Harry stood there patiently and watched the spectacle as Arya said formally, "Islanzadí Dröttning."
That response clearly bothered the Queen as she withdrew as if stung and once again repeated her words, "O my daughter, I have wronged you." She covered her face. "Ever since you disappeared, I've barely slept or eaten. I was haunted by your fate, and I feared that I would never see you again. Banning you from my presence was the greatest mistake I have ever made. Can you forgive me?"
The present elves were stirred by these words.
Arya hesitated for a moment, but at last she said, "For seventy years, I have lived, loved, fought, and killed without ever speaking to you, my mother. Our lives are long, but even so, that is no small span."
Islanzadí drew herself upright, lifting her chin. A tremor ran her length. "I cannot undo the past, Arya, no matter how much I might desire to."
"And I cannot forget what I endured."
"Nor should you." Islanzadí clasped her daughter's hands. "Arya, I love you. You are my only family. Go if you must, but unless you wish to renounce me, I would be reconciled with you."
For a terrible moment, it seemed as if Arya would not answer, or worse, would reject the offer. Harry could see her hesitate and quickly look at her audience. Then she lowered her eyes and said, "No, Mother. I could not leave."
Islanzadí smiled uncertainly and embraced her daughter again. This time, Arya returned the gesture, and smiles broke out among the assembled elves.
The white raven hopped on his stand, cackling, "And on the door was graven evermore, what now became the family lore, Let us never do but to adore!"
"Hush, Blagden," said Islanzadí to the raven. "Keep your doggerel to yourself."
Breaking free, the Queen turned towards Harry and asked, "And who is this young human you have brought in front of us, daughter?"
"Islanzadí Dröttning. Atra esterní ono thelduin." Not letting her gloss over him, Harry greeted her in the traditional greeting of the elves.
Islanzadí's dark eyes widened. "Atra du evarínya ono varda."
"Un atra mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr," replied Harry, completing the ritual, before introducing himself in the ancient language, "I am Harry Potter, Lord of Skagos, a distant land in a different world. I am here to establish trade between our people."
Hearing the words 'different world' in the ancient language shocked the elves, but before anyone could say anything, Arya interrupted, "He is also my savior, having protected me from Durza. Also, he is a wizard, able to use magic different from our own." The last sentence was clearly stated to give her people a hint.
In their contract, they agreed that Arya wouldn't reveal that he would help in their fight against Galbatorix. It was a card that he wanted to use a few more times.
Islanzadí nodded and took a more political pose, "Welcome Harry Potter of Skagos. We are indebted to you for saving my daughter. Even in our long lives, it is a first for us to receive a traveler from a different world. We would love to hear more of you."
———
[ Ancient Language Mastery (Expert) Lv. 45: You are able to converse fluently in the ancient language, having an expansive vocabulary and understanding of the grammar. Higher mastery of the language allows you to shape your magic more easily. It also allows you to guess the true name of every being. A true name gives you control over the thing or being. Only truth can be spoken, and your words have power. Choose them Wisely. ]
His time with the elves had brought his understanding of the ancient language to a high level. He and Arya had kept up their training and lessons.
Even his swordsmanship had reached a high level. But at the same time, it reached a plateau.
[ Sword Mastery (Master) Lv. 100 (Capped): You have mastered the art of the sword beyond the limits of any human body. The absolute peak of your race. ]
Training with the Elves had taught him a lot. Arya not only made sure that he understood the physical part of swordsmanship but also the mental one. For the fun of it, even other elves had joined in the training.
He had leveled it so far that he couldn't level it any further. Only his stats and different skills could improve it more, through overlapping skill effects and, of course, experience. And yet it wasn't in the legendary or mythical rank; maybe not all skills could reach it.
But the elves have taught him a different method to become a better swordsman.
[ The Way of Knowing (Passive) Lv. 37: A Skill that enables the User to interpret the Body Language of his Opponents and combine it with the User Knowledge to gain an advantage.
- Makes skills 37% more effective against opponents of the same or lesser level.
- Makes skills 18.5% more effective against opponents up to 20 levels higher.
- Makes skills 3–7% more effective against opponents over 20 levels Higher. ]
Unfortunately, the goal he mainly visited Ellesméra for has been denied. Harry had hoped he would be allowed to study magic under the best of their mages for a while.
But he wasn't even granted an audience with Oromis, the only living Dragon Rider of the Elves. He even had to swear that he wouldn't reveal Oromis's existence to others. In truth, the elves, besides Arya, looked a bit down on him.
Sure, he was weaker than them currently. He didn't have hundreds of years to grind his abilities after all. But it was a bit rude.
Still, he accomplished most of his other goals, and while they didn't agree to permanent trade relations because there wasn't much his people could offer, they still granted him a few gifts he had hoped to receive.
He gained seeds for crops that were magically enhanced and perfected to grow in cold climates. Different magical plants and their seeds are growing in Du Weldenvarden.
And a personal thanks from the Queen, in the form of a bow sung from a Yew Tree by her a few years ago. The best bow he had ever seen.
While these gifts weren't much for the elves, for him, they were massive. These seeds could completely change the economy of Skagos, making it one of the greatest food producers in the North. And one thing was common among the Northern Houses: they disliked the South.
So if they had to choose between buying from the South or a Northern house, they would rather choose the Northern one.
Especially one related to the Starks. Make it a bit cheaper than the Southern crops, and he would massively gain favor with them while the profit remained similar. Since he was closer to the Northern Houses, the transport of the goods was cheaper.
But it was less than he hoped for. Elves were masters of their craft, and a supply of high-quality goods would have been a massive boon.
But he could understand their reasoning. He was a stranger from a different world, suddenly appearing from nowhere. It could be a ploy from Galbatorix or some other evil. They didn't know him enough, and it wasn't worth the risk.
Still, his greatest regret was the lack of magic lessons. And he also got why; these were powerful state secrets exclusive to elves and previously Dragon Riders. There was no other group in Alagaësia with such an in-depth understanding of magic; not even Galbatorix had completed his magic training with the Dragon Riders.
That's why he put so much importance into learning the name of names; with it, he could control the ability of anyone relying on the ancient language to control magic. Other human organizations had a limited vocabulary of the ancient language and relied on the creative use of the few words that were available to them.
And Harry had already learned how to speak it fluently during the last two months with Arya and his few weeks in this Elven City.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with me and leave by yourself?" Arya asked him in the ancient language, "I could complete the rest of my deal with you."
"No, I want to explore Alagaësia first by myself. Also, it gives me a reason to seek out your pleasant company again in the future." Harry said it with a flirty smile, but Arya remained unimpressed. She had already seen through his unnecessary jokes and knew he wasn't serious. To be honest, he found Arya attractive, but he was realistic.
But love was for elves something very special and important. So he was certain it would be hard to ever seduce her.
Hell, Eragon openly proclaimed his love for her, saved the whole continent and her people, and didn't even get a kiss. It would be a while before he would meet her again. She was returning to the Varden with a small contingent of elves in order to meet this new dragon rider. Also to ensure that he wasn't dying before fully trained.
Harry, meanwhile, had his own plans. And would be off on his own. There wasn't much more he could gain from the elves at this point; at least he had earned their trust.
But there were more opportunities. While Alagaësia was small, smaller than the Seven Kingdoms, and Du Weldenvarden was only four times as big as his own territory, there were opportunities out there. It was still a different world after all. One under the control of a tyrant.
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