Epilogue

During the next week Meralon's dismissive attitude started to change as he realised just how much better the other Rangers were and he worked harder to prove himself.

Norrington barely allowed himself any breaks, until Crowley finally told him it was also important to rest and recuperate and to hang out with the others in the evenings.

Meralon didn't seem to think the theoretical stuff too important and tended to scuff when he had to spend hours focusing on it, but Norrington didn't complain at all. Instead he soaked up the lessons he was being given, practising until his arms ached and shook. He was so busy focusing on his own lessons, he barely noticed that he was given far more practical lessons against Meralon's more theoretical lessons. And while he was still in awe of Halt's skills with a bow he found that he was no longer really afraid of him. Instead he found himself full of respect for the young man and hoping to learn as much as possible from him. It became clear to him no other Ranger could match Halt with bow and arrow, except maybe Crowley, and Norrington wanted to learn from the best. So did Meralon, but Meralon's attitude tended to rub Halt the wrong way, so Crowley wisely limited the number of lessons Meralon had with Halt. Instead he spent more time with the older and more experienced Egon.

Norrington found that he rather liked this Gathering now that the others had been weeded out; this was just the Rangers being Rangers and everyone helped teach him how to be a better Ranger, even Crowley. They laughed and joked with one another and Halt and Crowley would frequently get into some sort of ridiculous argument, but never seemed to get angry at one another. In fact he was starting to realise this was just their way of teasing each other and show they cared. Even Halt's gruff manner didn't seem so scary and forbidding any more.

On the last day Crowley beckoned him to his office. Norrington hadn't seen Meralon since breakfast, but knew he would have been told to come, too.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Norrington opened the door and saw that this time only Crowley was in the room. Or at least he thought he was the only one. He had noticed Halt tended to be close to Crowley at most times and had quickly learned Halt was in fact Crowley's second in command. And on closer inspection he also noticed him standing in the corner, leaning against the wall. He smiled to himself. There was no doubt that Halt was as loyal to Crowley as he was to the crown. Perhaps even more so.

"You wanted to see me?" he said as he crossed the room.

Crowley nodded towards a chair. "Yes. Take a seat; no reason for you to stand." He glanced in Halt's direction, but he didn't move, so Crowley chose to ignore him. If he was going to insist on standing he wouldn't fight him on it even if it was stupid. Halt could be very stubborn.

Norrington sat down. "Are we waiting for Meralon to come?"

But Crowley shook his head. "No, I have already seen Meralon; he was here not long ago." He leaned back in his chair. "This time it's just us."

Norrington felt a bit nervous; he knew that this would be the final verdict and though he felt he had definitely improved during the last one and a half week he didn't know if it was enough for Crowley and the Ranger Corps.

Crowley studied him for a moment then leaned forward again, resting his elbows on the table. "I'll be honest with you; when I was looking over the initial results from the assessments you all went through, you didn't quite hit the level we expect of a Ranger in your practical tests. It was your theoretical knowledge that dragged you up and showed you did have a drive for it, just not the instruction needed to gain the skills."

Norrington gripped his cloak then forced himself to relax his fingers. "I understand," he said nodding. "I... I was mostly a self-taught Ranger," he admitted. "I never had a real Ranger instructor until now."

Crowley nodded. "And that showed itself. You were fairly good, but not Ranger level. We allowed you to stay, because we saw a potential in you to learn the skills you lacked. You have been watching other Rangers since you joined the corps at every Gathering to try and learn from them and worked to mimic what you saw."

Norrington stared at him startled. He hadn't realised the others had noticed, but then he realised he shouldn't have been surprised; Rangers tended to be very perceptive. He blinked and forced himself to focus on Crowley in the here and now.

"So, where does that leave me now?" he asked swallowing hard.

Crowley nodded in approval. He preferred when people faced their fears and didn't shy away from the unpleasant. "Well, you have shown remarkable progress considering the short time you have had proper instruction, so we aren't kicking you out."

Norrington let go of the breath he hadn't noticed he'd been holding in relief. "Thank you," he said softly.

Crowley smiled. "You're a good man, Norrington, and you've got the drive. And not once have you complained about your lessons."

"Wished the same could be said about Meralon," Halt added under his breath.

"Did Meralon...?" Norrington began not quite sure how to ask the question.

"Meralon is also staying," Crowley informed him. "He was always the stronger candidate of the two of you, but you have made an effort to close the gap between you."

Norrington nodded, glad of Crowley's honesty. He had had the feeling that Meralon's skills were better than his, but he hadn't seen enough of them to be sure.

"So what happens now? Am I assigned to a new fief or my old one again?"

At this question Halt and Crowley exchanged a glance, and Norrington had a sudden feeling there was more to be said.

Crowley sighed. "See, that's the issue; you have improved greatly, but in reality you shouldn't be out on your own yet; you still have things to learn and skills to hone and it would be best for you to stay with another Ranger for a while to continue learning."

Norrington nodded eagerly. "I have no problem with that. I just want to be a Ranger."

