Preface
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to Christopher Paolini.
Note: Arya's dragon is emerald, the other dragon egg is a darker green, yes I know there are only three eggs that they know about – not four – but it was the only way this story could work. Also, the scene where Eragon finds out about Firnen and they tell each other their true names has already happened. This is happening after Firnen hatches for Arya, but before they defeat Galbatorix.
This is my first fanfic so go easy on me and please let me know what you think by reviewing.
Also, in the books, there is no Kiana - I just made her up for the story to work. I will try to keep things the same as in the book as much as possible but I will make some changes in places.
Later chapters may contain some LEMONS, or lemonade type content, I will put in warnings before hand so if you don't want to read you don't have to.
Previously in the story:
This is what has happened so far (stuff in bold is where I've changed things):
- The death of Brom, appearance of Murtagh
- Eragon's capture at Gil'ead
- Eragon rescued by Murtagh, Saphira – also rescue Arya
- Urgals attack Farthen Dur
- Ajihad dies (Murtagh captured), Nasuada succeeds him
- Eragon, Saphira, Arya and Orik head to Ellesméra
- Carvahall is besieged by the Empire
- Eragon, Saphira, Arya, Orik arrive, meet Queen Izlanzadi
- Roran leads most of Carvahall's villagers in an exodus to Surda
- The Second Battle of The Burning Plains takes place.
- Eragon goes to Ellesméra to search under the Menoa tree for a weapon, ends up finding the rare metal and leaves Ellesméra with his sword
- Queen Izlanzadi's forces attack Ceunon
- Eragon, Saphira and Roran rescue Katrina from Helgrind
- Orik becomes King of the dwarves
- Queen Izlanzadi's forces attack Gil'ead, Oromis and Glaedr killed, some elves remain in city to keep control, others return to Ellesméra to mourn/regroup.
- Siege of Feinster, Arya kills a shade, Varaug
- Arya returns to Ellesméra to join in mourning of O&G, gets Fírnen's egg (hatches)
- Eragon stays behind so as not to leave the Varden virtually defenceless
- On her return meets Eragon and Saphira in a forest clearing and true names are exchanged.
Kiana's POV
The arrow whizzed over my head and hit the stone wall behind me. It had missed by mere millimetres! More arrows followed and I didn't hesitate – I ran down a flight of stairs, the bundle in my arms clutched tightly to my chest.
When I reached the bottom, I ran down the corridor. Behind me I heard guards come pouring out of the throne room and down the stairs after me. I kept running, past other corridors branching off my own. I ignored them; I had already scouted a hiding place. The footsteps behind were growing closer. I picked up my pace, but it was futile – I was still too far from my hiding spot. I was going to have to think of a different plan. As I ran I scanned the hall ahead for somewhere to hide. I came up empty. At the next interchange I changed course, heading for what I thought was the side entrance, unfortunately I hadn't been keeping up with how many other corridors I had passed, and I might actually be headed down to the dungeons or somewhere equally horrifying.
The footsteps were loud behind me and without a second thought I bolted down the left one. Round bends, past servants and guards alike, stopped in surprise at the sight of me barrelling towards them, I ran. As I ran I couldn't resist looking over my shoulder. I could see the guards chasing me down the end of the corridor and the guards I'd passed seemed to realise they should be trying to stop me and started towards me too. The servants quickly ducked out of the way and tried to make themselves as small as possible.
Turning back around, my foot snagged on something and I stumbled, but managed to keep my feet. I had tripped on a suit of armour which was now crashing to the ground in pieces and making a racket so loud I feared it would wake all the guards in the palace. I kept running.
After what seemed like forever, when my breaths were coming in short gasps and I had a searing pain in my side, I came to the end of the corridor. Out the door I ran, into a stone courtyard. I realised with relief that I had indeed come down the right corridor. Without slowing I crossed the courtyard and slipped inside the stables. I barricaded the door quickly with a chair then went into the third stall on the right, where the horse inside, as planned, was saddled and packed with supplies, was waiting. There was no sign of the head stable man. I wasn't surprised; he was already putting himself in terrible danger just by helping me get away, without sticking around to watch.
I grabbed the reigns and led the horse to the other door. Already I could hear fists pounding and men yelling, outside the door. With a shove I got the doors open and jumped onto the horse then rode out, fast. The guards approaching scattered at the sight of the horse charging directly at them. I took advantage of their confusion and headed for the gate set as the rendezvous.
I approached the gate with apprehension. So much depended on him. If he had failed or betrayed me to the Empire then I was as good as dead. Oh, well. It was too late now, I had come too far.
I stopped at the gate and looked around. I couldn't see him anywhere. But, I reasoned with myself, I also couldn't see the guards on watch.
Where was he? I thought frantically. Without him I had no hope of getting through the gate. 'Murtagh?' I whispered.
'Here,' said a voice from behind me. I jumped and started to panic. Relief flooded through me when I recognized it was him. He had been waiting behind a bush and now came forward and began to unlock the gates.
'Why are you helping me?' I asked. I didn't expect an answer, as I'd asked him before and he always stayed silent, but I couldn't contain my curiosity. Until he'd appeared I hadn't known whether to even believe him when he'd said he could help me steal the egg and avenge my family.
He looked up into my eyes and to my great surprise he answered.
'Because Thorn and I don't want to be here. Galbatorix knows our true names and we have sworn more oaths than I can count. Every time we find a loop hole we are beaten and forced to swear even more. Because helping you is one such loop whole. I could not myself steal the egg from him as I am oath bound; however he has never made me swear not to aid a fleeing servant in the middle of the night,' he said. 'And because the only hope Thorn and I have, is to change our true names,' he continued. 'We have nearly managed to do exactly that and hopefully soon we'll be able to escape and join the Varden.'
Surprised, I couldn't think of anything to say – he'd never said more than he had to, when telling me his plans. Luckily, I didn't have to reply. Just then the lock gave a click and he swung one gate open just enough to allow me and the horse to ride through.
'If he finds out you helped me, what will he do to you?' I asked, once on the other side of the gate, as he closed it.
'Hopefully Thorn and I will be long gone by then,' was his grim reply.
With that he relocked the gate and turned and disappeared into the shadows.
I didn't waste any more time, I turned the horse in the direction Murtagh said I could find the Varden, and urged him into a gallop. My only chance was to be long gone before Galbatorix was told the egg was gone and he arrived at Uru'baen.
Ȫ
Some hours after dawn I had stopped briefly at a small creek to drink and rest the horse, when I heard I roar like thunder which shook the ground. Shruikan, I thought, with horror. Galbatorix had reached Urû'baen and discovered the egg gone. Which meant I was out of time. I jumped to my feet and rode at full gallop, stopping only when I feared I was pushing the horse too far. If it died, I stood no chance.
Ȫ
This is my first ever fanfic, so please let me know what you think by reviewing.
In the next chapters, Murtagh, Thorn, Kiana, and the dragon will arrive at the Varden's camp. The subject of Eragon having a child will also be coming up.
This chapter wasn't very good, cause it was a non existant character - but I promise it will get better, so please add it to your story alerts.