Disclaimer: I hope you guys are liking the more frequent updates. My grades are much better this year so hopefully I won't be kept from writting. Yes, I've been "grounded" from writting except for school business.
Over the next week, the four traveling companions reached the Beor Mountains. They were low on food and only ate when really necissary. Food was even hard to come by for the dragons as they found that hunting wasn't as good as it used to. I hope the dwarves have enough food to sustain themselves, said Eragon as they flew between the mountains. He could see the valley ahead, meaning Farthen Dur wasn't too far off.
I'm sure they're fine, said Arya. They keep much of their food stored away incase of an attack from the empire.
Yea, but all they have is meat, complained Eragon.
Queen Islanzadi told me that she'll suply them with vegatables while we're there, replied Arya. Though we must eat sparringly.
Eragon groaned. He had become quite irritable over the past couple days, having not eaten during that period of time. The frequent dreams of them fighting Galbatorix and Arya sacrificing herself didn't help either. Naturally he only told Arya that it was only a dream of him fighting Galbatorix, but without Arya involved. Saphira however, knew the truth, but kept her promise in saying nothing of it to Arya or Galzra.
I see the valley, announced Arya. We could land there for tonight.
Yes, but do we have to spar tonight? groaned Eragon.
No, answered Arya. I'm too tired to do much of anything as well.
Galzra and I will keep watch tonight, said Saphira. By the looks of the two of you, you need to get some decent sleep.
No; we need you two to be well rested for the flight tomorrow, said Arya. I'll be fine tonight. I don't sleep often anyway.
Arya--Eragon may need your comfort tonight, said Galzra smoothly. He's still only a boy in many terms. He still has the innocence of a child.
What does that got to do with anything? asked Arya.
Trust me, was all that Galzra said.
They were all silent the rest of the night. Eragon held Arya against his chest and laid his head against Saphira's stomach while Galzra curled himself around them. The two Shur'tugal fell asleep shortly after laying down.
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Arya ran through the forest. An Urgal had found her and she was only a child. She forgot she still had this memory.
She tripped on a root. Surely she would be killed and eaten by Urgals. No--she wouldn't die that way. She slowly got to her feet and faced the giant beast standing in front of her, sword ready to kill her.
Arya tightened her jaw and looked around her. Her only chance of survival would be to outsmart the Urgal. She heard of their moderate intelligance. Each week, she heard stories from Oromis and Glaedr about the different creatures of Allegaesia.
The Urgal slashed his sword in a downward stroke. Arya rolled out of the way. She grimaced. The blade had been able to gash her right arm pretty bad. The Urgal smiled and charged at the young elf. She prepared herself for death and simply stood there.
Just as she closed her eyes, she heard a savage yell. She opened her eyes. A young man with a brilliantly blue sword leapt from the trees. With a single swipe, he fell the Urgal. He looked at Arya with a sad expression. "Queen Islanzadi is worried about you, Princess Arya," he said kindly.
"Who are you?" Arya asked wearilly. She could tell by looking at his ears that he was human. After hearing stories of Galbatorix's hideous deeds, she vowed to never trust a human.
Instead of answering, he touched his fingers to his lips. Arya's eyes widened in shock, but she followed suit. "Atra esterni ono thelduin," he said softly.
"Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr," Arya replied.
"Un du evarinya ono varda," said the man. "My name as you asked is Brom. I'm a friend and ally of the elves." He spoke this all in the ancient language.
"How do you come to speak the tongue so fluently?" asked Arya.
"I used to live here in Du Weldenvarden amongst the elves," answered Brom.
"Are you--the Shur'tugal Brom?" asked Arya wearilly.
"Vel einradhin iet ai Shur'tugal," said Brom. "Now come, we should get you back to your mother. --I heard of your recent tradety . . .you have my deepest regrets. Your father was a good friend of mine."
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Arya, you remember that time; don't you? said an old gruff voice.
Brom-elda?
Aye; now I don't have much time so I'll get strait to the point. You seek the Vault of Souls, do you not?
