Post by Trinn on Nov 2, 2006 23:46:11 GMT -5
(This is just a post in which I will post about the beginning of Elaine and Eridor's bond, I may have to double post if the writing gets too long. No one has to reply to this).
Something boomed against the tile floor. Elaine's eyelids fluttered open as the noise awoke her from her slumber. Her mind still dazed with sleep, she ignored the noise and closed her eyes, beginning to enter slumber once more. Her eyelids flew back open as she realized the stone was no longer in her arms. Alarm flared inside her, blooming like a flower. And then she heard a squeak. Her breath caught, terror clawed at her. Don't panic, she told herself. Taking deep, calming breaths, she reached out a hand, found some tinder, and fumbled for a candle. Once she found one, she clumsily lit it and looked around wildly. The stone sat in the middle of the floor, undamaged. Elaine sighed in relief. I must have just knocked it off the bed while I was sleeping. She smiled as she inwardly laughed at herself for being so skittish. Sliding out of the warm nest of blanketts, she bent to retrieve the stone but another squeak stayed her hand. It was coming from the stone. She inched away from it, the smile having slipped from her face, repalced with a very worried look. The dark grey stone began to rock back and forth, then more rapidly. Squeaks issued forth from it. Finally, it fell still, and Elaine thought she could here her heart pounding in her chest. She blinked and rubbed her eyes as she saw something odd. It looked like a piece of the stone had fell away. But no, more peices were falling to the ground. Slightly awestruck, she watched as the stone cracked slowly around the middle, then broke completely in half.
A small, dark grey dragon lay sprawled between the fragments of the stone, which Elaine now realized was not a stone at all but an egg. Not just any egg, a dragon egg. She beheld the creature with reverence. It's body was wet and gangly. It's head wobbled on it's neck and something wrinkly was clinging to it's sides. The small dragon stood up, looked around and skampered over to Elaine's bed. The wrinkly things near it's sides suddenly fanned out, and Ealine could see that they were wings of immense size. The dragon stared up at the top of the bed, jumped, then fell back to the ground. It was too small to make it to the top. Elaine's heart went out to the small creature. However, she didn't move any closer to it, knowing that it may not be friendly. The dragon gave up it's fight with the bed and turned its glowing, dark grey eyes on her. It opened it's maw, revealing tiny, needle sharp white teeth, and relased a mornful squeak. It's hungry, she realized. Unable to ignore the dragon any longer, she began to move towards it. The tiny dragon watched her warily. "It's okay," she said to it. The dragon seemed to understand, and it went back to it's squeaking. Elaine sat on the edge of the bed, reached down, quickly picked the dragon up and set it down on the bed. The dragon sat there for a moment, as if in shock, the realized it was on the top of the bed and began to squeak in what Elaine thought was a delighted manner. However, it soon went back to it's pleas' of hunger. Suddenly, it approached Elaine and rubbed it's trangular head against her elbow. Elaine couldn't suppres her smile, and her left hand reached out to touch the creature. Her hand landed on it's small head, then trailed down it's spine, while carefully avoiding the tiny ebony spikes along it, down to it's flank. Before her hand left the dragons hide, an excruciating pain engulfed her.
Ice seemed to shoot up her left arm and travel throughout her body, paralyzing her. She screamed silently in her mind, her vision black, little bursts of color appearing now and then. After a while, the pain began to retreat, until all she felt was a faint tingle in her left hand. There was something else too. Another presence seemed to fill her mind, as if she were two people. The sensation was unnerving. Raising her left hand to her face, she discovered a pale oval forming. Her eyes turned slowly to the dragon, who sat beside her, watching her with it's own intellegent eyes. Before she could dwell further on what happened, the dragon released an ear-piercing shriek. "Right, I have to get you food." The presence in her mind seemed to agree. Elaine tentatively reached out and gave the dragon another stroke. It arched it's back like a cat as she did so. There was no pain. Satisfied, a smile finally came back to her face. "I need to go find some food for you, and I suppose you may as well come with me." Opening her arms, the dragon seemed to take the cue. It scampered into her awaiting arms, snuggling it's head against her chest.
Cradling the dragon in her arms, she left the room and crept down the halls in search of the kitchen. As she walked, the dragon peeked it's head out of the shelter of her arms, looking around curiously. After what seemed like endless minutes, Elaine finally discovered a kitchen. I shouldn't be doing this, she thought. I'll just tell the general in the morning, I'm sure he'll understand. She poked around the kitchen until she finally found some meat. Taking a generous amount, she hurried back to her room and plopped back down onto her bed. She set the dragon down beside her, then took the meat and tore it into chunks with her fingers. Very carefully, she fed the hatchling, it's head snapping forward like a snake each time it took the meat from her hands. The dragon devoured most of the meat, it's stomach bulging. Elaine set the rest aside on her nightstand. A yawn tore its way out of her mouth, and the tiny dragon followed suit. "Let's get some sleep," she said. Picking the hatchling up, she crawled back under her blankets, now cold, and placed the dragon beside her. She fell asleep to the dragons purring, smoke trailing from it's nostrils.
