AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi everyone! This is my first try at fanfiction, so please read and review! I will try to upload new chapters often, so tell me what you think! Also, if you have something from the ranger world that you want me include (eg, getting a new horse [which will be in the next chapter!]) tell me, and I might write a chapter around the idea! Thanks guys! You're awesome!

It was Choosing Day for the wards of Redmont. The feeling of nerves was evident as Will, Jenny, Alyss, George, Horace, and Hannah made their way up to the castle with Martin, the secretary. Hannah couldn't help but be nervous- now 16, she had come to Redmont a few years back. Unlike the other wards, however, she was not Araluen, but was an Aridian royal, Selethen's daughter and the crown princess. Baron Arald, however, did not know this, nor did anyone else. She knew that her father was bound to be looking for her, and was afraid that if she told, she would be sent back to her old life at the palace. For now, however, her mind was elsewhere; the same place as everyone else's'. As the wards entered the baron's office, she looked around, thinking fast. Her thoughts drifted to Ulf, the gigantic horsemaster for Redmont. As a desert woman, she was an excellent rider, and had experience breaking and training horses. Furthermore, animals trusted her, and she valued the bonds that she formed with them. She had not had the opportunity to truly ride since she had left, and hoped that this would grant it to her. Her only worry was that, as a slim girl standing five foot five, Ulf would overlook her as too small.

Martin's call to line up by height shook her out of her reverie. Horace, of course was first, a good two inches taller than the rest of them. Then was Hannah, closely followed by graceful Alyss. Jenny should have been next, but, knowing how sensitive Will was about his height,she let him in line first.
"What are you doing? The girl is first!"

"Of course Martin would say that," Hannah thought. Though not unkind by nature, Martin had always struck her as oblivious and in love with attention.

Thankfully, Baron Arald, a large man (and very fond of food!) and master knight, chose that moment to enter the office.

"That won't be necessary, Martin. If you could ask the craftmasters to enter please," the baron scolded gently.

"Yes, of course. Sir!" Martin replied enthusiastically, with a comical attempt to click the heels of his soft leather shoes. It was all they could do not to laugh. Martin turned and strode toward the door.

"Oh, and Martin? Don't yell at them, craftmasters don't like that." After nodding his approval, Martin let them in, speaking in a noticeably quieter voice. In came Sir Rodney, head of battleschool, Lady Pauline, diplomat, Ulf, horsemaster, Nigel, head scribe, Master Chubbs, the castle chef, and through a door behind the Baron's desk, the Ranger Halt. Hannah nodded at him politely, and noticed with some surprise that the other wards, too focused on the other adults, hadn't noticed his arrival. Halt, although he didn't show any outward signs of it, was shocked she had taken notice of him, and his curiosity sparked, he inclined his head, very slightly, in response.

Martin was speaking again,and in response to his order, Horace stepped forward, introduced himself, and requested to be apprenticed to Sir Rodney, as a knight. Realizing that her turn was next, Hannah took a deep breath.

"Well then, next in line! Let's have you!" crowed the soft-shod rooster. For, in his desperate effort to look important, Martin did resemble a large bantam rooster. Not that anyone would actually tell him that.

"Hannah Berrigan, sir," she said to the baron, using her assumed name. Turning to the line of craftmasters, she spoke again. "I would like to be apprenticed to Ulf as a horse trainer." Now, the moment of truth. Ulf, incredulous, looked at her.

"The battle horses are very large. Are you sure you can handle them?"

"Yes! Umm, sir. Yes, sir," she said, hurriedly, terrified.

"Hmmm… You ride?"

"Yes, sir. I learned as a child."

"Hmmm… I should like to see before I make a decision."

Halt, curious once more, cut in, startling most of the room."Meet us outside after the ceremony. You can demonstrate on my horse." Ulf nodded. Hannah looked relieved, and, murmuring her thanks, stepped back into line.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of nerves. While the other apprentices went through the choosing, she ran through all of the riding tips she had ever been given. Don't show fear. Make friends with the horse. Keep your seat, but be flexible in your motion. Use a light touch on the reins. As Alyss was approved a a diplomat, (to no one's surprise) Jenny became a chef, George was accepted into the "rough and tumble of scribe school", and Will was… Something. Seeing the end of the ceremony approaching, she was completely intent on her upcoming assessment, and payed no attention to Will's assignment. Finally, it was over, and the wards exited.

