Faith Hope and Charity

Part 14..........Not beyond redemption.
( For reasons I shall reveal in the next chapter assume that we are now into September)

They arrived back at the manor and Guy immediately sent 2 guards to bring back Robin's body.
Charity her composure restored became the brisk efficient chatelaine once more.
She sent Allan to set up a trestle table in the solar to lay Robin out on. And Niamh was sent to fetch Rowena the village wise woman to attend to Guy's injuries. She herself went to the kitchens to ensure there was lots of hot water ready.
She gave Guy water to wash the grime of battle from his body. Then left the able Rowena to wash his wounds in wine before stitching or binding each of his wounds.

She and Niamh assisted by Allan silently performed the sacred duty of preparing Robin's corpse for burial. The story of his death would wait. This would not.
They stripped and washed him before wrapping him tightly in cloth.
Charity ended at the neck and held up a hand to Niamh. ' Not his face yet'. She said softly. ' His friends will want to say good bye'.
Suddenly weary but not able to rest yet she turned to Allan. ' I don't wish to tell this story more often than is necessary. So could you make it known to the servants and in the village that if they come to the front of the house I will tell it to you all'.

A large crowd had as expected gathered. Charity stepped out flanked by Niamh and Allan. Pale, weary and sad she non the less was a model of noble dignity and an air of respect prevailed.
' Friends'. She said quietly. ' The Earl of Huntingdon. Also called Robin Hood died today.
No doubt there will be gossip and speculation about what happened. As one of the only 3 people to be there I hope you may trust my words as the truth.'

She went on to tell them that the Earl and Sir Guy had hated each other for some
time. She tried to be fair to both men. Talking about Guy's killing of Marian. But also how he had loved her and had his love used as a means of manipulating him to feed information to Robin. A passionate man tried too far. A brave reckless lady playing a dangerous game.
She told how Robin had brought herself to punishment to hurt Guy and had then dragged her into the forest to provoke Guy into a fight.

' To his credit he never harmed me. Though he insulted me by kissing and groping me in front of my husband and by making lewd remarks.
The fight was a fair one. Either man could have won it but in the end Sir Guy's anger was hotter and strengthened his arm the most.
I know you all hate Sir Guy and it is true that he has done little to earn your love.
But I can tell you that he has true remorse for the past and is working to amend his life.
All I ask is that you will support him in this as I am. It is Sir Guy's wish that Robin should be buried here at his family's home.
He will be laid to rest tomorrow and I extend a welcome to you all.
I thank you all for listening'.

And with the same dignity she walked back into the house. Collapsing into a chair
as her weary body finally gave way.
' I'll draw you a bath My Lady'. Niamh said. ' Then Rowena you should go to bed. Sir Guy has gone to Nottingham to tell the Sheriff about Robin. But he'll be back soon.'

Charity smiled. ' That all sounds most welcome. Thank you Niamh. I hope My Lord has the sense to rest too when he gets back'.
She turned at the door to Allan. ' Will you do us one more service ?' Allan nodded.
' Name it. It's yours'...............

He knew it would be he who was sent to tell Robin's Gang of his death. He took Niamh with him for a gentler touch.

The reaction was one of shocked disbelief and anger at Gisborne. ' First Marian. Now Robin. That's it. He's dead !' Little John blazed.

' No.....Please !' Niamh pleaded. ' No more blood shed. It was a fight that Robin and My Lord both wanted. It was no murder'.

' What about Marian ?' Will hissed. Pain manifesting itself in cold fury.

' Crime of passion Will'. Allan told him gently. ' Guy shouldn't have killed her. But none of you know like I did how much he was besotted with her. She played with him for months. Using how he felt about her to get information to Robin. He was like Greek Fire ready to explode and when she threw the truth at him. he did.

He's full of remorse for that. And he really does want to be free of Vasey. He's a lot more in love with Lady G than he was with Marian and she loves him too.
Look at where hating and fighting have got us. No where. let have an end to it. Vasey's the real enemy. To Guy as much as anyone else.
Robin's laid out at Loxley Manor and Guy said he should be buried there too. Lady G says you can come and pay your respects to him and attend the funeral. You won't be arrested'.

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

Vasey was ecstatic. ' Hood dead ?' Guy nodded. ' Yes My Lord'. He saw the incredulous look his superior gave him.
' You've done something right at last Gisborne. Yet you don't sound very pleased.
She's making a big girl of you. That wife of yours. You do know that don't you ?'

' I grow tired of pointless violence and bloodshed My Lord'. Guy said heavily.
' It has got me no where'.

'Sit down Guy'. It sounded almost fatherly. Surprising and unsettling but he obeyed.
he cringed as he felt hands rubbing his tender shoulders and Vasey's chin resting on his head. ' Incompetence got you nowhere'. It was a caressing treacly tone that had his flesh crawling. ' This triumph on the other hand shows me what potential you possess.

