Hi! Coffee cup here. It's been awhile since I've updated, but this was a difficult chapter to write. If you see any mistakes, you can pm me. I'll fix it right away. And for those complaining that last chapter was too short, I'm sure this will please you.

Again, I want to thank seifer-sama on DeviantArt to kindly let me borrow her art.

Hudraer, how's my six?

She's getting close. You are lucky she's unable to use magic while concentrating so much in catching up to you. Otherwise, you would be in serious trouble.

Vanyalí didn't dare turn around, but doubled her effort to keep up her speed. She quickly reviewed the kind of magic she could use. If she used her one advantage, her superior knowledge and experience of magic, she could turn the situation around. Against Wyrda's speed and strength, a binding spell would only momentarily work and would drain too much of her energy. There had to be another way…

What if I formed a series of hills? That would slow her down.

Too much energy.

Mmhm. Perhaps you are right. I need something simple, energetically low costing, something that could buy me just half a minute, or about. What if… What if I created and illusion? I could create a vision of another path with a me-ghost that she could see running ahead? I'll make myself invisible and take the right one!

And because she is younger, she's more rash, which makes you think she will not check before following the other you…

And by the time she realizes my strategy…

…You'll have made a considerable headway that she will not be able to make up for.

Yes! Think it might work?

It hinges on a gamble. But if you are right about Wyrda, it might just be what you need to reach the base before her.

She carefully revised the words she needed to formulate de spell exactly like she wanted it. Satisfied with the formulation of her sentence, she said the words and promptly went on with another sentence to make her body reflect light. The only thing left to do was run and hope that her plan would work.

About five minutes later, she felt Svarvok's mind touch hers.

That was a good plan kid, said the Urgal Rider.

I am known to have some. Occasionally, she added.

Wyrda's back on your trail, but you are almost there. Unless the Twin Terrors succeed in wearing down Eragon, I don't expect you to encounter any problems anymore.

Then what are you still doing right up there talking to me? Go help him. The last thing I want is have the combined forces of Ismira and Aiedail and Hrothgar and Mor'ranr after me.

He chuckled and she felt him fly away.

Good luck, Vanyalí

When she finally reached the flag hill, without anymore incident, she took a deep breath and forcefully planted the long flag she had been carrying the whole time. Almost immediately, she saw Wyrda appear at the base of the hill. The Rider smiled and fell to her knees as the others appeared. Her teammates, Svarvok, Valgorv, Eragon, Saphira and Hudraer flew down and engulfed her in a big, comforting hug. Trailing behind, Aiedail and Mor'ranr, carrying their riders, landed right beside them laughing.

Svarvok immediately joined them, the three of them affectionately patting each other's back. She turned back to Eragon, his hand still circling her waist, supporting her tired body, and smiled at him. He grinned back, his other hand coming up to ruffle her hair.

"We did a good job, don't you think?"

"Of course we did, we won after all," she huffed. She softened and continued. "You must be tired. You and Saphira held off two powerful Shur'tugal after all."

"You are one to talk. It looks like you'll drop to the ground if I let go of you," he teased.

Vanyalí's purple iris glared at him and he laughed, knowing she only half meant it. They stayed in that position for a few minutes, and then Eragon grew more serious and became once again the leader they all knew.

"Dragons. Riders. The winner of this game of Capture The Flag is… Team Svarvok!

"I call cheating!" exclaimed Ismira, Hrothgar nodding approvingly beside her. "Uncle, any team having you as a member is a an unfair advantage. I say, we exchange. We give you Wyrda and Nuanen, you give us Saphira and Uncle Eragon, and then we see who wins!"

"Ismira!" Svarvok warned her.

"Svarvok is right, Ismira. This was fair game. We let you choose your teams and you made your choice. Pride is a good thing, until it becomes bigger then you. Concede to your adversaries an honest victory and be content. There will be time to even the score, once we are back on the island."

The redhead visibly deflated. "I was only teasing, you know that, Eragon, "she defended.

"I know," Eragon replied. "But Wyrda has not know you as long as I have. You have to be careful not to hurt her feelings without cause, even if you just meant to tease."

The scolded Rider turned to the young elf and walked towards her and put her arm around her slender shoulders.

"You know what, kid? Despite what you might think, you did wonderfully." She turned to the other Riders. "What do you say, eh? Let's eat in the honour of our newest and promising recruit."

Everyone cheered and settled down the hill, opening saddle pouches filled with bread and fruits. They passed down the appetizing food around and sat down in a circle.

"How are the preparations for the Agate Blödhren coming along?" asked the leader, breaking his loaf of bread.

"Well," Ismira cleared her throat. "The Queen and the Council have everything under control. There were slight issues with housing, but now that it is resolved, they don't see anymore problems."

Eragon nodded. He'd heard about the sheer amount of elves that had migrated to the capital for the event. Even the quiet streets of Ellesméra weren't as quiet and the crystalline sound of the elves' voices could be heard wherever you went.

"However," Eragon's niece continued, "The Council seems to have put other matters on hold. I'll expect more meetings and such after-"

"Hold it!"Eragon interrupted her. "I don't want to hear any more of it. Politics are your affair now."

"Alagaësia politics, more precisely," Ismira added.

"Naturally, yes."

Beside Vanyalí, Wyrda shifted and looked about to say something. Vanyalí nudged her a little and the younger elf found the courage to speak up.

"If I may ask, why don't you involve yourself in politics anymore? It would seem like a logical decision to have the legendary Eragon Kingkiller and Saphira Bjartskular. visit the Kings and Queens of Alagaësia. Certainly it would speed negotiations and such things."

