Next Elven Leader

It had been 7 days since Eragon and Arya had returned to the elves. They had been marching towards Dras Leona and were now a few days away from it. Islanzadi had declared they would not march that day because Roran had reported to her that the Varden were still a day away from meeting with the elves. Much to the elves and Eragon's delight, they found out about how 7,000 of Galbatorix's finest troops and magicians had defected to the Varden, and replenished their dwindling numbers.

Eragon knew that Roran was communicating to Islanzadi directly rather than Eragon because he did not want to confront Eragon about what the two had said to each other. Each had said hurtful things. Eragon knew that they would eventually have to reconcile since they would be meeting each other the next day.

Eragon and Arya had been quietly eating breakfast in their teal tent. It consisted of blueberries, blackberries, cheese, and bread. The two of them were not saying much to each other, just happy to be in the others presence. They then felt the queen enter their minds. Eragon, Arya, I would like to speak with both of you in my tent in an hour. The queen then left their minds. Eragon looked at Arya.

"What do you think your mother wishes to speak with us about." Eragon asked cautiously. The imperial, erratic queen that he once thought she was disappeared in private, though at times Eragon was still concerned about the queens actions.

"I do not know. She has known for a month now we are a couple, and was happy with it." Arya said. She had the same hint of caution in her voice.

They finished eating. They bathed and got dressed. They each were dressed in a gold the hue of Glaedr's eldurnari. They went to the queen's tent to see her. Lord Dathedr was there. He just simply said, "You may enter, she wishes to speak with you in private." Eragon and Arya each looked at each other with concern in their eyes. They entered her tent. They saw the queen on her throne. She was dressed in her golden armor as always.

She looked at her body guards and said, "Leave us." The elves left. She then looked at Eragon and Arya and said, "Thank you for coming, I wish to speak with both of you about something." Eragon gulped and looked at Arya. She seemed to be on edge as well. Islanzadi must have noticed that they were nervous. She then said, "Be at peace, I am not speaking of anything of immediate importance." Their tension was slightly eased. "However, it is important none the less. It is possible that I may not survive the war."

"Mother, you should not think of such things." Eragon heard Arya say. She seemed to have a hint of fear in her voice.

"I need to my daughter. For this concerns you as well. I wanted to know your thoughts about who should lead the elves when my time comes. As your statuses as Shurtugal I seek your council." Islanzadi finished.

Eragon and Arya were silent for a moment. Then Arya finally said with some fear of the consequences, "I have no intention of holding the throne. I am sorry mother. Even before I became a rider I had no intention to rule the elves." She finished.

Eragon then added to support Arya, "I agree with Arya not going to the throne. I do not think the elves would favor a rider as their leader."

"I expected to hear that answer from you Arya," She said. To Eragon's relief, she was not angry. She then looked at Eragon, "Though you are partially incorrect Eragon, the biggest problem with having a rider like Galbatorix as king was that his subjects did not like the idea of having an immortal leader, here we are all immortal." Fear shot up in Eragon and Arya at those words. Eragon shot a thought to Arya, She couldn't possibly be thinking of giving you the throne could she?

I do not know. I do not want it with all my heart.

Eragon then had a radical suggestion. Before he said it though, he wanted to consult Arya, Jadeir, and Saphira. "I think I may have a suggestion, but may we consult our dragons before I say it to you? I wish to hear their thoughts, as a dragon's logic is almost impregnable."

Islanzadi thought for a moment. She then nodded. Eragon, Arya, Jadeir, and Saphira all linked minds. Eragon then presented his idea to the three of them.

It is a bold plan, though do you think it will work Saphira?

It shall little one. I think it is an elegant solution.

I agree with Saphira ebrithil. I do not have anything else to say on the matter.

Eragon looked at Arya's emerald eyes. His plan revolved around her being able to compromise. After what seemed like minutes, she nodded and said, "Thank you, I think this is the best solution we can come up with." Eragon then looked to the queen.

"This is the suggestion I have in mind Islanzadi." They were in private so Eragon called her by her name as she had asked. "In all my time with the elves, what I have noticed is that they do not really need governing. They seem to be able to run themselves quite effectively.

