A/N Hello people. So sorry about the late update, my stupid internets been down and I just got it fixed. Anyways, I'm on half term right now! Wahoo! Ming I can read (and write) lots of fan fiction! Yay! I'm good, not really but I'll be fine! Lol.
And guess what??? Only 53 DAYS TILL ROTK EE DVD!! And that means ONLY 60 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!!
Reviewers
Moonyasha- Thanks. Yay! Keep Leggy single! Hmm, have to think about that one. and now its only 60 days till Christmas!
Aldawen Eldartari- Arrg, dammit! Thank you so much for pointing that out to me, that's my misinterpretation. I'll remember that in future though.
Zammy- Ok, here's the update.
Xiad Rusco- Thanks.
Dragon-miko- Cool, I take it you had fun then at your sleep over? Thanks.
Fuji the Hobbit- Thanks. I think it will be revealed who exactly that Elf is in a few chapters time.
DaAlCh- yeah sure! I would love to read your prologue! Please e-mail it to me as soon as you can! Yep, I kind of noticed reading back through that I have neglected Gimli a bit, probably because Legolas is one of my favourite characters to write about. yep, Farthen Dur I am so looking forward to and I think Gimli will have more of a central role there then he has so far so hopefully he will really come into his element! Yay! I'm free form Mordor for a whole week! I'm happy. Los Angeles? So cool!!
Delphine Pryde- Thank you!
Thanks a lot you guys, I really appreciate all the reviews! 147, who would have thought!
Chapter 22- Lake Leona
The next day they packed camp early and were swiftly on their way. Brom had quickly set about Eragon's teaching, presenting him with difficult scenarios involving, Urgals, magic and Saphira along with many varied imaginary fights where either a Shade or other dragon was involved. At first he got most of Brom's questions wrong as he concentrated mainly on the dents in the road as they aggravated the pain in his wrist, though he had to admit, it was getting better thanks to a concoction of Legolas' using athelas and as they day of riding progressed, he was able to answer more questions correctly.
They stopped and rested for an hour or two in the middle of the afternoon giving Eragon a chance to rest his wrist. Brom however, continued to question him and after a particularly difficult one, Eragon happened to mention the fact he had tried scrying the day before, of seeing Brom, Legolas and Saphira, of checking on his cousin Roran and also of the Elf women. "I couldn't see her very clearly, all I had to see by was the light of a candle in the cell, but I could definitely tell she was an Elf, and she was very beautiful. But the strangest thing was, she looked straight at me, as though she could see me. How is that possible if I had only ever seen her in a dream?"
"As far as I know it is impossible for anyone to know when they are been scryed," replied Brom.
"Yes, but Legolas knew, he said he could feel it in the back of his mind," said Eragon.
"Legolas," Brom called the Elf who was busy tending the horses. He looked up to address the old man. "Is it true what the boy here is telling me? You knew he was scrying you?"
Legolas walked over to where they were sat and took a seat between Gimli and Eragon just across from Brom. "It is true. I could feel a tug at the back of my mind, it felt though I was been watched. When Eragon told me of what he had done I assumed that was what I could feel."
Eragon shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe it is a thing only Elves can sense," he said rationally.
"Perhaps," Brom agreed.
-:0:-
The company had been travelling for a few weeks now on their way to Dras-Leona. Eragon was getting much better at answering Brom's questions and he and Legolas had to duel again, but Eragon had to use his left hand because he still couldn't grip Zar'oc properly still. He was now good at using both which Legolas assured him would be a huge advantage. It was now spring and they had crossed the Spine and had now come to the plains, following the Toark River southeast along the edge of the Spine.
They reached Leona Lake by the next day, it looked like a thin sheet of silver beaten over the land, the water, so calm and smooth did not even seem like liquid. Saphira had wasted no time in taking a dip in the lake and soon told Eragon about it.
'The water is lovely, deep and cool. And so clear, perfect for swimming!'
"What do you think Legolas? Fancy a dip?" Eragon jumped with the Elf.
He smirked. "Why not? Let us have some fun!" he replied lightly, his light hearted woodelf nature creeping into his calm demeanour. "How about it Gimli?"
