Day 4

Will walked out the room of Baron Arald. He wanted to visit Lady Pauline and of course Alyss, but he knew he didn't have much time before the snow would start falling. He had promised Halt to return before that.

But Halt had already grown suspicious of Will's behavior so he didn't know whether he could manage to sneak into the castle many times to invite more people. So it had to be now.

He walked trough the corridors straight past every guard and every servant. No one noticed him. Sometimes Will wondered whether he was indeed invisible with his cloak on. But then again he heard Halt's voice saying people only see what they expect to see. Of course normal people would not expect a small man in a weird green cloak walking through the castle.

Finally he reached the part where he could find Lady Pauline and often Alyss. He hoped he would find them both here, it was always a delight to see Alyss again.

He knocked on the door and heard a voice say "come in." Will pushed the door open and saw Lady Pauline in the room. She smiled when she saw Halt's apprentice coming in. She too had grown quite fond of the boy and she had seen what influence Will had on the man she loved.

"Good to see you Will," she said, "What brings you all the way here?" Will didn't really know what to say anymore. Every time he wanted to tell people about his plan, he felt like an idiot. How could he even try to convince this dignified woman to help with his plan.

"I… uhm.. I was walking by with some firewood and I thought maybe you also needed some." He tried to wiggle himself out of this situation. However just like Halt, Lady Pauline was not easily fooled.

"Aha, and why, if I may ask, don't you have firewood with you then?" she asked. Will knew it was hopeless to lie more. "okay maybe that's not the reason. But I don't really remember why I came in the first place so I'll be on my way now." He tried walking back towards the door but within seconds Pauline had moved across the room and stood before him.

"Will, you can tell me anything, so please just say what you have to say." While she was standing this close, she reminded him of an older version of Alyss. Instantly his walls came down and he was persuaded to tell the truth.

"I'm trying to organize a Christmas celebration for Halt this year." He mumbled. Lady Pauline stared at him with eyes wide in shock. A tiny smile formed on her face when she asked "what did you say?"

Will knew it was too late to turn back now so he blurted out the rest, "I wanted to celebrate Christmas this year, but Halt wouldn't let me because of the whole ranger thing. But I think even rangers should celebrate Christmas, so I invited Crowley, Gilan and Baron Arald is coming and I thought maybe you would come too."

Suddenly Will was being hugged by Lady Pauline who had let down all her grace. "Finally , I've tried for years to tell him he should celebrate Christmas. If there is anyone who could do this behind his back it is certainly you Will!" her face shone with excitement and all the worries Will had before immediately flooded away.

Of course he was not the only one who wanted to celebrate Christmas. He knew with Pauline by his side this Christmas couldn't go wrong anymore. But before he could say anything Lady Pauline went on "We have to make preparations of course. I can organize the decorating and you should of course invite Alyss, Horace, Jenny and George. Maybe we can even lure Halt out for a few days to make it easier for us or do you think that will make him suspicious?"

Will had a difficult time to hold back his laughter. It was weird to see the always dignified lady suddenly being mischievous and exited like this. "I think we have to be careful with Halt, luring him out won't be that easy. But you're right I probably should invite the rest and then I should return back to Halt before he comes looking for me."

The mood in the chamber suddenly changed as Pauline watched outside. The snow was falling again and by the looks of the people outside, it was terribly cold. "Will you shouldn't be out here in the cold. You have to return right now."

Her voice showed signs of worry, which confused Will. He was used to Halt being like this when it got cold, but for others the cold shouldn't be a thing to get anxious over. Why would she be worried right now?

Lady Pauline saw the confusion on Will's face and she explained silently "Halt told me last year about your struggles with the cold."

Will's heart sank, he wasn't disappointed in Halt telling someone else but still, he didn't like the idea of others knowing his weakness. He tried to remain calm and said "well it wasn't such a problem the past few months actually. Just with the snow and extreme cold right now, it's different."

Pauline nodded and put a hand on his shoulder "of course it's different. What you survived in Skandia is a miracle but it's only normal that it leaves a scar. The fact that you're already doing so well is beyond everyone's expectations. Just give it time Will, you'll see it gets better everyday and you get stronger out of it." She couldn't resist giving the young boy a hug, which she knew he didn't receive that much from Halt.

