Chapter 3

Shadow's family.

Shadow followed Eragon to the dwemer city of Farthen Dur. It was still a shock to Shadow that dwemer still were alive. They came to a place know as the "Dragonhold". The floor was mostly marble but the middle of the hold was made of a giant gem. Eragon told him it was called the "Isidar Mithrim" or the "Star sapphire". It was carved by an old dwemer. They talked about each other for awhile until Odahviing roared. The hold echoed with his cry.

"Dovahkiin. My belly is empty. I must eat or someone will be eaten." Odahviing growled.

"Odahviing, you are not alone. Eragon we must eat." Saphira said. Her voice gentle unlike the terrifying roar Odahviing had just done. They walked to the cook's quarter ,who was dismayed at having to feed two dragons now. He kept protesting until Odahviing roared and set one of the stalls on fire and smashed a table with tail.

"Enough of this arguing joors! My belly is empty now show me some food or I will find it my self!" he bellowed. The cook's face grew pale and he leads them to where they had some of their large goats and cows. Before the cook even moved Odahviing glided towards a goat and struck it on it's flank. He reared his head back and covered the creature in flames. Odahaviing crouched over his kill and looked at them. Shadow laughed and apologized to the cook, who grumbled something then stomped off. Saphira grabbed a goat as well and started to eat. Shadow and Eragon sat down on a mead barrel and ate their lunch of bread and pork. Eragon piled him with questions about his homeland, magic, and various other topics. But one topic caught Shadow off guard.

"Shadow did you have a wife and kids." Eragon asked. Shadow almost choked on the mead he was drinking. He wiped his mouth and gathered his thoughts.

"Yes. I had a wife and two adopted children. My wife was a woman by the name of Aela the Huntress. She was a member of the group known as The Companions. She was the finest archer I had ever seen. After I became the Harbinger, the counselor of the Companions, we married. We built a house in the Falkreath hold and after it was finished we adopted two children. But, it was short lived. Not long after we adopted the kids the house was attack by a group of bandits. I fought and slew so many of them but one of those miserable bandits got past me and burn the house. I… I tried so hard to save them Eragon but there were too many bandits. By the time I killed them all the house was burned to the ground and my family's bodies lay burning with it. After that I left and survived in the wilds. That was until one day I was contacted by the Greybeards by way of courier and the letter that said "some one of importance wanted to see me and I was to bring the scroll". When I did I was given this mission and here I am." Shadow looked off into the distance. Memories of Aela and his children's bodies burning danced around in his mind. His anger mounted until he felt the tankard he was drinking out of smashed together. "That was one of the reason I took this mission. I don't want anyone to suffer like I had to." Eragon placed an arm on his shoulder. Shadow looked up to see Eragon, Saphira, and Odahviing looked at him.

"You have had a hard life. But, never forget your family and they will live on in your heart." Saphira said. Odahviing nodded

"Dovahkiin, don't dwell on which you can not undo. Look forward but never forget your past for it makes your Thu'm stronger." The dragon rumbled.

"They are right and remember that you can always count on me to stand by your side." Eragon said. Shadow smiled. He beat his chest and laughed.

"Aye! I am an Orc and I will not let these thought best me for we have a battle to prepare for." He shouted. He bellowed "Yol Toor Shul" and lightened the room with his flames.

"That you have right!" came a deep voice from behind them. They turned to see Hrogthar and Orik walking towards them.

"We have come with gifts." Orik says. He turned and Shadow dwemer pulling carts full of metal.

"What is that?" Eragon asked.

"It is armor for you and Saphira." Hrogthar explains. He turned to Shadow and Odahviing. "I apologize but there was no more armor for your dragon."

"No matter just show me your forge and I will make it myself." Shadow said. The dwemer raised their eyebrows in disbelief but Hrogthar nodded and lead them to a large forge. Shadow took a deep breath then got started.