George Edwards: what I meant by that is that you guessed exactly how I want the interaction between Alex/Glaedr to be. Can't smile without you is a good choice for a love song but personally, I find it a little too simplistic. It lack a deepest meaning for my taste. There's a lot of songs that can fit the job: Careless Whisper, Never Gonna Give You Up or something a little more modern. We can't say we're out of choice in that department!
piperw142: You're welcome!
snowbeard3: Well, thank you for your kind words. I don't consider myself that good. I know I have some experience, I've been writing in French/English for years but I still have a long way to go to hone my skills.
Merecor: and one more reader, one! Normally, it'll stay as good as this (if not better) until the end so stay onboard!
Good reading!
Chapter 23
When Alex stood up, he grumbled, his eyes half-closed with fatigue. Various parts of his body were still sore from the spar he had last night. His friend had gone far stronger since they left Carvahall. Alex had some difficulties to admit it because of his pride but Eragon was as strong as him in hand-to-hand combat and in swordplay. In the near future, he'll surpass him. That was certain and even more when he'll gain his inhuman speed and strength.
The swordsman packed his things and quickly followed the others, ready to start the new day. A few hours later, when dusk was here, the group arrived at a small meadow. Arya made a sign to the other to wait while she walked to the middle of it. By sheer precaution, Alex checked the current magazine he had in his M4A1 and tightened his grip on it.
Yes, he was wary of the elves but after all, the young man didn't trust a lot of people and it worked well until now.
Then, she began to speak in Ancient Language, giving her identity, those of the people who were with her and why they were here. The dwarves and two humans were startled when four elves jumped from a tree and ran to Arya, dancing around her and singing. However, they quickly stopped when Saphira went to her rider's side, yelling in fear. But they quickly calmed down when Eragon showed his Gedwaÿ Ignasia to them while talking in Ancient Language.
The elves made signs for the little troop to follow them. They came across several huts, put at the base of a large tree. A meal filled with fruits and vegetables was put in front of them and almost reluctantly, they ate it. While the elves were conversing telepathically with Saphira, the two adolescents were more interested in what was coming next.
"So what's the plan for the next days?" asked Alex, curiously.
"We're going to walk… a lot. We have to cross two lakes and one river to reach the next city and from there, our final destination will be Ellesméra."
Eragon turned his head to the dwarves. "What about you? You're going back to Tarnag?"
"Indeed Shadeslayer. Our leader, Undin, is waiting for us to come back and deliver our report."
"I see."
And indeed, the next day, what was remaining of the original group bid farewell to the dwarves, thanking them for their company. Then, they boarded boats that were made from thin bark of a similar component.
"Technically and physically, those boats shouldn't be able to support our weight but since it was probably made with magic, I'm not surprised." Commented Alex.
Days passed by as they walked and traversed a river and a lake, now arriving close to Silthrim. Of course, it meant two things: they would come across many elves and Saphira had to remain hidden until they were away from the city. Obviously, the dragoness wasn't pleased with this but she knew it was a necessity. After finding a place for Saphira to spend the night, the group crossed Ardwen Lake and it took them a good part of the day. They were setting camp when the sun was disappearing behind the giant trees, a little away from the shore where they left their boats.
When the fire was ready, Alex and Eragon began to sit in front of it but were interrupted by a sound coming from around them, it sounded like whispers. Looking around them to determine the origin of the sounds, it seemed they were coming from the city, not far from their position. The music rose in intensity as if it was the whole forest who was singing.
Eragon straightened and stood up, ready to dash in the forest to find the source of this. However, he was stopped by Arya before he could take a single step. She barked a few words in Ancient Language as the rider got deaf. A few moment later, her lips moved silently and Eragon could hear again. Orik also calmed down, being restrained by Lifaen and Nari. The only one who wasn't affected by all of this was Alex.
"What the fuck just happened?" he whispered to himself, observing the scene in front of him.
"It seems I miscounted the days, I would have preferred to stay away from any city during Dagshelgr."
The woman explained the celebration to the two boys and how it could affect other races. As the elves were singing in Ancient language, it was affecting the whole Du Weldenvarden, helping it grow and stay in good shape. Around them, the forest became even more alive with animals adding their voice in a symphony of yells and cries.
Eragon looked at the forest curiously. "What are they doing?"
