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Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ranger's Apprentice or any of its characters. :)

Horace loved being famous. He knew it sounded a bit conceited, but it was fun to walk around and have random people he didn't know come up to him to say how brave he was to defeat Morgarath in single combat. He was even picked to be in King Duncan's Royal Guard.

Horace caught on quickly to fame, but the first few encounters were a little awkward.

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Horace had to go to Castle Redmont to talk to Sir Rodney. He had no idea why. But he wasn't worried, and he decided he would go up early to watch apprentices at work. It fascinated him to see that these apprentices were only a few years younger than him, yet he was so much better. Again, he knew that if he said that out loud, he would be considered the most conceited hero of all time, but he had to admit, it was true.

Horace mounted Kicker and urged him forward into a canter. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the breeze. It was a warm day – a perfect day to be outside.

People were walking here and there, just enjoying the wonderful weather. One group of giggling teenagers was to the right of him. A few couples just sat in the grass, talking. There were three girls, probably around seventeen or so, talking in his direction. Then Horace realized they were trying to talk to him. He veered Kicker off the dirt trail leading up to the castle and the girls started waving.

Hmm… do I know them?

"Hello, Horace," one girl with curly blond hair said.

"Do I know you?"

"Uh, no," another girl said. She had red hair.

"But we could," the blond one said.

"How do you know my name, then?" Horace was very confused. He didn't know the girls, they were a few years older than him, and he had never even seen them in his life.

"Oh, we just sort of know…" the third girl said, smiling at him sweetly. Horace's face turned pink.

"Oh… oh."

"Can we have your autographs?" the blond girl asked hopefully.

"Yeah… sure."

"Here you go, sign all three papers."

"Okay." Horace signed each of the papers very slowly, like he was still learning to write.

"Here you go."

"Thanks," the blond said, and took the papers from him and distributed them among her friends.

"Well, we'll see you around," said the redhead, and she winked.

"Yeah… sure."

All three girls turned around and walked away, leaving Horace very dazed. Horace just sat there, staring at the girls as they walked. It was at least a minute before Horace came to his senses.

Snap out of it, he told himself, and urged Kicker into a run.

But Horace wasn't looking in front of him. He was still looking at the girls.

I hope Horace wasn't too OOC. Let me know what you think! :)