Tod was there. He sat on the grass beside the spring in the rowan hollow, the bundle of his belongings beside him, head bowed, rosary wrapped tightly around hands folded in prayer.

Rook sat down beside him. Tod did not look up, but he must have heard his footsteps.

"You found me," he said at last.

"I thought you'd gone," said Rook.

Tod stared at the string of wooden beads, folded over his hands. "I meant to."

"If you didn't want to be found, you wouldn't have come here," Rook pointed out.

The rowan hollow had been the little outlaw band's first home. They had lived there the first time Tod came to the forest. It was a sacred place, protected by Rowan's otherworldly kin, the aelfe.

"I'm sorry," said Rook.

"For what?"

"I thought you wanted -" Rook broke off, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter. I misunderstood ... something. I shouldn't have kissed you. Not without making sure it was what you wanted."

"You did nothing wrong, Rook," Tod said quietly. "You were honest about your feelings. I wasn't."

"I won't do it again," Rook promised. "You don't have to leave on my account. I know you've been happy here. The others want you to stay. And I - I'd rather have you here, just as my friend, than not have you here at all."

Tod looked up, his eyes full of misery. "I can't."

"Because of me?"

Tod nodded. "It's not your fault, but yes. Because of you."

Rook bit his lip, feeling helpless. "Rowan said you were afraid. Maybe of me."

Tod hung his head again. "Rowan is right. I'm a coward."

"You're not!" Rook objected. "You're the bravest person I know! Except for maybe Rowan."

Tod looked down at his hands, twisted together, and shook his head. "I thought I could do it. It was so simple, when I said my vows: poverty, chastity, obedience. A simple life of service. I thought my heart died with Zaahir, and I would never feel anything for anyone again."

"I'm not trying to take his place," said Rook. "I know I never could. That I'm nothing like him. I didn't mean to make you break your vows, or feel like you had betrayed him."

"That's not what I'm afraid of. I came back to Sherwood to find peace." Tod pressed his lips together, then continued slowly, "Since I've been here again, I've felt - like a garden, warmed by the sun, coming awake after a long winter. I felt my heart beating in my breast for the first time since -" He broke off, shaking his head, and looked up at Rook. "At first, I thought it was only the beauty and the peace of the greenwood, working its healing magic on me. But as the days passed, I began to realise it was you."

Rook stared at him. "Me?"

Tod nodded. "I tried to ignore it at first. To deny it. I thought that if I pretended it wasn't happening, perhaps I could will it away. But - the sweetness of my time with you, and the way you looked at me -" Tod sighed and looked down at his hands again. "And then you kissed me, and for a moment, I broke my vows and forgot about everything else, because I wanted it so much."

Rook's hands clenched into fists, to keep himself from reaching for Tod. "If you wanted it, then why did you say it was a mistake?"

"Because it was," said Tod regretfully. "It was unfair to you, to encourage your feelings. If I hadn't let it happen, we might have carried on as we were, and taken what joy we could in our friendship. But now it's too late to pretend there's nothing more between us. That's why I must go."

"But you didn't go," objected Rook. "You're here. Anyway, having feelings for someone seems like a stupid reason to leave."

"I'm here because I felt I owed you an explanation, at least," said Tod. "I knew if you wanted one, you would find me. And if you didn't, I would leave tomorrow at first light."

"But why?" Rook demanded.

"Because you're an outlaw," said Tod quietly. "Because your life is dangerous. Because your death stalks this forest, wearing my father's face." He looked up again, eyes filled with sorrow. "Because I could lose you, like I lost Zaahir. I couldn't bear to live through that again."

"Yes," said Rook bitterly, "the life of an outlaw is dangerous. If you go, and I'm killed, do you think that will be better, only because you don't have to know about it, or care?"

Tod's eyes widened. "No! I only meant -"

"There are men of Robin Hood's band who have lived in the greenwood a score of years, or more," Rook cut him off. "I've known old men past sixty who've died peacefully in their sleep, surrounded by friends. It seems to me that the more people I have watching my back and caring for me, the longer I'm likely to live."

