A.N. Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter. This one is short. Here you go.
A horn sounded again and the Varden scrambled to their weapons, confused and afraid. Eragon's gut twisted as the black dragon approached the city. No! He was not ready. Saphira landed beside him and he felt her worry as well. They will destroy us.
And yet we must fight lest the Varden be killed. We do have Thorn and Vanir.
Eragon watched the new dragon with dread. He's huge, Saphira.
Glaedr was bigger. I have more agility than the larger ones.She tried to reassure him, but her voice was quiet and quavered as she spoke.
"Eragon." Nasuada's sad voice called him from their conversation.
He looked at her. Thorn, Vanir, be prepared and meet us in the air. "We go to fight."
Nasuada looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Good luck, Eragon." She said as she embraced him lightly.
With a grim expression, Eragon mounted Saphira. He wished he had time to don his armor, but the dragon was approaching quickly. Eragon. Arya's worried voice entered his mind. He'll destroy you.
It matters not. We have to fight. Stay on the ground. Protect Wyrda. I love you, Arya.
There was a long pause. I love you as well. Atra esterní ono thelduin. Mor'ranr lífa unin hjarta onr. Un du evarínya ono varda.
With the ceremonial greeting as a blessing, Saphira took to the air and Vanilor combined minds with theirs, offering more defense than they could otherwise hold. Eragon saw Thorn and Vanir rise also and they flew to meet the black dragon.
Roaring, Saphira dove at him but the dragon didn't flinch, letting her talon's bounce off his wards. For the first time, Eragon saw who the evil king. His hair was dark as well as his eyes. His skin a deep tan and he appeared around forty years of age. Eragon saw that Murtagh was behind him on the saddle.
As Thorn approached, Galbatorix held a knife to Murtagh's neck and spoke in a magically raised voice. "Thorn, if you wish your rider to live, land immediately." Eragon grimaced as the ruby dragon dove toward the ground. They were in this alone.
Saphira sent an inferno of raging fire directly at Galbatorix as they closed, but again the ward deflected her. Help! Eragon called to the elves and they funneled energy into him as he prepared a spell. "Letta." He said, trying to immobilize the king to test his disadvantage. His only reassurance in the fight was that the black pair wouldn't try to kill either him or Saphira.
Galbatorix grinned and muttered something in the ancient language. Eragon's spell broke as if it were nothing. Murtagh was watching sadly from the saddle. Saphira closed with him again and Eragon swung at the dragon's neck with Brisingr. Galbatorix raised his own blade. Anger filled Eragon as his eyes fell upon the sword Galbatorix was using. That sword had to be Undbitr, his father's sword. It clashed with his and Brisingr was sent flying from his hand from the sheer power behind the strike, leaving his hand numb and stinging.
Losing hope, Eragon and Saphira continued to batter at the black dragon and his rider. Galbatorix laughed, blocking attacks as if he were fighting a child. "I know not how you managed to defeat my underlings before when you are so weak. I don't know why I was worried. Neither you or the Varden are any threat."
Furious, Saphira barreled into his side and bit at Shruikan's leg. Eragon smiled. Saphira had drawn blood. Not so weak he thought. Were Galbatorix's wards defeated so easily?
Shruikan roared and rolled, and too late, the blue dragon and rider saw the danger. Shruikan's talons stretched and closed around Eragon's waist.
Eragon! Sharp pain filled him as his legs tore free of Saphira's saddle. One of her spines ripped across his back as the black dragon pulled him away from the partner of his mind.
Saphira. Eragon was being carried farther away with Saphira in desperate pursuit. No. He wants you to follow. And you have the eldunarí. Letta! If you come we will lose for sure. Don't follow and don't send anyone after. Don't let Arya come. As the dragon bore him away, Eragon muttered "Jiedra." and the belt of Beloth the Wise fell, accompanied by Aren. The only things he had left to remember his teachers. Keep them safe. I love you, Saphira, but you have to stay. Eragon was filled with her grief and Saphira flared her wings, uttering a piercing lament as her rider was carried in the claws of the enemy back to Uru'baen.
Ha! Extreme cliffhanger. I couldn't help myself but to do this to you all again. What is going to happen? Any thoughts? And none of you have any idea how happy I am that now my story with have a bar to scroll down by the chapters. It probably makes me more happy than it should, but I have the right to be easily amused. Thanks for taking the time to read. Leave a review!