Memories.

[Kiara]

Leliah stood on the island of Vroengard, a tear fell onto the base of her neck. She looked at what Galbatorix had done to her place of birth, the place she grew and learned. She shook her head and another tear fell from her face. She remembered her Mother, How she used to smile and put her to bed with a loving kiss. How her father would kiss her on the forehead when she was being a good pupil. Then destruction occured.

Tears were dripping from Leliah's chin and onto the base of her neck. She was wearing her usual dark brown leggings with a black shirt and her knee-high black boots. She walked slowly to the place of her birth, it also was ruined; nothing was the same in the small hut her Father had built to nurse Revega, her mother, during her pregnancy.

[Emiryal ♕]

The roar of a dragon rang through the silence. It was almost as if it were an echo of the past, from the grand beasts who used to dwell here in this now inhabitable place. Far above Firern roared again in annoyance as some strange mutated bird mocked him with a shrill song and circled around his head.

Emiryal laughed at Firern's response to the little pest. He was strapped securely in Firern's saddle and was holding a green Eldunari in his lap. Isikal, his other Eldunari was secure in Firern's saddle bags. You look rather ridiculous letting such a small animal bother you, he said to Firern.

Firern turned his head slightly to glare at Emiryal. Though the elf knew there was no threat in his dragon's gaze. Firern would never harm him. But it's not natural. It's...its all wrong. This place is wrong. I feel it just wrong. It shouldn't be like this.

Emiryal slipped the large green Eldunari into one of the saddle bags and rubbed Firern's scales nearest him. I know. I feel it to. You remember what I told you about Vroengard. And why it feels wrong now, he said. Firern didn't answer but Emiryal knew he was listening. It will never be the same again and that bird is one of the creatures who seems to have been altered. Come though, forget that...bird. It seems we have some company in this hostile place after all, he said.

The large black dragon ignored the bird at Emiryal's suggestion and descended. The mutant bird soon grew board and left. It wasn't long before Firern landed near Leliah. Emiryal recognized her as belonging to the Varden but he made no move to harm her. He untied the straps on the saddle and jumped to the ground near Firern's left leg.

"Atra esterní ono thelduin. Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr. Un du evarínya ono varda," Emiryal said speaking in the ancient tongue. It was nothing more than a common Elven greeting, though he honored her by speaking first.

(translation: May good fortune rule over you. Peace live in your heart. And the stars watch over you.)

It had been a long time since he had been around any of his own kind. Among the Empire he was generally surrounded by humans. The few times he saw his own kind was in battle when he was forced to do them harm by his oaths to the Empire. This was a rare time, he was not obligated by oath to attack her or harm her.

He was dressed in black trousers, a white shirt and a black vest. He was not dressed for battle but more for travel. Though of course his twin rider blades hug at his sides, as always. He reached inside a pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. It was a rather plain dark green piece of cloth with a finished edge.

He walked forward and offered it to Leliah, who he had noticed was crying. "Eka weohnata néiat haina ono," he said. "What troubles you?"

(translation: I will not harm you.)

He wasn't even sure how she had gotten out here. She wasn't a rider as far as he knew. Getting here was difficult at best without a dragon.

[Kiara]

Leliah turned to see the Rider and Dragon. She beckoned for Emiryal to follow her. She walked to the place of her birth. The small wooden hut. She remembered how her mother's dragon would always be there, Sitting on one side of the hut while her Father's dragon sat on the other. She looked to Emiryal and his Dragon. "I was born here, And now look at it." She wept into a handkerchief he had offered her.

Leliah looked to Firern, She said upon his mind; Do you remember this place when it was new; perfect and whole? Leliah saw that Emiryal was an Empire Rider, but she had said he would not hurt her. They were both of the same race; it would be wrong of them to fight. Her lips parted "Have you ever heard of two Riders, Revega and Hagelt?" Curiosity loomed in her brown eyes. Yet she was slightly out-raged that a member of her race had joined the Empire, she let that pass; waiting for an answer

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal followed Leliah with a heavy heart. This was how it should've been. He should've been free to do what he wanted and be with his own kind. But instead he was a slave to Galbatorix's whims and the only elves he ever saw were in battle or in Uru'baen's prison. His guilt was more than any mortal should have been forced to bear.

"It's a shame what became of the Riders and Vroengard. And now you don't have much of a home to go back to," he said thoughtfully."In a way neither do I." he said. He had been born in Du Weldenvarden. The elves protected their land passionately and as a servant of the Empire he'd never be allowed to return to his home.

