Disclaimer: I don't own The Ranger's Apprentice Series.
The day of the Choosing had arrived. Halt found himself approaching the room that the event was to be held in. When Martin called for the Craftmasters to enter, Halt hung back for a minute to let everyone enter before him. After he was sure they had entered, Halt slipped in through one of the side doors and went to stand behind the Baron's chair. Wrapped in his cloak, Halt allowed himself to sink into the background. He let his gaze travel over the group of the young people standing before him. His gaze settled on the young man, Will, standing at the end of the row.
Halt continued to stare at him until the young man turned his head to look at him. He saw a look of surprise cross Will's face when he realized who Halt was. Halt smiled to himself before he abruptly broke eye contact with the young man. As the choosing ceremony progressed, Halt continued to watch him. The Ranger could tell that he was nervous.
Eventually, it was Will's turn to apply for a school. Halt watched as Will became more and more desperate. Each time he asked to be accepted into a school, the boy was denied. Finally, the Baron stepped in and asked, "Is there any one of you who could use this boy?" Halt knew that the reason for him being here had finally arrived.
He broke the silence of the room by saying, "There is something you should know about this boy, my lord." He stepped towards the Baron and handed him some folded papers. As he did so, he smiled to himself. He could tell that Will was curious about the papers. As the Baron said he would think over what the papers had contained, Halt allowed himself to sink back into the shadows of the room.
Without a doubt, Halt knew that the young man would try and find out what was in the papers. He looked forward to seeing how Will would accomplish such a task. If all went well, Halt would have himself a new apprentice by that night. Will would be his first apprentice in a while, but Halt knew the young man had potential. Now all he had to do was wait and see how things turned out.
Please tell me what you thought. If you're interested, I've written two chapters of a Ranger's Apprentice/Merlin crossover. I would appreciate it if you would go and take a look at it.