Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle nor the Harry Potter series. The two series are owned, respectively, by Christopher Paolini and Joanne Rowling. I have just taken the liberty of playing with their works.

Slowly, And Then All At Once

Unbeta'ed!

Chapter Twenty-One: Alien

~ BWaC ~

Things did change between Helena and Eragon. Of course they did, but it wasn't a bad thing. Eragon had gotten a deeper understanding of why Helena was as she was, and while he would probably never fully understand her until he had been to Earth and experience it, his newfound understanding of her showed. It wasn't obvious. It was just an undercurrent of… almost quiet contentment of finally having a few more pieces to the puzzle that was Helena. And Helena was so grateful for that.

Indeed, she had been vulnerable on that particular day, but she didn't regret it. Even with her new contemplations about her male counterpart, exposing herself to him as she had, had not been easy. Really, anything involving the War – anything involving Fred – wasn't easy, but Helena had had a sincere fear of how Eragon would react. In the end, Eragon had been nothing but candid with her, he had forgiven her for her and Godric's actions after Dras-Leona (something she really didn't know if she would've been able to), and he had made clear that he would stand by her. From a more objective standpoint, they were the last two Free Dragon Riders, and their fates were intertwined. They would fight at each other's side in the upcoming war against the Black King, and if they should have any chance, they needed to fight well. They needed to trust and understand each other.

So, Helena had told him.

Quite unlike himself, Eragon hadn't just pelted her with questions after she had told him about her life. Here and there he had asked a single question or two, but no more than that at one time. And they hadn't been random questions, but questions that he evidentially had thought long and hard about.

Eragon did not like Dumbledore. Or, maybe more correctly put, Eragon was not happy with Helena's late mentor; her male counterpart simply could not wrap his head around how the Professor could've raised Helena as lamb for slaughter. It was curious that Eragon had used that particular phrase, as it was near identical to the phrase that Snape had used in the conversation with Dumbledore, where the latter had revealed Helena's horcrux status. Of course, with Snape, it had been more in concern with how he had spent the last six years watching over her, whereas Eragon felt as he did because he cared for Helena.

Helena had been slow to answer Eragon's question.

"Dumbledore…. He wasn't infallible," Helena had begun answering Eragon's question. He was sat with almost a tight face, angry that she wasn't angrier. "I told people that for years. I all but shoved it in their face after Snape had killed him, and they had all brushed my worries about Snape aside with 'Dumbledore trusts Severus; don't worry about it'." Helena sighed and took a sip of her cuppa. "The truth is, there was no easy answer to the equation with Tom and me, and with me being a botched horcrux of his." Helena looked up at Eragon again. "Should Dumbledore had hidden me away? Even as Tom took over the Wizarding World? Should he had waited until the horcrux in me had been activated, and hope that a botched horcrux wouldn't wreak havoc, even as Tom and I fought over the control of my soul?"

"I… don't know," Eragon admitted slightly weakly. Then he looked up at Helena heatedly. "But there must've been another way."

Helena answered calmly, "I am confident that Dumbledore explored any feasible avenue before 'raising me as a lamb for slaughter'. I never asked him, but I knew him very well. He might've manipulated more than a few people, and, as with myself, he had a problem with pride. But he cared more than anyone else." She paused to let that sink into Eragon's mind. "As it was, he made sure that I led as good a life as I could. A life with friends and family and love. The Dursleys were an unfortunate factor, but the protection charm my mum gave her life for would only work if I lived with her blood. As for my eventual death… I believe Dumbledore had an inkling of a suspicion to the Bond of Blood, which Tom inadvertently created between us when he used my blood for his resurrection, would anchor my soul to the mortal plane. I can't be sure, but it's a nice thought to have."

"So, you have no problems with Dumbledore?" Eragon almost demanded of her.

"No important problems, no," Helena answered candidly. "My only complaint was that he was so secretive. Alright, maybe it was a fair call not to tell me of my destiny when I was a preteen, but once some of the more sinister events began happening, maybe he should've reevaluated. I've considered that maybe he didn't know for sure that I was a horcrux until I had gotten that particular memory from Slughorn. Though, he had stated several times before that he believed that Tom had accidentally transferred some of his powers to me that night he killed my parents." Helena paused. "I guess the key word there is 'believed'." She shook her head. "But Dumbledore is dead. So is Tom. And I'm alive, and the war is over. Anger is an acid that does far more damage to the vessel it is contained in than the object it is poured on. I believe Dumbledore deserves forgiveness. Even more so, I believe I deserve to forgive and move on and live my life. Because now I am able to do just that."

Helena hadn't been able to tell if Eragon had been satisfied with her answers. He hadn't said much after the conversation and had left to go flying with Saphira.

Helena had smiled at that; she knew she had stated it before, but she truly could feel just how much he had grown. He was still Eragon, and could still do things a bit rushed at times – and he had that fantastical ability to put his foot in his mouth at inopportune times –, but he had also grown quieter. He thought and considered things more than he did before. He wasn't so hesitant to go against her when he believed she wronged him. She needed to look no further than how he had defended himself after she admonished him for blessing an infant girl in the Ancient Language.

The days after the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts continued like that. Helena continued her routine with the medical clinic and meeting up with Angela and Nasuada, but Eragon would accompany her at times, ask his questions, and then leave to think them over. He would also join her for breakfast a few times, but he was beginning to develop a habit of sleeping in just the slightest, now that he had a chance. It was so… human of him that Helena couldn't bare to point it out.

Five days after the anniversary, Helena had taken her lunch in her chambers to be able to look the urgal letter over. It had taken some time, but she had managed to drain the blood and dirt out of the parchment without disturbing the particles of ink. The letter read as such:

By the word of King Galbatorix, Ushnark the Mighty.

