Once More, For the Last Time

Summary:
Everything seems to be going great in the new land. Eragon and Saphira are peaceful, well, as peaceful as one can be when they are separated from the one's they love by an ocean. So, of course, Eragon decides to tempt fate and return back Alagaësia. And, of course, something goes wrong and Eragon and Saphira, along with insane, flesh-eating … things … are trapped on an island that seemed to appear from nowhere. And, just to add insult to injury, magic doesn't work. Oh yeah, did I mention that the island seems to be alive? Anyway, with no way off and no way to contact the outside world, Eragon and Saphira's sanity, souls, and, most importantly, their lives are now at risk.
But back in Alagaësia, things that have been kept secret for an age are now coming to light. It is the duty of Arya, Nasuada, Fírnen, Roran, Orik, and Thorn to protect their home at all costs. It is the final chapter in their story, the final part they play in the grand plan. And they will need all the help they can get if they want to save their world. Again.

Prologue: Thoughts and an Untimely Meeting

It was interesting, thought a certain elf-human hybrid.
By that he meant life and the fact that it seemed to hate on him at every possible moment. To begin with, he was given Saphira's egg, which led to her hatching, his uncle's death, and the uprooting of his entire life. Then he was given an impossible task of taking down Galbatorix. And, after several battles, he found that there was another Dragon Rider in the world. And then he died, leaving Eragon to fight the war alone. And then he finds out that there is a stash of dragon eggs and Eldunarí hidden away, leaving feeling not so alone. And then, he accomplishes the impossible and destroys Galbatorix. Well, actually, Galbatorix destroyed himself, but no one would take that thought seriously. And finally, when all seemed peaceful at last, he realized that he would have to leave his homeland and go off into the unknown, leaving the love of his life for good.
Worse things have happened, but what they were, he had no idea.
A sudden gust of wind, followed closely by the shaking of the ground, as his dragon, the ever intimidating Saphira, landed behind him.
Thinking of home again, little one?
Eragon sighed and opened his eyes, replying, Not just home.
Saphira sent a mental smile and said, Arya, I assume.
 He nodded and got up from where he had been sitting, cross-legged, eyes closed, in a meditative trance. I miss her. And Fírnen. And Roran. And Nasuada and Katrina and Orik, even Murtagh and Thorn. I hope they are well and safe.
Do not worry about them, little one. They can take care of themselves. While her tone was even and sure, there was an underlying touch of worry and sorrow. So, Saphira wasn't the only one who was feeling homesick.
Eragon smiled wearily.
It had been a long ten years.

Arya felt like she was flying.
Well, technically she was, as she was currently plummeting several thousand feet through the air and speeding quickly to the very hard and unforgiving ground. But still, falling to one's death has a certain effect on one's personality.
And as if to take the fun away, her world was wrenched around and spun upside down, as the great green dragon, Fírnen caught her in his talons. She frowned and mentally said, I could have fallen a little longer.
 The green dragon's chest vibrated and slight rumbling sound permeated the air. Just because you are the queen of the elves does not mean that you can fall to your death. You may be the enforcer of your people's laws, but under mine, you do not die.
While his tone was humorous, Arya could detect a shadow of seriousness.
Well then, O Great King of the Winds…
Hmmm, I like the sound of that, interrupted Fírnen.
Arya sent a wave of irritation at him and continued, O Great King of the Winds, I shall never forgive myself if I was to fall to my death under your watch. Whatever would you do without me?
Mourn, cry, and probably try to kill anyone who disturbs me.
Fair enough. Is there any reason you had to stop my fun?
A man. He has, ah, requested to see you in person.
And what is different about this man?
He took out your entire guard, and invaded my mind without so much as a … well, I don't know, but if I were you I would talk to him.
To say in the least, Arya was shocked. The elves that guarded her were some of the best warriors in her kingdom. For one man to be able to take them out as easily as Fírnen described was … unnerving wasn't even coming close.
Slowly, she put on her queen face and told Fírnen in a no-nonsense tone, Set me down. I will deal with this man.
Fírnen knew the raven-haired elf well enough to do what she asked and to do it quickly when she was like this. He flew low and hovered over the clearing in front of her tree house. She dropped out of his talons and landed lightly, on both feet.
Fírnen snorted once, releasing a jet of green flame and said, Be careful, and flew off to his landing clearing.
Once he was gone, Arya reached for her sword and drew it from its sheath. She moved forwards toward the house and looked through the opened windows. Seeing nothing, but the unmoving forms of her guards, she entered, slowly and quietly, her booted feet making no sound.
"You know, it is really very rude to attack someone without hearing them out," a voice said from behind her.
Arya whirled, her blade flashing through the air. And cut through nothing but air.
"Really, I got into the elf city of Ellesméra undetected, took out your entire guard, and broke through your dragon's mind. Do you really think that you can take me alone?" the man said.
Before she could whirl around to face and attack him, she felt the cold metal of a blade resting on her throat.
"If you move so much as an inch, this blade will cut through your skin and imbed itself into spine. So take my advice: sit down, listen, and dropped the sword."
Arya complied, and the man moved in front of her, still holding the blade to her throat.
Arya's heart suddenly moved to her throat.
"Hello, beautiful. It's been a while."