Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue
XXX
Eragon walked back to his tent, and lay down on his bed.
"Saphira," thought Eragon, "have I done that right thing?"
"What do you mean, little one?" replied Saphira.
"Well…it's just that there are so many other important things I must do. I have to heal Elva, prepare for and attend Hrothgar's burial, help elect a new dwarf leader, complete my training with Oromis, and more. Am I putting my family and guilt over other, more essential things on my to-do list?"
"Little one, you are a dragon rider, and the first of your generation. The hopes of Alagaesia lie upon you. No matter what you do, there will always be another, 'more important' thing that you must do. No, you are not being selfish. You are doing what you must…what seems right to you. Your compassion and love for others is what separates you from Galbatorix, and now Murtagh."
"No! Not Murtagh. Galbatorix, yes. But not Murtagh. You heard him at the Burning Plains. Galbatorix knows his true name, and forced him to swear allegiance!"
"Still, little one. We must be cautious. As you said, Galbatorix knows Murtagh's true name. Murtagh is now an enemy, like it or not. Plus, remember: He did seem to revere Galbatorix's plan for the 'rebirth of the Riders.' Hopefully, one day, Murtagh will rejoin our side. But until then, he is as dangerous a foe as Galbatorix himself."
"Yes, Saphira. I understand. Thank you. But I know that there is some good still left in Murtagh. We are friends and brothers. I know."
"Hmm…maybe, little one," hummed Saphira, as she drifted off to sleep, "It may one day come to pass that we fight along side Murtagh and Thorn. Let us not trifle with such matters as the future, now. We must sleep, for tomorrow you must remove Elva's curse, and begin your journey to the lair of the Ra'zac."
"Yes, Saphira. Tomorrow…tomorrow." Slowly, Eragon drifted off to sleep, dreaming of war strategies, Arya, and the future.
XXX
Eragon awoke the next day with a harsh dagger of sunlight in his eyes. He sat up, and noticed that the flap of his tent had been left open. He chuckled to himself as he stretched and rose, making sure to close the tent before undressing himself. He washed his mouth out with a brew Angela had made to prevent what she called 'morning breath,' and quickly mumbled the words to remove the stubbles of hair from his face.
Eragon then put on his formal clothes, and walked out into broad daylight. Making his way over to Nasuada's quarters, Eragon noticed that the Varden was already a flurry of movement. Soldiers packed up tents and donned their gear, while officers sat around cooking fires, eating breakfast, and conversing about strategies. When he arrived at her tent, Eragon informed her servant of his need to talk to Nasuada. The servant entered the tent, then returned a few moments later and gave Eragon permission to enter. Eragon ducked under the flap of the tent, walked up to Nasuada, and knelt before her.
"My liege," Eragon muttered.
"Please, Eragon. Rise," replied Nasuada, "There is no need for formal behavior within my tent. So what troubles you that you must come so early in the morning?"
"Nothing troubles me, Lady Nasuada. I have decided to depart with Roran, and rescue Katrina from the Ra'zac. From there, I will fly to Farthen Dur, where I will attend the funeral of Hrothgar and help elect a new dwarf leader. I will then return to Ellesmera, where I will complete my training as a rider. I have come for your permission to do so."
"And what of Elva?"
"I have informed Roran that, though I plan to go after Katrina with him today, I will heal Elva of the curse I have placed upon her before I leave."
Nasuada sat, contemplating, for a few moments. Finally, she said,
"Very well, Eragon. I give you my leave to depart. However, you must promise me one thing. You will allow Arya to accompany you to the Ra'zac. I would ask for Orik to go with you as well, but I know well that he needs to follow Hrothgar's procession back to Farthen Dur. I will trust that the three of you and Saphira will be enough to overcome the Ra'zac and their evil steeds."
"Yes, Lady Nasuada."
XXX
Bitter at thought of traveling with Arya, Eragon left Nasuada's tent.
"I can't believe it!" yelled Eragon with his mind.
"What, little one?" replied Saphira.
"Nasuada has demanded that Arya travel to Helgrind with us!"
"And what, little one, is the problem with that?"
"You know very well what the problem with that is, Saphira! How can I trust myself not to blurt out romantic words, and express my undying love for her? Our relationship could not last another blow like the one after Agaeti Blodhren, and I don't think I could stand losing Arya's friendship!"
"I see your predicament, Eragon. Still, Arya will be a great asset in the assault on Helgrind. She is a powerful warrior, strong in the ways of magic, and a brilliant strategist. You must see this, little one. Simply work hard to keep your feelings under control."
