Well this is exciting! My second fanfic and let's hope this doesn't turn out to be another one shot drabble like my last story. All right then. Usual disclaimer and such I DO NOT OWN RANGER'S APPRENTICE OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS THAT ALL BEONGS TO JOHN FLANAGAN!

All right here's the story and remember to read and review!

Gilan cautiously peeked out from behind the birch tree he was hiding behind. Nearly 30 meters ahead, the Ranger Halt was walking back toward where he had left Abelard. He had left his horse there before going to visit Gilan's father, Sir David.

As far as Gilan could tell, Halt was so far unaware of the fact that he was being followed. Wow, I'm better at this unseen movement stuff then I thought. Gilan thought happily. Maybe I'm good enough to be accepted as an apprentice Ranger!

Gilan looked around for his next hiding spot. There was a stream nearby, some bushes and there! There was a large oak tree some 20 meters ahead of him. Perfect. Gilan began to move toward the tree, stepping as quietly as possible. After 10 meters or so, he stepped on a small twig that had somehow escaped his notice. He froze, but Halt seemed not to notice. Gilan grinned. His plan just might work!

Halt sighed inwardly as he listened to Gilan's clumsy movements. The boy had some skill but was still as clumsy as a Skandian.

I would be surprised if they could not hear him in the next fief! Blundering around the forest like a blind wargal! Halt thought, wincing slightly as Gilan stepped on a twig for what seemed the millionth time.

Am I really ready for an apprentice? Halt wondered. As Gilan drew near the next tree, Halt made up his mind. Ah well, he thought. It can't be all that bad having an apprentice. After all, nothing ventured nothing gained.

Gilan didn't know what hit him. There he was, moving from tree to tree when faster than he had ever seen someone move before the Ranger was right in front of him.

Halt picked him up and promptly threw him into the stream Gilan had noticed earlier.

Startled, Gilan sat up in the water, spluttering.

"What was that for!?" Gilan said indignantly before remembering who he was talking to. Halt raised one eyebrow.

"Is attempting to sneak up on a king's Ranger reason enough for you?"

Gilan wisely kept his mouth shut and said nothing. Inwardly he was crestfallen. He knew there was now almost no chance of being a Ranger now. Not after he had apparently angered one of the most famous Rangers.

Halt just stared silently at Gilan. The boy had been quite startled when Halt had thrown him in the water. Now though, he looked rather depressed, as if he thought Halt had actually angry.

Annoyed, yes, but not all that angry. The boy had some skill. He was a little on the tall side for a ranger but height did not matter. It was potential that counted and Halt could see potential in Gilan.

"If you are trying to sneak up on someone, it's usually a good idea not to step on every twig you can find." Halt told him.

Gilan's expression changed from disappointment to confusion as if he was wondering why Halt wasn't reprimanding him.

"Come on, if we are going to reach my camp before dark we should go. It's a little late for you to return home."

Halt turned and began walking again. Gilan remained rooted to the spot for a moment before what the Ranger said sunk in. He scrambled to his feet and ran after Halt with a wide grin on his face. Maybe I can still become a Ranger!

Well there we go! I finally finished the first chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it and I will try to post the next chapter sometime soon. I'm going to try to update this story weekly, but don't get your hopes up. I'm still pretty new to this and I'm still trying to figure out how to post my stories properly. Thanks again and please review this story!