Hello my ever so loverrlis! :D how are we all today? Good, good... ok. Halt may seem a bit OOC in this chappie but cmon. His son-like figure has been captured by his worst enemy, I think he is allowed to lose it a bit. Also when he has his little, well, big ranty thing there isn't much description on what hes doing, totlly intended. Take it as you will, interpret how you want. He can be screaming *though thats probably not the brightest idea as they are so close to Morgys camp*, he can be crying, he can be standing on his head. I just felt that because it is such an intense moment I didn't want to say that this is how it should go. We all think of Halt in different ways so really just take it as you will.

AND

As ALWAYS! Thank you my loverrlis for reviewing your ever so loverrli reviews! I always LOVE to know what your thoughts are, whether they be good or bad and I am freaken over the moon with the response I got from the last chappie! I know I don't deserve anywhere near that many reviews for one chapter considering the amount of time between updates and I really do appreciate every word of them! *who knew that putting Will in a little bit more strife would get such a good response! :D* hopefully this chappie doesn't disappoint *we find out that Gil is a little bit of a pyro in this chappie ;D* and as always..

ENJOY!..

Chapter 22 - Distress

Fire amazed Gilan, it always had. He was dumbfounded by its ability to appear so graceful, yet angry. It always seemed to catch his eye and once it had his attention he was helpless to do anything but gaze into the flames as they danced around each other while others wove together, merging as one; all the time they seemed to want to escape the small pit they were in, each individual flame wanting to leap higher and higher to freedom. Fire was a prisoner, unable to break free from its dead wood confinements. Fire would take any chance to break free, to run wild and spread over everything in its wake. Existing off the life it destroyed, considering nothing and no one but itself, like living things its first instinct was survival. In a way it was a living thing. It needed nutrients to survive, needed to breathe air to exist and it was easily killed if one knew the right way, because it could be stubborn and simply refuse to die. In a way fire was a lot like people and Gilan truly wondered at the amazing similarities. It was an odd thing fire.

Gilan was thinking about all these things when a man blundered into the camp full canter. There was no need to be alarmed as the sentry would not have let him in if he were a threat, but that never stopped his Ranger training kicking in. He looked up to fin it was the soldier they had sent back to King Duncan with information. As Gilan stood he observed the soldier, taking in his heavily breathing horse and the soldiers exhaustion – the man had been in a hurry.

"What's the news?"

"King Duncan wishes you to move out immediately and meet him at Castle Araluen."

Gilan's first thought was that Halt would not be happy, at all. "Why? Did he say?"

The soldier shook his head, "Only that everyone was needed immediately."

He ran his hand through his hair and sighed, thinking, then he looked around and placed his hands on his hips. "Alright," he muttered to himself, then raised his voice. "Ok everybody, pack up. Orders are to go to Castle Araluen. Be ready to leave within the hour, we go when I return," he then readdressed the man before him. "You take care of things here, I'll be back in a while."

The soldier nodded once as an informal salute, "Sir."

Gilan swept up his previously abandoned cloak near the fire and began heading away from the camp. He picked his way through the trees, towards where he knew Halt would be.

It took a little while to get through the thick vegetation but eventually he saw the place where Halt would be. Obviously the old Ranger was not visible due to the distance and especially due to the fact he was keeping an eye on Morgarath's camp for any major changes. Halt did not want to be seen, therefore he was practically invisible. Once Gilan, finally, reached the area he spotted Halt leaning back against a tree, almost perfectly camouflaged in his cloak, even to Gilan's trained eye.

The only movement was a smooth action of Halt's right hand and as Gilan edged closer he could hear the faint ring of steel. His eyes were glued, glaring daggers at Morgarath's camp, if only looks were able to kill, Gilan thought. He didn't even look up as Gilan took a seat next to him, observing as Halt sharpened his saxe knife with a softness so as not to be too loud but there was definitely an underlying fury, the reason for his movements.

"I'll tell you this much: Morgarath certainly knows how to pick a hidden camp site. No one would think he could be bothered getting a full scale army or wargals through a forest this thick!" Gilan attempted to lighten the mood.

For a moment the sharpening of the saxe knife was all that was heard, ten Halt answered curtly, "What are you doing here, Gilan?" Halt's abrupt manner seemed shorter than usual, his voice was almost devoid of any emotion. "You are supposed to be keeping an eye on our own camp."

