Chapter Three:

Gilan lugged the water back to camp, wondering why he had bothered filling it so much. Only a third would be used to boil, and the rest would simply sit near his tent.

He knew thought, in a small part of his mind, that he had simply kept gathering water so he could be alone with his thoughts.

The afternoon sun was angling down in the sky, beginning its slow descent until nightfall.

When he reached the Gathering area, he found his camping area was absent of Will.

Halt however, had returned and was sitting causally on a log.

"Ah Gil, I wondered where you had gone." His former mentor called out conversationally.

The Ranger was almost caught off guard by his friendly attitude and then shrugged, feeling suddenly strange around Halt. Why couldn't he be cheery? It wasn't because of Gilan's new found discovery that meant his former mentor couldn't be content around him.

"Went to get more water." He replied and raised the bucket to emphasise his point.

"For coffee I hope." Halt said with the slightest smile touching his features.

Gilan nodded enthusiastically. "Well what else for?" He said jokingly.

Halt's expression fell back into its usual blank expression.

"Not sure, something big I would of thought, considering there's a full barrel next to our tents." He pointed out, all humour gone from his voice.

In his surprise, Gilan let the bucket fall to the ground, the rim overflowing with water before it settled. He had been so distracted by his thoughts, that he had misread the cheerful attitude.

With a familiar stern gaze and crossed arms, Halt reminded him that he still felt very much like an apprentice around his former mentor.

"Now Gilan, something has you wound tight like a bow string, what's wrong?"

The tall Ranger thought about confiding in Halt, and then realised he would be going into a conversation he wasn't truly ready for.

"Nothing, it's nothing Halt." He said quietly and moved to place his bucket next to the other.

The grizzled Ranger shrugged and watched Gilan shuffle around uselessly as he tried to find something to use as an excuse to get out of Halt's way.

"Really? Because I think it isn't simply nothing."

Gilan turned and gave him an expression that showed he was anything but amused with Halt's obvious intrusions.

"Gil, sit." Halt ordered, indicating the space on the log near him.

He obeyed automatically, a reaction from years spent following orders.

"Will told me you were acting strange."

The tall Ranger didn't react; he let his gaze fall to the remains of last night's fire, counting the lumps of coal while he tried to ignore Halt. It was hard, Halt was a commanding person who wasn't easy to block out.

"Gilan, I didn't think I'd ever have to tell you this, but you are being irrational."

Halt leant back, observing his former apprentice with a stern gaze.

"I think you've forgotten your time spent as my apprentice. I'm sure if Will saw those five years he would be thinking along the same lines as you."

"And what exactly are those lines?" Gilan asked.

Halt ignored him, moving on.

"My point is, at some point you have to grow up. Will will eventually too. For now, he's still a boy that needs the guidance of a caring adult, if he had accepted the offer for Battleschool, Rodney would be his mentor and we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Gilan shrugged and scratched at his arm, taking in Halt's words.

"Perhaps it's been because I've had another apprentice, and that Will's been through a lot." Gilan couldn't see where Halt was going.

"But regardless, you've made me proud son, even if I haven't been able to tell you."

The handsome Ranger stared blankly at his former mentor. Halt accepted the gaze without flinching, letting his impassive mask set in once more.

Gilan was certain, that Halt had just called him son.

He had never done that before.

"And Gil, I think you need to apologise and explain to Will. He's rather confused about all this." Halt went on, still ignoring Gilan's expression.

Without any form of response, Halt coughed loudly, breaking Gilan from his haze.

"What?" he asked, shaking his head as if to clear his head.

"Now you've gone and gotten so much water, could you at least put some coffee on?" Halt asked mildly.

Glancing at him to make sure he was serious, Gilan hesitated in carrying out the request. Sighing impatiently, Halt deliberately glanced to the sky as if counting the time that was passing.

Realising Halt did want coffee; Gilan sprung into action and quickly tried to set the pot going.

Halt watched approvingly, the slightest hint of a smile touching the corner's of his mouth as he watched Gilan revert back into his apprentice mode.

He knew about the simple jealousy that had risen within his former apprentice. Rangers were a tight knit group, it was only expected.

But he was sure he had set him back on the right path.

For while Gilan thought Halt had taken on one son, in truth; he had always had two.

A/N:

Not sure if I did my idea justice, but this is what turned out.

Reviews are appreciated :)

- Love Mae.