AN: Happy Holidays everyone! I know it's early but chances of me uploading between now and Crimbo are slim to none as I have all-important exams for the next two weeks that will determine whether or not I will actually win at life or not. Also, I'm having a competition to see who can find the best Katharean! Details on my profile page if you're interested, the prize is...you can sleep easier knowing that you've contributed in some way to the creative process...or something...I don't really know, just check it out. Honestly...try to get along with people...
In something of a daze, Obsidian and I followed Oromis, Glaedr, Eragon and Saphira to the elven city of Ellesmera, hidden deep in the heart of Du Weldenvarden. I felt my mind racing, though I could form no coherent thoughts to speak of. Obsidian had stopped listening to me altogether, and I vaguely heard him grumble something about me leaving my senses on the ground, but I ignored him as my head continued to spin in reaction to this latest revelation. As we rose ever higher, flying side-by-side with an ancient legend, my mind cleared and I nudged Obsidian mentally.
Oh, so you have decided to rejoin the land of the living, have you? He asked, sounding thoroughly unamused. I ignored him.
Something has been bothering me since we arrived. If Glaedr and Oromis have been here this whole time...why have they not left Du Weldenvarden to aid us in our battle? I asked, frowning. Obsidian paused, considering this point.
Hmm...that is a good question, Katharean, although I am sure it has an equally good answer. Oromis and Glaedr are old and wise, and I am sure they have excellent reasons for their discretion. He answered, diplomatically.
I am certain you are right. I agreed, shaking my head. I am still a little shaken up from the shock of it all, I suppose.
I am too. No wonder Eragon and Saphira were acting so smug before! Obsidian growled, although his words were spoken with a great deal of fondness. I grinned, scratching the back of his neck, and looked over at Eragon who, I realised, had been watching me. To my surprise, he reddened slightly, and looked away as soon as I met his gaze as if embarrassed.
What the...?
Kate, look! Do you see that? Obsidian interrupted my thought and I followed his line of sight.
I don't see anything...wait...is that...what is that? I asked, squinting down at what looked like a large area of oddly shaped trees, stretching on for as far as I could see.
Welcome to Ellesmera, Kate. Eragon's voice echoed in my head, and I looked around at him to see his previously bashful expression replaced with the same idiotic grin I had come to expect from him.
I don't understand...where are the buildings? I asked, confused.
Look closely at the trees...He urged. I turned my attention back to the forest below me and gasped when I saw what he was talking about.
They live in the trees? That's...that's ingenious. I remarked, impressed by the simple beauty of the concept.
It is. They sing their homes out of the trees.
Wait, they do what? I asked, certain I must have misunderstood him. He chuckled at my confused frown.
They use ancient elven magics to sing their homes into being...I am not sure exactly how it works, but as I understand it, they sing and the tree grows the way they wish it to...it is quite fascinating.
Quite...I agreed, shaking my head in amazement. Are there any more surprises you have failed to clue me in on, Shadeslayer?
He winced, slightly, and I narrowed my eyes.
What? I demanded, but he laughed and shook his head.
Nothing. He assured me, smiling. I just hate it when you call me that.
What...Shadeslayer? Why?
Just...I just want to be Eragon when I'm with you. He replied, a little sheepishly. I don't want to be anything else...just me. I suppose that must sound stupid to you.
No...I think I understand.
It's like...if I were to start calling you Katharean Dauth Ebrithil, I'm sure you would hate that just as much.
Dauth Ebrithil? I asked, frowning.
Yes...ah. I forgot you did not know about that. It is what the Elves call you now. It means...
I am well aware of what it means, Eragon. I replied, shaking my head in annoyance. "Master of Death"...such nonsense I might have expected from the Dwarves, but the Elves too?
Everybody appreciates a good legend, Katharean. He grinned. I narrowed my eyes at him.
This is your doing. I insisted.
Oh, stop complaining and get ready to land. He replied, smiling impishly. If you are lucky, I shall take you later to see the shrine they had erected in your honour.
I do hope you are joking. I hissed, horrified at the very thought.
I am afraid not, Kate. He said, apologetically. Well...actually it was not so much 'erected in your honour'...rather...well, I suppose 'erected in loving memory' is a more accurate description.
I groaned, and he laughed at my exasperation. Eragon...that is truly morbid. I do not want to see my own tombstone!
You should think yourself lucky, most people never have the chance to read their own epitaph. He grinned.
Yes and there is a very good reason for that, Shadeslayer. I snapped, inappreciative of his apparent desire to find humour in the subject. The reason being that most people have to actually perish first before anybody mourns their demise.
Before he could reply, Obsidian landed heavily on the lush green carpet of Ellesmera and I turned my attention to the Elven homes around us. Despite the bitter taste in my mouth and the uneasiness I felt at the knowledge that somewhere in the city was a tombstone with my name on it, I could not help but marvel at the elegance and beauty of the natural structures created by the Elves. I felt as though I had wandered into one of my father's paintings, and an unexpected rush of nostalgia and longing washed over me as I imagined my father sitting alone in his study, gazing at a scene similar to the one I had become a part of.
I pushed these thoughts aside, and climbed down from the saddle. Eragon did the same and strode over to stand beside me, and we both turned to see Oromis step gracefully onto the grass beside Glaedr. At that moment, a group of five elves approached us and I felt Eragon shift nervously beside me as the smallest of the party and, coincidentally, the only other female present, stepped forward and bowed, speaking the traditional Elven greeting, and when she spoke her voice was soft, yet sharp, like lark-song. She was astonishingly beautiful, petite and raven-haired with skin as pale and smooth as the petal of a white rose. I hated her on sight.