-----
Morning broke peacfully. The elaborate room Elaine slept in was dappled with soft sunlight. She was slow to awake, slightly disoriented. Memory came back swiftly, and she noticed the absence of the dark grey dragon. A rustle filled her right ear. Turning over, she discovered the small dragon perched on the bedpost, it's tail wrapping around the wood in a spiral. The sun glistened off it's scales beautifully, making the glow like dark gems. It looked strangly wise for being such a young creature. Hearing Elaine move, the triangular head snapped towards her. Elaine froze, maybe it's not as friendly as I thought. However, her doubt was soon cast away when the dragon spread its wings and glided down beside her, rubbing it's head against her elbow. "Good morning," she murmered. The dragon released a low peep. Sitting up in bed, she began to get the extra meat from the nigthstand, but stoped when she discovered it was gone. She eyed the small dragon wryly, and it seemed to smile at her. Her eyes moved to it's stomach, which was once again bulging. "I see you've helped yourself," she said with a little laugh. A heavy knock sounded at the door. The dragon squeaked, frightened by the noise, and pushed itself into Elaine's arms. She whispered soothing words to it as she stood up, slipped on her boots, and walked towards the door. Shifting the dragon to a position where she could hang on to it with one arm, she opened the door a crack with the other. The general stood there in a crisp suit, about three guards standing behind him. He gave her a smile, then spoke. "Good morning Miss Elaine, did you sleep well." Elaine realized he couldn't see the dragon in her arms, as the arm holding it was concealed behind the door. She gave a sheepish smile. "Yes, quite well, however, something interesting did happen." Opening the door further, she revealed the small, dark grey dragon, who regarded the strangers with wary eyes. The general and the guards stood there, looking awestruck, and then, the general's face cracked into a massive smile, showing all teeth. His voice was filled with excitement. "Exccelent, just absolutely excelllent." He stood there for a moment longer, contemplating her. He finally spoke, "you see Elaine, I gave you that stone because I knew it held a dragon inside. I had a hope, just a faint hope, that it would hatch for you. And it has! Elaine, do you know what this means? It means you are now a dragon rider!" Elaine blinked. She hadn't realized that. The general continued. "So now I give you a choice, Elaine. You can stay here, in this palace with me, where I and others will train you as a rider, as a varden rider. Or you can leave now and never learn about the things a rider should. What say you, Elaine?" Elaine's eyes roved to the dragon, which looked up at her. A curious tendril of thought touched her mind, like it came from the dragon embraced in her arm. Suddenly, the answer was clear. "I will stay with you, general, and I will fight for the varden." It's got to be better than that orphanage. William smiled once more, and moved to place a hand on her shoulder. However, the small dragon intervened, snapping it's teeth at the man's hand. The general quickly withdrew his hand, his face stunned. "I see the dragon has already made you his own." He released a booming laugh, the laugh Elaine liked. "This is good. I have much to tell you, Elaine, so join me for breakfast in about 15 minutes. Bring the little dragon along too, of course." He gave a bow and departed, the guards traling behind.
Elaine stood there for a moment longer, registering all that had happened. "So I'm a rider now. Amazing." She retreated back into her room, gently set the dragon down on the bed, and tried to make herself sightly. She splashed water onto her face from the basin on the nightstand, combed her hair with a comb that was also lying there, and smoothed her clothes. "Okay, let's go." She opened her arms and the small dragon launched himself into them. Smiling, she headed to the dining room.
-----
Nasuada's face held no emotion, yet her spirit soared. She had just recieved news of the new dragon rider, and she was here, within the castle. Calming her pounding heart, she turned back to William. "This is wonderful news, general. You said she would be having breakfast with you?"
The general nodded, "Indeed, ma'am." Nasuada thought for a moment, then said, "I would like to join you also. I think it would be best if I meet our new rider." The general nodded again, "Right this way then." Nasuada followed William to the dining hall, her fingers interlaced and her back straight. Her mind was full of thought and concern, mainly about Eragon and Saphira. I hope they are having a safe journey, I also hope that no eggs have hatched for Galbatorix. They quickly reached the dining room, and stepped inside. It was still empty. Good, I would like to be here first, it only seems proper. However, right after she was seated the door swung open, and a timid figure approached. Nasuada's breath caught. It was a woman with large, brown doe eyes. Her hair was also brown and came to her shoulder. She was skinny, but not overly so. She seemed to be holding back a smile. Nasuada only spent a moment going over the girl before her eyes snapped to the amazing creature in her arms. A small, dark grey hatchling was curled in her arms, it's head swiveling about as it surveyed it's surroundings. Nasuada felt relief upon seeing it. She stood slowly, proudly. "Greetings, rider, I am Nasuada, leader of the Varden, and I am told that you have just joined."
