Hello! hehehe, sorry for the long wait. I have been the biggest bum, sorry. I know this chapter isn't the greatest, but it has been a few months and I just wanted to reassure you all that I haven't given up on this story! I was just more focused in other areas. I am quite surprised how well loved this story is, Thank you to all of you who have reviewed, favorited, alerted, or just even taken the time to read it. I hope I wont disappoint you too badly.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inheritance Cycle or The Lord of the Rings

First Sighting

Eragon dismounted gently, his eyes scanning the trees and the hills with a sharp gaze as he assisted the older man off of Saphira's back.

"Are you sure about this area?" Eragon questioned softly, the feeling of eyes upon him causing him to be even more cautious though his eyes and ears detected nothing out of the ordinary.

"Yes," Gandalf answered, his voice equally as soft as the dragon rider, as if he did not fully believe his own words on the matter. "We are still about an hour outside of Rivendell's border; hopefully we were not seen flying on Saphira."

Eragon turned his sharp gaze away from their surroundings and onto the old wizard, his brow rising in question.

"Why?"

Gandalf seemed to hesitate for a moment, focusing his attention more onto his gnarled staff and frayed robes than onto his rescuers.

"As I have previously mentioned, dragons are not as common in Middle Earth as they once were." Gandalf began slowly, turning his grey eyes up to Eragon's chocolate brown stare, unconsciously tugging at his beard. "And those that remain have generated a small amount of a bad reputation. There is a small risk that we would have been attacked had they saw us."

Eragon absorbed this information, feeling his head nod of his own accord when he recalled the reactions they would get back in their own world.

"I see." He spoke slowly, untying his bow and arrows from his saddle before slinging it over his shoulder. Once he was certain that he had everything that he would need, he turned once more to the large blue dragon, stroking her gently as he leaned in close to rest his head against her long neck. "Saphira, take to the skies and try not to be noticed."

Saphira puffed a small gust of hot air at him before rubbing her nose against his cheek, her voice soft within his mind.

Alright. But do be safe.

Eragon nodded his head, before stepping away from her and watching Saphira unfurl her winds and take once more into the sky, blending with the endless blue almost seamlessly.

Once he was sure he could no longer see her, he turned his gaze once more to his surroundings, his senses going on high alert as he began to follow behind the Grey wizard.

"So," Eragon began, trying to break the tense silence that had befallen them once they had started through the trees. "Tell me about this friend of yours and his home. It is Rivendell, yes?"

"Yes, it is known as Rivendell to outsiders, but to the race of elves it is known as Imladris." Gandalf informed him, leaning heavily on his staff as he guided them along a trail that Eragon could just pick up with his sharp eyes. "The lord of Imladris is one of my oldest and dearest of friends. Lord Elrond."

A touch of pride seemed to enter the old wizard's voice, causing Eragon to turn his wandering gaze to the man and smile at the expression that was on the other's face. But Eragon's steps fumbled for a moment as the name sank more into his mind and a face of an elf with dark hair and eyes flashed across his eyes, surprising him for a moment but the face was gone the next second.

"He is a kind man who has seen far too much suffering at the end of a blade to the point where he has turned away from that course to be a healer. He is the one who we will be asking to heal your injuries."

Eragon nodded at this, his mind still trying to grasp the image of the elf while feeling intrigued with this elf lord who was apparently both a skilled swordsman and skilled healer. But after another few moments of being unable to recall the face, he simply let it go and continued with his original thought line.

"And what reason did you have for coming here?" Eragon pressed further, watching as Gandalf turned his gaze upon him and look at him in an almost suspicious manner. "You said before that you were going to be traveling here regardless if I chose to come or not."

Silence fell between the two, making Eragon believe that he might have just treaded into dangerous waters. But just when he was about to apologize for his rudeness, Gandalf spoke up, his voice low and hushed as if he was trying to not reveal a secret to the very wind.

