Disclaimer: The Inheritance Cycle belongs to Christopher Paolini
I was gone for almost a week, which is an all time low for me. I'm really sorry, because the cold weather got me sick. (18-25 degrees Celsius is freezing cold if you live in a place where 34-39 degrees is the norm) So I hope I could make it up to you guys with this long, juicy chapter!
Chapter 16: Under the Veil of the Ancient Trees
The Az Ragni eventually joined the Edda River, flowing steadily east from that point on. There was a junction that held a dwarven trading outpost, Hedarth. They bought the supplies that they would need until they reached Du Weldenvarden. According to their elven friends, the forest will provide them with most things that they will need.
From that area, the dragons continued to fly north, flying as low as they can to avoid the small possibility of being spotted by roaming nomads or other people who might deem it appropriate to venture so far to the east. They followed the Edda River to its point of origin at Eldor Lake.
They spotted Du Weldenvarden within three days, as a hazy green mass at the horizon that steadily expanded into a vast, quiet sea of oaks, beeches and maples. On dragonback, it was easy to see that the woods covered both the northern and western horizons – and extended far more than that.
The elven forest stretched across the entire length of Alagaesia and maybe even more.
Katrina felt hypontized by the shadows of the ancient trees. It felt like they had a lot of mysterious stories to tell, stretching out from a time in the distant past where humans have not set foot in Alagaesia yet. Hidden somewhere within those trees was Ellesmera, where the Riders were to complete their training, and other elven cities that have not been visited by the other races since the Riders fell.
This forest is perilous to people who are not elves, Luneria noted. Even if you are a Rider, I am not sure that it will be friendly to you. Strange magic and even stranger creatures will await us.
Katrina nodded. It's like… another world. She gazed at the butterflies spiralling around each other, rising from the dark interior of the forest. Are you afraid?
Of course not. I am a dragon. I do hope that there is enough room for dragons within the place. We simply cannot fly the whole time. I'm sure that they have found a way to accommodate numerous Riders during the old days, of course.
That night, Faolin held a meeting with the Riders by the campfire while Orik slept in his tent. In the flickering light, the elf looked haunting. "There are many things that you must learn before we reach Ceris, and most especially Ellesmera. Simply lacking this knowledge might embarrass you among the more uptight elves of the forest." Faolin looked uncomfortable as he spoke. He looked uncomfortable. "I was twenty-five when Queen Islanzadi appointed me as an ambassador twenty or so years ago. I was a young elf then, with a more than mediocre grasp at magic and swordplay, but she thought it would be… wise… to send someone like me to learn more about the other races."
"It did help, didn't it?" Katrina asked.
Faolin laughed. "I suppose. I do not feel like an elf anymore, after all these years. Humans and dwarves are quite similar, since their beliefs and passions are similar, and I like that about them. It is why the Varden and the dwarves can coexist comfortably in Farthen Dur. The thing I do not like about most elves is that they are far, far different from the other races."
"Despite what our queen will no doubt tell you, many elves will be polite on the outside and yet will do everything to bring you down or manipulate you," Arya said. "Except Rhunon. I think you will like her."
"You both speak as if you aren't elves too," Eragon said.
"I've been with the Varden for almost half of my life," Faolin said with a shrug. "I guess I have prefered them to my own kind."
"I was the only child elf for six years, and then my father died," Arya said. "My mother was too wrapped up in other things and… neglected me. Rhunon, the blacksmith, may have as well as raised me for the next seven years. And I've never really felt at home in Ellesmera since my father was murdered."
Faolin rubbed his forehead thoughtfully. "Elves live for such a long time, and courtesy is the highest social virtue for them – even if it is only shown on the surface. Grudges can last for decades, even centuries, so you cannot afford to offend anyone. Being courteous will help you avoid accumulating hostilities, though it is not a foolproof way. Elves, like any other race, have rituals that must be followed absolutely to the letter. We cannot easily procreate, like humans or dwarves. It is a… drawback… of our agelessness. Simply having two children is such a blessing to my people. This is why if we shared the same crime rate as other races, we would be extinct."
"That's not saying that crime does not exist among elves, right?" Roran's brow furrowed.
Arya shook her head"Of course not, Roran! Some of the Forsworn themselves can tell you that vile, vile creatures exist, even among the elves who think that they are the most perfect race. Perhaps, it may even come from that way of thinking. Still, there are many things you must learn, such as how to greet the sentinels of Ceris, patterns and forms that must be observed while meeting the queen, and many manners in which you may greet people around you if remaining quiet does not help."