' I have one more task for you and if you succeed then I shall recommend you to be made Earl of Huntingdon with full honours.
King Richard and Saladin have made peace and our slippery monarch has departed from the Holy Land.
I am having his course watched. When he is close to our shores we will be there to meet him and ensure he does not reach home.
This is your final test Guy. Succeed and power will be yours. On the other hand further incompetence will not be tolerated.
Fail me this time and you die and your little Lady will be sent to follow you into the Afterlife.

You can have an hour tomorrow to bury Hood. Good public relations exercise.
And Gisborne........' Guy paused at the door and turned to look at him.
' I'm giving you time to focus yourself before you perform this task. It's your final chance. All or nothing this time. Glory or death'.

Guy rode home. Weary as he'd never been before and cold dread filling him.

The honour and power he craved were there for the taking. He had killed so many times before and felt nothing so why did he feel this way now ?
Was Vasey right ? Had Charity robbed him of manhood ? Made him soft and incapable of the ruthlessness that was necessary in a position of power ?

Seeking guidance. He did something he had not done since childhood. He stopped at the nearest church and tethering Gaius went inside his sword left behind.

Free from the chanting of a service the church had the very atmosphere for contemplation he needed.
Unable to believe he was doing this he dropped to his knees at the altar raising his face to the crucifix on the wall above. Light from the small window illuminating his
troubled beautiful face.

' Help me '. He begged. ' I repent of my past. You sent me Charity to help me change my life. But I don't know how to deal with this latest plot'.

He closed his eyes. Resting his forehead on his gloved hands and tried to clear his mind.
Then dwelling on his own opening line ' I repent of my past'. He thought of the words in the gospel ' There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents........'. He glanced up and saw the gospel book on its stand.
He stood up and walked towards it. He recalled hearing of the holy book being used as an oracle. Open it at random. Bring a finger down on the page and read the line. Was this how divine guidance would come. Worth a try he supposed.
So he removed his gloves and did it.

Opening his eyes he perused the line under his finger. His Latin was very sparse but he managed to guess the line.
' It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven'.

Sinking back onto his knees. He tried to work out this riddle from the Divine.

He must have dropped asleep because the next thing he remembered was waking in the dark with his head on his arms lying at the foot of the altar.
And he had dreamed.

Prince John was making him Earl of Huntingdon. He asked for Guy's sword and he held it out to his monarch who held it over his shoulders.
The blade began to drip and then pour with blood. It trickled down Guy's leather which then burst into flames.
Now John changed to Richard. Water was gushing from the blade. The flames died and Guy was in a brand new leather suit with not a mark on him.

He lay there trying to make sense of it all. His brain too addled for though cried out for his bed. So in fact did his entire body.

Pulling himself to his feet he went out to Gaius who gave him a filthy look for leaving him tethered here. Though forgiving him as they headed for Loxsley.

The stallion knew the way so well that Guy did not need to direct him and his mind was free to dwell on his dream.

Prince John making him Earl of Huntingdon was supposed to be his reward for killing the king. Clearly though his subconscious was not happy with the idea.
It puzzled him that it was the King he hated who had bestowed favour on him.
What did it mean ?..............Then a smile began to spread right across his face and he chuckled. It was all so simple. Why had it taken him so long to see it ?

They rode at last into the yard at Loxley. Guy could happily stable Gaius for himself when need be. He had a genuine affection for this animal that he had for precious few people.
His mind settled now on the person he had the deepest affection for. Charity bless her heart would be worried.
Running. His long legs got him to the house in no time. Entering the great hall he saw a half burned candle on the table.
Glowing in its light was Charity. She had fallen asleep sitting waiting for him. Golden tresses strewn across the board under her cheek.
Looking at her. Guy felt his heart overflowing. Nothing Vasey could offer him in return for doing his dirty work could compare to the love he got from her.

But for his wounds he would have simply carried her up to bed as she was. Rousing her gently he found her furious.

' Why did you send no word you would be so long ! I've been sitting her dying of worry..............'. And she burst into angry sobs.
Guy pulled her against him and slowly explained about Vasey's latest plan, his own visit to the church seeking answers and his dropping asleep to dream of them.

Wiping her eyes he grinned boyishly at her. ' I'm not going to kill the King'. He told her with relish. 'I'm going to call Vasey's bluff and save his life instead.'

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

The next day. The outlaws cautiously came to Loxley to view Robin's body.
They were amazed to find that they truly were let to do this unmolested by Gisborne's guards.
Lady Gisborne. Beautiful in mourning dress brought them refreshments with her own hands.
' I harbour him no malice for what he did to me'. She told them sadly. 'There has been far too much hatred here. Time for it to end. We should save it for Vasey who deserves it the most'.

So Robin Hood was laid in the earth at his family seat of Loxley. Father Tuck officiated and Robin's sworn enemy Sir Guy of Gisborne was amongst the mourners.

A simple enough gesture. But one that spoke volumes.

TBC