My dearest readers, many thanks for your kind reviews. I sincerely hope you will continue gracing me with your excellent readership. Thank you.

Regards,

Karldin.

CHAPTER 9

Eragon stood at the edge of the Kostha Merna with Saphira, his long silver hair rippling in the wind that blew cold and soft over the lake. Laetri had accompanied him of course, she always did when possible. He felt Sahloknir's and Saphira's happiness as they flew free in the twilight skies above the Beors, joined shortly by Firnen. Sahloknir and Firnen were almost the same size, wondered Eragon as he saw that the two almost seemed to compete with each other.

He could faintly feel Sahloknir's envy of the green Dragon, though he hid it well. Eragon had suspected Sahloknir's intentions of wanting to mate with Saphira, but Saphira had already chosen Firnen as her mate long before Sahloknir had hatched. Laetri glanced at him with eyes that told him that she too sensed the quandary of their situations, that she too appreciated the mirroring irony between the Dragons' and Riders' problems.

"You should have comforted Roran, Eragon" said Arya, a faint note of reproach in her voice. When he had finished relaying his suspicions to the rulers of Alagaesia Roran was still recovering. But Eragon dutifully told him everything, not keeping a single thing from him. It was not pleasant to see his reaction in the least, especially after Roran had tried to punch him and managed to break his own wrist.

"To what end, your Majesty?" he asked. Even though he considered her a Rider now, he could not help but revert to the proper form of address. "I would never presume to restart the relationship we once had after a hundred years of absence, not after delivering him the news I did. I could feel his pain. He wanted to be left alone"

"In this I agree with Arya, Eragon-elda" said Laetri quietly. "He is your cousin, and the first family he has known. He would vent anger at you no doubt, but I feel you would still be a source of comfort to him"

Eragon fell silent, still keeping his senses out for the arrival of Varda. Neither Arya nor Laetri pressed the issue, sensing his discomfort over it. Eragon gave a small sigh as he roved his eyes over the beautiful Beors in the first light of the morning.

"The one good thing to come out of my sad tale was that the Riders are accepted in Illirea. King Palencar is a very shrewd man, and wise to have tested my Riders like he did. A cautious King who takes nothing at face value and makes his own conclusions" said Eragon appraisingly. Arya nodded, with a faint smile playing about her lips.

"That he is. Palencar is exactly the kind of man we need to keep the peace…but he is erratic at times. If you wish to listen to my advice, I would ask you to treat him with care. He can draw the oddest conclusions from the most irrelevant details" warned Arya.

Eragon nodded smilingly. "Your advice is appreciated. I have a question for you, if I may ask" he stated, and continued upon seeing Arya acquiesce.

"Do you know what happened to Murtagh?"

A shake of the head greeted him. "No, he has not contacted me at all. It seems he is intent upon being left alone after the war, Galbatorix affected him more than we could have imagined" she said. Eragon's eyes darkened slightly at the name.

"Galbatorix" he said, saying his dead foe's name after many years. Laetri cursed softly at the sound of the traitor's name, causing Arya to look at the princess in slight shock. Laetri lifted her head to look at the freely flying Dragons, the expression of anger still not leaving her face. Eragon shook his head, turning to Arya with a sad face.

"The Eldunari Galbatorix had twisted in his reign of darkness; we have tried to heal for decades now. Laetri here has had more success than all of us combined…but then again what success we have had is nothing to glorify" he said with a downcast expression.

"How many…?" asked Arya softly.

"We have only managed to restore eighty" stated Eragon. "Of those, seven wished to return to their Riders in the void. I shattered those myself…" he said with an expression of utter grief twisting his face for a moment, before he composed himself. Arya clenched her fist for an instant, and cursed Galbatorix with a vile epithet.

The Dragons landed around them, and Firnen spoke to them with a regretful voice.

The egg-breaker's evil will take many more years to undo completely. Eragon-elda, I and Sahloknir saw a flash of white light just a ways north of this location. Is that significant in anyway?

Laetri pushed away the dust kicked up by the Dragons' arrival with a single spell as Eragon's eyes widened with pleasure. But he did not move, instead looking at the mountain-obscured land with a discerning look.

