AN: This Fan Fiction is based off of Kristen Britain's Green Rider series. I do not own the characters, settings, or the underlying themes.


A twilight summer storm raged over Sacor city; King Zachary and Queen Estora sat in companionable silence in the study. Zachary healing from poison arrows conducted castle business from plush seats with his wife at his side. He stood at the window, a hand resting on the stone of the sill and counted softly under his breath after a flash of lightening.

"Zachary, what are you thinking?" Estora looked up from her needle point curiosity on her face. Since the dismissal of the Kingdoms key advisors and Captain Mapstone taking a long needed vacation Zachary had been distracted. He brooded over the lack of news from the wall. The presence of his wife is not enough to pull him from his own thoughts.

"I am counting;" he responded softly. "The center of the storm is now five miles from the city." He turned to face Estora, fire light reflected off her loose hair.

"I was thinking of the wall and the riders. I hope Ard did not accomplish what he set out to do." Estora said softly.

Zachary knew she meant it. His gaze fell to his wife, as he walked back to his seat next to her, watching her pull the thread through her latest project. "I know, I do too," he responded, pausing to scratch Finder the Second sleeping at her feet.


A loud bang on the outer door to the castle proper was heard shortly after the sun went down, before the storm truly set in. A soft rain fell on the man who raised his hand to knock on the locked door again. A slot in the door slammed to the side, the appearance of a pair of eyes stopped the raised fist.

"Who are you?" The guard on duty asked through a slot in the top of the door.

"Green Rider, have to report to the King immediately." Lynx's responded in a gruff tone.

"Where's your horse greenie?" The guard mocked.

"Back at the wall," Lynx's shifted on his feet, the rain dripped from his nose. "The message I carry for the King is important, and I must see him."

"The - the - the wall?" The guard stammered.

"Yes, the wall. Just let me in." Lynx did not feel the need to explain himself to the gate guard. He needed a bath, a hot meal and to get back to the forest.


A green foot ran down the hall, skidded to a stop in front of the weapon outside the Kings door. He put his hands on his knees doubled over, chest heaving, gasping for air. The weapon raised one eyebrow while he waited for the lad to catch his breath. The boy straightened and said, "Message for the King."

Fastion opened the door for the boy and followed him in, gestured for the Rory to stay where he was.

The boy, red faced, bowed to the King and Queen. He began to speak rapidly, "A rider is coming up from the gates now with news from the wall."

Zachary stood slowly, "Thank you. Please go and find your dinner it is getting late," he said to the sandy haired boy.

He turned to the servant in the room issuing a command, "Have food and drink brought here, clear the small dining table, and have seats for Fastion, the Rider, the Queen and myself set."

He strode over to the small bar in the room, picked up the crystal decanter and poured himself a splash of brandy and took a sip. After a moment he turned back to the room, "We can hope this is the news we've been waiting for." He took another sip and said, "Fastion, I wish you to remain in the room with the queen and I." Fastion executed a bow and slid away to a shadow in the room.


Lynx made his way, wet and foot weary up to the castle in the company of a guard. He placed one foot in front of the other; it has been a long way from the plains to Sacor City. He did not remember much of the journey. He traveled on foot, listening to the animals go about their usual business. He missed Owl, and the companionship he had with his horse, he even missed how owl bickers with him. He had traveled in the company of the Eletians, Ealdaen and Telagioth on the Eletian roads for two long weeks. The Eletians had stopped long enough in the forest outside of Sacor City to wish him luck. The Eletians had to report to their own prince. The three companions did not talk much as they were all wrapped in their own grief. He followed another guard from the castle entrance to the study of the King. Lost in his own thoughts he did not notice his boots treading on carpet instead of stone. The guard stopped in front of a weapon guarding a door.

"Rider Lynx to see their majesties," the guard said in a somber tone knowing what the return of only one member of the contingent meant. The weapon knocked on the door, waited a moment, and opened it stepping out of the way and gestured for Lynx to enter.

Lynx entered the room surprised to find Lady Estora with King Zachary sitting in front of a cheerful fire. There was only one weapon in the room Lynx could see. Lynx dropped to his knee in front of the King bowing his head.


Karigans breath came in ragged gasps as her fingers sought out imperfections in her tomb. She could find no seams, no cracks above her head or along the sides of her body.

By all the gods, how did I end up here? Karigan asked herself.

She reviewed everything. What else is there to do when you're dying? She sarcastically asks herself. The Mirror. Yates. Mornhavon in Yates. Yates being defiled by the presence of Mornhavon. Lynx. The Eletians. The sleepers.

"What do I do now?" She whispered to her prison.

"Calm down, and don't use up all the air." She answered herself.

She set her mind to the task and she can find an answer.


"Welcome home Rider," Queen Estora said as she stood. The King remained seated. "Please join us," she said indicating a dainty seat, "Would you like some tea? Perhaps a blanket?" Estora looked at the King, "Zachary, do you think we should provide Rider Lynx with some dry clothes, a moment to himself before he reports?"

Lynx looks up at the King, who gives him a small nod. He slowly rises from his knee looking from the King to Lady Estora. Wearily he responds, "Tea would be welcome my Lady, as would a chance to dry up a bit."

"The Queen and I were discussing the expedition before you arrived." King Zachary said, correcting Lynx with a soft smile. Zachary gestured to the servant to lead Lynx from the room to find a change of clothes.

Lynx followed the servant into another room, and reflects on the appearance of the King. Lynx noted the King has changed. He looks older, not as carefree. He did not look as healthy as he had when the expedition left the castle for the forest. He looked nothing like the King he remembered telling him to protect Karigan before they set off into danger.

Lynx returned to the room with the King and Queen in his borrowed clothes.