When it comes down to it, the goal of a goverment is to protect, promote, and ensure the wellness and freedom of the people who consent to that goverment. The elves however, are almost a perfect society. They live in a place of peace. They are a peaceful race, and rare to fight. They do not think of things such as goverment, work, or war, they prefer looking into the mattters of art and education. There is no power hungry elf, and if there was, his fellow elves would try to cast him down. The elves do not have any kind of currency which would lead to greed. The elves are as close to a perfect race as we can get. What I am getting at, is the elves do not need a goverment." Islanzadi then looked at Eragon with shock. He continued.

"Here is what I propose. I propose that a king or queen no longer need to lead the elves. They are self sufficient. They do not need someone to rule over them in times of peace. However, I also understand that in times of war, the elves still need someone to lead them.

As you know, Arya is your daughter, and she is also a dragon rider, but you have said that will not worry an elf much. She has also stated she does not want to be queen. This is what I suggest. Arya will become queen of the elves when you pass into the void. However, she will only be queen symbolicaly, she will not be the elven leader, as there will be no need for one. She will be the commander in times of war and the elven representative in a council of Alagaesia should there be one, but for all intentions and purposes, it will be symbolic.

When Arya and I have our first child," The two of them smiled for a moment, "We will give them the finest education in Ellesmera. Then, when they turn the age of 50, Arya will step down and give the child the kingship or queenship.

I know this is a radical proposition, but it really is not. The dragons support us. Saphira pointed out to me while we were there that the elves seemed to run themselves quite well. They do not need some person to watch over them as humans do." Eragon finished his proposition. Eragon and Arya looked on, waiting to here Islanzadi's answer.

They waited for quite a time. Islanzadi seemed to be thinking for ages. Finally she said, "I will need to consider this proposal Eragon. It is the most radical idea that has come across the elves. However, I do believe you are right. The elven leaders after the blood oath with the dragons have not had to do much governing. In fact, myself and Evandar are probably the two leaders who have done the most since we were in charge during the fall. If the elven lords agree to this then I will support it." A calm sweeped across the tent, especially for Eragon and Arya.

Islanzadi then said, "Now there is something else I wish to speak about of lighter meaning. Eragon, I know you know that there are no elven weddings per say, but when a person of royalty finds their mate, there is a celebration."

"Mother..." Arya seemed to be getting embarassed, "Why did you have to say that?"

"Because my other job besides queen is your mother, and as your mother it is my job to embarrass my children. Since you are my only child that means you." She said lightly. Eragon and Arya were shocked at the lightness of her remarks. Eragon poked at Arya's mind,

I think seeing us together has opened up your mother to how she was before your father died.

It probably has.

Now I am seeing where you got your playfullness from.

Quiet you. They smiled.

"I was too angry with Arya when she was with Faolin to grant her the celebration. This may be the last chance I have to do something nice for my daughter. Will you let me?" Islanzadi asked, with a hint of hopefullness. Eragon looked to Arya again, curious to see her decision. After some reluctance, she smiled and nodded. "Thank you my daughter."

"When will this take place?" Eragon asked.

"Today, that is why I ordered the the elves not to march today. Everyone inculding your dragons knew." Eragon and Arya could hear the sound of stones scratching each other. Their dragons were laughing.

Saphira!

Jadeir!

You both knew?!

The two of them thought in unison.

We did, we thought it would be better to keep for a surprise.

Indeed we did Ebrithil.

Quiet Jadeir, your next lesson I will have you doing chores. Did you really do this to surprise us?

No little one.

Saphira started, we just wanted to see the reaction on your's and Arya's faces. Eragon looked at Arya. Her face of shock and embarrassment had been replaced with a beam of happiness. Eragon then said to her, "You look happy."

"I would be lying to say I am not. I may not have wanted this, but in a way I do." Arya said quietly.

Islanzadi then looked at both of them, she said, "Put on your finest dress and be back here near sunset."

As Eragon went to put on his best tunic, he found something surprising in his tent.