Ned's nerves are wound pretty tight right now, understandably, and so he doesn't think anyone could blame him for yelping at the sound of breaking glass and a loud THUMP from upstairs. When a rock comes sailing in through the window in this room and hits Charlie, however, he realizes that, just maybe, his luck is turning for the better. He twists in place and his heart leaps when he sees River coming in the window. It take a moment to recognize her, what with the fact that she's rather more tree-ish than Ned is used to, but it's unmistakably her.

"River!" he exhales, and the relief he feels at that moment is overwhelming. It doesn't last; Charlie looks like he's up for a fight, and Ned starts immediately conjuring unpleasant what-ifs. He doesn't want River to get hurt, ever, but he especially doesn't want her to get hurt trying to help him. Then it will be his fault, and he won't be able to bear it. And Charlie is starting to glow and looks like he could murder her where she stands. Ned starts tugging at his bonds in more earnest. He doesn't care if he has to break all of his fingers to get free, he has to help...