Fic: Hope for Healing - Chapter 6
Title: Hope for Healing - Chapter 6
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Matilda, Guy, Marian, Little John
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Drama, Angst
Warnings: Implied M/M Non-con
Words: 1800
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own anything you find familiar.
Notes: Takes place shortly after 2x11.Thank you to my wonderful betas jagnikjen and robinfanatic.
Summary: Guy asks Matilda to help cure Marian. She agrees - but asks for something in return...
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Previous Chapter
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CHAPTER 6
Matilda put the finishing touches to the sealing wax around the last bottle of potion she was preparing that day and sat down with a satisfied sigh. She was starting to think about dinner when the door suddenly burst open.
Guy of Gisborne appeared, looking very flushed in the face, as if he'd been running.
"Don't you have any manners at all, Gisborne?" she scowled. "I could have been standing here in nothing but my under-wrappings for all you knew!"
Gisborne's nose wrinkled in disgust at her comment as he crossed the room towards her.
Matilda wasn't sure whether she should be pleased or annoyed by that reaction.
"You have to come with me," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the door.
She wrenched her arm away and reached for her bag. "What bit of him have you broken now?"
"What?" Guy stopped, momentarily confused and then shook his head. "No, it's not the outlaw. It's Lady Marian."
"Lady Marian?" Dear God - what's he done to her? Matilda's heart leaped into her mouth.
She still felt she owed Marian for alerting Robin to the ducking in Locksley. She'd only glimpsed her once or twice in the months she'd been at the castle, and always from a distance. Knowing how involved Marian was with Robin made Matilda concerned for the young woman's safety and that worry was renewed every time she saw her. It didn't help that Marian was about the same age as Rosa and brought out every maternal instinct Matilda had in her, in the absence of her own daughter.
"She has a fever and will not wake," Gisborne responded. "I sent for a physician but the man is useless! He keeps telling me we just have to wait but any fool can see she's getting worse!"
Matilda was relieved to hear it was an illness but concerned at the same time - fever and loss of wits was a bad combination. She would have grabbed her things straight away but she noted the desperation in Gisborne's eyes. It had been clear in his voice too. He's really worried for her... Interesting... I bet Baldy doesn't even know he's here...
She paused with her hand on her bag, inwardly berating herself for being so mercenary, but knowing this was one of only a few chances she might ever have. "If I can help the Lady Marian - what do I get in return?" she asked.
"What?"
"Will you let me go?"
Gisborne considered it for longer than she'd thought he would, but the answer was still the one she'd expected.
"No, I can't do that." He pulled her towards the door again. "Please - she's very ill."
'Please', is it? Matilda would swear on the Good Book she'd never heard Gisborne use that word before. What else might he go for? "Let me see John again," she said.
"John?" Gisborne said blankly.
Matilda sighed heavily. "Big bloke? Beard? You dislocated his shoulder?"
"The outlaw?" Gisborne considered the request. "Fine. I'll take you to him - once you've seen Marian."
Matilda would have laughed out loud had she received such a promise from Vaizey. She would at least give Gisborne the benefit of the doubt. I'll not hold my breath... but we'll see. "Agreed. Well what are you waiting for? Christmas?" She put a spare jar of feverfew into her bag and threw her cloak around her head and shoulders as Gisborne practically lifted her out of the door. She almost had to break into a run to keep up with his long, swift stride as they moved quickly through the castle to Marian's room.
Gisborne told Marian's maid to wait outside then paced nervously back and forth as Matilda looked at Marian's skin and eyes and listened to her heartbeat. "Well?" he burst out impatiently.
"Well, you were right - she is very ill," Matilda replied calmly.
"But you can cure her?"
"I'm certainly going to try." She pulled the jar of feverfew out of her bag, then turned and fixed Gisborne with her most piercing stare.
He stopped pacing.
"This is an important question," Matilda said sternly. "Answer honestly - and don't get angry with me for asking," she added.
"What is it?"
Matilda pursed her lips and took a deep breath. "Is there any chance at all Lady Marian could be with child?"
Gisborne flared into instant indignation. "How dare you--?!"
"I dare because if she is then this could kill both her and the child!" she interrupted. "So get off your high horse and answer me!"
Gisborne scowled at her but his breathing slowed again. "No. I'd stake my life on it."
"You're not staking yours - you're staking hers," she reminded him.
"No. Lady Marian is still a maid," he said, almost grudgingly.
"Good." Matilda opened the bottle and added a few drops to a cup of water. And here's hoping you and young Master Locksley have behaved yourselves as well as I think you have! She tipped the cup to Marian's lips, encouraging her to drink in small mouthfuls. She frowned as she looked down into the cup. "Could you fetch some fresh water? This is quite warm."
