Armed with Knighton Hall's medicine chest, Marian rode Vesper into Sherwood Forest, confident that Robin would notice her and reveal himself.
She didn't have long to wait before Robin dropped from a tree limb, straight onto her path, spooking her mare and nearly spilling her from her saddle.
Quick to calm the rearing horse, Robin snickered at the anger in Marian's eyes, delighted by the effect his sudden appearance had on her.
Marian was less than delighted, not at all appreciating being startled or laughed at.
"I thought you were hurt," she snapped at him. "It seems I wasted my time, coming here to help you."
"Don't tell me you're disappointed I'm well! As I recall, Marian, you used to have no complaints, that I was a hearty and healthy lad."
"Grow up. 'Lad' is right. I came here today, looking for a man."
"A man in need of your medicine chest? With respect, I suggest you take it back to your father. I don't need mothering, Marian. I can look after myself."
"Your head is wounded, Robin."
"And Djaq's taken care of it. But, if you care to stay awhile, I swear you'll leave here knowing you didn't waste your time. In fact, you might just find yourself smiling again, the way you used to."
"Only fools smile, when times are so difficult."
"Times are hard, I agree. But does that mean we have to deny ourselves whatever joy we can find, in living? I don't buy that, Marian."
"People are starving, in case you haven't noticed! England has turned upside down, and you talk about smiling! You are a fool."
"You've said that before."
"I said it because it's true."
"So I take it you'd think me wise, if I somberly brooded over my fate, instead of making the best of things, and fighting to stay happy, by creating happiness for others?"
"Fighting? Don't be ridiculous. It's not a struggle for you! You just haven't the sense to recognize how serious life is, Robin. You're far too busy playing games."
"What games?"
"The returning war hero, the amazing archer shooting impossible shots, the handsome yet disrespectful tease and scamp, the leader of a gang of misfits living in the forest-"
"That's not fair."
"Do you deny it?"
"Think of me what you will. But don't ever criticize my men."
"Why not? Am I supposed to be impressed by them, Robin?"
"If you knew them, you would be."
"Really? I'm supposed to be impressed by Much, and a Saracen boy? I thought you fought the Saracens, Robin. I thought you went to war, to conquer them. And what about that Allan a Dale? A pick pocket, an obvious liar, who's only with you because he has nowhere else to go. All of them are. That giant, whom you laughingly call Little John, was an outlaw before the trouble ever started in the shire. For your information, he once tried to rob me. And Will? He's a nice enough boy, but a boy for all that. One of your peasants, Robin. That's the gang of men you're so proud to lead."
"Go home, Marian. If you can't look further than..."
"What? Further than what?"
"Never mind. I thought I knew you. Go home."
"Gladly, since you don't need my help."
"I don't."
"Good. You won't get it."
"I do still need you to feed me information, however. You're one of the few people with access to the castle, I can trust."
"Is that all I am to you, Robin?"
Her blunt question took him by surprise. His pride, but mostly the anger he felt toward her for insulting his men made him flippantly ask, "What else? You know I need your help."
At that moment, Allan a Dale sauntered toward them, grinning ear to ear at the prospect of having a front row seat at their fiery quarrel.
"Oi!" he greeted Marian. "Thanks for the silver!"
"Give Marian back her purse, Allan," Robin commanded him. "She gave it to you under false pretenses."
"No, keep it," Marian insisted, addressing Robin rather than Allan. "I thought I was giving it to the needy. I suppose you can do that for me?"
"Not bein' funny," Allan interrupted, "but why would we give it to them? They're the same lot who called out, 'Burn him! Burn him!' They believe Robin's a dirty thief."
"They didn't know what they were saying, Allan," Robin insisted. "They were fed a pack of lies, by the sheriff and Gisbourne. We need to forgive them, and continue helping them all we can."
"Even the ones who turned you in? The ones who couldn't wait to watch you fry?"
"They just don't understand," Robin said sadly.
Marian had to steel herself, so she could continue feeling hard and cold toward Robin. Reminding herself how he'd made sport of her when she'd only come to help him, she climbed back onto Vesper's back and shot down, "Life is hard to most people, Robin, even if you still consider it a game. Maybe one day you'll grow up and realize that. Goodbye."
Steering Vesper around, Marian resisted the tug she felt at her heart, telling her to go back and apologize. She'd been unfair, she knew. Robin had lost everything, not through folly, but through selfless, heroic actions. He deserved more from her, but she didn't feel up to giving it. He'd left her. He didn't love her. He didn't even need her, except to feed him information. He'd told her so himself.
Well, she'd continue helping him, but she'd do it by teaching her heart not to feel. Maybe then, it would finally be free from its pain.