Chapter 11: Insaner.

They followed the Az Ragni until it met the Edda River, the rivers then continued onwards into the unmapped lands to the east.

But they stopped where the rivers joined at the dwarven trading outpost Hedarth, it was here that they bid farewell to the rafts and hello to donkeys for the dwarves, who couldn't ride horses due to their height, and the familiar sight of Snowfire's ears, which he'd spent more than enough time looking at, for Eragon.

When they offered a donkey to Arya however she refused vehemently "I will not return to the land of my ancestors on the back of a donkey" she said.

'I wonder what's wrong with a donkey' Eragon said to Saphira.

Thorv frowned "How will you keep pace with us then?"

Before Arya could say a thing Eragon pounced on the opportunity "You can ride with me" he said, as Snowfire clacked to where the pair stood. Thorv said nothing but nodded and headed off to check the rest of their supplies but Arya stayed put and glared up at him.

He just smirked.

She knew full well that refusing the offer meant that he won because it was proof that she was uncomfortable with him, if she accepted however it wasn't much of a defeat for Eragon as he would have her pressed against his back all the way to Du Weldenvarden and have a large number of opportunities to tease her.

But only one of those options hurt her pride and so, when he offered his hand down mockingly, she, with gritted teeth, accepted and allowed him to pull her up.

They both knew she could have outrun both the donkey's and Snowfire riding at full gallop yet neither bothered to mention it to the dwarves.

And so, for Eragon at least, the journey to Du Weldenvarden was very pleasant, he made sure not to anger Arya too much as he wouldn't put it past her to just jump off and run and he was enjoying himself far too much to allow that to happen.

But, despite Eragon being on best behaviour, with each passing mile Arya seemed tenser and tenser, like a wolf being slowly backed into a corner.

The forest came into sight three days from the outpost, first as just a hazy outline on the bottom of the horizon, soon expanding into a veritable ocean of oaks and breeches and maples that spread out far as the eye, even Saphira's, could see. Going from east to west beyond the horizon, from the map Eragon knew that they spread further even than that stretching the entire length of Alagaesia.

'I hope' Saphira said to him as he peered through her eyes 'there will be room for me within the trees on whatever paths the elves use. I cannot fly the whole time.'

'If there isn't I can always burn a way through' Eragon said grinning.

'I would not advise it.'

'No?'

'No, remember that this is the home of the elves, in their many centuries of living here who knows what sort of magic they have unleashed and who knows if it is still within their control. No this forest is dangerous, I know that for certain.'

'So are we' he reminded her "Saphira wonder's" Eragon said to the elf behind him "will there be room for her within the forest on the paths the elves have."

"Yes" she answered her hands clutched the saddle behind her so that she did not have to cling to him, her perfect balance allowing her to maintain that even when they rode fast, at a gentle pace such as now there was not even challenge to it "During the times of the riders much was done to accommodate the dragons, it was not undone."

'Happy now?'

'Yes, thank you.'

Eragon stood outside his tent watching the stars above. It was quite nice really, he knew the names of a few of the stars, not many true, but enough to keep him occupied in trying to find them.

Though his eyes were locked on the velvety sky above, he didn't fail to notice Arya appearing next to where he stood. Before he could say a word her mind touched his and she said 'Follow me as silently as you can.'

He followed her, treading silently through the tents and out of the camp, skirting about Trigha, who had drawn first watch, until they were far beyond the dwarves hearing range and a good ways out of camp.

The contact had surprised him, their minds had touched twice before and neither time was Arya the instigator, so he followed without question out of simple curiosity.

Arya squatted on a moss eaten log and wrapped her arms around her knees without looking at him "There are things you must know before we reach Ceris and Ellesmera, so that you do not shame yourself, or me, through your ignorance.

"Really, what?" Eragon said setting himself down on the cold earth across from her.

