A/N: Sorry for the wait guys! Here's the big finale to the first part of the story!
The rustling of hurried feet caused Auron to groggily open his eyes. The cave was dark, save for the faint light trickling from the shuttered lantern near Eragon's bed, but he could make out a figure in the entrance to their cave. The dwarf looked around nervously, as if trying to distinguish shapes from the oily shadows. The silver dragon sat up straighter, gently shaking Saphira with the paw he had wrapped around her. Saphira, he whispered. Wake, up. There's a dwarf here and he seems agitated.
The blue dragoness grumbled and raised her own head to look. After seeing the dwarf Auron mentioned, she rose and moved over to where Eragon was sleeping. She gave him a not-so-gentle nudge with her snout, and he shot awake. The commotion caught the dwarf's attention and he began talking very fast. "Argetlam! You must come quick! There is great trouble – Ajihad summons you. No time!"
Eragon fumbled out of bed and automatically began dressing. On the other side of Saphira, Auron was rapidly changing back into his human form and dressing as well. Looking to the agitated dwarf, Eragon asked, "What's going on?"
The dwarf only shook his head, his beard bouncing. "Go, you must! Carkna bragha! Now!"
Belting on Zar'roc and grabbing his bow and arrows, Eragon strapped the saddle onto Saphira and climbed aboard. He reached over and helped Auron into position behind him, his friend already wearing his dragonscale armor and twin elven blades across his back. So much for a good night's sleep, groused Saphira, and padded out of the cave. Once in the open, she launched herself into the air.
Orik was waiting for them when they landed near the main gate. He stemmed the tirade of questions from the two youths, saying that he didn't know any more than they did; Ajihad would explain once they got to his study. The group hastily made their way through Tronjheim and to Ajihad's chambers.
Inside, they found Ajihad, Arya and another man who was introduced to the pair as Jormundur, Ajihad's second in command. The group gathered around the large wooden table, and Ajihad delivered the bleak news; less than an hour ago, a dwarf had come running out of the tunnels injured and frightened, claiming the a horde of Urgals were approaching the city.
A din of voices echoed throughout the chamber as everyone began talking at once. Ajihad called for silence and explained further that the Urgals were not coming through the mountains, but under them. Apparently, the Urgals had set up a settlement in a abandoned dwarf city near the Surdan border in the Beors. It was here that the beasts had been migrating all year.
Jormundur asked if they knew how many Urgals there were, but Ajihad merely shook his head. He and King Hrothgar had come up with a plan to collapse several extraneous tunnels that led into the city, forcing the Urgals to come at Tronjheim in one of three main tunnels. This is where the Varden would mount their defense of the city. Ajihad turned to Eragon and Auron. "I need the two of you to assist the dwarves in collapsing the tunnels on the outside of the city. Arya will assist a group underneath."
"We'll do what we can," Eragon assured him.
"Jormundur, see to the men. Tell them to prepare for battle."
The two youths and Saphira exited the city and began searching for the group of dwarves they were to assist. After flying around for a few minutes, they located a bundle of lanterns that lead them to the right spot. Eragon explained to the leader of the group that they were here to help, and the dwarf led him to an open patch of ground, stating the tunnel they wanted to collapse was directly below this point.
Eragon reached out with his magic, whispering, "Thrysta deloi." He felt his power encounter rock, but he pushed on, to the hollow space underneath that was the tunnel. Instead of trying to uncover the tunnel, he focused on it's ceiling, looking for weak points or cracks he could exploit. Every time he found one, he pushed on it, making it wider and deeper. Nearby, Auron worked on another tunnel, adopting the same method. To the dwarves, all they could see were the two humans grimacing and staring at the ground, and they began to grow impatient.
The two boys persevered. Another few moments passed and a pair of deep cracks were heard through the soil. A loud screech, and the ground in front of Eragon caved in like water flowing into a hole, leaving an opening several yards across. Ten seconds later, the same thing happened with Auron's tunnel, and the delighted dwarves set to work walling off the tunnels with the rubble. The leader of the group led Eragon and Auron to another set of tunnels. Over the next few hours they worked on, collapsing nearly ten tunnels around Tronjheim. Saphira lent them her strength, but the work took its toll on them.
