A/N Chapter 40? Wow. Never thought I'd get this far! Anyways, enjoy!

And in case you guys don't know already, there is now and Eragon fics page too! Got to check that out!

Chapter 40- Ajihad

Eragon looked around the grand room. His gaze finally drifted to the man that sat at the very end of the room. His skin gleamed the colour of oiled ebony and he had a black beard that was neatly trimmed and covered his chin and upper lip.

"A Southron?" Legolas breathed inaudibly.

"Welcome friends, to Tronjheim. I am Ajihad, please be seated," he said in his strong confident voice.

Eragon and Murtagh sunk into the armchairs provided and Gimli sat on the smaller stool that was there. Legolas preferred to stand next to Saphira just behind them. his guard was up. And for good reason.

I man had just stepped out from behind the staircase; he was identical to the other bald man that stood beside them.

Ajihad noted the surprise on their faces and gave a small chuckle. "Do not be alarmed, they are twin brothers. I would tell you their names, though I am afraid they have none."

The Twins stood quietly beside him and said nothing. Ajihad looked them all over. His intelligent eyes finally fell on Legolas who stiffened at the attention. "Will you not have a seat master Elf?" he held out a hand indicating the free armchair next to Eragon.

"No Lord, I am fine standing," Legolas replied curtly.

Ajihad shrugged his broad shoulders. "You have both put me in a very difficult position as neither of you will consent to be tested. By right, you should not have been allowed to enter here, even you," his gaze flicked to Legolas. "Even though you are an Elf, it should not have been permitted. But, because of your connections with Eragon and Saphira, and because of your assistance in the retrieval of Arya, it has been allowed. You master Elf, have already confirmed you are from a land far away from this one, and that has being asserted from the cooperation of your Dwarven friend. So I will ask you why you will not consent to be tested?"

"Because my mind holds things that are my own. It is my last refuge and I value it. I would not have any mortal probe through its contents. They would not understand what they saw there either," replied Legolas briskly.

"Then I am sorry. You can not be trusted," replied Ajihad almost regretfully. Then he turned his attentions to Murtagh. "And you, you also have things you wish to keep hidden, because of this, you too can not be considered trustworthy."

"You wouldn't trust me anyway," Murtagh grunted.

Ajihad visibly stiffened and sat upright in his chair. "That voice! I know that voice, though I have not heard it in twenty-three years, it is as clear as a bell in my memory. Stand up boy and remove your shirt!"

Murtagh sighed and complied warily. "Now, turn around." Murtagh did as he was told and turned so that his bareback faced Ajihad, the scar gleaming in the light from the lamps scattered around the room. "Murtagh!" breathed Ajihad. Orik gave a grunt surprise. Ajihad turned abruptly to the Twins. "Did you know of this?" he demanded.

"We came across his name in Eragon's mind, but we never suspected this was the son of Morzan!" the Twins explained hurriedly.

Ajihad was furious. He first raged at the Twins, then, once he had calmed down a little, turned back to Murtagh who had replaced his tunic. Ajihad took a deep breath and spoke. "Will you now consent to be tested? Now that your secret is out?"

"No," Murtagh shook his head. "As Legolas said, the mind is the last refuge, you are not getting inside my head."

"Then I have no choice. You cannot be let to roam Fathern Dûr at your own will. You must be confined. For your own protection as well as ours. If the people here find out about you, they will tear you to shreds. You will stay in confinement until you agree to be tested. And so shall you, Legolas. It is our law. And if the Dwarf king Hrothgar got wind that I had let people into his Kingdom that have not passed the test, there will be trouble for you and us," said Ajihad.

"Can I not just leave? I swear I will never be seen here again and I will not reveal your location to anyone!" said Murtagh desperation in his voice. "Please, even if I were to agree to this testing and found trustworthy, I would only be treated like an outcast. Can I not just leave you in peace?"

But Ajihad just shook his head. "We can not risk it. If you fell back into the hands of Galbatorix, there is no guarantee you will stay true to your word, and if faced with him, I find it unlikely that you will be able to resist his methods of extracting information. I am sorry Murtagh; you will have to stay here. If you would agree to be tested then your knowledge of this place could be erased and you could be on your way. As it is, that will not be so." Ajihad sighed. "Will either of you agree? It will save you so much trouble."

Legolas shook his head. "Our minds are the last place to find sanctuary, no man will breach mine."

"Nor mine, I would die first," said Murtagh resolutely.

"Very well," Ajihad said grimly. "Guards!"

