Time Period: Approximately 16.5 years after Destiny and 17.5 years after Niaomi

Location: Ellesméra, Alagaësia

Characters: Belle & Raugmar (created by moi), Verity & Shrewd (created by LydiaSparrow), Adurnaë (created by Lauren19997), Roslyn (created by RiderFirnen), Reona (created by LydiaGiVi), Lana (created by bookworm12600), Mahogany (from Destiny)

~ Mentioned Characters: Ruby & Vervada, Niaomi, Murtagh, Angela, Elva, Miremel, Glaedr, Leafian (created by Lauren19997)

Story:

Belinda Liressdóttir shrieked as the wind roared past her ears, her eyes watering in her struggle to keep them open. Raugmar echoed her with his roar, and they continued to tumble down through the sky. Her scream became laughter as his magnificent wings stretched out to catch the air and stop their descent, turning their dive into a glide so that they swooped fingerbreadths above the trees.

Maintaining his breakneck speed, Raugmar angled his wings further to send them soaring back up and vertical with the cliff side. Belle grinned at the exhilaration, feeling the pure joy of flight echoed in her dragon's mind. He reluctantly flapped to slow down as they reached their destination: the Crags of Tel'naeír.

His Rider started to unbuckle the straps as he landed without a jolt, as only to be expected from a wind dragon as talented as he. Yes, one day he would as famous and as well known as his predecessor, Raugmar the Black. He idly wondered if the ancient dragon was still alive, sleeping his days away in the north as a creature his size surely would. However, this Raugmar would not be pacified with such a fate; no, he would be as active in his old age as he was in his youth.

I shudder to think of what that means for our future world, the partner-of-his-mind-and-heart teased.

He snorted, blowing back her windswept bangs as smoke rose from his nostrils. The world will be grateful that such a mighty and ferocious dragon as I still honors it with his presence.

She rolled her eyes at Raugmar's haughty words. Of course! How silly of me to think otherwise.

You are correct. But do not think that your sarcasm has escaped me. For that, I think I shall join Shrewd in his hunting.

"What!" Belle yelled aloud as he flapped hard, rising from the ground. "At least come back to get me!"

I could, Raugmar began, his violet eyes twinkling down at her, But then again, only a mighty and ferocious dragon would do something such as that.

Raugmar! He just let loose a coughing growl before flying off, leaving Belle to frown and call, I won't ever forgive you if you leave me stranded up here!

Yes, you will.

The girl grumbled to herself as her dragon's consciousness left hers, and she began wandering along the edge of the Crags. She hated when he was right, and for some reason Raugmar almost always was. Remembering why'd he brought her here in the first place, Belle turned around to face the trees, but her foot slipped out from under her. It was then that she remembered where she was precariously perched.

Terror seized her, and her arms desperately began to windmill as gravity took hold and she began to fall. There would be nothing but empty air to catch her, and this flight would not be an enjoyable one at all. Suddenly, her left hand jerked forwards and sent her tumbling onto the firm ground.

She lay there for a few moments, stunned yet extremely relieved, and waited for her heartbeat to slow. The adrenaline dissipated as Belle climbed back to her feet. Brushing off the dirt that now clung to her once white jerkin, she looked down at her hand. On the palm glimmered her gedwëy ignasia, the silvery oval seeming to be no more active than usual. Below it, shell fragments from Raugmar's egg glittering around her wrist just like his scales in the early morning sun. Her mother had made the bracelet for her, imbuing it with spells of protection. Could that be what had saved her life?

The niggling sensation of guilt was slight yet present. Belle had not spoken to Liress for nearly two months, ever since she'd gotten back from her encounter with the Ra'zac. The enchantress had tried to get into contact, but she had cast a spell so that the other couldn't scry her and ignored her older sister's inquiries. She couldn't talk to her mother, not while doubts still whirled around in her head, doubts that originated from the Ra'zac's last words.

When the three apprentices had arrived back at Ellesméra the following morning, after helping the elves to heal the damage to the forest before it could spread, they'd went to Tialdarí Hall to debrief. The council and the queen had been shocked to hear of the monstrous creatures who had poisoned Du Weldenvarden, and even further when Roslyn had explained how Belle had seemed to sense them. She'd contradicted the elf hesitantly, struggling to describe the cold being whose presence she had detected. Her correction had not endeared her to Roslyn any further, who'd quickly proclaimed that she had been mentally scouring the area and detected nothing. "Plus," the senior apprentice had continued, her slate eyes cold and critical, "How could something be neither living nor dead? There is no in between."

Noticing the skepticism on the faces of all the older Riders, Maggie included, Belle had ducked her head and stuttered out that she must've been mistaken. In the past weeks that followed, she'd managed to convince herself that the whole thing had been a trick of the mind - almost. Shivers still occasionally wracked her despite it being already being spring, and sometimes it felt as though someone was watching her.

There was also the matter of how the Ra'zac had called her "Princess". When Verity had been explaining their ordeal with the creature, Belle swore she'd seen Queen Arya's face pale at the words. Even the council seemed worried, and her sister had shot her several glances which she didn't understand. Why would it matter what she'd been called? After all, in the ancient language, her second name almost literally meant the same thing. The main concern was the new enemy: the ghost king.

Pushing her turbulent thoughts aside, Belle carefully walked back to the edge of the cliff and peered down. Even though she and her dragon flew together daily, the staggering height made her stomach clench. How far would she have to lean for the bracelet to save her?

"Belle!" a voice hissed from behind her just as a strong arm wrapped around her waist to pull her away. Turning, she looked up slightly to meet a set of piercing gray eyes. "What in the name of the gods are you doing?"

"Hi," Belle replied breathlessly, heat coloring her high cheekbones. "I, ah, was just...experimenting with something."

"Was it death?" Verity sighed and released his grip, running a hand through his dark hair in an uncharacteristic show of agitation. "Isn't there a saying here in Alagaësia that 'curiosity killed the rat'?"