"My time has passed Wyrda. If the people have started to forget the hardship of the war their grandfathers fought a hundred years ago, they haven't forgotten the name of Eragon and Saphira. I am just what you said. A legend. It's time for a new and younger generation of Riders, less jaded, less connected, to take over. The world needs to see that the New Order is slowly expanding."

Her master's answer seemed to please her. Quiet conversations between Dragons and Riders started again while they ate. After some moment, Saphira's voice once again commanded their silence.

Are your gifts all ready for the ceremony tomorrow?

Dragons and Riders all answered at the same time.

"Care to tell Saphira and I what it is? Because I've tried coercing it out of my normally unable to lie apprentice, and found nothing. Now I know the none of the Dragons will give it up, because if a century spent with Saphira has taught me, it's that forcing a Dragon to say something they don't want is an impossible task." He looked around, his gaze piercing each of his Riders. "Which one of you will cave first?" He looked over Ismira, a smirk on her beautiful face. Next to her, Hrothgar returned him a defiant look and Mor'ranr snorted, amused. Sitting against his dragon as red as a ruby, hands crossed on his chest, looking as calm as ever, Eragon knew he was not going to get anything from him, no more than he was going to extract any information from the Terrors. Which left him with only one option.

"Oh no. Don't you dare," the amethyst-eyed Rider slowly stood up. "I know what you are thinking, this is a bad-"

She let out a high pitch, uncharacteristically feminine scream when he lunged towards her. She barely had time to roll out of the way that he was already up, and lunging at her again. This time, she tripped and fell and he gripped her waist, pulling her closer to him. She wriggled half-heartedly to try to get out of his embrace.

Little one, Saphira gently chided him.

Paying her no heed, he mercilessly started tickling Vanyalí who dropped to the ground, laughing uncontrollably. Her weight made him fall down too and before they knew it, both were rolling on the grass trying to pin the other down.

Ismira and Hrothgar started shouting, taking Vanyalí's side, while Aiedail and Mor'ranr closed their eyes, bored at their antics. Wyrda and Nuanen laughed at their master's childish ways. All of them too engrossed in the fight, only Saphira sensed the approaching visitors.

Eragon! She warned him.

Don't be such a killjoy. I've almost got her!

Eragon, I'm serious, this is…

"Oh. I've come at a bad time."

Immediately recognizing Arya's voice, Eragon struggled to disentangle himself from Vanyalí. He stood up, handing out a hand to his young comrade whose face was rapidly gaining in colour.

"Atra esterní ono thelduin, Arya Dröttning, to what do we owe the pleasure?" asked Svarvok.

"Atra du evarínya ono varda, Svarvok Shur'tugal," she answered by the force of habit, her eyes not leaving Eragon.

Eragon was grateful for the fast intervention of the Urgal. He felt a surge of pride at his attitude, the way he handled the situation rapidly and calmly.

"Well I was," she cleared her throat. "I mean, Fírnen went looking for Saphira and since I didn't have any meetings today, I thought I would accompany him. But Eragon never told me you were doing some activities together…"

Tall and proud, her long dark mane unrestrained by her usual tiara, she looked freer than he'd seen her look since her arrived in Ellesméra. More like the Arya he used to know.

"We have finished training together, but we would be honoured if you would join us and eat our humble meal."

Her manners, so deeply ingrained in her being, forced her delicate lips into a polite smile. "Your offer is kind, but it is one I will unfortunately have to decline, for I have already eaten."

Fírnen emitted a disapproving low growl before flying away behind his majestic blue mate.

We'll be back at sundown, Saphira reassured.

Are you going to work on this mysterious gift you've mentioned last night?

Yes, and that's all I'll say. Take care, Little One.

Eragon finished his conversation with Saphira in time to see emerald irises flashing in anger at the retreating for of the two dragons. Her fist tightened for half a second before her tense shoulders dropped.

"It appears I have been less than courteous in my answer. Rider Svarvok, your invitation is very generous, as I said before but truthfully, the nearness of the celebration has me nervous. I would be very poor company. "

Vanyalí elbowed her leader in the ribs with enough strength to make him yelp and urge d him into action. "Then let me escort you back."

She considered his offer. "Yes, that would please me. I have a matter to discuss with you, as it just happens." Turning back, her long hair catching in the wind, she disappeared into the woods.

"What was it you wanted to discuss? he asked once he caught up to her.

"There is nothing to discuss," she replied, not breaking stride.

"I thought…You said…" The confused look he threw her made her smile.

You looked uncomfortable, being teased because of me, so I decided to rescue you. And you cornered me. Even the Queen cannot refuse a request from the leader of the Riders."

Near her house, they found a large tree with sprawling branches overcasting appreciated shadows in midday sun. They sat down and Eragon pulled a flask of water out of his belt. He took a swig of it and offered her the rest.

"Have you finished your gift?" she inquired, fiddling with the bottle in her hand.

"I have… sort of."

"Are you ready to tell me?"

"No. You'll have to wait. I'd much rather it be a surprise. Beside, if you don't like it, I might lose all courage," he teased her.

"I will tell you review afterward then."

Eragon didn't say anything, avoided her eyes. "That will not be possible."

"You are leaving." It was less of a question as it was a statement. "I feel like I'm in a temporal loop. Right back at the beginning. Is that all we'll ever do? Be friends for a few days of a hundred years? Spend the century in between ignoring each other?" Her voice broke. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I did not mean that."

"Arya," he said softly.

She shook her head. "Come. Let's not spend your last few days bickering over things we cannot change."

She offered her hand to help him up. "That sounds like a good plan."

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