Warm evening sunlight fell through the open window of Will’s cabin. Bees hummed softly outside, and a few moths fluttered around the lit candles in his bedroom.

Will lay in bed, listening to the sleepy silence. His dog, the great grandchild of Ebony, lay peacefully by him on the floor. Her tail was tucked neatly around herself and she breathed quietly.

Will took a deep breath, then coughed a few times. His wrinkled hands shook slightly as he reached for a glass of water by his bed.

He was dying. He could feel the energy of his life slowly seeping out of him. But the realization was not as frightening as he had thought it would be. He had lived a full life.

He settled back in bed, letting himself relax. The sunset through the window was brilliant, full of orange and gold.

A soft clopping of horses met his ears. Tug whickered a greeting, which could only mean it was…

Two sets of footsteps soon made their way up the porch. Though Will’s hearing wasn’t as sharp as it once was, he could discern that one of his visitors was helping the other walk.

Slowly, joints creaking, he sat up in bed.

His door opened.

Horace and Maddie stepped inside. Though now in her late forties, Maddie maintained her energetic air and grace. Her blonde hair was now streaked with gray, and a few lines adorned her face. But to Will’s eyes, she was still as young as the day he’d apprenticed her. Maddie held her father’s arm and helped settle him in a chair.

Horace’s hair was pure silver, and his face was just as lined as Will’s. But his blue eyes maintained their friendly twinkle.

“Thought I heard your clumsy blundering,” Will said. “Nobody else could be making that much noise.”

“Yes,” Horace replied dryly. “I’m sure the horse alarm didn’t tip you off at all.”

Will smiled.

“Didn’t know you two would be coming up here. Don’t you have a kingdom to run or something?”

Maddie smiled mischievously. “Any chance to get away is welcome. Anyway, my husband is more than capable of taking care of Araluen for a few days.”

Horace sighed happily.

“So glad those days are over for me. Much less interesting than our adventures, eh Will?”

“Well, after dealing with armies, cults, sea raiders, bandits, sieges, and sorcerers, I’d say a little boring work would offer a nice change.”

“What? Most of that was just sitting still and waiting for something to happen! Stupid rangers won’t do anything unless they’ve sat silently for a few hours.”

“Better than idiot knights who charge in without a plan,” Will sniped.

Tug whinnied laughingly through the window. Maddie’s horse, Bumper, tossed his mane and gave Horace a look.

Horace shook his silver haired head. “You can never have the last word with a ranger’s horse, can you?”

The sun slipped toward the horizon. Maddie brewed up a pot of coffee and handed it out. All three friends poured heavy doses of honey into their cups.

“Mmmm. I’ve taught you well Maddie. A fine cup of coffee,” Will sighed, leaning back and drinking deeply.

“Halt would be proud.”

The last rays of sunlight beamed into the room. It fell across Will’s face. It was lined and sun tanned. Small scars remained from various battles, and his thin beard recalled the one which Halt had always worn.

Sighing deeply, Will put his coffee on the bedside table and said, “So, you two can obviously tell that I won’t live to see the morning.”

Two shocked faces looked back at him.

“I figured I would write a letter to you, but you saved me the trouble! I can tell you what I wanted to in person.”

Horace opened his mouth, denial in his eyes, but Will cut him off.

“No doctor is going to fix this. My time is up, and I’m fine with that. I’m just glad I can see you two again before… well. How about I just deliver that message?”

Still looking nervous, Horace and Maddie leaned in. Will placed his hand on Horace’s arm and looked into his friend’s eyes.

“Horace, we’ve known each other our entire lives. The first fifteen years didn’t go too smoothly,” Horace shifted guiltily, “but we got over it. Well, more than that. You have saved my life time and time again, in more ways than you know. We’ve fought off whole armies, gone off to crazy new places, and seen things many will die without seeing. You have given me a full life, and been the best friend I could ask for. Thank you.”

Horace nodded, eyes rather wet. He clasped Will’s hand tightly and gave a trembling smile.

“Maddie,” Will said, turning to his former apprentice.

“You were the one who saved me after Alyss’s death. I was destroying myself, digging deeper and deeper into darkness. But then Horace sent a young, rather annoying little girl to me.”

Maddie smiled.

“I saw you change. You went from a princess to a ranger. You helped those who needed it, and saved my life and my soul. That’s a debt I’ll never be able to repay.”

Tears filled Maddie’s eyes, and she reached out to take Will’s other hand. There was nothing left for them to say.

The sunlight dimmed and slipped out of sight.

By the light of a single candle, Will could see the room. There was Horace, hand still bracingly around Will’s. There was Maddie, eyes sparkling with tears, half laughing, and half crying.

And there, beyond them, were other figures. A willowy blond girl sat by his side, stroking his hair and singing softly. Alyss.

A short, scruffy bearded man stood by the end of his bed, watching him. His dark eyes twinkled with pride and happiness. Halt nodded and smiled.

And then there were others. Evalyn stood between Horace and Maddie, smiling gently. Pauline stood hand in hand with Halt, eyes sparkling. Erak, Trobar, Malcalom, Jenny and Gilan all surrounded Will’s bed.

And there, near the darkening window, a man and woman. Will had never seen them, but knew who they were. The man, with short, soft brown hair, smiled proudly at him. The woman, who had his arm around him, said quietly, “You were better than we ever could have imagined. Come home my love.”

Will looked around at his friends. No, his family. Settling into the soft bed, hands held by his friends, he closed his eyes and whispered,

“Show me the way to come home.”

The candle faded, flickered, then died.