She couldn't help but giggle. "It's the cat, actually."

He just sighed again, bending down to collect the sketchbook he dropped when he'd quickly rushed to whisk his companion away from danger. Fear was such an unsettling emotion, and one the boy had never had to deal with before Belle. But as he saw the grin that stretched across her soft lips and how the golden brown flecks in her irises twinkled, Verity knew it was worth it.

"Did you bring yours?"

Patting the book she'd lashed onto a belt loop across from where her falchion hung, her head bobbed once shortly, making the braid she wore whip up and down. "What spot did you find this time?"

He stretched out his hand, and Belle didn't hesitate in taking it. "This way. I like what you've done with your hair." The style made her stunning facial features stand out even further.

"Thanks." Following him through the trees, she marveled at how easy it was to be with Verity. Before she'd been nervous and stuttering whilst he was cool and reserved, but now their hands were clasped together and fingers intertwined. It had been two months since he'd first kissed her, and they'd shared many more close moments. Her heart seemed to swell each time she read the warmth in his gaze. Even with concerns of the Ra'zac and her unknown father still lingering, being with him made Belle feel as though she could handle whatever the future brought.

Verity paused and looked down at her, the corners of his mouth quirked upwards in his own version of a widespread grin. "You're going to love this."

Pushing back the low hanging branches, he gestured for her to step past, and she did into the small glade. A single birch tree stood at its center with Lianí Vines climbing up its trunk, but as clouds finally uncovered the sun, the true treasure was revealed. Her hands flew to her mouth to hold in the gasp at the gold that glinted at its base. The flowers were fixated in between its roots, their petals and stems reflecting the light as if they were gems - for they were gems.

"Are...are these..."

"Kuldrfëons," Verity confirmed as Belle wandered further into the clearing. "The offspring of the lily made by Eragon and gilded by the spirits."

She bent down to further examine the flowers. Inside their white petals, red and blue gems flashed, like water and fire buried between walls of ice. "They're beautiful," she breathed, stretching out one hand to gently stroke the bud. Somehow, despite it being made of metal, it still felt silky to the touch.

Soft footsteps came from behind her, and Belle turned to see Verity bend down. His hand stretched outwards too, but it was her face he cradled in his palm. "You're beautiful."

Her face grew warmer as he kept his grip on her cheek and leaned closer. Their eyes closed and their mouths met in a kiss that was as soft as the kuldrfëon's petals. Pulse racing, she raised her hand to cup the back of his neck, sliding her fingers between the strands of his hair as he slid his tongue between her slightly parted lips. A tingle from her face all the way down to her toes, but it was soon replaced by a strong shiver. Verity pulled back, his molten silver gaze a mixture of longing and concern. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing..." she murmured, running a hand down her bared arms and suppressing the urge to shudder at the goosebumps she felt. "Just a chill, that's all."

He nodded, pressing one last quick kiss upon her forehead through her bangs and backing away. "Well, let's get what we came for, shall we?"

"Yes, let's." Moving toward the edge of the small glen, Belle reluctantly drew her attention away from her beau and to the task at hand. Unstrapping her sketchbook from her belt, she flipped through it to reach the next blank sheet and removed her pencil from its place between the pages. After getting herself comfortably seated, her dark brown eyes fixed themselves to the birch, studying each line and curve before her hand began to move across the parchment.

Drawing had always been a passion for her. She loved being able to capture the detail and intricacy into a form which one could see without actually viewing it in reality. While fairths accomplished the same thing, the satisfaction of making the image without the use of magic was one Belle treasured above all else. Rhunön the swordsmith had once told her it was the same feeling she had when making a blade, despite the roundabout way the elf had to go about accomplishing the task. And it was this love of art that the girl had discovered long ago she and Verity shared.

Now that the two were a couple, they often came together in the early morn to sketch. The silence was as comforting as the companionship, one in which words were not needed and indeed would not be appreciated. A few hours passed, long enough for the sun to climb higher in the sky and change the angle of the light. Luckily, Belle had already captured the image. Now she was filling in the minute details, and even though she abhorred using magic in her artwork, she felt color would enhance the sketch. The tip of her pencil changed to the shade she willed in her mind, not speaking aloud lest she disturb her companion.

Once she was done, she stuck her pencil behind her ear and examined her drawing. The shades of gold and green had truly brought the image to life. Hearing the silence of the boy beside her, she turned to show Verity the image. "D'you think she'll like it?"

He did not answer immediately, analyzing her work as thoroughly as he did everything else. Belle waited with bated breath until he gave her that small, barely-there smile of approval and said, "I can already imagine her saying how much she - "

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

" - absolutely, positively, completely love it!" Adurnaë finished squealing, spinning around as she continued to stare at the picture in delight. "You are brilliant! Thank you!"

"I'm glad you like it."

"Like it?! This is much too amazing to just be liked! Let me hang it up." The elf ran forwards to her bed, positioning the frame just above her nightstand before letting the wood meld into the wall with a quick spell. She turned back around to launch herself into her friend's arms. "Thank you so much."

Laughing, Belle squeezed back, careful not to muse the fine dress she wore. "You're most certainly welcome. Happy birthday."

Adurnaë pulled back, her eyes sparkling like Miremel's scales. "I love you, Belle."

There was no hesitation as she replied, "I love you, too." The two roommates had become as close as sisters during their months in Ellesméra training to be Riders. The elf was as curious as her real sister Maggie, but unique in her own incredible way: headstrong, hot tempered, and with a bigger heart than any person she'd ever met. Living with Adurnaë was what Belle imagined having a little sister would be like; they'd had their share of tiffs, as only to be expected when two (nearly) only children were forced to share a home with a virtual stranger, but their bond had only grown stronger.

"I really wish you could come to my party," the younger girl pouted slightly, finally releasing her.

Grinning, Belle tugged on one of her red ringlets. "I do, too. But you'll have plenty of your other friends there, like that long-haired young man who seems to be quite taken with you."

