Chapter Two
Nel had never seen the Castle so busy. There were people everywhere, each focusing on their own important tasks. Servants rushed around preparing guest rooms and carrying food. Knights practiced, moving through their drills with a very precise vigor. A few Rangers walked the halls, strengthening defenses and aiding the Battlemaster.
"All this...for peace talks?"
"All this in case they go poorly." Gilan explained, dismounting.
Nel and Will followed suit as he kept talking.
"It's pretty standard practice to have most of your soldiers around when inviting leaders of a foreign country into your home. Especially if you don't get along with them."
"I know that," Nel said, looking around again, "But won't a show of force simply antagonize them?"
"They'll be expecting it." he reassured her.
A servant came up, offering to take their horses. The Rangers declined, preferring to look after their own horses. Nel typically did the same, although she did accept the help in carrying her bags.
The three of them were about to make their way to the stables when they saw Halt leave the Castle, Crowley not far behind.
A grin spread across Nel's face, a matching one appearing on Halt's. She rushed forward as fast as she could, meeting him halfway across the courtyard, wrapping her arms around him. Halt held her back just as tightly.
The three other Rangers held back, letting the father and daughter have their reunion.
Nel clung to her father tightly, breathing in his familiar scent of pine trees, coffee, and the wood glue that he used for his bows and arrows. She had always teased him about his scent, ever since she was little, how he had always smelled like glue, even if he hadn't made a bow or arrow in weeks. Never had she thought she'd miss it.
Halt, for his part, was pulling back from the hug, examining her. She looked almost exactly the same as the last time he'd seen her over a year and a half ago, but the sight of her seemed so foreign now that she almost looked like a stranger. A little bit taller than him, with sparkling blue eyes and a wide smile. Her black hair was longer than before, hitting her waist even though it was held back in a braid.
"You look like your mother," he said softly.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, "So you always say."
Halt didn't respond, just pulled her back in for another hug.
After a moment, Crowley cleared his throat.
Nel looked up from her father's embrace and saw him. Pulling away from Halt, she went to the Ranger Commandant.
"Morning Uncle Crowley." she said, hugging him as well.
Crowley returned the hug, only pretending to grumble at her name for him.
"Good to see you too Nellie-girl."
Halt turned to the younger Rangers, "Welcome back."
"What? No hug for us?" Gilan joked, raising an eyebrow and holding out his arms playfully.
Halt groaned, "And you wonder why we only see each other once a year."
Will laughed and Halt turned his gaze to his apprentice, "Why don't you hug him? Then you two can take care of the horses and we can get inside."
Will and Gilan exchanged a glance, rolling their eyes with a smirk, but did as they were asked. Halt turned his attention back to his daughter, where she and Crowley were discussing her recent apprenticeship.
"It was amazing Uncle Crowley! Malcolm has designed a new technique for sutures and we spent at least a month experimenting with different materials and stitches for it, along with even changing the needle type. And, depending on where the wound is, you can use different styles of sutures to promote healing in that area. For example, a wound on the leg as opposed to one of the face. Of course, we looked at more than just that. Most of our time was spent studying herbs to see what else they could be used for and studying wounds and the human body itself. The more we know about that, the better we can heal it. There was-"
"She just doesn't stop, does she?" Crowley looked at Halt in astonishment, "Is this what you've been like since you left Norgate?" he asked her.
"Oh, um," Nel immediately began to blush, looking away with a mix of shyness and guilt, "S-Sorry. I just, um, I guess I got a bit carried away. I just, I-I was very excited."
Crowley smiled gently putting an arm around her shoulders, "And I'm glad you are. I'm only teasing Nellie."
Nel nodded shyly, still blushing.
"Don't know why you seemed surprised," Halt huffed, "Medicine happens to be her favorite subject. Always has been."
Crowley ignored him, "Come on Nellie. I'll walk you to your room and you can finish telling me about all the experiments you and Malcolm did. And then your dad can get back to the King."
"He can wait." Halt said.
