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Fanfic----A New Hope

Chapter Ten----A New way of life. Temporarily.

Illera woke up, Amira near the center of the room. She sat up and saw a letter in flowing script on the nightstand, next to a tray of fruits. Opening the letter, she read that all Riders were to meet with Islanzadi, Orik, and Arya in Tialdarí Hall. I wonder what they want us to do… Picking up a peach and biting into it, she selected black leggings and a white shirt and put them on. She finished the peach and knocked on Eragon's door to ask him where to go. He opened the door, Ryan and Arya inside. They greeted her, and walked towards Tialdarí Hall. When they reached the Hall, Islanzadi stood there, looking the tiniest bit worried.

"Tell your dragons to fly to a clearing." She sent the image into the Riders' minds. It was far, away from the hustle and bustle of Ellesmera. They followed the Queen, who strode through the woods confidently, as if it was her second home. She stopped in the clearing, the dragons waiting expectantly. They waited…and waited. Suddenly, the trees bent in the sudden wind, and two mighty THUDs resounded. A huge golden dragon landed, with an elf on its back. Eragon knelt, followed by Illera, and then Ryan.

"Astra Esterni ono thelduin," was repeated three times. Then "Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr," was directed to all of them. "Un du evarinya ono varda," was said.

"Riders, rise. You do me a great honor by speaking first."

He turned to Eragon and raised an eyebrow. "I thought there was only one new Rider, you yourself Shadeslayer."

"We shall tell you our separate stories later."

The elf nodded.

"You knew?!?" Islanzadi cried out. "You knew that Eragon had become a Rider, that Arya was not dead, you knew and did not tell me!?"

Oromis inclined his head. "I was withholding that information from you, because you should have already known. It is your duty to scry the land. You did not."

Islanzadi sighed. "Very well. Now go and train these Riders, so that we may usurp the wicked King."

Islanzadi and Arya stood silently, as the Riders mounted their dragons, and Ryan rode on Saphira. Four dragons took off, and landed after a slight ride, near a hut. The Riders dismounted and Oromis sat on a rock. He beckoned them to sit, and tell him their stories, starting with Eragon. The elf nodded once in awhile, showing he understood. Then it was Illera's turn. Oromis' eyes widened, as e was told there had been one last egg on Vroengard.

"If only I had checked!" Illera continued with the story, stopping with the arrival at Ellesmera. Ryan just said he touched Spitfire's egg, he had hatched and they had come to Ellesmera. Oromis nodded.

"I must know your abilities, though I understand Ryan has had no training, is that correct?"

Ryan nodded, slightly embarrassed.

"No matter, today the dragons shall be tested, and Illera and Eragon shall be as well. Eragon shall be first."

Ryan, Amira, Spitfire, and Illera sat and watched, as Eragon was put through a complex test, ranging from handling magic to his flexibility. Finally, Oromis stopped the test.

"I expected Brom to be able to teach you a little more, but that could not be helps, with his death. Illera, I know you have completed your training under the Red Rider. Afterwards, I must ask some questions regarding the use of magic."

Illera nodded, and was tested on the same test, but she used much less effort. Eragon watched, awed, as she completed what he had struggled for. Oromis sat, astounded, and pondered.

"How do you use the magic?"

She replied that she had combined words into phrases that weren't thought of using before. It had used little energy, and yet still did what she wanted.

Oromis nodded, and said, "Do you three have swords?"

Illera said she did, Eragon and Ryan shook their heads. "Murtagh took Zar'roc, at the battle of the Burning Plains."

"I was not trained in swordplay."

Oromis turned towards Glaedr. "Glaedr shall take the dragons, and test them as well."

The Riders murmured their consent.

"Illera let me see your sword."

She drew Freedom, and handed it hilt-first to Oromis, and he examined it.

"It is a good sword, yet not fit for a Rider. We shall see to this issue immediately."

They followed Oromis back to Tialdarí Hall, to see the Queen. The elven guards bowed to each of them, and murmured "Argetlam." Oromis led the way into the throne room, where Islanzadi was talking to Arya.

"Riders! Why are you here?" she asked.

Oromis answered her, "The Riders are in need of blades, blades fit for Riders. I understand that the maker of all other Riders' swords, Rhunon, has taken a vow not to make anymore, yet they are still in need of swords. I propose that you let it be known these Argetlam need blades, and have a contest of skill. Let all the smiths in the land come; they shall have a time limit of two weeks to forge a blade as fine as they can. Then, a judge will select the finest, and that smith shall create three blades; one emerald green, another a sapphire blue, and the last an amethyst purple. Hurry, for I fear they shall need them soon."

Islanzadi nodded, in thought.

"Mother," Arya interjected, "I would like to be the judge."

The Queen allowed it, and said, "I shall send out notices to all elven cities immediately. They shall arrive in…a month at the most."

The four Riders bowed.

"Then we take our leave." Oromis said with a note of finality.

They walked back to Oromis' hut, to find the dragons waiting. The elf looked up at Glaedr, and he turned back to the others.