The elf flushed all the way up to the points of her ears. "We're just friends and fellow Riders, that's all!"

"Uh huh," she replied disbelievingly, making the other stick out her tongue before nervously straightening her garment.

"How do I look?"

With a critical eye born from having an enchantress for a mother, Belle stared at her roommate. Adurnaë was clothed in a lámarae gown that matched her dragon Leafian. The bodice was a bright aqua blue with thin straps, and the turquoise green skirt hung just below her knees. Blue satin flats covered her feet, and from her neck and ears dripped turquoise gems. With her maroon hair curled and her lips painted to match, she looked stunning, and the brunette told her so.

Adurnaë smiled in relief before a grimace flashed across her lovely face. "I still can't believe the elves practically declared my birthday a holiday."

"Just because we don't have lessons doesn't mean it's a holiday," Belle said, trying not to smile at how the birthday girl distinguished herself from the rest of her race.

"The party will last till midnight!"

The older girl merely shrugged. "Elven revels are known to last quite long." She held back her giggles at the redhead's grumbling.

"Can't you at least walk me to the Hall?" begged the elf.

"I have to return the naiad mirror back to Niaomi before I forget about it again. It's already been two months, and I feel like a thief for having kept it this long."

"Speaking about scrying, have you spoken to your mom recently?"

Fiddling with her belt buckle nervously, Belle resisted the urge to glance away and muttered, "Ah...not really..."

Shaking her head, Adurnaë gripped Belle's hands and peered deeply into her eyes. "You have to talk to her eventually, Belle. She's your mother."

"I know that," the brunette replied, slightly annoyed. "But I - "

"That doesn't matter. She deserves an explanation as much as you do."

She sighed and smiled ruefully at her friend. "When did you turn so wise?"

The elf grinned. "Well, I have just turned five-and-ten."

Chuckling, the older Rider tugged on one of the ringlets once more before walking backwards. "I best be on my way now."

"Have fun on guard duty!" Adurnaë called wickedly.

Belle just stuck her tongue out at her before turning around and leaving the room. She walked down the hall to her own, closing the door behind her. Glancing in the mirror, sweat stains greeted her, and she hurriedly changed her top for another two-strapped one, this one a burnt orange. Pulling her braid out of the shirt, she took just another second to admire the hairstyle her roommate had created. It enabled her to pull back her hair and keep it out of her eyes yet let most of her bangs remain.

She walked forwards to pick up the handheld mirror that lay on the vanity table below the larger reflective surface. The bronze glinted in the light that shone threw her west-side facing window, the leaf embellishments intricately detailed along the frame. Holding it upwards, Belle stared, slightly bothered by how big her nose looked (even she was prone to vanity, after all), before tucking it into a belt loop opposite her sword and leaving her bedroom.

Her boots pounded on the mossy forest floor as she quickly made her way to the Leader of the Order's tree. She walked passed the dwellings, nodding to the elves who greeted her with warm smiles. Every elf knew of the hand she had played in stopping the destruction of their beloved Du Weldenvarden. The looks of slight suspicion she had first been greeted with now gave way to approval. But all it did was make her wonder why she'd received the first looks.

Belle looked for Raugmar with her mind to ask him, only to realize he was still out of her mental range. Worry slowly crept in; it had been nearly eight hours since he'd left her on the cliffs, and Glaedr had flown her and Verity back down. She'd assumed her dragon was caught up in hunting with Shrewd, who he held a great admiration of. But why was he not back yet? Could something have happened to him?

Distracted, she didn't see the elf hurrying in the opposite direction until they collided. Landing on her backside, the breath whooshed out of her lungs as she groaned in pain. Blinking her eyes rapidly, she looked to see Roslyn standing before her, more annoyed that usual.

"Sorry," Belle automatically apologized, scrambling to her feet. She looked down, breaking eye contact though it was rude, and saw the scrolls that littered the ground. "Oh, let me gather them for you."

"It's fine." The elf's sharp voice stopped her midway to the ground, and she glance back upwards to meet a pair of stormy eyes. "Just watch where you're going from now on."

"I-I was just trying t-to help," she stuttered as Roslyn bent down and retrieved the scrolls.

The senior apprentice snorted, rising back to her feet and shouldering past the girl. "Well, don't, since you generally make things worse."

That was it. Already stressed about her missing dragon, Belle's usually small temper flared. "What's your problem?" she called, voice heated.

Roslyn halted in her tracks but didn't turn around and asked in a flat voice, "What."

"What. Is. Your. Problem?" the younger Rider repeated, emphasizing each word through gritted teeth. "Ever since I arrived in Ellesméra, you've been condescending and downright rude to me. So I want to know why. I want to know what I've done that's irritated you so much though I've been nothing but nice to you!"

The elf spun around, sorrel hair swinging with her as her eyes flashed. "You want to know what you've done? Well, you're right; you've done nothing but be your usual upbeat, perky, nice self - and, quite frankly, it's annoying."

"Well," Belle continued, her anger rising at the other's coolly stated words, "I am so sorry that not everyone is as gloomy as you!"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me! I'm sorry that you're so jealous of me, of my ability to be cheerful when all you can be is sad. That's all you are, just plain sad."

Some of the elves around them had stopped walking once they heard their argument, whispering among themselves from a respectable distance away. Roslyn saw this, and twin spots of red appeared high on her cheeks. "What's there to be jealous of?" she spat with a scornful laugh. "Your beauty? Your beau? All those pale in consideration to your lack of talent."

The comments stung, but Belle had finally spotted a crack in the elf's seemingly impervious armor. She spoke in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear and said, "But they don't pale in consideration to your lacking of either."

Her boldly stated insult caused the flurry of whispers around them to grow. It was an unbelievable thing for one of another race to insult an elf about their looks, as they were not called the fair folk for nothing. But she was the daughter of an enchantress, and through her veins flowed the same blood that made her mother so alluring.

