The Name of Names

~4: plans for the future~

Vanya's mind shifted along many places that night: Her parents, dragons, the war of Galbatorix. When she snapped out of her dreams, they left her feeling unsettled, and uneasy.

She closed her eyes, forcing her breaths to come. Slowly, a tendril of her consciousness extended into the forest. For a long moment, all she was aware of was the blur of lights. Gradually though, they cleared into focus so she could make out each one.

The closest form was clearly the dragon around her shoulders. He was still sleeping, and her touch drifted elsewhere. The life forms directly around her were just waking. Early birds, and other woodland creatures, such as a family of deer, together inside a knot of bushes. Others were nestling in for the day, and going to sleep.

Living through them even for those few minutes calmed her, and she withdrew to herself again. The morning air was fresh, and Vanya breathed in, smiling at the new day. The picture in the east was already beginning, shades of colors stretching wide across the sky. And around Vanya's shoulders, the Dragon stretched.

"Well, good morning, sleepy." Vanya scratched under his neck, and he hummed in pleasure. "It's a new day today." The dragon blinked once in response."Obviously." she added, standing up."We should head back to Elesmera." The dragon resituated itself into a more comfortable position. "Hang on, I'm going to run." In response, his claws clutched a little harder to her shoulders. Turning, in the direction of Elesmera, Vanya began to run, arriving soon at the Elvin city.

Vanya slowed down in the pathways. The grass was fresh, and she felt it sink down as she stepped. Dew soaked her boots to her bare feet. Elves were moving through the city, and Vanya took her time, enjoying it all as if for the first time. The dragon took it all in with eager eyes, watching as many elves bowed their heads in respect to him. Dragons were highly respected, especially after the Fyrn Skulblaka, the war with the dragons.

Many on each side had died that in that war, until an elf named Eragon had found a dragon egg, and hatched it as his own. Together, Eragon and his dragon had helped bring peace between the two races, and finally, the war had been resolved with the binding of the two race. Certain eggs were given to the Riders. These eggs would one day hatch for an elf or human, creating a unique bond between the two.

The two races had means of communication with each other, and peace had reigned between them. As the time passed, and Galbatorix took over Alagaesia, precious little dragons had been left. After Eragon Shadeslayer discovered a new store of eggs, however, the dragons were no longer on the verge of extinction.

Now, Eragon had gone across the sea to find a place to raise the new generation or Dragon Riders, and now, Vanya's thoughts turned to her own training. Her own magic was fairly advanced, and she couldn't help wonder how far along Eragon's own training was. She had been in the battle to reclaim the capital city. And she had seen how... young Eragon was himself.

Eragon had defeated Galbatorix, but with help. From the Eldunari, from Arya, and many others. He was as strong as an elf, now, she knew, and had even defeated Vanir, breaking the elf's arm in the process. That wasn't necessarily a qualification though. Vanya herself had defeated Vanir a handful of times.

Vanya's musings came to an abrupt halt as they reached the Tialdari Hall, where the queen dwelt. She continued inside, intending on speaking with the queen about when she would be leaving.

The halls were shaped beautifully, sung into place by skilled elves. Rooms branched off, where many elves stayed the night, and also where ambassadors would be housed until they left for their own country the next day or in several days time.

Vanya passed all these rooms, and was almost to the throne room, when the queen herself intercepted her. Firnen was not present, and Vanya guessed he was off hunting.

Dutifully, Vanya spoke the first line of the elvish greeting. There was no question which one of them had a higher rank."Atra esteldi onu thelduin," May good fortune rule over you.

Arya delivered the next line. "Mor'rarnir lifa unin hjarta onr." Peace live in your hearts.

"Un du Evarinya ono varda." And the stars watch over you.

Vanya waited for the queen to speak first, seeing how the queen had found her first. "I was just on my way to speak with you about your training." Arya explained, "with Eragon."

Vanya inclined her head, and Arya continued. "Previous Riders, whose dragons have hatched after the war, have first communicated with him, and then been shown directions to the new dragon home, which he expects them to not share lightly," her arched eyebrow lifted a shade before continuing. "And this will be the same way with you. Eragon has set up a mirror, or a bowl of water somewhere on his island, where we can speak with him. I will be with you to produce the image. I believe he is going to want you to wait, since there is no better way to get across the ocean, unless he comes himself." Arya paused, surveying Vanya, who had already schooled her features into neutrality, and then the dragon standing on her shoulders.

"I will be flying there, on him, then?" she clarified.

"When he is older. Until then, you will go to one of the elder elves, who will test your abilities to share with Eragon."

Despite her feelings on the matter, Vanya realized it wasn't a question, so she consented, "Very well."

"Then I believe that is all. Your test will take place tomorrow, at sunrise. At the training fields." Arya did not wait for a response, sweeping past her.

Once she had left, Vanya looked over her shoulder at the dragon. "You hear that?" she murmured. "You're going to fly me over the ocean." The dragon nipped at her ear eagerly. "Well, not for awhile at least. And when you do, there are many islands to rest along the way." the dragon crouched down on Vanya's shoulder, and she laughed, "Here we are, planning when you'll fly, and you've just barely hatched. Let's get you home."

~~~

okay wow, I haven't updated this book in almost three years now! if you still have this book in your library, legit I am impressed XD

this is all old material that I stored on my thumbdrive FOREVER ago, and it's crazy reading back my old writing! And editing it is a pain too haha, but I included a lot of unnecessary words that I need to clear :P

I will be trying to consistently update this, especially since it is already written and all I need to do is proofread each chapter! hope the rest of your day is fantastic :)