A/N: I swear, this story seems to write itself somedays. The only reason it takes me so long is because I write everything by hand. Some new POVS for you in this chapter! I had some fun writing this one. DISCLAIMER: Any thing, one, or place that you may recognize belongs solely to Kristen Britain. ENjoy!

Estora

Estora walked through the corridors of the castle shadowed by her contingent of Weapons. She had to restrain her hands from straying up to her head every now and then to touch the silver circlet that was nestled there in her golden tresses. Even after nearly three months the metal band still felt alien to her. It still hadn't quite settled in her mind that she really was queen of Sacoridia. Maybe it was because if felt exactly like being Lady Estora only she now shared a bed with the king, had her own Weapons that followed her around day and night, and people now called her "Your Majesty" instead of "My Lady." On second thought, maybe it was a bit different.

The sun had just gone down and the torches were being lit in the corridors as she walked. Estora didn't pay much attention to them as lost as she was in her own thoughts, which were on the return of Karigan two days prior.

She had been happy that Karigan had returned to the castle alive, yet another part of her felt disappointed that her friend had made it home. After their wedding night, Estora knew why the king always seemed to hold Karigan in such high regard. It wasn't because of all the services she had rendered to the kingdom or all her heroic deeds; it was because he was in love with her. Estora felt completely blind to have not seen it before. This was why the king had been so reluctant in agreeing to the marriage contract proposed by her father. He was in love with another woman.

When she went back and took a closer look at Karigan's actions over the months prior to her departure for Blackveil, Estora came to the conclusion that the feeling was more than a little mutual. This explained why Karigan had started avoiding her after the news of her betrothal to Zachary. It wasn't because of any perceived sleight on Estora's part; it was because Estora was going to marry the man Karigan loved. Of course, they both could see it possibly could never be. He was the king and she was a commoner and a Green Rider.

Estora sighed as she nodded at a passing courtier. As much as she hated to admit it, a disturbingly large part of her had hoped that Karigan wouldn't make it back from Blackveil. She was jealous of the love her friend and her now husband had for each other, even if they could never act on it. She had always dreamed of having a love like that, but she knew she could never have that now. After news reached them of Karigan's disappearance, things had improved between her and Zachary to the point that she really thought she might have a chance at that kind of love. He had become more attentive and considerate and seemed to genuinely care about her. Estora had rejoiced at it. While a part of her heart would always belong to F'ryan, she had come to love Zachary over the last several months, even before they were married. After spending nearly every waking moment with him she had come to know and understand him in a way that no one else could. He truly was a remarkable man and a great king.

Upon Karigan's return it was like they were back at square one again. He had been restless the past two days, always moving and almost completely ignoring her. It seemed that nearly every hour of the first day after her return he was sending a Green Foot runner to the Mending Wing for an update on her. Mistress Elayne finally sent a frustrated and terse note back with the last runner saying in no uncertain terms that he was disrupting her patients and her menders and that there was no change as of yet and he would be the first to know if there was.

Estora hardly saw him anymore as he had thrown himself into matters of the kingdom to release some of his energy, barely pausing long enough to eat. She had felt more than a little hurt at his simply setting her off to the side as soon as Karigan had entered back into his life. Zachary didn't seem to be willing to do anything about it either. Estora figured that she would just have to take matters into her own hands. She was married to Zachary now and she intended to keep it that way. With this in mind she bent her steps toward the Mending Wing.

Estral

Estral was sitting cross-legged in the grass outside of her tent, enjoying the early spring weather and the feel of the sun on her face. It seemed that since she had lost her voice, all of her other senses had become more heightened. Her fingers idly trailed over the strings of her traveler's harp as she watched the bustle of the camp. The harp was her only means of exercising her craft now that her voice was gone. She felt like someone had cut off a limb without her voice.

Her days since had been spent in the much of the same fashion as today. She would sit somewhere around the camp with her harp or spare pieces of parchment with a quill and ink and just listen, occasionally she would play something. For the most part people left her alone. Many in the camp treated her as an outcast because of the way she lost her voice. Most Sacoridians still deeply distrusted magic. A few of the soldiers she had made friends with would keep her company while they were on watch, and of course the Riders never left her alone for very long. Every now and then she would accompany Alton on his ventures with the wall.

Estral cleared her mind of everything as she plucked at the strings of her harp. She didn't have any particular tune in mind. She was merely playing for the sake of playing. The melody twisted and leaped and bent to suit whatever mood she was in. She closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the music.

She sat that way for several minutes until a shadow fell over her, darkening the red tint of her closed eyelids. She opened her eyes to see Alton standing in front of her, looking down at her with a soft smile. She paused her playing and looked at him expectantly.

"I hate to interrupt you, but I need your help with something," he said.

Estral gave him a quizzical look as she set her harp aside. He held out a hand to her and helped her to her feet. She set her harp back in its case and tucked it under her arm. Alton took her hand and led her through the encampment, toward the wall.

Estral was wondering what he could possibly need her help with. She didn't have any experience that could help fix the breach in the wall. Alton seemed to sense her unvoiced question as he began to explain while they walked. She was still amazed at how much closer they had become since she had lost her voice. They could know what each other was thinking without having to say a thing. She listened carefully to his explanation as they walked.

"Merdigen, the other tower guardians, and I have been trying to puzzle out a piece of the magic described in the book, but none of us can figure it out. I have this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that it's important. I think it may be a key part to what hold the wall together. This is where you come in.

