Abby stood at the table, rolling out the bread dough when a young boy of eight came barreling through the door. She wiped her hands on her apron and stared at him expectantly.

"The Heron has returned ma'am." He said. Abby's eyes widened and she turned to Karina, who gave her a small smile. Abby thanked the boy, gathered up her skirt and ran out the door and into the snow. She ran as quickly as she could to the dock, Where the Heron, her brothers ship sailed in. Others began to gather around, and Abby bit her knuckles as the crew began to file off, Her father and MJ along with them. Jesper gave her a smile and she wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek. When she looked over his shoulder, she saw Willy hopping off the ship with Bente, and she let out a cry of delight as she ran to him, forcing him into an embrace.

"Oh Willy! You scared me half to death." She said kissing his forehead. Willy looked slightly embarressed, but he returned her affection.

"I'm sorry I scared you Mam." He mumbled. She chuckled a bit and kissed his again.

"Never leave me again!" She whispered.

***

(Four Years Later)

   "Willy, are you sure this is such a great idea?" Bente asked. Willy nodded, smiling.

"What could possibly go wrong?" He grinned. She rolled her eyes and they slipped down the shelf of the cliff face. Willy reached the bottom first and helped her the rest of the way down by taking her waist and placing her feet on the ground.

"I am capable of climbing down myself, you know." She said irritably.

"I know." He smirked. She glared at him and the two of them carefully jumped from rock to rock along side the river.

"Can you swim?" Bente asked, fear obvious in her voice. Willy nodded.

"Yes. If you fall you'll be safe." He said.

"I'd rather not fall then." She teased. He rolled his eyes and they finally reached a small bank at the bottom of the cliff. Willy had discovered it a week prior and excitedly told Bente of his new discovery. It was hidden from any passerbys and he was the only one who knew a passage too it. As they rounded the bend, Bente gasped slightly as she saw the blanket laid out with food placed on it. She turned to Willy and saw he was grinning.

"Did you do this?" She asked. He nodded and took her hand. He led her over to the blanket and she beamed as they sat down. He divided up the food and they ate in a peaceful silence as the river roared at their feet. She finally broke the silence.

"Why?" She asked. It was a simply question. She simply wanted to know why he would go through all the trouble for her.

"Bente, I've been in love with you since we were little. Last year we confessed our love for each other, and I was overjoyed that you felt the same for me. Bente, last year on this very day, we confessed." He took her hands and kissed her knuckles. She felt her cheeks heat up as she realized how much of a gentleman he was. She felt like the luckiest girl alive. She smiled and pressed her lips to his, savoring the sweet kiss. She broke off the kiss when she realized something else.

"Willy? You leave for Brotherband training in three days." She said bitterly. Willy's face fell and he let out a deep sigh.

"I know. I will miss you greatly. I will visit you on the holidays." He said, kissing her cheek. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed.

"I will miss you too." They shared another kiss again, before they talked about nothing for an hour.

***

   Willy kissed Abby on her cheek and his mother hugged him tightly. He hugged Jesper next, and his father was beaming.

"Make us proud son." He said, ruffling his hair. Willy smiled a bit, then turned to Bente. Her eyes were filled with tears, threatening to spill over. He embraced her tightly, burying his face in the nape of her neck. She let out a shuddering sigh against his next and he felt her warm tears. He pulled back and held her by the shoulders. She stared at the floor and lifted up her chin, forcing her too look up at him.

"I love you. I'll see you before you know it." He whispered so only she could hear. She smiled a bit and stood on her tip toes, kissing him lightly on the lips.

"I love you too." He kissed her again before letting her go and slipping out the door and into the crisp morning air. He felt energized, so he jogged lightly too where he was told to meet up with the other boys in the Hallasholm. Willy was one of the firsts too arrive, so he waited around as the others sashayed in, loving that they were fashionably late. Willy simply rolled his eyes at one boy in particular, Tristan. He was the son of Ulf, who served on Willy's uncles crew, but the two boys had never gotten along. In fact, they hated each other.  Tristan hated Willy and MJ since they were half Araluen, even though MJ hadn't been seen in Skandia in over four years, since he was training to become a kings ranger.

"Alright boys! Listen up!" Sigurd called. Gradually the voices of twenty nine boys died away. "Today you'll begin your brotherband training..." He was cut off by a new voice.

"I think they know that Sigurd." The voice teased. Willy knew that voice from anywhere. His very own uncle, Hal. Sigurd glared at him.

"What are you doing here?" Sigurd snapped. Hal rolled his eyes and pressed away from the tree he had been leaning on.

"I'm a new ref. An advisor. Now, let's get on with it!" Hal clapped his hands together, grinning as he rubbed them together and he scanned the boys, his eyes falling on Willy.

***

Sorry it's been a while! Haven't had much time to write! What do you think?!? What do you think of Willy and Bente? I know it was a bit expected, but it's sweet. Please keep reading, love you all!!!

~Avis