I do not, Firern answered Leliah. I not yet born when it was. Firern was only half a year old since he hatched. And while in his egg he couldn't remember as clearly. The memories were blurred. Though Firern doubted he had ever been brought here. He had mostly been in Uru'baen or back then Ilirea.

Emiryal shook his head. "I haven't heard of them," he said. He and Leliah were less than a decade apart in age. He would not have known them as he had only come to Vroengard once in his childhood. He held up a hand to stop Leliah from saying anything yet. "But I know someone who might have," he said.

Firern had followed them and Emiryal climbed onto his back so he could reach the saddle bags. When Firern was a big as a house and a half there was no other way to get to the saddle bags than to climb up to it. He found what he was looking for and jumped down landing near Leliah. He pulled away a cloth around the object to reveal an emerald green Eldunari. He didn't say anything but his prior words implied that Carimeive, whose Eldunari he held, might have known her parents.

[Kiara]

Leliah's eyes widened, She nodded. That is such a pity, Firern, they would have loved to meet you. Another tear rolled down Leliah's face as she remembered the glimmering emerald scales of her Father's dragon. She spoke to the Elundari. Ebrithil, Have you ever heard of the two Riders that once lived here. Revega and Hagelt? Do you know where the Elundari of their Dragons might remain? Hope was the only thing in Leliah's eyes. She saw what was known as a 'Burrowgrub' on the floor in-front of her, she paid no avail seeing as it was technically impossible to break/split her knee-high black leather boots.

"You see the remains of that wooden hut over there? That was where I was born." She said to both Emiryal and Firern. She anxiously awaited the Elundari's reply.

[Emiryal ♕]

Firern ventured into the remained of the hut. There was no roof only segments of the foundation. But had it still been intact Firern would've easily fit inside it, even as big as he was. I wish I could've seen your home, and Vreongard when the world was well, he said to Leliah and of course Emiryal.

At least you can return here though. I cannot return to my birthplace," Emiryal said. He shifted slightly and stepped on the burrowing grub near Leliah, killing it. They weren't hard to kill but they could be literally a huge pain if they managed to hit your skin. "I hate those things," he muttered. "Galbatorix has used them on me before when I displease him.

Carimiev did not answer Leliah with words. He was one of the older ones of his kind and found it easier to communicate in memories and images. He shared a memory with her. In it Carimiev was majestic and quite a large dragon. Larger than even Thorn was. He was standing outside Leliah's old home. Vroengard was in it's prime. A woman walked out of the house holding a baby. A man kissed her goodbye before climbing on to a emerald dragon and then took off after Carimiev who had taken wing. Then the memory faded. Yes I knew them, he simply said.

[Kiara]

Leliah's eyes widened. Why I thank you Ebrithil, it means alot to me; seeing as I was that new born babe. She nodded and grinned wider than she ever had. She looked just like she had when she was younger, at the age of 122 she had the body of a 16 year old girl. She then said to Firern; My Mother's dragon would have adored you as-well, she was and amethyst purple Dragon, eyes purpler than anything.

"Why Emiryal; you are marvellous, my father, he looked a lot like you, or you look rather a lot like him!" She ran gracefully to the Rock of Kuthian "No one knows how this got here. Not even me, And I have lived here since its destruction."

[Emiryal ♕]

You are welcome young one, Carimiev said. And I do not know what became of their dragon's Eldunari. Most likely they no longer exist. To survive alone without your Rider is something most of us do not wish to face. Even he did not wish to live without his rider but he stayed alive and sane for her sake to fulfill her last wish. However, being captured by Emiryal complicated that matter.

Firern looked at Leliah when she spoke to him with ice blue eyes. In many ways he looked like a mini version of Shruikan. He seemed to not know how to respond to her words. He was rather solitary and only interacted with other dragons when he was training or being trained. Even though I serve the Empire? he asked. The amethyst purple dragon she spoke of would've been a century his senior or more but the fact was he would've been fighting for the side she probably would've hated.

"Marvelous?" Emiryal repeated. Most people either despised, feared, hated him but admired his power. It wasn't what he wanted but his affiliation with the Empire made it so. He smiled at her comment. "Well um I'm glad I can remind you of him then," he said. "Your father was probably more admirable than I am though. He served the Rider's cause while I serve the Empire who's origins destroyed the riders."

