Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance cycle.

I'd like to take a moment to thank the people who have reviewed for this story. So far there have only been two but they still mean a lot to me.

Guest + sixpetalpoppy thank you both for your support.

Enter the Realm of the Fair Folk

A world in which elves exist and magic works offers greater opportunities to digress and explore.

Terry Brooks

The first leg of the journey to Du Weldenvarden was largely uneventful and for the most part silent. Sela flew high above away from prying eyes while Neomi, Barzul, and Tiber traveled on the ground. Neomi considered letting them ride Sela but when she voiced her thoughts to Barzul he was solidly against it. Neomi asked him why not and Barzul replied that when he first rode a dragon, he wished to be riding Tiber. Though it would cost them time, Neomi agreed, understanding his sentiments.

Tiber was never more than five feet away from his rider. As if he was afraid he might lose him if he strayed too far. As they traveled Neomi could sense Barzul speaking to his dragon with his mind, but didn't eavesdrop to find out what was being said.

Tiber was growing at the rate akin to mushrooms. Every day he seemed to put on another inch at the shoulders. Despite his growth, he had yet to say anything with his mind, a fact that didn't worry Neomi. Barzul had asked her when dragons began to grasp language and not just images and emotions. All she could tell him was that it varied from dragon to dragon and Sela began to speak within two weeks. Of course, her first word was, Hungry.

It was day three when everything went wrong. It was early that day and the sun had yet to rise. Neomi was awake preparing what would be their meal and Barzul was doing his morning meditations. Or at least, that's what she thought it was. Every morning he awoke early, only to squat near the fire, his eyes closed and his mouth moving to forming silent words. whilst they squatted she felt an unfamiliar and hostile presence moving towards them. Sela felt it as well for she woke from her slumber and sniffed the air. The hostile conscious betrayed no alarm.

"Their still far away." She concluded.

"Aye, but closing in fast." Barzul replied. Neomi hadn't realized he'd been listening. "Horsemen, I believe, coming from the direction of the desert." He rose from his spot, a worried expression now on his face. "They'll run us down."

What of it? We can slay them in time for breakfast. Barzul didn't share Sela's positive point of view.

"Tiber, take to the air. You'll be safer up there." The young dragon shook his head. "Please! There's nothing you can do here." Reluctantly, Tiber beat his wings and rose into the sky. Barzul unsheathed his blade, as did Neomi. A cloud of dust was soon visible on the horizon as the thunder of hooves followed.

"Ten, maybe twenty." Barzul shifted his weight nervously. Neomi gave him a sideways glance. "What is the matter?"

"This place… it is uncomfortably close to where-"

Here they come!

The riders came in full force, circling around their enemies launching arrows from horseback. They were not expert archers, their shots were wild and erratic. Only a few came too close for comfort. Sela countered first, leaping into the circle of horseman with the animal ferocity. She released a jet of flame that panicked the horses, sending them every which way. Barzul lept lept at the nearest rider and tackled him off his horse. Neomi recited a death spell but had no effect. Irritated, she magically launched a stone at horseman. The sickening crunch of bones rewarded her. Another rider tried to run her down. No such luck. She dodged the sweep of his sword, grabbed his arm, and threw him from his horse. From there he was easily dispatched.

Barzul golden sword claimed foes with a vengeance, but he appeared distracted. The few moments Neomi saw him he had a far off look in his eye, as if he wasn't really in the battle. But she didn't have time to pay much mind though, the fight required her full attention. It wasn't a particular hard fight. Sela made it much easier with her fire and remaining horses had panicked and the riders were forced to fight on their feet. Not completely stupid, they circled their opponents with spears. The strategy kept their opponents hemmed in, their spears longer than their foes swords.

Unfortunately for them, they failed to take into account two things. One, a dragon has no limited range of destruction and two, magic beats weapons. With his enemies dismounted, Barzul's unusual mood left him and he attacked with new vigor. He leapt from the bristling hedge of spears and struck at them with arrogant ease.

"Fools!" He shouted "We have defeated you twice. Did you really think you had any chance?" He plunged into their midst like a wolf among the sheep. As they turned their attention to Barzul Neomi saw her chance and plunged her sword into the back of the nearest foe. Sela paid the ring of warriors no extra mind, they obviously had no experience fighting a dragon and rider or they would have opted for a more useful strategy.

Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, those that remained fled from the battlefield, heading back to toward the desert.

"Too easy." Muttered Barzul.

