I'm sorry it took so long I'vebeen sick and distracted I'm so so so so sorry!! Please no hate me and enjoy the chapter I have posted!

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Chapter11…Edda River

Sala groan inwardly as she slipped of Valinor's back, her thighs ached horribly. They hadn't had chance to heal fully when they had taken off two days ago, they had flying and riding fast not wanting to be seen by any foreign eyes that could get the word back to Galbatorix. Eragon had caught her many times as she stumbled when getting off Valinor, this time was no exception; he caught her by the crook of her arm as she stumbled across the uneven ground. The boots that Eragon had given her were a size to big which made it awkward to walk, but provided her relief against the harsh stones of the ground. She knew the dwarf man did not approve of her, she could see it on his face that he didn't believe that a woman had the nerve to be a Rider, Sala lifted her gaze to his and he immediately diverted hi gaze to the sky, examining it with great interest. Ayra walked over silently, Sala was always blown away by the grace that she walked with.

"Sala come with me." She said in an emotionless voice.

Sala did not disobey; instead she hobbled after Ayra trying not to slow the elf woman down. Ayra led her around to Valinor's side where they were both hidden from sight of Eragon and the dwarf, Ayra pulled the rough blanket from under her arm and laid it down.

"Lie down I must exam the wounds on your thighs, I fear that they may have reopened again." She said gently.

Sala looked around in embarrassment and nodded slightly, Sala winced as she sat down on the blanket. Valinor reassured her that no unwanted eyes would see her this way, Ayra motioned for her to lie down. Sala lowered her head, and nodded, Sala slid down until her back pressed against the ground. Sala fought against the embarrassment she felt as Ayra rolled up the dress, Ayra's eyes widened suddenly and she looked at Sala.

"Stay where you are." She said as she stood.

Sala stayed where she was, she shivered when a small breeze blew across her exposed legs. Ayra returned. Her face blank, but Sala could see sympathy in her eyes. She crouched down at Sala's side and untied the bandages silently, as the bandages came away Sala saw that the bandages where heavy with her blood. Sala's eyes widened, she hadn't known she bled that much.

"I-I'm sorry…I did not mean to ruin the dress…" Sala stammered out.

Ayra looked at her hard. "I will clean it, would you like me to?"

"I…I ca not repay your kindness…" Sala murmured.

Ayra was silent as she gathered up the blood stained bandages, Ayra examined the wounds and nodded curtly and positioned her hands over her left thigh and spoke the ancient words of healing.

"Waise heill." Ayra said softly.

Ayra came from behind Valinor, in her left hand she clutched the bloody bandages and in the other she had draped the dress Sala had been wearing. Eragon blinked looking towards the silver dragon that curled protectively around his rider.

"Eragon…Start a fire." Ayra said brusquely.

"Oi, what're those?" Orik asked, his eyes locked on the bloody bandages.

"These are the dressings from Sala's wounds, her dress s stained as well as the saddle." Ayra said as Eragon made flames leap into a small pile of dead leaves.

Orik's eyes widened. "Why didn't she say anything? We would have stopped!" Orik said getting to his feet, he looked over at the saddle and saw one blood stain.

"She did not to hold us back, we do not have a lot of time…Galbatorix is amassing an army…Now we have a chance to even the odds out, we have two Rider's as they do." Ayra paused to throw the dressings into the fire. "Sala has accepted this fact and has agreed to keep or pace, no matter the infliction her." Ayra said in finality as she strode away from Eragon and Orik.

Eragon and Orik said nothing for a few minutes. "…She never complained, even when she was in pain…" Orik murmured.

Ayra came back a half an hour later with the dress cleaned; after Ayra came they had a light supper of fruits and vegetables. Sala joined them later walking silently over to them she sat down next to the fire. Eragon offered Sala some of the food; she took it graciously bowing her head slightly in thanks. They ate silently, Orik's eyes kept flicking towards her, and finally with a heavy sigh he asked the question.

"Sala…Why didn't you say anything, I mean you could have at least complained a bit." Orik said.

Sala looked at him blue eyes wide. "I just didn't want to be a burden…I thought I was helping." Sala said directing her gaze to her knees.

