#ranger's apprentice fanfiction

[iwanttobepersephone]

Y'all. When I said I didn't know anything about AO3, one of y'all shoulda warned me that there's a waiting list, and not to wait until the day before I planned to post the fic to sign up. I'm only gonna receive my invitation on the 16th, that's next Saturday!! 😭😭😭

[rangergathering]

Welcome to the second Ranger Gathering Assessment

This is a short, two week challenge that every person in the fandom is encouraged to participate in. You are allowed to post Ranger's Apprentice or Brotherband content to the tag #gathering assessment, and we will share your work here! Make sure you follow each assessment's guidelines carefully, and post by the deadline.

Assessment Two: Location Challenge

Your job is to write a piece of fiction regarding the location provided below:

Seacliff

You may write a one shot, chapter fic, or any other genre of fanfiction you choose. You may include any characters or tropes, but it must include the location in some way to be included in the challenge. Feel free to post on tumblr or AO3, as long as you let us know in some way that you've posted for this challenge. Good luck, apprentices!

Submission Deadline is November 15

[monicaaaaatje]

I should be studying but instead, I'm having a bunch of prompts in my head again...

Once you are on the Ranger's apprentice bandwagon, you're always on the bandwagon. Which one should I write first?

Cassandra is in labor with Maddie and Horace is super nervous and anxious. To be there for his friend, Will has taken a little vacation to castle Araluen.

Alyss and Will expecting their first child, from Alyss telling Will until the kid's actually born.

Will realizing that he's falling in love again after all those years, but he's scared to admit to it as he feels he's betraying Alyss.

Will getting hurt on the battlefield, badly. When Maddie hears him murmle Alyss her name in his semi unconscious state, she knows that something is pulling her mentor to the other side.

Our favourite oakleaf bearers are forcefully timetravelling to the Araluen of 2103.

That moment in which Will and Alyss realize their former mentors/surrogate parents are the closest thing to soulmates as anyone can ever get.

Halt or Pauline gets hurt badly and they need to learn how to walk and how to speak again. Did I already mention I ship them to bits? Will or Alyss helps them through the process.

Jenny FRIGGIN FINALLY marries Gilan.

Pauline and Halt being happy grandparents. Just that. Bonus: Pauline pestering him with the fact that he always tries to hide his emotions, but actually loves being a grandfather.

That moment Will and Horace made a wager on whose wife would swear more or do weird things during childbirth.

That moment in which basically ever ranger with their unique observing skills notices Alyss is pregnant, except Alyss.

A story in which Will discovers there is an entire world of magic behind the world he has always known.

Will having developed multiple kinds of trauma after Skandia, and Halt realizing that as his mentor, he will need to do something to help his apprentice.

One shot in which the full moon has a very interesting effect on people...

[theoakleafpancake]

The Apprentice

Halt stayed behind as the other Rangers left the tent. Crowley’s non-subtle stare made it clear that he alone would remain to suffer the endless line of questions.

“Yes, Crowley?” He leaned his chair back and crossed his arms. “Go on ahead. I know you want to ask.”

“What was that you said about not wanting any more apprentices?” His friend simply raised an eyebrow. “If I can recall correctly, you made it very clear that you wanted no part in training one when you first joined. A couple years later, and the Royal Army’s Cavalry Commander is your apprentice. And now this one?”

“Are you telling me no?” 

“I’m asking what changed your mind.” Crowley sat down again, sitting backwards on the chair. “You didn’t seem so keen when I asked you if you could train Jordan.”

“Jordan wasn’t up to my standards,” he replied. It was true. Others would have accepted the boy—others did accept the boy—but not Halt. Certainly, Jordan could make a fearsome Ranger with the right dedication, but to Halt, the boy hadn’t been ready for him. And Crowley knew it, too. 

“He’s Daniel’s boy, isn’t he?”

Halt looked at him. The Commandant waited, and he nodded. “Yes.”

“Well, I suppose that’s one way to look after him.” Crowley straightened. “A little warning would have been nice, at least. You left me with barely any information in that note.”

“I told you I’d found an apprentice. Was that not enough?”

“Obviously not” Crowley scoffed. “You know, paperwork does take a little bit more insight than ‘I’m bringing someone along for the Gathering.’”

Halt shrugged, hiding a smirk. “Oh. Sorry.”

“Hibernians,” the older Ranger muttered.

“It’s not my fault that you Araluens can’t understand basic communication.” Crowley rolled his eyes. “Besides, neither one of us had expected this turn of events. You’ll meet him after the war is over.”

“Right.” A moment of silence passed between the two. “How did you find him? I thought you left him at Arald’s ward?”

