A/N I'm back! I may be slower in updating, since I'm having some writer's block, so reviews and suggestions are very welcome. Enjoy!
"Bet you can't catch me!" Will called over his shoulder. Halt full out sprinted to try to tap him. Will was fast. Faster than Halt. He knew this. So, he laughed. Halt smiled as he chased the small boy. He knew there was only a small chance he could catch him, but it was good fun for Will.
Halt managed to catch the edge of Will's cloak, but Will shed it quickly. He giggled quietly and turned into the woods.
It was an hour before Halt managed to catch Will. The two collapsed and Will laughed very quietly. After a moment, Will turned his head towards Halt.
When Halt turned to look at him, he started in surprise. Will was crying.
"Will! What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just, I've never had anyone else play with me. Not even the other children liked me. I'm glad you do," Will smiled.
Halt returned it. Will hardly ever talked about his past, so whenever he did, Halt paid close attention. The two slowly walked home, enjoying the peacefulness of the evening.
"Hello! How was training?" Pauline called.
"It was great," Will called quietly.
The three of them all sat down for dinner. Will ate less than normal, which wasn't much anyways, and Halt began to worry.
"Are you alright, Will?" Halt asked quietly.
Will considered it for a moment, then shook his head.
"I'm worried. There's a war on our doorstep, and I'm nowhere near ready," he mumbled.
Halt smiled gently. "You won't be near the war, Will. Besides, you're doing fine. It'll be okay."
Will nodded and ate a little more. He was still nervous, but his father's words had cleared his head. He had trouble falling asleep for fear of nightmares, but he would die before he worried his parents. They had given up so much just to adopt him, he didn't deserve them at all.
He didn't deserve anything.
Will sobbed quietly, and when Halt came to check, he pretended it was a dream. Of course, Halt "woke" him and checked on him. Will promised Halt he didn't remember the dream at all, and that he was fine. Halt believed it, and Will silenced his tears.