Hey People!
Sorry for the lack of cool fonts in the last chapter. Fanfiction just changed them all into normal fonts which was slightly annoying, especially since I didn't notice until I had published the chapter.
I have an announcement: My wonderful friend who has been writing this story for me is finally going to say something about it! Yaaayyy! Please welcome EbonyandTug otherwise known as Ebby. *applaudes along with everyone else as Ebby comes on to the stage*
Thank you! Thank you! *bows a few times in each direction at the crazed fans* I know my presence has been eagerly anticipated by you lowly pheasants and so I have now decided to honour you by lowering myself enough that I may now be seen with you without dropping dead in embarrassment *pauses and bows again at the grateful cheers* I would like to mention that I do not own Ranger's Apprentice. I did, however help to write this story and I claim any of the good parts as mine. Any boring bits or spelling mistakes are Etta's fault but don't be too harsh on her, we must be encouraging to lesser beings. Without further ado, Collaborating with Intruders Chapter two. *bows again at the deafening cheers and leaves the stage*
Ok so, that wasn't actually Ebby. That was ME trying to imitate Ebby. She is actually a very nice person. *hears Ebby protesting in the background that she isn't. 'Be quiet Ebby!'*
This is ACTUALLY Ebby:
Hello people! I hope you like the story. This author's note is way to long so Bye!Tim and Rob had breakfast, struck camp and were on the road just after dawn.
They were both fit and the previous two days of traveling hadn't had any effect on them except excitement.
They started at a steady jog that they could both maintain for quite a long time.
After about forty minutes they slowed to a walk to regain their breath.
Tim turned to Rob.
"Approximately how far is this camp site you were talking about?" he asked.
Rob shrugged, "I'm not exactly sure. As far as I can remember we should have reached it by now." He hesitated a moment, then added. "At least, I think so. I can't be completely sure."
Tim shrugged and looked up at the sun peaking through the trees, "Oh well. We've caught our breath now, let's run." He said before starting to jog again.
Rob nodded and ran to catch up, falling into step beside his friend.
Half an hour later Tim stopped.
They were on the edge of a large area with enough trees to afford privacy but still give the feeling of an open, spacious clearing. They could hear the peaceful chuckle of water running over rocks and the friendly sounds of thriving wildlife.
The late autumn sunshine came through enough to provide warmth and light but still allow secrecy and security.
Tim turned to Rob with a questioning look, "Is this it?" he asked.
Rob shook his head, "No, but I say we stay here instead. This is way better!"
Tim nodded agreement and they made themselves busy, setting up their tent and gathering wood for a fire when it started getting dark.
Camp set up, Tim produced his sling and Rob grabbed the water skins. They set off in different directions, Rob towards the stream, Tim to find food.
Both missions were successful. The stream ran into a clear pool that offered fresh, sweet water. A large flat rock provided a place to kneel while filling the skins and also made a nice place to sit and soak up the beautiful atmosphere.
Tim found wild onions, potatoes and the sour leaf that could be found and eaten most places in the country. The game was obviously not used to people and he shot down two plovers and a rabbit with relative ease.
He skinned and cleaned them away from the clearing before bringing them to the camp site along with the vegetables he'd found.
Rob greeted him as he approached, and they hung the game on a handy branch where they'd be safe from marauding animals until it was time to cook dinner.
Tim sat on a handy rock and cleaned his skinning knife while Rob arranged the fire ready to light.
They set up targets on various trees and began to practice their skills, Tim with his sling, Rob with a pair of knives. After an hour or so they swapped and Tim used the knives while Rob tried the sling. Tim saw Rob struggling and approached to help him master the leather weapon. Once Rob had the correct technique down Tim left him alone and continued practicing with the knives, throwing them sometimes, and miming combat other times.
Another hour and a half showed them in fierce combat with wooden sticks they had cut. Both trying to slip past the others' guard, eventually Tim won, holding the point of his stick to his opponent's throat while he was sprawled on the ground. Rob said the required words of defeat and Tim held out a hand to assist his friend to his feet.
They then began to cook dinner, Tim doing most of the work. Rob was an interested spectator. They ate in companionable silence, the only noises being the birds, crickets, stream and occasional grunt of satisfaction from one of the boys.
They washed their meal down with cool water and chatted about various things while the sun settled and made way for the moon and stars. Tim got up reluctantly and covered the fire with dirt. That way it wouldn't cause any problems, but in the morning they could take the dirt away to reveal still hot coals.
They moved into the tent and snuggled under the blankets.
"We should really set a watch during the night." Tim said sleepily, his eyes closing even as he said it. Rob just grunted,
"Goodnight Tim." said Rob.
"Goodnight Rob." said Tim.
~*~*~*~
Next morning they were up before the sun.
They broke their fast with leftovers from yesterday's dinner and then set to more practicing.
"Shame we don't have bows and arrows." Tim commented.
"Or cloaks and horses." Rob agreed as he sent stones slamming into trees with considerable accuracy considering he had only learnt how to use the sling the day before. (In other words, not much accuracy at all but there were enough trees around that he usually hit one.)
Tim was doing better. He had been practicing with knives and the sling ever since he had been shown how. A Ranger's apprentice had taught him and he had been fascinated with them ever since. Consequently, he had learned all the ranger skills possible to a farm boy who didn't have any of the ranger issue equipment or a ranger to teach him how to do it.
After lunch they practiced combat. Both armed combat with their sticks and unarmed combat with just their bodies.