The gatekeeper at Ithro Zhada is to let this bearer and his minions pass. They are to be bunked with the others of their kind and by the soldiers of the Empire. The promise will be kept, as was agreed upon, but only if the two factions refrain from fighting. Command will be given under Tarok, under Gashz, under Durza, under Ushnark the Mighty. Disobeying the line of command will not be tolerated at the promise of beheading.

The kull are great front fighters, and the urgal shamans have proven their mettle before. The Varden is not a mere village, though, and the smaller urgals are currently a drain on resource rather. Find what they are suitable for and deploy them – else, put them to the sword.

The footmen and kull have proven their inability to keep peace and are to be kept separate. No weapons are to be distributed until the scouts return from the east and give the all-ready for marching.

While it definitely gave food for thought and had given the Varden some leads to follow, it wasn't much. If the army at Ithro Zhada indeed intended to attack Farthen Dûr, and they had sent their scouts east, then the stronghold itself had to be west of the dwarven capital. While it narrowed the search down some, 'west of the dwarven capital' could still take weeks or months to explore.

Helena had also been curious about the runes themselves. She had asked Ajihad if he would be opposed to her keeping the letter and handing him a copy; thankfully, he hadn't been. But the runes: they were the same that Helena wrote in her journals. It was the oldest known runes known to wizardkind. The elves knew some of the characters, as Helena had asked Ajihad where he had learned to read the script; they did not, however, know them all. She needed to ask the elves where they had seen the runes before, as it just might be a clue to how to get home.

Helena didn't want to get too excited, but after only having the stars, the Latin alphabet, and Angela's adopted grandfather as clues, the runes in the urgal letter seemed like a large neon-sign pointing an arrow towards Earth.

Helena was sat by her desk sipping on a cuppa while looking over the parchment for any other clue, when the sound of the portrait opening sounded behind her. She wasn't concerned with it; three people had received the password (supercalifragilisticexpialidocious) were Eragon, Angela, and Carver, none of which would attack her. Tilting her head slightly, she caught sight of her page.

"Hello, Carver," Helena greeted him with a friendly smile.

Carver had been in the room a few times before, but the awe was still all the same each time he entered. Eragon's face had also been like that when he had joined her in her room on the anniversary, though his awe had been mixed with the shock that came with preconceived 'facts' getting torn down before one's eyes. Carver was too young, and hadn't lived in such an isolated place as Carvahall, to have too many of such 'facts'.

"Hello," Carver returned her greeting a few moments later as he shook his head to get out of his stupor. He then bit his lip and continued, "You have been summoned to the training fields."

Immediately, Carver began shuffling on his feet and wouldn't quite meet her eyes. He always relayed messages word for word, so if people had summoned her, then he would tell her so. Even if it were a summon, everyone would avoid a lot of headaches if they simply 'requested' her presence instead. She had toned it down, knowing that Carver would have to return and tell whoever had summoned her what her response had been (Helena was positive that the boy had learnt more than a few colourful words), but she still bristled at being summoned.

However, that day was different; Helena had been expecting a summon. Or, rather, she had been expecting a summon to the training field not on any particular day, but one of these days. After all, she and Eragon were to be tested.

Ajihad had at first wanted the twins and some bloke named Frederick to test them. Helena didn't have a problem with Frederick, but she outright refused to spend more time than highly necessary with the Ferret and his brother. Eragon had stood by her in that, thank Merlin. Helena knew very well that she wasn't making Ajihad's life any easier by refusing – and, as she had stated, she was beginning to easing up on the Varden with their summons and all – but there were some things that were just too much. She would never forgive them for hurting Godric as they had.

Angela couldn't test them, as she had been vetoed by one of the members of the Council of Elders. In the end, Arya, the elven ambassador, had been approached by Ajihad and had been asked if she were willing to test their magic once she had recovered sufficiently. Her answer had been yes.

"Relax, Carver," Helena told her page mirthfully. "Just this once, I've been expecting a summon."

Carver visibly relaxed. "Thank Merlin." Helena quirked an eyebrow at that. It seemed she was rubbing more off on him than she had thought.

Helena put down her cuppa and walked to the stand where the Sword of Gryffindor was displayed. Opening the drawer beneath it, she began donning the leather armour that had appeared with her in the spine.

She knew very well, that if it hadn't been for magic, the leather armour would've been worth shite. There was a reason a leatherworker could use a simple knife to work his craft; alright, that might've been an oversimplification, but in a battle with real swords, a leather armour was worth very little more than civilian clothing. The armour with Gryffindor's crest on it was like the Sword of Gryffindor, though; the sword, as well, wouldn't function properly without the aid of magic, with silver being a soft metal.

Strapping the sword to her side, Helena took a look in the mirror before leaving. A smirk played on her lips; she did look quite fearsome, she would say.

"What is going to happen at the training fields?" Carver asked her. "Are you going to be duelling again? Are you going to use magic?"

Helena chuckled. "Yes, on both accounts. And, yes, you're welcome to join us."

Walking down to the training grounds, Helena got a few more glances than usual. People had quite grown used to see her in pants and blouses and didn't look twice at her once she started wearing her outlandish clothes from home. But a set of armour, even one of leather? That was new.

Some of the looks were still suspicious and frightened.

Helena had long since proven that she didn't seek to destroy or even harm the Varden. Her work in the medical clinic had earned her a lot of good will, as had her work with the orphans. Still, the ease at which she used magic frightened them. That she had transfigured one of the twins into a ferret was still shared wildly, and while many got a good laugh out of it, as they thought of it, they also got unnerved by it.

It had gotten Helena thinking. Back on Earth, she had at times wondered what life would've been like if the Statue of Secrecy hadn't been established; she would've liked to think that the magical world would be able to live comfortably and peacefully side by side with the muggles. But after only seeing the reaction of the Varden to her magic, Helena wasn't so sure of that any magical being would've survived the last four-hundred years if they hadn't gone into hiding. Those in the Varden that feared her, feared her like the muggles of the seventeenth century must've feared her ancestors. And fear makes people do irrational things. If the Statute of Secrecy hadn't been established, wizardkind would've eventually gone to war against the muggles that kept targeting them; despite magic being on their side, the muggles outnumbered magicals almost four-thousand to one.

