Ranger's Apprentices (Will X Reader) Book 1 (Discontinued for now)

Chapter 1

(Y/n) P.O.V

"(Y/n), Will, you two had better eat," Jenny, round faced and blonde haired, said. "After all your going to need your strength, tomorrow's an important day!" She said excitedly, offering us both a smile of encouragement. Of course it's an important day, it's Choosing Day! It's the day that our yearmates are all 15 and we get chosen to be apprentices to the craftmasters! I tried to smile at her but I failed miserably, I was to worried about tomorrows outcome, to the point where I wouldn't eat my favorite soup.

Not only was it possible that I don't get picked by a craftmasters, but it was almost certain that I would be separated from my best friend. That's definitely my greatest fear going into this. I know I cant do anything to stop it but I can't help but fell sad about this whole thing. Tomorrow I'm gonna lose my best friend and probably get sent to the fields to be a farmhand. Not exactly a life that would suit me but it might be all I've got. I can't cook all too well, I have average handwriting, and I'm not to elegant or diplomatic. "Sorry Jen, but I'm just not hungry," I told her apologetically. "Nerves I imagine," George said. He was a thin studious boy, fascinated by rules and a penchant for debating both sides of an argument. He'll make a good scribe, I thought to myself ruefully.

"Dreadful thing, nervousness. It can just freeze you up to the point where you can't think, can't eat, can't speak," George told us sympathetically. "I'm not nervous," Will said quickly. I looked up from my soup and looked at him questioningly. He jerked his head towards Horace, who I noticed had a sarcastic comment forming on his lips. George nodded, considering Will's statement.

"On the other hand, a little nervousness can help improve performance," he added, "It can heighten your perceptions and sharpen your actions. So the fact that you are worried, I suppose isn't something to be worried about, of itself, - so to speak. I saw Will smile a little bit and a smile touched my lips as well. "He ought to be nervous!" Horace scoffed. "After all, which craftmaster would want him as an apprentice?" I rolled my eyes at Horace. "Of course you would pretend not to be nervous," I smirked.

"And why do you think I'm pretending?" he frowned angrily. "We're all nervous Will, we'd be fools not to be," Alyss said, offering a rare smile to him. "Well I'm not," Horace said boastfully, turning red when Alyss raised and eyebrow at him, Jenny giggled, and I rolled my eyes. "(Y/n) stop rolling your eyes, you'll never become a Courier by being like that," Alyss scolded. Ever since she found out I wanted to be a Courier she's been attempting to give me tips but I just cant get it. Tonight was the night that her scolding hit hard the most. What if I wasn't good enough? As if sensing my thoughts, Will got up and moved to my side of the table before hugging me. This was a normal gesture for us, being best friends and all.

We were both found on the doorstep of Castle Redmont the same week, only 3 days apart actually, Alyss was the only child in the ward at the moment so there was plenty of room for two unknown children, however unusual it might be. The Baron was a kind and helpful man, and he felt he owed Wills father tribute seeing as he died in the battle of Morgarath. We forged an instant bond because of our similar pasts and fact that we both have no last name. My mother died in childbirth just like Wills, though unlike him, I never knew who my father was or what he was.

"So Will," Horace smirked once Will sat down next to me. "Still thinking about applying to Battleschool?" I resisted the urge to fling my way across the table at him, mostly because I knew he would win. Ever since he heard Will telling me about wanting to go to Battleschool he's been patronizing him non stop about it. "Better eat something then. You'll need to build yourself up a little. He snorted with laughter and Will and I both glowered at him. The fact that Horace was probably right didn't help matters further. Whereas Horace was big and muscular, perfect for a warrior, Will was small and wiry, just like me.

Another thing that drew us together was our similar skills and build. Will and I are both incredibly quick and agile, comes with being so small, and surprisingly strong. Unfortunately though, we both know that Wills size won't cut it in Battleschool. Will didn't reply so it felt like Horace had won a verbal point, which was a rarity in their relationship. They had definitely clashed in the past, Will had the scar to prove it and I had the memories of having to treat his bruised and blackened body. Once in a while though his speed and agility would get him away.

But while Horace won physically, Will almost never lost in their verbal battles. His wit was as agile as the rest of him and he almost always managed to have the last word. A skill I admire to some degree, but its that tendency that get's him in trouble most of the time. Horace decided now to press the advantage. "You need muscles to go to battleschool Will. Real muscles," he said, glancing around the table to see if anyone disagreed. The girls, who were quite uncomfortable with the tension between the two boys, stayed silent, looking at their plates.

"Particularly between the ears," Will and I replied at the same time. This happens to us quite a lot actually. Unfortunately Jenny wasn't able to contain her giggle and Horace thought she was laughing at him. Horace's face flushed and he started to rise from his chair but we were quicker, running out of the room together before he could get untangled from his chair. He contented himself with having the final insult. "That's right, run away Will and (Y/n) No-Name! You guys are no names and no one will want you as apprentices!"

In the anteroom outside, Will and I heard the parting sally. I saw the blood go to Wills cheeks and I sighed. It's the taunt he hates the most. I feel the same way, but I kinda like having no name, it means I can earn my last name. I've voiced this opinion to Will numerous times but he keeps forgetting it. "I know what your going to say," Will told me, turning away from me. "Your going to say that I shouldn't let him bother me because we can earn our last names but..." Will started and I shushed him.

Gesturing for him to follow me to the tree. I knew how much battleschool meant to Will. Ever since he found that note that said his father was a hero, he had imagined a knight in shining armor fighting in the war against Morgarath and his Wargals. He was so intent to follow in his footsteps it was almost painful to watch. I on the other hand knew nothing of my father or mother. Only that my mom died in childbirth and that someone (probably my father) had left a bronze oakleaf necklace with me. I clutched that same necklace tight as I led Will out of the castle and into the uncertain light.

I knew he wouldn't want to go back there with Horace so I led him to our only place of solitude. A huge fig tree growing next to the side of the castle. Heights are no problem for Will, or me for that matter so we easily scaled the trunk and got up into the highest branches. Will found a convenient fork in a branch and wedged himself into it. I on the other hand sat in the middle, where there was a solid patch big enough for me to sit and cross my legs, where all the branches converge into the trunk.

I leaned back against a branch, closing my eyes and listening to the sounds of castle Redmont and the sounds of the night. I soon found myself falling asleep as I had done many times in this tree. I was vaguely aware of a bird that had shuffle on the branch above me. By the size and the hoot that it had given when it landed, I estimated that it was a barn owl.

"At least you know who you are," I heard Will whisper to the owl. It ruffled its feathers again and leapt of the branch, taking flight into the cool, dark air. At least I assumed all of this by careful observation. Before I drifted off into sleep I couldn't resist sending one last urge of confidence to Will. "You may not know who you are yet, but when you find out, your going to be amazing," I whispered, not sure if he had even heard me, I fell asleep in the branches of the fig tree with my best friend by my side.

A.N: First chapter! Hope that anyone who reads this likes it so far!!!