Neena woke up with Hirador's wing draped over her.
Good morning hatchling. Hirador greeted, his voice rumbling with pleasure.
It's morning? When I woke before, it was early afternoon!
You slept long. Hirador replied.
Obviously. The sun is coming up! Let's go watch!
You need to get a shirt.
Neena turned towards her blood-stained shirt, her nose wrinkled in disgust at the foul smell. A figure moved swiftly at the cave's entrance, and to her surprise Hirador didn't growl. There was a large barrel on the figure's back.
What brings you here, elf?
The figure stopped, and Neena squinted through the darkness, trying to make it out.
"May the stars watch over you, mighty dragon. I have brought you water," a familiar sing-song voice rang out. Neena scooted out from underneath Hirador's wing further, and grinned.
"Hi Arya!" she chirped. The elf, who was in the middle of placing the large barrel in front of Hirador, dropped it in shock. The barrel swayed almost angrily, and then stood still.
"Neena? You are well? How is this possible?" Arya sputtered, her pretty eyes wide and her usual dignified appearance throttled.
She requires another shirt, as the venom stained her previous one.
"Of course! I shall retrieve one at once," Arya said, her eyes twinkling. She rushed out with unbelievable speed.
She seems rather excited. Hirador noted, a hint of humor in his voice.
What's happened to your usual 'come close to me and I'll eat you' attitude?
I am happy you are alive, hatchling. Hirador replied. Suddenly he growled and pinned her to the cool hard ground, snapping his jaws in her face from apparent agitation.
"What is it?" Neena asked, completely bewildered by her companion's behavior.
You, hatchling, attempted to sacrifice your life in place of my own! Hirador snapped, his obvious disapproval lacing his thoughts.
"If I hadn't you wouldn't be alive right now," Neena pointed out.
Your life is more important than mine! Hirador growled, but Neena could feel his distress underneath the snarl. She reached up and stroked his muzzle, sending him a calming image of a stream.
"It's okay, Hirador. I'm here. I always will be," she said softly. That's all it took. Hirador's snarl vanished and he backed away to the back of the cave. Neena waited a few moments before following. Silently she took his large head in her arms and laid her forehead against his, waiting for his breathing to slow.
Are you alright now? She finally asked.
No, hatchling I do not believe I will ever be alright. Hirador sighed.
It was bound to happen sooner or later. Danger is all around us, Hirador. Neena said.
I resent that, hatchling.
I know. But it won't go away until we face it. Then, perhaps, the Riders and their dragons will rise again.
So after we complete our journey, we will fight? Are you truly ready for that, hatchling?
Neena felt determination flow through her body.
Yes. Galbatorix's betrayal to the Riders and his country will not go unpunished.
Neena turned towards the sound of footsteps and saw Arya returning with a brown shirt. Arya beamed at Neena's welcoming grin.
"I have told Nasuada of your swift recovery, along with Eragon and Saphira," Arya said. The elf tossed the shirt to Neena, who pulled it over her head. It fit snugly against her skin. With a smile, Arya gestured towards the barrel of water, and a sphere of the liquid lifted itself out. Hirador growled quietly, and Neena felt his uncertainty of the magic user.
"Come, I will wash your hair and skin."
Neena grabbed a strand of her hair and grimaced. It was greasy and dark, and felt like a horse's mane or tail. Back when she had been a slave, she had only had one bath per month. The master was certain that he hadn't needed to waste such expenses on slaves.
I sure need it. She thought to herself. Hirador, hearing this, snorted, a puff of smoke trailing from his nostrils. Neena walked to Arya, curious.
"Clean this child's hair and skin," Neena heard Arya mutter in the ancient language. At once the sphere of water jumped from Arya's hand and plopped itself into Neena's hair, where Neena could feel it….scrub her scalp? Once it was done with her hair, it dripped down onto her face, scrubbing more. Neena watched, fascinated as the water moved underneath her clothes, cleaning her somehow without getting her clothes wet. It moved quickly and thoroughly, and by the time it was done, Neena felt her skin become pleasantly soft. She looked up at Arya with wide eyes.
"Can you teach me how to do that?" she asked eagerly. Arya laughed, her voice wonderfully melodic, as she summoned the water from Neena into a sphere once more, now a muddy brown color. Arya threw the sphere into the woods outside the cave, before turning to Neena once more.
"Perhaps later if you still show interest, I shall. Are you well enough to travel?"
"Yes."
"Then I will inform Nasuada of your status, and we will begin traveling towards our destination once more."
