Previously:
"I need to go with Roran after Katrina to save her from the Ra'zac," Eragon explained helplessly.

Can't say I'm surprised. He has a good heart and smart mind. Kind of like me if I'm honest.

I turned to Thalia. "This might be a while," I told her with a smirk, referring to the current argument. The second I said that, Arya and Nasuada immediately started to argue about the wisdom of his plan.

"I would tell you to be yourself but that almost got us killed last time," Thalia said as she embraced me good bye.

"When was that?" I challenged with a laugh and a quick glance over at the elf that would be joining us to Du Weldenvarden, the elf forest. He was eyeing my cousin suspiciously. I think he thought she would break me.

"Well," Thalia brought her hand to her chin and stroked it. Then she started listing on her fingers. "There was that time when-"

"Okay, that's enough," I quickly put my hands over her mouth to shut her up.

She moved her head and continued, "-when you followed Dr. Thorn, Bianca and Nico onto the cliff-"

"I said that was enough," waving my hand suddenly and saying a couple words in Ancient Creek, effectively shutting my cousin up.

Thalia tried saying something but I used magic to silence her, she couldn't say anything. Seeing as talking was impossible, she punched me in the gut, causing me to bend over, holding my middle.

"Lady Thalia, I would ask you to please step away from Rider Percy," the elf came up to us at amazing elvish speed and placed himself protectively between me and my cousin.

If Thalia were able to speak, I'm sure she would have cursed him seven different ways in Ancient Greek. As it was, she only slugged him in the gut too. Then she stomped unforgivingly on his foot where the ankle met the top of the foot. After that, she soundlessly shouted at him.

Laughing now, I immediately hurried over to my cousin and held her back from doing any more harm. "Thalia, calm down," I said, still laughing. I muttered a few words and she could talk again.

"Calm down? You want me to calm down when this tree-hugging son of a half-eaten troll wants me to back away from my cousin as if I would actually hurt you seriously? As if I even could-"

"I know, Thals, but you have to remember, he thinks I'm a fragile mortal," I whispered to her in Ancient Greek.

Now she snorted, looking at the elf that would be accompanying me. "Can I try something?" She asked in the same tongue.

"Sure-ow!" She'd elbowed me hard in the ribs, not taking her eyes off of the elf and smirking. "I think you've proved your point."

"I hope so," she growled at the elf. "Listen here, mister, I've been doing stuff like that to my cousin for ages and only broke something twice. I'm going to keep doing it so you'd better get used to it."

"Are you sure you're not an elf, Lady Thalia?" Arya said as she came up to the three of us with a smile.

"I will take that as a compliment," Thalia smirked at the dark haired elf playfully.

Arya smirked as well then turned to me. "Are you ready, Argetlam? Eragon has left already with his cousin," she said with a glance at Blackjack behind me.

"Yes, I-" I was interrupted quite forcefully by Vindex jumping on me, knocking me to the ground. "Vindex, get off!" I heaved the massive winged dog off my ribs and sucked in a gasping breath for air.

My companion looked up at me with his usual pleading look. I was almost too late to look away. "No, Vindex, you can not come, you need to stay with Thalia to protect Lady Nasuada, you know that," I scolded blindly. That look of his was almost as effective as my baby seal eyes. I heard a small whimper and reached out in his direction. Scratching behind his ear for a few seconds, I whispered, "It's alright, buddy, I won't be too long."

The flight there wasn't bad. Despite the fact that Farreil, our elf guide, seemed to think I was fragile, we got along rather well. Especially him and Blackjack. I gathered the elves preferred the dragon's company to a non-elf.

One night, on one of our last days of travel, as we sat around a campfire, I eyed Farreil expectantly. A few days before, I received a dream from my sisters concerning certain etiquette among the elves that was imperative if I didn't want to offend anyone of major importance. My sisters taught me all I needed to know but I wanted to see if Farreil would teach me himself. After a few minutes of waiting, I decided to help him along a little.

"I understand that elvish culture is vastly different to human culture," I began with a thoughtful tone.

Farreil looked up at me with narrowed eyes. "Yes," he agreed suspiciously.

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. And he says I'm stupid. It's kind of obvious what I am asking him to tell me. "I guess that elves are a little closed off-no that's not quite the right way to put it-more formal, since they live so long. Long lives leave more chances to get annoyed with each other and longer times that a grudge is held. I would assume that you have some way to prevent that."

The elf stared at me, expression not changing. We were speaking in Ancient Greek-or the Ancient Language as they called it here-so he would have to tell the truth.

"How do you know this?" He finally asked.

I shrugged, quickly coming up with an answer that would not reveal my sisters or that I already knew the answer to my unasked question. "It seemed logical," I answered simply. "You cannot afford long term grudges if you spend so much time together."

