Hey guys, Thatguy here. So yeah this is my first fanfic, but hopefully not my only one, I have plans for a Percy Jackson one and maybe even a Cherub one.

Thanks to Last Ride Of The Valkyries for looking through this story for any errors and helping me to correct them, all chapters will be re-uploaded soon with grammatical and maybe some structural changes along the way.

R&R if you like it, don't like it, or just see it :P Criticism is welcome, as long as it is constructive and not "ermahgerd EYE h8 wot u haz done 2 da karaktures" say what you do't like or how you think it could be improved, otherwise your comment will be completely ignored.

Chapter 1

150 years had passed since Arya forsook the role of Queen of Elves in Alagaesia and became instead the royal adviser of Dathedr, the elf appointed king after her abdication. Arya had decided it for the best; after 50 years of her being on the throne it was time for the leadership to change, as it had done a few months previously in both The Empire and Surda. As soon as the entourage of elves that had escorted Him out of Alagaesia and into the far unknown of the east had returned, Arya had wanted to visit Eragon and Saphira in the settlement Eragon had founded on a remote island system many days' journey from the shore of even the most eastern point of Alagaesia. When these elves returned some 20 years after they had left, Arya found herself unsurprised to hear that Blödhgarm had been asked by Eragon to remain at the settlement with him to train the dragon riders. Furthermore, Eragon had wanted more training in the art of spell-weaving, his weakest skill.

So, far, only two (numbers ten or less are supposed to be written out, even if that is the pretty much the only rule everyone agrees on) dragons and their riders had returned bearing the full title of Shur'tugal as bestowed upon them by the leader of the reformed rider council (Eragon). One of the two, an elf named Tanderlein, rider of Merlein the Orange, was more capable using magic than his fellow rider. The Kull, Shurugra, and her dragon, Falsweth (who was deep purple in colour); much preferred the art of physical combat (as was to be expected from a stereotypically vicious race). When the two riders had first arrived in Du Weldenvarden, they had been instructed by Eragon to immediately visit Rhunön to get sorted with a rider's blade instead of the magically reinforced training swords he had supplied them with whilst on the island.

More than once Arya had tried to journey to the island system, the "Gildi Shur'tugal", and had failed, being pulled back by her oath to Eragon as he left. The oath promised that she would not join him in his self-imposed exile. And so she couldn't. There was nothing she could do apart from resume her role as adviser to the king and continue to train with both her sword and mind. With the Blood-Oath celebration and the great games approaching fast, Arya was needed to organise sleeping arrangements, feasts, and the members of each of this year's celebration groups which had arrived to take part in the festival. All of the dwarves, including king Orik, had arrived (or was four an estimate?) four days earlier to allow for spells to be cast to protect them from the urges that are brought on by the magic as it is cast during the celebration. Arya had received news that the humans were well on their way into the journey and that Queen Shadre was with them. The urgals were due to arrive any day the whole of Ellesmera was on edge about welcoming them to the city for the songs and dances, as they had always been kept out, but the elves knew that it had to be allowed, seeing as Eragon had added them and the dwarves to the Dragon Rider Pact almost 200 years ago.

"Arya, mine good friend, how are you this fine day?" Orik asked as he approached her through the woods leading to Oromis's old hut where she was performing her early morning Rimgar.

"One moment please King Orik." Arya replied breathlessly as she reached the climax of the dance.

"Of course," he stated as he sat down on a rock outside of the small hut.

Once Arya had completed all four levels of the Rimgar, she walked to the small stream nearby and knelt down to wash her face of the perspiration that had accumulated whilst performing the exercise. When she had finished washing, Arya walked to the rock where Orik was still sitting. "What bothers you king Orik?" Arya finally asked as she settled next to the rock.

"Little troubles me these days as much as a very old friend talking to me and referring to me as king." Orik replied.

"My apologies Orik, but as a former queen I mustn't be seen talking to royalty as a friend should. Some people's minds are far too impressionable."

"Of course Arya, but when alone in clearing such as this, no such formality is required; this is simply a chat between two friends," Orik replied curtly.

