NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Flare, Disk, and the Hunters.
Back to Halt! Figured you guys might want to know what's going on over in Araluen. Short and sad chapter. Sorry!
Review and Enjoy!
A Shadow and a Warrior Chapter 14
Abelard walked along the path at a slow pace. He could sense the heavy atmosphere coming from his rider. Tug walked at his side, lead rein tied firmly to Abelard's saddle. The little horse tossed his head and snorted. At once Abelard sensed his rider grab the rein and pulled Tug in. Soothing, pain-filled words were whispered to his friend. Behind them came the tall bay mare and her rider. Beside them was a battlehorse and a knight apprentice. Neither rider spoke nor did either horse choose to break the silence.
Three days Halt had been arguing with Duncan. Three days to no avail. All thoughts of leaving for Evanlyn and Will were gone. Abelard knew that his rider was hurting deep inside. Such a wound would never heal, he knew. Yet, there was another who was hurting worse. With hope in his heart, Halt had brought hope and peace to Tug. Now, however, the little horse seemed to sense that his rider was being left. To him, this meant abandonment. That was something he could not bear to think about. His master needed him, he knew it, but no one was trying to find him.
Tug suddenly braced his front hooves, pulling Abelard to a halt. Blaze and Kicker came up and their riders grabbed Tug's bridle. With a whinny, Tug reared onto his hind legs. Turning right, he yanked young Horace from the saddle. Blaze was forced to back away as his hooves kicked out. Gilan and Halt were speaking to him, trying to calm him. Abelard knew that this was the last fight Tug was ever going to put up. If he got away then he would go in search of his master. If he did not break free then he was going to give up completely. Neighing loudly, Abelard pulled away from his friend. Blaze did the same. Halt and Gilan were forced to release the horse in order to keep their seats. Before Tug could run Horace grabbed the lead rein.
"Steady, Tug. Steady," Horace whispered.
Tug flattened his ears and reared. His front hooves took Horace in the chest. The young boy went rolling, the breath knocked out of him. Luckily his armor held, saving his chest from the crushing blow. Snorting angrily, Tug turned and charged Gilan, who had dismounted. Blaze barely got in the way, forcing Tug to give up the attack. Now Halt faced Tug. The little horse reared and lashed out at the man. Halt backed off. The moment Tug's hooves touched the ground, Halt seized the bridle. Tug whinnied and tried to pull away. Halt's grip, however, was a steel trap.
"What's wrong with him?" Gilan asked as he hauled Horace to his feet.
Halt petted Tug's nose, looking into those brown eyes, "He knows we can't go after Will. He's not happy about it."
"Halt, you know that if he doesn't stop acting up then we have to put him down!" Gilan said, tears in his eyes. He knew how much Will loved Tug. Gilan did not want to lose the one thing that Will loved beyond Halt and himself. It was not right!
Halt nodded slowly. Then he pulled Tug's head closer and began unbuckling the bridle. Realizing what he was doing, Tug stood still. With the bridle off, Halt removed the saddle. Gilan and Horace stood there and watched with horror. Done, Halt dropped the stuff to the ground. Gently he patted Tug's neck before stepping back.
Halt waved his hand to the countryside, "Go on, Tug. You won't find him but at least we can't put you down. If Will ever returns, we'll find you."
Tug snorted then turned and galloped off. He picked a southward direction, heading back to the last place he saw his master. Halt, Gilan, and Horace stood there. No matter what, they would not lose that horse. He was Will's horse and so long as he was alive then Will was coming back. They had to believe it. It was the only hope they now held in their hearts.
Mounting back up, the three moved on back to Redmont. There were things to do…
Halt felt his heart break as he spotted that little cabin nestled in the forest. No longer was Will there, no longer was Tug there. Alyss waited on the porch. Seeing the dejected group, she broke down into tears. Horace tried to comfort her but it was to no avail. Alyss could not stand the thought of losing Will forever. Halt went to Will's room and began packing all his things into a trunk. He would not get rid of the stuff but he could not bear having them in plain sight either. Gilan entered in a little bit after taking care of the horses and began helping him.
That night all four huddled around the fire. However, it gave them no warmth. Alyss had been told of releasing Tug to satisfy his need to try and find his master. For all Crowley would know, the horse had broken lose one night and ran off. Halt, Gilan, and Horace tried to find him but he was long gone by the time they knew he left.
Alyss looked at Halt and whispered, "Do you think he will be able to return?"
Halt stared at the fire, knowing full well that all three younger people were waiting for an answer. Finally he whispered in reply, "I don't know. At least we know that he will try to find his way home again. We just have to hope beyond hope."