Aunt Yulia
I only just heard you weren't present during the siege. (I hadn't seen you fighting but assumed that you were simply lost among the ranks).
Anyway I thought I would recount the events for you:
I was not there for the beginning of the battle but Nasuada and Murtagh have told me about it. (It is so strange to speak to people of such power on an equal basis but I'll leave that topic for now).
Apparently they did not want to attack Uru'Baen without the support of Eragon and I (although they did not know I would come or if I even existed. It's strange to be a myth while living).
However the Varden were so close to the city and Nasuada received news that Galbotorix was sending troops out to meet them.
They either had to flee or charge the castle immediately. There were no other options.
Nasuada (my sister and I am still as awestruck of her now as I was when I first heard we were related) would never flee, this was what the Varden had been waiting for – the elves had arrived the day before and Murtagh and Thorn were present. In addition to this Angela (unbeknown to Eragon and I) had sent a message just before she vanished (I'll explain why and how later) to Nasuada saying that the two of us would arrive soon.
So Nasuada trusted this news and the support she already had and gathered the Varden together to storm the castle.
I won't go into the details but it's enough to say the battle was vicious and bloodthirsty. Nasuada said (looking guilt ridden) that they'd greatly under estimated the power of Galbotorix's forces. The Varden and the elves were struggling and they had already sustained many casualties.
Morale was falling rapidly when the worst blow struck: Galbotorix and Shruikan appeared.
Even I am aware of how unexpected this was: Galbotorix never leaves the castle (at the very least I suppose it shows that he genuinely fears us).
However weary soldiers didn't see it that way and some began to break rank. Everything was falling apart.
Of course it was at this point that – like in all the old stories mother used to tell me – the heroes came in to save the day. I never thought that I would be that hero (or heroine I suppose if we're speaking literally).
Eragon, Saphira, Emeraldion and I had been flying as swiftly as possible to reach Uru'Baen and it appears if we had been any slower the Varden may have had to retreat. Truthfully I don't think we (or I at least) did very much – I think just the fact that we were there was enough to bring hope to the Varden.
Whatever the case, we flew straight for Galbotorix and Shruikan. At the time Murtagh and Thorn were fighting him but their power was waning: as we arrived it was clear that Thorn was grievously injured and Murtagh was struggling to hold up the defences by himself, even with Eldurani of his own. (Eragon and I of course came with ours).
Even though Galbotorix had lost many of the Eldurani there were enough to supply him with great power and he himself is a fearsome enemy. Engaging him in battle was enough to know that.
When we first saw Galbotorix I couldn't understand why Eragon didn't put on his ring (which contained all the power of the Grey Folk), it held so much power, it could save all of Alagaesia yet he appeared to be prepared to fight Galbotorix as if it was an ordinary battle!
I cannot express how angry I was, you out of all people Aunt Yulia know of my temper and how quickly I lose control. I just couldn't comprehend why Eragon was refusing to take action – was he deliberately betraying us?
But when I looked over at him (rather difficult in the heat of battle with a huge black dragon trying to tear off your head) and saw his expression I understood. He was scared.
I know Eragon has struggled with the power forced on him. A couple of years ago (like me) he was a mere peasant boy. He dislikes killing although he has done so much of it; Saphira told me of a time he risked his own life (and with it all of Alagaesia) to avoid killing a traitor from his own village.
The idea of truly shouldering an infinite amount of power, even to kill someone as evil as Galbotorix terrified him.
Yes, he is a bit of a (complete) blockhead I know, but now: away from the heat of the battle I realize that to show that much mercy when faced with so much power shows a mark of a man who is something beyond ordinary. Very few have such a conscience.
However that still wasn't the time to be so moral and I knew something has to be done.
Acting on instinct Emeraldion flew closer to Saphira, allowing me to jump onto her back as well. The ring that held the power of the Grey Folk was around Eragon neck's on a piece of string, I ripped it off (finally that strength comes in handy) and (how he didn't work out what I was doing I don't know) forced it onto his hand.
Do not think I'm truly ruthless though Yulia, because at the same time though – employing techniques taught by Oromis – Emeraldion and I opened up our minds. We split out souls bare, merging with Eragon and Saphira and the power of the Grey Folk all at once.
Maybe Eragon couldn't bear the power alone but the four of us combined could.
No doubt you have already heard that we killed Galbotorix but truthfully I don't think you can say it was us. The Grey Folk took control of our bodies and minds, we were like puppets or swords, their power and energy channelling through us to finally strike Galbotorix to the ground.
I don't remember what we said or what magic we wielded but I remember coming down on Galbotorix like an avenging wind, crushing him with the power of it all and his body falling to the ground like a stone, as worthless as a piece of rock at the side of the road.
I think that Eragon and I collapsed afterwards but I awoke in a courtyard to see Murtagh pulling the ring off Eragon's finger, an expression of combined awe and fear playing across his face.
It's an expression I have grown used to seeing in the past day or so as Eragon and I have slowly recovered.
After Galbotorix was killed and his soldiers witnessed the power we unleashed the battle was all but over, the Varden quickly taking advantage of their terror and confusion.
Only Murtagh, Thorn, Nasuada, you and of course Eragon, Saphira, Emeraldion and I know that it was the Grey Folk that saved us. We want to keep the secret safe, for fear people may succumb to temptation and steal the ring. What we will do with it permanently I don't know.
I should be able to see you in about a week's time but at present there is still too much to do here. The Varden are eager (far too eager in my opinion) to meet the new dragon rider and their 'saviour'. I would prefer to retreat and hide but Eragon and Nasuada both say that it is a necessary part of being a leader.
At least Murtagh joins me in avoiding such duties (that is when he is not with Nasuada but I'll tell you about that interesting relationship another time).
Anyway I must go; Eragon has just arrived at my tent. It is wonderful to be able to talk to another dragon rider, with him I don't feel so alone anymore.
He is a good man (despite being a blockhead) and a kind one even with all that has happened. He looks to a future full of peace with such hope that makes even me think maybe Alagaesia can be rebuilt.
Love
Melun
