Andlátkyn; Vandr Sanses unin Alagaësia

Du Weldenvarden

Not much happened the next day, except Nightmare went around, contacting all the other skeletons mentally to inform them of what they needed to know of elves, receiving cold glares from Draco and Bird when he intruded on their minds, even though he apologized.
There was also the incident where Dust took off his shoes to prove that skeletons had ten toes, as Eragon proved humans did. Except Dust didn't put his shoes back on and kept bragging about it, GB finally bringing up the fact that he and Draco had eight toes on their hind legs.

Night fell, and they continued on in the darkness, until Arya told their group to wait. She walked into the meadow up ahead, calling out in her home tongue. A voice called from the trees, and she responded.
Then the elves emerged. From above in the trees and the ground below, carrying elegant spears and bows. They hugged her, laughing in joy. They danced around her happily, filling the air with their light voices.

Then the dragons swooped down, landing behind the travelers, Saphira beside her Rider. The elves shouted in alarm, raising their weapons at them. Arya calmed them quickly, speaking as fast as possible while Eragon held his hand to the light.
"Eka fricai un Shur'tugal." He paused, then touched his fingers to his lips. "Atra esterní ono thelduin." Blue strode up and repeated the greeting, bowing. The elves lit up, replying as they bowed in response. Then they stood, laughing at the dwarves and re-entering the woods, waving excitedly.
"Come, come!" They called.

The shadows were deep, too dark for Eragon and the dwarves, so the skeletons found themselves guiding them, Nightmare leading Eragon by the hand as he tugged the human along, finding himself grinning alongside the others, the wonderful feeling of magic floating through the air like the scent of flowers.

They arrived at a towering oak tree, three huts surrounding it and a platform in the branches. The elves disappeared inside the structures, coming back with various fruits and vegetables for the guests, humming at random as they organized a meal. Orik asked them their names.
The elf with hair as dark as Arya's responded. "I am Lifaen of House Rílvenar. And my companions are Edurna, Celdin, and Narí."

As they waited Saphira hunkered down beside Eragon, gazing at the elves. Draco draped his length around them, GB at his side. All skeletons watched the elves, eyelights burning brighter than usual. Horror had two eyelights again, Killer those white rings. All of them could say that they felt a little more in their element here.
They feel like skeletons do. Saphira commented quietly.
From another realm. Not of earth or stone.. perhaps of water. As skeletons are of air.

They are of magic, like us. Nightmare spoke thoughtfully, eyelights gleaming.

The elves regularly approached Saphira, Draco and GB, asking them their questions and letting the dragons respond directly in their minds, getting to understand the skeletons more than Saphira, who didn't mind as they were certainly new. They all shared reverie in their presence, which was fascinating in and of itself.

The food was served on a collection of dense wooden plates, drawing Nightmare's attention for awhile before they handed out beautifully carved cups made in the same fashion. He found himself enjoying Ellesméra much more than he imagined he would, silently communicating his thoughts to Dream, who was overexcited at the prospect of seeing him again, without his goop, without fighting.
He was grinning.

Lifaen brought out reed pipes and began playing, Narí rising up to sing.

O!
The day is done; the stars are bright;
The leaves are still; the moon is white!
Laugh at woe and laugh at foe,
Menoa's scion now safe this night!

A forest child we lost to strife;
A sylvan daughter caught by life!
Freed of fear and freed of flame,
She tore a Rider from the shadows rife!

Again the dragons rise on wing,
And we avenge their suffering!
Strong of blade and strong of arm,
The time is ripe for us to kill a king!

O!
The wind is soft; the river deep;
The trees are tall; the birds do sleep!
Laugh at woe and laugh at foe,
The hour has arrived for joy to reap!

Narí sang out his final notes, leaving smiles behind as Eragon addressed the elf. "That was beautiful, Narí-vodhr."
"A rough composition, Argetlam; but I thank you nevertheless."
Thorv let out a grunt as he gathered their attention. "Very pretty, Master Elf. However, there are matters more serious than reciting verse that we must attend to. Are we to accompany Eragon and etalthargen farther?"
"No." Arya swiftly answered. "You may return home in the morning. We will assure that Eragon and the Wyrdvrangr reach Ellesméra."
Thorv inclined his head. "Then our task is complete."

…

They were helping the dwarves pack up, saying their goodbyes. Nightmare was helping Orik load up his donkey with spare things he wouldn't need, tying it behind Ekksvar's steed. Orik eventually peered at the elves, then Nightmare.
"Elves are a capricious race." He started conversationally.
"Perhaps. Skeletons aren't much better; they take things at face value and forget to read between the lines, sticking with a damaging opinion before they have all the information, believing it is all they need to know. As a race with so much power, that is indeed dangerous. No wonder there are so few of us among the other races."
"Aye. Perhaps that is true, but at least you are an honest race, with bones of stone. I reckon you're midway between us dwarves and them elves. So I warn you now, watch your back around them. They dine with you one moment, then poison your drink the next. Unpredictable, they be. That makes them far more dangerous than any misjudgements."
Nightmare stepped away, gazing at Orik.
"So it may seem. As unnecessary as I see it, I thank you for your concern nevertheless."

They stepped away from the donkey, Nightmare smiled at Orik. "Since you are staying with us, I'd suggest you heed your own warning." Orik grunted, nodding. "Aye. Elves are bloodless bastards at times, they are. No offense to you."
"Heh. None taken. We all bleed the same, Orik." Except for myself.. He thought silently.

He turned, spotting Eragon handing over Snowfire to Thorv. "Hm? I thought you were going to keep that horse?"
"I was, but we are traveling by boat. Snowfire can't come."
He frowned, slightly disappointed to hear that. Then he rubbed the horse's head between the ears. "So long as the horse stays safe. I've grown fond of him." "As have I. He was Brom's horse, after all."
"That he was."

The dwarves began their departure, everyone else waving after them.
"C'ya when we come back!" Horror shouted raspily.
"Stay safe!" Cross called.
"Good luck!" Blue chirped.
"Don't die." Dust suggested.
"We'd better see ya again or I'ma be sad!" Killer yelled.
"Send Ûndin our regards!" Nightmare waved.
"Hope you bring honor to your clans!" Bird added awkwardly.
"Take care on your journey home." Eragon finished. Then they watched as the dwarves ride away.

Then they followed the elves to the river, where five canoes sat waiting. They were light and airy, everyone sitting two to a boat except the dragons and Bird.
Blue joined Nightmare in the same vessel, shaking with excitement. "I've never gone canoeing before!" He exclaimed. "Canoes are so lightweight, too!!"
Nightmare grinned at him while watching Arya order Edurna and Celdin to guard the path behind them, addressing her as Dröttningu. "They are. I believe they're made with magic; can you not feel the residual energy within?"
Blue laid his hand on the side of the vessel. "I can!" His face lit up excitedly.

After a little bit of fumbling, those that knew how operate a canoe ended up teaching those that didn't. Soon enough they had pushed the boats into Eldor Lake, bringing out the paddles and steering towards the Gaena River.

Nightmare grew used to the paddling, tilting his skull up to the sun as he smiled, feeling his Soul hum as he grew closer to Dream.
His other half.
Ástaréra Cicállaé.

He wanted to change into his other form, he felt like he was going to burst out of his own bones keeping his passive.
Soon, Dream.
We'll see each other again.
No more fighting.