"She will find us" said Eragon. Arya turned to him curiously and asked, "You seem attached to this Rider very much. She is human, is she not?"

Eragon heard a slight disdain in Arya's tone, and frowned. It seemed that the Elven Queen had been secluded too long in her leafy realm, too immersed in Elven courtesy and strength. People could certainly change in hundred years, but he found he could not appreciate this change in Arya.

"That she is" he affirmed quietly. "She will be my apprentice. My true apprentice. I can sense in her something I did not even in Dusan and Alanna with all their elven grace. Varda is special, she has a pure heart and righteous inclination that will make her better than any other Rider" he said.

Arya scoffed lightly. "Forgive me, but she is a child. All normal children tend to be pure of heart, do they not?"

"You will see as you get to know her" commented Eragon in a distant voice as their well-honed hearing picked up a slight sound to their right. Arya suddenly turned to find a small shape standing next to Saphira, who was chuckling her throaty laugh at their discomfiture.

I must be getting soft, murmured Arya to Firnen. A child managed to almost evade me even though the light is fading!

She is an apprentice Rider, Arya. That does mean something despite her age said Firnen as they watched the girl give a low bow to Saphira, who snorted. Sahloknir growled lightly and nudged the girl with his snout.

A hand darted out of the white cloak and lowered the hood, and shook out blonde hair that fell to her shoulders.

Arya was quite certain that the young lady would be a very stunning beauty as she grew up, for she was the most beautiful human child Arya had ever laid eyes on. If Eragon were not so forthcoming with his information, she would in fact mistake the child for an elf.

"Ebrithil?" asked the child in a small voice as she came to stand in front of Eragon, barely taller than his knee. She looked at Eragon with large green eyes, and Arya gasped lightly as Eragon's face filled with an emotion that struck her to the core. She could read his face for a moment, and saw the extreme love and protectiveness he had for this child.

Where is Belgabad? echoed the voice of Saphira in their minds as she looked around inquisitively. Firnen suddenly growled with irritation as a white blur dropped out of the air, landing on his snout with a distinct thump. Before they knew it, Firnen had pinned the blur under his large claw.

Laetri sighed resignedly at the scene as they saw the Dragon trying to wriggle out of Firnen's grip. It was barely larger than a hatchling, surmised Arya. Possibly not more than a month old. Firnen inspected the wriggling Dragon closely as Eragon and the child watched with identical expressions of exasperation.

Then something seemed to register with Arya. Firnen's mental expression of pure amazement echoed through their minds as he hurriedly let the white hatchling up, who flew rapidly into his young Rider's arms. She could only just hold her Dragon, both of them were so small.

Belgabad is quite the opposite of his namesake, thundered Sahloknir's amused voice. He is a Dragon who is fond of practical jokes, though this one seems to have gone awry. I believe he intended to fall upon me he said affectionately. Laetri too laughed as the white Dragon somehow seemed to look ashamed. Eragon was chuckling softly at the scene and even Saphira's enormous frame shook with her amusement.

"A white Dragon?" whispered Arya with awe as she stared at the Dragon. Firnen too leaned his snout close as he examined the Dragon with shining eyes. The child laid the White Dragon down on the ground and turned to Arya and bowed.

"I am Varda, your Majesty" as Arya tore her gaze from Belgabad. "He was only playing. I hope you are not angry" she said in an abashed tone, looking down at the ground determinedly. Arya knelt and lifted the child's chin with gently, looking into her eyes. But Varda turned to Firnen with a scared expression on her face.

Are you hurt, Firnen-elda? asked Varda in an innocent voice as she painstakingly examined Firnen's snout without the slightest hint of fear. Firnen lay still as the girl completed her study and spoke as the child looked scared still.

It will take much more than that to hurt me, youngling he said to her, his rich voice making her eyes widen. He lowered his snout even more to stare into Belgabad's eyes, an expressive blue that contrasted with his pristine white scales.

