i never thought i'd see you again. [elves only]

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal doubled over soon after Vlaer helped him up, as his nausea hit it's peak and he was unable to retain composer and vomited. Afterwards the nausea passed and he seemed to be considerably better. With Vlaer's help he climbed onto Firern and held on tightly as the black dragon took off. He paid little attention to the sights as they flew. Firern landed close to Vlaer accidentally brushing the larger dragon with his wing as he landed.

Were it not for Vlaer, Emiryal was sure he would've fallen for lack of strength. He gratefully sank into the bed and slipped into unconsciousness. Firern waited outside, he was tired as well but he was not as bad off as his rider. "Ebrithil," he said touching Vlaer's mind. "There is something you should know. Emiryal's magic strength is quite weak actually. He is an elf but is greatly lacking in magic strength. If not for Isikal and Carimiev's strength, he'd end up like this on a daily basis. If he ever is separated from the Eldunari he'll be helpless, please protect him."

[/b][/blockquote]

[Aelodil]

Vlaer flinched as he heard those words. Looking at his student-to-be, he was worried ever greatly. Then an idea sparked in him. "Firern, do I have your consent to borrow your Rider's swords?" he then took the twin Rider swords and filled one with energy as Belgabad filled the other as well.

"Make sure you stay here and come at least on a daily basis so that we can continue to give your Rider magic through the energy in Emiryal's sword." Vlaer said, now exhausted after depleting his energy all into the gem on the sword.

[Emiryal ♕]

Firern nodded once in consent for Vlaer to borrow the black twin rider blades. "Thank you, Ebrithil. We will come," he said. Then he settled down and rested. There wasn't much else to do and he didn't want to leave Emiryal.

A few hours later Emiryal woke, he sat up in the bed and ran his hands through his hair, he felt better now having rested. He glanced around the room, taking a moment to realize where he was. What time was it?

"Emiryal, your awake," Firern greeted him. The dragon had eventually left to hunt and had just caught a nice elk. "The feast for our return in in an hour, I'd suggest you make yourself presentable. I will join you after I eat," he said. He doubted the elves would bring enough meat to fill him, so he had opted for an appetizer.

Emiryal nodded though Firern couldn't see it, and stood up brushing his hands on his somewhat wrinkled clothes. "Vlaer?" he called. He didn't want to leave without telling the other rider, he wasn't sure if he was still here though. emiryal needed to go to his own quarters and change into something more suitable for the feast.

[Aelodil]

Vlaer came walking back at Emiryal's call and said, "Ah yes. The feast.et us go, Belgabad shall take us to Fire.rn, then from here to the feast. Keep your swords nearby though."

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal was surprised by Vlaer's comment but complied. He usually didn't go anywhere without his swords anyways. In the Empire you never knew when you'd have to suddenly defend yourself. He tied the sheathes of his swords on either side of his hips and adjusted them so they would be easy to pull out. He washed his face and combed through his hair with his hands before he went over to where Belgabad was and climbed onto him.

Firern was finishing up his kill and was now getting a drink out of a nice cool river.

[Aelodil]

Vlaer began climbing Belgabad's huge features and said, "Let us fly swift and true to Firern. He should see his Rider." Belgabad responded with a roar and they flew quickly, despite Belgabad's large size.

As they neared the river, Belgabad spread his massive wings to land and came down with a heavy bang."Oops." he grumbled. Vlaer looked at him, laughing and helped Emiryal down, as he still appeared nauseous and they went to Firern and packed him up for Emiryal.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal held onto Belgabad's spikes tightly his knuckles turning white. He felt a bit dizzy and he hoped it wouldn't last all night. He greatfully got down from the large dragon and walked over to Firern. The black dragon raised his head as he finished his drink to watch his rider. He let Vlaer adjust his saddle and then waited for Emiryal to get on.

"How are you?" Firern asked. "I've been better," the elf rider responded. Firern gave Emiryal some of his own energy which seemed to bolster him. "Thanks," Emiryal said.

The elf climbed onto Firern's back and tightened the straps on his legs, but not on his arms. He didn't quite trust his balance yet and didn't want to fall off. "Vlaer, might there be any formalities I should know of for the feast?" he asked. He had been away from the elves for quite some time and was unsure if any formalities were required for the feast. Firern took to the sky not waiting for Vlaer's answer, they didn't want to be late and Vlaer could reply once he and Belgabad joined them in the skies.

