Gilan stood once again on top of the chair, with Halt and Will on his right hand side beneath him, and he looked out over the people who'd come to the second round of the writing competition. Most people were the same as those who'd visited for the first round, though there were some new faces along the crowd as well. The Ranger Commander looked one last time at his papers, then yelled: "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS, WELCOME TO THE SECOND ROUND OF THE WRITING COMPETITION!"

Halt pulled a tormented face, and even Will had to admit that Gilan's voice had been too loud this time – some people in the crowd had taken a few steps back, especially the new ones, but some old ones as well. He elbowed his friend and Commander at the side of his knee, and Gilan looked upon him, wondering why Will had hit him.

"Maybe," the younger Ranger whispered, "you must speak with just a little bit less volume – or the whole country will hear you." He gestured at the crowd and Gilan saw that some people had switched places more to the back. He nodded his thanks to Will and resumed his welcoming piece of text – this time, a little bit less loudly.

"So, like I said: welcome! Welcome to our three competitors; welcome to everyone who travelled to this place to read and vote; and welcome once again to Ranger Halt and Ranger Will, who'll once again be judging with me."

Both called Rangers smiled to the crowd, though Will with more enthusiasm and with a little bit more truth in it than his former master. Despite the things Gilan had said, Halt's face was still mostly hidden in the shadows of his cowl, and for as far people could actually see the part of his face with the wild beard, they'd probably need something close to a microscope to find that hidden smile. But Gilan ignored his former master – what else is new? – and kept talking.

"The voting will be exactly the same as last time! I know you all remember these easy rules of the voting, but for the ones who don't-"

"There are always at least a few people who did not memorize simple rules," Halt muttered, and Will had to hide a grin, knowing that it was all the truth. And Gilan knew it, too, because he resumed: "-I will tell you them again! In a minute, you'll read three one-shots-"

"Makes sense, considering the fact that there are three competitors," Halt again muttered, and this time it was harder for Will not to laugh out loud. And it seemed like Gilan had heard Halt too, this time, because it looked like he was trying to hide a smile. But he was well-trained, and resumed, without looking distracted.

"-with each a randomly assigned number and the name of the author – credits to those who deserve them of course. Then everyone can assign numbers ONCE. For every one-shot you can give a min of 3 points, and a max of 7 points. And remember that if you vote, you have to assign points to every one-shot, otherwise it doesn't count. You can vote until the competition closes; so you don't have to vote right now. You can assign votes in the comments, or send them privately. Please be fair and don't vote for your friends. Give every one-shot the votes it deserves. Also, if you vote, please vote in every round – that would be great. Is that all clear?"

Most heads nodded a yes, and several people even shouted their positive answer. Gilan let a big smile play across his face and spread his arms, being careful not to drop his papers.
"Well, then, on to the moment you've all been waiting for... THE ONE-SHOTS!" Gilan yelled, and this time, even he himself seemed to realize that his voice was quite loud like this. He got out the paper on which the first story was written – Will was probably more nervous than any of the competitors themselves. Would there be more of his typical, tragic life? Or would there be some nice stuff in his lives? And how about his friends? What secrets had been found by those competitors?

Tayla2811

The King of Hibernia (AU)

Baron Arald one day had a brilliant idea on how to give the castle wards a family or a better start at life. He would introduce a thing called adoption. It is when a family who does not have any kids can choose to adopt one of the castle wards. They wouldn't be related by blood but they would have a family and they would be classified as the adopter's new child.

It had been a successful program, with many wards getting a new home and family. Upon hearing about this, Will thought of his own mother and father whom he had never met. Whenever he saw newly adopted children, he felt happy that the had found a home and family, but he couldn't help the pang of jealousy that he felt whenever he saw them. He felt bad for doing it, but even though Halt was the father he never had, it wasn't the same. Halt noticed the slight, but still there, change in Will's attitude. He had a suspicion on where it came from and he personally felt a bit guilty. He still blamed himself for Will's parent's deaths. He asked Pauline about it that night.

"What should I do?" Halt said after explaining the situation to her.