She expected Murtagh's senior apprentice to be embarrassed further, perhaps so much that the older Rider stormed off with a flushed face. However, Belle was not prepared to see how the elf's mouth fell open slightly, her lips trembling as her grays eyes grew cloudy with pain. Her own empathy surged as guilt struck her and cooled her temper, but the other still had one piece of ammo left in her arsenal.

A steely resolve grew over Roslyn, hiding her hurt as she whispered, "At least I'm not the daughter of the one who first betrayed our order."

Not understanding, Belle shook her head in confusion. "Liress wasn't the first to - "

"I'm not talking about your mother!" The shout silenced all in the vicinity. "I'm talking about your father. The Rider who near annihilated the dragon race and whose gloves made from the great Belgabad's wings you still have the nerve to wear."

Looking down at her bare hands, she realized that it was her Ascûdgamln gloves that the other spoke of, the ones she wore often though not at this moment. Understanding began to dawn on her as she shook her head again, wilder this time. "You're lying."

Roslyn's eyes did not waver from hers, and Belle could read the truth in them before she stated in the ancient language, "I'm not lying. Your father was Galbatorix."

It was silent besides for the pounding of her heart as the blood drained from her face. All of a sudden, the surge of memories struck her.

In Aroughs, when her sister had begun, "Mother, she deserves to know the truth about her - "

On the trip to Ellesméra, she'd overheard Linden saying, "The king and the girl do look quite similar."

In Tialdarí Hall, where Arya Dröttning had commented, "I guess that it is no surprise that you too are a Rider, like your family before you."

When Blagden had asked moments later, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend, but what is the son of my enemy?"

Outside of Ceunon as the Ra'zac hissed, "Mark my words, Princess - I will have my revenge in some form."

Tens upon tens of little moments, weird looks and strange comments that she hadn't piece together until now. And worst of all, Belle remembered what her mother had said the day she'd left home.

"Both my girls, Riders. Looks like it's a father's blood that wins out in the end."

She'd known. Of course Liress had known who her father was - and she'd never told her. Instead, she heard the crushing words from a fellow Rider who hated her no doubt because of who her father was. Is that why her mother hadn't told her? Because the blonde hadn't wanted her words to become the truth? She hadn't wanted her daughter to betray the Order like her father before her?

Nearly hyperventilating by this point, Belle knew she had to escape. She had to get away from all the eyes that were watching her. Her feet stumbled as they carried her backwards and away, too fast to see the flash of guilt in Roslyn's eyes.

The trees rushed by her as she sped past, weaving through the well worn paths and heading for some unknown direction. Who else knew? Who else had kept the truth from her?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A knock sounded on his door, and Verity struggled to ignore it. There was still an hour left until he and Belle had to take up guard duty with their dragons, and he fully intended to spend it alone in peace. Thinking of dragons, a frown furrowed his brow as he wondered where Shrewd was. It was not unlike him to go off, but he usually always informed the partner-of-his-mind-and-heart.

The knock came again, and the boy closed his book with a sigh before getting to his feet and walking down the steps. Opening the door, he found the girl before him lowering her hand as if she'd been about to knock again.

"What is it, Reona?"

"Can I come in?" the elf asked, her wide blue eyes as serious as always. He stepped back and gestured for her to make her way inside, and she walked to his common room and took a seat.

Following her lead, Verity sat down on the chair across from the other Rider and asked again, "What is it?" It was unlike her to come calling unannounced.

Reona was not one to beat around the bush. "This is about Belle. She's the daughter of Galbatorix."

His eyes widened briefly, the only sign of his shock. "What makes you believe this?"

She reached into the pocket of her trousers as she explained, "I found a picture of the despised king while doing some research for my master. It was from one of her personal collections of books, the work of some Kuastan illuminator. I copied the picture to show you."

He took the paper from her outstretched fingertips and unfolded it. It only took one glance for him to see the uncanny resemblance between Belle and the man. They both had the same bladelike nose, strong jawline, and thin lips. Something in his stomach curled at the sight of that mouth he loved so much on the face of the Riders' greatest enemy. "Is this all the evidence that you have?"

"There's more," the elf answered, her curtain of pale blonde hair swinging forwards as she leaned closer. "As Ruby's apprentice, I overhear many things which I'd otherwise not. One of those was a discussion between Mahogany and her about a growing rebellion in the Kingdom. Apparently, there have been rumors circulating around Queen Nasuada's court about the 'true' heir to the throne, a daughter of Galbatorix. Ruby said something about how it was good that they suspected Mahogany of being the heir and not her sister. It didn't make any sense until I looked further into things and found this."

Verity was silent, which wasn't an uncommon attitude for him to adopt. Reona waited patiently for him to adjust to the news. She herself had been shocked by it at first, but now it all made sense. It had never settled well with her how close Belle had grown to the only boy who could be considered as her closest ally. They were both quiet people, natural introverts who took appreciation in being able to spend time together without the pressures of a normal friendship.

Recently, the brunette had been an unwanted intrusion into Verity's (and thus hers) life. The girl's naïveté and overjoyed outlook bothered her in a way she couldn't quite put her hands on. Reona definitely believed that Belle was much too young in the mental sense to be handled, and so she usually tried to avoid her. But seeing how much her ally liked the other Rider made her worried, enough so that she set out to find more.

And so she had.

"Why are you telling me this?" The boy's question brought her attention back to him, and she met his eyes. They were old for someone so young, as if they'd seen more tragedies than any one ought to in their lifetime. Those piercing irises always stole her breath away.

Clearing her throat, Reona replied, "Because I think Belle should know, and it would sound better coming from you than it would me. Also, the rising faction against the human queen is troubling. If she were to publicly declaim herself from being a contender to the throne, than the rebellion would lose its foothold."

"What about Belle?" Verity argued. "There would be much backlash; no doubt some would protest her being a Rider at all."

She shrugged her shoulders. "And what of it? We must think of the common good, not of the happiness of one human child."