He ran after her towards the rock of....no it was just a rock. It seemed kind of strange like it was supposed to be important but he couldn't place a name or any importance and ignored the large stone. "It just is one more mystery. Perhaps it's a memorial to those who died here," he suggested.

Firern roared in warning then jumped into the air and spiraled over their heads and landed just where the forest began. He roared again at something in the woods. His tail lashed back and forth. He was irritated and very alert.

[Kiara]

Leliah nodded. "Marvellous, My mother and father never were ones to take sides. They would still have loved to meet you Firern." She lept around gracefully before approaching the dragon. May I? She hovered a hand over one of his large black scales. She fluttered her eyelashes as she looked at every single part of it, it glimmered and shined. The last time she had stroked a dragon was when she was a child; at the age of 12.

[Emiryal ♕]

Firern growled as Leliah approached. It was just coincidence though. He was growling at something in the woods. He didn't answer Leliah before he sprang from the ground in a half jump half glide maneuver and disappeared into the thick trees.

Emiryal hurried forward. His movement was accompanied by the slight hiss of metal against a sheath. He had drawn Domia, one of his twin rider blades. The other one, Ebrithil, remained in it's sheath at his side. "Leliah," he said in a hushed voice. "Something is out there coming this way." He had Carimiev's Eldunari in his free hand and he moved in front of Leliah protectively.

Firern roared and a flock of strange mutant birds rose into the air protesting the interruption. Then there was a loud crack followed by another. Emiryal seemed unworried by the noise, if Firern had been hurt he would've known.

[Kiara]

Leliah stood behind him. "What is it? What should we do?!" She was upset still, her home had been taken over, these 'Things' now ruled the island.

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal relaxed as the sound cracking and Firern's roars stopped. He re-sheathed Domia. He wasn't sure what it was exactly but there was no danger now. "I'm not sure what they are, but Firern just killed them. There were three of them," Emiryal said.

Carimiev's light laughter rang though Emiryal and Leliah's mind. They are Snalglí, he said. They are quite delicious. Firern is more than a match for them. You needed fear them as long as he is near you.

Just then Firern shot above the tree tops. A slug like creature was in his mouth and another in his claws. The vacancy of the shell on the one in his mouth explained the cracking sound they had heard. The one he had in his claws had about two-thirds of the shell intact. He landed in front of them and set down the dead Snalglí. He had eaten the third one already. Isikal had been with him and had told him what they were.

My appoligizes, fair one, Firern said. He had not ignored her question earlier but save for the impending danger. But now that it was pasted he felt he should answer her. To answer you query, yes you may touch my scales if you wish.

[Kiara]

Leliah smiled once again. She reached out and touched a glimmering black scale, It was cold and hard; but textured and smooth. The look on her face seemed slightly un-settled. She was petting what seemed like a mini-Shruikan, The dragon of the one that had killed her parents...

Another tear fell from her face, she pulled her hand back with sudden alert. She might as well have been petting Shruikan...

[Emiryal ♕]

Firern ate one of the remaining Snalglí As Leliah touched his scales. Despite eating the snail-like creature he was paying more attention to her than he let on. Most of the time Emiryal was the only one to touch his hide. Most stayed back in fear. It made him wonder if it were different among the Varden. Maybe the dragons there didn't hold as much fear in people.

When Leliah suddenly pulled away from him abruptly he stopped to look at her. Something wrong, fair one? he asked. Something was bothering her he could tell, and it didn't seem to be the same thing as when he and Emiryal had arrived.

Emiryal had gone to inspect the Snalglí Firern had not started eating. It was the one with some of it's shell intact. He had seen them through Firern's eyes but it wasn't the same as seeing it for yourself. He had never seen these things before. He considered trying one but he didn't eat meat, like most elves. He'd leave the last one for Firern to eat. He wasn't going to offer it to Leliah either as she was also an elf and probably had the same ideal to not eat meat. He glanced at Leliah when Firern spoke to her. He hadn't noticed her pull away from Firern quickly.

[Kiara]

Leliah bit her lip, What would her parents' spirits have done if they saw her at that moment. They would be dissapointed, they would be angry. Another tear rolled down her face, She felt sick. "I-I-I," She paused, took a deep breath and sighed heavily. "Galbatorix, She took another breath. "Killed my Mother and Father, He destroyed the only two people who loved and cared for me. He killed Revega and Hagelt Blackwater.