Without another word the elf left.
Hatchling I have not seen you as you are now. It is almost as if you are a completely different person.
Neena turned her head and found that her hair was light and fluffy. It followed her movements and didn't weigh her down. She grabbed a lock of it, and put it up to her face. A smile grew on her features from the results. Her hair was silky and soft to the touch. It fell around her in beautiful golden-brown waves, unlike any lady's hair she had ever seen. Never had she seen hair with such sparkle and luster, with the golden highlights twinkling merrily at her. In excitement she ran to Hirador's water barrel, staring down into it.
A young girl stared back at her, with bright blue eyes that drew you in. Her round young face had high cheekbones and a bright smile with straight teeth. Her eyes flickered to her hair, and something made her double back. Her ears had tapered to small, undefined points.
Hirador, what is this? She asked, fingering her ears.
Hatchling, I believe that is one of the side-effects of our bond.
She looked up, puzzled.
Our bond has side-effects?
It is possible.
Neena looked up hopefully towards Hirador, struck by a sudden longing.
Up for a ride?
Hirador chuckled.
Hatchling, I have been waiting over a fortnight to fly with you. My saddle is in the back of the cave.
Neena grinned, running to the back of the cave and picking up the saddle. She stumbled a bit from the weight of the thing, and then hobbled back to Hirador. He knelt to make it easier, and she fitted the saddle on him, and then he stood to let her fasten the straps. Hirador knelt once more as she mounted, slipping her legs through the straps, and then bending down to tighten them impatiently.
Preparing is so much hassle! I wish I could just jump on and fly with you!
I am also impatient. But I will not endanger your life, hatchling. Flying is dangerous even for me.
Neena thought back to the close calls they had had and shivered. Excitement overtook that emotion, however when she felt the sun bathe her face.
"Let's go!" Neena cried eagerly. Hirador let out a joyful roar and charged out of the cave, wings partly raised. Neena grasped the spine in front of her and leaned forward as he sprang into the sky, his wings catching updrafts and lifting them high above the trees. She let out a wild whoop as Hirador turned towards the clouds, going higher and higher. The wind whipped through her newly cleansed hair, curling its laughing fingers around her. Neena looked over Hirador's side and saw a small dot below them that had to be the Varden's camp.
It feels like ages since we've flown together, which is odd, since I've been asleep the entire time. Neena mused, squealing when Hirador banked to the right a little to surprise her.
Hold on, hatchling! Hirador's laughing voice told her, and Neena barely had time to lean forward before he dove, straight towards the Varden. They were falling, faster and faster! It was every human's fear, yet strangely enough, every human's dream. The wind once more clawed at her, and her stomach felt distant as did her strength. She opened her mouth and let out an adrenaline-ridden scream that was torn from her lips until she unknowingly stopped, and Hirador opened his wings slowly, gradually slowing their dive and pulling up in full view of the Varden.
Hirador's bronze scales sparkled gloriously, and he let out a small stream of violet fire from his maw before turning. It was several minutes before Neena paid enough attention below to notice something interesting.
Hirador, they're cheering.
Perhaps Saphira and Eragon are nearby?
Neena squinted below, and saw that nearly every pair of eyes was trained on her and Hirador.
Hirador! It's us they're cheering for! She exclaimed.
That's true, is it? Let us test that theory.
Hirador circled back, and flared his wings experimentally, sinking towards the ground. Immediately everyone scattered to make way for them as they landed. Neena leaned back, gripping with her legs as they absorbed the shock of impact. Instantaneously cheering and clapping erupted from around them. Neena listened hard, trying to make out what they were saying. She sensed how much Hirador's ears were pounding from the noise when he opened his wings and roared.
ENOUGH!
A few people went pale, and a deathly silence overcame the crowd.
"Thank you," Neena felt herself being compelled to say.
Would anyone explain why your attitude towards us has changed?
A/N: I know Arya seems a little OC, but I purposely made her act that way towards Neena. Remember, children in the elven culture are considered precious? Well, the winner of the contest was kyat, who guessed right on the dot, 23. Thanks to all of you who participated, though I was a little disappointed no one else did. Oh well. Wait, before you guys go, check out my best friend's fic! She's GallopGoldGirl29 (or GoldGallopGirl29, I get mixed up and I'm too lazy to look), and her fanfiction I believe is called Kingdom of Fire. It doesn't really have anything to do with Eragon, but I think her idea is neat. Any encouragement on your part for her would be well appreciated! Thanks! See you guys next chappy!