"They're searching for a mate." Arya then sat in front of the fire. "In each of our cities, elves sing this song. The more people participate, the stronger is the spell and more prosperous will be the forest this year."
"It is out of question for me to be manipulated against my will by magic! Arya, if it happens again, I promise I go back immediately to Farthen Dûr!"
"Orik, I understand your frustration and I'm sorry for this mistake. I will try to protect you as best as possible from the Dagshelgr's effects but you can't escape magic, it permeates all things in Du Weldenvarden."
"But, in that case, why Alex didn't react to the melody?" asked Nari. "He should have been affected by it."
The person concerned turned his head to Arya, his eyes widening. He had forgotten that big detail.
"As much as I hate to keep you in the dark, Alex's situation is particular. Everything will be explained in due time."
"We understand, Arya Svit-kona. We'll wait for you to tell us."
Four hours later, while everyone couldn't sleep because of the agitation, except Alex who used his earplugs and went to bed, Saphira dropped from the sky, a strange glow in her eyes. She shuddered and arched her neck. Opening her maw, panting, she spoke to her rider:
«The forest is alive, and I'm alive with it. I feel the warmth of my blood like never before. It burns like yours burn when you think about Arya. I… understand now! »
«What do you understand? »
The blue dragoness looked at the sleeping form, not far from them. Eragon did the same and immediately understood.
«The feelings I have for Alex! You've a crush on her while my sentiments for him are stronger. Ancestors help me, Eragon, I love him! Whenever he's near me or we are talking, I'm happy. When he is in the company of another female, I'm jealous and all the times he scared me when he put himself in danger to save us. Deep in my heart, I know he's the one. I knew it for some time but refused to understand, pushing theses strange feelings away. »
«In that case, you should tell him tomorrow. »
Saphira's mood darkened. «I can't. »
The young man looked at her, completely stunned by what she just said.
« I know there's a chance he don't feel the same way about you but… »
«Eragon… I'm a dragon and he's a human. It'll never work. »
«Couples of Rider and elves existed, I don't see why it couldn't be the same with a dragon and a human. » he replied. «I want to see you happy Saphira, more than everything. »
«I know Little One, I know. »
«Come on, let's try to get some sleep. »
When dawn showed its nose, Eragon admired the effects on the trees from last night. Everything was fresh, pure and lush. The air had a smell of after the passage of the rain. Saphira was feeling herself again, her fever was gone but the flame in her heart remained.
"Lifaen, Nari, go to Silthrim and come back with horses but only six, Alex will ride with Eragon. We can't walk to Ellesméra on foot. Inform captain Damitha that Ceris need reinforcement. If she ask why, tell her what she hoped – and feared – has happened; destiny has bitten its own tail. She'll understand."
The two elves walked to Silthrim after emptying the canoes. Three hours later, they were back with two white stallions and were guiding four other magnificent horses. The creatures were walking strangely, furtively and what surprised Alex and Eragon were that the horses didn't have any saddle or harness. The stallions were as big as a pony and didn't seem to be frightened by Saphira.
"How do we tell them to go in a direction or another?"
Arya answered. "An elf horse will obey every order you give him in Ancient Language. However, never mistreat it! They're not our slaves but our friends and partners. It's a great privilege to mount one."
After installing their material on the last horse, the party set off, still deeper in the forest. Eragon longed to see open spaces, a clearing, a filed or anything else instead of trees. His flights with Saphira weren't better, it showed him a stretch of hills. The trees became larger and thicker, Arya said it was a sign they were approaching the Capital.
In the late afternoon, the group stumbled upon an elf wearing a tunic and a silver circle adorned his forehead. His face was old, full of nobility and serenity. Obeying Arya's orders, Eragon showed his Gedwaÿ Ignasia and Brom's ring. In response, the elf smiled, closed his eyes, opened his arms as a welcoming gesture and stopped moving.
They all walked around him, and finally, he disappeared in the shadows.
"It was Gilderien the Wise, Prince of the house of Miolandra and guardian of Ellesméra since the Du Fyrn Skulblaka, our war with the dragons. He's the only who authorize the entrance into the city."
Not long after this, the path in front of them cleared, they passed under a gateway made by two threes leaning on each other and arrived in a field. Arya and the elves jumped of their mounts, quickly followed by the two humans and the dwarf.
The woman with dark hair turned her head to the trio, smiling.
"Welcome to Ellesméra."