“I did,” Halt replied. “But I’d still been keeping an eye out for him. I saw potential, so I took the chance.”

“And how did he react?”

At this, Halt could feel his lips twitching. “He seemed pretty scared. But I do suppose my dragging him to the Baron’s office didn’t make much of a first impression.”

“Excuse me?”

He shrugged. “I gave him a little test beforehand.” Crowley stared at him. “Arald agreed to it. I wanted to know just how far he would go to find out what note I had given him.”

“And I take it he passed?”

He nodded, keeping a straight face. “Oh, I daresay so. He made it past all the guards without notice. Ended up climbing the tower to reach the window.”

“Climbing the—?” Crowley groaned. “Why do I have the feeling that he’s going to be just as bad as you?”

Halt snorted. “And yet I can still shoot better than you on a running horse.”

“You don’t see me going around and committing fraud.”

“It’s not fraud.”

“Forgery?”

“Special documentation.”

“Tampering with the mail?”

“It always ended up where it was meant to.”

Crowley stood and shook his head. “Halt, what am I going to do with you?” He stopped for a moment, and his expression turned solemn.

Halt rose, too, walking over to lay one hand on his friend’s shoulder. “There’ll be plenty of me left once we’re done with this. Then you can send me on more harebrained missions.”

“Hackham Heath was one thing. Three men faced one Kalkara, and only one returned alive. Barely.”

“Three knights.”

“And you’ve just gotten yourself another apprentice.”

“Like I said. Once this is all over, you can meet him.” Halt met Crowley’s eyes. “Nothing is going to happen to me. Or Gilan. Or Will.”

Especially not Will, he added silently.

[rangerangel]

Day 23 - Knowledge

Halt sat with his elbows on his knees, watching the steam rise from the small hole in the ground in front of him. It twisted and turned through the chill air until it dissipated into the cold afternoon above him. Making bows was a contemplative task, contemplative enough that Halt had been avoiding it for several weeks now. But as he sat waiting for the steam to soften the wood strips he had carefully prepared the day before, he couldn’t help his thoughts wandering with the steam in the direction of Castle Redmont, and the boy residing somewhere within. He knew very well that this bow could end up being for nothing. It was unlikely that Sir Rodney would take the boy for Battleschool due to his size, and Halt was certain that Baron Arald wouldn’t deny his request to apprentice once he made it. But the boy could always refuse his apprenticeship. Perhaps he preferred the idea of farming to spending all day with a grumpy old Ranger. Maybe Halt’s own natural inclination towards the Ranger lifestyle was just that—his own inclination.

He rose abruptly, shaking the leaves off the cuffs of his pants, and crossed to the wooden board that covered the small pit he had dug to steam the bow. He pulled the board aside and turned his face away from the billowing steam within as he reached for the strips of wood. He had learned this trick from Temujai bowmakers many years before, when he had lived among them for a time, before they had declared him an enemy of the people. The steamed wood would bend easily, and when it was glued into place and dried, it would retain whatever shape he twisted it. He set one strip of wood against the toe of his boot and began to gently warp it with his hand. He would recreate the S-curve of the Temujai recurve bows, something he had practiced over and over. The boy was small, he knew, and it would take some time before he could pull a full sized longbow.

That is, if he could even pull a bow at all. Perhaps Halt wouldn’t be able to teach him effectively, even if he did choose an apprenticeship with the Ranger. He had good luck with Gilan, but Gilan was a fast learner anyways. His success as a Ranger was likely due to his own natural skill, not Halt’s instruction, and if he was honest with himself, it was more than likely just a fluke that Gilan turned out as well as he did. Halt’s hands moved automatically to the next strip of wood and the small jar of glue next to him. At this point, he barely even needed to think about what he was doing as he shaped the bow piece by piece. What if the boy went through his training and ended up dying to some mission due to Halt’s inadequate teaching? He had told Crowley that he didn’t want an apprentice more than a decade before, and yet here he was, choosing to take on another. Tempting fate, that’s what he was doing.

