A/N: Thanks so much for reading and reviewing! I wanted to do a scene from Selena's POV because as a character, because of where the plot went with this story, I didn't get as much time to develop her personality. I hope you'll enjoy this scene from her perspective. Let me know what you think!

* * * Selena's POV * * *

I glanced at the strange collection of people and dragons from my father's side. Except for Thorn's Eldunarí and Dad's fairth, I had never seen any real dragons. I had known to expect them after Mother told me my aunt, uncle and cousins would be visiting, but I hadn't imagined their sizes or almost beautiful, regal appearances.

They were a strange picture: two massive dragons accompanied by smaller blue and turquoise companions, each bearing a small child. The boy had sandy blonde hair, a pointed face and perhaps rounder ears than his sister. Side by side, they looked completely different. But with their parents they seemed to match more.

I was curious, hoping to finally have someone to play with. My parents weren't keen for me to play with the serving staff's children. There was always some excuse of 'gutter children' but really they worried for my safety.

There were enemies all around us – people who hated my father for his lineage and acts under Galbatorix's rule and those who hated my mother because she had enabled Galbatorix's fall.

I couldn't help feeling the awkward atmosphere as my mother talked with the elf-woman and my father stared at the dragons. Everyone else looked to him in what could have easily been described as fear.

The tension was broken with a few words and a hug.

"Brom?" My mother asked, looking towards the boy who looked about my age, seated on the back of the dragon.

"Yes, we named him after my father," my uncle interrupted, flatly glaring at Dad.

"Eragon!" Father shouted joyously and charging forwards and hugging him.

"Hello, Murtagh," Eragon said through a strangled voice. "Selena?"

Father grinned. "Yes. My daughter, your niece."

My two cousins slid down from the two dragons they were sat upon and came towards me. Each of their faces seemed to echo my own nerves. I had never really met any elves. When the elven dignitaries arrived, mother was always quick to discuss business with them and there were few chances for meeting them.

"Hello," I murmured, curtseying as Mum had taught me.

"Hello," the girl replied, "I'm Ilia."

"Selena."

"Brom," the boy said. "This is Jarla and Evandar, our dragons. Would you like to meet them?"

Father was watching as I approached the two smaller dragons and greeted them.

I gasped when one of them spoke inside my head, a booming voice which seemed to reverberate through my mind. Thorn's Eldunarí, although he projected a rough voice, it didn't have the same strength or volume.

I hurried away with a goodbye as the Mum and Dad began to lead the way into the castle and my cousins followed.

The next day, I went to find Brom and Ilia, ready to show them my favourite hiding places, perhaps play hide and seek with them, but mainly play with them. From what I had overheard of Mother and Father's conversation over dinner, Brom and Ilia didn't normally play. I wondered if they had even heard of Stuck-in-the-Mud, and made a mental note to play it.

An hour later I was still explaining the rules of hide and seek.

"No, you hide and I have to find you," I repeated.

"Sheesh. Talk about being bossy," Brom muttered.

I eyed him flatly. "Go and hide!" Ilia nodded and rushed away instantly, whilst Brom began a staring contest with me, his icy-blue eyes refusing to blink. "I win, you have to hide," I told him, raising my eyebrows.

He nodded mutely and continued to stare. Gods above, he was stubborn. It was like talking to a log.

For minutes we stared, my eyes beginning to ache with the desire to blink just once. They were dry, in desperate need of moisture, but resolutely I continued to stare piercingly at my cousin. Determination was something I had in bounds.

When Ilia returned, wondering why no-one had come to find her, we were still interlocked in our battle.

With a snap of her fingers, she ended it, making both Brom and I blink.

"I won!" He declared.

"No! I won!"

Rolling her eyes, Ilia leaned back against the side of one of the market stalls and decided to wait our argument out.

"I did," Brom insisted.

"Give over, Brom," Ilia suddenly interrupted, surprising us both. She had seemed so shy that any conversational input was unusual. "Why don't you just call it quits?"

Brom raised his eyebrows in question and I nodded, agreeing to a temporary truce. Besides, I was beginning to think that perhaps Brom and I were more similar that we first thought.

"Who's hiding then?" Ilia asked.

"No-one," I responded, deep in thought.

"No-one? But I thought Brom and I-"

"Change of plans," I told them both. "Follow me."

I spun on my heel and headed off back into the castle.

"Where are we going?" Brom asked exasperatedly.

"The kitchens."

"Excellent," he grinned. "I'm starving."

"We're not going for food," I replied, turning to see his devastated face.

"What? Then why are we going?"

"You'll see," I murmured mischievously, already looking forward to hearing the screams.

I crept into the kitchens, making hand motions to make sure Brom and Ilia kept down. Scooting along the floor by the cupboards and surfaces, I made sure no-one saw us, before peeking over the top and finding the pot of spices Cook reserved for seasoning the meat occasionally.

I grabbed it and moved to one of the stoves where our lunchtime soup was brewing. I wouldn't be served it because it was filled with yucky cabbage. I'd just have to make sure neither Brom or Ilia ate any either.

Laughing, I upended the pot and tipped the whole lot in, before rushing out with Brom cackling his head off hot on my heels.

"I'm not sure we should have done that…" Ilia said, looking worried.

Brom and I looked at each other before rolling out eyes.

Brom and I couldn't wait for lunchtime to arrive. It was sure to be funny.

When the time finally did come and we were seated around the table in the great hall, we couldn't stop shooting glances at each other and laughing.

"Brom, what's so funny?" Arya asked.

"Just Evandar," he replied, offering a good cover.

Father looked doubtfully at us, probably thinking of my last prank, but disregarded and suspicions when the soup was brought out, the smell of cabbage wafting towards us.

Cook placed a bowl of greens before Brom and Ilia and gave me my usual cinnamon fruits before bowing and leaving.

I giggled in anticipation, as Eragon, Arya, Mum and Dad each blew on a spoonful of soup and swallowed it.

Yelling, Dad leapt to his feet. Mum desperately gulped down some water. Arya calmly muttered a spell to stop the effects of the spices and Eragon began laughing.

"Good one!"

I stared incredulously at Brom and Ilia before dissolving into laughter myself.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in a review!