Chapter 27: A premonition told, and reunion

Deaother stood in the very field where Garjzla had crashed a couple of days ago. The golden dragon's body was still there, being preserved by magic, and Anurin lay next to him.

Sunlight illuminated the dragon and the Rider, their faces seemingly calm and at rest, but their wounds still vivid. But they were not the only ones who had been killed in the attack.

Poor elves . . . they shouldn't have died, they were innocent. Deaother sadly thought.

A few feet away lay the four elves that had been crushed by the Lethrblaka. Deaother had been greatly saddened when he had seen those dead elves, and in the last few days, his complete perspective of life had changed.

What meaning does it have, if we all can just die like this? One sword thrust . . . one bolt of an arrow, and we are dead. We can't return after that, tis' impossible. Deaother thought, and the same thought had been running through his mind for the past few days. He was confused, and not even the century of wisdom that he had gave any explanation to his dilemma.

But he put those thoughts aside and looked around again. The Lethrblaka and Ra'zac were still there, they were too big to be moved. They were supposed to be burnt with normal fire, while a dragon would burn Garjzla.

That said my parents should be here soon now. Deaother thought.

Dathedr could be seen standing there, staring sadly at the dead elves. As Deaother saw him, the King turned and beckoned Deaother closer, a sad look on his face.

Why does he want to speak to me? Deaother thought and walked towards him, smiling and nodding in reply to the grass green robed elf.

"King Dathedr, what is it that you wish to speak to me about?" Deaother asked him, and Dathedr stared at him for a while, then sighed.

"There are many things that we should speak about, Deaother-vodhr, but one of them is quite vital and urgent." Dathedr told him. Deaother raised his eyebrows, confused.

"It is a delicate matter, Deaother, it'll be better if this is kept within us. Do you agree?" Dathedr asked him. His words made Deaother curious and cautious at the same time. What could the king want to tell him that he didn't want others to know? Accepting his terms would mean that Deaother would have to bind himself to the secrecy of this topic for quite a long time. Deaother looked at the king, who was waiting for his reply.

If I do accept, he will tell me this delicate matter. Deaother thought, and he was rather curious.

But then, I can't tell anyone else this . . . Why can't I? Deaother thought back. He argued the various reasons that could be possible, but he knew that he could not rest unless he understood what it was. His curiosity got the best of him.

"I agree, this conversation shall remain ours, no one else shall know of it." Deaother agreed. The king's face eased a bit, then he turned away and stared up at the sky. As he did, Deaother spotted Vaelia and Kielle a little away, looking at the dead elves with grief. Deaother, at first, felt that now Dathedr was reluctant to tell him what he had earlier wanted to tell him. But, he discarded the thought and kept staring at Vaelia, who hadn't seen Deaother yet.

" . . . . I had a premonition today, Eragonsson. And it was concerning myself, Vaelia . . . and you to some extent." Dathedr told him, and Deaother jumped back slightly, distracted out of his observation of Vaelia. But then, he reflected on the words the king had spoken, and he tensed a bit. He had not thought that the king would express such things to Deaother, it was a true surprise.

But then, what's the reason for asking to not tell anyone this? Deaother thought as he turned to the king, who was still staring at the sky.

It seemed that he king had known what Deaother would think, because he said, "I tell you this because it concerns all three of us, but Vaelia must not come to know of this." Dathedr continued.

"Sire . . . you can trust me." Deaother told him.

Dathedr smiled slightly at his words, then was silent for a while. He kept on staring at the sky. Deaother waited for him to say something, then he returned to watching Vaelia again. She was standing next to Garjzla and rubbing her soft fingers on his scales. Deaother thought she seemed quite beautiful in the teal tunic and maroon leggings she wore.

Deaother returned to the conversation when Dathedr said, ". . . I saw myself being . . . . killed in the premonition . . . I saw the entire vision through Vaelia's eyes, and you were with her, watching me from a distance . . . . . I was killed by about twenty of the Ra'zac, and about a dozen of them lay dead on the ground nearby . . . . In the end I was overwhelmed by them." Dathedr said so straightforwardly that Deaother was surprised. Surprised as he was, questions also leapt up in his mind. But he suppressed them for another time, except one.