Elaine couldn't believe it. Nasuada, the leader of the Varden. She was actually meeting her. She tried to give a bow, but found it difficult with a dragon in hand. "I am honered in your presence, ma'am." She withdrew from her bow and looked at the ground. "You have been told correctly, I have joined the Varden." Finding courage, she looked into the Varden leader's eyes. "I also want free Alagaesia from Galbatorix." The dragon in her arms released a squeak, which was about all it could do so far.
Nasuada finally allowed herself a smile. "I am glad you chose so. The varden sorely need another rider. Please, sit down." She gestured to the chairs around the table. The girl picked one opposite her and sat down before a guard could pull the chair out for her. She obviously had no clue about palace protocal. Nasuada sat down also, looked at the girl, then asked, "Pray tell, what is your name?"
She wants to know my name, Elaine found herself thinking. "I am Elaine, just Elaine." She decided to add a little more, "I was raised in an orphanage, you see." The varden leader nodded, "yes, I understand." Silence fell, and Elaine became uneasy under Nasuada's gaze. The leader finally broke the silence. "The dragon in your arms, what is it's name?" Elaine suddenly felt stupid. Of course, I haven't named it yet, that's what I was forgetting. She looked at her hands, " I haven't name it yet." Nasuada shrugged, "that is alright, take your time." Elaine nodded. Nasuada looked out one of the rooms windows, and when she turned her face back to Elaine, it seemed taut, worried.
Nasuada had decided to tell the girl about Eragon and Saphira, about everything that had happened so far. She took a deep breath, the dove into the long story. By the time she was done, breakfast had come and gone. William, the general, had stayed near the door. He gave her a reasuring smile. Sighing, she looked back at Elaine. "Now you understand our plight. This is why you are so important to us now."
Elaine drank in everyhthing Nasauda said, and the dragon seemed to do the same. When the varden leader was finished, she glanceed at the wood table underneath her, her finger trailing a design in it's surface. Her eyes once again met Nasuada's. "I am glad to be able to help, then. I will train under your men and do my best to become as good a rider as Eragon." She new she was speaking of a hard thing to do, but she meant it.
Nasuada nodded, "I will leave you then. Your training starts today, unless there is a problem with that?" Elaine shook her head, "no, not at all. The sooner the better." Satisfied, Nasuada stood, bent in a slight bow, and walked to the door. Before she left, she stopped by the general. "I am ensuring her safety to you, general, and I would like you to oversee her training." The general saluted promptly. "Very well, Ma'am." Giving him a nod and a smile, she left the room. She had much to think about still.
Once she was gone, William walked over to Elaine. "Well, miss, I think the first thing we need to teach you is personal defence." Elaine smiled, "lead the way, general."
-----
A week after the hatching of Elaine's dragon, Elaine had learned how to use a longsword, a bow, and her fists. She loved it. After one tiring spar with her trainer, she returned to her room, the dragon trodding along behind her. It had grown rapidly, and it's shoulder was now level with Elaine's chest. Now instead of squeaking, it could relase quiet roars. "I don't know where your going to go once you get bigger," she said absently. She nearly jumped a mile when a voice filled her mind. Me niether, it said simply. Elaines hand instinctively found it's way to the hilt of her rapier, and she looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. "Who's there?" She asked into the empty corridor. The voice answered again, me. The dragon suddenly bumped Elaine with it's snout, then stared at her with one, dark grey eye. Elaine was dumbfounded. The creature could speak? No one had told her anything about this. Afraid that this wasn't normal, she went back to the training field and quickly found William. "General," she leaned close to him, "how crazy would I sound if I said my dragon could talk." The general regarded her with twinkling eyes, then barked a laugh. "Not strange at all, my girl. It's no surprise that dragon can talk to you, it's as intellegent as you or I." Elaine looked at the dragon in a new light. Experimentally, she sent out a greeting to it with her mind, hello? The dragon snorted in pleasure, and returned the greeting, hello, Elaine. A smlie came to her face. "I'll see you around, general."
Once back in her room, she sat on the edge of her bed, and watched as the dragon crawled onto the bed next to her with ease, causing it to creak in protest from it's weight. "It's time I found a name for you," she said as she began to scratch it in a favorite spot behind a spike. The dragon simply stared at her, it's gaze unwavering and wise. Elaine listed off many names, ones from her past, and ones she had grown up around. The dragon rejected each of these. Digging deep within her mind, she struggled to come up with more names. A barrier seemed to break in her mind, and the name Eridor came flooding forth, long with a mental picture of her father. Her father had said the name. She turned to the dragon and said, "Should you be called Eridor?" The dragon seemed to smile as it replied, yes. "So, your a guy dragon." The dragon seemed to laugh, yes, was it's simple reply.
