Disclaimer: I don't own the Inheritance Cycle! It belongs to Christopher Paolini, Random House, and a bunch of other people.
Author's Note: Yes, yes! I know it is criminal of me to write this fanfic when I have so many others pending. However, you all know how plot-bunnies are and I had some time on my hand so I simply had to get it out of my head. Also, I do kind of like this story idea so I just might write more chapters if I get more ideas. I know where the basic plot is going but it's just filler chapters and other stuff that I need some help with. Anyhow, don't worry about that but do read on and enjoy.
A few things you should know about this story is that the timeline is completely AU. It's a kind of rewrite about the Inheritance Cycle but is really only loosely based on the events that CP described for us in canon. Since most of the main characters are royalty, some of the events do happen in the books and a few more will be included. I'll try to keep most of the characters canon but some, like Eragon since he's a prince, will be tweaked.
Also, this is set during a tweaked version of the Golden Age of the Dragon Riders. Galbatorix has still lost his dragon to an Urgal ambush though and has currently been banished as a madman. Durza the Shade is also lurking in the background, practicing his evil cackle and devising all sorts of nefarious plots to take over the world...or destroy it! I actually meant to write about them in this chapter, but the story just wrote itself.
Don't worry, they will be included though as will some more background information of the story in the following chapters. As for the pairings, there will be standard couples like AxE, MxN, SxT, and RxK (Roran and Katrina). But considering the circumstances, that won't happen for quite some time. Well, that about sums it up and that's really all you need to know to read this fanfic. So now without any further ado, onto the first chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: Wedding Woes
It was well past midnight as Prince Eragon flew above the rich countryside that surrounded the Crown City of Ilerea. The youth knew he would get in huge trouble for doing something as reckless as this but right now he didn't really care.
He was pissed off!
Why was he mad? Well, for several reasons but the foremost of them was concerning an arranged marriage between him and the elvish Princess Arya.
That's right. Even though Eragon was a Dragon Rider, he was still subjected to his parents' wishes since they were the king and queen of the Empire and he was only eighteen years of age. Normally, that wouldn't be too young but Dragon Riders were immortal and he would live long past his parents.
Usually, that bothered him but he his precious female dragon, Saphira, always soothed him and washed away his worries. She was his lifeline and his comfort, the only thing that kept him from blowing his temper. Well, not entirely as he had thrown a fit at the palace when he learned of the news.
He could remember the situation as clear as a bell. It still rang in his frazzled mind and he was so wrought with worry, confusion, and anger that Eragon wondered if this wasn't all just a bad dream and he'd wake up in the next morning. Sadly, it was not a bad dream but the harsh reality that accompanied being a prince. Now he almost wished that he lived a different life like that of a naive and innocent farm-boy without a care in the world!
But he was the prince and had to do something for the Empire. It was his duty to uphold his parents' wishes and he really couldn't say no. Besides, he hadn't done very much for the Empire as the majority of his life had been spent in training as Dragon Rider with Master Oromis and the other trainers at the Vroengard, school of the Dragon Riders. Since Saphira had hatched for him at the age of nine, he had been training ever since despite being the Crown Prince.
That only made his training intensify as he had to be better than everyone else since he was the only son of King Brom and Queen Selena, of the Empire of humans, and thus the Heir to the Throne. This made things stressful for a decade and a half but he had finally been called back to Ilerea unexpectedly for a "holiday" from training. He had only been back home for a few days when his parents broke the news to him during supper.
If it had been any other woman or even elf, he would have been fine with it. But Eragon could not stand the elvish princess. She was proud, haughty, and arrogant to a fault. It was so annoying! If that wasn't bad enough, she was seventy years old by human reckoning while only about twenty by elvish years. That made him at least two or sixty-two years his senior which only enlarged her sense of self-importance. It didn't help that she was strikingly beautiful either with midnight black hair, emerald green eyes, and pale white skin.
Perhaps they could have been companions in another life, maybe even friends. He could be some sort of hero and had come to her rescue after she got imprisoned by some nefarious villain. Sadly, things didn't work that way. Like him, she was the only child of the elvish royalty, King Evandar and Queen Islanzadí. They doted on her constantly and she was rather spoilt. Since elves were better than humans at virtually everything, not to mention immortal without being a Dragon Rider, this made the princess even more proud and arrogant.
