Linda sat there on the floor, her head resting on the edge of the bed, reading. She was in her parents room, and she was very aware of her mother looming above her, looking over Linda's shoulder. She shot her mother a playful look, closing her book shut. Caralinda rolled her eyes and slumped back on the bed, continuing to weave her tapestry. Vaisey was away on a business trip, leaving the two women alone. Not that they minded.

It was dark outside... and stormy. Linda liked the sound of rain; it was calming and light, not heavy and fearsome like—

Crash! From outside, thunder boomed, and lighting cracked. With a shriek, the 12-year-old girl climbed up from the bottom of the bed, hiding underneath the covers. Caralinda chuckled lightly in amusement.

"My little flower," she soothed. "Why does the thunder frighten you so?"

Linda shuddered and snuggled close to her mother. "I fear that God's wrath will come to harm us," she whispered. "No, even worse: I fear that is the hand of Prince John... just waiting to bring us down. Waiting to find out..." Her voice became quieter.

Caralinda sighed and removed the covers, revealing Linda's head. The girl looked up at the women with fear. Caralinda smiled softly at her child. She removed a price of hair from Linda's face and kissed her temple.

"My dear child," she said gently. "That man is nothing more than an oaf and a buffoon. I will never come to understand why people claim to love him."

"Because they are afraid. Like me. I am afraid of the sounds outside." Linda huffed. "But I don't want to be afraid. I want to be fearless and tough like you, Mother."

Caralinda smiled. "Do not fret, my child, for we are not all unbreakable. We can all break like glass. Give us a reason to tip over even the slightest, and we crash and shatter." The woman held her daughter close, the girl relaxing in her mother's loving embrace.

Just close your eyes,

The sun is going down.

You'll be alright,

No one can hurt you now.

Come morning light,

You and I'll be safe and sound.

Oooh. Oooh. Oooh. Oooh.

La la (la la)

La la (la la)

Safe and sound.

Caralinda's voice was smooth and sweet, instantly calming little Linda. With a yawn, she snuggled close to her mother. Caralinda smiled and pressed a kiss on Linda's forehead. But the girl didn't feel it, she was already fast asleep.

******

Linda woke up to the loud "boom" outside. Jumping, she whipped her head around.

Thunder. Not surprising.

Groaning, she ran a palm down her face. Why was it now that her fear of thunder and lightning had to come back? Before, she got over it. Now it was here again. Maybe it had something to do with both her parents being dead.

With a sigh, she hopped out of bed and exited the room. Linda wandered around mindlessly, not really knowing where to go. She could still hear the rain from outside, and for once she felt calmed. She liked rain. She could deal with that.

Talking a turn, she suddenly stopped. It was the right door, but could she go inside? Maybe in the past, but now? Would it be too awkward? No, she decided. At least it shouldn't be. So with shaking hands, Linda quietly opened the door and stepped inside the bedroom, grinning when she saw him sleeping peacefully underneath the covers. She could've watched him all night if she wanted to. She—

Crash! Thunder roared outside, and the lightning illuminated the room. The wind howled violently outside, adding to the mess. With a shriek, Linda rushed to the bed, hiding her eyes in his bare chest, wishing that the harsh storm could just end.

She groaned quietly when she heard his soft laughter and the sheets ruffling as he sat up, positioning her so she could sit in his lap. Linda took this chance to snuggle closer to him and wrap her arms around his middle. He delightfully pulled her closer so that there was no space between them, making circles on the small of her back in attempt to calm her, though in truth it was only making her heart hammer against her chest.

"Does the storm frighten you, fleur?" Guy purred in her ear.

Linda nodded fast, shaking like a delicate leaf.

"I'vs never seen you so frightened before," he murmured softly. "I always thought you a tough lilly, incapable of fear."

"More like a dandelion, who's bravery blows away bit by bit." She sighed and pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "I used to always be afraid of the lighting and thunder when I was a child. I used to hide underneath the covers in fear, hoping that it would keep me safe."

Her tone of voice seemed troubled, and Guy frowned at the sound of it. He trailed butterfly kisses down her head, to her nose, until his mouth claimed hers in a sweet kiss. The kiss deepened when Linda's fingers came to pull his hair, making Guy groan in the process. Guy decided to reward her eagerness by taking her bottom lip between his teeth, sucking gently. She gasped, pulling him even closer. This kiss wasn't anything like before: it was electric, and it was a little obvious that they wanted each other. But Guy was disappointed when Linda pulled away and leaned her forehead on his, both hearts pounding and both trying to catch their breath.

"Let's not have too much fun," she breathed with a smile.

Guy huffed in annoyance, earning a giggle from the woman in his arms. The sky illuminated and rumbled with thunder and lightning again, making her jump. The playfulness and joy vanished from her emerald eyes, filing up with fear and doubt instead as she looked outside. Guy turned her face so she was looking at him, his blue eyes filled with seriousness.

"Do not worry, fleur," he whispered with tenderness, his protective nature slowly taking over him. "You are safe."

Linda bobbed her head up and down slowly. Guy made them lie down, and she snuggled close to him so she could get enveloped in his arms. He put the sheets around them and ran his fingers through her hair, humming softly in her ear. Her eyelids fluttered to a close just as his lips were placed on her forehead.

