Ranger's Apprentice - Race For Halt

Ch. 26

A few weeks later, Will had gained many new skills.
At least he considered them new.
He could shoot fairly well. He could care for Tug. He could move silently, and without being seen. He could even climb trees to their very tops.
But he couldn't remember.
It was frustrating. It was as if a person or event would swim at the edge of his memory, but if he tried to catch it, it always escaped.
Now he was sitting in his cabin, staring at the floor.
So many important things, he thought. Why can't I remember them!
At that moment, Halt walked in from gathering wood.
"Anything new?" He asked, as he did every day.
"No." Will sighed.
Halt placed the wood by the fireplace and sat in the chair next to Will.
"It will come." He said.
Will stood up in frustration.
"No it won't, Halt." He said. "You keep saying that, but it doesn't. I made small progress, but nothing since. I only know your names now because you told me and because I see you daily. It's like I have to start from scratch!"
When he was done, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his mouth to speak, but a noise outside stopped him.
Tug and Abalard whinned in greeting.
"Who's that?" Will asked, suddenly alerted.
Halt stayed relaxed.
"Nobody threatening," he replied. "The horsed were greeting, not warning."
A few seconds later, heavy footsteps thudded up the veranda. The door burst open and a scrappy, blonde woman rushed inside. Her eyes were wild but relaxed a bit when the found Will.
"Will!" The girl cried. She ran to him and hugged him.
Confused, Will glanced at Halt. He looked sad.
"Maddie," Halt said. "Will doesn't remember you."
Maddie stepped back and wiped her eyes. She'd been crying.
"I know," she said. "I just- I couldn't help it."
Halt stood and walked over to the two of them.
"Will," he said. "You remember when I told you about Maddie?"
Will thought for a moment and then glanced at the girl.
"You're Maddie?" He asked. Maddie nodded.
"She's your goddaughter." Halt said.
Nobody moved. Maddie and Will stared at each other, both pleading in their thoughts that Will could remember. Halt watched Will, waiting for a reaction.
Finally, Will broke contact. He looked away and sighed.
"I'm sorry," he said.
Maddie lowered her eyes and Halt put a hand on her arm.
"I need to go back to Pauline." He said. "Maddie, the nurse said Will needs someone with him at all times. Could you...?"
"Of course." Maddie said. Her voice was small.
Halt nodded and left, closing the door behind him. A few minutes later, Abalard's hooves faded away.
"You look awful," Will said. Maddie chuckled.
"Thanks." She said.
"I mean, I didn't mean it that way, just..."
"I know what you meant," Maddie said. "I haven't slept well these past days on my way back here."
"Why?"
Maddie didn't answer at first. Truth be told, she was worried about Will. But she also had the decision...
It was worth a shot. What did she have to lose?
"I have to make a decision," she began. "I'm a Ranger, but, I'm also the Crown Princess, soon to be Queen..."
"You have to choose one or the other." Will finished. Maddie choked back a sob. It was so much like their conversation only months ago. But Will wouldn't know that.
"Which do you enjoy?" Will asked.
Maddie looked at him. "What?"
"Which do you enjoy the most? Ranger or Ruler?"
Which did she enjoy most? Her heart said Ranger...
"I'm not sure," she answered.
"Well, from what I've gathered, being a Ranger is a lot of pressure, decision making, talants, and adventures." Will said. "But so is being Queen. They can't be that much different, really."
Maddie had no reply. Will was right. There wasn't much a difference. The things she loved about being a Ranger were also found in being Queen.
The only difference was that once followed Will's steps and one followered her mother's. And that was what Maddie had been letting influence her decision.
"Will..." Maddie breathed. "Thank you."
Will smiled.
"Well, I'm going to head to sleep," he announced. "You want the bed?"
"No," Maddie replied. "You can have it. I'll sleep here."
Will paused for a second as he looked at Maddie. She looked exhausted. She said she hadn't had a good rest in days.
"Maddie," he said. The girl look up at him. "Take the bed."
"Will, I'm fine here-"
"Take it." He said. "If for no other reason, to help me feel like I'm helping someone else for a change."
Maddie smiled and stood up, heading to the bed. She laid on the comfortable mattress and closed her eyes.
Will, you have helped other people, she thought. More than you know.
With that though, Maddie drifted to sleep.