Light began to creep into the mountain through the crater's opening, and Eragon took the chance to look around at the landscape. At the base of Tronjheim, the Varden and dwarves began assembling their army into three large battalions. There were regular swordsmen, as well as rows of spear- and pikemen. Towards the rear, lines of archers readied their bows. A small figure detached itself from the far battalion and approached the youths and dragon. As it grew closer, they recognized it as Orik. Laden in the heavy garments of war like his kinsmen, the dwarf looked quite imposing beneath the layers of steel and mail.
He waved them forward. "Come, Ajihad wants you to join the army. There are no more tunnels to collapse, and we have some food waiting for you." Orik led them to a tent where two loaves of bread and water were set aside for Auron and Eragon; Saphira helped herself to a large pile of dried meat in the corner. The food was simple, but they all ate without complaint. When they had finished, Orik told them to wait and disappeared out of the tent. He returned a moment later with a line of dwarves all carrying various large pieces of plate armor.
Eragon lifted one of pieces and inspected it. It was of very fine make, engraved with markings and gold filigree. Nearly an inch think in places, it was also very heavy. No man could fight under this weight, he thought, and there were far too many pieces for a single set of armor.
Orik beamed at them. "A gift from Hrothgar. It has lain so long among our other treasures we had almost forgotten about it. This was forged in another time, before the Fall."
"But what is it?" asked Eragon.
"Why, it's dragon armor of course!" Orik laughed. "You don't think the Riders would go into battle without having their dragon's protected did you? Complete sets are rare, as they take a long time to make and dragons are always growing. Still, Saphira isn't too large yet, and it should fit her nicely."
What do you think? Eragon asked, turning to Saphira.
Let's try it on, she said, a gleam in her brilliant blue eyes.
Auron stepped forward to help, and between the three of them, they managed to fit all the pieces together. As they stepped back to admire their work, the two youths were struck with a sense of awe. Saphira's entire neck, save her spikes, was encased in overlapping plates of armor. Her belly and chest were protected by the heaviest plates, and the lighter ones encased her tail. Her legs and back were completely covered and her wings were left bare. On her head sat a single molded piece of armor, leaving her lower jaw free to bite and snap. She arched her neck experimentally, and the plates flexed with her. This may slow me down, she said, but it will stop the arrows. How do I look?
Auron could only stare, but Eragon gave her cheek an encouraging pat. Very intimidating, he admitted, and Saphira hummed happily.
Orik then presented Eragon with several pieces of armor for himself. A stiff shirt of leather-backed mail went over his torso, bracers were strapped to his forearms and greaves to his lower legs. On his head went a leather cap, mail coif, then finally a gold and silver helm. A pair of mail gloves adorned his hands, and lastly Orik handed him a wooden shield bearing the Varden's crest.
The two sets of armor must have been worth a small fortune, and Eragon bowed his head in thanks. "Thank you for these gifts. Hrothgar's presents are greatly appreciated."
Orik merely laughed. "Thank us later when the armor saves your life." The warriors around them began marching away, and they followed. The battalion moved into position at one of the tunnels that had been collapsed and left open to corral the Urgals were the Varden wanted them. Rows of sharpened saplings had been dug into the ground, providing a thorny barrier between the men and dwarves, and the attacking Urgals. Above the openings, large cauldron's of pitch were heated by several fires, waiting to be poured into the holes to further stem the tide of foes.
The two youths rested against Saphira's flank and waited. Orik rejoined them a while later, having helped build a barrier to protect the Varden's archers. He sat next to Auron, then jumped up with a curse when Saphira drew their attention to another newcomer: Murtagh. The dark-haired young man was leading his war-horse Tornac, carrying his sword and a dwarven shield. At their frenzied inquiries, Murtagh explained that Ajihad had released him, stating that the Varden needed every person they could get to fight.
Auron offered his hand, and Murtagh clasped it tightly. "Could always do with another sword arm."
Ajihad appeared then and briefed them on what was going to take place. One of the Twins would be watching the battle from atop the dragonhold and relaying information to his brother, who would be alongside Ajihad. The leader of the Varden asked Auron and Eragon to report anything out of the ordinary to the Twins, as he knew they could also speak with their minds. Although the thought of being linked made the two boys want to wretch, they knew it was necessary, and nodded in agreement.