It wasn't pleasant thoughts. But maybe things would be different in Alagaësia, least of all because of how magic worked differently here.

Helena chased such thoughts away as she approached the training fields. It was not difficult to locate where the others were, Saphira's bulking form towering over everything. Eragon stood beside his partner and was chatting with a dwarf, who Helena a moment later identified as Orik. Helena had chatted briefly with him and found him pleasant enough.

"Wotcher," Helena greeted them with a smile and a small wave.

"Helena," Eragon returned the greeting with a large smile as Saphira blinked at her. Orik, however, was shooting her a confused look.

"Wothc- What?" the dwarf asked her puzzled.

"It's a greeting," Eragon explained, a mirthful smile playing on his lips. "Just go with it."

Orik sighed and then grumbled, "Just as I thought I was beginning to get the hang of ye humans, ye go and invent whole new greetings."

Helena patted Orik on the shoulder as she let out a laugh. "Don't worry about it, friend. Back home, many outside of the British Isles are also confused by our terms and terminology."

Orik huffed. "That's something at least." He sent her a look, "Though, lass, ye don't seem to make any effort not to appear queer."

Helena snorted at that. "I wouldn't be successful in appearing ordinary. What would happen is that I would appear even queerer, but also not be comfortable in my skin."

"Your queerness do have an endearing side to it, though," Eragon commented with a chuckle.

"It does now, does it?" Helena asked with a quirk of an eyebrow.

Eragon blushed and grinned bashfully. He was about to respond when he all but froze, and his eyes focused on something over Helena's shoulder. And he wasn't the only one; all the clatter, bantering, and clashing of steel on the field halted. It caused the hair on the back on her neck to stand, as her heart started to pound and her magic spread throughout her body.

Danger.

Putting the hand on the hilt of her sword, Helena spun around. Right away, her eyes zeroed in on the cause for (the lack of) commotion. The pointed ears proved that it could only be Arya.

The elf moved with strength and grace across the field towards the Dragon Riders, and at a speed at which a normal human would've at least worked their pulse up a fair bit. Arya seemed unaffected, though, as she stopped in front of them. And for a long while, the elf looked at no-one but Eragon.

It became quite clear to Helena that Arya looked a lot like herself, only it seemed that the small imperfections had been eased away. They both had raven-black hair, though whereas Helena's was a wild lion-mane if it wasn't tied up, Arya's seemed to be as straight and controlled as could be. They both had green eyes, but whereas Helena's were just a bit too sharp to be considered beautiful, Arya's were a soft emerald. They were both tall, but whereas Helena had been told many times that it was almost unnatural that she, as a woman, was so tall, the height seemed to fit Arya perfectly well.

Helena liked her body as it was, but when she stood across the woman that Eragon had spent so much time obsessing over… It did intimidate Helena some.

Helena snorted mentally; she had no claim on Eragon, and if he wanted to be with Arya, he could be. Even as she thought that, a hollow feeling in her stomach made a brief appearance. Helena shoved those feelings aside.

Finally, Arya's and Eragon's contact was broken, and Arya's eyes moved over the rest of them. She muttered a brief greeting to Orik, before looking Helena over.

"You must be Lady Potter that I've heard so much about," Arya said in the way of greeting. It happened only a fraction of a moment, but as Arya's eyes had met Helena's, her face had soured. The next moment, though, her face had gone back to being stoic. Helena had to bite the inside of her cheek not to bring it up. The worst thing was, that the elf's reaction to Godric was almost the opposite: as Arya's eyes met the ruby dragon's, a large smile appeared on her lips, and she greeted, "And you must be Godric." She had then bowed. "I cannot express how pleased I am to meet you."

Aware of Helena's feelings, Godric simply breathed out a bit sharply in greeting. Even that seemed to excite the elf.

Arya took a step back so that she could look at both Helena and Eragon at the same time. "I will be testing your worth in magic and battle, as by Ajihad's request."

"In battle as well?" Helena asked, even as Eragon startled. Helena recognised that look; worry. Not for himself, but for Arya. Helena couldn't help but feel a bit of the same. "I thought this Fredrick-fellow would be testing our swordsmanship?"

"Indeed, that was the plan, but my one condition to test your magic was also to test your swordsmanship."

Eragon frowned. "Are you sure you are up to it? No-one would blame you if-."

"I am perfectly capable of testing two new Riders," Arya told Eragon icily. Eragon gulped. Arya's face then softened minutely. "I appreciate your concern. We elves heal faster than humans. I am well enough to test you, rest assured of that."

Eragon looked her straight into the eyes for a few moments before sighing. "If you are sure."

"I am," Arya nodded sharply. "I will test your skills in magic first. It will require most of your energy, and if it is done after your blade-arm has been tested, it is far more likely that your fatigue will mess with your abilities." Fair enough, that made sense for Eragon. Arya faced Eragon, "You will go first." Then she faced Helena, "You will wait here."

"What, why?" Helena asked.

Arya was clearly annoyed by that. "Because as much as I'm testing your ability to call forth magic, it is as much a test of being able to recall words of the Ancient Language to be used in a particular situation at a moment's notice, and a test for being able to correctly assemble a sentence in the Ancient Language."

Helena didn't like the tone Arya was speaking to her in. It was clear that the elf had some problem or other with her. Now wasn't the time or place, however.

"Fine," Helena almost grit out of the teeth. Eragon was looking nervously between the two of them. Helena ignored him, and before Arya could tell her otherwise, Helena had mounted Godric who immediately took off.

It was almost three minutes before Godric spoke.

'You do not like Arya.'

Helena grunted. 'Something about her rubs me the wrong way. Or maybe I rub her the wrong way, and that rubs me the wrong way.' She paused. 'I cannot think of anything I should've done against her, and yet she looks at me the way she does.'