"Well it's easy isn't it?" she began, then seeing Halts uncomprehending look she continued. "Well, why don't you adopt Will?

"I - what??!!" Exclaimed Halt.

"Adopt him, be the father he never had."

"But-"

"Halt you know this is the right thing to do. If you want to I can be the adoptive mother."

"I... I don't know...." he trailed off.

"Come on Halt, I know you care about the boy."

"I do."

"Then why don't you do it?"

"I can't be a father."

"But you already are the father he never had, make it permanent."

That statement convinced Halt; he had to do it.

Will found himself in the Barons office the next day, asked by Pauline. He had no idea what was happening. Baron Arald came into the room beaming, and Will had no idea why. Following Arald was Pauline and surprisingly, Halt. Will just stood awkwardly in the centre of the room.

"What's all this for?" Will asked warily.

Pauline stepped forward. "Will, I don't really know how to say this, but basically, Halt and I have decided that we would like to adopt you.

Will took a step back and looked at Halt, all that he saw there was Halt with his cowl up, devoid of any emotion. "W-what?"

"We know you never had any parents, and knew nothing about them, so we thought we would change that."

"Are you serious?" smiled Will.

"Yes Will, would I ever lie?" Halt's sarcastic voice rang out from under his cowl.

Will could tell that Halt was a little awkward about the situation, and he didn't blame him.

"What do you say, Will?" Asked Arald, still smiling about the whole situation. Will had always held a very special place in his heart.

"Yes," Will said very softly, like a whisper.

When everyone had signed papers and done all of the necessary things, Will just stood there. Then all of a sudden he turned around and ran over to Halt, not caring of what Halt might think, and gave him a hug. He then whispered in to Halt's ear two words.

"Thank you."

Many years later, Halt received the news that his nephew, King Sean of Clonmel, had died in a war against one of the other kingdoms in Hibernia.

Halt didn't know Sean well, but with his sister, Caitlyn as a mother and the heart and passion that Halt had saw when he first met him, meant that Halt knew that he would've been an amazing King. So, when the news reached his little cabin in Redmont about his nephew's death, it shattered him to know that the only blood related family he had left, was now dead.

Over the 7 years that Will had been Halt's adoptive son, nothing had changed between the two of them. Yeah, Will was now technically Halt's adopted son, but they didn't let that change their relationship. They still remained sarcastic to each other and Halt still was, well he was just, Halt.

When Halt had read the letter from Sean's advisor George, who was one of the people who knew more about Halt's past then many others did, the letter mentioned for him to come back to Clonmel to say goodbye. It also mentioned that Clonmel had no heir to the throne, besides Halt. Halt never wanted to be King, he never liked the Royal life, and would rather someone else to rule. That's why he left Clonmel in the first place.

But George was beginning Halt to come back, to rule Clonmel. He explained that all of the nobles who could eventually rule, had no idea what they were doing and he knew for a fact that Halt no matter how much he hated it, he would be a good King.

Halt had to at least go back to Hibernia to say goodbye to Sean, about the other part, he didn't know what he was going to do.

He told Pauline of his situation. Let's just say that she was extremely shocked that her grumpy and sarcastic husband was the crown prince of Clonmel. But she didn't blame him for not telling anyone, she just told him to go. Because Crowley already knew who he was- although he was still getting over the fact- Halt just told him about the situation and he was free to go, he was allowed to take Will with him.

When they arrived in Clonmel, the city was in a somber mood. You could feel the sadness that was in and surrounding, Dun Kilty. They continued on their way to the castles entrance. Halt demanded that they talk to Sean's old manservant. Minutes later a man of around 30 years old appeared in front of them. He was clean cut and had dark brown hair. He was around average height, and he looked strong. Taking one look at the two men in front of him, particularly Halt, the man quickly ushered the two Rangers inside.

"Sire-" he began.

"Halt." Corrected Halt.

"Sorry, Halt, my name is George. Thank god you are finally here. Not many people around here know who you really are so when you are here you will need to keep a low profile. As for you friend here, he might not be recognised from all those years ago, but it would be good to be cautious." George explained to both Halt and Will.

