Chapter 3: Diamond Return
Eragon and Saphira were sitting together waiting for Arya and Roran to show up. They were both glad that Eragon was free of his fealty to Nasuada. They were also glad that they had helped create a council of leaders, instead of one person commanding all of the forces. They had plans of going to Brom's tomb before they went to try to rescue Katrina.
Eragon opened his eyes to see Nasuada, King Orrin, Nar Garzhvog, Carn, Jormundur, Roran, Horst and Arya walking towards him and Saphira. He remembered what Angela had told him about telling Nasuada that he had healed Elva. But he thought he would just let her and everybody else find out on their own. He didn't have to answer to anybody anymore and Saphira agreed with his decision of not telling them.
When Eragon saw Carn walking with the group he remembered he had to teach him the words in the Ancient Language to hold up the water. Him and Saphira had already made the stones to hold up the water, they had used the energy from dieing animals to fill them up. When he saw Horst he guessed that Roran had made him the leader of Carvahall in his absence. He figured that was a good enough decision because the people of Carvahall respected Horst.
As him and Saphira were watching the members of the new council approach Eragon was wondering if the Varden would be in the Hadarac Desert by their return. He hoped that they would because Galbatorix could send the other half of those hundred thousand soldiers back. Without the dwarfs, Arya's and his help then they would probably be defeated. But the Varden would have to wait now while he tried to help to save Katrina.
Him and Saphira both agreed that they hoped that the dwarfs had chosen a new king by their return. They didn't want to try to fix the Star Rose without assurance that the dwarfs would fight in the war. They both also wanted to return to Du Weldenvarden to tell Oromis, Glaedr and Queen Islanzadi of the new rider. Hopefully that would make Queen Islanzadi speed up the process of getting the elves prepared for war. He knew that Queen Islanzadi wouldn't trust or try to help Murtagh and Thorn, but maybe Oromis would.
"Ready to go I see Eragon." was Roran's response to seeing him already there.
"The sooner we rescue Katrina, the sooner me and Saphira get revenge on the Ra'zac." Eragon's replied.
"Yes, yes those Ra'zac, I would also like some revenge on them. They forced the whole village to move, so I say good luck to you. None of us could handle them, maybe you'll have a better time at it." Horst said.
"I thank you, but I need to speak to Carn alone for a moment to teach him a few words. This won't take much time and as soon as I'm done we can be on our way." Eragon said.
They all replied in the affirmative so Eragon and Carn went to the other side of Saphira. Eragon taught Carn the words in the Ancient Language to hold up water and taught him how to tie it into the stones. After he demonstrated a few times he gave a sack to Carn with the stones in it. He also asked Carn to look into his mind for any treachery, when he found none he taught him some more healing and basic words to help the Varden on their trip to the Hadarac Desert.
After they were through they went onto the other side again so Eragon could get ready to leave. When he made it to the other side of Saphira he saw Arya and Roran's bags also fixed onto Saphira. Now that it was time to leave he wondered how they would all be going because Saphira couldn't carry three people. He figured he would be running with Arya, while Roran rode on Saphira. Once they had all seen him they made their way over.
"Hurry back Shadeslayer." Jormundur said.
"Yes hurry back, we made need you and Saphira if the Empire attacks." King Orrin said.
"Don't worry Firesword we will take care of the people in your absence. If the Black King attacks now then he will be met by my finest rams. I also have reinforcements coming as we speak. I am now the king of my people after the Battle on the Burning Plains. So don't worry about us, if we cant win without you, then we shouldn't be fighting." Nar Garzhvog said lifting his chin to show respect.
"I won't tell you to hurry back, but I would like you to go as fast as you can. I and Du Vrangr Gata still would like to learn more of the Ancient Language from you. I also thank you for what you have taught me, but will not speak about it except to the ones helping the Varden." Carn said.
"Just go as fast as you can. I understand not attacking, but we may need you here when other cities join with us. I have spoken with Arya and we agree that every city that joins us will sign a contract in the Ancient Language as has your cousin Roran. It will make sure that we have no traitors on our side. I have also heard that you healed Elva so she will no longer be of any help. I wish you hadn't, but it isn't my right to decide who gets healed and who doesn't. If I chose things like that then I would be no better than Galbatorix and I never want to be compared with him." Nasuada said.
After Eragon thanked each in turn, he turned towards Arya and asked, "Are we running like I think and Roran flying in the saddle."
"Yes Eragon we are, Saphira can't carry all three of us and when we get Katrina, she will have to ride with Roran. We can run almost as fast as Saphira can fly, but we will probably be tired each night." Arya said.