"Another precious friend was to be meeting me in another town." He paused, eyes darting here and there before continuing. "Unfortunately, since I was held captive for so long I asked another acquaintance of mine to escort him to the city in order to keep him safe."

Eragon shot the man a look, his eyebrows raising up in question that the older man opted to ignore.

"Why would he be in any danger?" Eragon asked aloud when he was not answered, pitching his voice low in the same manner as Gandalf had done.

"That, young rider," Gandalf began, sighing for a moment before his gaze swept the area once more. "is best to be left unsaid for the time being. For even though we approach the lands governed by the elves, darkness is still close at hand and even the trees have ears and chosen their sides."

Eragon's eyebrows shot up into his bangs, his steps faltering for a moment before accepting this tidbit of information and stretching out his senses to feel the trees around them. They all felt right to him, but a few of them also felt just a little be off as if they were in fact trying to hide something from the dragon rider's probing mind.

"Isn't that the truth." He muttered lowly, receiving a curious look from the older man that he quickly waved off.

"Nothing."

They fell once more into silence, their senses stretched out to catch the faintest rustle of leaves and any sign that spoke of trouble approaching them.

After a few minutes had gone by and the only thing in the area was the occasional squirrel or deer, Eragon turned to Gandalf once more, his thoughts spring through his lips before he had a chance to stop them.

"Tell me of this land." Choosing to ignore how his voice was pitched in an almost awed sort of tone. "Tell me of the dragons. Do you know where to find them?"

Gandalf laughed good naturedly, his eyes sparkling when they connected with Eragon's once more while a broad smile spread across his face.

"I think your questions are better when directed at Lord Elrond." He replied, the heavy mood that had settled over them without Eragon's notice lifted almost instantly. "Though I know a great deal, he is much more informed of this land than I. And when it comes to the dragons, I believe they are closer to the north, hidden within the mountains."

Eragon nodded a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

But just then a sound of soft feet approaching evaporated his good humor. His eyes went sharp and calculating as he detected movement through the trees. He instantly shot forward, drawing his sword as he took up a defensive position in front of Gandalf. Without warning, arrows were being pointed at him from almost all sides by hooded foes. Eragon crouched lower, preparing himself for the attack only to feel a hand on his shoulder to stay his blade.

Eragon glanced ever so slightly to the left, catching sight of the older man in the corner of his eye. Seeing the warning reflected in those wise grey orbs.

"State your business."

The voice was stern, commanding, drawing Eragon's gaze to one of the hooded figures who stood towards the front and had an arrow pointing directly between his eyes.

"Really," Gandalf sighed, drawing all eyes to him except for Eragon who kept his eyes on their cloaked foes. "Is this how you treat an old friend?"

With those simple words, the tension that had been hanging in the air suddenly dissipated. The bows were lowered, albeit slowly and many eyes were still trained on Eragon's every movement, but they were lowered and returned to their holders none the less.

"I am sorry, Mithrandir." The apparent leader of the group spoke, stepping closer once Eragon sheathed his sword. "Those of us on patrol have been more on edge with word of the black riders being seen in the area."

Gandalf released a soft gasp while Eragon simply tilted his head slightly to the side while arching an eye brow.

"The black riders?" Gandalf breathed out, his voice tinged with disbelief at the leaders words. "Are you certain?"

Eragon watched as the man chose then to flick back his hood, revealing refined features and long shimmering blonde hair. Eragon blinked for a moment when he saw the delicate pointed ears of the elf before him, pondering for a moment if this was in fact the lord they were looking for.

"Yes." The blonde responded, causing Eragon to jump ever so slightly when he was drawn out of his thoughts. "Estel and myself have both seen them along with various other members of the guard. However, even though I witnessed them being swept away by the Bruinin, I still have a feeling that they will return soon."

Eragon looked from the elf to the grey wizard, trying to catch onto what was really going on in the area and who were these black riders that could have elves on such edge. Suddenly there was a whispered conversation between the elves, even so low that it was difficult for Eragon to pick out any of the elvish words that were exchanged.

