Disclaimer: I do not own Rowan Hood, or else it would be a BBC miniseries by now.

Robin could hardly believe his eyes.

"Todd, lad. Is it really you?"

"Of course, Robin." Laughed the boy. His eyes were alight with excitement in the face of danger. "Now, we had best get you free before anyone sees."

"But Todd, how did you find us? By my weary eyes, it's been so long since you left us. Look how you've grown." He said fondly. Todd nodded quickly but quickly replied,

"There will be time for explanations later."

Behind Robin, there was a shifting as the other outlaws rose and crowded to the bars.

"How are we to escape?" Little John asked Todd, listening intently to his leadership. Todd drew from his belt a set of keys and proceeded to try each one in the lock as he spoke.

"Once I get you out of the cell, we will have to grab the guards from behind and take their weapons. As long as we keep them from raising the alarm, we should be able to sneak through the square and to the stables. I figure we'll have a few moments to ride out of the gates before they can stop us."

"There's a great deal of risk involved." Robin stated.

"I know. But we have no other choice." Todd responded darkly. Robin studied him as he tested the keys, warm crinkle in the corners of his eyes.

"You really have grown. I can hardly believe you are the same young man who came to us all those months ago." Finally, the correct key was fitted, and Todd swung the door open.

"Come on."

***X***

Rook was fading fast. Little over an hour had passed since Robin and his men had disappeared with the Sheriff. At first, Rook had tried to stop up the blood by pressing his hand firmly against the wounds. It was to no avail; even the slightest movement or pressure pushed the iron teeth further into his flesh. It was torture, far worse than anything the Sheriff had unleashed on him in his search for Robin.

And Robin…Lady, Rook felt sick to think of what he had caused. He had failed. He had betrayed the man, and lured the outlaws to their death. If Rowan knew what he had done…It did not bear thinking about. Rook found it more painful than the wound itself, knowing that he was going to die cursed and hated. He would die alone, without a friend in the world. And no one would care that he had perished so awfully. Only a few tears worked their way down his dirtied cheeks; he was too weak to shed more. Soon, his consciousness would leave him.

Darkness rimmed around the edges of his vision. No. His last ounce of strength swelled forth, raging against death. No, he would not die like this. He would not go quietly.

Death could not take him. Not like this. Panic flared in his mind, but some fuzzy sensation began to spread through him, and he found himself utterly powerless. Blackness closed in around Rook, his thoughts trailing to an end.

No. No, please. Not like this.

***X***

All went according to plan as they neared guards' chamber at the front of the jail. The outlaws crept silently, Robin and Todd at the head.

"How many are there, lad? Can you see?" Robin whispered. They were angled behind the doorway, Todd in just the right position to peer around the corner.

"Six. A few playing dice, one sitting back with a drink, and another couple talking on the farside." He answered quietly.

"Good. We can overtake them. We'll need to take our weapons back once we get in there, though, don't forget."

Robin turned back to his mates and motioned them forward. Once they were huddled together, he hastily explained the plan.

"Todd, I need you to go into the open, just enough to attract the guards- then run back this way. We shall take them by surprise. John, I trust you can use your strength with that advantage."

John nodded surely, and each followed in suit.

"Alright." Todd turned and made to go, but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Robin held him back long enough to say,

"Be careful." He looked at him hard, cautioning in earnest. Todd nodded and dashed away.

"Hey! You there, stop!" Came the cry of a guard. Todd sprinted back through the doorway. Behind him followed the guards, still befuddled by the sudden appearance of the young man, and unaware of the attack that was about to befall them.

"Now!"

The outlaws leapt upon the unsuspecting men. The battle was a quick and decisive one. John brought two to unconsciousness by bashing their heads together with great force; meanwhile, Robin took down his foe with but a few well-aimed punches. It seemed as though all of them had fallen.

But a resounding battle-cry alerted the outlaws to the last of the guardsmen; the man had quick enough thought to pull his sword from its scabbard. He lunged, aiming the blade at Robin's heart.

"No!" Robin had braced himself for the blow, but it did not come. Instead, Todd had thrown himself in front of Robin, and met the sword with a dagger of his own. The boy took advantage of the guard's momentary hesitation, and threw him backwards, slashing the man's torso. The enemy fell to his knees with a howl of pain.

"Come on!" Todd called over his shoulder to the outlaws.

The men glanced around at each other, awe and disbelief lingering in the silence.

"He saved my life." Robin said dumbly. John sobered first, and maneuvered his leader towards the outer room.

"Come, Robin. We're not free yet."