Sorry for the long wait. Have had to deal with real life and had issues figuring out how to write this chapter. I hope you like it and it meets your expectations.
Brom sat a fire. It had been almost a week since the village of Carvahall set out to cross the Spine to reach safety. He had convinced all but a few stubbern fools to leave.
They had left in the dead of night. Brom had snuck in to the few homes of those that were staying to put them to sleep. He then hid any trail leading to the Spine to cover their escape.
A day in to their travels the Urgals that Eragon said would meet up with them to help them cross the Spine arrived. Things became a bit tense with the villagers but Brom with the help of Horst and Garrow kept things from getting out of hand and blood shed. The Urgals stay to them self and only interacted with Brom and Jura.
Things seem to have gotten better after Quimby had slip down a crevasse and would have died had one of the Urgals not risked his life to save the old brewer. There was still distrust but some of the hostility was gone.
The Urgals had also been good at hunting enough meet to help feed the villagers. They were still only eating enough to get by but the extra meet helped.
Brom was brought out of his thoughts when two men joined him at his fire.
"Things should be a lot better between the Urgals and the village." Brom gave Garrow a questioning look. "Brigit will not have a negaitive word spoken after that one saved her husband."
Brom knew how well Brigit could be a force to be reckon with. "Well they would be smart not to cross that woman or they will not even get a sip of Quimby's mead."
"Aye and they know it." replied Horst.
E/A
Arya greeted Orik when he came through the door. "Orik it is good to see you again. May I introduce Brom's son Eragon and our dragons Saphira and Firnen."
Orik had been told there were dragons but to see it for himself is another thing. Then to learn Arya was a rider now along with Brom's son. Brom himself a former rider and a friend to his foster father King Hrothgar.
"Arya I'm glad to here you are well after the treachery of the twins. Unfortunately they were able to escape before they could be dealt with." greeted Orik.
Eragon spoke up "It's unfortunate they escaped but we can deal with then later. We need to speak with your king and Ajihad as soon as possible to discuss what we need to do to free these lands of Galbatorix.
E/A
A man in blood red armor sat by a dragon of the same color. They watched as the near by village burn to the ground. A sad smile crossed his face. The village made it's choice so he had none when he had his dragon burn the village to the ground along with any villagers still there.
His mother would be sad to hear her home was destroyed and worried for any friends she may have known. He would have to tell her the next time he visited her cell in the dungen.
E/A
It had taken a few hours traveling throught the tunnels to reach the city of Tronjheim. When they reached the city they where lead to Hrothgar's thrown room were he and Ajihad waited. Every one but Orik was asked to leave so the two leaders could speak with the two dragon rides in private.
Eragon and Arya had spent the next couple hours letting the two leaders know about the eggs and as much about their training as they could. They did not say anything about Eragon and Saphira coming back in time or about Brom and Oromis and their dragons. They did tell them that Brom was leading the village of Carvahall across the Spine.
"The question is where do we go from here? We now have not one but two riders. Are we ready to come out of hiding and confront the traitor." Ajihad asked the group.
"I would suggest a meeting between the two of you, King Orrin of Surda and Queen Islanzadi of the elves. If we are to free the land of Galbatorix's rule it will take a combined effort." commented Eragon. "There needs to be open communications between all the leaders. There needs to be an agreement about military leadership. Now while the elves will most likely attack the northern part of the Empire the Varden, Dwarfs and Surda army will work together to attack the southern. You need to establish who will be the over the combined military."
"It also might be best that you have a combined training with Surda. Get the men used to fighting together and has a unit" suggested Arya. "I would also suggest moving the Varden to Surda. It will give you time to intregate the two human armies and work out the chain of command. Your Magestey, it might help for you to send of the dwarf military leaders after a while to get to know the human leaders. We need to be able to trust each other."
King Hrothgar thought about it for a minute before responding. "You bring up some valid points. If Ajihad and the Varden's army heads to Surda the families can stay here till arrangments can be made for them. I can have a message sent to the western end of the mountains and from there delivered to Orrin. Once we get a reply Ajihad you and the army should be ready to leave. It wont be long before Galbatorix makes another move. The twins would have reached him by now.
As for meeting of all the Leaders. Would the Queen be willing to travel here. It would be easier the all the leaders in the south travel north."
"If she is not able to come then I might be able to see about creating some mirrors that are connected so all the leaders can communicate. Even if she is it might be best to create the mirrors. This will allow communications into Du Weldenvarden. Which is currently not possible." answered Arya. "I can get a message to the Queen and hopefully hear back from her on weather she will make the trip or not."