Eragon had discovered all of this on the one time when he went on an ambassadorial mission with his father to the elves to discuss an alliance. Eragon had bumped into Arya at the elvish arena while practicing swordplay with an elf named Vanir. Arya had scoffed about his training calling him inadequate. As his luck would have it, this got into a huge debate about training and eventually Dragon Riders. Technically speaking, the elves were the first race to make peace with the dragons and become their Riders.
When the humans moved to Alagaësia and formed the Empire, the elves reluctantly allowed them to become Dragon Riders. However, there were some elves who believed that humans were too weak and petty to be granted such a gift and it seemed that Arya was one of these, for the elvish princess argued strongly against humans being Dragon Riders. Using supreme elvish logic against Eragon's hotheadedness, this wound up into a titanic debate consisting of much yelling and shaking of fists.
Since it was in the arena, they gathered quite a crowd of elves and the human guards who had accompanied them. The argument got so bad that they even pulled out their swords against each other, Eragon brandished his flame-prone Brisingr and Arya her green elvish blade. They were just about to launch an attack when their weapons got knocked out of their hands by Saphira's tail which in turn slammed into the ground between them forming a miniature canyon, forcing them to separate.
Being a dragon and Eragon's dragon at that, Saphira forced them to apologize to each other and end the foolish argument. They did so reluctantly, red-faced and panting, eyes ablaze with anger and vows of revenge. Ever so reluctantly, they parted ways and Eragon thankfully never saw the elf again. In fact, he never even wanted to see her again. But fate seemed to conspire against him for now he was fated to marry the woman. So far, the only thing he could console himself with was that Arya hated him also so at least she would get no joy out of the union.
Oh please, Little One! Saphira chuckled from beneath him as they flew easily through the darkened sky. It can't be that bad. At least she is good to look upon and no simple woman.
I'd almost prefer a simple fool than her! Eragon snorted in derision. Think about it, Saph. I'll be the laughing stock of the palace when word gets out. I'd never hear the end of it from Murtagh or Nasuada! Not even Roran way off in the County of Carvahal would let this pass.
Much to Eragon's annoyance, Saphira only chuckled emanating a puff of smoke.
Speaking of your cousin, Saphira began. How is he doing right now? I hear he is betrothed to Lady Katrina?
Ah, yes, Eragon replied allowing a faint smile. I just scryed Roran not long ago upon returning from training. He gives you his regards and says that his father Garrow, the Earl of Carvahal, is doing well. As for his betrothed, that rumor is also true and we got a good laugh out if it. Seems as if love at first sight works out for some people. I do not know what Duke Sloan thinks of the arrangement though as Roran is not on speaking terms with him. I guess it's the whole protective father thing coming out in full force.
True, Saphira agreed. I think they are a good match though. The people of Carvahal love Lady Katrina just as much as she seems to love Lord Roran. They would make a cute couple.
Shame the same thing couldn't be said about the princess and I, Eragon grumbled.
What about Murtagh and Nasuada? Saphira asked, trying to change the subject. I have not seen them in some time due to our training at the Vroengard.
They are well too, Eragon replied. I think they are a little too well in my absence for they were sitting next to each other when I found them in the North Tower.
Is that jealousy I sense? Saphira asked mischievously.
Eragon blushed furiously and clenched Saphira's saddle.
No, of course not, Saph! He stammered. Nasuada is just a friend and besides, I think that she has feelings for Murtagh who appears to fancy her in return.
My, my! Saphira said thoughtfully. It does seem like love is in the air.
Aye, Eragon acknowledged a trifle sadly. They would be good for each other, especially since Nasuada seems to have a knack for calming Murtagh down after he escapes one of his father's tantrums.
Eragon winced as he felt a flare of anger burst within Saphira from the Dragon Rider bond.
That Lord Morzan better watch his temper! She growled. He bothers me, that one. Something is not right about him.
Now, now, Saphira, Eragon chided. No need to get upset at him just because he doesn't swoon in your presence.
Doesn't swoon? Saphira roared. He called me a fat, useless, over-grown lizard! Sometimes I think that man is league with the Fallen One. He is far too cocky for his own good.
True that, Eragon agreed with a dry, humorless grin. He should know better than to anger a dragon.
At least you have some sense, Little One, Saphira sighed.
Why, thank you, Eragon replied this time with a warm smile.
Wanting to show his gratitude fully, he did what he knew Saphira enjoyed and scratched the scales behind her ears gently and lovingly. The Dragon Rider could tell Saphira liked it for she broke out into a low hum and her muscles relaxed beneath him. Eragon felt himself calm down and he could almost forget about the arranged marriage with him and that obnoxious elf princess.
