Disclaimer: Not. Mine.
A/N: I'm back!!! I finally finished rewriting this, and I'm really proud of myself, since I did most of it within about two weeks. I hope you guys who reviewed haven't given me up as a lost cause. Well, enjoy the newest chapter of Embers!
WildIceDragon - Thanks for the advise. I tried to follow it as I was rewriting it. I hope I managed to get the tempo right. Keep reading, and please, keep offering advise!
There was a point where Miriah could see a very vague and extremely far off outline of Du Weldenvarden. In the distance, she could also see a dark speck that seemed to be moving.
It gradually grew closer, and shifted from blackish to a beautiful blue color. Miriah watched as it grew closer. Soon it was close enough for her to be able to make it out. It was another dragon, drawing closer and closer.
Miriah felt a sudden surge of adrenalin when she realized that. The alarm cleared away when she remembered that Saphira, Eragon Shadeslayer's dragon was blue, and as long as it was them, she had no reason to fear.
They drew closer, and Miriah could make out two figures on Saphira's back. They flew overhead, just meters to Miriah's left. The dragon's two passengers didn't notice Miriah, but that was probably a good thing, she thought.
It probably would have gotten in the way of Eragon's thoughts about whatever they were leaving the Du Weldenvarden for. But it gave her great cause to think about them.
What would it be like, for both of them, to know that there was another Rider on their side?
In the late afternoon, a few days later, Miriah and Niana finally reached the edge of the forest. As they entered the shaded edge of the trees, she slowed Brie to a trot.
They'd had a goof trip, considering how vigilant Galbatorix's soldiers usually were. They had nearly run into a squad almost two days before. It was only sheer luck that they'd managed to evade them.
But surely, they would be safe in Du Weldenvarden. As if her thoughts triggered something, three figures dropped from one of the trees. They were tall, lithe, and striking to the human eye – they were elves.
Miriah jumped in the saddle, her heart pounding. Her hand instinctively flying to the only weapon she had – a small knife. The one in the forefront of the small group stepped forward a few paces.
"What are you doing in the forest?" He asked sharply. He was obviously the leader, judging by his position and the authority in his voice. She stared at him for a moment, unable to find her voice.
"What are you doing here?" He asked again, more impatient this time. Before Miriah could find her voice, Niana landed in front of her, and roared fiercely at the elves. The leader backed up a few paces, back to his original position, so that he was just out of reach of Niana's glittering white teeth.
"I have come here seeking a safe haven from Galbatorix," she said, once she had recovered her voice. Then, seeing the other two elves exchange a glance, she continued, trying to explain herself. "I am a Rider, and the daughter of elf-friends."
The leader nodded, "A Rider and child of elf-friends is always welcome in Du Weldenvarden." He inclined his head to her before continuing. "However, you must prove that you are what you say. All you have to do is show me your gedwey ingasia, your parents rings, and allow me to search you mind for any…misdemeanor."
She watched him for a moment. She had absolutely no idea what a gedwey ingasia was.
He sighed. "Show us where your dragon marked you, your parents rings, and allow me to look through your memories. Alright?"
Miriah nodded, reaching to her neck, where the chain that held her parents' rings hung. She undid the clasp, and allowed the necklace to slip onto her hand.
She held her hand out to the leader, showing him both the rings, and the silver mark on her palm. He stepped forward once more, taking the rings, he examined them for a moment, glancing at her palm as he handed them back.
"Will you allow me to examine your mind with a spell?" He asked, his nearly black eyes meeting her own bright green ones. She nodded again.
He reached out a hand, but before he was even close, Niana lashed out again. She swung her spiked tail at the elf, which he nimbly avoided.
"Call your dragon off!" He yelped, evading the spiked appendage once more. Miriah reached out, and grasped Niana's head in both hands, forcing the dragon to look at her.
"Stop. These are friends. He means no harm. He just wants to make sure that we don't mean harm to the forest, or the elves." Niana's violet eyes met her Rider's, in that intense moment. Finally, the dragon averted her eyes, and pulled her head away.
The elf stepped forward again while Niana slunk away. He muttered something in a language that she didn't understand, as he reached out with his right hand.
Then she felt the oddest sensation flood through her mind, followed by a flurry of images. The next thing she knew, he was stepping back.
"Very well, you may enter the forest," the elf said. "I am Torier. My companions are Loresté and Naylor." He gestured to the silver-haired elf first, and the other, whose hair was as dark as his own as he said the names.
"We need to start moving, else we might draw suspicion to the edge of the woods. The three of us will escort you to Ellesmera, and we will see if Queen Islanzadi can meet with you when we reach the capital. She will be most pleased that there is another Rider who is on out side, not Galbatorix's." He motioned for his two companions to precede them into the deeper reaches of the forest before he indicated that they were to follow them.
Miriah glanced back at the sunlit landscape once more, half wondering if she should go back. A sudden image appeared unbidden in her mind.
If they went back, Niana would almost certainly be killed, or they would be enslaved by the king. Neither of those options even remotely appealed to Miriah.
Finally, she dismounted, and led Brie on, Torier by her side, making sure that they followed the right path, and Niana behind them, unwilling to let her Rider out of her sight.
A/N: Review, please! That way I know that you guys haven't forgotten me, and I know that you want me to write more.