Crowley, Halt noticed, was quieter than usual. The two of them were sitting in Halt's tent, Crowley writing a report and Halt sharpening his saxe.

"Crowley." Halt said. Crowley glanced up, tilting his head curiously.

"What, Halt?" the Commandant inquired.

"What's wrong, Crowley?"

"Other than this stupid report, I'm fine, Halt."

And then Crowley simply continued writing.

"Crowley." Halt said firmly. "I can tell something's up. What happened?"

Crowley hesitated for a moment, then put aside his papers and stared straight at Halt, hazel into black.

"Today, I was talking with Denison." he said, brushing his red hair out of his eyes. "I made a joke about how much paperwork I was stuck doing. And then one of the rangers close by commented that I wasn't a real Ranger, that I didn't deserve to be the Commandant and that I was an imposter like Morgarath's toadies."

Halt clenched his jaw. Crowley was most definitely a real Ranger and certainly deserved to be the Commandant.

"What just added fuel to the fire," Crowley continued, "was that a lot of others heard. Worst of all, none of them reacted. And Rangers might be able to hide their emotions, but I could tell that a lot of them harboured the same doubts. So, yeah. I guess that's what happened."

"They're all idiots." Halt said firmly. "You're a very capable ranger, Crowley. And your role is important. Where would we be without you mother-henning over us all?"

Crowley smiled slightly, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"And," Halt continued, "we need the organization. Otherwise, none of us would know what we were supposed to be doing and the Ranger Corps would be complete chaos."

"....I suppose."

Halt glared at his friend. "And you better consider yourself important. You're the head of this operation, Crowley. Without your organization, Araluen would be in big danger."

Crowley opened his mouth as if about to say something, but Halt cut him off.

"So be proud, Crowley. Or else."

The redhead looked faintly amused. "Is that an order, Halt?" he inquired.

"No it's not, Crowley. It's a threat."