Loss of a Dear Friend

Chapter One: A Sticky Situation

Disclaimer: I do not own Ranger's Apprentice.

Summary: Will isn't having the best of luck right now. His bowstring's broken, he's trapped on the edge of a cliff, and a very angry axman is coming at him. And for some reason, this isn't as funny as it seemed during the embassy to Celtica, joking around with Gilan and Horace.

I got my inspiration for this from a forum topic that MeL replied to! *gaspies* I hope you won't, like, kill me for doing this, but...well...let's just say that Will's stuck in a pretty bad situation right now.

And it's not nearly as funny as the scenario seemed in book 2.

Will cursed himself for not noticing the man who had just attacked him sooner. There was a deep wound on his right side that was bleeding freely, and he had several minor cuts as well.

His bowstring was broken after one of those huge, sweeping strokes of the ax. There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. He was stuck at the very edge of this cliff, by the Fissure, with a spiteful, extremely angry axman coming at him. All he had left were his two knives. That was it. Not nearly as funny as the joke had seemed during the embassy to Celtica, which seemed ages ago.

He closed his eyes. "I would be grateful if you would allow me to say my last words here."

His opponent harrumphed, then grudgingly accepted. "After all, it's not like you told them everything you had to say before you went on your little mission here."

Will took a deep breath, then began.

"Halt...thank you for being like a father to me. You taught me...comforted me...helped me...showed me the right way to go in life. Thank you."

Memories of the past ten years, especially through his apprenticeship, rushed through his brain, almost overwhelming him with their intensity. Over the years, Halt's head had become more and more gray from worry. Will almost grinned at the thought. And over the years, Halt had become much, much more than a mere teacher to Will. Especially their latest adventure together, going off to save the sixth kingdom of Hibernia, Clonmel.

"Horace, you were the best friend a man could have. You were always there to watch my back...well, except now, heh. But I want you to know that you're amazing with that sword of yours. Thanks again for all you've done, starting with the boar hunt all those years ago."

Will now remembered how they'd fought so much as little kids, how that fierce enmity had changed miraculously into a strong friendship. They'd been through a lot together. Of course, there was the boar hunt, then the embassy to Celtica, the reunion in Skandia, fighting the Tualaghi in Arrida, and then the investigation of mysterious events up in Norgate Fief. And most recently, their quest to save Halt's homeland.

"Gilan, you were a great friend and an expert Ranger. Thanks for your guidance and counseling over the long years, especially my last year of apprenticeship. I'll never forget what you've done for me. To all the other Rangers, thank you as well, for setting an excellent example. Even you, Meralon."

Will smiled weakly at the last words, remembering the only actually stupid Ranger in the Corps. The axman drew breath to speak, but Will cut him off.

"George and Jenny, two of my great childhood friends, I wish you the best of luck and success in the years to come. Show them what you've got! George, I didn't get to know you very well, but I know that you're a good person and that you'll be the best Scribemaster ever. Jenny, never stop cooking those pies. You'll be the most famous cook in all the world at this rate. Keep it up."

Again, Will paused. This time, he opened his eyes minimally, just barely enough to let him see his opponent's position, then closed them. And again, Will started before the axman could interrupt his final words.

"And, last but not least, Alyss. Alyss...I loved you, and I still do. I wish something fierce that I could have told you exactly how much I love you before...this. But after I'm gone, please remember me. Don't sink too deep into the hole. It will get better, I promise. Please don't do anything...rash after my death. Just continue being the wonderful, beautiful woman you already are. Thank you for loving me back. Be the best one in the Diplomatic Service yet.

So now I've said my last farewells. Please remember me, but don't fall into depression. Look to the next day. It will always get better in the morning. And now..."

Suddenly, he unsheathed his saxe knife and plunged it through the thin chain mail armor into the axman's heart before his startled opponent could react.

"Goodbye."

He felt himself falling, ever so slowly, a very long distance. He couldn't stop himself, for there was a long tunnel before him. Its bright light was welcoming and the hole grew larger and larger and then...

Nothing.

All was black. There was no more pain, or sorrow, or feelings of loss.

Will was at peace now.

*sniffle* I'm sorry. It's horrible, isn't it?

But now, how will Halt and the others react to the horrible news? Look for the next chapter to find out...

PS: If you're wondering how I knew what Horace and Will and Halt had been sent to do in Book 8, it was from the summary, not the book itself. XD