"He needs your help."
"With a map. It'll be fine."
Crowley sighed and was about to respond when someone else beat him to it.
"He's right Crowley, for once. I can be patient."
The three of them looked up to see Duncan approaching them. Crowley and Halt didn't seem surprised at the sight, then again, they were Rangers, but Nel's eyes widened and she hurried herself into a slight curtsey.
Duncan waved the formality aside, "We won't need the map for a while yet. I just wanted to get a headstart. There are plenty of other preparations to focus on. The delegation from Toscana will be here by the end of the week."
"So soon?" Crowley asked, "I thought the Skandians were set to arrive first?"
Duncan sighed, "They were, but I just got a report that the Toscans were spotted off the coast this morning. I've already sent a carrier pigeon back to have the Baron in that fief escort them here."
"By the time they get here, the Skandians should reach Araluen as well," Halt said.
"And the Arridi and Nihon-Ja just a few days after." the King nodded, "Hopefully the peace talks don't take too long, but still, we'll all be here for weeks. Lady Pauline and Anthony have already drafted several possibilities and proposals."
"We knew what we were getting into." Crowley said, looking resigned.
"I know," Duncan sighed again, "I know. Anyway, this may be our last chance for a peaceful moment for a while. I suggest we enjoy it."
They nodded their agreement.
Duncan smiled at Nel, "It's good to see you again Aranel."
"You as well, your majesty." she said, "But you can-you can just call me Nel."
"I'll do that if you stop being so formal around me." Duncan gently teased her, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
Nel could only smile sheepishly.
Duncan laughed, "You know, I still have to wonder how someone like Halt raised someone as polite as you."
"Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?" Halt asked, looking insulted.
Duncan smiled playfully at his old friend, "Well, truthfully, we've all been wondering."
"It's a mystery unto itself," Crowley agreed, a smile on his own face.
Halt simply rolled his eyes, causing Nel to giggle.
"I've got it!" Crowley burst out, "Halt didn't raise Nellie, she simply raised herself!"
"That would make the most sense."
Halt huffed before grabbing his daughter's shoulders and leading her away, mumbling under his breath. Nel tossed a hurried wave over her shoulder as they went up the steps into the Castle.
Duncan chuckled, waving goodbye.
"That is a good question," Crowley murmured, "How did Halt raise someone like that? At first glance, any child of Halt's should be as troublesome as him."
"Halt's always let Nel be as free as she wanted; some people are just naturally introverted. Combine the two, and that's how Nellie became Nellie."
"Still...you'd think Halt would've tried to do, well, anything to encourage her to be more confident."
He shrugged, "I can't really see Halt trying to force her to be someone she's not."
"Well, that's better than my original idea."
"Which was?" he asked.
"One of the many mysteries surrounding Halt that we simply won't understand." Crowley smirked.
The two exchanged a look before they began laughing again.
The door shut with a satisfying 'THUNK' behind them, cutting off the chatter of the servants outside and leaving them in silence.
Nel looked around the room quickly. It was large, with a bed, dresser, shelves, desk, and a table and chairs off to the side. More extravagant than she was used to, but it seemed fairly simple for a guest room in the Castle. At the foot of her bed were all of her bags, waiting to be unpacked. She breathed a sigh of relief that no one had tried to do so. She had a very specific way of organizing her books and supplies.
Sparing a glance at her father who was glaring at the wall, probably still thinking over the conversation with his Commandant and King, Nel moved forward, reaching for the nearest bag. Her movement seemed to bring her father back to reality. Halt watched for a moment as she began putting her books on the shelves before joining her, although he only put away her clothes, knowing better than to touch anything else. They worked together in silence for a few moments before she spoke up.
"How long are we staying here?"
"The negotiations will take a few weeks at the very least," he said, "After that, it depends on our next step against the Temujai. I might have to go back with one of our new allies, help in the war plans. But it's safe to say, at least the next two months."
"Will said you've already been here three." was her quiet response.
