"Djaq, don't be alarmed. It's only me...Marian."
Coming upon the Saracen hurriedly dressing herself beside the stream, Marian couldn't help but be surprised at how modest Djaq was. The woman was a fighter, bold and fearless, yet she appeared frightened that another woman, Marian, might catch a glimpse of her as she dressed.
I'm being ridiculous, Marian realized. How could I give the sheriff's words any credence? Robin loves me. Besides, no matter how persuasive and tempting he can be, he's a perfect gentleman. And not only that, but Djaq clearly loves Will. They're both so shy, I doubt they've ever even kissed. What am I doing, suspecting her?
Marian knew better, yet her stubborn nature pushed her to proceed with her interrogation anyway.
"I didn't mean to startle you," she began, kindly apologizing. "Did you think I was one of the men?"
"They do not spy," Djaq answered, remembering with a blush the one time she suspected Will of spying. Knowing him now, she felt convinced that he had glimpsed her without meaning to. "It is safe to bathe, now that Allan is..."
"A traitor?" Marian couldn't help but finish Djaq's thought. "You don't really believe he is beyond redemption, do you? I assume your faith teaches you about redemption."
"Not to the extent that yours does. But you are right. I continue to hope that Allan will see the error of his ways, and apologize to Robin."
"And do you believe Robin will forgive him?"
Something in Marian's tone put Djaq on her guard. Still, she saw no cause to lie to the noblewoman. "Your faith is built on forgiveness," she answered, simply. "Robin is very devout, in his heart. He will forgive."
"You seem to know quite a lot about his heart," Marian said curtly.
Djaq's eyes clouded over, as she pressed her lips tightly together. Why should Marian act jealous, she wondered, when there was no reason? She thought it best not to answer such a thinly veiled accusation, no matter how false it was.
"Do you remember being captured, on the King's birthday?" Marian proceeded. "Not this year, but last. Of course you do! It's not something you'd forget."
"The sheriff made me his alchemist then, as he did today," Djaq responded, believing Marian had shifted the conversation to a different topic.
"As the guards were dragging you away," Marian continued, "you threw me a look I'll never forget. You seemed to be blaming me, with your eyes. Why did you look at me like that?"
"I did not know you then," Djaq explained. "I believed you were bad for Robin."
"Did you?"
Marian jumped on Djaq's words with such force, the Saracen grew even more confused. She had nothing to hide, yet she felt it wise to hold her tongue.
Yet there was no need for her to speak, for Marian had plenty to say.
"How did you think I was bad for Robin?" she asked, clearly angry. "Did you imagine yourself better suited to his liking?"
"No, I did not," Djaq explained, growing amused now at Marian's jealous state. Robin was so often jealous of Gisbourne, it was pleasant to see the shoe on the other foot, as the English said. "I admired our leader, for his character and his actions. I was becoming his friend. You, I believed, were aligned with Gisbourne. I did not understand the hold you had over Robin, but I saw how you affected him. He would not leave that day, even when Will gave the signal that the sheriff was coming."
"That was not my fault. Are you sure that's the only reason?"
"What other reason could there be?"
"You're very shrewd, Djaq. Already, you've turned yourself from being the defendant, to the prosecutor."
"I have no wish to be either, Marian, but only your friend. I will tell you bluntly. There has never been anything romantic between myself and Robin."
Now it was Marian's turn to be silent. Although relieved, she felt her cheeks burn with shame, so that they matched her gown.
"I do not fall in love easily," Djaq explained. "Enduring slavery and captivity, I put a seal over my heart. It is only now, thanks to Robin, that I can open my heart again, and trust."
"Thanks to Robin?"
"His kindness...his goodness to others has helped me. He has helped Will, too, to no longer feel angry and bitter. He is helping Little John."
"I understand. I did not suffer what any of you did, but I, too, until recently, put a seal on my heart. I'm sorry, Djaq. I should never have doubted you."
"You should not have doubted Robin. He loves you, Marian."
"I...I know."
When Djaq saw Marian look wistfully down at the ring on her finger, she knew. They were engaged, she felt certain. She felt happy for them, and a twinge envious, but not because of Robin.
She would not face her own feelings, for she still felt compelled to guard her heart, not daring to admit it was taken.
She would not betray their secret, not even to Will.
"Robin is a wonderful man," she said to Marian, "but he is not my man. He has always belonged to you. You do not believe the sheriff's poison, do you, Marian?"
"I knew better," Marian sighed. "Can you forgive me, Djaq?"
"I am not the one who needs your apology."
Marian closed her eyes. Djaq was right. She'd hate to do it, but she needed to apologize to Robin. She just didn't want to admit to him, that she was the fool.