"Were those truly your only reasons, Reona?"

What did he mean? Of course they were. "What other reasons would I have?"

He stood to his feet and walked over to kneel in front of her, taking her hands in his and staring into her eyes. "I know what he took from you. This isn't the way to bring them back."

Her breath caught again, but this time because of his words and not his eyes. "What are you implying?" Reona demanded in a cool voice.

"No one should be judged for the actions of their parents," Verity continued, his gaze remaining on her face even as she looked away. "No matter how horrible they were."

Pulling away, the elf rose to her feet, her eyes seeming more bluer than before. "I must go. Do what you wish with the information."

Watching as the blonde nearly sprinted out the door, the boy sighed and ran his fingers through his dark hair, idly realizing that he needed a trim soon. However, that thought was just secondary; his primary concern was for Belle. He couldn't keep the news from her, as she deserved to know the truth. But how would she take it?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"The hour approaches, Areq. Are you prepared?"

"Of course, my lord. I am ready to seize both prizes as soon as they are within my reach."

"Make sure you stay well away from Ellesméra's borders," the first cautioned, seated on his throne as he looked into the mirror before him. "It would not due to have Gilderien learn of your presence."

The second gave him a feral grin through the glass. "Believe me, Lord Galbatorix, I have no wish to taste the White Flame."

Galbatorix, disposed king of the Empire and breaker of dragon's hearts, merely nodded at his servant's words. "My daughter shall arrive soon, and remember that she is not to be harmed at all costs. We will travel back north from there."

"Yes, my lord." He ended the scrying once Areq had bowed, only to begin another. This time, the mirror showed the image of a young girl walking towards the heart of Du Weldenvarden. His black eyes narrowed slightly as he spotted the infernal boy running up to her, but then a wicked smile graced his face.

"Enjoy your time with her, child. For soon, Belinda will be no more.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Still no sign of them?" Belle asked Verity as he jogged up to her side.

"No, but your sister said that she and her dragon would go searching for them."

Her sigh was one part relief and two parts worry. She trusted Maggie and Miremel to find Shrewd and Raugmar, but she still wanted to search for them herself. Instead, the two apprentice Riders still had to follow through with their assigned task: keeping watch over the Eldunarí. From the little that their teachers had told them, these were the souls of dragons whose bodies were gone - or, in the case of Glaedr and Vervada, an existential part of them.

They were always under constant watch by two Riders, and tonight the honor was bestowed upon Verity and Belle since it was Adurnaë's birthday. All the elves, even some from beyond their capital city, were gathered to shower the young elf with gifts, blessings, and praise. Therefore, it was decided by the council that a pair of younger Riders would be chosen each year on the day of occasion. And this year, it was Murtagh's apprentices turn.

The Menoa Tree came into view, as grand as ever. As the two walked closer, they could see the flashes of color that marked were the Eldunarí rested. Each had its own place in one of the massive trunk's divots, cradled and protected by Linnëa's sleeping spirit. There was no better place for the dragon's hearts to be housed. It was a truly beautiful sight, but right now, Belle was only concerned about one dragon...and one question.

"Verity, I need to ask you something," she said, pausing yet not turning around.

His footsteps also stopped as he asked, "What is it?"

"D-did...did you know about - about my father?"

It grew quiet, and that was all she needed to hear. Grasping her chest to dull the ache, she spun around to face him, her eyes filled with pain. "Why? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why does it matter?" he retorted, stepping forwards to grasp her shoulders and only squeezing harder when she tried to shake them off. "You'll always be you. Who cares who your parents are?"

"I do!" she shouted back, finally managing to wrench herself away. Holding back a sob, Belle said in a weaker voice, "I do. I care who they are. Because if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be here."

"Belle - "

"But I guess it would've been better, wouldn't it?" She tried for a laugh, but it sounded more like she was choking. "I mean, if it weren't for my father, all these Eldunarís would still be inside their dragons. Funny how it's me whose now protecting them now."

He couldn't stand to see her like this, looking as lost as the day she'd arrived. "Belle, listen to me. I - "

"Stop." The order was not yelled, yet it halted Verity in his tracks. "You probably didn't tell me to try and protect me, right? Just like my mother."

Glancing down at her left wrist in disgust, Belle ripped off the bracelet she'd worn since Liress had given it to her and threw it at the boy's chest. "Well, I don't need either of you's protection, and I don't want it! I - "

Her tirade was cut short as she doubled over with a gasp, goosebumps crawling up her flesh. It felt like she was freezing until the other Rider grabbed her, his touched burning his skin. A scream rose up in her throat, but it never made its way out of her mouth before her mind went blank.

"Belle? Belle!" Verity lunged forward as the girl slumped forward, panicking at the feel of her icy skin. "What's wrong?! Gods, Belle, please answer me."

Her body suddenly stiffened, and she straightened to her feet. Relieved, he pulled her into a tight hug before pushing her back to stare into her eyes. His mouth fell open slightly at what he found: dark irises without a trace of the hazel flecks he loved so much. They crinkled at the corners as her mouth twisted into a mockery of a smile. "Hello, boy."

Instinct had him hastily backing away, his eyes never leaving Belle's. "W-what - "

"Now look who's stuttering," she stated in that flat, cold voice, cocking her head to the side as if Verity was an interesting insect she wanted to examine. "I don't quite understand what it is Belinda sees in you."

He might have been confused, but he wasn't slow on the uptake. Grabbing the hilt of his sword, his eyes narrowed as he demanded, "Tell me who you are and what you've done with Belle."

She was now examining her own self. "Why couldn't that damned enchantress have graced me with a son?" whoever was inside of Belle grumbled, patting her chest and making his neck flush.

"You get your hands off her!" Verity snarled, drawing his sword even as possible strategies ran through his mind. He couldn't harm her, but whatever malicious entity had taken over could not be allowed near the Eldunarí, for he had a duty to his master and the Order.

