A/N Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry about the late update. I was ill all the weekend when I was first supposed to update and last weekend I was bogged down with homework. And all this week, but my big art projects are finished and I've just broken up for the Christmas holidays, so updates!
Oh, and I got ROTK EE DVD!!!! Yay, it came out on the 10th here instead of the 14th, so naturally I went and got it. It is brilliant! The best out of all of them! Oh, and the documentary Filming ROTK is soooo sad, I was in tears by the end. But if you don't got it, get it!!!
Erm… replies to reviewers are at the bottom of the page as there are quite a few!
Chapter 28- On The Outskirts Of Gil'ead
They continued their journey. Eragon's ribs were painful, but he refused to stop or slow down. He sold Cadoc at the next village they came to. Saying goodbye to the horse he had ridden through so many dangers was difficult, but Brom had promised to look after Snowfire, and now he was gone, Eragon must take over and care for him. he was assured by the man he sold Cadoc to that the horse would be well cared for and gave him a few coins in return, then faithful Cadoc was gone.
-:0:-
They rode for days across the open plain with no one around for miles, which was much welcomed to Saphira as it meant she could fly with them with no fear of been seen. And so it was that the small group got to know Murtagh and he got to know them. He, Eragon and Legolas spent the longer bouts of riding discussing archery and the finer points of the bow. Clearly Murtagh was some what in awe of the Elf who had had so much experience with the weapons and he marvelled at the fine bow of Lothlorien, the wood it was made from was like nothing he had ever seen before, the lightness and flexibility of it.
One thing none of them discussed by mutual silent agreement was their pasts. Eragon said nothing to Murtagh of how he has come by Saphira or met Legolas and Gimli and Brom. While Murtagh said not a word of why the Empire was chasing. Legolas and Gimli kept their history vague and brief telling the young man enough for his peace. As far as Murtagh knew, the miss-matched pair were two great warriors from a far off land beyond the sea who had become ship wreaked on Alagaësia when they had been caught in a storm. He knew not where they were originally headed, or of their fantastical adventures in Middle earth.
-:0:-
They had finally reached the outskirts of Gil'ead after a month or so of travelling. It was here that Eragon finally unwrapped the bandages around his ribs for the last time and found them to be healed. He could stretch and move freely feeling no pain now. He smiled and went to draw Zar'oc, he came over to where Legolas was sitting, holding it up hopefully. The Elf threw down the athelas he had been using on his Seithr oil wounds the Ra'zac had inflicted and rolled down his sleeves. It was strange for him, normally his body healed so quickly and efficiently. He did not understand why it was taking so long. He was still unable to use his bow however, a thing which deeply frustrated him.
Gimli glared at Legolas warningly. "You are not fit enough to attempt a fight yet," he said eyeing his Elven friend critically.
"Gimli, after all out travels together, have you still learned nothing og the indurance of Elves?" he asked.
"No, but I have learnt a thing or two about their stiff necks," Gimli shot back.
Legolas cast him a scathing look and drew his Elven blade.
They each blunted their blades and began. Slow at first, each getting into their rhythm. Gimli, Murtagh and Saphira sat watching as they parried one another's blows, swords clashing; it was like a dance, well rehearsed and smooth flowing.
When they had finished, Eragon and Legolas sat back down panting slightly to receive the stew Murtagh had been cooking as they duelled. Eragon sat with Zar'roc resting on his lap. Murtagh eyed it wearily.
At last he asked. "Where did you get that sword?"
"Brom gave it to me. Why?" Eragon replied carelessly.
"That sword used to belong to a Rider. Morzan, one of the Forsworn to be precise, who betrayed the other Riders to Galbatorix. That blade has tasted much blood in it time. Rider's blood," said Murtagh darkly.
Eragon furrowed his brow. "Brom failed to mention that," he said truthfully. "But I have no other sword, so I guess this will have to do until I get my own, if I ever do."
"So be it," Murtagh said with a curt nod.
