Here is chapter two! I realized after naming Rodney that it could get a little confusing so, when I say: Bigger Rodney or Older Rodney, I am referring to Sir Rodney, if I say: Smaller Rodney or Younger Rodney, I am referring to Rodney Davidson. This jumps fifteen years ahead but if you want to see any childhood memories, I could try inserting flashbacks (whenever appropriate of course) here and there so you can see their childhood.

Disclaimer: I only own the twins and the other orphans. All other characters go to John.


The Choosing

~15 Years Later~

"Justin, you know I hate climbing trees!" a large blond haired boy called. He was standing at the bottom of a large tree in the courtyard of the Redmont Ward. His blue eyes were scouring the branches till he found the boy, Justin, in question. Justin had managed to squeeze his smaller, wiry body on one of the top branches. Justin had brown hair and green eyes; he was smaller than the blond boy at the bottom of the tree but still larger than three of his ward mates.

"Oh, Rodney you could climb up here if you just try it," Justin called cheerfully from the top branch. It was hard to believe it but Rodney and Justin were brothers…more than that they were twins.

"I am too big and you know that Justin now get down here please," Rodney complained.

"Ok," Justin said, and scurried down the tree. When he reached the last branch he leaped from it rolling to absorb the shock.

"One of these days you are going to break your neck Justin," Rodney scolded. Justin frowned at him.

"I know you are bigger than me but I don't think you are older," Justin said. Rodney snorted.

"You know Choosing is coming soon," Rodney said.

"I know," Justin said after a pause.

"What are you going to do?" Rodney asked.

"I don't know," Justin said softly.

Justin and Rodney had been brought to Redmont Ward roughly fifteen years ago. According to Baron Arald, who ran the Ward, their father Sir David and his new wife had died in a house fire. Justin and Rodney knew of Sir David, Arald had told them about him. He had fought in the first war against Morgarath then fifteen years ago he had fought in the second war. David had been the Battlemaster of Caraway before his death. Justin and Rodney wanted so badly to make their father proud. They wanted to return to, what they assumed was their birth fief in a few years.

Rodney would have no trouble becoming a knight. He was big and muscular, Justin on the other hand was by no means short, but he defiantly wasn't muscular. Justin was just a little taller than average, which put him fourth in his age group of seven.

"We will figure something out, Justin. You are strong and fast. You can outthink just about anyone," Rodney said. Justin flushed.

"Well that doesn't make me a good knight," he said. Rodney shrugged.

"I think we should get back. If Arald catches us out here by ourselves again we are going to be in loads of trouble," Rodney said. Justin laughed.

"I get in trouble all the time anyway," he said. He turned to follow Rodney back to the castle when he got a weird felling.

"Rodney hold up," he said. The bigger boy stopped and turned.

"What is it brother?" Rodney asked.

"Someone is watching us," Justin said ever so softly. Rodney frowned.

"Are you sure? Even the guards don't know about our spot out here," Rodney said nervously. Justin nodded.

"Where?" Rodney asked. Justin didn't answer immediately as he searched the grounds. On his third sweep he finally caught sight of someone.

The man was wrapped in a molted green-grey clock. The cowl he had up obstructed his features but he was watching the two of them steadily.

"There," Justin said softly. He didn't have to point; Rodney was smart enough to follow his gaze. Rodney followed Justin's gaze till he too caught sight of the man.

"That is a Ranger Justin," Rodney said nervously.

"I know that silly! What do you think he wants?" Justin asked. Like all the castle wards Justin had heard some pretty far out there tales. Tales he had heard where that Rangers were black magicians that they could simply vanish. Justin thought most of it was a load of rubbish but he certainly didn't want his attention.

Rodney shrugged helplessly and shifted nervously. As the two teenagers watched him the Ranger moved towards them. He covered the ground between them remarkably fast and silently. Rodney watched him warily. Neither boy could run from him, they were transfixed where they stood.

"Hello boys," the man said. He had the feint hint of a Hibernian accent and now seeing him up close, Justin realized just how small he is. The man was nowhere near the height Justin thought he was.

"Hello…Ranger," Rodney stumbled slightly. The Ranger raised an eyebrow.

