Several of the pupils in John and Arthen's school had entered the contest for young archers and they did well, but, as the wand they had to hit was moved further away and then replaced with a target, their numbers dwindled, until only two archers were left, brother and sister. Arthen had been following all his pupils' progress with a keen look upon his face, and now he was intently staring upon Lady Marian's slender form. Emma had often wondered how it was that such a slender girl could find the strength to yield even a light bow, but Arthen had told her of themany hours the girl had confessed to spending by herself, away from prying eyes, strengthening her arm and wrist in spite of the sharp pain she felt upon drawing the bow after her muscles began to ache.
"She's got a strong wrist, a steady hand and a good arm. Though she may never acquire the strength to master a heavy war bow, she will be unsurpassed with a light hunting bow," Arthen had said.
He was now looking upon Marian, who had nocked her ash arrow with white goose feather fletchings and was now preparing to draw. Emma watched a dark frown cross upon Arthen's features when he perceived the girl's brother approach his sister and whisper something in her ear. The boy then smiled towards the crowd of onlookers, to make it appear as if he'd attempted to nobly encourage his younger sister, even if she had the means to beat him if her shot landed closer to the red centre of the target. Neither Emma nor Arthen were fooled by the boy's pretence. It seemed now Marian was hesitating. What ill thing could the spiteful boy have told her?
"Just don't listen to his venom," Arthen muttered, as if Marian had been within hearing range. "This shot is yours. The target's in your blood. Now draw!"
To Emma's amazement, it seemed as if the girl had heard her teacher's advice. Her movements became steady and self-assured and she swiftly drew her bow, as if unconcerned by her brother's attempt to make her falter.
"Good. Now loose!" Arthen whispered, and just at that moment Marian's white fletched arrow whirred towards the target and firmly planted itself in the red centre. Her brother's arrow lay quite close to the same centre, because he wasn't unskilled with a bow, but with this shot it was plain that Lady Marian was indeed the victor of the young archers' competition.
Emma smiled in sheer joy, squeezing Robin's hand, and joining in the cheering and clapping that followed. Arthen was nodding in Marian's direction with a pleased look upon his face. Emma glanced upon the girl, who stood proud and tall, and upon her brother, who was now patting her on the shoulder, as if pleased with her victory. From where she sat, she could not discern his features, but she sensed that he held a feigned bright smile upon his face, meant to hide the anger he felt at having been bested by his younger sister in front of all to see.
Later, as they went to offer their praise to the young archer, they came upon the sheriff and his son who had also approached Lady Marian. Marian held the arrow of her victory in her hand, and glanced upon her father with a tremulous smile Emma had never perceived before.
"See, Father, I'm the victor!"
Marian's gestures, so confident and self-assured before, had become fumbling and guarded, and Emma understood the girl still ardently sought her father's approval.
The sheriff glanced upon her, as if not knowing what to say. At last he shrugged, waving his hand.
"I see, daughter, that you've got your heart's desire. Are you content?"
Marian nodded with a warm smile.
"Yes, Father. I am truly content."
By his father's side, Gilbert smiled, his face a seeming picture of brotherly affection.
"Good, then. Because you've got your brother to thank for this..." the sheriff muttered, but Gilbert laughed, touching his father's shoulder lightly.
"Oh, Father, do not tell her what I said."
"Tell me what?" Marian asked, her face still bright and flushed with the excitement of her win.
The sheriff smiled indulgently, patting his daughter's head. "Never you mind, just your brother, doing what brothers do."
"What do brothers do?" Marian asked, widening her eyes.
And Emma's chest tightened, knowing what Gilbert was attempting to do. It seemed he'd already led his father to believe he'd gallantly let his sister win, because his pride could never take the blow of being bested by her. Marian paled, because, in spite of her skill as an archer and of her confidence in herself, she was still very young and tender, and easily swayed or hurt by cunning words. Besides, it was plain to Emma that the girl still pined for her father's warm regard, even if she was not deceived in her brother.
Emma placed a staying hand on Arthen's shoulder, because she caught the look of sheer, unfettered anger which crossed his eyes.
"Certainly, my lady. Your brother behaved most gallantly, don't you find?" Emma said smoothly, forcing Marian to focus upon her and not upon Gilbert's face.
She cast the girl a tell-tale gaze which urged her not to let herself be hurt by her brother's spite. And Marian, who within herself knew who the true winner was, breathed deep and, to Emma's relief, returned the gaze steadily.
"Why, thank you, brother, for your care," she said with a graceful curtsy and a smile when at last she made herself look upon Gilbert.
Emma had to bite hard within her lip not to grin widely when Gilbert's face darkened upon watching his sister's smiling composure. The sheriff looked from one to the other with distracted benevolence, but spoke in a pointed voice, which held no room for further argument, "Well, it's done and over with now, daughter. Certainly, it's the first and last time I let you enter such a contest. Diverting as it is, you're still a lady, and it is already unseemly I've indulged you in this foolery. Go changethese silly, fanciful garments. And never seek to wear them again!"
Gilbert's face broke into a fully malicious grin as Marian's countenance paled. But fortunately, his father soon called upon him, and he could not spend long gloating upon his sister's misery. They both went to join their retinue of men, bidding Marian to join them once she was changed in her proper attire. In her archer's garments, the girl stared after them, with her face drawn and now devoid of the joy she'd shown before.
"You know Gilbert's just spiteful. You won fair and square. And you should rejoice," Arthen said in a level voice, when Marian's father and brother were out of hearing range.
Marian nodded. But Emma already knew it was not the thought of the contest that now darkened the girl's thoughts. After today's victory, the sheriff would never let her touch a bow again. Her brother had already made sure of it.
In spite of herself, Emma spoke the words which had lingered on her mind ever since she'd seen Marian in the archer's garb.