Yea, answered Arya.
Take my advice and quit your search for it, said Brom.
What else are we to do? cried Arya. Galbatorix is much too strong for Eragon and myself.
You are both Shur'tugal, right?
We are, but Galzra has only now just begun to breath fire, said Arya quickly.
If Saphira has learned anything from Glaedr, she'll work with Galzra every opportunity she gets, said Brom. The Vault of Souls; you still don't know what it does do you?
No, admitted Arya.
To put it simply; you'd feed off of the souls Galbatorix has killed, explained Brom. You'd be as possessed as that wicked man. He's not much different than a Shade, but nonetheless he's worse.
What should I tell Eragon? asked Arya.
I have no say in that, replied Brom weakly. His voice died away.
Arya lay there, mulling over her conversation with Brom. I knew you were alive somewhere old friend, she said.
What happened? growled Galzra. It seemed as though you weren't even here yet I saw that you were still safely in Eragon's arms!
Just an old friend of mine came to give me some advice, answered Arya calmly. I'll tell you tomorrow when I have made sense of it.
Maybe I could be of some help to you, offered Galzra.
I want to try and figure it out on my own first, Arya said hollowly.
Did you forget what it means to be Shur'tugal? asked Galzra.
No, I just want to--Brom spoke to me.
What did he say?
To quit our search for the Vault of Souls, answered Arya.
You can tell me more tomorrow, said Galzra.
Arya felt the dragon slowly pull out of her mind, but not completely. She remained awake, but kept her eyes shut. 'Was that really Brom?'
Eragon woke early the next morning, still exhausted. He looked down at Arya. His eyes softened, seeing her face so peaceful without a worry in the world. He shook her gently. "Time to get up," he said.
Arya opened her eyes. "Eragon--before we set out I have to talk to you," she said, uncertain of his reactions.
"What's wrong?" asked Eragon. He had a concerned look on his face. "Is something bothering you?"
"Well--you see--I had a dream last night--it was actually more of a memory from my childhood from when I first met Brom," murmured Arya. "You see--as a child he saved me from an Urgal some distance from my home after I had run off because my father's body had arrived for his burial." She spoke so sadly that Eragon instictively held her tighter. "After my dream Brom spoke to me. He told me to stop our search for the Vault of Souls."
This seems peculiar, commented Saphira.
Eragon sighed in agreement. What should we do?
Ask Arya if Brom said his reasons for this, answered Saphira.
"Why does he want us to not find the Vault of Souls?" asked Eragon as calmly as he could manage.
"He said that when Galbatorix used it--he became something like a Shade, but much worse," answered Arya. "Apparently the souls possess the user. Also--all these souls are from those who died during the war."
"I think we should still find it, but not use it," answered Arya. "If it has helped Galbatorix gain so much power, then we as Shur'tugal should guard it from him."
Eragon nodded. "I agree. --Did Brom say anymore?"
Arya shook her head. "He didn't have time," she said. "Look--I can't explain why he chose to talk to me instead of you, but I'm sure he had his reasons. Brom is always one to keep things from others; especially those he cares about. He isn't like that only to you, it's everyone he meets."
"Arya--could you tell me something?" asked Eragon.
"What is it?" replied Arya.
"Could you tell me my true name?" Eragon looked down at her seriously.
Little one, are you sure you want to know? asked Saphira. Remember what Brom said about the subject. Many go mad once they know.
I'm different than most people though, said Eragon. He repeated his question to Arya.
"I can't Eragon," she replied sullenly. "Your true name is something that shouldn't be known; not even to you. I'm the only one who knows mine. It may be true that I instictively know it, but sometimes I wish that I didn't. You may not understand my reasons now, but later you will."
"How do I know when I've found it though?" asked Eragon.
"I don't really know because I've always known mine," answered Arya.
Saphira, do you know? Eragon asked.
No I don't, answered Saphira. But we should be moving now so that we may reach Tronjihiem before nightfall.
