Fic: The Gift - Secret Santa gift for potionmistressm 2009
Christmas Eve. Nothing or no one can describe Christmas with one little word. And if you had just one word to describe it with… what would it be? Guy didn’t know… But he would find out.
Guy woke early that morning. He turned over, still with his eyes gently closed. He softly flung his arm to the other side of the bed to capture Marian underneath his weight. But the place was empty.
He opened his eyes and looked around the room. He couldn’t see Marian anywhere. He flew out of bed, threw on a black tunic and a pair of dark blue breeches, and then he quickly headed towards the door.
“Marian!” he called loudly and stumbled down the staircase. He was about to call her name again when he saw her kneeling in front of their little Christmas tree. She hadn’t noticed him yet. She looked so happy and excited about Christmas when she smiled at the tree that was covered with colourful items and something glittery. And at the top of the tree - a grand star shone brightly when the fire from the fireplace hit it.
Guy stood at the end of the stairs with a small smile on his lips. He walked quietly over to her and sunk down to his own knees next to her. Marian smiled without looking at him.
“Isn’t Christmas wonderful?” she asked in harmony. The burning fire next to them made the room light up in a warm tone. Marian looked at Guy tenderly. He could see that she was happy. That was the only thing that mattered.
Guy leaned behind the tree and brought back a large box. Marian’s eyes grew wide in surprise, but her grand smile lingered. “Guy, what is this? I thought we agreed not to give each other any Christmas gifts…” she said as Guy gave her the wooden box. She had suspected that he would give her something… she had plans of her own as well.
Guy smirked. “You know me - always full of surprises…” he whispered and watched Marian open the gift.
Marian took off the lid and giggled happily and rose to her feet with the long cloth in her hands. It was a very beautiful dress in a wonderful blue colour, which sometimes reflected in a dark purple tone. The fabric was very soft, Marian had to stroke it, and she couldn’t let it go.
“Guy… It’s gorgeous. I love it!” she said very moved and bent down and stole a quick little kiss. “Now, it’s your turn!” she said.
Guy raised an eyebrow. “My turn? For what exactly?” he asked.
“Your turn to get a Christmas gift!” Marian said and reached for a small little box.
Guy looked at her profile, he was a little shocked… and he also felt this warm feeling inside. He had never gotten a real Christmas gift before. No, he had never gotten a gift before. He got Marian. Well, she couldn’t be compared to a gift… But she is the only thing that truly mattered to him. Even though they weren’t married, nor engaged… He couldn’t be happier.
And now, the woman he loves the most are going to give him his first gift, ever.
Marian handed him a neat little box. Guy stared at it for a while before he slowly opened it.
Yes, he had never gotten a gift before, and now when he saw his absolute first gift - he wondered if it was a joke.
“A key?” he asked and held up a petty old key before himself.
Marian smiled. “Yes. This is not a regular key though. This is a very special key. Now, you can unlock my love anywhere, anytime and how many times you want… because you’ve got the key to my love.” Marian said calmly and took his free hand in hers.
And there they were, in the middle of the floor, holding hands, looking at a key - Guy’s first gift.
Marian gesture had truly hit Guy’s heart. Even if it wasn’t a regular gift - it was better.
-
Same day, later that day when the moon had approached the sky - Guy sat in one of the armchairs with Marian in his lap. He had his eyes closed and a small smile had been on his lips all day long.
“Guy…” Marian said carefully.
“Mmm?” he mumbled in response.
Marian smiled again. “The key wasn’t your real Christmas gift…” she said with a low voice. Guy slowly opened his eyes when Marian rose from his lap and walked back to the tree.
She came back with another small box in her hand. She sunk down on her knees in front of his armchair and gave it to him. Guy looked at her for a minute before he focused on the box.
“Open it…” Marian said. “But before you do… I want you to know that I love you with all my heart and that my heart always will belong to you…”
Guy was almost nervous now… and he hadn’t even opened the little box yet. But he found the power to open it, and when he did - he lost his breath and stared at the woman before him.
“Guy of Gisborne,” she began with happy tears in her eyes. “will you marry me?”
Guy had the beautiful ring between his fingers, his whole hand was shaking. “Yes… Yes! Yes I will marry you!” he said loudly to overpower his shocked self. He couldn’t describe how happy he was.
-
In the middle of the night after a day filled with joy - Guy and Marian lay sleeping in the grand armchair next to the fire, embracing each other. Both of them had a smile on their lips, but Guy was most happy, mainly because he was dreaming about his first real gift he had around his finger. But also because he finally knew the word he could describe Christmas with.
Love.
Christmas is love.