Gedwëy fluttered over to Jeshindû and Queen Elodiâ. "We have gifts for all of you: a set of necklaces."

As the fairy queen's had, Gedwëy's dust collected into the teen's presents. The four - excluding Niaomi - received a set of long leather straps from which an intricately carved dragon hung from. The dragons were small, about as long Eragon's middle finger and thrice as thick, and made entirely of wood; however, the detailed painting made the whole carving come alive. And while they were all identical, each was colored according the dragon the kids had now.

All were speechless. Before anyone could speak, the white fairy further explained the gifts. "These necklaces will also enable you to speak - and understand - the language of the dragons."

"No way..." whispered Nathan, immediately slipping on the necklace. He cleared his throat. "Does it really work?" is what he asked according to the subtitles below the mirror's image, but all that emerged was a jumbled mixture of growls and roars.

Vanilor lifted his majestic head, making bits of reflected light dance across the assembly. I can understand this tongue, though even I myself cannot speak it.

Nia shrugged her shoulders slightly. "I can't hear any difference."

That's because of your connection with dragons both bound and wild, Vanilor explained as he settled back down.

"Then why can't I speak it myself?"

The large dragon chuckled, making the ground rumble slightly. I do not wish to give you an answer that I am not sure is completely correct; however, it can be inferred that you may someday learn to speak dragon-tongue once you can tell the difference when someone is using it or another language.

Nate patted his sister on the shoulder, grinning widely. "Well, looks like we can finally do something awesome, too." The words themselves (still in the dragon-tongue) weren't bad, but the tone seemed almost resentful. His sister just laughed hesitantly before the semi-awkward moment was interrupted by their other brother.

"How did you guys create the spell?" asked Nick, brow furrowed as if he was probing the magic of the carving with his mind.

Gedwëy mixed her blood into the paint to imbue the necklaces with their powers, Flair explained while preening her ruby chest feathers. ...it also keeps the paint from wearing off.

Not to mention the fact that we all helped keep the spell in place by putting our power into the necklaces, Ion added from Niaomi's other shoulder.

Nathan slipped the dragon necklace off so he could be understood by everyone. "This is the coolest gift ever - no offense to everyone else's amazing presents."

The rest of the group laughed and assured him that it was alright. Once the merriment had been tamed, Dewdrop sang out, Time for your present, Nia! Smiling a wolfish grin, the mistwolf quickly plucked a small velvet pouch from behind a tree before presenting it to his bondmate. It took us weeks to finish this, and it's pretty cool if I do say so myself!

Giggling, she accepted the bag from the mistwolf. All her bondmates crowded around in excitement; even Sky had roused herself to see the much awaited unveiling. A hush descended as she slowly removed the gift, lifting it for all to see.

From her fingers dangled the same black velvet choker that hung around her neck currently. Eragon now had the chance to study it properly. As he did, Dew informed the assembly of the necklace.

It has a piece of each of ourselves, filled with the respective elemental power. On the right side is a part of Flair's beak - don't worry, she shed it, one of Ion's blue feathers, a clump of some of Gedwëy's fairy dust, a few of Cloud's mane hairs, and one of Skystreak's claws.

Never fear, the owl commented coolly as she swiveled her head ninety degrees to eye Dewdrop. It grew back.

He fidgeted, scratching his ruff with a forepaw. I said it was an accident, Sky!

Narrowing her eyes, Nia demanded, "What was an accident?"

Dew ignored her question by changing the subject in a not-so-subtle manner. Okay, back to the present: on the left side is one of Ava's whiskers, a fang from yours truly, Ruyi's scale, the tip of a Bramble's horn, and a tuft of fur generously offered by Rumble.

The griffin muttered not-so-quietly, And fortunately, that also grew back.

The girl looked at her garm abr datia pointedly, but he pretended not to notice and kept on explaining. And in the middle is a golden locket fashioned by Gedwëy, with ten gems representing the elements in circle around two pearls, one black and one white to show the two divisions: darkness and light.

