Hello, people! I'm back on Duty! Well, most of the people used to know me as Apprentice of Halt, but I changed my username to Eumin. I was uncertain if I should use this (because I use it as eumindeviant on tumblr), but I've grown to trust y'all. So I've been working on this doc for several months and I'm finally doing it!

I really don't see why people aren't writing about Halt's past. I don't get any credit (course, all of it goes to the awesomest John Flanagan) but I'm quite proud to come up with this. Enjoy and Review!

It was a bitter night. The winter was the fiercest Clonmel had ever had. The wind ripped and bit everything in sight and the snow tore the ground as if it was eager to hurl itself onto the ground.

But to King Falton it was the most joyous day he ahd ever encountered.

It was December 31st, the last night of the year. As if bitter to let go, the night dragged on its torture of cold and harshness.

In the distance, King Falton heard the Village bell ring.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and finally, twelve!

A new year had begun.

He paced around his chamber, in front of the long, wide window that was filled up with streaks of stark white snow against the black sky. Several minutes had passed and he heard the soft patter of footsteps and he turned as a servant barged into the chamber.

"Your Majesty!" she exclaimed. "Queen Hazelle has given birth!" And King Falton was out and racing towards the nursery. He shouldered open the door and found his wife, Queen Hazelle, on the bed with her blue eyes shining and her golden hair splayed around her shoulders.

But the most welcoming sight was not her, but not only one but two bundles!

"Twins!" he blurted, his joy doubling. She smiled up at him. "Indeed," she beamed. "Quick, who is who?"

"This," she said proudly, holding up a pale blue bundle, "is the latter, Ferris." Ferris's eyes were screwed shut and he was bawling loudly. She passed him to a nanny.

"And this," she paused dramatically, "Is our firstborn son Halt O'Carrick." She passed him into the King's arms.

Halt had black hair and dark eyes. He didn't cry. He was alert and lucid.

"I heard the bell ring. Exactly when were they born?"

"Halt's timing was uncanny, my lord. He was born exactly on the eleventh chime, a second away from the twelfth. Ferris was born seven minutes are him."

The King smiled. "Finally," he breathed. "An heir to the throne!"

Then, as Tradition and on impulse, he straighted up, lifted up his firstborn, and said in a deep voice that everybody clustered around in and outside the nursery could hear, he said,

"I announce the birth of my firstborn heir, Halt O'Carrick, born into the higheset royal class of O'Carrick line, firstborn to King Falton and Hazelle O'Carrick, First in Line to the Throne of the Northeast District of Hibernia, Crown prince of Clonmel, and King Halt in the incoming future. Let us celebrate!"

*smug* How did it go? I think it's pretty good, don't you think? Oh I had so much fun coming up with his full title! I mean, he can't just go as Prince Halt O'Carrick, can he? So this is the Full title. At least, I think Clonmel is in the Northeast of Hibernia... Correct me if it's not, pardon, in the review.

Halt O'Carrick, Firstborn to King Falton O'Carrick, born into the highest royal class of the O'Carrick line,
First in Line to the Throne of the Northeast District of Hibernia, Crown Prince of Clonmel.