Godric considered that. 'Brom did warn us that elves are strange to humans. Maybe it's a misunderstanding.'

Helena wanted to deny it, but she knew her partner spoke the truth. She settled with a, 'Perhaps.' She paused. 'I don't like my reaction to how much attention Eragon is giving her.'

Godric grunted. 'It is not much unlike how he acted around you at first.'

Helena frowned at that.

'I still don't think he is good enough for you,' Godric continued after a moment. 'He has changed since the Old One died, but he is too young. Too idealistic.'

'Godric…' Helena sighed. 'Fine, yes, I know he is young. But even before Brom's death, he was growing up right in front of our eyes. And if it were just that, then, fine, no, I would never consider there maybe being more between us. But he has a heart of gold; he wants to do what is right. He is braver than most.'

Godric grumbled at that. 'We'll see.'

Helena sighed again at that response. 'Alright, change of subject, then. What do you think of Arya?'

Godric hesitated. 'There is something in my instincts that tell me that she can be trusted,' he admitted carefully. 'I do think that has less to do with her as a person and more to do with her being an elf.'

'It does make sense,' Helena mused. 'The dragons and elves were bonded through magic for a long time before humans joined the pact. You would gravitate towards each other. You saw how Arya reacted to you?'

'I did,' Godric confirmed unnecessarily. Then he sighed. 'While my instincts tell that I can trust her, I know that your instincts and feelings aren't to be ignored either. Especially not if the way she treated you weren't a misunderstanding; she could be elf, dwarf, human, or urgal – I will not stand by anyone treating you like that.'

'I love you, too. Thank you,' Helena chuckled. 'But at this point… I think your instincts are more trustworthy. When it comes to Eragon, things get complicated. Just… Keep me in check, will you?'

'Whatever you wish, Dear One.'

The two of them cruised through the air inside Farthen Dûr for fifteen additional minutes before Eragon called them down by way of mind. Arya and Eragon had moved some way away from the training fields, most likely due to the unease most of the Varden had with magic. Landing near them, Arya didn't wait and waved Helena over to her.

Helena wanted to show off. Of course, she wanted to. But… Keeping in mind that what she had perceived as Arya's attitude might just be a misunderstanding, she reigned in some of her temper. She kept in mind what Arya had said the test was about and stuck to Alagaësian and verbal magic.

The test included the manoeuvring of a stone in the air, manipulating water, creating fire, scrying, hardening leather, freezing items, controlling the flight of an arrow, and healing wounds (thank Merlin, the last one Arya settled with just hear the wording of the spell Helena would cast). As it had always been, Helena had an easier time with spells she could replicate in the Gaian branch of magic; it wasn't because her powers were diminished in areas where she couldn't replicate it, but rather because she had a harder time imagining it. She had gotten competent at scrying after having scried Eragon several times during their separation, but it was still much tougher than the act of, for example, manipulating fire.

Still, saying that she had a more difficult time with those few areas, didn't mean she actually had a difficult time. She completed all of Arya's task, and the elf did indeed look very pleased.

"I must admit; I'm impressed," Arya told them, and a hint of a smile appeared on her lips. "Either of you are far from being a master, but taking into account that you've only been Riders for a few months, you are far more advanced than I would've thought." Arya looked a Helena specifically, "But, then again, it's no secret that you have experience in magic prior to becoming a Rider. You claim to be of another world?"

Helena blinked; Arya didn't beat around the bush. "I do. I am from a world called Earth. And as far as magic goes, I'm a witch – and, no, it's not the same as it is here. Neither is magic."

Arya frowned. "Would you elaborate?"

"Here magic is bound by the Ancient Language. There is no such language on Earth," Helena began to explain. "Magic flows freely throughout the world, especially in large… I guess 'rivers' would be an adequate parallel, called ley lines. While Latin is the go-to language when creating spells, one could replicate a spell in another language. Magic is thus not bound as bound on Earth as it is on Alagaësie. Here incantation is the most important aspect of a spell. On Earth it is intent." Helena paused. "As far as witches and wizards go, magic is hereditary; while it can disappear for generations in a family, one cannot suddenly gain magical abilities without having inherited them. This is because of how we store energy; in a magical core. Where you and Eragon need to draw energy directly from your bodies, I can draw it from a vast container of energy I have inside of me. The spells drain energy all the same; I just have a much larger reservoir than you."

Arya looked thoughtful, and maybe just slightly disturbed. "I will not lie… some of the things you are saying are hard to take in." Arya took a deep breath, "First, though, how did you arrive here?"

And so Helena explained her appearance in the Spine for the umpteenth time. She included the clues she had found of some sort of connection between Alagaësia and Earth – Angela's Pops, the Latin alphabet, the runes that Galbatorix was using. Through it all, Arya listened attentively, quirking an eyebrow here and there, but letting Helena talk.

"Do the elves have any experience in world travels?" Eragon inquired once Helena's tale had finished.

Arya chewed lightly on her lower lips. "I'm no scholar, but I do believe I've read a theory or two about the subject." She looked up at the two Riders. "It is not something the elves at large is interested in, however. There might be a person or a small group that has studied it who might be able to help. In either case, now that you, Lady Potter, has brought definite proof of not only another world, but that travel between them is possible, then it is sure to become a subject of interest now."

Helena nodded. "Thank you. Would you also be willing to take a look at the runes at the urgal letter later?"

"Of course," Arya answered right away. And the tone of voice, that it was a matter of course, did put some of Helena's worries about the elf to rest. "Thought, if you wouldn't mind, I would like to test your native magic."

"Fair enough, though I should warn you, my magic has… shifted some since bonding with Godric."

Arya frowned. "How so?"

