As night fell and the conversation about Oromis' return concluded, the group decided to rest, knowing they'd need their strength for the days ahead. Eragon, Arya, and Oromis bid each other goodnight, each retreating to their respective places of rest.
The next morning, they awoke to the sounds of the forest—birds calling, leaves rustling in the breeze. Saphira was already awake and greeted him first.
"Good morning little one," she hummed. "Are you ready to fly today?"
"Good morning big one," he crooned back. "Yes. Give us a few moments, and we will join you at the sparring fields."
Eragon and Arya dressed quickly, feeling a sense of anticipation building as they prepared for the morning's training. Today, they had planned something more thrilling—an aerial battle training session.
When they arrived at the clearing, Saphira and Firnen were already waiting with Haroldun and Dorzada. The dragons stood tall, their scales gleaming under the morning light, and the air seemed charged with excitement.
Eragon turned to the group, his face serious but tinged with a playful edge. "Before we begin, everyone must close themselves off. No mind reading, no probing into each other's thoughts—just you and your dragon."
Arya, Haroldun, and Dorzada nodded, each of them quickly retreating into their mental walls. Eragon did the same, feeling the sudden quiet in his mind, the space filled only with Saphira's comforting presence.
"Let's make this a little more fun," Eragon said with a grin. "A free-for-all. No alliances, no teams. Just pure dragonback combat. But keep it light—we're training, not trying to kill each other."
Arya smiled, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "You won't be able to catch me, Eragon."
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure of that," Eragon teased back.
With a shared glance between them all, the dragons lifted off the ground, their wings beating powerfully as they ascended into the sky. Saphira and Firnen roared in unison, their joy in flying always contagious. Haroldun and Dorzada followed close behind, their faces a mix of excitement and focus.
As soon as they reached the right altitude, the free-for-all began. Eragon and Saphira dove toward Arya and Firnen almost immediately, the two Riders naturally targeting each other first. Saphira's blue flames shot forward in a mock attack, but Firnen spun gracefully, avoiding it at the last second.
Eragon grinned. "You've gotten faster!"
Arya smirked, sending a burst of fire-magic in their direction, forcing Saphira to twist midair, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Meanwhile, Haroldun surprised them both with his agility. He and his dragon, Dorzada, had practiced their maneuvers well. Haroldun executed tight turns and sudden dives, making it difficult for either Arya or Eragon to target him. He had learned to use his smaller size to his advantage, and before long, both Eragon and Arya found themselves caught off guard by his swift movements.
Haroldun swooped low on Dorzada, skimming just above the treetops, before pulling a sharp ascent, sending a streak of energy at Eragon. Saphira growled in mock annoyance, swerving to avoid the attack.
"Not bad!" Eragon called out to Haroldun. "Let's see if you can keep up!"
The sky was filled with bursts of magic—flashes of fire, ice, and energy that crackled between the dragons as they dodged, spun, and darted around each other. It was a thrilling, playful dance of combat, where each Rider and dragon pushed their skills to the limit.
Eragon launched another attack at Arya, but Haroldun took advantage of the distraction, launching his own magical burst toward him from below. Saphira twisted in the air, but Haroldun's magic grazed them, earning a surprised laugh from Eragon.
"Good one!" Eragon shouted as Saphira banked hard to chase him and return the favor.
The training session continued with rapid-fire exchanges of magic and guarded weapons, the sky above Ellesmera was alive with the energy of the dragons and their Riders.
Haroldun, despite being younger and less experienced, proved to be a formidable opponent in the air. He had a mind for it.
Finally, after a particularly close call where Firnen nearly pinned Saphira in the air, Arya called out, "Enough! I think we've all earned a rest."
They descended back to the clearing, all laughing and exhilarated from the intense session. Haroldun beamed, proud of how he had fared against the more experienced Riders.
"You did well," Arya praised Haroldun while patting Firnen's side. "I didn't expect you to be so nimble."
Eragon nodded in agreement, smiling at the young Rider. "You've come a long way in a short time, Haroldun. Keep this up, and you'll be one of the best."
Haroldun, flushed with excitement, bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Ebrithil. I only aim to make mine family and mine clan proud."
With the morning's exhilarating training behind them, they returned to the ground, and Eragon and Arya went to eat and wash themselves before meeting with the elvin Council once more.
Eragon, Arya, and a disguised Oromis approached the Council meeting in Tialdari Hall as requested by King Dathedr. As they entered the chamber, Dathedr gestured for them each to take a place at the end of the large table.
Arya stepped forward, her posture regal, and addressed the council with steady confidence.
"Today, you are about to witness something that will echo through the annals of our history. An event akin to the legend of Drundor and Naelith."
Maedra, one of the youngest among the council and a healer, raised a skeptical eyebrow and asked, "What event could claim to be in league with resurrection?"
Others murmured in curiosity. Another council member, Elessari, cut through the whispers. "And who has performed this magic?"
Eragon, who had been standing silent, then stepped forward, his voice calm but filled with gravity.
"I did," he said, his eyes scanning the council. "This is not the first time I have been a conduit for something far beyond myself. On the day of the Agaetí Blödhren, the dragons altered me, made me more like them. And since then, my transformation continues still."
A silence fell over the council.
Eragon continued, "I defeated Galbatorix not with force, but through wordless magic. On rare occasions, my emotions—like those of a dragon—allow something extraordinary to happen. When it does, I have no control. I become a conduit for the dragons' will."
Maedra leaned forward in her seat. "And what of now, Eragon Shadeslayer? What is this magic you speak of?"
