Hey people! So I noticed there was a lack of Gilan focused stories on here, I thought that was outrageous seeing how he's an awesome character. So I gathered the other writers of this account and decided to make a story focusing on Gilan's apprenticeship. This story will follow Gilan and his years as in apprentice, starting with his first year. There will be a few surprises that I hope you all will like. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: We DO NOT own Ranger's Apprentice. If we did the 12th book wouldn't exist.
Chapter 1
Thwack! The small arrow drove through the hard bark of the oak tree. A grin crept its way onto Gilan's face as the young apprentice stared at the arrow with satisfaction.
"Not bad," an indifferent voice said from behind him.
Gilan spun around and locked eyes with his mentor, Halt. The grin on his face grew wider and he crossed his arms.
"Why thank you." he responded gleefully.
Halt frowned disapprovingly and shook his head. "What did I tell you about being conceited?"
Gilan's smile faltered as his shoulders slumped. "Sorry," he mumbled. "But I still hit the tree this time!"
Halt couldn't argue with that. For the past few weeks the apprentice had barely been able to hit a tree from a foot away. Halt nodded in acknowledgement and turned around.
"Good work." he said as he made his way back to the cabin.
Gilan's smile returned and he bounded to the tree to retrieve his arrow. He grabbed ahold of it and tugged, expecting it to come loose immediately. He frowned when the shaft remained buried in the sturdy bark of the tree. Dropping his bow, he grabbed it with both hands and pulled harder, hearing a small crackling sound. He ignored it and placed both feet firmly against the base of the tree, pulling on the arrow with all his strength. Crack! The arrow snapped in half sending Gilan sprawling to the ground. The apprentice quickly sat up and held up the pathetic half of the arrow in his hand. He stared at it with dismay and groaned. The apprentice slowly rose to his feet rubbed the back of his head. He sighed and took a step forward toward the tree to get the rest of the arrow when he heard a loud Snap! He froze in horror and looked down. There, broken under his boot was his recurve bow. Gilan let out a cry of despair and knelt down by his bow. He picked up the bow which was snapped in half and bit his lip.
"Oh no," he whimpered, examining the unrepairable damage.
"Gilan!" Halt shouted sharply from the cabin. "Come in!"
Gilan flinched. His gaze flickered from the broken arrow, to the broken bow. He whimpered and slowly stood. Maybe he could conceal the broken items without Halt knowing. And maybe porcupines with sprout wings and fly. Gilan thought to himself with dismay. He looked over his shoulder toward the cabin and stuffed the bow and arrow under his cloak. He had to give it a try. He slowly walked toward the cabin taking a shuddering breath with each step. He felt like he was going to throw up, or pass out, or die, or all three. Either one would be better than facing Halt with a broken bow.
Halt glanced up from his report to look out the window. Normally, Gilan would come charging into the house like a wild animal when Halt called him for dinner. He furrowed his eyebrows when he saw the hesitation in his apprentice's step. He looked like he was walking to his death. Halt watched with curiosity as Gilan went around the back way rather than coming in the front door. Halt returned his gaze to his report when he heard the back door open quietly. The rust on the hinges creaked ever so slightly, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to hear the door at all. He heard quiet, quick footsteps on the floor behind him and he knew it was Gilan heading toward his room.
"Gilan," Halt said abruptly. The footsteps stopped and Halt turned in his chair to face his apprentice.
Gilan looked pale as a sheet and his cloak was wrapped tightly around himself. He stared at the floor as Halt looked him up and down.
"Are you alright?" Halt asked emotionlessly, suppressing the rising concern he felt. "You look sick."
Gilan nodded slowly and lowered his head.
"Gil, look at me." Halt said. Gilan blinked and a look of panic flashed briefly across his face, but he still did not look at his mentor.
"Gilan," Halt snapped more forcefully.
Gilan flinched and slowly met his mentor's anxious gaze.
"What's wrong?"
Gilan's lip quivered and he shifted uncomfortably. "Nothing," he replied in barely a whisper. He offered a fake smile and began to turn away but Halt stopped him.
"I didn't say you could leave," Halt said. "Are you hiding something?"
Gilan shook his head quickly and pulled his cloak closer to him. Halt's gaze hardened and he raised an eyebrow.
"What's under your cloak then?" he asked. "Show me."
Gilan clenched his teeth nervously and slowly unwrapped his cloak, revealing the broken bow and arrow. Halt let out an exasperated sigh and put a hand to his head.
"Get over here," he said quietly, but with force. Gilan slowly approached and cowered under his mentor's smoldering gaze. Halt held out his hand and Gilan placed the bow in it. Halt looked over the bow then set it on the table. He stared down Gilan for a moment. Then, without warning he roughly grabbed his apprentice by the back of his cloak and dragged him toward his room.
"Halt, wait!" Gilan gasped as he twisted in his mentor's grasp. "I didn't mean to-"
"Sit," Halt said harshly as he pushed Gilan into a chair.
Gilan stared up fearfully at Halt who crossed his arms.
"Well?" the Ranger asked.
Gilan's face crumpled. "I didn't mean to break it Halt, honestly!" he began tearfully. "It was an accident!"
Halt's gaze softened as he sighed and shook his head. "I'm not mad because you broke the bow."
Gilan sniffed and quickly wiped at his eyes with the end of his cloak. "Really?"
Halt nodded slowly. "I'm mad because you lied to me and tried to hide it from me."
Gilan looked down and nodded. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
Halt gave a curt nod. "I should think so," Gilan shifted in his chair and continued to sniffle and wipe at his eyes.
"Now, your going to stay in here for the rest of the night, no late training." Halt continued. Gilan nodded reluctantly.
"And you can go without dinner tonight as well."
Gilan straightened in the chair. "Aww, but Haaalt," he whined. Halt's hard stare silenced him before he could continue. Gilan slumped farther into the chair and began grumbling. "Fine, I'll starve to death," he scowled. "and then come back as a ghost and make a home in your kitchen."
Halt rolled his eyes and walked away, listening to the comedic grumbling of his apprentice. As he walked out the door he couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt. He quickly shrugged it off, he wasn't going to let his apprentice lie to him without consequence. He had to teach him lying was wrong.
An hour later, the two were sitting outside on the steps enjoying dinner.
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