Chapter Four
"It is a shame really," Galbotorix said smoothly walking toward Eragon. "You and I could have done so much together. You could have been the most powerful being, after me," he spoke casually as if Eragon was an old friend, but his voice was like ice. He walked down the stairs of his throne advancing toward the young Rider not taking his eyes off him. He moved with confidence and power. His eyes were like a snake, menacing and ready to attack at any given moment.
"A shame it is," Eragon responded matching Galbotorix's tone.
"I will give you a chance though Eragon, since you show so much promise. Join me."
"Never," he said in a level tone.
"Let me give you a second chance, Eragon. Will you serve me?" Galbotorix asked.
"I will once again repeat myself, never."
"Eragon," Galbotorix whispered in his ear sending chills down his spine, "I don't think you understand your potential, what you could do, what we can do together. You defeated your brother easily, showing me that you are more powerful than I thought. I was starting to think you were not a threat, but you are turning out to be one, unless you join me."
"I do understand my potential and what I can do. You see this blade?" Eragon asked drawing out Brisingr, "I am going to use it against you and kill you."
"There is no need to do that Eragon. You want the war to end; I want the war to end."
"It will only end, when you are dead."
"Oh Eragon, those fools have you were they want you. You know they only want you so you can be their weapon. They cannot fight on their own, but with you, with you they can fight, there is hope for them to survive. Those, like us, need to stick together, to let those who are powerless know where they stand and where they don't stand. They don't deserve to amongst us."
"They deserve to decide for themselves, they deserve to live in peace. We should not rub in their faces what they don't have."
Galbotorix smiled at Eragon, but his smile was cold, it was almost like he was taunting Eragon. "You are so naïve." He whispered something that Eragon did not pick up on, but it was only a few seconds later and he felt as if his entire body was on fire. He let out a blood crueling scream, as the pain racked through his body. He fell heavily on his knees; he looked up at the king, who was smiling down on him, enjoying himself. He let out a triumphant laugh, "I will get my way in the end, Eragon. I always do." More pain traveled through his body.
The memory of encountering Galbotorix flooded back into his mind and he felt as if the torture was happening again, Eragon's eyes snapped open and he let out a scream, making a figure next to him jump.
"Eragon?" The person asked concerned. Eragon tried to shake his head, but found that he could hardly move, his body felt heavy, he was aware of his body being covered in sweat. "Eragon," the person said again more concern in their voice this time.
"Arya?" Eragon chocked out as he finally realized who had been saying his name.
"Are you alright?" She asked taking a wet cloth and placing it on his forehead. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the cool water against his skin. He took in a few deep breaths before he finally decided to explain to Arya what just happened.
"My memory is coming back to me," Eragon finally responded tensely.
"Is that why you screamed?" Arya asked.
"Yes," Eragon then began to explain to her what he remembered of the final battle. "I don't remember the rest, but that is just the beginning."
Oh little one, Saphira said comfortingly through the mental link that she shared with Eragon.
Saphira, Eragon responded.
What are you feeling, little one? Your emotions are swirling, I can't make sense of any of them.
I don't know Saphira, I am happy the war is over, but the memories of that day are coming back, and I-I… I don't know. I feel as if I am living that day over again, that I am back at the castle and… Eragon trailed off not able to finish, emotions that he did not know how to describe ran through him .
Know that you are not alone; I am here for you as well as others.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
"Eragon, are you alright?" Arya asked. She reached out her hand and touched his. Eragon tried to keep his cheeks and ears from turning bright red.
"I am not sure," he admitted sitting up. Arya reached behind him quickly and arranged his pillows so he could sit up comfortable.
"Talk to me," Arya said softly.
"What happened to Murtagh?" Eragon asked quickly as if he wanted to change the subject. "Arya, please tell that I…" Eragon choked not able to finish his sentence.
"No, no, no," Arya said quickly knowing that Eragon still cared for his now half-brother. The two of them grew close after Murtagh rescued Eragon from the Ra'Zac. Thanks to the two of them, she was still alive. "He is in a cell near Nasuada's tent. Eragon, what are you doing?" Arya asked startled when Eragon threw off his blankets and swung his legs around the side of his cot.
"I have to go and see him."
"You only woke yesterday, you need to rest, and your injuries are not fully healed yet." Eragon seemed to not hear or he just ignored the elf as he stood up. At first he was a little unsteady, but he got used to being on his feet again and made his way out of the tent. Arya was close behind him.
"Arya, please understand!" Eragon exclaimed turning around and facing the elf. He looked agitated at her.
"I do understand Eragon, but I am here to make sure that you make it there alright. Okay?" Eragon studied her for a few seconds before nodding his head and turning on his heels and continued forward. The two dodge between tents, avoiding members of the Varden.
"Shadeslayer!" The guard at Murtagh's cell said surprised.
"Let me through, please," Eragon said calmly.
Eragon you need to relax.
Saphira I am fine.
Your heart is racing. Your thoughts are getting jumbled again.
I am fine, I promise. I think I am excited to see him again, I miss him and well he is my family.
Okay, little one.
The guard at the door fumbled for the keys to unlock the cell that Murtagh was being held in. Eragon turned to Arya and smiled at her. "I appreciate you making sure I made it here, but if I could have alone time with Murtagh…"
"Of course," Arya said rushed.
"I am not being rude-"
"No of course not, I will see you later then." Arya smiled at him and left swiftly. The cell door opened behind Eragon and he turned and walked in.
"Eragon," Murtagh said rising from the cot he was laying on.
"Murtagh," Eragon said softly. His emotions swirled as he looked at his once close friend who was now his half-brother.
They both started to speak at the same time, but they both stopped and just looked at one another. Then Eragon spoke, "I don't blame you."
Murtagh looked at him startled. "Wh-what?" Murtagh said stuttering in surprise at what Eragon had said. He had prepared himself for the worse with his half-brother. He never thought that Eragon would say what he said to him.
"I don't blame you, for anything," Eragon repeated. He was shocked with himself for what he had just said. "I know that the death of the Golden ones was not you. You did not want to kill them, but Galbotorix took over you, and through you he killed them."
Murtagh gawked at Eragon for a moment, "how do you know this?"
Eragon sat down on the chair by the desk in Murtaghs small cell and looked at his half-brother and then began to recount how he knew how Glaedr and Oromis. "They were your Master weren't they?" Murtagh asked quietly after Eragon had finished speaking.
"Yes," Eragon said just as quietly.
"I'm sorry." Silence came over the two of them and then Murtagh spoke again, "they are putting me on trail next week." Eragon's head snapped up and it was his turn now to gape at the Red Rider. "That is what Nasuada informed me of the day before yesterday."
"The council, those bastards," Eragon muttered and Murtagh chuckled. Eragon looked up at his brother and chuckled as well.
"I-I have missed you," Murtagh said suddenly. Eragon smiled at him and nodded his head.
"I have too."
I am sorry for not writing in like forever. I had a death in the family, the holidays, big time test and I got a job... Okay so I am full of pathetic excuses. I also for the life of me could not get this chapter out of me, so here it is and I am not happy with it, but I owe you guys an update and even though is not the best update in the world, it is an update. By the way I give up on getting Arya right, I can't get her character correct to save my life, so I am going to write her the way I want to. Hopefully it works out. Okay now it is time to do your part and review.
