AN: Whew. I'm so pleased to hear that you guys liked the last chapter. It was sort of on a whim thing…something that just sort of…came to me as I wrote. So, naturally, I wasn't sure if it was good or not! :D I decided to try and finish this story before spring break (I know, I'm so indecisive haha) so here goes nothing…
UPDATE: I didn't finish before spring break. Sad panda But I'm back now, and Hogwarts was a BLAST. Got myself the time turner necklace and my very old wand. My childhood approved of it. 3
Eragon had gone back to battle as soon as he had awakened in the infirmary and assured the nurse there that he was fit to return to battle. There was no need, really, however, because the battle was nearly won. Saphira zoomed overhead and landed near Eragon, preening her wings fitfully. There was a long gash glistening across her nose, as well as minor cuts along her wings and hind legs.
Saphira! Why didn't you tell me you were hurt? Eragon chastised his oversized lizard, and she lowered her head under her wing, allowing her partner-of-her-mind-and-soul to heal her.
You weren't exactly conscious. Saphira's rumbling laughter resonated throughout her chest and through the ground, and Eragon scratched the scales on her nose, grinning widely. "What are our numbers?" He asked aloud, staring deep into one of her deep azure eyes.
5,000 strong humans still survive, and 500 are injured. We only lost 100 or so of the elves, who are celebrating the survival of their forest. We also only lost 50 dwarves. It was a better battle than we ever hoped to imagine.
Eragon climbed onto Saphira's back and they took to the air. Eragon relished the wind that passed over his hair. He met Surion and Fundor above the clouds, and Eragon could feel Surion's vast consciousness brush against his own. Eragon allowed the son of the Grey Folk into his mind, mildly curious as to what Surion had to say.
You will be a mighty ruler someday, Eragon Kingsslayer, whether you think it is your destiny or not.
Eragon was taken aback by Surion's kind words, and Saphira hummed in agreement. Choked up, Eragon thought the first thing that came to his mind. Thank you for saving me back there. Eragon felt quite foolish, but did not take back his thanks.
He felt Surion's amusement in the gratitude before he withdrew from Eragon's mind.
Shall we? Saphira asked. She was referring to the egg ceremony that was to take place as soon as Eragon deemed it so. Eragon silently agreed, and Saphira banked to the left to find the others. While Eragon had been unconscious, Desmos had returned with the eggs from the Vault of Souls. Since all of the races were joined in one spot because of the battle, Eragon figured it would be the best time to see if any of the dragons hatched.
Finding Elainæ, Vanir, and Arya with their dragons near the edge of the battle field, Eragon informed them what was going on. They all agreed to follow him to an area of the field that was not tainted with corpses or the grime of war, and, without Eragon, headed towards that area. Eragon and Saphira went to go find Nasuada.
She's probably in her pavilion, Saphira commented.
Right.
They did, indeed, find Nasuada in her pavilion. Her head was bandaged, as well as her sword arm, and she looked extremely exhausted. "Eragon, Saphira. Do come in." She gestured to the back of the pavilion, where Saphira could stick her head through. Eragon took a seat in one of the open chairs.
"What is it that you need?" Nasuada asked, walking around her desk and placing her palms flat on the surface. This battle had changed her.
"I will speak once a representative from each race is present," Eragon said simply. Nasuada eyed him for a moment before sighing lightly and gesturing to one of the guards.
"Find Garr and tell him to find Orik, Arya's first in command, and Nar Garzhvog and bring them all to me." The guard bowed at Nasuada's orders, and disappeared from the pavilion to find Garr. Nasuada sank into her chair.
Are you well? Saphira asked Nasuada, nosing the desk in a slightly concerned manner.
"This war has tired me greatly. And yet, there is much more to come. Am I wrong, Eragon?" Nasuada turned to look at Eragon simply and Eragon shook his head, a smug smile on his face. If all went well, they would be able to do all that he wanted smoothly.
Nar Garzhvog entered the room first, nearly brushing the ceiling with his curled horns. Grime from the war smeared along his sword hand and face, but he appeared unharmed. Orik and Arya's first in command, a proud elvish woman that went by the name of Isa, all came in short after.
"What is it you wish to speak to us about, Eragon?" Orik asked, placing himself beside his brother and looking at him in a curious manner.
"I have decided that it is time for the dwarves and urgals to join our ranks as Dragon Riders. Now-" Eragon paused to clasp Orik on the shoulder, who had intake a nervous breath of air, "-I know that the dwarves have a natural preference to remain firmly on the ground," Orik gave a swift nod of his head, "however, I think you will find the change to be quite adaptable." Orik released a sigh and then turned to look at Eragon for a moment.
"You have always thought of the better for Alagaësia, so I will trust you. You have the dwarves full support in this." Eragon was pleased and shocked at the same time. He would have figured that the dwarves would have given him trouble, but he wasn't about to complain.
He turned to Nar Garzhvog. "What are your thoughts on this?"
Nar Garzhvog stared at him until Eragon was squirming uncomfortably and scratching Saphira's nose for comfort. Finally the giant Urgal fell to one knee and actually bowed to Eragon. "You deal my clan, and the other Urgal's a great honor Firesword. We can do nothing but accept this offer."