"So.." said Eragon breaking the awkward silence that had fallen. "Tomorrow I will go in to Gil'ead and seek out this Dormnad. I think I should go alone though. If-"
"I should be the one to go. I am not as wanted by the Empire as you. If I get caught I can escape given time. You on the other hand, will be thrown before the King and made to choose between joining him and a slow painful death," Murtagh cut over him.
"But Dormnad will need to know who I am, he might not believe I am a Rider," Eragon argued.
'Eragon, listen to Murtagh, he speaks sense, though I do not think even he should enter Gil'ead alone,' said Saphira.
'Fine, I suppose you're right, as usual. Then I at least should go with him,' said Eragon.
'No, not you,' Saphira replied. 'It is too dangerous to risk you getting caught. But you must tell Murtagh a few things which Brom told me to tell you to tell Dormnad.'
'Fine,' Eragon sighed. "Saphira says that you should go, but not alone," Eragon then relayed to Murtagh. "But she also says I must tell you this," he repeated what Saphira had told him.
Legolas agreed to go with Murtagh into Gil'ead after a short conversation with Saphira. It was decided they should not wait until tomorrow but go tonight, it was a hour before sunset, they should be back before dark. Legolas tied his hair into its usual ponytail and arranged his hood to shade his face. He took Snowfire instead of Loshîth as he was the only other horse bar Murtagh's that was saddled. He must look inconspicuous. They mounted the horses and rode away to Gil'ead. They could see from where they were that Gil'ead was a vast city with mainly wooden buildings that looked barbaric. About five miles on the other side of the city Lake Isenstar could just be seen as a misty haze in the evening.
Legolas and Murtagh rode together in silence, not slowing their pace until they reached the city gates. It was only then that they stopped to discuss some sort of plan. "I don't think we should split up, it could be dangerous. We should act as travellers, two brothers passing through or something. And if anyone asks I am Daniel," Murtagh said.
Legolas nodded. "I am Will," he said, recalling the old alias Brom had given him back in Teirm.
"Fine. We should find a tavern or something. That is normally a good place to gather news and information," Murtagh suggested.
"Agreed," Legolas nodded before they entered the city. Log houses lined the streets and yapping dogs could be heard through out the city. It seemed more like a temporary trading outpost than a permanent settlement.
They found a small tavern towards the centre of the city to enquire at. They tied their hoses up outside. The minute they opened the door they were hit with the heavy stench of ale and pipe tobacco and sweat of the tavern's customers was thick on the air. Legolas wrinkled his nose in disgust as Murtagh pulled him inside. The Elf had had plenty of practice at acting like a human and he knew it was vital at this instance, but when a drunkard at the bar challenged him to a game of Snap Dragon he simply had to decline. There was only so far he was willing to go when posing as a 'man'.
He stood just behind Murtagh and let him do the talking. "Yeah, an ol' mate o' ours, goes by the name o' Dormnad. You know 'im?" Murtagh said, thickening his accent.
"I heard o' 'im. Comes in 'ere once in a while. Don' got a fat lot to say. He lives jus' across from 'ere. You mind me inquiring in ter what' ye want wiv 'im?" said the bar man.
"As I says, ol' friend o' ours who we bin wantin' ter catch up wiv. Ent sin 'im in years. We was passin' this way and we thinks to ourselfs, let's go an see ol' Dormnad," Murtagh replied, irritation dashed across his eyes.
"Aye, right," the bar man thankfully asked no more questions and gave them the directions to Dormnad's house. Legolas and Murtagh then left hastily.
Legolas burst out of the tavern doors gagging for fresh air. "Thank the Valar for that!" he said.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad," Murtagh laughed patting the Elf on the back.
Legolas looked at him derisively and mounted Snowfire.
Ten minutes later they were knocking on the front door of a log cabin. A man answered it. He looked around the same age as Brom had been, though they could never be sure of their departed friend's true age. He made a few enquires and then ushered them both inside.
"So, Brom is dead?" he asked in shock once he had seated himself across from them.
