The Birthday
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Fandom: Robin Hood
Timeline: AU, before Series 1
Rating: K+
Summary: Guy's 16th birthday
Disclaimer: Robin Hood and all recognizable characters belong to BBC and Tiger Aspect Productions. I am only borrowing for entertainment purposes and with no intent to profit.
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Guy was in love.
He'd caught his first glimpse of Lady Mabel in the torchlight when she'd arrived just after midnight as Sir Osbert's new bride. She'd caught Osbert's hand and given him a tight, quick smile as she exited the carriage, but even when she wasn't smiling, she was beautiful. Guy had stared after her until she'd disappeared into the castle.
Sir Osbert had been away from Kimberworth Castle for a fortnight, getting married in London. He'd left his half-brother Godfrey in charge, but Godfrey had died a week before, after falling from his horse and hitting his head. Once Godfrey's squire, now Guy was forced to wait for Sir Osbert to return and decide whether to take him on as his own squire, or find another knight for him to serve. No doubt he'd have to wait until after the festivities. This morning, the castle had organized games in honour of the newly married couple. Tents were set up and fields marked off for the various competitions. Not only knights, but also squires and even the pages were allowed to join in.
When a squire footrace was announced, Guy gathered all his courage and went over to Osbert's tent. Bowing, he said, "Sir Osbert, may I ask Lady Mabel if I may wear her colours?"
Osbert squinted at him. "You were my brother's squire, weren't you? Gismonde?"
"Gisborne, my lord. Guy of Gisborne," Guy replied, looking at Mabel. Beautiful in torchlight, she was even more stunning in daylight.
"Gisborne," Osbert repeated, then snapped, "Stop staring at my wife, boy, or I'll hit you on the back of the head and make your eyes fall out!"
Guy looked away, feeling his face burn. "I meant no disrespect, my lord."
"How old are you?" Osbert demanded.
"Sixteen, my lord." Guy never knew what prompted him to add, "To-day."
"Only sixteen? I thought you were older." Osbert looked disgruntled.
"You were born on Saint Pancras Day?" Mabel asked. Guy felt a shiver run down his spine at the sound of her voice.
"Yes, my lady," he murmured, not daring to look up again.
"And yet you were not named after him?"
"Guy is a family name, my lady," he explained. "Or so my mother told me."
"Then in honour of your birthday and your mother, you may wear my colours," Mabel said. "Take this, young Guy."
He glanced up and took the blue ribbon from her hand, bowing deeply and trying not to grin like an idiot. "Thank you, my lady! Thank you! My lady, thank you!"
"Don't disgrace her," Osbert growled.
"No, my lord!" Guy ran off to join the other squires who were jostling at the starting line. Theobald and Edmund were already there, and both watched as Guy tied the ribbon to his belt.
"Who'd you get that from?" Theobald jeered. "Old Lady Joan?"
Lady Joan was not only the wife of the oldest knight visiting the castle, she was also several years older than her husband, and a little bit deaf. Guy frowned at the implication that she was the only woman who would give him a ribbon in her colours, and proudly retorted, "From Lady Mabel."
Theobald and Edmund looked at each other in shock and disgust, and Guy suddenly realized that they were both wearing the same colour of blue ribbon as well. Caught up in Lady Mabel's beauty, he'd forgotten that they were her husband's squires. Just then, the knight who was organizing the race called for order, and they all turned to face the course, jostling for position. The knight lowered his sword and called out, "Go!" but as Guy began to run, he tripped over something and fell flat on his face. Everyone laughed as Guy pulled himself up, trying to catch his breath before rushing after the others. It was too late; the first squire crossed the finish line before Guy had reached the middle of the track. He was the last to come in, and couldn't miss Theobald and Edmund smirking at him. Humiliated, Guy realized that one of them had tripped him deliberately to make him look like a fool. The only consolation he had was that neither of them had won, either.
