Faith Hope and Charity

Breakfast was over. Merton passed Guy in the corridor in the act of pulling Charity into a quiet corner before seeing her off back to Bonchurch.



'When you're finished Gisborne. My office please'. He remarked drily.







The Sheriff's office was not a place Guy felt at ease. It had been the setting for too many of Vasey's humiliations of him for that.



The figure of Merton. Ash blonde head and handsome ascetic face bent over his work made a rather less alarming sight.



' My Lord'. He felt Charity's hand, soft yet determined pushing him forward and her voice in his ear whispering encouragement.

' May I speak ?'



Merton put down his quill and looked questioningly at his Lieutenant. 'Yes ?'



' My Lord..........I need to know your........intentions towards me'. Merton raised an eyebrow.

' What I mean is.......You have made it clear that you do not think me deserving of the King's pardon. Are you prepared to admit you may be wrong ?

Will I have the chance to prove myself ? Or am I dammed what ever I do ?'



Merton frowned. ' Are you anticipating my cheating you Gisborne ?' Guy's arms folded protectively across his chest.

' It is a possibility I have considered My Lord. I should like to be wrong'.



Merton exhaled. ' I do doubt the King's wisdom in considering you for pardon'.

He said firmly. ' However I trust my King and he clearly saw something in you in Austria that was not there in the Holy land. If you can show me what the King saw in you then you will have your pardon.



Now I will ask a question. What kept you so loyal for so long to a foul monster like Vasey ?'



He was surprised to hear Guy reply with not an ounce of self pity. Just statement of fact.



' I had nothing and no one. No family no close friends. The Gisborne pride was reduced to a name.

Vasey offered the route to power, position and wealth. I thought I had nothing to lose and all to gain.



By the time I realised that the future was not so rosy I was tied. Vasey had me doing terrible things. Worse still things that could get me hanged on his whim.



I'm no hero My Lord. I wanted to tell Vasey to stuff his job up his a**e.

But if I left no one else would take me on or else it might lead to my death. I didn't have the strength on my own.



I met Marian and she could have been the one to give it to me. But I felt even more weakened.

She was all 'perhaps and maybe'. She gave me enough crumbs of hope to keep me hooked and then used my feelings to help Robin Hood.

I think that when she asked me to kill Vasey for her in the Holy Land and she would be grateful I realised how empty her promises had been.



Then. After I had killed Marian and returned here Vasey found me a wife.

And I found love. Real give and take love. Charity is my strength. '





Merton looked silently at his 2nd in command deep in thought. Was it possible that the pretty little blonde girl had really been Gisbornes salvation ?

Only time would tell.



' Time we got to work then Gisborne'. He remarked.

' I've had reports of thieves plaguing travellers on the road between here and Clun.

I want then caught......And bear in mind you are an officer of the law. Not a tavern thug.'







One thing that Guy learned over the next few weeks was that the law was harsh and punishment for breaking it severe. http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_law_and_order.htm



It was barely less brutal than Vasey's methods but it was respected. With the King's Law people knew where they stood.

Chaos and un certainty were more to be feared than knowing what you would face by breaking the law.



Life was still hard for peasants expected to pay taxes. But they could be tolerant as long as they could have peace and safety to live their lives, raise their families and tend their crops or animals.



Allan was proud of the fact that Guy really was making an effort with Merton and gave his help as much as possible.



He had ventured into Sherwood Forest to see the outlaws. ' Look fellas'. He told them. ' Lord Mertons in charge now and he don't sh*t unless it's by the letter of the law. Now I know there's still poor to help and as long as you don't break the law no one'll stop you. Break the law though and we'll be down on you like lightening'.



'' We' being you and your friend Gisborne ? ' Will asked. Voice heavy with unbecoming sarcasm.

' You don't know Giz like I do'. Alan went on. He's alright. Making a real effort at working with Merton'.



' Tell us one thing then Master A Dale'. Now Much was speaking. A lot more serious and authoritative that when Robin had been alive. ' How do we help the poor if we can't rob the criminally rich to do so ?'



' Might have an answer for you there mate'. Alan winked.