He shook his head slowly, looking at the half-formed bow in his hands. The sun was beginning to descend below the horizon, and Halt had reached a point in his craftsmanship where he needed to let the bow dry before adding the rest of the strips of wood. The bow was still rough, nowhere near complete. It lacked the grace of a fully formed bow, and it likely wouldn’t hold an arrow in its current state. Yet Halt studied it intensely, turning it over in his hands again and again; he had made dozens of bows just like this one, and he knew that his craft was sound. He could see the completed bow in his head, with the upturned tips of the string nocks curving gracefully into the grip. He knew it would shoot well too, once he was done with it. Halt looked slowly from the bow to the red walls of the castle in the distance, gently gleaming in the red sunset, and the faintest hint of a smile began to curve the edge of his mouth. The boy within was just as unfinished, a restless ball of energy with no training and no discipline. But he’d done it once before, hadn’t he? It had taken time and effort, and a great deal more patience than Halt liked to think about. But the knowledge Halt could give the boy might shape him into a Ranger worthy of joining the Corps in his own right. He set the bow in the crook of a nearby tree and began to walk back to his quiet cabin. Tomorrow was Choosing Day, of course, but Halt had already made his choice. Alright Will, he thought, Let’s see what you can be.

[biggestqiblifan]

Copy and Paste of my RA location challenge fic

Rangers Apprentice Challenges!

1/Location- Seacliff

Will looked out at the lush greens of Seacliff. From his stable Tug neighed, alerting him that someone was approaching.

Getting up from his seat by the window, Will left his mandola resting on the chair and walked to the door.

Something felt different today, but he couldn’t place it.

Something was definitely strange because when he opened the door Will could only stare at the person standing there.

It was Halt.

A grin broke out, “Halt! I haven’t seen you in ages! What are you doing here?” Will went to hug him, glad to see his former mentor.

Then, pulling back, he immediately got worried, as a ranger, he was taught to always expect the worst when something different or out of the ordinary happened.

“Did something happen and Redmont, or Castle Araluen?”

Halt looked at his old apprentice, correction, his son’s worried face and smiled, his ranger instincts were sharp as ever, no matter what he was feeling at Halt’s visit, “no, everything’s fine, but can’t I just come and see you every now and then? Speaking of which, are you going to just leave me out here? Or are you going to let me in?”

Will, ever the apprentice, hurriedly apologized and let Halt in.

When Halt stepped into the threshold, he was met with a pleasant surprise.

Around the room in vases of various sizes and colours, were wildflowers.

Will saw Halt looking and said, “old habits die hard, right? It makes me feel more at home.”

Halt shouldn’t have been surprised, but he still kind of was when he noticed that the mix of flowers was the very same that Halt had had around the cabin at Redmont when Will had been an apprentice.

Though he would never admit it, Halt in that moment felt quite emotional.

Pulling his mask of indifference up, Halt hooked up his Rangers cloak on the wall and went to where Will was making coffee for the two of them.

Truth be told, Halt had been feeling kind of lonely. Pauline was there of course, but it wasn’t the same. It never was. Halt felt that things had become so different the day Will left for Seacliff.

So when the opportunity to see him arose, Halt snatched it up, eager to see his son.

Though he’d never let Will know that.

Or admit it aloud.

He had a reputation to keep after all.

______________________________________________________________Just a little fluff. I feel like Halt would've missed Will.

Bro, I literally wrote this in 15 minutes. I never saw this post. Help.

______________________________________________________________ So, I was asked to make this its own separate post. But I never got around to it. :/ SO HERE IT IS 6 DAYS LATER!

[areiacannaid]

Hi there! I hope you're doing well 😊

I just wanted to let you know that over the last few days, I've been rereading your story "Hiraeth" on FanFiction.net. And I absolutely LOVE it, maybe even more now than when I first read it!!! Possibly because now I could read the whole thing in one go, and really see all the sneaky connections you've made between all the characters, as well as the foreshadowing and the really smart parallels or slightly twisted situations compared to the original timeline!!! :D

I do have a question, in the last author's note you mentioned the idea of possibly writing a sequel or some short stories in this AU, and on your FanFiction.net account you've said that you have kinda started with this. So I was wondering, as this is probably not very up-to-date, are you still planning to write more in this alternate universe? Because I would LOVEEEEE to read more about everyone!!! As I absolutely LOVE the dynamics between Halt, Gilan, Will, and Horace! And everyone else from the main cast of Hiraeth!!!!! 😍❤️

Wishing you all the best,

Dragonslover98

Hi! I'm doing pretty well, thank you. I hope that you are too!

Thank you so much! 😍 I'm so happy to know that! I'm pretty sure it was the longest and most in-depth work I ever did, so I am ecstatic that it is still being enjoyed.

To answer your question: yes! I am still planning on writing a sequel/more in that verse. I ended up loving the world, dynamics, and situations too much to just leave it completely. There were also several threads left untied in that story that I thought would be fun to explore further.

So far, I think the sequel will be called "Fernweh" and I'm planning it to be a collection of stories of varying length similar to the the way the Lost Stories was written (so I can continue adding tales to it if I ever got inspired to do more). The first, and probably longest, arc will pick up right where Hiraeth left off.