" King Hrothgar and I will need to speak with others. He will need to speak with the clan leaders and I with the Council of Elders. Eragon you as Lord Rider may be asked to talk with both groups. I don't for see any problem with the Council of Elders but their are dwarfs that might not care for the return of the riders." Ajihad informed the two riders.
"The Az Sweldn rak Anhuin. I am aware of their hatred of the riders. I am also aware they may appose myself and seek vengance for something that happen before I or Arya were even born. I will be respectfully towards them or any other dwarf but if the attack myself or any rider or dragon then they will be held accountable for their actions. Those who killed their clansmen that lead to their Grimstcarvlorss death are long dead. Justice as already been served. Taken vengance out on those that had no part in their tragic passed is idiotic" Eragon spoke with the authority of lead rider.
King Hrothgar could tell that Eragon didn't want any conflict but would respond if attacked. He would need to speak with Vermund and warn him not to start any conflict with the new Lord Ride.
Arya spoke bringing the King out of his thoughts. "None of us wants to see any conflict and Eragon will not act out of anger or vengance. We need the support of the dwarfs if we are to bring peace to Alagesia. King Hrothgar you as the Dwarf King understand your people better than any of us here. We can only hope that the The Az Sweldn rak Anhuin will listen and at least hold off any attemped of vengance."
"I will speak with Vermund and let him now that any attack on a rider or their dragons will not be tolerated. That hopefully will keep them in check for now. If they do attack one of you, let myself deal with it. I understand dwarfs may be killed while you defend yourselves but I promise if the attack was sanctioned by Vermund then I will call a meeting of the Clan leadership and action will be taken." Hrothgar promised.
"That's all I could ask. There is to much misunderstanding between the different races. We need to work to improve understanding and doing so improve the relationship." replied Eragon. "It is getting late. Arya and I will see about getting in touch with Queen Islanzadi to bring her up to date and see if she is willing to travel here. We also need to see if King Orrin is willing to come."
King Hrothgar spoke "Let us adjourn so that we can speak with those that need to be informed. We will meet again in a week. Though it will take longer to hear from King Orrin. Eragon you and Arya may explore Farthen Dur. I only ask that you travel together as Arya knows the area well from the many years she as visited here. Also if any The Az Sweldn rak Anhuin that are here decide to act on their own you will not be alone. If you have any question or need to speak with me I will also put Orik in your service. The dragon hold is ready for you and your dragons to stay in. Arya can show you. If no one has anything else for me I have things to do."
Ajihad let them know he will always be avalable if they needed to speak with him. Arya lead Eragon back outside and the two mounted their dragons and flew up to the dragon hold.
E/A
Oromis was eating dinner when Arya appeared in the mirror. After giving the elven greeting Oromis got to the point in Arya contacting him. "Arya I hope you have good news."
"I do. We have met with King Hrothgar and Ajihad. We just got out of a meeting that lasted several hours. We need to speak with my mother and you as soon as possible. We have things to discuss and decisions needed to be made. We don't know how much time we have before the next attack. Eragon is speaking with Brom at the moment and bringing him up to date." replied Arya.
That explained why Eragon had not been the one to contact him thought Oromis. "I will leave to speak with the Queen and contact you when I get there."
E/A
The meeting happen an hour later. Brom was also able to listen in. After Eragon explained about everything that happen in the meeting, Islanzadi informed them she would see if it was possible. She told them if she was not able to come personally that she would ask Lord Dathedr and she would arrange a mirror be delivered that would allow her to be able to join the meeting through the mirror. She also informed them that she had already dispatched Blodhgarm and Wyrden and 22 other elves to be Eragon and Arya's guard while with the dwarfs and the Varden. Eragon had thanked her and even commented that it may be a step in improving relations if the other races got to interact with the elves.
Arya had asked if a replacement to take her place now that she was a rider. The Queen said the Lord Dathedr would do it for now till a more pernament solution could be found. The meeting broke up after that.
Both dragons were currled up and asleep when the two riders finished the meeting.
"I will let you have this cave and I will pick another. Saphira seems happy where she is so I will let her be." Eragon told Arya.
"You do not ave to leave. The bed set aside for the rider is big enough for us both." Arya shyly stated. "That and I seemed to sleep better next to you. Eragon I know things have been tense between the two of us as of lately. While I may not know how deeply my feelings may run for you I know they are deeper then mir friendship."
Eragon too Arya's hands in his. "If you are sure. I slept better beside you also. Take your time figuring out how you feel. I have waited over 2 years and can wait another 1000 if need be."
The two riders got ready for bed and laid with Arya snuggled up to Eragon. It did not take long for the two to fall asleep.
There is the newest chapter. Hopefully I will get another out soon. Eragon and Arya are closer but not started a relationship yet. Arya still needs time but is getting closer.