Chapter 1

I woke to the sounds of birds chirping in the morning breeze. Opening my eyes, I was shielded from the bright rays of the sun by the many trees surrounding me. I was in a forest of some sort with trees larger than any I had ever seen, and their leaves were a beautiful bright green, mixed with a deeper hue. The forest floor was mixed with beautiful flowers of various colors and sizes in the small clearing I was in.

In the distance, through a small gap, I could clearly see a magnificent, single, mountain standing tall in the morning haze. Clouds surrounded it in an ominous way, and I couldn't help but think of how daunting of an appearance it was- very unwelcoming. A place I would not want to go to anytime soon.

A mountain I didn't recognize. Trees I had never seen before.. I was no longer in the Beor Mountains. I wasn't in the middle of a battlefield anymore, fighting for freedom and protecting Eragon. I don't know where I was, but I know it's not my home. The land is too prosperous for Alagaesia. Almost as if the plants are under enchantments to flourish and thrive.

Not even Galbatorix with all his power in magic could make plants look so full of life under his rule. So what was going on here?

Trying to find where I was, I made a motion to stand, only to have my knees buckle below me. I groaned, crashing to the cold ground causing my head to spin as I saw little black dots dance through my vision. I hardly had any strength.

"Well that's not good, Armani," I groaned to myself, pushing myself up on to my elbows and getting the dirt off the side of my face.

I realized, after I felt my chest plate digging into my stomach, that I was wearing my armor. It had a gaping hole in the middle of my abdomen.. Like I had been pierced by a blade. However, the bare skin beneath was smooth. I don't even remember how it happened. The last thing I remember was standing beside Kairi seconds before the Urgals invaded us. In the middle of a battlefield. Not a forest.

The rest, is blank, and trying to remember only hurt my head more.

My gaze snapped to the bushes beside me when I heard the leaves rustling. I thought, but I could be imagining, that I saw an animal of some sort run through. A big animal. With many long, narrow legs. Almost- spider-like?

"H-Hello?" I shakily called out. My throat was sore and it hurt to talk. It felt like I had been screaming nonstop for hours. Who knows, I could have. I barely seem to remember anything and I'm too disoriented to care at the moment.

I received only silence in response. Deeming it wise to try and move again, I shakily supported my weight on the trunk of the nearest tree so that I could finally reach a standing position. Not a very stable position, but at least I was on my feet. For several moments, I leaned against the tree, listening and looking into the depths of the forest around me trying to pinpoint anything mysterious. Hell, it was all foreign, but I couldn't shake this newfound feeling that something was watching me.

"Come on, Armani. Get it together, girl," I gave myself a pep talk, slowly finding the courage to break away from the support of the tree and stand on my own.

I needed to find water. The quicker that happened, the better off I would be. Maybe if I found water I could try and manipulate my powers to somehow find out where I am. I didn't really have much practice, as my abilities terrified me, but I was kind of out of options here.

I decided to head north, or as best as I could tell by the way the moss grew on the trunks of the trees. Typically, moss grows in the shadow of the south, but I had seen a few instances in Alagaesia where that was not the case when magic was involved. And let me tell you, that was a bitch.

The deeper into the forest I went, the denser the foliage grew. No matter how far I traveled, I couldn't find any sort of path- animal or human- and I began to wonder if this rich wood was inhabited at all. There was no way to accurately tell for how long I had gone on, but with the weariness of my stride, I felt as though it had been hours.

Slowly, the foliage began to wilt as I continued to venture, and I began to question my decision to head north. Faintly, I could see what appeared to be crystalline tendrils stretching across the flora, and just as I was about to turn around, I heard scuffling to my side. Before I could react, I was surrounded by the same noise with no escape.

"Who's there?" I called out, an annoyed tone laced with exhaustion on my voice.

This time, the response I received was worse than no answer at all. Half a dozen monstrous spiders spooled out of the foliage with their beady eyes focused on my momentarily fragile frame. All 6 of them were poised to strike, and in that moment, fear racked my entire body as old memories were brought to the surface of my old home, before that of Carvahall.

One of the spiders decided to try and jump me from behind, and I narrowly avoided its advance. As I rolled to a stop, my body protested, but I pushed to remove my chakram from their holsters, only to realize they weren't there. As a last resort, I pulled my knife from my boot and mustered myself into the best defensive stance that I could. Seemingly pissed that I wasn't just surrendering my odds to their favor, the spiders decided to attack me all at once- fighting among themselves as to which arachnid would reach me first.

