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

Ch. 21 (PG-13, D): Forgiveness is an Illusory Dream, Part 1

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 21 (PG-13, D): Forgiveness is an Illusory Dream, Part 1, April 6, 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)

 [From time to time, I will illustrate my story with my dream cast of:  Richard Armitage as Sir Guy Baron of Gisborne, Clive Standen as Lord Archer of Locksley, Emma Watson as Lady Roseanna Gisborne, Lucy Griffiths as Lady Marian in flashback, James McAvoy as Lord George Middleton, Toby Stephens as Prince John, 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).  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.

Author’s Recap from the previous installment:  With King Richard being felled by an arrow in France--and dying of the infection that follows--Sir Guy cannot help but recall his attempt to kill King Richard in the holy land six years ago with an arrow, and then finish him off with his sword.  Now a good man with a conscience, what transpired after still haunts Sir Guy--that he killed Lady Marian.  Sir Guy's now perfect life will be turned upside down when an old spectre from his past misdeeds returns to haunt him--and has the potential to put his and his family's future happiness in jeopardy.

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 21 (PG-13, D): Forgiveness is an Illusory Dream, Part 1

Sir Guy Baron of Gisborne had grudgingly traveled briefly to Court in London to give an oath of fealty to their new king, King John[(2)]--as all nobles were required to do in April and May of 1199.  Baron Guy--as he wishes to be known informally amongst his family and close acquaintances--went to London in late April, because he wanted to get it done and put behind him.  And yet, there are some aspects of his life that he can never put behind him.

And upon Baron Guy’s return home from London, he detours to Nottingham first--to pay a necessary visit to the Locksley village church, now named St. Matthew’s Church, after Hood outlaw Kate’s brother Matthew--whom he killed.  It is a penance that Baron Guy feels that he must do, and it was not an easy one.

For now that Nottingham Castle and fortifications are almost rebuilt, so too is the old Locksley church--secretly financed by Baron Guy.  The final adornment for the church of the statue of the Madonna Mary, carved out of marble--and bearing the countenance of Lady Marian as requested by Baron Guy--now resides in a prayer niche in the church. 

After first greeting St. Matthew’s resident cleric, Brother Tuck, Baron Guy slowly enters the rebuilt St. Matthew’s Church in Locksley entirely alone.  It is early evening in late April, He has ridden hard the last leg of his journey homeward because he knows that his stop in Locksley will detain him a day further from rejoining his wife and children.  He clings to the hope that tomorrow he will be home, but tonight, he will be here, with her.

The deafening stillness of the modest St. Matthew’s Church surprises Baron Guy[(3) right]  as he walks down the side aisle along the rows of benches waiting for the congregants to fill them upon the morrow.  He had expected a bustle of activity this early Saturday evening as both Brother Tuck and his flock prepares for services the next day. But all has been prepared already. The space is adorned here and there with fresh greens and flowers and fresh rushes upon the ground emitting a soft lilting scent of the forest--both to be pleasing to the nose, as well as, to help mask any odiferous bench partners during the Sunday worship service.