"Your Dragon carries a powerful name" said Arya softly. "I have a feeling that he will even eclipse his namesake one day, young Varda. I wish you well in your apprenticeship with Eragon-elda"

Firnen had snorted and nudged Belgabad gently with his snout, and the young Dragon also snorted a trail of smoke. Arya let a smile upon her face as happiness bloomed across Varda's face at her words. She nodded as Firnen spoke to her and in a rush of air departed towards Farthen Dur with Saphira and Sahloknir.

"It is alright Belgabad", consoled Varda as she picked up her white Dragon with a sad expression. The three Riders watched with fondness as the very young Rider seemed to be holding a serious discussion with her Dragon. Belgabad was looking at the majestic forms of Firnen, Saphira and Sahloknir with mournful eyes and it was not hard to guess what was going through the hatchling's mind.

Eragon held out his hand to Varda. After setting down her white Dragon, Varda put her small palm in Eragon's hand. Arya spoke quietly to Laetri as they followed behind master and apprentice, "When was she chosen?"

Laetri looked at her with bright eyes. "A month and a half ago….it was the only white-dragon egg in our original store. Belgabad is of great lineage, a powerful lineage" she said. Arya nodded, a suspicion forming in her mind as they approached the entrance to the Varden. She saw Varda relentlessly questioning Eragon about various things with animated gestures, her blonde hair swaying everywhere in her enthusiasm.

Eragon answered the questions of his young apprentice with patience, remembering his own tendencies as a child. Varda drilled him all the way to the entrance about various topics that ranged from whether or not the dwarves would like her, why Queen Arya was so amazed when she saw Belgabad, why the Dwarves lived inside a mountain when there was so much land outside?

Why, what, when, where, how…

He could see Laetri smiling as he answered Varda's questions one after the other. Arya too was smiling openly, something he noticed happened much more often than ever before. He felt a strange sense of completion when Varda had arrived with Belgabad and a barely hidden happiness that brought him solace.

The dwarven guards who manned the tunnel looked at Varda with surprised and reverent eyes, bowing to the party as they moved gradually towards Tronjheim. As they passed through a particularly dim section of the tunnel, Varda held tightly to Eragon's hand.

"I don't like this place, Ebrithil" she whispered in a scared voice. Eragon saw Laetri about to rush to her, but he stopped her with a gesture. Arya watched with curious eyes as Eragon knelt down to face Varda, who was glancing around the cave.

"I am here, Varda" he said in a soft voice and Arya watched with an amazed expression as the child's face lit up at this simple statement. She watched with emotions she herself could not decipher as Eragon picked Varda up in his arms, standing tall as Varda held onto his neck.

She walked now alongside Eragon, as did Laetri. Eragon and Varda had resumed their conversation but Varda seemed to be growing gradually tired. A six year old, even if a Rider could only be active for so long. She heard a raw growling and saw Belgabad drifting above her, frantically flapping his wings.

She could not believe this young Dragon. It was remarkably persistent, and it seemed as if it had not given up on the notion of dropping upon people's heads from what it considered a great height.

As Belgabad fell, she caught him in her arms and nodded to Eragon. "He seems to like you and Firnen. He picked up this habit of falling on people only recently, and only ever does it to Blodhgarm, me or Eragon-elda" said Laetri as they neared Tronjheim.

"I am glad" said Arya quietly, as Belgabad flew forward to stare at the drowsy Varda with large eyes. "They are so very young. Young and bright…and innocent. I can see why Eragon likes teaching the young ones so much…"

"They affect you in powerful ways" commented Eragon, still holding a sleepy Varda. "after Dusan and Alanna, I wanted to teach the little ones very much. They are like the most beautiful diamonds…you just need to shape them well" he said passionately, glancing at Varda and Belgabad who were again in a private conversation. With a defiant snort, Belgabad slowly rose higher and higher almost reaching the ceiling of the tunnel.

Belgabad, enough. Do not fall on us anymore, please. You can descend upon my nest-mates, who you are going to meet shortly said Eragon to Belgabad, projecting his thoughts. The dwarves wore giddy smiles as Laetri and Arya laughed out loud at his admonishment, throwing back their heads in their mirth. Their melodious laughter trilled out like the song of birds, like the notes of a melodious instrument.

