Chapter 49: One Last Time


Eragon came to me not long after that, stumbling into my tent and nearly falling on top of me where I lay on my cot. "Woah! Watch it," I protested, pushing him off me where he had landed precariously close to rather... sensitive areas.

"Sorry," he muttered, trying to regain his balance. He ended up settling on the edge of the cot and swung his head around to look at me. "You said you wanted to talk?"

"How much did you have to drink?" I asked, eyeing him carefully. I sat up and leaned closer to him, inspecting his dilated eyes. "I don't think now's a good time."

"No, I'm fine, really," he replied, his speech slightly slurred. I had to stifle a laugh as he swayed back and forth, blinking slowly and heavily.

"Rest, Eragon. We can talk in the morning," I chuckled, patting him lovingly on the shoulder. He groaned slightly and nodded his head, until he suddenly fell over on his side, his face buried in the roughspun blanket that covered my cot. I rolled my eyes and smiled slightly at my friend. "Come on, you." With great effort, I lifted him into the cot and pulled the blanket up over his shoulders. He wouldn't be going anywhere tonight. There was much I wanted to discuss with him, but it could wait until morning.

Is everything alright, Tabatha? Amera's thoughts cut through my mind. She and Saphira were close, I could feel it; possibly circling right overhead.

Yes, everything is fine. I think Eragon may have had too much to drink. He's passed out in my tent, I replied amusedly.

He must have had much too much to drink, Saphira chimed in. When the elves changed him, his strength and stamina were increased. It would take an incredible amount of ale to get him drunk.

Maybe he just doesn't know his limits. That or he was divulging in faelnirv as well, I said, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Are you two coming back soon?

We're circling the city, Amera said, trying to get a better understanding of the layout. Don't worry, the Red One has not seen us yet.

But he will soon, I said worriedly. Please hurry back. It makes me nervous.

Don't worry, we're being careful, Saphira said. With that, I felt their consciousness' withdraw from my mind. I was worried that they would be seen by Murtagh and Thorn, but there was nothing I could really do to get them back here. I leaned my head back against the cot and inhaled deeply, closing my eyes. I could feel the tension in my muscles building, and I suddenly felt the need to get away, even if just for a little bit. Reaching under my bed, I pulled out the bundle hidden underneath that contained my Rider's sword, Manin, and the enchanted cloak Asron had given me. These would come in handy when Amera and I snuck into Dras-Leona, but for now, I didn't want to take the chance of losing them or having them be stolen.

I stood up and looped the sword and scabbard through my leather belt and clasped the cloak around my shoulders. The midnight blue and black fabric swished softly across the ground as I walked through the camp, leaving Eragon sleeping soundly in my tent. The night air had a cool briskness to it, and I pulled the hood of the cloak over my head, simultaneously protecting it from the chill and activating the cloak's magic. I felt the enchantment washing over me and knew that I'd become invisible. The power that resided within me was stirring, and I felt a slight pressure at the back of my head. The air around me began to shimmer and I was seeing things as I had only a few times before. The ground and plants, and even the few people I could see, began to glow from within, as though I was seeing their very life force. The sight was beautiful, but there was also something very scary about this power of mine. I knew I was different, but sometimes I didn't even know myself what I was capable of.

I could feel Amera's consciousness probing my mind, inspecting what I was doing. What are you up to, young one? she asked. I heard the whoosh of her and Saphira's wings high overhead. When I looked up, I was intrigued to see them glowing brightly, Amera radiating a soft violet light and Saphira emanating the most brilliant blue.

Just looking around, that's all, I replied innocently. She sent me feelings of concern and a warning to be careful. I assured her that no harm would come to me and turned my attention back to the world on the ground. The camp was alive with activity and energy, though many were asleep. Those that were sleeping glowed with a soft, white light that gently undulated with their deep breathing. A field mouse darted across the ground in front of me, its little body glowing a bright yellow that pulsed rapidly with its tiny heartbeat. It disappeared under a tent flap, dulling the yellow light. This new world I was observing was truly amazing. I had no idea that every living creature contained its own energy that was unique to them.