"That sounds complicated," Eragon complained. "With these customs of yours, it seems like you're simply trying to make it easier to offend people."
Arya shot him a burning look. "Of course it is, what do you expect from the high and mighty elves, Shadeslayer?" She smiled. "We will be judged by the highest standards, as Riders. Any mistake that we make is something done on purpose in the eyes of the elves. It will be much worse if they find out that it was done because you had no idea that you shouldn't have done that."
Faolin nodded in agreement. "Sometimes, it is better to be rude and incapable. Else, they will manipulate you like The Serpent in a match of that annoying game, Runes. Elven politics are subtle and lengthy, and a small move might make a big change in a plan that spans millennia. What an elf does today might chang tomorrow. Elves all play it, but few control it, and even you, my human friends, are about to enter it as Riders."
Katrina felt herself shudder. She glanced at Luneria for support. "Even though they keep up the act of being ageless and flightful, elves are… more terrifying foes."
"Aye. Elves truly are not like other races. Though dwarves are long-lived in their own way, they are more fertile and are not the race that would be interested in intrigue or value restraint. And humans… are more interesting."
"But Orik is coming with us, right?" Katrina crossed her arms, gazing into the fire. "Why aren't you instructing him?"
Faolin shook his head. "No, no. He is already familiar with our etiquette. You, as Riders, however, must have an appearance of being educated – more so than him, if possible."
With that, Faolin and Arya discussed the different niceties required within the elven society. This started with the explanation of basic greetings when an elf meets another. They stopped and touched their first two fingers to their lips – an act which meant that they are not to distort the truth during their conversation.
"The phrase, 'Atra esterni ono thelduin' follows this," explained Arya. The young elf didn't seem too pleased with the formal greeting. "You must reply with 'Atra du evarinya ono varda.' If you are being especially formal, there is a third response: 'Un atra mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr.'" She proceeded to exlain that the lines came from a blessing made by a dragon upon finalizing the pact that created the order of the Riders.
Faolin proceeded to explain who must speak first, which would have been difficult to memorize for Katrina. Luckily, Luneria was naturally listening and promised to help her recall these complex rules should her memory fail her.
"Solaris wants to ask if it should apply to the dragons as well," Nasuada said, hunching forward sleepily.
Arya leaned against Firnen and smiled. "No. Dragons rank higher than any elf – at least, according to our culture. Not even our queen can claim any authority over you, and so you may do or say as you wish. Dragons are not expected to be bound by any law." She twisted her right hand and placed it over her sternum. "This is what you will use when you meet Queen Islanzadi. It indicates that you offer loyalty and obedience."
"Is it binding, like swearing fealty to Melikir?" Roran asked. He caught Katrina's eye and smiled. The silver Rider's stomach churned pleasantly.
"Ridiculous, it's only a courtesy. A small one, at that." Arya chuckled softly. "But it is asked of you, to show your respect to the queen."
Faolin began to explain the numerous modes of address that are used in a typical day in Ellesmera. The salutations were different, varying from man to woman, adult to child and boy to girl, in addition to their rank and prestige.
Luneria, please tell me that dragons have great memories, Katrina grumbled.
Luneria snorted. Naturally, gentle one. I can always help you should you have a problem remembering these ridiculous greetings.
Apparently pleased with their ability to remember it all, Faolin stood up and dusted his hands. "Please, please don't forget, and you will do well. Now, I must retire."
Katrina decided to take first watch, so that at least she could review the different things that the elves taught them. Wrapped in a blanket and sword in hand, she sat by the fire with Luneria. She was barely settled in place when soft footsteps announced Roran's arrival.
For a while, the two Riders sat side-by-side, neither of them willing to break the silence. Luneria shuffled off after a few minutes, saying something about wishing to talk with Saphira and Solaris. Eventually, Katrina thought it would be proper for her to speak first, as she didn't even get to acknowledge Roran's presence. "You should be getting your sleep. I will be waking you in an hour and a half."
"I can't sleep," Roran muttered quietly. "I keep thinking about Carvahall."
Katrina nodded. That, she understood. With spring taking hold of the valley, farmers would already be hard at work in their fields, doing their best to have a plentiful harvest for the coming year. She would have been flitting through the forest once more, looking for herbs that grew only during the spring, and preserving them once she reached her home. The only bad thing about it is that her sixteenth birthday is quite close, and her father would have started pressuring her about potential suitors – or making a match behind her back.
With a lump in her throat, she managed to croak, "I miss it too. Of course, I don't miss life without a dragon but I just wish it wasn't so… troublesome."
