-I don't own Eragon, however Miranda is MY character ^_^-
The sun shone brightly in the capital city, Uru'baen. Behind the tall dominating walls of the place lived many. Mostly servants, two dragons, an unhatched emerald egg, a rider and a rider king, Galbatorix. He spent most of his time in his map room planning ways of disposing of the Varden and schemes to bring the final rider to him. The king had recently won a major advantage over the Varden, a new rider by the name of Murtagh and his crimson dragon, Thorn. Galbatorix was very careful about the few servants that he'd trusted enough to work in his palace, he roughly had only one hundred or so. Each of which were frequently checked for signs of betrayal and had all sworn loyalty to him, in a strange tongue they did not understand. One of these servants was a young maid by the name of Miranda. She was Murtaghs personal maid and his responsibility to keep under control. Miranda had grown fond of him as he treated her kindly and had began to share his worries with her. He had began to like her as well. On this day Miranda's whole life was to be changed into one of death and fear.
It was early in the morning when she entered Murtaghs bedchamber to tidy up. He was a very early riser so she was unafraid of waking him. She changed his sheets, ran him a warm bath and set out a clean set of clothes for the day. Disappearing through the door Murtagh climbed into his steaming bath. Once he was clean, he clambered out and changed into the clothes she left him. Murtagh had just finished buttoning up his shirt when Miranda appeared in the door way with a tray of food for him. He sat at the desk in his room while she served his meal. While he ate she busied herself by dusting around his room as she usually did. As Murtagh ate he watched her work and studied her. Her long raven hair was tied back into a pony tail, her face was a delicate peach colour with no blemishes, her eyes were a clear apple green. Miranda, he observed had a slim physique and was 5Ft 6 give or take. She wore very basic clothing compared to his fine clothes. She had a creme cotton blouse with flaired sleeves, a tan leather vest, a long brown skirt and tan leather slippers. He thought her beautiful but never said a word as he didn't want Galbatorix having even more leverage over him. Murtagh thought of the evenings he had spent with her answering her questions and telling her things about being a dragon rider, as she seemed to be fascinated with the subject.
Murtagh rose from his seat and walked over to her. She turned around to face him, he had a small smile on his face which tainted her cheeks with a faint pink glow. Miranda noticed that he had not finished his breakfast. She jumped slightly when he grasped her hand gently.
"Follow me" He said in a low quiet tone. Releasing her from his grip Murtagh walked out of the door. Miranda was just about to clear up his plates when she heard him in her mind. Leave it! Jumping again at the invasion of her mind, Miranda followed Murtagh. They went through many corridors, halls and secret chambers. When the finally reached a set of coiled stairs Murtagh stopped. You must never tell anyone that I have taken you here, ok? His words echoed in her mind. With a nod they carried on up the stair well. After over half an hour of climbing in silence they came to the top of the tower and an old heavy oak door. There was no handle or conventional way to open the door. Murtagh whispered something Miranda didn't quite hear. The door slowly opened to reveal a dark room. Murtagh ushered her inside and the door closed behind them. The two where surrounded by pitch black. Looking around Miranda saw that there were no windows explaining the compete darkness. This time when Murtagh spoke Miranda heard him clearly.
"Brisingr" Suddenly the room was filled with candle light. Miranda's eyes were instantly fixated on a pedestal in the middle of the chamber. It was made of sandstone and roughly 4ft in height. On the top of the pedestal was a white satin pillow, on top of which was perched a large shining emerald stone. Miranda turned to face Murtagh who was leaning on the wall, he nodded. A smile upon her face she approached the elliptical stone. It was perfectly smooth. Her delicate hand raised slowly, then gravitated towards the stone. She couldn't quite explain it, but the stone was warm! Confused she looked over at Murtagh who was smiling at her. Then her mind clicked. This was the last dragon egg! Amazment filled her eyes as she gazed at it again. Her soft hands stroked the shining exterior. Suddenly, to the surprise of both in the room the egg, shivered. Miranda stepped back in surprised while Murtagh stepped forward. Grasping her arm he brought her hand back over to the egg. On the second touch the egg shivered again.
Miranda pulled her hand away from Murtagh's strong grasp. He turned sharply to her. Both sorrow and happiness riddled his face. In one instance if Galbatorix found out she would be enslaved, on the other hand this meant that she would be a dragon rider! She would live just as long as he would. On Murtagh's command the door swung open, he darkened the room once again and dragged Miranda out of the chamber. Throwing her against the corridor wall Murtagh pinned her.
