"Mother?" I asked as the Abbess, who was on her knees praying turns, her head towards me.

"Forgive this intrusion. I have a request to make of you." I asked her as she frowned slightly.

"Speak quickly, child." She informed.

"It is a difficult matter—"

"Quickly or not at all." She interrupted as I paused for a moment before taking a step forward.

"Very well. I should like to be a novice in your order." I stated plainly as she raised an eyebrow before looking me up and down.

"Come to my abbey in a month. I will consider you then." She spoke sharply before turning her head back towards the altar as if to start praying again as I refused to take no for an answer. I couldn't wait a month! Guy would surely try and marry me by then or keep me in Nottingham until I did.

"With respect, you are here today. Consider me now." I asked boldly as she looked slightly surprised at my output.

"You are bold. Do you know who I am?" She asked me carefully as she rose to her feet and walked towards me as I looked at the floor for a moment.

"I— Forgive me, I am bold. That is why I do not belong here. It is stifling." I informed her begging that she would allow me to accompany her.

"You think the abbey is a place to be bold?" She questioned as she walked towards the front bench and sat down as I joined her.

"I think it is a place to breathe. I should like to be clear. I would stay for a year at most, and I can fund my keep." I informed as she looked at me once more before smirking slightly as I frowned. Had I said something funny to her?

"Forgive me, something about you... You are an unlikely novice." She whispered as I raised an eyebrow.

"You are an unlikely abbess." I responded as she laughed.

"You are spirited. I could use someone like you." She whispered to me with a wink. Her voice was full of purpose as I frowned. Something just didn't seem right about her as I leant back slightly.

"I have no intention of being used." I stated plainly before we stared at each other for a while before she nodded in agreement. I thanked her before I walked back to the door, knocking so the guard would let me out. I heard the rustling of the keys before I stepped out of the chapel, to hear the keys locking the abbess back into her prayer. I started to walk back down the corridor with a small smile on my face.

"So, did she agree?" Guy's deep voice asked me, as I jumped startled as I turned to see him leaning against one of the pillars as I stopped and took a deep breath, hiding away the sudden shock.

"Yes." I informed him as he lifted himself off the marble and slowly came towards me, close like he always did which to be honest made me feel very uncomfortable.

"I’m surprised you’ve not mentioned this to me before." He muttered slightly annoyed. I knew he wasn't happy the fact that I wouldn’t be 'available' to marry him. Which is why I was so joyful inside, but if I was so happy to be able to avoid him, then why was I feeling disappointment. Maybe it's because my father doesn't want anything to do with me.

"Should I have?" I asked him innocently.

"Yeah." He frowned; his voice was sharp and short as his strong gaze glued to my face.

"It is done now. I leave with her when her retinue comes. Tonight, probably. I must pack my things." I told him quietly, not looking at his face as I turned to leave and ride home to pack my things before his strong grip grabbed my arm pulling me back, as my gaze met his. My stomach dipped slightly as I gulped as his face seemed only inches away from mine.

"I thought we were friends. I thought, in time, you would consider..." He whispered hesitantly as I frowned at him acting as if I had no idea what it was he was talking about.

"What?" I questioned softly shrugging as his grip stayed firm on my arm.

"Marriage….. That you would consider..." He whispered looking down almost ashamed of what he was implying. Like I would consider marrying him? His grip against my arm dropped as I felt my blood circulating across my numb fingers.

"Perhaps I am not the marrying kind." I informed trying to end the conversation before his gaze snapped back up to mine. His eyes are so piercing, I almost feel like they could see straight into my soul.

"But you will be a bride of Christ?" He sneered as I sighed before looking back up at him.

"It was a difficult decision, I confess." I told him as if to make him feel better before I turned to leave. I could feel Guy's gaze still following me as I went round the next corner. I let out a deep breath blowing out my cheeks, smirking before I made my way back to the stables with a happy smile edging on the corner of my mouth. Soldiers nodded their head as I walked past; I skipped every second step down to the courtyard, as I strolled towards the stables.

"Your horse my Lady" The stable boy handed me the reigns, as I smiled stroking the beautiful creature's nose. It nudged his nose into my neck as I chuckled slightly, before stroking his mane. I took my time riding home. I enjoyed the fresh air, the time to think. There was a soft gentle breeze, as I rocked on my horse. I had probably taken an hour maybe even two to get home. I just wasn't paying that much attention.

I sighed as I pulled up towards Knighton Hall, I kept my horse outside as I went to collect my things. I was up in my room packing my clothes and my own personal belongings. I heard the sound of shuffling feet on the wood below. I hadn't seen my father so I assumed that was him downstairs. I sighed pushing a strand of my hair behind me ear before I made my way downstairs with a saddlebag.

I saw my father pacing the floor as I paused on the stairs. Then I shook my head glancing back at the floor and made my way to the horse outside as I heard my father trailing my steps.

"You are really going?" He asked me concerned as I nodded making my way back into the house.