Like before, that same force drew my eyes toward the walls of Dras-Leona, and I saw Thorn's huge body glowing a fiery red. I could almost feel the heat from his massive energy field from here. And then I saw something I hadn't noticed before. Residing in one of his saddlebags was a jumble of different colored auras, each of them burning brightly and pulsing in an even rhythm. The more that I stared at this perplexing bundle of energy, the more I couldn't help but think that they looked a lot like the energies of the dragons... I would have to ask Eragon about that later. When I shifted my gaze, I saw Murtagh's form outlined in red as well, though the center was black as pitch. That must be an effect of Galbatorix's hold on him. And that's when I knew what it was that I had to do.

I ran through the camp, making my way closer to the walls. If not for my enchanted cloak, I never would have dared it. As I drew closer, I noticed the guards patrolling the battlements. I thanked the gods above and below for my cloak again, and started searching for a way—any way—up the wall. It seemed like it was hundreds of feet, though I knew that was just my imagination playing tricks on me. No matter how tall the imposing structure was, I had to see him, though it was more than likely the last time I ever would. At least until this whole thing was done. The stolen moments we'd had in Urû'baen just simply weren't enough; and call it greed, but I needed to be near him, one last time.

Reaching my arms high above my head, I dug and wriggled my fingers in between the loose stones, securing my grip before looking for a suitable foothold. The process was slow going, but I finally got into a rhythm and worked my way up the stone wall. As the top came nearer to my fingertips, I felt my breath quicken in my chest and my heart fluttering in nervousness. I only hoped that Galbatorix wasn't controlling him at this moment. My hands finally found flat space and I hauled myself up with one last push of strength…right as an Imperial soldier strolled past lazily. When I bounded to the top of the wall, my footfalls made a slight thumping sound and he stopped mid-step, looking in my direction. I didn't dare to move or breathe, and for a moment I thought I would lose my balance and fall backwards. Although I had survived grievous wounds before, I didn't know what would happen to me after a fall from this height. The soldier narrowed his eyes and took a few cautious steps toward me, searching for any sign of the phantom noises he had heard. I hadn't taken a breath this whole time, and just when I thought my lungs were about to burst, I was saved.

"You there! Soldier! Get back to your post or I'll have you flogged!" the familiar voice cut through the air. The unsuspecting man jumped back in fear, looking to his left where the voice had come from. I turned too and saw the red and black glow striding towards us. Murtagh stopped about ten feet away from me, the shimmer of his aura dissipating slightly so I could more clearly make out his features.

"Ah! Sir, I... I just thought... there was a... " he stammered, the fear evident in his eyes and a sheen of nervous sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"I don't care what you thought you heard or saw," Murtagh growled threateningly, his fists balled tightly at his side. "If there was anything out there, I assure you, my dragon would have noticed it long before your idiotic senses did. Now do as I say, and return to your post!" I'd never heard him use such a tone before, and the effect was truly frightening. With Thorn's added growls in the background, the man let out a tiny squeak of fear and turned quickly on his heel, scurrying away like a rat towards a sewer.

As he disappeared down the battlements, Murtagh watched after him, and I kept my gaze fixed solely on him. He looked thinner than the last time I'd seen him, so many months ago. There was a haggard look to his face, like he hadn't slept in many nights, and his hair and clothes looked disheveled. I'd never seen him like this before, and I could feel my heart slowly breaking.

When the man was finally out of sight, and there was no one else around, Murtagh let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his eyes with a calloused hand, a hand that I so desperately wanted upon me. He sighed again and looked down at the stone beneath him. "You shouldn't have come here," he whispered gently. I felt my heart freeze and my eyes go wide with fear. But... how? "Come on, Tabatha, I know you're there. Come out of hiding."

Slowly, I stepped down from where I'd been crouching atop the wall and removed the hood from my face. His aura suddenly disappeared and I saw his features more clearly. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and a dark stubble covered his chin and cheeks. Though his eyes were still as intense as ever, and they still held the same hold over me, they looked immensely sad. "Murtagh," I sighed softly, unsure of what else to say. "How...?"

