(A/N)
This is my first story so I'm trying to get the hang of this. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter and continue to read, it gets a lot better. I've received concerns that this is similar to Rainxoxo's Reversed Lives and that's kind of true. I liked the character structure of that Eragon a lot so I decided to start him out in Uru'Baen. Other than starting in Uru'Baen it should be a lot different than Reversed Lives and I'm looking forward to getting the main plot going. Hope you enjoy Ch. 2! Reviews are always welcome. Tell me what you want to see from the story and I'll work what I can in. If you haven't read Reversed Lives I recommend it highly.
Chapter 2: Interaction
"Ah Denethor there you are, I was beginning to think you had overslept. " Exclaimed Galbatorix as Denethor entered the throne room, kneeling in reverence and moved to find his place next to Formora. "I had placed a wager with Formora as to whether or not you would be awake in time. She had the faith in you that I did not." Galbatorix chuckled handing Formora a few coins. It was strange to hear this intimidating man laugh. His demeanor usually exuded a seriousness that was lacking today, no doubt due to the good news he expected from Durza's update "Durza is soon to contact us to inform us on the status of the mission."
Denethor nodded and waited in silence for Durza's inevitable call. Sure enough not two minutes later his pale face appeared in the mirror.
"Durza, what news of the mission?" Galbatorix asked expectantly.
"We have slain the two eleven guards and captured the egg courier."
"And what of the egg?"
Durza shifted and hesitated before replying.
"The elf," he spat, "teleported it away before we could apprehend her. "
The smile that had situated itself upon Galbatorix's face instantly disappeared.
"It disappoints me to hear this. It appears that my faith in you has been misplaced, a mistake that will not be made again."
The tone he used was so venomous it made Denethor shudder. He had a certain way of speaking that could shake a man down to his core.
"I assure you my king I will do everything in my power to discover the eggs location from the courier. I will torture her until she begs for the mere chance to speak."
"YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE DURZA!" The king shouted lifting himself up out of his throne staring it seemed into Durza's very soul. Time stood still as Galbatorix froze, refusing to even blink. Denethor even began to see fear form in the Shade's eyes and posture as he tensed his muscles. The king calmed himself and sat back down massaging his brow. "No, you have proven this task to be above your skill level. I will send Denethor to acquire the location of the egg. In the meantime I suggest you work on your ability to perform my tasks correctly."
Galbatorix ended the call and turned to Formora and Denethor, "I should have known; never send a Shade to do a Riders work. Denethor, would you kindly go to Gil'ead and bring the courier to Uru'Baen for questioning. I fear if I leave her in Durza's custody for too long she will escape."
"It will be done." Denethor assured him and turned making to leave when he felt a slender hand grab his shoulder.
"Denethor, may I speak with you before you make for Gil'ead?" Formora asked.
He nodded and motioned for to walk with him.
When they had made it out of the throne room they turned and walked down the hallway without direction.
After a few minutes of walking he spoke breaking the silence in which they had found comfort in. "What is on your mind Formora?"
"I feel…" she sighed and closed her mouth, seeming to not want to continue. Denethor put a comforting hand on her shoulder and she stopped to look at him. He was looking at her with slight concern. She could read him, she always could. His sapphire eyes attracted her with a pull she was even scared to admit to herself.
"What is the matter? I have noticed you haven't been at ease for a few weeks now. Is something bothering you?"
Did he ever think of himself, she thought to herself smiling. He always sought to right others problems. "I feel like I'm useless." She sounded childish and internally scolded herself. "Sorry, I just never do anything. It's making me restless and left me wondering if I'm even worth anything." Tears started leaking from her eyes, she usually hated being vulnerable but for some reason she didn't mind when she was in his company.
"Of course you're worth something Formora," taking his hand off her shoulder he grabbed her hand in his and squeezed it, "never think of yourself that way. You are one the most powerful magicians I have ever known and have taught me a great deal. I would be nowhere near where I am now without you. You are without a doubt the best person I know and the closest friend I have ever had. You mean the world to me and I don't know what I would do without you." His admission had seemingly come out of nowhere and surprised even him.
She couldn't help but start smiling and her smile continued to grow until she was crying and grinning ear to ear. She forcefully hugged him and cried into his shoulder. He had not expected her to react this way, maybe a thank you, but certainly not this. After the initial shock he returned the hug, comforting her, sensing that she needed it.
Pulling away from him she looked into his eyes, they were deeper and more mature than anyone's his age had a right to be. They gave off a trusting aura and she always lost herself in them. She doubted she could ever lie to him, at least without looking away and giving herself away. "Ever since my dragon died I've felt stuck," subconsciously she ran her hand across the scar she bore on her chest from the fateful day Brom had felled her dragon, "like I have lost my purpose."
"What was your dragon's name?" Asked Denethor, although he sensed the answer that would come.
"He didn't have one, he lost it in the Banishing of the Names." She answered slightly hurt he had forgotten and brought up the horrible memory that he had died without an identity.
"I am well aware, but it doesn't matter what Galbatorix did to alter your memory of him, what matters is how you remember him. Whether you choose to accept to remember him without a name or as he was is your choice."
He still surprised her with his wisdom after all this time, she thought. He knew how to approach these topics with grace and bluntness, although it wasn't meant in a mean way. "Emure." She had barely said it, whispered was an overstatement. "His name was Emure." She said slightly louder than before but still whispered.
"It's a beautiful name."
"He was a beautiful dragon. The way the sun would catch his scales would make them shine a beautiful copper hue." She smiled as she fondly remembered her dragon. "He used to love playing in the water, weaving in and out even when I was riding him. I'm pretty sure he did that because he knew I hated it." She laughed and felt the stress and pressure of the last century lift off her. "I cannot remember the last time I laughed, I've spent all of my time keeping my composure and image that I've forgotten how to have fun. Thank you. You have done more than you know."
"It was the least I could do for you Formora." He said smiling. "Take care of yourself while I'm gone, I expect to see you in one piece when I get back."
"I shall do my best." She replied smiling with a passion she had lost for longer than she cared to think about. Maybe she still had a place in this world, it was a start but once she had grasp of the flame of passion it would hard pressed to be doused.
Denethor left for home glad that he could help Formora with her internal struggle, but turned back to the task at hand. He would have to figure out how to get the courier of the egg to reveal its location to him; something that he knew would be no easy task. He frowned and racked his brain trying to devise a course of action; he would need all of his cunning to get the answer out of her. His mind began to get sidetracked when he found he had no solution, thinking back to his encounter with Formora.
When had his relationship with Formora become so personal, he thought thinking back on their encounters. She had been cold at first, holding herself aloof from all that she deemed lesser than her, which was just about everyone, but as he had grown into Galbatorix's ranks she seemed to slowly shed that personality layer by layer, like an onion, each layer showing a more complex version of her than before. As he looked back on his memories of her he saw her grow more and more into a semi-caring person, she had lost her cold nature and had developed a metaphorical heart. Maybe he had done more than he knew.