After that, Elaine and Eridor began conversing, each discovering the others personality. Both dragon and rider seemed to complete each other, their personlities melding together almost perfectly. Elaine discovered Eridor to be easy going, wise, and at times somewhat serious. She loved him all the more for it. He was a rock she could lean against when her training seemed to come at her in a dizzying blur. Eridor also began to grow swiftly, no sooner had a week passed than he had grown past Elaine's shoulder. His roars were no longer quite, but massive and powerful. Now, instead of walking to the training field, she would ride Eridor there, but he would only walk. She also noticed that other people in the palace now bowed to her in reverence, some saying rider, some shur'tugal, and others argetlam. When taking breaks from her training Elaine would watch the dragon fly above in the beautiful sky, it scales gleaming and perfect. She longed to be up there with him. When she mentioned this to William, he gave her a sly smile. "I'll see what I can do then, miss." The next day, William had a surprise for her.
Upon arriving at the field the next day, she slid off Eridor's wide back and landed beside the general. "What's in todays schedule, general?" The general held up a finger, "we'll get to that in a moment, miss, but first, I have something for you. The saddle makers have been working all night on it." He gestured to a guard behind Elaine. The guard approached with a large saddle, embroidered with dark grey cloth that matched the hue of Eridor's scales. Elaine looked up at William with a large smile. "A saddle, for Eridor?!" The general smiled widley, pleased with her pleasure. "Thats right, miss, a saddle for Eridor. Here, I'll help you get it on the beast." From behind Elaine's shoulder, Eridors head snaked around her to investigate the strange object. Aloud, William explained what it was for. "So, Eridor, do you mind if I help Elaine get it on you?" Eridor replied no and Elaine related this to Will. William began to show Elaine the process of saddling the grey dragon. Once done, Elaine pulled herself into it and made herself comfortable. No longer did Eridor's scales scratch her legs. She could ride in comfort. Her eyes fell on the general, filled with glee. "Thank you, general, it's a wonderful surprise." The general shrugged, "please, miss, call me Will." Elaine placed her hands on her hips, "then you, general, must call me Elaine." The general smled and spread out his hands. "Deal."
A week after atiring the saddle, Elaine decided to finally fly with Eridor. The dragon was estatic. He pranced onto the training field. When Will heard Elaine's plan, he grew stern. "I want you to be careful up there, Elaine. It's a long drop from the sky. Make sure you tighten your leg straps well." Elaine gave him a reasuring smile, and checked her leg straps, making sure that they were indeed tight. Once she was done, she took a deep breath, then, told Eridor to go ahead. Eridor spread his wings, then pumped them down swiftly, launching into the air with a gust of wind. The sudden move nearly took Elaine's breath away. She found herself gripping one of Eridor's spikes in what was nearly a death grip. Eridor sensed his rider's disease. Calm yourself Elaine, I will not let you fall. Elaine tried to calm herself, but found it difficult. Eridor banked to the left, tipping precariously. Elaine almost screamed, but held it in. Eridor! Be careful! She could hear him snort, I am being careful Elaine. They flew for about five minutes, then landed back on the ground beside Will. Elaine unstrapped her legs with shaky fingers, then slid to the ground. Will put a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?" Elaine took a moment to catch her breath before answering, "yes, for now."
Everyday after that, Elaine took time to fly with Eridor, and she finally began to enjoy it. The rush was exilerating, the wind running through her hair was refreshing. She now found that she cherished flying. Another change to her training was that she now met with one of the Varden's magic users to train her in the arts of magic. She found this particularly difficult. However, she was a quick learner, and soon got the hang of it.
After a month of training at the palace, Elaine had learned how to wield various weapons, use a bit of magic, and fly on Eridor. After yet another month, she had learned enerything she could from the people at the palace. Eridor had also grown more, his shoulder now a foot over Elaine's head. Now all they had to do was wait for Eragon to com back from his mission, so he could further train them in the ways of a Rider. Sometimes, Eridor and Elaine will fly out, past the city of Aberon, and camp in the wilderness. Elaine especially enjoyed this, and couldn't wait for the day when she could travle out of Surda.
---------
Nasuada sat at her desk in her room, a wrinkled piece of parchment clutched in her hand. A messenger dove cooed in a cage on a pedestal beside the desk. It was a letter from Eragon, and read:
Nasuada, I'm sending you this letter to let you know that all is well. I have not run into any misfortune, except for the wild beast now and then, but that's nothing that Saphira or I can't handle. I think we are getting closer to our destination. Your loyal rider, Eragon.
Nasuada leaned back in her chair, put the letter on her desk, and sighed. Finally she had news from them. I hope that safety still follows them. A knock came at the door, probably Trianna with more patterns of lace, she thouht as told the person to enter. Back to buisness.