She hesitated before speaking "During my years as Islanazdi's ambassador" she said "it was my observation that humans and dwarves are quite similar. You share many of the same beliefs and passions. More than one human has lived comfortably among the dwarves because he or she can understand their culture, as they understand yours. You both love, lust, hate, fight, and create in much the same manner. Your friendship with Orik and your acceptance into Dugrimst Ingeitum are examples of this."

"I'm not human" he reminded her.

"No, but you were raised as one" Arya said carefully, then she looked down, hesitating again "Elves are not like other races."

"You speak as thought you weren't one" he echoed her words from Farthen Dur.

"I have lived with the Varden long enough to become accustomed to their traditions" she replied, her tone brittle.

Eragon nodded not responding to her annoyance "So you mean that elves don't have the same emotion as dwarves and humans? That's not possible, all living things want and desire and hate and loathe."

"That is not what I meant to say!"

"Then what did you mean to say?" he said frowning, her brusque attitude confusing him.

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples taking a long breath "Because elves live for so many years, we consider courtesy to be the highest social virtue. You cannot afford to give offence when a grudge can be held for a decade or a century."

Eragon was reminded of Angela's words "Just because elves do no display their emotions doesn't mean they aren't subject to rage and passion like the rest of us mortals. What can make them so deadly is how they conceal it, sometimes for years."

"Courtesy is the only way to prevent such hostility accumulating. It doesn't always succeed, but we adhere to our rituals rigorously, for they protect us from extremes. Nor are elves fecund, so it is vital that we avoid conflict among ourselves. If we shared the same rate of crime as you or the dwarves, we would soon be extinct."

"There is a proper way to greet the sentinels in Ceris, certain patterns and forms that you must observe when presented to Queen Islanzadi, and a hundred different manners in which to greet those around you, if it's not better to just remain quiet."

"Let me get this straight" Eragon said sighing "In order to prevent offence you created complex rituals and customs that must be adhered too and not doing so is an offence… are you all fucking stupid?"

She half scowled at his language, half smiled at what he meant "You know as well as I that you will be judged to the highest standards. If you make a mistake, the elves will think you did it on purpose. And only harm will come if they discover it was born of ignorance. Far better to be thought rude and capable than rude and incapable, else you risk being manipulated like The Serpent in a match of runes."

"Don't worry" Eragon said cheerfully "Rudeness is my middle name."

"I thought it was honour."

"It's whatever I want it to be, and honour was boring. Regardless my best bet it probably to just insult everyone I meet."

She didn't respond "Our politics move in cycles that are both subtle and lengthy. What you see and hear an elf say one say may only be another move in a strategy reaches back millennia, and may have no bearing on how that elf will behave tomorrow. It is a game that we all play but few control, a game that you are about to enter."

"I like games."

"Now perhaps you realise" she continued, ignoring him completely "why I say elves are not like the other races. Dwarves are also long lived, yet they are more prolific than us and do not share out taste for intrigue, and humans…" she trailed off her voice fading into a tactful silence.

"Humans are humans. We kill, murder, rape, manipulate, bribe and steal, but if you mean to tell me that dwarves and elves don't do the same, then I'll leave now, because I cannot comprehend such a thing."

"You can't?"

"I know I want, I know I desire, I know my limits, I know what it would take for me to kill someone… very little by the way, I know why I would bribe and steal and manipulate and…" his eyes roamed her hungrily "I cannot claim to have never thought of rape."

Her whole body tensed and she waited for him to attack.

"So why isn't Orik here as well, shouldn't he be learning this as well?" Eragon broke tension like a sword cuts flesh.

"He is already somewhat familiar with our etiquette. However, as a Rdier you would do well to appear better educated that him."

"Wonderful… well come on, let's get this over with."

