The Name of Names

~Nine: Eragon Kingkiller~

She woke again when the sun rose, feeling her energy replenished. Sitting up, she went over to the changing room, changing into her normal, everyday clothes. As she was lacing up her boots, a knock sounded on the door.

Finishing the last lace, Vanya went over to the door, absently finger-combing through her dark hair. Opening it, she saw the queen, Arya standing there. Remembering her manners, she began the elvish greeting, which Arya responded to, before speaking.

"I hope your tests went well yesterday?" she asked, an angled eyebrow raising in question.

"Yes," she said. "They certainly tested me," she couldn't help from adding.

Arya dipped her head, "As they were meant to. I came here to inform you that in an hour, I will expect you at Tildari Hall. It is time for you to receive the instructions on how to reach Evarinya, where Eragon has been raising the next generation of dragon Riders. Kaldar should come as well."

Vanya's heart gave a thump, and she nodded, "Very well."

"Then I hope to see you there." she said evenly, before turning and walking from the door, rejoining her green dragon, Firnen, whom she rested a hand on as they walked back to Tialdari Hall.

Vanya closed the door and went to where Kaldar was sleeping, nudging him with her hand as well as her mind, It's time to go meet Eragon in an hour. She told him, sitting down on the floor.

Time seemed to tick slowly by, and Vanya eventually just relaxed all of her muscles, closing her eyes and opening her mind. As close as she was to the city, most of the forms were elves, bright lights compared to the other orbs of life around. Trees, whose minds were more primitive, could still be sensed, however vaguely, and if she searched deeper, insects could be sensed.

She was interrupted after time had passed by Kaldar bumping her arm with his snout, time to go. He rumbled in his low voice, letting out a big puff of smoke, which made Vanya start coughing and started her eyes watering.

Once the smoke cleared—and Kaldar had apologized—Vanya stood up, and went to the mirror, combing her hair once through before spreading her hands and looking at Kaldar.

"Presentable?" she asked, smiling.

Kaldar was silent, and Vanya guessed that if he could, he would have raised an eyebrow. You look fine.

Vanya laughed. "Okay, then. Let's go."

She went over to the door, while Kaldar left through the back, meeting her in front of the tree house.

Together, they walked to Tialdari hall, having not enough room to take off or to land. Reaching their destination, the walked inside, where an elf was waiting to escort them to see Arya.

When they arrived into the room, the elf left them, heading back to the entrance to the hall. Arya herself was clad in a black dress, with streaks of red throughout it. On her head was a leather band, signaling her occupation as queen.

An exquisite mirror was on the wall, decorated elegantly with a silver curving design. Aquamarine gems were scarcely on it, only on at the top and bottom, accenting it enough to add to the beauty of the mirror.

"Welcome, Vanya and Kaldar," Arya forewent the usual greeting, which was fine with Vanya. She was eager—and nervous—to meet Eragon.

She beckoned to them, going to the mirror herself. "Draumr kopa," she spoke, magic in the words themselves, beginning to paint an image in the silver mirror. The colors merged, and then began to clear into distinct lines, and Vanya saw it was painting a face, which she assumed was Eragon's.

His face was well-built, with a stronger jaw than most elves. His brown eyes were slanted--not as much as elves, but a tribute to his transformation at the Blood-Oath Celebration.

He smiled when they appeared in the mirror. "Arya, Vanya." he greeted them.

Not sure whether to speak, or wait for Arya to do so, Vanya remained silent, still studying his appearance. He looked no older than herself, but she knew that that was no factor to go on. Dragon Riders were immortal, and even though it didn't show, they would live on with little change to their appearances.

"This is the new dragon rider," Arya explained, not needing to clarify whom.

Kaldar nudged Vanya aside, looking into the mirror himself, although Vanya guessed Eragon could only see his snout.

"This is Kaldar," Vanya spoke up, feeling the need to introduce her own dragon.

"It is an honor to meet you, Kaldar." he inclined his head slightly, and Kaldar lifted his chin up just a hair.

Vanya rolled her eyes, no need to get prideful, there. She winked at him, and he said back to her, Alright then, with a trace of sarcasm.

"Eragon, you were going to show Vanya where Evarinya is?" Arya prompted him gently. Vanya glanced between the two, noting the fondness, and slight tension, between their glances.

"Yes." he nodded and began to speak the directions, after Arya had murmured a spell to keep the guards from hearing.

At the end, he finished, "That is just short of the destination, but I will meet you there, finishing the rest of the journey with you."

Vanya nodded, "Very well, Eragon Kingkiller." she didn't know why she added the last title, but somewhere back in her inner mind, something had driven her to do it.

Eragon didn't react, although Vanya knew he noticed it. Instead, he finished the conversation up, "It was a pleasure to meet you. I will see you across the sea."

"You may leave," Arya said quietly to Vanya and Kaldar, and waited until they left to speak more with Eragon.

That wasn't so bad, Kaldar commented, in response to Vanya's earlier nervousness.

Hmm. she said noncommittally, I guess I thought he would be more... I don't know, majestic? Like Vrael, or another one of the famous Riders.

Do not expect him to be someone he is not. Kaldar admonished her wisely, He is his own person, and is human, unlike Vrael. He will have different mannerisms than you are used to.

If it's anything like Vanir's new mannerisms, I am curious to see how this will go. She commented duly, still wishing she had been brought up in the days of old. With the ancient Riders, full of experience, who would have taught her.  She couldn't help the last thought from slipping out, And not some human with not very much experience. She kept that thought only to herself, not sharing it with Kaldar. She made an amendment to it a second later, He had fought in the war of Galbatorix, and defeated the king himself. But with much help, as I have heard. She nodded to the elf guard at the exit of Tialdari Hall as they passed through the archway. I suppose only meeting him will truly show the extent of his power.

Good evening! Many apologizes for the late update, but I hope all of your Christmas' were safe and enjoyable. :)