This is a post-Blackveil fanfiction, so umm... just in case you haven't read the book... yeah, you get my point.

Oh, and before I forget

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Green Rider characters, nor do I own certain plots, settings, etc. The ideas are mine, and they are based on the actual books, but yeah, they're what I think might happen :) Call them my predictions :)

Chapter 1

She opened her eyes, and blinked in the sunlight above her. Squinting her eyes, she turned her head to the side, trying to make out her surroundings. Where was she? There had been a box around her, something made of stone. But it didn't make sense. There were mirror fragments surrounding her, not stone fragments. Maybe she was in the realm of the gods, but no, she still felt that excruciating pain. Sighing, she closed her eyes, letting the green grasses around her turn into waves of darkness.

Opening her eyes, choking on a scream, she gasped for air. Rubbing her head with her uninjured hand, she swung her legs over the side of her small bed, standing up on shaky legs. She moved the flap of the tent aside, and stepped out into the rain. She clung to solid objects nearby, frowning at her instability. It had been almost two weeks since the Riders at the wall had found her lying unconscious in the grasses near the breach, and since then, Leese hadn't let her out of her sight, except at night. The mender wouldn't let her rise from her bed even after she had insisted that she had felt fine. But now, she was sure that she would go insane if she didn't see Condor and escape the wall soon. It was too near Blackveil, and she was afraid that if she stayed for too long, she would only get drawn back into the nightmare. Word had been sent to the castle that she had turned up alive, but still she dreaded her arrival. But she would have to go soon. And she would have to go now.

Karigan, finally feeling steady on her feet, walked towards Condor with ease. His head shot up at her presence and he trotted towards her, letting her wrap her arms around his neck. Smiling softly, Karigan sighed against him, whispering words to him. She felt as if a weight from her heart had been lifted.

A hand on her shoulder startled her. Karigan turned around, prayiBng that it wasn't the mender, but she turned to face Alton and Estral. Sadness and anger flooded through her as she remembered that her friend had lost her voice, and she had a good idea about who had taken it from her. Since she had come back, her anger at them had disappeared, and she had apologized for her behavior before she left.

"I hope that you're not leaving." Alton spoke. Karigan nodded. She had already told the two that she would be leaving soon, and they had understood why. Alton sighed, shaking his head. " I'll go fetch your things."

He walked away, leaving Karigan and Estral alone. Karigan strode over to her long-time friend, giving her a quick hug.

"Estral, I think that I know who did this to you. I promise you that I will find some way to help you regain your voice." Estral nodded, smiling too. Squeezing Karigan's hand, she helped Alton ready Condor for the ride.

"Just don't tell Leese, Alton, okay?" Karigan smiled, saying good-bye to him as well. He nodded, and stepped back as Karigan mounted. With a final wave, Karigan whispered a few words to Condor and rode off into the night.

She could sense his restraint when she had entered the throne room. She had felt like a knife had twisted in her heart when her gaze fell upon Estora, no, Queen Estora. She had felt her hand tremble as she approached the pair and she had mentally berated herself for being so weak in front of them. For a moment, she had thought that it might have been better if she had died in Blackveil, but she had pushed that thought aside. They had inquired to her well being, but she had the feeling that much had been left unsaid. If it had been hard for her to talk to both of them before the marriage, it was even harder for her to talk to them now. When she had stood in front of them, she had felt like she was going to crumble at any moment. Still, she had endured and had shown no signs of her pain and sorrow.

Since then, she had buried herself in her paperwork, and practically begged Captain Mapstone for long distance errands. But the Captain wouldn't allow her to go for too many errands, especially long-distance ones. She needed to leave the stone walls to escape the pain of losing Yates as well as the marriage of King Zachary. She had rarely seen Lynx around though she knew him to be in the castle. He was still grieving, she knew, and he found solace in solitude. She found hers in that as well as her paperwork and Condor. They all helped her to forget about her problems and her pain, but she needed to escape from the castle.

And she had another idea about why she wasn't allowed to go on many errands, including the simplest of errands: King Zachary. She had seen something in his eyes when his mask had slipped that day she had stood before her monarchs. For a second, she could see his concern, his pain, and his sorrow, but then the moment had passed. Anger flooded through her as she thought of this. He was married to her… her former friend, and he still harbored feelings for her? But then again, she still had feelings for him even if he was married, and her anger flooded away.

"Karigan?" A melodious voice called, but to her, it was anything but melodious. Forcing herself to smile, Karigan stood from her chair and bowed to Estora.

"Your highness, how may I be of assistance?"

Estora stepped in the door, and the Weapons respectfully posted themselves outside the door as she closed it. Estora turned back to Karigan, a sympathetic look on her face.

"I wanted to apologize. I'm sorry that it had to happen like this." She said softly. When she saw Karigan's confused expression, she specified. "The marriage."

"I don't know what you mean, your highness." She laughed softly at Karigan's stricken expression.

"You know perfectly well what I mean. Did you think that I wouldn't find out someday? You know that I once loved a Green Rider, so I understand you."

"Forgive me for saying this majesty, but you don't understand a thing about me. "

"I suppose that you're right, but I still know the pain. I'm sorry for what I put you through. With my father gone, and my family back to Coutre province, and you as distant as ever, it feels like he is the only one that I have left."

"If you will forgive me, I have work to finish. Is there anything else that I can assist you with?"

"I'm sorry for everything, including sending the forester after you. I had no idea of his intentions. It was my cousin who had wanted to send him. I'm sorry for everything, including growing to love King Zachary."She said softly. With that, she left the room leaving Karigan stunned. Karigan sank back into her chair, holding her head in her hands. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Sighing, she rose from her chair, grabbing her coat.

So, how was it? I think I could have done better, but I'll settle with this for now. Anyways, I think that I will be continuing this. I don't know... I will have to see where this goes. :) Well, I hope you liked it! Please review and tell me if this story is worth continuing!

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