Chapter 13: Lifaen

For the course of four days traveling to the elven city-outpost Ceris, Marie had fallen into a depression. Oropher didn't know what to do with her. Eragon ignore her and the dwarves, for reasons of their own wouldn't speak to her. Only Arya and Oropher seemed to be of some consideration but the elf could not get farther into the situation after what Marie had seen that night.

Marie sat on Cadoc's back, a shield that kept Oropher out, as she was lost in her own sad thoughts.

Eragon stared hard at Snowfire's main as they traveled.

Eragon…talk to her, Saphira urged.

And what? Eragon demanded. Take back everything I said? I think my life…should be with someone more suitable. Like Arya.

Angry and disbelieving feelings shot from Saphira and he could her faintly growling behind the group. Marie is more suitable for you than Arya. She is your age! She isn't an elf but a Rider and is going through the same things as you! There has never been a more fit match.

But Marie acts-

Her age. Like the stubborn way you are acting right now. You cannot accuse her of being immature since everything you are saying reflects that, Saphira countered.

Eragon sighed and looked lower. I'm confused now, Saphira. I don't know what to think…I don't know what I feel.

Time, little one, time. Saphira said, her voice coaxing Eragon.

But still, neither Rider spoke to each other for the course of the day. Marie did, however speak to Oropher and welcomed in his presence.

You should not do that, Oropher said when he entered her mind again. It reminds me so much of that lonely time without you.

Marie stifled a sob and pulled Cadoc around to ride next to the dragon. Oropher lowered his head down to her level and she touched his face. Aye, I remembered it as well and it brought back horrible memories. I won't leave you anymore, Oropher.

Good. Now tell me what has distressed you, Oropher said, a hum rising from his body that calmed the Rider and even Cadoc enough where the horse could walk with ease next to the dragon.

Eragon…has said he does not wish for a relationship between us…even after we can put our duties aside, Marie said, her mental voice cracking.

I do not know what to say in comfort. Eragon has laid a hardship on you that should not have been pressed. I…just don't know what to say, Oropher said quietly.

Marie let out a dry laugh. I have finally made Mr. Bigmouth speechless. Maybe this is the new dawn…

Oropher let out a dragony laugh that startled Cadoc. The horse leaped forward and Marie let him run a ways before tightening the reins and calming him with her mind.

She looked up and suddenly realized that she was in a beautiful, wide-open meadow. The lush grass wafted slightly in a cool, refreshing breeze and monarch butterflies swarmed the area, rising like light leaves as Marie slid off Cadoc and stepped down.

Suddenly calls and shouts were let out and figures leapt from the trees. Cadoc screamed in surprise and tore away, ripping from Marie's grasp before she could unhook her sword.

A human-like figure going too fast to make out leapt in front of Marie and threw a fist down. Marie ducked, narrowly missing the blow. As she fell to her knees and tried to stand she realized that both her feet and hands were bound and she collapsed.

"What business…do you have here, girl?" a smooth voice called, the tone ringing like bells sounding almost as musical and as rhythmic as Oropher or Saphira's voice.

Marie looked up, startled by the question asked in the ancient language. She met a sight more glorious than any she had ever seen besides the two dragons. An elf. He had a male's face, no doubt that was so fair, so angled-so beautiful it was hard for Marie to give a reply. The Rider blushed, a sudden fleeting feeling of infatuation driving her for a moment before she regained herself. Marie replied remembering Arya's lesson earlier. "Eka fricai un Shur'tugal."

The elf's face showed no sign in moving. There was a slight surprise in his eyes at her use of the ancient language and the knowledge of another Rider but he still wouldn't move, no matter the lie or not. His eyes were deep, full of knowledge and years beyond Marie's few of seventeen.

There were three other elves all surpassing any beauty Marie had ever seen other than in Saphira and Oropher, surrounding Marie and the elf that had her on the ground.

"Halt!" Marie breathed out as Arya's voice echoed proudly across the meadow. The elves' weapons shot up and the one standing over Marie cried out after Arya, his voice in the ancient language still. "If you want your Rider here to live, I suggest you stop now."

Marie could not tell if Arya had stopped or not for the elf made no noise when they walked.

Suddenly Arya began to speak quickly in the ancient language, so fast that Marie could not understand it herself. The raven-haired elf paused and Marie looked up at him to see his fair face contemplating something before he finally replied with rapid use of the ancient language.

Suddenly the three elves next to him lowered their weapons and darted towards Arya, laughing and talking and leaping about. Marie smiled. It made her heart soar as she listened to the elves.

The one standing over her smiled at the other elves before saying something under his breath. Suddenly, Marie's bounds were cut and she stretched and stood, facing the elf.

