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

Prologue - Ch. 1: Family Blessings

"Sir Guy's Atonement,” (Book 3), Prologue - Ch. 1: Family Blessings,   January 23, 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) and “Guy’s Rose” (Book 1) by Gratiana Lovelace] (All Rights Reserved; No copyright infringement intended)

  [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, James McAvoy as Lord George Middleton, Toby Stephens as Prince John, and Lucy Griffiths as the spectre of Lady Marian, etc.] [(1) story logo, top right]  

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).  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.

 "Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 0:  The Past is Prologue

If we could go back and change one thing in our lives--a careless thought, a hurtful remark, a devastating action--who would not wish to undo a wrong, or a mistake, or a regret?  And yet, the past cannot be undone, wrongs cannot always be righted, and regrets must be lived with.  And Sir Guy of Gisborne must somehow find a way to live with his pain and guilt of killing Lady Marian Knighton and harming others--if not for his own sake, then for his growing family’s sake.  Sir Guy’s loving family is his greatest blessing.  But Sir Guy's happiness will be challenged in a way that he never thought possible, when an old spectre from his past misdeeds returns to haunt him. And Sir Guy will finally have to atone for what he has done.

When we left our story situated four years ago in 1195 at the end of “Sir Guy’s Dilemma, Book 2”, a then forty year old Sir Guy of  Gisborne had begun to make amends and reparations to the people of Nottingham whom he had injured or terrorized when he was Master at Arms under Sheriff Vasey.  Yet there was and is one for whom Sir Guy can never make amends or reparations--the Lady Marian Knighton whom Sir Guy killed in the Holy Land.  

Sir Guy was a lost and tortured soul because he had killed the person he loved most--the Lady Marian.  His despair was unending, his torment unceasing, his life a misery. But from the ashes of his life, Sir Guy found a purpose and served the common good, and not only thought of himself with the love and support of his wife Lady Rose.  Though he resigns himself to acknowledging that total forgiveness might not be possible, all Sir Guy can do is to move forward and to live a right and just life, in order to honor the better man that the memory of Lady Marian--and the love of his wife Lady Rose--inspire him to be. 

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 1: Family Blessings

Sir Guy of Gisborne revels in the joys of family life--with him now as a loving husband, doting father, and respected brother these past five years since he married his young wife Lady Rose in 1194.  Sir Guy considers himself very blessed and he strives to continue his own path of atonement with making more reparations to the people of Nottingham--truly believing the bible verse in Luke [(2) below]:

“To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.”

Sir Guy of Gisborne feels extremely grateful to have a second chance at life and at love.  Though not destined to bask in the rewards of becoming a champion of the people-- his joining the side of King Richard and the people of England came rather late during his time at Nottingham--Sir Guy has found a fractured peace with his life with his wife Lady Rose and their five children in their home at Middleton-Gisborne Manor [(3) right] situated idyllically on 1,000 acres to the South of the sprawling 5,000 acre Middleton Hall and Estate of her brother Lord George Middleton.