfect wife for Sir Guy. She was a bastard, true, but still of royal lineage and possessing no small degree of wealth along with a well-apportioned estate. If Guy married Jeanne, he would be linked to Eleanor, and thus indebted to her should his support or protection be needed in the future to help ward off any treacherous movement on the part of Prince John. Unlike her mandate to accompany her to London, this offer would provide him with a lovely young woman of wealth and culture, one who would prove an exceptional wife to one desirous of improving his lot in life.

When she called him into her presence and announced her intention of betrothing her niece to him, she waited in expectation for his approval of her offer. The Gisbourne of old, who had served the Sheriff of Nottingham, would have accepted such terms with alacrity. She fully expected him to be honored.

Indeed, he was speechless, she thought with fury-speechless with dismay. His face had gone lax with shock, and she could clearly read his disapprobation.

"What is the problem, Sir Guy?" she asked in a cold tone, gazing at him in frigid disgust. "Is my niece not of high enough birth? Does her wealth not meet with your approval? Or do you have your sights set higher?"

"No-Your Majesty-I mean, I beg of you, Your Majesty," he stammered as he took a hasty step forward. "Please, I must go to the Holy Land-there are pressing personal matters to which I must attend-"

She cut him off with an angry movement of her hand. "What could be more important than ensuring the safe escort of the Prince Regent to London?" she asked imperiously. "No, Sir Guy, you may not go to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for our journey to London. We shall depart within the fortnight." She flung herself from the dais and swiftly left the room. He was dismissed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~&~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No, Sir Guy, you may not go to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for our journey to London. We shall depart within the fortnight."

Guy felt despair rise within his throat like a black miasma, threatening to choke the breath from his body. He watched the queen's back recede from him; it took all of his willpower not to cry out for her to stop, to go down on his knees before her and plead to be released from this servitude.

~ Marian, ~ he sighed yet again. The mere sound of her name caused a wild longing within him. What must she think of his continued absence? He had not promised her that he would join her in the Holy Land, but surely she knew he would come to her when his mission was completed. She knew the steadfastness of his love, and therefore must know that he would make his way to her with all haste once he was able.

Yet, he found himself bound by the whims of this queen and her decision to travel to England. He agreed with the queen's reasoning-Arthur would be safest in England, under the careful eye of his uncle and Richard's loyal knights and advisors. But surely some other man could guard their passage across the channel? Would John dare to strike at his own mother and nephew?

~ He would dare anything for the throne, ~ Guy thought grudgingly. John was a venal, amoral man who lusted after the crown and its attendant power. Queen Eleanor understood her youngest son better than most, having watched him be spoiled and indulged by his father. What a family for intrigue and treachery! Guy longed to leave them behind, but he had given his word to Richard to not only complete his mission, but to place himself at Eleanor's service. He had thought at the time that the queen would have no use for him, that she would rely on her own guards and nobles. He had been wrong. At one time, he would have leapt at the chance to marry a woman of royal blood and wealth, one well situated to help him move within the courts and castles of nobility. That had all been before Marian.

"Guy," a quiet voice spoke at his shoulder. Wheeling about, Gisbourne faced Archer. Once again, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief that his half brother had survived the pursuit and assault by John's men. Archer had diverted the prince's guard long enough for Guy to reach the castle and gain admittance; he had later informed Guy that the queen's men had arrived just in time to save them from dire injury. Prince John's men had been routed, and although somewhat bloodied, Archer was none the worse for his encounter with the enemy. There was little that would affect the man's bravado, Guy thought with grudging admiration.

Archer stood gazing at him in affectionate concern. "The queen is determined to make you a part of her entourage," he said quietly, more declaration of the inevitable than question.

Guy chuffed out a long breath. "Yes, she is not to be swayed on that point, and although I have offended her, I fear she will continue to pursue this suit with her niece."

Archer shrugged. "What is so objectionable about accepting the offer of a woman possessing youth, beauty, and wealth?" he asked innocently, and stepped back several paces at the blaze of anger in his brother's eyes. He felt seared by the look, and thought in amazement that Guy must love beyond all reason to refuse what Eleanor offered him, not only passing over the wealth that would be his or the warm supple body in his bed, but risking the queen's wrath and retribution.

Holding his hands up before him to ward off any snarling exclamation, Archer said, "I felt I had to point out the obvious, but if Marian is the woman for you, let us say no more. Only-are you certain you are willing to suffer the consequences of your decision?"

Guy replied tensely, "I would ride through hell itself if it would gain me Marian." He turned from his brother and strode angrily from the room, leaving Archer to gaze thoughtfully after him.

~ If she is what you desire, ~ his younger brother mused, let ~ us see what can be done to win you your prize.