It's been through the storyboard phase and I have done a fair bit of work on it. It's taking a little longer than I anticipated because of life getting in the way (and then an unfortunate period where I kind of lost most of my creativity/motivation for a while). 😅 But I'm thankfully getting back into the swing of things. I hope to get the first chapter out within a couple of months, or summer (northern hemisphere) by the latest, if all goes well this year.

Thanks so much for the question, and best wishes to you as well!

[caffeineinducedbeing]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Ranger's Apprentice - John Flanagan Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Relationships: Halt O'Carrick & Will Treaty, Will Treaty & Original Character(s), Alyss Mainwaring/Will Treaty (mentioned) Characters: Will Treaty, Original Male Character(s), Halt O'Carrick Additional Tags: Angst and Hurt/Comfort, Character Death, Old Friends Summary:

In the days following his apprenticeship, Will Treaty is now an experienced Ranger, ready to face anything, but when he encounters a band of ruthless outlaws terrorizing the innocent. Amid the pursuit, he faces a familiar face from his past. As their paths collide, a duel of morality and regret unfolds and ends in a tragedy that Will feels he could've prevented.

[biggestqiblifan]

This was adorable and heart-wrecking at the same time.

Highly underrated.

NEEDS MORE NOTES!

Hi love? Can I request a fluffy fic? Alyss is in labor with her and Will's first child, but ofcourse, nothing goes as planned. Despite that, there is lots of love and the thing becomes an intimate affair for the couple.

Curious to how you're gonna write it!

Here it is! The beginning is kinda angsty? But it gets fluffy at the end, I promise!

A Fathers love:

Words: 17.3 K

Trigger warnings: depiction of labour/childbirth, some agnst/ feelings of insecurity?

“Will.” the voice that had soothed so many fears cut through the haze that clouded Will's mind. But Will’s mind, accustomed to facing whatever danger came for him, was racing, careening around, searching desperately for a solution he couldn’t find, had finally found a problem he couldn’t solve, a danger he couldn’t face.

“Will. Look at me.” With a start Will dragged his mind back from the whirlpool it had fallen into. Halt was crouched in front of him, weathered hands steady on his cheeks. His dark eyes searched Will’s face. 

“ Halt.” Will whispered.

“The one and only.” Halt deadpanned. Will sighed, dropping his head against Halt’s chest. He closed his eyes. 

“Will.” Halt’s hands gently pushed his head back up.

“ Will,  look at me.“ Halt said firmly. 

“She sent me out here.” Will’s voice was a whisper, nearly lost to the wind as it shrieked around the cabin. Halt furrowed his brow.

“Will. Talk to me.” Will took a ragged breath, hands clenched into fists.

“ She said I wasn’t helping her, that my hovering was stressing her out, and she needed me to pull myself together. I didn’t know what to expect. No one told me what to expect. But Halt, there was so much blood-” Will’s voice broke on the last word. Halt sighed. He sat beside the young man he had come to consider his son. 

“ Alyss didn’t mean it Will. She’s going through a lot right now.” 

“And I should be there” Will broke in, leaping to his feet. Halt opened his mouth  to respond when a hoarse cry split the air. Will blanched, stumbling backwards. His fists shook as he pressed one to his mouth. Halt followed his former apprentice’s steps, dropping a hand to Will’s shoulder, pulling him into his embrace. Will stiffened for a second before he relaxed, clenching Halt’s cloak in his fist.

“ Will. “Halt soothed, brushing Will’s unruly hair away from his face. 

‘ I don’t know what to do.” Will whispered.

“ Alyss needs you. Whatever you do after that, doesn't matter because she needs you right now. Your wife needs you, Will.” 

“I don’t-” Will’s voice broke, before he continued. 

“ I don’t know how to be a father.” And Halt understood Will’s fear then. 

“Will.” He started, but Will shook his head, burying his face deeper into Halt’s  chest. 

“ I’ve never had a father. I don’t know what babies need, or how to communicate with them. What if I do something wrong? I don’t know how to be a father.” Will trailed off, closing his eyes. 

“ Will. No one knows what they're doing, even if they had the best example of parenthood. Fate may have dealt you a cruel hand, but you have all the aspects of a good father.” Will lifted his head to meet Halt’s gaze. 

“Really? “ He asked.  Halt smiled at the young man who felt so much like his son.

“ Yes, Will. You are kind, and understanding, and fair but you hold your boundaries and don’t let people walk all over you. You are the kind of person I wish my father was.” 

Will smiled then, brilliant and bold. He threw his arms around Halt, crushing the older man. Before Halt could react Will had turned and leaped up the steps to the cabin. Halt chuckled to himself, before settling himself down on the verandah. He might be there a while. But he’d wait. This was worth the wait.

