Author's note:
I invite you to consult the comments of the previous chapter because there are interesting questions and I try to answer everyone since we are not numerous. You can participate in the debates if you feel like it or just consult the information.
The chapter is a bit long and there is a long conversation. I hope that won't make it unpleasant to read.
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Egan's POV:
Eldar has been on edge since I announced our ancestry and gave us the title of The Old Princes.
I discovered that anger was not the only emotion that changed his pupils as the strong concern he felt gave him a look identical to mine again. He succeeded in obtaining the agreement of the witnesses so that they remain discreet about this information but as soon as we left accompanied by the queen and her procession, people began to bow deeply in front of us, to place the hand in front of their thorax then greeted The old princes followed by an interminable babbling.
This surprise froze us all and once the surprise passed, the queen asked us to come back again. We had to wait several minutes and Eldar was in a state of maximum stress. The queen eventually returned with a group of elves who repeated the same salute and took their leave at her command.
Seeing the state Eldar was in, she made her report.
"It's not as bad as we thought. Egan's dragon magic backed up his statement, no one can associate you with the title of Dragon Rider anymore. Magic interferes the same way ancient language blocks lies when trying to associate you with the title of Dragon Rider. To know your new title, we must first meet you in person. If you are talked about without them having met you, no information reaches them and they ignore your title but once they meet you your title comes to them instinctively.
The good news is that only elves will meet you and know your ancestry. No elf will ever betray their prince, let alone the prince of dragons. This means that as long as you stay with us this information will not leave the forests of Du Weldenvarden.
I think it's a good thing, you got what you wanted, no one will ever be able to associate you with the Riders again, and everyone you meet will know your status and treat you with the respect they deserve. As long as you remain with us, you will have nothing to fear. »
I was happy to learn that Eldar wasn't the only one who could use magic. Dragon magic is unpredictable and we cannot summon it at will. She seems to have a will of her own and manifest herself when she wishes. Only the magic of dragons, when it manifests itself, is much more powerful than that of other races.
When the queen stated her conclusion, Eldar was less livid and a bit more relaxed. I too was anxious thinking about the risks to which this exposed us. But the queen's report quickly reassured me, in the end there are almost only advantages to this new situation.
We went on a guided tour of Ellesméra accompanied by Isalya, the servant assigned to us by the queen to help us in our integration among the elves. She can't talk to us so we went back to primary communication based on the exchange of memories and mimes to make ourselves understood. Strangely, we have no problem understanding each other.
The tension turned into unease as we were greeted by all the elves who passed us. Eldar finally stopped them from leaving in their long and pompous greetings by rectifying their greetings. I have lost count of the number of times he has demonstrated what he considers a reasonable greeting: a slight bow or a simple nod before calling out our names. Which failed miserably since they always ended up greeting us as The old princes.
I think they were encouraged by my reaction because they almost suffocated me by repeating so many giggles while I savored the sight of a mortified Eldar trying to rectify this excessive display of respect in greeting. Although those we met respected Eldar's will to simplify their salvation, they had an attitude full of respect and admiration towards us.
It does not bother me to be admired and respected, after all I am a dragon, it is normal that bipeds recognize my greatness, but Eldar on the other hand is really very uncomfortable with their behavior.
When he couldn't take it any longer, he sent our guide a mental picture of our accommodation. Although she agreed, she ended up taking us to another home which was huge. The entrance contains a huge and beautiful garden which stunned Eldar. He was lost in his contemplation for a long time before I lost my patience and forced him to come back among us.
Since we liked our new nest, we did not comment.
Since this experience at Ellesmera, Eldar has refused to set foot in an Elven city and has preferred that we explore the forest.
During the next two weeks we explored the forest and we were followed remotely by Glaedr during each of our expeditions. He did not try to reconnect with us and was content to observe us. He just seems to be watching us so we ignored each other in a tacit agreement.
Eldar took the opportunity to resume his exercise sessions in the forest while in my case, I spent my time hunting, flying and sleeping. We were also able to resume our swimming and cleaning sessions in one of the surrounding lakes. Once the sun went down, we returned and he spent his time meditating and training his mind in the middle of the large garden where we were staying.
One evening when we were returning from one of our explorations, Queen Islanzadí was waiting for us accompanied by her two guards, drinking something that gives off a strong smell of plants.
Eldar could see that his people had the same aversion to meat. They respect all forms of life and prefer to feed on what nature offers them without having to harm other species.
'It's been a long time Islanzadí, nice to see you again'
'I am also happy to see you again Egan, my days have been tiring and I was looking forward to relaxing in your company.'
Eldar entered and nodded to her, "As Egan said, I am delighted to have your visit…Queen Islanzadí." »
The hesitation he had in not knowing what to call her raises an eyebrow. An idea came to me to bring back some good humor because Eldar was back in his boring training mode. I jumped at the chance to say to the queen:
'You should salute him, he loves it! He taught everyone he met how to do it'
The queen showed no reaction that could suggest the existence of our conversation. She stood up, bowed slightly and greeted us "Let fortune reign over you The old princes..."
Eldar's reaction was instantaneous: he tensed in surprise before growling. A two-second silence followed before the queen and I broke into laughter.