The guards that had escorted them into Tronjheim burst through the cedar doors, weapons at the ready and awaited their orders.

Eragon and Gimli leapt to their feet.

"Legolas! Murtagh!" Eragon cried as his friends were surrounded.

Orik had grabbed hold of Gimli's arms and was restraining him. "NO! Legolas!"

"They gave me no choice. Take the boy and the Elf to a windowless room. Bar the door and post six men outside. Do not allow anyone to enter until I come to see them."

With that, a guard each grabbed Legolas and Murtagh and led them out of the room. Legolas held his head high and shrugged the guard off who let go of him, somewhat awestricken by his stateliness.

Murtagh looked back to see Eragon mouth "I'm sorry." Before he and Legolas disappeared down the corridor and the door was closed behind them.

Orik let go of Gimli who turned to glare at Ajihad.

"Right, I want everyone out of this room now, except for our guests. Leave!" Ajihad said exacting his authority. The Twins and Orik shuffled out of the room. "Orik, wait outside, I must have words with you." The Dwarf bowed and left.

He then sat in silence, rubbing a hand over his face. Eragon noticed he looked tired and drawn. When no one spoke for ages, he piped up "How is Arya?"

"Not well, but the healers assure me she will recover," replied Ajihad. "For now, I need you to tell me everything you have been through before you reached us here. Some I already know from the message Brom sent, other parts from what the Twins deciphered from your mind. But I would like to hear it all from you. Especially the parts surrounding Brom's death and how you came to be travelling with an Elf and a Dwarf from another land."

Eragon looked to Gimli who sat slumped on his stool, a disgruntled look on his face. Then he sighed and began. He talked for hours. Saphira helpfully reminding him of things he missed. Gimli for his part was very quiet, occasionally speaking when it was called for. The Dwarf was furious that they had taken Legolas away, and insulted on behalf of the Elf that they would find him untrustworthy.

Eragon told of Teirm, though he kept Angela's fortune telling to himself, and how he and Brom had found the Ra'zac and even his dreams about Arya and how they had found her in Gil'ead and about the Shade too.

When he had finished Ajihad nodded his head thoughtfully. His face had gone through a series of expressions during Eragon's tale. Surprise, anger, hate, sadness…

Now he turned to Gimli who looked upon the man with cold eyes. "I know you are angry with me for sending your friends away, but I would beg forgiveness of you, I can not help the way things work around here. If you were willing, I should like to know of your homeland. Eragon mentioned it briefly, Middle earth."

Gimli grunted. "What is it you wish to know?"

"All you can tell me. There are Elves in that land also, and Dwarves, I should like to know of them," said Ajihad.

"The Dwarves I may tell you a little, as for the Elves, you would have to ask Legolas of his people," said Gimli shortly.

"Very well. How exactly did you and your friend come to Alagaësia firstly?" asked Ajihad.

"We were shipwrecked off the coast of this land on our crossing to what would be our final destination, the Undying Lands. We wondered into the Spine from there. When we heard an explosion and the fire, we went to investigate; there we found Eragon and the blue stone, Saphira's egg. From there we have journeyed with him and will continue to do so until we are no longer needed. Then we will find a ship and continue our journey," explained Gimli.

"I see. Well, I will have more words with you another time master Dwarf. Now, Eragon we must talk more. I am concerned about the Shade you said you faced back in Gil'ead. He didn't have a long scratch on the blade of his sword by any chance did he?"

Eragon nodded. "Yes. How did you know?"

"Because I was the one that put it there, when I was trying to cut of his heart. His name is Durza; he is one of the vilest and most dangerous beings to stalk the shadows of this earth. You say that he was slain, exactly how was this done?" said Ajihad.

Eragon thought for a moment. "Legolas shot him, then when that didn't work, he shot him again, right between the eyes and he disappeared."

"As I suspected. He did not die. To kill a Shade you must stab it directly through the heart. Anything short of that will not work. Durza was not defeated, he will return, and when he does he will be ten times stronger," said Ajihad grimly.

"So he wasn't destroyed?" said Gimli.

"I'm afraid not," Ajihad replied. He looked at Eragon with deep dark eyes. "You are an mystery to all Eragon. We have asserted what the groups involved in this fight want, the Varden, the Urgals, Galbatorix, but no one is certain what you yourself want. For that reason, the Empire fears you. No one knows what you will do next. We have no fear of you as yet. We have hope in you, but if that hope proves false, we will," Ajihad said regretfully. "Eragon, do you know how exactly Saphira's egg came to be in the Spine in the first place?"

