G/M - One more lie - Chapter 14
Hello! Here's another chapter. Hope you like it. Sorry for the delay but too much to do and too little time to do it plus we have some festivities. Thanks to wonderful amandajane17 for her fantastic work as a beta and cheerleader LOL!
Please, let me know what you think.
Chapter 14
Marian spent much of the day sleeping. She needed some rest after the exciting night at the forest and the nights to come. In her dreams, she told Guy the truth about the chest, Robin and her heart but he didn't listen to her. He didn't believe a word and left for the Holy land leaving her on her own.
Sarah watched her sleeping. She began to be worried when midnight came and she still mad not awakened. She went down to the kitchens to prepare a mixture of salt and ammonia to bring her round. She got back to the room and quietly sat by Marian's bed.
"Miss Marian... Oh, God!" she prayed in silence. "My lady..." she tried passing the salt under her nostrils.
" Can I be of any help?" A voice came out of nowhere. She turned round and saw Allan standing behind her.
"How did you get in here?" she asked sharply; but softened as Allan suggested
"We better put her in that armchair over there," before taking Marian into his arms.
Sarah was astonished by this sudden appearance of Allan; but he clearly cared a great deal about Marian.
" If you want to make yourself useful you could go to the stables and fetch me some horse...manure," he suggested delicately.
Sarah wrinkled her nose and made it quite clear she was definitely not touching manure.
"Ok. I'll go then." Allan said reaching for the door.
"No.... Wait!" she stopped him. " The castle's so heavily guarded these days. I'll go."
"So you do care for me?" Allan said; all cocky and waggling his eyebrows.
"No, I don't!" Sarah protested. " It's just that everybody here believes that you're my fiancé and you' re not entirely amongst friends here. I'll be back in a second," she said as she rushed through the door. She smiled to herself as soon as it closed behind her. "Be still, my heart, " she sighed.
As the door closed, Marian opened her eyes. Allan was wandering around the room. He was thinking about what he might try next with Sarah to find a way to her heart.
"Hass she gone?" Marian asked, scaring the redheaded outlaw.
"Oh, Jesu Marian!" he jumped out of his skin. "You were pretending all the time?"
"Not all the time... Her salts really worked; but you two needed some time alone so..."
"Why didn't you let me know somehow ? he protested. " I've just sent her out for some bl**dy horse muck. "
" If you ever come anywhere near this bed with that stuff... "she threatened him.
"But I need to use it now. She's gone off specially to fetch it, " Allan protested.
"Do anything else but not that. I'm serious, " Marian stated firmly.
"Have you thought about our deal lately? " he questioned her. " Will I be telling him or will you ? "
"Me. I'll tell him." she said bravely.
"And what exactly will you be telling him?" Allan persisted.
"I'm not being funny but... I just wanna make sure I don't get landed with the dirty work here, which is what usually happens."
"I'll tell him the whole truth., " Marian promised. " I'll admit that I had the chest from the very first night you came here; but that I was so afraid of losing him that I decided to keep it unil..." Allan cut her off at this point.
He could hear footsteps approaching. Sarah was back.
"Remember," Marian whispered; " do what you need to do but I don't want manure around me, okay?"
Sarah came into the room with a small bow in her right hand but keeping it a safe distance from her body. She screwed up her face as she made her way to Allan. He was struggling not to burst into laughter. He silently prayed she never found out she was doing this for nothing.
"Here you are, " she said; her face full of disgust. " very fresh horse dung."
"Thank you, milady. Such a brave girl." Allan smiled at her. "Let's put this over here." He took the bowl and put it on the table.
"May I ask what you intend to do with the stinky thing? " Sarah demanded. " Why all the hurry for me to fetch it if you are leaving it there now?"
"You smelled it yourself, " Allan said. " If that doesn't wake her up...Now we just wait. Come and sit over here with me" he tried to coax Sarah to sit opposite the bed; in case Marian needed to move without being seen.
"I don't have time for this. There are hundreds of things I need to do before lunch."
