Chapter 11: A Trip down Memory Lane
Irime glanced over her sholder as she left the Lead Riders tree house, smiling as she saw Eragon waving them off with a look of great satisfaction on his face. Turning her attention to the world in front of her, she and Aaenor head off into the Ellesm ra to complete the task Eragon had set for them.
"Who are you going to spend the time completing Ebrithil's task with?" Aaenor's voice drew her from her thoughts.
"After father has returned from speaking with the Queen. I will spend time with him and mother" Irime replied contentedly, before turning to gaze at him "What about you Aaenor?"
"Two friends from my childhood, most likely" Aaenor said and smiled at her, "Mother has returned to Osilon for a few days. My grandfather is coming to stay in Ellesm ra with us while I am here and so she has gone to help him prepare."
"That will be nice, to see your family" Irime replied, "Tell me Aaenor, do you think it strange that Ebrithil has allowed us the freedom with our task?"
Aaenor considered her words for a moment, a look of contemplation on his face as he responded "To speak truthfully, Yes it is strange. Normally, Ebrithil is insistent that we take our tasks seriously and stick to set of guidelines."
"Yes, Islind or and I feel the same way. Perhaps being in Alagaesia has softened his heart" Irime replied, laughing. Aaenor grinned at her return.
Better not let him hear you say that, little one Islind or voice hummed in her mind.
No, probably not I replied grinning.
Irim glanced sideways as she sat in her childhood home with her mother, weaving patterns into a tapestry to be presented at the approaching Aghaeti Blodhren, a smile spreading across her face as she saw the look of happiness on her mother's face. Sighing contently to herself, Irim returned her attention to the tapestry she was assisting in the creation of, knowing that it would decorate the feast in Tiadara halls when the elves would gather in little less than two months' time.
The two elves sat there silently, enjoying the knowledge they were closer than they had been for several years, working away for what was an hour, but to each of them could have been much longer. Gazing around the room as they worked, Irim admired the beauty of the room they were in. the walls of the house were decorated with Fairths of her mother and fathers family members, along with paintings of the elven city of Osilon, where her mother was raised. On one of the walls, a cabinet contained several elven instruments that her father taught her to play in her tenth year.
Little one, your father returns. Islind or's voice whispered gently in her mind, causing Irim to stand up and grin happily.
"What is it my darling girl?" Ni liau asked her daughter with an amused look on her face.
"Father is home" Irim said turning to face her mother before she went to greet her father.
"Father" Irim exclaimed as she hugged him tightly.
"Irim ? What are you doing, I thought you had lessons with Eragon-elda?" Vanir asked quizzically as they separated. Irim simply grinned at him and explained what her assignment was for the day, watching happily as her father face grinned back at her with excitement.
"That is truly great news. I and your mother would be more than happy to come with you" Vanir replied as he bent and kissed her mother on the cheek.
Around forty minutes later, the three elves where walking through Du Weldenvarden searching for the plants and flowers that Irim had been taught off on The Silent Isle, however that was not their main concern. Instead, Irim told her mother and father of the land which she had come to call home in recent years. Islind or glided above them, soaking in the sunlight as birds of every colour joined him.
"In the winter time, the plants take on shades of blue on their petals. Ebrithil says that the colouring protects them from the frost as snow falls from the mountains to cover the entire area where Dragonhold is. " Irim recounted the first winter she enjoyed on the Dragon Riders homeland, her amazement as the plants all turned different colours. "but, there is a grove of trees that never becomes covered in snow. Eragon-elda told us that it is because nature does not wish to anger him by desecrating his area of meditation."
Vanir and Ni liau laughed their musical laughs in response to the comment, and Vanir put his arm around his daughter pulling her closer to him as they walked through the forest. "What does Eragon do to keep himself busy ? He did not speak greatly of his own activities at the feast. Surely he has some hobby that to occupy his attention?"
Irim frowned as she thought for a moment of how to answer, before speaking again "We often wondered at first, If Ebrithil was even capable of having fun. He seemed to be very keen to focus on teaching us that we did not get to know him for several months. He was always extremely affectionate towards us as students, but, after a while he started to be more affectionate and spend time with us outside of our studies. "
"Ebrithil" Irim heard Aaenor ask "What are your favourite things to do on the island?"
Irim gazed at their teacher, it had been four months since she had arrived on the Silent Isle to study under him and she still had to pinch herself to realise that she was studying under the saviour of Alagaesia himself. Eragon Shadeslayer, Slayer of Galbatorix and the first rider of the new age.
