Ok next chapter down! I hope you guys like it!
Thank you very much to my reviewers, Silver Siver, and Katherine.

Dissclaimer: I do not own Eragon or Eldest, just some OC's that you dont see in the books! But if I did own Eragon and Eldest, you would be afraid. VERY afraid. >D

Ok well on with the story!


The Next Generation

Chapter five,

The Queen of Elves


As Eragon and Jaide walked through the beautiful Pinewood City, Jaide noticed that all of the houses were from trees, yet none of them were carved. It was as if the trees that they used grew into that particular shape. When she asked Eragon about this, he smiled, as if remembering a memory. Then he said,

"I asked that question too, when I first came here. The elves sing to the plants in the Ancient Language to encourage them to grow in that manner. They do this with all their things, to make tools, utensils, houses, almost everything. Even weapons like my bow. The Queen sung that for me herself."

"I see, how very interesting. I would like to learn to do that…" said Jaide.

After a few moments of walking in silence, just taking in the scenery, Jaide asked Eragon,

"As for the queen, what am I to say to her? What would be the proper way to greet her?"

"Well, you must tell her the same things you told us, in the ancient language so that everyone knows you aren't lying. The elf lords and ladies will be there as well. But only tell her after she has asked you to recount the events up to this point in time, since you have been transported here. Also…" And Eragon went on to explain the different things you say and do when you greet an elf, much like how Arya did for him when he was first learning.

(A/N, I took some of these discriptions directly from the book Eldest, on pages 224-225 - )

Soon they came upon Arya and Oromis, and they walked down a path of nothing but plants and greenery. At the end of the path there was a net of roots that had formed a staircase, like bare pools of earth. They climbed the staircase to a door embedded within a wall of saplings. The doors swung open revealing a long hall of gorgeous trees. Hundreds of their branches melded together at the top to form the honeycombed ceiling. Below that 12 chairs were placed along each wall. In them were the elf lords and ladies that Eragon had spoke of earlier.

As they walked down the hall, Jaide's heart beat became faster and faster as she grew more nervous. She suddenly thought, What am I doing here? These people are wary of me because I came directly from the lions pit, from Galbatorix's castle. They probably think I am a traitor or spy.

As she continued on and on like this in her head, Eragon could sense it and spoke to her with his mind. Jaide, you must calm your self. Everything will be alright. Just tell them what you told Arya, Oromis, and myself. It will be alright. Here we are approaching the Queen. Just do as I told you and focus on nothing more. He said soothingly.

Jaide drew in a deep breath. Alright. Thank you, Eragon.

He didn't get a chance to respond because they had come up to the throne under beautiful white pavilion, where sat the Queen of the Elves.

She was beautiful, a perfect representative of her race. By her left hand was a curved rod with a chased crosspiece. Sitting upon that rod was a brilliant-white raven.

The Queen lifted herself from her chair, and started down the steps towards them. When she reached the last step, she stopped, and greeted Oromis, then Arya, and lastly Eragon and Saphira. When she came to Jaide she stopped and said "Why have you come here from Galbatorix? Are you a spyor a traitor?"

Jaide began in the ancient language, in a voice so all could hear, yet not too loudly as to be disrespectful.

"No, your majesty. I have come because I wished to escape from Galbatorix's hand, with my dragon." At her last words some of the elves gasped. But it did not surprise the Queen, she already knew Jaide was a rider.

"Ah, but then why would leave your dragon behind, child? Do tell us what has happened to you so this makes more sense."

Jaide looked over at Eragon and he nodded. She drew in a breath to calm herself, then said,

"I am not of this world. I was transported here against my will….." And so she told her entire story, concealing nothing of importance. When she had finally finished, Eragon backed up her story by saying,

"And, your majesty, I have searched her mind for anything suspicious. She let me in without hesitation. I have found her story to be completely true, she is not lying."

"I see. Well then, in that case, I see no fault in you. Especially, since you told the entire tale in the ancient language. And that can not lie. I exult you for being so brave. It must have been extremely hard to leave your dragon and your friends behind, and I am most curious as to Shruiken's tale, but that will have to wait until later. Now we have a very good chance to defeat Galbatorix once and for all, and I must go tend to other matters. But now we shall feast in your honor!"


Later that evening….

"So what did you think of the Queen?" asked Eragon after they had finally gotten back from the feast the queen had thrown for Jaide. They were sitting in Eragon's tree house so Saphira could sit with them as well.

"She was very kind to me. I was half expecting her to throw me in some prison lock, just because you can't truly know me, or truly trust me because of my powers."

"Yes but you are still trustworthy enough, I searched through your mind, and I see your personality and character, I know you are not lying."

And I am also a good judge of character, and can sense things. I know you care about your dragon and it WAS extremely difficult for you to leave him behind. We know you are not lying.

Jaide smiled at this. She was already making friends in Ellesmera, and she felt welcomed because she had great powers and was also a Shur'tugal. A Dragon rider.

After a few minutes of talking about nothing of importance and nothing in particular, Jaide started to yawn and said,

"I had better go back to my tree house. I guess tomorrow we start training."

"We…do?" asked Eragon. Apparently Oromis forgot to tell him something.

"Yes, we start training together since we both give more when we have an opponent. You will no longer have to spar with…Vanir, I think it was. Oromis said that we train together from now on."

"But I am more advanced than you, how will you keep up with me?"

