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

Ch. 36 (PG-13, D): Seth Runs Away

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 36 (PG-13, D):  Seth Runs Away,  June 05, 2015 Gratiana Lovelace

[An Original Historical Fiction Fan 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 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/King John, Dakota Fanning as Lady Caroline Havorford,  Chris Hemsworth as Sir Roderick Merton, Tamsin Egerton as Lady Rebecca Oxbridge Merton, Lee Ross as Sir Jasper, Sir Derek Jacobi as Fr. Bale,  Judi Dench as Mother Superior, David Harewood as Brother Tuck, Kevin McKidd as Lord John Oxbridge Earl of Leicester, and Lucy Griffiths as Lady Anne/Marian, 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:  Baron Guy reveals to  Lady Anne/Marian who he was to her, and who she was to him—and that it was he who caused her injury, though not intentionally.  And she learns that she has no family left alive to claim her.  She is overcome with these harrowing facts  and she faints—with Baron Guy having only a brief respite of cradling her in his arms before Lord John snatches her from him to comfort her himself when Baron Guy carries her back to the manor.  But Baron Guy has even larger concerns than seeking forgiveness from Lady Anne/Marian, because he now believes that his son Seth may have overheard his confession to her and that Seth has run away.

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 36 (PG-13, D):  Seth Runs Away

Seth staggers back into the forest from where his hiding spot gave him access to overhear his father Baron Guy and Lady Anne/Marian speaking with each other, when the very great secret that his father Baron Guy of Gisborne was a murderer—or nearly thus, in stabbing Lady Anne/Marian with his sword seven years ago, while also trying to kill then King Richard.  Reeling from hearing his own father admit his guilt and culpability in such evil and treasonous acts, Seth is torn in two with both loving the father he thought he knew and now loathing the evil man that his father admits to being—Baron Guy's own words damning his past actions. 

And with the confirmation that his father had once loved the beautiful blue-green eyed Lady Anne/Marian before his Mama Lady Roseanna—but had still injured Lady Anne/Marian so grievously, almost unto death—shatters the pride and love that Seth had for his father.   And though tears are not prevalent for Seth's almost eleven year old maturity, tears do fall upon Seth's cheeks in his distress about his father's  sinful evil past.

Seth begins to run through the forest on their estate—to run hard and to run fast.  At first, he does not know where he is running to—except away from his father Baron Guy—until Seth realizes that he is at his family's stables situated about 100 yards from the manor.  It is almost midday and the grounds staff and stable grooms have already headed to the manor's back courtyard off the kitchen for the grounds and house staff meal furnished by his family.  Seth is alone and he uses it to his advantage.  Seth quickly saddles and mounts his horse Wildfire—the horse given to him by his Mama Lady Roseanna when they first met nearly seven years ago.  Then Seth whispers his command into Wildfire's ear.