Summary: Expression, for Halt, had always been a tricky thing. He’d never been anywhere near exuberant by nature. And, truth be told, there was nothing growing up that would have encouraged him to be otherwise.
In which Halt makes two promises to himself: one he keeps and the other he cannot.
No thoughts allowed
curling up in my cloak, the smell of coffee, the sound of the fire crackling >>>>
I just think abt Ranger’s Apprentice all the time
Will bc I need to practice before drawing anything else
What rangers see when giving their horse their password
Will crept silently into the cabin just as dawn was beginning to break. In the nine weeks he had been gone, not much had changed. The flowers he had left on the table were gone, long since dried and dead. The kitchen table was cleared of the paper scraps he always forgot to file away. A chill had taken his place in his home, a reminder of how long he had been gone. When he had left, summer was still in full swing, but now crisp autumn air haunted the cabin. Mindfully avoiding the squeaking floorboard by the sofa, Will made his way over to the fireplace and knelt to rekindle the embers.
The embers glowed as he breathed life into them. He fed them, placing kindling carefully to avoid smothering the small flames. Building fires was second nature to Will at this point in his life, having learn to do so since before he had even begun his apprenticeship with Halt, but he still enjoyed the process each and every time. There was a deep satisfaction in watching cold sticks or coals turn into a warm, blazing fire.
“You should have just come back to bed. We could have kept each other warm enough.”
Will smiled and turned to his wife, who stood like an angel in the flickering orange light. “You’re right. I just-“ Will turned back at the fire. “I just needed a moment.”
Alyss nodded, understanding him like she always did. Sometimes Will would try imagine what it would be like to have married someone else. Someone who hadn’t known him all his life, who hadn’t always been his closest friend. He wondered what it would be like to have to explain himself in times like this. Explain that, even though he had been gone for over two months, he still needed a few more minutes before coming to greet his wife. But he didn’t have to, because Alyss understood. She understood that sometimes he needed to moment to recalibrate. To leave Ranger Treaty at the door with his cloak and step back into being Will. She understood without having to be told that what Will saw in the field could rattle him to his core. And he hated bringing that into their lives, their home, their bed.
“Do you need another moment?” She asked gently.
“No, no I think I’m ready to sleep for the rest of the day. Maybe all of tomorrow too.”
“Well, we’ve got dinner plans with Jenny and George tonight, but I think we could raincheck if needs be.” Alyss reached out for Will’s hand and lead them back to their bedroom, where she had already drawn the curtains tight to shield out the dawn light.
“I love you.” Will whispered as his eyes fluttered, fighting off sleep for a moment longer.
“I know. I love you too.” She pressed a kiss into his temple. “Now get some rest my love.”
And Will didn’t need to be told twice. He fell asleep to his wife’s words and the gentle cooing of doves outside.
Wahoo, August 1st! For those who don't know, today is the first day of the Ranger Gathering, so this is my work for prompt #1 (Dawn). I'm also posting most of these on AO3.
Notes for this work: Not many, except that I love Halt's character lol. Look under the cut for the story or go here on AO3.
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The Mourning Doves' song used to only signal the dawn of a new day.
The golden sunlight through the windows, the gentle dew drops on the grass, the crisp morning air. The bird's ritualistic song used to only signal the dawn of a new day.
Dawn was Will's favourite time of the day. The golden rays that flooded Redmont, the stunning castle glowing red, and the perfect time to just breathe. The perfect time to climb his favourite tree and smile and...breathe.
Dawn was Jenny's favourite time of day. The happily chirping birds waking up and the most stunning blue sky coming from the pink hues of the sunrise.
Dawn was Alyss's favourite time of the day. The fresh air and the soft breeze that vlew through Redmont. The sunrise casting Redmont in shining red for all to see its glory.
Dawn was Horace's favourite time of the day. It was the perfect time for a jog, the perfect time to wake up and workout before breakfast, and it helped him focus.
Dawn was George's favourite time od the day. It was peaceful and calm. It was quiet and delightful. Dawn signified a new start, another chance, another day. It showed change and life, new and old.
Dawn was their favourite time of day for their own unique reasons, but perhaps it was their favourite time of day because they all got to see each other smile and bask in the glowing sunrise.
Ranger Gathering Day 1: Dawn
Dawn began to streak the eastern sky over the sea. He could hear birds moving and calling, fluttering through the low bushes and long grass, rustling the branches and leaves as they hunted unwary insects. The day was a normal day, just like the day before. But it would always be different because he would remember this day as the day he lost Maddie.