Gisborne nodded and hurried out into the corridor, presumably to find the maid.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Matilda laid Marian down and gently shook her shoulders. "Marian... Marian, it's Matilda - from Locksley. I know you can hear me. This is very important and you have to remember it. Little John isn't dead. You hear me? John is not dead - he's here in the castle - and you have to tell Robin if you see him."
Marian mumbled, "John i'n't dead..."
"That's right, my girl - you remember that!" Matilda whispered, triumphantly. "Oh - and tell him I'm here too if you would!"
"J'hn... n't...."
"Yes, yes, you rest now." Matilda stroked her forehead as Marian slipped into a deep sleep.
Gisborne reappeared at the door shortly afterwards with a pitcher of water.
From the state of him, Matilda suspected he'd run down to the well himself. Just for a fleeting moment she caught herself feeling almost sorry for him. He was clearly devoted to Marian and must have no idea of her relationship with Robin.
"Come in and for God's sake, sit down before you wear a hole in the floor!" She poured him a cup of the cool water.
"How is she?" he asked.
"She's sleeping. The feverfew should help make her cooler. Once her fever breaks, she should recover well - she's young and healthy."
"What if it doesn't break?"
She turned to face him but the look on his face was so raw she quickly turned back to her patient. "I don't see any reason for that to happen, but if she's still feverish in the morning I have other things to try. For now I'll carry on bathing her to keep her cool."
"I'll get the maid to do that." He stood up sharply.
"I'd rather do it myself," Matilda protested.
"I know - but you shouldn't be here and if Marian wakes she mustn't see you," Gisborne responded, confirming Matilda's earlier suspicions that this was one little task of hers that Vaizey knew nothing about.
"Very well." Matilda handed Gisborne a small vial then packed up the rest of her things. "She should be given some more of this mixture about an hour after dinner - though don't feed her anything, just give her water - and if her fever hasn't broken by the morning you'll need to let me see her again."
"I will."
"Now," Matilda stood up and headed for the door. "I have another patient to check up on, yes?"
"What? Oh...yes...the outlaw..." Gisborne glanced from Matilda to the bed and back again. He sighed. "Fine. You should probably see him anyway."
"That's right - you want him nice and healthy when you torture him," Matilda muttered. She pulled the cloak she was required to wear outside her room back over her face and followed him out into the corridor.
Gisborne passed on instructions and the vial to Marian's maid as they let her back into the room. He and Matilda then headed towards the lower levels of the castle at a far slower pace than they had taken towards Marian's room...
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The guard wiped his knuckles on his sleeves and spat on the floor. He drew the back of his hand across his mouth, breathing heavily. Once he'd started, forcing himself to stop again had taken a real effort, but he'd administered enough beatings over the years to judge when he was risking serious damage. Sir Guy had made it very clear how far he could go. Not as far as he wanted to, that was for sure, but the outlaw had to be kept not only alive, but able to answer questions, so the guard had reined himself back in before he got too carried away.
"Still awake?" He kicked the outlaw's shin and got a grunt in reply. "Not so tough now, eh?"
He slumped down in the chair beside the table and poured himself a cup of water. Some of it sloshed on to floor as he mockingly toasted the outlaw.
"I'll say this for you, you know 'ow to take a beatin'. Not that you've got much choice in that position!" He laughed mirthlessly then drained his cup, making sure to drink noisily and with great relish, just to rub it in.
He glanced back up the corridor then turned back to his captive audience. Sir Guy had said he would return after dinner - that was still hours away. He put down his cup and wiped his mouth again, then stood up and slowly walked around behind the semi-conscious man in front of him. "That position" also suggested something else he could do that he would certainly enjoy and Sir Guy need never know about.
Yeah... why not? The bastard 'as it comin'...
The guard idly stroked himself through his leggings and felt himself rapidly getting hard at being in such a position of power over the other man. He stepped forward and pressed his growing hardness directly against the outlaw's backside, putting his hands on the other man's hips and pulling him backwards with only the slightest pressure. He was rewarded by a renewed tenseness in the outlaw's muscles. The sound of the prisoner's breathing also sped up noticeably in alarm and the guard grinned, knowing his intentions had been correctly guessed. This was going to be the sweetest payback he could have hoped for.
He leaned over and as his hands reached round and started searching for the laces of the outlaw's leggings, he said softly, "Let's see what else you can take, big man..."
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Next Chapter
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A/N: I figured it was about time I gave Matilda her own icon! She deserves it!
