CHAPTER 2
A week had passed since Louise had first met Sir Guy of Gisborne, but yet she couldn’t get him out of her mind. A way she thought she could forget him was by not going to the field in where they had first met. Instead, she was getting used to what Storybrooke had to offer. It may of been a medium-sized town but there was plenty of activity. To Louise, it seemed that the residents were happy and knew each other which made any newcomers stand out and she was exactly that, a newcomer.
Entering Granny’s Diner, which wasn’t overly busy although there was plenty of people in there. Infact there was two people who Louise was intrigued about. Since her arrival in Storybrooke, Louise had felt like that there was a connection of some kind between her, Snow White and David Nolan, but she couldn’t quite figure out why.
Sitting at an empty table, Louise sighed quietly to herself, annoyed with her thoughts and feelings. When her mind was restless, it would go to the meeting she had with Guy of Gisborne and it ignited something in her. It was a warm fluffy feeling- a feeling of her possibly falling in love. How she wished she was able to speak to Hope- at least she may of been able to help as they often discussed everything.
“Your usual?” Granny asked, causing Louise to come out of her thoughts.
“Yes please,” she replied, a warm smile on her face.
“One hot cocoa with cinnamon coming right up,” Granny said, heading to the counter.
At a nearby table, the Charming family was sat there. There was Snow White (Mary Margaret), David Nolan, Emma Swan, Killian Jones and Henry Mills. Watching them, it reminded her about the time she had lived with the Mikaelson’s. being lost in her thoughts, she was unaware that the hot cocoa had been brought over.
“With Cinnamon?” Snow asked, glancing at Louise.
“Yes, I can’t have it without,” she explained glancing at the woman, “I’m Louise.”
“I’m Snow, nice to meet you Louise”
“Nice to meet you too,” Louise said. She was about to ask her further questions until she saw that Harry, Ron and Hermione was entering the diner. With the trio approaching the table, Snow went back to where the Charming family was.
When the golden foursome was together, they often had to survive somehow, yet here they were enjoying some time together. For Louise, it felt weird to be seen with her brother and friends as she hadn’t been able to do that for about 10 months.
Sitting in the living quarters of Locksley Manor, Guy of Gisborne had tried to forget about the pretty young lady he had met last week. To him, he thought he would never see her again and if he did, what would he say or do. Until the point he saw Louise, he had always imagined that Lady Marian was the one for him. However with Louise, there was something about her, which intrigued him and was longing to see her again. If only he knew in where she was living or what her surname was. The only useful piece of information he had was that she seemed to be a new arrival, so wouldn’t be that hard to find. In the past week, he had completed his work as normal, although on most occasions it fell short on the standards the Sheriff had expected. In return of his lacklustre work, the Sheriff would often remind him of lepers and how they were a sickness of the soul.
Leaving Locksley Manor, Guy got on his horse, making his way towards the forest ready for another taxing day.
When the four friends had finished there drinks, they all left Granny’s Diner. Even though it was some distance away, they had decided to visit ‘Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes.’ While Louise was thankful that the shop could cause a distraction for Harry, Ron and Hermione- it wasn’t to be for Louise due to her not being interested and having too much on her mind.
“You can go,” Louise said simply, glancing to the others.
“You sure?” Hermione asked, worried for her friend.
“Yes,” she replied, “I just need some time on my own.”
“Fair enough,” Harry said, slightly concerned for Louise. To him, Louise hadn’t been herself for the past week, “Well remember the Ministry officials are coming to see us,” He reminded her as the trio started walking away.
Turning around, Louise started to walk in the opposite direction, heading towards the forest. She knew that if she headed to the forest, it would be quicker for her to reach the Weasley’s house instead of avoiding it. The forest was also a happy place for Louise. It was where she felt calmer and sometimes, it was a place in where she could sort her problems out. Well that is how it worked when she was at Hogwarts. Thinking back to the times when she had been in the forest, a smile appeared as to her she was safe. As the trees got closer together, with hardly any sunlight coming through, Louise stopped glancing around. Was she lost? She didn’t know but she did have a feeling and it was telling her to get out of the forest now. Seeing if she could find a path, Louise froze to the spot when she realised she was being watched. Why was they watching her and most importantly, by who? Her instincts was telling her to run but a Potter-Black never ran from danger.
“Is anyone there?” She called out, knowing immediately that she had done the wrong thing.
Hearing a laugh from behind, Louise spun round, trying to see who was there.
“Take your jewellery of,” another voice called out from within the trees.
“I haven’t got anything,” she said calmly, while trying to figure out an escape plan.
“You’re lying,” a man shouted.
With the last words being spoken, Louise spun around trying to determine where the men were hiding. Glancing around, she noticed that about half a dozen men was hiding in the trees and they all seemed to have a variety of different weapons, ranging from a staff to a sword. Why did she have to leave her wand at home? Why hadn’t she picked it up when she left this morning? Realising she was in trouble and that she couldn’t defend herself she knew that the only option she had left, the option she didn’t like to do. While she was deliberating on what to do, she knew exactly what Guy of Gisborne had meant when he had said, ‘the forest was dangerous.’ Being stuck in this situation, she was now regretting not going with her friends. At least she would have been safe.
“I’ve told you once I’ve got nothing of value” she said confidently before turning and running away. Not being familiar with the forest, Louise wasn’t sure on where she was going. All she knew was that she needed somewhere safe in where she could hide out.
