Ok, so this is my first fanfic, so if I make formatting errors or something, I'm sorry, I'm still getting used to the system.

The idea for this fic came about ages ago, way before I knew that a twelfth book was going to exist. It took a while to get on paper though, so for this fic, assume that the events of the twelfth book never happened/won't happen. This basically takes place a few years after the end of The Lost Stories, so assume that not much has changed since then. Also, it will contain spoilers for various books in the series.

Oh, and here's a disclaimer: I don't own Ranger's Apprentice, because I am not an amazing writer like John Flanagan is.

I guess that's about it, so please enjoy the story!

A cloaked figure on a horse cantered down the dusty road, a silhouette against the setting sun. His silent form gave no hint of where he'd been, but it was clear from the determined manner with which he urged his horse on that he had a clear destination, and was in a hurry to get there. He seemed indifferent to his current surroundings, though the few people-mostly farmers finishing up work in the fields-that the rider passed were certainly not indifferent to him. They looked up at him with respect as well as a little fear. The rider heard whispers and low voices as those he passed discussed his return amongst themselves; he heard snatches that often contained his name, or the word "Ranger". He gave no sign that he heard any of the gossip, however, as he continued down the road. The face of the rider was hidden in the deep cowl of his cloak, but even if it had been seen his countenance would have given nothing away about his thoughts.

This changed, however, when the rider entered the forest that the path led into. Will Treaty allowed a wide grin to break out on his face as he urged Tug into a gallop, his cowl falling back off his head. He was just returning from a mission, and he was looking forward to seeing Alyss after their two month separation. Their marriage had been punctuated by separation, due to both Will's Ranger duties and Alyss's diplomatic missions, and though they both hated being apart, it made the time that they did have together all the more precious. And that was why his already huge grin grew even larger as Will rode up to the little cabin. He knew it was late enough that Alyss would probably have finished with her duties for the day and would be home.

He stabled Tug, groomed him, and made sure that the horse was fed. He was surprised that Alyss hadn't come out to greet him. As he entered, Ebony rushed up to greet him, barking loudly, but the cabin was otherwise deserted. Surprised, Will saw a note sitting on the table, and walked over to pick it up. Dear Will, it read in Alyss's elegant handwriting,

I know you're coming home today, and I'm sorry to have missed you. Unfortunately, a situation has come up with Hibernia. King Duncan is sending a group of Couriers to try to sort the problem out, and unfortunately that includes me. I don't know exactly how long I'll be gone, but it will be at least a month. I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you, but the king needed us to be ready to leave immediately. Hopefully, we'll come to a solution soon, and I'll be able to come home.

Love, Alyss

Will sighed as he read the note. The little cabin seemed less inviting whenever Alyss was away. Putting the note down, he started making his dinner. It wouldn't exactly be the dinner he'd imagined, he thought morosely. He set a pot of water boiling to make coffee-he needed something to perk him up since Alyss wasn't there-and made other preparations for dinner. He walked around the cabin, noting it was in a slight state of disarray. Alyss must have been busy before she left, Will thought. He returned to the kitchen area and continued getting food ready, lighting a lamp as it began to get dark outside.

Will had just finished cleaning up his meal and was beginning to tidy up the cabin when he heard hoof beats outside. He quickly strung his bow, grabbed his quiver, and wondering why Tug hadn't called out a warning, carefully eased the cabin's door open and slid out. Though the light had faded significantly, he could clearly see a silhouette of a horse and rider stopping in front of his door. As his eyes adjusted to the relative darkness Will realized with shock that the horse was Tug, but the rider was a girl he had never seen before. Will blinked, wondering if the darkness was playing tricks on him, but what he saw in front of him didn't change; a tall teenage girl with dark hair was sitting bareback on Tug. And Tug was calmly allowing her to sit on him, with a bucking, rider tossing fit nowhere in sight. Why was the small horse allowing the rider? Had she somehow discovered his code phrase? The girl herself looked calm and unruffled as Will drew an arrow and aimed it at her chest.

"Get off my horse, or I'll shoot," Will said as he looked her in the eye, trying to indicate that he meant his threat.

"No," the girl replied, sounding almost...amused, Will noted with surprise, "You won't. You're going to stop moving and put down your bow."

Will felt his hands open of their own accord, and the bow and the arrow tumbled to the ground. He found he couldn't look away from the girl's strange, icy green eyes, or move a single muscle in his body.

"My name," The girl calmly stated, "is Netra Orenda. And I want to be your apprentice".

So that's the first chapter! I'll probably make the others longer, but I really wanted to end this one here. So, what do you think? Please review, and don't be afraid to be critical, I can't improve unless you tell me what I'm doing wrong! Thanks for reading!