Eragon shook his head.

"Brom first brought the egg to the Varden, and everyone was deeply interested with its fate. One thing was for sure; the Dwarves desperately wanted whoever would be the next Rider to be an ally. You see, there has never been a Dwarven Rider; they have always been humans or Elves, mostly Elves. So we had a more personal stake in it all than the Dwarves. Of course, the Elves wished to claim the next Rider for their own, as did the humans and the Dwarves too. Tensions ran high between the races and they began to quarrel. Until Brom came up with the seemingly perfect solution. He proposed that the egg should be taken between the Elves and the Varden each year so then children from both races could test to see if the egg would hatch for them. if it did not, it would be taken to the other. If the egg did hatch, the new Rider would begin his or her instruction immediately, first under the watchful eye of Brom, then they would be taken to the Elves to progress their training. The Elves accepted this, but if Brom died before the dragon hatched, they should be allowed to educate the new Rider completely with no interference. This was agreed upon and so settled. It was hoped that this alliance would help to bring both races closer together, so for over a decade, the egg did not stir until a year ago when Arya was on her way from Tronjheim to the Elven city of Osilon. The Elves were first to discover she was missing. They found her steed and guard slain in the forest of Du Weldenvarden, but not Arya and the egg and it was feared the Urgals who had attacked them, had taken her and she was forced to reveal the secret location of the Varden and the Elven capital of Ellesméra, where the Elven queen Islanzadi lives. I will not know exactly what happened until Arya wakes and is a fit state to recount it to me, but I have gathered from pieces you have told me that the attack must have been swift and taken them at unawares and so, having no time to hide, Arya must have used magic to transport the egg some place else. She was too far away from Farthen Dûr to send it back here, and she could not have sent it back to her own people as there is magic protecting their boarders, so she must have tried to send it to Brom, directing it towards Carvahall, though not having time to prepare properly, was a bit off and it ended up in the Spine where you found it," Ajihad finished his explanation.

"That would make sense," Eragon agreed. "But, if she could send it to Palancar Valley, the Elves must be close by too. Where do the Elves really live Ajihad?"

Ajihad frowned in thought, and then answered. "I do not disclose this information to you lightly. The Elves guard the location of their realm closely. But, you are a Rider; you have a right to know. The Elven cites lie far to the north, hidden deep in the forest of Du Weldenvarden. Not since the Rider's time has any human or Dwarf been considered Elf-friend and permitted to walk in their leafy halls. I do not even know how to find Ellesméra. Since Arya's disappearance, the Elves have withdrawn all contact with us. And without the supplies they provide us with, we have been fairing badly in our skirmishes with the Empire. The Elves are still ignorant of you and Saphira. Though, I think when Arya is returned to them and it is told that you rescued her, our connections will be re-forged. For now, the problem is we do not know how far you got with your training with Brom. For this reason, your powers must be tested. And I dare say that the Elves will want you to finish your training with them, though I doubt there will be time for that."

"Why not?" asked Eragon. The thought of being taught by the Elves was astounding to him.

"Chiefly, the tidings you brought us about the Urgals. And, you must understand, the Varden are in a delicate position. On the one hand, we have to comply with the Elve's wishes if we are to keep them as allies, on the other we must not anger the Dwarves if we wish to stay in Tronjheim. The Dwarf king Hrothgar is sympathetic to our cause and allows us to lodge here. Though the Dwarves are only loyal to their king, even he has trouble with the thirteen clans at times. The clans have enormous power here; they are the ones that choose the next king when the old one dies. And not all of them are happy at our being here. He has to keep the clans happy so he keeps their support, so his actions on our behalf have been severely restricted. They are even against you Eragon. Before the Elves tamed dragons, they used to steal the Dwarve's gold and eat their flocks. Not to cause offence to you Gimli, but Dwarves are slow to forget past wrongs." Said Ajihad.

Gimli chuckled slightly, he had since calmed down and listening to the talk of Dwarves in this land had interested. "A feud once existed between the races of my land too. Elves and Dwarves hated each other and the alliance that once stood between them long ago has only recently been mended as a result of the friendship between myself and Legolas."

"I see," Ajihad laughed a little.

"But, there is something I have been wondering, if Galbatorix was once a Rider, then how is it he wasn't told the locations of Farthen Dûr and Ellesméra?" asked Eragon.