"You were more 'advanced' trained with Murtagh and he still beat you. Granted he had the upper hand because you were worn out and sore from fighting in the war, but still, he knew more things about Gramarye than you did. And so do I, plus I have my powers. Don't worry I will keep up with you just fine." Jaide said.

"But I have my dragon with me, so I have an advantage over that. Besides,you're a human girl, so you are muchweaker than I."Retorted Eragon, thinking that he had just won the argument. But he soon wished he hadn't even brought it up.

Jaide tensed and spun on Eragon, grabbing him with her powers, brought him close and looked him in the eye with such a glare that if looks could kill, he would be a gonner.

"What does me being a girl have to do with strength? You just wait and see Eragon, tomorrow I will kick your sorry ass for saying that."

And with that, she threw him on the other side of the room, and left.

By now Saphira was shaking the tree with her laughter, then said to Eragon,

I would apologize before you start training tomorrow, if I were you.

I think your right,.. said Eragon rubbing the back of his head where he hit the wall.


I can not believe he said that! Fumed Jaide inwardly.

Oh he will totally PAY tomorrow. I will make sure of that. As she continued like this, staring at the ground, planning on how to take revenge at his words, she wasn't paying attention to where she was going, so she soon ran into a tall silver haired elf.

"Oh m'gosh I am so sorry!" blurted out Jaide. She scolded herself for being so careless.

"It is alright. You're the new rider, are you not? The one with the special powers?" said the handsome elf as he helped her up.

"Uh, yes, I am…" she stammered. It shocked her that all of the elves were just so, gorgeous.

"I had been wanting to meet you. My name is Vanir." said the elf. Then he did the traditional elf greeting. Jaide mimicked the motions that Eragon had taught her to do. So this is the guy Eragon sparred with...huh. He's pretty hot!

"Would you like me to show you around Ellesmera? I know everything about this place." Said Vanir.

"Um…sure. I-I mean yes. Yes I would like that very much." She said after stammering a bit.

The elf smiled and said, "Alright. Lets start with…"

They stayed up for several hours looking at the sights, and Vanir teaching Jaide about all the different elf traditions. After awhile they came upon Eragon, who was out searching for Jaide.

"Oh! Hello, Eragon. What are you doing out here?" asked Jaide.

"Me! What are you doing out here with him? I thought you were going to your tree house! I have been searching all over for you!" exclaimed Eragon. He forgot that the purpose he was searching for her was to apologize. But Jaide had forgotten their argument anyways.

"I am sorry, Master Eragon. I was just showing her around, I did not know we needed your permission." Said Vanir in mock apology.

Eragon was about to retort when Jaide stepped in and said playfully (or soshe thought),

"We don't need his permission. But I wonder why he is being so…protective?"

"Maybe it's jealousy." Said Vanir with a smirk.

This made Eragon's face such a bright red, it almost shone in the night air.

"I am NOT Jealous! For your information, I came to Jaide's house to apologize for what I had said earlier. When she wasn't there I got worried that she got lost, so I came to search for her. But now I see she wasn't lost, oh no. Worse than her being lost, she is with you, Vanir! The arrogant pig of Ellesmera!"

His outburst shocked them both. Jaide was just playing, she didn't know about Vanir but she thought they were just teasing.

"Vanir, I think its best if you leave us." She said. Then with her mind she said I will see you tomorrow at the training grounds. Thankyou for showing me around.

"Very well. I will go now." And with that Vanir briskly walked off.

Eragon had turned his back from the two and had his arms folded and was hunched over like a grumpy old man who didn't get his way. Jaide somewhat chuckled at this inwardly, and slowly stepped forward, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Eragon…"

He jerked away from her and said "What?"

Jaide persisted, putting her hand on both of his shoulders, but had a firmer grip on him this time so he wouldn't jerk away so quickly.

"I'm sorry. I honestly didn't know you and Vanir had some past issues. I was just teasing you, since you…"

"Since I what?" Eragon cut her off.

"Well, you um…" Jaide wasn't sure how to say that he obviously had a crush on her. She didn't even know what the right words would be to explain it, since this culture and the one she is from are so different.

"Since I seem to be attracted to you? Well I'm not!" said Eragon, turning red again and looking away quickly. Jaide could tell he was embarrased.

"Well…..yes, actually. It's nothing to be ashamed of, really. So what if you're attracted to me? But still, why didn't you just tell me how you felt?"

Eragon fell silent. He just looked down at the ground, and to Jaide it looked as if he was about to fall apart crying. She tried contacting Saphira, and asked her to come and told her what had happened.

I'm glad you contacted me. I started to worry when Eragon shut me out from his mind. I will be there shortly.

"Eragon, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"It's alright. I'm fine, really. It's just that I…I have had some bad experiences with telling people, especially women, how I feel."

"Do you know what the definition of fine is? It means

Feelings

Inside

Never

Expressed

Do not tell me you are fine. I can tell that something is bothering you. Maybe even hurting you. You can tell me about it. I've been told I'm a really good listener."

"Well…..alright. It all started when…."

And with that they began to walk and talk, with Saphira gliding over them keeping watch.


Okay so Jaide is starting to figure out Eragon's past in Ellesmera with the elves. She is going to find out alot more about him too. I hope it wasn't too boring in the begining and too corny towards the end. Tell me if you think that Eragon should win Jaide over or if there should be like this huge fight over her with him and Vanir. Just tell me what you think! Im totally open to suggestions.

REVIEW PLEASE!