This story is set when Gilan is coming back from Arradia with the Herons. It is a bit long but too short for two chapters. If you like it, review. If you don't like it, review. I love any input that you give me.
Gilan was on the Heron. Hal was at the helm. Stig was with him. The crew were lazing around. Gilan wanted something to do. He meandered over to Stefan.
"Stefan, there is something I have been wanting to ask you. Would you be able to teach me how to mimic people?"
Stefan grinned. "Sure, Gilan. I would love to. Come with me."
Stefan lead Gilan to the back of the ship. "Sit down and pay attention," said Stefan.
...Two Hours Later...
Stefan got up and stretched. "I think you have the basics down. You are a natural. If you don't mind me asking, why did you want me to teach you?"
Gilan looked a little guilty. "Ummm...well... I might find it useful, seeing as I am a ranger." This is what Gilan said but his face said otherwise.
Stefan grinned. "That is what you say but your face tells me that you have other plans. Do I sense a fellow prankster?"
Gilan grinned back. "Yes. I was planning to prank my old mentor, Halt. This will not be the first time I have pranked him."
"Well, I wish you the best of luck." Said Stefan.
...Three Weeks Later...
As Gilan was saying goodbye to the Heron Brotherband, Stefan walked up.
"Good Luck with your plan, Gilan. Are you sure you remember how to mimic?"
"Of course I remember," said Gilan and Stefan jumped. Gilan had spoken but it sounded like Hal!
"Good job." Said Stefan in an impressed voice. "You are a quick learner."
"I will put these skills to good use, don't worry."
Gilan rode off on Blaze.
"What do you think of my plan, Blaze?"
"I think you are stupid trying to prank Halt."
"Don't be a party pooper, Blaze! It will be fine!"
Blaze tossed her head skeptically. "Don't blame me if Halt kills you."
Gilan gave up on reasoning with Blaze. He rode on.
...Two weeks later, at the ranger gathering...
"Hi Halt!" Exclaimed Gilan, as he rode up to the cross roads. "Is Will here yet?"
"Take a look around, Gilan. Does it look like he is here?"
"Nope! But I thought it would be worth asking." Said Gilan cheerfully.
Halt rolled his eyes. Just then, the two rangers heard hoof beats. The looked up and saw Will riding toward them.
"Hi Halt! Hi Gilan!" Shouted Will.
"Hi Will," said the two rangers.
Will pulled up and the three rangers shook hands. Then they rode off toward the gathering ground.
...The Next Day...
"Where is Halt, Will?" Asked Gilan.
"He went off to practice archery in the woods."
"Why didn't he go to the shooting range?"
"He is avoiding Crowley. Crowley wants him to do some paperwork."
Gilan grinned. "Poor Halt. He really hates paperwork, doesn't he?"
"Why did you want him?" asked Will. "Is it something important?"
"Always with the two questions, Will!" smiled Gilan, "Anyway, I have had an idea for a prank to play on Halt. Do you want to help?"
"Not on your life!"Exclaimed Will. "That would be paramount to suicide! I think you are an idiot!"
"You sound like Blaze," grumbled Gilan. "You are no fun."
"I may be no fun, but I am alive and unshot!" replied Will.
Gilan said goodbye to Will. He grinned evilly to himself. Even though Will would not help him, he would still go on with his plan. He walked into the wood to find Halt. He blended into the background, hardly making a sound. After a while, he heard the familiar deep throated thrum of a longbow. He ghosted closer and peered through the trees. He saw Halt, loosing arrow after arrow at various trees in the glade. There was no more than three seconds between each shot.
Gilan climbed a tree, gulping at the height. He had never liked heights. He settled himself in a comfortable fork. He wondered what Halt's reaction would be.
He took a deep breath. "Halt," he called in Crowley's voice, "I can see you. I have paperwork for you to do."
What happened next surprised Gilan so much that he nearly fell out of the tree. Halt jumped! Stern, stoic Halt, jumped nearly a foot off the ground! Gilan had never scared Halt before! Halt was too brave to be scared. Gilan was so surprised that he burst out laughing! About one second later, he realised his mistake. Halt heard him and whipped around. He saw Gilan in the tree at once.
"GILAN!" Halt yelled at the top of his lungs. "BY GORLOG'S BEARD I WILL SHOOT YOU, SO HELP ME I WILL!"
Gilan had never come down a tree so fast in his life. He fairly flew down the trunk and fled through the woods. He had to find someplace safe to hide. He couldn't hear Halt behind him but that did not mean he was not chasing him. Halt was a ranger and even an angry ranger can move silently.
Gilan came to a rocky hill. He quickly found a small cave and squeezed inside. He breathed a sigh of relief. Just then he realised something. His camping gear was with Halt and Will's stuff. They were camping together as they usually did. If Halt was mad with him, he could not go back to the campsite unless he wanted Halt to shoot him. It would be a long, cold night.
...Back At The Campsite...
Will was making coffee when a very angry Halt came up.
"What's up Halt?" Asked Will.
Halt growled,"That big idiot called Gilan just scared the living daylights out of me." He trailed off into unintelligible muttering, filled with words that made Will's eyebrows practically fly off his head.
"Idiot!" said Will "He said he was going to prank you. I did tell him not to but he didn't listen!"
"He will not be coming back to camp tonight." Said Halt, grinning evilly.
"Don't you think that is a bit mean?"
"Not at all. He needs to be taught a lesson."
...Late At Night...
Gilan was hunched over in the cave, trying to keep warm. He was glad of his cloak but he would kill for a cup of coffee.
...The Next Morning...
A very damp and miserable Gilan crept back into camp the next morning. Will was up but Halt was still in bed.
"Is Halt still mad at me?" Whispered Gilan to Will.
As Will opened his mouth to reply, a growl came from Halt's tent.
"Yes he is!"
Gilan yelped and shot off. He decided that today was a good day to spend with Crowley.
Halt came out of the tent. He surprised Will by grinning at him.
"Gilan should learn his lesson by this evening. I am enjoying getting him back."
Will rolled his eyes. "Poor, stupid Gilan."
...Five Minuets Later...
Crowley was drinking a cup of coffee when someone walked up. It was Gilan and he was damp and miserable looking.
"Good heavens, Gilan! What on earth happened?"
"I pranked Halt and then he wouldn't let me come back to camp. I spent the night in the forest, without coffee, and Halt still won't let me back into the camp!"
Crowley burst out laughing. "Oh Gilan! What will we do with you! Come over and have a cup of coffee and dry off. I guess you want to stay out of Halt's way today?"
"Yes."
"Good! You can help me with paperwork then!"
Gilan groaned but he could not do anything else. Halt avoided the paperwork tent so he would be safe there.
...That Evening...
Gilan crept back into camp that evening. Halt allowed him to come back only after he heard that Gilan had spent the day doing paperwork.
"I suppose you have learned your lesson. Hopefully you will remember not to prank me again, although I think that is never going to happen!" said Halt severely.
Gilan was very meek and apologized very well. After all, Halt was very scary when he was angry.
Gilan was still pleased with his prank though! The cold wet night and day of paperwork was worth it to see Halt jump!
I hope you enjoyed this. If you have any ideas of something you would like to see here, let me know.