"The funeral is tomorrow, then the day after the coronation of the new king will happen. Let me tell you, the noble most likely to be the next King, is not King material."

"What do you mean?" Asked Will.

"He is one of the most formidable swordsman and knights in the realm. He is very strong willed and can be selfish. He is in such a high position because he is a good war leader. He has a lot of followers and that's why he is most likely going to be the next King."

"Oh" Will just said.

The next day was a miserable one. The sun was out generating a nice warm temperature. There were blue skies, with only a few clouds in sight. The long grass and tall trees swayed slightly in the small breeze. It was a perfect day, but one to be ruined by the funeral of the King.

Many people gathered to pay respects to their fallen King. They all gathered in the courtyard of Dun Kilty and then followed the procession line down to the gates of the Graveyard of Fallen Royals. Because Will and Halt were with George, they were allowed through to see Sean down into his final resting place.

Sean's body was in a coffin, the crest of Clonmel draped over it. Four Knights gently lowered him into the ground and then filled the whole back up with soft soil. The headstone read,

The last of the O'Carrick line, who was unjustly taken.

Forever rest in peace, His Majesty, King Sean O'Carrick.

Halt watched in silence as his nephew and last blood relative was laid to rest for one final time, he was now truly alone. He felt a hand on his shoulder, Will's, well he wasn't truly alone he still had his Wife, son and friends all at home waiting for him to return, but he wouldn't for a little while.

As he walked out from the cemetery he noticed a smaller headstone that read,

The Crown Prince of Clonmel, Halt O'Carrick.

Never to be found, but may him lay here in peace forever.

He knew it would be hard on his friend's back home, not returning to them, but he had to do this, he couldn't let someone not right be the King. His friends would understand; Pauline wouldn't like it but she would agree that it was the right thing to do. He had to be the King that he never wanted to be.

Halt would be King, and Will would be heir to the throne.

Will looked amused, as did Gilan and Halt... well, Halt was glad he had already been wearing his cowl so no one could see his facial expressions. But he did notice the way his former apprentices looked at him and said plainly, his voice not referring to anything that could have been the truth in another universe: "It does is quite a bit unrealistic, isn't it?"
But Gilan gestured something unclear about that comment and said: "No, it wasn't. But tell me Halt: did you talk about that?" "And would you really leave Araluen to be the King of Clonmel, if this would've been the case?" Will wanted to know. For the audience it might have made more sense if each Ranger would've asked the other Ranger's question, but for the answer it didn't really matter. But an answer they'd never get, it seemed, because Halt gestured something to Gilan, who got another paper out and started reading it out loud.

>>>---------->

demigod77rangers

Horace paced the floor of he and Cassandra's apartment.

Where is she?

The door creaked open. Horace snapped toward it.

"Cassandra?" he asked, hopefully.

Duncan stood in the doorway, eyes wide.

"Far from it," he replied.

Horace sighed.

"I'm sorry, sir," he said. "I'm just so worried. I came home and she wasn't here, and she's been gone for a while and-"

Duncan laid a hand on his son-in-law's shoulder.

"She's going to be here soon. She's fine," he promised.

Horace nodded and ran a hand through his hair.

The door creaked again and both men jumped.

"Cassie?" Horace asked.

Cassandra laughed at the sight of them.

"Worried, much?" she asked. Both men blushed.

"Who, us?" Duncan asked innocently.

"Yes!" Horace said, ruining the act. "Where were you?"

Cassandra smiled. "I was-"

She stopped and staggered, holding her head and stomach.

"Cas!" Horace cried. He and Duncan ran forward to stable her.

"Cassandra?" Duncan asked calmly. Horace was far from the same.

"Are you hurt? What's wrong?" He asked.

Cassandra took a deep breath and chuckled.

"Nothing." She said. Both men stared at her in confusion.

Gently, Cassandra took Horace's hand and laid in on her belly. They stayed that way for several seconds until it happened again.

Horace's head snapped to his wife. His eyes sparkled.

"Was that-" he asked, but Cassandra cut him off with a nod.

"I'm pregnant, Horace." She smiled. "We're going to have a baby."