Eragon's sense of contentment increased as he saw his Riders' happiness at the moment, capturing the moment forever in his mind. This was how he wanted to remember Laetri and Arya, their ethereal beauty augmented to that of goddesses by their wholehearted happiness. This was how he wanted to see them always.

Oh, Eragon…came Saphira's grateful and fond voice. Something good is happening to you, I can feel it. You must make a Fairth of that moment.

I most certainly will, he said as the conversation flowed softly between him and the two elven women. Arya seemed to be particularly happy as she spoke with bright eyes and a glowing face, none of her previous masks upon her. Varda, it seemed, had drifted off to sleep upon his shoulder. He could see Arya look at him differently as Varda slept upon his shoulder. It was a gaze of wonder and admiration…he had forgotten that Arya had never seen him with the younglings before.

They came out into the hollow portion of Farthen Dur, and Eragon murmured in Varda's ears. "Wake up, my apprentice. We are here. Or do you want to sleep through your first sight of Tronjheim?"

At the word Tronjheim, Varda's eyes shot open and she twisted in Eragon's arms to stare at the dwarven city with open-mouthed awe. Belgabad too stared at the city for a moment, before he turned his puzzled gaze to Varda.

"Behold Tronjheim, jewel of the Dwarven race. A city whose magnificence is surpassed by many others, predominantly Ellesmera and Silthrim" said Laetri in a bored voice, causing Arya to smile faintly as Eragon and Varda both glared at the elven princess with identical offended expressions.

"Laetri-elda, I think Tronjheim is very great! It is inside a mountain…Belgabad thinks so too!" she said with shining eyes. Belgabad growled in agreement.

"Wait until you see Ellesmera, young one" said Arya in a mirthful voice as a doubtful look entered Varda's convinced expression. "Tronjheim is beautiful in this world, but Ellesmera is otherworldly"

….

He heard someone banging incessantly upon his door, and he went to open it. Before him stood King Orik, looking rather drunk and happy. Eragon sighed as he saw the human ambassador Lord Almen behind Orik, looking at his tankard as if it could reveal the secrets of Gramarye.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" he asked, carefully blocking the door to deny them entrance. Orik squinted at him for a moment, and pulled out a large flagon of mead and offered it to Eragon.

"Mine…mine brother! Let ussh get drunk! What do you want? I have Faelnirv, mead, human ale weak though that is, Almen there even has some ale he shtole from Palencar's personal taproom!" declared Orik incoherently. Eragon cursed softly as he heard the voice of his apprentice behind him, her curiosity evident as she tried to see past him to his drunken foster-brother and the human ambassador.

"Orik, I need you to leave. I do not get drunk anymore, that is Saphira's forte" said Eragon quietly as he tried to shoo Orik from his quarters. He could not have Varda even think about drinking until she was of a suitable age, she was just a child. Orik blinked at him owlishly and looked at Almen.

"Almen, old friend, how can anyone not want to get…to get drunk?" he hiccupped. Almen took a few moments to comprehend the question, and then looked disbelievingly at Eragon. "My lord Shur'tugal…you must be out of your mind!" he slurred dimly.

"That is rich coming from you" muttered Eragon as he felt Varda trying just about everything to look beyond the door he was blocking. Suddenly he felt something slip under his elbow and saw his young charge look at the drunken king with a curious stare. Eragon cursed again inaudibly, Orik would definitely be a bad influence upon his young Rider what with all his drinking.

"Ebrithil, why does King Orik smell so bad?" she asked, covering her nose. Orik looked at her indignantly.

"And who might you be, young lass?"

"I am Varda" she said, giggling at being called a young lass. "Aren't Kings supposed to smell good?" she asked, further retreating from the ale-soaked king. Orik looked puzzled at the question, and Eragon lifted his hand and incanted a spell softly.

A second later, a King and Ambassador stood before him with ashamed looks and stone cold sober expressions. Almen bowed hurriedly and left for the lift mechanisms, all the while muttering about how much work he had to do. Orik was staring at Varda with a delighted face.

"So you are Eragon's young apprentice. When were you planning to present her to the dwarven court, Eragon?" he asked Eragon with a stern voice. Eragon shook his head:

"I will not" he said firmly. The risks were far too great.

