Review Responses:
Elves are Awesome: No, Eragon is still gonna leave because he will have Gladr's Elundari who is the last master.
KHandFF7fanforever: All I can say is that she will be.
Disclaimer: Only own Florina and Kuldra and their destiny.
She looked out onto the river. It had been three days since they had left Hedarth. She and Arya both refused the donkeys offered them. Arya because she refused to return to the land of her ancestors on the back of a donkey; Florina because she refused to smell like one. Three days later, she was glad she had refused. The dwarves smelled like their steeds not to mention that none of them had bathed since they left Tarnag. She jumped at the soft hand on her shoulder. "Follow me as silently as you can." She said and turned into the darkness of the woods. Once they were far enough in, Arya left Florina alone without explanation. Florina sat on the moss-eaten log and waited. She wasn't waiting long when Arya returned with Eragon. Florina stood and Arya sat on the log. "There are things you must know before we reach Ceris and Elleméra so that you do not shame yourselves or me through your ignorance." She spoke without looking at them.
"Such as?" Eragon asked, crouching opposite her. Florina remained standing.
"During my years as Islanzadí's ambassador, it was my observation that humans and dwarves are quite similar. You share many of the same beliefs and passions. Elves, are not like other races."
"You speak as though you weren't one."
"I have lived with the Varden for enough years to become accustomed to their traditions."
"Ah…" Florina covered his mouth.
"That is enough, Eragon. It is time to sit and watch and learn." She said. A smile appeared slightly in Arya's eyes. Eragon nodded and Florina removed her hand.
"There is a proper way to greet the sentinels in Ceris, certain patterns and forms that you must observe when presented to Queen Islanzadí, and a hundred different manners in which to greet those around you if it's not better to just remain quiet."
"With all your customs, it seems as though you have made it easier to offend people." Florina commented. Arya smiled slightly.
"Perhaps. But you both know as well as I that you will be judged by the highest standards. If you make a mistake, the elves will think you did so on purpose. And only harm will come if they discover it was born of ignorance. Far better to be thought ruse and capable than rude and incapable, else you risk being manipulated."
"Why don't you tell Orik all this as well? He'll be staying in Ellesméra same as us." Eragon interrupted.
"Because," Florina answered, seeing the murderous gleam in Arya's eyes. "We need to appear better educated than him. He is familiar with the etiquette, same as me, but as Riders, we need to know more than he does." Arya relaxed slightly and began tutoring them and the dragons in the niceties of elven society. She explained the words of greetings and who was supposed to speak first. "What of the dragons?" Florina asked sometime later on Kuldra's behalf. "Are they bound by this status rule?"
"None are higher than the dragons in our culture. Not even the queen would claim authority over you. You may do and say as you wish. We do not expect dragons to be bound by our laws." With that, she instructed them on how to greet the queen. "And Eragon, you must remember something else as well. Florina and Kuldra speak for the Riders as Kuldra hatched first and is the oldest. She is your superior. In public, you will greet her first unless she wishes to honor you." Florina struggled to keep her emotions in check. She had only spoken on Eragon's behalf because his loyalty was split. To hear Arya say it aloud that she, Florina and Kuldra, the leaders of the new order of Dragon Riders was daunting to her. She was pulled from her thoughts as Eragon jumped up and ran after Arya.
"Did I miss something?"
"Yes, but it is Eragon's problem. Not yours. He has not shamed you by it." Kuldra said.
Florina rested on Kuldra's back while Arya leaned against the gold dragon's leg. They were waiting for Eragon and the dwarves to catch up to them before they entered Du Weldenvarden. "Florina, can you come down here?" Florina cracked open an eye at Arya's voice. She could hear the concern in it. The same concern that she had been feeling herself. She climbed out of the saddle and down Kuldra's leg and sat next to the elf. "Do you have any protection against scrying?"
"I do not think so. Papa never said if this gem had a spell, only that it had energy in it."
"Let me see." Florina removed the dawn-red sapphire and handed it to the elf. "You have added to the energy in this."
"For emergencies."
"And for emergencies it should stay. I do not like the idea of Galbatorix getting images of you from your mother." She dug around her pack and pulled out a small, metal flower with a single small diamond in the middle. She spoke some words over it and then held it for what felt like an hour to Florina. She handed the trinket to Florina who placed it on the same chain her gem was on. "I have spelled this flower so no one can scry you. I am glad I found one with a diamond. I have placed plenty of energy in it that it will only draw from you if whoever is trying to see you holds the spell long enough." She stood swiftly. Florina looked out and saw eight forms approaching them. The two stayed with the dwarves and Eragon the rest of the afternoon. Florina walked when they reached tangled dogwood and rosebushes. Kuldra stayed in the air with Saphira. When they reached the meadow, Arya told them to stay where they were. She walked forward and shouted in the ancient language. Moments later, four elves appeared. Three had hair like starlight and the other had hair as black as Florina's and Arya's. The four elves laughed and danced around Arya until the dragons landed next to their riders. The elves panicked. Arya spoke in soothing tones, motioning from them to their dragons. Florina nodded and she and Eragon took off their gloves and showed their palms.
