NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice!

Had a lot of free time and I was bored so I got this done.

AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon: You don't trust Will's father because you know me. Most of my OCs have turned out to be people you can't trust.

Out of all the names you guys gave me and those I had in mind, I have decided that Will's father shall be named (drumroll!): Bruce.

Review and Enjoy!

Unknown Blood Chapter 3

Halt was visiting with Baron Arald to discuss the recent turn of events. Lady Pauline was explaining the situation to Alyss, Jenny, and George. All the former Wards knew they were going to miss Will. However, they were happy that he finally had a family there for him. Sir Rodney, still suspicious, was watching the huge guards brush their horses. He felt that something was wrong with this whole scenario. Arald, Pauline, and Nigel had examined the information thoroughly and determined it all to be true. A message had been sent to Duncan, telling him what had happened and calling for him, Cassandra, Crowley, and Sir Horace to come down. Mostly it was for former goodbyes but they also hoped that Duncan and Crowley could spot a bad fish, if there was one.

Meanwhile, over at Halt's cabin, Will was talking with his father, Bruce. Tug munched on the grass beside Bruce's brown and white paint. The paint seemed perfectly happy ignoring the smaller, shaggy horse. After all, what did it matter to him? Tug's ears flicked as Will laughed at small joke his father just told him. They were sitting together on the verandah steps. Bruce had one arm wrapped over his son's shoulders. After so many years without the boy, Bruce was not going to let go of him so easily.

Bruce's soft voice entered Will's ears, "I'm so glad you had a nice home here. I was worried when my scouts found your uncle's home with the grave of my wife. I thought I had lost you."

"I'm not that easy to get rid of," Will said with a laugh and a warm smile.

Bruce pulled his son closer to him, "That I'm glad for." He kissed the top of his son's head, enjoying holding his son.

"What was mother like?" Will asked softly, not wanting to ruin the moment.

Unknown to Will, Bruce's brown eyes hardened. In a sad voice, he replied, "Beautiful. Loving. Compassionate. Yet she had the courage of lion and the speed of a leopard. I never found a woman that could steal my heart the way she did."

"What happened that made her come back here?" Will asked, looking up at his father.

Bruce met his son's gaze and sighed weakly, "Some parts of the kingdom revolted. I was called in to battle, leaving your mother with several of my finest guards. She was just pregnant with you then. However I soon received word that my castle had been attacked. Racing back, I found the guards dead and your mother missing. She left a letter telling me she fled to her previous life. Unfortunately I never really asked must about her past. I knew she had a brother who was a farmer and lived on an island. That was it." Bruce smiled wryly at his son, "You wouldn't believe how many inhabited islands there are in this world."

Will had to laugh at that. It was at that moment that Tug perked up his head and neighed a warning. Will's hand immediately grabbed his bow. He was ready for a threat. No reply neigh came. Then a farmer came around the trees on his plough horse. Recognizing him as one of the farmers nearby, Will rose to greet him. Bruce had also risen, eyeing the newcomer with distrust. He knew that people could use disguises.

"Hello, Bert! What can I do for you?" Will called.

Bert smiled at Will, "Pardon the intrusion, young Will. I know Halt is at Castle Redmont but I need help. Some bandits are starting to cause trouble around the farms. We were hoping you could help."

Will nodded at once. He descended the few steps and raced to get Tug's saddle. He was finished when he noticed that his father was mounting as well. Looking at his son, those brown eyes told Will that he was not going to let his son run off into danger without him. With a wry smile, Will mounted Tug and headed after Bert. The powerful paint walked easily next to Tug. The smaller horse snorted softly, looking back at his master.

This horse isn't very friendly, he said.

Smiling, Will patted his neck. To that Tug just tossed his head. Bruce looked at his son worriedly. Bandits could be dangerous. He did not want anything to happen to the son he just found. However, he could see the determination in Will's posture. His son was ready to face anything. Reaching a bend in the road, Bert turned and explained the farms were down that way. Will told him to go to Castle Redmont and inform Sir Rodney and Halt. They would bring men to make the official arrest. Meanwhile, Will and his father would find where these bandits were hiding. Bert nodded and galloped off. Will drew in a deep breath to steady his racing heart then spurred Tug onward.

