Denial, chapter 51, Acre: The Approaching Storm
Title: Denial, Ch. 51: Acre: The Approaching Storm
Author: robinfanatic
Characters: Marian, Allan, Guy, Vaizey
Rating: PG-13
Genre: angst, implied slash
Words: 1334
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial'. Beta'd by wastingyourgum & darkentwisted
Summary: Marian sees the Holy Land for the first time as the boat docks in Acre. She urges Allan to work with her to convince Guy that Vaizey's plot to kill the King must be stopped.
Summary of previous chapters and the rules if you want to join the Round Robin fun...
»»»-------------------------»
Acre: The Approaching Storm
by robinfanatic
Marian breathed in the sea air. It was the first time in a week she'd been on the deck of the boat. Even on a cool January day the air in the hold was stifling, rotten. She was grateful that the last leg of their journey was no where near as arduous as the route that led them from Marseilles through Messina to Cyprus. Marian studied the foreign landscape beyond Acre's harbour--a walled city, grey-brown rooftops, the stench of too many people too long confined by war, by armies. There were few trees--none that reminded her of home--only palms, the same kind Guy had pointed out when they'd been in Cyprus. Their colour burst against blue sky, painting the stark landscape along with a handful of banners that flapped in the wind.
"Ever seen the likes of such a place?"
Marian glanced sidelong at Allan and shook her head. She shivered, wishing for the green of Sherwood...the forest...she missed the trees. Though many would be barren now in the midst of winter, they would be a welcome sight. She dreamed of England, of Robin. It was the thing that kept her sane during the months she'd been a prisoner on this journey. "What is to happen?"
Allan nodded toward the trunks being off-loaded onto a waiting carriage. "Sheriff has arranged a place for us in town. I overhead 'im and Guy talking--secret messages, contacts. I don't know. Don't s'pose 'e can just go knocking on King Richard's door."
"No," Marian frowned, "and that could be a good thing. It may take days for him to prepare his...little mission." Brow furrowed, she watched the activities like a lion stalking its prey. "You need to keep your eyes and ears open, Allan."
"And do what, Marian?" Allan fisted his hand and brought it down on the deck rail.
"Uncover their plan! Find a way to warn the king. We cannot let the Sheriff kill the king!"
Hadn't they had this conversation at the castle? Hadn't they had it a dozen times since then when he'd kept her company in the hold of the boat. Nothing had changed. Matter of fact, things seemed worse. "Look out there."
"What?" she said shortly, the exasperation in her voice clear.
"Do ya' see even one of the king's soldiers? Do you see his banners flyin' over Acre?"
"Well, no, but--"
"It's a foreign land, Marian. We dinnit even speak the language, and ya' think the locals like us English?" Allan shook his head. "And you want me to find someone to take a message to the king? I think you've been livin' under the deck without any sun for too long."
Marian's face reddened. "You listen to me, Allan A Dale." Her voice was low, angry. He'd seen her like this when she caught him showing Giz and the Sheriff one of Robin's secret entries into the castle. She'd nearly slit his throat then and he was certainly glad she had no blade hidden in her hair now. "How many times must I remind you that we may be England's only hope. We need to convince Guy that the sheriff and the Black Knights are wrong. If we can get Guy on our side I'll do anything..." Marian swallowed, "anything I have to."
"Right. Yeah, look...I been doin' some thinkin' about the king." Allan steeled himself for the backlash. "I just don't get it."
"What are you talking about?"
"Why is Robin so 'igh an' mighty about him? I mean, the king rules a land that he's 'ardly stepped foot in."
Marian knew the truth in Allan's words but that made no difference. "You've been listening to Guy too much."
"Well it's true, innit? He wasn't even born in England. Dinnit grow up there. Been there, wot, once? When 'e took the crown."
"He is our king, Allan."
"Wouldn't it be better, ya' know, for 'omeland security and such, if the king was back home? Mindin' the likes of the sheriff, puttin' down the bad knights, helpin' the people like Robin says?"
"Of course, but he is here now, fighting this war. We must support our king." That declaration almost sounded shallow to her ears. She knew in her heart that this was the right thing to do. For a moment she chided herself for words she'd thrown at Robin--adventure and glory. Ha, she thought...had I been a man I would not hesitate to follow him to desert battlefields. Marian took a deep breath, released it. "To do anything less means civil war, Allan. Haven't our people suffered enough? We must believe King Richard knows what is right for England--"
"What does 'e care as long as 'e gets 'is taxes to pay for...what did Robin call it? The pope's holy war. See...even Robin dinnit think the king should be fightin' over here."
Robin. They'd had a plan. Lardner's message...stop the fighting...bring the king home...get...married. A thousand regrets choked her tighter than the ropes on her hands. Memories of what she might have had with Robin were clouded by the darkness that seemed to breed around Vaizey. Her eyes narrowed watching him lord over his possessions, spitting orders at the boat's crew the way he ordered Guy to do his bidding.