"Eka ficai un Shur'tugal." They said together. Still moving as one, they touched their lips and said, "Atra esterní ono thelduin." The elves smiled and said their reply. They drifted back into the forest and called for them to follow. Arya followed first, followed by Florina, Kuldra, Eragon, and Saphira, and the dwarves. They arrived at the camp and found three small huts clustered around the base of the small huts. Their four guides disappeared into the huts and returned with various fruits and vegetables.
"What are your names?" Florina asked as the elves prepared their meal. The dark haired elf answered.
"I am Lifean of House Rílvenar. And my companions are Edurna, Celdin, and Narí, Argetlam. What, if I may ask, is yours?"
"I am Florina Golden Rider."
"You do not use your mother's name?"
"Not since she was taken from me and I openly began opposing the Black King."
"Where is your mother?"
"In his hands." Lifean said nothing more and produced a set of reed pipes from his pack. A moment later, the tallest of the silver haired elves, Narí, began singing. Florina listened with contentment, feeling safe for the time being. "I know Angela foretold me living on an island, but this is a nice place to live. Not all futures are set in stone. I wouldn't mind living here."
"Even though you lead the Riders?"
"Especially since I lead the Riders. I feel safe here, Kuldra."
"I know, Brave One. But we cannot have peace until Galbatorix is dead and your mother is free." Florina shifted as the song ended.
"I worry about Mama. I don't know what horrible things are being done to her. I don't know if she is alive. I fear that if I scry her again, I will see a grave."
"All will be well, Brave One. Rest now. Tomorrow, we continue our journey."
Florina opened her eyes to gray, pre-dawn light. She had woken early again, like she had been doing lately. She had been dreaming again. How she had managed not to scream baffled her. She was being tortured again and screaming. Blood had been streaming down her arms. She sighed and exited the hut. She was right that the sun had not risen yet. She carefully made her way back to the meadow and looked out. Kuldra joined her and they watched the sunrise together. Florina didn't speak and neither did Kuldra, preferring to sit in each other's company. Over the past nine months, they had come to know each other well and knew when one or the other needed time to think. Right now, Florina needed time to think on her dreams and what they meant. She was not scrying and she was not having visions. "But the nightmares feel so real. Are they real? Is Galbatorix the shadow who haunts me?"
"Florina," she jumped up and drew her sword only to find Lifaen at the edge of the clearing.
"What is it?"
"It is time to leave."
"Why didn't Arya try to find me with her mind? Or Eragon?"
"They tried. Your mind was hidden." Florina looked at the gold dragon next to her as she sheathed her sword. Kuldra winked lazily, signaling that she had hidden them. "Are you well, Argetlam?"
"I am fine, Lifaen. Just thinking." He walked up to her and hesitated. "Is there something else, Lifaen?"
"If you will allow me, I will protect you until we reach Ellesméra. I will be your personal protector."
"Thank you, Lifaen. But I am afraid that you must protect us all. Arya and Narí cannot do so by themselves." Lifaen bowed his head in respect and they waited for the others. Throv and his men began their journey back to Tarnag, taking Snowfire with them. She, Arya, and Lifaen entered the second boat while Eragon, Orik and Narí boarded the first. Narí and Lifaen used spiked poles to push them upstream and they were on their way. The dragons slid into the water behind them. Lifaen and Narí complimented them both on their size and strength. Once they were free of the river's current, leaf-bladed paddles were distributed. Narí explained the principle to Eragon
"Eragon would be a good mate for you." Arya said suddenly in her mind. Florina tried not to blush.
"The man only has eyes for you. Don't tell me you haven't noticed."
"I did notice. But it will not work between us. I have been alive for at least a century." Florina shook her head.
"But that will not matter to him. He will still pursue you."
"I wish he would not."
"I may command him on the battle field, but I do not command his heart. Besides, I see Eragon more as a younger brother than a potential husband."
"I have noticed."
"Arya, don't worry. But you do not want to talk about Eragon. I know you are afraid of something. I can see it in your eyes no matter how well you try to hide it." Arya chuckled and broke the link, whispering final words.
"Caleb raised you well."
So a little matchmaking on Arya's part. Do not worry, Eragon won't try to hit on Florina. Thanks for reading and please review