It was Tug that sensed it first. Then Will's nose caught the scent. Smoke. There was fire! Without a command, Tug broke into a gallop. Will drew an arrow, ready to fire at a moment's notice. Behind them, Bruce was spurring his horse into a gallop. He was not going to lose sight of his son. Soon the black smoke could be seen through the trees. Tug did not vary in his pace. Shouts could be heard up ahead. Three men were desperately trying to hold off ten bandits with pitchforks. The bandits were laughing and mocking them. It was these bandits who had set fire to the barn.

Tug braced his legs, coming to a stop. Will's arrow was nocked and fired within seconds. An instinctive shot. A bandit who planned to sneak up on the youngest of the three screamed in agony. His buckled right after that. Spinning around, the other men faced Will. Tug stood firm, watching the proceedings. Will had his hood up, the cowl hiding his face. Only a frown could be seen. Another arrow was already resting on the bow. It would be fired in a matter of seconds if it had to be.

"King's Ranger! Drop your weapons!" Will called, his voice eerily calm.

Unknown to him, Bruce had approached silently on foot. Now he was watching the proceedings with narrowed eyes. It was time to see what his son could do. Already he could see that the men were nervous. In Araluen, Rangers were not to be messed with. They were dangerous and many deemed them unstoppable. Now they were faced with one. The leader, however, quickly figured out who he was facing. A smile touched his features.

He called back, mockingly, "Young Will, is it? I'm surprised Halt let you come on such a dangerous mission. Either that or you are foolhardy."

A few of his men chuckled. Most did not. They knew that even a Ranger's apprentice could be deadly. This one especially. Two exchanged a glance before slowly moving away. They were not getting into a fight with any Ranger, apprentice or not. However, they were soon faced with angry farmers. Not a better option. Will, meanwhile, remained still. He was modeling himself after Halt. Indeed, his silence and calm demeanor was spooking the others. They were beginning to wonder if they should make a run for it.

That's when the leader spat angrily, "Stand your ground, cowards! He's just an apprentice doing a man's job. He's here only because Halt doesn't have the nerve to face us."

That did it.

Will's arrow ripped through his foot, pinning it to the ground. Tug neighed angrily and charged. He knew an insult when he heard one. The other bandits scattered. They were not getting involved in this. Only three decided to fight back. One was bowled over by Tug's charge. The second had his nose flattened by Will's boot. The third was knocked out by the hilt of Will's saxe. Turning to face the rest, Will let out a small growl. That made the others freeze. This Ranger apprentice was truly mad.

It was not long before Halt and Sir Rodney appeared with several men-at-arms to make the arrest. They found Bruce and the farmers tying the men up. Will was talking with the leader. Hearing hoofbeats and Tug's warning, Will looked in their direction. A smile appeared on his face as he waved. Sir Rodney smiled back. Halt remained grim as ever. Quickly he spurred Abelard over to his apprentice's side. Easily he dismounted and stepped close to his apprentice.

His gruff voice spoke quietly, "What were you thinking? Things could have gone a lot worse here."

"Sorry, Halt. They were attacking the farmers here. I couldn't stand by and watch them get away with it. Plus, I had back up," Will replied, his tone letting Halt know he understood the rebuke. With the last words, Will looked over to where his father was, helping Sir Rodney round up the bandits.

Halt sighed as he noticed Bruce. Deep down he knew that Will was going to leave. Halt knew he was going to miss the boy. Will had lightened up his life considerably, even when watching from afar. Now the boy's true father was here. Halt was happy about that much. Bruce turned and saw Halt beside Will. Only Halt saw his gaze darken. A worm of distrust and worry wriggled in Halt's stomach. Bruce was hiding something. Will was definitely his son, there was no doubt about it. They resembled each other closely. Bruce's story and emblem fit perfectly with Will's story. No, there was something else going on.

Something that made Halt worry for Will's safety.

Bruce and Halt don't like each other. You can see Halt's reasoning. Truth be told, Bruce is hiding a lot of secrets from Will. Secrets that his son must uncover.

REMEMBER: If you give me support for this story then I'll continue it. If not then I don't know if I will continue. Show your support in the comments.