Both Oromis and Eragon returned her greeting and I was reminded to do the same when Obsidian nudged my mind, sharply.
"Eragon, Saphira...it is good to see you both, my friends." She said, in a pleasant tone which did not seem quite right to me when delivered without even the hint of a smile. Her face was a mask of indifference.
"It is wonderful to see you too." Eragon gushed, and I shot him a questioning sideways-glance which he promptly ignored. The woman then turned to me, and bowed once more.
"Lady Athem, Obsidian...it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I have heard much about you, both from Eragon and from Lady Nasuada. I do so look forward to working alongside you both. My name is Arya Svit-kona, and I wish to convey a warm welcome on behalf of Ellesmera and my mother, Queen Islanzadi who, regretfully, cannot be with us today to welcome you in person."
So, this is Arya..I murmured to Obsidian. That explains a lot.
"A pleasure to meet you, Arya. Please, call me Katharean. If we are to be sisters in arms, there shall be no need to address me formally." I replied, with the best noblewoman smile I could muster. "Eragon told me that you played a key part in the battle of Farthen Dur? I am sorry that I missed it...although perhaps it is fool of me to lament missing one battle when there promises to be no shortage of combat in our near futures."
"Indeed...Katharean. Although the sentiment is a noble one." She replied, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth and it was all I could do to keep my expression friendly.
She is mocking me. I observed, my eyes never leaving her face so as to give no indication that I was conversing with Obsidian.
I do not think so, Katharean. She is being nothing but nice to you. He replied.
Let us agree to disagree, shall we?
"You have travelled quite some distance these last few days, I suspect you are all in need of rest and food. Eragon you will be sleeping in the same house as the last time you stayed, and we have arranged for the tree next to Eragon's living quarters to be prepared for your arrival, Katharean. I trust this is acceptable to you both?" She asked, knowing that neither of us would object.
"Of course. Thank you, Arya." Eragon replied, soberly.
"Very well, then. With your permission, Oromis-elda, I shall escort the Riders to their dens where they can take some much-needed rest."
"Certainly. I shall expect to see you both at first light tomorrow morning. Eragon knows the place." The old elf smiled, bowing his head in farewell before mounting Glaedr once more and taking to the skies in a series of elegant, fluid movements.
"Good. Let us be off then." Arya instructed, and Eragon nodded.
"Of course. I will follow your lead, Arya."
There was an unusual quality to his voice that I had never heard before, and I could not help but throw him another questioning look, but Obsidian nudged me, pointedly.
What? I demanded.
Do not embarrass the boy, Katharean. If you must question his strange behaviour, do so later, when you are alone with him. He scolded. I scoffed at his concern.
Do you honestly think I would turn around and ask him what is wrong with him in front of everyone? I am not such a bad friend as that, you know. I said, defensively. And besides, I have heard enough gossip during my time with the Varden and gleaned enough information from Hearan and Nasuada with regards to Eragon's relationship with this elf to form what I imagine is a fairly accurate theory as to why he is acting this way. I just...I was not prepared for it, that is all.
Jealous, are we? Obsidian raised an eyebrow at me and I frowned slightly.
Jealous? Of what? I asked, forcing a polite smile as Arya gestured for us to follow her. I mean...she is beautiful...it is difficult not to be a little envious of such fine looks.
That is not what I was referring to, Katharean. I know you have not quite come to terms with the changed face you woke up to in Dras Leona, but believe me when I tell you that you should envy nobody, elven or otherwise, of their appearance.
Yes, well, you are my Dragon, you have to say that. I replied, unconvinced. But pray tell, if not her appearance, what were you referring to?
Honestly Katharean...sometimes you can be so intuitive, and other times...He trailed off, shaking his large head in exasperation. But perhaps now is not the time for this conversation.
Very well, I agreed. Then we shall speak more later. This is going to annoy me all day now. I grumbled.
Everything has been annoying you today. He remarked, tiredly.
I know, I know, I am sorry. I should be on a high, but I think I may be over-tired. I have not been sleeping very well...these dreams I've been having...they are more exhausting than fencing with Eragon. I admitted, reluctantly. Obsidian said nothing, but I could tell from his reaction that he had suspected as much. I will try to be more agreeable. I promised.
I am glad to hear it. He replied. You are so much more pleasant to be around when you are agreeable.
It took us a little under an hour to reach our living quarters by foot. Not because they were a long walk from where we started, but because we found it difficult to move more than a few steps without being approached by someone. Some were friends of Eragon's, others just wanted to greet the dragons and thank them for coming, but most stopped to tell me how glad they were to hear that I had not perished. I was sure they were all full of good intentions but, despite my promise to try to be agreeable, my patience was wearing thin and I was not sure how much longer I would be able to keep my promise if I had to hear the words "Dauth Ebrithil" once more that day.
When we did eventually reach our tree-houses, the sun was still high in the sky but, tired as I was, I made straight for the bedroom and even the warm rays of light streaming in through the windows of my sleeping-quarters could not keep me awake for very long. Within minutes I had drifted off into the first peaceful sleep I had had in as long as I could remember. If I dreamed at all, I did not remember doing so the next day. I thanked the maker for small mercies, for that is all you can hope for in times so troubled.
AN: I have been coming back to this chapter off and on for about a month and a half now, this writer's block just doesn't seem to be shifting at all! Anyway, please review, it makes me do my sitting-down dance in my chair. Don't you want me to do my sitting-down dance? Of course you do! How could you not? KAYTHANKSBYE.