One Last Try, chapter 29
Author's note: Hello everyone! Here is another chapter of One Last Try. I really hope you will like it. So your comments are more than welcome! :) There is only chapter 30 and the epilogue left. I have many thoughts about the epilogue... I'm thinking about cut it in two or three small parts, or write one long. But I still have some time to think about that ;) So please, read, comment and enjoy - of course!
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The round circle travelled far across the glittery surface of the sky - shining up all the items around it. But this circle was not a warm one. This one was cold. Cold as ice in its grey and yellow colour. It was the moon - surrounded by millions of stars in the empty blackness.
There was no sound in Locksley to be heard, no human to be seen. Only shadows and quietness that filled the village.
Guy twisted in the sheets. He hadn’t fallen asleep yet. The worry he felt made him anxious and ready to achieve his mission. He knew he needed rest… but he couldn’t stop thinking about what he was about to do. There were so many things he hadn’t thought about. If he killed the sheriff… Who was going to take his place? And what if someone would find out. Our see them…
There is no going back. The sheriff is going to die, what ever it takes.
Guy rose from the bed, putting one of the blankets around his waist. The chamber was cold. Almost a little icy. Guy felt a chill through his body as he let go of the blanket. The cold wind hit his body. He pulled on one of his tunics and later one of his trousers. He didn’t know what time it was. The servants weren’t up yet. Neither was the sun. Only him.
Guy exited his chamber quietly, tiptoeing down the stairs.
He left the manor in silence and headed for the stables. Guy’s horse Chamsiin gave him a small neigh when he entered his box.
“Scchh… it’s only me.” Guy said with a calm voice as he stroked Chamsiin’s mane. Guy smiled kindly and the horse nagged his hand lightly.
Another horse’s voice sounded from the box next to Guy. Although, it didn’t surprised him. He knew Lily’s horse was there. But, he realised that he hadn’t had a chance to take a look at it properly. Guy liked horses. He could feel that they understood him. You can speak to them without being interrupted… they just listen. And sometimes that is everything you need.
Guy opened the door to the box and walked over to Lily’s horse. The horse was beautiful. Covered all in black, the mane was very long - a little wavy at the roots. Guy let his hand slowly touch the horse’s fur. It felt so soft under his hand. His other hand stroked the horse’s mule. He felt the warm breath in his palm. It made him smile.
“Trying to steal my horse?” a voice said from behind him.
Guy turned around and saw Lily leaning against the box door.
“I couldn’t sleep.” He said.
“Me neither.” Lily replied and walked over to him. She smiled at her horse when she gave him a gently pat.
“What’s his name?” Guy asked, letting his back press against the wall next to the horse.
“Mist.” Lily said and turned around so she faced Guy. “What about yours?”
Guy smiled lightly at her.
“Chamsiin.”
“That’s beautiful. What does it mean?” Lily walked closer to Guy as she spoke.
“It means desert wind.” He answered. He was considering to ask her about why she was smiling and talking to herself when he walked by her room earlier that night. But he let it go.
“It feels like we will be here for a while.” Lily said and sunk down in a bunch of hay. “Join me?”
Guy took a seat next to her in the dry grass. He was quite tired…
Lily only had her thin shift on. But she wasn’t cold. It felt nice and warm here in the stable.
“Do you want to have children?” Lily asked suddenly.
Guy met her eyes.
“What?”
She closed her eyes and sighed with a smile on her lips.
“Not with me. I mean, in the future.”
Guy had his mouth slightly open when he looked at her.
“Oh…” he said. “Well… yes.” His voice was in a quiet tone. Children. He had been thinking about children for many years now. The first time he’d thought about it was when he saw Marian for the first time. At that moment, he knew he wanted to have a life and family with her.
Lily’s head shot up.
“Really?”
“Is that so strange?”
“Actually no. It’s not.” Lily said and looked at him.
Guy had his eyes on the stable floor now. It felt a little uncomfortable talking about children in this position. He always had a dream family in his mind for as long as he could remember. He just hadn’t had time to think about it.
Lily moved a little closer to him.
“Tell me, how many children do you want to have? Only strong and powerful boys’ right?”
Guy lifted his eyes slowly and stared at the woman next to him.
“Why do you want to know?”
“I’m curious.” Lily said and smiled.
Guy sighed deeply.
“I… I actually don’t…” he trailed off.
“Don’t what?” Lily asked intrigued. She looked at him for a while. He seemed absent.
“Guy?”
He managed to look at her.
“I don’t see myself with any sons at all… Not right now anyway…” he said, feeling a bit ashamed.