Allan followed her gazed and winced. His stomach curled at the sight of the bastard. "I'll do what I can, Marian."
"Allan, stay away from Vaizey."
"You don't need to tell me that." He'd done everything possible to steer clear of the sheriff, not an easy task in the cramped quarters that had been home since they'd left Marseilles. Guy kept his word. He'd kept them safe. Allan remembered too many nights when Vaizey's moans played a sickening duet with the sea that crashed against the sides of the boat. Guy would stumble into his cabin just before daybreak and collapse onto the bed, falling into troubled sleep before Allan could clean the scratches on his back and arse.
"Keep talking to Guy. Maybe he'll let you--"
"Let him what?" Gisborne said.
Startled, Marian inhaled sharply. "Guy!"
He looked at her with delicious blue eyes, turning toward Allan when she turned away. "Plotting something, you two?"
Allan caught the disappointment on Guy's face. He almost felt sorry for him. "'Course not, Gis. We were just talkin' about seein' the town there. Gettin' out, checkin' the markets--"
"No games of chance here, Allan. They'll slit your throat before they ask questions."
Allan pressed his hand against his throat and tugged at his collar, which suddenly felt tight. Vaizey's appearance at his side explained that feeling. The sheriff smacked Allan roughly across the back, sending him stumbling into Guy. Grabbing the deck rail, Vaizey looked toward the city then held his arms out like he owned the place. "Come, come along, boys. Bring the leper, too," he said arrogantly. "I've heard that the Saracens love light-skinned Englishwomen." Tapping the railing, he threw a smug look Marian's way. "You should bring us a pretty penny."
Marian's eyes blazed with defiance. "You wouldn't dare--"
"It's the only reason I didn't have you thrown overboard." Vaizey smirked looking sidelong at Gisborne. "Isn't that right, Gizzy?"
Guy nodded, unwilling to disagree with his superior, unwilling to look at either Marian or Allan. "Of course, my Lord."
Marian glared at the Black Knights. It took every ounce of energy she had not to let her lips quiver, not to let them see how frightened she felt.
Allan sucked in a breath. This was getting ugly. He wouldn't put it past the Sheriff to be true to his word. Why else would he have brought Marian along? It made perfect sense. He'd put Guy's loyalty to the ultimate test and rid himself of someone who'd been a pain in his side. Marian was right. Their--her only chance was to get Guy completely on her side. And not just to save the king. To save herself.
'
»»»-------------------------»
The outlaws aren't far behind... and they meet a friend of Much and Carter's in Chapter 52...
Author: robinfanatic
Characters: Marian, Allan, Guy, Vaizey
Rating: PG-13
Genre: angst, implied slash
Words: 1334
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial'. Beta'd by wastingyourgum & darkentwisted
Summary: Marian sees the Holy Land for the first time as the boat docks in Acre. She urges Allan to work with her to convince Guy that Vaizey's plot to kill the King must be stopped.
Summary of previous chapters and the rules if you want to join the Round Robin fun...
»»»-------------------------»
Acre: The Approaching Storm
by robinfanatic
Marian breathed in the sea air. It was the first time in a week she'd been on the deck of the boat. Even on a cool January day the air in the hold was stifling, rotten. She was grateful that the last leg of their journey was no where near as arduous as the route that led them from Marseilles through Messina to Cyprus. Marian studied the foreign landscape beyond Acre's harbour--a walled city, grey-brown rooftops, the stench of too many people too long confined by war, by armies. There were few trees--none that reminded her of home--only palms, the same kind Guy had pointed out when they'd been in Cyprus. Their colour burst against blue sky, painting the stark landscape along with a handful of banners that flapped in the wind.
"Ever seen the likes of such a place?"
Marian glanced sidelong at Allan and shook her head. She shivered, wishing for the green of Sherwood...the forest...she missed the trees. Though many would be barren now in the midst of winter, they would be a welcome sight. She dreamed of England, of Robin. It was the thing that kept her sane during the months she'd been a prisoner on this journey. "What is to happen?"
Allan nodded toward the trunks being off-loaded onto a waiting carriage. "Sheriff has arranged a place for us in town. I overhead 'im and Guy talking--secret messages, contacts. I don't know. Don't s'pose 'e can just go knocking on King Richard's door."
"No," Marian frowned, "and that could be a good thing. It may take days for him to prepare his...little mission." Brow furrowed, she watched the activities like a lion stalking its prey. "You need to keep your eyes and ears open, Allan."
"And do what, Marian?" Allan fisted his hand and brought it down on the deck rail.
"Uncover their plan! Find a way to warn the king. We cannot let the Sheriff kill the king!"
Hadn't they had this conversation at the castle? Hadn't they had it a dozen times since then when he'd kept her company in the hold of the boat. Nothing had changed. Matter of fact, things seemed worse. "Look out there."
"What?" she said shortly, the exasperation in her voice clear.
