Chapter 16 – Du Weldenvarden

As Saphira had predicted, it took them exactly a week for them to be at the borders of Du Weldenvarden, at which point Eragon had decided to run with his pack as he was exited in being in such a magical forest. During the trip he and Arya had found a way to enchant his clothing so that when he phased, it would go to a pocket of space. This way he would not have to worry about running out of clothes or always having to bring a pack with him, as he was planning on enjoying the forest in his wolf persona as often as possible. He had taken the liberty of doing the same with the clothes of the rest of his pack.

During the trip Arya had taken the liberty to teach them the elven customs so that they wouldn't enrage the Queen, which he didn't want to do seeing as he wanted to spend a lot of his time with her daughter.

Eragon jumped down from Saphira and joined his pack as the arrived at the edge of the forest. They quickly phased and immediately started running following Saphira. As soon as he stepped onto the forest he could feel its happiness and the magic flowing through it. The happiness was contagious to Eragon and his pack and so they howled in happiness. They let go of their inhibitions, giving in to their instincts and reveling in the feelings of freedom. Along the way they decided to hunt as a pack, they prey in the forest was more abundant and bugger than in any other place Eragon had hunted and it provided a better challenge, which only made it even more fun.

They had run the entire day at top speed, and by sundown they had made it to the city before Ellesmera. They decided not to enter the city, as the Queen should be the first to know of their presence in the forest. Eragon was still full from his hunt and so he took out his bedroll and spread it out next to the campfire that Arya had made minutes before. Once again a smile came to his face as Arya spread hers next to him.

"This forest is amazing," he said to her and she smiled "it is full with life, and I can tell that it is happy."

"It is" she said "the elves sing to the forest, maintaining it happy, this forest is our home, and so we take care of it."

"I am looking forward to seeing your home," he said

"And I am looking forward to showing it to you" she said and gave him a smile before she set her head in the crook of his neck and closing her eyes. Eragon sighed contentedly before putting his hand on her waist and hugging her close and falling asleep.

He woke up to the happy call of birds and animals he gently woke up Arya and together they started picking up the camp, halfway through, the rest of his pack, Orik and Saphira woke up. Soon they were back on track, Orik and Arya flying with Saphira while Eragon led the pack. As they were close to Ellesmera they arrived before midday. At that moment Arya made Saphira land and told Eragon And his pack to phase back.

"Before going in we must be allowed entrance by the guardian of the forest, Gilderien the Wise." She said as she dismounted Saphira "none may enter without his permission" They started walking and about ten minutes after they came across an elf.

"May we enter?" she asked him.

"You may" he said "and welcome back" She nodded and one after the other they passed him. At first he didn't notice anything different from the other parts of the forest they had been in but little by little they came across more elves. Each elf would look at Saphira and start singing praises and dancing of happiness. He noticed that what he thought were trees, were actually homes and buildings sung from the massive trees that made Du Weldenvarden. They walked onto a massive building that had the Yawe crest and he surmised that this was the palace where the royal family lived. They entered the throne room and upon it was Queen Islanzadí. Right away he could tell were Arya had gotten her beauty from, the queen, like Arya, had skin as white as alabaster and black midnight hair. Her eyes were a softer green than her daughter, but unlike the soft look Arya had on her face when speaking to him, the queen had a harsh and cold look on hers. Eragon and company bowed as Arya had instructed them during their trip, and she spoke first.

"Queen Islanzadí, I bring with me the Dragon Rider, and his companions" she said, and Eragon could tell that she had, as well as her mother, put on her mask of indifference.

To his surprise, the Queen broke her mask, stood off throne and glided down the steps. Hugging Arya who seemed as surprised as him and the rest of the elves present, she spoke "Arya my daughter, please forgive me" she said, and Eragon could tell she meant it "I made a grave mistake when I decided to exile you, and though I know that it will take time, I want to rebuild our relationship, and as of right now you are exiled no more. You are my daughter and princess of your people, welcome home."

Her mother pleasantly surprised Arya and she was happy as well. She was able to hide how much she had hurt her when she had exiled her, but the truth was she sometimes missed her. So taking this opportunity to again have a semblance of a family she hugged her back "Thank you mother". They separated and the queen turned to Saphira.

"Welcome Bjartskular to my home, it is wonderful to meet a Dragon as majestic as yourself." She said

"Well met Queen Islanzadí, is likewise a pleasure to meet you."

"I hope you will enjoy your stay in our home" turning towards his general direction she spoke again "now who is the rider of this majestic dragon?"

Eragon walked forward, bowed and said the customary greetings, and after that spoke "It is me my queen, my name is Eragon" he said slightly nervous at meeting Arya's mother.

The queen seemed to look him up and down quickly assessing him, she seemed to approve for she gave him a small smile. "Eragon, such an appropriate name for the rider who is the first of the new order and destined to lead it" she said walking back to her throne "and who are your companions?" she asked looking at his pack.

"This is my pack your highness" he said and one by one they introduced themselves.

"May I ask why you call them your 'pack'?" she said and he could tell that the thought of him being a werewolf had never crossed her mind.

"Yes your majesty, you see I am a werewolf, they are my pack and I am their Alpha" As he finished his explanation he looked around and found that the elves had a look of shock on their faces. It was easy to understand, he was the first werewolf to be a Dragon Rider.

"He is to humble, your majesty" interjected Eragon "He is more than our Alpha, he is our King, it seems he sometimes forgets this."

"I see" the queen said as she once again stood up from her throne and walked up to him "Then it seems it is I who must bow to you" and to his surprise she actually did "Now please come, there is much we must talk about, I am curious to hear about your travels."

She led them to a room, which he suspected was used for meetings, as it had a table and six chairs on either side as well as a bigger chair which he guessed was Islanzadí's. They each took a sit, and Eragon launched into his story of how he had been bitten, found Saphira's egg, rescued Arya along with his father Brom. At hearing this little piece of information she was pleasantly surprised, it seem the elves had a lot of respect for his father. He continued with how he found his people, travel to the Varden and fought in the battle of Farthen Dûr and killed Durza. And finished with his arrival at the forest.

"It seems that you have managed to do some incredible things, being able to infiltrate the Prison-city by yourself is no laughing matter, not to say the slaying of a shade." She said with surprise tinting her voice "Now, a tree house has been prepared for your pack, another for the dwarven ambassador, and I'll have an elf guide you to Vrael's house which is now yours as per your inheritance, and tomorrow morning you will meet your new teachers."

Everyone nodded and started getting up; looking back the queen hadn't said anything about where Arya was going to sleep, although now that he thought about it, it was obvious that Arya had her own room in Tialdari Hall. Nevertheless he thought to ask her. He put his hand on her shoulder to get her attention and spoke to her through his mind.

Arya, are you going to stay with Saphira and me?

Not at first she said and he could tell she wished it wasn't so If I did then rumors would spread, I think its best if we slowly make them understand that we are close friends, I just hope that I don't get any nightmares, you have been a lot of help, when I'm with you I always have peaceful sleeps.

She had a sad look on her face and was looking at the floor, as if ashamed of being weak. He couldn't stop himself from trying to make her feel better and so he held her chin and slowly brought her face up so she looked him right in the eyes. No matter what time it is or if I am asleep, I want you to promise me that if you have a nightmare you will come to me, I don't want you to suffer alone thinking you will be a bother to me, okay?

She gave him a smile that instantly made him grateful to be alive even if just to see it. I promise she said in the Ancient language. He nodded, said his goodbyes and followed the elf that had just arrived to take him to his new home.