Chapter 13- We get four totally confusing prophecies…
That morning after a makeshift breakfast of berries scavenged by Arya we set out yet again for the entrance to Ellesmera where I could begin my never-ending list of greetings.
"Are we there yet," I moaned after nearly 5 hours of non-stop flying.
"Look," gasped Eragon. "That's the entrance there isn't it?"
"Yeah," I replied my face flushed with excitement. Saphira began a gentle descent but it wasn't enough for me. I jumped gracefully off her back and landed neatly in front of a gently smiling Gilderien the Wise. Without pausing to think how I did that I began the traditional elven greeting as Arya had coached me on the way here. "Atra esterni ono thelduin." (May good fortune rule over you)
"Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr." (Peace live in your heart) he replied in his gentle, wise voice bowing his head slightly. Everything about him seemed gentle and wise though I knew he wasn't called The Wielder of the White Flame for nothing. When he fought he fought. I honoured him by saying the final line, "Un du evarinya ono varda," (And the stars watch over you)
He smiled again then, somewhat reluctantly I thought, turned to face Eragon, Arya and Saphira. "Welcome friends. You all may pass should you promise to keep the peace."
"We will," promised Arya. We started forward but he held out his arms. "But first I offer each of you a piece of advice, should you choose to take it, that may help you in your difficult task. They don't call me The Wise for nothing you know."
I said without hesitation, "We accept." The other three looked at me and I shrugged, uncomfortable under their gaze and slightly disgruntled that they didn't trust me enough to know that this was important. "Very well," he bowed his head and spoke in a low deep voice, his eyes glowing with the secrets they held even more than usual and his vast knowledge of pretty much everything stretching out of his eyes and, metaphorically of course, into our minds;
"Princess, don't keep everyone out; don't let the past repeat itself and remember true beauty isn't always what you see it is what you feel that matters truly." Arya blushed and nodded, looking down.
"Rider, remember the prophecies and every little bit of advice ever given to you, whether it be from magic or non-magic and when all seems lost you must be strong and unite the forces of Alagaesia once and for all." Eragon nodded but looked slightly confused.
"Daughter of the Air, you are the last female dragon and perhaps the fiercest; when the time comes don't hesitate to strike the final blow else you may end up on the receiving end." Saphira smirked a bit and then I realised they were all looking at me.
"Lillias Vanyali, you will play a crucial role." I looked around then realised he was talking to me. "You may be human on the outside but inside you know you are magical; you must stick to these three like glue and don't lose your way even when you face difficult decisions… also when all is done you must go back; don't dither long, time is a fickle thing- friend or enemy." I breathed in deeply and closed my eyes, trying to comprehend everything we had just been told.
As I did that I heard him whisper harshly to Saphira, "When all seems lost go to the vault of souls and find Jarnunvosk. She will help you face a great evil." I started. That was Galbatorix's old dragon! And what great evil? She wouldn't help us destroy her Rider! I opened my eyes in shock but there was no one there but us. Gilderien was gone…