"Do ya' see even one of the king's soldiers? Do you see his banners flyin' over Acre?"
"Well, no, but--"
"It's a foreign land, Marian. We dinnit even speak the language, and ya' think the locals like us English?" Allan shook his head. "And you want me to find someone to take a message to the king? I think you've been livin' under the deck without any sun for too long."
Marian's face reddened. "You listen to me, Allan A Dale." Her voice was low, angry. He'd seen her like this when she caught him showing Giz and the Sheriff one of Robin's secret entries into the castle. She'd nearly slit his throat then and he was certainly glad she had no blade hidden in her hair now. "How many times must I remind you that we may be England's only hope. We need to convince Guy that the sheriff and the Black Knights are wrong. If we can get Guy on our side I'll do anything..." Marian swallowed, "anything I have to."
"Right. Yeah, look...I been doin' some thinkin' about the king." Allan steeled himself for the backlash. "I just don't get it."
"What are you talking about?"
"Why is Robin so 'igh an' mighty about him? I mean, the king rules a land that he's 'ardly stepped foot in."
Marian knew the truth in Allan's words but that made no difference. "You've been listening to Guy too much."
"Well it's true, innit? He wasn't even born in England. Dinnit grow up there. Been there, wot, once? When 'e took the crown."
"He is our king, Allan."
"Wouldn't it be better, ya' know, for 'omeland security and such, if the king was back home? Mindin' the likes of the sheriff, puttin' down the bad knights, helpin' the people like Robin says?"
"Of course, but he is here now, fighting this war. We must support our king." That declaration almost sounded shallow to her ears. She knew in her heart that this was the right thing to do. For a moment she chided herself for words she'd thrown at Robin--adventure and glory. Ha, she thought...had I been a man I would not hesitate to follow him to desert battlefields. Marian took a deep breath, released it. "To do anything less means civil war, Allan. Haven't our people suffered enough? We must believe King Richard knows what is right for England--"
"What does 'e care as long as 'e gets 'is taxes to pay for...what did Robin call it? The pope's holy war. See...even Robin dinnit think the king should be fightin' over here."
Robin. They'd had a plan. Lardner's message...stop the fighting...bring the king home...get...married. A thousand regrets choked her tighter than the ropes on her hands. Memories of what she might have had with Robin were clouded by the darkness that seemed to breed around Vaizey. Her eyes narrowed watching him lord over his possessions, spitting orders at the boat's crew the way he ordered Guy to do his bidding.
Allan followed her gazed and winced. His stomach curled at the sight of the bastard. "I'll do what I can, Marian."
"Allan, stay away from Vaizey."
"You don't need to tell me that." He'd done everything possible to steer clear of the sheriff, not an easy task in the cramped quarters that had been home since they'd left Marseilles. Guy kept his word. He'd kept them safe. Allan remembered too many nights when Vaizey's moans played a sickening duet with the sea that crashed against the sides of the boat. Guy would stumble into his cabin just before daybreak and collapse onto the bed, falling into troubled sleep before Allan could clean the scratches on his back and arse.
"Keep talking to Guy. Maybe he'll let you--"
"Let him what?" Gisborne said.
Startled, Marian inhaled sharply. "Guy!"
He looked at her with delicious blue eyes, turning toward Allan when she turned away. "Plotting something, you two?"
Allan caught the disappointment on Guy's face. He almost felt sorry for him. "'Course not, Gis. We were just talkin' about seein' the town there. Gettin' out, checkin' the markets--"
"No games of chance here, Allan. They'll slit your throat before they ask questions."
Allan pressed his hand against his throat and tugged at his collar, which suddenly felt tight. Vaizey's appearance at his side explained that feeling. The sheriff smacked Allan roughly across the back, sending him stumbling into Guy. Grabbing the deck rail, Vaizey looked toward the city then held his arms out like he owned the place. "Come, come along, boys. Bring the leper, too," he said arrogantly. "I've heard that the Saracens love light-skinned Englishwomen." Tapping the railing, he threw a smug look Marian's way. "You should bring us a pretty penny."
Marian's eyes blazed with defiance. "You wouldn't dare--"
"It's the only reason I didn't have you thrown overboard." Vaizey smirked looking sidelong at Gisborne. "Isn't that right, Gizzy?"
Guy nodded, unwilling to disagree with his superior, unwilling to look at either Marian or Allan. "Of course, my Lord."
Marian glared at the Black Knights. It took every ounce of energy she had not to let her lips quiver, not to let them see how frightened she felt.
Allan sucked in a breath. This was getting ugly. He wouldn't put it past the Sheriff to be true to his word. Why else would he have brought Marian along? It made perfect sense. He'd put Guy's loyalty to the ultimate test and rid himself of someone who'd been a pain in his side. Marian was right. Their--her only chance was to get Guy completely on her side. And not just to save the king. To save herself.
'
»»»-------------------------»
The outlaws aren't far behind... and they meet a friend of Much and Carter's in Chapter 52...