"Very well. I did not know what the purpose of our talk was going to be, but still, I will refer to you with the formality that you would expect from all others, as you never know when someone will join you."

"If you must. However, I must ask, have you had any contact from Eragon in the past five years?" Orik asked.

"I have not. We have not spoken or exchanged written greetings in many years now, not since Nasuada's daughter stepped down from the throne, and that must be 100 years ago now, must it not?" Arya replied allowing her curiosity as to the dwarf's question creep into her voice a little.

"It is as I thought. Eragon is cutting himself off from the rest of the land as neither I nor anyone else in Alagaesia that I have spoken to has received any sort of contact from Eragon. Furthermore, Tanderlein and Shurugra have sworn not to talk of him or his status." Orik spoke solemnly.

"We need to contact him, if only to make sure he is still sane." Arya spoke after considering the lack of information.

"I agree," Orik concurred, "But not until after the Blood-Oath Celebration and the great games."

"It is decided then, but not as leaders of races, instead as friends."

"My thoughts exactly." exclaimed Orik. "Well, I shall see you at the celebrations tonight!" he said as he got up.

"Of course Orik, I shall see you there." Arya replied as she felt a tingle at the back of her mind that told her Firnen had woken up.

'Good morning, Firnen,'she thought as Orik walked away from the clearing.

'Good morning to you too Arya, what was that about?'

Arya quickly shared her memories of the conversation with Orik.

'I think that is a brilliant idea, but what do you think you will do to contact him?' Firnen asked.

I think we may have to use the mirror he enchanted before he left, though he said it was for emergencies only,'Arya replied.

'I fear that the only way for us to contact him right now would be through the mirror, but we cannot - is it not an emergency. I think that after we win the games again we should try to visit him. It has been over 50 years since we last tried.'

'When we win the games? My, aren't you a cocky dragon.'Arya laughed.

'Well, you have won the Tourney of the Blade for the last 100 years. You need to uphold that title.'Firnen replied haughtily.

'I'll try my hardest, you know that much!'

'I know you will little one.'

'Anyway, let us return and prepare for this evening's festivities,'Arya decided as she got up and started to walk back towards the centre of Ellesmera.

Between Arya leaving the clearing near Oromis's hut and midday, the human representatives arrived, including Queen Shadre and Kind Dande. At some point, although no one could figure out when or why, the witch Angela had turned up at the elven city. The thing that intrigued Arya the most was why she had chosen the 200th Anniversary of Galbatorix's death to reappear. Not a single person had seen or heard from her in over 100 years. Most who had known her had decided that she had moved to another land or passed on, seeing as it was unknown just how old she was, although it was apparent that she had been around for over 500 years before Galbatorix had been slain by Eragon and Murtagh.

Arya distanced herself from the other nobles as soon as the formalities were over; she would much rather spend the rest of the day preparing Firnen and herself for the upcoming night of dancing and singing.

'Arya, you need to stop worrying yourself so much about how you look. No matter what you do, all the attention will be on me. It doesn't really matter what you look like,'Firnen said cheekily when he saw that almost all of Arya's clothes were strewn across her room as she looked for the perfect outfit to wear later.

'It's alright for some. For example, you don't even need to try in order to look good. Your scales are always beautiful. Anyway, I'm not trying to get attention, just making an attempt to look presentable as I will, for the first time, be in front of every single king and queen in all of Alagaesia. What's more, I am a 3rd oldest dragon rider alive,'Arya replied, almost angrily.

'Well, if you don't hurry, you won't - it is nearing sundown so the celebration will be beginning soon,' Firnen countered.

'WHAT? I didn't realise the time. I think I will settle for a plain green dress. Elegant and easy-going, like an elf should be.' Arya returned to the main room with plain, yet, stunning green dress wrapped around her slim body.

'Whenever you're ready then, come on slowpoke. I, for one, don't wish to be late, although, that said, isn't being late stylish and good for making an entrance? Take as much time as you need.' Firnen spoke to himself as much as to Arya, making her laugh at the indirect monologue.

'Shut up you silly dragon, let's be off.'