"Yes, I have," he sighed, "Most of Duncan's advisors have. Pauline's been here since Alpina fell."
"He's been thinking of an alliance since then?"
"Partially. Smaller alliances mostly, with Hibernia and Celtica. When Hibernia declined, for the stupid reason of they'd rather bargain with the Temujai, he started thinking bigger."
Halt took a breath after he hung up another dress. Nel finished her books and moved on to the packets of herbs.
"You don't have to stay. I can have Will take you to Redmont. Arald would give you a suite, and a position as healer."
Nel paused in her movements, "You want me to leave?"
Halt shook his head, "No, I want you to be safe. With everything that's going on, Castle Araluen might be the most dangerous place to be."
Nel was silent for a long moment, Halt watching as she put away the final herbs on the top shelf of her desk.
"I...I just three years training with the best healer in Araluen. I-I should be here, so I can help."
Halt walked forward, laying his hand on her shoulder, "Nellie, you-"
"I want to help my country." she said quickly, cutting him off, "I-I-I can't fight, I don't know the first thing about strategy, but-but this is something I can do. W-With what I learned from Malcolm, I'd be more of a help here. In case anyone needs me."
She stared at him for a long moment before her shyness won out and she glanced away, rubbing her palm.
Halt sighed again, "Well, if you're going to be so stubborn about it."
Nel looked back up at him, a hopeful expression on her face. In moments she had wrapped her arms around Halt again, mumbling 'thank you' over and over.
The tender moment was interrupted by an incessant knocking on the door.
Halt grudgingly pulled away and answered it.
"Halt! I heard she was here! Is she?!" The questions started as soon as he opened the door, but they didn't wait for him to answer. The speaker barreled past him, rushing right towards Nel as soon as they saw her.
"Nellie!" Cassandra cried, bringing the girl into a tight hug, "I'm so happy to see you!"
Nel's face stretched into a wide smile and she quickly returned the hug, "I'm glad to see you too."
"How was your trip?" Cassandra asked, pulling away but still looking at her friend eagerly, "How did your studies go?"
"Very well. I learned a lot. Malcolm's a wonderful teacher."
Halt looked at the two girls, shaking his head. Of all the people in the world, the last two he expected to be good friends were his daughter and the princess. The two were practically polar opposites. But, the universe has seen fit to prove him wrong.
Cassandra brought Nel out of her shell just a bit while Nel helped her stay more grounded, less impulsive. The two had met during Morgarath's final invasion attempt five years ago. Cassandra, traveling under the name Evanlyn then, had helped Will burn down Morgarath's bridge. They had gotten captured in doing so, but Halt had been able to reach them before the Skandians had made off with them. When everyone had made it back to Castle Araluen, the two girls had bonded rather quickly. Two years later, when Halt and Will went to handle rumors of a sorcerer in Norgate, Nel had stayed at the Castle, studying under the healer there, which only let the two girls grow closer. When Halt came back with an offer for her to study under Malcolm, Nel and Cassandra had tried to keep in touch by mail, but that had slowly come to an end after about a year.
It was obvious how they had missed each other though.
"How has life here been?" Nel was asking, bringing Halt out of his thoughts.
"As you might expect with a war going on." Cassandra waved her questioning look away, "I'm sure you've heard all about that by now."
"Just a bit," she said sheepishly.
Cassandra made her way over to the bed, practically collapsing on top of it, "Dad's put me in charge of the guest rooms for the delegations, that way he can focus on the proposals for the treaty. It's surprisingly more difficult than it seems."
"How so?" Nel asked, watching out of the corner of her eye as Halt stuck his head out of the room, asking a nearby servant for coffee.
"As in, I can't just say 'dust them' and be done with it. Each room has to be thoroughly cleaned and redecorated as best we can for each delegation."
"Redecorated?"
