It was a lovely warm day and Will was out in the garden practicing his knife throwing. Time after time he hit the centre of the target. He was getting ready to throw again when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped, spun around with the knife poised to throw at any potential threat. All he saw was Gilan with his hands in the air.

"gods Gilan!" exclaimed Will, "If you startle me like that, you may not live to do it again! I nearly skewered you!"

Gilan grinned easily. "I know. It is still fun though."

Will shook his head exasperated, the asked, "What brings you here?"

"I am here because tomorrow is a very special day."

Will smiled a huge smile. "You remembered my birthday! I thought I would have to spend the day practicing because Halt can't be bothered with birthdays. You know what he said about my birthday this year?! He said that because I was turning 17, I probably didn't care about birthdays anymore! Can you imagine? I love birthdays! Especially mine!"

Gilan laughed and said, "Well, then you will like my surprise present then"

"What is it!" asked Will excitedly. Then his face fell and Gilan shook his head.

"Your birthday isn't till tomorrow. You have to wait."

"WHAT! I can't wait that long! I will die of...waiting!"

Gilan just smiled and went inside to say hi to Halt. Will stared after him with a forlorn expression on his face.

The next day came and with it, as soon as the sun rose, Will. He jumped out of bed and ran into the living room where Gilan was sleeping on the couch.

"GILAN!" he cried, "It is my birthday and now you have to tell me what my preset is!"

Gilan rolled upright sleepily. "Is it morning already?" he murmured drowsily.

"YES!" shouted Will. Gilan had to smile. Will was practically jumping up and down in his excitement.

"Will, you are 17 now and you should be more demure," said a gruff voice from the direction of Halt's room.
"Sorry to wake you Halt," said Will, not at all contrite, "I am just so excited to know what Gilan's present is!"

"Well," said Gilan, "For your present, we are going..." He paused. Will just about burst and Gilan laughed. "We are going swimming."

Will jumped up in the air with a whoop. He danced around the room and the proceeded to thank Gilan enthusiastically. He was so excited because his rigorous training schedule did not allow time for swimming. He had only been once and he loved it.

They packed up lunch and headed out to the swimming hole. Gilan, Will and yes, even Halt. The walk down was a short one and they arrived within fifteen minutes. Will immediately put down his basket, stripped off his tunic and boots and raced into the waterhole. Gilan followed at a more sedate pace. Halt watched from the bank.

They spent the morning swimming, playing and messing around. Eventually Halt called them out for lunch. They clambered out and shook themselves dry. There was a delicious lunch of bread, jam, cold ham from the butchers and an assortment of delicious fruits.

When they had finished, Will asked Halt if he wanted to come and swim with them.

"No way!" said Halt "I don't like to swim."

Gilan whispered something to Will and Will grinned.

Halt scowled. "What are you two whispering about?"

"Only that you are scared of the water, Halt," said Gilan.

Halt's scowl deepened. "I am not!" he exclaimed.

"Prove it by coming in the water," said Will with a cheeky look on his face.

Halt growled and grumbled but agreed to come in the water. They all went back down to the water's edge. Will jumped straight in. Gilan hesitated but did the same. Halt stuck one foot in and promptly announced that it was too cold.

Gilan and Will swam up to the edge of the waterhole. The peered up at Halt and both said, "No it isn't!"

"Yes it is and there is no way I am ever going in that... HEY WHA..." His sentence was finished with a shout and then a splash as the two swimming rangers grabbed him by his ankles and dragged him into the water. He came up spluttering and fuming. He gave on look at the two young men in front of him and then launched himself at them. All three went under tangled together in a mock water battle.

They spent the rest of the day enjoying the water. Halt even enjoyed himself even though he would never admit it! If asked in later years which was his favourite birthday, Will would always reply, "My 17th birthday."

I hope you like this story. I always wanted to do a Halt going swimming story. I also made Will act that way because I know a few teenage boys and they don't grow up when they turn 17 or even 18. They are still crazy for a long time yet! Will is an extraordinary boy but he must be normal in some ways!