Crowley nodded. "I know. But at the same time we are short on Rangers, so making you an apprentice would keep us short on Rangers." He leaned back in his chair and ran a hand through his hair. "I thought about having you stay here with Halt and me," – Norrington perked up at that – , "but it would be too much having three Rangers stationed here, especially seeing how we are short in other areas."

"Oh. Right," Norrington said, unable to not feel a bit disappointed. Crowley and Halt were a fearsome team and both great Rangers, so he would have loved to keep on learning from them. He felt he would really be able to evolve and grow as a Ranger under their combined tutelage. He also realised he wouldn't actually mind becoming an apprentice since it would mean learning from the best. Yes, he wanted the silver oakleaf, but Crowley's merit system appealed to him and the last two weeks had changed his view on quite a few things.

"Instead I was thinking of sending you down to help out Egon in the south-east fiefs he's currently administrating. He's a very experienced Ranger, and while you will often be working alone and on your own, Egon will help you to keep honing your skills." Crowley was watching him closely for his reaction. He hadn't seemed to mind the suggestion that he was only at apprentice level and should be paired with another Ranger, so he was curious how he would take the suggestion that he pair up with Egon.

Norrington smiled. "Working with Egon and learning from him? Sounds good to me. Egon is a very talented Ranger."

Halt snorted. "Talent has nothing to do with it; he's just very experienced and has practised for longer than you've been alive."

Norrington's smile widened and he laughed. "True enough," he said to Halt. He turned his gaze back to Crowley, who was also smiling mildly. "But I think that sounds like a good solution. I can do the work needed while simultaneously getting guidance and tips from Egon. I suppose I'll officially be stationed in the neighbouring fief to Egon?" he asked thoughtfully.

Crowley nodded. "Yes. Egon's in Seacliff, which is rather small, so the travel time between you will be short, especially on a Ranger horse. Which reminds me; before you go to your new fief, you will need a proper Ranger horse. We'll take you to our horse trainer for one before you head south," he said with a smile.

Norrington thought he saw the shadow of a smile on Halt's face, too, but when he shifted his gaze to him it was as unreadable as usual.

"Sounds great," he said. "I've always been curious about what makes the horses so different from other horses besides their size."

"You'll find out soon enough," Crowley said easily. "Now, I'll be writing up your official papers; we're all leaving tomorrow, so enjoy your final day here and take the time to spend time with everyone else. Except for Egon you won't be seeing the rest for quite some time and Halt and I will only go with you to get your horse, then head back for Araluen."

Norrington nodded his understanding. "Anything else I should know?"

Crowley shook his head. "Not right now. But I suggest you talk to Egon; he knows about the arrangement, but you might want to get started on a working out a more specific plan for this mentorship."

Norrington smiled as he stood up. "Will do. Talk to you later." He nodded goodbye to each of them before leaving the office.

Halt and Crowley were silent until the door had closed and Norrington's steps had faded away.

"Well, that was different from Meralon," Crowley commented.

Halt growled. "He's a pompous idiot with too high an opinion of himself."

"Yes, he certainly could use a lesson in being humble. Stationing him in a far corner of the country should hopefully keep him both occupied and out of trouble, not to mention out of our hair."

Halt snorted. "I'm still not sure why you kept him; he might have improved during the Gathering, but I don't like his attitude and he's hardly a great Ranger. I'd say mediocre at best and that's being kind."

Crowley sighed. "I know. But mediocre is still better than most others in this country, so we'll just have to live with his attitude. Hopefully it will improve with time. And otherwise he's in the far north-east corner. I just hope he'll start to take the theoretical side of things more serious and do more to read up on it. He's not what you'd call a good strategic commander or planner."

"No, that would be a lie to say." Halt shook his head. "I hope we never come to regret keeping these two."

Crowley felt warm inside at Halt's use of we. Although it was technically Crowley's responsibility who became Rangers and who didn't, Halt was more than willing to share that responsibility even though he had been sceptic about both of them and that made him a true friend.

"Well, I have a good feeling about Norrington at least. He's got the right attitude and I think Egon will make sure he gets the necessary tuition in the areas where his skills are still below average."

Halt nodded. "Yes, with time he could become a good Ranger. I just hope he doesn't get himself killed first."

"Well, aren't you a cheery one," Crowley said dryly. "Come on, go out and enjoy some fresh air."

Halt eyed him. "And what about you?"

Crowley gestured to the paperwork next to him. "Well, I need to finish up Norrington and Meralon's papers. Unless, of course, you want to do them?" he teased.

Halt quickly shook his head. "No, thank you. You're the Commandant; paperwork is your job, not mine." With that Halt left the room, his soft steps barely making any noise.

Crowley chuckled to himself before he turned to the paperwork before him. Soon he could go out and relax with the others as well, and then enjoy the final dinner before they all split up tomorrow to head to each their part of Araluen. The future looked a little bit brighter today than it did two weeks ago. He whistled to himself as he worked.

AN: And that marks the end of this story. I hope you have all enjoyed it and the new Ranger I introduced. :) It's been fun writing a longer story, but I think most of my stories will continue being shorter stories. Reviews are always welcome. Cheers!