Farreil nodded and opened his mouth. "There were a few grudges-" he was interrupted by Blackjack, who had gone hunting, coming back.

Hey, boss, did I miss anything? The black dragon said as he curled up behind me.

I shrugged, looking back at Farreil, half expecting him to continue what he was saying.

"Greetings, Blackjack, I trust your hunt went well?" He started, very obviously ignoring my gaze.

Yes, Blackjack said with a little hesitation. He eyed both the elf and I with trepidation. But boss, are you sure you have no more of my favorite?

"Yes, I'm sure," I sighed. "Once we reach Ellesméra, I'm sure they will have some sugar cubes for you."

"Pardon me for asking," Farreil said accusingly. "But why does Blackjack call you 'boss'?"

I sighed in exasperation. "Because he refuses to listen to me," I answered with a roll of my eyes. "Blackjack don't call me that."

Ok boss.

We entered Du Weldenvarden three to four days after we left the Varden. The forest was unlike any other I had entered. It had a sense of slumber, as if it were in the middle of the winter season. The trees were huge and their branches reached out above our heads, hiding the sky from sight. As we went further in, it grew darker and the trees grew taller. This would have been a dream come true for a certain goddess of the wild back home.

The only interruption we had as we approached Ellesméra was passing by an extremely old elf. He was wearing flowing robes with a circlet of silver on his head. Looking closely at him, I could tell he was older than all the elves I've met already. Not that that was saying something, I've only met two.

"Show him your palm," Farreil instructed as we approached.

We paused long enough for me to show the old elf my silver decorated palm. He smiled and spread his arms in welcome as he closed his eyes.

Once we were out of sight, I turned to my elvish guide. "The guardian of the city, I assume?" I said lightly, trying to ignore the increasing cold front the elf was putting forth.

Farreil nodded. "Gilderien the wise, Prince of House Miolandra, wielded of the white flame of Vándil and guardian of Ellesméra since the days of Du Fyrn Skulblaka, our war with the dragons. None may enter unless he permits it," he answered.

The city started when the trees turned into graceful buildings made out of the trees themselves. The blended in so well, I almost didn't see the houses.

"It's beautiful," I mumbled in awe. It came rather close to Olympus. Just in a more earthy way.

We were walking for about ten minutes when elves started coming out to look.

I've heard elves be compared to dryads back home. They were absolutely wrong. The elves here did not have the green skin and literal plant connections. These elves were fair in every sense of the word. The women had flowing silver and sage hair shimmering in what little sunlight there was. The fresh flowers woven into their hair had the effect of a garden cascading down their backs. The men could be compared to the Greek and Roman sculptures of the gods at home. The only way either the men or the women could be made anymore visually perfect is if they were gods or goddesses themselves. Their apparel was humble. Fabrics of rustic greens and browns lined with rustic warmer colors and gold.

I snapped out of my trance and touched my lips in greeting. Hoping they didn't notice me staring.

As one, the elves controlled their awed faces and bowed. Though, some I saw did so reluncatntly. I understood most elves saw themselves as the superior race. Having two Riders show up for the first time in some decades was a miraculous thing indeed. However if both of those riders were apparently humans...I understood the animosity.

On the other hand, their reaction to Blackjack was a little more welcoming. They praised him with titles such as, "Strong One," and "Longclaws." Many stared in awe at his onyx scales and danced around him as we walked along the path.

Boss, I don't think I'll be able to go back home after this, he told me, puffing his chest up and sticking his nose in the air.

I rolled my eyes, unable to keep a small smile off my face. I think you'll manage, I told him.

We followed Farreil through a large door that led into a hall of trees. Reminding me quite forcefully about the throne room on Olympus, I saw twelve chairs on the walls where sat armed elves. At the other end of the room was a throne of knotted roots. Upon which I assumed sat Queen Islandzadí, Arya's mother.

The silence was broken by a long croak and a shriek, "Wryda!" Fate.

My attention was brought to the stark white raven perched on the queen's staff. I nodded in his direction and brought my fingers to my lips once more, at the same time, twisted my right hand over my chest.

"Islanzadí Dröttning. Atra esterní ono thelduin," May good fortune rule over you.

It was custom for those of lower rank to speak first and start the ritual. While technically I was of higher rank, being a primordial, the elves did not know that so I spoke first.

The queen widened her eyes. "Atra du evarínya ono varda." May the stars watch over you.

"Un atra mor'ranr lífa union hjarta onr." And may peace live in your heart. I finished inwardly smirking at Farreil's shocked face. From his reactions, I could tell he didn't tell me this part of their culture on purpose.

Once Blackjack was finished doing the same, the queen asked, "What is your name, Dragon?"

Blackjack, he answered.

"Welcome to Ellesméra, Blackjack and your's, Rider?"

"Percy Chaosson," I answered lightly.

