Ranger Hood

Hey thanks for everyone's reviews! Yes, last chapter was all "I love you" this and "I promise you that, but this chapter should be a bit on the sad and depressing side, coz Morelli gets the girl. I promise it's not for long though. And FYI, I might have slightly broken Ranger.

Thanks to:

Deanna-AKA-RampsAngl

Thief's girl

MoonWolf161 (Thanks Mel)

LIZ03

got2BaBabeFan

Sophiepicklegirl

Trhodes9

Tiggy318

Barb4psu

And last but definitely not least, my fan fic mentor, margaet fowler

Love you all Babes!

Disclaimer- You know the drill. I own nothing, just playing, don't sue, etc

Previously in 'Ranger Hood'

The cool night air created a chill, causing Steph to snuggle closer to Ranger, her head pillowed on his muscular chest. As he gently kissed her head, he whispered, "Mi corazón será tuyo para siempre, mi amante"before allowing himself to drift into unconsciousness too.

Chapter 6- Goodbyes

Ranger woke early the next morning, feeling happier than he had in a long time. Until he remembered the beautiful woman in his arms and the vow she had made to him the previous night. She would never be his though, no matter what she said. He silently got up and took off from his boudoir, leaving the beautiful maiden fast asleep beneath the covers, in an attempt to clear his head.

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When Steph awoke, she too remembered the events and words spoken the night before, and she did not regret a thing. She sat up, slightly dazed, but then felt her heart flop when she realised she was alone. Where could he be? She thought.

She stood and wrapped Ranger's spare cloak around her shoulders and ventured out in search of him.

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She found him by the river, skimming stones across its murky surface. He turned to look as she approached.

"Did you not wish to see me off, Ranger?" she asked

He looked into her deep blue eyes, seeing the hurt and sadness in them.

"Yes," he replied "I didn't want to see you so happy to leave, to be reunited with your betrothed"

Steph moved closer, until they were nearly toe to toe. She slipped off her necklace and reached for his hand.

"My father gave this to my mother. He said they could not be together; their hearts will always belong to each other. I want you to have it. Although we cannot be together, I will always love you, and I will never regret what happened last night. True love will always find a way, Carlos" she whispered, before chastely kissing his cheek and walking away. Ranger watched as she left, then glanced down at the necklace, before his legs gave out from beneath him. He collapsed to the ground, tears streaming from his eyes.

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Steph was oblivious to Ranger's tears as she hurried away, trying to mask her own. She carelessly pushed past Little John, who was heading in the other direction,

She headed towards where the horses were tied up, where she found Bobby and Much who were to accompany her to Trentonshire. They were just attaching the horses to a small wooden cart when they saw her approach.

"Are we to wait for Ranger?" asked Bobby

"No," said Steph shakily, "I believe he has business to attend to."

Bobby could tell she was lying easily, but he saw how close she was to tears he didn't push.

They left for Trentonshire in silence, every step the horses took felt like a step away from true love and a step closer to her horrible fate for Steph.

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Little John had seen Steph's tears when she pushed past him and knew the reason behind them. She was losing the one thing that she truly loved with all her heart. He knew the feeling, which was the reason he wished to speak with Ranger. He knew Ranger would be going through the exact same thing. Ranger was his brother, not by blood but by an even stronger bond, and he did not wish for him to go through such pain.

When he arrived at the river bank, he was aghast at the sight of Ranger. He was curled up in a ball, rocking back and forth on his heels. Ranger was normally extremely aware of his surroundings, but when Little John approached him, he barely lifted his head.

"What do you want?" asked Ranger, his voice void of any emotion.

Little John just sat right next to his friend, simply stating "To talk"

"Go away" Ranger said petulantly, turning away from him.

The two men fell into a long silence, before Ranger spoke.

"She's gone John. The one woman I could never have, and I went and fell in love with her. She's gone off to marry Morelli, and I'll probably never even see her again."

Tank just grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him.

"Get yourself together man!" Little John shouted "Get yourself together and get your woman! That little girl is as much in love with you as you are with her. Go after her and stop her from marrying that good-for-nothing scoundrel!"

Little John stood and looked at his best friend, then said gently "Go after her man 'coz she is the best damn thing in your life and you don't want that to slip away." He began to walk away before he heard Ranger ask "John?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks man and good luck with Lula"

"Cheers man" Little John said, before saddling his horse and riding for the King's castle in search of his Lula.

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"So you are the King's adopted daughter" stated Bobby as they rode along the winding road through the forest.

"And the only heir. You'd get to be Queen!" added Much excitedly

"Yes" sighed Steph "But only if I marry a high ranking noble, according to Queen Helen, and the man I marry must be of my parents, or adoptive parents, choosing. Queen Helen arranged the marriage between myself and Sheriff Morelli, and it is my duty to go through with it."

"But why is this your duty? You don't have to become Queen" said Much. Even though he was just a child, he knew that Steph and Ranger were already deeply in love and this marriage would ruin everything.

"If I choose not to marry by my 20th birthday, I relinquish my right to the throne. My father's second in command, who apparently is Sheriff Morelli, is to become king if Father dies and I am not eligible to rule. If I marry Morelli, at least I can have a say in hope of stopping his biased rule. I love the people of Trentonshire too much to let them be ruled over by such an unworthy oaf."

"Fair enough" said Much simply, before the group fell into a comfortable silence.

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Many hours later, a small stone castle appeared atop the hill which the group was slowly riding up.

"The sheriff's castle" murmured Much.

They pulled over a few yards away from the entrance.

"Why have we stopped?" asked Steph

"I am supposed to be lowly Friar who stumbled upon this fair maiden who claimed to be the fiancé of Sheriff Morelli and selflessly guided her back to him. Lowly Friars do not own horses, Lady Stephanie."

Steph giggled at his logic before she got off the cart and headed towards the castle entrance with Bobby. Much stayed behind and tended to the horses.

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"Cupcake" exclaimed the Sheriff as he ran towards Steph and enveloped her in his arms. Steph could barely hold back the bile that rose in her throat when she smelt the week old whiskey permeating from his clothing.

"You, Monk," he called over Steph's shoulder "Leave at once before I arrest you for trespassing."

Bobby turned to leave, because being arrested would not help his and Much's plan on getting Ranger and Steph together, when he heard a gentle "Thank you, lowly Friar"

Bobby just nodded his head before continuing on his way.

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Don't kill me!

*cowers in the corner*

Guys, I'm sorry but I think I broke Ranger! But I solemnly swear that I (well, technically Steph) will fix him! Honest! Remember, if you kill me I won't be able to update!

Review please! =)