Suddenly, a thought struck him and Eragon almost panicked.
Saphira! He yelped, running a hand through his tousled brown hair. It's late and we should head back. My parents will be worried sick about us.
Don't get mad at me! Saphira snapped. Running away for a breather was your big idea.
Well yes, Eragon retorted. I merely wanted to calm down a bit after shouting at my parents. I didn't want to fly halfway across the Empire and into Urgal territory.
Oh, please! Saphira scoffed. We're not in Urgal territory for Bid'daum's sake!
Do not use the name of the first dragon to be tamed to curse ever! Eragon shot back.
Well what can I use? Saphira whined. We do not believe in gods and there's nothing else...
Wait! Eragon said sharply, as his enhanced vision caught sight of something. What is that?
What is what? Saphira asked in obvious confusion.
Heaving a sigh, Eragon used his powers as a Dragon Rider to look through Saphira's eyes. Using this enhanced vision, he directed Saphira's consciousness to the flicker of motion that he saw in between the snowy pine trees far down bellow. They had been flying for hours and aimlessly so they must have wandered farther away than they intended to, for they were now flying over this winter woodland.
Looking where he guided her to, Saphira strained her eyes and caught sight of what Eragon saw. It was only a faint flicker of motion, nothing more than a blur. But something worried her about it, so she picked up the pace and spiraled towards the blur to get a better look. It was probably nothing, perhaps just some wild animal frolicking through the woods. But it was best to get a better look.
After a few tense minutes of flying, Saphira paused and hovered in mid air – her keen dragon sight scanning the snow-covered forest. The dragon and rider were flying low enough to see what the cause for distress was, but high enough to avoid being spotted by a creature bellow. Of course, there were other Dragon Riders to worry about but the ancient treaty maintained the peace between them. Sadly, that treaty did not extend to other races such as elves, humans, dwarves, or even the brutish Urgals who were more like beasts than anything.
Speaking of which, Eragon's brow furrowed in worry as he saw the vague forms of about a score of Urgals surging through the woods. Saphira flew a little lower, so Eragon was able to discern that they were wielding typical Urgal weapons consisting of spiked clubs, short swords, staves, and pikes all crudely fashioned out of iron. Urgals were much stronger than humans and only elves matched their superior strength.
They were human in appearance aside from their dog-like faces and the curled horns that sprouted from their forehead. Typically, Urgals wore no clothes whilst in battle. Instead, they were covered from head to toe in blue and red war paint which was drawn in traditional Urgal patterns in an attempt to make their enemies cower in fear during battle. Unfortunately for the Urgals, their current enemy did not succumb to physic warfare.
While Eragon was too high up to tell who it was, the being the Urgals chased was obviously human in form. It was vaguely woman in appearance and the female wore a silver grey cloak to help her blend in with her surroundings. The stallion she road on was a fine white beast and looked both strong and brave. Oddly enough, the woman road the horse without a saddle and seemed most comfortable with that arrangement. In fact, she did not even use reins or a bridle to guide the horse.
Eragon frowned thoughtfully and then shook off such thoughts. The woman bore no weapons but did not seem weak. Still, he could hardly tell up here whether or not she needed help. Besides, his gut instinct told him he should lend her a hand. The only problem was that the narrow gaps between the trees made it difficult for Saphira to land since she was a large, fully-grown dragon. But Eragon could fit and Saphira could cause some considerable damage from the air. She could also get reinforcements for him if she dropped him off in the woods.
After a second thought, the young prince scanned the countryside until his eyes settled on a small lake that branched out of the Ninor River. There was a relatively wide beach which was big enough for Saphira to land on. Eragon broadcasted his thoughts to Saphira who agreed. But first, she tucked in her wings and zoomed through the woods letting out a furious roar. Birds took to the air from the trees and all the Urgals froze. Eragon's lips curled up into a feral grin and he unsheathed Brisingr, eager for a fight.
After casting wards on Saphira to protect her from missiles and harm, the powerful azure she-dragon flew through zoomed through the trees letting loose a torrent of flames while she was at it. Thankfully, none of the trees caught fire but a few of the Urgals did and they screamed in pain as they got burnt to death. Eragon reveled in the destruction that his powerful she-dragon caused, and let all his anger and rage at his parents' decision boil to the surface. Normally, he would have just used the twelve words of death in the Ancient Language, the tongue of magic, but he wanted to get all the anger and fury out of his system.