"Who's to say that life in Carvahall isn't just a different kind of trouble?" Roran chuckled softly, though he kept his eyes locked on the flickering campfire. "You know, if there's one thing I'm glad about when it comes to this journey, it would be because I got to talk to you more."
Katrina felt a flush creep up to her cheeks. Back in Carvahall, she rarely had a chance to talk to Roran or his cousins even though they have always been friends as they grew up. "A good change, then," she said.
"Aye. Leaves you free to think of other things aside from the horrid men that your father might choose for you."
"Behind my back? I won't let him." She meant it too.
"Katrina the Rider wouldn't let Sloan match her to any man behind her back. Katrina the butcher's daughter knew that it would be asked of her. I like them both, you know, but I do admire you for being the perfect daughter. Now, I admire you more for being the perfect daughter who hides a core of steel and fire."
Katrina hoped that the darkness was enough to conceal the redness in her face. "Roran, I barely changed. I am still me – even if I do have a beautiful, sparkly dragon, the gedwey ignasia and destroyed a dwarven treasure."
"We've all changed. We are still who we are, but we have changed." Roran closed his eyes for a few seconds before rising to his feet. Sadness lit his violet eyes. "I must rest now. Wake me when your turn is over. We must talk more… soon. Good night."
Katrina smiled. "Good night, Roran. We will talk more soon." She watched her friend's retreating form, wondering about the achingly happy sensation in her heart.
On the night of their fourth day, the Edda River drew even closer to the edge of Du Weldenvarden. The land beneath was dotted with fields of dogwood and rosebushes in full bloom, suffusing the cool evening air with the warm scent of the flowers. Roran seriously debated with Askanir about picking some roses and presenting them to Katrina, as lords of the more prosperous cities did to let a woman know of their intents – intents on courtship.
You don't know how many times I've spent dreaming of having her alone in your tent, Askanir complained. I've had so many disturbing dreams of human mating rituals that I do not wish to remember.
Roran flushed and would have hit the back of Askanir's head if it wasn't sure to bring excruciating pain to him. Stop it, it's embarrassing! Besides, she might not take it seriously, or worse, reject me. Still, giving flowers to a beautiful woman – who can no doubt incinerate me with just one word – feels courtly.
Just get them and get it over with.
Roran sighed. An undecided fool – that was what he was. He looked ahead, feeling a quiet sense of anticipation. The dark forest lay ahead, and they were within the domain of the elves. According to Faolin, Ceris was quite close. The dragons flicked their tails every now and then to display their impatience.
This is where legends of old still walk upon the land, Askanir noted softly. I do hope that we are about to join them.
Roran smiled grimly. I hope so.
The dragons landed on a small meadow that was right between the river and the forest. The gurgling water was the only sound that was made for a few seconds, even as Faolin padded quietly to the very middle of the lush grass, tailed by Arya. He began to speak in the ancient language. "Come forth, my brethren, there is nothing to fear! It is I, Faolin of Ellesmera, with my sister, Arya and our friends and allies. They mean us no harm."
The silence that follow sent a tense knot in Roran's stomach. He heard nothing but the rushing river and the loud breaths of the dragons. Then, there was a line of Elvish from the trees. It was so quick and fleeting that Roran didn't get to understand it. Faolin replied in kind, and there was a rustling among the leaves.
Two elves emerged on the very edge of the forest, followed by another pair that stood on the boughs of na ancient oak. The pair on the ground bore long, white-bladed spears while the other two wielded bows. They all wore deep green and brown tunics and flowing white cloaks held together by ivory brooches. One elf had dark hair. Two had hair as pale as starlight. Another one had hair like burnished gold.
The elves ran to the siblings, laughing in clear, pure voices. They joined hands and danced in a circle around the siblings, singing like happy children. As Roran had learned before, the laughter of an elf was a beautiful sound that could be so hypnotic if one is left unprepared. The elves noticed the six dragons doing their best – and failing – to be inconspicuous. One of them cried out in alarm, before Arya spoke quickly in a soothing tone. She motioned to the Riders and the dragons as she did.
Show them your gedwey ignasia, she said to their minds quickly.
In perfect synchronization, as if they have practiced it during their journey, the Riders drew back their gloves and tilted their palms. Their gedwey ignasia caught the moonlight and shimmered. "Eka fricai un Shur'tugal."
Nasuada touched her lips and added, "Atra esterni ono thelduin." As if recovering from a trance, the other Riders scrambled to do the same.
The elves lowered their weapons, their angular faces lighting up with pure joy. They raised their forefingers to their lips and bowed to the Riders and their dragons. They murmured their reply in the ancient language before rising. One of them pointed to the dwarves, chuckling as if at a hidden joke. They began to drift back to the forest.