Lily frowned. Just looking at him. But after a while she smiled and put her arm over his shoulder.
“I knew you were a girl-man!”
Guy glared at her. She amused him so much. Her hand on his shoulder reminded him of Marian…
Guy panted and struggled to his feet. He just realised he missed her so much. It had been weeks since he had seen her.
Lily rose to her feet too after Guy’s abrupt move.
“Guy? What’s wrong?”
He didn’t answer her. He had one of his hands covering his eyes as he took a few deep breaths.
“We kill the sheriff.”
Lily watched his face.
“What? Now?! Are you insane!” she protested.
“We will kill him now!” Guy snarled angrily.
Lily put her hands in the air.
“Take is easy tiger, you are scaring the horses.”
Guy readied his horse. Lily did the same. When the horses were ready Guy and Lily went back to the manor to change clothes and gather their weapons.
As soon as they were ready they left the manor in haste. Lily still thought Guy was insane. They had their plan. They were going to kill the sheriff during the supper event. Not fourteen hours earlier!
-
Lily had a hard time following Guy on the way to the castle. His horse galloped fast through the trees out on the road. She herself was a long way behind.
This doesn’t feel right… Guy is going to ruin everything. He will kill the sheriff without thinking. I need to calm him down.
Lily raced Guy’s horse so she galloped beside him.
“Guy, you need to slow down! You will get yourself killed!”
Guy didn’t answer. They were almost in Nottingham. They just had to get out of the forest.
Lily drew her reins to her right so she got a bit closer to Guy. She carefully bent forward and grabbed Guy’s horse’s reins and made them both come to an abrupt halt. Guy lost his balance and lunged off the horse. He hit the ground next to his horse. Lily jumped down and walked over to Guy. He just lay there on his back, looking straight up in the air. The dark sky was slowly shifting into a light orange colour.
Lily sunk down on the ground beside Guy and placed her head next to his.
“I’m sorry I had to do that. You were out of control…” Lily said and glanced at him.
Guy slowly turned his head towards her and met her green eyes,
“I’m sorry.” His weak husky voice said.
Lily smiled a little and let her eyes look at the sky again.
“We need to go back to Locksley. We can’t do this now… It’s not safe.” She rose to her feet and looked down at Guy who struggled to his feet too.
The couple rode back to Locksley manor in silence.
-
The sun rose slowly from behind the trees and little Ellie had gone outside. She walked through the garden that surrounded the manor they stayed in. She had been away from Guy and Lily for weeks now. She felt sad. She wanted to go home. To Guy.
Ellie sat down on the bench next to a big tree; the leaves were in all kinds of brown colours and one or two leaves fell down to the ground. It was in the beginning of November. The snow would come soon. Ellie yawned and looked around. Marian was going to have a baby. She reminded herself. Obviously Guy was the father to the child.
What if he does not love me anymore when their baby comes? What if he will send me away…?
The six year old child stayed on the bench the rest of the morning - thinking about what she was going to do.
Marian was standing in the window smiling at Ellie. But she noticed that Ellie didn’t smile. She looked so sad. Marian turned away from the window; Guy’s face came to her mind. I’m pregnant. We are going to have a child Guy…. We are going to have a child. Marian put her hand on her belly. It was too early to see any change. But still she knew there was something in there. She smiled when she thought of their night in the cave. Just the two of them alone…
Marian didn’t react when the door opened; she had her back turned towards it.
“Marian…” a quiet voice said from the haft closed door.
Marian faced the door.
“Ellie, is something wrong?”
Ellie glanced at Marian. She had to do this. Otherwise Guy would be mad at her. And then he would leave her… Ellie walked over to Marian and hugged her gently. Marian frowned a little, but hugged her back. Marian smiled when Ellie let go.
“Changed your mind about me?” Marian asked.
“Maybe…” Ellie said and smiled shyly.
-
“Hello my dear… No. That is not right.” Allan muttered as he galloped on the rode to Locksley. “Hello your beautiful highness… What? No... That does so not work.” Allan entered Locksley a little tense. He had never been here before to knock on Sir Guy’s door on his own order just to… talk. He had always been her with Robin and the gang.
Allan tied his horse to one of the poles outside the manor and slowly walked to the door. He took a deep breath as he knocked. He didn’t hear anything at first, but then he heard footsteps coming towards the door and in that minute he faced Sir Guy of Gisborne.
“Ehm... Hey there. I’m Allan… I work for the sheriff…”
“I know who you are.” Guy grumbled and took a step forward. “What do you want? Did the sheriff send you?”