So it was that he loosened his saddle and prepared to jump. He sucked in a deep breath as Saphira swooped low again, winding through the trees like the queen of the sky. He let out a whoop of triumph and punched a fist in the air as she picked up two unsuspecting Urgals with her powerful foreclaws. A sickening crunch informed him of their deaths and they hung limp in Saphira's paws, even as she dropped them on top of their fellows all of which were charging about in confusion. But some were smarter and tried to launch their weapons into the air at Saphira.
Their plan failed though, for Saphira merely twisted around a tree and avoided the missiles. Signaling his departure, Eragon leapt off Saphira's back and dove into the fray. Letting out a roar of his own, he lashed out with his sword. Brisingr was a magical blade, being made by the famous elvish sword-smith Rhunön. When he decided he would call it Brisingr after his favorite spell word in the Ancient Language, Eragon and Rhunön were surprised to watch the sword's blade burst into blue flames. All it took was the sword's name again and the fire was put out.
As Eragon's luck would have it, this lasted even after the sword was finished. But thankfully, Eragon was a powerful spell-caster in his own right, being a Dragon Rider, and could maintain the flames on his sword for about an hour at least. Since he was feeling especially angry and wanted to enjoy a good fight, he kept the spell on for the first short while invoking terror in the simple minds of the brutish Urgals. Still, they were a proud and fierce race, famous for their warmongering and battle lust.
They possessed a berserker rage when in battle and if Eragon was not a Dragon Rider, he probably would never survive the fury of twenty of them. But he did have Saphira who was winging her way to the trees ready to swoop in and pluck him out of the hot zone at a moment's notice should things turn sour. He was a keen warrior in his own right though and was famous for being the best, youngest warrior in the land, one of them anyways.
Giving himself a mental shake, he forced himself to concentrate on the Urgals some of which were struggling to pull the cloaked woman off her horse. Just then, a cowardly Urgal smote the stallion in the belly with a machete and let out a howl of triumph. The horse screamed in pain and collapsed, blood spraying everywhere. Eragon's eyes flashed in rage as the Urgals bellowed in glee and swarmed to the woman, trying to pull her off the deceased animal.
Putting all of his rage and strength into the fight, Eragon renewed his effort and charged forward hacking and slashing as he went. Urgals screamed in shock and pain as they fell to his death blows. They turned around reluctantly and tried to slay him with their crude, barbaric weapons but he was too swift and clever for them and easily avoided their panicked, frenzied assaults. Blood splashed everywhere, drenching Eragon in red droplets only visible by the full moon hanging low in the sky.
Eventually, Eragon stood alone panting for breath. The red werelight of his sword lit up a ghastly scene of death and carnage. A heap of smoldering, twisted bodies was scattered through the trees and Eragon gagged as he came to himself, his battle rage abating gradually. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath and hoarsely whispered his sword's name, extinguishing the eerie blue flames. He had enough light to see by from the dead Urgals most of which were burning low in the darkness.
Thankfully, it was winter otherwise the whole forest would have been set on fire. Taking another deep breath, he stood up from where he had been crouching and ran a hand raggedly through his tousled brown hair taking in the scene before him and searching swiftly for any signs of danger. When he spotted none, he glanced down at himself and grimaced in disgust to see him covered from head to toe in thick Urgal blood. Some of it was his own but that was only due to a few minor cuts and scratches when the crude Urgal weapons grazed him lightly.
Wiping Brisingr on a fallen, flameless Urgal, Eragon sheathed his sword. It wasn't fully clean but it would have to do for now. Taking in deep gulps of air, he glanced around for the woman he had come to rescue and was surprised to realize that she wasn't there. At first, panic gripped him as he worried if she was killed or taken away by an Urgal when he was distracted. But a quick body count told him that all were present. Wanting to be sure, Eragon double-checked and his heart leapt into his throat.
All?
No.
All but one blasted Urgal lay dead in a heap of burning bodies, upon a blanket of blood-stained snow and fallen pine needles. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he used his enhanced Dragon Rider senses and scanned the dimly-lit forest floor for footprints. At first, he could see nothing of use since most were of heavy Urgal feet and in a myriad of chaos and confusion. His own were there, but no woman's feet.
Just when he was about to give up and make his way to the beach, he suddenly spotted a faint trail of feet imprints winding their way haphazardly through the snow towards none other than the lake. Eragon frowned thoughtfully. It was obvious that the woman had escaped in the confusion of battle and thought to flee to the lake in the hopes of hiding her tracks. That was smart, but she clearly hadn't suspected an Urgal would follow her when they were all fighting an enraged Dragon Rider.