"Come, come," one of them said happily.
They do not know that Firnen hatched for you? Roran asked Arya curiously.
Only a few important people in Ellesmera know of it, admitted Arya. He did hatch for me in Tronjheim, you know.
Orik was grumbling right beside Murtagh as they made their way into the forest. The canopy overhead plunged them into a muted darkness of a new world. Slivers of moonlight filtered into the forest from the few uncovered spaces between the leaves. The elves were hidden in the darkness, but their whispers and laughter could be heard. They occassionally called over to direct them when they headed for the wrong places.
I don't know if I should feel nervous or excited. We're here. In Du Weldenvarden. The land of the elves. Roran could barely mask the strange mix of feelings within him. What about you, Askanir?
I'm wondering if they could provide us with tasty food, the violet dragon replied dryly.
A brilliant fire glowed through the trees, casting dancing shadows on the ground. Entering the new area, Roran spotted three small huts that were clustered together around a large oak. A roofed platform was built high in the tree, working like a watchtower. An elf could stand there and see as far as the river at the very edge of the forest. A pole between two of the huts held bundles of drying leaves.
The elves entered the huts, only to emerge moments later with piles of fruit and vegetables. As Arya once said, elves refrained from eating meat. As te elves began to prepare their dinner, they began to hum softly, fliting from one tune to another whenever they wished to. The lone dark-haired elf passed by the Riders and smiled. He pointed to himself. "I am Lifaen of House Rilvenar, and my companions are Edurna, Celdin and Nari."
This prompted Arya to introduce the others as well. "These are Eragon Shadeslayer, and his elder twin brother Murtagh, also a Shadeslayer. This is Roran, their cousin and a great fighter – and Katrina, who was powerful enough to destroy the Isidar Mithrim. This is Nasuada, daughter of Ajihad."
Roran sat beside Askanir, exhausted from their travels and pleased to rest and watch the elves working. They were all males, and looked quite similar to Arya and Faolin with their delicate lips, angular faces, thin noses and slanted eyes. They had lithe bodies but they were no doubt stronger than a highly muscular man. They were fairer than any human, but their appearance felt more ethereal. Roran still prefered the very human beauty of Katrina.
Maybe you are being biased, Askanir noted.
Oh, don't say that, growled Roran. Then he softened. Who would ever think that someone like me would visit the elves' homeland?
Askanir kept his eyes on the flitting elves with the precision of a skilled hunter. Anyone would. You're a Rider. Hmm, there is more magic in this race than either humans or dwarves. It feels as if they are trul not from this realm – more like vague reflections of what they truly are.
They are… graceful. Roran shrugged, noting that the elves moved like dancers. Every move was smooth and lithe.
Brom taught them that it was rude to speak with their mind to a Rider's dragon – which the Riders themselves neglected most of the time due to their closeness to each other – and the elves adhered to it. They voiced their comments aloud to the dragons, who would answer directly. The dragons rarely spoke to other humans and dwarves directly, mostly preferring it if their Riders spoke through them, since few of those races could guard their minds for privacy. Besides, using such a form of contact for casual exchanges and pleasantries did not feel simply right. The elves truly were different, for they welcomed the dragons into their minds and were truly pleased by their presence.
Some of them must have been old enough to have seen dragons before the Fall, explained Askanir. Elves are ageless.
When the food was ready, the meals were served on carved plates that felt like dense bone. Wood grain wandered through the engraved flowers and vines which decorated the rim. Flagons of gooseberry wine was also served, made of the same material but with sculpted dragons wrapped around the stem.
Lifae produced a set of reed pipes and proceeded to play a flowing melody. The lone blond elf, Nari, began to sing in a beautiful voice that could never be heard from a human. When it finished, Nasuada said, "That was beautiful, Nari-vodhr."
Murtagh shot him a glare, but Nari didn't seem to notice it. "It was simply a rough composition of mine, Argetlam. I thank you, nevertheless."
"Aye, it is pretty, Master Elf," Orik grunted. "We have more pressing matters to attend to. What step shall be taken next?"
While the elves talked to the lone dwarf about the next leg of their journey, Roran found himself sitting right beside Katrina. He could feel her warm form just inches from his own, and it brought an uncomfortable warmth to his cheeks. "I haven't felt so peaceful in a long time," he found himself saying.
Katrina smiled warmly, like a beacon of light in the semi-darkness. She still smelled like the herbs that she used to collect back in Palancar Valley – of lavender and mint – and it calmed Roran. "It is a lovely night, and the elves are quite interesting."