"Yes, how so…," Helena mused, trying to find a way to explain it. "It is like I am now able to use magic on a much more base level. Non-verbal magic is rather common back home, though one still needs to think the incantation. There have been cases after bonding with Godric, however, where I have used magic on pure instinct; I have wanted something to happen, without incantation, whatsoever. It takes a lot of concentration." Helena paused, "There was also when we were attacked by the Varden in the tunnels. My magic reacted before I could truly want something. It was like I was being extended outwards from myself, and used the world around me as a weapon."

Arya looked both deeply fascinated and disturbed.

"I.. have heard of similar acts of magic," the elf admitted. "It is not without danger. I would advice you to shy away from this non-incantation magic until you've met your teacher in Ellesméra."

"Alright," Helena nodded after thinking it over a second.

Arya nodded gratefully. "For now, I'd like you to use your native magic verbally. Let's go through the same trials as before."

And so they did. While some things became much easier for Helena, other things were outright impossible without conjuration.

"Wait, you mean to tell me that you can create something out of nothing?" Arya asked surprised.

Helena shook her head, "No, I can create something out of energy."

Arya's eyes widened. "Fascinating."

Helena displayed the conjuration of fire, frost, and water. While Arya was surprised that she indeed could create 'something out of nothing', the elements was something the elf was familiar with. She became truly surprised when Helena conjured a plush, red chair. Carefully, the elf had sat down, testing the properties.

"And you can conjure anything you can imagine?" Arya asked.

"More or less," Helena confirmed. "Though, conjured items are not the real thing and will disappear when the magic that summoned them into being runs out. Thus, conjured water is able to extinguish fire, but it cannot soothe your thirst for long, as it will disappear. You might in fact run into bigger problems if you do drink conjured water."

"Oh," it came from Arya almost disappointedly. A smile played on Helena's lips at that.

"If you want to make something lasting, you are better off with transfiguration," Helena explained. She summoned a stone from the ground, and with a twirl of her hand, transfigured it into a flute. Arya took it from Helena's hand and examined it. "While there are a few forms of transfiguration one can use incantations for, transfiguration is one of the few areas of magic where intent and imagination weighs most heavily."

"This could turn the war around," Orik muttered. Helena glanced at him, and saw the ideas that were already forming in his mind.

"Transfiguration has its limits," Helena warned him. "I'm not able to transfigure into noble metals or gems, and any non-living to living transfigurations are only temporary."

"Wait, are you claiming to be able to make something alive?" Arya asked.

Helena shook her head. "I'm able to make something appear alive." Helena looked around and spotted a loaf-sized rock not too far from them. Summoning it through the air as well, Helena only took a bit longer with this transfiguration. A moment later, in place of a rock in her hands, were a fluffy white rabbit.

This time, even Eragon was at a loss. Orik was at his wits ends, and Arya looked shocked. She made a motion, and Helena handed the rabbit to the elf.

"It… truly does appear to be alive," Arya stated, even as it was clear she couldn't quite believe it. She looked intently at the rabbit, and then looked quickly up at Helena. "It doesn't have a mind."

"As I said, it isn't alive," Helena explained with a small smile. "If you were to wring its neck, it would become a stone again."

"Amazing," Arya breathed as she looked the rabbit over again. She then handed it to Orik, who happily accepted it, looking it over as Arya had. The elf turned back to Helena. "Well… is there anything else that you believe I should see?"

Helena quickly displayed her animagus abilities and apparition. While Arya was impressed, it didn't quite beat the rabbit trick. Helena received a bit more of a reaction when she displayed some duelling spell, especially the more destructive ones such as reducto and confringo. The last thing Helena displayed was her abilities with wards, both true and personal.

"A worry of mine has been how to use magic while in battle here in Alagaësia," Helena told Arya. "Brom has explained how wizarding duels are here. As you have probably surmised by now, dueling on Earth is quite different. However, I might already have a solution; now that I can use magic purely by intent, I might be able to circumvent the problem by creating a bubble where foreign magic simply isn't allowed."

"That would be… quite an impressive feat," Arya admitted. "It would still be a tax on your energy reserves, though with how vast yours are and your connection to Godric, that might not be a problem unless you go up against several powerful opponents."

"My thoughts exactly," Helena nodded with a grin. "Though, I give you my word; I will wait until I have talked it over with this mysterious teacher of ours in Ellesméra."

"It will lessen my worries," Arya inclined her head.

Helena smiled. "You must understand, this is the foundation of our – wizardkind – way of life. I might oversee something simply because I perceive it as ordinary. If I at a later date display some ability or not that I haven't shown here, then it is not because I do not wish to share it with you now."

"I will keep that in mind," Arya promised. "If there is not anything else you can think of at the moment, I see no reason to delay the testing of your swordsmanship any further."

Arya didn't wait for either Helena and Eragon to respond, instead turning around and walking back towards the training fields. Helena shot her male counterpart a questioning look, to which he just shrugged.

Orik chuckled, "I warned you that elves are alien to us."

"You did," was Eragon's simple answer as he looked after Arya with a frown.

It was, of course, too early to judge, and Arya had been perfectly pleasant as Helena had displayed her magic, but if she was a perfect example for her race… then the elves truly were alien. It was a bit disconcerting, as Helena had, since she had learned about the elves, believed them to be the closest thing to wizardkind. Perhaps not, though.

Helena sighed. Following after Arya, Helena waved her hand behind her, turning the rabbit back into a rock. A yelp sounded, and Helena glanced to see Orik now looking perplexed at the rock in his hand. A smile appeared on her lips as Eragon chuckled under his breath and shot her a mirthful look. Orik dropped the rock and followed after them.

Moving back to the field, it fell silent even before they had reached it. If Helena wasn't mistaken, even more people had arrived. Then again, if word had reached that she and Eragon would be tested, then that wasn't such a surprise.

Once again, Eragon is chosen to be tested again. Helena conjured three chairs for her, Carver, and Orik to sit as the elf and Eragon walked to the middle of the field. The few who had been left training quickly scattered to the sides.