Cursing, he unsheathed Brisingr and cast a spell to silence his footsteps. So far, he could see nothing but the beach was a short distance away and perhaps Saphira had slain the Urgal who ran after the woman. Praying to whatever gods existed for help, he darted through the mangled, burning bodies and tried to ignore the smell of blood and death that wafted up to his sensitive nostrils. Drops of blood, sweat, and grime fell off him onto the forest floor as Eragon ran.
But he paid them no head. Instead, he raced to the beach, ghosting through the woods like a wraith. At last, he arrived at the beach and skidded to a halt. A couple meters of silver sand wound its way along the black choppy waters of the small lake that broke off from the main river. Much to his dismay, he did not see Saphira who was supposed to meet up with him there. He glanced up at the sky and was distressed to see that she was not there either.
He would have called for her through their bond, but he was shaken out of his thoughts by a sharp intake of breath. His gaze snapped into that direction hoping it was Saphira. His heart sank when he saw that it was not his precious she-dragon. Instead, it was the one blasted Urgal who was holding the mysterious cloaked woman hostage.
Eragon's blood boiled in fury and his eyes flashed dangerously as he saw the savage brute holding the taught form of the woman with one arm. Every single muscle of the woman's body was tense and although her face was a mask of impassiveness, it seemed to Eragon that she cried out for help. Unfortunately for the both of them, the stupid Urgal was holding a wickedly curved knife to her throat. His lips were twisted into a demonic sneer and his eyes lit up in glee.
"Drop your weapon!" The Urgal barked.
At first, Eragon was frozen with stunned surprise but then the gears of his mind turned and an idea clicked into place. It was reckless to say the least and downright foolish, but he had no other choice. Breathing a mental sigh, he braced himself to enact the plan and forced a cocky grin and an unfazed look in his brown eyes. As he suspected, his casual, carefree reaction startled the Urgal.
"Sword on the ground or the wench dies," The Urgal spat.
"How about you first?" Eragon quipped with a smirk.
Both the Urgal and woman were so shocked that at his response that the Urgal momentarily loosened his grip on his hostage. Before the beast could react, Eragon swiftly chanted "kveykva" and shot out his palm. In a split second, a beam of white fork lightning, crackling with magical power, burst forth from his hand and struck the Urgal in the head. The Urgal froze, pure shock etched into his face. The damsel in distressed seemed just as surprised if not more so as the lightning abated and the Urgal fell limp, sinking into the embrace of death even before he could scream.
Smirking at his success, Eragon sheathed his sword and strode over to the woman who had resumed her impassive expression. Just as Eragon expected to be flung into an embrace of gratitude, he froze as he felt a blade pressed to his throat. Eragon's eyes widened as he glanced down and saw that the woman was holding the Urgal's dagger to his throat.
"Who are you and what do you want?" The woman demanded, her eyes flashing with fury.
Eragon got a sinking feeling of dread as a closer look revealed that they were green eyes, familiar green eyes.
"I am Prince Eragon of the Empire of Alagaësia," He said softly but firmly. "My father are the King and Queen of the humans and they will put your head on a spike if you dare to harm me, regardless of your gender or race and especially after I rescued you from those devils. Therefore, I believe it is my right to be asking you that question. So let's try that again, shall we? Who are you and what do you want?"
During his angry tirade, Eragon had noticed the woman's expression flicker from that of anger to disbelief and then anger intensified one hundred times over. He struggled to calm himself and wracked his brain for any ideas on who this woman was. But nothing could prepare himself for the woman's answer and if he wasn't so angry, or not a Dragon Rider, he would have passed out from the shock and stress of the situation. Needless to say, he was stunned into silence when the woman spoke.
"My name is Arya Drottningu, princess of King Evandar and Queen Islanzadí, and heir to the Throne of the Elves," The woman said heatedly. "And what in damnation are you doing out here?"
When Eragon realised what the woman, no elf maiden, had just said, only one thing filled his boggled mind.
Shit!
To Be Continued...
A/N: So...how was Chapter 1? Was it okay or much too painful to read? Should I continue this? And if so, how soon should Eragon and Arya start to fall for each other? I really appreciate your honest opinion of this story even if it sucks. Your reviews mean a lot to me and will push this story forward. Since it was mainly a plot-bunny typed up to get it out of my head, I doubt I will write anymore but I do have a few ideas so do stay tuned for more to come. And, of course, please review as I thrive on your comments and it would really make my day.
Thanks for reading!