Ok I lied! Here's one more quick chapter!
Chapter 8: Turning Point
Toravid awoke lying on his back in a makeshift shelter made of tree branches and leaves. It took him a moment to get his bearings.
"Where am I?" he muttered as he sat up.
"Easy, you're safe." replied an unknown voice, calm and smooth.
Turning his head, Toravid saw a strange man he didn't know kneeling beside him. The man had long silver hair, sharp facial features, a slender build, and most notably, long pointed ears.
An elf… Toravid thought to himself.
Then another much more urgent thought crossed his mind.
"Where is she?" he demanded, sitting bolt upright.
"Jarnunvösk is safe and sound." The elf answered, and upon hearing those words, Toravid felt a great sense of relief.
"So you know then?" he asked.
"Brom told me everything." replied the elf. "It's still a lot to take in."
Toravid studied the elf once more.
"You must be Oromis."
"I am." said the elf.
"I'm Toravid." he said, introducing himself.
"Brom told me a great deal about you, Toravid." Oromis said in a calm, smooth voice that the old alchemist found soothing after the hectic chaos of the past few days.
"I want to thank you for what you have done. Not only did you save Jarnunvösk, but you also saved the lives of my last remaining students." Oromis said.
Toravid nodded. "Don't mention it." he whispered. "I want to see Jarnunvösk."
Oromis nodded and slowly helped Toravid to his feet. The old man's entire body ached, but he would not let himself be deterred. Once he was steady on his feet, Oromis lead him from the makeshift shelter and out into the forest.
"This way." Oromis instructed and Toravid followed.
THe ground was covered in ferns and other forest plant life. The trees were tall and imposing. All seemed peaceful.
"We must be deep within Du Weldenvarden."
"We are. Even the Forsworn would not dare enter here." Oromis replied. "whatever you did for Jarnunvösk, it worked. It bought her enough time for me to prepare an antidote."
"I'm glad it wasn't for nothing." Toravid said in barely a whisper. "I fused the thunderbird heart with her own. Now the blood that flows through her veins is the blood of a thunderbird."
"I've never heard of such creatures." Oromis stated wearily, walking alongside Toravid.
"They're quite rare, and I doubt you would find any around here." Toravid explained. "His heart is what was keeping me from aging any further. Though, as I am no longer able to call upon its restoring energy, I believe my days may be numbered."
It was a sobering thought, but a risk Toravid knew he had to take.
"I don't know what the ramifications of giving her the heart will be, but I couldn't just let her die. She deserved better."
"A noble sacrifice." Oromis replied. "And one I understand more than you realize."
Toravid saw the faintest hint of fear and sadness in the elf's eyes, as if Orimis felt his own days were numbered.
"Dragon's Bane is a terrible poison." Oromis said, changing the subject. "Even dragons that survive it often take weeks or even months to recover. But Jarnunvösk fully recovered in mere hours!"
Toravid nodded and pondered this news.
"Perhaps she can call upon the heart's powers as well. I suppose they belong to her now."
Oromis seemed to be pondering the idea as well. "I have never known of a dragon that could wield magic at will. And this wordless magic that Brom told me of… Most curious."
"I don't think I can do it anymore." Toravid said with a sigh.
They arrived at the edge of a stream where Toravid spotted the three dragons all resting together. When Jarnunvösk saw him, she immediately lifted her head. Then she stood up at once and began bounding toward him. Toravid broke into a run, despite his own exhaustion and the aching protests of his body. The amethyst dragoness skidded to a stop in front of him, her beautiful violet eyes gazing down at him. Silhouetted in the golden sunlight streaming through the trees, she was a positively beautiful sight.
Toravid… she said softly, lowering her head to his height.
Without hesitation, Toravid threw his arms around Jarnunvösk's neck and embraced her tightly, running his hands up and down her neck. Tears flowed freely from his eyes.
"Oh Jarn… I'm so glad you're safe!" he whispered.
Finally he released her.
Toravid, you gave up the heart. To save me…
Toravid nodded. "Of course I did! Your life is worth far more than mine."
But you'll die now. the dragon said sadly.
"Eventually, I suppose." Toravid confirmed. "But I've lived far longer than any man can expect to."
