A/N: Kind of boring chapter, but I think it's important to the plot. I promise the next one will be better (hopefully!)!

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon, Eldest, or the newest one, which I believe is called Empire. It totally stinks, because I would love to have been able to right it, but since I don't (which sucks), I should stop rambling.

Nasuada sat with her legs crossed as the door opened and in stepped Eragon.

"Hello, milady," said Eragon. "How was your day?"

Nasuada smiled. "It was fine, Eragon-finiarel," said Nasuada, using the Ancient Language. Eragon bowed his head. "Have the elves arrived yet?" he asked.

Nasuada shook her head. "All I know is Islanzadi sent them. I do not know when they'll arrive. Do you think you can contact them, Eragon-elda?"

Eragon shook his head. "I don't know any spells to help this situation and the draumr kopa spell will not help, as I have never seen them. I'm sorry, Nasuada Svit-Kona."

"It's alright, Eragon. I'm sure they'll be here soon," replied Nasuada. If they were to win this war, they needed Queen Islanzadi's best spell weavers. Without them, they were as likely to win as a dragon becoming friends with a deer.

"On another topic," began Eragon, "have you heard anything on the third rider? Has Galbatorix found him?" Nasuada shook her head.

Eragon swore under his breath. "How are we going to win if Galbatorix has two riders on his side? And himself! We cannot fight Murtagh and Galbatorix!" exclaimed Eragon.

There was a pause, and Nasuada assumed Eragon was talking to Saphira.

"I am sorry Nasuada," said Eragon. "My temper got the best of me."

Nasuada smiled. Eragon had a lot to deal with and outbursts were a minority to Nasuada. Eragon was helping the Varden, and that was what mattered.

"It's alright, Eragon," said Nasuada kindly. Eragon nodded his head, a smile playing on the corner of his lips.

"So, when will you and Roran leave to defeat the Ra'zac and rescue Katrina?" asked Nasuada.

"We will be departing tomorrow morning," said Eragon, doubt oozing all over his voice. Nasuada nodded. She did not want Eragon to leave, if the Empire planned a sudden attack, they would be doomed without Eragon.

"We'll be back soon." Nasuada looked up.

"How did you... never mind, you are a rider," she smiled to herself. If they were lucky, Eragon and Roran would be back in a week. Eragon nodded.

"Well, we must go pack." Eragon turned to leave.

"Wait!" exclaimed Nasuada. "Take a guard or two when you leave."

Eragon shook his head.

"You need the guards more then we do, after all, we have Saphira. Good bye, Nasuada Svit-kona."

"Good bye, Eragon finiarel," said Nasuada, curtsying.

ooooooo

"Come in," said Nasuada.

The door opened and in stepped a tall elf. Black hair framed her face and her eyes were intense. She was tall and looked as if she could carry a heavy sword. A quiver and arrows with peacock feathers hung on her back, and a thick sword in a beautiful hilt rested on her waist. Her name was Arya, daughter of Queen Islanzadi, and ambassador to the Varden and elves.

"Hello, Lady Nasuada," said Arya stiffly.

"Hello, Arya," replied Nasuada. "What is it? The Empire isn't planning on attacking are they?" exclaimed Nasuada, jumping to her feet. It's only been a week!

A tiny laugh escaped Arya. "No, the elves are here!"

"Oh... thank goodness," sighed Nasuada, sitting back in her chair. "Please send them in. Thank-you Arya."

Arya left and soon there was a knock on Nasuada's door. "Come in."

An elf entered the room. She was tall by human standards. Her eyebrows curved elegantly above her light gray eyes. Her silver hair was tied up in a bun, but some hairs had escaped and fell elegantly to her shoulders. She was clothed in a blood red tunic with gray tights and knee-high boots with a silver buckle at the top. On the tunic, beautiful elven embroidery in gold string was placed.

"Hello, Nasuada," said the elf, her voice ringing like bells. "I am Aliia and I and many other elves have been sent here to assist you in your war with Galbatorix by Queen Islanzadi."

"Hello, Aliia," said Nasuada, standing up. She flattened the creases in her skirt.

"We are happy to serve you and the Varden," said Aliia.

"Oh, well thank-you," said Nasuada. "Now, we have sleeping quarters arranged up in the tower, and..."

"I'm sorry, Lady Nasuada," interrupted Aliia, " but we would prefer to be in a place where life throbs, instead of where stone does. Would you perhaps have a greenhouse? A large one to hold twenty or so elves?"

Nasuada massaged her hands. She had the tower specially prepared for the elves. But if they wanted a greenhouse, than a greenhouse they would get. She decided on the Foxglove greenhouse. It was alive with foxgloves, weeping willows, and many other beautiful plants. Nasuada loved that greenhouse, especially the regal lily flower.

"There is one greenhouse that can accommodate you all," replied Nasuada after some careful thinking. " It's the farthest one behind the castle, there's a sign in front of it that says Foxglove Greenhouse. I think you will find it to your liking."

Aliia nodded. "We also need our own sparring field."

"Well, there's the field in courtyard that all of Orrin's knights and guards spar at," answered Nasuada.

"No," said Aliia, shaking her head. "We need our own sparring field. We cannot spar with humans."

"Why?"

"We feel uncomfortable, and it is more difficult for us to concentrate," began Aliia. "In Ellesmera, we had the sparring fields all to ourselves, if we are to be here a long time, we would like to feel comfortable."

Nasuada shifted uneasily in her chair. She felt as if she were in a trap. If she refused to give the elves a field of their own, they might take it as an insult. But, if she gave them a field of their own, the humans and dwarves might take it as an insult, since they had to share a field.

"Tell no one but the elves of your private sparring field," said Nasuada. "You may use the area behind the greenhouses. Go far back so no one will see you."

Aliia nodded, said words in the ancient language Nasuada assumed meant "thank-you" and departed to tell the news to the elves.

Nasuada leaned back in her chair, resting her hand on her desk. If only Eragon were here to help make decisions. But, Eragon was not, as he had left yesterday at noon with Roran, heading to Helgrind to rescue Katrina from the Ra'zac.

If any god does exist, please keep them safe.