[Aelodil]

"Ah, as for formalities? There is three lines between you and anyone else as a greeting, other than twisting your hand infront of your chest. Atra esterní ono thelduin. Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr. Un du evarínya ono varda. If the other is higher ranking, speak first. Though if the other is lower ranking, speak second. And the last line is honorary, you say it to someone as formally, like Islanzadi-Drottning. Though you shall later learn that in time she shall have no hold on you, same as she has no hold on me. As for Firern, none shall say that they have anything above you. Not even Islanzadi-Drottning." and with that, they flew swiftly.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal nodded thoughtfully. "That I can do," he assured Vlaer. If that was the only formality to worry about it wouldn't be a problem. He'd grown up in this forest performing that formality quite often. He was somewhat rusty on it now having been with the Empire a while but he still remembered it well enough. It wasn't something you easily forgot.

Firern did not reply to Vlaer, in fact the dragon seemed nervous. He had never been here, only seen it through Emiryal's memories. From the skies Emiryal could see tables out in a clearing for the feast. Quite a few had gathered there already. He loosened the straps on his saddle as Firern descended. Queen Islanzadi wasn't there yet. He was greeted by a noble who honored him by speaking first. Emiryal responded appropriately. With Emiryal's permission the elf proceeded to take off Firern's saddle for him and placed it under a large tree should Emiryal want it later.

Emiryal spoke with many of the elves there, each one seemed to want to speak with him. Some seemed hesitant knowing he'd been an Empire Rider while others were curious about it and asked him many questions.

Voices fell silent as Queen Islanzadi came. She walked over to Emiryal who honored her by speaking first. Islanzadi seemed pleased by it. "Come let us eat and talk. You have been through much," Islanzadi said. She indicated the seat nearest her for Emiryal to sit in. Normally she invited Vlaer to sit there but this feast was to honor Emiryal's return and he was the guest of honor.

Other elves brought out food, none of it meat. Fruits, vegetables, mead, roots and a few items Emiryal did not recognize. Firern was feed a roasted hog and another was brought out for Belgabad, the elves promised there was more if they wanted it.

Emiryal filled his plate with beans, potatoes and a yellow fruit only native to these woods. Islanzadi watched him for a moment before glancing at Vlaer whom had been directed to a seat by Emiryal. "Vlaer, how did you assessment of Emiryal go?" she asked.

Emiryal looked up surprised, had Vlaer been doing this under the Queen's request? Or had she simply been informed of it.

[Aelodil]

Vlaer laughed, causing everyone to look at him. He waved them off and with his mind went to Emiryal and from outside, as if a knock of permission he said,"No, Emiryal. Islanzadi always knows what me and Belgabad are doing however.".

Vlaer turned to Islanzadi who honored him by saying the lines first. All of the elves appeared to be shocked and looked at him closely. Most did not know him and to them, that was a shock that their own Queen would admit somebody was above her. "It went just fine, Islanzadi-Drottning." Vlaer replied, voice high with music.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal shrunk away from Vlaer's mind at first until he realized who it was and let him in. He wasn't used to allowing others into his mind. In the Empire it was dangerous to risk opening your mind at all. "I see, she shows you great respect, no doubt earned," he said. He wondered if Islanzadi would ever come to regard him the way she did Vlaer. Being a former Empire Rider he had much to prove before he could even start gaining her trust and respect.

Islanzadi nodded approvingly. "That is good news," she said. "Please help yourself," she said noticing Vlaer had not yet taken anything to eat. "We are glad to have you back Emiryal, though as I'm sure you understand we can't fully trust you yet. We only let you leave the city because Vlaer was with you. Tomorrow we will clear up any doubt left, but for now enjoy the feast, and welcome home," she said. "Vlaer will you be taking on Emiryal as an apprentice to recondition him?" she asked. "If so, I hope you don't mind if I short you of your apprentice tomorrow. We need to make sure he can be trusted before he is free to roam Ellesmera."

She stood up and raised a glass pronouncing a toast to Emiryal's return. The elves complied and toasted him.

[Aelodil]

Vlaer's voice was stern, hard and cold,as was Belgabad as they both spoke to Islanzadi-Drottning,"You would do well not to anger us Islanzadi. Emiryal and Firern were mind-slaves, known were their true names. Would you prefer us to make it you the one who was caught? We shall not allow our apprentice's to be put to such evil only because you have a suspect that they might not be truly with us. If you attempt to take them by force, we shall respond likewise. If you have any animosity against our apprentice's speak now or forever be silent for after this moment we shall consider any bad word directed at them a blow with the sword to us and will respond likewise. You do not want to taste the wrath of last of the High Old Ones.".