Both Auron and Eragon agreed that Eragon should fight from Saphira's back, as it would be safer for both Rider and dragon to remain on the ground, lest they be targets for the Urgal archers. Auron and Murtagh would keep the foot soldiers away from her, so Eragon could focus on the Kull that were likely to be present.
Saphira lowered her head and nudged Auron's shoulder. Just stay close to us, she said.
Don't worry, he rested his forehead against her snout. They'll have to get through me before they lay a finger on you.
Saphira snorted. You think I cannot handle myself in battle? I am no mere hatchling; I don't need you to protect me.
That still wont stop me from trying, he assured her. She looked at him for a moment more, then relented, and gave him a small lick.
Just don't be reckless, Auron. I couldn't bear to see you hurt. Auron stroked her jaw and placed a light kiss on her snout, and told her it would take a lot more than an army of Urgals to break them apart.
Eragon looked away from his two emotional companions and spied Arya nearby, her sword at her waist and and elegant bow in her hands. He hurried over to her, concerned. "You are going to fight?"
"I do what must be done," she said evenly.
"But, its too dangerous!"
She eyed Eragon with a dark look. "Do not pamper me, human. I am not one of your weak females; elves train both their men and women to fight. I failed to protect Saphira's egg, and I would be further disgraced if I did not protect the two of you now. You forget that I am stronger in magic than all here, you included. Should the Shade show up, who could defeat him but I?"
Eragon heard the truth in her words, but he still felt uneasy. "Then...just stay safe." In the ancient language he added, "Wiol pomnuria ilian." For my happiness. Arya turned her head away uneasily, and said no more. Eragon retreated back to Saphira and the others, sitting next to Murtagh.
Farthen Dur fell into an uncomfortable silence as everyone waited for battle. Eragon passed the time by both examining the links of mail on his armor and spying on Arya. Orik sat nearby, running a whetstone over his war-axe, the rasping sound of the rock being drawn over the metal echoed around them. Murtagh simply stared into the distance. Every now and then, a messenger would run out of the tunnels and the rows of men and dwarves would surge to their feet, only to slump back to the ground at the false alarm. The worst part was the lack of wind under the mountain; the air was dead, motionless. The drifting smoke and haze from the fires only added to the discomfort.
Eventually, darkness returned to the field, and Eragon found himself staring out of half-lidded eyes. Orik said they should try and sleep now while they could. Using his shield as a pillow, Eragon leaned up against Saphira's foreleg and watched her and Auron, his eyes drooping, but still unable to close.
Auron sat next to the dragoness's head, softly stroking her chin and neck. His own thoughts wandered though his head, and he felt a cold pit forming in his stomach. Saphira had been uncharacteristically silent as well, no doubt contemplating the future herself. She lifted her head and brought it to rest on Auron's shoulder. Are you scared? she asked quietly.
Absolutely, he replied humorlessly.
Saphira rubbed her snout against his neck. So am I, she whispered. I worry for your safety, and Eragon's. We have never faced something like this before.
We'll make it, Saphira. Have faith.
He put an arm under her chin and wrapped around her nose, holding her close and comforting her. They sat like this in silence for a few minutes more, before Saphira spoke up again, her voice soft. Auron?
Yes?
She gazed at him with her large sapphire eyes. In case...I mean, if I don't get the chance to say it again...I want you to know...
What, Saphira? He turned his head to look at her straight on, their faces mere inches apart.
Saphira hesitated, looking around briefly to the men and dwarves surrounding them, then back into his cool blue eyes. She sucked in a breath, then pushed her lipless mouth into his. I love you, Auron. I always will.
Auron was slightly surprised, but he understood. He held her head gently, and pushed back against her scaled lips. I love you, Saphira. They held the kiss for several moments, then broke apart slowly, Saphira giving him one last lick as she pulled away from him. A small chuckle came from Eragon, and Auron turned to look at him, but neither one said anything. There were no words, they didn't need them. They all held each other in a tight mental embrace, supporting and comforting the other with their thoughts and feelings. This won't be our last night, I promise you, Auron vowed to the dragoness.
Saphira hummed at him, then turned her head to look at Eragon resting against her side. She dropped a wing around him, snuggling him close, and he rubbed her flank in response, causing her to hum even louder. Auron sat between her front paws, and leaned back against her chest. She twisted her neck so she could lay her head on his lap, and he softly stroked her nose. The three of them sat together, waiting and watching, their minds all joined for comfort. As both Auron and Eragon drifted to sleep, they dreamed together.