Thankfully, this narrowed out the playing field and I was able to take them on almost one at a time. I managed to take out the first one and give the second monstrosity a hell of a ride by taking out its pincers. After that, I wasn't able to land a blow on another one of them. However, one took a chunk out of my thigh, immobilizing me to the ground. My knife was knocked out my hand in the process and into the depths of the sour woods, leaving me defenseless.

"Damn it!" I cursed as I could feel my body shutting down. I was on fire, all over, and the more I tried to think myself through this, the more frustrated I became. I really had no idea how I was gonna get out of this alive.

My blood turned cold when one of the remaining spiders released a sickening screech, signalling for my demise. I felt the ground shake as they hastily approached, and I quickly scanned my immediate surroundings for any sort of weapon.

Just as one of the spiders pounced, I managed to grab hold of a limb that served as an impromptu staff, and kept the overgrown pest from ending my life. But for how long? There was no way I was going to be able to take on these creatures without a proper weapon.

"Not today you filthy bug," I grit out as its pincers began to bite through the staff.

With my good leg, I kicked the spider as hard as I could in its biggest set of eyes, and then rolled back against a tree's base. My breathing was hard and ragged, and I was struggling to keep my eyes open. My vision was blurred and hectic, and I felt as though looking through a kaleidoscope would be clearer than what I was seeing now. With my back against the thick bark of the tree, I couldn't help but release the staff from my grasp and watch as the spiders made yet another advance towards me. Only, this would be the last time. I had no more strength to fight.

Fearing the eight legged creatures, I closed my eyes and waited for my doom, only to come up with nothing. Instead of my demise, carefully fired arrows found their mark in the hides of the spiders, and ended their dreadful lives. With my last breath, I watched as skilled archers descended from the tops of the trees with a grace that could only be of an elf kind. Perhaps, I was just in Ellesmera? Maybe Arya has finally come to my rescue..

But instead of the face of my friend, I was met with that of a concerned man with hair as bright as the stars. Before I could register who exactly it was, my world went blank.

"How is she?" A voice I didn't recognize asked.

"Her fae is strong, but her body is very weak. I fear for her life," Another responded.

"When may I speak with her?" The voice was rich and low, full of a tone that demanded respect.

A heavy sigh settled into the room, "I am not entirely sure, my king. It depends entirely on her."

"I see. Do as you must to heal her, Olai. Send for me with any news of her state."

A door opened, "As you wish, my king."

I heard the door shut, and then there was silence. From what I could tell, I was now alone, but I found that my body was not responding and I could do nothing more than lay where I was with my eyes closed. Fear slowly crept into my mind, and I couldn't help but inwardly whimper.

Where was I?

Where was Eragon? Kairi? Murtagh?

Was I even in Alagaesia anymore?

These people had rescued me from the spiders, and from the small bit of conversation I had heard, it didn't seem as though they had intentions of harming me. With this in mind, the fear in my mind was erased, and a wave of peace took over my body.

To my left, the a door was opened again, and the sound of light feet approached. A warm rush overtook me, and faintly, I could hear chanting. My entire body began to feel as though it were on fire, and my very spirit felt as though it was being ripped from my physical state. Or was it being forced to return? The sensation was so intense, it was hard to tell.

A cry escaped my throat before I had even realized it, and on instinct, my eyes opened with a flash only to find myself now in an upright position on a bed. The room was chilly, but reminded me of a small cavern room. The walls were solid rock, and there was one small window that seemed to lead to the outside world. It smelled of the apothecary back in the Varden, and for a moment I wondered if I was truly back home.

"Easy, child, there is no reason to be afraid," one of the voices I recognized from earlier soothed.

Looking to my left, I noticed an elderly elf man dressed in silver robes standing over me with a cup in his hand. His long, silver hair was tied halfback in intricate braids, and his brow seemed to hold wisdom beyond belief.

I took a deep breath, and looked down to observe the state I was in. I was dressed in a silken tunic the color of the sky and I was still wearing the trousers I wore back in the forest, during the battle of the Varden. My hair hung in loose tendrils all around my face, and in that moment, I wished for a comb so as to tame it for a little bit of decency.

"Where am I?"

"Mirkwood. In the realm of King Thranduil of the woodland elves," He answered with a smile, "Please, drink this. It will help you regain your strength."

I hesitantly grabbed the cup from his outstretched hands and peered down into it. There was a clear liquid, and it held no aroma.

"It is water, little one. Please, drink."

