Well guys, it's been about 4 fucking years hasn't it? To be honest I am overwhelmed that still this long after being practically abandoned this fic still gets the most lovely reviews anyone could hope for :) So here's a chapter, I really intend to keep going, but I always do haha. I sort of just banged this one out, haven't even proofread it but it has got to be better than my shitty twelvie writing and my embarrassingly twelvie author's notes. Why did no one stop me. Seriously.

Will woke almost abruptly with the rising of the sun. He was feeling good, however taking a deep breath of crisp morning air his body reminded him that he was still pretty sick and hacked out a few coughs. He stretched, and yawned, and the got up. Still sluggish from sleep but awake enough to go out and make himself a good cup of coffee.

With another yawn and a hand running through his already messier than normal hair, Will strode out into the main room.

"You're looking much better."

Will startled and looked around, not expecting anybody else to be awake. Mesdron was sitting at the small table in the kitchen. "Oh, hi, yeah thanks I'm feeling better."

"Are you hungry?"

"Actually I was just going to make a coffee," Will mused out loud, "But now you mention it yeah, food would be great, although I'm not sure if Halt has had time to go into town recently." He looked slightly abashed, the barest hint of colour rising to his cheeks.

Mesdron shook his head, standing up. "Never mind that, how do eggs sound?" Will's eyes lit up as Mesdron indicated that he sit down. "I went and got a few things yesterday to help you and Halt out."

"Thanks, that's really nice of you." Will meant what he said. Halt had never mentioned Mesdron before, yet here he was, helping them out at a time of need, with no motive other than to do exactly that, help. "Halt, is he…?"

"He's fine, sleeping in the other room, he looked like he needed it so I put him to bed last night." Again, Will looked slightly embarrassed. "It's not your fault that you've gotten sick, Will. And I would safely guess that you would do the same for him if he were to get ill."

Will sighed, "Yeah, I guess."

"Well, I know, it's a bloody Ranger thing. You lot are all the same, will wear yourself down for the benefit of another." At this Will smiled a bit.

"Yeah I guess we are a bit like that."

Since sitting down, Will's morning energy had worn off a little bit and he sighed so deeply it was almost a yawn. "You haven't had your herbs yet?" Mesdron asked as he turned away from Will to check the eggs.

"No, I don't really know what to have, I've just been taking whatever Halt gives me."

"Well lucky for you then, I know what you should be having." Mesdron left briefly for Halt's room and came back with a handful of different herbs. In no time he brewed what he needed to, and presented Will with a disgusting smelling cup. "Drink that, to soothe your throat. The faster you drink that, the faster you can have your coffee."

Will gave Mesdron an appraising look, "You really do know how Rangers work."

The older knight chuckled, "I wouldn't lie to you Will. Now have you had the ones for your pain? They go under your tongue."

"Yes," Will nodded and laughed, "I had those when I first woke up, trust me I know what they are for."

Mesdron studied that ranger apprentice in front of him with warmth. He had seen for himself just how sick Will was, yet he could sit there, still feeling terrible, but with his sense of humour and thirst for life almost unscathed. An unlikely coupling, he thought, Will and Halt. But he could see why it worked, and feel the trust and love between the two, even at a time such as this. Mesdron turned back to the eggs, cooking them in silence, while Will sat at the table trying to ingest his medicine.

Mesdron stacked two plates high with breakfast, leaving some still in the pan for Halt to warm when he woke up. He turned to bring the two plates to the table and found Will with his head resting on his arms, eyes closed.

"Will," he spoke softly as he put the plates down, and turned to get Will's coffee.

The apprentice stirred, and lifted his head, "'S alright, I'm not asleep."

"That's ok, just better have some food, before going back to bed," he smiled warmly, setting the coffee down next to Will's plate. He glanced at the other cup, satisfied after seeing that it was mostly empty.

Will yawned, rubbed at his arm absentmindedly, and slowly began to pick at his breakfast. "Thank you, for this," Will looked at Mesdron, hoping the man could see how deeply he meant the words. Not just for the food, but for being there for Halt when he could not. Mesdron bowed his head, acknowledging the thanks and all that it meant.

The rest of the meal came in companionable silence, Mesdron eating far more than Will, who ate less than half of what was on his plate, but considering his stomach hadn't had food in it for days without vomiting, Mesdron was pleased with the effort. Will savoured his coffee, sipping it periodically throughout the meal and eyes closing with pleasure as every bit trickled down his throat.

Will insisted on staying up after breakfast, taking a seat near the waning fire. Mesdron cleared up, then pulled on his cloak which had been slung on the back of a chair. "I'll just go bring in some more wood, I'll be back in a little bit. If you need me just call."

Will nodded, shivering slightly before Mesdron swung shut the door behind him, cutting off the cold breeze that had begun to pick up. Slowly, Will's eyes began to droop as he dozed on his chair, chin dropping to his chest.

It could have been three minutes later, or three hours, but at some point he woke shivering and felt the added weight of a blanket or two thrown over him. "Thanks Mesdron," he muttered, before turning his head to find a more comfortable position.

The deep rumble alerted Will that it wasn't Mesdron who was also there. He opened his eyes, and smiled warmly. Halt. "Did you have a good sleep?"

The old ranger nodded as he placed the back of his hand to Will's forehead. He was a little warm but that was probably due to the now raging fire. "I feel much better now. How about you?"

Will's hand moved to his arm as he rubbed it in thought. Halt saw the movement under the blanket and pulled it down to see. "I'm ok, I'm still really sore everywhere though."

Halt picked up Will's arm and pulled back the sleeve of his shirt, inspecting the limb as Will talked.

"I kept down breakfast, and some coffee, I'm not sure how long ago that was but Mesdron was here," He looked around now, feeling the absence of the other man. "He's nice." Will mused as his eyes slipped shut once more.

"That's excellent, Mesdron's resting at the moment, I think he stayed up all of last night and most of today because I was asleep."

"Today?" Will muttered. He could have sworn it was still morning time, but maybe he was wrong.

"Will," while Halt's voice was not panicked Will knew him well enough to know that his attention was needed urgently, and fought to open his eyes again. "How long has your arm been itchy?"

The teenager frowned, he had not noticed it being itchy, but now that Halt had said it… "I guess since I woke up?" He replied, not too sure, and really just wanting to go to sleep. "Why?"

Halt sighed, "Don't worry," he pulled down Will's sleeve and fixed up the blankets again. "Get some more rest, Will." He placed a hand on his apprentice's head, more to reassure himself that he was still there more than anything. Within seconds Will was cast back into sleep. Halt sighed worriedly, hoping that it wasn't going to be a long night.

So there you guys have it :) Will hopefully update again soon.

love yas