“No no… I just wanted to speak with Lady Lily.” Allan grinned. “If that’s okay with you…?”
Guy folded his arms and looked at him. He didn’t have a chance to reply before he felt a hand on his shoulder. “I will take care of this, Guy.” A voice whispered in his ear. Guy looked at Lily beside him. His eyes told her to be careful. He glanced at Allan one last time before he went inside the manor again.
Lily stepped out of the manor in her dark blue gown. She was wearing a black corset this time. Allan’s eyes didn’t leave hers for a second.
“So, Mr. a Dale. What do you want to talk to me about?”
Allan smirked and raised his eyebrows a little.
“Well, why don’t we take a walk and I’ll tell you?”
“Sounds perfect.” Lily said and the both of them walked away from the manor towards the beautiful trees next to the pond.
What am I going to tell her? I just wanted to see her again… Allan thought as they reached the pond. They had been silent for a while now.
“Right… Well...” Allan began. “The reason why... I’m here is…”
“Can you kiss me already?” Lily blurred out and looked at him.
Allan grinned wildly and walked closer to her.
“I never thought you would ask…” he said gently before he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately on the lips. Lily’s fingers were tangled in his hair and her eyes were lightly closed.
Guy watched the pair kiss from the window. He shook his head and smiled. He knew this would happen. He only hoped they didn’t make a big mistake.
-
Allan’s cheeks were red when he headed back towards Nottingham. He had an enormous smile on his lips. He was in love.
Allan heard a twig brake in two at his left side. He then saw Djaq standing there on the road. Allan pulled the reins and halted his horse.
Djaq walked over to him. “How could you do this to us?”
He took a deep breath. He hadn’t time for this now.
“I’m sorry. I had no choice. “Allan said and looked away.
“Everything is a choice, Allan.” A familiar voice said from behind Djaq. Robin…
Allan looked at the two of them. “You don’t know what they would have done to me! And you,” he looked at Djaq. “You left me there!”
Robin looked at Djaq. He didn’t know about that. He met Allan’s face again.
“So you gave up. Started working for the devil.”
“At least I get paid!”
“So this is about money? You deserted your friends because of money?” Robin took a hold of Allan’s horse’s reins. “You will regret this.”
Robin pulled in the reins and made Allan’s horse run. Allan steadied his balance and looked over his shoulder on his former friends as they became smaller and smaller. There was no going back now.
-
It was late afternoon. Guy had told the servants they could have the rest of the day off. Including Thornton. Guy didn’t want them to be in the manor when they went to the castle. If their plan would go wrong they could not go back to Locksley. So the servants would be in danger if they stayed there. Within the last few weeks Guy had noticed that he had started to care about everyone more than usual. Before, when he was Gisborne he couldn’t care of anyone, but now, he was Guy - a new man.
Guy raised his eyes when Lily came towards him. She sat down in the armchair in front of him and looked into the fireplace.
“So, do you want to go through the plan again?” she asked. She felt nervous. Why? She had killed many times before. Bad people of course, people who deserved to die. And she was never nervous about anything… But now, it felt different.
“We go to the castle. Find the sheriff. Try to get him to stop Marian’s marriage. After that, we kill him, and Albert.” Guy glanced at her. “And Allan.”
Lily tensed and her head turned quickly towards him.
“What? What are you talking about? The plan didn’t contain that!”
Guy smiled and met her confused and hurt eyes.
“I’m just joking with you.” He said calmly. “How is it going with you two anyway? I saw you together… earlier.”
Lily blushed. She hated when she did that. It made her feel weak. She looked away with a hidden smile.
“It’s going very well…” she swallowed and looked at him. “I think I’m in love with him.”
Guy raised his eyebrows.
“Really?”
Lily let out a small laugh.
“It that so strange?”
Guy shook his head with a smile on his lips.
“No. It’s not.”
The partners in crime looked at each other, both smiling. Lily rose from her chair and went over to Guy and sunk down to her knees in front of him, looking into his eyes as she took his hands in her own. Guy looked down at her, stunned.
“If anything would happen to me… please take care of Ellie, let her have the life she deserves. And also…” Lily looked away. “Tell Allan that I... I love him.”
Guy rose, still holding Lily’s hands. Lily came to her full height and looked into Guy’s eyes rather awkward.
Guy just smiled.
“You can tell him that yourself. No one is going to die today. Except for the sheriff…” they both smiled and Lily let go of Guy’s hands.
“Thank you… You are a good man, Guy.” Lily touched his arm gently and then turned around and walked up the stairs as she spoke.
“I will be ready in a few minutes.”
