When Robin smiled as he was doing now, Marian was reminded of the sun breaking through a patch of clouds, brilliantly chasing them away and bathing everything in its sparkling light. Everything seemed brighter...full of hope and joy and promise. It was absolutely incredible, the power of his smile! Marian couldn't help herself from smiling back at him.
"What are you planning to do?" she asked. "And how can I help?"
Robin gazed tenderly at her, though his tenderness was laced with arrogance.
"I need to stop the sheriff from taking hold of Lusignan's plot."
"But Robin, how will you do that?"
Deep in thought, Robin paused, then answered, "First, I need to convince Sir Guy de Lusignan to get out of here."
"How? He resents you already. I mean, why would the Count of Poitou listen to you?"
"Robin Hood, Outlaw of Sherwood Forest, you mean?"
"You know I mean you. But why would Sir Guy de Lusignan pay you any heed?"
Robin snickered merrily. "Because," he answered, giving her a quick kiss on her cheek, "I know who his wife's been seeing behind his back!"
Marian's eyes opened wide in alarm. "Robin, you wouldn't tell him! I mean, what will that serve?"
Robin grew silent, and Marian watched the smile she loved so well drain from his face. He turned outraged, jealous eyes on her.
"Worried about Gisbourne, Marian, eh? After all, he's such a fine, upstanding gentleman...one you and your father should be proud darkens your door with his wooing!"
"Grow up! This has nothing whatsoever to do with Gisbourne!"
"Doesn't it? I wonder...were he a man with fewer attributes, would you even care?"
"How dare you?"
The stars both of them believed they had seen were gone now, lost in the heat of the argument. Marian felt empty and alone. And outraged at Robin's audacity.
How dare he turn a perfectly lovely moment between them to one of strife and contention? And all because of Gisbourne? Robin had some nerve! Gisbourne meant less than nothing to her!
She was tired of Robin of Locksley's jealousy! He didn't hold any claim to her, yet he acted as though the past still mattered. She'd show him!
"Robin," she ventured, her teeth clenched, "don't tell Sir Guy about his wife's indiscretion. I've thought of a better way to foil the sheriff's schemes."
"Clever you! So Marian, what's your plan?"
He sounded so condescending, Marian wanted to scream.
"You'll just have to wait and see, Locksley," she answered, as snidely as she felt.
He took a step back, impressed by her boldness, yet saddened by the gulf between them.
A moment ago she had sworn to work with him for always. "Now and forever," she had said...the words like sweet music to his ears. What had he done to ruin things? They ought to be together, the way they used to be...not at odds!
"Marian," he said, his voice poignant and filled with longing, bringing a sudden lump to her throat.
She waited nervously for his next words, hoping against hope for his heart's confession, but it did not come. His voice remained silent, though his eyes spoke volumes.
His eyes, no matter how beautiful, weren't enough for her. She needed to hear the words.
"Promise me you won't tell Sir Guy de Lusignan," she begged angrily, then turned and walked away, back to join the party in the Great Hall.