An: I don't own Twilight/eragon/ranger's apprentice

Chapter 19

live and love

The relief force from norgate clattered across Macindaw's lowered drawbridge and filed through the gate house into the courtyard.

Sir Doric, the battle master of norgate was leading the force, raised his hand and called the group to stop.

"Welcome to castle Macindaw, Sir Doric" said Horace "your a bit late"

Sir Doric slapped his gauntlets on his thigh, he looked around the courtyard before answering.

"Hmmmm? yes,yes, what is that dragon doing here?"

"It appears to be defending the castle" said Horace not understanding what the problem was

"Well get rid of it, they can't be trusted, after all"

"I trust her" Horace told him with a growl in his voice, then turned around as Bella roared and shot white hot fire into the sky.

When things were better at the castle the friends left,with Edward, Will and Horace on horses and Bella flying in the sky,

Farewells were the hardest part of life as a ranger, they had made friends here over the past months and those friends wanted the chance to say goodbye.

Winter was on its last breaths as the friends rode southwards to Redmount. With each passing day the snow receded further, going from a complete ground cover to isolated patches of snow, till disappearing leaving wet, brown grass showing the first signs of green.

Will, watched as Alyss came up to them with Halt and Pauline as Redmount came into view.

After Will had received his hug from Alyss, and as she and Horace hugged Halt caught his eye.

"Lets take a turn around the courtyard" he suggested

They stopped under a giant oak that lived in front of the wards, they sought the concealment of the shadows.

"You did well" Halt said finally "I'm proud of you"

"Thanks Halt it was not easy, but I am proud of me too" he said with a sigh

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes...well,no...oh, I suppose so" will said looking away from his teachers eyes

"Well, there are three answers to choose from" Halt said

"Halt" said Will eventually " can I ask you a question?"

"I think you just did" Halt replied, with the hint of a smile in his voice. Will grinned, then sighed again and became serious.

"Does life always get harder when you get older?"

"You're not exactly ancient and half vampires can became very ancient" Halt said gently "but things have a way of turning out, you know. just give them time"

Will made a frustrated little gesture with his hands, "I know... it's just,that now with things the way they are... I...oh, I don't know what I mean" he finished

"Son let's go home, you look like you are going to drop any minute"

"Yes that sounds good" he said, then turning to Edward and Bella who had just turned up with what looked like leaves in their hair "Edward,Bella let's go home"

As Halt watched the dim figures move away into the forest. Sometimes, life threw up problems that even the wisest, most trusted father couldn't solve for you, Halt thought. It was part of the pain of growing up.

And having to stand by and watch was part of the pain of being a father.

An: father/son moments between Will and Halt, a third story is coming in this series, I hope it is liked more than this one was.

look out for

"Desert of starlit skies"

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