Disclaimer: See first chapter
Chapter 9
Storm woke her with a nudge in the morning just as the sun was rising. They had moved into the small hut the elves had sung from a large elm for the pair. They shared a room, but now they had a bathing room, and a shelter from the elements.
Eve woke and shifted in her bed to look at the dragon. (What is it, love?)
(Oromis says he will not be able to teach you today, but you are to report to Ellesmera and practice speaking the ancient language. He thinks it would be good for you to practice those elfish manners he taught you as well,) Storm explained.
Eve nodded and stretched before going to use the bathing room.
The past month they had trained with Oromis. Eve excelled quickly in the rimgar and her arms? strengthened as she learned to hold a sword. She grew proficient enough in the ancient language that she could function in conversation when Oromis imposed his ban on her use of the common tongue. She also learned different ways to use her magic. She didn't excel much in her studies of the forest, though, and she found that she was beginning to lose hope in the exercise.
Eve finished her morning routine left Storm with Glaedr and made her way on foot to the elfish village. She had never been there in the month she'd been with Oromis, and now she was nervous to be seen by the elves. She walked for what seemed a long time, and she would have thought she had gone the wrong way if it had not been for the marked path through the under brush.
Finally, she came upon homes that were a part of the trees in the same manner as the ones Oromis and she lived in. An elf spotted her and paused in what she was doing, then smiled and initiated the greeting sequence. Once that was complete, she smiled warmly.
"I was told to watch for you and lead you to the eggs when you came," Eve sighed in relief.
"Thank you, I was wondering how I would find my way around." The strange elf nodded.
"I am Veta," she introduce herself.
"And I'm Eve, Rider of Storm," Eve grinned.
"Good. Come with me and I will show you to the hall where the eggs are being kept," Veta smiled. "You picked a grand day to come into the city, for the queen's daughter returned to the city during the night. It would be my guess that she would like to meet you."
Eve nodded and followed the elf through the woods. Veta seemed to know her way very well and didn't hesitate as she lead Eve to the hall.
The eggs were being kept in a splendid hall, woven from the birch trees that surrounding it. There branches wove themselves to form a web-like ceiling and walls. In between the branches, Eve could see a opalescent film to protect the inside form the elements. When they went through the archway, Eve grinned. An alter was at the head of the room, and on a silken white pillow sat the three eggs, polished and gleaming. Already this early in the morning, a woman stood in front of the alter staring at the eggs.
"Arya!" Veta grinned and hurried forward. The blonde elf initiated the introduction again before beckoning Eve forward. "This is the dragon Rider Eve."
Eve initiated the introduction, having worked out that this was the queen's daughter for herself.
This elf had long black hair and beauty that surpassed that of Veta's and her mother's. She inspected Eve with curious eyes and Eve grimaced, knowing what she saw. A young girl, no more then a young adult, with long lack luster brown hair, hazel eyes, tanned skin, work toughened hands, and a wiry build.
"I had never thought I would find another Rider when arrived back home," Arya stated. "I assume that you are training with Oromis?"
Eve nodded. "Yes and my dragon, Storm, is working with Glaedr."
"Your ancient is proficient, I suppose that Oromis has restricted you to it, then?" Arya asked
Eve bobbed her head "Yes, he wants me to learn as fast as I can."
"Time is short. I would offer my assistance in your training but I have to leave soon."Arya offered
Eve started slightly she was disappointed to hear the elf maiden would not be staying.
Arya smiled and then turned back to the eggs. "You have done us all a great deed by procuring these eggs. Now we can only hope they will soon find partners."
Eve tilted her head to the side and looked at Arya curiously. "Why don't you touch the eggs then?"
Arya looked at the Rider, and Eve saw only sorrow on her face. "I have devoted my life to my people, and bonding with a dragon would break that bond and possibly kill me."
Eve stared at the elf in shock and, seeing her look, Arya elaborated.
"I swore to live for my people, doing all I could to protect them. I secured this in taking the yawe onto my back. If I were to bond to a dragon, my loyalties would have to be to the dragons before the elves and thus breaking my earlier vow, and killing me." Arya said all this giving Eve a very serious look.
The young Rider dropped her head and nodded. "I understand then, but I think it's an awful thing that you cannot touch the eggs."
Arya smiled at Eve. "It's not too terrible, besides, they are probably destined for someone already."