Dark shapes and horned beasts swirled behind their eyelids. Voices kept reaching out to them, but were indistinguishable. They slept shallow and uneasy, until a hand touched Eragon's shoulder and he jerked awake, Auron along with him.
"It has begun," Arya said grimly.
The once still battleground surged with movement as men and dwarves climbed to their feet. Orik swung his ax in a wide arc, ensuring he had enough room to wield his hefty weapon. Beside him, Auron drew his twin blades and twirled them around with his wrists, the bright metal shining in anticipation. Eragon climbed onto Saphira as the dragoness tensed, ready for battle. Beside them, Arya notched an arrow into her bow. All eyes were focused on the dark entrance ahead.
Rough shouts and sounds came from the pit suddenly as shadowy figures became visible. A sharp bark from one of the Varden commanders, and the cauldrons of boiling tar were dumped onto the horde. Screams followed, as the attacking Urgals were burnt and scalded. A pillar of flame appeared as a torch was thrown in and an inferno engulfed the beasts. More of their brethren trampled over the fallen Urgals and surged towards the encamped Varden.
The Varden's pikemen stabbed viciously at the oncoming horde, but were all to quickly overrun. With a deafening roar, the two armies collided. Saphira bellowed at leaped into the fray tearing into a Kull with her fangs and talons. Atop her back, Eragon parried blows from additional Urgals to protect her vulnerable wings. Blood spurted along Zar'roc's length and the crimson blade shone with glee.
Out of the corner of his eye, Eragon saw Murtagh, his face plastered with an angry snarl as he swung his sword mercilessly, smiting all who came near. Several feet away, Orik was shattering the necks of Urgals with mighty swings from his ax. At his back, Auron was a blur, his lightning fast blades slicing through Urgals as if they were parchment. Saphira turned, and Eragon saw Arya leap past the lifeless body of an opponent.
An Urgal bowled over a wounded Varden swordsman and charged at Saphira. His war-ax skated of the armor protecting her front leg, and Eragon slashed Zar'roc into his head. The blade stuck in the horns however, and the weapon was yanked from Eragon's grasp. Cursing, he jumped out of the saddle and tackled the falling Urgal, pulling Zar'roc from its skull. He rolled to the side as another feral beast charged him.
Saphira! Eragon cried, but the tide of battle had separated them. He heard an angry roar and felt a wash of rage come from her, but he couldn't reach her. Suddenly, a Kull jumped at him, swinging a large club. Eragon stabbed out with magic, breaking the Kull's neck. Four more Urgals fell to the crimson blade's gleaming edge before Murtagh rode through the mass and came up to Eragon.
"Come on!" the dark-haired youth shouted, and hauled Eragon up into the saddle. Murtagh spurred Tornac with his heals and drove the horse towards Saphira. The dragoness was surrounded by twelve Urgals wielding spears, and they had managed to prick both her wings, but that was as far as they got. A bloodcurdling roar echoed across the field, and a brilliant explosion of silver light incinerated three of the beasts. Planting himself between Saphira and the attacking Urgals, Auron had become death incarnate; the intense fire in his blue eyes was matched only by the flashing silver blades that cut down all opponents who approached the dragoness.
Eragon was momentarily stunned by the ferocity of his friend, but quickly came out of his shock. Jumping from Tornac, he slew the closest two Urgals and dashed to Auron's side. Between the two youths and dragon, they carved a path wide enough for Eragon to remount Saphira and she took off. As they rose, Eragon looked back to see both Murtagh and Auron engage another group of Urgals, both boy's faces a grim mask of determination.
Saphira circled the madness of the battleground, giving both herself and Eragon a brief respite from the fighting. Their muscles were clenched and twitchy, the adrenaline pounding through their bodies. After a few moments, they dived at the rear flank of the Urgal, managing to kill several of the archers there before they were sighted. Eragon and Saphira repeated this tactic on all of the three columns, and their heightened vantage point gave Eragon a clearer view on the progress of the battle.
It was not going well. Slowly but surely, the Varden and dwarves were being forced backwards towards Tronjheim. The endless tide of Urgals streaming from the tunnels began to wear down the valiant defenders, although Eragon noticed that the different groups of Urgals did not seem to be following any specific leadership. Remembering Ajihad's orders, he relayed his findings to one of the Twins atop the dragonhold. The spellcaster acknowledged this stoically, the ordered Eragon to assist Hrothgar, whose battalion was suffering.
