A/N: Thank you to my latest reviewers Hatakefire, Harpfire, CHiKa-RoXy, SeekerMaxia, and Athena's Warrior. I love love love hearing back from you. XD (Sorry I didn't reply to any of the reviews. I have been really busy lately… I will try to do better)

I spent a little longer on this one. I hope that it isn't as rushed. I reread it a few times to check, but if there is still problems, don't be afraid to tell me. I love constructive criticism just as much as I love the encouragement. =P

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice.

9. Drive

"Are we there yet?" came an insistent voice from behind him.

Halt turned in his saddle, glaring at his young apprentice. "Does it look like we're there, Will?" he asked, turning back around to face forward. He patted Abelard's neck tiredly. "Are all apprentices like this?" he muttered. Abelard snorted as if in reply, tossing his head.

They rode in silence for a few more minutes. Halt was just beginning to relax, when a sharp voice cut through his thoughts.

"How far away is the gathering, Halt?" Will asked.

Halt decided that it was best if he remain silent. Maybe if he didn't respond, Will would get bored and stop pestering him with questions.

"How many people will be there?" Will asked after about a minute of silence. "Will there be other apprentices there?"

Oblivious to the fact that Halt was ignoring him, Will continued to throw questions at his mentor. "How will the evaluation go? What will I be tested on?"

Halt kept his eyes forward, looking deep into the trees. He hoped they would come upon the clearing soon. He didn't know how much more of Will's countless questions he could take. They were driving him crazy.

Sunlight filtered in through the branches of the trees, landing in little splashes on the leaves. Halt looked into the sky, noticing the pink hue. They would have to set up camp soon.

Will continued to chatter as Halt reined in Abelard. "Come on. Help me collect firewood…" he said gruffly, letting the reins fall to the floor and untying the saddle bags.

The little pools of light were getting smaller as the sun sunk beneath the horizon. As Will started the fire, Halt began to prepare a pot of coffee, robotically filling the pot with water from his flask.

The glorious smell of coffee began to fill the chilly air.

When it was done, he poured himself a mug and began to sip at the warm liquid.

"Halt, why do you like coffee so much?" Will asked, picking up the pot of coffee and sniffing at it.

"No no no," Halt growled, snatching the pot away from the boy. "You drive me crazy enough without any coffee running through your system."

"But what does it taste like?" Will asked. "It looks gross… kind of like brown, muddy water. What is coffee made out of, Halt? Does it taste like mud? Why do…?"

"Alright! You can have some! As long as you stop asking me useless questions… but only one mug. I don't want you staying up all night," Halt said, pulling out another mug from the saddlebag and pouring Will some of the precious liquid.

He knew that he was going to regret this decision later, but he handed the boy the cup, watching as he took a tentative sip.

"Oh, this is actually rather good!" Will commented, gulping down the mug of coffee.

Two hours and three pots of coffee later…

"This is so GOOD! What is it made out of? You never answered me…. OH ON WAIT, LET ME GUESS! Not dirt… it's too delicious to be dirt…. Leaves? BARK OFF A TREE? What kind of tree? A pine tree? Apple? Oak? OH NO I GOT IT! It is made out of liquid GOLD! But then why is it brown?"

"Will…." Halt said. "You are driving me insane… I think it's time for you to go to bed…"

"BUT I CAN'T!" Will shouted, jumping up from his seat by the fire, throwing his arms in the air.

Halt buried his face in his hands. He had created a monster.

A/N: HAHA, I love this one. It was super fun to write. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time…. I really don't know where the whole coffee part came from… it was just supposed to be a fic about Will driving Halt bonkers, but Halt still loving him… obviously my muse had other ideas.

Please review and tell me your thoughts about this chapter. Also, leave any ideas for the next chapter, which will be called Breathe Again (ooooh that sounds angsty XD).

Thanks for reading.