Arriving home on foot, Robin was told by Thornton that he could find the Mistress and his child in the stables, feeding apples to their horses. First depositing his bow and quiver with his elderly stewart, Robin turned on his heel and strode there, to confront his wife.

One glance at her husband informed Marian his long walk home had done nothing to quench his temper. Robin appeared to be bristling with anger, his jaw clenched, his eyes smouldering. The sight of him so furious first made Marian suck in her breath. Then, drawing upon her own proud spirit, she set her jaw, rolled her eyes, and tossed her head imperiously at him.

The sight of her luxuriant hair bouncing upon her beautiful head made Robin even angrier, for he knew King John would never forget his demands with so much incredible beauty at store.

Ellen toddled delightedly toward her daddy, and his face softened as he scooped her up in his arms and held her small cheek against his own. "Ow, Daddy! Scratchy," Ellen told him.

"Hedgehog," Marian couldn't help saying, flinging the insult at him with as much force as she used aiming her dagger at a treetrunk. Robin's eyes hardened.

"Daniel," Marian told the stable boy, who had been enjoying treating the horses with her, "why don't you take Ellie in the yard to play? The master and I would like a few words alone."

"Yes, Your Ladyship," Daniel agreed, taking hold of Ellen's hand after Robin reluctantly set her down. "Come on, Ellen. Let's look for tadpoles!"

"Not too close to the pond," Marian cautioned, remembering having fallen into it once herself, when a very small child.

The memory made her angry, for it had been Robin who had saved her, pulling her up from under the depths when her heavy skirts had dragged her down. She didn't wish to feel grateful to him right now, not at all, while he was being such a tyrant.

"I'm surprised you want to talk to me, after banning me from my own coach," Robin told her smugly.

"I thought it was our coach," she shot coolly back. "And to be truthful, I don't. I just didn't want you ranting in front of the children. Well? What did you want to tell me? That I made a mistake, complimenting the king's hair?"

"Yes, you did. You have no idea what he expects of you now, Marian. You've never heard him boast of his amorous exploits. I have."

"Yes, you men engage in such upstanding conversations, when women aren't around."

"That's not fair."

Marian knew it wasn't. Robin never discussed women lewdly, believing as he did in the Code of Chivalry. "Sorry," she admitted grudgingly. "But the point is, you have no faith in me."

"He's the king, Marian! When are you going to learn, you can't smile at men who hold power but no scruples, and expect them not to want you?"

"I can't smile? Don't be ridiculous."

"You think you can play the vigilante, dressing up as the Nightwatchman, when you should be home-"

"What? Doing my embroidery?"

"I did not say that."

"Only because I stopped you."

"Alright then, yes! I mean it, Marian. You need to stay home, where you're safe, and let me take the risks."

That was too much. Marian stood stock still, staring at him, speechless. Regaining her tongue at last, she scolded, "You knew who I was when you married me, Robin. How dare you try to make me into a milksop, like Cecily. You should have married her when you had the chance, or any other of the countless women who blush and droop, whenever you look their way. Too bad that silly Annora already has a husband! She'd make you a fine wife!"

"I don't want another wife, Marian. I want you to use your head, and avoid danger! I want to protect you!"

"I don't need your protection! I'm perfectly capable of looking after myself. What happened, Robin, to your claim, 'Together we're stronger?' What happened? You know as well as I, that I've rescued you as many times as you've rescued me."

"And I'm grateful. We are stronger together. Just not while you're with child."

"Oh. So I am a breeding mare then."

"No! Stop putting words in my mouth. You're my wife, my beautiful, willful wife, who doesn't know when to stay out of trouble."

"Trouble? You're a fine one to talk! Just because you're not carrying our child, doesn't mean your life is any less important! What do think it would do to Ellie, to lose you? What do you think it would do to..."

"What?" he asked softly, for her voice had caught in her throat, while tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

"Nothing," she told him, turning away, trying to hide her vulnerability.

When she found herself safe within his arms, she couldn't stop her tears from flowing.

"Shh," he comforted, holding her close. "It's alright. We both take too many risks."

"We'll never stop, will we? Not while there's injustice. Promise me, Robin. Promise me, we won't stop."

"I swear it. But maybe, while you're carrying our child, you might slow down a bit."

"I might," she answered, then jokingly added through her tears, "but where would be the fun in that?"

Robin lifted her chin and kissed her gently, then wiped her tears away. Holding her close, he knew he'd just have to protect her from her own recklessness. For she wouldn't change, any more than he would. She wouldn't be Marian if she did, and he might not love her as completely.