"Why?" asked Varda, looking at Eragon with large eyes. "I want to see more dwarves. Blodhgarm-elda said they were the best metal smiths after the elves, that they have incredible weapons… some even above elven standards!" she exclaimed. Orik's eyes lit up at the praise as he took Varda's hand and looked at Eragon.

"Eragon, mine brother, I will show her our metalsmiths' works and methods. You will have her back in another hour or so!" he said, and Eragon saw the excitement in Varda's eyes. Before he could summarily refuse, he felt Saphira's mind touch upon his own.

Let her go, Eragon. She will be learning the dwarven culture from the King of the Dwarves himself! She is not an ordinary girl…she is our apprentice after all she said to him. Eragon considered for a moment and looked at Varda's hopeful face.

"Fine. Varda, please be careful" he said to her softly. Orik was already speaking loudly with his guards and striding towards the lifts. Eragon laughed with happiness as Varda kissed him on his cheek softly and hurried to follow Orik.

She is so young, thought Eragon as he drew upon magic. She will be a worthy Rider, for she follows her heart he said to Saphira and with a single thought wove several wards upon his unknowing apprentice and cast his thought out to find her mischievous Dragon.

Master? Came Belgabad's youthful voice. Eragon responded affirmatively, knowing that the Dragon's vocabulary was still rather small. He sent images and feelings to Belgabad, directing him to find Varda and gave her current location.

And Belgabad, if you are up to your old tricks again I would suggest that you victimize the short-beard-leader, he said with a smiling face. Belgabad, besides being a white Dragon was a curiosity. He was ancient in his thoughts despite his youth, but also had a playfulness and propensity towards pranks that perfectly aligned with Varda's personality.

Sighing, he walked into his quarters only to find Roran and Arya awaiting him.

"What brings you here?" he asked his face sliding into impassiveness. Roran remained silent for a moment and said: "Can we talk for some time?" he asked. Eragon nodded, motioning for them to join him at his table.

"I would never do this for just anyone" he said, and summoned the bottle of Belatonian Red. With a fluid motion, he uncorked the bottle and poured its precious contents into three wine glasses. Handing two to Arya and Roran, he lifted up one himself.

"You are the picture perfect arrogant noble, Eragon" snorted Roran. Arya just watched him amusedly as he shook his head and intoned: "Garjzla"

A light much like sunlight streamed gently on to their table, and Eragon sighed with happiness as he admired the exquisite red colour of the contents of his glass. Then he shook himself out of his daze, and raised his glass to Roran.

"To Ismira's safety and eventual reunion with us" he said solemnly. A moment later, Roran nodded and sipped his wine as did Arya. A rapturous expression crossed Arya's face as she licked her lips and whispered:

"You were right, Eragon-elda. This wine even surpasses some varieties of our own Faelnirv" she said with appreciation. Roran did not look like he cared about the wine as he set his glass down on the table and turned to Eragon.

"Eragon…" he said with a strange tone to his voice. "I do not know how to beat around the bush like the elves, so I will just ask you for a boon"

Eragon's face registered its surprise as he too set down his glass. "I will help you with anything, Roran. You should know that" he said calmly. Arya just watched him with an intent expression.

"During the war, I lost Katrina to those thrice damned Ra'zac. But you helped me save her, you got me back my soul-mate" Roran said fervently. "But now, my daughter is gone. You said yesterday that the Shade has bound my daughter with Dark magics, that…that he has trained her in those fell arts. Tell me truly, brother…will you have to kill her to save her?" he asked in a voice of touching sorrow.

Arya's eyes widened, and her expression became one of guilt.

Eragon looked down at the floor in sorrow: "I…will be frank with you, Roran. If it is necessary, I might have to do so. I will try to avoid it as much as possible, we did save Murtagh…but this is different. She will not simply be bound in the ancient language…there are other, even more vile methods"

Roran looked shocked as he saw Eragon: "You would kill your own niece? How could you be so heartless? Do you understand what it is to lose a daughter to such a darkness, not knowing but only imagining the tortures she must be undergoing?" he asked in a dead voice. Eragon flinched, for the first time unsure about his course of action.

