I'm freakishly awesome and adored 'Eragon' like most, so I decided to write about it! Ha, no surprise there. I am about wetting myself in excitement for 'Eldest', and simply cannot wait for it to come out. I'm sure it will be awesome. As a disclaimer (just so I don't get shot, you know how it goes), everyone should know that I own NONE of these characters, except maybe one or two new minor characters along the way. Yeah. Except one. And you'd better like him/her. --Sarahjane
Eragon shifted slightly upon the cushioned mattress he slept upon, mumbling. "Garrow...look out. NO!" Eragon bolted upright, hands clammy, fearing he would be back at Carvahall, witnessing a terrible act. He looked around his surroundings, and saw the now familiar cave and the sapphire blue of Saphira's scales. Her breathing was steady, still asleep. Her large girth moved up and down with each breath, and every now and then, her lip would curl, or her foot might twitch. A wan smile spread across his lips. "At least you're dreaming happy thoughts." He sighed, and lay back down. He covered himself almost completely with his blankets and shivered, trying to shake that terrible vision out of his mind. But it was as if it was on constant replay in his mind. Slowly, he fell into a light doze for the rest of the night.
He had been having fretful and sweat-filled nights, most of which involved the Shade Durza who he had killed but two weeks before. The dreams started out not so bad, just re-enacting his heroic efforts, Arya and Saphira breathing fire--But now, the dreams were horrific. Durza had come to haunt his family. He watched as the Shade mercilessly slaughtered all his friends and family back near Carvahall. He saw their deaths happen in excruciating detail. Each night, it was someone different. So far, everyone he once loved and cared for had been killed off. Except one. Except Roran. Saphira had become worried about her rider's nightmares, and tirelessly spoke it over with Eragon each following morning.
What is it you dreamt of this night? asked Saphira.
It was Garrow. He--he was doing some of the fall harvesting. Doing the things Garrow always used to do. His--his back was turned, and Durza came from behind him. He spoke something I didn't quite catch, and yet I understood what it was perfectly, and--attacked him. He didn't stand a chance. Eragon grimaced. He sent Saphira an image of Garrow kneeling, pulling out some carrots from the ground. The shade with milky white skin and blood red hair uttered words close to the meaning of, "Human scum," and sending his this blade straight through the farmer's hunched back. Garrow let out an unearthly scream, and started to decompose, as a dark substance spurted out of him. It never stopped. That was when Eragon woke.
That indeed is troubling. I think you should talk to someone like Angela about this. I'm the only one who knows of your dreams, correct? mused Saphira. Her elegant head rested at eye level with her rider. Her slit azure eyes gazed at him comfortingly, genuinely worried.
Alright. I will. I, however right now, am going to go down and get food. Can you take me down? I'll send some meat up to you if you want to continue sleeping. Eragon scratched Saphira's long neck lovingly. Saphira nodded her large head in acknowledgement and stepped out of her cave. Yawning, she stretched her massive wings, letting a contented roar out throughout the cavern. She had been rather tired suddenly, and never seemed to be satisfied with normal sleep. Eragon believed it was simply puberty. He wasn't sure about dragons, but when he hit that fun stage in life, he could never get enough sleep.
Trotting forward, she said, I believe I'll come with you today. I need to get some exercise. Eragon nodded, and flashed a big grin as he hopped onto his friend's back. Spreading her wings, she soared down to the main floor. Eragon was surprised how quickly repairs had been made in Farthen Dûr and Tronjheim, not to mention Isidar Mithrim. He supposed it was Arya who helped with the Sapphire--seeing as she was the one who broke it.
Hopping off with a smile, Eragon heard his name being called. He ignored it to tend to Saphira. "Eragon! ER-UH-GON!" He spun around, startled that someone wanted him so badly. It was Murtagh. He was waving furiously for him to come meet him. He looked at Saphira.
Go ahead, chuckled Saphira. I can take care of myself. Eragon gratefully tipped his head in the direction of his dragon and walked to his friend.
"Murtagh! What is it?" inquired Eragon. "It must be important, seeing as you nearly jumped out of your pants when you called me."
"Nasuada! She said yes! I'm floating on a cloud--"
"Wait. Said yes to what?" Eragon was thoroughly confused now.
"Eragon, you dolt, I asked her if she would like to spend some time alone with just me--you know...a date." A dreamy grin spread quickly over his companion's face. Eragon couldn't help but smile to see his friend truly happy for once. Jokingly Murtagh commented to Eragon, "You know...perhaps you should ask the same thing of Arya." Murtagh threw back his head and laughed.