"Glaedr says that Saphira and Amira are talented, Amira has the strength of stamina while Saphira has the power of swiftness. Spitfire, while not yet old or big enough, is quite promising." Oromis concluded. They nodded.

"Your training ends for today." They bowed, and went back to their rooms. Food was waiting where it had been in the morning, and Illera consumed a slice of bread. She took a bowl, and filling it with water, whispered, "Draumr kopa."

The bowl changed its image to Murtagh. He lay unconscious, in the room where she had first met him. The room where he had almost given up on life. Galbatorix stood his back to her. She heard a sickening crack, and Murtagh twitched in agony.

She watched helpless, longing to help him but couldn't. Illera watched as Galbatorix branded the Empire's symbol, a flying black dragon, onto his back, over his scar. Murtagh buckled, and dropped onto his side. Galbatorix laughed cruelly.

"Do not defy me again," and left.

Illera released the magic, wanting to kill. Amira?! Did you see that?! Yes little one. I hurt for him, and for you. Amira, I must fly to Uru'baen. Now. Little one! It is not wise! I don't care. Fine. We should be back very late if we go now. It was 5:20.

Illera scrambled up onto Amira's back, grabbing her sword. Amira jumped out of the room, and flew, flew, and flew. Illera struggled constantly, for holding the energy to bind the wind to Amira's wings had almost caused her to black out. Finally, hours later, Amira hovered outside Illera's old room. She was fatigued. Breaking the glass, Illera crept inside, almost completely overwhelmed by her exhaustion of carrying the wind. No one was there. She filed another bowl with water.

"Draumr kopa." He was on his bed, carried there by guards. She put an invisibility spell on her, checked her wards, and for guards outside. One man. Illera opened the door and muttered, "Slytha." He crumpled to the ground. She slipped inside Murtagh's room, and undid the spell. She walked towards the bed anxiously. Illera shuddered at the sight of the brand. I've been gone for far too long...

"Waise Heill!" she murmured. He shuddered and twitched open an eye.

"Illera?!" he rasped incredulously. "Must be dreaming…"

Illera's heart ached. "Murtagh, I'm here."

He tried to sit up, but cringed.

"Don't move, I'm not done healing." She finished her healing in about ten minutes, and imbued him with her energy. Amira, help me with this spell please! She added Amira's energy. She stopped, and shook him gently awake.

He sat up. "Illera, how… are you here?! You have to leave!"

She sat down next to him. "I scryed you, and saw…this." Her hand traced the brand. "I flew here. Amira I expect is with Thorn."

"You flew here, just to heal me? With these risks?!"

"Murtagh, I can take care of myself. Galbatorix is drunk; I felt his conscience drinking his heart out. And…it was worth the flight. To see you."

Murtagh hugged her, breathing in her scent. "I've missed you…"

She smiled sadly. "You have no idea." She checked the time; a few hours to midnight. "I can stay a bit. I'm going to be in Ellesmera for training for awhile. You won't be able to scry me."

He didn't reply, just kissed her hard. Mmm… He felt similar emotions coming from Thorn. Thorn?! Amira is beautiful…Murtagh laughed inwardly and broke the kiss.

"Our dragons….did you know about them?"

She laughed. "No, but I suspected something."

She leaned in for another kiss, and he tugged gently on her shirt, a question in his eyes. She shook her head.

"As much as I'd love to…I don't think I have that much time."

He nodded, understanding. "Is there anything you need to tell me? Before we….stop talking?"

A smile tugged at her lips. "Mmm, I don't think so."

"Good."

He ran his hand down her body. God she is so perfect. Illera ran her hands down his bare chest and he groaned.

"Illera…"

"Ok, I'll stop."

"No, don't. But…it's only eight."

"Yes, but I'll be so exhausted I won't be able to fly back."

"Fine…but then that means I can torture you."

"Mhm…try."

With an evil glint in his eye, he asked, "Are you sure?"

She snorted. "You look really sinister when you do that…"

"I take that as a yes."

He caressed her, kissed her, and pulled her to him.

"Murtagh…"

He found a sensitive spot on her neck, and sucked on her skin.

"AH! Murtagh!" he smiled. "You know what…forget what I said."

Afterward, she murmured, "I love you," with a strange look in her eyes.

"I love you too."

She glanced back one more time, and said a final goodbye. Jumping onto Amira's back, her hair flying behind her in the wind, tears streamed down her face. They flew in silence for the two hours, each struggling the way they had come, but lost in their own thoughts. Illera's tears dried and she made sure no one could tell she had been crying. Amira flew into her room, exhausted. It was late, 11:40. She stripped of her clothes, bathed and changed into a soft fabric. She flopped onto her bed and fell asleep.

Spottedstar1106: haha thanks!

Elfy14: Lol. Thanks

EragonPeep:

Wise Pallas Athena: Yes, it's a mix of the un-released book and Eldest, sorry for any confusion

My-Lover-Gren-Gren: wow…you and EragonPeep are….insane…in a good way!