Happy new chapter! Enjoy! And I love reviews! a thanks to all the dedicated readers and reviewers out there!

Disclaimer: I still own nothing from Eragon, Eldest, Inheritance series etc etc but nothing will keep me from writing this. Except the loss of this computer. That would not be good.


Rain poured down on the trio, drenching them with water and a chill that went to the bones. Thunder rolled distantly, but gave no threat of coming any closer.

"I never thought I would see this place so soon!" Eragon exclaimed as he, Nika and Saphira landed in Elesméra in front of the Queen's house, the bright blue dragon shaking off the droplets and getting both Eragon and Nika even more wet, if it were possible.

He looked all around the familiar territory where he used to spend his days training and sparring. "So what exactly are we coming back for again?"

"To explain to Queen Izlansadí why we had been gone for a month. And I must introduce myself too."

"A MONTH! What are you talking abut? I was only gone for two days!" Eragon almost fell over himself. A hand swept over his mouth and he found Nika standing behind him, moving too fast to be seen.

"Do not do that again. It would not be good if an elf woke up and found me here! Any way, I tried to tell you that time flows differently in Coseara, so just be prepared for what ever may have happened since then." She whispered in his ear. Letting go her hand, he strolled up to the tree shaped home where the elves lived and beckoned Eragon and Saphira towards her.

Nika motioned for Eragon to step in front of her, blocking her from immediate view. She then nodded and he gave three hard knocks on the door. An echo could be heard running throughout the house, vibrating off the walls and into nothingness. An elven guard peered through the door, giving a slight opening so as not to let any of the water in.

Seeing the blue dragon and the soaking rider next to her, he promptly gave them proper greeting, to which Eragon responded formally. "I shall alert the Queen of your presence. Please come in, some towels shall be fetched for you." He ushered them inside, seemingly unaware of the other guest.

Another elf maiden came out, carrying two big fluffy towels, one apparently for Eragon and one for Saphira. Then she noticed Nika.

The girl stopped still, staring at Nika. The towels in her hands trembled but she wouldn't move. Slowly, she placed the towels on the floor – a good ten feet from them – and back away. They could see as she reached the corner, she turned and ran headlong down the hallway into the depths of the house.

"Did she just –" Eragon tilted his head in confusion at the direction the girl just ran off to.

Nika gave a sly smile, "I tend to have that effect on people." And gave a laugh. It was the first time Eragon had truly heard her laugh. He loved everything about it, and couldn't help but laugh with her. It was so light and soft, but it held an emotion that showed a side of Nika he had never seen before. It was… like she was happy. Not the odd happy feeling that made Eragon faint, but the feeling that she was whole, that she enjoyed herself.

Still in high spirits, Eragon walked over to the pile of towels and bend over them. A devious smile came upon him too and he took the towel in his hand and threw it at Nika. The towel hit her square in the face, but Eragon figured she let him hit her with it.

"Oh, so that is how it is? Get ready!" and once again she turned up behind Eragon and whacked him on the back of his head, making him stumble forward.

"No fair!" but he swung around and tried to get a surprise attack. She dodged the quick hit with a one-hand back handspring, making Eragon stare in disbelief at her agility. Making the most of his shock, Nika counterattacked by swiping at his feet, trying to making him trip.

Eragon knew better though, and jumped in the air, feeling the fabric brush the tip of his toes. Both of them mock fought, taking turns trying to hit each other and dodging in turn.

They had quite forgotten about the queen though.

She had walked in on the scene of Eragon evading an attack at his torso, spinning away and getting ready to return blows. He stopped dead, the towel falling limply at his side as his arm hung from an odd position above his head. Sheepishly, he brought his arm down and hid the towel behind his back.

Eragon himself had to admit that the current situation was a little odd. He stood dripping wet, the floor around him looking no better. Nika was right next to him, her blindfold plastered to her face and hair slicked back with water. Saphira was off to the side, still trying to dry her wings off, holding them out and shaking them, sending rain over the precious white walls of the house.

He twisted his hand in the strange greeting fashion, his other hand still holding the towel behind his back and said "Atra esterní ono thelduin"

The strict Queen eyed Eragon as he blushed and gave a weak smile. Not wanting to seem rude though, she replyed with "Mor'ranr lífa unin onr."

"Un du evarínya ono varda."

Queen Islanzandí then turned her head toward Nika. A similar look of shock and awe dawned on her face, something that was not seen often on the composed Queen of the elves. She looked lost for words, not knowing how or what to say to this complete stranger.

Nika stood up straight and gave a simple bow, introducing herself. "I am Nika, an angel from Coseara." At the mention of Nika's home land, Islanzadí raised a gave a slight noise of familiarity. "You have heard of it?"

"In my childhood stories, I remember a place mentioned such as that, but I only believed it to be a tale parents tell their children to satisfy them." She said this softly, the wonder in her voice undeniable.

"That must have been very long ago. Not many of the younger generation had even heard of an angel, considering the speed that girl had ran off with." Gesturing off in the direction.

"Yes, I suppose we have become ignorant in the present days. Forgotten valuable friendships, broken priceless ties." The queen sounded sad.

"Events left for another time. Now," Nika waved her hand and the water disappeared off of the floor. "That's better. Now for the real reason we were here. We need to talk to you about this war."

"War? Eragon had mentioned something of it when he left, but other than that I do not know much about it."

"Between the elves, men, and dwarves, there will come a battle. This battle with have the power to wipe out all of the races, rendering this world to be ruled by monsters and fiends.

I have come here to use what persuasion and if it comes to it, force, I have to stop this mass destruction." Nika kindly explained.

"A hard decision on your part. I assume you are tired though, and would be more willing to explain the details in full when you are rested."

Eragon's exhaustion had caught up with him and his head started to nod. Nika looked over to him and his bend body, and gave Queen Islanzadí a nod.

"That would be welcomed."

A guard standing beside the queen stepped forward after she gestured to him. Leading them to the door, they walked out and he muttered a spell to keep them all dry. Eragon and Saphira were returned to their previous holdings, and Nika was led off to another tree like home across from his.

Eragon fell down on the bed for what seemed like the hundredth time, and fell into darkness.


Yay! Sorry, I lied before, no war in this chapter! But there will be soon, just gotta find a way to put it in… PLEASE REVIEW! Reviews make me happy and keep me writing!