A/N: Hello everyone! I had the idea for this fanfiction a little while ago and I finally decided to start writing it. It originally started out as a one shot for my other story, 100 Stars in the Sky, but it quickly turned into a full length story.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to my reviewers for 100 Stars in the sky. If any of you guys are reading this, you rock! XD

Anyways, lets get this show on the road!

Note: This takes place in the book 'The Battle for Skandia' and will have spoilers for books 1-4.

Disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice...

Warning: Descriptions of war and violence

Chapter 1

Silence was the first thing he was aware of. The only sound he could hear was someone's ragged breathing, wheezing and rugged. It took him a moment to realize that it was the sound of his own breath.

The next thing he noticed was the awkward position at which his hands were tied above his head. He could feel his shoulder blades grind together as he shifted, trying to get more comfortable. The movements only caused the thick rope to tear into the soft flesh of his wrists, hot blood dripping down his arms. He stopped moving as pain built in his left forearm, making his chest constrict .

He peeled his eyes open, looking around himself. He couldn't see anything, the room shrouded in complete darkness. He couldn't feel the floor beneath his feet and he kicked uselessly, realizing that he was hanging from the ceiling. His breath came in short gasps, his heart pounding in his chest rapidly.

"Halt?" he called out in fear, his voice cracking. There was no answer and he realized that he was alone.

And that was when he remembered.

X-X-X-X-X-X

"Position three!" Will called, bringing his bow up into position. His fingers fumbled at the string for a moment, and he took a calming breath, his mind clearing as he knocked an arrow.

"Ready!" Evanlyn called.

"Draw!" Will cried, nodding once at Horace, who was standing beside him.

"Shields down!" Horace cried, and then Will gave the order to shoot, his own arrow flying ahead of them and hitting an approaching Temujai warrior straight in the throat.

"Shields up!" Horace called again, bringing his own shield up over his friend. Arrows thudded on the wall of shields. Men dropped around them and Will's stomach fell as he saw how few of the Skandian archers were left standing.

"Half left, position two!" Will yelled, barely waiting for Evanlyn's call of ready before signaling for Horace to lower their defenses.

"Draw...Fire!" He called, watching as more of the Temujai warriors fell from their horses, blood spilling onto the battleground and pooling in the trampled earth. But this was still not enough, the Skandian lines weakening as the opposing force bore down upon them.

"They have targeted us," Horace cried, and Will spun around, his eyes managing to make out a group of Temujai horsemen riding towards them up the slope, gray dust swirling around in the air as the horses galloped closer.

"To the left!" Will cried, and the few archers that were still standing turned. "Position three! Draw and fire!"

It was apparent to everyone that their attempts were futile. His men began to panic, dropping the arrows they had collected onto the ground.

"Don't stop!" Will shouted over them. "If we go down, we go down strong!" He drew his own bow, and in swift, rapid movements, he emptied half a dozen Temujai saddles.

But it was no use. Will felt fear and adrenaline pulse through him as he realized they would not be able to avoid close combat any more. The Temujai had reached them.

Will barely had the time to pull his knives out of his scabbard, blocking the weapon that descended upon him with the double knife defense. He could hear the screams ring in his ears, cries of pain, agony, and war making the blood boil in his body.

He was aware of Horace next to him, desperately swinging his sword, his chainmail dripping with crimson. Horace killed another man, his sword hitting the warrior in the neck with a dull thud.

Will twisted his wrist, his throwing knife spinning through the air and thudding into the side of a warrior whom was approaching. The ranger's apprentice, now holding only his sax knife in his sweaty palms, faced his opponents, his knees buckling in fear. More men were flooding over them.

"Evanlyn!" He cried behind him, glancing back at the girl who was crouched in the dust. "You need to get to safety!"

He didn't even take the time to check to see if she had listened, throwing himself at the nearest man. He felt something connect with his shoulder, pain flaring in his arm and making him drop his weapon.

Time seemed to slow. Will fell to his knees in the mud, the world spinning around him. He could feel the warm blood trickling down his arm as he struggled to get to his feet, to defend himself against the Temujai warrior that stood in front of him.

The warrior brought his sword up, the blade glinting in the sunlight. Will didn't close his eyes, staring defiantly at the man, trying not to show the fear that was bottled up inside of him, threatening to escape at any moment.

Suddenly, a shout rang out across the group of surrounding Temujai, a harsh voice that cut through the sounds of war like a clap of thunder.

"Stop!" a voice shouted. Will watched with relief as the sword halted in its descent, the Temujai warrior immediately putting the weapon tip down in the blood soaked mud.

"Whom do we have here?" The voice was cold and calculating, sending small shivers up and down Will's spine. The apprentice tried to stand a little straighter, eyes scanning the wall of Temujai around him, looking for the speaker.

A man stepped forwards from the group, a sword gripped in his hands. His face was hidden by his helmet, a pair of ice blue eyes staring down at the two men.

"Two Araluens... one a ranger?" The man said, his voice betraying no emotions. He turned to look at the warriors behind him. "Do not kill these two men! Haz'kam may find them useful..."

And with that, the man brought the hilt of his sword down upon Will's head, sending an explosion of pain in his head and making him fall face down. He heard another thud beside him as Horace was given the same treatment.

The last thing he heard was the man's calm voice calling orders to the Temujai warriors. "Kill all of the other archers. They are of no use to me."

Darkness overtook him.

TBC

A/N: There you are! I hope you guys enjoyed that first chapter.

Thank you so much for reading! I would really appreciate any comments you have on this chapter.

Oh, on another note, if any of you are Potterheads, I just created an RP forum. There is a link on my profile page. The forum is called 'Going back to Hogwarts!' I would love it if you joined!

Live long and prosper!

-Dawn