The girl laughed cruelly, those dark as night eyes glinting in the twilight. As the sun disappeared below the horizon, the Erisdar began to illuminate Ellesméra. One light directly above them glew as she mocked, "Don't you mean 'her' hands?"

"Who are you? Why have you possessed her?"

"I grow tire of your questions, boy," the female Rider stated, raising her left hand. Verity raised Syrgjiat in response, and she only laughed. "And what are you planning to do with that? After all," the spirit said, affecting Belle's own vocal cadences, "You could never hurt me, Verity."

He hesitated, and that was all the opportunity his opponent needed. Lifting her arm higher, she shouted, "Jierda!"

The snapping of a branch came from above, and he raised his head in time to see the lantern come crashing down. His reflexes saved him from being hit, but weren't enough to push him out of the blast radius. With an echoing boom, the Erisdar exploded, throwing Verity backwards into a tree and knocking the boy out cold.

The other Rider was unharmed, as she - or rather, the person possessing her - had warded herself and taken cover. Grinning wickedly, Belle's puppeteer walked to the Menoa Tree and bent down to eye one of the glowing gemlike hearts. "Why, hello there, Cuaroc. I always wondered where'd you gotten off to."

Before the dragon's conscious could flare up, her hand reached out and grabbed the purple Eldunarí, whispering a phrase that made its light dim. Grinning, the girl's body quickly began running towards the outskirts of the city, shrouding the heart from sight with another spell. She avoided all the other inhabitants, though nearly all were at the festivities. Approaching the border, her feet were about to cross when a bright white light shone down in front of her.

Skidding to a stop, she raised one hand to cover her eyes until the glow dimmed, and lowered her arm to find Gilderien the Wise, the guardian of Ellesméra. His insubstantial body, so much like the true form of the one wielding Belle's, wavered as he asked in a voice that echoed with power, "Where go you, Apprentice Rider Belinda Liressdóttir?"

Hearing the name of the enchantress made her mouth grimace slightly before opening to explain in a slightly worried yet determined tone, "I need to go out and search for my dragon, Raugmar."

"He has not yet returned from his venture this morning, that is true," the ancient elf proclaimed, eyes sharp and probing. "But are you allowed to venture out after him?"

"Yes," her voice firmly stated even as the possessor cursed the delay.

There was a pause before Gilderien's body began disappearing as the light did with him. "Very well. You may pass." Her head bowed in thanks, disguising how her lip curled in disgust, and she waited until he was gone before continuing her mad dash.

Gods be damned, every tree in this forest looked exactly the same. How was he ever to find his way out of this hellhole? Well, it didn't matter, as Areq would soon find the girl. And then, he would be out of this accursed female body. Galbatorix smiled with his daughter's lips.

The ghost king would not be a ghost for much longer.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Head pounding, Verity awoke with a startled cry, only one name on his lips. "Belle!"

Scrambling to his feet, he clutched his aching skull and gritted his teeth against the pain. He had to go after her, bring back the girl he knew and cared for so much. The girl, he suddenly realized with a start, that he loved. With a new resolve, he healed himself so that the worst of the headache was gone before running off.

Verity had already spotted the missing Eldunarí, and he now feared the worst. No doubt Belle's possessor was attempting to flee from Du Weldenvarden before the elves discovered the theft. But why would she be used instead of him? Thinking back to her earlier words, he paused in his tracks. Could the entity really be Galbatorix?

Sprinting faster, his mind whirled as the keys finally clicked into place. The Ra'zac had said they worked for a ghost king, and Belle was the heiress to an empire that no longer existed (it was the Broddring Kingdom once more). It would make sense for her to be used, as Murtagh had taught them both that a primary part of dark magic was blood. And their master would know from experience.

He should contact him and the other council members, but there was no time. Each second that passed was another step Belle took away from Ellesméra. Verity didn't have time to stop and tell anyone. However, there was one who stopped him.

Gilderien materialized in front of him, causing the boy to stumble to a halt. "Well well, this is the second apprentice Rider to go charging off into the night. Are you looking for your dragon, as well?"

"What?" he replied, confused for a moment before realizing what the guardian was talking about. "You mean Belle passed this way? Which direction did she head off in?"

"Straight ahead due north. But why are you looking for her?"

Speaking as quickly as he could, Verity explained the situation. "Something has possessed her and made her steal one of the Eldunarí."

Shocked, the elf shook his head in denial. "I would have known whether a dragon's heart of hearts crossed the border."

"Yeah, well, you didn't," Verity stated bluntly. There was no time to feign politeness. "And each moment we spend talking, Belle gets further away!"

"Go, Rider. I will alert the council." Gilderien vanished as quickly as he'd appeared, but the boy didn't spare a moment to contemplate on it. Instead, he continued onwards.

The light of the half-moon was shrouded by the pines, submerging the forest floor into a murky darkness. If Belle was herself, then no doubt she'd be terrified. However, Verity doubted that Galbatorix - if that was indeed who'd taken control - would be out off by such a small thing as a lack of light. Indeed, as he traveled further, his ears picked up the sounds of another up ahead.

His speed increased further, until just before him he could see the bobbing braid of his love. "Belle!"

Cursing, the girl spun around, drawing her sword to face Verity as he approached her. "You just don't know when to give up, do you, boy?"

"I know who you are, Galbatorix," he replied, his own blade still clenched in his right hand. "Now release Belle from your enchantment."

She - he - chuckled, spinning Sundavr around with one hand in a move that looked effortless. "I've been hoping to have a heart-to-heart with you. In all honesty, I don't like the way you've been staring at my daughter."

Jaw clenching until he thought it would snap, Verity managed to curb his anger enough to bite out, "Let. Her. Go."

"You first," Galbatorix replied, setting the now visible Eldunarí on the ground behind him before launching himself at the apprentice Rider.

