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

Ch. 7 (PG-13): Intrigues at the Feast

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 7 (PG-13):  Intrigues at the Feast,  
February 16, 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, 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:  As all assembled for the celebratory feast at Gordon Castle in Leicester to honor Sir Guy of Gisborne’s upcoming elevation to a Barony this evening of Friday, March 29th, 1199, Lady Rebecca Stafford Oxbridge--the Countess of Leicester--greets her guests with her three year old son Graham at her side since her husband the Earl and Graham’s father is away in the Holy Land. After the guests of honor, the Gisborne’s arrive--and she overhears Seth Gisborne’s parents musings about his interest in Lady Caroline Havorford--Lady Rebecca hopes that both children’s wishes for their future spouses will be considered.  And yet, this night has only just begun. And as the hours unfold, the night will reveal its secrets.

"Sir Guy's Atonement” (Book 3), Ch. 7 (PG-13):  Intrigues at the Feast

Sir Roderick Merton [(2) right],   as the Gisborne children’s savior in preventing them from  falling over the five story high Gordon Castle keep tower--and now the Gisborne’s guest in their family guest bedchamber suite--quietly enters the Great Banquet Hall of Gordon Castle through a side entrance, his left arm in a sling to rest his injured but healing shoulder and hidden under his cape.

With the celebratory feast in honor of Sir Guy of Gisborne’s upcoming elevation to a Barony just beginning to get underway, Sir Roderick’s hope to arrive unnoticed at the banquet is quickly quashed.

Standing in the middle of the room amidst a coven of courtiers--and waving his raised forearm in a gesture that is both a beckon and a wave--England’s Prince Regent Prince John calls out imperiously.

Prince John: “You there!  Sir Roderick, pray you to come hither and attend upon me!”  Prince John preens [(3) right].   He so enjoys ordering people about.

Naturally, heads turn to see who is so singled out by their Prince Regent.  Jealous courtiers, in particular, sneer at Sir Roderick’s good fortune in obtaining the notice of Prince John.  Sir Jasper standing off to the side takes notice of Prince John’s attentions to the young knight. And he does not like it one bit. 

Though to Sir Roderick’s viewpoint, him being noticed by Prince John is something akin to a horse being unable to deflect a pesky flea’s burrowing attentions.  Yet, Sir Roderick must obey.  So he adopts a decent resemblance to a smile, turns toward the voice of the Prince Regent, walks over to Prince John, and bows to him.