Hours past, and the battle raged on. Eragon and Saphira fought on their own for the most part, catching only fleeting glimpses of their friends through the carnage. Auron...Arya...Murtagh...Orik, they all battled relentlessly. He had even seen Angela the herbalist fighting alongside the Varden against the dark horde, her strange bladed staff weapon spinning in her hands. The endless tide of Urgals was beginning to force the Varden back more and more. For every Urgal killed, two more seemed to take its place. There was simply no end to them. Eragon's body was exhausted, his limbs heavy and his mind was drained for all the magic he was using. Saphira fared a little better, although her wings her wings were still punctured with small wounds.
Parrying a blow from an Urgal, Eragon felt on of the Twins contact him. Noises coming from within the city alerted them to the fact that more Urgals could be tunneling up underneath them. The Twins ordered Eragon to investigate and collapse any tunnels he could.
Dispatching his opponent with a cleaving strike, Eragon looked through the mass of bodies to see Auron and Arya struggling against a wall of Urgals. The two fleet-footed fighters were holding their own, but the monsters just kept coming. Saphira let out a short roar and barreled towards them, leaving a pile of flattened Urgals in her wake. Reaching his friends, Eragon offered his hand and shouted, "Get on!" Arya grabbed his hand and jumped up without hesitation, pulling herself into the saddle behind Eragon. Using an Urgal as leverage, Auron followed suit, landing on Saphira's back.
As the dragoness crouched and prepared to take off, a large Urgal charged at her and smashed her chest with the ax he was holding. Saphira roared with pain and lurched forward, her feet leaving the ground. She teetered dangerously, her wings snapping open to try and keep them up. Below, the Urgal drew back his arm and prepared to throw his ax. Before he could register any of this, Eragon felt something fly past his side, and looked on in shock as Auron ran up and propelled himself off Saphira's shoulders, slamming into the Urgal and knocking them both to the ground.
Eragon tried to shout but a mental bark from Auron cut him off. Go, get her out of here! With a colossal heave of her body, Saphira was able to right herself and with powerful thrusts from her wings, managed to rise above the boiling mass of fighters. She pulled away from the battlefield with rasping breath.
Pulling his swords from the chest of the Urgal he impaled, Auron rolled back to his feet to see Saphira laboriously take flight and wing her way towards the marble city. Dropping his gaze back to the battle, Auron quickly dispatched another pair of charging Urgals. Through the haze, he made out the figure of Orik nearby, embroiled in his own struggle against opponents. Around him lay the fallen bodies of several fellow dwarves. Then, another Urgal rose behind him, preparing to strike down on the distracted dwarf with his own large hammer.
Using what little strength he had, Auron drew back his left arm and threw his sword as hard as he could. The silver blade twirled though the air, straight and true, impacting the Urgal behind Orik with a sickening crunch. The surprised dwarf whirled at the sound, only to see his would-be assassin topple to the ground. He jerked his head in thanks to the youth, who responded in kind, and the two began engaging the next batch of opponents, fighting side by side.
Without his second blade, Auron was forced to rely on his agility to defend him from oncoming blows. His remaining elven sword dashed forward again and again, but he was off balance, never having practiced extensively using only a single weapon. Cursing to himself, he grabbed a small round shield from one of the fallen dwarves and managed to block several strikes from the howling beasts around him. The respite was brief thought, as he was unaccustomed to the bulky nature of a shield, and he took several blows to his midsection. The Urgal's weapons did not pierce the dragonscale armor he wore, but the force of the blows were definitely enough to give some serious contusions.
The Urgals advanced on the youth and dwarf, slashing and hacking. The pair managed to hold them, but Auron was loosing ground. With a wild cry, he flung the shield as a disk towards his aggressors, stunning the Urgals he stuck momentarily, but they shook it off and swung their weapons again. Now, without a proper defense, Auron was at an even bigger disadvantage. Diving at the Urgals, he rolled under their swings, and their feet. He delved into the corner of his mind where his magic lay, focused on his lost blade and shouted "Gath sem sverdar un lam iet!". As if attached to him by a string, the sword he had thrown into the Urgal before jerked out of the body and flew toward his open hand. Using his momentum from the roll, Auron propelled himself back onto his feet in a blurry whirl of motion and the retrieved sword landed in his outstretched palm. Quick as a flash, he spun and slashed both blades through the backs of the surprised Urgals.