The blonde girl nodded, "Some of the changes are simple. Like swapping out our mattresses for larger ones so that a Skandian can fit in them. But others are more difficult. Apparently someone put the national 'death flower' of Toscana in all of their rooms, so it looks like we are inviting them to their funerals. We also have to have a bunch of tiny, ceramic frogs ready for the delegates from Nihon-Ja. Horace says that giving them out on the last day means you wish for them to return."
"How does Horace know…?" Nel's question trailed off as she looked between the other two, confused.
"Dad sent him to Nihon-Ja while you were with Malcolm." she explained, "He actually became quite close to the Emperor there. Saved his life too. That's why Dad called him back here for the peace talks. He's typically out training with the knights."
Nel nodded, understanding, "That makes sense."
"Exactly. It's been a real help getting ready for their arrival. Especially for all the scrambling around we have to do for the Arridi delegation. It's been almost 20 years since we hosted them. I'd hate for a small detail of their room to be messed up and it be my fault."
"You're doing fine." Halt interjected, "Everyone knows they're coming to Araluen. They aren't expecting you to recreate their homes."
Nel nodded her agreement, smiling encouragingly.
Cassandra sighed, "Wish I had a Ranger's confidence."
"We just act confident. Then, everyone simply sees what they expect to see."
The princess chuckled at that, right before someone knocked on the door again. This time when Halt opened it, Gilan and Will stood there with a pot of coffee.
"Ran into a servant who was scared out of their wits." Gilan said, striding into the room without an invitation, "Said something about an eight-foot tall monster that threatened them if they didn't bring coffee right away?"
"Oh, very funny." Halt grumbled, "You're a regular comedian."
Will laughed, "Sorry Halt."
Gilan began pouring the coffee, making sure Halt got the first cup with a sly grin. Halt accepted it, but ignored the baiting look.
"Did we interrupt anything?" Will asked.
"Only a lesson in feigning confidence." Cassandra smirked, accepting her own cup.
Will looked between her, Halt, and Nel before figuring that he probably didn't want to know, "I heard that the Toscans are going to be here soon."
Halt and Cassandra nodded at the same time.
"Don't know why they're coming early." Cassandra said, "But the sooner everyone arrives, the sooner we can get everything over with."
"They probably have news," Gilan suggested, "They're the closest nation to the Temujai right now, and one of their next logical targets."
"Not to mention that soon they'll be surrounded. Gallica is the only neighbor they have now and they won't last long. They don't exactly have the strongest army." Will said sadly.
"Chances are they've seen the Temujai on the move and wanted to warn us sooner rather than later." Halt agreed.
They all fell silent, thinking over the situation.
Nel cleared her throat and they all turned towards her expectantly. She blushed at the sudden attention, finding her coffee cup to be very interesting and looking at it the entire time she spoke, "Um, Will, are you-I mean, you're becoming a full-fledged Ranger in a few months. A-Are you excited?"
Will smiled at her, grateful for a more cheerful topic, "Sort of? I'm excited, but also fairly nervous."
"Nervous?" Cassandra scoffed, "You're basically a Ranger already. What's there to be nervous about?"
"An entire fief is trusting me to be their Ranger! How else am I supposed to feel?!"
Halt scoffed, "Hopefully ready. Otherwise I didn't train you properly."
"It's not that I don't feel ready." Will tried to backtrack, not wanting to insult his mentor, "It's more, what do I do if I make a mistake?"
Gilan laughed, "A mistake? Will, we all make mistakes! Even the old grouch over here!"
He pointed to Halt who simply huffed and said, "My first mistake was letting Gilan become my apprentice."
Gilan rolled his eyes, ignoring the barb, "Look, the trick is to learn from it. To never make the same mistake twice."
"Which I obviously didn't do. I got roped into another apprenticeship with an annoying boy who never stopped asking questions." Halt said, but he had a smile on his face when Will looked over at him.
"You'll do fine." he told him, "You just need to believe it. The test is a courtesy at this point. You are ready. You're a Ranger."
A matching grin spread across Will's face, "Thanks Halt."
"So," Cassandra piped up, "About those confidence-faking-lessons…"
The others just laughed at her.