"In pain and sorrow, watch him grow. Hath more power we will ever know," the raven cackled, hopping on his perch. "Son of the Ancient one, the burden is his own to withstand alone."

Silence met the raven's words.

Everywhere I go, I swear.

"Hush, Blagden," Islanzadí said, looking at me uncertainly.

It was still silent as I eyed the raven carefully, ignoring Blackjack's outraged huffs.

Styx, not again! He exclaimed, allowing everyone to hear. Boss already has enough on his plate! Can he not be left alone with no strange prophesies messing up his life? I swear, the next time-

"Blackjack," I said warningly, not taking my eyes off the white raven. "What have I said about calling me that?"

Sorry, boss, he said, not sounding apologetic at all and still overflowing with rage.

Now speaking to the raven, I said, "You may be right, Blagden, for my life holds more tragedy than others." Turning to Islanzadí, I smiled. "I am honored to be here in your beautiful city, my lady."

"I would assume your presence here means that your training is incomplete," Islanzadí started as everyone relaxed.

Technically, I am only here for the completion in my knowledge about magic in this realm. Not what she was thinking. My fight with Arya proved that I knew enough physically. "Yes," I said anyways. I would rather show my strength at my own time.

🐉            🐉            🐉            🐉

Boss, wake up, there's a weird elf here to see you, Blackjack woke me up sleepily.

I groaned awake and stretched in my spot curled up next to my black dragon. "You sure they're not here for you?" The night before, several elves came up to us only to ignore me completely and talk only to Blackjack. To say he was extremely puffed up with pride because of that is an understatement.

Very funny, boss, I can't help it if they think I'm awesome, he spread his wings so I could get out and settled down again to catch a few more minutes of sleep.

The house they put us in last night was very open to accommodate for the dragons when the Riders lived here.

"Greetings, Percy Chaosson, Queen Islanzadí has asked me to retrieve you for your first day of training," the elf said upon the opening of my door. "My name is Bellaen du Hljödhr."

"Greetings Bellaen," I said, smiling politely, "let me get Blackjack up and I'll meet you out here.

"Come, Blackjack, up," I said, strapping my knives to my waist and checking my pockets for Riptide. "We have to go meet with our trainers."

No, he corrected grumpily. I need to get some more sleep.

"Blackjack," I sighed wearily. "Get. Up." I kicked him in the side, hoping to motivate him into rising.

I'm telling the elves you kicked me, he said in a slightly whinny vice.

"You go ahead and do that," I said, amused as I left the room.

We followed the Queen for a while before stopping and she suddenly turned to us.

"Before we go any farther, swear on the Ancient Language that you will not speak of what you see here to outsiders," Islanzadí said in a terrible voice. "Not without permission from me, my daughter, Arya or whomever succeeds me to the throne."

Why should I? Blackjack asked indignantly, puffing up like a peacock.

I rolled my eyes. "Buddy, you're not above their laws, this might be a security thing."

Blackjack huffed and said in Ancient Greek, I swear I will not reveal what I see here without permission of whomever sits upon the throne.

The queen turns to me expectantly and I repeat what was said.

Now under oath, we walk a little further into a clearing where a small tree-house was centered. We were there no longer than ten seconds before a loud and teeth shattering thud reverberated throughout the forest. Thud. The pressure in my ears grew almost unbearable. Thud. A big, gold dragon emerged from the trees with a Rider on his back.

He was a magnificent beast. Far larger than both Saphira and Blackjack combined. His scales were lit like Apollo's palace and the drama of the situation reminded me of Zeus. The only thing that marred the beauty and majesty of both the dragon and the Rider was the white stump on the dragon's left side. A worthy battle scar, Ares would have called it.

I stopped forward, my eyes fixated on the dragon's missing limb. Out of my peripheral vision, I could see Islanzadí and Bellaen move to stop me but Blackjack stopped them with his long tail. Reaching my hand out, I rested my hand on the white stump. Flashes of sound and color filled my vision and I gasped. I felt his pain and saw the fight in which he and his Rider lost something important.

I placed my forehead on the golden dragon and blessed him with my domains over heroes. Looking up, I could barely see the dragon's face through my tears.

"Hero of Old, you will not loose, even if it seems you have," I told him in the Ancient Language. "Your losses will not be forgotten."

The dragon bent down to examine me closer. Thank you, Percy Chaosson, son of the Ancient one, he rumbled, sounding very much like tumbling rocks. I am Glaedr.

"It is an honor to meet you, noble one," I said solemnly as I bowed. Glaedr turned to examine Blackjack as I turned to his rider who had climbed down from his dragon's back.

"Atra esterní ono thelduin," I said as the traditional greeting among the elves.

The rider was visibly old, more seen in his eyes and the way he held himself. He had white silvery hair and smiled as I spoke. "I am Oromis," he greeted softly.

