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

Ch. 22 (PG-13, D): Forgiveness is an Illusory Dream, Part 2

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 22 (PG-13, D): Forgiveness is an Illusory Dream, Part 2 ,   April 10, 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 Baron Guy 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:  Sir Guy Baron of Gisborne is now a good man with a conscience. And the torment of Baron Guy killing Lady Marian still haunts him--so much so, that he begged forgiveness from the Madonna Stature in her likeness at St. Matthew’s Church in Locksley when he detoured overnight in Nottingham after swearing his oath of loyalty to the new King John.  But, she did not respond--neither Lady Marion, nor the Madonna.  And Baron Guy must somehow find a way to live with his guilt, to appease God until he can atone for what he has done.  He needs to do this as much for his family, as for himself.  For when Baron Guy is haunted by guilt, there is a ripple effect of sadness and grief throughout his family. 

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 22 (PG-13, D): Forgiveness is an Illusory Dream, Part 2

Visiting Locksley’s church did not have the calming effect upon Baron Guy of Gisborne that he had hoped that it would have--especially this time nearing Summer season of the year.  Nothing has changed, nothing is improved, Baron Guy is not forgiven for killing Lady Marian. But at least he has returned home to her, his greatest blessing, his loving wife, his Lady Rose.  And it will be she whom he turns to when the nightmares of remorse haunt his dreams--with more fiercesome reality and vividness than they have ever before tormented him.

For you see, Baron Guy finds every year in late Spring that as the anniversary of him killing Lady Marian draws nearer to Summer, his mood swings become more mercurial.   And the Gisborne-Middleton Manor estate staff, his wife, his children, and even his horse Pegasus know to steer clear of him.  Baron Guy becomes depressed, morose, and more taciturn than usual for several weeks--mostly due to lack of sleep. 

Because when Baron Guy tries to sleep, the dreams come, the nightmares invade his sleep.  And none--not even Baron Guy’s beloved wife Lady Roseanna--can banish his nightmares and soothe his soul. Tossing and turning in his bed in early May of 1199, Sir Guy (2a) right]  is in a deep sleep--but not a restful sleep.  He is in a sleep that is beyond restless as he terrifyingly dreams once more of killing Lady Marian in the Holy Land. 

Lady Roseanna had arisen earlier in the middle of the night to check on their  now  seven month old baby Lady Diana who lies peacefully in her nearby cradle--unaware of the turmoil in her father, Baron Guy’s, heart and soul.  And with Lady Roseanna’s baby nursed and her wrapper changed to a fresh one, Lady Roseanna returns to bed to find her husband, Baron Guy, thrashing about [(2b) right]  upon their bed and talking to someone in his nightmare.  Baron Guy has never done that before--talked while having his nightmares--and Lady Roseanna is forbodingly curious as to the details of the events surrounding Lady Marian’s death that  torments her husband so.