Greeting him in the usual fashion, the elf smiled and laughed, repeating the gesture and Marie finishing it.

With another dazzling smile the elf said, "I am Lifaen of House Rilvenar. And you are, my lady?"

Marie blushed again and questioned herself on it. Why was she blushing. "I am Shur'tugal Marie. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lifaen."

"Marie!" Marie turned to see Eragon riding up, Cadoc being ponyed along behind him. The dragons entered the meadow as well, turning their finely chiseled heads to and fro with curiosity.

"Are you all right?" Eragon questioned, sliding off Snowfire.

"I am fine, Eragon," Marie said calmly. Tried as she might, Marie could not hide the slight in her voice when she spoke to him.

Lifaen showed no signs of pressing the matter. He and Eragon exchanged the greeting and then went to speak with the other elves and the dwarves. When the time came to leave, Marie kissed Cadoc's nose and blessed the horse slightly before backing away and letting the dwarves escort the horses.

Lifaen and the other elves, Edurna, Celdin and Nari were fascinated with Saphira and Oropher. Who ate up the attention proudly, showing of their glorious wings and glimmering scales.

The two Riders welcomed the chance to rest and eat. The food was brought out to them before the other dwarves left and replenished them most helpfully.

Lifaen looked to Marie as he spoke. "I apologize, fair Rider, for binding you earlier. I was merely guarding the area and though I sensed magic radiating from you, I did not know if you were a threat or not."

"Nay, it was my fault," Marie said, smiling slightly at the elf. "I shouldn't have let my horse run so far ahead."

"Then we are even," the elf replied with a dip of his head.

Eragon, who was in the midst of a conversation with Nari, turned slightly as Marie and Lifaen continued to converse like old friends. Of course the elves were friendly but Marie was looking at Lifaen in a…different sort and Eragon wasn't pleased with it.

"Shadeslayer?" Eragon turned to see Nari staring at him questioningly. He just smiled and said, "I apologize. I was still taking in the beauty of the forest."

Nari nodded approvingly and they continued to talk, laugh and eat.

Marie, for once since leaving Farthen Dur, felt relaxed and at ease. The elves seemed to have no problems that she was a Rider and they complemented Saphira and Oropher as much as they could, stating how fine a pair they were. Marie forgot her troubles with Eragon, she forgot her misfortunes with the dwarves and she momentarily forgot her mourning of Murtagh. The elves had this light and cheery air about them, which seemed to rub off on her immediately, relaxing her sore body and her tender heart.

The dragons reflected her mood, their virtuous humming vibrating in beat with the soft sounds of the large wood as if everything alive was all in one harmonious tone.

Eragon was feeling relaxed as well in the body but not in the mind. His thoughts were troubled. He glanced at Arya who seemed to smile more often, true blue smiles that lit up her features in comparison to her normal grim nature. She looked so beautiful with her legendary eyes alight and her lips curved. But Marie also looked better too. Eragon had not seen her this adventurous since before Brom died. Her dark, forest green eyes were bright and wide and her laugh rang as beautifully as the elves. He was confused about his decision to pursue Arya. How could he have been so blind to the wonders, which had already been laid before him? A new thought entered his mind with a new feeling he hadn't felt in a long time. Jealousy. Marie seemed to be talking and looking to Lifaen for almost all of her questions and talks. Not once did she speak to her normal party. And Lifaen seemed delighted to have Marie's full attention. His bright eyes would follow her every move, much like Eragon had.

Eragon glowered slightly at the thought of a new relationship blossoming between the elf and Marie. If I cannot pursue Arya, what makes her think she has any right to see Lifaen?

Saphira entered his mind and sounded somewhat giddy. Eragon. Don't accuse Marie of starting anything. She is merely interested in Lifaen, nothing more. I highly doubt that Lifaen would approve of a relationship anyways. Saphira paused for a moment before her voice returned, somewhat hardened. You don't like her though, do you?

Eragon was about to answer back when he saw Saphira was testing him. Saphira was quite upset with his choice about Marie. She approved of the female Rider more than Arya and like most women was defensive when Eragon trifled with her feelings. I…don't Saphira. I was just concerned. Marie…should not be getting her hopes up for this elf.

Neither should you. Saphira replied, warningly reminding him of his pursue of Arya.

That night Marie went to her tent and curled up to sleep. She could here Eragon getting ready for bed in the next tent over as the elves talked.

Drifting off to sleep, Marie's dream was melded and showed a single face. It was a cross between an elf and a boy. Before Marie's conscious could dissever who the elf and the boy were, she drifted into a REM sleep.