Ranger Apprentice One-Shots

Tangled Memories pt2

 For a moment, Will was about to laugh and ask his mentor to call the joke off-but something in the steely gaze across from him cut it short in his throat, and make ripples of worry began to stir in him. The Ranger never shifted his gaze, but raised one eyebrow.

 "Well? You'd better have a exceptionally good reason to be in my cabin, helping yourself to my coffee. Who are you, boy?"

 Setting the pot down carefully, Will wiped his hand on his tunic, trying to think fast. "Halt, don't you know me?"

 "I do not." Yet something struggled in the man's eyes for the briefest of moments. Or was it Will's imagination. He tried again. "Remember, I'm your apprentice-"

 The older ranger cut him off with a barking laugh. "Apprentice? I haven't had one since Gilan Davidson. Nice try, but I'll give you one more to answer. Are you from the King? You aren't dressed like a page." Will's own gaze followed Halt's as he took in the dark green tunic, brown pants and soft leather boots. His oakleaf emblem was under his shirt, and the other didn't seem to notice the chain. Halt spoke again, his voice lowering to a dangerous calm that made Will even more nervous. He'd never heard it used on himself before, and it was an unpleasant feeling. "I'll ask for the last time-who. are. you."

  Sick at heart, Will knew the full and bitter truth. That blow to the head...the time unconscious. Halt had lost his memory. Or parts, anyways. If he brought him to town, maybe more would return? The man shifted and he spoke up quickly.

 "You're right. I am from the castle, but I'm not a steward. I'm an-uh, Apprentice. One of the Masters there asked me to see if you would come and check out a-a problem."

 For a horrifying moment, he was sure Halt hadn't bought his story. Then the ranger nodded curtly. "Very well. " Striding over to where Will still stood, he snatched the mug from the younger ranger's hands, glaring. "But no one touches my coffee, is that clear?"

 Will nodded his head hard, hoping to continue the charade of an over-awed and frightened castle apprentice. "Yes Ha-uh, Sir."

 "Very good. We will meet with the Battle-master at the castle right away." As Will followed him out of the door, he heaved an anxious sigh. Things would get better, wouldn't they?

 Once they reached the barn, Tug poked his head out and nickered a greeting. The little horse seemed to sense the concern that held Will tight, and gave him a reassuring nudge. "Thanks, fella."

 Sensing the other man's gaze, he looked up, into Halt's perplexed frown. "That horse shouldn't be here. He's supposed to be at Old Bob's still-did you bring him?" Then the ranger shook his head. "Impossible. He wouldn't have let you touch him."

 Will realized his mouth was hanging open, and quickly shut it. This was worse. He didn't know how to explain the horse.

"No, I didn't. Old Bob must have brought him." Tug nudged Will again, and the boy saw Halt glance suspiciously about. "He shouldn't have. Something is not right, we'll have to check on him as well. Did you walk?" 

This shift in the conversation was almost too much for poor Will. "W-walk?" he stuttered.

"Yes, walk. Usually done with your legs, and over the ground." Halt was being heavily sarcastic now. "You didn't come on this horse and there is no other beast around. For the love of all things-what is wrong with the apprentices these days?"

"I walked," Will replied. He ignored the look Tug gave him that said Liar!.

"hmm. Well, I suppose I had better let you ride with me, then, or we will be all day getting back to the castle." As he swung up into Abbelard's saddle, Halt extended a hand and Will allowed him to help swing him up along behind. As they started to ride off, Tug's outraged nicker caused Will to look back. Everything will be okay, he silently promised the horse.