Nasuada sat paralyzed in her chair. She appeared to be in shock. "Never in my life had I imagined I would witness this. A true unity between the four races….incredible. Simply outstanding." She nodded her head, as if proving further what exactly she thought about Eragon's choice.
"Come. We must gather our armies together, so that we may witness this all, as one." Nasuada stood and Eragon followed in agreement.
Surion was right. You will be a great ruler, and have your people's best interests at heart. I love you, little one. Saphira nuzzled Eragon's back, pushing him forward, before taking off and heading towards where the other dragons were seen dotting the horizon.
"My brothers and sisters, as you are all my kin in my eyes. We are here today because the blood of our enemy soaks into the ground, and they are a challenge no more!" Eragon's words bounced throughout the mass of people standing before him. Elves, humans, urgals, and dwarves all stood side by side each other to listen to what Eragon Kingslayer had to say. Arya stood beside Eragon's right, smiling and appearing at ease for one of the first times. Saphira was above him, breathing her hot breathe on to the top of his head. Orik stood to his left, as did Nasuada and Nar Garzhvog.
"I have decided that it is time that the humans and elves don't hold the ultimate power over the rest. It is time that Alagaësia held the unity it was meant to have! Therefore, it has been agreed that the urgals and dwarves will be joining the humans and elves alongside the Dragon Riders." Roars of delight and shocked whispers trembled through the massive army, but Eragon did not pause. "We have also decided to return to the land of above, so that we might have a safe place to learn and teach. I know these are some big changes, and I know that they are going to get some time getting used to, but it is in the best interest for everyone as a whole. I will now commence to passing the ancient magic that binds Dragon to Rider on to the races of Urgal and Dwarf."
Eragon turned his back to the army and looked first to Orik. "Are you ready, Brother?" Eragon asked quietly, so that only Orik could hear. Orik held his head up and nodded mutely. "Okay." Eragon started to murmur in the Ancient Language. Little by little, he unraveled the Magic that had so long ago bounded elves and humans to their dragons. Surion, as well as the other Grey Folk children, had taught him how perform this just a few hours ago. It was complex and if Eragon slipped, he might cast catastrophic damage, but he wouldn't mess up because he couldn't. There wasn't an option. As soon as he unraveled the magic, he started re-raveling it to include the dwarves. It took a lot of work, and he had to use some energy from both Saphira and the nearby forest, but he managed it. A rippling effect seemed to pass through the dwarves, and afterwards they seemed more alive than ever.
"Thank you Eragon. You will be weaved into our stories for generations to come," Orik whispered as Eragon moved over to Nar Garzhvog. He did the same, proving a success, and then he turned around. "The magic has been rewound! Never in the history of Alagaësia has this happened! Unity shall be our reward!" An earsplitting cheer emitted from every individual soldier, and Eragon looked over and grinned toothily at Arya. Oh, his beloved Arya…
Her eyes emitted open love, and Nasuada strode up next to him. She held up one hand, and the entire army went silent. "Since the Rewinding of the Ancient Magic has occurred, we can now begin with the Egg Ceremony. Desmos, if you would be so kind." Desmos, along with the other three Grey Folk children, used their magic to magically levitate the eggs in the air to bring to the front of the army. There were an assortment of colored eggs, and there had to be hundreds of them.
"We wish for the head of their races to arrange their people in such a way where this will run smoothly. It is time for our long deserved peace! After the dragons have hatched and have grown large enough to ride on, those who are deemed Riders will follow Eragon back up to the land in the clouds, where they will learn to be proper Dragon Riders as they ought to be. It is time."
Nasuada stepped down and then started commanding her people to form lines to which they were get their turn to touch the eggs. The other Race leaders – Arya, Orik, and Nar Garzhvog – did the same, and Eragon stood back, leaning against his dragoness for support. Utter exhaustion suddenly gripped his limbs.
We did it, Saphira. We really did it. His eyes started to droop, and Saphira's snorted near his face, blasting him with warm air.
That we did, little one.
History was made that day when a small urgal male and a middle aged dwarfish female simultaneously laid their hands across two dragon eggs. The crack was said to have been heard from miles around, but that could have been exaggerated. It also could have been exaggerated when the stories said that the light that came after nearly blinded everyone who happened to gaze upon it. But no one could deny when that light went away and there stood an urgal holding a moss green dragoness in his arms and likewise the dwarf woman holding a white dragon in her arms that the fate of the world had changed. Everything was going to be different.
THE END.
AC: DUN DUN DUNNN. Sorry guys. I really truly am! I meant to write it sooner! But I was faced with the WORST writer's block ever. I would open this doc and stare at it stupidly for ten minutes, get frustrated, and give up. So you must forgive me D: Did you like it? Sequel? Yes, no? Maybe? It's all up to you! And it'll be easier to write since it'll be more futuristic and it'll be more our characters. I'm sorry if it's a bit short too, but oh well! Please review and let us know if you want a sequel! It's been fun!