The younger Ranger sighed. "Our man came back with orders from Duncan."

"And?"

"And...well he wants us at Castle Araluen right away," Gilan thought it better to skip straight to the point rather than dillydally around it, he knew Halt hated that.

Halt's hand slipped as his saxe was sharpened and he sliced his finger, blood instantly spilling from the cut. "Damn!" he cursed.

Gilan eyed him warily, "The men are packing up now, we are to leave within the hour."

Halt didn't answer immediately. "Off you go then."

"You have to come, Halt," Gilan sighed, he knew it would come to this. "King's orders."

"I am not going anywhere. I will stay by myself if I have to." There was a snappiness to each word and a tone that meant 'no arguments' but Gilan pursued.

"Halt-"

"I'm not leaving him."

"Look, Halt, I want to know Will is safe too, I want him back with us, out of harm's way – but we don't even know for certain if he is here! We are basically guessing for that, he could be on his way to the Mountains of Rain and Night for all we know; and even if he is here there's nothing we can do at the moment."

Halt was silent.

"Halt?" Gilan expected a reaction, at least a death stare. "Say something..."

"You're right, Gilan, there is nothing we can do."

Gilan's knowledge of his former master was not wrong, he didn't just get a reaction but was about to receive an explosion.

"Not a single thing that I could do for him now while I wait. But he is in there somewhere, I know it and if Morgarath knows who he is, if he is a Ranger or even if he has anything to do with a Ranger we can't begin to imagine what sick things are happening to that boy! Whether it is helping or not I really do not care, I am staying right here. I will not abandon him, Gil, I just will not do it."

By this time Halt was facing Gilan and the younger man looked into Halt's eyes, brimmed with sincerity and loss.

And guilt.

Halt wore an expression Gilan had never seen in the long years he had known him and that was all he needed to ask Halt a question that he clearly needed to ask long ago. "What's wrong, Halt?"

Halt turned away and closed his eyes. "What do you think is wrong? We sit here, day after day after day, twiddling our thumbs, wondering what is going on in there, hoping that Will is fine. When are we going to do something? He's not yet sixteen and some of the things he has already seen and done would be enough to break a grown man. Morgarath is merciless and bloodthirsty and insane with rage and revenge. Will should be in Redmont, at home, complaining about having to beat the rug for the fourth time today, not in there going through God only knows what!

"I know it is ridiculous to think but I can't help but blame it on myself either. I mean, the one time I let someone get away and look what happens! This business with the bastard should have been finished long ago, it should have been finished sixteen years ago, before Will was even born. But Morgarath got away and I let him go, I didn't follow him into the Mountains, I just let him linger, growing stronger and stronger with each passing day. I'm not blaming myself for what happened to Will but there is no denying that this could have been stopped, I could have prevented it! I always knew Morgarath would come back for revenge but never in a million years did I think anything like this would happen. That boy is my life, Gil, disobeying Duncan or not, I am not going to leave him alone, even if only for my own peace of mind."

Gilan observed Halt, taking in his shaggier than normal hair and baggy eyes. He seemed to stoop as he sat, as if he had a weight on his shoulders and it was at this point Gilan realised how much Will meant to his former master. Will was the light in Halt's life. The life of a Ranger was almost lonely, as you were feared by most people and others only called on you when needed. Halt, more often than not grimfaced, pretended to enjoy the loneliness, but everyone who really knew him knew that he was like a puppy, just wanting to be loved. And he found everything he needed in Will. They were opposites in so many ways, Will smiled, Halt frowned; Will laughed, Halt grunted; Will was open, Halt was closed up; Will was always there, Halt seemed to fade away all the time; Will was always happy but Halt was cynical...the list went on.

But their fierce passion for everything they did brought them together. They fought for what they believed in, to protect and stand up for people, they loved doing what they did, both completely unselfish and never once complained and their loyalty to each other and anyone else they even knew was insurmountable.

But orders were orders. He knew Halt may hate him at first but eventually he would see sense.

a liiiittle bit of a cliffie but I am in need of your assistance! I dont want REALLY Gil to get physical with Halt but of anyone has any ideas on how to get Halt *the stubborn bastard ;D* to go with Gilan it would be appreciated. cant really update again til I have that bit done so review, PM, hunt me down and scream it in my face I really dont mind but ideas would be GREAT!

as ever, luv u all..

passion.