The Dwarf grunted. "Not likely! I prefer to keep my feet firmly on the shore thank you! I have had quite enough of water to last me a life time!" Gimli said recalling the shipwreck that had forced them to seek refuge in Alagaësia.
After an early breakfast Eragon and Legolas rushed down to the lake's edge, disregarding their boots they let the water lap at their feet. Legolas took off his tunic and silver shirt and dived in clad just in his leggings. Eragon shivered before wading in. "It's fr-freezing!" he said through chattering teeth.
"I do not feel the cold," Legolas replied, swimming out further into the lake with Eragon beside him. it was deep. All they saw below them was inky blackness where the light did not penetrate the depths.
Eragon suddenly heard the piercing cry of Saphira in his mind as she flew above them, barrel rolling around in the air before launching herself like an arrow into the water. Eragon and Legolas only just had time to swim out of her way giving her a wide birth. But they did not escape a huge tidal wave came flooding over their heads caused by the enormous dragon.
They managed t struggle back to the surface and were greeted with Saphira's huge grinning face. 'Very funny!' Legolas said to her sarcastically.
'I like to think so,' she replied. 'Do you want a ride?'
Legolas eagerly climbed up onto her back, she swooped up out of the water into the sky then turned, issued Legolas with a warning to hold on tight and hold his breath, she dived back down into the lake. Saphira slipped into the water a lot more gracefully then the last time, g through the clear liquid. Legolas smiled to himself and suddenly let go of Saphira, kicking his legs to get back to the surface as his lungs started to demand air again. He felt something hard beneath his bare feet, glancing down briefly he saw Saphira's nose propelling him to the light. He broke the surface with a splash of water, standing perfectly balanced on the tip of Saphira's nose as he gulped in air. He jumped down form her landing back in the water with a splash, going under and resurfacing a second or so later.
He swam back towards the shore, Saphira gliding under the water just below him, to where E4raogn sat waiting on a rock. "My turn!" he cried once Legolas was out of the water.
Saphira smiled as he clamoured up onto her back, excited to experience the ride. Legolas patted himself dry and slipped on his sliver shirt and boots, gathering his tunic up in his arms he made his way back t the camp they had set up where he found Brom and Gimli smoking their pipes. "Have fun?" Gimli asked noting his friend's wet clothing and dishevelled hair.
The Elf nodded with a smile. "Eragon will be here in a while. He and Saphira are diving."
"Right," Brom nodded. "Once everyone id ready we start put journey around Leona Lake to Dras-Leona, it will take a few days- perhaps a week or so."
Legolas nodded in understanding undoing his braids which were now a mess, combing them out with his long slender fingers and ringing his hair out and leaving it to dry.
Eragon returned a few minutes later and once both of them were dry, they continued their journey around Leona Lake.
-:0:-
Their journey took a few more days around Leona Lake, but finally Dras-Leona was in sight. Eragon began to get more excited at the prospect of finally facing the Ra'zac. Saphira had left them a while ago as the road into Dras-Leona was clogged with farmers taking their goods to market. It was decided that Gimli would accompany them also, though he would be more difficult to conceal then Legolas. But they would risk it. They would need all the help they could get when they encountered the Ra'zac.
When they entered the city around noon they found it to be completely different from Teirm they had just left. It was a tangle of ramshackle buildings that sprawled next to the Lake that seemed so fair. Several miles east, a mountain of bare rock speared the sky with spires and columns. It had near vertical sides that rose out of the ground like a jagged piece of the earth's bone.
"You once asked what Helgrind was, well there's your answer. That is Helgrind. The reason Dras-Leona was built revolves around that thing," Brom said darkly. "We should head for the centre of the city."
As they went along the road, they saw that the highest building in the city was a cathedral that bore a cruel resemblance to Helgrind.
"These people, who exactly is it that they worship?" Gimli asked gesturing towards the cathedral.
"Their prayers go to Helgrind," replied Brom. "A crueller religion you are not likely to come across. They drink human blood and make fresh offerings. It is strange. Their priests often lack body parts. You see, they believe that the less bone and sinew they have, the less they are attached to he mortal world."