"I…you are right. I cannot understand…" he said. He felt only silence from Saphira and Sahloknir. He looked up in surprise as Roran banged his fist hard upon the table, looking into Eragon with burning eyes.

"You do understand, but you do not see it. I saw your apprentice" he said, making Eragon's eyes narrow. "She is so much like my Ismira was at that age…just like her. She even had her Dragon hatch around the same time. I see how much you love her…you may call her your apprentice, but you love her like your own daughter" he said firmly.

"I don't-" said Eragon weakly, "Do not deny it" roared Roran, and Eragon nodded slowly. It was true, after all. He saw all the younglings as his own children and reared them as such. Varda was just the same, if not even more special to him.

He saw Arya look at him with shining green eyes as he admitted to how he saw Varda, not protesting as the Elven Queen took his hand in hers gently. Roran seemed to gather himself for a moment and glared at Eragon.

"Now imagine this: your Varda is taken by some elven Shade. She is being tortured probably, and bound with foul rituals. She is suffering" said Roran in a lost voice.

Eragon's indigo eyes immediately began to glow with a menacing light, as did his ring Aren. His joy and euphoria from Varda's return vanished as rage began to flare in his heart at the horrible picture Roran painted, and he could feel the alarm of Saphira and Sahloknir.

He would never let such a thing happen. No one would take his Riders again, no one. Arya looked wary as magic responded to his thoughts, and a nimbus of pure white light enveloped him. The room began to shake slightly as Eragon's magic responded and Brisingr burst into azure fire in its sheath.

He spoke in a quiet voice, the lights of the room flickering and the chandelier swinging ominously in its high position. His voice delivered not a threat, but a promise:

"I will burn them, scatter their ashes and crush them to oblivion" he said in a deadly whisper. Roran fell to the ground writhing as Eragon's rage forced itself upon him, and Arya withstood the onslaught with effort. Even with Firnen aiding her, she could only barely throw off the effect of the lead rider's rage. The force of Eragon's emotions smote her barriers like thunder and lightning, and she found herself shaking slightly.

"Eragon, enough" she said with gritted teeth. Eragon only stood there with closed eyes and a stone cold face, Brisingr burning bright within its sheath, responding to its wielder's anger. Suddenly the onslaught ceased as Eragon seemed to master himself and everything returned to tranquillity.

He stared at Roran who had gone down to the ground with a pained face, and Arya who was staring at him with an expression that pained him in return: incredulous awe and fear. He could not stand that for some reason, he could not stand her fearing him and Roran hurt by his actions.

"I understand now" he said quietly, calming himself slowly. He revived Roran with a simple spell and continued: "I understand perfectly" he said, and relief seemed to bloom on Roran's face followed by guilt.

"But please do not use Varda once more to make me understand such things. I will find and save Ismira, and I will not kill her" he said with certainty.

"I will not kill Ismira" he repeated in the ancient language. Roran sighed and nodded with extreme relief. Eragon retreated slowly, not looking at either of them. Roran's words about Varda had sparked a fear in his heart that he did not need now, and he was sure Arya saw that fear.

"I am sorr-" began Roran, but Eragon interrupted him. "I must go. I need to consider certain things" he said stiffly and walked off towards the training grounds. The Rimgar had always managed to calm him, always.

His return to Alagaesia was beginning to be fraught with danger, and he was going to have to protect his still-young Riders from threats only he had ever faced and defeated. This time, he would not let his enemies choose the fight. If they dared to break Alagaesia's peace so hard won, he would erase them.

Your rage is like the rage of Dragons, little onecame Saphira's voice to him lightly, as she noticed his train of thought. You came close to losing control there. Even Firnen has become wary after feeling the strength of our mind. I believe you have succeeded in making Arya cautious of you.

The images his mind had conjured at Roran's words would not leave him alone. The fact was that he knew better than anyone how truly malicious spirits could be, he knew better even than Arya what they were capable of. The floodgates opened, letting the smallest of his memories of that time flow into their bond…

What!echoed Saphira's voice, and he sealed up the part of him that was empty after taking the torment of Spirits for so long. Eragon gained control of himself, with a shiver taking him as he thought of what Saphira had almost seen. He would keep that part of his life from everybody, no matter the cost.

