(A/N): A nice, heartwarming request. You can interpret Will's "gift" however you want.
Winter that year had blown further south than usual, and as the Ranger trudged through the snow, a tight grip on the bag hanging at his side, he silently cursed Mother Nature. Sure, he'd been up north in Norgate at the time of winter a few years ago, but this was worse than even that. He didn't even want to know how cold it'd be up there, considering how cold he was at the moment. He paused his walk, and turned in a circle, the wind whipping his cloak out. The snap it made nearly sounded like an actual whip, and he spun around, startled.
And came face-to-face with the woman he was supposed to meet.
Years ago, when Will was still a Ward, they had a few tutors and caretakers, most taking on both roles. As the children were orphans, some took on motherly approach for the younger children, and over the years, a few children and tutors would get attached to each other. Just as Will had with Halt. Unfortunately, Will never had that experience. He'd been too independent, running up trees instead of socializing.
To this day, he only knew of one tutor that had remained working in the Ward after he'd left. Her name was Miriam, and she stood in front of him now, bundled up against the weather, a smile on her rosy face. She was probably around Halt's age, and stood around Will's height. Plump, but not heavy.
"Will, dear, how have you been?" She stepped forward, reaching out to hug him.
He smiled. Not to many people these days were willing to step forward and ask for a hug from a Ranger. Even him. Will spread one arm, keeping a grip on his satchel, and embraced his former tutor. "Busy. Very busy."
"Well, than what are you doing here, hun? If you've been so busy?" She widened her smile as she stepped back, and seemed to appraise him. That's when he realized he hadn't had much contact with the Ward since he left. This was the first he'd seen Miriam up close since he left.
"Actually," now he moved the strap off his shoulder, and brought about the satchel from underneath his cloak. He held it out to her. "it's because I'm so busy that I'm here." He stayed silent, but there was a question in her eyes as she reached out to take it. "I wanted to stop by the Ward before I left for a trip around the fief, but I've just been called on a mission, and I'm leaving short notice for a while. Probably a long while, in fact. Figured I should give that over before I left." He took the sides of his cloak, and wrapped himself. The cold was getting to him. And to think, in the morning he'd be leaving and sleeping in this the next night.
"But what is it? Is there something in this?" Miriam now studied the bag in her ands, glancing up curiously at Will. The wind picked up, blowing his hood back, and snapping the cloak out of his hands. The older woman was bundled up carefully, and winced as Will reached back for his hood, while grabbing one side of his cloak in his other hand.
"It's . . ." Will pulled his hood back up with some difficulty, but didn't try to bring his cloak around him again. He kept one hand holding the hood on his head, and the other held the side. "It's just knick knacks, things I"ve been finding around my cabin. Things that reminded me of when I was at the Ward." He paused again, glancing around. "Things that helped me through it, I guess. You probably remember that I didn't have the best time at the Ward." Miriam nodded, her gaze now softening. She now looked at the satchel with care. "I guess, just . . ." He hesitated.
Miriam prompted gently, "You guess?"
Will smiled. "Just give it to the one you think who needs it. Whoever needs something like that. What's in that satchel helped me through, so maybe it'd help another kid."
His former tutor smiled wide, and clutched the satchel to her chest. Reaching out, she put her free hand on Will's cheek. "You're a good man, Will. I'm proud." He put his hand over her's. They stood silent for a moment, before the older woman pulled away, nodding goodbye. Will watched her back as she disappeared into the shadows, wondering who she'd give the bag too, and if they needed it as much as he had.