"Interesting. Right."
Katrina laughed softly. "Oh, Roran, why would someone be interested in an elf in that way when that someone grew up with very fine childhood friends?" She rose to her feet, smiled, and headed for Nasuada and Arya.
What was it with girls being all sweet and demure one moment, and very coy in another?
"Women," Roran muttered.
The air was heavy with the scent of flowers when Murtagh awakened. The forest was drenched in brilliant sunlight. A protective covering of leaves and branches arched above them. There was a lack of underbrush, and it made it easier for anyone to see great distances between the trees and walk freely beneath the roof of leaves.
Nearby, Orik was awake and arranging supplies in his pack. The dwarf didn't look pleased. He noticed Murtagh staring and nodded. "Elves are a queer race," he grunted. "They're full of light and darkness – drink with you in the morning, stab you in the evening. We must keep our backs to a wall. They're capricious, unlike our elf friends."
"Aye, there's something unsettling about them," Murtagh agreed.
Orik stared at the river darkly. "They're planning to travel up Eldor Lake in boats."
"Boats?" Murtagh rubbed his forehead. He never rode on one before, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He heard stories of people who have lost their meals due to a sickness that was caused by the constant rocking.
Later on in the morning, the group followed the elves to a thicket that sat at the very edge of the Edda River. There, three white canoes were docked on a cluster of boulders. A pattern of vines were intricately carved along their sides. Murtagh boarded the nearest boat, stowing his pack beneath his feet.
Upon examining it, he was surprised to see that the boat was very light. He could lift it wit ha single hand. The hulls were made of birch-bark panels that were somehow melded into one. He touched the side, and he was surprised that the bark was hard and taut – much like stretched parchment. Curious, he rapped it with a knuckle and heard the fibrous shell reverbrate, like the muted drums from Ajihad's funeral.
Nari sat at the prow of the vessel with a smile. "All except the vey largest, Shadeslayer. For those we sing only the finest cedar and oak into shape."
Murtagh wanted to ask about that, but Orik and Katrina joined their canoe. Arya, Roran and Lifaen took the third one. Faolin, Eragon and Nasuada took the third one. Murtagh couldn't help but stare at the golden Rider for a few seconds before averting his eyes.
"Guard this way well so that nobody will follow us," Faolin called out to Edurna and Celdin, who were to be left behind. "Please don't tell anyone of our presence. The queen must be the first to know. We will send reinforcements upon reaching Silthrim."
"Faolin Jofurr, Arya Drottningu," Edurna said softly.
"May the stars watch over you," Arya called out.
The elves drew spiked poles from the inside of the boats. They were at least ten feet long, and were used to propel the vessels upstream. The dragons slide into the water behind them, clawing their way along the riverbed until they were level. The dappled sunlight reflected on the scales, casting shifting colors on the surface of the water.
Saphira winked at Eragon lazily and submerged, forcing the river to swell. The elves laughed as she did so, complimenting her size and strength. Firnen's green eyes never left the sapphire dragon's graceful form.
How about you, Thorn? Not planning on contesting Firnen? Murtagh smiled lazily.
Thorn snorted. I like gold, he mused.
Solaris? Please don't tell me that I caused this by, er, fancying Nasuada.
I don't know. I'm not sure. Maybe, maybe not.
Murtagh smiled and looked away. They reached Eldor Lake within the hour. It was a rough body of water that had small, jagged waves. Birds and flies flitted around a cluster of trees to the western shore, but the east sloped to the plains. Hundreds of deer flocked the place.
Now away from the current of the river, the elves stowed their poles and distributed leaf-bladed paddles, and Nari explained how steering a boat worked. Eventually, Murtagh managed to master the ability. After some more time, the motion simply became habitual, and his mind began to daydream. He thought of the wonders that were concealed by the vast forest, and the land of the elves.
Excitement and dread churned together within Murtagh, spurred on by the fascinating elves and the dangerous side to them. And thus, the last leg of their journey to Ellesmera began.
I hope the fluff didn't overwhelm the plot. T.T I'm having a hard time balancing them right now. And yes, we'll be hearing from Askanir and Luneria soon. Like, really soon. And a fun, fun, fun dragon hunting trip!
Did a bit of Google-ing and apparently "jofurr" is one of the ancient Norse words for "prince." APPARENTLY.
Finally, the Riders are in the land of the elves! What adventures are awaiting them? And can Oromis really handle the education of six Riders all by himself? Tune in to find out SOON!
Reviews are always awesome, as always!