- Chapter 73 -

The trip to Nottingham was a very long five days without much rest; I knew John would be becoming more impatient as each day grew longer. The men had started to become more restless as the sight of Nottingham was in sight. Seeing my old home made me breathe in a sigh of relief and relax slightly even though I was sitting stiffly on my horse, that my lower back was hurting.

"We nearly there sir?" The commander of their soldiers asked as I growled over my shoulder causing the horses to grow uneasy and made them shut up from their whinnying. They were worse than Prince John who had gone without having supper.

"Nottingham" I growled pointing at the sight of the castle before us as I heard them sigh happily before following me as we drew closer. The sheriff knew to meet up at the edge of the road leading from the city into the forest as we waited. I could hear the Sheriff's growls and angered shouts as they came closer. Two of the soldiers dismounted from their horses and handed the reins to the other soldiers as we waited as I saw them came around the corner.

Guy and the Sheriff were both leading their horses as I gripped my reins to my horse tighter as it grew slightly nervous under me, as I knew that the horse recognized Guy. The Sheriff was wearing a leather vest and his shirt underneath had been ripped obviously from a sword fight. I glanced at Guy to see his hair an absolute mess; he was in need of a bath and wore a loose black shirt and black pants.

If he had a shower and washed his hair and freshened up then I would be struggling to keep my hands off him. He's always handsome in my eyes and my heart leaped and a smile broke on my face, which I struggled to keep hidden. I saw the surprise on Guy's face as he looked upon each of the soldiers before finalizing his eyes on me.

I sucked in a breath and made my back straighter and angled my head lower slightly so he couldn't see my face, even though the mask and hood kept my face hidden. Just his loving gaze that was now cold watched me as it made me uneasy. I wanted nothing more than to be in his embrace and feel his kiss, but I knew that it wouldn't happen anytime soon.

"Ah, Prince John's escort. They want their money, Gisborne." The Sheriff chuckled as I saw his eyes flash darkly and with evil mischief as I growled in his direction as they slowly approached us.

"So, what do we do?" Guy asked as I nearly melted to the sound of his voice after being deprived off it for so long.

"We? Do you think I'm going to be responsible for you arrogance and your incompetence again? Hm?" The Sheriff chuckled and I watched him shove Guy forward slightly and stealing his sword and pointing it towards Guy, whom immediately placed his hands up in surrender and watched the sword. I gripped the handle of my sword that was attached to my saddle growling deeper at the threat towards Guy.

"You can't be serious. Put it down!" Guy growled.

"No, Gisborne. This time you pay my dues. Gentlemen, good to see you. Very smart, lovely colours, tight-fitting uniform. Excellent. Slight change of plan. There is no patronage money—" The Sheriff shouted as he tried to flatter the guards and on the word on "patronage," the Sheriff shoves Guy towards my men, who catch him.

"What?!" Guy shouted out terrified as he struggled to get out of the soldiers grip.

"But Gisborne has volunteered to go with you to explain why not to Prince John personally." The Sheriff informed as I watched him throw down Guy's sword and walks towards the horses. The two soldiers holding Guy wrapped tightly ropes around his wrists and got him down on his knees holding his shoulders.

"No, my lord! Please! This means certain death." He angrily begged for the Sheriff as he laughed watching Guy squirm.

"Get off me!" Guy shouted towards the soldier's whom tightened their hold as I watched the Sheriff laugh and pull of Guy's jacket from his horse before walking back and bending down towards Guy to further mock him.

"Well, you never know, you might catch Prince John in a good mood. He's all yours." He teased as he threw his jacket at his feet before turning to leave as the Soldiers went about to tie him on the second horse beside my own as I quickly dismounted from my own horse and stormed towards the Sheriff who grew pale.

"I won't forget this! I'll be back for you! Get off! Get off me!" Guy shouted at him as I gripped the Sheriff's collar and lifted him up slightly as he went to try and peal my hands off from him.

"Beware Sheriff! Prince John will have you dead and I will be glad to deliver the blow" I warned my voice going darker as he gulped, before I dropped him as he crumbled to the floor. Storming towards my horse I quickly mounted as I untied the reins of Guy's horse from my saddle and paused as he was watching me closely with those pale enticing eyes.

I saw something catch his eye as it drifted away from my face as I had felt like he could see through my eyes once again, I lowered my eyes slightly and quickly turned my body away from him as I stuffed my engagement ring down my shirt, it must have slipped out. I suddenly grew stiff and nervous what if he had seen it? Then I knew he would realize who I was.

We rode for four days hard and fast, I knew the men were getting tired and grumpy as the night began to close in as I pulled my horse to a halt and commanded the men to pitch up their tents. I glanced over at Guy to see him falling asleep on his horse as I gave him a weak smile. Dismounting my horse I watched as two soldiers assisted Guy from his horse and tied him tightly around the base of a tree. It wasn't long before he was sound asleep, shivering slightly in the cold; I glanced over at the soldiers to see them all fast asleep. I quickly grabbed hold of Guy's vest that the Sheriff had thrown and made my way over towards him and wrapped his vest around him to provide him with and extra layer of warmth. I let my hand caress his cheek only to feel his cold skin beneath my fingers as he groaned slightly.

"Oh Guy" I whispered as I brushed his hair away from his face and couldn't resist placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"Esme, my love" He whispered in his sleep with a small smile that made him look peaceful.

