Oakleaf Bearers, or The Battle for Skandia in the United States, is the fourth novel in the Ranger's Apprentice book series, which was written by Australian author John Flanagan.

In the previous book, The Icebound Land, Cassandra (the Crown Princess of Araluen) and Will (an apprentice Ranger) had been captured and sold as slaves in Skandia.

Halt makes the decision to stay in Skandia to help them in their coming war against the Temujai, as he fears they will take the Skandians' ships to invade Araluen after they win.

Soon, the Temujai begin their first attack using strategic units of fifty troops known as Ulans and, as Halt had said previously, make a fake retreat, which the Skandians purposely follow.

After a long and happy reunion, Will and Cassandra then find out that Halt has been banished; Erak saves the awkward moment by trying to include it in their treaty to pardon him, to which King Duncan agrees.

In the end, Halt is invited back to the Ranger Corps, Horace is rewarded with a knighthood and position in Cassandra's personal guard, and Will is given the opportunity to become a lieutenant of the Royal Scouts, a high position in the King's army that trains archers, into which only nobles are admitted; this would give him fame and reputation, but Will, in his heart, knows that he wishes to continue his training to become a full-fledged Ranger and states this as he rejects the offer.

As he rides back to Redmont with Halt, Cassandra voices her sadness as she feels she and Will are becoming distant, but Horace, in an attempt to comfort her, reminds her that the Rangers will always be different.