She wept once again; for she did not often speak of her parents, when she did it made her feel as if she had betrayed them. She felt like that right at the moment; Talking about them to an Empire Rider. An EMPIRE Rider. I am sorry, I just... Can not. Her face saddened, Her eyes watered again. I really am sorry. She moven slightly and another burrow grub tried to climb it way up her boot, She did not know. It eventually hit her skin...

[Emiryal ♕]

Firern lowered his head so his head was at Leiah's height. His blue eyes has a certain warmth and caring in them. It was something Shrukian seemed to lack, he was rather mad after all. And we remind you of Galbatorix and Shruikan. yes? Firern guessed. It would explain her pulling away and suddenly being troubled. I am not like him. I am not Shruikan. I'm sorry for your loss. Believe me if I could change it I would, he said.

He suddenly felt a serge of energy in combination with his will and emotions. He himself had never performed magic before, usually Emiryal did that and he would supply some energy. But dragons too could use magic, just not as willingly as their riders.

He spread his black wings and took to the sky. Daughter of Revega and Hagelt Blackwater! Your loss has been great. The dead cannot be revived but memories of them will never be forgotten, he said as he gained altitude. He spoke in the ancient language as he thought the words.

Then he turned and landed on the rock, the rock that he felt should have a name but yet did not. He left his wings spread fully open. He looked majestic and regal. A light fog surrounded him then floated down to the ground near Leliah. Firern closed his eyes as he focused on what he wanted to do. Carimiev unexpectedly joined him in the effort as did Isikal.

Remember this moment little one, Carimiev said to Leliah. For the gift of our kind is upon you, Isikal said.

Just then the fog seemed to take shape and a brilliant light show appeared within. It was dazzling and blinding. When the lights faded, four figures were standing in the fog. The figures were Leliah's parents and their dragons. They smiled at her fondly. "Leliah, do not loose hope. You are our daughter. Never forget that," she said.

Whether it was words from one of Carimiev's memories of them or something else only the dragons new. Her parents two dragons had eyes for no one but Leliah.

Firern was still perched upon the rock. He was trembling though. His wings had fallen to his side now. Dragon magic was strong but that did not mean there was no energy cost. To maintain the illusion with such detail was difficult. Not only were Leliah's parents and dragons created in it, but all of Vroengard appeared to be as it was before the fall. Dragons soared over head and children were laughing somewhere. The light sound of metal on metal as sword training began. One rider on a large golden dragon swooped down low near them, but did not notice them. An elf was on the dragon's back laughing as an apprentice chased after him in a training exercise. The elf was none other than Oromis and his dragon Glaedr. The apprentice would one day be one of the Foresworn.

Leliah, Firern said. This is Carimiev's memory of them combined with my own knowledge. Do not let my effort be for not. I do this for you.

Then the figures of her parents began to sing. It was a song of the elves. It was hauntingly beautiful and even the phantom dragons joined in. The song was of the glory of the riders and what they stood for and for what had become of them. Her father who was standing near a tree reached in and pulled out a bow that was being sung from the tree.

He walked forward with it and offered it to Leliah. The bow could not have been of a higher quality. The wood was seamless and varied in shades of redish brown. But what was more important was the images inscribed in the bow. They were of her parents and of their dragons. The bow is called, maelamanin . Firern said as he struggled to maintain his balance on the rock. It is our gift to you, he added. It was the only thing in the illusion that was real. It really had been sung out of the tree but not by her father, by Firern and the Eldunari.

"Do not mourn for us, our time is long gone. But will with be with you always as long as you do not forget us," her father said. He waited until she would take the bow and then the illusion faded growing distant before disappearing.

Firern fell off the rock as the illusion vanished. He did not move from where he lay. He was exhausted by the effort and had nearly killed himself by using to much energy.

Emiryal had said nothing when Firern had started the illusion. And he had not noticed the burrow grub that had gotten onto Leliah. However, he had fallen to his knees and was breathing heavily. He had been worried when he realized what Firern was doing and had given his dragon his energy to help sustain him. The result had left him almost completely drained. Firern had not only almost killed himself but Emiryal as well. The Eldunari were also exhausted but had it not been for them Emiryal and Firern would've died from the amount of energy required.

Emiryal was not pleased that Firern had taken such a risk but he was to drained to even bother telling him off. Besides Firern had fallen unconscious and Emiryal was only barely conscious.