"That's what I figured, are you both ready?" Eragon asked.
After both nodded their heads in the affirmative, Eragon helped Roran into the saddle. Once he was securely strapped in Saphira took to the sky. Eragon and Arya both took of running in perfect timing with one another beneath Saphira. It was agreed upon, after gaining access to Roran and Arya's minds, that if they were attacked then Saphira would stay out of the fight as long as she could.
While running Arya asked Eragon how strong he was after fighting Murtagh and then healing Elva. He told her that he was fine, that he had filled the Belt of Beloth the Wise with energy. He also told her that he had put more energy into his ring Aren and it still wasn't full, he didn't even think it was half full and it could already topple the Beor Mountains with one spell. He could tell she was shocked at the power that he now had at his command, but he hoped she knew he wouldn't use it for evil.
While they were talking Eragon told Arya of his plans to go visit Brom's tomb before going to Helgrind, but didn't tell her why. He already knew that Saphira had told Roran, who was mad, but he didn't care. He thought that Arya would blow up on him when he told her, but she just said okay, which confused him and amused Saphira.
They also talked about the plan for storming Helgrind. Eragon and Saphira agreed on them going through the air while Arya and Roran tried from the ground. With the dragon and rider best coordinated to work together then they would have the best shot of taking out the lethrblaka. Eragon and Arya both agreed that it would be best to try to keep Roran out of the fight as he was only human. Roran disagreed with them but was out ruled by Saphira who agreed with the elf and rider.
As it was approaching nightfall Saphira contacted Eragon and told him she would find somewhere to make camp. Eragon told Arya who said it would probably be a good idea not to travel at nighttime. Shortly after Arya agreed Saphira showed Eragon a place in her mind that she had found. Eragon and Arya made their way to her and Roran at a slower pace, because they were losing energy after their long run.
As they walked into camp Eragon saw Saphira getting ready to leave to hunt and asked her to bring back meat for Roran. As Saphira took off Eragon got his tent out of his bags and started to construct it as the other two were constructing their own. When he was finished Eragon got some berries and other fruit out of his bag to eat. While Roran was watching him curiously Arya had also got out her own food.
"Okay, is that all you're going to eat?" Roran asked.
"Yes." Eragon replied while Arya nodded her head.
"Don't you eat meat anymore?" Roran asked
"No." Eragon replied
"Never did." Arya said.
"So you don't eat meat anymore and you have never eaten it?" Roran asked
"Correct." Eragon replied as Arya again nodded her head.
"Why and since when did you stop?" Roran asked.
"Don't like it anymore. Stopped eating when I visited the elves. If you ever become a Dragon Rider then you will probably stop as well." Eragon replied.
"So what am I supposed to eat then?" Roran asked getting frustrated.
"Saphira is bringing something back for you. When she gets back just cook it and ask her to bring you some every night and if you're lucky she'll say yes. While you're waiting build a fire." Eragon replied.
"A dragon is bringing me something back to eat. Shouldn't I be searching for my own food? Isn't it a little unusual to have a dragon bring back food for a human?" Roran asked.
"Yes she is bringing you some meat. Yes it is probably unusual for a dragon to bring a human food but Saphira doesn't care. And no you shouldn't look for your own food, we don't know who could attack you." Eragon replied.
"So until we get back to the Varden I don't get to do anything. You three want me to stay out of the fight with the Ra'zac when I want revenge on them just like you. I can't get my own food because I might get attacked. Why did I even come on this mission then, if I'm not to do anything." Roran asked.
"You came so that Katrina will recognize somebody when we're saving her. I no longer look like a human and Arya is an elf who most believe to be fake. If I tried rescuing her myself or with Arya she would go into shock and we don't even know what's already wrong with her. So you came to help your fiancé not to get yourself hurt trying to fight. Now do you understand Roran?" Eragon asked.
"Yes I understand why you're keeping me out of the fighting. I also understand why you want Katrina to see me. But I also know that I want revenge for what they did to my father and village. I will make you a promise, if the Ra'zac don't attack me then I won't attack them. However the second they attack I'm going to attack them with everything I've got." Roran replied.
"Deal. Saphira is on her way back, so it would probably be best to start your fire. I on the other hand am going to sleep as Saphira has told me she will wake me after her watch for my own. So I bid you both goodnight Roran and Arya." Eragon said.
"Goodnight cousin and thank you for understanding." Roran replied.
"Goodnight Eragon." Arya replied.
