Mellary knew the instant they passed through the wards surrounding Du Weldenvarden. She felt the immense power of the forest wash over her as Embrald coasted through the invisible barrier, drifting across her skin like a warm summer breeze. She twisted and reached back, and the magic slid across her arm. It clung to her fingertips for an instant, making her blood sing. The barrier released her and returned to its shape. Mellary sighed sadly. Her blood was still humming in her veins. The desire to run and dance through the woods shot through her. She bit her lip, shoving the feelings away.
The forest recognizes you. Embrald said reverently.
You felt that? Mellary asked, still feeling the lingering effects of the magic. Or perhaps that was the power that saturated the very air around them. She could feel it tickling the inside of her lungs as she breathed.
Embrald banked back towards the trailing group, and his wide circle took them out of the wards. The drifting magic vanished, and it felt like all Mellary's weight settled back down on her.
The magic is gone. Embrald noted, concern in his voice. Are you well? He asked when she shuddered.
I'm just sensitive. I've been away from Du Weldenvarden so long… Forgotten memories stirred within her.
Embrald peeked into her mind.
The forest emanates magic, ancient magic. Those who live here become accustomed to it, but as soon as they leave, they realize that it can be slightly…. addictive. She explained.
Why?
It is the magic of life itself, in a way. The elves sing it into the woods every cycle. Every year for millennia. All that magic builds up, and some of it leaks back out. It has changed the woods in ways that even the wisest elves don't know of.
I see. Embrald twisted, sheering off to the side just before he would have re-entered the wards. Mellary had to stop herself from reaching out to touch them.
How hard was it for you to keep from returning? He asked softly.
Mellary gave a mental shrug. Not very hard. She said. She could feel Embrald's sympathy. He knew she was lying, but he let it stand.
Mellary looked back at the impenetrable green wall behind them. She hadn't though that Du Weldenvarden would call to her on such a deep level. She hadn't forgotten the devoid feeling that had consumed her when she left, but the memory had certainly lost its potency. She shivered, feeling the encroaching storm of emotion.
Too much thinking. Embrald said suddenly. Without warning he flipped over, soaring upside down. Unprepared and riding bareback, Mellary shrieked in surprise as Embrald's solid back vanished from underneath her. Her stomach surged, her body seemed to become weightless, and she fell.
Cold night air rushed past her, whipping her hair from its braids and flinging it back. Mellary rolled over in the air so she was falling belly-first, spreading out her arms and legs to both slow and control her fall. She laughed wildly.
Embrald appeared next to her, wings pressed flat against his back and form streamlined. He drifted closer, inviting her to grab his neck spikes. Mellary laughed again and rolled over in the air, sliding away from him. The dragon was forced to chase her across the starry sky. The light of the full moon off the river let her track how far they had fallen.
Alright! I apologize for throwing you off! Now grab hold before you go splat!
Mellary folded her limbs, angling her body towards Embrald. She shot forward. Reaching out she snagged his neck spike and swung into place. She flattened her body against the dragon's neck, leaving him free to move.
Embrald flared his wings, jerking them to a halt. The air against his wings was too much. It blew them back, and the pair crashed into the surface of the river.
What, no acrobatics? Mellary joked, clinging to Embrald as he surged to the surface. He paddled against the current, whipping his tail through the water.
Don't do that. He growled.
Do what?
Wait that long. If we hadn't been above the river, you could have been injured.
By falling? Then don't throw me, idiot.
You were the one that had to play gravity tag! The dragon snarled.
Why did you have to throw me in the first place?! Mellary shot back.
You were thinking too hard.
No such thing!
Embrald paddled for the bank. It is when you start thinking yourself into unhealthy highly-emotional states.
Mellary drew back. I wasn't doing that.
Yes, you were. You know you were. He hauled them both onto the bank. Mellary jumped down and Embrald shook himself like a dog, spraying water in all directions. Mellary yelled at him, making the dragon laugh. Mumbling the ancient language under her breath, she waved her hand. All the water streamed off of her and back into the river.
My way is more efficient. Embrald said smugly.
Yes, all the other mutts agree. Mellary shot back.
Oh, how deeply your words cut…. Straight to my cold mongrel heart.
"You are here. How fortunate." Arya's tense voice cut through the night. Mellary turned slowly, taking a second to smooth her thick curls over her ears. The fiery locks had been ripped loose, and the rapid drying process had made them frizz up. Decades ago it had been a sore spot for her; no elf ever had frizzy hair.
Mellary looked past Arya's shoulder at the forest. It was so close; the edge of the ward was only a few feet away.
"The others will be arriving soon. You should remain on the ground."
"Will we be challenged?" Mellary asked. Embrald looked over her shoulder, eyes fixed on the elf.