And with that Arya began to tutor him, and through him Saphira, in the various niceties of elven society. First she explained that, when one elf meets another, they stop and touch their first to finger stop their lip which apparently indicated that they would not distort the truth during their conversation, which was of course bullshit, even in the ancient language one could lie, you just had to lie to convince yourself it was truth. This was then followed by the phrase "Arta esterni ono thelduin" to which one was supposed to reply "Atra du evarinya ono varda."

"And" Arya said "If you are being especially formal, a third response is made 'Un atra mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr' which means 'And may peace live in your heart'. These lines were adopted from a blessing that was made by a dragon when our pact with them was finalized. It goes 'Atra esterni ono thelduin, Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr, Un du evarinya ono varda' or 'May good fortune rule over you, peace live in your heart and the stars watch over you'."

"Lovely" he said completely disinterested.

"Who speaks first is also important" an edge crept into her voice and Eragon dutifully turned his eyes to her and paid slightly more attention "If you greet someone with greater status than yourself or if you wish to honour a subordinate then speak first."

"That'll never happen" Eragon said frankly.

"If you greet someone wish less status than yourself" she continued ignoring him "speak last. But if you are uncertain of your position…"

"I'm not."

"…give your counterpart a chance to speak and if they are silent, speak first. Such is the rule."

'Does it apply to me as well?'

When he repeated the question Arya plucked a dry leaf from the ground and twirled it around her thumb and forefinger before crumpling it in a loose fist. Behind her the fires of the camp were dampened and the camp itself faded into shadow before she answered "As a dragon, none are higher than you in our culture. Not even the queen would claim authority over you."

"But she would over me."

"You may do and say as you wish" she continued to ignore his comments "We do not expect dragons to be bound by our laws."

Next she showed him how to twist his right hand and place it in the centre of his chest in a curious gesture "This" she said "you will use when you meet Islanzadi. By it you indicate that you offer her your loyalty and obedience" he could tell how much she didn't want to say those words, knowing his reaction.

"I don't. You know it occurs to me that this is all pointless" he stood.

"Eragon" she stood about to stop him.

"I don't come to the elves begging, Arya, I come as Eragon Shadeslayer, Student of Brom, Rider of Saphira, I come as a Shade, and I will not be bound by your laws and customs, teach me all you want, I will listen and learn, but I never said I would obey. The dragons are highest in your culture and I stand on equal footing with the last of them."

She raised her hands trying to placate him "I know that, the gesture is only a courtesy though, and a small one at that."

"Really?" he said sounding very much as though he no longer cared, it wasn't about the gesture that was just the sparks that ignited the issue. But immediately it died and Eragon smiled. He twisted his hand and placed it over his sternum looking directly at her "Perhaps I could… for you, Arya" he made her name a song drawing it out long and low.

She sat back down and didn't look at him for many minutes, Eragon too sat down, the moment over.

Sometime later she resumed her instruction this time with a wholly unwilling student. He would do as she asked only after she asked twice or more and would make every single title or gesture a harrowing trial. But she stuck at it until finally, once she had taught him every he would need, she stood and dusted of her hands trying hard not to let her irritation show.

"So long as you do not forget, you'll do well enough" she turned to leave.

"Arya" she and looked over her shoulder "Are you well?" he asked strangely concerned "You seem… out of sorts, troubled maybe, ever since we left Hedarth."

Arya face hardened into a blank mask and Eragon nearly winced "When we are in Du Weldenvarden, I expected that you will not speak to me in such a familiar way, unless you wish to cause affront."

She stalked away.

But before she had even gotten four paces away something barrelled into her knocking her clean off of her feet and slamming her into the ground. Eragon loomed above, a shadow with crimson eyes, a hand wrapped around her throat.

'ERAGON!' Saphira roared in his head.

'Shut up' Eragon said coldly, he was in control, utterly and completely, this wasn't about anger, this wasn't about Legion, this was about her, and it was pissing him off. The fact that he cared.

He removed his hand from her throat after several more moments instead placing it to one side of her head while he continued to look down upon her.

