Bonjour! Namaste! Mae Govannen! It is I! Ihave returned! And with a new chapter, too!
Okay, that's all the enthusiasm I can spare today. Alright, I have posted the third chapter of "Being a Rider". (Please, if you can think of a better title, inform me immediately, I'm desperate.)
Moving on to the disclaimer now.
Disclaimer: Nothing from the following text belongs to me. It is either the property of Christopher Paolini , J.R.R Tolkien, or the Albanians.
Onward I say!
P.S Read and Review. Please.
The heady scent of flowers invaded Tiranë's senses as she stepped lightly onto the forest floor.
Turning slowly in a full circle, she surveyed her surroundings with wonder.
The forest of Du Weldenvarden never ceased to render her awestruck; it was so beautiful it made one feel like they were living a dream. Patches of exotic flowers every colour of the rainbow littered the floor, and long ropes of flowering Liani vine fell gracefully from the branches of the tall trees. The squeaks and twitters of animals and birds could be heard clearly among the peaceful quiet of the woods, and, if you were fortunate, you could see mother bear softly nose her cub, or a deer stop to drink from a nearby stream.
It was among this beauty, that Tiranë found herself wondering, stopping every so often to stroke the leaves of a flower, or to swat gently at a small branch.
"This place is extraordinary," she thought to herself, while stopping to smell a yellow rose,
closing her eyes at its light fragrance.
Lifting herself from her kneeling position, she continued on, greeting the Elves she encountered politely.
She wandered among the trees aimlessly for hours, until she came to where a curtain of vines covered the entrance to a small alcove, deeper in the woods than she had ever been before. She stopped as she reached it, and after a few moments of wondering whether or not to step inside, her curiousity got the better of her, and she pushed aside the waterfall of vines and stepped quietly through the entrance. And found Queen Islanzadí sitting on a small ivory bench.
The Queen turned her eyes to the young dragon rider as she entered, and Tiranë silently cursed herself for her curious nature.
A few uncomfortable moments passed, and Tiranë suppressed the need to squirm under Islanzadí's gaze on her. However,it was the Queen who put an end to the discomfort by lifting her first two fingers to her lips and saying:
"Atra esterni ono thelduin."
Tiranë copied the gesture, and recited the next sentence of the greeting.
"Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr."
"Un du evarinya ono varda." The Queen finished.
"So you have located my solace from the demands of queenship, Rider." There was a smile in her voice; quite the opposite of what Tiranë expected when she intruded upon the Elven Queen.
"I apologise, my Lady, it was not my intention to-" Islanzadí cut her off with a small wave of her hand.
"Worry not, Tiranë, I am not vexed in the least. I would rather enjoy another's company. at this moment. If you would care to join me?" The Queen asked her whilst indicating to the empty spot on the bench next to her.
"Of course, my Lady, if that is your wish."
Tiranë bowed her head to Islanzadí and lowered herself on to the bench as gracefully as she could, rearranging the fabric of her skirt while trying to avoid the Queen's dark eyes.
" Oromis informs me that your studies are going well, Rider, I am pleased to hear such news. Are you enjoying your stay in Ellesméra?
"My studies are going well enough, your majesty, although I would not object to a reduction in the amount of scrolls he assigns me to study," she replied as politely as she could, although she could not keep the irritated tone from her voice.
The sound of ringing bells filled the air as the Queen laughed.
"And as for my stay here, Lady, I am loving it. I cannot find the words to describe how beautiful Ellesméra is, and I never dreamed that I would witness such wonder as I have encountered during my stay here."
That answer seemed to please Islanzadí,for a small smile formed on her lips.
"It gladdens me to hear that you find peace here in Ellesméra ,young Rider. It is rare among such hard times," there was a note of sadness in her clear voice as she spoke; the smile had melted off her face.
"Yes, it is."
"How fares your dragon?"
"He is also well, and loving Ellesméra as much as I am."
"It is good to hear that our hospitality is not lacking."
"Of course not, my Lady, you have been most gracious to us and we will be forever grateful."
The Queen looked pleased, but said nothing in answer.
Islanzadí made a few more polite inquiries, all of which Tiranë answered as formally as she could.
Silence reigned for a few moments, and Tiranë was brought out of her reverie by Islanzadí lifting herself off the bench with the grace of a cat.
Looking every inch the Queen she was in her berry red dress and swan-feather cape, Islanzadí held out a milk white hand to Tiranë, who accepted it, and walked out of the alcove with her.
"I thank you for your company, Rider, It has been a pleasure to speak with you."
"The pleasure was all mine, Lady."
Tiranë curtseyed to her, and after offering a polite farewell, began to thread her way closer to the city.
Turgon awoke slowly.
Cracking open his large indigo eyes, he split his jaws in a content yawn.
The tree house was incredibly quiet, which meant that Tiranë was most likely out exploring the city. With affection, he thought of his Rider, and of how much she had matured and experienced in the last nine months.
Despite their constant bickering, he knew that she would do anything to protect him; and he would do the same, without hesitation. If it were up to him, he would fly her far, far away from all that fate was piling atop her young shoulders, and not let her out of his sight for even a fraction of a second.
She had an inconvenient tendency to get herself into trouble all to easily, as she proved many a time during their journey throughout Alagaësia.
Turgon, his thought still on his Rider, climber out of his bed and stretched his neck and wings, before walking over to the tear shaped portal which was cut out of the wall, and launched himself into the air.
If he knew, Tiranë, which he did, she would not be back for a long time.
It would not hurt to do a little exploring of his own.
After her unexpected encounter with Queen Islanzadí, Tirane had spent her time sitting on the grassy banks of a small stream, watching it's sparkling waters as they merrily flowed around the trees and wound their way through the forest.
Quiet and secluded, it was the perfect place to sit and think without being interrupted. Drawing in a contented breath of the clean forest air, she leaned back in the grass and watched the trees above her sway with the fresh breeze, her dark hair splayed out behind her. Tiranë closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the soft ground.
Since the grass was fairly dry, Tiranë did not worry about her dress becoming soiled or stained.
She rarely received free time, and when she did, Tiranë made use of it. She decided that if a clean pair of leggings and a tunic were delivered to her home later, she would visit the training area and practice her swordplay.
Whilst being engrossed in her thoughts, she failed to notice a shadow fall across the area she occupied and the figure of a dark haired Elf loom above her.
Well, that's it for now. And be patient people, it'll get more interesting, just wait for the next few chapters. Okay, I know that is a ridiculous excuse of a cliff-hanger, but bear with me. I can promise two things though, yes the chapters will become longer, hopefully, and yes, Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Oromis and other characters from the story will have a larger part in the story as it progresses. Remember it is only the third chapter. And last, but certainly not least, read, review ,and make suggestionsabout what YOU would like to be in the story. You're the ones reading,I'm just the fool who is writing it. And don't be afraid I don't bite.
Okay, I'm late for my 3:30 appointment with psychiatrist.
Adios amigos!
Artanisofavalon
