Okay! Here is the second chapter! I hope everyone liked the first chapter. Sorry it was so short. Just a warning: I do write a lot of short chapters. I'm working on lengthening my chapters, so bare with me!
In this chapter, we will have a little explanation and the beginning of Jade's and Amethysia's journey. There probably won't be anymore chapters this week because I have school, but I will try. Lots of reviews make me try even more and get chapters up even faster!!!
Oh! I totally forgot to credit Shur' for all my references, ancient language, and anything else I needed.
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from the Inheritance cycle because I am NOT the wonderful Christopher Paolini.
Warning: May have Spoilers!
Chapter Two: The Journey Begins
After her ceremony, Jade quickly retreated to her tree house, closing the door and sprinting to her large bed. Amethysia jumped from her Rider's arms and landed on a soft pillow. Her violet scales glittered brightly as Jade lighted a candle with the simple spell, Brisignr. Amethysia let out a loud chirp as she jumped around on the bed, flapping her wings awkwardly. Jade smiled and giggled, jumping on the bed next to the little dragon. Once they calmed down, Jade stroked Amethysia carefully down her spine. The little spikes pricked her fingers, but it didn't bother her. Amethysia let out a small rumbling noise, similar to a purr.
Jade lay with Amethysia for hours, teaching the little dragon words. Despite only being born that afternoon, Amethysia had learned how to say Jade, Elf, Dragon, Amethysia, Saphira, Thorn, Eragon, Arya, bed, room, and tree. Jade began to laugh as Amethysia jumped all around the room chirping and repeating "Jade". Just as the little dragon landed on the bed, a knock sounded on Jade's door.
"Come in,"Jade called. The door opened and her parents stepped inside. She saw Saphira's head outside, looking in. Jade opened her mind to Saphira's and held Amethysia in her lap. "Greetings, Argetlam,"Arya and Eragon said, bowing. Jade blinked and stood up. "You don't have to do that! You're my parents!" Arya smiled to her daughter. "We are so proud of your, Jade. When Saphira told me what she was planning, I had my doubts. However, now I am so happy for you and Amethysia. I would never had trusted someone as much as you with a dragon, since you were raised around Saphira,"Eragon said, his voice booming with pride. Jade smiled, a tint of red to her cheeks.
"Father...You don't know how happy I am. I've always wanted to feel that same relationship with a dragon as you do with Saphira. I always caught a hint of it, but even now, despite Amethysia being so young, I can feel ourselves bonded together. These feelings I have for a dragon I just met not hours ago, is just so strong." Arya and Eragon smiled, wrapping their arms around each other's waist. "And it will get stronger as time passes." Jade looked down to Amethysia, who was falling asleep in her lap. She gently stroked the little snout with a motherly touch.
"Hatchling. You have received something far greater than you could ever imagine. I want you to protect my daughter with you life, just as I have when you were young. Never push Amethysia away, and never leave her unless you absolutely have to. I deliberately waited sixteen years without Amethysia coming into contact with anyone other than Eragon and Arya. I wanted to wait until you reached what humans call "mature" stage before I attempted to see if she would hatch for you. Jade: You have much wisdom despite your young age. I trust you will make an excellent Dragon Rider."
Tears brimmed Jade's eyes as she heard her family adorn her with all this praise. "Thank you, so much," Jade managed to say. Once her pride and joy settled down, she let out a long sigh. "I know there is much training ahead for me. When will I begin?" She looked to her father. Eragon scratched his scruffy chin and responded,"well. You'll have to wait until Amethysia can at least fly. That won't take long, but until then, I want you to travel to Farthen Dûr with Amethysia and introduce her to your Uncle Orik!" Jade almost jumped up with joy. She absolutely loved her uncle.
"Go to Farthen Dûr with Amethysia? Of course! Will anyone else be escorting me?" Eragon nodded and said, "yes. I would like to do it myself, but I am busy, as long with your mother. So, we will be sending Armos with you." Armos was Jade's child hood friend, despite him being much older than her. In elf years, Armos was still young so that was why they got along. He took care of her when she was little, and taught her how to fight and use magic. Jade nodded her head in approval. "That is a good choice, Father. We both know Armos would protect Amethysia and I." Eragon smiled, glad his daughter excepted. "You will leave tomorrow. I have already informed Armos."