"Let me up" she said sternly when it became apparent he wouldn't speak first.

"No."

She glared up at him, but made no move.

For a long time he stayed there, staring down at her, following each lines of her face still visible in the gloom watching her watch him. He couldn't say how long but by the time he shifted off of her the moon was halfway through its decent.

Arya stood and looked at him, sat in the dirt, wondering what happens now.

'Eragon' Saphira said worriedly, he had blocked her from most of his mind, she could still talk to him but get no sense for anything else.

'Saphira' he responded in kind.

'Are you well?' she echoed his previous words.

'No' Eragon replied seeing no reason to lie a lie that would never be believed.

Saphira put such things to one side for now 'Perhaps you should clear up this and then…' she didn't know what happened then, whether or not he would talk to her, whether or not they would continue on to Ellesmera, whether they would even bother fighting against Galbatorix anymore, she didn't know what came next, because it would be whatever Eragon wanted.

'Maybe.'

Saphira sighed 'Just tell her what you were trying to do Eragon, I know that well as you, be honest for once, it won't kill you.'

'If you're wrong I'll come back as a ghost and haunt you.'

Eragon stood as well and thought for a brief moment, then touched two fingers to his lips just as she had taught him "Arya Svit-kona" she blinked clearly shocked either that he was using what she had taught of that he actually remember any of it, given his best efforts to ignore her, or maybe it was that he had called her a woman of great wisdom "I was merely concerned for your welfare. You have done much for me and Saphira, I will not forget it and strive to offer you aid should you need it."

Arya stared at him incredulous.

"I'm not lying" he switched to the ancient language for just a moment "I promise."

She considered him for just a short time before giving him the tiniest of smiles, and the saddest of smiles as well "Your concern is appreciated. I spoke badly. You asked what troubles me, Eragon? Do you truly wish to know?"

A single moment of uncertainly gripped him, but then he caught sight of those emerald eyes and nodded.

"Then I will tell you… I am afraid."

He had no response, no witty remark, no casual jibe for that open and vulnerable admission of fear and he could do nothing save stand there as she stepped past unhindered leaving him alone in the dark.

'Eragon?' Saphira asked when he made no move.

'Yes.'

She considered what she wanted to say very carefully, very, very carefully 'You care for Arya, do you not?'

'I don't know.'

'But you do know' she rebuked.

'Leave it, Saphira!' he snapped angrily.

A cold silence gripped the two of them, not letting go until, hours later, the sun's rays were visible on the horizon, Eragon, who had stood still as a statue since Arya had left, finally shifted and headed toward camp.

'Eragon' Saphira said as he approached 'May I ask one more question, then I'll leave it alone?' he didn't respond, but she pressed on regardless 'Will you ever answer?'

He didn't answer.

Night had long since fallen but they kept riding along the narrow trail through tangled dogwood and blooming rosebushes.

Eragon was bored but he could feel Saphira's excitement as she flew overhead 'Here the legends of old still stride the earth' she said wistfully.

'Legends are liars dressed by bards' Eragon told her poetically. It was something he had heard once, somewhere, probably, he didn't know where, he didn't care. He was bored.

"Stop here."

Eragon and the dwarves listened to the elf and stopped in the small meadow that sat between the river and the forest.

He turned his eyes upwards to the starry sky for a moment, but brought it back down to Arya, who had separated from the group and now stood alone amidst lush grass, when she started speaking.

"Come forth, my brethren! You have nothing to fear" she spoke in the ancient language "Tis I, Arya of Ellesmera. My companions are friends and allies, they mean us no harm" she added other words, most Eragon didn't know, a few he did but not enough to form a sentence with meaning.

Several minutes passed with the only sound being the river rushing nearby. Eragon realised he needed a piss just as a line of words, to quick and fleeting for him to understand came from somewhere in the trees.

Arya, however, did understand and responded "I do."

