Alright, I'm trying, I really am. I have other stories up at the moment in a different fandom (thank you, loyal and somewhat scary PJO fans). But, at request via PM, I will try to get the new chapter up.

…

Gilan was taking first watch that night, which might've been a blessing in disguise. He didn't have to witness the friendship blossoming between Will and Horace. Which, to a small degree, infuriated him. After all, it was he who sought Will's company for this mission. Horace had just happened to come along out of request from Halt. At the start, it had seemed like a good idea. But it became all too evident that Horace and Will were closer than anyone could've imagined.

So, while he kept an eye to the outside of the camp, he kept one ear on the inside, listening intently to what Will and Horace were saying. After awhile, however, they must have sensed someone was listening, because their voices dropped down to the barest whispers. Gilan could no longer pick out individual words. It all seemed like one big jumble. He gritted his teeth in frustration and turned his focus outward, no longer caring what the two apprentices were saying.

"Is he quite done?" Will whispered to Horace. The muscular youth glanced over his shoulder where he knew the older Ranger was stationed. He could just make out a large, black splotch in the scenery. That had to be Gilan. That, or it was the world's quietest bear. He turned back to the apprentice Ranger, who was shifting in his seat. "It's not like Gil to keep close scrutiny on us," he continued. "After all, his attention needs to be focused outside the camp, not in it."

"Opposite for you," Horace muttered under his breath. At his friend's confused look, he sighed. Sometimes, being the middle man for the two Rangers was exhausting work. "You need to pay better attention to how Gilan is feeling," Horace exclaimed. "He's been acting like someone stuck a thorn in his side all day, and there's no way he can get it out." Will looked at his friend irritably.

"Thank you for once again pointing out the obvious," he snapped softly. Despite the fact they were beginning an argument, both apprentices made sure to keep their voices low. They didn't need

Gilan's attention back on them. Will was all too aware that, every now and then, the older Ranger would swing his gaze back into the camp and study them for some minutes. It was rather like living in a box. No way to escape, and always on surveillance. "I know that. So, how do we get it out?"

"You need to do that," Horace said. "He's fine with me, sure, but it's you he wants." Will tilted his head to the side thoughtfully, turning his gaze to the older Ranger. Gilan was focused outward now, studying the surrounded countryside. But what Horace said grated at him. What did he mean exactly, that Will was who Gilan wanted? Surely the older Ranger wouldn't want a mere boy for company. "Oh Will," Horace said with a shake of his head. "You really don't get it, do you?" Now, the apprentice Ranger swung his gaze to the muscular youth.

"What don't I get?" he asked. Horace shook his head again, tisking.

"Nothing at all Will," he replied. "Nothing at all. We should probably get some sleep. You're set to relieve Gilan in a couple hours." At the mention of sleep, Will had to suppress the urge to yawn. Sleep sounded like a beautiful thing right now. He rolled himself into his cloak, mumbled a good night to Horace, and was soon sleeping soundly away.

…

Breakfast was a quiet affair. Horace roused Will as the first light began to peek over the horizon. Will had the fun task of waking Gilan. But the older Ranger roused much more easily than his mentor, without the usual grumbling and eye rolling that followed. They packed up what meager things they'd spread out, strapped them to the saddles, and sat around the fireplace, eating cold rations. Will finished the last of his and set his plate aside, leaning back against the log he shared with Horace comfortably. Gilan looked like he was sucking on a sour fruit, but he didn't say anything, which worried Will some.

"Gilan?" he asked. The older Ranger's gaze snapped up. That gaze was almost as unnerving as Halt's sometimes, Will thought. "Are you alright?" he asked. Horace rose suddenly, startling both Rangers.

"I'm going to go scout around," he said. Gilan gave him a baleful look, but he ignored it, marching off. When he was a few meters from the campsite, he dove behind a tree and watched the two Rangers, full-fledged and apprentice, stare at each other for a few minutes, neither saying anything. "Come on you idiot," Horace whispered in Will's general direction. "Talk to him. Or better yet, get him talking. Don't just sit there acting like you're in trouble."

In truth, Will thought he was in trouble. Now that Horace was gone, Gilan's cool gaze travelled over him. He squirmed in his seat, uncomfortable with all the attention. Gilan finally looked away, trying to mask the hurt he was feeling. First, Will asked if he was alright. Now, he wouldn't even look at him. Will sensed the shifting mood, but he wasn't sure what do about it. He'd always allowed others to take the lead when it came to comforting people. No amount of training could prepare him for a moment like this.