Father Tuck was finding he had quite a skill in finding out the sordid and guilty secrets of the great and good.

The price of his silence gold towards the relief of the poor. His eyes twinkled when Alan suggested that the outlaws could do with some help. 'They do a good job Father. A pity if me and Giz had to arrest 'em for it'.



' You'll have to bring Sir Guy to see me My Son'. Tuck said warmly. ' I haven't shared wine with him for sometime. I hear he's doing rather well in the Law's service. A force to be reckoned with.'



Alan chuckled. ' He was so used to Vasey's twisted version that he'd forgotten how strict the real law is. He was scared that going down this path that Lady G had led him onto was going to make him soft. But no way. There's criminals to be punished left right and centre.

And he can't credit how people actually love that. Makes 'em feel safe. Criminals knowing that there's old Giz on their tails'.



After 3 months of increasingly successful work Guy was given a double dosage of good news by Merton. Firstly that Vasey's trial was set in a fortnight's time and Guy would be required to give evidence. Secondly that Merton felt that Guy was ready for his first reward for good service. ' I promised you the rebuilding of Loxley Manor and you shall have it'.



Charity and Niamh ran out of the Bonchurch house to be greeted by their husband's grinning broadly and told the news.



Charity's eyes brimmed with tears. ' I said you could change didn't I ? And oh My Lord such a man you're becoming'. And she bore him off towards their room.



She'd barely closed the door before she was kissing him urgently and unfastening his clothes.

' I find it so..alluring how people are starting to respect you now.'



Her mouth moved across his strong chest making him gasp as she took a nipple between her lips and teeth.



'You're feared because you show no mercy to law breakers but you make the innocent feel safe to get on with life.'

She removed the jacket and shirt completely letting her hands roam across the muscular bare flesh. Down over the still leather covered buttocks and crotch.



' Do you see the town market now ?' The soft, low voice was full of admiration. A small finger tracing the shape of the erect c0ck under the leather, smiling at his moaning inhalation.



' People now have produce to sell again and so are more able to pay taxes. And you've helped in that My Love'.



The worship in her eyes and the hand still caressing his c0ck were intoxicating Guy and he pulled his wife against him kissing her with raw animal urgency.



' Take off your dress'. He growled for all the world like a wolf or sleek black panther. Charity shivered with want and obeyed him.



' Lie on the bed'. Again she obeyed. Loving being able to surrender to him freely and without fear.



' Make yourself c**e for me'. The growl was now a sinuous purr. ' Touch yourself the way I do.

A cloud of fear and certainty passed over her face. And he gave her a smile. ' It's nothing bad Angel. Imagine it's me.........Look at me.' He said softly as her eyes closed. You're so lovely . I want to see every reaction'.



He slid of his trousers and climbed onto the bed beside her. His c0ck rested against her belly as with increasing confidence she pleasured herself for him whimpered and mewling with lessening restraint.



He made his enjoyment quite obvious moaning in approval and whispering encouragements to her as he stroked a hand up and down his shaft.

' Tell me when your going to c**e Angel I want to be inside you when you do'. He groaned .

Charity puled and then moaned loudly ' Now.......Oh please Guy now !'

And he opened her thighs thrusting smoothly into her. Both of them moaning at the contact as his hips began to rock and she tumbled over the edge into the oblivion of ecstacy.

As the waves subsided Guy lifted her legs to gain deeper access.

' Please Guy. Not too deep'. She pleaded in a voice quite unlike her own.

' What's wrong Love ?' Guy asked. 'It's never bothered you before'.



A smile spread over Charity's face. ' Well My Lord . I've never been 3 months pregnant before'.

Guy was completely still and just staring at her. ' My Lord ?' She enquired somewhat perturbed. 'You needn't stop just not too deep. ........ Please. I need you to keep f**king me'.



With a mixture of moaning and the un restrained laughter of pure joy. Guy did just that pouring into her and collapsing at her side putting a wondering hand on her belly.

' Our child ?......You are sure ?' Charity nodded. When my moon bleed was a week late for the third time I went to Rowena and she confirmed it. You're going to be a Father Sir Guy'.



TBC