Hello again. I hope you liked this chapter, I do. I think it is a little funnier than my other chapters and I hope you agree.
Disclaimer: I do not own ranger's apprentice or the two songs mentioned.
Chapter 4: G for Grandpa
Halt came out of his room and walked straight over to the kitchen. The window was already open letting in the fresh morning air. The sun was up and shining over the forest and there was not a cloud in sight. He went into the cupboard of the apartment he shared with Pauline and pulled out a large bag of coffee beans. He sighed, there were only enough beans for a few more cups of the fine brown liquid that all ranger's loved. He was going to have to go to the market and bye some more. He lit a fire and put the water above it to boil and then sat in a chair with his legs up on the table and relaxed. Even though Will was now the main ranger for Redmont Halt still had no time to relax. But on the other hand he could get up later because he didn't have to go out and keep an eye on the fief. That was Wills job. He waited for a couple of minutes and then made his coffee, grinding the coffee beans into a fine powder and then mixing it with the water.
The aroma of coffee filled the apartment letting everyone know that a ranger had awoken. He poured three very unhealthy spoonfuls of honey in his cup and stirred, he watched the as the coffee span around the cup creating a mini whirl pool in the middle. He let out another sigh, but this time in satisfaction as he took a rather large sip of the coffee. He closed his eyes and relaxed. Some people might have thought that Halt was asleep but no, he was carefully listening to the footsteps of people as they walked past the apartment. He named them as they went.
First he heard the very loud plod as Baron Arald walked past, "Arald" he muttered under his breath. Then he heard rather fast foot falls as a maid ran off to do her masters bidding, "A maid" he muttered again. Next came more loud footsteps and he considered the Baron again until he heard the rather loud CLAP as a ladle clipped someone on the head. He winced as he heard the sound of the ladle and then said "Chubb" before draining the last of his coffee. Halt smiled as he remembered what was happening today. Today he was meeting Will and Alyss's daughter for the first time. It had been nine months and six days since Will had got the letter telling him the good news and today even though Halt would never admit it was pleased and slightly excited. He poured himself more coffee and drank it in one. "I really do love my coffee" he said.
Two hours later there was a knock at the door. "Will" Halt muttered under his breath, "Come in" he said putting his feet on the ground. He got another cup and poured Will some coffee. Will walked in with a small pink bundle wrapped in his arms. He also had a bag over one shoulder. There was a huge grin on Will's face as he walked into the room. He walked over to the spare chair and sat down, still holding onto the bundle. "Her name is Willow" Will said in a quiet voice.
Halt looked at the small baby and couldn't help smiling. Will was the son Halt had never had and it made Halt smile to see him so happy. Willow had deep brown eyes that were staring at Halt in curiosity and she had a little dark chocolate brown hair on her head. She was cute, Halt had to admit. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he would admit it to himself. She had a slightly chubby face but that just added to her cuteness. Will looked at Halt. "Would you like to hold her?" he asked.
"Yes" Halt said and Will placed Willow in his arms. Her brown eyes stared up at him and she reached out with her hand. She pulled about with his cloak, moving it into a very uncomfortable position on Halt's shoulders. He didn't mind though. She's bringing out my emotions Halt thought for a moment.
"How is Alyss doing?" Halt asked still looking at Willow.
"She is doing fine she's very tired but doing fine" Will said with a smile.
"That's good, what about you? You must be tired" Halt said
"Yeah a little but that doesn't matter, as long as Alyss has it as easy as possible at the moment" Will said. Another twenty minutes went by and all they did was talk. Willow started to shift about on Halt. "Do you want me to take her?" Will asked but Halt shook his head. He had dealt with worse things than a fidgety baby, a lot worse. She stopped shifting about and then she puked. The sick went and hit Halt square in the chest making his white top a mixture of yellowy green and white. Will let a laugh and then quickly covered it with a cough. Halt looked up at him and glared. Will quickly opened up the bag he had brought with him and pulled out a cloth. He then took Willow off of Halt and cleaned her up so that Halt could go and change. As Halt left the room the smell of sick disappeared. Will looked down at Willow and smiled.
"I'm so glad that he chose to hold you" he said as he let out more laughter.
"STOP IT" he heard Halt shout from the bedroom. Will stopped immediately. As Will waited he started to get bored and so did Willow. "Ah are you tired? Shall I sing you a lullaby?" Will said. "What should I sing, How about Old Joe Smoke?" Willow stared at him blankly. "No? How about Lowland Jenny? Nah I didn't think so either What about Grey beard Halt" Will said as a joke. Willow smiled. "No, I was only joking," Willow stared at him and didn't look away. "Fine"
"Greybeard Halt he lives with goats, that's what I've heard tell
He hasn't changed his socks for years but the goats don't mind the smell
Fare thee well Greybeard Halt
Fare thee well I say
Fare thee well Greybeard halt
I'll see you on..."
Will stopped singing. Standing in the doorway to the bedroom was Halt in less greener clothes. There was a fiery glint in his eyes which made Will push the chair back slightly. There was a deathly silence in the room and every second felt like a lifetime to Will. Will looked away from Halt. Halt on the other hand carried on staring at Will, or glaring. Definitely glaring, if looks could kill Will would most certainly not be standing up. More minutes went by and the Halt said one word and pointed his finger to the door. "TREE" he shouted.
"But I have to look after Willow" Will said trying to escape his fate.
"I will look after her. TREE NOW" he shouted again. Will walked over to Halt and passed him Willow. He then traipsed out of the apartment, out of the castle and over to the nearest tree.
Halt looked at Willow and sat down with another cup of coffee.
How was it? Was it good? Was it terrible? Please let me know what you think everyone, the comments are appreciated. Also I tried something different with this chapter. I mixed to ideas that you guys had given to me together. So thank you to Haven Wood: Halt meeting Willow for the first time. Thank you to moniquebowman: Will singing Greybeard Halt as a lullaby and Halt walking in. Thank you. So do you think mixing the two ideas together worked? If it didn't tell me. As always Review, follow and favourite. The next chapter is E so if you have any ideas for it or any future chapters tell me in the comments. Good bye.