"I'm afraid so," answered Murtagh. "But as we said, we come on behalf of a boy named Eragon whom Brom took into his teaching as a Dragon Rider. Before he died, he told the boy's dragon that if worst came to worst, he should come to you and you could then take him to the Varden."
"I see," said Dormnad nodding. "And why could the boy not come to me himself?"
"He is wanted throughout the land. His picture is all around. It would have been too dangerous for him to risk entering the city," Legolas explained.
"Hmm, I understand. But who are you? Is this a trap?" Dormnad asked stiffening.
"No! I am Murtagh, a travelling companion of Eragon's. and this is Legolas, erm.. his friend," said Murtagh uncertain of how to introduce the Elf.
"And an Elf I observe are you not Legolas?" Dormnad asked turning his gaze of the other being. "Your disguise is clever, but with your hood down you can not be mistaken for human, too fair of face are you. So tell me, why do you travel with humans? Why are you not at the secret Elf Haven where I am lead to believe the rest of your people dwell?"
"I am not akin to the Elves of Alagaësia, but from a different land. The rest of my kindred lie for many leagues across the sea. Myself and another companion were ship wreaked in a storm and stranded in this land," Legolas explained briefly.
"I see," said Dormnad and pursued the issue no further, clearly he was satisfied for now.
"We have a few things we were bid tell you, to prove that we are genuine and this is no trap," Murtagh relayed the information Saphira has given them to Dormnad who then consented to meet them the next morning out side of Gil'ead.
They thanked the man and took their leave, mounting the horses they had tied up outside. "Well, that went smoothly," Murtagh breathed a sigh of relief as they passed the tavern they had entered earlier.
Legolas nodded, also relieved.
Suddenly, a man came bursting out form the tavern. "Hey!" he called out to them.
Murtagh turned o see who it was and the colour in his face drained, a look of horror spread across his face. He turned to Legolas. "Run!" he breathed.
They reined the horses on and sped off, riding frantically through the city, dodging people that stumbled out of the taverns along the way. They rode out of the gates of Gil'ead, startling the guards with their hasty retreat.
They did not stop until they skidded to a halt back at the camp on the out skirts of Gil'ead. Eragon saw them coming and had drawn Zar'roc ready to fight, but Legolas swung off of Snowfire and waited for Murtagh. He wanted an explanation and he wanted it now.
"Who was that?!" Legolas demanded to know.
"Just someone who knows me," the young man replied waving the question away. "It doesn't matter. We found Dormnad and he will meet you, Eragon, outside Gil'ead tomorrow morning."
Legolas glared at the man but did not press his previous question. "Very well. But did anyone follow you out of Gil'ead? And why did you run away firm that person who knows you?" asked Eragon.
"No, I just did not wish to linger in Gil'ead once I had been recognised," Murtagh said defensively. "But his mouth hangs open catching flies all the time. If the information that I had been seen reached the wrong ears, it would go ill for us. Besides, I will leave you if you go with this Dormnad, my path lies not to the Varden."
"So you will not be coming? They could give you sanctuary," said Eragon, he didn't want his friend to leave.
Murtagh shook his head. "No, they can not."
-:0:-
Legolas agreed to take the first watch, followed by Gimli. It was a few hours before dawn and the Dwarf sat rubbing his hands, placing some more twigs onto the fire that was burning low. He suddenly sensed something odd. Something was not right. He went to wake Legolas who was sleeping nearby. Perhaps his Elven friend could give him some reassurance.
He looked over the Elf. He eyes were open f course but they had a glazed look about them and were unfocused indicating that he was indeed asleep. Gimli shook the Elf's shoulder a little too forcefully and Legolas blinked, his eyes coming into focus as he stared up at the Dwarf. "Gimli?" he questioned quietly.
"Shhh Elf. Something isn't right. I feel uneasy. Come look at the open plain and tell me what your Elven eyes see," Gimli whispered so as not to wake anyone else.
Legolas sat up and passed a hand over his face. He shook his head and stood up gazing around as Gimli had bid. Then his eyes focused on something. Dark shapes moving speedily towards them. He caught them in the morning star from the east and immediately drew his knife.
