Chapter Text
Halt got Will cleaned up and checked him over, it was almost unbelievable the only injuries the small boy had was some scrapes and bruises from the tree. Halt wrapped Will up in his blanket by the fire and got him some hot tea to keep him warm and calm while he inspected the crazy cat that attacked a giant bear to protect Will. Halt could not see or feel any injuries on the insane creature and let him snuggle up next to Will. Gilan soon returned to check on Halt, Will, and Simon. Giving Will a big hug and whispering he was proud of him and then giving Simon a big loud kiss on the head for being such a brave cat.
As the other excited Rangers began to trickle back into camp after dealing with the bear they began to demand the full story from Halt, who simply drank the rest of his coffee and picked up Will in his blanket and said to the waiting rangers “Gilan will tell you. But at the main fire, Will needs to sleep.” Turning his back on everyone he took the little boy who was now exhausted after the adrenaline had started to leave his body into the tent to put him to sleep. The big raggedy orange cat followed with his tail high in the air.
After Gilan led the party to the main fire Halt curled around Will, keeping Will’s back warm while a big orange cat curled against the boy's chest, allowing the boy to hug him close as Halt hugged them both close.
At the main fire coffee was made and they waited until everyone else had joined them. Crowley inviting everyone to his office in the future to see the new bear rug before they quieted down for Gilan to tell the story of the hawk whistle they had given Will in case he was in danger and the bear attacking the tree and the horses and the tiny cat all working to protect Will until Halt, Gilan, Crowley and the others could kill the bear.
“I would never have believed it if I had not seen it.” Said Norris, still sounding like he did not actually believe it.
That got a round of agreement from the other Rangers and individual conversions popped up, throwing around theories of where the bear came from being as big as it was. It was a much later night of laughter and talking than originally planned. It was late into the night before the rest of the rangers finally went to their tents to sleep.
The next morning started a little later after the late night for most of the Rangers and no one was in a huge rush to get back to their fiefs. Halt and Will were the first ones up. Getting his usual warm doggie and hot rock and blanket ready outside Berrigan’s tent Will was able to greet the older Ranger right away with something for his leg.
“Ah Will, I am truly going to miss you.” Berrigan said with a sigh.
“I will miss you too, Uncle Bewrrigan!” Will said, hugging Berrigan “Can you come visit us?”
“I will have to do that Will, I don’t like traveling in winter, mayhap I will plan on spending winter with you and teaching you all kinds of fun music. What do you think about that?”
“That would be amazing!” Said Will, so excitedly Berrigan almost felt bad he said anything in the chance he could not winter in Redmont. Putting that thought aside Berrigan got his leg situated and walked Will back to Halt’s fire.
“Halt!” Will crowed “Uncle Bewrrigan said he is going to spend the wintewr with us and teach me music!”
Halt looked up and scowled at Berrigan, knowing that Berrigan did not have the ability to fully make that promise yet.
“I will TRY to winter in Redmont Will, if I can. But I promise I will visit as much as I can.”
Will looked up at Berrigan with his big brown eyes. “Ok, but twry youwr best?”
“I will try my best.” Berrigan promised and then looked at Crowley who rolled his eyes and gave a nod. Giving a silent promise as well he would try to make that happen for Berrigan.
After a subdued breakfast because most of the rangers were still tired and all were a little sad the gathering was over, everyone started efficiently breaking down camp. Will went to help Crowley pack up his command tent, helping gather and store papers and clean up before the tent was struck with the help of other Rangers.
Finally everything was packed and loaded and Halt and Crowley stood looking at each other, the last ones to leave. Halt’s arms were crossed, “Are we going to have a problem?” He asked. Hoping he knew the answer but needing to make sure.
“We will only have a problem if I don’t get to see my favorite nephew for a whole year. Bring him by when you can.”
Halt gave a grunt of surprise but answered “I would rather not have it be known too far and wide about Will. In case of trouble. I will try to bring him occasionally but you should visit us more.”
“I will have to do that, I miss my old friend too.”
Crowley and Halt hugged before Crowley walked Halt over to where Will and Gilan were waiting.
“Gilan, try to stay out of trouble.”
“Who says I have not been trying?” Gilan asked perfectly innocent.
Crowley just gave him the patented one eyebrow raised before turning to Will.
“Will, it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you again soon. If I don’t, bug Halt and keep bugging him until he brings you to see me.”
“Ok, Uncle Cwrowley.”
“Good, now give me a big hug before you go.”
Will gave Crowley a big hug and Crowley picked up the little boy in a big bear hug before handing him up to sit behind Halt on Abalard. As graceful as could be, the big orange cat jumped up on Abalard’s hindquarters and wiggled his way to snuggle between Halt and Will.
With a final wave goodbye Crowley watched his best friend and the little family he had acquired ride away.
With a sigh, Crowley turned to Cropper and his pack horses. “Let’s get going, duty awaits.”
They are your family too, you know.
“Thanks Cropper” Crowley said, realizing he was right.
A few months later Crowley was in his office sorting through paperwork with a scowl on his face when he came across a small sealed letter in the pile labeled “Important” written in very rough handwriting.
Crowley immediately opened it and then grinned and laughed out loud as he read the shaky handwriting.
Dear Uncle Crowley,
Halt is helping me write this letter to you because I am not very good at writing yet. We are doing good here. How are you?
Halt lets Simon in the cabin now so he does not have to sneak in anymore as long as he does not eat mice near the kitchen.
I am learning to read and write better and I am almost caught up with my other ward mates.
Halt is teaching me to shoot my bow better but it is mostly a lot of practice. Gilan is teaching me to handle my knife so maybe someday Halt will let me have a real one.
Halt just said not until I am older but maybe you can tell him six is very very old.
Uncle Berrigan came and stayed with us for two whole weeks and taught all of us ward kids a song about an acorn. Halt gets a funny one squinty eye look on his face when I sing it so I think he likes it and I sing it when he is grumpy to make him feel better.
How are you? Still doing lots of paperwork? Can you come visit? Is Cropper still the fastest horse in the whole corp? Corp is a weird word, it does not look how it sounds.
Hope to see you soon.
Love,
Will
Crowley put down the letter and looked at his schedule. He could take a few days to see if Cropper was still the fastest horse in the Corp. Redmont wasn't that far away.