A.N: Hello! This is my first time writing fanfiction and I am very excited. This story takes place after the 12th book, disregarding the epilogue. Fair warning, if you haven't read the 12th book, this is a huge spoiler. Hope you enjoy!
Maddie awoke and peered through her window at the pre-dawn sky. She sighed. Will had given her the Saturday off, and she had intended to spend it sleeping in. Nearly a year of Ranger training had convinced her body otherwise. She rose and picked up a fresh set of clothes and walked to the washroom. After she had lit the fire, she sat down to wait for her hot shower-bath. By now, her mind had caught up to her body in alertness, and she began to think of what she would do today. Will was riding into Castle Araluen for a meeting with her parents, Gilan, and Halt. Maybe she would join him. She hadn't been to the castle since being taken on as an apprentice, and once the prospect of sleeping in had disappeared, a free day around the cabin didn't have much appeal. Her shower-bath was now warm and she reveled in its reviving power on her sore muscles. When she had dressed, she smelled the familiar scent of coffee wafting from the center room, accompanied by the smell of frying bacon and scrambled eggs. She smiled as she thought of her first reaction to Will's breakfasts. That was another way she had changed.
"Morning Maddie, I see you're up to see me off."
"I didn't have a choice" she grumbled. Then she added, "Could I come with you?"
"I suppose you could come along, but you wouldn't be allowed in our meeting." Secretly Will had been hoping for this, as Maddie still had a great amount of skill at getting in trouble when she was bored. He also had a few other surprises planned. He had already informed the castle that she would be joining him.
They quickly ate their breakfast and readied their horses. Soon they were off on their journey.
Something about early morning rides is quite amazing. Maddie thought.
Not if you're the horse.
Maddie and Bumper's communication had grown and grown over the past months, and Maddie had found that she could never get the last word with her horse. She often wondered if Will talked to Tug as well. She thought she had caught him at it once or twice.
The rest of their ride passed in silence, and soon they mounted the final hill to where the castle was visible. Both stopped their horses. Neither had said anything about it, it was simply the natural reaction to the sudden glory of Castle Araluen. Even for Maddie, the appearance was breathtaking. Once again she realized how much she had changed. The castle had gone from being her prison to being worthy of awe.
They were close to the drawbridge now. It was lowered, as was the custom during daylight hours. Two sentries stood guard at the outer end. They came to attention and saluted the two Rangers, and one sent Maddie a quick wink. She recognized him as Gordon, one of the sentries that she would give her game to during her late night hunting excursions back at the castle.
"Welcome back, Ranger Maddie, and of course, Will Treaty." Gordon said with another wink. He gestured them to ride past, stepping aside to accentuate the invitation.
Maddie couldn't help but smile and she got the feeling that Gordon was among the few people who didn't find it strange that she, a girl, was in the Ranger Corps. He knew enough of her personality to know that she would fit right in.
They were greeted by an apprentice ranger, as was Gilan's custom.
"Good morning, Ranger Will, Ranger Maddie. My name is Cory and I'm assisting the Commandant. The Commandant wishes to see you, Ranger Will, in his study. And you, Ranger Maddie are requested into the presence of the King and Queen. I will show you to your rooms and call you when they are ready," he announced, sounding very much like this was a practiced speech.
Maddie wondered how they had known she was coming. This was only going to be her accompanying Will. She glanced over at him and realized that he had been anticipating this. He must have told them she was coming before she told him.
How does he know what I'm going to do before I do it? She wondered. One of their lessons had been staying unpredictable in actions and thoughts.
Rangers can predict everyone. Except, of course, their horses. We remain a mystery.
Not if I give you an apple.
"Maddie" Will was trying to get her attention. She hadn't realized him dismount and hastily followed suit. She could have sworn she heard Bumper snigger.
They left their horses to be cared for by the stable hands. Maddie was reluctant to let Bumper go, but Will pointed out that the boy would tell the tale for years how he had taken care of Will Treaty's horse. They were also short on time as Gilan had requested Will immediately. Maddie wondered what this was about. If they were to receive a mission, Gilan would have sent a letter or visited the cabin. He would have liked an excuse to travel to Redmont.
Despite the unorganized thoughts running through her head, her mental focus lay on her meeting with her parents. Only twice in her life had this meant something good. As a Ranger she had only experienced good things from her parents, but was always worried that her luck would wear out. Her biggest fear was that she would be forced to leave the Ranger Corps. No one had talked at all about what lay beyond her one year of training, and she knew it was nearly over. She could imagine her parents explaining to her that it was time to get back to her duties as princess, that her little adventure was over, hope you had fun. She didn't think she would be able to bear it.
Maddie was jolted from her thoughts by a knock on the door.
"Their Majesties will see you now."
She sighed and followed the guard, fully aware that this meeting could change her life forever.