Leaves rustled and suddenly two elves stood on the edge of the forest, two more appearing from the boughs of a gnarled oak.

The ones of the ground carried long spears with white blades, those in the trees carried bows, all were garbed in tunics the colour of moss and bark underneath long cloaks clasped by ivory brooches. One of them had raven hair, the others tresses like starlight.

The elves dropped down from the trees and embraced Arya, laughing in clear, pure voices. They joined hands and danced in a circle around her like children, singing merrily as they spun through the grass.

Eragon watch with growing horror "I really hope they're not all like that" he said to Orik "Seriously Arya I can handle, but that level of cheer… I'll go insane."

Orik coughed.

Eragon nodded, forced to agree with Orik "I meant… insaner."

It was then that Saphira drifted over the river. At her approached the elves cried out and aimed their weapons towards her.

Zar'roc's hilt smashed one across his face, Eragon was close behind and before Arya could stop him he kicked the other one with a spear in the stomach, hard, then snatched Zar'roc up, before it had even fallen, Durza's sword in his other hand, and stabbed forwards the tips heading for two flawless necks before they could even notch an arrow.

"NO!"

At the last moment Eragon angled his blades to one side, just avoiding slicing them open. Before they could react further than shock Eragon placed the cool flat of his two swords against the soft flesh of each ones neck "Ever point your weapons at my dragon again and I will let her eat you limb by limb" he met their eyes "and that… will be a mercy."

Arya placed her hand on his wrist, he pulled away quickly walking back to Saphira ignoring the elf hacking up blood and the one whose nose had been crushed.

Eragon sheathed his swords and stood at his dragon's side while Arya, who had first set about healing the two injured elves, was now talking in quick soothing tones, motioning between Eragon and Saphira.

Eragon paid it no more mind and looked away.

"Mighty fine way of making you an enemy… isn't it?" said Orik, he was gripping the haft of his axe, one of the other dwarves had even drawn a weapon "threatening Saphira I mean."

Eragon nodded and glared back to the elves whose faces had lit up with radiant joy as they surveyed Saphira. They bowed to both Dragon and Rider and pressed their forefingers to their lips "Atra esterni ono thelduin."

Eragon didn't respond.

Arya didn't even bother scowling at him, thankful that he hadn't killed them, but the elves, who had apparently recovered from the shock and pain of being attacked, didn't seem to care about his impoliteness, or his assault, and instead pointed to the dwarves and laughed then drifted back into their forest calling "Come, come!"

They entered the forest as they did so the canopy overhead plunged them into velvet darkness, except where fragments of moonlight gleamed through chinks in the shell of overlapping leaves.

The elves whispered and laughed all around them if he had been human he would have missed their swift footsteps and them darting from branch to branch. He seriously considered tossing Zar'roc at one of them again, but Arya caught his eye before he could do so and silently pleaded him to not.

So he didn't, not because she asked but because then he'd have to go retrieve the sword and that'd be a pain, plus what if he hit? Could he kill the other elves before they harmed either himself, Saphira or the dwarves, he really didn't want to have to give someone an 'honoured' burial, they seemed like a pain and didn't really want to get exiled, at least not yet.

So he decided not purely on practical ground, or so he told himself.

A fire glowed through the trees ahead as Eragon entered the light he saw three small huts clustered together around the large base of an oak. High in the oak was a roofed platform from which the elves could survey the river and forest and on a pole, lashed between two of the huts a bundle of drying plants hung.

Next to him the dwarves grumbled amongst themselves.

'Wonder what the joke is?' Eragon said to Saphira.

'Why are dwarves short?' she offered.

'I don't know why are dwarves short?'

'Because there's no such thing as a tall dwarf.'

Eragon blinked 'That isn't very funny.'

'Why don't you try making one up then? Go on' Saphira said bitterly, angry that her joke was dismissed so easily.

'Okay… What did the dwarf say when I asked him for a crown? Sorry I'm a little short.'