Horace's reaction was better than anything Cassandra could have pictured. His eyes watered with tears and and smiled in disbelief.

"I'm a father?" He asked breathlessly.

Cassandra nodded eagerly.

"You're a father." She said.

Horace laughed softly with joy and closed his eyes. He moved one hand to the back of Cassandra's head and kept the other on her stomach. Gently, he moved his head forward and touched his forehead to hers.

"We're parents." They chorused before their lips touched.

They didn't see that King Duncan had tears of his own.

It was silent for a few moments, until Will broke that silence by saying: "Well, there's not much to be said about it, is there? I mean, it does sound pretty much like Evanlyn and Horace."

"And I recognize Duncan as well," Halt added.

Gilan nodded, and got out the third and last story.

>>>---------->

Trouble Time

NOTE: This one shot takes place between books 4 and 7 time wise. Horace is around nineteen, Halt and Pauline are dating but not engaged. Horace is traveling with the Royal Guard and therefore Evanlyn/Cassandra will just be referred to as Cassandra. I know I have the geography of Gallica wrong, I'm using creative licence to make the geography how I need it to be.

~~~

"Its nice being back in Gallica," Horace remarked to Cassandra. They had been traveling over a week now to King Henry's palace in the southern part of the country.

"I forgot you went through here with Halt back in the day," she responded smiling at him, "Are you still a hero here? When you first rescued me I heard you were a regular figure of respect."

"Err, well, I'm not sure," Horace said awkwardly, looking down at Kicker's hooves in the mud. Cassandra let out a snort of laughter.

"When we reach the castle I'll ask my cousin if she's heard of the Knight of the Order of the Oakleaf. Chevalier de l'ordre de la crêpe de chêne," Cassandra frowned, "I think that's how its translates." Halt pretended not to almost have made the same mistake.

They heard a soft laughter behind them, "Only if you want pancakes, your Highness," Lady Pauline said.

"I forgot you were coming with me to visit my cousin!" Cassandra exclaimed.

"I have a few diplomatic papers I might as well get signed. And your father thought you might need a good translator," Pauline explained.

"I think oak pancakes would actually be quite good," Horace commented. The two females regarded him. "I mean oak trees have acorns and acorns could be ground up and made into pancakes. I'm sure we could get Chubb on that."

Cassandra choose to ignore him and smiled at Pauline, "Thank you Lady Pauline! My Gallicain has not been up to speed and your accent is amazing."

"Always happy to serve my favorite princess, Highness," Pauline replied smiling.

"When's lunch?" Horace asked, "All the thinking of pancakes is making me hungry."

"Its right here," Cassandra said, "We're stopping in this town."

They had come to a good sized town and, as befitted a Princess, albeit a foreign one, Cassandra was whisked away into a large building that held the important people of the town. This left all the escort to mingle around and find a place to sit down and eat the food they had brought with them. Pauline joined Horace, and she brought him up to speed on all the on goings in Redmont. And then the laughter started.

Horace let out a groan, "I knew this town looked familiar!" Pauline looked at him, questioning his statement, "I passed by here with Halt and these girls....." He trailed off. The three girls in short skirts were back. They were, once again laughing and imitating his red cheeks. Horace quickly turned away to hide behind his faithful Kicker. Pauline followed him, amused.

"You sure have a way with the locals," She said, hiding back laughter.

"Very funny," Horace mumbled, "Hey, you're a Courier right?" Pauline nodded, confused. "How come you don't wear short skirts like that?" Will burst out laughing. He tried to stay still, but it wouldn't happen and thus Gilan had to wait a few moments before Will was no longer laughing too hard.

"Excuse me?" Pauline hissed in a deadly whisper.

"Well, that's what Halt said," Horace continued a little awkwardly. Shortly after he said that his world went temporarily went black with a sharp pain in his right cheek and then he heard a crash and felt a throbbing sensation in his right temple.

"I am NOT a prostitute regardless of what Halt says!" Pauline yelled, saying the word 'Halt' with the connotation of borderline hatred.

"Halt said they were Couriers..." Horace mumbled, realizing the world was sideways and he was laying on the cobbles of the street. He saw a swish of white cloak and then he closed his eyes to slow the headache that was paining him.

