Robin sat itching behind a grille in the confessional, hidden from Marian's sight, listening as she began confessing her "sins." His jovial mood of being pleased with himself for tricking her quickly changed, once he heard her speak.
"Forgive me, Father, for being of such little use to anyone."
Little use? Robin felt stunned, and wanted to voice objections. Marian needn't feel that way! As the Nightwatchman, she was helping people who otherwise might not survive, and doing it at great risk to herself. By day, she was patiently caring for her father, who was frequently ill. How on Earth could such an angel of mercy feel useless?
"I have the ability to help a man who is imprisoned, and plead for his release, but I cannot bring myself to do so."
Gisbourne! Robin was thinking. But why should Marian feel guilty about not helping that fiend? Risking discovery, he couldn't resist trying to sway her against the man.
"Perhaps it is because you know this man deserves imprisonment, my child."
"He is locked up because he defended me, when others sought to harm me. I should help him."
Help the brave and gallant gentleman, Robin fumed inwardly. He forced back his temper before lecturing her.
"Let not your heart be troubled, my child. Trust in God. Let justice be served."
Something about the holy Father's attitude didn't sit right with Marian. She sensed passionate anger behind his cool words. But she needed to continue. Guilt over Guy of Gisbourne was not what had drawn her to make confession today.
"There is more, Father. I say again that I am useless, and a disappointment to my lord father."
A red hot flash of anger against Sir Edward shot through Robin Hood. How could Marian be a disappointment to anyone? He longed to tear off his disguise and tell her how marvelous she was! His feelings were so urgent and strong, he couldn't find the right words to tell her how wrong she was, without giving himself away. Therefore, he said nothing.
She pressed on. "I have no desire to marry. I will never be a mother. I would suffocate in a nunnery. So, you see, Father, I have no place in this world, but continue to live with my father, even while defying his wishes for me."
No desire to marry. No desire to marry. Robin couldn't move past those words.
Why didn't she want to marry? Marian, who as a child had coerced him into playing "wedding" more times than he'd cared to! And hadn't she been ecstatically happy over their betrothal, eager to be a bride? She used to tell him she couldn't wait to be his wife! Why this great change in her? Where had her joy in living gone?
"There is yet a heavier sin on my heart, Father," Marian continued, "even greater than my uselessness."
Robin remained silent, grieving with Marian because her voice sounded so sad.
She sighed. "I fear I have traitorous thoughts against our sovereign King."
No! No matter how great the gulf between himself and Marian, he could not believe this of her! She had to be loyal to Richard! He couldn't bear it if their paths had diverged so far, they could not agree on Right and Justice!
"I resent my King," Marian confessed, almost crying. "I resent him for stealing my life away from me."
Robin went numb, and then, the full meaning of her confession seemed to tear his heart in two. He wanted to break down the grille that separated them, seize her in his arms, and beg her forgiveness for following Richard to the Holy Land.
He was just about to open his mouth and reveal himself to her, when Lady Cecily, panting with fear, ran on dainty feet into the chapel.
"Where is he?" Cecily asked desperately.
Marian didn't even try to hide her annoyance. To be interrupted in the confessional was bad enough, but to be interrupted by Lady Cecily, looking so beautiful as she chased after some unknown man, was a thousand times worse.
"I'll be finished in a moment," Marian huffed. "There's no gentleman here. Only a holy priest."
"Where's Robin?" Cecily almost shrieked.
"Robin? My Robin?"
It had just slipped out. Marian flushed with anger at her own loose tongue.
Although Robin's heart soared at hearing her words, he knew there was no time to lose. If he didn't get Cecily out of here now, they all three might die.
"I'm here," he said, stepping from behind the grille.
Marian's eyes widened, and then flashed in fury. "How dare you?" she cried. "You were listening! You...you...! There aren't words bad enough to describe you, Locksley!"
"Save your breath, Marian," he said with a wink. "It's a sin to impersonate a priest, or monk, or whatever I'm dressed as, so I'll probably burn in Hell for it. Not to mention, I'm not alone in this gown, so I'll suffer torment on Earth as some of God's tiniest creatures make their home in every patch of hair growing on my body. Much will probably have to shave me clean, so I'll look like a newborn baby. My apologies, Lady Cecily."
"You apologize to her for your crude tongue? I'm the one you should apologize to!"
"I would, if there were time. But we haven't got that luxury."
Marian wanted to slap him, but only watched in disbelief as he focused urgently on that stupid headed Cecily.
"Grab onto my robe, tightly," he was telling the young woman. "See if you can grasp my belt underneath."
"I've got it, Robin," she said, looking frightened but so trustingly into his eyes. Now, Marian wanted to slap her!
"Whatever you do, do not let go! And no screaming, lest you draw more guards."
"Guards? Guards will be chasing us?"
"Don't be afraid. You're safe with me."
Marian watched them as Robin, with Cecily clinging to him from behind, ducked out the window and disappeared. She heard Cecily utter a small scream and Robin hiss, "Hush!"
Before Marian could take it all in, the door to the chapel burst open, revealing Sheriff Vaisey, surrounded by men at arms.
"Where is he, hmm?" the sheriff demanded to know. "Where is Robin Hood?"
"My Lord Sheriff," Marian said firmly, "I wish to have a word with you. I beg you, my lord, release Sir Guy from your dungeon. You need him, for only he can help you capture the vile outlaw."