What was that? Asked Saphira in a forceful voice. I do wish you would share with me what happened during that time, little one. I only felt the effects…I do not know what happened to make you-

You have no idea what it is that you ask for, my lovely Saphira whispered Eragon in a haunted voice causing Saphira to stop dead. You can see the truth of my words and understand me better than anyone else: So I tell you, you do not want to see what happened to me during that time. The thought of Varda undergoing the same…

His rage saturated their bond again, and even Saphira drew back slightly in shock of it. He could feel Sahloknir drawing back as well, for Eragon had never unleashed such a rage in himself. Eragon shook his head slightly and relaxed his grip around Brisingr's hilt.

Saphira kept quiet, and Eragon knew she was thinking about his extreme reactions. His calmness and composure had been a rock of support for the entire order, and for many years now Saphira had not felt such anger flow through him.

They were well into the night, and the training grounds were empty. Sleep had eluded him for decades, or at least the waking sleep of elvenkind. Not that he needed it anymore, for he much preferred the night to the day.

The night was quiet and did not hold the distractions of the day. The night was perfect for contemplation and study…Aiedail had adopted that from him and his city was fully awake through the entire night. A wave of homesickness swept through him at the thought of Aiedail, of all the Riders he was responsible for.

I hope they are fine, he thought to himself as he smoothly flowed into the fluid dance of the Rimgar. His body flickered through impossibly complex stances effortlessly, and his solitary form was illuminated gently by the Erisdar lanterns.

….

"Roran Stronghammer, it is obvious that you have kept your appalling lack of tact since the war. Elven restraint would do you good" said Laetri in a cutting voice, causing Roran to frown. Laetri had arrived within moments, and Sahloknir was deep in conference with Saphira.

Laetri sat in Eragon's deserted chair looking at Roran with an almost condescending stare. Roran could not meet her ice-blue eyes for long, and fidgeted uncomfortably before he simply said: "I need my daughter back. Eragon is the best chance that she has, we both know it. I had to make him understand"

"Foolish" said Laetri, shaking her head at this. "He already has committed himself to rescuing her. You should not put more burdens on him, he bears enough already"

Roran's face took on a slight expression of guilt, before it firmed. "My daughter is more important to me than the entirety of Alagaesia, Laetri svit-kona. My family is foremost to me. The rest of Alagaesia can burn as long as they are safe!" he finished, a look of resolve upon his face.

Laetri's eyes darkened as she tightened her grip upon the goblet she held. Arya looked at Roran with a slightly shocked expression, not expecting those words from Roran Stronghammer of all people.

"That is where Eragon-elda differs from you" she said coldly. "He holds to an ideal much higher, much greater. Family is fickle, Stronghammer, you will learn that sad truth when you meet Ismira. Know this, though. If she in any way mortally threatens Eragon-elda or my fellow Riders, I will not hesitate to harm her!"

Nor will we, echoed Sahloknir's and Firnen's voices in their minds.

With that, Laetri walked out of the dead silent room. Arya nodded to Roran, who seemed sunk once more in his despair. She could imagine his sufferings, but to become so self-absorbed led to nothing good. She knew he needed to be alone, and thus she followed Laetri.

Walking briskly, she caught up to Laetri who was looking at the city arrayed below them with a thoughtful expression. Silence reigned as the two observed the beautiful city of Tronjheim from their vantage point of Isidar Mithrim. The city of marble shone brighter than ever, its symmetric construction lending a sense of majesty and order that pleased the beholder greatly.

The light of several Erisdar lanterns illuminated them and the city below, and the faces of the two elven women glowed faintly with it. A slight wind blew, buffeting Laetri as she turned to speak to Arya.

"I do not regret my words, Arya. I will still do anything necessary to protect Eragon-elda and the Riders, even though it may break my heart to harm a fellow Rider" she said in a hard voice.

Arya could not help but notice how Laetri placed Eragon before the Riders, more evidence of Laetri's true feelings. "That I can understand well", she replied and fell into an uneasy silence as she looked at Isidar Mithrim and all the memories it brought.

