"Welcome to my home. I enjoy the tranquility here in Tel'naeír." told Oromis him while he brought the tea outside. Ivren was awkwardly hovering at his side, unsure of the rules of hospitality. A side effect of being raised by beasts, though he'd never call a dragon a beast out loud. Ivren took the offered cup and sipped. The tea tasted sweet and herbal with hint of sourness, blackberry.

First they watched the sun rise above the horizon and turn the forest into an ocean of flames and amber. Glaedr's scales became liquid sunlight. Ivren sighed at his beauty. The huge dragon kept his eyes closed, only the twitch of his tail betrayed his strict attention on them. Ivren might have wormed himself into respect and gratitude of all elves by rescuing the egg, yet nothing stopped Glaedr from being protective over his rider. It was sweet.

"I was told you taught Brom and Morzan. Did you teach Galbatorix as well?"

"No", answered Oromis, "It might have saved my life. He hunted down every single teacher he ever had." His eyes were a thunderstorm. It was the closed to enraged Ivren had ever seen a elf be. Not that he saw many elves. Well.

"I have to speak with him again. He cannot share dragonrider secrets with outsider." Oromis turned his steely gaze towards him. "However I do understand his decision. Eragon is your student as well and told me of your lessons."

"A few words and some shared life experiences." Ivren shrugged. "Nothing compared to what you teach him. Less dangerous in the wrong hands."

"It is not nothing. Your knowledge of the Ancient Language is impressive for a human, and you do not only know the right words and the right rules, you understand it at the core – an art of the mind, of thoughts and logic.

Eragon has no rival to measure against and his attempts to impress Arya hindered him more than they helped. The situation was growing worse before you interfered. He sees you as a mentor or rather as an confidant, a friend, his only fellow human here and what secret you shared with him bound him to you in such a tight grasp, that if you had not sworn oaths I would be even more concerned."

"Well, its good to hear my advice helped. I- I didn't intend to – bind him so deeply." Ivren swallowed. "He's been lonely, an outsider, yet he has to be the saviour. I worry for him. You push him hard and fast, his injury gets worse with every day." He gave Oromis a pointed look.

Ivren noted that his finger flexed once. "You mean well. I -" Oromis sighed. A deep pain was in his eyes and Ivren regretted his questioning for it alone. "Galbatorix will use every opportunity, every weakness and even every strength, for he will find a way to use them. Eragon has a kind heart but only a sharp mind can help him against Galbatorix."

From one heartbeat to another Ivren understood. "You are scared. You think he can't be helped. If he falls to Galbatorix, all is lost and worse – you'd have to fight him."

Oromis flinched. Glaedr growled. He closed his eyes. "You speak the truth."

Ivren felt the need to alivate his pain. "I spoke unkind."

Oromis reopened his eyes. "The truth."

"Unkindly." responded Ivren. A strange emotion grew in his chest. His eyes flickered over the green crowns, golden scales and then back to Oromis' eyes.

"I won't let it come to that." His face became grave. "Eka weohnata néiat atra thäet vilja. Pömnuria fyrir-heit waíse thornessa, Eragon weohnata néiat waíse ánaudigr af Galbatorix wiol eg tóri."

Oromis blinked very slowly, clearly begging for patience. "There was no need for this. I do appreciate your effort, even if you . ."

Huh, he'd never thought he'd see Oromis at loss for words. The elf appeared so unflappable, so cool and calm all times.

"My intention was always to protect Eragon. This simply made sure." It was the truth. The young dragonrider had grown on him like a question-happy fungus.

Oromis bowed his head. "I understand. When he leaves - and he will I know it, for despite his patience his duty and heart call him away – you will follow him, then?"

"I'd think his heart would make him stay here." Ivren wrinkled his brow. "Yes. I will. I cannot help with the Rider part of his training, but I can teach him more about magic." he offered.

Staying for too long here might prove dangerous in more than one way. Without Nainar and Eous, he felt weak and too vulnerable to be comfortable too long – or perhaps he might become to comfortable.

"I meant his heart in the sense of his need to protect, not his feelings for Arya. - If you continue his lessons the gap in his knowledge will have closed by the time he is ready to return."

"You flatter me, Oromis." Ivren smiled at him. "Though I think our student will show up soon."

Once they left Du Weldenvarden Ivren intended to introduce Nainar and Saphira, if he allowed it. It would do Saphira good to meet another dragon and a half-wild one at that. Better know each other before battle called and his black scales caused distress, after all Shruikan shared his colour.

Eka weohnata néiat atra thäet vilja. - I will not let it happen.
Pömnuria fyrir-heit waíse thornessa, - My sacred oath be this,
Eragon weohnata néiat waíse ánaudigr - Eragon will not be enslaved by Galbatorix
wiol eg tori - for as long as I can prevent it