Ok guys, I guess I'm losing a bit of steam here, but I'm going to keep trudging on I'll probably start a new story at some point and keep going with both (my idea for the other story is epic :D) but for now I'm going to focus on this one as much as I can without losing focus on school. SO, here goes!

Eragon was nervous. He paced the hallway, regardless of what the elves would think. He twiddled his thumbs, ran his hands through his hair, and watched every movement that he saw.

He always got nervous around the Trial of the Island.

Saphira, a now living giant, lay in the hallway next to his endless path that he walked. Calm down. She'll be fine. There's nothing to-

There's everything to worry about! Eragon threw his hands up in despair. What if she's not ready? She's only had a year here. I know that's when they all have to pass the trial, and she's advanced as quick as can be expected, but what if something happens? Not only would I lose both a great pupil AND a dragon, but it would be possible that the sword of the most important and honored Dragon rider in history, my namesake, might be lost forever! What if she forgets to buckle her saddle belt under Evarínya, or falls on her sword, now wouldn't that be ironic…

Saphira snorted. These were the usual questions that Eragon asked, however irrational and impossible they were. And what if the sky opens up and comets fall and strike her off her dragon? Or if an earthquake releases a sea of flying Nidwhal?

Eragon calmed down for a moment. I know, I know. I'm being irrational. The trial isn't what's bothering me the most though. It's this new rebel group of magicians, and that shade. I'm just worried that something might happen to…

Eragon simply gave her a look. He didn't need to tell Saphira for her to know who he was talking about. She was on his mind a lot.

Saphira gently thought, I know, but she will be fine. Whoever attempted to try anything would need the very winds of earth to be on their side if they were to succeed in harming Arya.

Eragon sighed. I know. I just wish there was something I could do to help her… but my students need me.

Saphira nodded. So they do. Especially Lisa, know that the Trial of the Island is upon her. Try to focus on the task at hand. We must prepare ourselves for the Ceremony of Sending Out, and either her return… or her death.

Strangely enough, Lisa was the calm one of the two, but instead of nervousness, Evarínya was showing signs of one thing only- Pure, ecstatic joy.

This is it! Evarínya gave a small roar, which reverberated around their room like rolls of thunder. We finally can prove ourselves! No more being treated as hatchlings! No more staying at the fort while the others go hunting! We made it! She stamped the ground with her paw defiantly, as if challenging the very world around her.

Lisa tried to focus on packing and getting ready for the trial, but it was difficult with Evarínya's constant joy rushing across their connection. She was slightly nervous, but mostly focused on the task ahead. While she packed, she reviewed all that she could remember about navigation, swordsmanship, flight maneuvers, and everything else. Then she turned her attention to her sword, Fyrstr. With caution she gently polished its hilt, pommel, blade, and crosstrees, polishing it so bright that it almost hurt to look at it. Then she polished her armor and her shield, and finally strung and tested her bow.

She would need everything she owned for the task ahead.

Suddenly, as if from the very depths of earth, a deep, ominous, rumbling blow sounded from Hrothgar's Horn, a gift from the dwarves, carved from a monster of stone, and inlaid with jewels patterned to a likeness of Saphira.

Lisa pushed open the door to the flight deck, and, followed by Evarínya, who held her head high, walked slowly into the midst of the crowd. It was made up of the elves who came with Eragon, but the majority of it was made up of the Eldunarí. Hundreds of them sat on wooden pedestals, and they lined the flight deck. Together they formed a path to the end of the flight deck, where Eragon sat on top of a half pyramid, with Eldunarí surrounding him on the pyramid and Saphira towering above it, and at the bottom sat the other three Rider students and their dragons. Alden nodded at her, and she nodded back, but kept walking, focused on making it to the pyramid without Evarínya running her down to get there. As she finally rested to a stop before it, with Evarínya's head looming above her, Eragon stood. For the benefit of everyone listening, he spoke both with his mind and his mouth.

"Lisa Larasdaughter, And Evarínya Verdasdaughter. The time has come for you to be tested."

Lisa glanced up at Evarínya. Still as ecstatic as ever.

"You will be sent from us into the wild of this Island, the place of your upbringing, to a series of challenges. Fail these, and you will not return. IF there are any who oppose this Sending, speak now."

Lisa glanced at Kvikhlan. She wondered if he was still sore about her preventing him from killing Narbog. She expected him to speak, but he held his silence.

He thinks we will fail, Lisa thought.

Evarínya growled lightly. Let us prove him wrong. Lisa nodded.

Then the elves began chanting in the Ancient Language, and Lisa, taking her clue, climbed onto Evarínya's saddle and strapped herself in.

Eragon said loudly, "Do you accept these challenges?"

Lisa and Evarínya both said, We do.

Eragon nodded. "Are we agreed that Lisa Larasdaughter and Evarínya Verdasdaughter are ready for this challenge?"

Everyone present said, We are, making it feel as if the very ground shook due to the force of their proclamation.

Eragon lifted his arms and said, "Then let it begin."

All the dragons lifted their heads and roared, then dipped them slightly and shot huge flames of fire into the night. Suddenly, by a work of magic, the pyramid split, exposing the night behind it.

Evarínya threw herself forward, and just before it seemed as if they would run off the edge of the deck, she jumped, and thrust her wings downward, propelling them forward.

Lisa reached out into her hand and waited. Suddenly, the map outlining where her challenges were on the island appeared, and she clutched it tightly. Opening it, she saw that their first challenge was on the top of the mountain, Mount Brisingr. Letting Evarínya know, she leaned forward in anticipation, letting all her held back enthusiasm rush forward.

The Trial of the Island was underway.

Ok, so perhaps Eragon freaking out was a bit unrealistic, but I felt it made the story better. Thanks for reading, and hit that review button for me! It makes my day :D