'Inspired' she said humourlessly.

"I am Lifaen of House Rilvenar. And my companions are Edurna, Celdin and Nari" said Lifaen, the dark haired elf, when Orik asked.

Eragon sat down and leant against Saphira's side eyeing up the elves like a wolf eyes up deer.

Though the elves were all male they were all incredibly beautiful. Their faces resembled Arya's, with delicate lips, thin noses and large slanted eyes. Their bodies were thin with narrow shoulders and slender arms and legs. Each was nobler and fairer than any human or dwarf Eragon had seen, albeit in a strange, exotic way.

'Graceful buggers aren't they' he commented. The elves moved like dancers going through a routine practised a thousand times, their every action smooth, lithe and coordinated.

'They are at that. More magic is in this race I feel than either humans or dwarves. They do not feel as if they come from earth or stone, but rather from another realm altogether, half in, half out, like reflections seen through the water.'

'Brom did say they loved the sea' Eragon commented blandly, not really caring.

Saphira laughed, her growly way 'Given how much you forget of his lessons, I'm surprised you remember that.'

'I'm good at remembering obscure and useless facts, but I forget all the important stuff of course.'

According to Brom it was considered rude for someone to speak with their mind to a Rider's dragon without permission and the elves adhered to this custom vocalising their comments to Saphira, but Saphira would then reply directly rather than having Eragon rely responses, the elves revelled in her presence and welcomed her into their minds.

At some point food was served on carved wooden plates that felt like dense bone, but Eragon wasn't sure when. He didn't care anymore, he just wished he could see the stars through the leafy canopy above.

Nari, the silver haired elf, sang a song by then though Eragon was so nearly asleep that he barely registered a word, but apparently Saphira enjoyed it.

It was the song finished the Throv grumbled "Very pretty, Master Elf. However, there are matters more serious that reciting verse that we must attend to. Are we to accompany Eragon further?"

"No" Arya inputted quickly, drawing looks from the other elves "You may return home in the morning. We will assure that Eragon reaches Ellesmera."

"Don't worry about me" Eragon said sleepily "I got Orik, I got Saphira, and I got me."

Thorv looked from him to Arya, then dipped his head "Then our task is complete."

Words drifted to where Eragon lay the Ancient Language used fluently and without pause unlike any Eragon had heard, or used. It was Arya, he was certain, and though she used many terms and words unfamiliar to his ears he realised she was speaking of how she lost Saphira's egg and the events since.

Not once did she mention that Eragon was a shade.

A long silence followed her swift words, the finally one the other elves spoke "It is good that you have returned Arya Drottningu" Eragon frowned at the honorific, it was not one Arya had taught him of, but… "Islanzadi was sorely wounded by grief when you were captured and the eg was stolen, and by Urgals no less! She was, and is, sick at heart."

"Hush, Edurna, hush" chided another "Dvergar are small, but they have sharp ears, and I am sure they will report to Hrothgar."

'So' Eragon said to Saphira shifting onto his back after the elves voice dropped so low that they were lost beneath the shifting of the forest 'why would the Queen of the elves be, and I quote 'sick at heart' over the loss of a courier, a skilled, powerful and incredibly hot courier, but a courier none the less?'

'Who knows, but perhaps you should not be eavesdropping, Eragon?'

'If they refuse to speak quietly then we shall hear, whether we wish to or not. It is not eavesdropping it is merely being forced to listen.'

'A most eloquent argument. So given the choice you would not listen to their conversation and are, of course, most appreciative now that they have quieted, that you are no long forced to listen, am I right?'

'Why should I care what a bunch of elves natter about?'

'Eragon…' Saphira said slowly 'Why do you care?'

He didn't respond and cut their connection.


I'm only halfway through the next chapter and struggling, so don't expect it out anytime soon. Consider this a present for waiting so long and so patiently.

Thanks for reading, review if you want, don't if you want. Toodles.