Howling, the beasts dropped like a bag of stones, leaving Orik to stare dumbfounded at the youth. Favoring the dwarf with a mere shrug, he flashed a quick grin, which was returned. Then, yelling a pair of war cries, the duo leaped back into the fray, the oncoming Urgals falling before their frenzied attacks.
Above the battle, Saphira struggled to stay aloft. Her wing beats were labored and Eragon was awash with concern. Are you alright? he asked worriedly.
I'll live, she replied grimly. But the front of my armor is smashed together and is hurting my chest, making it hard to move.
Can you get us to the dragonhold?
….Maybe.
Eragon explained her condition to Arya, and the elf offered to help Saphira once they landed. Upon reaching the dragonhold, the dragoness landed heavily, and Eragon jumped down from her back. He put his hand to her cheek, and told her he would be back. With a last look at her, he dashed out of the hold.
The Twins had told him that the noises were coming from the main hall of Tronjheim, which was directly beneath the dragonhold. Eragon's only option to get there quickly was to ride down the Vol Turin, the long staircase that wound itself up the side of the city...or more precisely the polished trough that ran bedside it. Throwing himself to the smooth stone, he flew down the trough at breakneck speeds. The swift decent lasted several minutes, and Eragon had to fight the rising nausea he experienced when he came to the end. Standing finally, he was just able to get a grasp on his surroundings when a sharp explosion split the air.
A large section of the floor erupted and the hulking figures of Urgals streamed out from it. Eragon grasped Zar'roc in preparation to fight, but was stunned when another figure emerged from the hole...Durza.
The Shade was garbed in fine black armor, and the Urgals gave him a wide berth. Upon locking his crimson eyes on the shocked youth before him, Durza ordered the beasts to surround him, but not to engage. The Shade wanted that pleasure for himself. "So, my young Rider," he said evilly. "We meet once again. Only this time, you will not escape so easily."
"You will never capture me alive," Eragon swore.
"We shall see," the Shade said, his voice dripping with malice. "Now tell me, where is your dragon?"
"Never."
"Then I shall force it from you!" Durza whipped his pale blade towards Eragon, who barely managed to block the strike with his shield. As he struck with his sword, the Shade also lashed out with his mind, trying to force his way into Eragon's. The youth battled back, but just as he was in physical combat, Eragon was poorly outmatched.
The pair traded blows, both at each others bodies and minds, neither one willing to back down. Eragon felt his strength wavering, and in a last-ditch effort, threw himself at Durza. The Shade smashed him in the head with his shield and Eragon's neck throbbed as he was flung back. Not hesitating, he threw his own shield at his opponent. Despite his superior speed, Durza was unable to move out of the way completely, and the shield clipped him on the hip. Eragon took this advantage and stuck out with Zar'roc, catching the man-demon on the arm. A howl came from Durza as his concentration slipped and Eragon thrust forward with his mind. The effect sent both of them reeling.
Eragon was unprepared for the tidal surge of images and experiences from the Shade's mind. He tried to gain some balance, but the force of them was overwhelming. Durza turned, fury in his eyes, and charged Eragon with his sword raised. The youth was still trying to close his mind, unable to raise his own weapon. Time seemed to slow down. Eragon saw the sword coming, but he could do nothing. The Shade smote him heavily across the back, slicing through both mail and skin. He screamed as pain blasted through him, obliterating all thought. He could feel the hot blood seeping down his back and he looked towards the heaven, bracing for the end. Eragon could barely stay concsious, tears running down his cheeks. He had failed. Everything; the Varden, Saphira...all would be lost.
A deafening report broke through the air, and a blinding light caused Eragon and Durza to flinch. Eragon blinked rapidly to clear his vision and stared upward at the sight that befell them.
The star sapphire had shattered. A massive wave of dagger-like fragments plummeted towards the floor...and in the center was Saphira. Jaws open wide, and from between them, a torrent of yellow flame tinged with blue erupted outward from her maw. On her back was Arya, her dark hair billowing wildly and her hands alight with a green glow.