Drawing and dulling the edges of their swords, Eragon and Arya stood still for almost a full two minutes. Helena quirked an eyebrow; Arya was also testing their patience. Then Helena blinked and Arya had charged the half dozen feet towards Eragon, Helena's male counterpart just barely managed to block the strike. The clang of metal almost seemed to echo throughout the hollow mountain.

As the duel continued, Helena's eyebrows slowly but surely rose up under her hairline. Arya was… good. Amazing. Clearly much better than Eragon, which was saying something. Eragon was inherently good at duelling, and had even beaten Brom more than a handful of times. Still, Eragon didn't stand a chance against Arya, that much was clear. And if Eragon wasn't able to beat Arya, then there was no way Helena was going to.

Eragon had always been the better swordsman of the two of them. That was just the way it was. It had nothing to do with gender or upper body strength, as there were many styles of duelling that circumvented those problems; Helena simply didn't have the mind of a swordsman.

Arya and Eragon duelled for nigh ten minutes. That was an abnormally long duel in anything other than a formal setting – and even in such cases, it was pressing it. In any true battle, too much would be going on, too much danger being all around, for two people to be able to battle uninterrupted for so long. Alright, there might be rare instances, but they were rare; soldiers were trained to come to the aid of their comrades when they were spotted being locked in combat. Now, Helena wasn't an expert, but Brom was, and he hadn't been shy with teaching Helena and Eragon about the tides of war.

The duel finally ended with Arya sidestepping Eragon's strike and swinging her sword up against his jaw. Eragon froze as she pressed the steel of her sword against his jugular. His Adam's apple visibly bobbed as he swallowed.

That was when the crowd erupted into cheers. Arya lowered her sword and said something to Eragon that Helena couldn't hear over the crowd. It made Eragon smile.

"Amazing!" Orik exclaimed, standing in front of the chair Helena had conjured for him. "That was outstanding swordsmanship!"

"Indeed," Helena agreed. As Arya's eyes then caught hers, Helena gulped. It was her turn. Walking past Eragon as he went to take her seat, he shot her an encouraging though exhausted smile.

Helena drew her sword, it was as if only then that Arya caught eye of what she was wearing. The elf's eye went up and down Helena, taking in the leather armour and silver sword, and specifically rested several moments on the crest of Gryffindor. She didn't say anything, though, settling for drawing her own sword.

As with Eragon, Arya didn't charge. She waited. And waited. This time, though, Helena charged.

Arya blocked the strike with ease.

Helena didn't stand a chance. Helena knew that. Arya knew that. Everyone knew that. But Helena would be damned if she wouldn't do her best. A prodigy in swordsmanship she might not be like Eragon was, but Brom hadn't coddled her, and she was more than able to hold her own.

She tried to get into the rhythm of the duel, of the lunges, dodges, blocks, and attacks. But as much as she tried, she wasn't able to; every time she was almost there, Arya would attack in a manner where Helena's instincts screamed at her to use a protego. Each time that happened, Helena had to will herself not to call forth her magic, taking her focus away from the duel.

Apparently, Arya saw this, because after only four minutes, Arya stepped back with a frown.

"You're distracted," the elf told Helena. Motioning to Helena's left hand, Arya asked, "Why are you clenching your hand? Have you lose a weapon you normally wield alongside your sword?"

"I'm trying not to use magic," Helena admitted. Arya tilted her head, and Helena explained, "It sits so ingrained in me to shield myself with magic when I see something coming towards me. Brom told me not to use magic when I'm duelling, however, as duels are for training my swordsmanship, not my magic."

Arya nodded slowly. "Brom was right to do that. But you have learned swordsmanship by now." The elf motioned to Helena's hand again, "Right now, I want to test your combat ability. While I will not tolerate that you use magic on me, that you use a shield of magic instead of metal I see no problem with. Furthermore, I can see how ingrained it is in you, because you're not focused on the duel. So, please, use your magic."

Helena smiled, relieved. Perhaps she now at least stood a chance. Not to beat Arya – Helena wasn't kidding herself – but at least to show her skills.

"Thank you."

The two got into their stances again, and this time, it was Arya who charged first. Right as Arya's blade was about to make contact, a translucent ruby barrier sprung into existence, blocking the attack. Arya's eyes widened and she jumped back. Helena kept the shield up a few moments longer than necessary, a smirk playing on her lips. As soon as it was down, though, Helena charged again.

This time, Helena easily slipped into the rhythm of the duel. While Arya most obviously had the upper hand, Helena's protego charm kept the elf on her toes. The elf did get a few good hits in, though not in any location that would be fatal under normal circumstances.

With that said, even with her shielding charm on her side, Helena wasn't at Eragon's level when it came to swordsmanship. She wasn't too far behind him, but even without magic on his side, Eragon was a true prodigy. That said a lot about him.

Helena lost all sense of time, though she became aware that a great amount must've passed when her arms started to tire and her muscles began to scream. She pushed the pain away, though (after having been under the Cruciatus, that wasn't hard); Helena took hit after hit, and attempted to exploit every opening she saw (being very much aware that Arya was creating them on purpose).

Sidestep, stab, dodge, protego, slash, jump back, slash.

Finally, after an eternity did Arya step back far enough for Helena to know the duel had ended. The elf lowered her sword, and with a pleased smile, told Helena, "You pass."

The crowd broke out in applause once again. Helena looked around in a slight stupor and caught Eragon's eyes. His jaw was slightly ajar and he had a look of something akin to awe in his eyes. Helena blinked when Nasuada walked over to her.

"You've been holding back," Nasuada mock-accused with a large smile.

"Nasuada," Helena greeted with surprise. "When did you arrive?"

"Not too long ago, though I caught the end of your duel," the daughter with Ajihad answered. Then the dark woman quirked an eyebrow. "Next time we duel, don't you dare to hold back."

Helena chuckled. "I assure you, I haven't held back on purpose. I've simply kept magic and duelling separated. It was Brom who beat it into me. Arya here pointed out, that by now, using a magic shield is acceptable."