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will stepped through the door of the cabin, eyes falling on his wife, smiling softly at her. Alyss was covered in a sheen of sweat, and her long hair, normally coiled tightly at the top of her head, was down, in a loose braid. Will thought she had never looked more beautiful. The midwife was sitting beside the fire and looked like she preferred it when Will was kicked out. Pauline, sitting on Alyss’ other side, crowded between the bed and the wall, smiled warmly at him. 

“ Hello, love.” He greeted, crossing over to her. He bent down  and pressed his lips to her forehead. Alyss studied her husband carefully, resting her hand on his cheek. 

“ Are you okay? “ She asked. He smiled again, resting his cheek on top of her head. 

“ Yeah, I’m alright. Halt talked to me.” Something warm spread in Alyss’ grey eyes and she nodded, smiling back at him. 

“ I’m glad” Alyss whispered, reaching her hand out to Will. He took it, kissing her hand fervently. 

“I’m sorry, my love.” Will murmured. Alyss shook her head, squeezing his hand gently. 

“ Don’t be. You needed Halt, and I need you fully here. If taking a moment with your father is what you needed then I’m glad you took it.” Will looked sharply at her, opened his mouth to argue but Alyss tightened her grip on Will’s hand and keened softly.The midwife looked up, and moved swiftly to the bedside, glaring at Will. He glared back. The midwife faltered then returned to Alyss’ side. She rested a weathered hand on her stomach, feeling the contraction tighten the muscles. She nodded encouragingly at Alyss.

“ Won’t be long now. Baby’s eager to meet you, that’s for sure” Will smoothed Alyss’ hair back, speaking encouragingly to her. 

“ You're doing wonderful Alyss. So good, my brave girl. I’m so proud of you” She panted, trying to grin but it came out lopsided. 

“Stay with me” She murmured, feeling her muscles relax and tried to do the same. Will smiled at her, resting his weight on the bed as he leaned over and kissed her. 

“ Nowhere I’d rather be, my love.” 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two hours later, Will was still holding Alyss’ hand, encouraging her with gentle words, soothing her pain to the best of his abilities, always ready with a smile and a soft “ One step closer to meeting our babe, my love” when the contraction eased. Alyss was moaning softly, panting when she looked at Will, misery haunting her grey eyes. 

“ I can’t do this anymore.” she gasped, tensing as another contraction loosened it’s hold on her. 

“Yes, you can. You’re strong, Alyss, stronger than anyone here.” Will soothed. He gestured for Pauline to take over and stepped quickly to the bottom of the bed, speaking hurriedly with the midwife in hushed tones. Whatever he said she didn’t like, but she conceded with a scowl. Will reached up and gently guided her hand down between her legs, letting her fingers brush gently against the baby's head, not born yet but close enough to touch. Alyss gasped, again, determination hardening her features. 

“ I can feel them.” She whispered softly, smiling tumultuously at Will. 

“ I know. Your so close, Lyss. Not long now, I promise.” Alyss nodded, reaching her hand, covered in blood and birth fluids to Will. He didn’t hesitate to hold her hand, smiling and she took a deep breath, feeling another contraction take hold of her.  

“ Good girl” Will murmured, brown eyes locked on Alyss’ grey ones. Alyss cried out, nails digging into Will’s hand. She drew strength in her husband's calm and solid presence by her side, feeling pain coursing through her like wildfire, climbing, climbing,  climbing further past anything she had ever felt, before it extinguished with a sharp relief. Alyss collapsed back against the bed, hair plastered to her skin. Will was staring at the midwife, slack jawed and smiling. Alyss slowly regained her senses, hearing the sharp cry of a new baby discovering they lived outside their mother for the first time. 

“ Alyss.” Will breathed, eyes following the babies every move. She smiled at him, exhausted, covered in sweat, hair plastered to her face, but beautiful. The midwife stepped beside Alyss, carefully laying the small bundle that was her child in her arms. Will crouched beside the bed, gaze riveted on the child in Alyss arms. The baby gazed at the world around them with a somber expression, looking at both their parents, unusually alert. 

“ Congratulations, you have a son” The Midwife murmured, backing off to let the couple have a moment with their son. 

“ Hello, son.” Will whispered, a finger tracing against the infant's cheek softly. The baby gurgled at his fathers touch, one tiny  hand reaching out from the swaddle to grasp Will’s finger. Alyss and Will beamed at each other. And if Will’s eyes were shining, Alyss didn’t say anything, after all, there were tears in her own eyes. 