Guy lurked on the sidelines, watching as Theobald and Edmund returned to Osbert's tent. Mabel smiled consolingly at both of them, and Guy's heart twisted in his chest as he realized just how much he wanted to see a smile like that directed at him. He didn't know if he dared to go over again. Maybe his fall would mean that Sir Osbert wouldn't want him.
The worst part of the day came when the squires had to show their equestian talents by catching rings on the tips of their swords as they rode. Guy had always been good at this, and was eager to show his skill, but as he spurred his horse to a gallop, it suddenly stumbled in a way that Guy was thrown off. He knew instantly that he had broken his collarbone.
Somehow, he managed to stagger slowly to his feet, sheath his sword, and catch the reins of his horse, which had gone lame in its near forefoot. He limped in the direction of the stables, holding his left arm close to his body, and was halfway there when Mabel suddenly appeared.
"Guy of Gisborne," she said. "Are you hurt?"
"It's nothing, my lady," he mumbled, looking away in embarrassment.
"Come to our tent when you're finished with your horse," she commanded.
"Yes, my lady," Guy said, only looking up when he was sure she'd turned away. He finally spotted her, walking in the direction of the privies. Guy handed his horse over to one of the stable lads, then made his way back to the row of tents. When he arrived, Theobald and Edmund were helping Osbert with his armour, obviously in preparation for a joust. Mabel saw him first and extended her hand. "Guy. Come in."
"Is the horse all right?" Osbert demanded.
"Lame, but he will heal, my lord," Guy reported.
"You do not ask after the boy's health?" Mabel asked. "I thought he was your new squire."
Theobald and Edmund shared the same disgusted expression. Osbert frowned. "I suppose I have to take him now. Nobody else will want him with a broken arm."
Guy felt his face turn hot.
"Come here," Mabel said. "Let's see if it really is broken."
"Let the physician do that," Osbert grumbled.
"Did you not marry me because of my tender ministrations?" Mabel asked, smiling at the knight. To Guy, the smile looked forced, not genuine. "You are so strong and healthy, my skills would quickly fall into disuse if I did not have someone to practice on, and then where would you be?"
"You've got other skills that are more use to me." But the flattery mollified Osbert, and he motioned Guy forwards. His heart thudding in his chest, Guy knelt down in front of Mabel so that her long, thin fingers could probe his arm and shoulder, but kept his eyes averted in case Osbert should catch him staring again. Mabel quickly identified the break, and sent one of Osbert's pages for bandages to make a sling. When she'd finished dressing his arm, Mabel removed the ribbon from Guy's belt and slipped it around his neck as well, using it like a second, thinner support for his wrist, then announced, "All done."
"Thank you, my lady," he stammered, looking up to see her smiling at him. It was a true smile, he thought, not forced at all, and he smiled back.
That night, Guy settled down on his pallet. He realized he'd always despised the knight who'd married Old Lady Joan, simply because the woman was older than her husband, but now he found himself thinking that five years wasn't such a big age difference. If only he were a knight, and Sir Osbert were dead! Then he'd have a chance with Lady Mabel! She cared more for him than she did for her husband, he could tell.
He was yanked out of his pleasant thoughts by Theobald sitting on him, pulling his knife, and slicing the ribbon from Guy's arm before Guy could defend himself. "You're such a disgrace, you don't deserve to wear Lady Mabel's colours!"
Knowing instantly that Theobald and Edmund were somehow responsible for his horse's fall, Guy tried to fight back, but Theobald used his injury against him.
"You might be Osbert's new squire, but you're lower than us," Theobald hissed. "I'm his squire of the body, and Edmund here is his squire of the table. You're nothing!"
He got off, and while Guy struggled to sit up, Edmund said, "No, wait, he is something."
There was a whoosh in the darkness, and in the next second, Guy was dripping from head to foot, and stinking like a chamberpot. Laughing, Edmund announced, "He's squire of the slops!"