"Very well." Nasuada patted Helena on the shoulder, "Magic or no, that was still impressive. But I really must be going; father has summoned me, but I couldn't help my curiosity when I saw the crowd gathered here."

"Of course. Give Ajihad my best."

Waving farewell to Nasuada, Helena turned back towards the chairs she had conjured. Carver, Orik, and the dragons were there, but Eragon and Arya were nowhere to be seen.

"Ye don't stop impressing, do ye, lass?" Orik chuckled as she approached them. "I have seen a fair bit of magic in me time in the Varden, but nothing like that."

"That was amazing," Carver agreed with the dwarf. Then he pouted, "I'm nothing like that."

Helena chuckled and ruffled Carver's hair. "You've only had four lessons, and I'm no duelling teacher. You'll get there."

"You're teaching the lad to fight with a sword?" Orik asked. Helena almost winced at the wording; while Helena knew that duelling wasn't merely a recreational pastime in Alagaësia, but the thought of Carver fighting for his life in a battle was downright nauseating.

"I am," Helena answered with a forced smile on her lips.

Orik raised one of his bushy eyebrows and looked at her page. "Well, perhaps I can make time and show ye a few dwarven tricks sometime."

Carver's eyes widened, and that large smile of his appeared. "Oh, please! Thank you sir dwarf!"

Despite the subject, seeing Carver excited always warmed Helena's heart. She turned to Orik.

"Where are Eragon and Arya?" Helena asked of the dwarf.

Orik shrugged. "They went o'er the hill there," he answered and pointed. "Looked to me like they had a few things to talk about."

Helena's face fell slightly, but she shook it off. Then she raised an eyebrow at Saphira, "You didn't go with?"

'Godric and I are going back to the Dragonhold,' the blue dragon answered, glancing at Godric. 'He just wanted to wait for you first.'

Helena looked back and forward between the dragons. Her eyebrows then rose high, and her mouth formed an 'o'.

'Helena, no,' Godric told her sternly.

Helena grinned wildly. "What? Don't worry about me. Go, have fun."

Godric groaned and shook his head. He glanced at her again. 'You did good, Dear One.'

Helena's face turned soft and she walked the last few steps over to him and kissed him on the snout. "Thank you, My Heart." And then privately she told him, 'Now, go get her.'

A rumbling sound came from Godric's chest and he bumped his head lightly against her shoulder before moving away from her. Together Saphira and Godric took off and flew towards the top of Tronjheim.

"Helena, do you need me anymore today?" Carver then asked her. She quirked a questioning eyebrow at him. "Some of the other kids wanted to eat with me. And then we were going to go play."

"Of course, go," Helena told him with a smile. "Just don't do anything you're not allowed to."

Carver nodded wildly before running away.

"Well, Orik, it seems like it's only you and me now," she told the dwarf. "Would you be willing to join me for an early dinner?"

The dwarf blinked. "Of coursed. I'd be much obliged."

They returned to Tronjheim together and one of the smaller dining halls, chatting about the various events that had happened since she and Eragon had arrived. Orik especially spent much time talking about Elva, which was the name of the child Eragon and Saphira had blessed. Apparently Elva and her caretaker had been moved to some of the finer chambers of the dwarven capital, and were treated something alike prophets. That troubled Helena, and she made a note to see the child in the next couple of days.

Orik looked up at Helena after having finished his meal. "I don't mean to insult you, Lady Potter, but why did ye invite me here?"

"Relax, Orik. And it's just Helena to you," Helena soothed his worries. She gave a small shrug, "Eragon has just told me about you, telling good things. I've wanted to speak more to you ever since. This seemed like as good a moment as any."

"Aye 'twas," Orik agreed, some tension leaving him. He smiled, "Ye probably already ken this, but ye made an impression on me people. Ye haven't moved any impressive borders, and there is still some who would rather see the Riders stay dead, but the large neutral factions look to you with some goodwill."

"Truly?" Helena asked surprised.

"Aye," Orik nodded. "Hrothgar took a risk inviting ye into the mountain, but ye've proven yer worth. Ye shake things up, but 'twas most likely a shakeup we needed."

"I must admit, your people have also grown on me," Helena admitted with a wry smile. "You say what you think and think what you say."

Orik nodded gravely. "'twill be good to have a friend as ye in the coming days." Then he looked at her with a twinkle in his eyes. "Hrothgar is also very pleased with the title you addressed him with. King Under the Mountain. 'Thas becoming rather common way to address him."

Helena gave a bark of a laugh. "Well, I'm glad. It just seemed fitting."

The two of them decided to end the dinner as what seemed like the bulk of the Varden began to arrive in the dining hall. As they rose, Helena got an idea, and asked Orik for directions to Murtagh's cell. The dwarf was surprised but not opposed to her helping her, and readily pointed the way.

"Argetlam," one of the guards jumped at attention and greeted her as she turned the corner.

"At ease, soldier," Helena smiled. "Has there been any trouble?"

"No, Argetlam," the other soldier answered. "The prisoner has been very agreeable. Lady Nasuada has been by twice as well, and nothing happened."

"Nasuada?" Helena asked surprised.

"Yes, Argetlam."

"Hmm," Helena mused. "I take it, then, that it won't be a problem if I want to see the prisoner?"

"Of course, Argetlam," the first soldier nodded, bringing out a set of keys. "Just knock when you want to get out."

Murtagh's cell was behind a set of thick cedar doors. Entering the, the doors closing and locking behind her, Helena gained a new level of respect for Ajihad. Helena had known that the leader of the Varden would treat Murtagh well, but this was a good way past 'well'.

The cell was only a cell in the most base sense of the word; it was a confining room one couldn't leave. The room, though, was more alike to a noble's chambers, with a thick carpet, a solid bed, and a desk with writing utensils, blank documents, and several tomes and scrolls to read.

