AN: Thanks to Vulpix4Life and citypigeon for the reviews! By the way, when you review, please do not review my plotline. I personally think that I have wonderful ideas and it drives me up the wall when people review plotlines.
Vulpix4Life: I hadn't read it thoroughly enough when I first began writing this, but I finished it for a second time about half way through. I love constructive criticism, so please, be as mean as you have to! Just don't review my plotline. Everything else is fine. Tell me if I get them out of character, which I don't really do too often.
citypigeon: I posted this on the site before. There I am nearly half way through.
Disclaimer: I dont own it.
Chapter 2
A Powerful New Friend
"I said, who are you?" Her cerulean eyes burned with an intensity Eragon had never seen.
"Eka ai fricai un Shur'tugal." He spoke in the ancient language so that she would know he wasn't lying.
"I meant your name, but I guess the Queen will find that out herself." She lowered her thin elven blade from Eragon's throat. "Where is your dragon?"
"Flying."
"Tell her to meet us in a clearing that is a league from here."
i Saphira/i
i Yes, little one/i
i There is a clearing one league from where we are. Meet us there. /i
i I will be there. /i
"She will be there."
"Then let us meet her." The elf turned away and told Arya something Eragon couldn't understand. He did know that it was something she didn't want to hear, for her face went grim.
Two elves behind them nudged their backs with their sword points to make them walk.
"What did she say to you?" He whispered to Arya.
"It's personal." He knew not to dig any further.
"So, do you know her?" Arya looked Eragon in the eye.
"Her name is Aiedail. She is my sister."
"Your sister?" Eragon didn't even know she had a sister. Arya just nodded. Apparently, she didn't want anyone to know about her sister. He didn't dwell on reasons as to why that was, for almost immediately he heard a loud roar. He looked up to see Saphira swinging her tail high in the air, then at Aiedail. What would have hit any mortal being was easily dodged by the elf as she leapt into the air and aimed her right palm at Saphira.
"Slytha!" There was a flash of light and Saphira collapsed to the forest floor, snoring loudly. When he turned his attention back to Aiedail, her eyes were a dark blue, pratically black,and seemed to be glowing. Her hair was blowing behind her, though the trees blocked even a small breeze. A small necklace on her neck was glowing with a pink and white light. When the light subsided, her hair went still and her eyes returned to normal.
Eragon looked around to see the other elves' reactions. Their faces almost as awestruck as his, but they quickly recovered and returned to keeping an eye on Arya and Eragon. Arya seemed unfazed by the event, not even the slightest bit. Aiedail started to walk back towards them. When she reached the group, she stopped and stared into Eragon's eyes. Her face was calm, quiet. She showed no emotion.
"Next time your dragon plans on attacking me, you would be wise to stop her. I don't want to have to do that again." Her voice was quick to betray her calm exterior. Inside, she was as frightened as he was. He became aware of Saphira stirring in the background and reached for her mind. He was overwhelmed with a tiring feeling almost immediately.
i Don't attack her again. I fear she could easily kill you on accident. /i Her surprise reached him.
i What do you mean/i
i I'll tell you later. Just don't attack. /i
i As you wish. /i
"Now, I don't want to have to drag your dragon the entire way. Will she cooperate?" Aiedail's voice was a lot calmer than before.
"We can go." Eragon was full of questions. Like what was that necklace she wore around her neck and what powers did it hold? He held his tongue. He could ask Arya later. Now, all he wanted to do was meet the Queen.
They continued down a much wider path this time, large enough even for Saphira to stretch out her wings. The clearing must have been where Riders would land when visiting the city and the path so that they could easily access it. The path had many twists and turns. Anyone could have gotten lost, but Aiedail led them like she was looking at a map. She never hesitated to go one way.
"Do you know where you're going?" Eragon didn't want to get lost.
"After three hundred and thirty-two years, I think I know how to get home."
i Saphira, did you hear that? She's three hundred and thirty-two years old! She doesn't look a day over seventeen. /i
i She's an elf, Eragon. Elves are immortal, they do not age. At least, not like you do. /i
i Oh, right. /i Eragon was still shocked that she was 332.
As they continued walking, they passed through a large gate. It was metal, though it looked more like ivy. Almost immediately, the elves accompanying them became more at ease than when they were in the forest. Noticing his confused expression, Arya leaned towards him.
"The power of my people will protect us now." She whispered in his ear.
"So you mean we're there?"
"No, but almost."
After walking almost another half-mile, the elf men who were following them broke off and walked towards a few trees that were almost a kilometer high.
"Where are they going?"
"Home." Aiedail answered without turning around. Eragon watched one long enough to see him open a door at the base of one tree and walk inside.
i Look up. /i Saphira told him wit her mind. He looked up to see houses protruding from the trunks. It was amazing.
"Wow." That was all he managed to say. Aiedail turned around.
"Come. I'll take you to the Queen."