Author: wastingyourgum
Characters/Pairings: Matilda, Guy, Marian, Little John
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Drama, Angst
Warnings: Implied M/M Non-con
Words: 1800
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own anything you find familiar.
Notes: Takes place shortly after 2x11.Thank you to my wonderful betas jagnikjen and robinfanatic.
Summary: Guy asks Matilda to help cure Marian. She agrees - but asks for something in return...
>>>------------------------------>
Previous Chapter
>>>------------------------------>
CHAPTER 6
Matilda put the finishing touches to the sealing wax around the last bottle of potion she was preparing that day and sat down with a satisfied sigh. She was starting to think about dinner when the door suddenly burst open.
Guy of Gisborne appeared, looking very flushed in the face, as if he'd been running.
"Don't you have any manners at all, Gisborne?" she scowled. "I could have been standing here in nothing but my under-wrappings for all you knew!"
Gisborne's nose wrinkled in disgust at her comment as he crossed the room towards her.
Matilda wasn't sure whether she should be pleased or annoyed by that reaction.
"You have to come with me," he said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards the door.
She wrenched her arm away and reached for her bag. "What bit of him have you broken now?"
"What?" Guy stopped, momentarily confused and then shook his head. "No, it's not the outlaw. It's Lady Marian."
"Lady Marian?" Dear God - what's he done to her? Matilda's heart leaped into her mouth.
She still felt she owed Marian for alerting Robin to the ducking in Locksley. She'd only glimpsed her once or twice in the months she'd been at the castle, and always from a distance. Knowing how involved Marian was with Robin made Matilda concerned for the young woman's safety and that worry was renewed every time she saw her. It didn't help that Marian was about the same age as Rosa and brought out every maternal instinct Matilda had in her, in the absence of her own daughter.
"She has a fever and will not wake," Gisborne responded. "I sent for a physician but the man is useless! He keeps telling me we just have to wait but any fool can see she's getting worse!"
Matilda was relieved to hear it was an illness but concerned at the same time - fever and loss of wits was a bad combination. She would have grabbed her things straight away but she noted the desperation in Gisborne's eyes. It had been clear in his voice too. He's really worried for her... Interesting... I bet Baldy doesn't even know he's here...
She paused with her hand on her bag, inwardly berating herself for being so mercenary, but knowing this was one of only a few chances she might ever have. "If I can help the Lady Marian - what do I get in return?" she asked.
"What?"
"Will you let me go?"
Gisborne considered it for longer than she'd thought he would, but the answer was still the one she'd expected.
"No, I can't do that." He pulled her towards the door again. "Please - she's very ill."
'Please', is it? Matilda would swear on the Good Book she'd never heard Gisborne use that word before. What else might he go for? "Let me see John again," she said.
"John?" Gisborne said blankly.
Matilda sighed heavily. "Big bloke? Beard? You dislocated his shoulder?"
"The outlaw?" Gisborne considered the request. "Fine. I'll take you to him - once you've seen Marian."
Matilda would have laughed out loud had she received such a promise from Vaizey. She would at least give Gisborne the benefit of the doubt. I'll not hold my breath... but we'll see. "Agreed. Well what are you waiting for? Christmas?" She put a spare jar of feverfew into her bag and threw her cloak around her head and shoulders as Gisborne practically lifted her out of the door. She almost had to break into a run to keep up with his long, swift stride as they moved quickly through the castle to Marian's room.
Gisborne told Marian's maid to wait outside then paced nervously back and forth as Matilda looked at Marian's skin and eyes and listened to her heartbeat. "Well?" he burst out impatiently.
"Well, you were right - she is very ill," Matilda replied calmly.
"But you can cure her?"
"I'm certainly going to try." She pulled the jar of feverfew out of her bag, then turned and fixed Gisborne with her most piercing stare.
He stopped pacing.
"This is an important question," Matilda said sternly. "Answer honestly - and don't get angry with me for asking," she added.
"What is it?"
Matilda pursed her lips and took a deep breath. "Is there any chance at all Lady Marian could be with child?"
Gisborne flared into instant indignation. "How dare you--?!"
"I dare because if she is then this could kill both her and the child!" she interrupted. "So get off your high horse and answer me!"
Gisborne scowled at her but his breathing slowed again. "No. I'd stake my life on it."
"You're not staking yours - you're staking hers," she reminded him.
"No. Lady Marian is still a maid," he said, almost grudgingly.
"Good." Matilda opened the bottle and added a few drops to a cup of water. And here's hoping you and young Master Locksley have behaved yourselves as well as I think you have! She tipped the cup to Marian's lips, encouraging her to drink in small mouthfuls. She frowned as she looked down into the cup. "Could you fetch some fresh water? This is quite warm."