Eve shrugged. "Possibly. Have you heard if anyone's got a reaction yet?"
Arya shook her head. "Many of have touched the eggs, but we cannot be sure till they hatch, and then their Rider would be made apparent."
Eve frowned. "So the destined Rider could have already touched the egg and it is merely in the process of hatching?" at Arya's nod, Eve continued. "Then how do we know, out of all the elves that have touched the egg, which the dragon is destined for?"
Arya smiled at her curiosity. "The destined Rider will know. They'll be drawn to this hall without any reason they can understand, and then they will surely realize what had occurred, and bond with the dragon."
Eve nodded her understanding, remembering how she was just drawn to touch Storm whether she had been frightened or not. "Has a Rider ever denied to bond with a dragon?"
Arya shrugged. "You would have to ask Oromis to be sure, but I have heard that was one of the reasons that there were still viscous wild dragons when Galbatorix killed the Riders."
Eve grimaced and reached out to caress the eggs. They all felt as smooth and warm as ever. She wished that there was some way that she could tell if the eggs had chosen, but sensing nothing from the polished eggs she drew back.
"Have you spoken to Oromis sense you returned?" Eve asked.
Arya shook her head. "No, I have only just returned. I have only just told the queen of what has transpired in Surda."
Eve perked up at that, remembering that was where the Varden had fled and where Saphira and her Rider had gone. "Then have you met the Rider Eragon and Saphira?"
Arya smiled sadly. "Yes, they are still with the Varden."
Eve grinned. "Oromis tells me that they will be returning to finish his training soon."
Arya's face fell. "That is part of the news I carry: Eragon will not be returning for quite some time."
Eve despaired. She had been hopeful that she would have someone to talk too and someone to train with.
Arya sighed. "Tonight I will be taking supper with your master, you would be welcome to hear the tale."
Eve brightened at the thought. "That would be great."
Arya grinned and sighed. "I must be going. I would like to rest before supper with Oromis."
Eve nodded and watched as the elf seemed to glide from the room. The young Rider felt a stab of longing. To be that graceful and self assured was something that she envied.
(You are beautiful in your own way,) Storm told her sensing her feelings. (And you will grow with grace as you age.)
Eve snorted. (I would be happy to hold a sword properly.)
Stormed sent her a mental image of her trying in vain to lift the point of the sword off the ground. Eve returned the favor with an image of the dragon huffing and puffing trying to create flame.
AN: I'm very sorry for the lack of updates but I've been very busy. I know it may not look like it butI do have a life outside of writing. I'm also trying to write two more fics because they have taken up residence in my creativty center, but don't worry with all these great reviews Eve's Storm it's my first priority.
AN: Thank you for the wonderful job editing the last few chapters, Khori! Every one should read her Eragon fic it's called Earned.
maddie Hospital! What happened, I hope you're alright? It's okay I understand as you can tell this way over due. I've been so busy lately, but it can't stay that way forever right.
asdfghjkl glad to hear you like my story. I hope you continue to like it.
Thief Master Oh I'm scary! Sorry I wrote that AN in a kind of ruffled mood. But feed back even simple as three words saying: great story, update, are incouraging. Thank you for reviewing. I hopeyou continueto like my fic.
fuzzybootze I approve, a nice long review, I'm so proud. Why aren't you sending a signed review you lazy sister of mine?
druidess993 I'm not going to tell you if they mate, let's just say that very soon Storm will have competition for the right. I'm not going to write anything Eragon's point of view, cause it seems wrong to me. I don't know I always write Harry Potter but suddenly I can't write Eragon cause in doesn't feel right. I'll try and write a chapter of when he sees Eve and Storm just for you though.
Ali I'll go back and look at the chapters to see what you mean but if you're refering to when the dragons talk, I do that so you can tell when they're talking. Otherwise they might be something I forgot to edit out when Khori edited it for me. Also thank you for the kind words and putting me into your favorites. Also yes I worked on this a long time before I was willing to get up the nerve to post. I currantly have 25 chapters done.
peace35 Thank you for the kind words and I hope you like this chapter as well
darkangelbaby Okay okay I'm updateing. Sorry it took so long but I've been very busy and probably will be for the next two weeks, I'll try to update. I'm glad you got an author's profile it makes reading on that much more fun. I hope you enjoy this chapter and don't forget to review. Cheers