Rob was taller despite being the younger of the two and had more bulk as well. Tim had an older brother and so was more experienced, he also was quite agile and fast. After three hours of unarmed combat though, Rob had won seventeen matches while Tim only won eight.
They decided it was time to prepare for dinner and Tim went in search of more game. The two boys had eaten the last three animals with room in their bellies to spare which they filled with onions and potatoes. Rob went in search of more vegetables.
Tim returned with one plover and a rabbit, plus some mushrooms. Rob had more onions, potatoes, greens and some wild strawberries.
"This place is awesome!" Tim said when Rob showed him what he'd found.
Among the greens were some mint leaves and the boys put it aside to have later with hot water and the strawberries.
Rob made dinner this time, demonstrating what Tim had taught him the day before. Tim watched closely, verbally instructing Rob while he worked.
The meal turned out well. The onions, meat, mushrooms and potatoes were sautéed with butter and herbs Tim had brought from home and the greens thrown on top to wilt at the last minute.
They both ate with gusto, and the meal was finished within minutes. They sat back with contented sighs and cups of steaming mint tea.
"We should definitely set a watch tonight." Tim said.
Rob reluctantly agreed. "I'll go first. If I don't then I'll never be able to stay awake."
They watched the fire for a while before Tim got up.
"Ok, goodnight Rob." said Tim.
"Goodnight Tim." said Rob.
~*~*~*~
Rob covered the fire and moved away into the trees till he found a good vantage point where he could see the camp and the surrounding area easily.
How on earth am I going to stay awake? He thought. He needed something that wouldn't distract him too much so that he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings but would also be interesting enough to keep him awake for three and a half hours.
He eventually came up with a solution. He had been memorizing a poem and decided he'd recite it under his breath until he had it mastered. He began:
"How they brought the good news by Robert Browning:"
I sprang to the stirrup, and Joris, and he;
I gallop'd, Dirck gallop'd, we gallop'd all three;
'Good speed!' cried the watch, as the gate-bolts undrew;
'Speed!' echoed the wall to us galloping through;
Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest,
And into the midnight we gallop'd abreast.
Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace
Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place;
I turn'd in my saddle and made its girths tight,
Then shorten'd each stirrup, and set the pique right,
Rebuckled the cheek-strap, chain'd slacker the bit,
Nor gallop'd less steadily Roland a whit.
'T was moonset at starting; but while we drew near
Lokeren, the cocks crew and twilight dawn'd clear;
At Boom, a great yellow star came out to see;
At Düffeld, 't was morning as plain as could be;
And from Mechelm church-steeple we heard the half chime,
So, Joris broke silence with, "Yet there is time!"
At Aershot, up leap'd of a sudden the sun,
And against him the cattle stood black every one,
To state thro' the mist at us galloping past,
And I saw my stout galloper Roland at last,
With resolute shoulders, each butting away
The haze, as some bluff river headland its spray:
And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent back
For my voice, and the other prick'd out on his track;
And one eye's black intelligence,—ever that glance
O'er its white edge at me, his own master, askance!
And the thick heavy spume-flakes which aye and anon
His fierce lips shook upwards in galloping on.
By Hasselt, Dirck groan'd; and cried Joris "Stay spur!
Your Roos gallop'd bravely, the fault's not in her,
We 'll remember at Aix"—for one heard the quick wheeze
Of her chest, saw the stretch'd neck and staggering knees,
And sunk tail, and horrible heave of the flank,
As down on her haunches she shudder'd and sank.
So, we were left galloping, Joris and I,
Past Looz and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky;
The broad sun above laugh'd a pitiless laugh,
'Neath our feet broke the brittle bright stubble like chaff;
Till over by Dalhem a dome-spire sprang white,
And "Gallop," gasped Joris, "for Aix is in sight!
"How they'll greet us!"—and all in a moment his roan
Roll'd neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone;
And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight
Of the news which alone could save Aix from her fate,
With his nostrils like pits full of blood to the brim,
And with circles of red for his eye-sockets' rim.
Then I cast loose my buffcoat, each holster let fall,
Shook off both my jack-boots, let go belt and all,
Stood up in the stirrup, lean'd, patted his ear,
Call'd my Roland his pet name, my horse without peer;
Clapp'd my hands, laugh'd and sang, any noise, bad or good,
Till at length into Aix Roland gallop'd and stood.
And all I remember is, friends flocking round
As I sat with his head 'twixt my knees on the ground;
And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine,
As I pour'd down his throat our last measure of wine,
Which (the burgesses voted by common consent)
Was no more than his due who brought good news from Ghent.Rob finished his poem, looked at the position of the moon, estimated he had time to say it again and started, determined to master it.
He finished the poem again, and, checking the position of the moon once more, went to wake his friend. He shook Tim's shoulder and then sank gratefully into bed, falling asleep almost instantly with the words of the poem still echoing in his ears.
Tim woke him an hour before dawn. Rob groaned and sat up. He took in his friends worried expression and came more fully awake.
"Are you alright Tim?" he whispered.
Tim nodded but gestured for him to get up.
"I don't think it's any danger but, just in case, I think we should strike camp and hide in the trees." Tim said.
Rob frowned, "What isn't any danger?" he asked as he pulled on his pants and packed up his gear.
Tim joined him as he took the tent down and packed it away. "Men on horses. I heard the horses first and then saw them a few minutes later." He explained as they went out of the clearing and climbed some handy trees. It was always safer to be up high because, as the Ranger saying went, people seldom look up.
~*~*~*~
Do you guys like our winged hedgehogs?
Anyway, please review! With cherries and a whole lot of other fruits on top.