Eragon nodded. Arya, do you have the scroll with you?
No, but once we get to Farthen Dur, I'll search the library to see if there's another scroll left by Galbatorix, answered Arya. Or some other clue as to the secret of the Vault of Souls. Nasuada told me that her father knew something about it's location, but only he knew and now that he's dead--we can't exactly ask him.
No, but now at least I think what our next move will be, said Eragon. As long as no one is searching for the same thing.
Eragon--I think that we may have a group of traitors, murmured Arya. I don't know who, but it seems that the Empire is constantly aware of where we are. Galbatorix didn't know the location of Ellesmera. The elders never let him have such information. Don't you think that it's odd?
Aye, it is strange, but right now we can't do anything about it, said Eragon. Tell no one your true intensions and you'll be fine. Think as if everyone is a traitor.
Even you? Arya asked wearilly.
On some matters; yes, answered Eragon. I cannot pretend that there isn't a chance where I won't have a choice but to bow down to Galbatorix's will and tell him yours and the Varden's plans. We just can't be too careful. I'm doing this to protect you from myself.
"Never give into Galbatorix if for some reason you're captured and taken to him," hissed Arya vehnamly.
"I won't, willingly, but I'm just being cautious," said Eragon. "We should leave now. If we don't stop all day we should reach Tronjiheim by nightfall. Then we can eat."
Arya nodded. "There's still enough food for a small breakfast in one of Galzra's pack," she informed.
"You eat it then," said Eragon. He kissed her passionately on the lips before mounting Saphira.
Arya had no time to return it, so she mounted Galzra. When we get there, remind me to knock some sense into him, she sighed sarcastically.
With pleasure, snorted Galzra. He took flight, followed closely by Saphira.
The entire day flying, no one said anything except for commands on where to fly. All four of them were tense at the thought of visiting Hrothgar's tomb and weary from the long journey. The sun began it's quick descent behind the mountains, covering them with darkness. In the distance, Farthen Dur could be spotted.
We may have to wait until morning, said Arya.
No! cried both Saphira and Galzra simultaneously.
I don't think Saphira and Galzra can take another day of traveling without some rest, said Eragon. I can't either.
Arya nodded, not trusting herself to say more.
Later that night they slowly walked through the city of Tronjiheim. They made their way to Orik to announce their arrival to the king. Eragon once again found himself marveling at the dwarves' ability to mine and craft.
They found Orik sitting upon his newly found throne with his ax close at hand. The dwarf looked so much older and wiser now that Eragon almost didn't recognize him. He didn't have the cheeryness he usually had. Infact, Eragon noticed that all the dwarves gave him and his companions sour looks. "Hail the mighty King Orik!" said Eragon loud and clearly.
"Eragon!" cried Orik brightly. "It's wonderful to see you back amongst us! You too Arya, Saphira, and--"
"This is Galzra," said Arya, indicating the emerald dragon. "When you last saw him, he had just hatched."
"My--dragons really do grow in a short amount of time!" cried Orik. "Galzra, huh? Well the name certainly fits. May you bring good fortune to all races of Allegaesia."
I plan to, said Galzra, showing his teeth in a polite, but powerful way.
"We have come to pay our respects to King Hrothgar and to fix what we broke so long ago, also as tribute to our late king," announced Eragon, bowing to one knee.
Arya, dismayed, followed. This was one dwarf that she would actually bow down to willingly. It is true that she respected Hrothgar, but she didn't know him on a personal level. "We would also like a place to stay until we recouperate from our long and periless journey," she added.
"You may sleep wherever you want," said Orik. "Stay as long as you please. We have plenty of food for all four of you. Just be warned--Trianna is here."
Disclaimer: Yay! Another long chapter!
Summary of next chapter: Now that the group is in Farthen Dur, what chaos will disrupt their lives? Trianna is there, so this can't be good. How will Arya react?
God this sounds like a Soap Opera preview! Yes, I'm back to doing the summaries!