Two weeks later saw Eriond and Xchel aboard a ship heading for the isle of the winds. It was midnight and Eriond was standing on the deck searching the horizon for the lights of Riva. The captain seeing him hanging over the side remarked.

"We should arrive in Riva sometime tomorrow morning sir, I suggest you go rest in your cabin."

Eriond thanked the captain and headed towards his cabin, stopping to peer into Xchel's cabin. She looked so peaceful when she slept, pity she wasn't when she was awake he thought remembering the arguments of the last two weeks. That girl did not like to back down even when she was wrong. As he thought that Xchel smiled in her sleep and Eriond's stomach lurched. Walking towards his cabin he thought. Why do I always react like that to her smile?

The next day dawned bright and clear. Eriond was woken up by Xchel bouncing on his bed and shouting. "I can see a city. It's big and grey."

Eriond climbed slowly out of bed. "That's Riva. Go back on deck, I'll join you when I'm dressed."

By the time Eriond was dressed the ship was just about to dock in the Rivan harbour, on the quay he could see people gathered. He then looked around for Xchel and discovered her hiding behind a barrel.

"Can I stay on board till they're gone?" Xchel asked, "I don't like big crowds."

"No." said Eriond, then he added softly, "Don't worry I'll watch out for you."

When the ship had docked they made their way off, Xchel trying to hide behind the God.

"Hello Belgarion." Eriond said to the tall sandy haired man.

"Hello Eriond." Garion replied. "You're early you know, only Belgarath, Polgara and Durnik are here." Seeing Xchel he asked. "whose this Eriond."

"This is….."

"Xchel." A voice interrupted. "You've grown so much. You were only five last time I saw you." With this Xchel was enveloped in a hug by her older cousin, Queen Ce'Nedra of Riva. "Come with me I want to show you to Polgara." and Xchel was dragged off.

"I never thought you would pick up a Dryad Eriond," remarked a white haired old man, "I always thought they would be a bit high spirited for you."

"Hail Belgarath." replied Eriond, "well she's okay when she's asleep but other times," Eriond shuddered.

Belgarath chuckled. " Well she's an exquisite little thing, you have good taste."

They walked inside Garion's palace and into a small sitting room. Inside the room Polgara was talking to a very pale Xchel. After kissing Polgara on the cheek Eriond went and sat down next to Xchel.

Polgara smiled at Eriond and said, "don't worry she's just had a bit of a shock. Ce'Nedra can be a bit much sometimes."

"Where is Ce'Nedra anyway." Garion enquired.

"I told her to go check on her children. She should be in the nursery." Polgara replied. " Come along Xchel, come and meet them." she gently led Xchel out of the room.

"Can Gods get married Eriond." Garion asked.

"Yes I think so." Eriond replied. Then what Garion meant struck him. "I'm not going to marry Xchel. I don't like her like that."

"You could have fooled me." Belgarath said. "You go all misty eyed whenever she's mentioned.

Eriond blushed a bright red. He wished that hadn't been mentioned, it gave him a lot to think about.

After dinner Belgarath, Eriond and Garion sat by a fire and talked. The conversation carried on until Belgarath mentioned the real reason he had arrived so early.

"Here is what I really need to talk to you two about. Something evil is on the horizon. I can't say when or where it will hit but it's not that far away. I thought you two needed to be warned."

"Whose going to stop it Grandfather." Belgarion asked.

"I talked to Aldur but he said he said none of the Gods, with possibly the exception of UL, actually know. He also said that UL has now got a disciple whose not an Ulgo but UL won't let anyone know who it is. Don't suppose you know Eriond."

"No he hasn't said anything to me but it would be unlike him to steal another Gods person."

"Maybe he hasn't," Polgara said stepping into the room. "Dryads are his people and I'm getting weird feelings of Xchel, like she's protected."

"Don't talk rubbish Pol," Belgarath laughed, "Apart from being exceptionally pretty, she's a normal Dryad."

"I'm just saying what I think father." Shrugged Polgara.

Later that night Eriond was just about to drop off when he heard a knock at his door. He shouted for the person to come in. the door opened slowly and Xchel walked in wearing a silk nightgown. She sat down on his bed and giggled.

"Look what Ce'Nedra has got me wearing. What do think of it."

"I think you look beautiful." Eriond blurted and then blushed.

"Awww thank you." Xchel leant forward and hugged him.

As she pulled away Eriond looked forward into her eyes then kissed her full on the lips. When the kiss broke Xchel turned and ran out of the room.

The next day after breakfast the seven of them sat outside in the royal garden. Eriond and Xchel distanced themselves from each other. They had been outside an hour when Eriond felt something coming their way.

"Belgarath, something evils coming this way. It feels slightly familiar."

Eriond had just said that when a door opened and in walked a man. He was the most handsome man anyone had seen but when he spoke his voice was filled with total evil.

"I have returned. This is a warning stay out of my way. I am stronger than ever and if I chose I can crush all of you like ants."

The garden was quiet until a young voice was heard.

"Begone Torak, you are not welcome here."

Torak looked startled. "Who are you Dryad to say that to a God."

"I am your father's disciple, I speak with his words." Xchel replied

Torak flinched but then with a honeyed tone he said. " I feel the love of two Gods on you Dryad," Everyone glanced at Eriond who blushed, "Would you welcome a third Gods love for you are a pretty and powerful thing."

"Begone Torak." And in Xchel's voice echoed power from across the years.

Torak vanished and the silenced that followed was broken by the voice of Polgara.

"Looks like I was right again father."