This remark received a snort from Legolas.
"Yes, but it's true," said Brom. "They spend much of their time arguing which is the highest of Helgrind's three peaks and therefore most important, and whether the fourth which is the lowest, should be included in their worship."
"That is horrible," said Gimli.
"It's twisted," said Eragon.
"Very," agreed Brom. "But do not give your opinions to a believer; you may end up loosing a limb in 'penance'."
There were ten soldiers guarding the enormous gates of Dras-Leona. Legolas and Gimli had pulled their hoods up a while ago, and luckily, they all passed with the crush of people without question into the city. They found that the city was tightly crammed in with tall buildings to compensate the lack of space. The streets were filthy and smelled of sewage, the sky could not be seen for the over hanging houses lining the winding streets. Ragged children ran out of the way of their horses as they approached. Deformed beggars cried out for money, for food, for salvation. Legolas recoiled at the smell and utter revulsion the city held. Orcs were treated better than this.
"The stench is horrid!" Gimli said waving a hand in front of his face to clear the air around his, to little avail.
"Ai, what a place to live. Let us hope it gets better towards the center of the city," replied Legolas.
"It best do. I refuse to stay here! It is awful Legolas. How can anyone treat people thus? How could anyone more over bare to live in this forsaken place?" said Gimli.
"To that my friend we can only but guess," answered Legolas.
"Have no fear Gimli; we shall not linger here long. Right now we must find an inn and form a strategy. Dras-Leona can be a dangerous place to even the most cautious," Brom warned.
"Well, that's comforting!" Eragon muttered to Legolas and Gimli.
They both snorted and concealed their laughter. They travelled on towards the center of Dras-Leona, leaving (much to everyone's delight) the foul outer parts behind. they soon found an inn called the Golden Globe, which was cheap enough, but would provide the company with bearable lodging for as long as hey may.
Brom booked a double room for the four of them. The room had two single beds, one crammed against each wall with a rickety table and ach basin.
One look at the mattress and Eragon and Legolas immediately surrendered the beds to Gimli and Brom, they would rather sleep on the floor they said, then be eaten alive by bugs and whatever else may lurk in that flea bitten material.
Brom and Gimli shrugged, plonking their things on the beds which looked as though they would give way at any moment. Legolas and Eragon however, rolled out their bed rolls and carefully laid their weapons down.
"Right, I don't know about anyone else, but I'm starving. Let's go get food and drink, after that we rest. Tomorrow we start searching for the Ra'zac. And-"Brom turned to the three of them before leaving the room. "Make sure your tongues do not loosen, otherwise we will have to be out of Dras-Leona before sunrise, understand? And keep the aliases you used in Teirm. Right Evan, Will and Jacob?"
The three of them groaned and followed Brom.
The three of them, minus Legolas, enjoyed a barely adequate meal. Legolas stated he would rather starve than eat 'whatever that was meant to be'. They found the bear however, far better.
Legolas sat in the corner, eyeing the beer with distaste as Brom brought in round after round for himself, Gimli and Eragon. Gimli leaned across the table and muttered to Legolas. The Elf's eyes widened. "And what is the point of it?" he asked.
"You remember Elf, last one standing- wins," Gimli said slyly.
"Oh no Gimli, not another of your drinking games?" said Legolas, pushing the flagon of beer Gimli had set before him away.
"Exactly. So what do you say Will? You in, for old time's sake?" Gimli persisted. "Or are you afraid you will be bested?"
"Gimli, do you recall what happened the last time we played this?" said Legolas.
Gimli chewed his lip. "Aye, I do," he mumbled.
"So, do you really think it wise to challenge me again?" Legolas asked.
A smile curved beneath Gimli's beard.
A/N Ok there you go, another chapter!
And seen as I won't find out the out come of the drinking game from ROTK EE DVD I'll have to leave it open/ hope you all liked that though. I think that chapter was a little more light hearted. Anyways, next one should be a lot more serious. And oh no! I've just realised what part of the book we are nearing, and I am NOT looking forward to writing it!
Well, please review!
Laters
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