A/N: And I am... back. Maybe. At least I started this chapter at a realistic interval, but whether or not it actually gets done on time, well... There may be some to be desired. 7/8/19 - I think we can all agree that this most definitely was not written on time. Oops, sorry. 11/9/20 - Well, at least you know I'm persistent. I will, eventually, finish this chapter. Okay. It's done. It's short, but it was a good stopping place. Hopefully the next chapter will happen a little quicker. No promises though.

Supper with Gilan allowed time enough to catch up, and to assure Gilan that Halt was really back, and alright, no less.

Halt's mind, Will noticed, seemed relatively intact given what he had been through at the hands of his captors. Of course, he likely hadn't been out of the situation long enough for his brain to begin processing it.

As for his physical condition, Halt bore several more scars than he once had, but what was that on a body that already bore thousands? No, Halt was fine, and would remain so until his mind was comfortable enough with the present to think on the past.

Will watched the shadows extend across the floor.

Even as they spoke, the day wore on, the sun continually falling lower and lower, almost as though it felt the growing exhaustion of the recipients of its light.

"We'd best be off now," Will said. "Got just enough light left to see us back."

Halt glanced out the window, "Will's right. Thanks for watching over this one while I was gone."

"Ah, but he didn't need it." Gilan said, "He did well enough on his own. Proud of you, Will."

Halt reached to put a hand on top of Will's head, only for it to fall on his shoulder. Yes, Will's head was indeed much farther up than when he had last done that. Halt once again took a long look at his apprentice.

"Still can't believe it." He mumbled to himself, then, a little louder, "Let's get a move on it. If it goes dark before I'm back, Gilan, I'm holding you personally responsible."

Halt steered Will out the door, which was, admittedly, much more awkward of a movement when Will was a few inches taller than him.

The ride back to Redmount was quiet, both riders simply appreciating the other's presence at long last.

About halfway into the journey, Will spoke.

"I missed you, Halt."

"I missed you too."

Another half hour's ride saw them stopping at a small pub for dinner. They had been making good time, and thought a short rest was in order.

The restaurant was bustling, but peaceful, everyone eating, chatting, then going on their way. Nothing more than passer-throughs, and a few regulars that stayed in the inn upstairs. The food was decent, nothing special, naturally, but good and filling.

After consuming their fill, both the ranger and his apprentice leaned back in their chairs to appreciate the bard's music.

Halt's return home was strange, surreal. Most was as he'd left it, but there were still little things - little things that whispered he'd been gone far too long. His bedroll was folded, placed in the corner of his bed. His clothes trunk had been pushed up underneath the bed to make room for a small table on which several maps sat. What once had been his chair didn't sit quite right anymore, as though its loyalty had changed to another.

But everything was clean, pristine. Just as he'd left it. A jar full of coffee beans sat on the counter near the kitchen, and following Will's efforts, a fire was rolling in the stove.

"For more coffee." Will said.

It was a wonder the boy ever slept with his level of caffeine consumption, nowadays.

Yes, some things were different. Some were the same. It was home, surely. But somehow, it no longer felt like his.

A chill ran through Halt, despite the crackling flames.

Will observed his mentor, walking around the cabin, grazing his fingertips over the table, the chairs. His limp was more pronounced now, he noticed, and he looked lost, holding something of a worrisome pallor.

This was the beginning, Will knew, of a very long journey.

Gently taking Halt by the shoulder, Will guided the man to his chair, and pressed a warm cup of coffee to his hands.

He would be alright. Time heals all wounds - even those of the mind.

Will knew that himself, well enough.