Robin was used to sleeping in uncomfortable places. He had spent many nights in the forest as an outlaw, and though it had been a difficult adjustment at first, he found he actually enjoyed it. There was nothing quite like the sound of the wind whistling through the leaves to lull you to sleep, and the hard ground was something to get used to, but at this point he preferred it to the straw mattresses most of the common people slept on.

Spending the night in the dungeon was something else entirely. The comforting sounds of nature were nowhere to be heard; instead, rats scurried about in the darkness, and an unpleasant stench filled the cell. He could barely make out the sturdy iron bars, and instead of the stars, there was only a stone roof above him. But worst of all was the fear. Tomorrow the King would return from his journey, and the first thing the guards would do was tell him of the thief who tried to steal the Golden Bird. Even if he showed mercy, which Robin doubted, there would be no way now that he could bring the bird to Midas in exchange for Little John's freedom. And if the two Kings dug too deeply … well, he didn't even want to consider what might happen if they found the rest of his Merry Men.

And what about Regina? Had she betrayed him? Or had he made some mistake? The questions haunted him, echoing in his mind as he sat in the darkness, unable and unwilling to fall asleep.

But eventually, sleep must have crept up on him, because the next thing he knew there was the light of a torch and the rough hands of the guards hauling him to his feet. They put heavy chains around his wrists and dragged him up out of the dungeons and through the halls of the castle into the throne room, where he was shoved roughly to his knees.

"This is the thief, Your Majesty," said one of the guards.

Unwilling to be forced into submission, Robin lifted his gaze from the hard marble floor to the pair of thrones towering above him. The King sat upon one of them, dressed in majestic robes and a golden crown, with his young daughter at his side, no more than twelve or thirteen years old. Robin opened his mouth to tell the King this was no place for a child, but then he caught sight of the figure on the other throne and his voice caught in his throat. Regina.

He almost didn't recognize her at first, with her hair pulled up in an elegant bun, crown upon her head, dressed in royal finery and seated at the King's side. But there was no mistaking her, even like this. Her face was passive and cold, with just a hint of what might be sadness behind the mask, but he knew that his was a mess of emotion.

"Is it true?" demanded the King. "Did you attempt to steal my golden bird?"

Robin turned his attention back to Leopold. He was so much older than the woman at his side. What could possibly have made her agree to a marriage with a man who could easily have been her father? He felt a sudden urge to jump to his feet and attack the King with his bare fists, but he held himself back.

"I did," he said. "But –"

"There is no excuse for such an action," said the King. "We must provide justice."

"Is it justice to see an innocent man die?" asked Robin, hoping that might catch the King's attention. "I've heard you're a kind and fair ruler. One of my closest friends is being held captive by King Midas. He ordered me to bring him your golden bird. Otherwise my friend will be killed."

He hadn't even finished speaking when he realized it would be no use. The King shook his head.

"Such a thing could start a war," he said. "I do not believe you. But since you have lied to me …"

"Milord, perhaps he is telling the truth," said Regina cautiously. "King Midas has always envied your golden bird, has he not? Perhaps he couldn't resist the temptation."

Leopold hesitated. Robin could tell he was reluctant to agree, but Regina had put the question in his mind, and perhaps that would be enough. Then, from her place at his side, Snow White suddenly piped up.

"Daddy, can he steal something for me?"

The King turned to his daughter with a fond expression.

"My dear Snow, what could you possibly desire that you do not already have? There is no need for this thief's assistance; whatever you want, I can give you."

Snow looked from her father to Robin, a curious gleam in her eye.

"What about King George's horse? The magical one that can run as fast as the wind. I'd give anything for a steed like that! Please, daddy?"

King Leopold chuckled and patted his daughter on the head.

"My dear child …"

"I won my first ribbon last week," Snow insisted. "The first of many, I'm sure. Don't I deserve something special?"

Robin couldn't contain a little smile as he watched the Princess give her father the most adorable sad puppy face he had ever seen. Regina, on the other hand, did not look even vaguely amused. Bratty, she had said. Selfish. Well, perhaps the girl was a bit spoiled, but …

"Can you do this, thief?"

Kin Leopold's voice cut through Robin's thoughts.

"It would be difficult, Your Majesty," he said.

"You must do it," said King Leopold. "Succeed, and your life will be spared. I will even give you the golden bird as a reward."

Robin's eyes lit up. For the first time that day, he felt lighter, more hopeful. There was still a chance, however small.

"Fail, and you must never return to my kingdom, on pain of death."

Well, of course. That was to be expected, he thought. Still, what an unexpectedly pleasant turn of events. Instead of being executed, he would live, and he had another chance to save Little John. Everything would be all right.

Or … perhaps not everything, he thought as he glanced once more at Regina. The future he had imagined for them – what whimsical fantasies he'd had, the two of them riding off into the sunset and living happily ever after – could surely never come true now. She was married, but even more importantly, she was the Queen. Even if she hadn't gotten him caught on purpose, there was no way she would even look twice at a common thief like him. Whatever connection he had imagined, it couldn't possibly have been real.

Why did that make his heart ache so badly?