Without warning, the blonde elf turned on his heel and began to stride back among the trees as the other elves started off in a different direction. Eragon followed after him as soon as he realized that Gandalf had already caught up to the tall elf. He fell into stride right behind them when he heard Gandalf's whispered question.

"Estel is here?" Gandalf hissed between his teeth in worry, "And Frodo? Has Frodo arrived as well?"

"Yes, I brought him myself." The elf confirmed simply, nodding his head for emphasis before the slightest of frowns marred his flawless features. "Though he did not arrive in good condition."

"What has happened?" Gandalf demanded, no longer trying to pitch his voice low as his eyes bore into the other man's head.

The elf, however, did not look the least bit surprised from this behavior and simply continued to lead them through the slowly thinning trees before replying evenly, "He had been pierced with a Morgul-blade and he was but moments away from departing this world when I was able to bring him before Lord Elrond."

Eragon turned his eyes towards Gandalf when he heard the older man sigh and his shoulders slump ever so slightly in relief.

"The hobbit has been healed and is now just resting. Lord Elrond believes that he should awaken any day now."

The group seemed to descend into peaceful silence, the two old friends falling into their own thoughts while Eragon took in their surroundings. He couldn't stop the small gasp that escaped his lips when they rounded a bend and the trees cleared enough for Eragon to get his first glimpse of the elven city. He could never stop the wonder and awe that always filled him when he would lay eyes onto the elves hidden cities. How they blended perfectly with the environment around them, as if they were created right from the earth itself.

But this place, Rivendell, had to be the most amazing city he had ever seen. The way the twisting supports of the buildings looking so easily woven together as if it were created from threads of silvery gold. The waterfalls that surround its awe inspiring structure only made the city shine even more beautifully in the afternoon light.

"By the way, Mithrandir." The soft voice of the elf drew Eragon's attention away from the wondrous city and to the two figures just before him. Noticing that the blonde's blue eyes were on him as if assessing his very soul. "Who is your companion? I do not recognize him and we have yet to be introduced."

Gandalf sent a small look at Eragon, his grey eyes looking troubled for a moment before simply saying, "This is Eragon."

Gandalf glanced away quickly trying to avoid the elf's questioning look that held a hint of disbelief in his gaze. Gandalf cleared his throat, his cheeks staining ever so slightly before he continued.

"He rescued me from … a difficult situation." Once more he paused and avoided the elf's gaze when the elf sent him a slightly surprised stare. "He wished to see Lord Elrond for matters that only concern him."

Eragon watched as those curious blue eyes turned to him once more, seeming to scan him a little more closely before he nodded simply and dropped the subject all together. Eragon sighed slightly, feeling his shoulders relax slightly as they crested the last hill and entered through the first archway to the city. His sharp eyes flicked here and there, trying to see everything at once before noticing that there guide had stopped and was now facing them with his once more neutral stare.

"At this time, Lord Elrond should be found in the halls of healing." He stated simply, gesturing towards the archway that would take them into the largest building that was closest to them before turning on his heel and making his way back towards the way he came."However I cannot accompany you any farther, for I must return to my patrol."

Eragon watched as Gandalf bowed slightly to the retreating elf's back, Eragon copying the gesture when he received a sharp look from the wizard.

"I understand Lord Glorfindel." Gandalf called out lightly to the blonde, "Thank you for showing us the way and may your patrol go without incident."

Eragon watched as the elf only raised his arm in a small wave before vanishing over the ridge and into the trees, blending in just enough to even evade Eragon's sharp sight. Eragon heard a soft clearing of a throat, causing him to turn back to the older man who was striding away from him and into the expansive structure.

I know it is short. I will most likely be changing this chapter in the near future (lengthing it) I just thought that you were all annoyed with me by now so I decided to upload what I had finished. Thanks for all of your support! ^_^ Does anyone know Dwarvish Greetings or just sayings? I need a little help here!