Ellesméra
Arkane had not been to Ellesméra in four years.
He had completely forgotten its beautiful splendor, with the kind elfish people always happy. And as Arkane arrived at the gates leading into Ellesméra, he was instantly reminded of its splendor. It was as beautiful as ever, with their houses and lamps dimly lighting up the forest. But something was wrong.
No kind elves were there to greet him. The only elves in site were those standing guard at the gate, who looked at him curiously, although it seemed they almost recognized him. They held out their blades. "Who are you who knows so well the location of Ellesméra?" one asked.
Arkane couldn't help it. He smiled a little bit. "Do you not recognize the scar, Lorengram?"
Lorengram's eyes showed surprise, but he studied Arkane all the same. He nodded. "Welcome back, Arkane. Unfortunately, no one will be in a hurry to see you… Islanzadi has died."
Arkane was completely horrified. He had not expected this. "Is the funeral occurring right now? In the Garden?" Lorengram nodded. Arkane closed his eyes, letting it all sink in truly. He couldn't believe it. He had only met Islanzadi once, when she had told him he was a halfling. But even so, she was one of the kindest people he knew, and he also knew it was a tragedy to all of Alagaësia. She was to be a great aspect in finishing the war…
"I shall attend the funeral." Arkane said, and Lorengram let him pass. Taking out his best tunic, Arkane changed in the empty street. Then, making his way slowly to the Garden. In his mind, he tried connecting with Twilight, whom he had recently found out was a boy. They had only communicated thrice in the past three weeks since he hatched. They communicated, and Arkane told him to wait just outside the Garden. Putting Zar'Roc in a sheath and hastening the blade to his side, Arkane entered the Garden. Immediately, he knew the funeral had not yet started. Why? All of the eyes were on him.
As he walked forward, millions of Elvin eyes followed him. He made sure the Gëdway Insignia was hidden as he walked down the solemn isle of seats. Stopping in the middle of the podium, he scanned for an empty seat. There was one row completely empty near the back, and some were empty in the middle near where he was. Choosing the middle, he walked past several Elvin men and woman, all of whom stared at him curiously. He chose the seat nearest to the isle going down the middle. While he waited for the funeral to begin, he went over his plan with Twilight. Then, all of a sudden, a chorus started singing mournfully. The doors to the back, where Arkane had entered, opened wide, and a coffin was carried in by two elves, a man and a woman. Several women began to weep heavily, as men bowed their heads with respect.
Arkane himself bowed his head. As the coffin passed him, he saw the girl had her hair in a tight ponytail behind her. She was incredibly beautiful, and looked very strong. The man had straw-like hair that was very short, and Arkane gasped as he saw the Gëdway Insignia on his palm. This was Eragon, the Shadeslayer. Never did Arkane expect to see him carrying the Elvin Queen's coffin. And Arkane could only guess that the woman was Arya.
As everyone stood there, Arkane realized how much they truly needed hope… and he could give them that hope. As the funeral truly got underway, he realized it was all in the ancient language. This was hopeless. Arkane could not follow it so fluently.
After the funeral was over, everyone remained to pray. That was when Arkane made his move.
Entering the aisle, he walked forward to the huge podium in which Islanzadi was buried. Everyone looked at him, taken aback that he dared to approach the stadium. As he stepped onto the podium, someone made a move to stop him, but Eragon held up his hand to stop the man. As Arkane turned to face the elves of Ellesméra, he realized he would have to speak up. The place was huge. The podium he was standing on was backed by a lake, covered in trees. Arkane scanned over the crowd, and felt millions of eyes tense on him. Arkane swallowed nervously. "What Alagaësia needs now is hope." Arkane started his supposedly huge speech with a statement of complete obviousness. "No, Alagaësia needs a miracle. Last year, however, some of that hope was diminished at the Battle at the Burning Plains." Eragon hung his head, but Arkane continued.
"There, Eragon faced his brother, Murtagh. Murtagh took his brother's sword, previously his fathers- the blade Zar'Roc. Hope seemed to falter worse than a flame. It was then I realized Eragon could not do it alone." Silence followed as Arkane thought of what he would say next. "Many of you look upon me, thinking that this human boy has no right to talk about Eragon Shadeslayer this way. You look at me without recognition. Why do you do this? Some of you I have known for years. And I will give you reason to believe that I do have a right to speak my mind." He put one hand on his sword, seemingly just resting his hand. "After the Battle at the Burning Plains, Murtagh brought his father, Morzan's, sword back to Galbatorix's castle." Suddenly, he pulled Zar'Roc from its sheath. Several men jumped up to stop him, but they instantly realized the meaning of the action.
The sight of the ruby blade stunned the residents of Ellesméra. Eragon and Arya took a step back. Arkane smiled and held the blade above his head. It shone fiercely as the sun hit it. "I snuck into Galbatorix's castle and stole this blade. With it, I pray that Alagaësia gains hope. On this day of mourning also be a day of celebration." Arkane had brought the sword down again. Tapping into Twilight's mind, he told him it was almost time.
Arkane stuck the blade in the ground. "I pray that with this, Eragon will overcome the Empire- with help." He turned to Arya. "Your Majesty. Will the elves give assistance to the Varden?" Arya looked a little surprised. She then nodded. Arkane smiled. "Then I will do all I can." Arya looked at him, even more confused. "How can you help?"
Arkane knew. It was time. He signaled to Twilight. Immediately, he rose the sword… and Twilight burst from the lake. The entire crowd gasped, taken aback. It was perfectly planned out. He flew in a glittering arc, going to the back of the podium and flying straight down the aisle to Arkane. It flew in a tight circle maneuver upwards before landing with a slight thud behind Arkane. Arkane petted him fondly. "Good job, boy." Arkane could sense Twilight's pride.
Eragon and Arya were speechless. Then they broke into laughter. Soon, the full crowd burst into a huge applause. Arkane turned to them and raised his hand humbly. The applause grew louder. Things could not have been different from his first visit to Ellesméra.
And Arkane had to admit. He was loving every minute of it.
