A/N: *hides behind desk chair* I know, I'm terrible. I really should have updated this a long time ago. It's school holidays for me for the rest of the week, then I start Year 12 - last year of high school. So, until then, I'll try to write as much as possible in a pitiful attempt to make up for my lack of updating. I'm really sorry about that - I just haven't found the motivation between all the tests I've had at school and now having a job and also trying to get my webcomic off the ground (which I do still need to start). Also, I went back and fixed a few discrepancies - one concerning something Ali Ranger51 mentioned back in, what, February? D: Sorry it took so long to getting around to fixing that.

Anyway, on with the chapter!

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For Halt, most of the ceremony seemed to pass in a blur. He managed to pick out a few snatches of words, words about Will's skill and bravery. Much more than that was beyond him. He was still angry at the entire concept of the commemoration, and the florid prose of the announcers just aggravated him further. Pauline sat next to him, quietly attempting to soothe him, but her success was limited.

Alyss' clear voice broke through the red haze that had descended over Halt's vision. "All of you gathered here today will have no doubt have heard numerous tales of Will's success in the name of our King. You would know of his part in foiling Morgarath's plans to take over Araluen." A shudder ran through the crowd at the mention of the dead warlord. For many, the memory of those frightening days was altogether too fresh. "You would know of his slavery by the Skandians, his subsequent assistance in driving off the Temujai warriors from their land, and then securing a peace treaty with them.

"I remind you of this so that you will understand my full meaning when I say that his achievements are nothing compared to the sort of person that he was." Only her diplomatic training was stopping Alyss from completely breaking down. As it was, tears streamed freely from her eyes and her voice wobbled at the end of every sentence. "He had this way about him… it was impossible not to like him. He was one of the kindest, most considerate people that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. His death…" She swallowed down a sob. "His death was a national tragedy, as can be seen by the sheer volume of those gathered here to pay their respects. But for those closest to him… This has to be one of the hardest experiences any of us have gone through. He was just so vibrant, so full of life and love and energy, it's almost impossible to believe he's really…" Alyss trailed off, her words swallowed by hiccupping sobs. Pauline left Halt's side to lead the weeping girl from the stage, murmuring quiet sympathies.

With an apologetic glance, Crowley gave Halt a nudge towards the speaker's platform, as he'd been so focused on Alyss and Pauline that he hadn't heard his name announced. Unwillingly, Halt made his way to the podium, his hood still covering his face despite the disapproving glances of the events coordinator. He cleared his throat, all his earlier anger turned to sadness. He could only hope his voice would not crack.

"Many of you will know me as Ranger Halt. Many of you will also know I'm not one for words, but I'll make an exception for Will, as a chance to apologise. He deserves that much." He drew a shaky breath.

"I still remember the first time I saw Will. It was then I first thought that he'd have potential as a Ranger. He was sneaking some pies that Castle Redmont's cook, Master Chubbs, had left to cool." A few in the audience gave watery smiles. "He wasn't even noticed by anyone other than myself for about ten minutes - already impressive for someone without any training." A small, sad half-smile flickered briefly across his lips. "When he was caught, he owned up to having taken the pies, even though he was punished for it. Most in that situation would have tried to talk their way out of it, but Will's nature was a truthful one. It was one of the many things about him that make an old Ranger such as myself be glad for life."

He gazed out over the crowd, his eyes hidden from theirs. "Few will know the exact circumstances of Will's…" His breath caught. "What happened," he continued after a moment. "He was still suffering the after-effects of his time as a slave in Skandia, and with the war that ensued afterwards, had little chance to rest before we returned to Araluen." He stared resolutely ahead, determined that all there should know what had happened, so that they'd be grieving for the right reasons. "Will was always a determined apprentice - he wanted to get back out in the field even when he could barely walk from his ordeals. Finally, though, I deemed him well enough to go out on missions with me once more. He probably was worse off than he made out, but I was just so glad to have him back that I let it slide when I should have insisted he stay back." His grip tightened on the edges of the podium, his knuckles starting to turn white. "We were following a group of bandits, and we were coming up on their encampment when they…" Halt trailed off mid-sentence, staring out across the crowd. He couldn't believe his eyes. Standing alone at the back of the room, a sorrowful expression on his face.

Will.

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A scant few seconds after Halt had stopped, Crowley had stood and rushed over to him. "Halt, what in Araluen are you doing?" he asked in undertone, sensing that the other Ranger's pause was not due to grief.

"I saw him. I saw Will." Gripping Crowley by the shoulders, he flicked his eyes to the back of the hall. "Can't you see him too?" Crowley followed his gaze, but saw only farming families. No Will. Though, of course, he hadn't really been expecting to. The crowd started to murmur in confusion. What was going on?

"...He's not there, Halt," the Corps Commandant replied hesitantly.

Halt looked out at the crowd again, but this time he couldn't find Will. Tears slid, unbidden, down his cheeks.

Crowley glanced at Pauline, who had just then returned to the platform, and silently implored her to take over. She nodded imperceptibly, making her way to the rostrum as he led Halt from the dais and behind the curtain. Her words were muffled by the noise of the crowd and the thick material of the curtain, but it was evident she was working her diplomatic magic as the people slowly quieted. He turned his attention back to Halt, who had been growing increasingly agitated.

"I'm telling you, Crowley! It was him! I saw him standing there!"

"Halt," he said soothingly, "it's Will's commemoration. It might even be considered normal that you thought you-"

"Don't talk to me like that! I didn't imagine him, Crowley!" he hissed. "I saw him. He was right there."

"Halt," he said firmly, trying not to lose his patience. "I looked at the audience. I couldn't see him."

"Then you weren't looking hard enough."

Crowley shook his head sadly. "No. I think you're looking too hard.

"I know you blame yourself for what happened. Hell, if I was in your position, I would probably have blamed myself too. Will was a good kid." He swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "You kept telling us that you were fine, that you'd be able to make it through the commemoration. But imagining that you've seen Will, just freezing up like that... You're not okay, Halt." He drew himself up. "Go home to your cabin and rest, now. Pauline and I will make your excuses."

"No! I have to-"

"I'm not asking you as a friend, Halt," he warned.

"I just-"

"That's an order!" Crowley snapped, grief causing him to lose his patience.

Halt glowered at him. "As you command, sir." Without a sound, he turned, cloak billowing behind him, and left Crowley standing alone with a troubled expression on his face.

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A/N: Haha, I made Halt go crazy and start seeing things. I'm so mean to characters.

Also, terrible eulogies are terrible. I'm not used to writing that sort of stuff (which, really, I should count as a blessing). Nevertheless, I apologise for the awkward badness of the eulogies. I guess I'm just a little rusty, not having written much in the way of creative writing in the past three months or so. Next chapter should be up soon!

-pixie.