When we finally reached the border of Du Weldenvarden, Lucas looked to me and sighed. "Mariya I must be honest with you. Your father ordered me to kill Briam." He said. The elves tensed. "I hadn't the heart, however. Not after seeing the obvious bond between the both of you." He said. "I suspect your father only ordered it out of anger. I have known him for a very long time. Ever since he became King, he's been different."

"I have noticed as well." I murmured.

"I will tell Nasuada about your father, Mariya." He said.

"We will tell Queen Arya." Rysha said.

We went inside the forest then, and once I could no longer clearly see the desert, we stopped and Illia brought out a mirror from her saddle bag. She murmured something and a light shown on the surface. "Atra esterní ono thelduin, Arya Drottning." She said.

"Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr, Illia." Arya's voice answered.

"Un du evarínya ono varda." Illia said. "My queen, one of the eggs has hatched."

"To whom?" Arya's voice asked eagerly.

"Mariya Catherinesdaughter." Illia said.

There was a long pause. "Where are the others?"

"Heading towards Galfini or Hedarth at this very moment. We made contact before entering the forest." Illia said.

"Has Nasuada been informed?" Arya asked.

"Yes, as has Eragon." She said before glancing at me. She then continued in the Ancient Language.

Briam looked at me, and nudged his face against mine. I put my hand on his snout, which was slightly larger than my hand. I felt worry from his mind, but I realized he was reflecting my own worry, the same worry that had started since we entered Du Weldenvarden.

What is the matter? He asked me.

I'm not sure. I thought to him.

Finally, Illia put the mirror away, and got back onto her horse.


We arrived in Kirtan the next morning, and many elves greeted Briam and I warmly. There was a celebration for us. A young elf approached me and smiled. "Hi, I'm Legile." He said.

"Mariya." I said. "And this is my dragon Briam, my dragon."

"What's it like, being a Rider?" He asked.

"Well I'm not exactly one yet, but so far it's the best thing to ever happen to me." I said.


We talked for a while, and Legile and I became fast friends. The next morning we said goodbye. "Will you visit?" He asked.

"I'll try, but I doubt I'll have much free time once my training starts, but I'll try." I said.

He nodded and smiled.

Briam helped me unto Rose, slipping myself from his back to her saddle. Once the elves were all mounted, we left the city.


Ellesméra's welcome far exceeded that of Kirtan's. Queen Arya was not hard to spot despite the many faces awaiting us. She was beautiful, prettier than any human I had ever seen. I curtsied when she approached me. "A- Atra esterní ono thelduin, Queen Arya," I said.

She looked to Rysha and Illia with some shock. She then looked back to me. ""Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr."

"Un…du evarínya ono varda." I said.

"Welcome, Briam, Mariya Catherinesdaughter to Ellesméra." She said.


For hours, the elves celebrated and when it got dark, Queen Arya escorted me to one of the houses. "If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask."

I nodded, looking around the tree house.

"Mariya, when did you learn those phrases?"

"When Rysha contacted you." I figured it was your greeting, so I memorized it." I said. "If it is important, I can memorize it quickly."

Arya smiled and led me to the bedroom. "Sleep well."

Arya's POV

"Has Mariya arrived yet?" Eragon asked from the mirror that stood on her desk.

"Yes, she's going to be a good student." I said, thinking of earlier. "When Rysha contacted me before they arrived in Kirtan, Mariya overheard and memorized the elvish greeting and addressed me first."

Eragon looked surprised for a moment. He chuckled then. "Perhaps you won't even need to send her to me." He said, smiling wide.

"Perhaps." I said with a smile. "How are things fairing?"

"Very well, we've already are halfway done with the main building." Eragon said. "And you?"

"All is well….except…have you heard about James?" I said.

Eragon's smile faded. "Yes, I have. Unfortunately, the guard's word is all we have to go on."

"Rysha told me that both the guard and Mariya have noticed changes in James since he took the throne." I said. "I will have to keep an eye on him."

Eragon sighed. "If any more news arises, let me know immediately." He said.

"I will." I said before she ended the spell. "I miss you." She murmured.

Mariya's POV
I woke the next morning to Briam nudging my arm. I smiled at him. Good morning, Briam.I said, smiling. I felt his excitement then.

We start training today. He said, shifting on his bed.

I know. I said smiling. I got out of bed and wandered downstairs where I found a plate of food- I noted that none of the items were meat- along with a pile of clothes and a note.

Greetings Briam Bjartskular and Mariya Catherinesdaughter,

I am pleased to welcome you to our fine city. I wish to inform you that elves do not hunt, so if you wish to gain meat for yourselves, you must retrieve it yourselves. But please leave your kills in the forest, as we wish our air and water to remain untainted by any spilled blood.

Mariya these clothes are for you, they were woven with the utmost care by Niduen and if they are too small or too big, she will gladly tailor them for you.

May good fortune rule over you,

Peace live in your heart,

And the stars watch over you.

Rysha du Lendarin

P.S. If we leave before you awaken, both I and Illia wish you luck with your training.

I put down the note and ate some of what was on the plate. Are you hungry? I asked Briam.

Not really, but toss me something, and I will eat it. Briam said.

I took a seed cake and tossed it to him. He caught it in the air and swallowed it whole. I finished the plate, and then changed into the clothes. I sighed, and exited the house, and saw an elf waiting for me. He was tall, and skinny, his eyes and hair were both silver. He greeted me first, and I greeted him in return. "I have come to escort you to Tialdarí Hall, where Queen Arya awaits you."

I nodded and walked beside Briam, glancing around at the vast forest. Arya was speaking to Rysha and Illia. She noticed me and smiled. We all greeted one another before Rysha got onto her horse.

"Would you take Rose with you and return her to Surda?" I asked Rysha.

"When we again return to Ellesméra, we will take her, but now we are off to rejoin the others who courier the eggs." Rysha said.

"Thank you." I said.

"Are you ready for your training, Mariya?" Arya asked me as Fírnen landed behind her.

"Aye, I am." I said.

She nodded and climbed on Fírnen and held out a hand for me. "Come, then."