“ Alyss, you truly are the best of wives and best of women” He whispered, bending down to give her a kiss. She laughed softly, brushing her lips across her son's head. 

“ Here. Hold him for a bit.I think my midwife is a bit cross she’s had to wait for you to meet your son” Alyss murmured, smiling lazily at her husband. Will grinned, lifting the babe easily into his arms, standing with a murmured, “ be back soon” walking over to the door. 

Halt glanced up as the door opened, squeaking loudly. Will stepped out onto the porch, a tiny bundle cradled protectively in his arms. Halt stood quickly, smiling at the elated smile on his face. 

“ Halt, I want you to meet my son. “ He said proudly, as Halt stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with the new father. 

“ Will, he’s beautiful.” Halt whispered, weathered fingers tracing softly against the small cheek. Will smiled bigger. 

“ Would you like to hold him?” Will asked softly. Halt reached out eagerly. 

“ Now then, little one.” Will whispered, “ You're about to meet someone special. After all it’s not everyday you get to meet your grandfather for the first time” Halt’s heart stopped as he cradled the child close. 

“ Will,” He whispered, tears blurring his vision. 

“ I should have said something sooner.” Will shrugged, eyes riveted on his son.

“But you’ve been my father since I became your apprentice. You are my father, and this boy you're holding is your grandson.” 

“ Thank you- Son” Halt whispered, ignoring the break in his voice. He glanced at the man in front of him, his son. 

“Does the boy have a name ?” Halt questioned. Will grinned again. 

“ He sure does. Daniel Halt, after my two fathers. The one who gave me life, and the one who raised me.” Halt made no effort to stop the tears that streamed down his cheeks. Will leaned softly into Halt’s side, holding his son's fist gently. 

“ Thank you son.” Halt whispered, as the three generations watched the sun set into the forest.

[forgedroyalseal]

Ranger’s Apprentice Social Media AU

Season Four

pt 2

[name-s-are-not-important]

"The Iron Song", feat: Caitlyn this family makes me want to murder people O'Carrick

[that-one-enby-ranger]

For the trick or treat fic fest: a trick with Halt please :D

I'm gonna take this as an opportunity to write a shorter version of a story I've wanted to write for a while now.

Halt winced in pain as he moved his leg slightly. The wound he had gotten during his fight with the kalkara would leave him unable to do some things for a while. Good thing he had an apprentice.

Speaking of his apprentice, Will know approached him eagery seeing that his mentor was awake.

"Halt, you're awake!" Will said happily, moving to kneel beside the ranger.

"You're observation skills are as keen as ever," Halt replied dryly. He tried to move into a better sitting position but winced a second time as more pain shot up his leg. Will noticed and was immediately on alert.

"Are you alright? Do you need any help?"

"I'm fine. I've had worse you know." Willnodded and backed off a little, but only a little bit. His eyes were still filled with worry and body was tense, ready to spring into action at any sign of danger.

Halt's gaze roamed around the campsite. He noticed Baron Arald resting nearby and Sir Rodney organising some equipment but he ignored them. The only thing he really payed attention to was the ruins of castle Gorlan. For the first time since he arrived he only just seemed to process where he was.

And with the location came some memories.

"I'll be back," Halt muttered to Will, and painfully tried to stand.

"Where are you going?" Will asked. He was a little worried that Halt wouldn't be strong enough to walk and wanted to help support him, but didn't know if his teacher would accept it.

"Not far." Halt's two word reply was.

"Are you sure thats a good idea?" Will asked. Halt looked at him, annoyed, but Will continued. "You only just woke up and you're injured."

"I'll be fine," Halt said firmly. He stood up the rest of the way and steadied himself for a couple seconds. He had a headache and his vision darkened slightly but soon went back to normal. Will was right, he knew. It wasn't smart to be moving around so soon. But there was something he needed to see. He could still see that was Will was worried.

"There's a path somewhere over there," Halt explained. He pointed to an area towards the back of the ruins. Looking closer, Will could see that the bushes and trees seperated a little into somehting that looked like ti could be a path. "There's something through there I want to see," Halt continued. "If I'm not back in half an hour you can come look for me, alright?" Will nodded his agreement. He still felt anxious but calmed little at the plan.

Slowly and painfully, Halt limped his way towards the path. Rodney noticed and looked up but didn't say anything. He had heard what happened at this sight around sixteen years ago and had a pretty good idea at where Halt was going.

It took Halt about ten minutes to get to where he wanted to go, and now he had to stop to take a breath. His fucked leg really was a problem. Once more of the pain subsided, he took a couple more steps forward.