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

Guy woke up to the sun rising on his face as he flinched by the light. He was shocked that even though he was in an extremely uncomfortable position it had probably been the best sleep he has had since the death of Esme. Normally he was haunted by his action of killing her, yet last night he had sweet dreams of what their future could have been.

He frowned slightly as I noticed that he had been covered his vest as well as the dark knight's black cloak. It had provided him warmth throughout the evening as he was curious and suspicious of the mysterious knight. He had sworn that before he saw a ring around his neck, which reminded him oddly of his engagement ring, he chose for Esme, which made his heart grow heavier.

He glanced around him to see the soldier's still fast asleep however the dark knight awake with another cloak and hood drawn over by his horse. When Esme had noticed that Guy was awake she stormed over and quickly removed her extra cloak and stuffed it in her bag. A small smile was on her face slightly before she growled at the soldiers still asleep. Storming over she empty one of their water flasks over their faces causing them to cough and wake up suddenly.

"UP!" She commanded as Guy struggled to hold in his laughter as he watched the soldiers scramble in fear of the knight.

"We are to make it to London by midday!" Esme instructed as Guy was released from the tree and seated back on his horse once again.

"Yes Lord Wolf!" They answered in unison as it finally was able to clear some mystery for Guy as he finally had a name to the mysterious hooded knight.

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

As I had hoped before we were making our way into the castle gates by midday, ten days since I had left. As we came into the castle courtyard I saw Jasper from one of the higher corridor windows as I growled slightly. Two new soldiers came and quickly grabbed hold of Guy and removed him from the horse as Lucinda came and stood by my horse as a stable boy took hold of my reins.

"My Lord, was it a good trip?" She asked as I had dismounted.

"Later Lucinda" I whispered as she nodded and left as I quickly stormed over towards Guy and waved my hands away from the soldiers as they quickly fled leading me to grab hold of Guy's forearm and dragging him up the stairs towards the throne room. I struggled not to wrap my arms around him as I felt his muscles tense under my arms.

"Don't speak unless your spoken too" I warn him as I see his taken back face as he looks down at me shocked that I even suggest to help him.

"What?" He asked me, his voice husky causing my knees to shake slightly. His eyes held fear that I knew too well.

"Leave the talking to me and you'll live!" I warn him as I could see the confusion in his eyes.

"Why are you helping me?" He asked me confused yet suspicious as I smirked slightly.

"I'm a friend" I promised my voice dangerously going back to my usual soft high voice as I coughed and growled a bit to cover the return of my actual voice.

"I have no friends" Guy snorted causing me to pause and bring him to a halt as we stood outside the main door to the throne room where I knew Prince John would be waiting impatiently.

"Well toughen up. You'll need all the help you can get with Prince John, and I'm the only one worth keeping." I hiss.

"Who are you?" Guy demanded before I shoved the door open and pushed him inside where John sat up on his throne as we made our way towards him. I saw him look around us to try and find his money as I tapped behind Guy's knees as he glanced at me as I placed a bit of pressure on his shoulders. Getting the message he knelt down to his knees and remained there causing me to suppress a smile. He still trusted me even though he didn't know it was me.

"Ah! Wolf! Where's my money?" Prince John questioned me in a whiny childish voice that made me roll my eyes. When will this man ever grow up!

"The Sheriff failed to deliver sire." I informed as he jumped up from his throne and stomped his foot like a foolish child that made Guy smirk and struggle to suppress his laugh. I gave him a slight tap to his foot to keep him quiet.

"Is it too hard to have some LOYALTY! Who is that?" He demanded before pointing down at Guy who glanced up at me,

"Sir Guy of Gisborne sire." I introduced as I saw the Prince recognize the name from our previous conversations.

"What is he doing here? I wanted the Sheriff!" John snapped annoyed.

"The Sheriff thought it would be better if he remained in Nottingham and send Gisborne instead to settle his own mistake." I growled in response not liking the tone I was receiving as I watched the Prince shift in his seat uneasy.

"Your opinion on the Sheriff wolf?" Prince John asked as I saw that it made Guy raise an eyebrow, knowing that the Prince valued my opinion.

"I think he deserves to be six feet under" I growl as he chuckled beside me.

"Hmm yes, I agree with you, he has failed me too many times." The Prince nodded in agreement as he stroked his moustache.

"Gisborne here sire is loyal, he almost had Hood dead when the Sheriff sent him in his place, hoping you would kill him for his own foolishness." I played as I patted Guy on the back, making Guy sound like the victim and hero as I saw the Prince straighten in his chair with interest.

"Really?" Prince John asked excited as I quickly gave Guy's shoulder a squeeze as he nodded his head.

"Yes sire." Guy nodded as I saw Prince John's eyes brighten at the thought of Guy being so loyal to hurt.

"Wolf get those ropes off Gisborne! He is my guest. Have a bath and fresh clothes prepared for him, tonight we shall have a feast for him and formulate a plan to kill Hood once and for all. Look after him Wolf." He instructed as Guy rose up from his knees to his feet as I pulled out a dagger and unbound his wrists.

"Of course sire." I bowed as I watched Prince John leave the throne room before turning back to Guy who was rubbing his wrists and had him follow me towards the a spare bed chamber where he could finally get a bath!