Jarnunvösk lied down on the ground, curling her tail around herself and wrapped a paw around Toravid, pulling him close to her. He sat beside her, gently stroking the scales on her neck as she turned her head to look at him.
"You know something, Jarn?"
She hummed in response, laying her head down beside him.
"In all my years, I never got married. I never had children. I never had a real family. I gave the chance in favor of persuing knowledge. I don;t regret the life I've lead, but I regret the lonliness that came with it."
Toravid sighed and stroked the side of Jarns face, smiling.
"You're the closest thing to a daughter I've ever had, or will ever have."
Oh Toravid... Jarn stammered, gazing at him with her jaw opened slightly.
Toravid wrapped his arms around her once more and embraced her, stroking her just above the eye.
"I love you, Jarnunvösk." He whispered. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my life, and no matter what happens, I want you to find happiness."
I will. For you, my little friend. I promise.
As he released her from the embrace, Toravid looked over at Saphira, who was watching from under a nearby tree. Brom sat beside her, resting after the hectic battle. Glaedr's massive form was curled up around them as if protecting them.
"Come, I wish to have a meeting." Oromis said as he walked past Toravid and Jarnunvösk.
Everyone sat gathered around a small campfire except for Oromis, who stood to address the group.
"We will rest here tonight. In the morning we fly for Ellesmera." The elf stated. "These are dark times, and I do not know what the future holds in store for us."
Jarn laid her head down beside Toravid, nuzzling him gently.
"Our Order is in ruins. Alagaesia has been plunged into darkness. Our allies are few. We must stand together if we are to have any hope of restoring peace and justice to the land." Oromis explained. "Still, we have hope!"
The elf addressed Jarnunvösk.
"You defied your Rider, young Jarnunvösk. You demonstrated great courage and integrity. Vrael and Umaroth would be proud!"
Thank you, Oromis Elda. I hope I can make you proud as well. She replied, bowing her head humbly.
"You already have." The elf said with a faint smile.
"Brom, Saphira, you have been two of my best students. I am proud to have been your teacher."
"Thank you, Ebrithil." Brom said, bowing his head.
Saphira quietly dipped her head as well.
"You are also the best hope we have of rebuilding the Dragon Riders and defeating the Forsworn. You will both need to train and learn all that you can." Oromis explained.
"I can offer them the use of my notes, if it helps." Toravid offered.
"That would be much appreciated." Oromis replied. "Brom tells me that you wish to complete a compendium on dragons."
"Yes." Toravid said.
"As payment for your services, I will offer you access to my books and scrolls upon reaching Ellesmera." Oromis replied.
Toravid's eyes lit up and he smiled.
"I would appreciate that very much. Thank you, sir."
Toravid glanced at Jarnunvösk beside him and another thought crossed his mind.
"Oromis Elda, tell me, will the elves be kind to her?" he asked, placing a hand on Jarn's neck.
"I suppose so." Oromis replied, giving the matter a thought. "We all understand that Galbatorix's crimes were not her doing, and she is just another victim of his cruelty like many others. Regardless, she will be under my protection." the elf reassured him.
Toravid nodded, satisfied with the answer.
You don't have to worry about me, Toravid.
Toravid smiled and stoked her scales some more.
"You should all rest now. We still have a long journey ahead of us." Oromis ordered, sitting down beside Glaedr.
As evening fell and everyone prepared for sleep, Jarnunvösk held Toravid close to her, using the warmth of her body to repel to cold night air.
Toravid, thank you for everything. she said softly to him. Thank you for giving me another chance at life.
"Of course." Toravid whispered, curling up beneath the warmth of her wing.
Do you think I posses Stormheart's powers as you did? asked the dragoness, glancing curiously at one of her front paws.
"I suppose. You clearly recovered quickly. I suppose you could have gained some of his powers, though I don't know to what extent. You'll have to discover that for yourself as I did." Toravid explained. "And I'll help you for as long as I can."
Jarn nodded and rested her head on the ground.
"Rest well, my friend." Toravid said as he bid her goodnight.
And you as well.
Soon, all was quiet.
To be continued…
Poor, poor Jarnunvösk. I genuinely feel bad for all the trauma and heartache I've subjected her to since this story began. Poor girl really needed that hug. :) I plan for future chapters to focus a bit more on Brom and Saphira as well, as they were meant to be secondary protagonists.