I could see the guards with dumbfounded expressions as they watched their queen laugh and joke. The comedy of this situation accentuated my laughter.
Annoyed, he turned to me saying, "That's your idea, isn't it?" I didn't even try to deny the facts and smiled broadly.
He sighed and sat down. "I would never get used to all these antics…"
The queen seemed to think that she had made fun of my partner enough because she said to him:
"Isalya watched you and passed the message on how you prefer to be greeted. All Ellesméra must now know. Normally, no one would have agreed to change our costumes, but it seems that you are very popular and they made an exception for you. Egan is entitled to treatment that even I cannot hope to receive. The dragons are already sacred for the elves but a dragon of royal lineage, there will be altars in your effigy Egan! »
She laughs as she says her last sentence but I don't know if I should take it seriously or not, although honestly I don't care if they do or not.
Eldar sighed and said "Great I will be entitled to even more deference, I am now the partner of a dragon that my people will come to worship..."
He regained his seriousness and asked the queen if they could talk seriously and in private. After Islandzadí dismissed the guards, Eldar was finally able to question the queen.
"Egan and I have questions and we hope you can answer them honestly.
We want to know why the kings and queens supported the dragon riders and why you let them have so much influence? You don't seem to like sharing your authority from what I've seen, and I don't understand why a lone dragonrider still enjoys so much power today.
We want to know if you can teach us your language?
We want to know why you invited us to live with you."
The queen listened to each of Eldar's questions and her relaxed, warm face disappeared to give way to her cold, serious queen mask.
"Eldar I know you don't like dragon riders since your mother had to sacrifice herself to protect you from them during the war and Oromis and Glaedr didn't show you their best face but the creation of the order of dragon rider by Eragon until the war which confronted the camp of Vrael with that of Galbatorix the dragon riders were very beneficial for Alagaësia. »
Eldar grimaced angrily at the mention of Eragon which the queen noticed but said nothing.
"The dragon riders have vowed to serve Alagaësia so that peace and prosperity reign during their service. The royal families did not appreciate their interference very much, but faced with the military power of the order of dragon riders, they could only grit their teeth and accept this state of affairs.
The kings and queens of each kingdom of dwarves, humans and elves have come together and made a pact. The military power of the dragon riders and such that no army could manage their forces combined so if the dragon riders were to abuse their power, the humans, the elves and the dwarves will join their force to put an end to their domination .
Eragon and his council were invited to this meeting and took note of the threat. They swore again that he did not wish to govern but simply to be the guarantor of peace so that all could prosper and live in the best conditions.
For almost two millennia, they kept their promises and the riders who were only feared eventually became extremely popular and respected with almost all peoples.
As you might have guessed, this changed with Galbatorix, after he and his minions killed the last dragon riders who opposed him, he proclaimed himself king of Alagaësia and eliminates all who oppose to his reign.
These two millennia of service are more than enough for Oromis to earn the respect that each dragon rider deserves. I know he behaved stupidly when you met him, but we all make mistakes. Knowing him, once he has thought things through calmly he will realize his mistake and he will not be long in coming to personally apologize to you for his behavior.
As for your second question. I can't leave the obligations that go with my status as queen, but my daughter Arya will soon return to our lands and she can teach you to speak our language.
The queen's face resumed its warm appearance and she smiled gently.
You are the only prince who has been born for at least a millennium so it is only fitting that you reside here in the royal household. Even though we are not related by blood you are part of the royal family, therefore we are a bit like a family. Also as I told you before, I appreciate you and your company so it is a pleasure for me to welcome you to my home. »
….
I could feel that Eldar is truly touched by Islandzadí's words and that it is visible on his expression.
"Now that I've satisfied your curiosity, it's your turn to answer my questions:
What do you intend to do with your life? Do you want to claim your status as a prince to one day become the king?
Eldar is still a bit emotional from the queen's confessions so I took the liberty of answering for him.
'Eldar is as interested in politics and mobs as he is in meat, so he is no more interested in becoming king than dragon rider.
For what he intends to do, it's simple there has always been only one thing that interests him and that is to train. He is a fucking masochist who is ready to do anything to become stronger and to be able to satisfy his fighter ego, his compulsive instinct for protection and more recently his desire to pay homage to his mother.
Oh… he recently discovered a new activity…'
A huge smile forms on my face and the queen raises an eyebrow when she sees my change in attitude.
'I'm sure you've noticed that Eldar takes great care in observing almost every female he comes across, maybe you could help him with that?'
I hear Eldar yelp in surprise, but I keep my gaze fixed on the queen, to see if she intends to grab the pole that I offer her.
I see the queen's smile widen almost as much as mine and her eyes light up with mischief.
"I noticed that Eldar has rather wandering eyes, luckily Elvish women are very observant and we can sense when one of ours is trying to seduce us, otherwise I would have already received several complaints from women in couples. Eldar is however very handsome and he has no shortage of female admirers. Do I have to organize appointments to find someone who can fill it? »
Eldar is now flushed with shame and anger.
"Damn Egan! Did you really dare? Is it your fault that I'm assailed by this damn lust and you dare to make fun of me for this problem? »
It was against a background sound of crystalline laughter and under the gaze of the bewildered guards and servants that I had to flee the scene, laughing, pursued by a furious Eldar pyromaniac.