"I would know your mind anywhere," he said quietly, in that deep, rumbling voice of his. "The moment you returned to the Varden, I felt your presence. Why did you come here, Tabatha? It isn't safe. Galbatorix has been taking control of my mind more and more often lately."

"I needed to see you," I replied, taking a tentative step forward. "And I needed to tell you..."

"About your dragon?" he cut me off gruffly. There was a newfound anger blazing in his eyes, an anger I hadn't seen before. My fears were slowly being confirmed.

"Murtagh, you have to understand. I... This wasn't my choice."

"You always have a choice." His voice sounded small, and almost...defeated.

"I didn't," I repeated, firmer this time. "It's... it's not what it seems, Murtagh. I swear to you."

"Then explain it to me." His hard stare bored into my own eyes and I felt my resolve weakening slightly. How could I make him understand?

"I didn't want this, you have to believe me," I started slowly. "Not after discovering who my father is… No, I never wanted this. But my mother's people, they were the beloved of the goddess Ashola, and she blessed Amera's egg... specifically for me. There's... there's a prophecy. I couldn't have run from my fate. Don't you see? This is the only way I can defeat my father. And maybe, the only way that we can be together." It was quiet for a long time when I finished. I stared into his grey eyes that seemed to be clouded in confusion.

"We will have to fight one another, Tabatha," he finally whispered, his voice strained. "Your father will take control of me and he will kill you. I won't be able to stop him." Thorn rumbled deeply behind him, staring at me with his huge orange-red eyes. Murtagh's sadness was echoed in their depths, and I felt my heart wrench. He was just as trapped as Murtagh was in this.

"He won't kill me," I replied. "Amera and I...we're different. We are unlike any other dragon and Rider that there ever has been, or ever will be. And besides, Galbatorix won't kill me because he wants to use my power too much. He'd never risk my safety. And especially now that I am a Rider..." I let this last statement fade away, not wanting to draw attention to the similarities between me and my father.

"It's not so simple, Tabby," he said sadly, taking a few steps towards me. "He will torture you and break you down until there is nothing left of your former self. He will discover your true name and then you'll be bound to him forever, as a slave. He bears no love for you, or for your brother. If the green egg had ever hatched for him, like your father wanted, he would be in the same position that I am. Even those who serve him willingly are bound to him by oaths and spells. It is not a life I would wish on anyone, most of all you."

We were close to one another now, mere inches apart. I could feel the warmth radiating off his body, and I wanted nothing more than to reach out and place my hands on his chest, if only to feel his heartbeat again. I saw the same look in his eyes, like he was holding back from folding me into his arms. "So this is it then?" I asked quietly, wringing my hands slightly over one another in anticipation. "This is how it will end?"

He stayed silent for a long time, his eyes searching my face, as though he were memorizing every line and curve, etching it into his memory. And then he spoke. "It must," he breathed, stirring the errant hairs on my forehead. And I felt my heart shattering. A single tear rolled down my cheek, falling off of my jaw and splashing onto the stones. I seemed to hear the tiny sound like an explosion, all of my sadness and ire pouring out in that one tear. He seemed to jerk in pain, wincing away from me. "You have to go, Tabby. He'll be checking in on me soon. I will try to keep the knowledge of your dragon from him as long as I can, but he will know eventually."

"I know. Thank you." I couldn't say anything else. I knew it would have to come to this, I just didn't know it would be so soon. He seemed to want to say more, but something held him back. Perhaps it was the knowledge that we wouldn't speak for a while, and whatever it was would have done more harm than good. I let out the breath I'd been holding and walked around him, going over to where Thorn was still lying on the wall. He was so huge compared to Amera, and I couldn't help but marvel at his beauty. His ruby red scales glimmered in the soft torchlight, flashing as he moved his head to look at me. His huge eyes held a depth of sadness and pain I'd never seen before. He groaned slightly, the sound emanating from his chest and vibrating the stone beneath us.

I'm sorry, I said, placing a hand on his snout, reveling in its warmth. He pressed his enormous snout into the starburst pattern on my hand, just like Amera had when she had first hatched. I felt his consciousness pushing on my mind and I allowed him access. He conveyed the greatest feeling of sorrow on me that I had ever experienced, and I felt that the weight of his grief might crush me. It actually caused me to stumble a little bit. Murtagh was right there behind me to catch me as I fell.

