While doing this, I realized that this chapter would be too long to post in one go. So I have split it into three parts. Hope you enjoy the first part of the Testing. Remember, constructive criticisms are welcome.

The Jedi and the Rider

Chapter VI-Part I
The Testing - Hand-to-Hand Combat

Saphira yawned, revealing her massive ivory fangs. She gazed around before uncoiling from her position and stretching as a cat would. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the flap of Eragon's tent open, and her partner-of-heart-and-mind stepped out. "Morning, Saphira," he yawned, stretching his arms.

Good morning, little one.

Her Rider smiled at her and began the series of poses known by the elves as the Rimgar. Saphira stared into the distance, watching the sun rise over the Spine. When her Rider finished, she looked at him.

"I'm hungry," he said. "Let's go see what the cooks have in store, shall we?"

Saphira playfully snorted a puff of smoke at him in answer. Her partner coughed but laughed then said, "That's a yes," before heading off into the camp.

Saphira jumped up and flew overhead. If she had walked with Eragon, she would have kept knocking tents over. It was safer- and much more convenient- for her to just fly and land in her desired area. She flew over the camp as Eragon got some breakfast and joined him when he sat down at one of the tables. Fortunately for her, he had picked a table at the edge of the clearing, allowing her some space to join him.

"You should have something to eat, Saphira," her Rider said. "You'll need it after that fight with Thorn."

Perhaps you're right, she said. But maybe later.

"Suit yourself. Just recover," he replied before going back to his meal. Saphira then gazed around, assuming her daily duty as sentry over Eragon's breakfast. She suddenly spotted five familiar figures getting their meals.

Look. The off-worlders.

Eragon looked up from his meal and nodded when he saw them. Should I invite them over?

If you wish, the blue dragon answered. They're not familiar with this world, and it would be beneficial to learn more.

Eragon nodded and remained silent for a bit. The five off-worlders suddenly looked around until their gaze met Saphira's and Eragon's. Eragon nodded at them and beckoned.

The five moved through the numerous tables, attracting not a few stares from the men of the Varden, and joined Eragon at his table.

"Eragon," the red-haired one, Obi-Wan, greeted.

"Obi-Wan," Eragon greeted back, gesturing for them to sit. They did.

"You could have tried a less intrusive way of getting our attention," Anakin said.

"It was simpler to contact you mentally," Eragon replied. "And we assumed that you could use familiar company here."

"That was thoughtful of you," Padmé said, before giving Anakin a pleading look that Saphira thought meant, "Act nicely. We're guests in this world."

Saphira looked at the head-tails-with-horns-two-legs known as Ahsoka. She noticed that her plate was filled entirely with meat. Eragon had obviously noticed it and the Jedi had noticed the lack of meat on Eragon's plate.

"Don't you eat meat?" Ahsoka asked.

Eragon looked at her. "I eat meat if it's served or if it's polite. But I cannot, in good conscience, eat the flesh of an animal whose mind I have felt and experienced."

The five then looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean by that?" Satine asked.

Eragon sighed. "During my training, I had entered the minds of many different creatures. I have felt not only its thoughts, but also its emotions. I felt how much it actually struggled to live and how joyful life was for it. I cannot in good conscience, deprive them of that." No one questioned him after that.

After several minutes of silence, Anakin broke the silence. "Nasuada said we are to be tested today. What did she mean by 'test'?"

"We are to test your prowess in combat," Eragon answered bluntly. "Hand-to-hand combat, swordplay, and your prowess in magic."

"You mean the Force," Obi-Wan said. "It's different from your magic, from what we've seen."

How does it work? Saphira asked.

"It works through-" he was cut off as Eragon's elven guards and Arya appeared.

"It's time for their testing," Arya said. "Nasuada is eager to have their abilities assessed."

Eragon nodded and stood. "Let's go." The off-worlders stood as well, and Eragon led the way to a clearing outside the camp. Arya then picked up a stick and formed a wide circle, about thirty meters across, in the sand.

"This shall be our field," she said. "Hand-to-hand combat first.

And who shall test them, Alfa-kona? Saphira asked, broadcasting the thought to the others.

"That will be me, Blodhgarm, and Wyrden," Arya said, the other respective elves stepping forward to join her. "I will test Ahsoka first." She stepped into the circle, gesturing for Ahsoka to join her.

"Go on, Ahsoka," Anakin said. "Show 'em what you're worth." Ahsoka nodded in answer, before unclipping her lightsabers from her belt, then stepping into the ring, taking position opposite Arya.