In front of him was a small log that had been embeded into the ground years ago. It was rotting away and had moss covering most of it, but there were some letters carved into that was still slightly visible.

an P tc

Anyone who didn't know what the log represented wouldn't have a clue what the barely discernible letters meant. But Halt knew what they meant. He had carved them there sixteen years ago.

Sixteen years ago in that very spot, Halt had found his mentor Pritchard, lying dead in the grass, multiple stab wounds in his body. He had been with Arald at the time and the two of them had buried his body there, knowing they couldn't move it with them. Halt had found a log and carved the words:

Ranger Pritchard

Halt sat down in front of the grave now. It had been years since he had been here. That wasn't surprising. His job was too busy to go on trips to old mentor gravesights, and he had no work to do in Gorlan. Still, it would have been nice to be able to visit at least once. To be able to pay more respects to the man who had trained him, taught him to be brave and defend himself and who Halt had grown to care about more than his own father.

Minutes seemed to pass by in a flash as halt stared at the grave. Tears started to blur his vision but none of them fell. Before Pritchard had been killed it seemed impossible to imagine a life without him. Then all of a sudden Halt had to cope with everything. At least he had Crowley. But then they had to seperate as their jobs took them different ways. That had been one of the worst parts about the entire experience. Not having Crowley there.

Halt hadn't been keeping track of time properly but he had a feeling it had been a while and Will would come looking for him soon. He slowly stood up and prepared to endure more torture as he made his way back to camp. But just as he was about to leave, some dull caught his eye.

Laying in the grass a couple of feet away lay an old battered chain, with an oakleaf attached to it. Halt ran as best as he could over to it and eagerly picked it up. The oakleaf was a bit bent out of shape and rusting from years of being exposed to the weather, but Halt knew it was Pritchard's. When they had found the body, they didn't find his necklace, but Halt never thought anything of it. Who knew it had been here the whole time?

A couple tears were falling down Halt's face now and he wiped them away, pocketing the oakleaf. He had to show Crowley when he saw him.

Halt looked up as he heard the sound of some leaves rustling and saw Will appear.

"Good, you're alright," he said.

"Of course I am," Halt replied, suddenly relieved he had wiped the tears when he did. "I said I'd be fine. I was just about to come back."

Will didn't seem to be paying attention. He was looking at the grave behind Halt with curiosity.

"What is this place?"

"It's just a place. Let's go."

I don't know if Halt would be able to physically walk that well but I don't care. Hope you liked it and hoped it was angsty enough for you.

I put this shit on A03:

[iwanttobepersephone]

I HAVE AN IDEA FOR A FANFIC CAN SOMEONE PLEASE WRITE IT

Ok, so, we all kinda agree that Crowley grew up on a farm, right? Everyone I've mentioned that to agrees that he gives off those vibes, and I do love that idea.

Imagine Crowley going back to help on his parents farm for a week or something and Halt tags along too

#1 the difference between farm boy and crown prince would become even more obvious and hilarious

#2 Halt would be DROOLING any time Crowley handles live animals of any kind

And also here's some concept doodles to convince people even further. I came up with this concept doing yardwork and almost immediately went "Oh the people would love that"

[monicaaaaatje]

Chapters: 1/? Fandom: Ranger's Apprentice - John Flanagan Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Halt O'Carrick & Will Treaty, Pauline duLacy/Halt O'Carrick, Gilan & Halt O'Carrick, Pauline duLacy/Crowley Meratyn/Halt O'Carrick, Alyss Mainwaring & Halt O'Carrick, Alyss Mainwaring/Will Treaty, Horace Altman & Will Treaty, Horace Altman/Cassandra | Evanlyn Characters: Halt O'Carrick, Will Treaty, Pauline duLacy, Gilan (Ranger's Apprentice), Crowley Meratyn, Horace Altman, Cassandra | Evanlyn, Alyss Mainwaring Additional Tags: mentions of trauma, Drug Use, Addiction, disabillity, it's gonna get angsty, back to book 9 bitches, will he overcome?, All of this takes place prior to the Royal Ranger Summary:

While on an assignment to deal with smuglers who want to bring illegal medical potions, broths and ingredients into Araluen, everything goes wrong what supposedly could go wrong. Will is old warm weed trauma is acting up again and while attempting to save Will and Horace from being overdosed by warm weed, Halt gets nicked with a knife glazed in an odd substance. Knowing from experience how bad this can become, the men ride for Redmont in the hope master Finlay, a former student of the renowned healer Malcolm, can be of assistance. They were no moment too soon; Halt falls unconscious on his horse and is brought into the infirmary, unconscious. Master Finlay explains to lady Pauline that the knife was glazed in something called a "slow, viral poison", meaning that how longer it is present in the body, the more damage it can do. Halt will live, as Will and Horace got him to Finlay within twelve hours, but how will he be when he wakes up? Will there be permanent damage and will Halt recover?