Tod hung his head, looking miserable. "I told you I was a coward."

Rook relented. Reaching out, he laid a hand on Tod's arm. "No. You're not a coward. You're just afraid. There's nothing wrong with being afraid, unless it stops you from living your life and being happy."

When Tod said nothing, Rook asked, "Where will you go? Will you keep moving from place to place, starting over again somewhere new, every time you have warm feelings for someone?"

"I don't know," admitted Tod.

"Would he have wanted that for you? Your Zaahir?" Rook pressed. "I didn't know him, but I don't think he would have wanted you to be alone."

Tod closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. He looked as if he might cry. Rook was quiet for a moment, watching his face.

"I know I'm not him," he said. "I don't come from a wealthy family. I can't write you a poem, or kiss you at the top of a - what was it called?"

"A minaret," said Tod.

"A minaret," Rook repeated. "I'm just Rook the outlaw, the son of Jack Pigkeep. But I would try to make you happy, even so."

Tod clutched his beads tighter. He did not look up.

"It doesn't have to be now," Rook said softly. "I can wait, if you need time to heal, and to decide if I'm - if this life is worth it. In the meantime, I'd be glad of a friend."

Tod's head jerked up. He stared at Rook in disbelief. "If you're worth it? Of course you're worth it, Rook!"

"Am I?" said Rook flatly. "A moment ago, you didn't seem to think so."

Tod shook his head. "I'm sorry, Rook. I've been so wrapped up in my own sorrows. I never meant to make you feel unworthy, only because I'm afraid. You have a great heart, and you deserve to be loved well."

"Then stay," urged Rook. "I promise I'll be careful, and I won't let your father get me. He hasn't managed it in the last five years. Imagine how much better off I'll be, with another friend to watch my back."

Tod gave a rueful chuckle. "You make it very hard to argue with your logic."

Rook smiled hesitantly. "So don't. Stay, and make Sherwood your home."

"I would be a great fool not to accept the blessings God has given me," said Tod, a soft look in his brown eyes. "If He has chosen to send me a good man who wants to kiss me and make me happy, how can I refuse?"

"I would hope," said Rook, heart beating faster, "that if I kissed you, you'd be glad of it, not because you think it's what God wants, but because it's what you want."

"I do," Tod confessed quietly. "I'm so afraid, Rook, but I do want you to kiss me, may God preserve us both."

"I'm not afraid," said Rook, but his hands trembled when he cupped Tod's face between them, and his heart pounded as their lips touched, light and hesitant, and so sweet that it took Rook's breath away.

He exhaled in a shaky sigh, his forehead resting against Tod's.

"Ah, Rook," Tod murmured. "My dear, sweet forest bird ..."

His arm circled Rook's waist, gathering him close in another much more fervent kiss. Rook flung his arms about Tod's neck, practically tumbling into him in his enthusiasm. This time, Rook kissed him as long and as thoroughly as he wanted to, holding nothing back. He rejoiced as he felt his own desires echoed by Tod's eager mouth, without anymore hesitation or doubt.

When they paused to catch their breath, Rook rested his chin on Tod's shoulder with a sigh of contentment.

He felt Tod's chuckle almost as much as he heard it. "What's funny?"

"I am," said Tod. "I was a failure at carpentry and shepherding and blacksmithing and soldiering, and now it seems I am a failure as a monk, too."

Rook grinned, feeling giddy. "You could try being an outlaw."

"It may be the only option I have left," Tod laughed. "Is there some test I must pass, to join your outlaw band?"

"You must swear an oath of fealty," said Rook half-seriously, lifting his head to look into Tod's eyes. "That you'll care for and protect each member of the band, as you do yourself."

"And if I should happen to care for one member of the band in particular, a little more than the others?" Tod asked, smiling tenderly.

Rook grinned, and kissed him again. "I won't tell anyone."