Helena almost smirked. Ajihad was shrewd; he knew Murtagh was important to Eragon, so he treated Murtagh well, but Murtagh was also the son of Morzan, and as such there were some in the Varden who would rather see him humiliated or dead. Once again, Ajihad had found a compromise to satisfy all parties involved.

The person in question was currently sat in the bed. Murtagh wasn't quite clothed as well as the room, but it was far from rags he was donned. He looked up at her confused.

By way of introducing herself, she flashed her gedwëy insignia. "I don't know if you remember me from the other day, but I'm-"

"Helena," Murtagh finished. He sat up straighter and put the scroll on his lap. "And you, of course, know who I am."

Helena chuckled and sat down by the writing desk. "Indeed."

She didn't talk after that for almost a full minute, instead staring at him. With the way an annoyed scowl made itself known on his face, it was clear he still had a fight in him. Eragon had told good things about him, but also told that he had a certain disregard for others.

"If the Varden has put you up to something, you can just as well forget it," Murtagh finally spat at her. "And if you're just curious about seeing the traitor's son up close, you are more than welcome to shove that ass of yours out of the door again."

Helena blinked then broke out in laughter. That clearly hadn't been the reaction Murtagh had been aiming for, because he startled.

"You truly are a world's difference from Eragon," Helena told Murtagh once she got herself under control. "Peace, I don't want to trouble you. I don't care about who your parents are. Your actions are what is important, and Eragon trusts you, so I'm more than willing to give you a chance."

Murtagh looked perplexed at her. "What do you want then?"

"Want?" Helena asked. Murtagh nodded sharply. Helena's face softened. "I can understand why you would think like that, having grown up in the capital under the watchful eye of the Oathbreaker." Helena paused, very aware of Murtagh's intense stare resting on her. "I can't say I've been in the same situation, but I, too, have experienced a climate of mistrust. That's why I also denied the Twins access to my mind." She tilted her head slightly. "The only difference between us is that I had powers to fight back, whereas you had none but your sword arm and shrewd mind."

Murtagh frowned and looked away. "I didn't even want to go to the Varden."

"I know," Helena told him gravely. "I wish to help you. Eragon believes you to be a good person. Personally, I'm inclined to believe that; despite being more trusting than a puppy at times, he does have a good sense of a person." Murtagh chuckled at that, and Helena shot him a wry smile. "He also spent over a month with you, and he has told that he has seen some of the ugly sides of you as well. And, no, that doesn't make you less good, just more human." Helena paused. "On a more tactical note; according to Eragon, you are one hell of a swordsman. You can help. And even if you are not interested in helping, then it's just a waste of resources to have you imprisoned here; there are many others who could eat the food you are getting, and the soldiers posted outside of your door can be of far more use elsewhere."

The dark-haired boy nodded slowly. "Alright. Say I believe you; what do you plan on? I doubt the Varden would appreciate you breaking me out of here."

Helena snorted at that. Instead of answering his question right away, though, she asked Murtagh, "How much has Eragon told you about me?"

Murtagh shrugged. "Some. Not a lot. He was angry for a long time, then something happened, and he seemed to calm down. He began to talk about your travels from Teirm. He mentioned you weren't from Alagaësia."

"Well, he is correct, I'm not from here. I'm from a world called Earth," Helena explained.

"A world?"

Helena shook her head. "That's a tale for another time. Sufficient to say, is that we have another kind of magic on Earth. We have mind reading as well – we call it legilimency – though it is an extremely crude instrument in comparison to what exists here in Alagaësia. We rarely use it, instead relying on truth serums."

A light appeared in Murtagh's eyes. He understood. "You wish to give me such a truth serum?"

"I do," Helena confirmed. "I have a small vial of the most powerful truth serum my kind has invented: veritaserum. Mind you, just like with mind reading, it isn't perfect. It forces the one who ingests it to be sincere – but sincerity and truth are not the same things."

"So, it will force me to answer what I believe to be the truth?" Murtagh asked with a frown.

"It will," Helena nodded. "What I'm suggesting, is that we agree on a series of question that you're comfortable asking. You would then ingest the veritaserum in front of those who need to hear the questions, and either Eragon or I will ask the questions, and you will answer. No matter what, I will be there, and I will make sure nobody asks any questions that haven't been agreed upon."

Murtagh didn't answer right away. He looked deeply thoughtful. Then he looked up at Helena, "Would you give me some time to consider it?"

"Of course," Helena inclined her head. "Keep in mind, though, that Eragon and I will need to go the elves eventually, and I don't know how long we will be gone. And I will not leave any kind of truth serum in the hands of the Varden, not with people like the twins around."

"Understandable," Murtagh chuckled. He nodded slowly to himself and looked up at Helena. "Thank you."

Helena nodded and stood up. Walking over to the door, she rapped on it thrice. Then she turned to Murtagh, "Oh, and if you wouldn't mind, don't tell Eragon about my offer." That caused the dark-haired boy to quirk an eyebrow, and Helena rolled her eyes. "I just don't fancy Eragon pestering the both of us until you agree to it. It would be too bothersome."

For the first time since Helena had arrived, Murtagh let out a bark of laughter. "He would do that. Of course, I won't mention your offer."

~ BWaC ~

Author's Notes: I'm not exactly sure if I'm too happy about the way I wrote Arya. Overall I liked the chapter, but Arya is hard to write. I think I need some practice writing elves, because I truly do try to make them seem alien, and not just humans with pointy ears.

I have gotten more than a few reviews asking why not more has changed. I have explained some in earlier chapters, but I'll try to do that in more depth now: this story will last over all four books, and has been planned as such. Things will change a lot while still ending with a battle against Galbatorix, but here in Book One, it's mostly hints and setups that appear. In Book Two we will begin to get answers, where in Book Three we will especially begin to see the changes making waves.

A few more days might pass before the next chapter comes up. I am visiting family, and think it's fair enough I take a few days off from writing. I hope you will be understanding.

Next up: The Ball!

Synthesis