"You can't tell anyone! Do you under stand me?!" Miranda nodded quickly. His features softened as he released her. "I'm sorry. Look carry on as normal and stay away from the map room. I don't want Galbatorix finding out." Miranda agreed. They walked down the stair ways, through the chambers, halls and corridors until they reached Murtaghs bedchamber. Miranda entered, collecting the dirty plates from breakfast. Murtagh departed and swiftly disappeared down the hallway. Other than the surprising start, Miranda's day was quiet and normal. She hand washed Murtaghs dirty sheets and clothes, washed up the plates and cooked Murtaghs dinner. According to the kitchen staff, the palaces gossips, Murtagh had been sent to the Varden's strong hold along with a battalion of Galbatorix's new painless soldiers. He was sent to collect the dragon rider, Eragon. However, Murtagh had arrived back at the palace an hour ago empty handed. At this very moment both he and Thorn were still being subjected to Galbatorix's displeasure. Once the food was ready Maranda placed it on a tray and set of for his room, this was where Murtagh preferred to take his meals and where he spent most of his time, when he wasn't doing Galbatorix's bidding.
Tapping gently at the door with her slipper as both her hands were full she waited for Murtagh to open the door. When he didn't she set his meal down on a near by table and entered to room. Looking around she finnally spotted Murtagh curled up in a corner behind a large wardrobe. Miranda rushed over to him, he was bleeding and bruised.
"Why haven't you healed you're self?!" She asked in a angry and worried tone. Hurrying over to a set of draws Miranda pulled out a shiny clear bottle. When she finally got him to his feet Miranda administered the ointment to all his wounds. There was a searing sound as the wounds healed quicker than they would have naturally. Once he was mended Miranda went out into the hallway to fetch the food she had left. When she had placed the food on the desk Murtagh was mended and sat waiting for his meal. He began to eat and then signaled for her to shut the door. Miranda complied. As soon as Murtagh had eaten his fill he stood and sat on his bed. He stared at Miranda until she walked over and sat next to him. He looked at her sternly. His left hand raised and was placed on her head while his right hand grasped her left. His eyes closed. Miranda sat bewildered until a wave of knowledge burst forth and over came her mind. Miranda's eyes bulged at the sudden knowledge that she had just received.
"You will need to know as much as you can if you want to become a free dragon rider." These were the last words Miranda heard before Murtagh's face disappeared into darkness. When Miranda finally awoke she was wearing a thick dark blue woolen cloak and was riding upon a fast midnight stallion. When she stirred Murtagh turned to see she was alright. Grasping his waist tightly Miranda watched as the blurred tree's whizzed past her. She then noticed that there were two heavy looking saddle bags on baring food, water and other essentials, the other contained the emerald dragon egg. Miranda looked over at Murtagh as the stallion slowed to a halt. He dismounted, gave Miranda the reigns and kissed her cheek, just before he released her he whispered into her ear and then pulled away.
"You don't need to worry. I've have put and enchantment on the horse, it will take you straight to the Varden and you will not be confronted by soldiers." Miranda was still blushing from his kiss. She touched her cheek where he had kissed her. It was still warm. Murtagh slapped the horses rear and the creature bolted. Miranda scrambled for the reigns and looked back at Murtaghs dwindiling figure.
On the second day of riding Miranda had stopped to rest in a small clearing. She had been examining at the emerald egg when it began to make scratching noises from the inside. Placing it gently on the floor she watched as a small emerald creature began to escape the shining shell that it had been dormant inside. Once it had fully emerged from the egg Miranda reached out slowly as you would a stray dog to show you ment no harm. Her hand hovered infront of its snout as it sniffed her hand. Once it seemed satisfied she stroked its glistening back. Then a searing pain coursed through her hand ans by instinct she recoiled. Looking down at her hand a burning silver mark now scarred her skin. Once the pain subsided Miranda was reluctant to make contact with the small dragon again. However the dragon had different ideas, leaping onto her lap, curled up and fell asleep. Miranda smiled brightly gently stroking the small creature. Murtagh had given Miranda the knowledge that her dragon was male, she stayed awake for awhile considering a name for her new dragon. Eventually deciding on the name, Iraneth.