The End
written 2008
Fandom: Robin Hood
Timeline: AU, before Series 1
Rating: K+
Summary: Guy's 16th birthday
Disclaimer: Robin Hood and all recognizable characters belong to BBC and Tiger Aspect Productions. I am only borrowing for entertainment purposes and with no intent to profit.
+++++
Guy was in love.
He'd caught his first glimpse of Lady Mabel in the torchlight when she'd arrived just after midnight as Sir Osbert's new bride. She'd caught Osbert's hand and given him a tight, quick smile as she exited the carriage, but even when she wasn't smiling, she was beautiful. Guy had stared after her until she'd disappeared into the castle.
Sir Osbert had been away from Kimberworth Castle for a fortnight, getting married in London. He'd left his half-brother Godfrey in charge, but Godfrey had died a week before, after falling from his horse and hitting his head. Once Godfrey's squire, now Guy was forced to wait for Sir Osbert to return and decide whether to take him on as his own squire, or find another knight for him to serve. No doubt he'd have to wait until after the festivities. This morning, the castle had organized games in honour of the newly married couple. Tents were set up and fields marked off for the various competitions. Not only knights, but also squires and even the pages were allowed to join in.
When a squire footrace was announced, Guy gathered all his courage and went over to Osbert's tent. Bowing, he said, "Sir Osbert, may I ask Lady Mabel if I may wear her colours?"
Osbert squinted at him. "You were my brother's squire, weren't you? Gismonde?"
"Gisborne, my lord. Guy of Gisborne," Guy replied, looking at Mabel. Beautiful in torchlight, she was even more stunning in daylight.
"Gisborne," Osbert repeated, then snapped, "Stop staring at my wife, boy, or I'll hit you on the back of the head and make your eyes fall out!"
Guy looked away, feeling his face burn. "I meant no disrespect, my lord."
"How old are you?" Osbert demanded.
"Sixteen, my lord." Guy never knew what prompted him to add, "To-day."
"Only sixteen? I thought you were older." Osbert looked disgruntled.
"You were born on Saint Pancras Day?" Mabel asked. Guy felt a shiver run down his spine at the sound of her voice.
"Yes, my lady," he murmured, not daring to look up again.
"And yet you were not named after him?"
"Guy is a family name, my lady," he explained. "Or so my mother told me."
"Then in honour of your birthday and your mother, you may wear my colours," Mabel said. "Take this, young Guy."
He glanced up and took the blue ribbon from her hand, bowing deeply and trying not to grin like an idiot. "Thank you, my lady! Thank you! My lady, thank you!"
"Don't disgrace her," Osbert growled.
"No, my lord!" Guy ran off to join the other squires who were jostling at the starting line. Theobald and Edmund were already there, and both watched as Guy tied the ribbon to his belt.
"Who'd you get that from?" Theobald jeered. "Old Lady Joan?"
Lady Joan was not only the wife of the oldest knight visiting the castle, she was also several years older than her husband, and a little bit deaf. Guy frowned at the implication that she was the only woman who would give him a ribbon in her colours, and proudly retorted, "From Lady Mabel."
Theobald and Edmund looked at each other in shock and disgust, and Guy suddenly realized that they were both wearing the same colour of blue ribbon as well. Caught up in Lady Mabel's beauty, he'd forgotten that they were her husband's squires. Just then, the knight who was organizing the race called for order, and they all turned to face the course, jostling for position. The knight lowered his sword and called out, "Go!" but as Guy began to run, he tripped over something and fell flat on his face. Everyone laughed as Guy pulled himself up, trying to catch his breath before rushing after the others. It was too late; the first squire crossed the finish line before Guy had reached the middle of the track. He was the last to come in, and couldn't miss Theobald and Edmund smirking at him. Humiliated, Guy realized that one of them had tripped him deliberately to make him look like a fool. The only consolation he had was that neither of them had won, either.