Will hid his face in the beautiful hair and felt warm tears sliding down his cheek. The hug gave him warmth of a mother he never had, he somehow felt safe in her arms. When they released each other Will muttered "thanks" and walked towards the door.

As he held his hand on the knob he felt the door swing open. Before him stood Alyss with her beautiful ash blonde hair in a practical ponytail. He stared at her, not knowing what to say at the moment.

Alyss however was not that easily put to silence, "are you going to say hi or something or just keep staring?" she asked with a radiant smile. Will smiled back "hi, Alyss." But nothing more could come out of him.

"What are you doing here, not something wrong is there?" she asked further. Lady Pauline decided it was enough with the awkward conversation between the two youngsters. "Will came here to invite us for a Christmas party."

Alyss looked from Will to Lady Pauline and back again. If Will had said it she knew it would be a joke. Lady Pauline however would never lie to her. But still her head was spinning with confusion. "Are you serious? I mean, does Halt know about this?"

Immediately the smiles of Will and Pauline grew more broadly. Will, who had found his tongue again, explained, "he doesn't, but I'm organizing it anyway and he is going to enjoy it no matter what."

Alyss laughed but was also concerned. Unlike Pauline and Will she only knew the darker side of Halt. Of course Will had told her many times that he was actually a softie but she had never seen it. The only thing that had convinced her was when Halt immediately went after Will to Skandia and even put his place in the ranger corps on the line for him.

However, planning something behind Halt's back was not only impossible it might also be dangerous. She knew Halt didn't like surprises and he had punished Will multiple times with the worst chores or just let him sleep in a tree for a whole week.

"Will are you sure that's a good idea?" she tried hesitantly.

"Of course, everyone should celebrate Christmas, even Halt." And with that he ended the discussion. He had made up his mind, they would have a wonderful Christmas this year and no one was going to stop him.

Alyss loved to see the determination on Will's face. She also loved Christmas and she was more than happy to finally be able to spend it again with Will. "okay, let me know if you need some help with the preparations."

"I will! But I must really go now before Halt storms into this room." And he ran outside.

It was freezing cold outside the castle. Maybe he should have taken Tug on the way here. It was a long walk to the cabin and the ground was already fully covered with fresh snow.

After a few steps the cold began to take effect. The crackling sound of the snow beneath his feet drummed in his ears. His cloak was already getting wet from the snow. The shivering started all over his body. It brought memories back that will had wanted to forget. But everything around him faded away, he was tugged more and more back to Hallasholm.

Will could only hear the screams of other slaves, the cloak felt like ice from the paddles. He tried to step forward, he didn't want to get punished again. He was already so cold. He needed warmth right now, but he knew it never came. One day Halt would find him was his only thought.

Halt had been in the stables saddling Abelard. He was worried sick that Will hadn't returned home already. It was an easy patrol and he should have been back by now.

He jumped on Abelard and made way to the castle. He didn't have to ride far to see a figure walking through the woods. "Will, where have you been." He yelled. But soon he realized something was terribly wrong.

Will didn't look up from the sound of a horse approaching and didn't blink when Halt called him. He rushed to his apprentice and jumped from Abelard's back. He touched Will's shoulder but pulled back when the boy winced.

"Will, it's me Halt. You're safe now."

But Will didn't react, instead he started mumbling. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

Halt softly took Will's wet cloak from him and put his own cloak around the boy's shoulders. He nudged Will forward back to the cabin.

Finally inside he put Will on the sofa next to the fire. He took of the wet clothes from the boy and put him into something warmer. Will had let it all happen and didn't seem to notice Halt in the room. When he put his head on the pillow he immediately fell asleep.

Halt could only hear a faint mumbling coming from his mouth "Halt will come, you'll see." A tear slid down into his beard and he grabbed Will's hand. "I'm sorry son, I'm here now."

Whoops that became more heavy than expected. I'm sorry for those who thought it would be a light hearted story. I never believed Will could easily get off from his warmweed addiction and when I wrote about Christmas and snow I just had to include this. (Also I love a little bit of mother son bonding between Pauline and Will)

No worries it will get happier, duhh it's Christmas time. The world is sad enough already.

Love you all, trust the cloak and see you tomorrow!