"I suppose you think this is my fault," Marian told Robin, as soon as they were alone in their dungeon cell.
Robin confirmed her statement by demanding, "What did you think you were doing? I thought you would have learned by now!"
"You told me that once before," Marian seethed back at him. "Anyway, I don't accept the blame for your capture, only mine. If you had listened to me, you'd still be free and able to rescue me."
"By pretending I caught you? Bad plan."
"And I suppose running away was better? Look at its result."
"The sheriff would never believe I captured you and turned you in! Marian, why did you do it?"
She could see his anger cool, to be replaced by exasperation. "I couldn't wait any longer," she tried to explain. "I hate to think of you having to submit to McClellan's orders, when you ought to be commanding him!"
"So you tried to take back your jewels. But why, Marian? What good would it do?"
"I could sell the ones that have no sentimental value...not the ones you gave me, of course, but the others. We could live off the money until we decide what our next step could be. It's better than your plan, Robin."
He stared at her in disbelief, then threw back his head and heaved a frustrated sigh.
Due to her plan's result, Marian knew his reaction was justified, but she refused to admit it. "You seem to think a letter to Queen Eleanor will make everything better!" she accused. "But what if the king truly has turned against us? What if he is trying to force you to fight alongside him in France, by taking away your lands and harming your people? Our people," she corrected herself.
"King Richard would never-"
"He tied you to two poles in the desert, Robin, expecting you to die! You, and your men! If Carter hadn't defied the king's orders and rescued us-"
"It wasn't the king's fault!"
"I wish you would extend me half the regard you hold toward him."
"Marian!"
"It's true! You blame me for our situation, while King Richard goes blameless."
"Because I believe he is! But Marian, how can you question my regard for you?"
"How can I not, with you shouting at me? My father never approved of your temper, you know."
"My temper? Marian, do you think I'm unfair to you? When have I ever given you cause to feel threatened by me?"
"Unfair...sometimes. But threatened, Robin? Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm not Gisbourne."
"Of course you're not. I spoke out of turn. I'm sorry."
He realized she was swallowing her pride and apologizing for more than her words. His anger and frustration immediately melted away, and all he wanted to do at the moment was to comfort her. "I'm sorry, too," he said. "And I do regard you, Marian, more than anyone."
"Truce?" she asked.
"Truce."
They held each other and kissed, turning their dungeon cell to a place of enchantment, at least temporarily.
"The king was good to me while I was recovering in the Holy Land," Marian admitted, enjoying being held in his arms. "Of course, I had saved his life, but -"
"He didn't remove us from Locksley, I feel sure of it," Robin said with passion. "Giving Isabella our village is Prince John's doing."
"What's going to happen to us now?" Marian asked. "Should we rush the guards when they unlock the cell?"
"No," Robin said smiling, admiring her courage and spirit but not her recklessness. "Sheriff Wilfred is no Vasey. He'll let us go as soon as we explain what happened."
They broke apart when they realized Isabella was coming down the steps toward their cell. She laughed mockingly, then asked, "No daring escape, Robin? How very dull you've become! You need someone to stir things up, don't you, and make life exciting again."
"Life is perfect," Robin told her, holding Marian's hand in a show of unity, "as long as we're together. You, Isabella, would not understand."
"Perfect, in rat infested dungeon? Well, then, I had better make it less perfect, hadn't I?"
"Haven't you done enough?" Marian asked.
"Oh, I've barely gotten started."
"My husband doesn't want you."
"Yes, he's made that clear. Which is why I'm forced to seek revenge. You, of all people ought to know, we Gisbourne's never let an insult go unpunished."
Isabella changed her demeanor to one of meekness, when she saw Sheriff Wilfred approach.
"Locksley," the sheriff said, coming down the dungeon steps. "Forgive this outrage of housing you, and especially you lady wife, in the dungeon. Guard, unlock this cell."
"My lord sheriff," Isabella protested, assuming her most nun like manner, while appearing helpless, "these two are thieves! They took positions working in the castle with the sole purpose to rob me of my jewels."
"She's lying, my lord," Marian insisted. "I was only taking my own jewels back, after she stole them from me."
Isabella appeared shocked, and made the sign of the cross over her heart.
"My wife's telling the truth," Robin said. "Let me ask you this, Sheriff...why would a nun need jewelry?"
"I was going to sell all the pieces, and give the money to the poor," Isabella hastily explained.
"Or deck yourself in them, for Prince John's eyes," Robin added.
"How dare you take delight in visualizing such an image, Locksley?" Isabella gloated, pretending to be outraged. "Me, a nun, wearing nothing but jewels!"
"I didn't say that," Robin insisted.
"Perhaps not, but you thought it. If only you took your marriage vows as seriously as I take my vow of chastity."
"Chastity?" Marian laughed. "My lord sheriff, she is hardly chaste! And my husband takes his marriage vows very seriously."
"Does he?" Isabella asked. "You should ask him about the time the Locksley village church burned."
"I know all about that," Marian shot back. "Talk about life being dull!"
"It wasn't dull!" Isabella couldn't stop herself from saying. "It was hot, hot, hot!"
"This seems an odd conversation for a nun," Marian said, not wanting to think about her husband's tryst with Isabella, when he believed Marian dead.
Isabella, swept away by wanting to wound Marian and stake some kind of a claim on Robin, continued. "What about the time in the forest, when-"
"Enough!" Robin shouted. "My lord sheriff, I can prove my wife did nothing wrong. Examine the jewels in Isabella's possession. You've seen my wife wear them to various functions here at the castle."
"I'm afraid I don't pay much attention to what ladies wear," the sheriff told him. "The question remains, who am I to believe? Your wife and Sister Marian Isabella are both trustworthy ladies of character."
"My lord sheriff," Isabella protested, "she is a known liar, and he a thief!"
"Before, when the king was away," the sheriff agreed.
"The king is away again," Isabella reminded him.
"But Locksley was an outlaw then, because he wanted to right wrongs. He fought for justice, as did his lady."
"Did they?" Isabella asked. "That is the legend of Robin Hood, but legends cannot be considered fact. What if he stole because he took advantage of King Richard's absence, enriching himself after he'd lost his lands and titles, just as he's lost them again?"
"My husband did not enrich himself while an outlaw," Marian objected. "Please, my lord, do not listen to her lies!"
"I do not lie," Isabella insisted. "Sheriff, you ought to see how wealthy they are...I mean were. It is impossible to be as well off as they were, gathering the meager rents their former village paid."
"My village was prosperous because I let my people keep much of what they earned," Robin tried to explain.
"If so, then you should be poor," Isabella argued. "And you weren't. The only explanation is...they are thieves."
The sheriff considered, then made his decision. "Unlock the cell," he told his guard. "You are both free to go, but you cannot work in the castle any longer." Turning to Isabella, he continued. "They have lost everything, due to the king's displeasure."
"That is why they are dangerous," Isabella tried to convince him. She gave Robin a vicious look, making certain the sheriff did not see, then followed the sheriff up the steps and out of the dungeon.
"Now what?" Marian asked Robin.
"Come on, my love," Robin said. "Let's go home."
"Home, Robin?"
"Looks like Bonchurch is home for now," he answered. "It's not such a bad place, is it?"
She smiled at his concern for her. "It's wonderful," she decided. "As you said, as long as we're together."
They kissed again, and then, heading back to Bonchurch, Robin's mind was busy concocting another plan to steal back Marian's jewels.