"He was only told where they were, he had never been to either. To be told where something is, is different to be shown it. He could search these mountains all he liked, it would be unlikely he would find us. And he dare not challenge the Elves in Ellesméra, not even his power is strong enough to combat them. Unless of course, he had another Rider at his side. That would make him unstoppable. He has been trying for a long time to get the other two eggs in his possession to hatch, but they have not- thankfully." He reached inside his vest and pulled out a piece of blood stained parchment, rolling it out on the desk for Eragon and Gimli to see.

Gimli peered at it, his eyes widening. Though he could not read what it said, that style of writing was all too familiar. Though he kept this fact to himself.

"I can't read it," said Eragon.

"No, I have just learned how to decipher it. It is written in a language of Galbatorix's own devising. A way to communicate with his servants without the worry that if it is intercepted, it could be read by an enemy. Well, he obviously didn't count on it been figured out. It took me a while, but I managed to figure it out. It read:

…gatekeeper at Ithrö Zhâda is to let this bearer and his minions pass. They are to be bunked with the others of their kind and by…but only if the two factions refrain from fighting. Command will be given under Tarok, under Gashz, under Durza, under Ushnark the Mighty.

"Ushnark is the Urgal word for 'father' an affectionate name they use for Galbatorix.

Find what they are suitable for and… The footmen and… are to be kept separate. No weapons are to be distributed until… for marching.

"That is all that can be told from that. The rest is unintelligible," said Ajihad.

"Where is Ithrö Zhâda?" asked Eragon. "It is no place I have ever heard of."

"Nor I. It may be a place Galbatorix has renamed. This message was taken from a lead Urgal last night, at the cost of eight of our men. We do not know exactly what this means, all we can do is watch and wait," said Ajihad.

There was silence for a few moments as each milled over what they had learnt. Finally Eragon spoke again.

"What exactly is expected of me here? I will fight when I have to, I will do as you wish as long as I agree with it. I know that I will most likely get mixed up in your politics, Brom pretty much assured me of that, but what would my roll be? I have power and I can wield it, though I am more than willing to learn more. But know this, I will not do anything against my will and I will not be used for anyone's own personal gain. I would just like to know what my roll would be," said Eragon forcefully.

"That is fair. No doubt you will be expected to fight, and yes you will get mixed up in our politics, there is no escaping that I'm afraid. But you will not become a pawn in anyone's game, you must retain your freedom, and you will. As for what is expected of you here, people have certain expectations of you. They will bring you their problems, no matter how petty, which son should have their inheritance, which husband should they marry, and no doubt you will be the object of many young girl's affections, but you must always do your best and answer them with a level head. Remember, a single word could either destroy their lives, or make them better. You will always have to consider the advice you give very carefully. It is one of the things that will come with being a leader and a symbol of hope, one that you must readily accept," said Ajihad. "I speak from experience!"

Eragon gulped. He would be responsible for so many lives? The thought of having to give advice to people he didn't even know.

"But for now, you can relax a little. You have travelled a great distance to get here. when you are well rested, we will test your skills so far, after that has been assessed, your options will be presented to you," Ajihad smiled slightly at the look on Eragon's face.

Gimli chuckled. "You'll be fine lad!" He said patting him on the back and knocking him forward forcefully in his seat. Then he turned serious again. "And what of Legolas and Murtagh, what will become of them?"

"They will be detained until they agree to let the Twins test them," replied Ajihad, his face turning darker.

"You can't keep them locked up here forever! Legolas will never consent to have those bald headed fools in his head! You have found me trust worthy, so why is there any reason he cannot be found equally as honest as me?" said Gimli.

"I'm sorry, as I have said before, it is against the rules to let anyone roam through Farthen Dûr freely without it been proven that they are dependable. And if he has nothing to hide, why will he not consent to be tested?"

To this Gimli had no answer. It was true, he had know Legolas for several times the life span of mortal men and the Elf had never given him any reason to doubt him. But there was always the two and a half thousand years or so before that he knew very little about. This would nag at him now, if Legolas had nothing to hide, then why refuse the test?

"Oh yes," said Ajihad reaching under his desk. "I have your sword, Zar'roc, though you may want to keep it our of sight here, that sword will not be looked on with forgiving eyes, it is remembered and greatly feared," he handed Eragon his sword. "And of course I have your axe master Dwarf," he said smiling and handing Gimli his beloved axe. "And one last thing I must give you, I feel that it should be rightfully your now. Brom's ring, he sent it to me with the letter at Teirm as proof of his identity, wear it with pride Eragon, make Brom proud."

Eragon excepted it graciously, slipping it onto his index finger where the stone shone bright.