Guy watched Lily walking up the stairs. They were going to do this now. Kill the sheriff and then the evilness would be gone forever.
-
Vasey’s dinner was going to take place in the Great Hall seven o’clock. It was still three hours until Guy and Lily had to be there. But they were already in Nottingham outside the gates. They didn’t want any guards to see them. Lily was standing next to Guy - thinking of how they were going to get in. Both knew they looked rather wealthy. And people would surely recognize Guy… How many people dress up in black leather? Lily smiled at the thought.
“I think I have a plan.” Lily said quietly. Guy looked at her.
“Please don’t tell me about another dress-plan.”
Lily ran over to some peasants and talked to them for a while. She came back to Guy with two brown hooded cloaks. Guy raised his eyebrows.
“Here.” She threw one of the cloaks at Guy and pulled on her own. “Now, try to walk normal so they don’t suspect you.”
Guy didn’t have a chance to reply. Lily walked over to the gate and smiled at the guards as she walked in. Inside the guards helmets they were smiling shyly back.
Guy rolled his eyes and strolled after her. Only if I could blink with my eyelashes like that…
They left their horses outside the castle on the meadow and paced through Nottingham market until they came to the castle’s kitchen door. Lily took off her hood and looked around.
“This is so exciting.” She smiled at Guy. He just sighed and they entered the kitchen.
The servants didn’t say anything. They just looked at each other and one another whispered something. Guy tried not to lift his eyes from the floor. If he did they would know it was him without even thinking.
Lily pushed the door to the hallway open and Guy closed it behind them. They took off their cloaks and threw them into a dark corner.
Guy took Lily’s arm and led her away from the corridor. They had to get to the sheriff. But Guy didn’t know where he was.
“Guy, wait!” Lily hissed and pushed his arm away. She stopped and straightened her dress before she looked at him.
“This dress is new. Be careful.”
Guy groaned quietly with his eyes fixed on the ceiling.
“We don’t have time for this! I’ll find the sheriff and you find Albert.” Guy ran carefully down the hall and disappeared around the corner.
“Sure. How will I find you then? Oh, right. I’ll just listen to the sound of big clumsy boots…” Lily muttered to herself under her breath and she started walking the opposite way.
The air smelled like rose petals and wine as Guy neared the sheriff’s chamber. He couldn’t see any guards outside the door. Not even a scared little servant at the end of the hall. Guy noticed that the sheriff’s door stood ajar. He drew out his sword and held it in his hand as he approached the door and slowly pushed it open.
The chamber was uncomfortably empty and silence. A wooden bathtub stood in the middle of the room. The water was still warm Guy could see as he walked further inside. Where is he?
Guy rounded the desk and searched through some parchments and papers.
Two voices turned up a few feet away from the room and Guy hurried over to the sheriff’s bed to hide behind the curtain.
“I need you to catch Hood! Is it that hard, you great fool.”
Guy recognized the sheriff’s voice and pressed his back closer to the stony wall and held his breath.
“It’s not that simple, my lord. Robin Hood hasn’t been seen anywhere for many days.” Sir Albert said from behind Vasey as both men walked inside the room. Albert noticed the bathtub and raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms.
“Taking a bath?” he asked surprised.
“It’s an important day. You should try it sometime. And today would be a good day since Lady Marian will join us…” Vasey glanced at Albert with an amused grin. He saw how Albert’s mouth fell open.
“Excuse me, my Lord. I have things to do…” Albert said in a hurry and left the sheriff alone.
“Stupid child that man is. I almost miss Gisborne…” the sheriff mumbled as he was about to unlace his pants.
“I would wait with that if I were you…”
Vasey spanned around - almost tripping over the tub as he did so.
“Gisborne? You scared me. What are you doing here… in my chamber.” The sheriff asked and walked away from the water filled tub.
Guy raised his sword and the sheriff stopped walking immediately. He looked at Guy.
“Guy, what are you doing?”
The sheriff’s voice was shaky. Guy could hear it. He chuckled and stepped closer to his Lord.
“You have no idea of how long I’ve waited for this…” Guy began. He saw the confused stare in Vasey’s eyes. Vasey stumbled backwards, his back hit one of his birdcages and the birds began to fly around - making small chirps.
Guy lunged his sword and it hit the wall as the sheriff threw himself on the floor, crawling under his desk over to the other side. He rose to his knees and peered over the edge of the desk at Guy with big eyes.
“What are you doing?! Are you trying to kill me?!” the sheriff shouted.
“Oh yes. I am.” Guy said in a hoarse tone and he saw how Vasey’s eyes grow big with fear.