I told you we had nothing to-

Barzul howled in pain and collapsed to his knees, a spear protruding from the back of his right leg. Neomi rushed to his side while Sela dispatched the offending spear thrower.

"Son of an udderless cow!" Cursed Barzul, his face knotted in pain. Neomi raised an eyebrow.

"That's an unusual curse." She commented.

For a moment, the pain disappeared from Barzul's face. "I just made that up now, you're welcome to it." The pain promptly returned. "Now get this spear out of my leg!" He shouted.

Neomi reviewed her knowledge of the ancient language before uttering the needed spell. Tiber flew down to his companions side and gently nudged his rider comfortingly. Slowly, the spear extricated itself from his leg, but not without many more colorful and unusual curses from Barzul. As soon as it was out blood gushed from the wound. Barzul hastily touched the area.

"Waise heill!" The wound immediately closed up, cutting off the stream of blood.

"That isn't enough. You need to reattach the muscles and seal any internal bleeding."

"I know but we don't have time, more riders are coming."

He speaks truth, I can smell them.

Barzul attempted to rise but stumbled back to his knees. Tiber squeaked in alarm. Using his sword as a crutch, he managed to rise on his second attempt.

"You can't fight in this state, we're going to have to fly to safety."

"Agreed." He muttered. Sela knelt down for so it would be easier for them to climb on. Neomi climbed up first then offered a hand to Barzul. After several attempts, courtesy of his injured leg, he managed to get on. "I hope the weight of us both is not too much for you." Sela snorted, as if the thought was an insult. She beat her wings and took to the air with little difficulty. Barzul gripped tightly around Neomi's stomach as they rose higher and higher into the sky. Tiber followed the best he could, though Sela had to fly slower to accommodate his lack of speed. The flight was particularly painful for Barzul, every beat of her wing sent jolts of pain through his leg. But there was no complaints from him, he just grit his teeth and bore it.

Thankfully, Du Weldenvarden was not far off, soon they landed in the safety of its trees. Their landing site was a small opening in the trees that was just large enough for Sela to land in. Barzul attempted to dismount but only managed to clumsily fall off. Tiber rushed to his side as he struggled to rise.

"We're safe now. I can treat your leg."

Barzul remained silent, but propped himself up against a tree. He paid no attention when Neomi removed the armor over his leg, only stared into the distance, contemplating something. The clothes he wore under the armor were soaked in blood and the injury looked worse than it had. Gently Neomi placed a hand on the injury. Barzul twitched, but made no other movement. Reciting complex spells, she slowly began to heal the wound. The procedure took an hour, no one moving from their spots. Once complete, Neomi began to rise from her crouched position. Barzul gripped her arm, holding her in place. She looked at him questioningly. He looked up at her, his face downcast.

"I need to apologize to you."

"What for?" asked Neomi.

"I have treated you poorly since we have met. I have offered you no respect. I have hated you because of your race. I am sorry."

Neomi smiled. "You are forgiven."

Relief spread across his face along with a smile of his own. It lasted only a moment. Barzul rose to his feet and looked around. "I think I should tell you the whole story of why I dislike elves. But perhaps you should notify Eragon that we have arrived safely."

We should, Neomi, before we go too deep into the woods and the wards prevent any communication.

"Perhaps we should notify Queen Arya as well." Offered Barzul.

"No need. Elven scouts have spotted us. An escort will be arriving shortly."

"Ah, that would explain the faintest rustling of branches."

Neomi suppressed a smile and found a small pond that she could use to communicate with Eragon. In seconds the image of the Head dragon rider appeared in the water.

"Atra esterní ono thelduin."

"Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr." He said, smiling. "It's good to hear from you. I assume that you have reach Du Weldenvarden?"

"Yes, we arrived a few moments ago."

"Good, was there any trouble on the road?"

"Yes, we were attacked again."

Eragon was understandably unsettled. "Do you believe these are the same people that attacked you before?"

She shrugged. "It can't be coincidence."

Eragon rubbed his head. "I will have to think on this. I will consult the others as well." Silence followed for a time, both riders lost in their thoughts."What do you know about this new rider? This, Barzul fellow."

Neomi looked over her shoulder to make sure the one in question was beyond earshot."He is… unpredictable. Completely calm one moment, angry the next."

"Odd, that the egg would choose such a man to be his rider."

"Perhaps he sees something that we do not."

Eragon nodded. "Most likely. I probably won't hear from you until his training has ended. Farewell until then."

Neomi ended the magic and sat back, bothered. Eragon looked worried, more troubled than she had ever seen him before. Was there something he knew that he wasn't telling?

