The First of a Line

A story of a girl who's courage earned her the honour to become a Ranger's Apprentice

A Fan Fiction by A Ranger's Apprentice

Disclaimer: Okay, I own none of the work of John Flanagan, and any of the characters or locations that you recognise. The plot and a few characters are mine but nothing else.

Summary: This is based on the Ranger's Apprentice novels by John Flanagan. It's about the daughter of Baron Arald, who is lord of Redmont Fief. Ella is about to begin the journey of a lifetime as Will, the Ranger, takes an interest in the fiery young girl.

Spoiler Warning Reveals some events that happen in Oakleaf Bearer's and Icebound Land so read if you wish (nothing major though)

Chapter Two – An Apology Long Overdue

Will jumped back with a start, then shouted, "You"

Will moved so fast that Halt almost missed what he did. Will slammed the door closed and stalked to his room, slamming that door behind him. Halt jumped up just as quick and ran after Will.

"Will," Halt called, "What was that about? Who was at the door.?"

"Look Halt, I refuse to speak to her."

"Her?"

"Yes Halt, her. By all means, go ahead and invite her in. But I am not speaking to her."

Who could be behind that door. There's only two people who could get Will that angered. But they both live on the opposite side of the Kingdom. Hmm.

With a sigh, Halt turned from Will's door and walked back to the front door. He slowly pulled the door open and started to apologise.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's got…" Halt broke of mid sentence as he looked up at the figure standing in the door.

"Princess Cassandra"

Halt bowed mockingly.

"What a pleasure it is to see you!"

"Halt, please, use Evanlyn, like when we were in Skandia."

"Why might that be?" Halt walked outside slightly and closed the door behind him. They were now on the front porch, and Halt walked over to the chair that he had used so many times when the cabin was his. Halt placed his feet against the rail and looked up at Evanlyn with an enquiring look on his face.

"Halt, I, er, I come with grave news, that could only be told to you, and I hoped Will, in person."

At this, Halt's face darkened. Halt knew that when King Duncan sent a personal messenger, then there was either an important death, or a potential war that was to be scouted. Halt had been silent for some time, and Evanlyn was watching his face for some reaction. Evanlyn knew that Halt was thinking that the only time that her father sent a personal messenger that it was grave news indeed. Evanlyn took a deep breath and asked the question that was still on her mind.

"Is Will still angry at me from last year?"

"Hmm, well it appears that way."

Evanlyn hung her head and looked away. It was then that Halt noticed the sadness that lingered in her eyes.

"I don't suppose that sorry would help him?"

"It might, if I was the one who taught him. Go and speak to him now. Even if you have to shout through the door."

Halt turned and watched as Evanlyn walked into the little hut. Halt knew the reason why Will still didn't want to talk to Evanlyn. A year ago, Will had been given the choice of becoming a full member of the Ranger Corps, or becoming the commander of the King's Archers. Evanlyn as Princess Cassandra wanted Will to take the position of Commander of the King's Archers so that he was closer to her. Evanlyn consider Will to be a close friend. When Will once again chose to stay with the Ranger Corps, Evanlyn became angry and refused to see Will for the last year. He had tried to write letters to her, only to get formal replies from Lord Anthony stating that the Princess wished to be left alone. Halt shook his head and considered everything that had happened over the last year.

I hope that boy has sense left in him. I fear that this will be most grave news since we found out Morgarath was planning to attack again.

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Evanlyn was thinking along the same thoughts as Halt as she walked to the door of Will's small room. Raising a had to know, Evanlyn bit back a gasp of surprise. Will had pulled the door open and was staring at Evanlyn with a cold look in his eyes.

"Will, I, ah, I wanted to say sorry for my behaviour this year."

"Is that all? Because I wish to be left alone" Will said this in a perfect imitation of Evanlyn's voice. Will moved to close the door, but Evanlyn put out a hand to stop him.

"Will, listen to me. I am truly sorry. I shouldn't have got Lord Anthony to write those replies. But would you at least try to look at it form my perspective?"

Will pulled the door fully open once again. He had a slight frown on his face.

