Faith Hope and Charity

( Please forgive the history lesson. It's just a bit of background....From Wikipedia).

The Holy Land September 1192 :
Things were going badly for the Crusade. King Richard retreated from Jerusalem knowing he would be unable to hold it.
Now the war dwindled to minor skirmishes as Richard and Saladin negotiated peace. Both knew that their positions were untenable. Richard knew that his brother Prince John and friend King Philip of France were plotting against him and taking full advantage of his absence.
By the beginning of September Richard knew he could delay returning to England no longer. He and Saladin had come finally to a settlement (on 2nd September) including a 3 year truce.
In bad weather the King's ship had to dock in Corfu. He and 4 attendants disguised as Knights Templar set sail and were wrecked near Aquileia in North Eastern Italy.
Now they had to travel across Europe...................

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Allan listened agog to Guy's plan. ' You mean it? Don't you ?' He remarked. ' Not that I'd have thought it was a joke you understand...........It's just....Well....not what anyone expects of you'.

' You don't think I'm going......soft do you ?' Guy asked. Vasey's words haunted him. They were on their way to yet another job for the Sheriff and using the time without any guards around to full advantage.
' If I want to hold any position of power than I have to be severe in up holding the law. Do you think I'm losing that ?'

Allan chuckled. ' I don't reckon anyone's going to be calling you a 'fluffy bunny' any time soon. No worries there.
No. You're learning that up holding the law and pointless cruelty don't have to go together. Nothing soft about that'.

They discussed the plan at length. ' What worries me most' Guy confided ' is that
Vasey has said that he'll have Charity killed as well as me if I fail. There has to be some protection for her here. Especially if I die........'
They looked at one another. This of course was a risk that had to be accepted.

' She doesn't know how you're planning on saving the King does she ?' Allan asked.
Though he guessed the answer already.
' No'. Guy answered. ' She'll worry enough as it is. Why add more'

Allan took a breath. He didn't know how his idea would be received but nothing ventured...........
'We could ask the Gang'. He tried tentatively. Guy's expression could have felled a tree but he carried on.
'They were well impressed by her at the funeral. And they'll not take kindly to the idea of Vasey threatening to kill her.
Of course we'd have to give a bit too. Get a barter going................'
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Riding home. Guy took a detour leaving Allan to go on alone to Loxley. He returned to the little church. Glad it was empty he made a bow towards the altar with a grin as though to a friend. He completed his errand and left.

An hour later the priest came in. He prepared for his next service of the day and noticed something on the altar.
To his amazement he found it was a bag of gold. Enough to get his most vulnerable parishioners through the winter. With it a note that said simply ' With thanks for a prayer answered'.

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Allan was amazed that Guy had finally agreed to his going to visit the outlaws. It hadn't been easy. Cutting a deal with them went very much against his grain. Alan had persisted however and finally succeeded in selling the ideas of protection for Charity and a poke in the eye for Vasey.

Much was the first gang member to see their visitor. Robin's passing had affected him more than the rest and seeing Allan was not going to help him.
' Go to Hell Allan'. He spat at him in a very un Much like way.

' I know I'm not one of your favourite people'. Allan said soothingly. ' But I've got something to tell you all. Good news. This time'.

So Much allowed him in. The other men were no more welcoming than Much had been. ' So come on then. Will said coldly. 'Spit out this good news then'.

No one offered him a seat. So Allan squatted in the leaves. ' The King's left the
Holy land'. He began. ' Vasey wants Guy to have another attempt at killing him.'
The outlaws hissed angrily.
' That's your idea of good news is it ?' John was furious.
' No. Course not '. Said Allan indignantly. ' Let a man speak won't you'.
He felt 3 pairs of eyes watching him without any sort of affection.

' Right.' He continued stubbornly. ' Giz isn't going to do it'. He waited for a reaction from his audience and watched their mouths fall open with great satisfaction.
' Yeah. That was how it took me too'. He grinned. ' Not what you expected is it ?
Well. I'll go further and say that he's going to save the King's life instead'.

He was glad to not have come at a meal time. The outlaws would have been choking by now.
' If this is your idea of a joke. Allan. Then it stinks'. Will said. ' You really believe Gisborne would do that ?'

' You haven't seen him and Lady G together. I have'. Allan went on. ' She's the influence he's been needing.
Vasey's out of patience with him now though. He's saying that if the king doesn't die this time then Guy will. And Lady G too. So Guy's anxious to make sure there's someone to keep watch for her when we're away'.

' Not being funny'. Much made an attempt at imitating Allan. ' But what does all this mean for us ?'

' OK' Allan said quietly. ' Here's the deal. ' I'd say it won't be more than a couple of weeks at most before we're off to meet the King. So until then, you don't rob Giz or the Sheriff and Giz will turn a blind eye to whoever else you rob and your donating to the the villages. Then when we're away you protect Lady G and I'd be happy if you'll watch Niamh for me'.

The outlaws looked at each other. ' Give us a few minutes'. Much said to Allan. Who moved away....................

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Allan swaggered back into the house. Guy was sharpening his sword as he waited for his ' man's' return.

' All sorted'. Allan said with a cocky grin. ' As long as you fail to notice what the lads get up to in the forest they won't be robbing you or Vasey. And Lady G has a ready made body guard for when you're away'.

He stretched himself smugly giving Guy a sideways look of expectation. ' Well done Allan'. The knight managed to say.

' Pleasure I'm sure'. Allan grinned. ' Sir'. He added.

' I was wondering'. He tried his luck. ' I was thinking of asking Niamh to marry me before we go away..........With permission of course Sir'.

Guy looked thoughtful for a moment. Then looked at him through long dark lashes.
' If she's willing to marry a filthy peasant like you then good luck to her'. He gave Allan a grin.......And the younger man ran off immediately to propose.

Niamh was darning one of her dresses. She was pleasantly surprised by suddenly seeing Allan kneeling at her feet grinning cockily.
' To what do I owe this pleasure Master A Dale?' She asked returning his smile.

Allan took the dress and needle from her hands. ' I've come to ask you to marry me'.
He said gently. His wide blue eyes now smiling warmly into her own dark ones.
She leaned forwards and before her lips connected with his whispered. ' Yes please'.

With Guy and Charity standing as witnesses. Allan and Niamh were married by Father Tuck in his own makeshift chapel. Charity had given Niamh a dress. 'If a girl can't dress up on her Wedding Day when can she ?'

She looked lovely in it too Charity thought happily. Allan looked as though he'd won a pay rise and a knight hood all together.

As they all got back to Loxley Allan lifted Niamh down from his horse burying his mouth in hers at once.

' Get to bed you pair for crying out gently'. Guy remarked in mock disgust. ' It wouldn't be polite to consummate your union in public'.
The happy couple not needing to be told twice ran into the house hand in hand. Good wishes following them.

Guy noted Charity's eyes on him as if to say ' the pot calling the kettle black'.
' I seem to recall My Lord that on our wedding night you couldn't keep your hands to yourself in public'.

She sighed with pleasure as those black leather clad arms wound around her . ' And it's even harder to do now My Lady.'
He took her hand and slid it down to his bulging crotch smiling at her blush. ' I think I ought to heed my own advice and take you to bed.'

TBC