Ellesméra
From The Inheritance Encyclopedia
 | |
| About The City | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Ellesméra |
| Location | Du Weldenvarden |
| Major Race Population: | Elves |
| Ruler | Queen Islanzadí |
Ellesméra is the elvish capital.
| Warning: This page or section is a spoiler. Information following this warning has been revealed about upcoming Inheritance information. |
Contents |
Description
"The ground was strewn with dense patches of flowers. From pink roses to bluebells and lilies, spring’s fleeting treasure was heaped about like piles of rubies, sapphires, and opals…one tree bulged at the base to form a two-story house before sinking its roots into the loam. Both stories were hexagonal, although the upper level was half as small as the forest, which gave the house a tiered appearance. The roofs and walls were made of webbed sheets of wood draped over six thick ridges. Moss and yellow lichen bearded the eaves and hung over jeweled windows set into each side. The front door was a mysterious black silhouette recessed under an archway wrought with symbols…Each unique building enhanced and complemented its surroundings, blending seamlessly with the rest of the forest until it was impossible to tell where artifice ended and nature resumed. The two were in perfect balance. Instead of mastering their environment, the elves had chosen to accept the world as it was and adapt themselves to it.” (Eldest, pgs. 221-222)
Information
Ellesméra is the capital of the elven realm, located in the immense forest of Du Weldenvarden. It is a major city of the elves, of which the ruler is Queen Islanzadi. Gilderien the Wise is an elf who guards the city. There is no specific information about him, other that he is the Prince of House Miolandra and the wielder of the White Flame of Vandil. He has been the guardian of Ellesméra since the days of the Dragon War, and none can enter Ellesméra unless he allows it.
The Agaeti Blodhren, a major celebration honoring the alliance between the elves and the dragons, is also celebrated at Ellesméra. The city is the host of the major celebration of the holiday, although other cities may have smaller celebrations for it as well.
Role in the Books
Eragon
There is no role of Ellesméra in Book One; it is only mentioned.
Eldest
In Eldest, Eragon and Saphira travel to Ellesméra to complete their training as Dragon Riders. There, they meet Oromis and Glaedr, legendary Dragon Riders of the old days. It is also here that Eragon and Saphira discover that Arya is a princess, after Islanzadi reveals it to them. Eragon and Saphira undergo much training and learn many new skills, as well as mastering some old ones.
It is at Ellesméra that the Agaeti Blödhren Celebration is held, and Eragon and Saphira are part of it. As Dragon Riders, they both must contribute something to the elves. Eragon creates a long poem about his adventures, which the elves treasure as a piece of literature, and Saphira creates a rock with twisted designs. It was made by Saphira licking the molten rock. During the Agaeti Blodhren, there is also a part where two twin elves, with an interlocking tattoo of a dragon on them, come out and dance as a special ritual. During this ritual, the dragon tattoo, which was actually a spirit, detached itself from the twins and came to Eragon. A spark jumped between them and Eragon fell unconscious. When he regained his senses, he discovered that the dragon spirit had transformed him into a true Dragon Rider. All the physical and mental features that would have taken many years for a Dragon Rider to obtain were given to him by the spirit. Also, the scar on his back, a token from his fight with Durza, was removed, so Eragon's back would never trouble him again.
Eragon leaves Ellesméra after he scrys on Arya and discovers that there is a large force of soldiers of the Empire going to Surda to attack the Varden. After hearing this news, Eragon goes to Oromis and Islanzadí to inform them of his departure. They give him some gifts, some including the Belt of Beloth the Wise and an elven bow, and bid him good luck and farewell. Eragon them goes to gather Orik, whom he asked to come, and who willingly agreed. Thus, with Saphira and Orik, Eragon departs the great elven capital city.
