Typically, Djaq was not a person who enjoyed meddling in other people's love affairs. But today, Lady Marian's misconception provided an opportunity she reluctantly took on her shoulders.
The few times Djaq had seen Robin and Marian together, she had grasped the obvious intensity of their feelings toward one another, even while they were trying to hide and deny them. But what good had come of their denial? It had placed Gisbourne's ring on Marian's finger, and had caused Djaq to be captured, while Robin went mad with suspicion and jealousy. It was time, Djaq decided, for the star-crossed couple to throw aside their pride, admit their feelings, and reunite. And if that meant Djaq must play a role, so be it. It would be easier, after all, than all the roles she'd played, trying to survive, when a slave.
"Congratulations, Lady Marian," she began now, "on your engagement."
"You approve of my upcoming nuptials?" Marian asked, an accusation rather than a question.
"It is not my place to approve or disapprove. But, yes, I am glad you will soon be a bride."
"I'd hardly call it soon," Marian corrected, with regal anger. "The wedding will not take place until King Richard returns to England."
"Then I have two reasons to pray for your king's speedy return to these shores."
"Why, may I ask, are you in such a hurry to see me wed?"
Djaq gave Marian a sly smile, infuriating the young noblewoman even more. "I think we both know the answer to that, Lady Marian," she answered.
At that, Marian's jealous rage reached the boiling point. Throwing her cloak to the ground, she put up her fists and faced Djaq. "You are a skilled fighter, I hear," she said. "Alright then! Are you ready to prove to me you're worthy of that outlaw tag you wear around your neck?"
Djaq bit back her amusement. The cool, detached, proper Lady Marian's mask was stripped away, revealing a passionate young woman, who was willing to fight for the man she loved.
"It is true, I can fight," Djaq admitted, calmly. "With my fists, and with a sword. Robin has been teaching me. He is even teaching me to shoot a bow."
"How romantic of him!" Marian shouted, wanting to cry. Robin had taught her to use her fists, her sword, and her bow. And now, he was teaching his new, exciting, exotic, foreign paramour! Or, whatever she was!
It didn't matter, not really. What mattered was, Marian wanted to make her cry!
"No weapons," Marian decided. "I'm not a killer. Not yet, anyway."
"And yet, you wish to marry one?"
"What?"
"I believe you heard me the first time, Lady Marian."
"My choices do not concern you, Saracen. You should never have left your homeland."
"I agree. If I had been given a choice, I would still be home, at my uncle's friend's house in Acre."
"So you're telling me Robin brought you here against your will? You are a liar. Robin would never do such a thing!"
"That is true. He did not. But if you are looking for a liar, I think you will find one at the bottom of the stream."
"What? That's ridiculous!" After a pause, Marian gasped, taking Djaq's words literally. "Is there a body in the stream?" she asked, concerned.
"Look for yourself," Djaq coolly suggested, in a manner so calm, she appeared as ice to Marian's fire.
Not trusting the Saracen, Marian began to picture Robin, floating face down in the bloody stream, his throat slit. "If you hurt him, I will kill you," she vowed.
Picking up her skirts, she ran as fast as she could to the water's edge. "There's no one!" she cried, so relieved, tears stung her eyes.
"Look harder," Djaq advised.
Realizing she'd been tricked to look upon her own reflection, Marian spun around in fury. "How dare you?" she demanded. "Yes, I lie, to deceive the Sheriff, and help people who need me! You have no right to wear Robin's tag, if you judge me for that!"
"That is the second time you mentioned this little piece of wood," Djaq replied. "I have a feeling you would gladly trade that costly ring on your finger, to wear one of these?"
"You are a fool!"
"I see the liar again," Djaq commented.
"That is no lie! You are a fool! No wonder you and Robin...! No wonder!"
Marian was so angry, jealous, and distraught, she couldn't think straight. With a furious huff, she flung herself upon a startled Djaq, who had not expected her to go so far, and the two young women thrashed about, half in and half out of the water.
Djaq was only trying to defend herself, but it was proving difficult, for Marian was an outstanding fighter, whose anger and need for vengeance gave her an extra edge.
While the underwater battle was raging, Allan a Dale happened to stroll by. Delighted by what he had found, Allan stopped by the stream bank, grinning broadly.
"Allan!" Djaq called to him. "Get Robin!"
"Not bein' funny, but NO! It isn't every day, a gent gets a chance to view a cat fight! Better yet, a wet cat fight! Nice!"
"Get Robin!" Djaq repeated, before Marian pushed her underwater again.
"Don't you dare!" Marian ordered.
It was Marian's imperiousness that decided Allan. "Don't make up yet," he begged the two women, before sauntering up the ravine to find his outlaw leader.
"Marian," Djaq said, coughing up water when her head emerged from under the surface, "I called you a liar because you..." her words were cut short by another coughing fit.
"What, Saracen?" Marian demanded, sounding amazingly as Robin had, when he'd called Gisbourne, "Traitor."
Able to breathe again, Djaq forced herself to continue. "You would fight me for Robin, when you claim not to care? That is your lie! You do care! You must admit it!"
With a roar, Marian threw herself against Djaq, knocking both of them underwater.
Just at the moment, Robin came running to the streambank, racing like a mad man.
"Marian!" he cried, diving headfirst into the stream.