"Gilan?" he tried again. The older Ranger gave no sign that he'd heard him. Behind Gilan, Blaze and Tug studied their masters curiously. Blaze went over and butted Gilan's shoulder, looking at Will as she did it. Will smiled a little at that. Even the horses wanted them to talk. "Gilan, I'm sorry if I've done something wrong," Will ventured. Gilan fondled Blaze's ears for moment before turning to study the young apprentice. "But are you alright? You've been acting odd since we left Redmont."

"I'm fine," Gilan said shortly. He wasn't in the mood to talk. Especially if Will was only going to ask him if he was alright. Couldn't the apprentice Ranger see he wasn't alright? Couldn't he tell he was hurting? Will, for his part, did sense it. He did see Gilan was far from alright. No amount of apologizing could make up for the fact, however, and he wasn't sure what will.

"No you're not," he said with more confidence than he felt. "You're far from fine, Gilan. I want to help. What can I do to help you?" Gilan closed his eyes briefly. It wasn't that he wanted someone to admit he was far from fine, but he was grateful Will had taken notice.

"Thank you for the concern Will," he said after a few moments of silence. "But really, I'm okay. I'm just anxious to find out what happened to all the Celts." That wasn't a total lie. That had been gnawing on him since they found the abandoned town and mines. Will nodded. That was a problem he understood.

"Yes, I'm rather curious myself," he agreed. "I wish I knew what Morgarath is up to. Then we'd know why he'd need the Celts." Gilan nodded along, only half-listening. Horace was returning to the camp. Though instead of sitting next to Will, he plopped down next to Gilan. The younger Ranger looked a little hurt by that, but Horace shook his head. He'd explain himself later.

"Nothing to report," he said, turning to Gilan. "Except a few trees and rocks here and there." Gilan sighed. All this waiting around was finally starting to get to him. He hated not knowing something. Will, he knew, felt the same way. Ranger's strived to know all they could. This lurching around in the dark wasn't doing them any favors. Only Horace seemed somewhat content with the situation. After all, he was a simple knight. He'd let the Rangers think. He was here to bash someone's head in if they needed it. And that included his two companions. "What all happened here?" Gilan shrugged.

"Just expressing how glad we'll be when we finally figure out where all the Celts have gone," he replied. Horace looked at Will, who gave a little shrug of his shoulders. He'd tried to get Gilan to talk, but it wasn't that easy. "Oh, I suppose you sense it too," Gilan said, throwing up his hands. "Will was just asking if I was alright, that's all."

"You're not alright," Horace pointed out, much to Wills chagrin. Will turned a withering look to him. He shrugged. His friend wouldn't hurt him. Besides, he needed Horace to play middle man. Gilan also seemed to find his comment less than desirable, but he didn't say anything. He assumed a thoughtful expression.

"I suppose you're right," he agreed at last. "I'm far from alright, but it has nothing to do with either of you." Horace and Will exchanged a look. "Will, why don't you mount Tug and move a few meters ahead of us. Keep watch." Will nodded and swung onto Tug, moving through the tree line. Horace moved to follow him, but a hand on his elbow stopped him. He looked back and found himself facing a very anxious Gilan. "Has Will…mentioned me?" he asked.

"No," Horace said, with just a hint of apology in his voice. "Other than last night. We were discussing your odd behavior, but that's about it." Gilan released Horace's elbow, waving him on. Horace hesitated, wondering if he could do something to help. Then he shrugged. Gilan would work it out himself. Rangers were good at solving their own problems, he knew. He swung astride Kicker and followed after Will. Gilan studied the campsite with a small frown.

"Why does it have to be him?" he asked for perhaps the thousandth time. "Out of everybody in the whole kingdom of Araleun, why does it have to be Will?" Araleun was a vast kingdom, with plenty of people to pick for potential partners. So why did it have to be young Will? Blaze buttered her head into his shoulder again.

I don't know, the horse seemed to say. But you better figure it out.

"You're right, of course," Gilan said, stroking her soft muzzle. "I'm sure I'll figure it out. Come on girl. We can't leave them alone for long." He swung up into the saddle, and Blaze shook her mane and whinnied.

Of course not. You'll get jealous.

And Gilan had nothing to say to that.

…

Woo, slightly longer. How about that? A new chapter! Already this is going better than the other one.