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)

A/N: Sorry if this took a while to come…It's a week before exam block so I won't get to write to often. I don't have the story pre-written so I'm not entirely sure how it is going to end up! Read and Review.

Chapter Three – First Impressions

Ella was apprehensive as she left the grounds of Castle Redmont. This was the first time that she had gone down to the little hut by the edge of the village. Ella didn't know what to expect when she arrived.

I wonder what it is that I have to pick up from Will. I'm just so glad that father let me come.

Ella was so occupied in her thoughts that she didn't know that she had arrived at the cottage until she ran into the small gate that ran across the road. Muttering curses to herself, Ella undid the latch and walked up to the small hut. From the outside, Ella could see that it was quite small, though had the look of neatness to it. There was a stone chimney, though no smoke was coming out of it. Ella walked up the front steps, but before she had a chance to knock on the door it opened to reveal a small figure. The figure was dressed in a brown and grey clothes and wrapped in his long mottled grey and green Ranger's cloak.

"Er, Hello. I, I was told by W-Will to come down this afternoon," Ella ventured.

Halt studied Ella, noting the stubborn chin and determination in her eyes.

"That you were, Ella. By all means, come inside," Halt replied.

Halt stepped back and let Ella into the small hut, closing the door behind her. Ella looked around and found the figure of Will leaning over a series of maps. Will looked up as Ella entered the room.

"Ella, let me introduce you to my old mentor, Halt."

Will broke the silence that had formed in the room and gave Ella an encouraging smile.

"Halt, as in the famous Halt who was the key to defeating Morgarath twice? The current Commandant of the Ranger Corps?" Ella asked with a look of surprise on her face.

Halt gave a slight nod in recognition. He then turned away and started to role up the maps that were on the table. Halt looked up at Will and hand singled that he wanted to talk to Will alone. Halt then casually walked to the spare room in the cottage, the one that used to be his.

"Ella, I just have to go and grab some things so just make yourself comfortable and I'll be back in a second," Will said.

Will then turned away and also walked into the spare room. Ella watched him go and noticed that he entered the same room that Halt just walked into.

o------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------o

"What was it that you wanted, Halt?" Will asked as he walked over to one of the cupboards that lined the room. From within it, Will took out a green and grey Ranger's cloak, a couple of saddle bags and a few sets of his old breeches and shirts.

"You were right about her, Will. She has the strength and determination that it would take." Halt replied.

Will stoped and then turned around with a slight frown on his face.

"You know that already? You've only seen her for five minutes" Will stated.

Halt walked over to the window and stared out of it. Will let Halt think, know that if he asked questions now, Halt would just get angry and not answer him anyway. Halt was thinking of what had always happened when he agreed to take on a new apprentice.

I always tested them in some way. I knew from the beginning that they would be good apprentices, but I tested them to be sure. With Gillian, it was to see if he would follow me. With Will it was to see if he would come and try to take the piece of paper. How can we do something like that for Ella, without letting the Baron know?

"Halt?" Will ventured, "How are we going to test her?"

Halt turned around with a look of surprise on his face.

"So you were thinking of that to? Hmm…I think that you should try something on the road to Celtica. Anyway, we will discuss this later. Ella will be waiting."

With this, Halt strode over to the door and pulled it open, leaving Will to pick up the equipment that he had pulled from the cupboard. As Will walked back into the main part of the cottage, Halt was asking Ella a series of questions.

"Ella, how good is your geography?" Halt asked, with a slight wink at Will. Will smiled, knowing that this was his worst subject.

"Umm, it's okay, I think." Ella replied.

"You're an apprentice. You're too young to think" Halt and Will said at the same time, smiling as the did.

"It's a standard Ranger's joke, Ella" Will said, "Come here so that I can see if this will fit."

Ella stood up and walked over to Will, who was holding out green and grey cloak.

"Oh wow, I never thought I would get to wear a Ranger's cloak," Ella breathed as she placed it on her shoulders.

Will was looking at her, nodded his head and said "It's a good fit. That means the rest of the stuff will fit as well. Come on, were going up to the castle."

Will handed Ella a whole bunch of equipment, all stored in a saddle bag. Ella then followed Will and Halt out of the door, were they headed up to Castle Redmont.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

"You sure of this, Halt?" The Baron asked, quite some time later.

"Yes. As sure as I can be," Halt replied.

They were in the Baron's study, sitting around his desk, with Ella looking at Will, Halt and her father with interest, seeming as this was the first time she had seen all three in a room together.

"But, why then didn't I head of it too. Surely Cassandra would have come past here, with information as important as this." The Baron was puzzled, that was plain for anyone to see. This time, it was Will who answered.

"My lord, this information we are telling you, must not leave this office. You cannot even tell Sir Rodney." Will stated, knowing that Sir Rodney, Battlemaster of Battle School, was the Baron's closest friend. Will saw the Baron open his mouth to speak, and quickly kept going.

"Our mission to Celtica has become more important. If it was know that we had this information, it could spark a war which we cannot afford to let happen."

Halt looked at his former apprentice, and felt pride swell with Will's words.

I taught him well. Taught him everything I knew. I'm glad it's paid off. The Baron is listening to him.

And Baron Arald was listening to Will. He was going over what Will was saying and knowing that it was true. Araluen could not afford a full-scale war with its neighbours. Sighing Arald knew he would have to comply with Halt and Will's wishes.

"Okay. I agree with you. I swear not to tell Rodney or anyone else about the information you have given to me."

Halt leant back in his chair, breathing a silent sigh of relief. Halt was expecting to have to fight a little more to get the Baron to agree. Halt eyes rested on Ella, and only just realised that she would have to also swear not to tell anyone.

"Ella, you have hear our exchange, and I must ask you to make the save vow as Arald did." Halt said.

Ella, startled at being addressed looked up from her position near the door.

"Er, yes I, I will. Umm, I herby swear, under the light, not to reveal any of this conversation to anyone without the prior permission of Will or Halt. Will this satisfy you?" Ella asked.

Will was impressed. He did not know that she knew the words of the Ranger's Oaths. Will looked over to Halt who nodded once. He had made a good decision.

With this Halt stood up, followed by Will.

"I must be off I am sorry. The King requests my presence for tomorrow." Halt stated. Turning to Will, Halt added in an undertone, loud enough only for Will's ears.

"Will, find out how much she knows of the Ranger Corps, and report to me at Castle Araluen."

With a final nod, Halt was gone from the room. Will walked over to the now open door and stoped on the threshold. Looking back, Will opened his mouth to speak.

"I'll be wating in the courtyard at dawn, my lord. Mi lady." Will said

With this, Will turned and shut the door behind him, and walked back to his hut to make the final preparation.

A/N: So there it is chapter three. Okay you know what to do. Hit the review button and send me a review. I'm going to try and give each of my reviewer's a message in the next chapter. So until next time, A Ranger's Apprentice

What happens next chapter: Will, Baron Arald and Ella set out for Castle Araluen.

DreamingIce: Thanks for being my first reviewer! Hope you liked this chapter. Keep posting your Ranger's fic because I really liked it.