"There are many things, Aaenor." She heard his calm musical voice reply, as he sat in his chair on the balcony of his residence gently stroking Saphira's head as she lay on the large area obviously designed for her. "When we first arrived here, I could not find anything to occupy my free time with. Of course, the amount of time I could have for myself was extremely rare back then, as we where all preoccupied with the building of this home."
"But now Ebrithil?" Irim asked after a short break of silence as they enjoyed the afternoon sun.
"A friend of mine" Eragon replied with a grim smile, which Irim had begun to realise he wore everytime he talked about the same friend, "She used to enjoy poetry as means to relax. I remember the first time that I read a piece of her work, and she insisted it was terrible. Of course, she was just being modest. Regardless, I enjoy the art of writing poetry. It is a cleansing task for your soul, to put what you are feeling into words on parchment, for many years I have found it to be both enjoyable and relaxing."
"I have read your piece that is on display in Ellesm ra, Ebrithil" Irim said, and watched as Eragon turned to face her. "The piece you wrote for the Aghaeti Blodhren is beautiful. Many of our people find it fascinating and are still working out new ways to interpret it. My mother once described it as a timeless piece of brilliance"
Eragon laughed, while she and Aaenor grinned at the sight of the human side of their Ebrithil that had come to the surface recently.
"I am glad to hear you sat that, young one." Eragon said with a tear of happiness in his eye. "Queen Islandazi once said those exacts words to me."
"You knew the Queens mother?" Aaenor asked intrigued.
"I did. I met her when I first visited Ellesm ra during the war against Galbatorix." Eragon smiled faded slightly. "She was a wise ruler, who welcomed me into her race and family. What you have just said illustrates the wisdom of her words all those years ago."
Aaenor and myself bowed our heads in respect, before Eragon spoke again. "Another of my hobbies happens to be walking amongst the gardens and forests. There are some truly beautiful sights to see on this island. That is one of the reasons we decided to settle her, it reminded myself and the elves of Ellesm ra and Du Weldenvarden."
"I hope that you might show us some of your favourites some time, Ebrithil" Aaenor asked politely, to which Eragon smiled back.
"It would be a pleasure, young one" Eragon replied with a content look on his face.
Irim finished recounting her memory of the time Eragon had shared his hobbies with them. Glancing at her parents, she saw her mother smiling and her father with a surprised look on his face.
"I never took the Eragon I knew all those years ago for a man who could appreciate the beauty in the world." Vanir said, and smirked slyly. "When I first met him, he was still a human boy. Ignorant to the world around him."
"Ebrithil told me how you didn't get along at first." Irim replied, a smile crossing her lips.
Vanir laughed, as did her mother. "No, we did not. Both young men who had much to learn about the world. He with his opinion of elves, myself with my own about human riders."
"I should not be surprised how he has changed, afterall back then I would not think he could become a teacher of young students. He seemed daunted by the task in front of him to be the elder of his order."
Irim nodded her head as they walked through the forests in silence for several minutes.
"Tell me, my beautiful girl, what is it like to study under Eragon-elda?" Ni liau asked smiling at her, "Many riders have returned to Alagaesia after completing their studies and each appears smitten with him."
"Its because he treats us affectionately, mother." Irim replied, smiling "I have never heard Ebrithil raise her voice in anger, only treating us with love, care and respect. I remember the first lesson I had with him ."
Irim , along with Aaenor stood before the door that separated them from their new tutor. Glancing at the male elf beside her, Irim gulped and pushed open to the door and stepped into Eragon's personal office. Gazing around the room, Irim took the new surroundings that she faced.
As they entered, the room was larger than most she had seen during her tour of Dragonhold the previous day. At the far end of the room was an open portal with curtains tied back at either side, revealing the large balcony where a large blue Dragon was sat with the elves two dragons eagerly glancing up at the majestic sapphire dragoness. Smiling, Irim returned her gaze to room and obserbed the rooms contents. On the wall to her left, paintings of Illirea, Ellesm ra and Farhen Dur graced the walls each depicting perfectly the city they were dedicated to. Irim smiled as she saw a green dragon in the air above Ellesm ra, along with a crimson red dragon above Illirea. To her left, a chair and small round table where placed facing the wall with the paintings, a crystal goblet containing a clear liquid sat on the table next to a book she recognized as Du Domia au Wyda.
