Ranger Apprentice Shorts

To the ball

"Ready to go?" Will's voice came from outside the room. Alyss glanced at the water clock on her table and winced. They were going to be late.

"Almost," She called back, voice muffled from the pins in her mouth, as she pulled her hair up to twist into an elegant bun. It was tedious and intricate, with way too many pins, and after her third attempt of trying to get it perfect, her frustration started getting the best of her. But it was an important event she was to attend, and it wouldn't do to show up with anything less than a beautiful and elegant look.

It was a ball, hosted by King Duncan of Araluen for the respected King Horacio of Iberion, in celebration of the strong and loyal alliance between their two countries. All important and significant officials from both kingdoms were invited, and that included Rangers and Diplomats. So Will and Alyss had traveled together for days from Redmont to Castle Araluen to attend the prestigious occasion.

"My goodness." The courier turned her head to see Will leaning against the doorframe, looking at her in disbelief. "Does it take this long for you to get ready?"

"Well I would have been ready ages ago," Alyss growled, turning back to face the mirror. "If it weren't for this bloody fancy hairstyle." Her mouth was still filled with pins, and her hands still tangled in her hair.

Will grinned at her obvious struggling. He pushed off of the doorframe and walked to her, looking at her through the mirror.

"Must it be this hairstyle?" He asked curiously. He didn't understand why she had to exert so much effort for something as trivial as...hair.

"Yes, Will," she said impatiently. "This is an important event, and I have to - Hey - no, no, Will, what are you doing?"

For he had begun to gently pull her hair out of her hands.

"Will," She protested, reaching up to take it back, only to have her hands pushed away. "We don't have time for this! Give me back my hair!" The last words came out as a laugh when she realized how ridiculous they sounded.

"Trust me, Alyss," He said, smiling at her. "Let me do your hair."

Alyss sighed and stopped resisting him reluctantly. It was true that he was quite good at doing her hair... but those were just braids! She shut her eyes and breathed a silent prayer that he wouldn't pull her hair into two of those - what he called "adorable" - pigtails.

Alyss couldn't help but admire all the Iberion people in the banquet hall. The exotic guests were all dressed in magnificent and stylish clothing. The was were beautiful and poised, with long dark hair and bronzed skin. The men were tall and well built, with sharp features and piercing eyes and - One of the men turned to look back at her.

Alyss started, hastily looking away. Her cheeks reddened. She hadn't realized she was staring. She raised a glass to her lips to hide her embarrassment, and casually turned her whole body away from the group of fascinating foreigners, hoping to find a distraction behind her.

And walking toward her was the distraction that transcended all other distractions.

Dressed in a stylish grey vest over a silk white shirt - he refused anything with frills - He looked rather striking. It was a contrast to the usually rugged look of a Ranger. His hair was short, neat, and stylish, with a few strands that fell away from the rest. It makes him look even more dashing, she thought. His stubble was cleanly trimmed, and when he looked up and smiled at her it made his dimples stand out.