Hello! Been ages, I know. Don't be angry... especially you over there. In my defense I lost interest for a while. Got to try other things man! La vida Loca. Turns out the other things weren't that good so i came back.

Be lenient while i try to get back in the swing of things.

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The stunning image of Izlanzadi appeared, clear and regal upon the mirror's surface.

Now Eragon, Jormundur, Orrin, Orik, and Arya stood to attendance before the terrible empress of the wooded realms. The Queen's face was taut and grim as she spoke. "'Tis good to see you well, my daughter... you too Eragon... Orik." Her eyes ferreted out the King of Surda and the leader of the Varden. "We've yet to meet. I am Izlanzadi. You are allies, thus I offer you cordial greeting. I am afraid, however, pleasantries are to my distaste. Have you ought of importance to say?" She asked, her sharp brow arching.

Both Jormundur and Orrin stood halfway between awkward bows and indecipherable words. Finally Orrin gathered himself enough to say, "Not us, your majesty, but..." He gestured toward Arya and Eragon.

It was at this point that Arya said, "Mother, something amazing has happened. Something that may lend us the weight needed to tip the scale of our fortunes."

Izlanzadi parted her hands expectantly, "Indeed? Well, don't hesitated. Show me!"

Arya turned and knelt. She pulled from a linen bag the egg, keeping it concealed from view. Then she stood and, with excitement evident perhaps only to Eragon, presented the webbed green stone to the mirror.

The Queen's beautiful eyes widened. Her lips reached for words beyond her grasp. She made forward as if to grab the egg, then she hesitated. She held up a finger and retreated from the mirror's view.

Arya frowned. She lowered her hands, egg cradled in her arms. Eragon took the moment to view the scene in which Izlanzadi had been standing. It looked like the inside of a thicket. Brambled vines and branches twisted and weaved into rough walls. A single chair sat half out of frame, knotted and leafy.

Then Izlanzadi returned with a silver haired male elf who's face was scarred. The blemish on his face was worn as a medal; he could have removed it had he wanted. Izlanzadi addressed Arya, "Show him." Her voice was cool, demanding. When Arya looked questioningly at the scarred elf, Izlanzadi sighed, "Faedr is an expert on curses and magical devices such as traps and other hidden threats. Now if you would please do as I ask." Her dexterous hand cycled in the air.

Arya once again held aloft the emerald egg. The light behind seemed to render it translucent. Each vein pulsed and shimmered within it's casing. Faedr moved closer, his eyes narrowing. He uttered a few words in the ancient language. Nothing happened. The silver haired elf then stepped back and said something quietly in Izlanzadi's ear, who's eyes remained firmly fixed on the image before her. Faedr left the view of the frame.

Izlanzadi spoke, "At such a distance he cannot adequately tell what wards have been placed on the object, or if it is even what we believe it is and not a decoy." Her gaze fixed on Arya. "The egg must be brought here, to me in Gil'ead."

Arya's eyes widened, "It would be unwise to transport the egg at this moment. Surely spies are watching the area between us and you."

Izlanzadi clasped her hands. "That is why you must have the appropriate protection. Have a few of Eragon's guards accompany you into the south through Surda, then east into the desert. From there we will have sent further spell casters to ensure your safety to Gil'ead."

"Me?" asked Arya flintily, "I am needed here at the Varden, as are Eragon's guards. You will have to wait for the egg."

An awkward silence pervaded the room. Eragon watched intently as Izlanzadi's face contorted with restrained fury. She then seemed to calm herself. A strange smile lit her face, though her eyes remained cold. "You would defy your Monarch and Mother again?" Her smile deepened. "Or perhaps I am no longer your Monarch."

Arya looked taken aback. "Mother, if you have something personal you wish to discuss, now is not the time." She gestured to the others in the room.

The elven Queen's eyes gazed dreamily beyond Arya. "It isn't the time..." Then she shook as if she'd received a sudden shock. "The egg will be brought to me- as will the tale of how you came to receive it- or you renounce your people, and your Mother."

Arya's mouth dropped a little, "Why say you that?"

The smile once again spread across Izlanzadi's face. Her lips stretched to the very edge of sincerity. "I say it because I cannot have you disobeying my orders at your whims. My word must be law. Now, what say you?"

Arya hesitated, then glanced at Eragon. She wants control of the egg. The elves would not have another human rider...

Eragon was caught a bit off guard. He tried not to let his expression betray him. She would risk your life, and the dragon egg?

She's done it before.

What can we do?

Do I have a choice?

Before Eragon could reply, Arya turned her attention back on her mother. "The egg will be brought to Gil'ead. I will do as you ask."

Izlanzadi was clearly pleased. The tight lines that creased her mouth and brow eased as she said, "Good. I'm glad you have not forgotten your roots."

Arya merely nodded, her eyes pointed down. The image of Izlanzadi wavered and finally diminished into nothing. When the Queen had disappeared Orik huffed, "This is ridiculous! Galbatorix will surely capture you and reattain the egg!"