"You know it is getting late, I just came from the Baron's office and he says he can't find you two," the Ranger told them sternly.

"I told you Justin," Rodney hissed, "we are in so much trouble! They will be watching us closely for The Choosing. Sir Rodney isn't going to chose troublemakers."

"All we did was get some fresh air, I hate being copped up in the castle," Justin said. Rodney shook his head.

"I don't like it either but we can't go wondering around the grounds," Rodney said. Justin sighed he knew his brother was right, but between nerves and boredom he had decided to take the chance. Now that they were caught he had no idea what was going to happen.

"We are sorry Sir, we just needed out of the castle," Justin said softly. The Ranger regarded them steadily. Before he was to answer, however, another voice called to him.

"Halt did you find them?" the feminine voice called.

"Of course Pauline, I am a Ranger," Halt said. The woman, Pauline, stepped out of the shadows and moved over to the two boys. Tall, blond, and graceful Pauline was beautiful; she reached Halt and was looking sternly at them.

"You know, wondering off like this days before The Choosing isn't the brightest plan," she said. Halt responded with a snort.

"We know I was looking for Justin. You see he is worried Rodney wouldn't pick him and has been hiding to avoid the teasing," Rodney said.

Halt looked like he was on the verge of saying something when a jab from Pauline shut him up. "Well he most defiantly isn't going to pick troublesome boys who wonder around the grounds," Pauline pointed out reasonably.

"Sorry maim," Justin said meekly. Pauline nodded.

"I will get you guys back to the castle, but try and behave for the next few days," Pauline said. The twins nodded. They followed Pauline back to the castle saying nothing. As they walked back Justin, however, turned to look behind him. Halt was still there wrapped in that strange clock. Beside him there was a new person. Taller than Halt, he was also wrapped in the same strange clock but Justin could just make out a sword. The two of them were talking softly and Justin felt a shiver go down his back.

"There you guys are!" William called when the twins walked into the boy's dorm.

"Calm down William," Rodney said unnerved. William frowned at them and Justin had to smile. Most boys would want to join the Battleschool but William had taken a liking to the Diplomatic Corps. William was calm and reliable, and didn't lose his temper easily. He could talk his way out of just about any situation.

"Arald asked Halt to find you two so don't tell me to calm down, he was worried about you," William said sternly. William was a month older then the twins, (actually he was a month older than any of the other Wards), and was the more well behaved of the group.

"Yea he found us," Rodney said gloomily.

Another big boy, Ryan, looked up from his bed.

"A Ranger found you two, that is just embarrassing," Ryan sneered. No one really liked Ryan. The boy had just come to the Ward a year ago and was extremely arrogant.

"Oh shut up Ryan, we all know you run in hide anytime you think Halt is watching you," said Trevor. Trevor was another big boy but his line of thinking was towards Horseschool. Trevor liked horses better then people, probably because he had a nasty habit of saying whatever was on his mind whether it was polite or not. The result was offended people; horses on the other hand didn't get offended easily, so Trevor spent most of his time in the stables. Ryan snorted loudly. Rodney grinned.

"Way to go Trevor, you think Ulf is going to chose you?" he asked.

"I think so; I do all the mucking out anyway already. Ulf says he likes me," Trevor said.

"Be sure there is a good horse available for me," Rodney said. Trevor smiled at him.

"I will try," he replied.


Choosing Day was tomorrow and everyone's nerves were on edge. Everyone tried to find ways to cope. As usual when Rodney got nervous he eats….a lot. Trevor, quite literally, hid in the stables. Even calm William was showing his nerves. He spent his time in the library with Rachel. Rachel, who wanted to be in Scribeschool, spent the time pouring over law and diplomacy books with William, each quizzing the other. Of course none of the others had the slightest idea what any of it was that they talked about. Hope, found her own way of copping by making food that helped fuel Rodney's growing appetite. Justin, meanwhile, tried to remember his promise to Pauline and stay out of trouble. That meant he spent a good amount of time drawing.

Justin loved to draw, and his attention to detail was astounding. When he couldn't be outside this was what he did to settle his nerves. Ryan, on the other hand was having no problems with nerves. Always arrogant Ryan pranced around like Sir Rodney had already chosen him.

"Brat," Rodney said with a snort. Justin looked up from his drawing.