Eragon colored, turning bright red. He smirked, and threw his elbow playfully into Murtagh's ribs. "Oh, I don't need to. I'll be spending plenty of time with her on the way to Ellesméra!"
"Plenty of time with who?" said a voice from behind him. Eragon wheeled, his red face even more crimson. If it weren't for his brown hair, he would have been a beet. Right behind him stood Arya, looking stunning with her black hair tied in a knot at the nape of her neck. She was wearing a green tunic and skirt which matched her eyes.
"Uuh, time with--er, Saphira." Eragon could have died right there. His ears were on fire. And all Murtagh did was all but fall to the floor laughing hysterically.
Oh, thanks, Eragon, said Saphira sarcastically, eyeing him. I'm so glad you want to really spend the time with me. Saphira pranced off, looking for Solembum to converse with. Saphira liked her new werecat friend.
The corners of Arya's lips twitched, holding back an obvious smirk. "Saphira? Oh yes, you'll be spending plenty of time with her on the trip." At that, she brushed past him and continued on her way. She walked away and out through one of the tunnels. But before she got there, she turned and shot a look to Eragon's feet and left. He looked down, and saw a small folded piece of parchment. Murtagh saw it as well. They both looked up at each other, at the tunnel Arya passed through, and back to the parchment. They both lunged for it.
Murtagh got to it first. Eragon tackled him and knocked him to the ground. The piece of paper went flying out of Murtagh's grasp, and went skidding across the floor. They both stopped, and Eragon scuttled across the floor to retrieve it. But before then, Murtagh grabbed Eragon's ankle and pulled him backward, just so his fingers barely missed their target. Both of them were now laughing hysterically.
Two sets of black boots toed their way over to the wrestling boys. "Well, isn't this adorable. The traitor's son and Argetlam: wrestling."There was an obvious loathing to the voice. Both Eragon and Murtagh looked up, dreading the two people before them. The Twins, both wearing identical maroon robes and black boots sneered at the pair.
The Twin who hadn't spoken to them finally was heard. "I guess if neither of you can agree who gets this, I might as well put it into my own possession." With that, he stooped down and picked up the piece of parchment, and sniffed it with pleasure before placing it into his robes.
Murtagh picked himself up off the floor in anger. "You idiot! Couldn't you see we were joking? I don't really want it--that was meant for Eragon."
Eragon decided he must have looked rather silly lying on the cavern floor, so he stood up and brushed himself off. "Yeah. It's mine. Give it here."
"I don't believe I saw Arya designate it to any such person," said the first brother.
"No, but it wasn't meant for worms like you two." Nasuada strode back into the hall. "Give it back." Her look was pure anger. Her eyes were flashing. "Give it. Don't make me inform my father of this." The twins eyed her. The daughter of Ajihad was a force to be reckoned with. The second Twin looked menacingly at Eragon, and reluctantly handed it to him. But before it fully passed from his hand, the Twin pulled him close, breathing rancid air down Eragon's neck.
"Arya is not fit for someone as low as you. Stay away from her," he whispered. He stood back, and threw a fake smile at Eragon. He turned around with his brother, and walked away, their boots clicking maddeningly on the marble floor. Saphira suffered a growl to pass between her lips as they passed. Eragon was pleased to see that they were startled and their pace picked up.
Being in fresh air, Eragon relished the clean smell circulating, and not the sour stench of body odor which hung about the twins. Nasuada stepped forward. "I apologize for them. I've never liked them, and I'm pretty sure my father secretly wishes to get rid of them." She winked at him, and tossed Murtagh a shy smile before turning back to Eragon. "Have you actually looked at the paper yet?"
Eragon cleared his throat and shuffled his feet. "Uh, no."
"Well, then open it now." Nasuada gave them both a curtsy, and did an extra one for Saphira. She dispersed, and the small crowd that had gathered to watch the excitement dissolved away and continued on with their daily activities. Babes continued crying, and the odd canine started barking again at the scullery cook coming from the kitchens for a scrap of meat.
"She's perfect. Beautiful, smart, funny, oh I could go on forever..." remarked Murtagh offhandedly with a stupid grin on his face.
Eragon shot him back a confused look, then his gaze transferred onto the parchment. He looked around at Saphira. Should I open it? asked Eragon.
Well, what else are you going to use it for? Perhaps it might taste good in a stew, and with that, Saphira let out one of her unusual guffaws. Eragon slipped his finger under the piece of twine which held the note closed. When his eyes hit the parchment, he could have fainted. Then laughed in spite of himself. How could he have been so stupid? There's no way an elf would ever fall for him, a human. She probably already had an arranged marriage of high nobility wherever her home was.
