A/N: hey guys, for those of you who don't know me: I'm a chaotic woman, who tries to combine her study with writing fanfiction. I'm not a native English speaker so don't kill me if I make some errors, please just let me know if something is wrong.

I just love Christmas and I know that this year Christmas might be different due to the coronavirus. I think we all could use some cheer and happiness and what better way to spread some holiday cheer by bringing us all together with a warm fuzzy Christmas story.

This is for all the people who have to celebrate Christmas alone, or different than normally. It is for the people who have the miss a certain person or animal with Christmas. It is for people who feel alone around this time of year. But it is also for people who just love Christmas.

Let us virtually hold hands together, no matter where you're from or what your situation is right now. I hope I can spread some joy for you with my 12 days of Rangers.

Day 1

The cold wind brushed through his curly hair. The wind was strong so the cloak didn't remain on his head. He had tucked his freezing hands away in his cloak, because gloves weren't that practical when you needed to shoot arrows.

Winter had never been this cold in Araluen. For the first time in years all of Araluen had been covered in snow. It reminded him of the year spent in Skandia not too long ago.

Finally Will had reached the cabin. He was hoping that Halt would already be back and started the fire but he didn't see smoke coming from the house. Unfortunately Halt had not yet returned from the castle. So after draping his cloak on the chair, Will started a fire.

It proved to be more difficult because his hands were cold. The shaking wouldn't stop and Will cursed under his breath. With this cold weather his hands had been shaking a lot. Even his training was suffering because of it, although Halt didn't say anything about it.

After a few breaths Will muttered to himself "you're not in Skandia, there is no danger, just lit the damn fire." He tried again and again, and after a long time he finally got the first sparks, which quickly led to a warm fire.

Will finally sat down next to the fire and enjoyed the heat coming from it. He suddenly realized how tired he was and his eyelids began to drop. He wanted to make some coffee before Halt returned, but maybe he could wait and close his eyes a few seconds.

The seconds became minutes, and the minutes became an hour. Will woke up startled by the front door opening. Halt had just come in, his dark hair covered in snow and sharp eyes quickly observing the scene before him.

"Taking a midday nap, I see." He just said. Will quickly stood up "No of course not, I just lit the fire because someone was too late to do it." He grinned. Halt just huffed and said "well if you're not that tired, you could also make us something to drink."

Will smiled and started making the coffee. He didn't notice Halt observing him. Halt had been worried about his apprentice the past few days. He had of course seen the constant trembling of his hands, he knew about the nightmares that came when it was cold at night, and he saw Will going more pale every day.

He just didn't know what to do about it. As much as he wanted, he couldn't stop the snow falling and the freezing temperatures. Will would be devastated if they put their training on hold, but seeing how much energy it took Will to only do some light work, he couldn't bear to put the boy through any more.

Will took the two cups to the table and sat down with Halt. "So still no assignments?" Halt shook his head "No it's been quiet recently, just the usual patrolling." He saw a glimmering appear in Will's eyes meaning there was a question coming.

"Halt I've been thinking," "A dangerous pastime" said Halt automatically. "Yeah I know, but really listen. If we don't have to go anywhere except patrol this year, maybe we could celebrate Christmas." Will said enthusiastically.

"We don't celebrate Christmas." Answered Halt grumpily. He knew everyone in Araluen celebrated Christmas but rangers often didn't have the time for it. Halt hadn't celebrated it in years and he didn't mind it. All the preparations and idiotic craziness around it made him uncomfortable.

Will's face fell down, he loved celebrating Christmas when he was a kid at caste Redmont. "Well the last years we weren't here due to missions, but now we're home. Why can't we celebrate it?"

Halt became more grumpy, he knew once Will had something in his mind he would have a hard time getting it out. "No Will, as a ranger, especially a ranger apprentice, you should always stay focused. What do you think would happen if people knew rangers celebrated Christmas? There would be more turmoil around those days because they know our head is not a hundred percent at our job. Our job is to protect people and that also means around Christmas." He didn't want to let the boy down but Christmas was not on his priority list.

"Okay Halt, it was just a thought." Mumbled Will. Halt grew softer but didn't want to let an opening exist for the apprentice. "I know, that is the reason why apprentices shouldn't think too much. Now let's attack this coffee before it turns cold again."

They drank in silence the bitter substance. In the meantime Will's head was still spinning. Abandoning Christmas? No way that this could happen.

Well that was a lovely start. Typical Halt not wanting to celebrate Christmas. But hey we know that Will won't easily give up.

I hope you liked it!

Stay safe, trust the cloak (especially during winter), and see you tomorrow!