I am sorry too, little one, Thorn replied, blinking his eyes slowly. His voice was deep and rich, but colored with pain. I am sorry that all of us are having to go through this. Murtagh looked up at him, the love they bore for each other evident in his eyes. He nodded slowly, placing a hand on the other side of his snout, and I was suddenly very sad that Amera was not here too. I heard her wings swishing through the air high up above, along with Saphira's, and I reached out to her.

Are you there, Amera? Are you seeing this? I asked.

Her familiar consciousness entered my mind. Yes, I see you. I do not think it is a good idea for me to join you though, she said, knowing my thoughts as she always did.

Nor do I, but I wanted you to see this, I replied.

I know, young one, she said sadly, echoing my pain. She withdrew from me and I looked back at Murtagh. His eyes were turned on me now, and I couldn't help but think that he had been thinking the same thing.

"You must go, Tabatha. He'll be here soon. I don't know what he'll do when he finds out I saw you. But I would prefer it if you were far away when that happens," he said softly, reaching out a hand and stroking my cheek gently where the tear had fallen. He traced its path down to my jawline and placed his thumb and forefinger on my chin, angling my face towards him.

"Murtagh..." I breathed, not knowing what else to say. He silenced me with his lips, pressing them gently against my own. I closed my eyes and let myself get lost in this one moment, savoring every touch I could get of him. When I cracked my eyes open, I could once again see the auras around me, his and Thorn's red ones shining brightly in the dark night. But then I saw my own aura, a deep royal purple, floating out in front of me. Its tendrils stroked at the air, little glimmers of white light fading into the darkness off of the bands of energy. And finally, it latched onto Murtagh's, entwining itself with the red, and seeping down into the black. His eyes flew open, and I knew that he could feel it too. We looked at one another for a moment, our breathing heavy. And then our lips met again, harder this time and with a greater sense of urgency, my aura pushing deeper into the blackness that surrounded his heart. At that moment, I felt like we were one soul, split between two bodies. My energy was permeating into his, but his was also joining with mine. We were together, truly and deeply, and it was the most surreal and incredible experience of my life. But as with all good things that happened in my life, it had to come to an end.

Slowly, we pulled away from each other. His hand left my cheek and I immediately missed its warmth. The sadness in his eyes deepened as he took a step back. "I love you, Tabatha," he breathed quietly. "I have never loved anyone as I have loved you. I am sorry for everything."

I didn't know what else to say. There was so much that I wanted to let out, but I couldn't formulate the words. "I love you too," was all I could think to say, and it seemed to be enough. He gave a small smile, stroked my cheek one last time, and then stepped away.

"You should go." I gave him one final nod, and then walked back towards the edge of the wall. I peered over the side, paling slightly at the steep drop before me. Swinging one leg after the other onto the top of the wall, I gave him one final glance.

"We'll be together when this is done, Murtagh. I swear it." And with that, I edged my way down, finding the sporadic footholds and handholds, until my feet finally touched solid ground again. When they did, I felt the buzzing and spinning in my head stop. I had done it; I had seen him one last time. That was what I had needed, and though I mourned for the loss, I knew that I would be able to make it now. I could clear my head and focus on the task that lay before me. I would defeat my father, and my brother, and I would free Murtagh and Thorn, no matter the cost.


I had pulled my hood back up over my face to reenter the encampment, making sure to dodge any passersby that unwittingly almost ran straight into me. There was a flash of violet and blue scales as Amera and Saphira landed on the other side of the camp, their enormous bodies causing the ground to shudder. When I got back to my tent, Eragon was still fast asleep, and I didn't have the heart to wake him to reclaim my cot, so I decided to let him be. He probably needed the sleep desperately. I continued walking through the deserted camp, inspecting the auras of the living beings around me. I found it interesting that the auras of the sleeping people were all white, but I supposed it made sense. Sleep was the time that we were at our most peaceful, and white was the only color I could attribute to that feeling. As I went from tent to tent, I saw a soft yellow glow coming from the end of the camp, and I immediately knew who that was.

