A/N: Le gasp! Another chapter? This early? I know... Crazy, right? But it isn't the end of the world.
This chapter is purely humor. I felt I deserved to give you a break from the angst. Special thanks to MagicGold34 for giving me the idea.
Warning: This is in NO WAY meant to be taken seriously. At all...
Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice.
18. Rainbow
Halt was alone when he saw it. He was practicing his archery, shooting arrow after arrow at numerous targets placed around the clearing. He had just emptied another quiver of arrows and was about to go collect them when he felt eyes on the back of his head.
He pretended not to notice the feeling, instead heading over to the nearest target and pulling an arrow from the soft wood. He spun around, put the arrow to the string, and, with one swift movement, pulled the string back. His mouth opened to make a threat, to warn away the person whom was hiding among the trees.
That was when he saw it. Its golden fur shone in the faint sunlight, the coat glossing where firm, strong muscles rippled underneath. Its mane and tail were white, floating on the wind like a silk blanket. On the creatures forehead, a white horn jutted out of the gold fur. Silver veins traveled through the horn, giving it a sparkly, unreal appearance.
Halt dropped his bow, taking a shaking step towards the unicorn. The creature stared at him with golden, peaceful eyes. The depth and beauty of the look sent a slight shiver through Halt's spine. He didn't think he had ever seen something so pure... so... beautiful.
Halt took another step forward, reaching out a hand and placing it on the velvety golden nose. "You are a beauty," he said, fondling the unicorn's ears. His hands trailed down to rest on the horn. It felt cool as ice to his shaking fingers.
The unicorn stepped away from him, and Halt immediately felt like he had lost a friend, his hands aching for the velvety fur.
"Wait!" he called as it trotted into the trees. Halt followed, not bothering to pick up his bow.
The unicorn slowed to a walk, picking its way carefully through the forest and occasionally glancing behind, as if checking to make sure that Halt followed.
The unicorn stopped as it reached another clearing, moving aside so Halt could get a better look. Bright, golden sunlight cascaded down, pooling on the ground and sending splashes of color through the clearing.
Red.
Orange.
Yellow.
Green.
Blue.
Indigo.
Violet.
A rainbow, Halt realized. His eyes traveled to where the rainbow fell upon a huge pot of gold.
"What is this?" he asked the unicorn, stepping forwards and gathering the gold in his hands.
The unicorn snorted in response, stepping besides Halt and resting its head on his shoulder. Halt grinned and patted the nose.
He began stuffing his cloak with as much of the gold as he could, his thoughts drifting to exactly how much coffee he was going to buy when he reached the cabin.
"But where is the leprechaun?" he wondered aloud, eyes drifting from the pot of gold to the surrounding trees. "Quick! We have to get out of here before it comes back!"
As he said this, a crashing sound erupted through the trees. A giant foot slammed down next to him, crushing trees and sending wood splinters flying through the air. A giant man, with a red beard and green overalls, looked down upon him, face scrunched in confusion as he saw Halt.
The giant leprechaun reached out, grabbing Halt away from the gold and the unicorn.
"No! Put me down!" Halt shouted, trying to reach for at leas one more piece of gold.
"YOU DARE STEAL GOLD FROM ME?" it cried, squeezing Halt in his fist.
"Save me, unicorn!" Halt cried. Black spots clouded his vision. The unicorn whinnied, rearing up on its hind legs. Halt watched in horrified wonder as the gold fur turned into silver skin. The strong muscled legs turned into silver fins. The only thing that remained was the horn.
The newly formed narwhal flew through the sky, stabbing its horn into the giant leprechaun's hand.
The leprechaun screamed, dropping Halt and clutching its injured fist to its side. The narwhal swooped in and caught Halt, flying up into the clouds, out of the reach of the giant.
Halt shouted in delight as the narwhal swooped through the air, taking him back home to his cabin.
RAINBOW
"Halt!" Will called, eyes searching the cabin for the familiar face of his mentor. The grizzled ranger was nowhere is sight.
Will felt a flash of worry shoot through him. It was already noon, and Halt was usually awake, pestering Will to get outside and practice, or make himself useful in some way.
"Halt?" Will called, stumbling tiredly down the hallway and pounding on the ranger's door. There was no answer. "Halt, I'm coming in..."
He hesitantly swung the door open, revealing an empty bed, the covers strewn over the floor. Will decided to check the stable to see if Abelard was there. Halt could have gotten called to the castle for an important meeting with the baron, Will rationalized.
He grabbed his cloak and stepped out into the sunlight, making his way to the stable.
He opened the stable door, stepping inside. He glanced into Abelard's stall, his feeling of dread growing as he saw the horse munching on hay in the corner. Halt hadn't been called away...
Will heard Tug nicker. "Not now, Tug," he called, turning around. "I don't have time to..." He trailed off as he saw a figure standing in Tug's stall.
"H... Halt?" Will asked, opening the stall door and rushing inside. Halt was stroking the horse, a dreamy, vacant look in his eyes.
"Yessss Will?" Halt asked. "Have you met my beautiful friend here? He is a unicorn-narwhal and I looove him!" Halt took a bit of Tug's tail and stuck it in his mouth.
"I'm eating a clloooouuuddd!" he cried happily.
Will wished he knew how to draw so he could keep this image forever. "Halt?" he asked, face breaking into a grin. His hand reached out, shaking the older man's shoulder.
"It's time to wake up, Halt," Will said. The ranger blinked a few times, the glassy look in his eyes gradually disappearing.
"Will?" he asked suddenly, glancing around. "What... Where?"
"You were sleepwalking, Halt," Will said, his face blank.
Halt looked down, eyes resting on his mouth, which still held a bit of Tug's tail. He spat it out, making a disgusted face.
Will started guffawing, clutching his side.
"Shut up," Halt told him, his expression dark, almost threatening.
"I... I... Can't," Will said between his laughter. "You... You thought Tug was a unicorn... and... his tail was.. was a cloud..." Just as he was about to manage control, he burst out laughing again.
Halt rolled his eyes, his mind already plotting his revenge on his apprentice. He wouldn't let his dignity be crushed like this. He would avenge his dignity if it were the last thing he would ever do.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that... interesting... one shot. I don't even know how to feel about it. I know Halt was OOC, but come on. He was dreaming... And I just couldn't resist this opportunity.
Next up is Gray. I pretty much have an idea for that one, but if you have any requests, feel free to leave a review.
Thank you so much for reading and have a phenomenal day!
-Dawn