"Up you go, Horace," A male voice told him some time later.

"Huh?" Horace said groggily.

"Its me, Sir John, Horace. You've been passed out ever since Lady Pauline slapped you so hard you fell and concussed yourself. It was a set of unfortunate coincidences for you, hilarious for us. You seriously believed that those girls were Couriers?" The male voiced laughed

"I was sixteen....."

"Please say you realize they're not"

"Yes, I get it! Why are there two of you?" Horace asked.

John sighed, "We're at the palace, Oakleaf Knight. You're requested to dine with our princess and her cousin. I'd suggest that you say you weren't beaten up by an old lady," He dissolved into laughter.

"You're so funny," Horace grumbled.

"Oh Sir Horace! Your face! What happened?" A shriek that hurt Horace's ears said. A lady with long brown hair wearing a rather large pink dress exclaimed, "I'm Princess Marie............." the shriek listed off title after title, "Of the kingdom of Gallica," It finished. Horace made an elegant bow he was trained to do. The shriek gave off a huge peal of high pitched laughter that made him wince. "Come sit with me and my dear cousin!" Princess Marie exclaimed pulling out a seat that was between her and Cassandra. Horace noticed, between his double vision that Cassandra, in a polar opposite, simple dark blue dress, looked beautiful. "Sir Horace! You have legends about you here in Gallica! And I get the honor of meeting you!" The shriek said.

"The pleasure is all mine," Horace said, mustering up a smile. He realized Princess Marie was around twenty if not a few years older. She laughed and let out another one of those painful peals of laughter. Judging from Cassandra's expression, she felt the same about the laughter.

"My dear cousin so lucky so be with you all the time at Castle Araluen!"

"Indeed," Cassandra said, taking a long sip of the wine in front of her. She was rarely allowed to drink wine but at formal occasions she was and this counted and from all of those occasions, she knew what good wine tasted like, and this was second only to Erak's wine she had had back in Skandia. Truth be told, she did not like her cousin at all but her dad needed a deal made with his cousin the King of Gallica and having Cassandra go through her second cousin, Marie was the easiest way. "Marie, dear, that trade of resources would be beneficial to me if got your dad to sign it," She said this casually. In reality it was weeks, worth of planning on how to get this deal done.

"Darling, give me two hours and its done! Let's not waste dinner time on that chatter! I would like to spend more time with this Knight of the Oakleaf." Marie said laughing again and looking at Horace and winking. Horace felt very uncomfortable. His vision went double as he saw two frowning Cassandras. He felt very confused. The throbbing in his head increased every time Marie talked. Which was very often over the five course dinner. And then the dancing started and instead of his preferred partner, Cassandra, he was whisked away by Marie.

And the talking.

And laughter.

And shrieking.

And him going through the dance pattern drilled into him at Castle Araluen.

With the shrieking in his head that wouldn't stop.

And suddenly it stopped.

"Thank you for the dance," Horace said a little stiffly.

The shrill laughter went on, "Oh no need for the formalities!" Marie exclaimed, "Would you like to dance the next dance with me?"

Horace shook his head, "I'm going to get some air on the balcony"

"I'll join you!" the shriek said. Horace nodded and after a pointed look from her, offered her his arm rather reluctantly.

Cassandra let out a pent up sigh. "My stupid cousin," she grumbled.

"Aren't I the most the most beautiful thing ever Oakleaf Knight?" Marie exclaimed.

Horace went to respond then thought about Cassandra for a second and how amazing she looked. "Errr...."

"Oh I know how you feel, Sir Horace..." She said stepping closer to him. Actually, two of her stepped closer to him.

"Err...." He said again. She let out a high pitched peal of laughter again, tossing her hair. Horace felt his head throb and throb and Marie stepping closer and closer and then his stomach started to hurt and.....He threw his arm out to the railing to steady himself. I will not throw up, he thought firmly to himself. He heard the high voice talk and talk and come closer and closer.

"And Sir Horace are you okay??" Marie exclaimed.

"He's fine dear cousin, I've been noticing it myself and I found his wine glass, empty," Cassandra held it out for proof, "Poor boy, never could stand his alcohol." Marie sighed with relief. "I'll take him back to his room," Cassandra said, "I'll see you, cousin, in the morning to sign our resource deal!"

