NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Flare, Disk, Behemer, and the Hunters.

IMPORTANT: I am done writing along this path. However, I am willing to let other writers to use my characters in your own fanfiction. PLEASE…PLEASE let me know before you do so. That way I can give you my background info on that particular character. Also, remember to give me credit for my characters.

As always, feel free to private message me with any questions regarding my stories.

I don't know when I'll do another. Keep looking at my profile for updates.

Ranger Charlie: You asked how old Will is now. About a year or two older than he is in the books at the point of the Emperor of Nihon Ja. I really don't know beyond that.

I know this took a while but my wrist couldn't do much plus my teachers dumped a whole lot of projects right before break then I had plans with my family so I tried my best. Here it is (finally! I know). It is shorter.

Last chapter. Review and Enjoy!

Secrets, Lies, and Blood Chapter 14

It had been a long journey home. While Will and the others rested, Raven regrouped the Hunters. He promised to everyone, Araluen and Skandia as well, that the Mordasins would never again come into existence as long as he remained in charge. Banita, his only daughter and whole world, was to be his heir. Will and Cassandra would never be bothered by the Hunters again. However, if they ever needed help, the Hunters would be among the first to answer their call. Once rested, they headed for Hallasholm. There Erak insisted they returned home by ship. Actually, they returned home by ship guarded by three other ships. Then it was a long ride to Redmont.

Well, a long ride for those who loved Will.

Beyond accepting Raven's promise of help, Will hardly spoke a word. His face was a mask that not even Halt could read. Tug and Ebony were also subdued, sensing the turmoil inside their master. Every night the group tried to laugh and joke, to tease him into talking, at least smiling. A forced smile was always there answer. Humor, however, never appeared on Will's features, never sparkled in his eyes. Halt and Alyss tried to talk to him alone. For Halt, Will had simply turned away, rolled up in his blanket, or spurred Tug ahead. For Alyss, a blank, emotionless, silent mask just stared back at her. Yet she could read so much pain.

It was not uncommon for her to wake up, sneak away, and sob into the night.

Halt never let it show. He remained grim and taciturn as always. How could he let it show? Show that his stomach knotted when he looked at his former apprentice. Show that his heart shattered when he saw that blank look or found Alyss crying at night. Show that feeling that welled up inside of him, telling him…no, pleading with him…to hug Will and tell him that everything was going to be ok. It was more emotion then he had ever shown, even after the death of his own brother. He knew there was nothing he could do. After all, he did not even know about Shadow until a few days ago! What could he do? Despite this, he could not reconcile his breaking heart…

As he saw Alyss and Will's relationship falling apart.

For Will, those few weeks of journey after Shadow's death was indescribable. As he wandered the ship with his own thoughts, he always paused to let Shadow respond. Now there was only silence. Secretly he tried a few moves that the Hunters taught him. Never did he come close to completely the move. Two times he almost lost a finger or toe. Silence was not the only thing he sensed. There was also an emptiness, a void he could not fill. Half of him was created. That half of him created room for itself, feeding on Will's insecurities and doubt, using them to build strength. Now that created half was gone. All those insecurities and doubts remained but the carrier of those things was now gone. Now Will was plagued by them again but there was nothing he could do…

Nothing anyone could do.

A few days pass after the group returns to Redmont. Halt took up the whole fief so that Will could rest and think. He knew his former apprentice needed it. Time would hopefully heal the new wound. Alyss, however, feared that time could never cure this injury. With Jenny's help, she prepared a small dinner. George and Pauline promised to take care of any paperwork. Then she headed for the small cabin set away from Wensley Village and the castle.

Tug was munching on the grass outside the cabin. Ebony was plopped on the verandah, head and paws hanging over the edge. Sitting in one of the chairs was the man Alyss had hoped to see. Will rose as she appeared around the last few trees. His hands rest heavily on the railing. Alyss smiled, hoping to get a response. Will simply nodded in returned. When she reached the verandah, Will took the basket of food into the kitchen. Upon returning, he signaled for her to sit and sat back in his seat.

Alyss reached over and laid one hand over his. Meeting those distant brown eyes, she spoke softly, "Will, please talk to me. You can't remain silent forever. I know you're hurting. Please let me in so I can help."