Riding through the forest, Guy heard the familiar voices of the Outlaws, allowing a smirk to appear. At last he knew where they were in the forest and perhaps he may have the opportunity to take them to the castle. Hearing an unfamiliar woman’s voice, his plan of arresting an Outlaw was thwarted. Instead he would have to be content with trying to save the woman. Dismounting from his horse, Guy hid behind a tree, waiting patiently, wondering if he had made the right decision. Hearing several sets of footsteps, he knew then that he had but was now having doubts on whether his plan would work. Peering from behind the tree, he saw the woman approaching and got ready to grab her when she passed, hoping that she wouldn’t put up too much of a fight. Seeing the woman in the distance, he thought he had recognised her as Louise, the girl he had seen the week before. Damn that woman! Seeing that she passed him, Guy grabbed her pulling her behind the tree. He wasn’t sure on whether it was his force or her losing her balance but he was surprised when she fell to the floor. Picking her up, he quickly moved her into safety.
Feeling someone grab her arm, Louise was almost ready to fight back but lost her balance, falling to the ground. Feeling someone pick her up, Louise was ready to struggle but decided against it incase it was an outlaw. Allowing her breathing to go back to normal, she was relieved when her feet touched the floor. Turning around, she was surprised to see the tall figure of Guy of Gisborne. For Louise, he was the last person she had expected to see in the forest or who would have saved her. Did he know that she was going to be in the forest and would need saving? Looking at the man, she could feel her heart was beating so hard, that it may come out of her chest, along with the feeling of butterflies in her stomach.
“Louise,” Guy whispered quizzingly.
He had remembered her name. was she unforgettable to him?
“Thank you,” She said, starting to turn away but stopped upon hearing the footsteps and the voices of the men who seemed disgruntled and annoyed that a young girl could just vanish.
“Who are they?” she asked, glancing at Guy
“Outlaws,” Guy replied simply, folding his arms across his chest, watching Louise, “You shouldn’t be in the forest alone,” he finished, a smirk appearing on his face.
“I wasn’t anticipating any trouble,” Louise simply stated, trying to hide her emotions.
A few hours had passed since Louise had left Harry and her friends, yet she had found herself at Locksley Manor with Guy of Gisborne. Locksley Manor seemed to be an old house. Afterall, the occupant was a sir. Being in a room, Louise guessed that this was the main living room. It was fairly simple and in all honesty quite liked it. Was the room what she expected? She wasn’t sure. Glancing out of the window, her eyes widened in shock, realising that she needed to be somewhere else. Looking at Guy, Louise smiled softly, standing up, “I have to go,” she stated, wishing that she could have stayed.
Noticing that Louise had looked out of the window and the words which followed, a small frown appeared. Following the gaze of Louise, he noticed a male and immediately wondered if he was her boyfriend. With that thought, a great sadness swept over him.
“Who is he?” He asked rather coldly.
Hearing the tone in which he had spoken, Louise raised an eyebrow, “He’s Harry, my brother,” she replied, starting to make her way towards the door.
Hearing the words, ‘my brother’, a small smile crept on his face. He still had a chance of happiness with her.
“Wait. Will I see you again?” He asked, following her.
As Louise placed her hand on the door handle, he placed his hand on the door to stop her from leaving.
“Maybe,” she replied, “I’m not sure on what my plans are yet,” she explained, knowing that it was the truth.
“I love you,” Guy whispered into her ear. It was the first time he had said that to anyone apart from his parents and Isabella. It was also a hard thing for him to say but the next words was slightly easier, “Stay here?”
Hearing the words in what Guy had said, Louise was shocked and surprised to hear them. She loved him too, she admitted to herself. Meanwhile the idea of staying seemed enticing. Her heart was screaming yes but the words in what came out betrayed her heart.
“I can’t. My family and friends need me,” she replied glancing at Guy.
Seeing the disappointment on his face, Louise looked down realising that she had followed her mind instead of her heart. Biting her lip she instantly knew what she needed to do.
“Don’t be sad,” she said, glancing at Guy before kissing him on the cheek, “I’m going to follow my heart for a change,” she explained, keeping her gaze firmly on him, “Are you sure you want me living here?”
“Of course I am,” Guy replied, almost instantly before kissing her gently on the lips. To him it was like he had found his soulmate and he seemed to be happy on the inside.
Being taken by surprise with the kiss, Louise allowed the kiss to continue for a few seconds, before pulling away and taking his hands, “I need to go” she said simply, letting his hands go. Turning towards the door, she opened it and walked out.
Leaving the house, her gaze fell on Harry and the smile went. It was obvious to Louise that he had been worried about her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, “let’s go” She continued, starting to make her way back to the Weasley’s House.
“Louise, who was you with?” Harry enquired, wondering if his sister had fallen in love or whether she was acting out because of the events she had faced in the past few years. They hadn’t been easy for him either.
“With a friend,” she replied, quickly glancing at her brother, “I think I’m in love and he’s called Guy of Gisborne,” she explained, taking a deep breath, “he’s also asked me to move in with him.”
Hearing the words in what Louise was saying, Harry was very shocked and wondered what she may have been thinking of. This was going too quick for him to be comfortable with it.
“How long have you known him for?” He asked
“Not long,” Louise replied, glancing at her brother, “But from the first time I saw him I fell in love with him and I think he’s also in love with me.”
“Just be careful with him,” Harry said, taking Louise’s hands, “Give it a few weeks, but if you won’t, I won’t stop you from moving in now.”
Damn you Harry! Why did he always have to knock some sense into her and that is exactly what he had done.
“Okay, I’ll sleep on it.”