"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3) by Gratiana Lovelace, 2015 (a Wattys2015 Nominee)

Ch. 20: Long Live the King

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 20:  Long Live the King,   March 30, 2015 Gratiana Lovelace

[An Original Fan Fiction adaptation of the characters from the BBC's Robin Hood; 

& a Sequel to "Sir Guy's Dilemma" (Book 2) by Gratiana Lovelace]

(All Rights Reserved; No copyright infringement intended)  [(1) story logo, top right]

[From time to time, I will illustrate my story with my dream cast of:  Richard Armitage as Sir Guy of Gisborne, Clive Standen as Lord Archer of Locksley, Emma Watson as Lady Roseanna Gisborne, Tommy Bastow as the young Seth Gisborne, Lucy Griffiths as the spectre of Lady Marian, James McAvoy as Lord George Middleton, Toby Stephens as Prince John, Dakota Fanning as Lady Caroline Havorford,  Chris Hemsworth as Sir Roderick Merton, Tamsin Egerton as Lady Rebecca Oxbridge, Lee Ross as Sir Jasper, and Sir Derek Jacobi as Fr. Bale, etc.]

Author's Mature Content Note:  "Sir Guy's Atonement" is a story of romance and intrigue set amidst Medieval times.  As such there will be some passages in this story involving heartfelt love scenes (S) and some passages involving highly dramatic moments (D), or foul language (L).  I will label the maturity rating of those chapters accordingly.  Otherwise, the general rating for this story is PG or PG-13 due to some mature situations and topics.  If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with the ratings that I provide, then please do not read the chapters with those labels.  This is my disclaimer. 

Nota Bene:  And though I refer to some historical timelines, events, and personages, I reconfigure them somewhat for this storyline--and they should not be taken as literal historical fact.    The citation links are provided for you to find out what really happened historically. 

Author's Recap from the previous installment:  All Sir Guy Baron of Gisborne wants this morning after his investiture is to get home to Gisborne-Middleton Manor quickly--so that he may rest and relax with his family in peace and quiet.  He will not get his wish.

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 20: Long Live the King

The April 3rd, 1199 Wednesday morning after Sir Guy Baron of Gisborne's investiture to that elevated rank, the family and guests at Gordon Castle are breaking their fast pleasantly with each other.  And there is a dawning realization by the eleven year old Lady Caroline and her father Lord Havorford that the 10 and a half year old  Seth Gisborne is now one of her many suitors for her hand in marriage--in several years time, of course.  And Prince John also plots a dowry tax upon a potential match of the still married Rebecca Lady Leicester and Sir Roderick of Merton--in the future if her husband is determined and declared to be dead, of course.  Then the extended Gisborne-Middleton-Locksley-Oxbridge family morning's travel and other plans are changed--even as they all rise to begin their day--with them standing chatting to one another.

Then there is a commotion in the Great Banquet Hall as an unknown person in royal messenger attire briskly enters the Great Banquet Hall of Gordon Castle followed by his retinue of guards.  The royal messenger looks slightly haggard and has obviously has had little sleep.  All are intrigued by this newcomer to their midst.  And they will find out soon enough.  A dark cloud has come to England's shores.

Bowing, the Royal Messenger then kneels down before the Prince Regent, Prince John still standing near head table chatting with the extended Gisborne-Middleton-Locksley-Oxbridge family adults and Sir Roderick before every will take their leave.  The room is abuzz, wondering what this Royal Messenger is about.

Prince John: "Speak!"  Prince John commands the Royal Messenger. Prince John is as much in the dark as anyone as to the message this person might convey.  He probably thinks his brother, King Richard wants more money for his military campaign in France. He will not get it, thinks Prince John.  England is bled dry from King Richard's Crusades.