Vlaer then began eating, his pale blue eyes darting around from one elf to another, challenging them to say another word. Belgabad at the side of Firern roared as a challenge to the others.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

The queen inclined her head respectfully towards both the old rider and dragon. "I would not will your anger," she said. "But there is a matter with the Varden when-"

Emiryal held up a hand to stop the queen. Not many dared interrupt her as they highly respected her. But the queen didn't seem to mind and gestured for Emiryal to speak. It was his right as they were talking about him. The elf rider looked at Vlaer, "They have good reason to demand this of me. Galbatorix once sent me to the Varden to spy, feigning my freedom. I did so and gave the Empire valuable information on the Varden. For all Queen Islanzadi knows I'm here to do the same thing to the elves," he said. "So thank you Vlaer, but this must be done. I will be fine, I've suffered more at the hands of Galbatorix than any pain this could cause me."

Firern shank when Belgabad roared so close to him. The noise was startling and loud as he was right next to the big dragon. A few of the elves at the far end of the table whom had not heard the discussion thought this was a show of power or greatness. They clapped and praised Belgabad's strength and even toasted to him. A pair of elves brought Belgabad and Firern both a barrel of mead so they could join the toast.

[Aelodil]

Vlaer looked at his apprentice, his gaze now soft and said, "If you take no offense, then imagine nothing of this evil has been spoken." he smiled and drank from his bottle of Faelnirv, knowing that he'll quickly turn tipsy.

Belgabad looked at the barrel of mead and at first took a cautious sip before he began drinking more and more. Before long, the huge barrel was empty and Belgabad was spent. He made a movement, as if to kneel to Vlaer but ended up turning upside down and landing on his back with a huge THUMP. The rest of the elves continued laugh and brought more barrels for him and Firern who still didn't get a sip.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal nodded but said little more. In the Empire he'd learned not to speak much as the wrong words could make things quite miserable for you. He continued eating finished up some fruit and helping himself to some bread, ripping off a piece from the loaf.

At the loud thump the elf turned around quickly and saw Belgabad on his back. He raised an eye brown curiously then turned back to Vlaer. "Belgabad certainly seems to be enjoying himself now....looks like he might be going a bit far though. Has he ever drank before?" he asked. He didn't mean it as an insult but realized Vlaer might think it one. "I mean no harm in the question," he added quickly. "It's just I've never seen a dragon so intoxicated."

Glabatorix had liked to hold many feasts and the first few Firern and he had attended Firern had got quiet drunk and even ruined their friendship for a while. But since then Firern held his liquor better now and knew when to call it quits. Aside from amusing Galbatorix a drunk dragon was not very useful. Emiryal slipped some Faelnirv from his glass and immediately recoiled from it and coughed. He liked Faelniv, but it had been many years since he'd had the chance to drink it. It was stronger than he remembered.

Firern had moved away from Belgabad so as not to get squished or in his way. He glanced at Emiryal who seemed to share the same look. "It's not like your memories. You've changed," the dragon said. "No, we've changed. I don't know how we'll fit in here now, but I'm certainly no longer as naive as I was nor as carefree. I thought this would feel like home but it only feels foreign," he said. Both Firern and he knew they needed to stay here though, they couldn't risk getting caught by the Empire again and this was the safest place for them. "Perhaps in time you'll come to call it home again," Firern said. "Perhaphs," Emiryal said less sure than Firern was.

Firern waited until the elves brought another barrel out and quickly claimed it. He spread his wings protectively over it telling Belgabad through his body language that this was his and he didn't want the larger dragon taking it from him. He wanted at least to get some mead here!

[Aelodil]

Vlaer smiled at Emiryal, "I take no offense. Nor does Belgabad. He has had many meads before, but this is the dwarven mead, toughest of them all." he said, voice merry. "You may wanna warn Firern about that too," he added.

Belgabad was having trouble getting up, and while he continued to struggle, he continued to fail. In the end, with a snarl on his face he got up with help from Vlaer's magic. Struggling to maintain a straight face Vlaer said, "Didn't expect that did you?" Belgabad snorted and said,"As if you are any better? Last time just a few tips of Faelnirv got you tipsy. We had to keep you out of battle for a week!"

