Disclaimer: I do not own Rowan Hood.

A/N: Okay, Sheriff time! I based the Sheriff on the version of his character in Robin Hood BBC- a fantastic show, I assure you- so I hope you enjoy. This chapter gets a little darker; torture warning, though it's not too bad. I thought I would play off the last chapter with a little bit of irony, using Lionel' s comment about Rook spilling all of their secrets to the Sheriff. Oh, if he only knew…So anyway, please read and review.

Rook's first conscious thought was pain. The blow to his head had left a throbbing ache, and Rook had to focus all his strength to even open his eyes. Once he did, he was reminded of brush with death and his capture- and fear enveloped him. He had been spared to be used for information. And it was the Sheriff who would control his fate.

"He's waking up, sir." Rook heard a voice say from somewhere nearby.

"Ah, yes, the little woods brat has returned to us." A cruel, mocking voice replied. Rook's eyes came to focus, and he saw above him the man he had deemed his mortal enemy, ever since that fateful day of his father's death.

"String him up, men." The guards seized Rook and dragged him upright, forcing him to stand while they tied his arms up above him, bound to a low hanging tree branch.

"I was just passing through the forest, and imagine my surprise when my men came back with an outlaw for my disposal." He grinned at the boy. "Do not fear: I will not kill you…yet. I have a rarer prize in mind." He approached Rook slowly, and said in a dangerously calm voice,

"Now tell me, where is Robin Hood?" The sheriff eyed him, a trace of impatience present behind his smirk. Rook kept his silence. The man began to circle him as he said. "All right. I see you are going to be difficult. Keep in mind boy, I have no qualms about hurting you. You're gallows' meat, anyways."

The sheriff came to a stop close to the outlaws face.

"But heed me: if you do not give me the information I need now, I will break you. I will get what I want one way or another."

Rook met the sheriff's gaze and glared back at him. The sheriff grinned, showing the few teeth he still had and said in menacing interest,

"So, what will it be?" Rook welled with hatred for the man before him. He spat in his face. The sheriff jumped back, wiping the spittle off his cheek with disgust. His features darkened with anger, and in a single motion he moved forward and back-handed Rook across the face.

Rook yelped in surprise, the strike taking him of guard. His head snapped to the side and a thin cut was left where the man's ring had grazed him.

"You dare to show me disrespect, and you will pay for it. I gave you a chance and you chose foolishness." The sheriff grabbed him by the throat and drew him closer as he whispered,

"I show no mercy to fools."

He thrust the outlaw back and ordered one of his men,

"Bring me a horsewhip." Rook gulped, fear clotting in him. He knew there would be torture, but he had not counted on a thrashing. He realized painfully that he was about to understand how Todd had been hurt. His stomach knotted when he remembered what the boy's scars had looked like.

The sheriff twisted the leather cord around his fingers, testing the thickness, and glancing up to see the expression on his victim's face. Rook restrained himself from showing his fear. He sucked in a breath and set his face into an unreadable mask, ignoring the churning in his stomach.

"That's right. Act brave. I'll have you screaming for me to stop before this is over." The man said, glorying in his control over what was about to happen. He tore Rook's jerkin open, leaving the pale skin on his back vulnerable. Rook could not see the Sheriff as he raised the whip, and so failed to brace himself before the first blow was landed. The leather tore into his skin, ripping from the nape of his neck to the bottom of his spine. Rook gasped, but quickly bit his lip to silence himself. He would not play the sheriff's sadistic little game.

"One." The Sheriff said darkly. He raised the whip again. The crack of the lash caused him to jerk just as much as the sharp impact. Without warning, another blow landed, causing Rook to draw blood from the lip he bit so hard.

"Two. Three." The man said. "Where is Robin Hood?" He didn't answer and the sheriff raised the whip to strike again. Every inch of Rook screamed for him to preserve himself.

"I don't know where he is!" Rook gasped out. The sheriff smiled broadly.

"I'm afraid that's not good enough. Where is he?" Rook just shook his head madly. The Sheriff took it as refusal to answer and brought the lash down again.

"Four! Five! Six!" The Sheriff exclaimed wildly. Each blow was agony for Rook, the harsh leather biting into him, and the marks crisscrossing in a lattice over his skin. Rook could hold it in no more. His bravery could only do so much; he cried out.

"Now maybe you'll see the wisdom in talking." The Sheriff said grinning broadly. Rook's brow furrowed against the pain, and he bit out,

"Never!" The Sheriff shook his head and said with sneer,

"You think you're protecting them? Do you really think for one moment that if Hood or any of your outlaw friends were in your position, that they would defend you?"

"I know it!" Rook gasped between pants.

"Then you are truly a fool, boy. They don't care about you, they're too concerned about saving their own hides!" Rook opened his mouth to retort, but the Sheriff beat him to it. "If they care about you, then where are they? Why haven't they come to save you?"

Rook tried to speak, but could think of no reply. To tell the truth would be to give away his friends, which he would die before doing. But he could not stand the look of pure smugness on the Sheriff's face. It had to be challenged.

"You'll never find them!"

The Sheriff eyed him curiously, as if trying to discern the best method of persuasion, or rather, torture. His cruel eyes flickered, and Rook could almost see the plan forming there.

"Perhaps we should try something different." He gestured to his guards. "Take him down"

Rough hands seized the outlaw and cut the rope binding his arms above him. They pulled a second rope tight around his wrists and used it to drag him to the Sheriff, where he was thrown unceremoniously at the man's feet. The Sheriff seized the boy's hair and forced his head back.

"Now listen close: I want to find Robin Hood, and I know you can take me to him. Lead me to his camp and I will spare your life. But, should you lead me on an endless chase…your head will be hanging from my saddle before you can say 'Prince John'. It's no use trying to trick me, I know his camp lies under a giant oak tree in the forest. You're going to show me where that tree is." The Sheriff forced him to his feet and pushed him forward, one hand grasping the rope-leash. "Now start walking."

Rook stumbled forward, his mind furiously trying to work out a plan. He was as good as dead. He couldn't lead them astray. He couldn't give away the camp. But Rook knew already that he would have no choice if he wanted to survive. If he was lucky, someone would find him before it was too late. Robin must be on his way back by now, Rook tried to convince himself. He will come for me.