A/N: We made it everyone! To what, you ask? To two hundred reviews of course!

Thanks to my 200th reviewer, BookSoldier. This chapter is dedicated to you! XD

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice.


29. Happiness

"Will... Stop it," Halt said from his chair in the corner of the waiting room.

Will paced back and forth, his hands running through his hair. He paused, glancing over at Halt with a frown. "What?" he asked.

"You were pacing again..." Halt commented.

"Sorry... sorry..." Will said, sitting down. His foot began to tap against the floor, his hands clasped in his lap.

"Will..." Halt growled after a few seconds of this. "Just sit still... everything will be fine."

The younger ranger nodded, his mouth feeling dry. They both sat in silence for a few minutes before Will spoke up. "How do you know she will be okay?" he asked his former mentor.

"She is in very capable hands, Will," Halt replied.

It was at that moment the door swung open, a woman stepping out with a wide smile. "Everything went well... It's a healthy baby boy."

Will pushed past the woman, rushing into the room and running over to his wife, who was lying in the patients bed, holding a small bundle of fabric wrapped around a small body.

Will reached forwards, his hands brushing the blanket away from the baby's little face. He lifted the baby out of Alyss' hands, cradling the small, warm bundle to his chest.

"He is beautiful," Will whispered. "What should his name be?" Will sat down on the bed next to Alyss, who was laying back against the pillows, looking pale and sweaty. She smiled, her eyes sparkling as she looked down at their newborn son.

"What about Halt," a voice said from the doorway. Will glanced up, seeing his former mentor at the door.

"No..." Will said, a small smile on his face. "The poor boy might be teased. What sort of a name is Halt?"

The grizzled ranger glared at Will. "It's a mighty fine name, if I do say so myself."

The room was silent as the three adults looked down upon the sleeping baby.

"What about Colin?" Halt asked quietly. Will looked over at his mentor and then back down at the sleeping child.

"Colin?" he asked.

"It's a Hibernian name that means 'people's victory'..." Halt said.

"I think it suits him," Alyss said, stroking the boy's head.

"I like it... Colin..." Will said, looking down at his first son, elation rushing through him. He had never felt so happy.


A/N: I'm not sure I like this chapter very much... But that's okay. There is always next chapter. XDDD

Oh and a note on Colin's name: I looked it up... Colin is a Gaelic (aka Irish/Scottish) name, which is what Flanagan based Hibernia on. So I figured that Halt would have something to do with influencing Colin's name. XD Colin can either mean child or people's victory. I chose the latter of the two... I tried to be as accurate as possible... Ok, we have a few pieces of news for today.

First, and most importantly, that new ranger's apprentice story I promised is up! It's called The Price of War and I would love it if you checked it out.

Next, If any of you are Harry Potter fans, I made an RP forum called 'Going back to Hogwarts!'. There is a link on my profile page. XDDD I would love it if you joined.

Anyways, I hope you liked the chapter. Next up is Under the Rain... What could that be?

-Dawn