Something boomed against the tile floor. Elaine's eyelids fluttered open as the noise awoke her from her slumber. Her mind still dazed with sleep, she ignored the noise and closed her eyes, beginning to enter slumber once more. Her eyelids flew back open as she realized the stone was no longer in her arms. Alarm flared inside her, blooming like a flower. And then she heard a squeak. Her breath caught, terror clawed at her. Don't panic, she told herself. Taking deep, calming breaths, she reached out a hand, found some tinder, and fumbled for a candle. Once she found one, she clumsily lit it and looked around wildly. The stone sat in the middle of the floor, undamaged. Elaine sighed in relief. I must have just knocked it off the bed while I was sleeping. She smiled as she inwardly laughed at herself for being so skittish. Sliding out of the warm nest of blanketts, she bent to retrieve the stone but another squeak stayed her hand. It was coming from the stone. She inched away from it, the smile having slipped from her face, repalced with a very worried look. The dark grey stone began to rock back and forth, then more rapidly. Squeaks issued forth from it. Finally, it fell still, and Elaine thought she could here her heart pounding in her chest. She blinked and rubbed her eyes as she saw something odd. It looked like a piece of the stone had fell away. But no, more peices were falling to the ground. Slightly awestruck, she watched as the stone cracked slowly around the middle, then broke completely in half.
A small, dark grey dragon lay sprawled between the fragments of the stone, which Elaine now realized was not a stone at all but an egg. Not just any egg, a dragon egg. She beheld the creature with reverence. It's body was wet and gangly. It's head wobbled on it's neck and something wrinkly was clinging to it's sides. The small dragon stood up, looked around and skampered over to Elaine's bed. The wrinkly things near it's sides suddenly fanned out, and Ealine could see that they were wings of immense size. The dragon stared up at the top of the bed, jumped, then fell back to the ground. It was too small to make it to the top. Elaine's heart went out to the small creature. However, she didn't move any closer to it, knowing that it may not be friendly. The dragon gave up it's fight with the bed and turned its glowing, dark grey eyes on her. It opened it's maw, revealing tiny, needle sharp white teeth, and relased a mornful squeak. It's hungry, she realized. Unable to ignore the dragon any longer, she began to move towards it. The tiny dragon watched her warily. "It's okay," she said to it. The dragon seemed to understand, and it went back to it's squeaking. Elaine sat on the edge of the bed, reached down, quickly picked the dragon up and set it down on the bed. The dragon sat there for a moment, as if in shock, the realized it was on the top of the bed and began to squeak in what Elaine thought was a delighted manner. However, it soon went back to it's pleas' of hunger. Suddenly, it approached Elaine and rubbed it's trangular head against her elbow. Elaine couldn't suppres her smile, and her left hand reached out to touch the creature. Her hand landed on it's small head, then trailed down it's spine, while carefully avoiding the tiny ebony spikes along it, down to it's flank. Before her hand left the dragons hide, an excruciating pain engulfed her.
Ice seemed to shoot up her left arm and travel throughout her body, paralyzing her. She screamed silently in her mind, her vision black, little bursts of color appearing now and then. After a while, the pain began to retreat, until all she felt was a faint tingle in her left hand. There was something else too. Another presence seemed to fill her mind, as if she were two people. The sensation was unnerving. Raising her left hand to her face, she discovered a pale oval forming. Her eyes turned slowly to the dragon, who sat beside her, watching her with it's own intellegent eyes. Before she could dwell further on what happened, the dragon released an ear-piercing shriek. "Right, I have to get you food." The presence in her mind seemed to agree. Elaine tentatively reached out and gave the dragon another stroke. It arched it's back like a cat as she did so. There was no pain. Satisfied, a smile finally came back to her face. "I need to go find some food for you, and I suppose you may as well come with me." Opening her arms, the dragon seemed to take the cue. It scampered into her awaiting arms, snuggling it's head against her chest.
Cradling the dragon in her arms, she left the room and crept down the halls in search of the kitchen. As she walked, the dragon peeked it's head out of the shelter of her arms, looking around curiously. After what seemed like endless minutes, Elaine finally discovered a kitchen. I shouldn't be doing this, she thought. I'll just tell the general in the morning, I'm sure he'll understand. She poked around the kitchen until she finally found some meat. Taking a generous amount, she hurried back to her room and plopped back down onto her bed. She set the dragon down beside her, then took the meat and tore it into chunks with her fingers. Very carefully, she fed the hatchling, it's head snapping forward like a snake each time it took the meat from her hands. The dragon devoured most of the meat, it's stomach bulging. Elaine set the rest aside on her nightstand. A yawn tore its way out of her mouth, and the tiny dragon followed suit. "Let's get some sleep," she said. Picking the hatchling up, she crawled back under her blankets, now cold, and placed the dragon beside her. She fell asleep to the dragons purring, smoke trailing from it's nostrils.