"So? What does it say?" said Murtagh curiously, peering over Eragon's slack shoulder.
"Nothing."
"No, really, what does it say?"
"Nothing. Honestly. It's blank." Crestfallen, he showed his friend the blank page. Murtagh leaned forward and observed the front of the paper.
"I don't see what the problem is. It's probably written in hidden ink," mused Murtagh. "Just have Saphira warm it up a touch, and you should be able to read it."
"That's a good idea. I'll try it," said Eragon. "I'm going to go back up to the cave with Saphira to try it out. I'll be down in a little while." Eragon walked over to Saphira, and climbed nimbly upon her back. She took off with ease, her massive muscles pumping through the air. Soon they reached the top. Eragon slid off her scaly back, and flipped the page over, and read the words he kept from Murtagh's eyes.
"Eragon, I'm sorry. It could never work. I can't allow it, as much as I want it," he read aloud. "Why! Why wouldn't it work?" Eragon said in a mournful voice, and went to hit bed and sat down, his heart broken.
It's just a girl. I don't see why you're so upset about it. Get up and stop moping. There are plenty more attractive ones out there, said Saphira matter-of-factly. Why don't you try that hidden ink trick? There might be another message underneath it. It's not uncommon. Saphira let out a huff of smoke, exasperated with her Rider's mood.
"Why would she bother doing that when she put her meaning so plainly right there?" Eragon rested his head on his fist, eyes closed in misery.
I don't know. I don't understand any more than you, but it's worth a try. Come over here, and I'll lightly scorch it. Just enough to make it readable if there is ink on it. Saphira stepped a touch forward, beckoning to Eragon to come closer. Eragon looked sadly at his dragon, and slowly stood up and dragged his feet toward her.
"I still don't see what it's worth."
Just put the paper on the ground, and then we'll see. Eragon lowered the parchment to the ground, and took several steps back, secretly hoping that the paper would disintegrate into ash with Saphira's fire so he wouldn't have to think about it ever again. Saphira rolled her eyes, one of her rare human-like gestures, and directed her mouth towards the paper. She creaked her mouth open only a small amount, and carefully blew out sparks of fire. Soon, the paper was lightly toasted. Once done, Eragon rushed over and gingerly picked up the paper, closing his eyes, afraid to see the results.
Eragon opened his eyes, and a huge smile spread across his face displaying his straight teeth and dimple. He looked at Saphira. "Murtagh was right! You were right! How negative could I be?" Eragon sprinted back to his bed and sat, leaning his back on the cave wall. He looked with a reader's eye toward the paper, and read slowly but proficiently Arya's small and delicate hand. With every second passed, it seemed his smile kept growing.
Well? What does it say? said Saphira curiously. And I should warn you--If you keep smiling like that your face might stay that way. Eragon smiled sarcastically at his dragon, and continued to read.
"I'll tell you when I'm done. Now shush, it's hard enough to read when I don't have another voice in my head." A few more minutes passed, and Eragon slid down onto his bed flat in utter happiness.
Would you care to share now? said Saphira patiently.
"Oh, yeah. I'll read it." Eragon cleared his throat, and spoke clearly and slowly, enjoying the sound of every word which rolled off his tongue. "Dear Eragon, I see you have discovered how to read magic ink--otherwise this would not be viewable. I'm sorry if the first message caused you pain, I had to do it to erase suspicion. Technically, I could never be with you as you are just a human, but the Elves can't disagree with me being with a Rider, not to mention one worthy of me. I did this letter for you incase it slipped into the wrong hands, and to see if you truly cared for me. If you did, I figured you would go to all lengths to see if I left anything else.
"Eragon, I've had feelings for you ever since I first met you. I didn't admit it to myself for fear I would get hurt. As I knew I would be taking you to Ellesméra with me, I didn't want to get too attached to you and have my heart broken as you left to go onto greater things. You will do great things, Eragon, even Angela has foreseen it. You must know, we can let no one know of us until after you are completely and thoroughly trained, and my heart is lightened as that is not far. We won't be accepted until then.
"Meet me by the kitchens tomorrow evening near the eighth hour. Arya." Eragon was all but swooning from giddiness.
That's lovely. You're shapeless she-friend likes you back. Now, come on. Let's go back down, said Saphira. You're making me sick.
"Funny, Saphira," said Eragon sarcastically. "Alright, let's go."
Alright! I'm done with the first chapter! The second one will be coming up soon, I promise you. If not, you can feel free to poke and prod me until I get moving.