Yes, I have updated without going two months between chapters. Gasp

This is a critical chapter, so any thoughts would be great.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle.

Mellary turned to look at the Elf as Arya stepped up next to her. She widened her eyes and sucked in a quiet breath, pretending this was the first time she had seen an elf. Arya was pretending not to notice her reaction, but Mellary was sure she would have been immediately alerted if Mellary had remained unfazed.

Seeing the tall, graceful elf brought back suppressed memories, flooding her mind. The sadness, the pain of loss and rejection that had haunted the years after her mother's death. The anger and resentment from being treated like an inferior being because of who she was. The sight of the elf's smooth pale skin and clear dark eyes instantly brought back that red burn.

Mellary forcibly stuffed all the memories behind a door and slammed it shut. She felt Embrald start in surprise as the excess force revertibrated through their bond.

Arya, like Mellary, was sporting several white bandages. She was dressed in simple cothes, her hair expertly held back from her face. The only weapon she could see was a knife attached her belt. Mellary touched the pommel of her sword. She was only carrying one, thinking she wouldn't need both since she wasn't planning to do anything overtly dangerous. Then she flinched.

Her twin swords were of elven make, some of the finest blades in the land. Any elf would be able to tell from a distance that one of their own had crafted them. Not only that, but her swords had been designed specifically for her. They were unique. Anyone familiar with the blades would know who she was in an instant.

Mellary tucked the pommel behind her and tugged her shirt up over it.

"I did not know that another egg had hatched." Arya said. "I did not know that there was another that had escaped the king's grasp." She was watching Mellary out of the corner of her eye. Mellary shrugged, facing out across the crater. She watched as Embrald shot past and angled up into a corkscrew. His scales glittered in the sun.

"It's a rather long tale." Mellary said. "But we've been hiding in the back forest, far from most people."

"What is your name?"

"That is an excellent question. One to which I don't know the answer." Mellary responded.

"Your common name."

Mellary thought for a second. She and Arya had grown up close after Mellary's mother had died and she had been taken to Ellesmera. Arya had been perhaps the only one who truly acted normal around her and accepted her for herself, and not her heritage. The elf knew her name, knew who she was. She just didn't know now.

"I go by Mellary." She answered. Technically, it wasn't a lie.

"Very well, Mellary. I am Arya." Mellary had to bite her lip to keep from saying she already knew that.

"Why were you out in the countryside?"

"It wouldn't be hiding if everyone knew where you were." Mellary said, dodging the question. Arya didn't say anything.

Finally Mellary couldn't take the silence. "We didn't want to get caught up."

"You didn't want to get caught up in what? Obligations? Duty? To do what is right?"

"I didn't want to deal with politics." Mellary snapped. "As for what's right, we followed the army here, didn't we. We could have very easily looked the other way." She didn't like holding that over people. It hadn't really mattered; word would have gotten back to the king where they roughly were and she would have been running. Again. But it had been the right thing to do.

Mellary turned and walked away from the elf, steaming.

"What are you going to do now?" She heard Arya ask in a normal tone of voice. Mellary didn't stop, didn't pause. Just shrugged.

Mellary was lying on the cot in the cave they had chosen, staring at her map which was pinned to the ceiling above her head by two small hunting knives. The pressure of keeping the rock soft enough to hold a knife up to the hilt was slowly building behind her eyes.

Her eyes traced the curving, meandering line across the realm. It started in Du Weldenvarden. The entire forest had been crossed out by a big red slash. It passed through the country, often crossing the Spine and returning to Terim, which had been circled by blue. Dras Leona was obliterated by a green X. From there the line turned north before turning around completely and ending in the Beors.

Mellary sat up and drew in the city of Tronjehiem at the end of the line. A shadow passed in front of the entrance to the cave, blocking her light. Mellary sat up as Embrald slunk in and lay along the wall. His head snaked around to a basin carved in the rock that was filled by a steady stream of water that ran down the rock. Embrald to a long drink, almost emptying the basin.

Enjoy you flight? Mellary asked calmly as she lay back down.

This thing chafes. Does it really help?

Mellary swung off the cot and began to loosen the straps, helping her dragon step out of the harness.

It does not chafe. Remember those iron hard dragon scales. And you know it helps. You saw for yourself. Stop complaining. Mellary snapped.

What's got your tail in a knot? Embrald asked. His slit eyes locked on her. Mellary looked away, knowing it wouldn't help. He could feel the waves of anxiousness coming off her.

Nothing. Embrald's head moved around until he was looking her in the eye again. Mellary scowled. Suddenly she was knocked off her feet by his tail. She collapsed back against his warm side. She sighed and pulled her knees up against her chest.

I don't like being in one place this long. It's been a year since I stay in one location for long.

It's been three days. Embrald said.

I know. That's a day longer than normal.

Don't you think it's time to…

To what?

You know…

No, I really don't know.

Act slightly normal. Settle down off whatever had you on pins and needles.

NORMAL? Mellary snorted. I'm a RIDER, for crying out loud. Normal has come and gone.

True.

They both looked up as a shadow fell over the cave entrance. Mellary stood up as the blue dragon crouched down on the ledge outside. Her blue eyes swept over the cave, taking in the pack sitting next to the bed and the map spread across the ceiling.

There was a movement at her side. Mellary's eyes locked on the boy who climbed down from the dragons back.

He had blue eyes and was well muscled, probably from his time as a Rider. He looked somewhat intelligent, and carried the red sword strapped at his side with ease. Mellary recognized the work immediately. Like any lover of freedom, it made her flinch.

The rider was wearing a loose shirt. Under the collar Mellary could see the white of a bandage wrapped around his back.

She had heard of how he had gotten it, killing Durza. Something she had tried and failed. She didn't begrudge him the kill. As long as the shade was dead, she didn't care how. Dead for real, this time.

"Hello." The boy said. Mellary nodded, not saying anything. He was young, and had an angle to his face and a look in his eye that said he had been forced to grow up fast. She knew the feeling.

"My name is Eragon."

"Really?" Mellary said, intrigued. She had, of course, read the legends. Fate had a funny way of expressing itself. "I am called Mellary."

He nodded, and shifted from foot to foot. Poor kid probably had no clue what to say to the first other Rider he had seen.

"What's her name?" Mellary asked to break the silence.

"This is Saphira." Eragon said, putting his hand on the dragon's neck.

"Embrald is his name. I'll make this short. Why did you come up here?" Mellary asked. The awkward tension was beginning to make her head hurt. This was why she didn't like people contact that much.

"To say hello. To introduce myself. To find out what you know." Eragon answered. "But I really would like to know what you are intending to do next."

"That's the question of the week, isn't it? 'What's going to happen next?'" Mellary sighed. She continued before he had a chance to attempt to answer her rhetorical question. "Honestly, I'm not sure what we intend to do next. Our role here seemes to have been filled. You are the senior Rider here, I intend to see what you are planning before I do anything." Eragon looked startled. "No, Embrald is not older than Saphira."

"While I was… unconscious… I was contacted by a Sage. He requested that I come to Ellesmera. As a fellow Rider, you might want to consider coming." Eragon suggested. Having accomplished what he came to do, Eragon left.

Mellary stood there, unable to speak.

Ah. Sweet, sweet irony. Embrald quipped.

I'll admit it, i'm not the best at dialogue. If it could get some constructive feedback on it, it'd be mush appreciated.