"Sire, this might have been a dream, nothing else." Deaother told him. To his immense surprise, Dathedr laughed at his words, though his laugh itself was somber.

"A dream cannot be as real as life itself, can it? The elves have studied into this matter for ages, and I have verified through many means that this indeed was a premonition" Dathedr told him.

Deaother was dumbstruck, he couldn't reply, only gape at the elven king.

Dathedr continued a little sadly, "It was nighttime in the premonition. When you saw all this happening, you grabbed Vaelia's hand and led her away from the Ra'zac . . . . even though she was screaming at you to let her come back to me . . . you did the right thing. But then . . . you were both caught in the end, and that's where the dream ended. This was a premonition, of that I am sure, because I have got them several times before . . . . Through them, we can change the path that the future can take." Dathedr told him, and Deaother was still bowled over what he had heard.

"But Sire, how can this be true? Gilderien can stop them, can't he?" Deaother asked the King, who smiled at Deaother's face and tone of his voice.

"He can't stop everything, even though he may be quite strong and powerful . . . and that's why I am talking to you now . . . . I want to request something of you, Deaother." Dathedr said, and Deaother stared at him for a while.

"As a father, I care too deeply for Vaelia. Her mother left us a few years ago out of an ailment the elves were unable to cure . . . . I am the only one she has. I saw my own death today, and I don't want her to be alone . . . Will you be with her, and keep her happy?" Dathedr asked Deaother.

There was silence between them, since Deaother was dumbstruck. Dathedr had directly asked Deaother to be with Vaelia, should Dathedr be killed. And the conviction with which the king stated his own death was equally astounding. Deaother was confused, on one side he really wanted to get closer to Vaelia, but on another he was a little afraid of the fact that Vaelia might not appreciate the promise he was going to give Dathedr.

A few minutes passed, until finally Dathedr spoke, "Why do you hesitate? Do you not feel anything for my daughter?" The King had a really curious expression on his face.

What? Even he suspects that I have feelings for her? Deaother thought, feeling sheepish. But he jumped out of his thoughts when he saw the king's extremely curious face, but the king said after that, "I meant her safety and well being, do you not care about it?"

"Nothing like that, Sire, but I was just wondering what she would like it she learnt of the promise I am giving you . . . will she be furious or frustrated?" Deaother asked.

"Deaother, she won't be angry, do not worry. She talked to me about you the day before yesterday and told me how you saved her from that Ra'zac . . . I think you will be happy to be with her, and she you." Dathedr told him, and Deaother realized that the King had fairly guessed the feelings Deaother had for Vaelia. A huge step like this meant that Dathedr knew that Deaother would do his best to keep Vaelia safe from harm, and yearn to always see her happy. This meant that Dathedr knew of his infatuation, though Deaother couldn't guess how in any way.

Deaother had to accept now. A King didn't request you to do something everyday. He knew that it might create many complications, but in a way, he was getting what he dearly wished for.

"Aye, my king, I accept. I shall do my best to be with her and keep her safe and happy." Deaother said, fighting himself to keep a straight face, and nodded.

Eragon watched sadly as Saphira slowly descended down towards the field where the golden dragon and his Rider were. Eragon wasn't as surprised as the others to see them, but he was grieved.

The Rider had been one of Eragon's predecessors and Eragon had his knowledge within him. He was pained and sad by the fact that Anurin and Garjzla were dead. And, it had been a decades since a Rider and dragon had been killed. The last ones to die were Galbatorix and Shruikan.

It feels rather bad to see them like this. Saphira said.

I feel the same, Saphira . . . I wish they wouldn't have been killed, then things would have been better, much better. But they did what they had to, I think. Eragon told her.

What is that supposed to mean? Saphira asked him, and Eragon grew somber.

It means . . . they probably came here to warm us of the fact that Crugan is coming. Eragon told her sadly.

Eragon . . . well, he had to come some day or the other, might as well be now. Saphira said.

We have to tell all the monarchs this as soon as possible . . . The voice that I hear in my head keeps saying that- Saphira cut him off at that point.

Eragon, enough with that voice, I never hear anything. Saphira told him a little angrily.