"Nothing more important than Lady Marian's health, I hope." Allan said with a cheeky grin.
"I hate you, do you know that ?" she said; sitting with her arms crossed over her chest.
"You're lovely when you're angry," Allan sighed wistfully.
"Allan... "she began. It was quite promising he thought that she used his Christian name instead of Dale. " Is Sir Guy still in love with milady? "
"Are there stars in the sky? " he replied. "If there was one thing I'd dare to bet my life on, that would be it."
Sarah still looked doubtful; "but everything I've ever heard about him is so unpleasant. They say he' s a ruthless killer, a monster... "
"Don't monsters and outlaws have any right to love?" Allan asked sagely.
"I've been a thief and a cheat for most part of my life; and believe it or not, it was while I was an outlaw that I learnt what honour is; when I fought for something I believed in. I learned that this life's got more than simple black and white. There are so many shades of grey..." He stopped, fearing she was bored with his endless talk.
"Funny you say that, “ she mused. “ Lady Marian said the very same thing when we were talking about...”
"About? "he tried to urge her on; but she just blushed.
"You've been talking about me?" he asked.
"No" she said, blushing even more.
" I've been thinking about you... " he went on, moving his chair closer to her.
"Have you indeed?" she looked into his green eyes; trying to find the truth in them.
"Yes. In fact, you've been the only thing on my mind lately Sarah, " he whispered into her ear.
He could feel it in his bones, there was a kiss coming. She was asking for it, with her red, perfect lips and the way she looked at him but then...
"Sarah..." Marian called from the bed. "Sarah..."
"It works! " Sarah jumped out of the chair and went straight to the bed. Allan's eyes pierced Marian and if looks could kill... "
"I'm here, milady," Sarah said softly.
"What is that horrible smell?" Marian asked.
"It's manure from the horses, Lady Marian. We needed something to bring you round and Allan thought..."
"Allan, " Marian play acted. "I completely forgot I need to see him."
"I'm already here, Maz," Allan answered.
"I need to speak to Allan alone, Sarah. Could you please leave us for a moment? I'll send for you when we're done."
"Yes, Milady" Sarah curtsied and left.
Allan came straight to her as soon as Sarah left the room. Marian slid quickly off the bed. It was like seeing a cat stalk a mouse.
"Why did you do that? I was about to kiss her..." Allan demanded.
"Because you did it twice when I was talking to Guy..." Marian replied sniffily
" that was completely unintentional but you..." he groaned.
"I just did you a huge favour... Now she is out there thinking in the kiss she didn't get and will be more than eager to be kissed when you leave this room." Marian said with a smile.
"Really?"
"Really! I'm a woman. I know what I'm talking about."
"Now let me put some sense in that womanly head of yours and assure you that telling Guy the whole truth is one of your worst ideas." Allan said coming close to her.
"Maybe. But it is the truth." Marian said in a low voice. "I need to stop lying to him"
"But... Marian, he's been mad about this chest. He's gonna be so angry when he knows." Allan tried to explain. " We could tell him the half-truth; use some kind of sweetener to make things easier for you and for him."
"No, Allan. And please don't do anything until I've spoken to him."
" OK Maz, but use your head. Think about this..."
"No. Not this time. Not with Guy. It's my heart speaking . He asked me for no more lies and I intend to please him," she said. "You should go now and see Sarah."
"I will but... You really take care of yourself, Marian. Sarah said you've been sleeping since you arrived and, as tired as you can be, I don't believe that's normal."
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." she told him and patted his back.
"I do though," he said. He kissed her hand and went out.
Allan left the room and moved around the castle so easily it was as if he'd never left to go back to the forest. Walking the long corridors and hiding in every corner as the guards passed him by made him feel alive again.
It was like the old times with Robin, Much and the rest of the gang. This time though he really felt he had someone who trusted him beyond any doubt, Guy.
Marian was right about one thing at least: Guy had some good in him, he just needed someone who really cared enough to discover it.
