Ludicrous was sleeping soundly on the cushion the villagers had knitted for him. It was ornate with golden threads depicting his ancestors and backed by red velvet. My dragon had been showered with gifts of all kinds and I, his rider, likewise. But most possessions we refused to accept because we reasoned, as Eragon had before us, that we simply couldn't bring them all with us when Ludi could finally carry me. Ludi was growing at an amazing rate and the elves agree that he is growing faster than Saphira. However, he almost dainty in the way he walks and flies. He was now the size of a horse, and the cushion would soon begin to be too small.
The night was rainy and dark as I watched Ludi; I thought about Eragon. Has anyone told him about Ludicrous? What will he say? I broke his heart, and I know I did, but I love him all the same. What good is it if all he thinks about is to protect me? I am no maiden in distress; I can care for myself better than he can sometimes. I sighed and reached down to the table for my cup of tea. The warm cup of tea heated my fingers and I enjoyed the delicious scent of the leaves. I slowly lulled my mind to sleep as I hummed a lullaby to myself and then fell asleep.
In the morning, I awoke from my pleasant doze, and laughed as Ludi snorted in his sleep. The sun was bright over-head, but it was slightly chilly. Fall seemed to be coming soon. I roused the little dragon and trooped down the steps as Ludicrous flew up through an opening recently created for him in the roof. The winding staircase seemed to breathe with the breezes that swept throughout the trees. I walked outside of my oak tree house to stand beneath the ledge woven out of the underlying branches. Leaves were twirling in the breeze and I looked up to see Ludi struggling in the wind as his wings were buffeted away from his body.
I scaled the side of the tree and leapt onto his back. He was very afraid and was spinning erratically. I held his wings in a healthier position, and he carefully glided down to the clearing below. Many elves were watching with worrisome looks upon their faces, but were comforted as we reached the ground. Ludi wouldn't stop shaking and I was shaken up myself so we trudged through the gale to the kitchens where the cooks of Ellesmera lived and worked. I snapped the cloth back and let Ludicrous in first and then tied down the curtain behind me. The wails of the ferocious wind died down. We sheltered there for a while, and we talked and laughed with other elves. The wind didn't stop for a long time, so Ludicrous and I slept in the corner with me under his wing.
I was amazed to discover that Ludi could now hold my weight and was excited at the prospect of flying. It wouldn't be long before we were able to join Eragon and begin the real lessons.