[theoakleafpancake]

After the celebration had finally ended, Halt decided he’d had enough of formalities and appearances. A grand homecoming to Araluen was not what he’d wanted. Now that he had Will back, all that was left to do was to return to the little cabin in Redmont and sleep for a week straight. If it weren’t for the assembly the King called for, he’d be able to do just that.

Someone knocked on the door. He gave a final tug on the straps of his pack before heading over, heaving in a silent sigh. But when the door swung open, he was met with an unexpected face.

Well, not entirely unexpected. It was bound to happen sooner or later. He’d rather it would have been later, but alas, Fate seemed to be enjoying her time with him.

“Crowley.” He stepped aside, allowing the Ranger Commandant in the room. “I thought you’d have left by now.”

“Really?” The sandy-haired man turned to look at him. “Eleven months, and that’s the first thing you have to say.”

“Eleven and one week,” he said quietly. “And I seem to recall giving you a full report earlier. So no, that is not the first thing I have said to you.”

Crowley ran a hand through his hair. “And one week.” A breathy chuckled escaped the other man. “Do you think I haven’t been counting each day?”

He raised an eyebrow. “A Ranger Commandant has more important things to do than wait for the prodigal son to return.”

“I’m sorry.” The older Ranger reached a hand towards his arm and then faltered, those light eyes desperately seeking his. “If I could go back in time, I would change everything. I would have broken you out of prison. I would have covered it all up. No one would have ever known.”

“Having everyone know was a part of the plan.”

“But why, Halt?” His voice broke. “Why would you put us through that?”

Halt raised his eyes to the ceiling. After all this time, his friend still had the nerve to ask the same question. “I don’t give you as much credit as I should. You’re not stupid, Crowley. You know the answer.”

It was the boy. Will. He would have burned the world for his apprentice if necessity demanded it of him. He had given up his life for some cheeky, over-talkative child that had somehow become an integral part of his life. Losing Will had been like losing an arm. He could have said all this and more, but he wasn’t sure if the other Ranger would ever truly understand.

“Crowley.” He laid a land on his friend’s shoulder. “You have your loyalties and I have mine. Surely you didn’t think I’d change over the years?”

“No. I never would have expected that.” The older Ranger turned away. “You always were a stubborn one.”

“And I don’t intend on changing that. I became a Ranger to help you. Not to pledge my full allegiance to a King.”

“That’s exactly what being a Ranger is.” The silver Oakleaf felt heavy around his neck. Halt knew what the Oakleaf meant. Running away from Clonmel, he was given a second chance, and that chance had been Araluen and its Rangers. He liked Duncan a great deal more than he cared to admit—certainly the Araluan was a far better King than either him or Ferris. But against all odds, that’s just what Duncan was.

A King.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” Crowley said quietly. “But it seems to me you’re doing fine in that sense.”

Halt let go of the man’s shoulder. “You thought too highly of me. That’s your mistake.”

“I think just enough of you.” The redhead sighed. “My only mistake was turning you away. I’m sorry, Halt.”

He met his friend’s eyes, and saw the pain inside them, pain he was responsible for. “I am, too.”

[rangerangel]

you can't just drop a maddie has a sibling that got taken at birth headcanon and just say nothing else?! lore now!

Oh but of COURSE!!! Ahem: It started with me wondering about Cassandra's overprotection of Maddie, which is one of her greatest faults in TRR. It almost overwhelms her personality at times, which makes me feel like there had to be some catalyst or problem that made her SO worried about Maddie. What could that catalyst be? Well, losing a child seems really likely.

So then it got me thinking--what if, back when Maddie was VERY young, only two or three, Horace and Cassandra had another child. But one terrible night, the child was stolen (Tangled-style), and disappeared. The royal family couldn't have broadcast that a royal child was missing, since that would put them in even more danger. So the Corps was dispatched to search for years, but never found anything.

I think if Maddie is a mirror to Cassandra, this child is a mirror to Horace. Similar build, able to fight with a sword, but has far more anger issues due to the way they grew up. I have a few pieces of fanfic about this kid, and how difficult it would be for them to find out they had a family all this time. How they and Will would probably bond over feeling lost and separated from family, and how Halt would help them adjust from commoner to royal life, since he did the same in reverse.

Imagine found family but you actually, uh, find your family. This character kind of has a lot of my gender and frankly I just want to write Maddie sibling bonding. If there's any interest, maybe I'll develop them more and write the fic one day!