She shivered slightly, Gil'ead still haunted her at times.

"You must not think about Durza anymore, Arya" Laetri murmured with concern, standing beside Arya in a moment. Arya's eyes widened before they narrowed at Laetri.

"I do not appreciate having my mind so easily pilfered without my consent" she said sharply. Laetri shook her head, her long silver hair rippling as she did so.

"I can only hear fringes of your emotions, you know. This was where Durza was slain by Eragon, was it not?" she asked, looking around them and up at the Star Rose. Arya sighed, and also glanced at the Rose.

"I broke that decoration up there, shattered it to pieces to distract Durza. He had already given Eragon that accursed wound…I just knew, even back then, that I could not see him die" she said nostalgically. Laetri held up her right hand in front of her face, looking at the ring of gold that it bore.

"Shades, they are an abomination. How will you respond to this Elven Shade, your Majesty?" she asked, addressing the Elven queen and not Arya Shur'tugal.

Eragon was wise to refuse the crown, she thought. These two roles are wearying even me after a hundred years. However, my reign is coming to an end…Queen Dellanir saw farther and deeper than we believed.

You are a Rider first and foremost, Arya. Dellanir's wisdom has saved us from an eternity of ruling over those cold marble statues you call kin said Firnen in her mind.

Arya's eyes danced with amusement at Firnen's words and she truly agreed with his statements. She had reached a decision after she had awoken, a decision about which duty she held most important. Her people were now a long way from the crisis-filled days of the war, her duty was done.

"I will not be Queen for much longer, Laetri Svit-Kona" said Arya quietly, watching the silver-haired elf's surprised face. A second later, Laetri smiled fully and hugged Arya gently. After a moment of stiffness, Arya hugged her back as well…she was still not used to such emotional displays.

The only person she had ever hugged with such frequency was Eragon. It all centered on him…Arya never ceased to be amazed with how Eragon touched so many races and lives with his actions, changed the course of history with such resounding permanence.

"I am happy for you, Arya. I could see in you that the Crown had become a burden for you, as it should not be. I am glad my Mother's laws have come to the fore; Riders are not meant to rule. We are simply the balance" she said in a warm voice.

"Your mother was wise, Laetri svit-kona. I guided Elvendom out of a chaotic time but I could not have my loyalties divided for much longer. This I understood when the Yawe faded completely after I woke yesterday. It has been fading erratically for many years now" she said with a faint sense of satisfaction.

Laetri squeezed her hand gently, and resumed looking at Tronjheim.

"Eragon will be pleased at this news. You will be a welcome addition to the Order, Princess Arya. Your skill and power is second to none among the Nine" she said with a glad tone.

"Thank you" said Arya, bowing her head. "But you surpass me by much, Laetri svit-kona. I still do not think I could defeat someone like Formora in combat the way you did. Your skill far exceeds mine" she said, bending her pride enough to tell the truth.

Laetri laughed melodiously, the dulcet tones of her joy falling pleasantly even upon her ears. She looked at Arya with a distant face still tinged with her amusement:

"When you were a child, Arya, I was able to draw you out of your melancholia as I tutored you in Gramarye. But now, you have grown into a stunningly beautiful young woman…you have become a powerful queen and Elf, not to mention a worthy Rider. You have fulfilled every expectation I ever had of you as your teacher" she said with feeling, and Arya's eyes expressed a thousand emotions at these words.

"It is good to get approval from one you respect so much" she said softly. Laetri inclined her head, and spoke:

"I was not happy to be teaching a child at first, when I felt I could do so much more" she murmured and Arya nodded, she did know the feeling well from her experiences; The feeling of being held back. Laetri continued speaking, looking at her seriously.

"I know you feel you do not truly belong anywhere, even after a century of ruling our people. I can see it in your bearing. But we are your kin, we Riders, more so than any race upon Alagaesia. Your Yawe has faded, but so will the suffering it has brought down upon you. Eventually." said Laetri firmly.

Arya nodded, and accompanied Laetri as she went towards the descent mechanism that traversed Vol Turin.

"I am truly glad we met again, Laetri svit-kona" she murmured. "Truly glad, indeed"