Miranda had now been riding for a week and was beginning to wonder if they were going the right way. However she had not run into any soldiers on her travels so Miranda trusted Murtagh's enchantment. On the dawn on the eighth day Miranda awoke with the sun. The stallion, who she had named Midnight, was grazing on a nearby patch of grass. They were on the outskirts of Surda at the wedge of a thick forest near a large lake and Miranda could see a large encampment. Miranda knew it was the Varden as she had seen scouts of humans, dwarves and even urgals! Both Miranda and Midnight were weary from travel. Iraneth was playfully chasing a butterfly that was flying past. Miranda smiled, he looked so cute. Raising her hand she studied the shinning scar that she gained when Iraneth and Miranda became truly dragon and rider. Deciding they had rested long enough Miranda stood and placed the saddle back onto Midnight. Stretching out her arm Iraneth leapt up, scrambled onto her shoulder and hid under her cloak. Miranda wrapped her hand with a bandage to cover the gedway insignia and mounted Midnight. She took a deep breath then signaled to Midnight to move.
The first person to see Miranda's advance was a scout at the edge of the camp. He sent word to Nasuada that someone was approaching. Just outside the camp he ordered her to stop. Miranda complied. He approached her carefully with his sword bare. When asked for her business the only reply was that she was to see the leader and the rider. She dismounted and was checked for weapons, to the surprise of the scout she had none. He escorted her to the red tent that was at the far end of the camp. Throughout this the hood on her cloak had stayed up and Iraneth's presence was hidden. Then a large dark shadow over came the camp, Miranda looked up to see the underbelly of a huge glittering cobalt blue dragon flying past. Soon everyone beneath was buffeted by the large amount of wind that her enormous wings created. When they finally reached the large red pavilion they were stopped two armed dwarfs. Miranda was announced and was then allowed to enter.
Nasuada had been conversing with Saphira about matters of great secrecy when a a girl by the name of Miranda was announced. Both were surprised as Nasuada had given strict orders not to allow anyone in unless it was an emergency. The girl stood in the middle of the ruby coloured tent, silent. She still had her hood up so neither Saphira nor Nasuada got a good look at her face. The clicking of impatient finger nails tapping on the arms of her large wooden chair could be heard throughout the pavilion. Saphira was the one who broke the silence.
Child. what is of such great importance that you must interrupt our council? Her large gentle clear blue eyes directed straight at Miranda, encouraging her to speak. However she was nervous. The only dragon she had ever been around was Thorn, he was almost as large as Saphira but he was so behind on her maturity after all he was still mentally a hatchling barely a few months older than Iraneth. Miranda had no idea where to begin. she was deciding the best approach when Iraneth wriggled around under her cloak, he had been asleep curled around her shoulders but had become uncomfortable. Nasuada and Saphira saw the movement. They seemed bewildered until Sahira's head came close to Miranda, her long neck extended she took a deep breath and blew away her cloak revealing both Miranda's face and Iraneth. Disturbed by the sudden increase in light Iraneth looked up at the two females before him. He yawned and then went back to sleep. Nasuada stood up suddenly knocking over chair. The loud noise alerted the nighthawks and they came storming inside. Then everyone was still. The knighthawks dropped their weapons in surprise, the loud clatter made Miranda jump which intern woke Iraneth again. He stretched his small membrane wings and looked up at Saphira. The two dragons stared at each other in silence. Nasuada then took charge. She made her nighthawks swear to keep Miranda and Iraneth a secret then ordered them back to their posts. Directing her gaze back at Miranda Nasuada approached the girl.
"Miranda, was it? Is this truly what it appears. Have we been blessed with a second dragon rider? Please what is the name of your Dragon?" Nasuada seemed to be beside herself with joy.
"He is called Iraneth, however he only hatched a few days ago so I am unsure as to whether he can communicate with us"
Of course I can comunicate with you! said a distinctly male voice in Miranda's mind. She was beginning to tire of the constant invasions.
Then why didn't you? Miranda retorted mentally.
I have only recently grasped your language, also as you said i only hatched recently so i had to get my barrings.The young dragon looked over at Miranda and smiled he then returned his gaze to Saphira. It then occurred to Miranda that they were probably having a conversation, she also noticed that Nasuada was still eyeing her intently whilst sat in her large chair. She assumed that as leader on the Varden Nasuada was probably thinking of a way to use such an inexperienced rider. Miranda's assumption was correct.