Eragon glanced at Arya, who nodded. The moment had come.
Oromis, still cloaked in the magical disguise, stepped forward. He began to shed the illusion, and before the council stood not a stranger, but Oromis—the legendary Rider of Glaedr who had been thought lost.
The council gasped in unison, many standing from their seats, shock and disbelief written across their faces.
Eragon could sense fear, suspicion, and disbelief from the council at his presence.
King Dathedr, who had been watching quietly, finally spoke, his voice calm but resolute. "Continue," he said firmly.
Oromis raised his hand, quieting the room. "It is through Eragon's magic, guided by the will of the dragons, that I have been freed from Formora's curse and unbound from the Crags of Tel'naeír."
The council remained stunned as Oromis continued, his voice gentle but authoritative. "For what seemed but moments to me, I lived in the void. But Eragon has done what none thought possible. He called me back to this world, unbound me from the Crags, and freed me from the ailment that held me captive for years."
The room remained eerily silent as Oromis went on, his tone serious. "This leads us to today. I wish to proceed with all transparency, and King Dathedr was kind enough to give us time before informing you all. I know what you have seen is nearly unprecedented. But I urge you to judge these events on fact, not fear."
He paused, letting his words sink in. Then, in the ancient language, Oromis declared, "I am no more or no less than I once was before Formora's curse and Galbatorix's magic hindered me. I am still here to serve the peoples of Alagaësia, and I have chosen to accept Eragon's invitation to join the Rider Council."
The ancient language's power hung in the air, binding his words with truth. The council was silent, absorbing what had just been revealed.
Finally, King Dathedr stood and nodded. "Then let us move forward with caution and wisdom. This is indeed a momentous occasion, but also one that must be handled with care. I bid you all to reserve your judgements. Do not speak in haste, nor lightly about these these events. It would not do to spread rumor when our questions have been openly addressed."
He took his seat once more, allowing the Council to speak.
Fiolr stood then and greeted Oromis with the traditional words.
"On the day you were cursed," Fiolr asked him in the ancient language, "what words did my mate bequeath to you to give to me should you survive The Fall?"
Oromis leaned forward then and brought Fiolr close, whispering so low Eragon had to strain to hear the words. "The light you seek shall always be inside you. Do not despair. We will meet again."
Lord Fiolr took a step back and looked at Oromis anew.
"I vouch that he has spoken true," Fiolr said. "Those words have been uttered only twice before. Once, when my mate spoke them in her final moments, and once more when he relayed them to me. I had no cause to share them with another. Because of those facts, I believe this to be the true Oromis."
It surprised Eragon that Fiolr of all people would be the first to speak up for his old master, but he didn't fully understand the history between the two either. He knew that the loss of Fiolr's mate still cut him to his core. It was at the center of everything he did. He felt he owed it to her to preserve the connection between elves and dragons above all others. It was a misguided sentiment in this new age of unity, but however warped his grief had made him towards the other races, it was clear he cared deeply for the elves and dragons.
Eragon hadn't realized that Oromis had been there when Naudra died. He supposed that was a bond of sorts, but to be the messenger of such tidings was unenviable, and to be the receiver far worse.
Elessari stepped forward then, his expression curious.
"What did Queen Islanzadi entrust us with should she fall? He said. "Tell us all what you remember of what she said on the eve of the battle in which you were slain."
Eragon thought the question a good one. He presumed from the direction of Elessari's thoughts that much of the current Council had been present that day, and this would be a more expedient way to establish trust with the most members.
"She spoke of preserving our people and the connection with the dragons, she spoke of avenging Evandar and all the elves that died at the Mad King's hands, and she spoke of Arya and the many ways this younger generation differs from our own. She said we owe it to them to fight for a world in which elves are not hunted outside our forests."
The tension in the room seemed to dissipate as more of the Council members confirmed this to be true, and a silence descended upon the room.
"If there are no more questions," Oromis said, "I wish to depart for Ceris. Zella and Nath Gosu fly this way with Glaedr's eldunari, but I confess I do not wish to be parted from him a moment longer. With your leave, I shall return shortly."
He said the last part mostly to King Dathedr. Surprisingly, the Council did not seem to mistrust his intent to leave so quickly. On the contrary, they seemed empathetic to his separation.
"We shall prepare a feast upon your return," Dathedr said. "Let word of this great event reach the ears of all. Tell the birds and the trees so that word of Oromis' return shall spread. I caution you now. Do not let this message become twisted like the vines of liana you see throughout the forest. We have great reason to rejoice that a friend, teacher, and holder of both elf and Rider knowledge is returned to us and whole once more."
Oromis bowed to King Dathedr and took his leave, making haste for the stables.
The council was dismissed as well, and Eragon and Arya lingered to speak with Dathedr alone.
They expressed their plan to travel to Carvahall, Ilirea, and finally Arngor over the coming months to continue Haroldun and Dorzada's training and allow Saphira time to lay her eggs.
Dathedr assured them both that he had things well in hand, and Arya presented him with her idea of rallying Maedra to his side.
"You will need new allies," Arya said. "My influence will not reach as far as it once did, but I will do what I can."
"It is no longer your burden to bear," King Dathedr replied. "Go now. I will not allow the reigns of the kingdom to wander. You have earned your freedom. Cherish it. For it is what we have been fighting for all along."
Arya nodded solemnly and turned on her heel with Eragon in tow, determined not to look back.
She was leaving her home again for what could be forever, but she was more than ready.