Gisborne nodded and hurried out into the corridor, presumably to find the maid.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Matilda laid Marian down and gently shook her shoulders. "Marian... Marian, it's Matilda - from Locksley. I know you can hear me. This is very important and you have to remember it. Little John isn't dead. You hear me? John is not dead - he's here in the castle - and you have to tell Robin if you see him."
Marian mumbled, "John i'n't dead..."
"That's right, my girl - you remember that!" Matilda whispered, triumphantly. "Oh - and tell him I'm here too if you would!"
"J'hn... n't...."
"Yes, yes, you rest now." Matilda stroked her forehead as Marian slipped into a deep sleep.
Gisborne reappeared at the door shortly afterwards with a pitcher of water.
From the state of him, Matilda suspected he'd run down to the well himself. Just for a fleeting moment she caught herself feeling almost sorry for him. He was clearly devoted to Marian and must have no idea of her relationship with Robin.
"Come in and for God's sake, sit down before you wear a hole in the floor!" She poured him a cup of the cool water.
"How is she?" he asked.
"She's sleeping. The feverfew should help make her cooler. Once her fever breaks, she should recover well - she's young and healthy."
"What if it doesn't break?"
She turned to face him but the look on his face was so raw she quickly turned back to her patient. "I don't see any reason for that to happen, but if she's still feverish in the morning I have other things to try. For now I'll carry on bathing her to keep her cool."
"I'll get the maid to do that." He stood up sharply.
"I'd rather do it myself," Matilda protested.
"I know - but you shouldn't be here and if Marian wakes she mustn't see you," Gisborne responded, confirming Matilda's earlier suspicions that this was one little task of hers that Vaizey knew nothing about.
"Very well." Matilda handed Gisborne a small vial then packed up the rest of her things. "She should be given some more of this mixture about an hour after dinner - though don't feed her anything, just give her water - and if her fever hasn't broken by the morning you'll need to let me see her again."
"I will."
"Now," Matilda stood up and headed for the door. "I have another patient to check up on, yes?"
"What? Oh...yes...the outlaw..." Gisborne glanced from Matilda to the bed and back again. He sighed. "Fine. You should probably see him anyway."
"That's right - you want him nice and healthy when you torture him," Matilda muttered. She pulled the cloak she was required to wear outside her room back over her face and followed him out into the corridor.
Gisborne passed on instructions and the vial to Marian's maid as they let her back into the room. He and Matilda then headed towards the lower levels of the castle at a far slower pace than they had taken towards Marian's room...
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The guard wiped his knuckles on his sleeves and spat on the floor. He drew the back of his hand across his mouth, breathing heavily. Once he'd started, forcing himself to stop again had taken a real effort, but he'd administered enough beatings over the years to judge when he was risking serious damage. Sir Guy had made it very clear how far he could go. Not as far as he wanted to, that was for sure, but the outlaw had to be kept not only alive, but able to answer questions, so the guard had reined himself back in before he got too carried away.
"Still awake?" He kicked the outlaw's shin and got a grunt in reply. "Not so tough now, eh?"
He slumped down in the chair beside the table and poured himself a cup of water. Some of it sloshed on to floor as he mockingly toasted the outlaw.
"I'll say this for you, you know 'ow to take a beatin'. Not that you've got much choice in that position!" He laughed mirthlessly then drained his cup, making sure to drink noisily and with great relish, just to rub it in.
He glanced back up the corridor then turned back to his captive audience. Sir Guy had said he would return after dinner - that was still hours away. He put down his cup and wiped his mouth again, then stood up and slowly walked around behind the semi-conscious man in front of him. "That position" also suggested something else he could do that he would certainly enjoy and Sir Guy need never know about.
Yeah... why not? The bastard 'as it comin'...
The guard idly stroked himself through his leggings and felt himself rapidly getting hard at being in such a position of power over the other man. He stepped forward and pressed his growing hardness directly against the outlaw's backside, putting his hands on the other man's hips and pulling him backwards with only the slightest pressure. He was rewarded by a renewed tenseness in the outlaw's muscles. The sound of the prisoner's breathing also sped up noticeably in alarm and the guard grinned, knowing his intentions had been correctly guessed. This was going to be the sweetest payback he could have hoped for.
He leaned over and as his hands reached round and started searching for the laces of the outlaw's leggings, he said softly, "Let's see what else you can take, big man..."
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Next Chapter
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A/N: I figured it was about time I gave Matilda her own icon! She deserves it!