Jormundur turned. "I agree. Now is the worst possible time to try and move the egg."

Eragon spotted a glint in Arya's eye that made him wonder. He understood her emotion. "You have no intention of leaving the Varden."

She smiled suddenly at Eragon. "No." Then she repositioned herself so that she faced all of them. "Every race has it's faults and the elves are no exception. Discrimination still festers in the heart of the Fair Race and shall continue to do so for years to come." She gestured at Eragon. "A sentiment I do not share."

Orrin asked, "But what about the Queen? She will not be happy and the Varden can't risk their alliance with the elves."

A determination burned in Arya's eyes as she looked at him. "I will talk to her on my own time. Her threats are empty; do not fear for our cause."

Orik tugged on his beard, running his fingers down each braid. Then he said, "A risky game you play Arya, and I like it!"

Eragon asked, "What will we do with the egg? We need it to hatch, but exposing it might make it vulnerable to both petty thieves and those of a more insidious nature."

Arya replied, "For now, we will expose it only to those whom we can trust, then if the need becomes dire I will present it to the rest of the Varden." A hint of uncertainty tainted her voice. Eragon picked up on it but did not inquire.

When a silence began to creep Eragon said to Jormundur and Orrin, "I thought you would be angry that we left without telling you."

Orrin laughed, "Normally we would have been! In light of what you have returned with, we can hardly complain."

With a scowl Jormundur said, "I'm still not over impressed." Then he too laughed.

Orik pulled a pipe from his pocket and began to wipe the mouthpiece with a cloth, then he eyed Arya. "If you don't plan on returning the egg to your people, how will we purify it?"

Arya's slim frame leaned against her desk as she replied, "My abilities are competent enough. With the help of Blodhgarm, I am confident it will take only a few days to remove any harmful spells."

"Speaking of Blodhgarm; do my guards know I'm back?"

"Yes," Arya answered, "I alerted them after we arrived."

The group fell quiet again.

Then Orrin's booming voice jarred the quiet. "Well! What a night! And here I was expecting little more excitement than a dance with a pretty maid. However I must retire. My limbs grow heavy and dawn will come much to soon. Good night fellow strugglers." With that he was out the door, closing it heavily.

Jormundur followed closely behind, muttering similar goodbyes. Then Orik clapped and spun to Eragon and Arya. "Good friends! I may not be as outspoken as Orrin, but perhaps my company will suffice. Who wishes to share a couple pints of the strongest ale with me?"

Eragon laughed and rested a hand on Orik's shoulder, "Good friend, I love you, however nothing sounds worse at the moment. What I need is a good snuggle next to a cozy, giant fire breathing lizard."

Im not so drunk, I can still hear you! Saphira warned.

I know.

A humph was her only reply.

Orik laughed, "Fair enough, fair enough. Humans are lightweight drinkers anyway, even if they are riders." Then his merry gaze caught Arya's.

She smiled. "Perhaps another time, but tonight, I think, you are on your own Orik. I'm sorry."

Orik swatted the empty air. "Ah! A bunch of kill joys. You wouldn't last two minutes as dwarves. Now I must go find some no good, dirty drunk to spend my night singing and drinking with."

"You could go to sleep," Eragon suggested.

As he left, Orik shouted over his shoulder, "Wouldn't do, Eragon, just wouldn't do!"

The door closed with a thud. Eragon stood with an empty mind and sore eyes. Then Arya shifted next to him. He started, "I'm sorry, I forgot this was your room."

She picked up the egg and placed it inside a case which she lifted and held out. "Don't be," she said, "perhaps, however, you should take the egg."

"Me? Why?"

"You are the last free dragon rider, is it not your right?"

Eragon didn't understand... unless... "It isn't really a question of who's right it is. Why do you not want it?"

Arya lowered her arms and placed the case on the bed. "I would have it. I just thought..." Her voice trailed of uncertainly.

She is afraid of the responsibility, he realized. "You keep it. I know why you hesitate."

She looked up with bold and large eyes. "Do you?" She asked. "Do you really?"

"You feel you failed Saphira? You did not keep her safe."

Arya nodded. "I did fail, she was lost."

Eragon shook his head. "No. She was not. She was with me."

"But I knew not! She could have just as easily been in Galbatorix's hands."

Eragon took a step closer, "Do you believe in wyrda Arya? I know you do."

She nodded.

"Then you know that it was meant to be. You are destined to keep this egg safe now. 'Ifs' and 'could haves' are empty notions, and you know it." He removed the egg from the case and offered it to her. "Take it," he said.

Arya hesitated, then she slowly reached out and grasped the egg, the cuff of her sleeve brushing Eragon's wrist. She held the egg up. "Thank you."

Eragon nodded then said, "Now put it back in the case."

Arya laughed, then a slight frown took her as she returned the egg to the box. She brushed a strand of fallen hair behind her pointed ear and said, "Goodnight."

Eragon inclined his head and repeated, "Goodnight."