It's all right, just trust us, Bjartskular and Shur'tugal," the head elf reassured.
"Somehow I doubt people when they say 'trust me'," Sophie said. Smirking, she then added in the Ancient Language, "But since elves can't lie..."
If the elves were shocked to hear Sophie talking in the rarest language in Alagaesia, they did not show it. "It seems we've lost our manners. We haven't been properly introduced. My name is Silverleaf, and this is Ronderban, Ashta, Milktam, and Ealthin." Sophie smiled and started to relax as Silverleaf's musical voice enchanted her. She was still a little wary, though, since they knew she was a dragon rider before she entered their village.
Silverleaf and his friends led Sophie and Drecor back to their tree village. Sophie was still amazed at the intricacy of the elves' homes.
I'm actually glad now that they already knew our identities, Drecor commented later after a supper of fruit, nuts, and berries. Would you mind asking Silverleaf if I could hunt in this forest? Based on our dinner, they are vegetarians.
"Excuse me, Silverleaf, this was a wonderful meal, but would you mind if Drecor hunted in these woods?" Sophie asked for him, hoping they would say yes.
"Why, of course! As long as you, Drecor, do not pollute the water, earth, or air with the blood of your kills, you may hunt here."
Sophie remembered that it was customary for only a dragon's rider to speak to him directly, "Oh, if you want to talk to him directly, you…can." Sophie paused, realizing that what she said was awkward to say the least. "I noticed that you… sung the trees into homes," Sophie said, hoping she would not have to explain how she knew the bond rule by telling the elves that she came from another world.
Drecor surprised Sophie by saying, Don't worry, I won't give up your secret. I thought it was strange, though, that you knew exactly what kind of stance to take against elves: prepared for anything whether violent or diplomatic.
I actually didn't, but just wanted to be prepared for anything, Sophie commented. Then she explained a bit about what the book series was but that she did not know what would happen in the last book, which was where they seemed to be.
Soon Drecor was off and Sophie, Silverleaf, and his companions sat around the fire, watching and waiting for what none of them knew. Finally, Sophie went to a clearing, wanting to be alone to attempt to understand the crazy events of the day and the fact that she may never go home again since she had no idea where and when the next portal to Earth would be.
Home, Sophie thought, where is home? From a song, I think it's where the heart is, but where is mine? She spent a long time pondering what to do before she went back to the camp. Only Ronderban was awake, since he was on the first watch. The others were in such a trancelike state that Sophie assumed they were dozing while still being aware of everything around them.
Eventually Sophie fell asleep, dreaming about all the horrible things that could happen while she was asleep in this new, troubling world.