KingOfHearts

Snow is my least favorite character at the moment. However, I did thoroughly enjoy her as Bandit Snow and Mary Margaret in S1. After her memory had returned, her character went downhill for some reason. It wasn't the actress - it was the writing. As Dani-Elle said, Snow going all mommy-crazed in S2 onward was her most glaring downfall. Now with Prince Snowflake, she has thrown Emma under the bus even more. In her mind, besides saving their hides from Big Bads every now and again, she doesn't even need Emma any more. Unless the werewolf babysitter is on speed dial, her character development and relationship with Emma seems stifled. Emma and Snow had such a great friendship in S1... where did that go?

Maybe Ruth didn't obtain the ring until after James was sold off? Or perhaps it had too much sentimental value to Ruth to sell. It could have been crafted at Mordor for all I know.

The writers may not know whether Regina should have known who Marian was or not. Perhaps they told Lana in case in S4 they decide for Regina to have known. Since the majority of S4 hasn't been written yet, it could go either way.