Obligated to rejoin her aunt's sewing circle, Marian reminded herself to be cheerful. Hadn't she only yesterday met a woman, Alice Little, who had to sew in order to eat?
Marian realized what a blessed life she led. As the Sheriff of Nottingham's daughter, she was treated with respect throughout the shire. Granted, she had never known her mother, but her father was kind and gentle and loving. Her home was spacious and comfortable, and she had never gone hungry a day of her life. Best of all, her future seemed as lovely as a dream...a perfect ending to a happy fairy story.
She was to be Robin of Locksley's wife! She couldn't ask for anything more to make her happy. What did the few remaining days of her aunt's visit matter? Marian felt ungrateful for wishing to avoid being cooped up all day sewing, listening to gossip, while the ladies helped her by stitching beautiful garments for her wedding and her married life. She would stop being ungrateful and try instead to be helpful. Squaring her shoulders as if she were about to enter the "lion's den," she pushed open a door and stepped inside her aunt's chamber.
The ladies looked up from their sewing and stared inquisitively at her. Lady Glasson, Marian realized sadly, was absent, having returned with her husband to their estate.
"So," her Aunt Mary snapped, "you've decided to join us. Did you enjoy your little jaunt away from here?"
"I did," Marian answered, trying not to take offense. Robin had advised her not to take her aunt's bitter quips seriously, that they were just a game she played. But Marian wasn't so sure. "What can I do to help today?" she asked.
"Hmph! You can hem these." Her aunt handed her a stack of napkins. "So," Aunt Mary continued, "did you see Robin? He's returned, in case you weren't aware. He paid his respects to your father last night but I missed him, having already gone to bed."
"I saw him this morning...in Locksley." Marian knew better than to confess to their midnight reunion in her bedchamber at Knighton Hall. "He'll be sure to come see you before you leave for Kent."
"He had better hurry! I return home in a few days. He may be a knight and a lord and an earl, but he's still an impertinent boy! What did he bring you from London?"
The girls stopped their sewing and listened eagerly.
Marian blushed to the roots of her hair. How could she tell these women what Robin had given her?
Unable to avoid answering, she lifted her chin proudly and blurted out the truth. "A bow," she said, dreading the girls' laughter. "He brought me a bow."
The silence following her admission was broken by her aunt asking, in disbelief, "A bow? Do you mean to tell me he brought you a ribbon for your hair?"
"No. A bow, as in bow and arrow."
"He brought you a weapon? You ought to shoot him with it!"
The girls could no longer hold back their laughter. They placed their sewing on their laps, held their hands over their mouths, and tittered and giggled.
"Not only a weapon," Marian tried to explain. "I can shoot it for sport. You yourself, Aunt, took a lesson in archery."
"Because, Girl, I wanted to further size up the man you are going to marry! I congratulate you, by the way. You caught yourself a fine young man, though somewhat lacking, apparently, in his ability to give gifts."
Marian looked at her aunt, who was actually smiling at her. The ice between them had broken. Robin had been correct...her aunt wasn't a dragon after all, but only played the part. Marian felt herself close to tears, realizing her aunt didn't hate her.
"Now," Aunt Mary said, a twinkle in her eye, "let us pick up our discussion from where we were, before my chit of a niece interrupted us. What princess will King Richard choose to marry and make his queen?"