"He will get kicked out just wait for it," Justin replied. Rodney snorted again.


The Wards all stood nervously outside of the massive doors that led to the Baron's study. As the doors flung open out came Martin, the Baron's secretary. The twins had dubbed him, The Rooster, and were prone to calling him that behind his back. Even William had used the nickname on more than one occasion.

"COME ON CANDIATES! THIS WAY LOOK LIVELY!" Martin shouted out the doors.

"I think his vocal cords are broken, can't he just talk in a normal voice for a change, why does he have to yell all the time?" Trevor complained, covering his ears.

"I am not sure he knows how," Justin smirked. The group of seven wards hurriedly made their way into the Baron's study. They knew the quicker they were the less he would shout.

"Tallest to shortest let's go!" Martin shouted. Rodney snorted.

Rodney, being the tallest, took his place towards the front of the line. Next was Ryan, a fact Rodney was not overly thrilled about. Trevor was third in line, followed by Justin. William stood on the other side of Justin, and last in line were the only two girls of the year. Rachel was only an inch taller than Hope so she got in line beside William and Hope brought up the rear.

"Stand at attention come on!" Martin shouted. He moved along the line trying to get the uncooperative teenagers to stand straighter.

"That isn't necessary Martin, you should know that by now," came a deep voice from the back. Rodney recognized it as Baron Arald. He was thankful for that because there was really no other way to get Martian to shut up.

Martin looked deflated, and went to go get the Craftmasters. As usual they entered in random order although Sir Rodney always seemed to be in the lead. He strolled on in, followed by Lady Pauline, then Ulf, next Nigel, and lastly Chubb. The wards involuntarily took a step back when Chubb entered the room, the exception being Hope. All of them minus Hope had been hit with his ladle at one point or another during their childhood.

The Baron greeted each of the Craftmasters in turn. They nodded their greetings and all eyes turned warily on Martin. Everyone pretty much knew Martin by now and could see him drawing breath for another loud shout.

"The Craftmasters are assembled!" Martian shouted.

"Thanks Martin," Arald said, although he didn't sound thankful, "shall we begin," he asked before Martin could shout anymore.

"Who is first? Who wants to be first?" Martin shouted. The wards, whom had only been half paying attention, actually jumped. Arald shook his head.

Rodney and Justin suddenly felt a weird feeling. They looked up and noticed two Rangers watching them one short, one tall. Once they noticed them looking the short one turned his gaze on to Martin. The tall one smiled, it was a warm friendly smile.

"Rodney?" Arald asked snapping the boy out of his trance.

"Sorry my Lord," he said and a little embarrassed stepped forward.

"Rodney Davidson, my Lord. Battleschool," Rodney said before he could even be asked. Arald turned to look at Rodney.

"Battlemaster?" he asked. The bigger Rodney moved forward and around the younger Rodney. Sir Rodney took a moment to reflect that he was probably the boy's name sake. The younger Rodney didn't move at all. He stood perfectly still.

"He is good my Lord for the normal three-month probationary period," Sir Rodney said. Arald made a note on a sheet of paper.

"Congrats Rodney," Arald said, and he gestured for Rodney to get back in line. Frowning Rodney did as he was told. He glanced over at Justin and saw his brother was just as confused as he was. Sir Rodney had not told him when to show up. Neither boy had time to dwell on it as Ryan was the next up. Rodney did see the tall Ranger towards the back give him a wink. That really unnerved him.

"Ryan Conner, my Lord! Battleschool," Ryan called. Arald turned to Sir Rodney who had already been sizing the kid up. He nodded.

"Report to the Battleschool at 0800 tomorrow," Arald told him. Ryan nodded and went back into the line. Next up was Trevor.

"Trevor O'Neil my Lord. Horseschool!" Trevor called. Ulf, who had already seen Trevor, more than enough times in the stable, nodded his acceptance before Arald could even ask.

"0800," Ulf told the relived boy.

Gathering his courage Justin stepped forward. "Justin Davidson, my Lord. Battleschool," Justin said as confidently as he could mange. Rodney and Arald however were already shaking their heads.

"Justin, you have already been chosen for another Craft," Arald said. Justin frowned slightly.