Jade nodded and bode her parents goodnight. Blowing out the candle, Jade opened one of her window screens, allowing the moonlight to spill in. A breeze rustled the trees, blowing onto Jade's face. So much would change in her life, and Jade hoped she was ready. Doubt began to cloud her mind until Amethysia chirped at her from her lap. Jade looked down and smiled. All her doubt washed away as she laid down for the night, drifting into her waking dreams. Amethysia curled up next to Jade's neck. "Jade," the little dragon whispered as she drifted into a deep sleep, exhausted from the day.
The next morning, Jade's family and Armos stood at the edge of Ellesmera in the Southeast corner of the city. The planned to travel the same way Eragon had many years ago when he first came to Ellesmera from Farthen Dûr. Going to Silthrim, they would go straight to Ceris then follow the Edda River to the Beor Mountains. They would ride horse back, since Amethysia was far to young to fly.
Jade greeted her family with a smile and wave. Armos turned to her and she felt her heart flutter. It always did that when she saw him. Armos had white silver hair, pale skin, with a slight muscular build. Like every other elf, he was attractive. Jade smiled shyly then looked to her parents. They both gave her a tight hug. She felt tears brimming her eyes. She always cried when her parents and she parted. Saphira wrapped her long tail around Jade, giving her a strange hug. Amethysia let out a loud chirp from Jade's should and Saphira lowered her head, growling softly to the creature. Amethysia responded by rubbing her head on Saphira's large snout. Jade figured Saphira was saying goodbye to her daughter.
Jade looked to her parent's one last time. "Be safe, my child,"Arya whispered, her slender hand cupping Jade's cheek. They stared at each other a while, then Arya stepped away for Eragon to say good bye. Tears glittered in his beard, and Jade giggled sadly. "Oh, Father." She gave him a hug, and he hugged her back, kissing the top of her head. "Be careful, Jade. There are dangers in this world that you have yet to see. Scry us as soon as get to Farthen Dûr." Jade nodded.
"Yes, father. I will." She kissed his cheek and walked over to Saphira. She kissed the side of her large leg. "I will protect Amethysia, Saphira. I promise with all my being." Saphira lowered her head and let out a small growl. "Do not protect her for me, Jade. Protect her for yourself. Amethysia is more than an object. She is part of you." Jade nodded quickly, feeling ashamed. "Yes. Yes of course." Saphira lifted the edge of her lip in a smile. Jade felt better and she hugged the big snout. "Goodbye everybody! Be careful!"
Armos brought Jade a beautiful black stallion with feathered feet. He had long, curly hair. Jade's eyes sparkled as she ran her hand over the horse. "He's magnificent." Armos smiled and said,"he is a present for you. His name is Nightshade." Jade nodded, gently touching Nightshade's mind. The horse responded by jerking his head up. He was unafraid of the large dragon nearby. Jade smiled at his confidence.
Armos mounted his horse, shaking hands with Eragon. "I'll protect Jade as if she was my own daughter." Eragon nodded. Jade climbed into Nightshade's saddle, settling herself in. She wasn't surprised to see her things already tied to the horse. Amethysia settled between Nightshade's ears, and Jade couldn't help but smile to see the horse not react. She looked to her parent's one last time as they set out of the city. Jade looked up to the little bit of sunshine shining through the treetops. Her journey was beginning now, and she was unsure what lay ahead, but also excited. She could barely contain herself.
"My journey has began, Armos!" Armos looked to Jade and chuckled. "So it has, Argetlam." Jade smiled and said,"you don't have to call me that, Armos. You have known me since a small child." Armos nodded and said,"of course." Jade sighed and leaned back in the saddle, smiling happily. She was going to Farthen Dûr and she was going to begin her life as a rider.
So that is the end of Chapter 2! I hoped everyone liked it. Chapter 3 will be out soon. Remember to review! : )