A/N: Hey, sorry this took me so long to upload. I have had a bunch of stuff on my hands this week.

This chapter is dedicated to… EVERYONE! You guys are so awesome... this story has gotten over 1,000 views. It makes me super happy. XD

Thanks to all the reviews as well. (and to Hatakefire for betaing)

For the sake of this chapter, there is no such thing as CPR or anything… ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own it.

10- Breathe Again

Will looked down at the tumbling water below. It was grey-black, swirling like a tornado as it rushed down the hill.

He looked to the rickety wooden bridge they were about to cross. It was wooden, suspended over a five-foot drop by tattered ropes. The wood was rotting, several planks missing from the floor. Every gust of wind sent it swaying dangerously.

"Are you sure that is safe, Halt?" he asked his mentor, eyes wide with fear.

Halt shook his head. "No, but it is the only way to cross…."

Will nodded, glancing up at the stormy winter sky, which was grey with clouds. The frosty wind sent chills down his spine. Why did it have to be today of all days? He thought miserably. Earlier that morning they had gotten reports of bandit attacks in the north and were sent to investigate. The route they decided to take was the one less traveled. Will sighed, wishing that he was back in the warm cabin by the fire.

His thoughts were interrupted by Halt's gruff voice.

"I want you to stay here while I go and test to see if it's safe…" Halt said. He set his bow on the ground, swinging his quiver next to it. Gripping the rope railing tightly, he stepped on to the wood, swaying slightly as the rope bridge quivered in the strong wind. His cloak flapped around him as he shuffled cautiously to the center of the bridge.

Will watched from the sidelines, his breath catching in his throat every time the structure rocked. Halt stumbled once, his foot smashing through the rotted plank, sending him falling to his knees.

Will's heart hammered in his throat. "Halt!" he cried, rushing forward, ready to go to his mentor's side.

"No!" Halt called to him, hands scrabbling at the wood as he tried to find a place to grab on to. The only thing that was holding him to the bridge was his arm around the wood. His hand managed to grasp at the rope, but the wind pushed it away from him and he slipped farther down.

And then he fell. He crashed into the icy cold water. It wrapped itself around him, tearing at his cloak and spinning him around and upside down. He couldn't tell up from down.

His lungs were screaming for air. His chest ached and his head pounded. He tried to swim up… to get some control over his body. But he couldn't. He had to breathe NOW. He opened his mouth, water filling it. His vision blurred and his body went limp. It was over.

BREATH AGAIN

Will stumbled down the steep hill, eyes following his mentor's body in the foamy water. Not stopping for anything, he jumped. The frigid water hit him like a slap to his face, sending the air rushing out of his lungs.

He let the water carry him, keeping his head above the waves and searching for his mentor's dark cloak among the white foam.

He spotted the limp figure several feet away and began to paddle over, his arms aching as the battled the current.

He reached Halt, wrapping his arms around the still form and kicking with all of his might to the edge of the river.

He managed to grasp a branch that was jutting over the side and pull them both up onto the bank, panting and gasping as his limbs screamed in protest. His head thudded and he rolled over onto his back, eyes staring at the cloudy sky.

His brain felt foggy as he sat up, the world swaying dangerously. There was something he was forgetting… But what?

He turned, noticing the still figure lying in the mud. Halt!

He scrambled forwards, his hands reaching to his mentor's wrist, feeling for a heartbeat. Under the cold skin was a faint thud of life, making Will sigh in relief.

But when he turned the man completely over, he noticed something. Halt wasn't breathing.

"Oh God…" he whispered. "Oh my…"

He didn't know what to do! Tears began to stream down his face as he gripped his mentor tightly. "Breathe!" he sobbed, gripping Halt tightly around the waist and pulling him into a sitting position.

Sitting up seemed to help, as Halt began to vomit water. Will cried harder as his mentor began to breathe again, wrapping the man in a tight hug.

"Halt!" He said, burying his face into the wet cloak.

Halt drowsily patted his apprentice on the back, his eyes drooping with sleep. "Thank you…" he whispered, slumping forward into Will's warm arms.

Will quickly built up a fire, setting Halt's sleeping form by the flames. He yawned, his mind beginning to shut down. As his eyelids closed, he looked one last time at his mentor… his friend… his protector.

'I hope I never see him that close to death again…' he thought before sleep overtook him.

A/N: That was super fun to write. I hope the setting made sense to you… It was a small five foot cliff with a river at the bottom. You could make your way to the bank of the river by climbing down a hill.

Also, the reason why Will could swim and Halt couldn't…. Will was ready and prepared… Halt wasn't… and Will was above the water the whole time. Halt was pushed under by the force of hitting it so fast….

Just to clear it up in case you sere wondering.

Yeps… anyways….

Please review and tell me your thoughts. Also, any ideas for the next chapter, Memory?