"Yes, Saphira," sighed Eragon, "As always, you are right. I cannot help but worry, however. But Roran and Katrina are more important than my petty conflictions of love and duty. And Arya will be an amazing help with rescuing them."
"Exactly, little one. And if the time comes that you cannot hold in your feelings any longer…well, we will deal with that then. For now, we focus our entire attentions on the rescue of Katrina. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
XXX
An hour later found Eragon, followed by Saphira, heading towards Angela the Witch's tent. As they approached, they saw Angela stirring a murky, brown-colored, viscous liquid in her cauldron.
"Hail, Angela," called Eragon, "It is time for me to right the wrong I have made, and heal Elva of the curse I have laid upon her."
Angela looked up, glared at Eragon, then went back to stirring her cauldron.
"Please, Angela," pleaded Eragon, "I already apologized and explained my mistake. I am here to fix it!"
When Angela did not answer, Eragon attempted to strike up conversation once more.
"Well…what is in your cauldron?"
"This," replied Angela acidly, "is a potion that will help Elva recover once she is healed. It will taste vile, but it should help her body cope with the loss of power she will feel. Because of your spell, she has grown seven years in a few months, experienced much pain, and has powerful abilities. Losing all this will cause her body to go into shock. This potion will give her more magical resources to draw upon, as well as physically heal all her pains that will be caused by the curse's removal."
"Uh-huh," replied Eragon, only half understanding what she said, "So that potion is going to help Elva after I cure her?"
"In idiots terms, yes." explained Angela.
Stinging from the insult, but knowing he deserved it, Eragon replied, "Is the potion complete? As I said earlier, I would like to remove Elva's curse today. Unless that's a problem."
"No, that is not a problem – it is a long time coming. The potion will be complete in two minutes, and you WILL then remove the curse."
Two minutes later, Angela took the potion off the fire. She grabbed a flask, bottled the potion, and corked it. Setting off at a brisk pace, Angela headed towards Elva's tent. Eragon jogged after her, while Saphira flew joyously in the sky above. When they reached Elva's tent, they found Elva ravenously chewing on a meat bone, supervised by Arya. Elva looked up, and a rare smile broke out upon their face.
"It is time for me to right the wrong which I committed unknowingly so long ago," Eragon told her.
Letting her guard down, Elva started to cry in joy. She quickly recovered herself, saying to Eragon in a cold voice, "Finally."
Eragon had Elva lie down on her cot, and rested his silver hand upon her forehead, palm touching the center of the mark Saphira had left so long ago. He closed his eyes, and let the power ebb through him. He rapidly spoke words in the Ancient Language, and his hand started to glow with intense brightness. Elva's back arched, and light raced up and down her body. As Eragon continued to speak, Elva started making random noises with her mouth, and her body started to spasm. Arya moved in to help her, but Angela held her back.
"Her body is checking itself, going over its systems and making sure everything is all right. Remember, she is losing power as rapidly as Eragon speaks. Don't worry, however, she is in no danger."
After one minute, Eragon became silent. Elva stopped shaking, and her body returned back to normal. She slowly sat up, and drank the potion that Angela offered her. She looked around, surveying Eragon and Arya. Finally, she cried with glee:
"It's gone! It is gone! The wretched voices are gone!" Elva then looked Eragon squarely in the eye. "Shadeslayer, you are done with me. I forgive you for all that you have done to me, for I know it was not meant in harm. Now go. Go kill the Ra'zac, and rid Alagaesia of their evil presence. Go and rescue the bride of your cousin. Go, and avenge Garrow - your father."
XXX
That's it. Chapter 2 is done. And on the same day as Chapter 1! Woot!! Please R & R!
I'm still wondering on the identity of the Green Rider, who their allegiance is going to be too, whether Murtagh will be good, and more! Please make some suggestions!
Next chapter, Eragon and Roran will journey to the lair of the Ra'zac. I have yet to decide whether to devote next chapter to the journey and training of Roran, to include Murtagh's POV, or to include both the journey and battle. Please tell me which you would prefer!
MAJOR POLL! ALL REVIEWERS PLEASE ANSWER!
If Eragon and Arya have a relationship, it will begin next chapter. I will not divulge how, but I will say that I already have a pretty good plan. So vote:
Who will Eragon fall for?
A. Other Character
B. Arya
C. Trianna (please god no one vote for this. But, as I said, the fate of the story is in the hands of the reader.
D: Other (make suggestions)
Also know that I would like the person Eragon falls for to be the rider of the Green Dragon!
Well, that's it for now. Please Review!
Fricai
