TheVardens Comeback

Chapter 1: Capture

It was two days since the return from Helgrind in the night when Eragon heard the roar from a dragon.

He was out of bed and in his armour, belting on his father's sword, Undbitr, before the screams started. Lifting up the tent flap he hurried outside, sword in hand, and froze as he saw the blood red dragon in the sky, descending upon the Varden spewing ruby flames from his mouth, he watched as a figure jumped off of Thorn. Blodgharm and his spellcasters ran up and surrounded Eragon, Saphira emerged out of the darkness roaring at any soldiers that approached. Little one. She murmured. "Blodgharm, can you…" Eragon asked, fading off as an elven princess approached, garbed in silver armour, and wielding a sword that reflected the torchlight around the camp.

"Don't worry Eragon, we will make sure you and Saphira won't come to any harm." Arya said. As Eragon clambered onto Saphira, rubbing his legs on her scales, he winced and worriedly looked at his friends as the ground seemed to drop away.

"Be careful, dröttingu." He whispered so faint that Arya could only just hear over the wind rushing past Saphira's wings as she took off. He watched as the ground grew smaller and Thorn dived to pick up his Rider. "Saphira, we must win this battle, we were caught unprepared, the Varden will fall tonight if we don't." He yelled over the battle. Eragon, don't go too far or we won't be able to reach you. Arya said. Aye. Eragon replied carefully watching as Thorn rose into the sky to the same level as him.

"Brother, we suffered terribly when we got back, all because of you!" Murtagh shouted, rage filling his voice.

"You didn't have to let me go." Eragon retorted.

"You are right, but I did, because you persuaded me to." Murtagh said, "You aren't getting a second chance brother."

"I'm not your brother." Eragon stated.

"Why not? We shared the same parents."

"Aye, we did, but brothers stand up for each other, not fight each other."

"That may be so, but we aren't exactly normal, are we?"

"No-" Eragon began before he was cut off by Saphira rolling to the left as Thorn charged at them, Murtagh held Zar'roc raised, anger consumed his eyes. Be more alert, even we saw Thorn change his wing pattern, and we are down here! Arya snapped. "Why are you doing this?" Eragon cried.

"We have no choice, Galbatorix learnt from his mistake."

"You can break it." Eragon said desperately.

"No, I can't, I have already tried." Murtagh face darkened.

"Where has the Murtagh I travelled with gone?"

"Locked away in Galbatorix's palace." Murtagh said. Eragon only just managed to stay on Saphira as she dived when Thorn lunged at them, going through he space they were a moment before. He stood up on Saphira's back as she rose up behind Thorn. Get behind him. Eragon said, a plan forming in his mind. Murtagh yelled and Thorn swung, hitting Saphira's unprotected chest with his tail, she dropped then Eragon felt the elves working through him and Saphira rolled to the left to avoid Thorn who dived down from above, dislodging her Rider.

Eragon felt himself falling and took the time to look at how the battle was doing, as his eyes scanned the ground, he saw movement in the camp, behind the elves who were looking up at him, worry on their faces, Behind you! He yelled in their minds, and saw Arya turn, bringing up her sword to block the blow at her neck. Saphira! Where are you? He cried as he burst through the lowest cloud. The Varden and soldiers alike watched as the blue Rider plummeted to the ground. He tried turning to face the sky, and saw two streaks flying towards him, one red, and one blue. Saphira seemed that she was going to reach him first, but Murtagh slashed at her with his sword and she veered away to avoid the crimson blade. Letting Thorn race past her. Arya! Eragon cried, moving his arms to his side to move quicker, he saw her turn, her mouth moved, Blodgharm stopped the blade that was reaching for her side and beheaded the wielder. Eragon felt him move quicker as Arya continued chanting, stopping with a jolt 5 metres from the ground, he dropped and so did Arya. Rolling forward to his sword, he flattened himself to the mud and felt wind pass over head as Thorn narrowly missed him. A thud soon followed and a sapphire snout came into view, he clambered back onto Saphira and she rose into the sky with one flap of her powerful wings.

"You are lucky brother, but I don't think your elf is." Murtagh sneered.

Eragon looked over to her in panic, "Arya!" He cried, seeing her on the floor.

"In saving you, she nearly killed herself." Murtagh laughed, "You are so helpless, first Gil'ead, then Farthen Dûr, and now."

"Stop!" Eragon cried, raising Undbitr as Saphira lurched forward, her teeth bared. The force of the two dragons grappling was tremendous. Eragon slashed at Murtagh's shoulder, only to have it blocked. "Why, Murtagh?" Eragon asked. Deflecting Murtagh's stab to his chest.

"I don't have a choice, I won't let us be beaten because of another failure." Murtagh said, anger distorting his face, "Are you going to come peacefully?" He said hefting Zar'roc.

"No." Eragon yelled, "Never!"

"I have tried, are you prepared for meeting the king, Eragon?" Murtagh sneered.

"You should know the answer to that, Murtagh."

"I know, it was pointless to ask." Murtagh shrugged. Thorn disengaged from Saphira as the ground sped up to meet them.

Saphira, quickly, after him. Eragon said to her. Little one. She replied. As they sped over to Thorn, Murtagh turned, as he did so, Eragon saw a flicker of hate and distaste in his eyes before it was masked behind a poker face. He saw his lips move and heard one word, Thrysta. Eragon flew off Saphira and fell thinking, I need to stop making a habit of this.

He realised the battlefield had gone quiet and looked down, the two armies were looking from one place, back to Eragon, the Varden had looks of horror, the Empire, of triumph. Eragon looked to the north and his insides grew cold, there speeding towards him, was a black shadow, a figure sat on his back. "Saphira!" Eragon screamed, glancing up at the sapphire streak launching through the sky. Comparing the distance his heart sank, Shruiken was much faster than her, "No, go Saphira, leave me, ganga," he heart tore itself as she turned and sped over to the elves, surrendering him to the Empire. Saphira. He said, pressing her consciousness with thoughts of sorrow, as she turned, he took off his belt, Aren, and Undbitr, dropping them. I'm sorry. He said as a black claw closed around his middle.

"Stupid dragon." Galbatorix swore. Eragon was left dangling as the black dragon turned to Uru'baen. He cursed himself for his stupidity.

This is my first go at writing a fan fiction – or any story- so please tell me things I could change to make it better.

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