He was barely able to swing Syrgjiat up in time to block the swing, unprepared for the sudden assault. It didn't cease as the possessed Belle launched a flurry of attacks so unlike her usual fighting style. High, low, side, side, high-wait, feint!-low, thrust. There was no rhyme or reason to their duel, only the clang of brightsteel as the black blades clashed together. Verity didn't have an opportunity to go on the offensive, as he was too busy trying not to be killed, dancing backwards.

Eventually, he slipped up - literally. A root caught his foot as he stepped back to avoid another thrust, and it pulled his body down onto the mossy ground, cushioning the fall. Bringing his sword up an instant before Belle's hacked him down, he grunted at the strength behind the falchion as its wielder continued to press his advantage - also literally.

Sweat broke on Verity's brow as he struggled against Galbatorix. The other smiled as the boy's arm was slowly pushed back further and further. "Any last words for your precious Belinda?"

"Yeah," the boy said, and did the last thing the ghost king was expecting. He smiled. "Never anger a dragon."

The girl's face frowned. "What - " A thunderous roar cut her off, and the darkness was suddenly burned away by two twin streams of black flames. Spinning around, Belle gaped at the sight as she lowered her sword and whispered, "Raugmar?"

Now was his chance. Emboldened by Shrewd's strength and hearing the change in her voice, Verity leapt up and tackled the Rider to the ground, both of their swords skidding away in the process. Pinning the growling girl down, he reached into his pocket and removed the bracelet. Sending a quick prayer for it to work, he clasped the bracket back around her wrist and waited, his hope growing as he saw the golden brown flecks return to her eyes. "Belle."

"V...Verity?" she asked, blinking her eyes in confusion. "What...what happened? ...and what are you d-doing?"

Realizing her was still atop her, Verity hurriedly stood up and said in a rather loud voice, "Nothing, nothing but helping break you from Galbatorix's spell."

"I don't understand..." Belle struggled with her foggy mental state as he pulled her to her feet. "The last thing I remember is being at the Menoa Tree...and - Raugmar!"

I was wondering when you'd remember me. The trees were spaced far enough apart to give both dragons room to land, and hers coughed up smoke before asking, You wouldn't happen to have any fireweed on hand, would you?

"Raugmar!" she exclaimed, tears gathering as she ran towards him. In her peripheral vision, she saw Verity approaching Shrewd in a similar, albeit less excited, fashion. Leaping upwards, her arms fastened around her dragon's neck as she began to weep.

Hush, small one, Raugmar soothed, wrapping both wings around her in his own embrace. I am fine, and so are you.

Hiccuping, Belle buried her face into his scales, still warm from his fiery entrance. You breathed fire, she congratulated him mentally, not willing to pull away so that he could understand her verbal speech.

The throaty rumble emerging from his chest signaled his pleasure at her words. Of course I did. What kind of dragon doesn't breathe fire besides a hatchling?

Guess you're all grown up now, Belle teased, the knot of fear that had been balled in her stomach loosening now that Raugmar was back at her side. Finally pulling away, she addressed him and Shrewd as she asked, "What happened to you two?"

"I happened to them." All four companions froze at the sound of a voice from behind them, and they all turned to see a living nightmare standing before them and holding the purple dragon's heart. "But please, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Areq, and I serve our beloved and temporarily deceased King Galbatorix."

"B-but you're a...y-you're a-a..." she stuttered, terror gripping hold of her. The creature before her was scarier than the dark (which she was too preoccupied to notice), a thousand times more frightening than the Ra'zac, whose eyes reminded her of Adurnaë's hair yet were somehow a much more sinister color. He, for it was a he, had papery white skin and long hair that reached his shoulders, a crimson curtain that only added to his overall terrifying appearance.

Delighted at the horror that had struck the human girl's face, Areq finished her sentence for her. "A Shade."

This is not an ideal situation to be in, Shrewd told his Rider, golden eyes narrowed as smoke rose from his nostrils. Only four people in the history of Alagaësia have managed to defeat a Shade

I know, Verity responded, a grimace marring his handsome features. His hand went to his scabbard, and he silently cursed upon remembering that Syrgjiat was lying on the ground along with Sundavr somewhere nearer to the Shade than to them. Things were definitely not looking good.

"This was much easier than expected," Areq mused, his voice smooth considering how it also carried the cadence of promised death. "Both prizes are here for me to claim. I thought I'd have to hunt you down."

He was looking right at her, pinning Belle in place with that blood red stare. "M-me?"

"Who else would Daddy want to see?" the Shade said, amused by the vicious growl Raugmar uttered. "Now now, don't be upset that you didn't get an invitation as well. But you can come along with Belinda irregardless. I don't have time to deal with irate dragons."

"She's not going anywhere with you," Verity said, stepping in front of the other Rider and ignoring her whimper of protest. "And neither is that Eldunarí."

"Really? And who's going to stop me?"

"I will," a new voice proclaimed, one that was much more familiar and dear. Belle's paralysis was suddenly gone at the sound. "And I'm not letting you take my little sister anywhere."

Maggie appeared at her side, placing one hand on her shoulder as she glared at Areq. He merely looked even further amused. "And who are you to stop me?"

"I am Mahogany Liressdóttir, Connoisseur of the Order, Rider of Miremel Ilumëoeldsja, and one pissed off woman."

For the first time, the Shade did not look quite so confident. Belle fingered her belt as he drew a long sword from the scabbard at his side and pointed it at her sister. "You wish to do battle with me? I hope you are prepared to die."

"As soon as I attack, I want you two to hop on your dragons and get out of here," Maggie order in a low voice. "No arguments."

The sound of her blade being drawn masked Belle's own movements, and Areq laughed as he read the glyph on the sword. "Sverd? Was that truly the only name you could think of?"

"No, but it was the only name that fit," she retorted, raising her sword and fixing her eyes on the Shade. "It serves its purpose as my blade soon will."

Now it was obvious Areq was nervous. His attention was fully focused on Maggie, who he believed to be the biggest threat to him. However, as the younger girl slowly raised her arm, the true threat was yet to be revealed. Only Verity - and Raugmar, of course - saw it coming. As the elder Rider lunged forward and her sister's arm stretched outwards, two blades made their way to the Shade, and only one was deflected.