Although another rider was astounding news one with such little experience would be of little use, also their was something else nagging away at Nasuada's mind, how had this unarmed young girl reached the Varden without injury, infact how had she even found the Varden at all. Nasuada became extremely suspicious of Miranda. Looking over at Saphira Nasuada decided in this matter Eragon would have been best suited but as he was with the dwaves she had decided that it was more than likely that Saphira could do just as well. Nasuada mentally asked if Saphira was willing to go through Miranda's mind to find out the truth. Saphira agreed.
"Miranda, would you be willing to allow Saphira access to your mind?" Miranda knew that this would happen eventually. Nodding to the request Miranda stood still and closed her eyes.
Saphira, I will allow you full accesss to everything in my mind but there are some things that you must keep to yourself.Miranda thought back to when Murtagh kissed her. What he had whispered into her ear.
"Only Eragon and Saphira will understand my situation, knowone else must know I sent you."
Saphira's mind over came that of Miranda and Iraneth. Gently Saphira searched through Miranda's mind, she remembered the twins' search, steadily she sifted through her rabble of thought and emotions until she came to her memories. Wanting to know more about Miranda lead Saphira to carry on into her memories. There were average memories, that of her parents and younger brother.
-The had lived in a small village near the capital, in a cottage near a creak, her father was a blacksmith and had spent many hours teaching his children how to make and handle a weapon as he planned for his son to take over the family trade with the help of his sister. They had lived reasonably peacefully with the empire sending taxes and tributes nothing to extreme, until a few months ago. When Galbatorix had found out about Eragons existence he was livid. He directed his rage at their small village. He sent for all the villagers to be rounded up and sent to his palace. Once they were there Galbatorix killed off a huge amount of them including her parents and brother. Miranda had only survived because when Galbatorix came to slaughter her he seemed to take his worst punishment upon her. She would work in the palace that had seen all the blood of her family spilt. He made her swear loyalty to him in the ancient language and then made her clean the mess. When this happened Miranda was a loud talkative child full of life after this however she became quiet and meek. Fortunately due to her drastic change in her personality that her true name changed also now that she was so quiet and submissive Galatorixhadn't noticed. The months passed with little events defining the days nothing of real interest happened until boy was brought to Galbatorix, Murtagh. Soon after Miranda became his personal maid as she seemed to be able to do things the way he liked them to be done. This brought Saphira to the events of the past week up until then.-
Opening her eyes Miranda found them to be full of tears Saphira's sweep had brought up painful memories and took her a moment to calm down. Saphira spoke to Nasuada privately about what she had seen, due to Nasuada's reaction Miranda guessed that Saphira had kept Murtaghs role out of her report. Nasuada then informed Miranda and Iraneth that they would accompany Saphira to the crowing of the new dwraven leader to meet up with Eragon. Once everyone was dismissed Miranda and Iraneth were asked to stay a little while longer.
"You must not reveal anything to anyone until I decide the best time to reveal you two. Until that time i ask that you stay confined to your tent Iraneth, Miranda I wish for you to train with the other soldiers in the styles of combat. I will talk with the elves and see what they think of our predicament as see if one of them will tutor you in their customs and language. For the moment I wish for you to stay in a tent on the outskirts of the camp near to the forest so that the two of you can slip away at night and train together in the woods. However on your return you must check in with me, understood?" Miranda agreed and left the tent. Nasuada had sent one of the soldiers to take her to the tent she had been allocated and was then left with Iraneth.
Dawn came quickly to the camp. Miranda was used to earl rising though so was ready before the cockerel crowed. Iraneth had slipped away while it was still dark so that he could do some hunting in the forest. Miranda ate her breakfast quickly and was ready to train. She had become very enthusiastic about it as she had some skill and also wanted to be the best rider she could. The trainer was impressed with the newcomer but she still had much to learn. Many hours were spent sparring with the other soldiers she lost a couple of fights with the more experienced warriors but managed to over come the majority of novices she faced. They took a break at noon which Miranda used to return to her tent when she got their she flopped onto her cot. Iraneth had not yet returned she could feel his presence in her mind, he was eating a rabbit that he had just caught it seemed he had been training too as his wing muscles ached from his attempts at early flyt. She looked back at the past events of the week and remembered a word that Murtagh had used to bring light to a darkened room. Sitting up straight on her bed she held out one hands. Whispering she spoke the word brisingr. A bright lilac flame erupted in the plam of her hand, wonder riddled her face as she watched the flames dance. Suddenly one of the soldiers entered her tent to tell her they were starting training again, she quickly closed her hand extingishing the flames but her lack on expeirience in such matters got the worst of her. All the energy she had in her limbs seemed to evaporate and everything burned dark.