"There will be sentinels." Arya responded. She turned without explanation and stepped through the wards, hesitating just as she passed the boundary. Mellary could almost imagine that she inhaled sharply.
Not your imagination. Embrald said gently. This cannot be any easier on her than it is on you.
I know. Mellary said softly. Then she shook off the sadness. Doesn't mean I can't let my human side be self-centered every once in a while.
'Once in a while'? Embrald asked in the sarcastic tone he had to have learned from her.
Yes. Mellary said, refusing to be ruffled. She moved forward herself, and the ward caressed her skin as she passed it. She shivered slightly, thankful that Arya was too busy staring at the forest to notice. The ambient magic made her feel slightly giddy.
Embrald nudged her back. Stay grounded. He warned.
The others took a while to catch up with them. More than once, Mellary tried to convince Embrald take them both up into the night sky, but the dragon refused.
Now I have nothing to do but think. Mellary said with melancholy.
Get on. Embrald growled in defeat. Mellary gave a mental cheer and grabbed a spike to haul herself up onto his back. As soon as her fingers gripped the scale Embrald leapt. Mellary bit back a screech, the wind whipping her body back and forth. She gritted her teeth and pulled herself slowly into the groove on Embrald's neck.
Was that really necessary?
Yes. Embrald said smugly. He settled down into a smooth glide, wind whistling over his wings. He made sure to stay inside the wards. The rush of magic that had buoyed her had faded, settled down into background noise. Mellary shook herself just like Embrald did to dry off, trying to shed her feeling of unease.
Enough is enough. Embrald growled as her indecision vibrated along their link. You need to make up your mind.
I can't!
Yes, you can. Will this sage be able to teach us something new?
Mellary hesitated. Her knowledge of magic and the ancient language was extensive, her swordsmanship excellent, and her survival skills honed by more than a decade in the wild. But still…
Yes. She admitted.
Then we go. He said it with a ring of finality, but Mellary knew that he was waiting for her.
Then we go. She repeated. Embrald twisted his head around, a pleased look in his luminous eyes. Mellary rolled her own expressively.
And I don't want to hear another word about it.
Yes sir! Whatever you wish, sir!
Good. The others have just arrived. He banked, again, beginning to drift down towards the ground.
Wait. Mellary said. Saphira's not here yet. Let's wait for her.
Any particular reason?
Maybe.
Do you feel like explaining?
No, not really.
Mellary… He sighed.
There's no reason we can't let Eragon have the spotlight. As usual. Uneasy emotions colored her words.
Embrald didn't respond, but he canted his wings slightly and their descent stopped. Mellary tapped into Embrald's sight. The world snapped into focus, the dream-like quality that the moonlight gave it vanishing as green blazed.
Arya stepped forward just as they passed in front of the moon, throwing a shadow on the ground. Embrald quickly dropped out of the way, and their shadow vanished. The elf didn't seem to notice. She called out to the forest, her words too indistinct to be made out by Mellary.
The night seemed to be holding its breath as they waited; the forest was unnaturally still. After an uncomfortably lengthy amount of time, the entirety of which Mellary sat fidgeting on Embrald's back, a reply was called back from the trees.
The undergrowth stirred as elves skipped from it, rushing forward to dance around Arya. Mellary tensed. She had forgotten just how smoothly they moved, how inhumanly fast they were. Arya, she realized, had done exactly what Mellary herself had: changed her movements ever so slightly to appear more human. These newcomers weren't bothering with pretense.
Saphira angled past the pair, the moonlight painting her with blue fire. She landed next to Eragon, wings spread wide. Mellary had to admit, it was an impressive sight. The elves reacted, bringing weapons up.
Embrald tilted his own wings, taking them down into a shallow stoop. The rushing wind caused Mellary to miss Arya's assurance, but by the time they landed next to Saphira, the elves had lowered their weapons and were grinning bright enough to light up the clearing. Mellary slid off Embrald's back and cautiously stepped forward to stand just in front of her dragon. She smothered her exposed feeling as she did.
She glanced at Eragon out of the corner of her eye as he raised his hand, gedwëy ignasia blazing in the silver light.
"Eka fricai un Shur'tugal." He intoned, voice sincere. Mellary winced invisibly, quickly yanking the glove she wore over her own palm off her hand. She mimicked his gesture, raising her palm in plain view as Embrald rested his chin on her opposite shoulder. She then pressed her fingers to her lips, giving the traditional greeting with perfect inflection.
Saphira's wide blue eye fixed on her. Mellary studiously ignored the blue dragon's stare, focusing on the elves.
The sentinels laughed, not appearing to notice her omission. They darted back into the forest, calling for the group to follow them. Mellary hung back, letting the others pass them.
She pressed herself against Embrald's side, letting her shivers die out.
You could not claim to be a friend in the ancient language, could you? He asked gently.
No.