I'm really, really, truly sorry about the delay. I know I've been kinda sporadic about updating. I'm trying to fix that.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inheritance Cycle.

Mellary leaned back against Embrald's side. A pack bulging with supplies was resting on the ground at her side. Embrald was wearing his saddle. They were outside the gate at Tronjeheim, waiting for the rest of their party to arrive.

Do you think we did the right thing? Mellary asked.

Embrald twisted his neck to study her with one eye. He blinked and yawned. Of course. You said so yourself.

They were discussing what had occurred the night before, when Nasuada had summoned them to her office. She had wanted to announce to the world that they had joined the Varden in their fight against Galbatorix. Mellary had bitten her lip to refrain from pointing out that they hadn't technically joined the Varden, just fought for it.

The instantaneous answer from both Mellary and Embrald had been no.

"May I enquire as to why?" Nasuada had asked, politely.

"Galbatorix knows we exist." Mellary had said. "But he does not know our names, our location, or our affiliation. We would prefer that it remained that way."

Nasuada had respected their request, as Mellary knew she would. But afterwards twinges of doubt had been going through her mind.

I know, but…

Relax. We both know we don't want a name or an affiliation.

It is a lot of fun to be the wild element. Mellary admitted with a smirk.

She heard the clop of horse hooves on the ground. Getting to her knees, she had been sitting on the ground leaning against Embrald's warm side, Mellary peeked around the edge of the carved stone lion. Eragon was coming up the road towards them. Saphira was walking slightly in front of him.

The two stopped and Saphira settled down on the ground, allowing Mellary a view of the stunning white horse fidgeting in Eragon's grasp. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of the magnificent animal. Her heart ached for her own copper horse. Tanyian had been her companion for over a decade, and even though she had Embrald, the dragon wasn't able to completely replace her friend.

Thanks. Embrald had picked up on her thought.

You mean something else, though. Mellary complained in self defense. It's not possible to compare horses and dragons. It's like trying to compare gemstones to trees. You can't.

One of the dwarves, who Mellary had heard was going to accompany them, trotted up to Eragon. They started talking, completely ignoring Mellary and Embrald.

She didn't mind. In fact, she would have been surprised if they had noticed her. Embrald was curled up like a cat in a pocket of stone in the base of one of the carved statues. The light from the torches didn't reach their crevasse, leaving it in shadow. Mellary had been lounging against her dragons side, waiting. A bad dream she didn't remember had woken her a few hours ago. Unwilling to go back to sleep, Mellary had finished packing and headed down to the practice ring.

Now she yawned, missing the few hours of sleep. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she leaned back against Embrald.

A few minutes later he nudged her with his nose. Mellary sat up with a start, scrambling for her sword. She fully woke up when her fingers met thin air where they should have touched a leather wrapped hilt. Her swords were strapped to her bag.

You were dreaming.

Already? I couldn't have been more than dozing…

You were twitching. What was it about anyway?

Mellary opened her mouth to answer, and her mind went blank. She blinked.

I have no idea. Is that bad?

Embrald gave her a shrug that rippled down his scales like water. He raised his head and peeked around the edge of the carved pillar.

They're coming. We better join the rest of the world.

But it's so quiet here. Mellary complained, indicating the dark corner. No drama, no politics, no elves, no demanding civilians… Embrald rolled his eyes and stood. Her support gone, she almost fell over backwards before catching herself.

Mellary stood and stretched, working the kinks out of her spine.

She stepped around the pillar. Nasuada, Jormunder, and Arya, who were both studying Eragon, didn't notice the slight movement.

Eragon was wearing a new helmet that threw back the light of the torch in waves. Mellary instantly recognized the dwarf craftsmanship.

"Now, once again, all three races have a hold on you." Nasuada said quietly.

Now that's slightly ironic. Mellary said silently. It earned her another eye roll and a quiet snort from Embrald.

"Perhaps it is best that we share your loyalty." Nasuada said with a smile. She finished her farewell and turned to Mellary.

"We thank you for your hospitality these past few days." Mellary said.

"Will you return to us sometime?" Nasuada asked cautiously.

"Perhaps. We shall have to see where the winds take us. And how willing the elves are to let us go." Mellary responded with a crooked smile. She gave Nasuada a slight bow.

"Farewell, mysterious Rider." Nasuada said. She turned and walked back to the group.

"Come, it is time to leave." Arya started down the tunnel. The dwarf started after her.

As Arya passed their hiding place Embrald slid out of the shadows, causing the dwarf to start. Arya gave him a cool, appraising look as she continued to walk into the darkness.

Behave.

I will if you do.

The walk to the doors was mostly silent, each of the travelers lost in their own thoughts.

The giant doors opened slowly.

"Here is our path." The dwarf said. Mellary looked at the tunnel with distaste. While the ceiling had a decent height, it was still too enclosed for her liking. She had become used to soaring through the wide open air, both in the mountain and outside in the breeze and sun.

There's a light at the end of the tunnel. This one leads outside. Embrald reminded her. For a second she caught his longing for the sun and the warm thermals that lifted him up in the air without any effort from his part. It was the thing he missed most about flying outside.

For her, it was the warm sun on her skin. It was perpetually cold inside the mountain.

They walked into the tunnel. A few feet inside and the slight scrape of Embrald's scales on the stone ground began to echo back and forth. When Saphira's didn't join his, Mellary paused and look back.

Eragon was hesitating on the edge of the tunnel. After a second he shook his head and started walking forward.

Mellary let Embrald walk on ahead, waiting for Eragon to draw even with her.

"What's your story?" She asked.

He looked at her, startled out of his thoughts. "My story?"

"How did you end up becoming the first Rider in a long time, and how did you end up here?"

At the end of his story, from finding the blue egg to slaying the shade and becoming the champion of the Varden, Mellary whistled.

"That's impressive." She admitted. He had endured a lot in such a short period of time. At least her troubles had been relatively spaced out over her lifetime.

"And you? Another Rider appearing out of the air in the heat of battle, you must have some incredible tale."

He waited expectantly. Even Saphira, who was walking on his other side, turned luminous blue eyes on her.

For a long second Mellary hesitated, seriously considering telling him. Then a clank and a muffled curse from up ahead reminded her that there were others present, including an elf. She didn't exactly trust him not to let something slip, especially when faced with the wonders of the elven city. Anyone could be overwhelmed by Ellesmera. And if someone thought to ask questions…

No, it was better to keep her story to herself.

She shrugged. "I've been all over, just roaming around. I found Embrald's egg." In the basement of the palace at Dras Leona. She though but didn't say.

"You just found it?"

"Well, I wasn't exactly looking for it." A half truth. She hadn't known what she had been looking for.

"And showing up in the battle?"

"Saw the Kull and though they would bother someone. I have a misunderstanding with Urgals."

Eragon was quiet for a minute.

Saphira thinks you're hiding something. Embrald reported. She told me.

Obviously. Congratulate her on having ears.

"And what about that name you mentioned? Mel-"

"DON'T SAY IT!" Mellary hissed. Eragon looked startled.

"Never, ever, mentioned that again. Especially not in Ellesmera. Do you understand me?" He nodded, looking slightly shocked by her ferocity.

Mellary lengthened her stride, moving up beside her dragon.

Was that necessary?

I think so. I really don't want word getting out. Hopefully He'll take the hint and not mention it to anyone. Embrald snorted. What?

I was under the impression that hints were supposed to be subtle. That was a slap in the face.

Mellary rolled her eyes and climbed on his back to take a nap.

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