-----
Morning broke peacfully. The elaborate room Elaine slept in was dappled with soft sunlight. She was slow to awake, slightly disoriented. Memory came back swiftly, and she noticed the absence of the dark grey dragon. A rustle filled her right ear. Turning over, she discovered the small dragon perched on the bedpost, it's tail wrapping around the wood in a spiral. The sun glistened off it's scales beautifully, making the glow like dark gems. It looked strangly wise for being such a young creature. Hearing Elaine move, the triangular head snapped towards her. Elaine froze, maybe it's not as friendly as I thought. However, her doubt was soon cast away when the dragon spread its wings and glided down beside her, rubbing it's head against her elbow. "Good morning," she murmered. The dragon released a low peep. Sitting up in bed, she began to get the extra meat from the nigthstand, but stoped when she discovered it was gone. She eyed the small dragon wryly, and it seemed to smile at her. Her eyes moved to it's stomach, which was once again bulging. "I see you've helped yourself," she said with a little laugh. A heavy knock sounded at the door. The dragon squeaked, frightened by the noise, and pushed itself into Elaine's arms. She whispered soothing words to it as she stood up, slipped on her boots, and walked towards the door. Shifting the dragon to a position where she could hang on to it with one arm, she opened the door a crack with the other. The general stood there in a crisp suit, about three guards standing behind him. He gave her a smile, then spoke. "Good morning Miss Elaine, did you sleep well." Elaine realized he couldn't see the dragon in her arms, as the arm holding it was concealed behind the door. She gave a sheepish smile. "Yes, quite well, however, something interesting did happen." Opening the door further, she revealed the small, dark grey dragon, who regarded the strangers with wary eyes. The general and the guards stood there, looking awestruck, and then, the general's face cracked into a massive smile, showing all teeth. His voice was filled with excitement. "Exccelent, just absolutely excelllent." He stood there for a moment longer, contemplating her. He finally spoke, "you see Elaine, I gave you that stone because I knew it held a dragon inside. I had a hope, just a faint hope, that it would hatch for you. And it has! Elaine, do you know what this means? It means you are now a dragon rider!" Elaine blinked. She hadn't realized that. The general continued. "So now I give you a choice, Elaine. You can stay here, in this palace with me, where I and others will train you as a rider, as a varden rider. Or you can leave now and never learn about the things a rider should. What say you, Elaine?" Elaine's eyes roved to the dragon, which looked up at her. A curious tendril of thought touched her mind, like it came from the dragon embraced in her arm. Suddenly, the answer was clear. "I will stay with you, general, and I will fight for the varden." It's got to be better than that orphanage. William smiled once more, and moved to place a hand on her shoulder. However, the small dragon intervened, snapping it's teeth at the man's hand. The general quickly withdrew his hand, his face stunned. "I see the dragon has already made you his own." He released a booming laugh, the laugh Elaine liked. "This is good. I have much to tell you, Elaine, so join me for breakfast in about 15 minutes. Bring the little dragon along too, of course." He gave a bow and departed, the guards traling behind.
Elaine stood there for a moment longer, registering all that had happened. "So I'm a rider now. Amazing." She retreated back into her room, gently set the dragon down on the bed, and tried to make herself sightly. She splashed water onto her face from the basin on the nightstand, combed her hair with a comb that was also lying there, and smoothed her clothes. "Okay, let's go." She opened her arms and the small dragon launched himself into them. Smiling, she headed to the dining room.
-----
Nasuada's face held no emotion, yet her spirit soared. She had just recieved news of the new dragon rider, and she was here, within the castle. Calming her pounding heart, she turned back to William. "This is wonderful news, general. You said she would be having breakfast with you?"
The general nodded, "Indeed, ma'am." Nasuada thought for a moment, then said, "I would like to join you also. I think it would be best if I meet our new rider." The general nodded again, "Right this way then." Nasuada followed William to the dining hall, her fingers interlaced and her back straight. Her mind was full of thought and concern, mainly about Eragon and Saphira. I hope they are having a safe journey, I also hope that no eggs have hatched for Galbatorix. They quickly reached the dining room, and stepped inside. It was still empty. Good, I would like to be here first, it only seems proper. However, right after she was seated the door swung open, and a timid figure approached. Nasuada's breath caught. It was a woman with large, brown doe eyes. Her hair was also brown and came to her shoulder. She was skinny, but not overly so. She seemed to be holding back a smile. Nasuada only spent a moment going over the girl before her eyes snapped to the amazing creature in her arms. A small, dark grey hatchling was curled in her arms, it's head swiveling about as it surveyed it's surroundings. Nasuada felt relief upon seeing it. She stood slowly, proudly. "Greetings, rider, I am Nasuada, leader of the Varden, and I am told that you have just joined."