Every Elf looked at Belgabad as he spoke, his voice surprisingly musical and laughed, praising him and brought forth the best Faelnirv for Vlaer. This, Vlaer took with a glance of loathing at Belgabad. He drank it all in a sip and next he knew he was walking around, falling here and there.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal and Firern laughed with the others as Belgabad spoke. Before he could respond to Vlaer's suggestion the elf was off and as drunk as his dragon. He raised and eye brown curiously watching them. He drank a bit more of his own Faelnirv, but only a few sips before he stopped. The last thing he wanted was to get drunk, do something stupid and ruin any chance of gaining the elves trust.

"Firern, don't drink to much," he said turning to glance at his dragon. The black dragon had already guzzled down the barrel of mead. Emiryal seemed to turn pale at this. Firern dropped the barrel and reached for the next one. His mind was already fuzzy from the mead. "Firern no!" he demanded. "Please, remember what happened last time? this isn't ordinary mead look at Belgabad," he said.

Firern paused glancing at the drunk dragon then tipped the barrel upright and left it alone. "Sorry little one, I got carried away," he said. Emiryal head his head for a moment, through his connection to Firern the mead had a strong effect giving him quite a headache. Usually when Firern drank Emiryal felt it too as they remained mentally as one. The last time Firern had over done it they'd gotten in a fight and Firern had left Emiryal for a week. He didn't want to repeat that, not to mention he hated the headache it brought on among other symptoms.

Firern moved out of the way of Belgabad realizing if Emiryal hadn't stopped him he would've been doing the same thing as his larger friend. As it was his head was fuzzy and he felt dizzy.

The table was shortly cleared and desserts were brought out, some cakes, pies, tarts, everything. Emiryal helped himself to a tart. Belgabad and Vlaer certainly would have a dozy of a hangover tomorrow. He doubted they would've trained even if he didn't have to prove his trust worthiness tomorrow.

Firern was looking longingly at a barrel of mead but did not move to drink it, his gaze fell to Vlaer. "A simple drink can make even the greatest weak," he commented to Emiryal. The elf nodded, the old rider and dragon looked so intoxicated he was sure they'd be vulnerable.

[Aelodil]

Vlaer hiccuped around and around then growled with a snarl on his face, he attempted to cure himself at least of the tipsiness, it worked gladly though he still felt a little aftermath but tomorrow he was sure to be better. He then cured Belgabad and went back to his seat.

"Islanzadi. I have heard our dear old friends Oromis and Glaedr have passed away. Where are their bodies, I wish to keep it encased and keep it from the ravages of time, lest their skin become rotten and the scavangers eat it." Vlaer asked Islanzadi his voice now high with loss. They had lost everything at the Fall. And now this.

Vlaer sat there, not eating much and Belgabad felt his sorrow. Then all of a sudden he nuzzled Vlaer's face so hard he slammed his face into a cake. He raised his face which was now fulled with cream. All the Elves present gasped. Belgabad hummed and laughed,"That. Is what you call a clown." the Elves gleefully joined his laughter as Vlaer removed the cream from his face, looking at Emiryal with a face saying Be warned of Firern, he might do this to you later on!

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal sighed watching Valer and Belgabad. He wished he could be more carefree, but his time in the Empire had changed him. He always was alert now waiting for danger. He certainly wasn't as relaxed as the older rider and dragon were.

Islanzadi's expressioned softened to sadness. "Yes they have, their grave is near the edge of our woods in the Eldin Meadow. They have been properly preserved so time shall not touch them," she said. Oromis and Glaedr's death had been a grave loss of both a powerful ally and of a friend. Nothing less than the most honorable means had been used to honor them.

The queen looked surprised when Belgabad bumped Vlaer. This did not at all seem proper more like child's play. But Vlaer had the right to do just about whatever he wished.

Emiryal remained silent, he'd heard of Oromis' and Glaedr's death from Murtagh himself as well as Galbatorix. He had hid his feelings from them on the matter but he was greatly sorrowed by their loss. The sudden humor relief provided by Belgabad seemed to have little effect on Emiryal. She smiled slightly at the dragon's comment. "Thanks," he said. He didn't think Firern would do that, at least not right now. His dragon seemed to be feeling a bit depressed, Emiryal felt the same way. He wasn't sure if it was his own feelings or his connection to Firern.

[Mythia]

[um my character is only half elf does that count?]