"What can you do?" Will snapped, those brown eyes blazing for a second. The fire died down, leaving a tired look behind. Turning away, he continued, "What can you do? You haven't been torn in half, sewn back together, then torn apart a second time. I never wanted Shadow but he was a part of me. He was the part that could live through all my doubts and insecurities. We never got along but I needed him, just as he needed me. What am I without him?"

Alyss' hand tightened on his, "You are still Will Treaty, the Ranger who would suffer and die for those he loves. You are the man who would figure out the impossible to save others."

"Shadow was always there, helping me through it all," Will whispered, bowing his head.

Gingerly Alyss raised his face with her other hand so he looked into her gray eyes, "Was Shadow the one who stopped the Kalkara with just a bow, two dozen arrows, and two knives? Was it Shadow who found a way to burn Morgarath's bridge and foil the traitor's plans? Was it Shadow who survived the harsh Skandian winters as a slave, all while trying to keep the princess alive? All of that was you, Will Treaty."

Will pulled away from her, rising and walking to the railing. Alyss remained sitting, staring at his back. With a sigh, she whispered, "When I was imprisoned at Macindaw by Sir Keren, I knew everything was going to be alright because I knew you were there. I knew you would find a way. When Halt was poisoned, deep down he trusted you to figure out a way to save him. Erak sent Svengal here to Araluen when he was captured by the Arridi because he knew you would answer his call. We all believe in you. Don't you see, Will? You were a hero long before Shadow came into existence."

She rose and stepped to his side. There she saw tears sliding down Will's face. A haggard, exhausted look had entered his features. He had remained strong through everything in his life. Now Alyss could see just how much stress he was under. Alyss never spoke. She did not have to. Will took comfort from her presence. Halt was his guide, his mentor, his father. Alyss was something so much more. She was the one person he could to when things went wrong. She was his friend, his voice of comfort, the rock on which he stood.

"Shadow is gone forever," Will finally whispered as he leaned against the verandah railing. "I spent so many years with him in the back of my mind. Now that he is gone, I feel…strangely…empty. Like part of me, part of who I am, is gone."

Alyss nodded silently. She can understand that, in her own way. Her arm wrapped around his shoulders as she pulled him into an embrace. Those tears slowly faded away. Will trusted her to understand. No matter what, Alyss always seemed to understand him. There was nothing she could not explain to him. It as if she knew his very heart, torn in half as it was. That was what he needed the most at that moment. Unknown to anyone, an old fear had reappeared. Will feared that everyone would turn away from him because of Shadow, because of what Shadow had been. He feared they would not understand him. At least Alyss understood. Maybe the others did too.

Alyss' lips touched his cheek. Then she whispered, "I'm glad that you made it back. I was so afraid that Shadow was all that was left. You, Will Treaty, are the only person I need to make me happy."

Will smiled wryly at that. Slowly he turned towards her, his heart and mind making its final decision. His hands wrapped around her hands, drawing them to his chest. Those brown eyes looked into her gray eyes. A new light starting breaking through the tired cloudiness. That wry smile turned into a real one, spreading across the left side of his face. Yes, Alyss was the only one who could truly understand him. Alyss was the only one who could help him heal.

"Without Shadow in my head and heart, I feel like I have a lot more space inside of me," Will said. "But that just means I have more room for someone else…

More room for someone I love."

Alyss smiled at him. She leaned down as he rose onto his toes. Their lips touched. Deep down Will knew that Alyss could fix what Serpent had torn apart. He knew that with all his heart as the last rays of sunlight rested on them. The birds sang the songs of spring as they flew overhead. Those red and golden rays spread across Wensley Village as the villagers headed home. Castle Redmont shone brightly, gleaming red. For once in a very long time everything was right, everything was perfect, everything was beautiful.

Everything was finally over…

Though they could never forget.

Finally finished! I don't know when I'll do another. That depends on my health and time.

Again, feel free to use my characters. Just let me know and give me credit for them.

Thank you all soooo much for staying with me this far! It's your encouragement and helpful comments that are giving me the courage to continue writing. I really appreciate it! Who knows, maybe I'll use some of my book characters in the future. See you all again at some point!

Keep writing and God bless you all!