Time slowed as Eragon saw Durza look upward to this new threat. A word formed on his lips as he pointed towards the falling dragon, his face distorted in an evil sneer. A hidden reserve of strength welled up in Eragon and he curled his fingers around the hilt of his sword. He plunged through barrier in his mind and felt the magic rush into his body. Eragon focused all his pain and rage into a single, powerful word: "Brisingr!"
Zar'roc burned with a bloody light, flames dancing along its length, and with the last of his energy, Eragon drove the sword through Durza's heart.
The Shade looked down at the blade piercing his chest with wide eyes and an inhuman howl came from his throat. His skin crawled with swirling patterns of darkness, and he shrieked even louder as the shadows began to pulse through him. A final scream came from him as he was rent from head to toe, the darkness rushing out of him and passing through the stone walls in a flash. The Shade was gone.
The last of his energy drained, Eragon fell back to the floor. The last thing he saw was Saphira and Arya falling, but slowing at the same time...
Eragon didn't know where he was. He floated in nothingness, unable to move his body. Flashes from the Shade's mind enveloped him, and pressed down on him like a blanket, smothering him. Darkness surrounded him and he curled into a ball, trying to fight against the shadows around him. He clung to his memories of his own life like a shield; the images of his friends, his feelings towards them, and his experiences since finding Saphira's egg. He struggled to keep this light with him, battling back the evil.
Come to me, a clear voice rang out. Eragon felt the darkness halt, then retreat. He looked up to see a figure dresses in white standing in front of him.
Who are you...he asked weakly.
I am the Mourning Sage, and also the Cripple Who Is Whole, the person answered. Come to me, Eragon, for I have the answers that you seek.
But...where are you? Eragon pleaded. How do I find you?
Trust in Arya and go with her to Ellesmera...I await you there.
The figure turned and walked away into the distance. Eragon tried to stand and follow, but his body would not respond. Wait, please, he tried. The person stopped, then turned back to face Eragon, their face obscured by a silver light.
The time for answers will come, Eragon, he assured him. Rejoice in what you have done, and be proud. You have rid the world of a great evil. Eragon could feel the truth in his words, and a sense of peace washed over him. He had accomplished much, and his feats would merit him honor and recognition. No matter his trials in the future, he knew he was no longer just a pawn in the game of power. He had become what Ajihad had wanted; an authority independent of any king or leader.
Eragon sensed approval as he reached that conclusion. He could feel a strange sensation come from the mysterious figure, but it spoke before he could. Remember – you must go to the elves...
Rest Eragon...
"Eragon...."
"Eragon!"
He bolted upright, then gasped at the shock his body issued. Eragon blinked warily and looked around. He was in a set of quarters, somewhere beneath Tronjheim from what he could guess. Wrapped in soft blankets, Eragon lay in a bed, Angela sitting next to him in a chair, her face set in an exasperated expression. She was still garbed in her armor from the battle. "About time. I thought I would have to strike you myself to get you to rise. Now, how do you feel?" She peered at him intently.
Dizzy and confused, he struggled to remain upright. "I...I don't know," he stammered.
"Drink this," the herbalist said, offering him a tankard of water. The cool liquid soothed his throat and helped him to think clearly, and he lay back down, trying to gather his thoughts.
Memories of his fight with Durza came flooding back. The pain of the sword strike...the rush of the Shade's mind merging with his...Saphira falling... "Saphira!" he shouted, trying to rise again.
"Easy, easy," Angela chided, gently holding him down. "She is alright, as are the others."
"What happened? Where are they?" he asked, his eyes darting around the room.
"They are outside waiting for you to awake. I will get them," she said, and got up to go to the door.
The hallway was so silent you could almost hear the rock expanding and contracting. The four figures that lingered there barely made a sound, save for the heavy breathing coming from the blue dragoness curled outside the door. Saphira lay with Auron, who sat on the floor with his his back to the wall, her head resting in his lap. He gently stroked her neck and head, neither of them saying anything, but sharing thoughts and emotions through their mental link. On the other side of the hall, Murtagh sat against the wall as well, his gaze directed at the floor. Arya stood a small distance away, similarly lost in contemplation.