Saphira . . . We'll talk about this later, I can see Deaother and Dathedr over there. Eragon told her, frustrated that she didn't believe him. Normally, this wouldn't be the case, but right now, Eragon couldn't understand anyway of making her believe that the voice he had heard was not his imagination, as she might have felt.

Saphira and Valinor descended slowly, and both the dragons stared at the golden one, pity and grief in their eyes. Their Riders gazed at the golden dragon and Rider, both were feeling sad.

If only Anurin and Garjzla would not have been killed, if only they would have survived . . . things might have been much better. Eragon told Saphira again. She agreed, but they didn't speak as both the dragons landed. A little away, two elven maidens watched them in awe.

Saphira and Valinor landed on either sides of the golden dragon, and Eragon and Arya jumped off them. They looked around, and saw Deaother and Dathedr coming towards them, both of them rather gloomy.

After the formal greetings, Arya pulled Deaother aside while Eragon and Dathedr continued to speak.

"How are you, Deaother?" Arya asked him, tenderly looking up at his rugged face, and his tired eyes, which were red.

The hatchling has grown up quite a lot. Saphira commented, and Deaother smiled.

Though you are still a hatchling in our eyes, just like the day you were born. Valinor continued, and it was Arya's turn to smile.

"Mother, I am fine." Deaother said, and Arya stared at him for a while, studying him, then she threw him a sharp look.

"You are an utter mess!" Arya said exasperatedly, looking up at her son, who raised an eyebrow.

"Mother, I don't understand how come you feel something is wrong with me when I think I am fine." Deaother replied.

"That's the specialty of all mothers." Arya told him, and began to comb his hair. "You haven't rested in quite a while; don't lie to me, and tell me the reason for behaving like this." Arya said as Deaother moved away from her, stopping her from reaching his hair.

"I was just . . . disturbed by what all happened, that is why I couldn't rest." Deaother mumbled.

"Deaother, you should take better care of yourself, I am not around to fuss about you anymore." Arya told him. But Deaother spotted Vaelia and Kielle behind Arya, walking towards them.

"Mother, just let it be, I will rest today." Deaother said hurriedly as Vaelia got closer.

Arya raised an eyebrow at him, and Deaother nodded, "I will, I promise!" Deaother said.

"I suppose that is good enough.." Arya said, and looked around, following Deaother's gaze.

Vaelia and Kielle reached them after a few moments, and they greeted Arya respectfully, who replied appropriately.

"Mother, this Vaelia and Kielle . . ." Deaother said awkwardly after a couple of moments. Arya smiled pleasantly at them both.

"Well met . . ." Arya said, nodding, then patted Deaother on the shoulder and walked off.

Meanwhile, Eragon was kneeling next to Anurin's body, staring at his good natured face.

"The Ra'zac bit him at the back of his neck, and the other one stabbed him. It had some sort of poison coated to it, not Siethr Oil, and it slowly affected Anurin. The same was with Garjzla, though his wound was much deeper and he had been taking away Anurin's pain as well." Dathedr said.

Eragon ran a finger around the wound at the back of the elf's neck, his eyes poignant, then he stood up.

"And Eragon, he said that you would need aid in some war." Dathedr continued, and Eragon turned to him with raised eyebrows.

"What?" Eragon asked him.

"He said that we should tell the Lead Rider that Eragon would need aid in war . . . since you are Eragon and the Lead Rider, I suppose he meant you. But how did he know of you, he though Vrael was still alive." Dathedr said.

"I think . . . he meant that Eragon the first needs my aid in war." Eragon said slowly.

"Might be, I can't say." Dathedr told him.

Whatever it meant, I think you should alert the elves. Saphira said.

"I will . . . I can sense the return of the past . . . Long have we rested and lazed, the time to protect ourselves has come again. We nearly lost ourselves, and Alagaesia's fate, once. It won't do so again, whoever our enemy might be." Dathedr said, while Eragon kept staring at Anurin's face.

Do you know what this means? Eragon asked Saphira.

Eragon . . . Saphira said as his turbulent emotions reached him.

We might have to go, and if we do, I hope we won't take Arya and Valinor with us.