I want to say that the story takes place near Alberich's time as Weaponsmaster, and during Selenay's reign, but I don't want to screw anything up. So if anyone wants to give me the bare facts of that time, that would be great.

By the way, when I uploaded this chapter it wouldn't let me put in question marks and colons together in the italicized. It was either one or the other. So I chose the question marks, or else it wouldn't make much sense. If anyone knows how to fix it, please email me!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot and OCs.

Chapter 4: An Opera

Aria was able to make her way to a classroom up one flight of stairs, four rights, and one left down the halls lit by lanterns. She had gotten help from passerby students. Everyone was so friendly and nice it was surprising.

: What did you expect? The now familiar voice of Erendis sounded in her mind.

: I don't know.: She hadn't really known what to expect.

: So I heard that you met the famous Rayelle Omnius.:

:How did you know that? Aria inquired, suspicious.

:It just so happens I'm in contact with all of the Companions and Misty just happens to be one of my good friends.:

:Is that Ray's Companion?

:You got it.:

:What about Zak's? Do you know his?

:Yes, I know Darius as well. Now, shouldn't you be in class, my Chosen?

Aria laughed and put her mind to getting to class.

When she walked in she saw five bleachers, bookcases, and the most variant collection of instruments she had ever seen. Aria took a seat on the bleachers where the students were slowly gravitating towards and looked up at a skinny, frizzle haired, glasses-wearing, petite woman smiling at them all.

"Good morning, good morning, how is everybody today?" She asked, her smile a constant. "I trust your bellies are satisfied, considering the dining hall had a field day today. Anyway, I will be your musical instructor for this semester. My name is Mrs. Openheim, but you may call me Padma. I don't prefer the title Herald anymore; I haven't acted as one for a long time," this she said rather serious, lowering her glasses at everyone. "I am, however, the longest standing music teacher of all time," her smile came back once more, "and I intend to keep it that way. Now, for this first class, you will be choosing which project you would like to work on for this semester. I can take a maximum of ten for the choir, since I have other classes. Everyone else, I expect you to pick an instrument by the end of the day and report back to me. For any instrument that you must blow on, please wipe off the top when you are finished with the cloth in the case. You may try every instrument in this room. Well? Hop to it! Anyone for choir come over to me!" At these last words, everyone got up and explored the room.

Aria got up too and wandered around. She saw instruments of all kinds, even ones she couldn't put a name to. There were strangles of music all over the room, including strangled voices from the chorus. Aria wandered over to the piano and sat down. She lifted her hands to play the black and white keys when she saw something that made her freeze.

It was a violin.

: I made sure there was one there.: Erendis said in her mind.

: Why?

: Because I know what you can do with one of those. And you should make the best of your talent.: He said back to her.

Aria didn't reply, probably because she was already making her way toward the vacant violin, sitting peacefully. Almost mechanically, she lifted up the instrument and blew down the middle, ridding the fingerboard of the white dust known as resin. It wasn't a great instrument, not like her old one, but it would suffice. There was already a shoulder rest attached to it, so she lifted it to her chin, and the familiar weight felt like home. She took up the bow and laid it on the A string. Carefully, she pulled one long stroke.

The sound was like a smack in the face. That one note was enough to trigger her hands, and she was suddenly lost in the moment.

It was like being underwater, alone, oblivious to the world above you, known only to yourself.

It was an opera, with dark tones and light overtones. Half of the piece was a scale and arpeggio, except the speed was at something like 160.

The violin hummed, as if it was singing rather than vibrating sound waves from wooden holes.

The last note was a chord, one so bittersweet you could almost taste it.

Slowly Aria came out of her fog, and as her blurred vision returned, she noticed there were no strangled and twisted sounds in the background anymore. She looked around, and realized that was because everybody had stopped playing and singing. Eyes full of wonder, her entire class gazed at her in awe.

Unsure of how to react to this unexpected audience, Aria put the violin down with shaking hands, said hurriedly, "Sorry," and left without another word.

