A/N: Ok so I was going to wait to write this chapter, but someone gave me such a good idea that I wanted to try it out.

Thank you to SheWhoIsFantastic for the wonderful idea. XD

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

28. Sorrow

"He may be a little delirious for a couple of hours," the doctor said to the ranger who was standing in front of him. "Just give him plenty of fluids and pain medication for the swelling in his jaw.

Halt nodded several times. "That sounds good. Where is he?" the ranger asked. For some reason, there was an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. Was it nerves? Was it excitement to see his apprentice? He shook off the strange sensation as the doctor led him into a patients room.

Will was sprawled out on the patients bed, his head lolling to one side, his mouth open at an odd angle. Halt could see the swelling in his jaw from the surgery.

"Come on, Will," Halt said. "Time to go home." He shook the boys shoulder, making the apprentice blink a few times.

His eyes were unfocused at first, traveling around the small room before they rested on Halt, clouded with the lingering effects of the medication. "'alt" he slurred. "Whappened?"

"You had a tooth pulled," Halt said gruffly, lifting the boy into a sitting position.

"Tha' why things 're so fuzzy?" Will asked, his head turning from left to right.

"Yes," Halt said, trying his best to be patient with the apprentice. "Come on. Up you go." He helped Will to his feet, holding the boy upright as he swayed.

"Woooooaaah," Will muttered. "Why is the worl' spinning, 'alt?"

Halt ignored the question, leading Will out of the room and to where the horses waited.

"TUG," Will shouted and then winced, his hand flying to his jaw. He spoke again, softer this time, barely moving his mouth. "I missed you..."

Halt shook his head exasperatedly, helping the apprentice to mount the shaggy horse. "Hands here," Halt said, handing Will the reins and helping him grip them.

Halt mounted Abelard, nudging him into a steady pace.

"Giddyup!" he heard Will exclaim from behind him.

This was going to be a long couple of hours, Halt thought as they rode closer to home.

SORROW

When they arrived back at the cabin, Halt led Will inside, laying him down on the couch before going to care for the horses.

It didn't take him long to finish, and he hurriedly made his way back to teh cabin, anxious to check to make sure that Will was alright and see if he needed more medication.

He wasn't prepared for what he saw when he swung open the door of the cabin. Will was crouched on the hardwood floor, his head in his hands, shoulders shaking.

Halt immediately stumbled to the apprentice's side, kneeling down. "Will?" he asked. "What's wrong? Does your jaw hut?"

Will looked up, his watery eyes finding Halt standing in front of him. He shook his head for a moment.

"What is it?" Halt asked again.

"I can't remember what strawberries taste like."

A/N: HAHAHA Oh my gosh, that was incredibly fun to write. XD

Please review you awesome person! Remember, my two hundredth reviewer gets to choose the plot for the next chapter, Happiness!

Live long and prosper. (This is kind of a tradition at this point LOL)

-Dawn