"Consider it done darling! Goodnight dear Oakleaf Knight!" The high pitched voice called to Horace.

Cassandra supported Horace all the way back to her room. He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes, finally free of the evil high pitched voice that hurt the throbbing in his skull. "I didn't drink any wine though Cassie..." Horace mumbled opening his eyes.

"I know. I drank yours. It was such good wine," She said shrugging, "Since Pauline beat you up and you had not desire to be with my horrid cousin I thought I'd save you. Does your head hurt from your concussion?"

Horace nodded. He slowly sat up and embraced Cassandra. "Thank you," He whispered, "You're much prettier than Marie anyway." He then fell back on the pillows and was deep asleep.

The deal was signed the next day and over the week return Horace's head slowly mended itself. Pauline gave no apology but was friendly to him, which, Horace decided was just as good.

Once at Redmont. Cassandra had wanted to see her personally to the castle. Pauline upon returning, was greeted by a Will-less Halt, something that made Horace a bit sad.

"Hello dear," Halt said making to embrace the tall woman.

"I'm going to kill you! You told Horace that those prostitutes in Gallica were Couriers?? Like me????" Pauline hissed to him, "I still love you but I want to strangle you right now!!"

Horace and Cassandra shared a smile and a small laugh, feeling sorry for their old friend.

"Thank you for coming with me Horace," Cassandra said as they reached Castle Araluen a few days later, "I'm sorry about my cousin."

Horace shrugged, "Oh she wasn't too bad."

"I didn't like how she wanted to be all over you like a coat of paint"

"I didn't like that either," Horace shuttered, "I think I said this already but you're more beautiful than her by a ten fold."

And inside each of their hearts a little glow started to form.

It was hard for Gilan to keep reading clearly. Already at the beginning of the story a laugh started to make its way up his throat, but Gilan managed to keep it inside. Not with regards to Will though – his friend, down right of him, succeeded less well at keeping his laughter inside. But with a few good hits from Halt – who of course didn't smile – he managed to reduce the sound.

And except for a few snorts and laughs that never really finished, Gilan managed to finish the piece of text, before bursting into a full laughing, Will joining him. Halt wasn't as amused, but if truth be told – there was a smile, somewhere, around his lips.

It took quite some minutes before Will, as well as Gilan, was able to keep their laughter inside. Halt didn't say anything, just gave his two former apprentices a disapproving look. Will and Gilan burst out laughing again, and the audience did not expect any further comments on the story for the next minutes.

Halt decided that it had been enough. He gestured Gilan to finish, and, after another minute, Gilan did so, climbing onto his chair again – he had stepped off it, when he laughed, scared that he might fall.

"I'd like to thank all competitors for their work in this second round," Gilan said, when the audience was quiet again as well. "And I want to wish them luck with the third round! You'll have to describe one situation in which Will was hurt." Will groaned.

"How lovely," he said, and Halt grinned.

"This could be interesting," he said and Will looked at him. "Well," the old Ranger resumed, "I'm curious which time they'll choose. I mean, you've been hurt pretty much a lot." He grinned again when he saw that Will wasn't amused. Gilan was, and he copied his words.

"Will has been hurt pretty much a lot, so there should be enough things you can come up with. Think about the event, and its consequences, and make sure you've send your story by September 30. I hope you'll have enough time, considering the fact that school's starting again, but good luck! It should be around 3500 words, and write something special! A week after the stories have been published – by me – the votes will be count – so don't forget to do so! Well, people, good luck and see ya later!" And with those last words, Gilan jumped into the air to wave everyone goodbye. But as soon as he landed, the chair decided that it had worked long enough and collapsed. A second later Gilan lay on the ground, between pieces of broken wood. Will burst out laughing again, and Gilan joined his laughter. Halt watched them, then, when the laughing wouldn't stop, decided that it was time for a cup of coffee.

A/N: So you have to come up with a totally new and original story!!!