Light and darkness, Ion corrected.

He glared at the thunderbird in irritation. Whatever. Now, Nia, open it up!

The girl did as instructed, and the mirror shifted focus to show what lay inside. A miniature fairth lay nestled on the left side, the picture one of Niaomi and all her yawë fricaya huddled together for a portrait, smiling with joy. On the opposite side, Hekate's prophecy was inscribed. Her smile faltered for a moment, but a glance at Wayłoêr's kind face made it return in full force. "You guys are seriously amazing," she said as she hugged each one.

We know, Bramble and Cloud said together, which made them both start snorting in laughter.

Ressil and Jurshí slithered over out from the shade, creating near-silent whispers as they slid through the grass. Hooked to Ressil's tail was bag, which she hefted towards Nia. Gifts for having survived and to aid in that survival, the usshu hissed, eyes that were darker than her daughter's still managing to twinkle just as brightly.

Before she could accept the bag, Nate quickly grabbed it. His sister looked on in shock as he rifled through the contents, extracting the velvet-encased boxes that had each teen's name written on one in a swirling curlicue font.

"What's the rush, Nate?" Niaomi asked, the shock fading into a grin.

Her brother shrugged as he handed her a box. "Just can't wait to eat." Nathan winked, making her and the others break into outrageous laughter.

Jurshí flicked his tongue, winding his body so that his head could face the five in mock disapproval. Shall you ignore your gifts?

Nate looked at his laughing companions sternly, mouth twitching slightly. "Yeah, are you?"

Nicholas finally managed to unbend and shove his brother lightly. Of course, Nathan - being Nathan - preceded to windmill backwards as if he was in real danger of falling. This made the girls, who had been close to recovery, break out into guffaws once more. Eragon smiled to himself, seeing the happy picture they all made and thinking what a wonderful fairth it would make.

Niom finally clapped his hands together, barely managing to keep his own grin off his face. "Alright children, settle down. The excruciating task of collecting gifts is almost done."

Fleetfoot let out a dignified harrumph and said, I second that order.

"Haha, alright...alright, heehee, we-we're calm," Nia said, sporadically giggling as the twins straightened, faces red from all their laughter.

"Finally," Nate muttered to his brother.

He nodded his head sagely and responded, "Girls, what are you gonna do?", while opening his case.

The twins followed suit (after glaring at the boys), and all gasped when they saw what lay within, though Niaomi's was delayed since she opened hers a bit later.

For the twins and the boys, they received a armband with obsidian stones dangling from the thin silver strand. As the four admired their gifts, Jurshí explained that the bracelets were talismans that would protect from the "ones-who-walk-with-the-black-inside."

This prompted Rosaminda to ask, "What sort of creature do you speak of?"

The sundavrilnú's eyes met the blonde's gravely, sapphire to celeste. A creature filled with not darkness but blackness.

Nathan frowned. "What's the difference?"

Hisera spoke up. Darkness is what fills the sundavrilneya; it is magic, and all magic, dark or light, is good. But blackness is evil in its purest forms. Yes, these creatures have magic, but not the kind you know of. This is the kind that twists the magic another has and uses it as its own.

"Do you mean Shades?" asked Niom.

All the shadowsnakes let out loud, angry hisses, and the clearing acquired a darker and more menacing air. Do not call those by our name! Shwa ordered, yellow eyes bright with anger. They have stolen it to lie, to make you think they are like us. But they are nothing like us - nothing!

The man bowed toward Shwa and her companions. "I'm terribly sorry for the offense I've given you; it was never my intention to compare you to the-ones-who-walk-with-the-black-inside. For I know without a doubt the sundavrilneya are nothing like them."

The snakes quieted, and Eragon swore he could see the tension leaving the air, making the gatherer's take deep breaths as if they'd been running out of oxygen. Hisera replied, You are forgiven, for your insult was not intended to injure. Let us carry on with the festivities. We will speak no more of the black-hearted-ones.