*****

Guy had never slept so good in all his life. Perhaps it had something to with actually sleeping for once, or the fact that he was sleeping with her.

He was going to go with both.

Guy's eyes slowly opened, his muscles stiff. The rain had cleared up, and the sun was shining brightly. The room was still semi-dark, and his eyes were still adjusting. He rolled over, only to find that one side of the bed was empty. Guy shot up, panic flooding all over him. He searched frantically, but couldn't see a damn thing—perhaps it had to with the fact that all he could see was black spots and he had to blink repeatedly in order to see.

"Linda?" he called, the panic he was feeling now entering his voice.

He relaxed when he heard her laughter. "I'm coming, hold on."

Linda entered the room, her brown hair tossled and down. The curls bobbed as she skipped to the bed, a grin on her face. She was—of course—wearing one of his shirts that she so kindly stole with white leggings. Linda plopped down next to Guy. "So apparently I'm not aloud to go back to my room to get ready," she teased. "I see how it is."

"Ready for what?" Guy asked groggily.

"We're going to Locksley this evening."

"Please tell me it's just you and me," Guy pleaded.

Linda sighed. "No, sadly. Isabella and the prince are to join," she explained. "Said that you and John were to talk about... business."

Guy sighed and rubbed his temples. He should've known that he was to be accompanied at all times by the prince now that he was in town. He honestly couldn't wait until he left. But business was business, and Guy had a good feeling what it was about.

Linda noticed his restlessness and placed a gentle hand on his cheek. "I know, I don't want them to come either," she murmured. "But as long as we are together, we will survive... at least we should anyways."

Guy mulled her words over, shrugging in agreement. "I guess."

Linda beamed and placed a soft kiss to his lips. "Come on, let's get you out of bed, lazy bones."

*****

The first thing Linda noticed on the horse ride was the drought. The rivers were empty, and so were the wells. Isabella also noticed this, and they shared a look.

Prince John at work. God help us.

Nonetheless, the two of them followed the men to Locksley Manor. All of them got off their horses and handed them to the stable boys, entering a house after. Prince John plopped on a chair, a table with berries in front of him. Isabella walked to his side, grinning. Linda rolled her eyes and leaned on the wall, Guy a few ways away on the table. He poured her a goblet of water and handed it to her, pouring himself one after.

"I don't know who's hotter," the prince teased as Isabella filled up a goblet with water, "you or me."

Despite her laughter, Isabella knew what he meant. It was burning hot and the heat was unbelievable. Was it supposed to be that hot in England? She handed the prince his goblet and put a cloth in a bowl of water. "It's you, sire," she said in a flirtatious tone. "You..." she placed the cloth on his head, "are hot... hot..." she leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Hot."

Prince John laughed in amusement, as did she. Linda gagged in disgust, shooting her friend a look. Guy rolled his eyes in annoyance. "If we could get back to the business in hand, sire."

Prince John groaned. "Oh, do we have to?"

Isabella smiled and shrugged her shoulders at her brother. Linda smirked slyly and glanced his way. Guy shot both of them glares. Isabella sighed. "I think I'll leave you to it," she said bitterly, exiting from the front. Linda reached out to stop her, but decided to let Isabella take a breather.

Prince John kicked back on his chair, watching amusingly as Guy fussed. "I need to make arrangements," he said sternly, leaning on the table.

Linda groaned. "Guy."

"Oh, do stop whingeing, Gisborne," agreed the prince. He grabbed his goblet and stood. "I've told you, you're as good as Sheriff already."

Linda choked and coughed on her water. "What, now? He's Sheriff?" The two nodded. "That's new."

"The only thing he doesn't have is the title or the power." Prince John paused. "Or the castle."

Linda snickered.

"But the truth is, right now there are more pressing matters."

"Don't tell me. Oh, got it. Is it Robin Hood, by any chance?" Linda casually took a sip from her goblet, as did Guy.

"Now, obviously, he has to hang," the prince stated matter-of-factly. "The only problem is the people do rather insist on adoring him still." He grimaced.

"Well, the people are fools, sire."

"Well, of course they are." Prince John huffed and mulled over his options. "But we need their cooperation if my plans for England are to come to fruition." He started to walk around the table and go to the window, Guy following slightly. Linda sighed and stood, standing next to Guy.

"So... what? Are you going to woo them and make them love you?

"Exactly right," Prince John answered with a dark smile.

"Right... but how?"

Prince John spun on his heel and looked and the two of them. "By giving them what they want, of course."

Guy frowned. Linda slipped her arm through his. "He's talking about the drought."

"Water," responded the prince, taking a sip from his goblet. He looked out the widow and spit it out, a disgusted look on his face. Guy rushed to his side. He waved him away. "Prepare the horses, I wish to leave."

Linda frowned. So soon? Curious, she slowly made her way to the window. Linda's heart dropped when she saw Isabella with Robin Hood with a strawberry, a mischievous grin on her face. She jumped when she heard the prince's voice. Robin simply smirked and kissed her cheek, sprinting away. Isabella made her way back to the house and was met by a dark look from Prince John.

"You'll accompany me on my trip back to the castle," he instructed calmly. "We'll visit the dungeons."

*****

that escalated quickly. nice try izzy.