How things could have been…
(This is set during the banquet ceremony at the very end of Chapter 41, Oakleaf Bearers, if you don't understand the context re-read the book!)
Chapter 1
…Then the crowd was hushed again and the King spoke again; 'Would the Ranger apprentice Will stand forward.' Even though he had assumed he would be included in the ceremony, he was still caught unaware, hurrying from his seat he stumbled before straitening in front of the King.
'Will, the Ranger corps has its own ways and I've spoken to your mentor and the Corps Commandant, and unfortunately it isn't possible for me to shorten your period of training and declare you a fully fledged Ranger. Halt and Crowley insist you must complete your 5 years of training and assessments.'
Will gulped but nodded solemnly, he had suspected that King Duncan would have tried to promote him as he had Horace, but receiving a Knighthood was not the same as The Silver Oakleaf and Will knew that he was no where near as close to completing his training as he needed to be.
To Will's surprise the King continued, 'However, I can offer you an alternative. It is within my power to appoint you as a lieutenant in the Royal Scouts, your masters have agreed with me, that you are completely qualified for such a position and will release you from your apprenticeship, if that is your wish.'
A collective gasp of surprise came forth from the assembled mass of people. Will was speechless. The Royal Scouts were an elite task force of light cavalry that trained the Kingdoms Archers and scouted ahead of the Kingdoms army in times Battle. Scout officers and recruits generally came from the ranks of nobility and appointment was practically the equivalent of a Knighthood.
Will shuffled his feet, trying to think of the words to phrase his answer, finally coming to a conclusion he said, 'Your Majesty, would it be acceptable to you if I could have a few days to think about your offer?'
The King nodded almost immediately, "of course Will, take as long as you need.' The king smiled before gesturing that Will could return to his seat. On his way to his seat he almost fell over twice, 'The Royal Scouts?' he thought to himself. Distantly he could hear the applause of the crowd as he sat down, but his mind was elsewhere.
The rest of the Banquet was a blur for Will, all he could think about was what the King has said. The main decision thought to himself, was the decision of which lifestyle he wanted to live. Then there was the Princess… Will knew that being a Ranger was going to pull them even further apart, where as if became part of the Royal Scouts, he could maybe, just maybe rekindle their relationship and make it what it once was.
(Im a really slow writer, so chapters will be far apart, HOWEVER, im enjoying writing this fanfic so the chapters will hopefully be VERY long :D )