Hannah met Halt, Ulf, and Arald in the castle yard, as she had promised. Halt was leading a shaggy grey pony. Most people would have dismissed it, but Hannah knew better. She noticed the grey's confident, measured stride, it's perfect conformation, and the obvious intelligence in it's eyes. She knew not to let this horse off lightly, even though it was far different from the tall, graceful, and spirited horses wandering the Aridian desert in herds.

She carefully walked over to the pair, and addressed Halt."Is there anything I should know before I mount? And what is his name?" She liked to know about the horse before she rode it. It helped her to develop the positive relationship that was so crucial to the horse's training.

"This is Abelard," and seeing her slightly puzzled expression, added, "It's Gallic. And he tends to a bit jumpy with new riders." At this, the baron had to hide his chuckle. Confused, Hannah took the reins that were offered to her, and asked to mount. "If you think that's a good idea!" was Halt's gleeful response. Hannah moved to the horse's side and surprised them all. Gently easing up on the girth, she unsaddled the Ranger's horse, carefully placing the tack on a tree stump, well out of the way. She prefered to be in contact with her horse, especially if she was riding them for the first time. Then, speaking softly to the horse, she moved to his near side, or the left, and gently swung onto his back. Halt noted with approval that she allowed her weight to settle gently, not landing like a sack of potatoes like most riders. He was even more pleased when he noted that, despite her relaxed position, her eyes were alert, waiting. She was not going to be caught by surprise. He also noted that she hadn't once seemed to discount Abelard because of his size. She knew a thing or two, he decided. Baron Arald and Ulf were still confused about her taking the saddle off.

Gently, Hannah tapped the horse's barrel with her heels. And he promptly rocketed to the side, twisting. Hannah sat this easily, stroking his neck reassuredly. Halt smiled. She hadn't pulled back on his mouth like most riders. And she was still on. The little horse continued to dance around, bucking, kicking, rearing. Halt watched with growing disbelief as she kept her seat. He knew firsthand the power of a ranger horse's efforts. When he rode one for the first time, he lasted barely 30 seconds. A quick glance at Arald gave him an answer to his unspoken question.

"Five minutes," the baron mouthed. Halt didn't doubt it. Ulf, for his part, was watching in open mouthed disbelief. The little horse could move! He doubted a battlehorse could unseat her, not if this little dynamo couldn't. No wonder she said she could ride. If only his apprentices had half her skill, they would be known throughout the kingdom. The girl was a natural. That much was obvious.

" Whoa, boy. Calmit down." "Halt, I've done everything I-" the horse gave a giant buck, "know to calm him down, and he isn't tiring at all. I don-" she drew her breath as Abelard transitioned from a rear to a twisting, sideways buck, "I don't know what to do from here. How do you get him to trust you?"

Halt nodded silently, pleased that she recognized the problem was with trust, not training. Although, he thought dryly, it was in his training to distrust her. He whistled sharply, then called his horse's name. The grey immediately quieted, and Halt motioned at her to dismount. Hannah did so gratefully, though, Halt was surprised to see, calmly and deliberately. She gave no sign to the horse that he had won this battle. Very good.

"So that's all you do? Whistle to him?" she asked incredulously, handing the reins back to the horse's owner and moving to retack him.

"Not quite, there is more to it than that." Halt saw Ulf open his mouth, and seeing his chance being lost, quickly said, "Go find the best horse that you can, and bring it to Crowley, the Ranger of Araluen. Any of the locals near Castle Araluen will know where to find him."

Confused but eager to comply, Hannah nodded, sensing an important purpose behind this strange request. Ulf scowled at Halt for "stealing" his apprentice, and turned on his heel to go back to his quarters. Baron Arald motioned for Halt to follow him.

Back in the Baron's personal study, he and Halt were talking about what they had seen. Arald was in awe, stating again and again the amazing skill she possessed as a horseman. He asked Halt what he had done sending her away, saying that she would have been a brilliant horse trainer.

"I want to see what she thinks is a good horse," Halt replied. "I see potential for her to be a Ranger, but as you know, I would like to take on Will. That is why I am sending her to Crowley with the horse. I want him to see her skill, and the horse she chooses. From what I have seen, it will be very good indeed."

Dear Crowley,

I know you are kept busy with running the corps, but I hope you may make an exception to your avoiding of apprentices. This year's castle wards seen to show great potential as Rangers. I will be taking on Will, but have noticed the natural horsemanship abilities of another girl, Hannah. I have sent her to find the best horse she can, and report to your cabin by Harvest Day. I know that this is unprecedented, but hope you will see what I have. Write back with a description of the horse please, I am eager.

Halt