Guy lurked on the sidelines, watching as Theobald and Edmund returned to Osbert's tent. Mabel smiled consolingly at both of them, and Guy's heart twisted in his chest as he realized just how much he wanted to see a smile like that directed at him. He didn't know if he dared to go over again. Maybe his fall would mean that Sir Osbert wouldn't want him.
The worst part of the day came when the squires had to show their equestian talents by catching rings on the tips of their swords as they rode. Guy had always been good at this, and was eager to show his skill, but as he spurred his horse to a gallop, it suddenly stumbled in a way that Guy was thrown off. He knew instantly that he had broken his collarbone.
Somehow, he managed to stagger slowly to his feet, sheath his sword, and catch the reins of his horse, which had gone lame in its near forefoot. He limped in the direction of the stables, holding his left arm close to his body, and was halfway there when Mabel suddenly appeared.
"Guy of Gisborne," she said. "Are you hurt?"
"It's nothing, my lady," he mumbled, looking away in embarrassment.
"Come to our tent when you're finished with your horse," she commanded.
"Yes, my lady," Guy said, only looking up when he was sure she'd turned away. He finally spotted her, walking in the direction of the privies. Guy handed his horse over to one of the stable lads, then made his way back to the row of tents. When he arrived, Theobald and Edmund were helping Osbert with his armour, obviously in preparation for a joust. Mabel saw him first and extended her hand. "Guy. Come in."
"Is the horse all right?" Osbert demanded.
"Lame, but he will heal, my lord," Guy reported.
"You do not ask after the boy's health?" Mabel asked. "I thought he was your new squire."
Theobald and Edmund shared the same disgusted expression. Osbert frowned. "I suppose I have to take him now. Nobody else will want him with a broken arm."
Guy felt his face turn hot.
"Come here," Mabel said. "Let's see if it really is broken."
"Let the physician do that," Osbert grumbled.
"Did you not marry me because of my tender ministrations?" Mabel asked, smiling at the knight. To Guy, the smile looked forced, not genuine. "You are so strong and healthy, my skills would quickly fall into disuse if I did not have someone to practice on, and then where would you be?"
"You've got other skills that are more use to me." But the flattery mollified Osbert, and he motioned Guy forwards. His heart thudding in his chest, Guy knelt down in front of Mabel so that her long, thin fingers could probe his arm and shoulder, but kept his eyes averted in case Osbert should catch him staring again. Mabel quickly identified the break, and sent one of Osbert's pages for bandages to make a sling. When she'd finished dressing his arm, Mabel removed the ribbon from Guy's belt and slipped it around his neck as well, using it like a second, thinner support for his wrist, then announced, "All done."
"Thank you, my lady," he stammered, looking up to see her smiling at him. It was a true smile, he thought, not forced at all, and he smiled back.
That night, Guy settled down on his pallet. He realized he'd always despised the knight who'd married Old Lady Joan, simply because the woman was older than her husband, but now he found himself thinking that five years wasn't such a big age difference. If only he were a knight, and Sir Osbert were dead! Then he'd have a chance with Lady Mabel! She cared more for him than she did for her husband, he could tell.
He was yanked out of his pleasant thoughts by Theobald sitting on him, pulling his knife, and slicing the ribbon from Guy's arm before Guy could defend himself. "You're such a disgrace, you don't deserve to wear Lady Mabel's colours!"
Knowing instantly that Theobald and Edmund were somehow responsible for his horse's fall, Guy tried to fight back, but Theobald used his injury against him.
"You might be Osbert's new squire, but you're lower than us," Theobald hissed. "I'm his squire of the body, and Edmund here is his squire of the table. You're nothing!"
He got off, and while Guy struggled to sit up, Edmund said, "No, wait, he is something."
There was a whoosh in the darkness, and in the next second, Guy was dripping from head to foot, and stinking like a chamberpot. Laughing, Edmund announced, "He's squire of the slops!"
The End
written 2008