"Your perspective? And what would that be?" Will crossed his arms in front of his body.

Evanlyn noted this with a sense of dread.

Whenever someone crosses their arms, there not open to listening. Oh dear, I have to tell the truth.

"Will, I had tried to get you to stay somewhere near me for three years. I considered you as more than a friend. I looked at you like a brother. When you declined the post of Commander of the King's Archers, I thought that you didn't even remember me any more. Throughout the whole ceremony, you didn't look at me once."

Will hung his head as he hear this. He remembered clearly what his actions were like on that day. Will believed that Evanlyn didn't want him to become a member of the Ranger Corps, and convinced her father King Duncan, to offer him the post. Will had then refused to look at Evanlyn for the fact that he believed that he wanted him for her own purposes.

"I convinced myself that I should forget you and treat you as someone that I didn't even know. I tried to forget about you but I couldn't. You'll always be my brother Will."

Will couldn't stand it any longer. He looked up and saw the tears glistening in Evanlyn's eyes. Will threw his arms around her and drew Evanlyn into a close hug.

"Oh Evanlyn, I should be the one who's sorry. I should have seen the true reason for you wanting to be near me. And Evanlyn?"

Will pushed her gently back and looked deep into her eyes.

"You will always be my sister."

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Halt was still sitting out on the small porch. He had heard everything that was said between Evanlyn and Will. Inside he was secretly glad, though he let no emotion show on his face.

Finally! Having Evanlyn and Will not talking to each other was not good. They have both shared the same experience in the hands of the Skandia's and they need someone else who has.

"Halt?" Will called, drawing the Ranger out of his deep thinking.

"Yes Will?"

"Will you come inside? I think it's time Evanlyn told us the message she came to deliver."

"Very well, very well," Halt muttered to himself.

Halt stood up from his chair on the porch and walked inside, closing the door firmly behind him.

"I must warn you however, we are expecting a visit from Ella sometime this afternoon, so make it quick." Halt walked over and took his favourite seat by the empty fireplace.

"Umm, okay I'll make it quick," Evanlyn replied. She drew herself up to her full height and turned to look at Will and Halt.

"King Duncan has recently received a report from one of our spies in Celtica. The report states that Celtica are in league with the Gallica. He requests that Will and Baron Arald uncover this on their diplomatic mission to Celtica. This report only arrived yesterday, which is why you did not hear of it sooner Halt. Father wishes to keep it to a few people, so not to cause panic."

"Yes, yes, I agree with him. If this became know to the public, then it could spell disaster. A threat of war hasn't been seen since Morgarath."

"So you think it will come to war then Halt?" Will asked, leaning forward on his chair and staring intently at Halt. Halt, noticing that Evanlyn was also waiting for his answer, took time to gather his thoughts before he replied to Will.

"To answer simply, yes," Halt stated.

Evanlyn took a sharp intake of breath when she heard this. Will leaned back onto his chair with a slight sense of unease.

"So this trip to Celtica will be more important than normal?" Will asked.

"Yes. It will be vitally important to our survival. Evanlyn, I think it's time you set out back home," Halt replied while he turned to look at Evanlyn.

With a sigh, Evanlyn stood up and pulled her cloak back over her blonde curls.

"I guess your right. Will I see you at Castle Araluen then, Will?" Evanlyn asked.

"Hmm…I guess so. Goodbye Evanlyn," Will replied. He then stood up and made a slight bow. As Evanlyn was walking out the door, she overhead some of the conversation between Will and Halt.

"So Halt, how am I going to find out if Celtica is in an alliance with Gallica?"

"We need to discus this with the Baron first, Will. When Ella comes down, we'll walk back with her."

Halt's treating Will like a full ranger. I guess he's truly gone then.

With this, Evanlyn's eyes welled up with tears. Evanlyn ran to her horse and jumped on, taking of from the hut at a full gallop, and not slowing down till she reached the other side of Redmont Fief.

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A/N: So, how did you like the second chapter? I'm sorry it's not as long as the first. I won't get to write chapter 3 and 4 for a while but I may surprise you! Please, please please read and review!

What happens next chapter: Halt meets Ella for the first time.