Suddenly, he saw someone who was far more pleasant than any thought about Marian or Guy. He quietly approached her from behind and put his hands on her waist.
"Did you miss me?" he whispered in her ear.
"Who are you?" Sarah asked, trying to remain calm.
"Turn around and look at me. I'll be the father of your children and somebody who will love you forever."
"Forever is a very long time. Are you sure of that?" Sarah teased.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," Allan assured her.
She turned around at last and faced him. She was smiling broadly and her heart was beating hard inside her chest.
"Please, don't just say those words because you know it's what I want it to hear." she pleaded, her smiled fading.
"I mean it, Sarah. I love you. I can't explain it; but from the very first moment I saw you..." he felt a little bashful of talking about his feelings so openly.
She raised her hand to lift his chin and look straight in his green eyes.
"How long do you reckon it'll take you to make up your mind and kiss me?" she said laughing.
He looked at her and held her close. He touched her bottom lip with one finger and then finally kissed her. They couldn't get much closer than they were, but they tried anyway.
"Oh, God! You were right!" Sarah said as she broke the kiss to catch her breath.
"About what?" he asked as he pressed his lips to her forehead.
"You are a great kisser" she stopped him for a moment. " I wonder if I should be worried about where you got the practice to become such a master. "
"You shouldn't. These lips are yours and yours only from now on." he said, kissing her again.
They heard voices and footsteps coming towards them and hid behind a very helpful pillar a few metres away. It was the Sheriff and his faithful lapdog, Lady Georgia.
"So what news?"
"The news is that we have no news. She's been locked up in her room all day if we are to believe her maid."
"The guards didn't tell me anything about her today, so this maid must be telling the truth," he said.
"So everything's going according to plan ?" she asked.
He simply nodded.
Sarah was about to speak but Allan silenced her; putting his index finger on his lips. The Sheriff was perilously close. It took a few seconds for them go past and then Allan released her.
"According to plan ?" Sarah repeated. "What plan?"
"That's a very good question. Maybe we have been a bit naive about this new sheriff." Allan said. "We need to do some discreet research around town."
"What can I do to help?" she asked.
Please, let me know what you think.
Chapter 14
Marian spent much of the day sleeping. She needed some rest after the exciting night at the forest and the nights to come. In her dreams, she told Guy the truth about the chest, Robin and her heart but he didn't listen to her. He didn't believe a word and left for the Holy land leaving her on her own.
Sarah watched her sleeping. She began to be worried when midnight came and she still mad not awakened. She went down to the kitchens to prepare a mixture of salt and ammonia to bring her round. She got back to the room and quietly sat by Marian's bed.
"Miss Marian... Oh, God!" she prayed in silence. "My lady..." she tried passing the salt under her nostrils.
" Can I be of any help?" A voice came out of nowhere. She turned round and saw Allan standing behind her.
"How did you get in here?" she asked sharply; but softened as Allan suggested
"We better put her in that armchair over there," before taking Marian into his arms.
Sarah was astonished by this sudden appearance of Allan; but he clearly cared a great deal about Marian.
" If you want to make yourself useful you could go to the stables and fetch me some horse...manure," he suggested delicately.
Sarah wrinkled her nose and made it quite clear she was definitely not touching manure.
"Ok. I'll go then." Allan said reaching for the door.
"No.... Wait!" she stopped him. " The castle's so heavily guarded these days. I'll go."
"So you do care for me?" Allan said; all cocky and waggling his eyebrows.
"No, I don't!" Sarah protested. " It's just that everybody here believes that you're my fiancé and you' re not entirely amongst friends here. I'll be back in a second," she said as she rushed through the door. She smiled to herself as soon as it closed behind her. "Be still, my heart, " she sighed.
As the door closed, Marian opened her eyes. Allan was wandering around the room. He was thinking about what he might try next with Sarah to find a way to her heart.
"Hass she gone?" Marian asked, scaring the redheaded outlaw.
