Blödhthringa and the others rode until her back was sore and stiff, the constant jumping around as the horse galloped grew increasingly more and more painful as the day grew long. Soon Bleithr sent her exhaustion to Blödhthringa, she informed Scarlet and she nodded, allowing them a few hours to rest and for Bleithr to hunt. The moment their stomachs settled, their journey resumed. The distance they covered was astonishing to Blödhthringa and she enjoyed every minute. She has never been outside of Ilirea before, as Du Weldenvarden appeared on the horizon, due east of them, the glow of Gil'ead could be faintly seen. If they would travel about five or so miles east, the city would come into view. Gil'ead was on of the first of human cities that elves has began to live outside of their forest.
Her father hinted at a friend of his living in Gil'ead, Blödhthringa wished, when she had completed her training, to visit the city. They rode into the night, stopped as the night grew late, before the towering trees. When Fao saw Blödhthringa gaping, "You've seen nothing yet, there are even older and larger trees deeper into Du Weldenvarden.
They strode into Du Weldenvarden as Scarlet said, "If this were the days of old, we would still have wards placed around the edges of Du Weldenvarden, preventing anything from entering our grand forest from the sky. Queen Arya, in an act of good faith, removed them. She met a lot of resistance, but I believe it was a good move." With that, they set up camp deep into beginning of Du Weldenvarden, after they ate they rolled out sleeping bags around a larger than normal fire. "I'll take the first watch," said Vanir as he walked into the underbrush. Bleithr laid, curled up by Blödhthringa who pet her and scratched under her chin. You know, the more I look at you, the more I start to believe this is all a dream. Blödhthringa said. Bleithr opened one small bright purple eye and blinked slowly. I could bite you, then you could tell if you really were dreaming. Blödhthringa smiled, I think I'll pass Bleithr snorted with small merriment, a small train of black smoke appeared briefly from her nostrils, as they have for some time now; but she still has yet to breathe fire yet.
They awoke early next morning and resumed their journey, Bleithr let out a small roar, the others looked up with small smiles. Bleithr sent Blödhthringa an image of what it's like above the trees.
As they continued their journey, Blödhthringa began to notice an almost unnoticeable change in the forest. The trees were taller and more proud, the grass and even the moss were of richer and darker shades, the trees seemed to begin to part and clump together, forming small brief passage ways. "We're nearing Ellesmera." Scarlet pointed out. Blödhthringa had never been to Du Weldenvarden, let alone an elven city, so she did not know what to expect. She has also seen fairths of Ellesmera and illustrations, and once had her father describe what he could to her.
Scarlet's group slowly came to a stop and not even a second later, the morning air shifted to reveal an elf standing before them, sheathed in a brilliant ray of light that slanted down from the ceiling. He was garbed in flowing robes with a circlet of silver upon his brow. "Gilderien-elda, I, Scarlet, request permission to enter Ellesmera. Accompanying me, as you know as we departed, Fao, Don, Vanir, and Duthart. Also, we come bringing guests." Scarlet looked back at Blödhthringa and Bleithr. They parted as she strode forth on her horse and bleithr crawled next to her. They stopped before Gilderien, who she's heard stories about from tales and from her father. She did not know what wrath may incur if he refused their entry. "My name is Blödhthringa and this my dragon Bleithr. We've been summoned here to train to become proper Dragon and Rider. May we enter?" Gilderien was silent for a pair of heartbeats, then nodded. "I grant you all access. As long as you keep the peace and be without violence, you are welcome to stay however long you like." With the same shift in the air, he vanished.
Without another word, Scarlet strove forth and Blödhthringa and Bleithr followed. The elven city was unlike anything she had ever seen, as stunning as it was different. Their homes, the entire city, literally was the forest. They made the forest their homes and it welcomed them with open arms. Every where she looked, magic, trees, nature, elves, these were the breath-taking and infamous cities of the elves, and this is supposedly their most grand. The most grand however, was the Menoa Tree. She had only read about it, but it was that and more in person. As they passed it, on their way to see Queen Arya, Blödhthringa couldn't help herself. She handed the reigns of her proud white stallion to Scarlet, who before she could ask, leapt onto one of the Menoa Tree's roots, she walked toward the tree and placed a hand on the bark. Unlike usual bark, the tree was warm and every minute or two a small vibration could be felt deep inside the tree. As if it were a beating heart. She extended her mind to the tree, it's consciousness was vast, and as the stories said, it's mind encompassed the whole of Du Weldenvarden, with it's influence being the weakest at the edges. Withdrawing back to herself, she walked to the edge and looked down to see Scarlet by herself, without the horses. "I sent the others ahead," she said as Blödhthringa leaped down to her. "You will have all the time to sight see when you are in training, but we must report to her Majesty beforehand." Blödhthringa was embarrassed, but curtsied. "I must apologize, I've got a hobby of learning and discovery, I've read much about our world and especially of my home land, that I had not even seen yet. One of my many great interests was the Menoa Tree, I couldn't help myself."
Scarlet smiled. "I promise to tell you all I can someday, but let us go." Blödhthringa nodded and followed Scarlet, but still continued to look around and gleam everything she could. So much culture and the world of her people; it all spiraled around her, but she was eager to learn all she could.