"Ready when you are," she said.

"Then we begin," Arya said, taking her stance. Ahsoka then followed suit.

This should be interesting, Eragon said.

Indeed.

Both women circled each other, watching for any opportunity to attack. Saphira knew the feeling. One does not attack another hunter unless she has shown weakness. Her tail twitched in anticipation.

"Aren't you going to make a move?" Ahsoka asked, apparently getting impatient with Arya's lack of aggression.

"Are you?" Arya threw back. "I can wait. Can you?" That question seemed to annoy the togruta and she attacked. Ahsoka ran at her, head-on. The elf was standing ready for her attack. Ahsoka suddenly jumped at the last minute and flipped over her and landing behind the elf and aiming a sweeping kick at the elf's side. Arya suddenly spun around and caught Ahsoka's foot before the kick landed, displaying her speed and strength. The togruta was obviously caught off-guard by the elven speed, and even more so by the strength that held her foot.

Ahsoka, apparently realizing that pulling away would be a waste of energy, twisted and kicked at the older woman's head with her other foot. Arya could have caught it just as easily, but instead, ducked, and let go of the other foot, stepping back from Ahsoka.

"She's reckless," Eragon commented to Anakin.

"Oh, I'm sure she's just following Anakin's teachings," Obi-Wan said with a laugh. "Although that's the same thing." The others laughed good-naturedly.

You can be reckless as well, little one, Saphira put in, broadcasting her thought to the others as well.

"And not you?" Eragon shot back.

Saphira snorted in answer then went back to watching Arya and Ahsoka. The two females were in a bit of a small brawl, Ahsoka trying to press the elves defenses, Arya dodging and blocking seemingly effortlessly. Overall, Saphira was impressed by the young girl.

"She's well-trained," Eragon said. "I don't know anyone besides the elves who could match those acrobatics."

Arya suddenly went on the offensive, spinning around Ahsoka quickly, while landing several punches and kicks, Ahsoka trying to dodge, parry or block. There was a look of anger in her face, irritated by the lack of effectiveness in her defense. When she tried to evade, she was met with a follow-up blow. When she tried to block or parry, the elf found a way past. Her counters were either avoided or stopped.

Suddenly, as Ahsoka was about to knee- or try to knee- the elf in the stomach, Arya called for a halt. "Impressive for one so young," she said.

Ahsoka seemed shocked by the sudden praise. "I didn't put up much of a fight against you," she said.

"You put up a better fight than most mortals here can," Arya answered.

Ahsoka didn't seem sure how to reply, but then she bowed. "Thank you," she said, before exiting the ring.

Out of the corner of her eye, Saphira saw Anakin patting Ahsoka's shoulder and offering her advice.

Arya stepped out of the circle and was replaced by Blödhgarm. "Who shall be next?" the blue furry elf asked.

Anakin stepped forward. "I'll try my hand at this."

"Very well, Skywalker," Blödhgarm answered, taking his position. Anakin went to the other side of the ring and got into position.

Saphira entered Ahsoka's mind and said, Don't be ashamed. Elves are naturally quicker than humans... and apparently togrutas. You were actually able to be more of a challenge than most humans. Your reactions were quicker, and you are very athletic.

There was a sudden flush of emotions, pride among others. Thanks, Ahsoka said. What did Arya mean when she called me mortal? Does that mean...

Yes. Elves do not age nor do they catch sickness. But, they can be killed. She left Ahsoka to ponder that thought while she watched Skywalker. Skywalker, she snorted. He's stuck to the ground like all two-legs.

Anakin assumed his stance and waited for the elf. From observation of Ahsoka's fight with Arya, The elves are much stronger and faster than humans. And Blödhgarm was not a normal elf if anything can be learned from his looks. The furry elf assumed his stance and waited as well. His fur bristled, meaning he was alert and ready for a fight.

"You're not a normal elf, are you?" Anakin asked, making small talk.

"I am an elf," Blödhgarm confirmed. "I merely find this body the epitome of beauty. Thus I had altered my body to the shape I so desired."

"Epitome of beauty?" Anakin repeated, bemused. "I will never understand your taste."

Epitome of beauty, Saphira snorted. I'm over here, if anyone wishes to notice.

Ignore his comment, Saphira, her Rider put in. We all know that nothing can match the beauty of a dragon.

Not even Arya? Saphira joked.