"Oh, Jesu Marian!" he jumped out of his skin. "You were pretending all the time?"
"Not all the time... Her salts really worked; but you two needed some time alone so..."
"Why didn't you let me know somehow ? he protested. " I've just sent her out for some bl**dy horse muck. "
" If you ever come anywhere near this bed with that stuff... "she threatened him.
"But I need to use it now. She's gone off specially to fetch it, " Allan protested.
"Do anything else but not that. I'm serious, " Marian stated firmly.
"Have you thought about our deal lately? " he questioned her. " Will I be telling him or will you ? "
"Me. I'll tell him." she said bravely.
"And what exactly will you be telling him?" Allan persisted.
"I'm not being funny but... I just wanna make sure I don't get landed with the dirty work here, which is what usually happens."
"I'll tell him the whole truth., " Marian promised. " I'll admit that I had the chest from the very first night you came here; but that I was so afraid of losing him that I decided to keep it unil..." Allan cut her off at this point.
He could hear footsteps approaching. Sarah was back.
"Remember," Marian whispered; " do what you need to do but I don't want manure around me, okay?"
Sarah came into the room with a small bow in her right hand but keeping it a safe distance from her body. She screwed up her face as she made her way to Allan. He was struggling not to burst into laughter. He silently prayed she never found out she was doing this for nothing.
"Here you are, " she said; her face full of disgust. " very fresh horse dung."
"Thank you, milady. Such a brave girl." Allan smiled at her. "Let's put this over here." He took the bowl and put it on the table.
"May I ask what you intend to do with the stinky thing? " Sarah demanded. " Why all the hurry for me to fetch it if you are leaving it there now?"
"You smelled it yourself, " Allan said. " If that doesn't wake her up...Now we just wait. Come and sit over here with me" he tried to coax Sarah to sit opposite the bed; in case Marian needed to move without being seen.
"I don't have time for this. There are hundreds of things I need to do before lunch."
"Nothing more important than Lady Marian's health, I hope." Allan said with a cheeky grin.
"I hate you, do you know that ?" she said; sitting with her arms crossed over her chest.
"You're lovely when you're angry," Allan sighed wistfully.
"Allan... "she began. It was quite promising he thought that she used his Christian name instead of Dale. " Is Sir Guy still in love with milady? "
"Are there stars in the sky? " he replied. "If there was one thing I'd dare to bet my life on, that would be it."
Sarah still looked doubtful; "but everything I've ever heard about him is so unpleasant. They say he' s a ruthless killer, a monster... "
"Don't monsters and outlaws have any right to love?" Allan asked sagely.
"I've been a thief and a cheat for most part of my life; and believe it or not, it was while I was an outlaw that I learnt what honour is; when I fought for something I believed in. I learned that this life's got more than simple black and white. There are so many shades of grey..." He stopped, fearing she was bored with his endless talk.
"Funny you say that, “ she mused. “ Lady Marian said the very same thing when we were talking about...”
"About? "he tried to urge her on; but she just blushed.
"You've been talking about me?" he asked.
"No" she said, blushing even more.
" I've been thinking about you... " he went on, moving his chair closer to her.
"Have you indeed?" she looked into his green eyes; trying to find the truth in them.
"Yes. In fact, you've been the only thing on my mind lately Sarah, " he whispered into her ear.
He could feel it in his bones, there was a kiss coming. She was asking for it, with her red, perfect lips and the way she looked at him but then...
"Sarah..." Marian called from the bed. "Sarah..."
"It works! " Sarah jumped out of the chair and went straight to the bed. Allan's eyes pierced Marian and if looks could kill... "
"I'm here, milady," Sarah said softly.
"What is that horrible smell?" Marian asked.
"It's manure from the horses, Lady Marian. We needed something to bring you round and Allan thought..."
"Allan, " Marian play acted. "I completely forgot I need to see him."
"I'm already here, Maz," Allan answered.
"I need to speak to Allan alone, Sarah. Could you please leave us for a moment? I'll send for you when we're done."
