Disclaimer: I do not own Rowan Hood. I do not own it in a box, I do not own it with a fox…

A/N: Things are heating up! Super long chapter this time. Please read and review! Enjoy…

The sheriff dragged him down the ravine, his fist entangled in the boy's raven-black cropping of hair. He hauled him through the underbrush whilst exclaiming cheerily,

"You may think you can stand up to me, but soon you'll know your folly. You will deliver Robin Hood into my waiting hands."

The came to a quick halt at the bottom of the ravine, and the sheriff shoved him hard towards a folding crevasse in the ground. He fell into the ditch, the jaws of the mantrap snapping shut on his leg and shattering the bone. Rook could not help the cry of anguish that tore from his throat.

"Now, you see, we have an interesting situation." The sheriff said, idly stroking the hair back from Rook's forehead. The boy was paling rapidly and trying his best to hold in the whimpers of pain.

"I'll give you a choice: Whistle your little signal, that Hood and all his outlaw friends will come to save you. I'll even wait until they free you from the trap and staunch the blood." He said, his tongue lingering on the word blood. Rook shivered and tried to pull himself out of reach as the man moved his hand to the outlaw's face, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb, almost too gently.

"Or…" He cupped the boy's face and roughly turned it to him, his nails digging into the boy's skin. "You can stay in the trap and die." He came closer to Rook. "A long and painful death. Just like your father." He smirked as he drew back.

"It's your choice."

Rook breathed heavily, desperately trying to stay awake. The pain was unbearable. He would not last long like this, the sharp metal grinding into his flesh and freeing fresh blood. Loyalty and instinct warred inside him. He couldn't give up Robin. But to refuse the sheriff was to except his death sentence. No matter how he thought of it he knew the truth: he did not want to die like his father. The idea terrified him, for the sheriff was right- he would die alone. It was an enormity. The will to survive overcame Rook, and he surrendered once more to betrayal. Shakily, he raised his fingers to his mouth. He saw the sheriff's smile grow wider at the prospect of winning this cruel game he had begun. Lady, forgive me. Rook thought. Robin forgive him. He had to do it. His bloodied fingers met coarse lips and he blew. The signal was sent. There was no going back now.

Robin perked up his ears, silencing his men with a single gesture. He had definitely heard the signal. Someone was in trouble. But who? Could it be Rowan? He choked back panic at the thought. If it was not her, than one of the others. They were hurt or captured, and if Robin didn't get there soon…he pushed the thought from his mind, racing in the direction of the call, a few of his men following.

Rook glanced up at the snapping of twigs just ahead of him. He thought the urge to be sick as he shifted painfully in the trap, aware that he had finally been found. Once Robin had seen him, the outlaw and his three men raced into the ravine to help him.

"Rook!" Robin yelled, horrorstruck by what he had found.

"A mantrap!"

"Lady have mercy!"

Each of the out laws wore shocked and appalled expressions as they neared him. Suddenly, Rook realized, with a jolt of his stomach, exactly what he had done. They would all be captured. All these men, trying to help him, killed because of him. With what strength he had left, he shouted his warning.

"Robin! Run, it's a trap!" Robin stopped abruptly looking confused. "Run!" Rook screamed again, wild-eyed. The other outlaws snapped out of their pause and managed to pull Robin along with them. But it was too late. The sheriff's men rose from their hiding places among the rocks. They were surrounded.

"Well, well. Nice of you to join us, Hood." The sheriff mocked, moving in on the outlaws, like a predator to his prey.

"No really, the pleasure is all mine." Robin spat back in false courtesy. He was defiant even in the face of defeat.

"You really ought not to have underestimated me, Robin. I told you I would catch you, and thanks to your little friend," He gestured to Rook where he lay gasping and trying to dodge the eyes of Robin, thinking surely they would show only betrayal, "I finally have you. He was most helpful too, giving me all the information I wanted. It did not take much pain to get him to respond. Really Hood, I'd think you would surround yourself with more enduring men." Though pale and weakening, Rook's face still flushed in embarrassment, but he had no strength to respond.

"Leave him ought of this!" Said Robin heatedly. "Let he and my men go and I will come quietly. This is between you and me."

The sheriff grinned wickedly at that and said snidely,

"While that is a tempting offer, I would not be pleased with anything less than the complete set. Besides, you are not in much of a position to be bargaining with me." He turned and strode over to Rook, kneeling down by the trap.

"You, my friend," He began coldly, "have been a great help to me." He reached out a hand and thumped him on the shoulder. Rook gasped with pain at the impact.

The sheriff stood and gestured to some of his soldiers,

"Come and take him from the trap. He has fulfilled his word."

There was no comforting hand or kind words from any of the men as they wrenched open the trap with a loud screech. Rook had told himself he wouldn't scream. He had always been good at lying to himself. Almost immediately, scarlet blood began to gush from his wounds, and Rook had to turn away so as not to faint from the sight.

"On the other hand," The sheriff said, just as one of the soldiers reached around Rook to pull him out of the trap. "Hood was not to have been warned of what was coming." He turned and smirked at Rook. "You see boy, your actions could have had severe consequences if Hood had, say, gotten away. I believe that changes our agreement. Close the trap." Rook thrashed to get away as the soldier nearest him re-sprung the trap. It clanged into place reentering his recent wounds. Rook cried out, a horrible moan of torture.

"This is the price you pay for your stupidity." The Sheriff sneered. "Now on to Nottingham." He declared, cheerily. He shot a look over his shoulder at the boy and said, "So nice to have met you, Rook."

"Let him go! You can't leave him like that!" Robin yelled as he was dragged away with his men.

"Robin…" Rook called softly, tears of pain beginning to trickle down his face. "Robin, I'm sorry."

Robin could do no more than look forlornly at the outlaw before he was turned and marched out of sight. Rook was left alone. The peaceful atmosphere of the forest was disrupted only by the sound of weak sobs.

"Do you think he's still alive?" The question was voiced so softly, for a moment Little John wasn't sure it had been spoken. He glanced over to the corner of the cell where Robin sat, curled up, his face set in grim sadness.

"Take heart, Robin. He may yet be alive." The outlaw said reassuringly.

"But for how long?" Robin's usually sparkling eyes were dark and cold as they flickered up at John; there was no hint of anything but seriousness. John thought carefully before he replied.

"Rook is a strong lad. He's survived much in his time. If his will is strong, I believe he will pull through."

"I wish I could save him." Robin said, emotion evident in his voice. "I have a debt to him that now I cannot pay. He suffers in the mantrap for warning me. He tried to protect me, and for what? Now we are both consigned to die." John shifted and attempted to reach a comforting hand to Robin, but the chains kept them too far apart. He drew back and sighed.

"Then we will pray." John said. "Lady save the boy. Save us."

Suddenly a hushed whisper broke the silence.

"Robin!"

The four outlaws looked up towards the voice, finding a small figure clad in the livery of the sheriff. Once he drew closer, his boyish face could be seen under the helmet. Robin recognized him first.

"Todd! By my troth! What are you doing here?" Robin whispered excitedly, his customary grin lighting up his face.

"Rescuing you, of course!" The boy said, smiling in return.