Elaine couldn't believe it. Nasuada, the leader of the Varden. She was actually meeting her. She tried to give a bow, but found it difficult with a dragon in hand. "I am honered in your presence, ma'am." She withdrew from her bow and looked at the ground. "You have been told correctly, I have joined the Varden." Finding courage, she looked into the Varden leader's eyes. "I also want free Alagaesia from Galbatorix." The dragon in her arms released a squeak, which was about all it could do so far.
Nasuada finally allowed herself a smile. "I am glad you chose so. The varden sorely need another rider. Please, sit down." She gestured to the chairs around the table. The girl picked one opposite her and sat down before a guard could pull the chair out for her. She obviously had no clue about palace protocal. Nasuada sat down also, looked at the girl, then asked, "Pray tell, what is your name?"
She wants to know my name, Elaine found herself thinking. "I am Elaine, just Elaine." She decided to add a little more, "I was raised in an orphanage, you see." The varden leader nodded, "yes, I understand." Silence fell, and Elaine became uneasy under Nasuada's gaze. The leader finally broke the silence. "The dragon in your arms, what is it's name?" Elaine suddenly felt stupid. Of course, I haven't named it yet, that's what I was forgetting. She looked at her hands, " I haven't name it yet." Nasuada shrugged, "that is alright, take your time." Elaine nodded. Nasuada looked out one of the rooms windows, and when she turned her face back to Elaine, it seemed taut, worried.
Nasuada had decided to tell the girl about Eragon and Saphira, about everything that had happened so far. She took a deep breath, the dove into the long story. By the time she was done, breakfast had come and gone. William, the general, had stayed near the door. He gave her a reasuring smile. Sighing, she looked back at Elaine. "Now you understand our plight. This is why you are so important to us now."
Elaine drank in everyhthing Nasauda said, and the dragon seemed to do the same. When the varden leader was finished, she glanceed at the wood table underneath her, her finger trailing a design in it's surface. Her eyes once again met Nasuada's. "I am glad to be able to help, then. I will train under your men and do my best to become as good a rider as Eragon." She new she was speaking of a hard thing to do, but she meant it.
Nasuada nodded, "I will leave you then. Your training starts today, unless there is a problem with that?" Elaine shook her head, "no, not at all. The sooner the better." Satisfied, Nasuada stood, bent in a slight bow, and walked to the door. Before she left, she stopped by the general. "I am ensuring her safety to you, general, and I would like you to oversee her training." The general saluted promptly. "Very well, Ma'am." Giving him a nod and a smile, she left the room. She had much to think about still.
Once she was gone, William walked over to Elaine. "Well, miss, I think the first thing we need to teach you is personal defence." Elaine smiled, "lead the way, general."
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A week after the hatching of Elaine's dragon, Elaine had learned how to use a longsword, a bow, and her fists. She loved it. After one tiring spar with her trainer, she returned to her room, the dragon trodding along behind her. It had grown rapidly, and it's shoulder was now level with Elaine's chest. Now instead of squeaking, it could relase quiet roars. "I don't know where your going to go once you get bigger," she said absently. She nearly jumped a mile when a voice filled her mind. Me niether, it said simply. Elaines hand instinctively found it's way to the hilt of her rapier, and she looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. "Who's there?" She asked into the empty corridor. The voice answered again, me. The dragon suddenly bumped Elaine with it's snout, then stared at her with one, dark grey eye. Elaine was dumbfounded. The creature could speak? No one had told her anything about this. Afraid that this wasn't normal, she went back to the training field and quickly found William. "General," she leaned close to him, "how crazy would I sound if I said my dragon could talk." The general regarded her with twinkling eyes, then barked a laugh. "Not strange at all, my girl. It's no surprise that dragon can talk to you, it's as intellegent as you or I." Elaine looked at the dragon in a new light. Experimentally, she sent out a greeting to it with her mind, hello? The dragon snorted in pleasure, and returned the greeting, hello, Elaine. A smlie came to her face. "I'll see you around, general."
Once back in her room, she sat on the edge of her bed, and watched as the dragon crawled onto the bed next to her with ease, causing it to creak in protest from it's weight. "It's time I found a name for you," she said as she began to scratch it in a favorite spot behind a spike. The dragon simply stared at her, it's gaze unwavering and wise. Elaine listed off many names, ones from her past, and ones she had grown up around. The dragon rejected each of these. Digging deep within her mind, she struggled to come up with more names. A barrier seemed to break in her mind, and the name Eridor came flooding forth, long with a mental picture of her father. Her father had said the name. She turned to the dragon and said, "Should you be called Eridor?" The dragon seemed to smile as it replied, yes. "So, your a guy dragon." The dragon seemed to laugh, yes, was it's simple reply.
