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

Ch. 37 (PG-13, D): To Be a Better Man

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 37 (PG-13, D): To Be a Better Man, June 08, 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, Sam Troughton as Much, and Gordon Kennedy as Little 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 the realization that the not quite eleven year old Seth Gisborne overheard his father Baron Guy's confession to stabbing Lady Anne/Marian and other nefarious deeds, Seth Gisborne runs away from home. And now that Baron Guy and his search party realize to where Seth has gone-with the helpful suggestion of the now twelve year old Lady Caroline Havorford, Seth's hoped for intended-they must make haste to Nottingham, in the hope of reaching Seth and bringing him to safety. Whether or not Baron Guy can repair the damage to his relationship with his son, remains to be seen. But he might have help in that regard.

"Sir Guy's Atonement" (Book 3), Ch. 37 (PG-13, D): To Be a Better Man

Traveling the main road from home to Nottingham for six hours gives Seth time to think about what he has learned of his father Baron Guy's past this day. If his father-Seth cannot think of him familiarly as Papa anymore-has committed sins and acts of treason, then he will find out the truth in Nottingham. Seth now deeply feels shame for the name that he bears, wondering if he will be tainted by association. At the very least, Seth vows not to be a sinner, nor a criminal-and most of all, not a liar-when he becomes a man.

Seth is uncertain what the future may hold for him-and where his future lies. He has been sheltered in a cocoon of nurturing love and encouragement for so long, that Seth cannot imagine losing it. Seth's Mama Lady Roseanna and his brother and sisters mean everything to him-as much or more as his father had meant to him. Seth's mind and heart are in turmoil-which somewhat distracts him from the danger he has placed himself in by traveling alone to Nottingham.

And yet, Seth is fortunate this day in him staying safe from harm while traveling the road this afternoon and early evening. And he does not know to whom he owes this debt. There are guarded checkpoints along the way which Seth rides around, so as not to attract attention and discovery. But these Nottingham guards posted every five miles making the roads more safe for traveler's, was an initiative suggested by his father Baron Guy to his brother Lord Archer, Sheriff of Nottingham-Seth's Uncle. There could still be troubles in between the checkpoints, but at least help would not be so far away was Baron Guy's reasoning. Wealthy and titled individuals always travel with a large caravan which gives them protection. But individuals and families of lesser means do not. So the guards do [not] solely benefit the wealthy, they are to aid all of the peoples.