As she ran out the door, she slammed into something, someone.

"Ahh!" The person exclaimed.

"S-sorry!" Aria yelled back, and ran away as fast as she could. She had to get away, she couldn't stand it. First she fit in, had found friends, and felt comfortable where she was. Now she felt like a stranger. All those eyes staring at her, but what was she supposed to do? They had looked at her like a freak.

Aria didn't understand. She had these powers. These unasked for powers that had brought her here to this blessed place. Yet already she felt more comfortable with a beat up violin than a bunch of special kids.

By now Aria had reached the stables. And of course, right there, was Erendis. Sparkling in the sun like white wine, he waited for her there, with no tack, but ready to ride.

:That was quite poetic, my dear.:

She didn't even need words. She ran to him, her golden brown hair thrown from its tie and draped across her shoulders. Arms around his neck, Aria cried unexpected tears from her eyes, and before she had known it, she was seated on Erendis, and they had already started walking towards the Companion's Field.

"I'm so confused," Aria said aloud, not to Erendis, but rather to herself. "I mean, I just start to fit in, and then I'm completely thrown. I love this place, Erendis, I truly do. It just feels like there is something else out there that I should be doing. Not just eating pancakes and mind speaking."

:Would you care for a run? I haven't had one in ages.:

Aria sighed. :Sure.:

:Alright. Hold on!

And off they went, first at a slow canter, and then a gradual gallop, until they were at full speed, practically leaping across the field. The Companion's Field was a wide expanse of land, with lush green grass and fruit-bearing trees. Today the sky was beautifully clear, with one or two cumulus clouds dappling the sky. The air was crisp and clean, and Aria felt renewed as the cold breeze went through her nose.

She laughed as they sped along.

:You are amazing.: Aria said to her Companion.

:And you are radiant as the sun.: He said back.

They had crossed through thick trees that seemed to follow them with every step. Erendis had ceased running now and was stepping lightly, making no sound except the bells that rang with his walk.

:Have you ever heard of the Grove, Aria?

:Yes, on the streets.:

They had reached a clearing where the bare walls of a chapel were left. A bell tower was also there, except much sturdier and still intact. Aria looked up at it.

:So that's the bell? The one I hear about? And the Grove? I've heard about that too. They say that ghosts roam the area.:

:Now who told you that? This is the Companion's territory. This is where the first Companions appeared. They were "Grove-born" until they could start reproducing elsewhere. Trust me, they're aren't any ghosts here we don't know about.:

Aria slid down from Erendis' back.

:Aria, there's been something I've wanted to tell you.:

:Yes? She gazed up into his sapphire eyes.

:I'm quite positive that those feelings you confessed to me before are more significant than they may seem.:

:What do you mean? Aria looked at him warily.

:I think you might also possess the ability to become a Bard.:

"What?" She said bluntly. Her mind was numb.

:Your Talent to play the violin is obvious, and your display of the Bardic Gift this morning only furthered my suspicions.:

:But how can I--?

:Learn to be a Herald and a Bard? It will be complicated and require a lot of work on your part, but remember, it's ultimately your decision. I will also support you in every way I can and no matter what decision you make.:

Aria didn't know if she liked this. She had been put on a one-track mind until now. Now everything was changing and she was so confused. Luckily, she would always have Erendis. He had filled a space in heart that had been empty up until he had entered her life. Could she become both? Was this an opportunity that she shouldn't even think about giving up? Or was it going to be too overwhelming?

:One thing I've known about you forever, Aria, is that you are strong. You are so strong not even the burdens of being an orphan can bring you down. And I know that you can do it. There is no doubt in my mind.:

:Thanks Erendis. Can we go back now?

:Sure.:

Well, that's the end of chapter four! Before you review, I want you to all know that Music isn't an actual class in Misty's books, and a violin may not actually be in her books, but it fits with my story and that's all that matters. I have some great twists and turns for this story, and it might get a little complicated as well, but stay tuned because the next few chapters will be awesome.

As always, review.