I eyed him, reaching out with my senses instead of to physically touch him. "You are a hero as well and have a scar of your own," I tilted my head, "though you suffer differently than your partner."

"You see much, Percy, what makes you so wise?" Oromis asked.

I smirked slightly, looking off at Blackjack as he and Glaedr took off and Islanzadí and Bellaen walk away. "I have gone through more than what some deem necessary to get to where I am," I answer. "My life has been long."

Oromis smiled understandably as we moved to a table sitting right outside the door. "Many feel as though they've lived more lives than one," he said calmly. "It makes one tired before their time. Come, give me your hand."

I smirked again at his comment about long lives and held out my hand without thinking. I realized what I did after his eyes widened noticeably.

"Chaff-scars, from shackles," he muttered too quietly for a human to hear. His fingers lightly traced my wrist. Being a primordial did not mean my scars disappeared. Oromis examined my calluses with both his eyes and his dry fingertips. "A sword. Although you are not opposed to using daggers."

I nodded in agreement, eyeing him carefully as he continued analyzing my palm. With how many scars I had, I knew how much a scar could tell about a person.

"You were once reckless," Oromis said finally. "But you grew out of that if the aging of the scars are anything to go by. You are now more careful about how you go into a fight and you've spent more time with a sword than any other too. You do know how to write and read. That I can see. Albeit you don't do it much. Am I correct in assuming that you don't use a bow?"

Now I laughed. "Yes," I answered, "Enough experience has taught people who tried teaching me to never trust me with a bow and arrow."

"So you do not hunt?" Oromis clarified, looking up at me.

I laughed again. "No, I hunt," I answered. "Just not with a bow."

Oromis looked confused but dropped it so we could move on. "Why are you here, Percy?" He asked me as he leaned forward on the table between us.

Somehow, I new this was a test. I leaned back, eyeing him as well. I knew this training had to be quick, the Varden could not be without a dragon and a Rider for long before Gallbatorix or Murtagh noticed. It would be wise to show what I could do sooner rather than later.

"To learn more of this world and it's history so I can better protect the world my sisters love so much," I finally answered. This was obviously not what he was expecting and I smirked again at his expression. "I know how and what I fight for, Oromis, I've known that since I was twelve. I know most of what I am capable of doing on behalf of my family. The question I think you need to ask now is: what do I know already?"

There was silence as Oromis and Glaedr looked at the both of their new pupils carefully.

I know nothing about being a dragon, if you were wondering, Blackjack said helpfully.

I almost snorted. "Yes, I think you would need to focus on the basics with him," I added.

Glaedr circled Blackjack, analyzing him and his own scars, though there weren't many. "You are strong, you are comfortable in the sky for as well as the ground," he said. "You are fit for the training I put Saphira through. As fit as a horse."

"Right," I snorted in amusement. "As fit as a horse."

Shut up, boss, Blackjack said, trying to keep the laughter from his voice.

After a long silence, Oromis said, "Very well. We will test your physical abilities. Stand and remove your tunic."

I hesitated for only a moment, my mind going to the collection of scars I received in my centuries of fighting. Then, with out a word and with no expression on my face, I stood and did as he said.

Oromis' eyes grew wider and wider as he circled me, taking in the stories each scar told. "I see there is more to your life than your hands have told me" he said in amazement.

"What does the rest of me tell you?" I inquired.

"You are not lopsided, much like Eragon, were you forced to train your less dominate side?" He started.

I smiled humorlessly. "No, I train with both," I informed him. "What else?" I added a challenging hint in my question.

Now Oromis hesitated. "You have lived a life of war, pain and..." he trailed off, hesitating to say the word.

"Torture," I said for him gently. "Yes, such is my life. I have suffered it as long as I have lived."

"How are you sane?" Glaedr asked.

Who says he's not? Blackjack snorted.

I rolled my eyes and cupped my hands to my lips, whispered a few words and tossed the ball of magic at the pegasus turned dragon under hand. The spell had the effect of a stinging hex I learned from the wizarding world.

Hey! He exclaimed, stomping his feet much like a horse. You gotta stop doin' that, boss!

What did he do? Glaedr inquired in confusion.

He stung me! Blackjack said in a very childish way.

I rolled my eyes. "Really, Blackjack, stop acting like a child."

Easy for you to say, you're the one-

"Yes, thank you, let's move on, shall we?" I quickly interrupted before he could say something regrettable.

"Very well, take out your sword, blunt it with your magic, we will see how good you are," Oromis said.

"Blunt it?" I said, confused for the first time in a while. "What do you mean? Why do you want me to blunt it?"

"How did you train?" Oromis asked, surprised yet again. "With training swords? How did you get used to the weight of a real sword?"

"I trained with a real sword," I told him, smiling like a mad man. "Unblunted."