Ever since the festival of pain, I had made sure I stayed clear of Guy. I must admit I struggled; he didn't make it an easy challenge. Early in the mornings I vanished away into the woods to a secret place known only to me where I found solitude. It was a place my mother showed me and it helped bring peace to when I was younger of nightmares. That was before the painful experience and events I witnessed.

It got easy to seek solitude when my father returned from business as I grew comfort for being back in my home. He smiled and was very supportive and patient as I explained the past days he had been away. When I remained silent he let me be, knowing I wasn't ready to relive the pain I had felt……

*************

It was early in the morning in Nottingham Castle. Guy was called to the Sheriff ’s quarters as inside the Sheriff fishes a bird out of a cage just when Gisborne enters.

"Ah, Gisborne." He spoke before he turned to walk over to Gisborne.

"Hold a bird. Come on. Here, come on. Give him some love, hm?" He instructed as Gisborne reluctantly closes his gloved hands around the bird.

"Poor thing. It is poetry though, isn’t it? Caged bird, a creature that would fly free, absolutely under my control." He spoke in riddles as Gisborne glowers at the Sheriff from under his brows as the Sheriff chuckles. "It’s good. I like it. Now, er, talking of caged prettiness...when are you marrying Esme?"

"In due course." Gisborne responded sullenly as the Sheriff rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come along, don’t be coy. That’s not the arrangement, is it?" He joked as Gisborne rolled his eyes towards the Sheriff.

"No. We will marry when the King returns." Gisborne growled as he knew that the Sheriff already knew about this. He wondered why he was bringing up the subject once more? His mind had often fallen on Esme as he struggled to find her as if she was avoiding him. Questions flooded through him at her words from the dining hall before the festival of pain and struggled to understand their meaning. He remembered seeing her wounded and the pain inflicted on her when he went to accuse of her being a traitor, though he wondered if that wasn't the first time she had been greeted with a whip.

"Ah. When the King comes. I might have news for you there." The Sheriff spoke slowly as he turns and goes around the back of the birdcage.

"What news?" Gisborne asked as his head perked up.

"Do you know? Sometimes I don’t feed them for, ooh, three days. Cruel perhaps, but I find it makes them sing better." He spoke as he peered into the cage as if he hadn't heard Gisborne's urgent request for information.

"What news?" Gisborne growled impatiently as he forgot about the bird within his grasp as the Sheriff looks at Gisborne, the bird flies away.

"Oh, Gisborne." He sighed disappointed.

*************

I was picking flowers in full bloom into the basket I had just recently weaved as I glanced up and smiled at my father who was tending to the garden. I went back to my flowers brushing a stray piece of my hair when I heard the sound of pounding hooves, glancing up I saw Guy striding towards me as I slowly got up.

"Esme. Sir Edward. I bring good news. There’s something I... No." He beamed before he paused and reached towards me, taking me and my father all by surprise as he suddenly sweeps me off my feet and slings me over his shoulder.

"Oi! What are you doing?" I cried as he turned to make his way back towards the horse.

"What do you think y—" I could hear my father shout as he ran his way towards us, however I found this extremely uncomfortable and improper as I kicked out to the side and cartwheels off his back and onto my feet. Guy was taken by surprise at the move and stared at me for a moment as I glared at his action and flipped my hood over my shoulder.

"Sir Guy!" My father shouted once more as he drew his attention away from me for the moment.

"I apologize. I just wanted to sweep you off your feet." He whispered, he sounded truly sorry and I must admit my heart was still racing from the scare he gave me as I gave a faint chuckle to ensure him I wouldn't hold it against him. My chuckle however caught in my throat when he took three steps closer towards me as I gulped slightly looking up into those pale eyes.

"Will you come with me to Locksley?" He whispered with a wide smile causing me to frown.

"Why?"

"There’s something you should see." He smiled down at me as he gently brushed his hand on my forearm. I glanced down at his touch and gulped before I glanced over his shoulder to my father whose eyes are narrowed towards Guy. I didn't trust my voice as I nodded and he grinned wider before we fetched my horse from the stables. Even though I didn’t need assistance from Guy he helped me onto my horse and we soon began our journey towards Locksley.

Everyone was cautious when we rode in as my eyes drifted to the Scarlett's household, which remained empty but probably would soon have a new resident. I got sad looks from the villagers when they saw the smirk upon Guy's lips causing me to sigh slightly. It’s washing day in Locksley. Three large tubs have been set up near the pond and the posts between it and the manor are strung with lines of drying sheets.

I smiled slightly at the childhood memories Robin and I had of running in and out of the linen chasing after one another. It seemed to light up the village with the illuminate white before we dismounted and made our way into the Manor, where I noticed Thornton on his way outside. He glanced at me surprised but masked as I so desperately wished to hug him.

"Lady Esme." He greeted as I nodded my head towards him.

"Thornton." I responded as Thornton glances between Guy and I before then continuing on his way out. However as Guy missed it as he walked past he grabbed my hand with a fatherly squeeze before dropping it out and leaving to attend to the washing I would think.

"Come with me. There’s something I want to show you." Guy had that tone of a child who seemed to have found the rarest beautiful creature and wishes to show it off to the world. I watched as the pranced up the stairs two by two as I took a deep breath. I hesitated at the foot, before straightening my back and then following after him. I grew nervous as we entered into the master chamber where I knew I would have to lay as his wife. The thought made me flinch yet something inside made me wonder would it be that bad? I stood awkwardly as I watched Guy pull aside the curtains in front of the alcove, revealing several chests.

"I show you this." He spoke proudly as I hesitantly steps down into the room, looking cautiously curious as Guy opens the first small chest. He grabs a handful of coins and lets them fall back in. "My wealth."

"Why? Er... I’m not sure what this means." I quickly covered as he slowly began to step forward towards me.

"This means everything. This means that I am a man of substance... wealth. I can provide for you. I’m a man of power... the Sheriff and I, increasingly with Ki—Prince John. This means that I am a man of lineage." His voice grew husky as with each step he drew closer I drew slightly apart until I felt my back hit against the bed post. He paused for a moment before holding out his hand to me. I glanced down at it distrustfully at first before I remember I'm supposed to be his betrothed, then take it and let Guy lead me further inside.

"The Gisborne heritage is a proud one.. I will be glad to continue that line.....with you... as my wife." He spoke as he placed his hands on my hips standing behind me as I felt my breath shorten, fire erupt in my stomach and my mouth go dry, hurting when I tried to swallow. My eyes darted between all the different chests before I felt my body stiffen slightly and it seemed to relax when I felt his warm breath against my throat, causing me to draw away and turn towards him trying to read him.

"Something has changed." I spoke slowly as I watched Guy, who has a hint of a smile on his face.

"The King is returning." My shock was evident as I saw Guy's smile widens briefly. I gulped as I started to understand what this meant. I would have to marry Guy, Robin was out of time. I was out of time. Who knows how much longer I have left before he returns to Nottingham. But I guess it was time to face the fact. I'm going to have to marry Guy.

What happened sort of mixed into a blur as I was able to convince Guy to let me return home, instead of staying for dinner to celebrate our soon to be marriage. I mounted my horse as I was about to leave the Manor as I stopped and glanced down at Guy who puts his hand on the back of my horse, looking at me lovingly making my heart swell with guilt as I then watched him go back inside. Sighing heavily I slowly began my horse when a movement caught my eye amongst the sheet as I saw Robin causing me to frown. Robin shakes his head slightly, marking his disapproval towards me as I huffed angrily and made my way home…..