This is crazy late, but it was so hard to write this part. Once you read it, you'll understand why. *sob* :'(

On a happier note, congrats to eragonxarya for becoming my 400th voter! Earned a prize, and so can you if you become my 100th fan (omgomgonehundredfreakingfans*squeal!*) or 450th voter. ;D

Can't wish you guys a happy reading on this one...or the next...or - probably - for the rest of the chapter. *more sobbing* I'll try to have the next one out by Monday, but no promises. Just. So. Hard. To. Write. Sad. Stuff! Dx

Enough of me - on to Destiny...and another cliffhanger (it'd be too much sadness otherwise). >.<

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The pegasi sprang into the air as the cry of thunder echoed throughout the glen. Lightning rained down along the barrier as the winged horses flew higher, and Ion closed the gap behind them with the shroud of electricity. Liress looked upwards, raising her hands and mouthing words unheard over the booming thunder. Whatever spell the mage worked failed, as the barrier of lightning held, keeping her entrapped.

Cloud hovered from just above, and Niaomi peered down at her kveykav-fethrblaka. “Good job, Ion.”

It was Nick’s idea, the thunderbird replied. Quickly, make your way to Leafë while my barrier holds. I fear she may be in dire need of your assistance.

Niaomi’s face grew even more worried. “Don’t drain yourself trying to keep Liress in, alright?”

I’ll be fine. Now go! With great reluctance, she allowed Cloud to fly up to the rest before they all made their way to the glen, leaving Ion behind. Flair coasted behind them, her eyes on her fellow bondmate until he was only speck on the horizon.

The pegasi descended into the clearing, which was now empty of the guests. The other bondmates were waiting there, and Rumble stepped forwards first, carrying the five dragonets on his back. As soon as they saw their Riders, each one screeched and flapped tiny wings to glide to the ground so they could scramble to them, Gedwëy riding along on Luminous.

“Where’s Mom?” Nat asked, straightening up with the young Toparien in his arms.

Dew’s wagging tail drooped. Over by Wayłoêr’s stream. She’s...she’s not doing so well...

Without another word, all five kids immediately rushed past the others. The phoenix perched on top of Niaomi’s shoulder as they came to a stop at the naiad’s stream, where the matriarch sat on the bank, leaning over the water’s surface.

Rose hesitantly called out, “G-Ma?” When there was no response, she inched closer and tried again. “G-Ma, it’s us. We’re back.”

Shaking her head, the woman turned around to face them. Eragon heard several quick inhalations, and he barely managed to stifle his own gasp at the sight. The elf looked so much older than before, though her face was unchanged. It was her eyes, the deep lines around them, that finally looked her real age. Her hair was duller, skin paler. She looked close to death - as close as he’d ever seen any elf look, even his ancient teacher Oromis.

“Mom...” Nick whispered, his brilliant green eyes a reminder of what his mother’s had once appeared to be. “W-what’s wrong?”

Leafë blinked rapidly, seeming to just now notice who stood before them. Even though her whole appearance spoke of illness, her smile was still as blindingly bright as ever. “Oh, my dears. You’re unharmed, thank the gods. Where’s Liress?”

“Trapped by Ion for the time being.” Ren swallowed, her voice more hoarse as she said, “G-Ma, tell us what’s wrong. Tell us how to help.”

“I am so sorry, my beloved children, but you cannot help me in this. You must continue onwards to our homeland. Time is running out.”

“What do you mean?” Niaomi demanded, stepping forward - or at least, she tried; an invisible barrier held her back. Just like the time at the volcanic cavern’s entrance, she managed to bang her nose on it. “Godsdammit!” Flair flew off her shoulder at the impact to where the others hung back.

“Language, dear,” her mother replied casually, turning back around to stare into the stream.

Nicholas stepped forward to place his hands on the barrier. He murmured, and a shimmer ran through its surface outwards from his palms, making the barrier visible by giving it a silvery-green sheen. “Mom...” he whispered, his eyes wide in horror. “What have you done?”

“What I must, my youngest,” answered Leafë without raising her head. “You must all leave quickly; I can sense Ion’s cage weakening - the Black Hand will soon be free.”

“How can you sense - ” Rosaminda stopped, inhaling as the realization struck her. “No. Please, please tell me you’re not doing what I think you’re doing.”

“What?” asked Niaomi, still rubbing her nose. “What is she doing?”

“Alalëa,” the blonde replied, tears rising in her eyes.

Her god-sister waved the word aside. “Yes, yes, I know she wants us to leave. But what is she doing?”

Renata’s voice was raspy as she explained, “She’s doing the spell, Nia. The spell ‘Alalëa’.”

Arya gasped, as did Niaomi, staring at the mirror’s image in despair. One word managed to escape her lips. “No.”

“Yes,” Leafë said in the reminiscence as if in response to her sister. She still face the stream as she spoke. “Ah, my brilliant children - I knew you would figure it out. This is the only way to save you. The only way I can help.”

“No!” screamed her daughter, violet eyes wild with fear. “No, you can’t! You can’t finish the spell, Mom!”

“Once you begin, you must finish it till the end,” Nick argued in a dead voice.

Niaomi rounded on her brother. “It’s a life spell; if she finishes it, she dies!”

“And if she stops, she dies!” he yelled back, fists clenched and eyes blazing. “Don’t you see? It’s too late!”

“No, no, no! There has to be a way - there has to be a way!” His sister turned, banging on the barrier with the sides of her fists. “Mom, no! Please, you can’t do this! Stop!”

The twins were silently crying while the boys stayed mute. “You should listen to your brother, Nia. I cannot stop the spell or else I’ll perish, and all this will have been for nothing.”

“We - we’ll share our energy with you,” the girl pleaded in return, now pushing against the barrier with her palms. “Together, we - ”

“No one can share my task.” Leafë stood, her back still facing the kids. “You know that.”

“Don’t do this!” Ren shouted through her tears. “Don’t do this!”

“You can’t leave us,” Rose sobbed.

Nathan lashed out at the barrier, his knuckles bloodying with the force of his punch. He repeated the action. “You’re not strong enough to do it on your own! Let us help you!”

“Mom,” was all Nicholas could choke out.

“Please, Mommy...” Niaomi said in a broken whisper, the silver flecks in her eyes glistening.

But their pleas fell on deaf ears as their mother turned around to face them, fully revitalized. However, her skin was illuminated by a steadily increasing glow, slowly turning the warm mocha shade white. The irises of her eyes were turning silver, and the corners of them crinkled as she smiled. “It’s time to say goodbye.”

“Bye,” hissed a voice from the background, and all five children spun around to see Liress standing behind them, the bondmates penned in by her re-enlarged familiar, a limp thunderbird in one hand. “But I’m not sure if I should be telling you, or telling your husband.”

And suddenly Leafë let out a piercing wail, soon echoed by the pained roar of a dragon.