I went up to Nasuada's pavilion and pushed the fabric of her tent back, simultaneously taking off my hood to reveal myself. She jumped at the sight of me, placing a palm on her chest. There were still lingerings of her aura visible, and I could see it pulsating rapidly with her heartbeat. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "Tabatha! You nearly scared me half to death!"

"Sorry," I shrugged sheepishly. Her guards outside the tent seemed equally as surprised to see me, as they all rushed in, their weapons drawn.

"No," she barked, holding up a hand, "put down your weapons. This woman is no threat to me. Besides, if she was, Elva would have sensed it long before any of you." I cocked my head at her in wonderment, before a tiny shadow shifted by her side. I looked down to see a child hiding behind her skirts, as it would with its mother, though it was clear to me that this was certainly not the case. The child's skin was pale and sickly looking, her hair dark and falling in waves over her shoulders, but what struck me most were her eyes: they were a piercing violet, just like mine.

"And who's this?" I asked, tilting my head to try and see her better. She stuck her head out and eyed me cautiously.

"This is Elva," Nasuada replied, gazing down at her tiny form. "She is my bodyguard."

"Bodyguard?" I asked incredulously. "But how can that be? She's just a child!"

"I am no child." The voice that pierced the room belonged to an older woman, its tone dark and full of the pain of life experience, but I was almost sure it had come out of the child's mouth. I gazed at her quizzically, and she just stared back blankly with those unsettling eyes. I wondered if that was how I looked to other people, though no one had ever said as much to me.

"You are a strange little creature, aren't you?" I said, peering down at her still, though I wanted very much to look away. But I found myself transfixed by her violet stare.

"Eragon unwittingly laid a curse upon her when she was just a baby, back in Farthen Dûr," Nasuada explained, turning her gaze back to me. "She is endowed with certain… strange abilities." I could tell she was treading lightly with her words, though I wasn't sure why. And why had Eragon never mentioned this to me before!

"And what abilities would those be?" I asked, the question directed at Elva herself.

"You are an odd one too," she responded, completely ignoring my question. I flinched back a bit in surprise at her voice, its edge as sharp as a knife. "I have very mixed feelings about you. I do not perceive you as a threat right now, but I feel that you will bring great sorrow to those that you love, and soon." I paled at her words, not really knowing how to respond. What could I say to that?

"Come now, Elva, let her be," Nasuada chided this woman within a child's body. "You obviously came here for a reason, Tabatha. What is it I can help you with?" I took my time answering her, still trying to shake the unsettling feeling the witch-child was giving me.

"I, uh… I just wanted to talk to you a little more about our plan to enter the city," I finally stammered out. "But it can wait until the morning. I've suddenly realized I'm very tired. Good evening to you." I bowed abruptly and left the tent as quickly as I could, just trying to escape the foreboding feeling that hung over the pavilion.

As I rushed back to my tent, not really caring where I was going to sleep tonight, I felt Amera's consciousness pressing gently at the back of my mind. Tabby, she said, her voice like a whisper, you'd better come here quickly.

Is everything alright? I asked, dread suddenly filling my heart.

I don't know, she replied quickly. I found her at the edge of the camp, staring out over the flattened land, her large head poised erect and her body perfectly still. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought she was a statue.

What is it? I said, coming to a stop at her side.

Look. I followed her gaze over the grasslands, but it was difficult to see in the darkness of this moonless night. I reached into the back of my mind to siphon a little of my power. Suddenly, a form started to take shape, the aura surrounding it a pale green, like that of the soft grass in the meadow outside of Carvahall where Eragon and I had once met every day. The man—for I could tell now that it was—came closer, striding towards the camp purposefully. As he drew closer, Amera let out a threatening growl. The way he walked, there was something somewhat familiar about him…

With a gasp, I suddenly realized who it was. My suspicions were only confirmed when he entered the light from the torches encircling the camp. The breath caught in my throat, and I could think of nothing to say, I was so in shock. Nothing except for his name.

"Evander…"