After that, Elaine and Eridor began conversing, each discovering the others personality. Both dragon and rider seemed to complete each other, their personlities melding together almost perfectly. Elaine discovered Eridor to be easy going, wise, and at times somewhat serious. She loved him all the more for it. He was a rock she could lean against when her training seemed to come at her in a dizzying blur. Eridor also began to grow swiftly, no sooner had a week passed than he had grown past Elaine's shoulder. His roars were no longer quite, but massive and powerful. Now, instead of walking to the training field, she would ride Eridor there, but he would only walk. She also noticed that other people in the palace now bowed to her in reverence, some saying rider, some shur'tugal, and others argetlam. When taking breaks from her training Elaine would watch the dragon fly above in the beautiful sky, it scales gleaming and perfect. She longed to be up there with him. When she mentioned this to William, he gave her a sly smile. "I'll see what I can do then, miss." The next day, William had a surprise for her.
Upon arriving at the field the next day, she slid off Eridor's wide back and landed beside the general. "What's in todays schedule, general?" The general held up a finger, "we'll get to that in a moment, miss, but first, I have something for you. The saddle makers have been working all night on it." He gestured to a guard behind Elaine. The guard approached with a large saddle, embroidered with dark grey cloth that matched the hue of Eridor's scales. Elaine looked up at William with a large smile. "A saddle, for Eridor?!" The general smiled widley, pleased with her pleasure. "Thats right, miss, a saddle for Eridor. Here, I'll help you get it on the beast." From behind Elaine's shoulder, Eridors head snaked around her to investigate the strange object. Aloud, William explained what it was for. "So, Eridor, do you mind if I help Elaine get it on you?" Eridor replied no and Elaine related this to Will. William began to show Elaine the process of saddling the grey dragon. Once done, Elaine pulled herself into it and made herself comfortable. No longer did Eridor's scales scratch her legs. She could ride in comfort. Her eyes fell on the general, filled with glee. "Thank you, general, it's a wonderful surprise." The general shrugged, "please, miss, call me Will." Elaine placed her hands on her hips, "then you, general, must call me Elaine." The general smled and spread out his hands. "Deal."
A week after atiring the saddle, Elaine decided to finally fly with Eridor. The dragon was estatic. He pranced onto the training field. When Will heard Elaine's plan, he grew stern. "I want you to be careful up there, Elaine. It's a long drop from the sky. Make sure you tighten your leg straps well." Elaine gave him a reasuring smile, and checked her leg straps, making sure that they were indeed tight. Once she was done, she took a deep breath, then, told Eridor to go ahead. Eridor spread his wings, then pumped them down swiftly, launching into the air with a gust of wind. The sudden move nearly took Elaine's breath away. She found herself gripping one of Eridor's spikes in what was nearly a death grip. Eridor sensed his rider's disease. Calm yourself Elaine, I will not let you fall. Elaine tried to calm herself, but found it difficult. Eridor banked to the left, tipping precariously. Elaine almost screamed, but held it in. Eridor! Be careful! She could hear him snort, I am being careful Elaine. They flew for about five minutes, then landed back on the ground beside Will. Elaine unstrapped her legs with shaky fingers, then slid to the ground. Will put a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?" Elaine took a moment to catch her breath before answering, "yes, for now."
Everyday after that, Elaine took time to fly with Eridor, and she finally began to enjoy it. The rush was exilerating, the wind running through her hair was refreshing. She now found that she cherished flying. Another change to her training was that she now met with one of the Varden's magic users to train her in the arts of magic. She found this particularly difficult. However, she was a quick learner, and soon got the hang of it.
After a month of training at the palace, Elaine had learned how to wield various weapons, use a bit of magic, and fly on Eridor. After yet another month, she had learned enerything she could from the people at the palace. Eridor had also grown more, his shoulder now a foot over Elaine's head. Now all they had to do was wait for Eragon to com back from his mission, so he could further train them in the ways of a Rider. Sometimes, Eridor and Elaine will fly out, past the city of Aberon, and camp in the wilderness. Elaine especially enjoyed this, and couldn't wait for the day when she could travle out of Surda.
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Nasuada sat at her desk in her room, a wrinkled piece of parchment clutched in her hand. A messenger dove cooed in a cage on a pedestal beside the desk. It was a letter from Eragon, and read:
Nasuada, I'm sending you this letter to let you know that all is well. I have not run into any misfortune, except for the wild beast now and then, but that's nothing that Saphira or I can't handle. I think we are getting closer to our destination. Your loyal rider, Eragon.
Nasuada leaned back in her chair, put the letter on her desk, and sighed. Finally she had news from them. I hope that safety still follows them. A knock came at the door, probably Trianna with more patterns of lace, she thouht as told the person to enter. Back to buisness.
