Hellooo!

So… this is my first fan-fiction, all reviews are welcome. I would love some feedback on my writing. (Things I need to work on, ideas, all that jazz.) If I don't post soon enough to satisfy you, I'm sorry, I am sharing this computer with my whole family. I will try to post weekly.(no promises) Anyways… I'll shut up now.

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a guy, I don't live in Australia and my name is definitely not John Flanagan so no, I don't own "Ranger's Apprentice".

*sigh* a girl can dream...

Alright, so this is a bunch of one-shots about Will's life in the ward. I might put the focus on the others later on but.. If you have any ideas please tell me. I NEED IDEAS!

Chapter 1 Little Warriors

It was a hot summer day, the kind that made you want to dive into the nearest river or stream in sight. The Redmont wards were enjoying their mid-morning break outside in the dry weather.

Jenny and Alyss sat nearest to the door, braiding bracelets out of the tall, thick grass and talking, their merry laughter occasionally piercing the thick silence.

Horace was lying on his back chewing on a stalk of grass as he watched the wispy clouds drifting lazily across the cornflower- blue sky.

George sat under the knobbly fig tree, engrossed in a dusty old volume he had found in the castle library.

Will sat above, munching on a pear from the kitchens. He had risked a lot for that pear, and he intended to savor it as much as -one wanted to cross Master Chubb twice. Heck, even Baron Arald was afraid of the pudgy chef. Will watched, fascinated, as a colony of ants marched down the old fig tree carrying an almost-ripe fig down in little bits and pieces. Will was amazed at the strength of the little creatures. Lost in his own world, Will wondered aloud,

"You're almost like miniature knights, you have armor and weapons." He chuckled, "All you need is teeny little horses!" Will, unaware of his surroundings didn't notice that Horace had been listening to his one-sided conversation with the little warriors. He decided that now was the right time to strike.

"And they're more knights than you will ever be, Will No-Name!" Will sighed and inwardly winced. As soon as The large, brawny boy had found out that Will had no second name, he had used that to his advantage when picking on Will. Taking it further, Horace smirked,

"I'm hungry!" Not in the mood today, Will jumped down from his roost in the tree and landed next to George who yelped and glared with all the power he could muster, which sadly wasn't much.

"Will, I told you not to scare me like that..." looking quickly between wiry, scrawny Will and the leering Horace, he hastily pretended to read again, dropping his book in the process. Will turned back to his tormentor.

"That's great Horace, go get something from the kitchens." Will huffed, "Maybe when Chubb smacks his ladle on your stupid fat head he'll knock some brains into it too!" This got the girl's attention. Turning around, they saw the boys scowling at each other and started to get up. Jenny was whispering to Alyss, who had a worried look on her face.

Will, caught up in the moment scowled. She's probably worried that I'll get pounded again, he thought. Doesn't that happen to me every time? I hate being the weak one who needs a girl to protect him. Horace smirked trying to hide the raw anger and hurt he felt. He looked like a bloodthirsty wolf, ready to strike. The large boy smacked the forgotten pear out of Will's hand. It landed with a dull thump on the dusty ground and rolled a few feet, stirring up a small cloud of dust and interrupting the ant's quick, neat line.

"I think you misunderstood me." Horace sneered, "go get me something from the kitchens!" Will started towards the tall arches of the oaken door then stopped. This was the last straw. Will thought about it for a second, Horace isn't my dad, why should I do what he says? He came to a decision.

"No" Horace laughed, an evil, mocking grin that never reached his eyes.

"No? What do you mean 'No'?" Will stared back, icy as ever. Horace's forced guffaws died down. Once again, Will drove in his point,

"No." Horace's face started to flush, soon his face was a bright, crimson red. He stepped forwards, growing more furious by the second. Will knew what would happen next. Both boys would fight, Horace winning and Will with a split lip and a black eye. Then Horace would get off with another warning and Will would get dish duty for the rest of the week. Will shuddered, he hated dish duty. Scrubbing the silverware and plates was fine, drying was even better. But the water? Yes he hated the water. Every time he put his hands in the basin, he felt some new slimy piece of food floating around. No Will wasn't planning on getting dish duty again this month. No chance at all. So Will did the only logical thing anyone who didn't want to get beaten up would do - he ran.

Will ducked around Horace and took a beeline for the exit. He threw open the heavy door and sprinted down the cool stone hallways. Will heard a furious roar echo through the hall and knew the large boy was hot on his trail. He turned a blind corner and ran smack into a young maid holding a teetering basket of laundry. The flawlessly folded laundry seemed to grow wings and fly as it was launched into the air. Will muttered an apology to the flustered young woman and continued running for his life.

Will panted as he turned another bend of the castle. Horace was fast, but Will was lighter and faster. He slowly gained ground and soon, Horace was out of sight. Gasping, Will folded himself into an alcove and sighed. Horace would definitely call him a coward now. Taking a look around the dimly lighted hallway, Will realized where he was. Down the hallway, through large oaken doors was the Redmont kitchens!

Will grinned. Who said this this escapade was fruitless after all? Will's smile evaporated as he took a better look at his surroundings. The kitchen was busy preparing the evening meal, and hoards of cooks and apprentices were bustling around. Will shrugged, he could get around that. Sneaking up to the door he looked around everyone was intent on their work. Slipping into the kitchen, he dove under a cart as a maid hurried by with a silver tray of soup. The large tureen slipped to the side, spilling a few drops onto Will's leg. He tried not to hiss in pain, that soup was hot! Poking his head out again, he spied a large wooden bowl of fruit. Looking around, Will crept up to the counter and reached for another pear. Confident he would get out unscathed and prize in hand. that would show Horace! Will grimaced. Everyone probably thinks I'm a coward now, he thought. Horace won't let me forget this for a long, long time. I should've fought, like my dad. even if I got in trouble, I'd be a hero. Will grinned wryly. Maybe even Alyss would be impressed, who knows? Lost in his sweet fantasy, he completely missed the large, wooden projectile headed straight towards the top of his head.

CRACK!

Head throbbing, Will yelped and whirled around. Sure enough, Master Chubb towered over him, polished ladle in hand and a scowl on his flushed face. Scared to death Will choked out a hurried reply,

"Master Chubb! Uh, I was hungry and thought a little pear wouldn't go missing..." He trailed off as the portly cook pointed to the large, dented metal basins in the corner of the room, where several apprentices were glumly taking up rags for their foolish behavior or failed tasks. They were filled to the brim with dirty dishes from this morning's breakfast. Oatmeal clung to the sides of bowls and soggy chunks of bread floated around in the water like little boats.

Will sighed and rubbed his aching scalp. So much for escaping dish duty…