Lately I've been obsessed with the band Five For Fighting, so I did a little one-shot inspired by the song 100 Years. I really recommend listening to the song while reading this ;)
The story's set sometime on the first week of Will's apprenticeship
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own RA, all rights go to John Flanagan.
3rd Person POv
Will lay sprawled on the chair in Halt's cabin. He had just finished a huge list of chores, and to say the least, Will was exhausted. He moaned quietly as he eased his aching muscles. Unfortunately, the sound was loud enough to reach Halt's keen ears.
"Something wrong, boy?" He asked with false sympathy, eyes still on the task of making coffee in the kitchen.
Another groan escaped Will's lips, and he shifted his position on the chair, desperately trying to find a comfortable position.
"I'm exhausted," Will began. "I've been doing nothing but chores all day. I can't wait 'till I can graduate, and have an apprentice of my own to do all this work."
Halt walked to the table where Will sat, holding two mugs of the fragrant liquid. He placed one of the mugs on the table in front of Will, and then took a seat on the chair on the other side of the small table. "If you live all your life wishing that it'd go by faster, your entire life would go by in a moment," Halt said, his steady gaze boring into the boy. "Enjoy the moment, enjoy being young."
Will thought about what his mentor said. "But when you're young you don't have control over anything. Adult years are the best part of your life…right?" Will said, pursing his lips in thought. Halt shook his head and allowed himself a ghost of a smile. "So young, so innocent, so naive," Halt whispered to himself. Even though it had just been a few days since Will had been apprenticed, Halt felt a deep affection for the youth. "When you're as young as yourself, you don't have any responsibilities, no worries," Halt continued. "But even though you're still a child, you can make a big difference. Remember, you've only got a hundred years to live; every second counts."
Will still didn't believe Halt's words. He shrugged and laced his fingers behind his head and closed his eyes, trying to relax.
40 Years Later
I reminisced to that moment as I lay in bed, about to fall asleep. Halt was right. Every second counted, good or bad, when you've only got a hundred years to live.
Yeah...not too happy with this one-shot, but I hope at least someone will like it.
Sorry this was a little short, I honestly couldn't think of anything else to add.
Thanks for reading!