Ranger's Apprentice One Shots

Gathering Misfits

There was something refreshing about campouts. Something about the smell of smoke in the air, the food cooking above the seen fire, and the birds' cries with the sound of the streams passing through. Something about the jovialness that spread automatically through the group. There are never negative feelings when a group sits around an open fire, Will noticed. Just... something magical. Memories are made. Laughs are shared. Life is enjoyable.

He came back from relieving himself, smiling as he watched Gilan perform his so-called magic to the Rangers. Recently, he'd taken a liking — more like obsession, really — to sleight-of-hand, but like most beginners, he was failing admirably. At the moment, he attempted to guess which number Tom, a senior Ranger, was thinking of. It took him several guesses. But the group around him laughed, more entertained by Gilan's unblushing comedy than the actual performance.

"Ah, Will, welcome back from your adventure in the woods," Gilan grinned, flinging an arm out to him. Will raised a brow. "Come, join us, we need another volunteer."

Will sat down on the log, accompanied by several other Rangers. "Nah, thanks. I'd rather watch."

Gilan wriggled his brows, as a performer does when they make fun of the audience. "Ooh, are you scared, Will? Too chicken?"

The other Rangers laughed, and Will right along with them. "Yup."

Gilan pouted, then suddenly ducked for cover and shrieked, in such a high pitched tone, all the Rangers whipped to their choice of weapon, expecting a murderer of something to be behind them. They swiveled around quickly, looking 360, but no one was there. When they turned back to Gilan, he was swatting at some bug, ferociously trying to eat his ears, it seemed.

Again, in that high-pitched scream, sounding much like a girl, he jumped away, the bug as persistent as ever. He kept swatting, and finally, at a crouch, he dove into the creek beside them, rolling in the water. The bug kept at it. Gilan ducked under, then jumped up, spraying water everywhere, finally shooing the bug.

Over by the banks, the Rangers were bent double in laughter. Will actually had to lean on a tree for support and several of the older ones had their hands on their knees, laughing like there was no tomorrow. Even Halt laughed, as short as it was. Then he smirked, watching his former apprentice flail in the water like a young child.

Gilan still kept at it, every few moments, crying out again as the bug swarmed him again. More water, slapped in the air like a heavy rain only surrounding Gilan. Though he was in distress, Will, through his laughter, saw how beautiful it was, the sun glinting off hundreds of drops, like in a sun-shower.

Finally, Gilan escaped the bug, running headstrong out of the water, kicking up sand as he went. The Rangers had calmed down, and as he came back, Tom offered him a towel. Then Gilan looked at them, abashed like a mischievous child, and they all broke out into laughter again.

"You should've seen your face!" Ryan, a younger Ranger said, wiping a tear. "Flailing like a girl!"

"It was massive, though!" Gilan countered. "The bug, I swear, it was the size of my hand."

"Not quite, Gil," Will said. "Not quite."

"Maybe from far it looked smaller, but I tell you."

Once all calmed down, the Rangers sat around the fire until the hue of sky was a light blue, and pink lining the clouds. They doused water and sand over the coals, cooling them off. Will loved the sight of the tiny explosions, they looked like, when water hit fire like that.

The Rangers left to their tents, and Will wandered around a bit with Gilan, laughing and reminiscing the memories. Halt didn't bother to go along — he was tired and claimed his old bones couldn't take a hike now. The boys shrugged, anyways hoping Halt wouldn't join. They only asked out of courtesy.

Gilan asked Will about training and whether or not he felt ready for the Oakleaf. Will glanced at the bronze necklace hanging loosely around his neck, grinning. He was only fourth year and still had another full year to complete, but he said yes. At the moment, he didn't stress about it. He knew that in time he would worry, but time for that when time came.

And when the sky twinkled with stars, shining their say in the matters, Will and Gilan strode back to the Gathering site, crawling into their own beds for the night. How lucky Will was to be part of a family like this. How lucky he was to have memories to look back on that made his life his. How lucky he was to have Halt and Gilan and Horace and Alyss. How lucky he was to have support, love, and care. As the stars rotated, and the moon shone, and as the crickets chirped and the grass waved, Will drifted to sleep, his last thought being: How lucky am I.

Yes, my friends and I really splashed water because of a bug for, like, five minutes. Yes, we all looked like ten year old girls. No, we were not doing magic. Yes, we had a grill/fire situation and had tons of fun at a State Park Creek. Yes, I did reflect on nearly all the same thoughts Will had. 

I'm sorry for the late update, don't worry, you guys are constantly on my mind. but I'm juggling a lot at the moment, I said in my other Wattpad series, Merlin One-Shots. GO check it out ;). I'll try to be better about it. No promises. 

Please, comment your thoughts, your likes, your hates and vote and share! Good night!