The sheriff kept crawling over to his bed and rose beside it. He took his sword that lay on the small table and walked to the beds front.
“Can’t we just chat about it first?”
Guy walked forward with strong steps and lunged at the sheriff again. “I don’t think so!” he said loudly and they started fighting. Their swords hit each others cold steal and the clinking echoed through the corridor. Guy breathed hard as he jumped away from Vasey’s raised sword. Guy kicked him in the stomach and Vasey dropped his sword in the bathtub.
Vasey walked backwards as he spoke to Guy.
“I never thought you were brave enough to kill me. I still don’t. You are a fool Gisborne! You will never be anything. Not you or your leper. She is going to marry Sir Albert and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Guy lowered his sword and looked at the sheriff. “Call off the engagement. And I’ll let you live.” He didn’t mean it. But he had to try.
The sheriff just laughed in his face.
“You will lose her, Gisborne. Deal with it!”
“No… no. I will not lose her!” Guy yelled and walked closer to the sheriff.
The sheriff looked at him amused. He bent down and took his sword out of the water and held it before him.
“You see this sword. It was with this sword I killed your new friend’s husband…” he grinned sardonically as he said it. “You should have seen his face when I-“
His voice stopped and his eyes stayed wide open. The sword that was buried in his back could be seen on the other side. Vasey looked at Guy for a moment before he fell down into the bathtub. The water steamed down over the floor and made it reflect the reflections of the partners in crime.
Lily stood beside the bathtub with shaky hands. She had been standing behind the sheriff for some time. But when he started talking about her husband something burst in her and she couldn’t control herself. And now, the sheriff was dead. Lily looked up at Guy.
“I’m sorry…. I had… I had to...”
Guy shook his head and walked over to her.
“It’s okay. Everything is going to be fine.” He put one of his hands on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “We did it.”
Lily smiled up at him through some small tears that had gathered in the corner of her eyes. But as the tear slid down her cheek she could see a shadow coming from that corner and she opened her mouth in horror.
“Guy! Watch out!”
Guy didn’t react until he felt a sharp pain building in his side. He fell to his knees and his breath stayed in his throat and refused to come out. Guy could feel the long dagger pointing out from his right side as he sunk down to the wet floor. Lily flew down next to him and screamed his name.
Sir Albert looked at what he had done. He didn’t know if he should be happy or sad. But he couldn't escape the smile that spread across his face. His hand drew out his sword and looked at Lily - who tried to turn Guy to his back without touching the dagger.
Lily turned around and faced Albert’s raised sword. In that moment she more or less didn’t care if she lived or died. She closed her eyes tightly and squeezed Guy’s hand. Guy had his eyes still open and looked at Albert. Guy struggled to smile when he saw the man behind Albert.
“No one raises a sword towards my Lady!” The former outlaw shouted.
Albert turned around and dropped his sword as another sword went down under the surface of his skin on his chest. He fell backwards and hit his head on the stone floor. If he didn’t die from the sword he surely died from that.
Lily opened her eyes and saw the face of her hero.
“Allan!”
Allan hurried over to Lily and Guy.
“I thought I heard a woman needed saving.”
“Allan, help me move him to the bed. And we need to find a physician quickly.” Lily said with a stressed and worried voice. She knew she didn’t love Guy, but she loved him as a friend. And if she would lose him there would be no one she could torment…
Allan and Lily lifted Guy to his feet and help him over to the bed. Guy’s head fell onto the pillow and his eyes closed.
“No! Guy, you need to stay with me. Don’t fall asleep.” Lily said and shook his shoulders. “Allan, find the best physician! Hurry!”
Guy’s eyes fluttered open and he looked at Lily with the power he had left. He gave her a weak smile.
“Y…You told me... that if something happened.. to you… I had to take care of Ellie. I.. I want you to do the same… And please… tell M-Marian.. I love her….” Guy’s eyes closed again, and he sucked in a deep breath. His eyes closed more tightly when he felt the pain become stronger.
“No.. Don’t you dare leave me now! No one is going to die today! You told me that yourself! Only the sheriff would die… Not you! Guy! Guy…” Lily looked down at the man before her. He was silent. She couldn’t see him breath. She put her fingers under his chin and tried to find a pulse on his throat. She couldn’t find it.
Lily’s hand slowly left Guy’s throat and she stared at him. No… Guy, you are not dead… You can’t be dead!
In that moment Allan returned with the physician. In this case it wasn’t a regular physician. It was Djaq.
Lily looked at Allan with tears in her eyes.
“I think he is dead…”