Do the books ever give a description of what color Gilans eyes are? I could imagine him with light brown, hazel, or maybe a blue, but I could also be completely off. I also don’t know if this has been discussed before because I haven’t had Tumblr for a long time. So yeah I just need ideas. He’ll look beautiful no matter what color his eyes are.
Sadly, his eye and hair color are never mentioned in the series. Really the most description you ever get of him is that he is tall and clean shaven (Ruins of Gorlan, Burning Bridge etc.). That his face is oval shaped (as opposed to round, heart, or square I guess) and he is of a more pale complexion (one single sentence in Erak's Ransom haha). The only time his eyes are really described in detail is in the Lost Stories, but no color is mentioned; it just says that his eyes have a spark of fun/mischief to them. So you can be creative!
Haha yes, he will definitely look good no matter what color his eyes are, since handsome is one of his most constant descriptors lmao. And besides that, I think he'll look amazing in your style; you are an amazing artist!
Very short little ficlet expanding upon Halt watching Will be taken by Skandians in book two (I’ve never posted something I’ve written before I hope it’s alright ^^’):
Long after the ship had passed the horizon line and faded from site, Halt sat on the ocean shore. A broken promise fell from his lips repeatedly “I’ll come find you, I promise, I promise I’ll come find you, Will.” His voice was broken as tears slid down his face, a heartbreak unlike any he’s felt before. His chest felt so violently empty, an ache that reminded him of what he’d just lost. The sun began to set, marking the hours he’d sat, unable to leave the place he last saw his apprentice. This boy he’d come to consider like his son. And he was gone now.
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Gilan had looked all over for the grizzled Ranger, unable to find him after the battle. Blaze, his horse, carried him on as he scoured the land near the battlefield. The swampy lands of the Fens appeared before him as he dismounted and continued on foot. Carefully making his way through the land, ensuring he didn’t step in the wrong area and sink into the mud, he looked around for Halt. The ground became sturdier the further he walked until he crested a ridge. There, he could make out the small figure of his former mentor and one of his closest friends. He left Blaze where he was, softly telling him to stay. As he got closer to the Ranger, he could hear the repetitive promise he’d been muttering to the wind for hours, the pain in his voice evident. Never once had he seen Halt this broken. Silently, he dropped to his knees beside the man and brought him into a hug, taking in his tear stained face. He was shocked when Halt buried his head into his shoulder, sobs wracking at him as he finally let it all out. A couple tears slid down Gilan’s cheeks at the loss of Will and at the pain Halt was feeling. Halt stayed like that for a bit before Gilan pulled back to look at him.
“It’s gonna be ok,” he said, trying his best to be as reassuring as possible. Halt shook his head.
“I lost him, Gilan. I was right there and I couldn’t get to him. I failed him,” Halt said brokenly. Gilan’s heart shattered at the words, that being the first time Halt had ever spoken like that. Normally he was self-assured, confident, wise. Someone who’d guided Gilan through so much. And here he was, blaming himself for Will’s capture.
“You did everything you could. We’ll get him back. If anything, it’s my fault I left him alone,” Gilan reassured. Halt shook his head, unable to say more. Gilan stood up and offered a hand.
“We should get going,” he suggested. Halt shook his head and remained put.
“I can’t,” he said.
“Halt you need to go back and eat and get some rest. We have a lot of work to do,” Gilan hoped maybe the thought of work and his duty to the kingdom could distract him a bit from his heartache.
“I need to find Will,” he said. Gilan frowned. He knew Halt didn’t want to leave the spot he’d last seen his apprentice but he needed to. Resolutely, he bent over and picked the Ranger up. Blaze and Abelard trotted over at Gilan’s whistle and he hoisted Halt up onto his horse.
“You can’t find Will if you don’t take care of yourself and your horse,” Gilan reminded him, not unkindly. Halt made no further protest, tears sliding down his face silently as Gilan swung up onto Blaze and called for Abelard to follow. He led them back to the battlefield, knowing it was gonna be a rough time for his old mentor.
I got bored and decided to make this random design for Butterfly Will
[Image ID: A sketch of an arrow diagonally against a gradient green background. At the end of the arrow lays a butterfly. Its path is marked by little lines around the arrow, looping around. The arrowhead is sharply pointed with the ends curving on either side. /End ID]