It took Eragon, Arya, Roran and Saphira three more days to reach Brom's tomb. During that time Eragon and Arya talked of a great many things including Faolin and Glenwing. Arya confessed that she never had any romantic feeling toward either, it was just that they were the closest elves to her. She also told him that she could see that he was maturing especially with how he had maneuvered the council to move the army and getting released from his oath. He reminded her that he would have to speak with the dwarf king also since he was technically a dwarf.
Eragon and Saphira had also been making plans. They both wanted to bring back the Dragon Riders, but they had to find Saphira a mate first. They both agreed on trying to get Murtagh released from his oaths to Galbatorix. Saphira reminded him if that happened then Murtagh would have to swear loyalty to him so that the council couldn't do anything to him. He agreed with her on that point.
The three where walking as Saphira flew. As they were approaching the cliff Eragon and Saphira stopped talking or responding to either Roran or Arya. If Eragon would have been paying attention he would have seen that Arya was getting worried. When she noticed Roran looking at her she contacted him with her mind and told him to never say anything about it. Roran for his part thought that they loved each other but wouldn't admit it and he thought that proved him right when she contacted him. He saw how much they talked and just sat around each other and compared it with him and Katrina and saw similarities.
Eragon asked Saphira to come down to the ground. When she landed he told Arya and Roran the route to the cave and told them him and Saphira would be on top for a little while. While flying off Saphira noticed Arya's face and laughed in her own mind, she still remembered Arya's secret. She also remembered Brom's secret, but couldn't tell, until Oromis and Glaedr told Eragon first.
Eragon and Saphira went to the top of the cliff and sat together remembering their first teacher. Eragon remembered all that Brom had done for him throughout his life. Saphira remembered Brom showing her memories of dragons while Eragon slept. They remembered their friend together. Eragon told Brom's tomb that he would get revenge for him, Garrow and Brom's Saphira. He then asked for forgiveness for what he was going to do.
Eragon built up his strength and spoke the words in the Ancient Language to break open the tomb. After breaking it open he looked upon his friends face for a moment. When he was through looking he picked up Brom's sword and unsheathed it and saw a name inscribed on it: Undbitr or Wound Biter in the Ancient Language. He now had a riders sword and still had to look under the Menoa Tree for a weapon when he needed one like Solembum told him.
After Eragon and Saphira sealed back up Brom's tomb they made their way back to Roran and Arya. Eragon was both sad and happy at the same time, he now had a riders sword, but had to break open Brom's tomb in order to get it. He wished Brom would have given him it instead of Zar'roc, because this sword matched Saphira's scales. He understood though, Brom didn't want anybody to know of his past, including Eragon.
When Arya saw Eragon come into camp she didn't move. She didn't want to give anymore clues as to her feelings. She thought that Roran already knew too much as it was, but Saphira knew more. She watched as Roran and Eragon talked and Eragon showed him a sword that was the same color as Saphira's scales. She then understood why Eragon wanted to come to Brom's tomb, at least now he would have a riders sword. She thought Rhunon would probably be both mad and glad at once. First loosing one sword and then finding another.
Eragon walked over to Arya and held out Undbitr to her. She looked up and took it and then inspected it. She noticed him watching her with a little trepidation on his face. She figured her opinion was the one he probably would value over everyone else's, and was a little happy about it. Her mother may have told her not to distract him from his duties as a rider, but she was starting to care less what her mother wanted. When they got to Ellesmera, she figured she would tell him and hope he didn't hate her.
"Brom's sword." Arya stated.
"Aye." Eragon replied.
"You broke his tomb." Arya said.
"Aye." Eragon replied.
"Most people would condemn you for that. I however am not most people, I believe in doing whatever necessary to bring down Galbatorix. As long as you repaired his tomb, then I am happy for you. You now have a sword matching your dragon. Congratulations, Rhunon will be pleased for you finding her work, but mad for losing another. But that is her, not me." Arya said.
"Thank you and yes me and Saphira repaired the tomb. I was a little scared how you would react to me breaking a tomb and stealing from it. I had already figured Rhunon would be mad at me." Eragon replied.
"You are not Galbatorix, so quit thinking people will compare you to him. You took Brom's sword to help take him down, he took the riders swords to have them." Arya said.
"Thank you again. I think I am going to go to sleep now we have long days ahead of us. So I'll bid you a good night." Eragon said.
"Goodnight Eragon." Arya replied.
All four found somewhere to sleep. Saphira slept in the entrance to the cave. Roran slept the closest to her. Arya slept at the back of the cave. Eragon slept in the middle of Roran and Arya. Both Eragon and Arya fell asleep looking at each other, but neither noticed the other looking. Saphira and Roran however did and wished they would just admit their feelings for one another.