Episode 1x12 "Return of the King" Part II

[landlesslord]

It had taken far too long to reach Knighton, especially after being tasked with innumerable pointless jobs by the Sheriff - no doubt as some kind of subtle torture, but he was there now and eager to see Marian.

It did not take long to spot her as he approached; she was outside absorbed in some small task with her father.


"Marian?" He remembered her father again and nodded a greeting in his direction. "Sir Edward."

As she turned to face him, it occurred to Guy that she had never looked more beautiful, though perhaps it was the effect of the unfamiliar optimism and hope that buzzed across his skin.

"I bring good news... something I..." A thought struck him. "No..."

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[landlesslord]

"Come with me," his tone was urgent now. "There's something I want to show you."

What could be more pressing than the prospect of them being together? Properly together, joined as one.

His hand leaves her arm as Guy turns to hurry up the stairs to the master bedroom. Which would be their room in a short time.

And sweeping the curtain aside, he explained somewhat.

"Show you this," he opened the box and turned, looking for her approval. "My wealth."

[queenofmay]

Her brow wrinkled in confusion, stepping into the room. "Why?"

Then Marian caught herself, and how blunt the question was. Her face softened, nearer to a smiling one again. "I'm not sure what this means."

[landlesslord]

"This means everything," Marian did not understand now, but she would in time, how important this all was. "This means that I am a man of substance. Wealth."

"I can provide for you." He stepped closer to her, urging slightly.

"I am a man of power. The sheriff and I, increasingly with Kin..." He stopped. Too soon for that, too soon. "Prince John."

He turned back to look at Marian. She was as unreadable as ever.

[queenofmay]

Marian watched him warily. Something was...not wrong.

No. Not wrong. She was missing something.

That worried her, and she didn't move. Her eyes followed him as he paced back and forth inside the room.

[landlesslord]

"This means," he continued, no longer caught up in dreams of material things. "That I am a man of lineage."

How could he explain, when Marian looked so unsure? Guy reached for her hand.

"The Gisborne heritage is a proud one." For a moment, he was distracted by her grace and by all the hopes she inspired. "I would be proud to continue that line...with you, as my wife."

[queenofmay]

"Something has changed."

It wasn't a whisper, but it was quiet.

And then she knew what it was. What it all must be.

She turned and looked at him, openness of his face mirroring the way her stomach suddenly sank. "The King is returning."

[landlesslord]

He can't help but be pleased at her quick deduction; that this event which was so closely tied with their impending marriage, came to her mind so effortlessly.

Like it was not too far from her thoughts.

And even when she guides her horse from the courtyard, he cannot help but feel a swell of gladness in his heart despite the strange look in her eyes.