"Such a long time ago…" Neomi noticed Barzul was wandering about, a far away look to his eyes. "Eighty years ago in fact. My greatest failure to date."

"Ride, faster! They're closing in fast!" Redwave shouted to his companions as he pressed his horse to its limits. They had just left their ship when imperial ambushed them. It had been well planned, almost to perfection. Galbatorix's work no doubt. Thankfully, he had not been there in person, or they all would have fell. Half his crew was dead at their landing site, northeast of Kausta. What remained escaped through a hidden pass through the Spines. When they left the mountains, they found the entire empire on alert, searching for them. The ragtag band managed to steal horses at a small settlement east of the mountains. But then their luck failed them. Their path to the south cut off by troops from Dras-Leona and any path back to the sea blocked by troops from Teirm, they were forced to flee northward.

Days they fled, with a quarter of the imperial army hours behind them. He was worn out, as were his men and their horses. They could not stop, halting was a death wish. They held the lead, for now.

"Captain! The horses can't take any more. We have to stop!"

"For a moment! But no longer."

They had followed the river ever since they crossed near Bullridge. It offered water to drink to the men and horses. It wasn't enough, but it had to suffice.

"Captain, where are we headed?" Berrad was his first mate. An intelligent man with a mediocre sword arm. He had been a young man when Galbatorix burned his town to the ground. He hated the emperor almost as much as Redwave.

"The only place safe from the empire. North, to Du Weldenvarden. They won't follow us in their." Redwave's magic mask hid his unsure expression. He wasn't sure that the empire wouldn't follow. "Tell the men to mount up, we're losing daylight."

"Yes, sir!" No man argued when the order was given. The captain would brook no argument. Under normal circumstance he would listen when others disagreed, and would possibly take their advice. These were hardly normal circumstances. With an army a few miles away, argument was silently forbidden.

The horses could take no more. Running at top speed for days had taken its toll. They could run no more. The men were forced to ride at slow trot to avoid killing the horses. In a few hours they'd pick up speed again. Gil'ead was nearby, if enemies came from their, they couldn't outrun them on foot.

The sun beat upon the faces of the weary men. It was the hottest time of the day. The worst things happen then.

"Captain! Riders to the northwest!" A chill crept down the spine of every man present. It could mean only one thing, Cavalry from Gil'ead. "We can't outrun them Captain!" The speaker was Melaris. Former imperial soldier who defected to Redwave when impressed by his bravery.

"No, we cannot." Redwave reined his horse toward the incoming tide. Ominously he raised Blodhunda into the air, and brought it down in a fell swoop and shout. "Charge!"

Time slowed. He hear his heart beating. A steady bum, bum, bum, in his ears. Closer, closer, the cavalry came. The shouts of the soldier and his men mingled into one roar.

"Sverd kodth brisingr!" His sword engulfed into flames. Just the effect he wanted. It wasn't altogether practical, but it would strike fear into his foes. If he was to die today, he wanted to be remembered. The cavalryman heading straight at him tried to turn away in fear. The move exposed his left side, an opportunity Redwave would not miss.

Man and horse screamed as the two columns collided in full force. Redwave's rebels were outnumbered two to one. Both were comprised of experienced warriors; men bred for battle. Redwave was the scourge of the imperial seas, a reputation well earned. The imperial soldiers learned why. The lesson would cost them their lives.

Left, right, back again. It was a fury of motion. A deadly joust with only one outcome: total annihilation It was a close duel, but heroes triumphed this time.

"Head count." Commanded Redwave. The answer was grim.

"Fourteen, Captain. And five horses."

He bit back a curse. Without horses their chances of outrunning the incoming column were slim. He breathed deeply. Slim, but not impossible.

"Leave the horses, we need to keep moving."

"Captain?"

"Now!"

It was tough being captain. You had to make hard decisions every day. Their friend's bodies lie unburied, the living barely clinging to life. Just a few more miles, just a few more. Sanctuary was in the trees. If they could only reach them. If only-

"Our escort is here."

The interruption rudely pulled Barzul back into reality. After Neomi greeted the escort in the traditional elvish greeting Barzul followed suite. They had gone over this during the long trip. Hate elves he may, but even he did not want to insult them needlessly. Each elf in turn greeted him then turned their attention to Tiber. The young dragon loathed the attention. Barzul noticed but saw no way of helping without insulting the elves. They called him Bjartskular, which he assumed was a compliment. The presence of a dragon put the elves in a lighthearted mood; laughing and complementing the dragon's present. The laughter was a pleasant sound. It reminded him of his caretaker.