"Magic and good masonry aren't the only things that hold the wall together. There is also the music, the song sung by the guardians. I thought that maybe with your minstrel training and your extensive background in music, you might be able to see something we missed.

Estral shrugged. She doubted she'd find anything new, but she would give it a go. If nothing else, it was new way to spend the afternoon and she could spend some more time with Alton. That was something she definitely enjoyed.

Rory

Rory always liked being in the Mending Wing when he wasn't a patient there. His father had been an apothecary in the coastal village they had lived in when he was growing up. He had actually started training to take over his father's business before he joined the Black Shields. The sights and smells and sounds of the Mending Wing reminded him of home and his family. If only his sister-at-arms could feel the same.

All of the Black Shields had been happy after hearing of Karigan's return to the castle. She was the closest one could get to being a Weapon without having had the formal training. Upon hearing of the activities in the Tombs and Fastion's plan for keeping Karigan safe, Rory had readily volunteered to take the first watch over her. This vigil seemed like the least they could do for her after everything Karigan had done for king and country.

Although, Rory was rather angry at the moment with the king that he served, not that he would show it. All the Weapons knew of the feelings the king and Karigan had for each other. Being trained in observation and spending large amounts of time with both of them, it was next to impossible to not see it. So Zachary's actions only moment's ago had stunned and angered him, along with Ross and Donal who were on duty. He would have never expected that kind of behavior from his monarch. It was something a petulant four-year-old would do, not a full-grown man who was in charge of an entire kingdom.

The door had been left ajar when the king had entered the room and Rory had been able to listen to the entire conversation. It also meant that he could hear Karigan's sobs after the king left. He wanted to offer her some kind of comfort, but he sensed that she probably wouldn't welcome any at the moment. Eventually the sobs trailed off. Rory pushed the door open to see that Karigan had finally fallen asleep. He gently closed the door and resumed his post outside.

A few minutes later he heard the sounds of an approaching party. Rory looked at the entrance to the Mending Wing just as Queen Estora walked through, followed by her Weapons. Judging from the look on her face, Rory knew exactly why the Queen was here. He stepped in front of Karigan's door as they approached.

"Weapon Rory, I wish to see Karigan," the queen said coming to a halt.

"I'm sorry Your Majesty, but I can't let you in."

"I am the Queen and I wish to see her," Estora insisted.

"She's sleeping Your Majesty and she's not to be woken per Mistress Elayne's orders," he insisted, not relaxing his stance. He knew the queen wasn't thinking clearly at the moment and knew why she wanted to see Karigan. He was willing to go to any lengths necessary to spare his friend anymore heartbreak tonight.

The queen eyed him for a moment before finally conceding defeat. "Alright, she does need her rest. I'll try again in the morning."

"Of course Your Majesty."

As she nodded and walked off he called after her. "One more thing Your Majesty, if I may?" She turned back to look at him, arching an eyebrow in question.

"She knows, Your Majesty." The Queen's face turned pink as she caught his implied meaning and also realized he had figured out her reasons for coming there.

"Good night Rory."

"Good night Your Majesty."

He watched her leave the Mending Wing before he relaxed a little. The Second Empire may not be the only thing that Karigan needed protection from.

Estora

Estora walked back to her chambers feeling appalled with herself. Had she really gone to see Karigan with the intent of warning her off? Had she really become that petty? She was also chagrined that the Weapon Rory had figured out her intentions and barred her from the room. She had been irritated at the time, but now she was grateful that he had as it prevented her from looking anymore of a fool than she already was. She should probably work on keeping her face from giving her away though. That was a dangerous thing at the court.

She felt like a little child who hadn't gotten what they wanted so she wanted to inflict that on someone else, ruining one of the truest friendships she had ever had in the process. She was such a fool for letting her jealousy get the better of her. As far as she could tell, nothing had happened between the king and Karigan. She needed to learn to trust her friends more; something that was easier said than done when one was living at the court of Sacoridia. Zachary wouldn't break the contract between them; he was too noble and honorable for that. Karigan had too much pride and self-respect to throw herself after a man she could never have. Estora passed a hand over her face as she reached the door to the royal apartments. No one ever told her that being queen would be this stressful.

She opened the door and entered the rooms beyond, leaving her Weapons outside. She was surprised to find Zachary sitting in one of the armchairs by the fire, one of his beloved terriers curled in his lap. He was watching the flames, but he looked up at her with a smile when she entered. He set the dog on the floor and stood, walking over to greet her.

"Good evening my dear," he said greeting her with a kiss. Estora was surprised. He rarely did things like this. She wasn't complaining though, she would take what she could get. She was stunned, however, when the kiss turned passionate and his hands curled possessively around her waist. He had never done anything like this. Estora's heart leapt with joy. Maybe there wasn't anything to worry about after all.

When Zachary started leading her toward the bedroom, she had a moment of doubt, remembering the only other time they had done this. But it was his choice this time and when he whispered her name at the end-her name, not anyone else's-Estora could have wept with joy. So why did she have a nagging suspicion in the back of her mind that something wasn't right?

A/N: Is the timeline confusing anyone since the castle POVS are about 12 hours behind the wall POVS? I didn't notice this until today. Let me know so that I can go and fix it if I need to. As always I love to know what you think~Naomi