After the first of the hidden eggs were hatched, and Eragon had to bring more eggs to Algaesia. He had decided to deliver the eggs himself. He had nothing to do, as he had already found and built a place to train the new dragon riders, when they are ready to make the long trip. So far, none of the dragon riders were ready to make the trip, so there was no reason to stay behind. He had first consulted Saphira, but she would agree to almost anything Eragon wanted to do as long as it wasn't dangerous.

He took flight with Saphira back to Algaesia. He flew directly to Du Weldenvarden, so he could meet Arya after a long time of not seeing her. He almost let Saphira fly right into the magical wards that protected the forest. He had remembered just in time. If he and Saphira flew into the ward, they would plunge to the ground. Within Saphira's mind, Eragon felt anger. Anger at herself for forgetting too. He also felt some fear in Saphira that Eragon might make an idiot of himself, because he hadn't been to Du Weldenvarden for a long time, and may have forgotten their customs. He had reassured her that he remembered the customs and asked her to land, so they could cross the barrier on foot.

They had walked through the barrier, and had expected to have a greeting from some elf… But there were no elves around at all. He flew to Ellesmera to see Arya, but when he got there, it also was quiet. He opened his mind to sense where all the living things are, but, worryingly, there was absolutely no sign of life anywhere. Saphira wasn't paying attention, and hadn't noticed what Eragon just did. What's wrong, little one? She asked, when she noticed Eragon's fear.

There… There is no life here!

Don't worry, they may have sensed us coming, and have hidden themselves, to surprise us.

Wouldn't I still sense the life of animals?

They may have cast one of their spells to hide the energy of life.

Well then, do we wait, or search?

We search.

Eragon and Saphira had searched the entire city of Ellesmera for the Elves, but they could find nothing. Perhaps they had a celebration in another city, and all the elves went there? Saphira asked. Eragon decided to go see if they were in Sílthrim, and they went there. Along the way, he scanned along the ground and the surroundings for life. There was still no life. When they reached Sílthrim, they were shocked at what they saw.

Many of the great buildings where destroyed, burning, or both. The ground was red and turned to mud from the blood. There were bodies of elves lying everywhere… Some mangled beyond recognition! He scanned again for life, but could only sense dying elves. His heart stopped at the sight… Saphira's mind was full of fear, as was Eragon's. Who could have done this? Not even Galbatorix could do damage such as that! Said Saphira, to Eragon. No… whoever or whatever couldn't have done this alone.

They would still have to be powerful to do such a thing, even with thousands.

Eragon then looked to the horizon, and saw 12 elf-like creatures. He got nearer, but seeing that they were not worried, or hurt in any way made him think twice about just walking up to them. They could be the attackers. Said Eragon. Once he got close enough to see them properly, he noticed that they looked almost completely like elves, but they looked more powerful. Why would elves attack elves? Asked Saphira. They are not elves… Eragon replied. Just when he sent that thought to Saphira, the not-elves noticed him, and drew swords. Eragon drew his, but then saw they held Arya in a cage of some sort. The cage blocks the energy from entering or exiting. It also just absorbs any magic energy sent to it, and it becomes stronger. Said Saphira. Eragon became angry with whatever they were, for capturing Arya, and started to attack them. He swung his sword at the nearest not-elf, an he had caught the sword with his bare hands. He threw the sword away from himself, causing Eragon to stagger backwards, then he swung his own sword. Eragon tried to block it, but the impact of the two swords caused his arm to buckle. He had to dodge away to avoid being hit. Eragon tried to attack again, but his enemy swung his sword into Eragon's, knocking the sword out of Eragon's hand. The 11 other not-elves talked in a language that Eragon didn't understand to each other, and then they surrounded Eragon. He saw that the one he had fought with one-on-one was smiling. This made Eragon even more angry, so he lashed out on him with his fists. The laughing one pushed Eragon to the ground.

Just then, he saw a black dragon flying in the sky, and a rider jumping off of it. The non-elves then looked to the sky as well, and saw the rider fall. He was up extremely high, so his dragon didn't hit the barrier over the forest. He hit the ground with great force, and caused dust to be kicked up. When the dust settled, there was another elf-like figure standing there with a bow.

I Own Nothing but my Own Creations.