Irim felt Aaenor touch his arm softly with his hand, and as she glanced at him she followed his gaze to the right side of the room. On the wall, a large tapestry hung depicting the first dragon riders stood around on Vroengard. Along the tapestry the depiction of over a hundred dragons could be seen in the skies above the city, along with several dozens more walking in the city below. Irim turned her attention to the lead riders desk where a sword was resting upon a metal rack. As they approached she could make out the runes that spelt out the swords name. Brisingr, Fire in the Ancient Language, Irim saw Aaenor grin happily as he watched the sword of their master, the sword that had become legend in Alagaesia over the past century as belonging to the man who killed Galbatorix.
As they heard a door opening to their left, they both turned to see the man that they had travelled to study under. Staring back at them was man with elf- like features. His slanted eyebrows sat above deep brown eyes that gazed at them with amazement. Irim found herself gazing back into his and seeing a depth of knowledge and wisdom contained within. She noticed him instantly from the depictions that could be found in Ellesm ra of the Elves champion in the war, but yet his appearance was different. His hair was cut shorter than the shoulder length hair he had during the war, so that it now exposed his ears to the war. A neatly trimmed beard sat upon his face, resembling the wisdom that was evident in his eyes.
"Welcome to my office, young ones." The Lead Rider spoke confidently, yet with softness to his voice. "Here is where I shall teach to you, the knowledge of the Dragon Riders."
Irim once again felt her stomach churn as she heard him speak, and could only touch her two fingers to her lips in respect as he motioned for them to sit down. As they did, Eragon placed an egg on a velvet cushion on the table before them and sat on his chair looking at the two elves giving him their full attention.
"This, is one of the simplest things in the world. An egg, like so many of creatures, that holds a small Dragon within. Young in age, but possessing knowledge beyond any of our comprehension." Eragon spoke fondly as he placed a hand on the purple egg. "This symbolizes what it will be like for you two on your journey with me. You are young, but due to your bond with your Dragons, have been granted wisdom and knowledge beyond that any normal being, Mortal or Immortal. When you have completed your training, you will return to Alagaesia as Riders in full, you will be responsible for the peace and safety of the people you serve."
"Yes Ebrithil" The two young elves replied in unison.
"Now, I would like each of you to tell me about your selves. I shall ask you questions about yourselves" Eragon lent back in his chair and waved two fingers in the air, causing Irim to gasp as three glasses of water appeared before them.
He didn't use the ancient language. Irim noted to Islind or who was receiving similar instructions from Saphira bout their training.
"Irim ." Eragon's voice spoke softly as he raised a glass to his lips "Would you please begin"
Irim recounted several stories of what it was like to study under Eragon on the Silent Isle over the course of the afternoon as she and her parents searched for the plants they were assigned to obtain. She was happy to share the affection that Eragon treated her and Aaenor with and the fondness she held for her time with him. In return, her parents recounted events that she had missed during her studies away from Du Weldenvarden.
As the day began to dull, the three elves headed back towards the city. Irim was perplexed as she tried to understand why they had not been able to find more than one of the plants that she had learnt of in her studies with Eragon. They had spent the entire day searching through the forests close to Ellesm ra and had been unable to complete the task. Vanir escorted her to the Lead Riders treehouse as her mother went to prepare dinner.
"Tell me, daughter. " Vanir said softly as he walked hand in hand with his daughter. "Does Eragon-elda ever duel with you?"
"He does occasionally. However, most of the time he has us practise with one another along with Ebrithil Blodhgam and Annuilan. " Irim replied, glancing at her father with a raised eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"
"During the time Eragon-elda spent training in Du Weldenvarden, as I'm sure you are aware, he and I duelled one another by order of his teacher. I am interested in seeing if he has forgotten his abilities after all these years away." Vanir smirked "Perhaps I feel like a rematch is required."
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A/N: Hello!
I must apologize for the delay that has occurred between my last update and this latest one. I have been putting my effort into the plot that occurs later on in the story. To tell you the truth, i found it difficult pacing the chapters since this one and have been upset at how they've turned out.
P.S; What would you like to happen with Murtagh? I had an idea for a way to bring him some romance (Afterall, I never got him married to Nasuada, as she married someone else). Woud you like to see some PoV from Murtagh regarding what it was like in Alagaesia over the past century? Arya and Eragon are going to have some conversations about it, but Murtagh is the one character from the 4 Canon books that i have no idea how to write him or what to do with. I'd appreciate some help!
This has been a REALLY long time since I last updated or even visited Fanfiction. Around two months or so. God, My life has been extremely busy but I am back now that summer is here with around 10 chapters ready for posting. I will be concentrating on catching up this story to where I need it to be and I hope you enjoy the new content. I have reposted some chapters and streamlined them.
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