The night was cold and clear. A bright, half moon shone overhead. In the shadows of Du Weldenvarden, a flash of bright green screamed out to be noticed. It waited; there in the dark for something…for someone.
In the village of Ellesmera, Elven lords and ladies danced and chattered. This was the last night most would stay in the safety of the forest city. War cried loud. And thanks to one mortal, they actually stood a chance now. They would join the war and free their land yet.
Embers flickered up from a golden, smokeless fire; illuminating all whom stood in the dark. It flickered off a noble figure of beauty and grace, the queen. She danced with her people; her emerald eyes flashing with energy. She wore a dress of golden flowers. They grew off her. It was tradition that high ranking people wore clothes made of plants which grew off them on festive nights. Her green eyes surveyed the scene. They froze on one particular person.
In the midst of all the dancing stood a tall, mysterious lady. She dawned deep green velvet cloak which she seemed to be reluctant to be parted with. A flash of fine, dark hair flashed past her eye as she walked into the silent night. Though she could not see her eyes in the shadow and flashing fire light, she knew them wise, sorrowful. She moved silently away from the party into the forest.
The Elven lady moved silently through the wood. Her sharp eyes flashed back and forth; watching a bundle tucked close to her one second and the road for travelers the next. She seemed much too nervous to be out simply on some random walk. She turned away from other travelers, not wanting to be seen.
Then she did something almost no one ever did; let alone at night. She snuck off the moonlit path and pushed through gently bending branches; moving fast and silently with all the grace she could muster.
A twig snapped and she felt her heart skip a beat. Was someone following her? Her heart pounded so hard, it threatened to jump right out of her chest. She nervously looked all around her. Nothing made a single sound. Then she looked down to see a large stick snapped by her weight
She breathed a sigh of relief and realized the snap had been her. If anyone knew what she was doing, it would ruin everything. Even those whom did had strongly protested
And it killed her to do it, but if the fortune teller was right, it was the only thing she could do. She tucked the bundle closer. The green mass felt warm in the chilling air.
Be there, she thought to herself silently as she moved noiselessly through the trees. Please be there.
Freshly fallen leaves churned in the soft, wind by the pale moonlight. It was a starless night; heavy shadows massed in the forest, broken only by the occasional patched silver moonlight.
Her eyes saw things that weren't there; beasts of all shapes and sizes hiding behind the trees ready to attack her, murderers and traitors lurking in the shadows yearning to maim her, eyes watching her every move hidden by the gnarled branches. If any were really there, they did a good job staying hidden though.
The ladies' eyes set ahead; on a shadowed mass of lime green. White spikes ran down its length; sharp and deadly for sure. Four thin, dainty legs each ending in four long curved talons held the large mass up. Two thin wings sprouted from its side. A long, snake like tail extended out from behind its scaly back legs. A large arching neck bent over and it inspected at her with yellow-green eyes. A soft, welcoming rumble escaped its jaws.
Normally she might run from such a beast. But there was no reason. It was just what she was looking for.
All set, milady? A voice rang, clear and full through her head. She bit her lower lip, sighed, and nodded.
The skinny legs gracefully bent over, and then they rested on the moist earth. The elf moved towards the creature. And, careful to not to step on the thin wing membranes, she climbed onto her with all the grace her race entailed. The creature stood; slowly it moved forward.
The forest moved past her. The trees, all tall and beautiful, obscured a midnight sky. Shifting clouds blanketed the moon for a half a second then drifted on to another part of the endless sky.
The elf spent her time looking at the bundle before her; lightly caressing it with her delicate hands. She knew what had to be done; for the good of her, her people…and Alagaesia. But, even though it was what must be done, it did not make it any easier to bear.
Her eyes gave the softest, gravest look possible; to the bundle and then to the scaled beast beneath her. She felt anxious as the creature's muscles moved, slowly contracting and expanding.
Panic suddenly found her. What if this was the wrong thing to do, to desert it? So much depended on that this was done and done right. There was no room for error. What if he didn't find or take it? What if it fell off? What if she couldn't bring herself to part when it was time to? What if it was too much of a responsibility for the lime monster?
Milady; trust me. I can do it. There is no one better too. And there's no other way…The voice said reassuringly in her head.
I'm sorry. I know. I am just worried. What if something goes wrong?
Nothing will go wrong. The wise one said so. We must trust her judgment. The future is set. We cannot change it. He will find it. He will take it in. he will call it his. She will return…and the battle will happen. There is no choice if we are to win this war.
You're right. And remember your promise. We will need more then elves, dwarfs, the Varden, and Eragon to win this.
I will take care of it. There is no need to worry.
She, quite reluctantly, placed the bundle down on the green creature; tying it to a large tan leather strap that fit snugly around the girth of the neck of the creature.
A soft sad cry escaped her lips. She felt all alone; no one must know till the time is right why she was upset. And that was a heavy burden to bear alone. But she had too. She had made the mistake and now she had to pay for her actions.
A small, crystal tear fell onto the precious bundle; quickly absorbing into the green velvet. She would allow herself no more then one tear; one. One tear filled with all the emotions that now surged through her; threatening to take over her very being.
Her mount stopped. Its knees buckled over again; slowly to not through off the rider. She swung her left leg over its chest. Then she slid down the right side; her feet easily absorbing the impact.
She turned and surveyed her surroundings for other eves. They were in on of Du Weldenvarden's few clearings. No elves were there; though she heard crickets' sympathizing violins, bat's lonely screech, and the flapping of night bird's wings.
The deep green grass swayed in a light breeze; making her shiver. The cloudy moonlight glowed in the clearing. An owl flew down towards the green grass. There came a frantic peeping. Then the owl flew back to a large tree; clasping something in its claws.
She could see all around her in perfect detail; darkness not hindering her vision. Mostly, the clearing was still, as if holding it's breath for something.
She then turned to the green steed. She stared into its green eyes. Then her gaze shifted down its thorny spine till they reached the scaly gap in its shoulders and the lonely bundle. Her gaze caught the bundle.
"Azha tlum, eloi muhrr. Eka ulonw opiuts ono ianga." She whispered to it. Then she turned to the green creature, "Sivi uloit ui rthe, Aleazôêtor Bjartskular."
The mount looked at her with liquid eyes. It breathed on her and nodded. It had true sympathy in its eyes; for her terrible predicament happened all too often, though not in this way. But they also reassured her and she gave a soft, sad smile.
She rapped her arms around the scaly neck and kissed its long snout. Then she reluctantly let go of its head and began to walk away; tears forming in her sad green eyes. But she held her head high and didn't allow then to leave.
The Elven lady paused and turned toward it; to watch it take off. The creature flapped its massive wings. Soon it was airborne. It rose higher and higher till it disappeared from the elf's sharp gaze.
With a sigh, she turned and reluctantly walked away. She silently moved back the way she came. She stumbled on a log; her vision clouded from tears. A normal person would let them fall. But she wouldn't…couldn't let them leave the corners of her eyes.
She silently cursed. Her throat felt tight; as if she couldn't breath. She gasped precious air. She slowly tried to clam herself. Finally, she continued down her path.
Eka ulonw opiuts ono ianga. She thought to herself, thinking of the poor little bundle, getting tossed around by the wind in the sky. She found herself of the path she wanted; and soon her gaze locked on the Elven capital, Ellesmera.