"I have an arrangement with the Abbess of Rufford." I told him as I was about to make it back up the steps to retrieve the next bag. To be honest I was sad to leave, I didn’t dare think about what could happen to my father as I was gone. Though I needed to breathe, I needed space and more importantly I needed my father to not think so ill of me.

"What would I have to do to persuade you to stay?" His voice sounded desperate as I turned around I felt a twinge of pain hit my heart as I looked at him emotionlessly.

"It is too late. I meet the Abbess in the castle in an hour. She expects her retinue tonight." I informed him as I went to make my way back upstairs.

"Surely it is never too late between a father and a daughter. What can I do?" His voice was pleading as I stopped and made my way back down the steps standing in front of him. My eyes were showing my plea, I knew it from the reflection in his eyes.

"Support me as the Nightwatchman, I want to do more, not less. Protect me from the Gisbornes of this world. Accept me, the daughter you have, not the daughter you wanted." I whispered my tone full of desperation.

"And if I cannot?" He asked his voice stern, his posture straight as I felt disappointed. Yet I should have known better. My father would never agree to my terms.

"Then I go to meet the Abbess." My stone cold voice spoke as I was ready to race up the stairs and be gone from his ashamed look.

"Those are your terms?"

"Those are my terms." I snapped firmly before looking at the floor. I really had no right to speak at him in such a disrespectful manner.

"I’m sorry." I whispered gently.

"The Nightwatchman may as well put a noose around both our necks." My father explained as he shook his head at me as I looked around uncertain, taking everything in. this would probably be the last time I see this place.

"Goodbye." My voice was barely audible as I turned to make my way upstairs.

"Wait!" My father pleaded as I stopped not daring to turn around. "If you feel that strongly..."

"You will support me?" I asked surprised as I turned around and down a few steps.

"I have no choice." My father paused before he muttered his response. I hesitated for a few moments before I looked back up at him.

"Then I will stay." I whispered I could see the relief on my father's face as I smiled slightly. I gave him a hug which surprised him before I could hear him smile as he returned it. Skipping I made my way back out to the horse to collect my bag.

"Gisborne came to see you... just now. I sent him away." Father's words made me pause. Damn! I guess if I hadn't have stayed then maybe Gisborne would leave me alone. Maybe find himself a new wife whilst he was at it. But now I think he would be even more persistent.

"He will be back." I grumbled annoyed as I carried my bag up the stairs.

"We will be strong." My father shouted back as I smiled, as I began unpacking my things once again. My heart was running wild knowing that my father would support me. The footsteps downstairs decreased as I knew my father would be in his chambers. I decided to get some fresh air as I knelt towards one of the gardens with a flat basket and a pitcher. I heard the sound of hooves maybe an hour later as I turned to see Guy approaching the house on horseback. As he dismounted I rose to my feet, a flat basket in one hand and the pitcher in the other.

"May I say I am glad to see you there?" Guy smirked as he walked slowly towards me holding the reins on the horse as I raised an eyebrow.

"You have said it. If you will excuse me." I spoke scornfully as I turned and made my way into the house and stood next to the table. I could hear Guy striding after me and into the house without invitation. I set the pitcher and the basket on the table and starts to peel a carrot as Guy stepped in.

"When you said that you would go to Rufford, I admit I was... disturbed." Guy declared as he was leaning against the edge of the table. As he had said that I lowered my knife and turns to face Guy.

"Sir Guy...... have I ever indicated that you would have a right to be disturbed?" I questioned before I went back to peeling. I could hear his smirk as he got up from the table and made his way towards me. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I knew he was standing remarkably close.

"Well, I would like to earn that right. And I’m glad that I still have the chance." He told me, his warm breath hitting my neck as I gulped and walked past him into the main room with the pitcher.

"This so-called abbess. She was an imposter." He told me as I turned around shocked and took a few steps towards him.

"Pardon?" My voice was strained as he slowly in two steps was in front of me again as I looked up at him unfazed, yet uncomfortable at how close he was.

"I came straightaway. I told your father. Did he not tell you?" He questioned frowning as I shook my head I was confused and shocked.

"No. I think maybe he was being kind to me." I whispered disappointed. He didn’t agree to my terms. He only said that he wanted me to stay was because I had nowhere to run. I felt betrayed and hurt. He had lied to me.

"There are other people who would like to be kind to you...holds up a small box, then sets it on the table. If you’d let them." His voice was soft as he left his hand brushed past mine, as I pulled it away unhappy. When he was gone I cautiously walked to the table opening the box to see a beautiful piece of jeweler before I slammed it closed and onto the table just when my father entered the room.

"I saw him coming. I would have headed him off." My father informed as if he was sure I didn’t know.

"He told me." I told him fondly. My father's face looked frightened as he gulped and nodded.

"It makes no difference." He tried to explain as I shook my head.

"Yes, it does. I had nowhere to run. You did not need to agree to my terms." I spoke, my voice breaking slightly. He wouldn't have had me stay if the abbess was who she said she was.

"I realized that the daughter I had was the daughter I wanted." My father smiled, as I felt tears prick my eyes before he pulled my into a strong hug. I left out a sorrowful sigh holding onto him as if there was no tomorrow……