Takes place after book seven, before book five. Will has just gotten back from Arrida.

*****

Will was sitting on the grass beside his and Halt's cabin.

The young Ranger gave a small sigh as he looked out at those northern stars. It was great to be home. He had missed looking at the northern stars at night. He'd been stuck staring at the southern ones for too long.

He heard the door of the cabin open and soft footsteps moving toward him. He wondered who it was. He was pretty sure whoever it that was walking toward him was not a threat. Judging by the weight of the footsteps, it was not a man.

"They're beautiful, aren't they?"

Will looked around and his eyes met a tall blond girl. Her grey eyes were fixed on his as she gracefully sat down next to him. Her silver blond hair moved in front of her eyes and she looked at the ground. Will loved her eyes. They were a beautiful grey color that Will had first noticed at the age of fifteen. Now, years later, he enjoyed looking into them.

"Yes, they are." Will said, moving his eyes away from the young Courier and back to the sky.

The moonlight seemed to make her hair shine bright and Will was having trouble not looking at her. He finally gave in and he found Alyss looking at him with her dancing grey eyes alight.

"I'm glad you're back," Alyss whispered to the young man sitting on the ground next to her, "I missed you."

Will gave a small smile, "I am too,"

Alyss laughed silently and moved her delicate hands unhurriedly to Will's tousled brown hair. Will's eyes closed his eyes to her touch and leaned into her hand. The Courier looked at Will for a moment.

He looks so handsome; Alyss thought as she moved her hand away from Will's hair and slowly moved and touched her lips against his soft lips.

Will sighed in surprise but did not move himself from her but moved a little bit closer to her so their lips moved closer together. His hands moved to her hair and Alyss put one of her hand on his shoulders and one around his neck.

They pulled away slowly and looked at each other. His hand was still in her hair and her hand was still rested around his neck and shoulder.

"I really did miss you, Will." Alyss whispered into his neck.

"I missed you also, Alyss."

They stared at each other in the moonlight.

Alyss looked away and said, "I heard about what happened." She paused and looked into his brown eyes, "I'm proud of you, Will."

Will gave her a shaky smile and moved her blond hair in his hands idly. Then after a minute or two, he said, "I'm hearing that a lot."

"That's because we have a reason to be proud of you." Alyss said simply.

Will nodded and looked out into the darkness of Castle Redmont. He heard a dog barking in the distance. The moon seemed to light up the area on the grass that they were sitting and Will moved his gaze to the moon above. The moon was shining like a spotlight on them. Or maybe it was just him imagining it.

"You're going to be an amazing Ranger, Will." Alyss said as if reading his thoughts.

Will looked at her in some surprise. "You think so?"

Alyss shook her head happily and moved her arms closer around his neck so they were touching. "Of course you will be." Alyss smiled at the young man next to her.

Will nodded and leaned into her. "I just think…that sometimes…" He trailed off uncertainly.

He stared up at the shining moon once again.

"You'll be great." Alyss moved closer to him and kissed his lips softly.

She pulled away slowly and Will gave a small sigh.

"Well, I guess it's now or never," Will said quietly as they got up from their spot on the dampened grass and headed back to the cabin.

******