I did as he asked, and the elf spoke again, "What is your name?"

"Armani. Where is Eragon?"

"Who?"

You know, the only dragon rider in all of Alagaesia?

"H-he's my friend," I began, "He's quite popular in all of Alagaesia. How have you not heard of him?"

I could tell the confusion on his face, "Alagaesia? Is that where you are from, child?"

I only nodded in response. My hands grew numb as realization began to creep down my spine.

"I've never heard of this place. This is quite peculiar indeed. Do you remember what happened to you?"

"I was fighting alongside my friends against the Empire. I was struck down, I-I," I struggled to find the words, "My friend was carrying me, and then everything went dark. I don't remember anything else except for waking up in the forest. I tried to find my way, but I ran into those beasts."

"I see. I will leave you to your rest then. You seem to have been through much. Should you need anything, my apprentice is just outside the door," He opened the wooden door, "I will return soon. I am sure the King will also want to speak with you as well."

I nodded sullenly, and sat the now empty cup on the table beside the bed. No matter the efforts I made, sleep would not find me. Instead, my mind was trying to wrap itself around the situation I have been thrown into. It seemed as though I was in an entirely new world with no way to return home. At least, not right now.

Gaining the courage, I pushed the covers from my body and placed my feet firmly on the stone floor. It was cool to the touch, but my warm skin welcomed the sensation. I was able to stand with minimal effort, and decided to first make my way over to the small window to peer outside. However, I couldn't really see anything other than sunshine that seemed to be seeping in through the canopy of the forest.

I turned around, and decided to explore beyond my room, as there wasn't much in here other than a few healing agents and containers. The door was light, but firm wood, and just outside as the elf had said, there was another, younger healer working on what appeared to be a poultice.

"You shouldn't be out of bed! You should be resting, child," the elf woman spoke quickly. Her hair was completely braided back, with no loose tendrils falling down. She was tall, and dressed in similar robes to that of the other healer's, except hers were a peach colored.

"I couldn't sleep," I replied, examining the larger room, "Who are you?"

"My name is Eriel," she responded, her green eyes watching me closely.

"Armani. Nice to meet you," I spoke.

She nodded, "If you will not sleep, at least sit down. You look as though you will fall over should the wind blow too strong."

"I am fine," I fingered the tunic I was wearing, "Where are the rest of my clothes?"

"When you were brought to us, your clothes and armor were covered in blood. I am afraid we could not salvage your shirt."

"And my armor?"

"The King's blacksmith is trying to mend it, but he is even unsure if there is a possibility of achieving such a feat."

I grew silent at her remark, "Who rescued me?"

"The King," she seemed to grow annoyed with my questions.

"Well isn't that poetic," I walked over to another window, this one much larger than the one in my room, "It's beautiful here. Nothing like my home."

"Yes, our woods are unlike anywhere else. The fae of the elves has seeped into the very earth of our forest and both the flora and fauna have flourished."

"That's the second time I have heard someone mention 'fae.' May I ask what it is?"

"It is the life force of the elves, our heart and souls tied into a spiritual being," She explained. She picked up the poultice she had been working on and approached me, "If you would, kindly lift your tunic."

I did as she requested, and she placed the poultice on my lower back. At first, it stung, but then the medicine began to seep into a wound I hadn't even known was there, and it soothed away the pain. She used loose bandages to wrap the poultice to my back, and then allowed me to lower the tunic.

"This should help advance the healing process. It will need to be changed again tonight. Now I really do advise you go back to bed."

I was really getting tired of her saying that. Instead of going back to my room, I made my way to the other side of the room where a spiral staircase carved from the stone resided.

"Where does this go?"

The elf woman sighed, her tone obviously annoyed, "No where you need to know, right now. Now please, before the herbs take hold, return to your bed."

Turning back to look at her, I was about to argue when a wave of dizziness washed over me. The room appeared to be spinning, and I cursed as the floor was fastly approaching.

Before I collided with stone, strong, slender arm encircled my waist, and I was turned to come face to face with the sky itself. Rather, eyes that seemed to be a gateway to the sky for their color was so rich. The owner, was an elf man, towering over me and donning an ornate woodland themed crown. My head fell against his chest as another wave passed over me, and before I realized it, I was once again asleep.

Word Count: 3,044

So now that the Prologue and first chapter are out of the way, what do you think? I apologize for any mistakes, as I am not a perfect writer by any stretch. Please, feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think so far. Any kind of constructive criticism or thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!