Oh, shut up. Don't make me take back my statement, Eragon retorted, withdrawing. "Is Anakin going to make a move at all?"

"He knows the elves are stronger and faster than humans," Obi-Wan replied. "He's being cautious, for once."

"I've seen from your memories that he tends to be reckless," Eragon put in, "and unpredictable."

"Very," Obi-Wan agreed.

"This should be interesting, then."

Anakin edged closer to Blödhgarm, who was waiting for him patiently. "Decided not to come at me?" he called to the blue elf.

"Perhaps," Blödhgarm answered. "Perhaps I am just a spider, waiting for the fly to come."

"Do all elves speak in riddles? Or is that just you?"

"Maybe one, maybe none, maybe both," Blödhgarm replied.

Anakin rolled his eyes, and crouched down, picking up something from the dirt. Saphira couldn't tell what it was. Blödhgarm had apparently decided to take advantage of Anakin's vulnerable position and ran at him. Anakin then flung some dirt into the elf's eyes.

Clever, Saphira thought. But an elf can do battle even without his or her sight.

That statement proved true. Despite being blinded by the dirt, Blödhgarm had almost no trouble defending, always dodging or blocking Anakin's blows.

"Hearing that rivals that of togruta," Padme said. "Something you don't see every day."

"And strength and speed rarely seen amongst non-sensitives," Obi-Wan added.

Saphira saw Blödhgarm reel back at one of Anakin's lucky punches. "Ah, I knew that would come in handy somehow," Ahsoka said. "His right arm, I mean."

"What about his right arm?" Arya asked.

"His arm is apparently made of metal," Eragon answered. "His flesh arm was cut off."

Arya raised an eyebrow. "An arm of metal... interesting."

Anakin had pressed his advantage over Blödhgarm, but the elf was recovering quickly. They went at it for several more minutes before Blödhgarm called to a halt. "We can do no more to assess you in this field of combat. There is one thing, though... take off your right glove."

Anakin thought for a bit then said, "Might as well." He removed his glove, revealing the skeletal black and gold metal hand underneath.

Eragon and the other elves went to get a closer look. Saphira approached and snaked her head over them, eyeing it curiously. "How did you get it attached?" Eragon asked.

"We have much more advanced technology than what you have here," Anakin explained simply. "Advanced enough to do this."

"Rhünon would be interested in this," Arya said. "Metallic prosthetic limbs."

"Shouldn't we get back to the testing?" Anakin asked.

"Right," Eragon said. "Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan stepped into the ring. Eragon and the elves except for Wyrden stepped out. "Shall we begin?" Wyrden asked Obi-Wan.

"Let's," Obi-Wan said, nodding and taking his position.

Wyrden assumed his stance. "Ready."

"Ready," Obi-Wan said.

Wyrden didn't wait like the first two elves and ran at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan seamed prepared for the incoming assault as he made no move to get out of the way at first. When Wyrden was five meters away, he then jumped out of the way and over the charging elf, landing lightly behind him.

Wyrden spun around and faced Obi-Wan. "You're quick."

"So are you," Obi-Wan replied calmly. Wyrden nodded and observed the Jedi casually.

"I wonder what they're thinking," Satine said.

"I've hardly seen people so calm in a fight, except among the elves," Eragon said. "This is interesting to watch."

Wyrden was the first to attack once again. The elf ran at the Jedi at full speed, faster than the elves had shown yet. He then leaped at Obi-Wan and kicked him in the chin before he could react.

Obi-Wan reeled back, obviously caught off guard by the sudden burst of speed. Wyrden pressed his attack, but Obi-Wan was better prepared now, keeping his distance, blocking those that came too close, and hitting back when he got an opening.

"And yet, another surprise from Jedi," Eragon said. "They can keep up with elves at their fastest."

"That's their Force-awareness," Satine said. "They can sense danger before it happens."

I should like to learn more about this 'Force' of theirs, Saphra said.

Obi-Wan quickly kicked Wyrden in the stomach, catching him off guard and launching the elf away. Wyrden got up quickly, but made no move to attack. "Enough. You are competent."

"He's a Jedi Master, what did you expect?" Ahsoka muttered.

Obi-Wan bowed to Wyrden. "You, too, are competent at hand-to-hand combat. Are all elves as fast and strong?"

"Most," Wyrden said.

Arya then stepped forward. "If you are ready, we can now proceed to testing your skill with the blade."

The Jedi nodded. "Let's."