Auron continued to stroke the smooth scales under his hand, the motion slow and steady, and he felt a small hum issue from Saphira's throat. He thought back to the battle, and the aftermath of what had happened. He and Orik had been fighting nonstop since Saphira had taken off with Eragon and Arya, the seemingly endless tide of Urgals continuously throwing themselves at them. A massive explosion had come from the marble city, and shortly after that, a dark cloud of mist flew out of the stone walls and vanished into the sky overhead. The Urgals then lost cohesion, and began fighting amongst themselves, which allowed the Varden and dwarves to regain the battle.
After the tide of battle had turned, Auron had ran through the gates of Tronjheim to find his friends. He came upon the main chamber where Eragon had fought the Shade and found Saphira and Arya amidst the ruins of the star sapphire, Eragon unmoving on the ground beside them. Saphira's face was taught with worry, as Arya examined her unmoving Rider. Kneeling next to the elf, Auron sagged with relief when she told him that Eragon was alive, thought injured. Together, the three of them had managed to get him to Angela, where the herbalist had set about tending to him and healing his wounds.
Ensuring that Eragon was being looked after, Auron and Saphira had retreated to an adjacent chamber to rest. Once inside, Auron had found himself pinned by the dragoness as she licked, nuzzled and generally cuddled every piece of him she could. Waves of relief and joy at seeing him alive and unhurt flowed from her like a river, and he responded in kind. The horror of the battle had shaken them, and being constantly separated during it had done nothing to alleviate their fears for the others safety. Since then, they hadn't left each others side for a moment, which had been rather easy, seeing as neither of them had gone very far from Eragon's room while they waited for news.
Auron was just reminiscing over Saphira's loving tackle when the door to the room opened and Angela ushered them in. Both he and Saphira shot up and raced to the door, Murtagh and Arya right behind them.
Auron entered the room, followed by Arya and Murtagh. Saphira snaked her head in behind them, her body to large to fit. They found Eragon sitting upright on the bed, and his face broke into a smile when he saw his friends. Eragon felt a surge of happiness when Saphira saw him, and her chest vibrated in a deep hum. It is good to see you well, little one, she said tenderly.
You too. But how -
The others wish to explain, and I will let them.
You breathed fire, I saw you!
Yes, she hummed with pride.
Eragon started to speak, but was cut off when Auron stepped up to the bed and grabbed him in a rough embrace. Weak as he was, Eragon returned it as strongly as he could. "You have got to stop scaring us like that," Auron breathed.
"I'll try harder next time," Eragon whispered back, and the two let go of each other. Eragon favored Arya and Murtagh with a weak smile as they told him of what had transpired after he defeated Durza. He shook his head in awe as Arya explained what she had done to the star sapphire in order to distract the Shade, giving Eragon the chance to kill him. Angela simply muttered that between the two of them, she had almost reached the limit of her abilities trying to keep them alive.
It was then that Eragon realized the horror of what Durza had done to him. The wound on his back from the Shade's blade had not been healed completely. He now had a huge scar running from his right shoulder to his opposite hip. Auron tried to cheer him by saying it was a badge of honor, but Eragon was dismayed. He was disfigured. Then, he thought of the mysterious figure who had come to him in his mind, telling him to rejoice in what he had done. He had rid the world of a great evil, and Eragon felt a measure of peace wash over him.
Angela began to shoo the others out, stating that the Rider still needed rest. They complained, but a subtle threat of "certain ingredients" being forced upon them caused them to stop rather quickly. Saphira gave Eragon a quick lick and Auron told him they would be by later. After they had gone, Eragon lay back in the bed and contemplated what the figure in white had told him. Come to me...for I have all the answers you seek.
Eragon nodded to no one but himself. I will come.
A/N: Yay! Finally done the first book's plotline! Not to mention one of my longest chapters. (*rubs sore hands*)
As with the first book, I will mostly be following the same flow of Eldest in terms of events, timeline and such. Of course, with the addition of Auron and his relationship with Saphira, this means that the way certain events play out will be slightly different. (The meeting of another, older – and male - dragon perhaps?)
That being said, I do plan on condensing the travel parts a bit, just to get to more important parts more quickly. Sorry if this displeases anyone, but I don't really care for writing several pages on how they walked to Tarnag, then spent days and weeks walking through Du Weldenvarden... etc, etc. I will however highlight certain meaningful events that happen along the way. (Dagshelgr, anyone?)
Until next time!