A/N I seem to remember promising a special anniversary chapter. So here it is! Just like to say a massive thanks to all my wonderful readers/reviewers throughout the course of writing this fic, thanks for the support and all your kind words!
So people, a whole year of Alagaësia Meets Middle Earth and I'm happy to say, it's still going strong!
Chapter 33- Official Introductions
Eragon had had an idea. He was not sure whether it would work or not, but he discussed it with Legolas anyway.
"I do not think she would take kindly to you intruding in her mind. But perhaps she knows where the Varden are. We may even be able to help her if we could find out what is wrong with her," said Legolas thoughtfully.
"Exactly what I was thinking," Eragon nodded.
They both knelt next to the She-Elf. Eragon closed his eyes and extended a tendril of thought to the Elf's mind. Instead of finding it filled with the pain of her torments, he found her mind to be clear.
Suddenly an icy dagger drove into his mind as pain exploded behind his eyes. He was in an iron like grip and could not pull back. He dimly felt a pair of firm hands grasp his shoulders to steady him. He fought as hard as he could to block out the Elf's probing dagger of pain, putting up defence after useless defence as she repeatedly knocked them down. She was killing him! Pressing down on him from all directions. He could hardly breathe.
Unexpectedly, the pain began to ebb away. He felt something at the edge of his mind, something bright and calm. The pressure the She-Elf had placed on him relented and she cautiously lowered her own barriers around her mind. Eragon felt their thoughts touch. Her mind was strange and powerful… and complicated.
'What is your name?' she asked, speaking in the ancient language.
'Eragon. And your?' he replied.
'I am Arya. Why have you contacted me like this? And who was the other? He told me you were a Dragon Rider, a friend. He said I was free from the Empire. Id this true?' she asked.
'You spoke with Legolas?' said Eragon, realising what the other presence on the fringes of his mind had been. 'He is of your race, he is my friend.'
'Really? There is another Elf here? I thought I recognised that by his mind, though I saw flashes of things I his mind. Great wars- things I do not understand. It was he who persuaded me not to kill you,' said Arya.
Eragon made a mental note to thank Legolas for that. 'He's not from Alagaësia. You will learn more of him when you wake. But that is why I contacted you, to find out why you have not woken in the five days since we rescued you from Gil'ead.'
'During my captivity, a rare poison called the Skilna Bragh was given to me, along with the drugs to suppress my power. Every morning the antidote for the previous days poison was given to me, by force id I refused to take it. Without it, I will die within a few hours. That is why I lie in this trance- it slows the poison's progress, though does not stop it. I thought about waking for the purpose of ending my life and denying Galbatorix, but I did not. I still had the hope that you might be an ally. But I can not stay like this for much longer. This state can not prevent death forever. I can feel it in my veins. If I do not receive the antidote in three or four days, I will die. The antidote can only be found two places outside of the Empire. With my people and with the Varden. Though it seems that we are beyond the reach of both…' she trailed off weakly.
'No we aren't!' said Eragon. 'We have just travelled across the Hadarac Desert, we are now camped by the Beor Mountains. The Varden lie somewhere beyond don't they?'
Arya feel quiet for a moment. 'Will you give me your word that you will not betray the Varden to Galbatorix if I reveal their location? You must also swear that you mean no harm to the Varden, Elves, Dwarves or dragons. Can you swear this to me?'
Eragon knew that Arya did not just ask for his word, she asked for his oath which were binding, once made they could never be broken. But he pledged his word in the ancient language in agreement. That would be binding; he could not lie in the ancient language after all.
'Very well,' Arya continued once satisfied with his word. What followed was a series of vertigo-inducing images that flashed suddenly through his mind. Pictures of the Beor Mountains, he was travelling eastward many leagues over their vast range, she was showing him the route to the Varden.
'It is a long way off still, but do not loose hope! When you arrive at lake Kóstha-mérna at the end of the Beartooth River, take a rock, bang on the cliff next to the waterfall and cry 'Aí varden abr du Shur'tugal gata vanta!' They will let you in. you will be challenged, but do not falter. Tell them to give me Túnivar's Nectar to cure my sickness. I must go now, I have used a lot of my strength in talking to you. Do not contact me again unless the direst need leaves you no other choice. I must go not. Farewell Eragon!'
Eragon felt the contact break and sat back next to her.
"Eragon, Eragon. Are you all right?" Legolas asked crouching next to him.
"I think so. I know where to find the Varden anyway. And how to cure Arya's sickness. That's her name: Arya," Eragon went on to tell him all Arya had told him.
"Oh, and thanks Legolas," said Eragon suddenly after he had finished.
"For what?" said the Elf cocking an eyebrow.
"For not letting her kill me!" came the reply.
A/N And on that light hearted note…
Sorry about the length of this chapter, I hate short ones. But this is why I don't post of a week day when I have school, I don't really have time. But nevertheless, we have 'officially' been introduced to Arya. And from here there should be loads more action (I was reading ahead in the book… can't wait!) so hope you're all looking forward to that and I'll be back over the week end with chapter 34!
Reviewers
Moonyasha- Lol. Cool! They are too cute, therefore they must suffer! Thanks!
Tim, Digidestined of Loyalty- Thanks! I totally can not wait for the second book! The minute it's out in the shops I'm getting it and reading it! Hopefully I'll have finished this by then, judging by how much if left in the book, I haven't got that far to go. So then I can get the sequel up as soon as possible! I think it comes out in August or something.
TrekkieGreenieShannaraElfOfMe- Hmmm, yes. Post- war time can be confused I think. Perfect time to amass such an army as is our intent! But I think we do need a strong hold, impenetrable. Kind of like Mordor but way better and not prone to volcanic eruptions should certain Hobbits deceiver you and slip past your nets. You know, to amass our troops. Any good ideas? I was thinking we could try and raise Numenor up from the sea (don't know whether it would work) if we could pull in a few favours and get Ulmo on our side or something. Any suggestions? I think your plans sound good, effective. Just keep planning our plan of action!
Dragon-miko- Got plans for the Arya/Eragon/Legolas situation like I've said from the beginning, so I hope you'll enjoy that! Yes, science sucks, of course! I don't mind biology as the teacher is ok, but I can't stand chemistry as I DON'T GET IT! Good luck with your speech! I personally hate having to do a speech. I have to do one in English soon, arguing for or against something in a group. I'm just no good at public speaking!
Theo Gray- Thank you so much! As a fellow fan of both Eragon and LOTR I couldn't resist this! I'm glad you like it! Thanks, I love Elvish, I think it's beautiful. Of course! I get all the Elvish from councilofelrond. com it had a massive English/Sindarin dictionary and if you get registered it has lessons on how to form sentences and stuff, very handy! It also has the option of learning Quenya if you're interested. Thank you for the lovely review and I'm glad you are enjoying my fic!
Lestatlover1784- Hey! Thanks. I noticed you have a new chapter of Shrouded in Darkness up, off to read that now! Lol. Hahah, the 'godforsaken' notebook eh? Yes, you must sit at your computer all day and type them up! Talk to you laters!
Ok, I again apologise for the shortness of this chapter, but I hope you like it anyways!
Sidh ed
Lolly pop