"What is it Legolas?" Gimli asked clutching his axe tight.
"Those Urgal creatures. Wake Eragon and Murtagh, be ready to fight," Legolas said urgently. Gimli did as he was told and Legolas called to Saphira. 'Urgals approach, be ready!'
Her eyes glinted like flints in the semi-darkness. She was ready.
Murtagh was soon at Legolas' side, sword drawn. Gimli was on the Elf's other side with Eragon next to him and Saphira backing them up. The Urgals stopped dead in their tracks when they saw five of them lined up and ready to fight. Clearly, they had been relying on a surprise attack. Not likely.
"Give us the boy and we will be on our way," the lead Urgal snarled.
Legolas glared daggers at them. "I think not." He stood defiant and resolute. The lead Urgal stepped forward, crude sword aimed at the Elf's abdomen. He unwisely went to charge, a brisk step forward and well aimed swing of his blade and Murtagh had just beheaded the Urgal leader. "A warning to you. Go and be spared. Stay, and you will die," Legolas threatened calmly.
But the Urgals, enraged by their leader's sudden end, charged at them.
Saphira raised herself into the air, swooping down on the party of Urgals which were at least thirty in number. Murtagh beheaded another particularly large Urgal that advanced on him while next to him Legolas spun and kicking one to the ground, then delivered the death blow. Gimli hewed anything that came into his path, snarling with delight as he did so, it seemed so long to the Dwarf since his axe had tasted blood.
Eragon blew one apart with "Brisingr" spattering everyone within a few feet with Urgal entrails. What he did not notice however, was the three Urgals that approached from behind him, neither did the others who were busy dealing with the majority of the beats.
Saphira was too busy with a group of Urgals to notice he was in trouble and so it was that has felt the heavy blow of a club to his head. His vision swam and a blinding white light was all he saw before the blackness of unconsciousness swamped him.
By the time the others has noticed their comrade was gone, the three Urgals were already on their way back to Gil'ead.
A/N Ta da! I'm really sorry again for making you guys wait so long for this, but as I have explained, it could not be helped. Oh well, lots more updates over the Christmas holidays I hope!
Hehe. Hmmm… where was I this time last year, December 17th 2003, watching ROTK at the cinema for the first time that's where! There is no LOTR this year :sob: I'm going to go watch the EE version now.
Reviewers
Moonyasha- Thanks, sorry you had to wait so long for this chapter though! Yummy, lollypops!
TrekieGreenieShannaraElfOfME- Lol. Sounds like my kind of book! So it's about a horse? Tell me more!
Zammy- Thanks!
Ellie- Hannon le mellon nín. Glad you liked that chapter! Yeah, I love Elvish, it's the most beautiful sounding language! None in this chapter I'm afraid, but there will be more!
Xiad Rusco- Legolas' wounds are getting better. It's been a month so he should be able to use his bow soon. They were quite bad, but with a little help form athelas, they'll be fine! Seithr oil just doesn't agree with him!
dragon-miko- Yeah, I don't like not writing Brom… I want Brom back!!! Yeah, I guess Eragon really misses him, but he's not alone, he has Murtagh and Gimli and Leggy.
Lestatlover1784- Heya! I'm glad you like my fic, and here is the update I've been promising for the past week or so,. I actually finished my art case study/ A1 tonal drawing/ A1 mixed media piece. How's your fic coming? I have to finish reading it, but I have all of the Christmas holidays! Yay! talk to you Laters!
The Writing Bee- Thanks. I'm glad you like this. Yeah, I like angst and drama too. But I also like humour.
DaAlCh- Yup, poor Brom. But yup, we are coming (in my opinion) to the best parts of the book. Lots more action!
Lady of the dual swords- Hehehe, lol.
BelegBoy- Thanks!
Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Yay! thank you so much, glad you like it!
Big thanks to my friend Lestatlover1784, 200th reviewer!
Ok guys, until next time! (which will be a lot sooner than this time!)
Sidh ed
Lolly pop