Author's Note: I can't stop! :P This chapter and the next one will be based a bit more on the...trials of having a kitten. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks, Areia, RAPJ, Sebias and falachen, for your reviews! They are very encouraging and made me smile. ^_^
Disclaimer: I own nothing in this story, not even the kitten (she's Halt's). I write purely because I love writing and I get nothing but my own enjoyment (and hopefully that of others) from it.
Chapter three: In which Will is unfairly blamed
"I'll be back around noon," Halt said, and rode away towards the castle. He didn't look back, but Will waved anyway. The apprentice turned and re-entered the cabin, a smile touching his lips as he saw Luna asleep, curled up by the fire. He decided against adding more fuel to the glowing coals; he didn't want to wake her. Instead Will quietly strung his bow and headed outside once more, making his way to the archery range Halt had set up. He reached the glade and drew an arrow from his quiver, nocked it to the bowstring, pushed the bow away from him and pulled the string back to his face. His finger touched the corner of his mouth and Will let the string slip free.
Twang-thunk!
The arrow split the air and slammed into the painted tree trunk, two rings from the centre. Will's nose twitched in dissatisfaction and he lowered the bow, placing a second arrow on the string and sending it flying into the target as well.
He practised for roughly an hour before his accuracy began to wane, due to aching fingers and shaking hands. Will ruefully gathered his arrows and returned them to his quiver, his thoughts dwelling on the kitten, alone in the cabin.
"She might be bored." he said aloud. "Or hungry." He slung the bow over his shoulder and trudged back through the forest towards the little house. Tug whinnied a greeting as Will approached and the boy rubbed his nose fondly. The little Ranger horse was grazing freely around the clearing, never straying too far from the cabin.
Will jumped up the steps and lent his bow against the outside wall while he unfastened his cloak. He picked up the beautiful weapon once more and opened the door. Instantly Luna pounced on him and clung to his trouser leg like a limpet, her sharp claws penetrating the fabric and brushing against his skin.
"Luna! Were you sat by the door all that time, waiting for me?" Will hung his cloak on a peg in the wall and picked up the little kitten, placing her on his shoulder. He turned around and froze as he saw the state of the cabin. "Oh Luna. What have you done?" he asked in a horrified whisper. Luna rubbed her head under his chin and purred contentedly. "Halt's going to kill you! Oh, you...you stupid cat!"
There was soot everywhere. All over the floor, all over the fireplace, all over Luna and, Will realised now, all over him. He put the kitten down and grimly rolled up his sleeves, determined that no trace of Luna's decorating would remain when Halt returned. He filled a bucket from the water barrel, grabbed a scrubbing brush from a cupboard under the sink and began. He worked desperately, fearing that Halt's reaction to the mess would be to find a new home for the little kitten.
The room was mostly clean when Will heard Tug whinny in pleasure at Abelard's approach. He looked around and hurried to gather up the dirty cloths strewn about the cabin, glaring at Luna as he did. She was sitting on the windowsill, watching with innocent interest. The door swung open and Halt stepped up onto the threshold; his piercing dark eyes swept the room and seemed to emanate weary disapproval.
"We live in sad times, Luna. I can't even leave my own apprentice by himself for half the day without him turning the cabin into a coal scuttle." Halt picked up the kitten and marched to the kitchen alcove, not waiting for an answer from either of his charges. He brought the jar of coffee beans down from the shelf, measured out enough for one pot and put them in the coffee grinder.
Will retrieved the last of the sodden cloths and flung them in his bucket, glancing at the kitten as he walked out the door. He felt somewhat surprised by her expression. Up until now he had no idea that a cat could look smug.
I hope to post another chapter soonish, to make up for their shortness.