Orik stared at her, and then he couldn't help himself he burst out laughing. It was a deep and rumbling noise. Sala was startled had she said something amusing? A small smile crept on to her lips; she started to laugh as well, ethereal and gentle. Before long Eragon joined in as Ayra smiled softly. Valinor and Saphira lumbered over growling deep in their large chests. The only strange thing about this was they had no clue why they were laughing. Before long the ice between Sala and Orik had melted.

The morning air was chilly, but pleasant as the powerful beats of Valinor's wings echoed through Sala. Valinor was enjoying himself; he tilted his body to the left and spiraled sharply. At one point Sala laughed out loud. Sala could finally fly confidently; Valinor snapped upwards and broke through the clouds. Valinor zealously pumped his wings speeding forward.

'I'm going to lean!' Valinor cried exuberantly.

'Yes!' Sala replied breathlessly.

Valinor leaned letting the tip of his wing skim the clouds, Sala felt her hair shift and blow back. It didn't bother her, she closed her eyes and let the air howl and blow against her, Valinor had been right, flying was like nothing she had experienced, it was ineffable. When Valinor had worked the energy out of himself the settled in to flight right next to Saphira, Ayra was visible below them. The white stallion below them was racing along the terrain below them was starting to change drastically, it becoming lusher. Trees with thick trunks grew together in communities, mingling with different kinds of shrubbery and flowers and grasses. Sala leaned over; she had never seen such a beautiful forest. The terrain was so alien to her but that didn't matter she wanted to wander and examine all the odd plants she had never seen, watch the animals go about their daily life. Eragon looked over and smiled softly, he was remembering when had seen the forest he had been awed and was curious as she was.

Ayra stopped below them and the two Riders's and dwarf descended to the ground, they had traveled for two weeks, and through out the course of this time Sala had revealed what she had gone through when she lived in Therinsford, her daily chores, how she discovered Valinor's. They were all particularly interested in that, Ayra could not understand how that egg had been discarded and hidden so intricately, Valinor seemed to know more than he was sharing at the moment, but Sala knew all would be revealed in good time.

Valinor and Saphira landed as Ayra dismounted the hors placed a hand on its side and said a quick stream of words and the horse whinnied and cantered off into the forest. They stood before the open maw of an amazing forest. Eragon talked with Ayra quietly, something about taking the river, and Ayra nodded.

Ayra took the lead they walked for a long time, but no one complained. Everyone was on there toes ready to defend without hesitation. Sala suddenly gasped, Eragon turned towards her.

"What is wrong?" He asked.

"My bow and arrows! I don't know what happened to them!" Sala said in a startled voice.

Eragon grinned and shook his head, he jogged quickly towards Saphira's saddle bags, and they had stopped for a rest and to quench their thirst. Valinor chuckled in her mind, and Sala frowned up at him. Eragon came back and handed her a familiar quiver and bow, Sala sighed taking them from his hands.

"That string is very strong; the bow is sturdy as well." Eragon commented, as she slid the quiver strap over shoulder.

"Yes…It was the only possession I had when I awoke…It's the only thing that's really mine." Sala said tracing the small paw print carved into the dark wood.

"Let's be off…We are almost there…" Ayra said.

They set off at a brisk pace, the sun was starting to set and they needed to get to their destination before night fall. By the time the sun was just a sliver on the horizon, they saw lamps lit up ahead, and Sala could hear the rushing of a strong river up ahead. As they approached, Sala fell back behind the group as did Valinor, it was best not to make enemies with who ever was waiting. As Sala neared, audible gasps were heard as the fire caught Valinor's scales and danced across the encampment.

There was a small group of Elfish people stood gawking in sheer shock; they had only expected one Rider to return not two. Sala bowed low, Ayra had given her a brief explanation of rules to follow talking to her people. Sala did all signs of respect before speaking.

"I humbly thank you for the honor of meeting the ancient people. I aspire to train as hard as I'm able to help destroy the threat that constantly haunts these lands...Please assist me in my quest." Sala spoke with true sincerity

The Elves stared and Ayra grew concerned. The elves fell to one knee bowing their heads hands over there sternum and spoke in unison. "Argetlam!"

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