"I have my Lord?" he asked. Arald nodded.

"When we are done here you will see your new mentor," he said. Justin nodded and slipped back into line, very nervous.

The other three wards were chosen for their requested crafts. William got in to the Diplomatic service, Rachel Scribeschool, and Hope got into Cookingschool, after a very long description of how to make the perfect breakfast.

"Congratulations everyone, Rodney and Justin would you two kindly stay behind," Arald said. The group filed out with the respective Craftmasters. Sir Rodney, Halt, Pauline, and the other Ranger stayed behind. William paused at the door. He was close to Rodney and Justin and the thought of leaving them here while the others celebrated felt wrong to him. Particularly since Ryan would make fun of them to no end.

"Go on William, they will be fine," Pauline told him gently. Giving one last longing look at his two friends William left closing the doors behind him.

"Are we in trouble?" Rodney blurted out before he could stop himself. This was highly unusual and Rodney was more than a little anxious. Justin gave him a long suffering look.

"You know you just admitted you are guilty of something," he said. Rodney flushed.

"You aren't in any sort of trouble boys but what is about to be told concerns the two of you," Arald said. Justin frowned.

"What do you mean?" he asked. The short Ranger, which Justin now recognized as Halt, sighed.

"You two are the sons of Sir David as I am sure you remember from me telling you," Arald said. The boys nodded. They knew that.

"Well, you might also remember I told you how your parents died," Arald said slowly.

"You said they died in a house fire," Justin said puzzled.

"And we had no family so we were brought here so we didn't have to grow up on a farm somewhere," Rodney added.

"That isn't entirely true," the tall Ranger said, speaking for the first time. The boys looked at each other.

"Are they still alive? Is that what you are saying?" Justin asked. The tall Ranger shook his head.

"They died, but they didn't die in a house fire, at least not in the sense you would think of. The house they were in was deliberately set on fire," he said.

"So they were murdered," Rodney asked in a small voice. The tall Ranger nodded.

"There were only three survivors," the Ranger said.

"Us and the guy who brought us here," Justin said. The Ranger nodded once more.

"Well too bad we are never going to be able to thank him," Rodney said.

"You shouldn't have to…we are family," the Ranger said. It took a second for the boys to catch on then Rodney said:

"We are family? That means you are related to us!"

"Yes, I am your half-brother Gilan," the tall Ranger said. Rodney and Justin looked at each other then back at Gilan. They felt, as if they had just been trampled by Battlehorses.

"So, if you are brother then why didn't you raise us? Why did you leave us at the Ward?" Justin asked trying his hardest to keep the anger out of his voice. Gilan saw right through it, however, and his blue eyes filled with tears. He turned to Halt.

"You said they would understand," he said.

"They will, if they think about it. They are angry now. They don't understand how impossible it would be for a Ranger to raise children on his own." Halt told his former apprentice gently. He turned to the boys and spoke softly.

"How do you think the other kids would have treated you knowing that you had a brother who was a Ranger? You would be left by yourselves for days at a time, while he had to check his fief. You could be left for weeks if he had to deal with something. People fear Rangers; you think you would have any friends if people knew the two of you were being raised by a Ranger?" Halt asked.

Justin and Rodney thought long and hard about that. They realized Halt had a very valid point; they could actually see it the way he described and realized that the life they had was better than that image.

"Gilan never left you on your own. He always checked up with me on how you were doing. I kept him up to date on how you two were growing. When he was transferred to Whitby Fief, he would always visit at least once a month to see you. It would have been more if I allowed it. He cares for you," Halt added.

"We didn't know sorry," Justin said. Rodney nodded.

"It's ok; in truth I don't blame you. I always loved you. I wanted you to grow up loved, and looked after. I wanted you to have a chance to explore new things, and make friends. None of that you could have done as children of a Ranger," Gilan said.

"Thank you Gilan," they said and without warning moved forward to give their brother a hug. Feeling a little awkward at first, Gilan returned it. Halt could see the happiness plainly written on his face.


Ok, first of all I think this a really long chapter for me and I want to apologize for that. Second of all this was not where I wanted this chapter to end so sorry if it ends weird. I thought it was getting to long and kind of cut it off so yea. Anyway please review and hopefully enjoy!