Estora looked up and gestured for him to sit, "Please sit Rider, the tea will be here momentarily."

Lynx sat on a sturdy looking chair, sturdy enough to hold his weight. "Thank you your Majesty." He said to Queen Estora.

"Rider Lynx," the King started, "Your journey home seems like a long tale in itself, but could you tell us the story from the beginning? Start with when you left the castle."

"Of course your Majesty, first I must give you this." Lynx removed a leather journal from a bundle at his feet and handed it to the King. "It was Yates' and there are images, maps, reflections from the journey. He did not make it. The general, soldiers, Ard and four of the Eletians also perished. Rider Sir Karigan could not be found and I presume she is missing or in Blackveil."

Estora gasped, King Zachary nodded. "I did not expect as many to perish in the forest but losses were expected." He said somberly.

He handed the journal to Estora without opening it and leveled Lynx with his gaze. "Please tell the tale."

Lynx spoke for a long while. He talked of the arrival of the Eletians at the wall, entering the forest and the first death by hummingbirds. He spoke of how the general become ill, the losing and finding of Yates and Karigan in the forest, the beauty and sadness of the lost city of moon beams, and the corrupted sleeping Eletians. Grandmother teaming up with groundmites and waking corrupted sleepers. Karigan near death at the hands of Ard. Lynx leveled Estora with a glare so intense she blushed and shifted uncomfortably. He did not stop his story, he tells of entering the castle of moon beams, and finding peace there for a brief moment. He spoke at great length of the bravery of those in both parties, the drive of the Eletians, the bravery of Yates when he lost his sight.

He spoke of a Mirror Mask, and how Yates became possessed by Mornhavon. He tells how Karigan refused to give the Mask to Mornhavon-Yates, and how she broke it. How he found himself and Yates in the middle of a field hundreds of miles north of the wall. Yates death and how he buried him. How he found two Eletians on the plains. He spoke with frustration, anger and heartbreak of not being able to find Karigan; the grief of not hearing the animals speak of her. His journey home with the Eletians the last part he speaks of.

Tea had been served while Lynx spoke and not a drop had been touched.

The King had been transfixed by the story. Queen Estora had leafed through the journal while Lynx spoke. She was awed by the detail of the drawings, the small notations about the vegetation and the forest itself she would leave to explore later. She loved the beauty of the Eletians, and even found an image of Karigan. She looked bruised and battered; her wrist held still by two arrows, and a bandage on her leg. She held a staff in her arm while she slept, cradling it against her body. Estora silently handed the Journal to the Zachary who leafed through it after Lynx's report.

They all sat in respectful silence for those fallen. For all Lynx went through to report to the King. Estora was so moved she placed her hand on top of Lynx's in a show of comfort. Lynx moved his hand uncomfortably.

"Thank you Rider Lynx." King Zachary said calmly. "We have ordered food; you look half starved and tired. Please join us to dine, Fastion will also join us and we will fill you in on the new, so there are no surprises when you walk the castle tomorrow."

"Thank you your Majesties." Lynx said as he inclines his head to the King. He pointedly did not include Estora to his regard.


"Dale," Alton knocked on the stairs to her tent. "Come out here we need to talk."

"Coming," Dales voice muffled as it passes through the tents flaps.

Estral stood next to Alton with her chalk board in the twilight. She scribbled; Can you let me into the tower before you go tomorrow?

Alton read her message and gave her a puzzled look. "You want to stay in the tower? Why? Leese won't be able to keep an eye on you if you're in there." Alton squeezed her hand and looks her in the eyes, "You are determined?"

Estral nodded and erased her board with a loose rag from her belt and began to write; I want to be away from everyone for a while. Maybe I can get the tower to remember me. I don't want Leese looking me over every day. There is nothing she can do.

Alton gathered Estral up in his arms and kissed her temple. "Okay," he said "I'll let you in tomorrow before I head to the breach and the towers beyond. One condition, I'm asking Merdigen to talk to you. You'll have to turn his pages."

Estral nodded in his embrace and he chuckled as he felt her head bob under his chin.

Dale bounded down the steps and almost knocked the pair over. "Oops, I'm ready." She said with a smile. "I'm going to visit the towers east, correct?"

"It's a longer trip but you'll get the chance to check in with each of the Riders. You'll want to pack for all weather. And probably some ale," he added knowingly.

"Excellent." Dale said with a smile, "I was getting tired of hanging out with the love birds anyways." She looked them over with a sly grin.

"Estral is going to stay in the tower. I'm going to need some help getting supplies into the tower for her. Estral won't be able to leave once she is inside and no one will be able to get in." He glanced at Estral, "I'm going to ask Merdigen to send a message down the working side of the wall in case something happens to her. You're responsible to check in on her." Altons gaze told Dale how important it is she understand Estral is his future.

"Not a problem Alton, Estral and Merdigen will get sick of me." Dale said with a devilish grin. "I'm going to check the horses. They've seemed restless, especially Owl, and Condor hasn't seemed right either."

Plover picked up her head as she scented her mistress coming to shower her with love. Condor whinnies of welcome shocked Dale, Condor usually missed his Rider too much to show enthusiasm for anything. Yates' Phoebe's still off her feed, and was looking thin and forlorn. Lynx's Owl tried to get as far from the wall as possible instead of fighting to get in. Dale spoke in somber tones to all three horses, "Things will look up, I'm sure your riders are fine."


AN: This chapter has been updated as of 1/23/2016. I realized I did not like the tense I was writing in, and had to change it back to past tense.

AN: This chapter has been updated as of 7/2/2015. I will be working my way through the story updating chapters over the next couple of weeks. Please review and enjoy!