Ranger's Apprentice - The Afterwards

Ch. 23

Maddie felt every muscle in her body relax. It was all okay. Will was here. He came for her.
At that moment, the old Ranger stepped out if the trees. His face was full of concern and worry as he dropped his bow and ran to her. Maddie cried as he wrapped his strong arms around her.
"Will," she whispered between tears. "You came."
"Maddie," Will breathed. He stroked her hair and Maddie could feel him shaking as he cried with her.
"Are you hurt? What did they do to you, Maddie?" Will babbled. He pulled back to look at her face.
"I'm okay, Will. My leg is hurt but, nothing major." She replied. Will looked at her for a long moment before turning to Jason.
"You?" He asked.
"Fine, sir." Jason replied. "But Maddie, are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes," she said. "I'll be okay."
Will shook his head. "He didn't ask if you were okay, Maddie. He asked if you were alright."
Maddie looked at Will and laughed at the memory. Will laughed too.
Maddie shifted uncomfortably. Her leg had begun to give her problems again, but she didn't want to say it.
Will noticed and looked at her carefully.
"You're absolutely sure you're not hurting?" He asked.
Maddie opened her mouth to deny it once more, but something stopped her. These past few weeks, all anyone could tell her was to let people help her if she needed it. Part of Maddie knew she needed help now. After all, there was a very low chance she'd be able to make it all the way back to the hill without collapsing. The fact was, she needed help, and Will and Jason wanted to help her.
"Actually," she said slowly. "Yes. I- I am. My leg is hurting pretty bad..." Maddie looked at Will and saw him gazing and her leg.
"Sit down," he ordered. "I have a few things in my bedroll to help with that."
Maddie struggled to sit. Jason helped her so that she didn't have to bend her left knee more than absolutely necessary.
Once she was laying down (admittedly, she had to lay her head on Jason's lap again, but she wasn't too upset over it) Will set to work cleaning and bandaging the wound. Maddie did her best to keep herself from screaming, but it slipped through her lips several times. Each time, Jason would stroke her hair and Will stopped to calm her down.
"I'm sorry, Maddie. I know it hurts. We're almost there," he would say.
About ten minutes later, they were done. Maddie was breathing hard and her face was sweaty.
"All done, Maddie." Will promised.
"Okay." She said between her teeth.
"What now?" Jason asked.
"We go home." Will replied.
"No!" Maddie cried, sitting up. Will stared at her in confusion.
"What?" He asked.
"Will," she said, struggling to stand. Jason and Will quickly helped her up, Jason keeping his hands around her waist so she wouldn't fall. "We can't just leave."
"What do you mean, Maddie? Of course we can." Will replied.
"No! Will, there's a group of at least two dozen bandits in these woods. They took us, who knows who else they could hurt. We're Rangers. It's our job to catch them."
Will didn't answer for a long time. The three of them were quiet until Maddie added one last line.
"You know I'm right, Will." She said. Slowly, Will nodded.
"I know," he admitted. "But how do you suggest we do this? We can't bring Jason along. He's too tired and he doesn't have a weapon."
Jason began to protest, but Maddie stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"He's right, Jason." She said. "I can't risk you getting hurt." When Jason didn't reply, Maddie turned back to Will.
"I can use your weapons to hold them off. You take Jason back to the castle. I'll come back when I'm-"
"No!" Both men chorused.
"Absolutely not, Maddie." Jason said.
"You're hurt! There's no way you can hold them off!" Will added. He paused before telling the two young adults the plan.
"Maddie," he said. "You will take Jason back to the castle. I'll meet you there. Leave Tug. Bumper should be able to carry you both."
Maddie's pulse quickened. There was no escaping the plan. It made perfect sense. But every little voice in her head was screaming at her not to leave Will alone.
"Will..." She said, helplessly. Her mentor put a hand on her shoulder and smiled.
"It will be okay, Maddie." He said.
Maddie grabbed Jason's hand and started back toward the hill. As she limped away, her mind flashed back to herself, riding away from Will two nights ago, crying. It was like that now, she thought.
Only this time, she turned back.
"Be careful, Will." She pled. He looked back at her with determined eyes.
"I will." He promised.
And they parted.