"Ah!" The elves nearest him turned to him, eyebrows raised. Barzul stared into the woods, sure he just seen- No… he thought... that's impossible. He ignored the questioning gazes and continued to walk. Mind's playing tricks on me. That's what comes of reminiscing.

He began to notice a few odd looks he was getting from a few of the elves. What's their problem? Perhaps they don't like me wearing their armor? He felt a light touch in his mind. It wasn't Tiber and it wasn't Neomi or Sela. Instinct took over, he threw up walls in his mind, blocking out everything with an image of his sword. Their prodding my mind! But that goes against etiquette doesn't it? There was much he didn't know of elves. He and Neomi could only go over so much. Perhaps they suspect what I am. Barzul resigned to his fate. They'll find out soon enough I suppose. He watched Neomi converse with her people. She looked completely at ease. Laughing with them as her silver hair moved with the breeze. I wish I could be like that. Have a people I'm comfortable with. He laughed in his mind. I'd settle for having a people.

Hazel had never been to the city of Teirm. Her parents hated the city. Of course, they had never said that they hated it. But any time she mentioned it their faces and words made it quite obvious. She couldn't understand why. Now that she had seen it with her own eyes she thought it was a beautiful city. The citadel was huge and the building grew bigger as they reached the center of the city. She could spend hours wandering the streets admiring the port town. Unfortunately, her grandparents set a pace that left no time for sightseeing.

They found the Royal Galleon without any trouble after they asked a passing sailor where it was. Come to find out, it was respectable tavern on the dock side of the city. From what they gathered from the slightly inebriated sailor, it was a co-owned establishment. One of the owners being the man they were searching for: Terrance. No one knew who the second owner was. It was a mystery that Terrance appeared intent on taking to his grave.

On their arrival they were greeted by a young lady in modest garb. "Is there anything I can get for you m'lord?" Speaking to Hazel's grandfather.

"Yes, we would like to see the owner, Terrance, if he is in."

"Then you are in luck, m'lord, he arrived in port a day ago. He's over there in the corner retelling one his old sea tales." The trio moved as instructed toward the corner of the room where a middle aged man with graying hair was speaking.

"So after Redwave defeated those three ships we moved south toward friendly ports t' recruit more men and to resupply." At the mention of her father's name Hazel listened with greater interest. "Aye, was a sad day it t'was." More than 'alf a crew lost in less than an hour's time. Wasn't long though until we returned ta' the front. Right back inta' the thick o' things." He took a generous swig of his drink. "Well, that's the tale, now be off with you all of you" Everyone began to disperse but Hazel and her grandparents waited until all had left before they approached. "Sorry, folks, I ain't a' retellin' the story." He took another drink.

Hazel's grandfather placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. She struggled for a moment to remember exactly what her father had told her to say.

"Uh… um… what happens when the moon rests on the western sea?"

Terrance convulsed violently and spewed his liquor. "Ppppppht!… Hack!… *cough*…. *wheeze*…. excuse me… aack…. ahem. Sorry 'bout that. Ye just surprised me, that's all." He rose from his seat. "So you're his daughter, eh? Pleasure to meet ye. Well, looks like I need ta' pack a few things. Need ta' find someone ta' watch the bar too. Don't ye worry, I'll be ready in a blink."

"Wait, where are you taking her?" Asked Hazel's grandmother.

"Ta' the foothills and that's all I can say. Any more would be a breakin' ma' oath. Ye, best say ye goodbyes now." Terrance hurried into a back room of the tavern while Hazel turned to her grandparents. She tried to speak but could find no words. Her grandparents were similarly impaired. Instead, they embraced each other.

"Just stay safe for us, ok?" Her grandmother managed to choke out. Her grandfather had a few words as well.

"We didn't know your father for long but he's a good man and has your welfare in mind. If you do meet him one day tell him that we don't blame him for Janet's death. We are proud to call him son-in-law." Despite his kind words Hazel couldn't help but notice he use her mother's name. At home it had been an unspoken rule, their way of coping with her death. To never speak her name aloud. But now, it seemed to have changed. Strangely, it sent a shiver down her spine. It was like they were afraid they'd never see her again. She hoped they were wrong.

A/N: This is the longest chapter I have written for this story so far. I don't think it will become a trend but there was a lot to say in this one. Remember to like and review please!

Ancient Language

Waise heill: Be healed

Sverd kodth brisingr: Sword catch fire=a specific and rather impractical spell. More for show than anything.