Hello lovelies! Hope it's warmer wherever you guys are than it is here; Snow is EVERYWHERE! Just a quick note here. I figured since Gilan shows up in the Second Early Years book, Crowley would already know that he is training with a sword. It shouldn't change anything for this story :).

"So, how is life for the ever-irritable Halt?" Crowley asked with a smile, facing his fellow Ranger as they waited for Gilan to retrieve Blaze. The young apprentice had wandered off down the track to whistle for her. "Going crazy having to train an apprentice? I must admit Halt; I was surprised you chose to get one."

"I've gotten used to him; besides, someone has to take over for older people like you some day."

Crowley responded by sticking out his tongue. Halt rolled his eyes.

"Real mature. Still as childish as ever then."

"Still as grumpy as ever."

The two Ranger's had a short staring contest. Then Crowley suddenly grinned.

"It's good to see you Halt" he reached out and embraced his friend.

"And you. Enjoying the paperwork?"

"Oh yes, definitely. So much in fact, I'm willing to share it with you."

"Not a chance."

Gilan, with Blaze in tow, came back over towards them. Crowley noticed with some interest that Gilan's sword was strapped to the saddle. He gestured towards it.

"Still taking lessons from MacNeil then?" Gilan nodded.

"Halt lets me ride out to Caraway Fief every other week so I can learn more- I practice with Battleschool apprentices at the Battleschool in Redmont the rest of the time." He said, smiling. Crowley nodded thoughtfully.

"Makes sense; no point in wasting all that hard work right? Always could be handy to be trained in another weapon after all." He gestured down the path.

"Come on then you two! Most of the others have already arrived!" Crowley began to walk down the trail towards the Gathering Grounds, leaving drops of water in his wake. His hair was still dripping water.

Gilan and Halt, horses in tow, followed

As they came out into the clearing, Gilan could see several one-man tents set up all around the grassy area. Rangers were scattered all over; some by cook fires, some near the archery range set off to the side, and everywhere in between. Gilan spotted a group of young boys around his age near a grove of trees near where the horses were grazing. The entire place was alive with movement.

A few of the Rangers called out greetings to Halt and Crowley, looing curiously at Gilan. Everyone had heard Halt had taken on an apprentice. Some hadn't quite believed it until now. Many hadn't thought that the irritable Ranger would ever have the patience to train one.

Gilan looked around in some wonder, not even bothering to hide how impressed he was by it all. Halt noticed and nodded towards a flat spot near them.

"Well set up our tents here. Drop your gear off and take care of Blaze. You can socialize after that."

Gilan nodded, eager to make some new friends, he quickly did as he was told.

He and Halt set up the tents quickly and efficiently. Gilan unsaddled Blaze and after rubbing her down, he led her to where some of the other Ranger horses were grazing on a large patch of grass.

Blaze swung her head around to look at him. Where's my apple? She seemed to say.

"You know Halt says they're not good for you." Gilan said, a mock glare leveled at his horse.

Halt's not a horse. What would he know

Gilan chuckled, pulling an apple from his pocket.

"Very well; but I'm blaming you if I get into trouble."

When are you not getting into trouble

Gilan chose not to dignify that with a response. It didn't matter anyway- Blaze would always get the last word in.

"Do you have a sword?"

Gilan turned at the unexpected sound. A boy, roughly around his own age was standing behind him, curious brown eyes looking at the weapon where it hung on his belt. Gilan had strapped it on with his knives after retrieving Blaze from the woods.

Gilan nodded. The other boy's expression turned into one of confusion.

"I didn't think Rangers were allowed to have swords.

"Well, I was already training with it when I was apprenticed. Halt said it would be a shame to waste all that effort so he let me keep it up."

The other apprentice seemed impressed. "That's neat! I'm Lumen by the way."

"Gilan" he held his hand out and Lumen shook it. "Is this your first year too?"

Lumen nodded.

"Yep! I'm here with my mentor Clint. He's mentioned Halt before. I didn't think he was that short though." Gilan grinned and looked over to where Halt was talking with another Ranger and Crowley.

"He is rather short isn't he?"

"I'm guessing all the other stories about him aren't true either? Or does he really kill bears with his bare hands?" Lumen said with a snicker.

"Oh I don't know, that one might be true. It must have stolen his honey; He likes it in his coffee."

"Ugh, Clint is the same way. I don't care for it myself."

Gilan suddenly had a brilliant thought (at least he considered it brilliant. Blaze might disagree).

"Say, I've got an idea. Ever notice how similar tree sap is to honey in appearance?"

Hmmmmmmm….Should Gilan go through with a prank? What do you all think? Leave a review and let me know what you think!