He was already preparing himself for Mahogany's next strike when a great pain exploded in his forehead. Screaming in agony, Areq reeled and raised his hand to find the hilt of a knife that was now buried in his skull. His maroon eyes darted around wildly to find this new threat when they met the brown irises of the girl, who was lowering her arm as if after a throw. Rage coursed through his veins, and though he could not kill Belinda, he could enact vengeance.

Areq raised a shaking hand, pointing it at her before whispering a phrase. She immediately slumped to the ground, causing the boy to run to her aid as her dragon roared in anguish and anger. The Shade merely laughed weakly as the other Rider approached him, her hazelnut eyes glinting.

"What did you do to her?"

Still grinning despite the pain, he wheezed out, "She shall sleep. She shall sleep until I come back for her."

"Why you!" Before Maggie could get her hands on Areq, his body disintegrated into a black shadowy shape that was soon dispersed. "Gods be damned! May Tartarus curse you all!"

She swore some more as Verity held Belle in his arms. He'd gotten her back, only to lose her so soon afterwards. "Wake up," he began gently, trying to keep from becoming frantic. "Wake up, please. You have to wake up. Belle, Belle wake up. Wake up!"

It won't work, a voice sounded in his mind. It belonged to a dragon who was not Shrewd though he'd heard him before, and he tore his eyes away from the other apprentice to see Raugmar staring down at him. Something in his violet gaze made a part of Verity break inside. She's not dead, but her mind has been turned off.

"It's the Shade's spell," Maggie stated from behind him, and the boy turned to see her carrying the two black Rider swords and the Eldunarí Areq had left behind, her posture weary. "He said she'd sleep until he came back for her."

But how long can she survive in this state? Shrewd questioned, his tone analytical as always yet not emotionless. Unable to eat or drink or move?

"Long enough for us to find a cure," Verity answered aloud, rising to his feet with Belle's limp body in his arms. "There must be someone in Ellesméra who can help her."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I can't help you!" Lanalynn Morningstar yelled, sweeping her books off her desk as she folded her head in her hands. There was no response, as always. There was never any response from Belle.

It had been a week since Adurnaë's birthday, and Lana was feeling more and more powerless as time went on. The brunette's condition continued to deteriorate despite the daily energy she was being given, her bronze skin turning waxy and her near-black hair losing its luster. Running a trembling hand through her pale golden ringlets, she looked upwards and sent another prayer to God, if He was even listening.

The elf had always held a love of knowledge, and she'd studied the ancient lost religions of the Grey Folk. Not all had believed in the Olympian gods and goddesses; a sizable faction had made the claim that there was a higher power. The so-called gods were merely existential beings with great power. Lana had become fascinated with this belief, and was a devout practitioner of the faith called Christianity.

She knew that she was blessed: the violet eyes that were indicative of a seer, the strange gedwëy ignasia that extended up her forearm, the glyph for "healer" that had been tattooed upon her left wrist. Indeed, Angela the Soothsayer had wondered for a time if it was a sign that she was to be Apollo's next oracle, but Elva had already been chosen. Plus, Lana didn't believe Apollo was actually a god. However, lately she'd been running out of options. Whatever gifts she had still refused to reveal themselves, and all the texts on magic and medicine offered no help, not even those from Du Breoal Abr Kvaedhya. And she needed them. She needed them to save her friend.

On the beside behind her lay Belle, her breathing even but much too deep. The blonde had exhausted all her resources, and nothing was working. Spinning her silver ring around her finger, she sent another prayer to God and then took askance of Apollo. I don't believe you're really a god, but I know that you're real, and I know that you claim dominion over medicine as well as the sun. So please, help me now to save my friend. She can't die...not like this. Not when I can save her.

The door to the chamber open, and Lana looked up to see Verity entering. He always came by at this time of day, but one this occasion he'd brought a gift. "How is she?"

"The same." She grimaced and then told the truth. "Somewhat worse. I can't find anything. I can't do anything."

"You'll be able to do it, Lana. I know you will."

The elf winced. They all had such faith in her: him, her master Niaomi, Belle's roommate Adurnaë. Even Roslyn believed in her abilities, but she was starting to doubt them herself. Changing the subject, she asked the boy, "What'd you bring her?"

"A flower," Verity said with a small smile, showing her the blossom.

Her mauve eyes widened in awe. "Is that a kuldrfëon?"

"It is."

Looking at the flower's metallic petals, a sudden understanding blossomed as her palm tingled. "Let me see it."

He obligingly handed it over, and the blonde reached inside its petals without reserve. The other Rider gasped, affronted. "What are you doing? That's a gift!"

"It surely is," Lana said joyously, laughing as she removed the tiny rubies and sapphires. Crushing them in her palm, she whispered, "Heill," before walking over to the girl and putting the powdery substance to her nose.

On her next deep breath, Belle inhaled the seeds of the kuldrfëon, and a moment later her eyelids began fluttering. Verity gasped and knelt at her side, his hand trembling as it reached up to touch her cheek. Opening her eyes, she looked at the boy and smiled. "Verity."

"Belle. Oh, thank the gods." He buried his face into her side as Lana watched them with a smile, sending a prayer of her own upwards as well.

***

So, Lana basically saved the day. And Verity. He helped, too. Aren't he and Belle so cute? Their couple name is Belity, just in case anyone wanted to know. ;)

I was gonna fix Belle's relationship with Roslyn in this entry, but then she had to fall asleep on us. Reona and her will still have tension in my stories for sometime, until they work things out. Oh, and I'm sure everyone saw it coming with Galbatorix being Belle's sperm donor. Had to bring him back since he's the only real threat to my badass Rider coucil. xD 

Thanks for reading! This is SO gonna be a book after Destiny. Hope I got all the characerization right, and wish me luck in DragonInk along with all my wonderful allies. <3