"Yes, Milady" Sarah curtsied and left.
Allan came straight to her as soon as Sarah left the room. Marian slid quickly off the bed. It was like seeing a cat stalk a mouse.
"Why did you do that? I was about to kiss her..." Allan demanded.
"Because you did it twice when I was talking to Guy..." Marian replied sniffily
" that was completely unintentional but you..." he groaned.
"I just did you a huge favour... Now she is out there thinking in the kiss she didn't get and will be more than eager to be kissed when you leave this room." Marian said with a smile.
"Really?"
"Really! I'm a woman. I know what I'm talking about."
"Now let me put some sense in that womanly head of yours and assure you that telling Guy the whole truth is one of your worst ideas." Allan said coming close to her.
"Maybe. But it is the truth." Marian said in a low voice. "I need to stop lying to him"
"But... Marian, he's been mad about this chest. He's gonna be so angry when he knows." Allan tried to explain. " We could tell him the half-truth; use some kind of sweetener to make things easier for you and for him."
"No, Allan. And please don't do anything until I've spoken to him."
" OK Maz, but use your head. Think about this..."
"No. Not this time. Not with Guy. It's my heart speaking . He asked me for no more lies and I intend to please him," she said. "You should go now and see Sarah."
"I will but... You really take care of yourself, Marian. Sarah said you've been sleeping since you arrived and, as tired as you can be, I don't believe that's normal."
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." she told him and patted his back.
"I do though," he said. He kissed her hand and went out.
Allan left the room and moved around the castle so easily it was as if he'd never left to go back to the forest. Walking the long corridors and hiding in every corner as the guards passed him by made him feel alive again.
It was like the old times with Robin, Much and the rest of the gang. This time though he really felt he had someone who trusted him beyond any doubt, Guy.
Marian was right about one thing at least: Guy had some good in him, he just needed someone who really cared enough to discover it.
Suddenly, he saw someone who was far more pleasant than any thought about Marian or Guy. He quietly approached her from behind and put his hands on her waist.
"Did you miss me?" he whispered in her ear.
"Who are you?" Sarah asked, trying to remain calm.
"Turn around and look at me. I'll be the father of your children and somebody who will love you forever."
"Forever is a very long time. Are you sure of that?" Sarah teased.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," Allan assured her.
She turned around at last and faced him. She was smiling broadly and her heart was beating hard inside her chest.
"Please, don't just say those words because you know it's what I want it to hear." she pleaded, her smiled fading.
"I mean it, Sarah. I love you. I can't explain it; but from the very first moment I saw you..." he felt a little bashful of talking about his feelings so openly.
She raised her hand to lift his chin and look straight in his green eyes.
"How long do you reckon it'll take you to make up your mind and kiss me?" she said laughing.
He looked at her and held her close. He touched her bottom lip with one finger and then finally kissed her. They couldn't get much closer than they were, but they tried anyway.
"Oh, God! You were right!" Sarah said as she broke the kiss to catch her breath.
"About what?" he asked as he pressed his lips to her forehead.
"You are a great kisser" she stopped him for a moment. " I wonder if I should be worried about where you got the practice to become such a master. "
"You shouldn't. These lips are yours and yours only from now on." he said, kissing her again.
They heard voices and footsteps coming towards them and hid behind a very helpful pillar a few metres away. It was the Sheriff and his faithful lapdog, Lady Georgia.
"So what news?"
"The news is that we have no news. She's been locked up in her room all day if we are to believe her maid."
"The guards didn't tell me anything about her today, so this maid must be telling the truth," he said.
"So everything's going according to plan ?" she asked.
He simply nodded.
Sarah was about to speak but Allan silenced her; putting his index finger on his lips. The Sheriff was perilously close. It took a few seconds for them go past and then Allan released her.
"According to plan ?" Sarah repeated. "What plan?"
"That's a very good question. Maybe we have been a bit naive about this new sheriff." Allan said. "We need to do some discreet research around town."
"What can I do to help?" she asked.