Ajihad then turned his attention to Saphira. "I have not forgotten you mighty dragon, I hope what I have had to say has been as beneficial to as it has to Eragon and I hope that you will protect this young man, for without you he will surely fall."

Saphira bowed her head slightly and met his gaze where he levelled with it before dropping his eyes. He then stood and called "Orik!" the Dwarf entered through the great doors and stood before Ajihad. "You have caused me great trouble Orik, I have had to listen to one of the Twin's complaints about you all morning, and of course, in accord with the rules, you must be punished for your actions," said Ajihad towering over the two Dwarves in the room.

"But my lord Ajihad, the Kull had surrounded them and the Twins refused to open the doors and help them, so I took action into my own hands. I couldn't let a Rider and a dragon come to any more harm than they had to. And the Elf, he was having trouble getting out of the water," said Orik, pleading his case.

"Don't you let Legolas hear you say that," Gimli mumbled.

"You know very well Orik that the punishment for breaking such rules as you did results in death, but, you acted out of honour and only the thought for others, therefore I can not sentence you to that. Instead you shall be removed form active service and are forbidden to engage in any military activities, is that understood?" said Ajihad sternly.

"Yes, I understand," said Orik.

"Further more, I am appointing you our guest's guide for the duration of their stay here. you are to see to their every want and need. Saphira shall lodge above Isidar Mithrim and Eragon and Gimli shall go wherever they wish. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" said Ajihad. "You may leave now, and send in the Twins as you leave." With that they were dismissed and exited the gigantic room.

When they left the room Orik's face burst into a big grin.

"What are you so happy about?" Eragon asked. "You've just been removed from your usual duties and now you're stuck babysitting us lot."

Gimli had realised what was going on and was grinning to.

"Ajihad only has limited power over the Dwarves here, I still remain loyal to Hrothgar, and now that I am removed from my usual duties, I can do whatever I like," grinned Orik.

"Think about it lad, that Ajihad just put Orik here into a very powerful position," supplied Gimli.

"Come on now Eragon, I'm sure you are hungry and we must get your dragon settled in," said Orik leading them off down the corridor.

A/N Hmmm, well Ajihad is a pretty ok guy, Twins are creepy though and must DIE! Hey, quick poll, who hates the Twins?

Reviewers

TrekkieGreenieShannaraElfOfMe- Ok very scared now, Armageddon? Bit drastic isn't it? Lol. That is exactly like me when they screw around with my fave shows, today they decided to repeat the very first episode of Rave Master when we're like in the middle of the damn series! I need to know what happens next! They always do it when it's just getting good. Bah, dumb asses!

Moonyasha- Yes, I agree, they are so totally dead! Thanks, enjoy scrabble, never really could get the hang of that game, apparently the words had to be real…

Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Glad your stomach is better. I've been off school today, felt sick and icky and stuff. Blah… not good! Ok now though. Yes, I'm a girl, hehehe ok then, I'm adopted!

Zammy- Nope, can't say that I have read those books. they good then? I've read Order of the Phoenix twice since it came out and OMG you have to read Eragon! It's one of my favourite books.

Tim, Digidestined of Loyalty- Thanks, glad you like. Actually yeah, they are kind of alike aren't they though I can't remember straight, but I think I've read somewhere in an interview with Chris Poalini that they don't have the same mum, don't remember so that could just be me making it up but hey… perfectly possible though isn't it? Would be cool if they were like brothers though!

Theo Gary- Hell yeah, course he loves Tronjheim, who wouldn't! Hehe, your little piece of randomness had me laughing my head off! Just one critism.. you KILLED Legolas and Gimli? Lol, only joking. Actually, I can seriously see that happening you know. BOOM, well that will save the builders a hassle wouldn't it?

LestatLover1784- Heya, oooh, tell me when you do that original fiction and let me read, love stuff like that! Yeah, love the descriptions of Tronjheim, fantastic! Damn, she stole your phone, get it back! Laters!

The-burglar- Yeah, the Death Star would be pretty hard to grasp the scope of if it wasn't on film, but hey, I hear they ill be making an Eragon movie! and yes, Eldest will be coming out August 1st, can not wait for that. Already pre-ordered my copy of Harry Potter for 16th July can't wait. Thanks!

Xiad Rusco- Thanks, yeah I like humour, hehe…anyways glad you like and hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next few I am looking forward to, even though it will soon be coming to an end! :sob:

Belegboy- Thanks, yeah like I to throw in little references to Middle earth and stuff. Hmm, the Legolas/Arya situation I have been planning for quite a while, since before Arya came into it. I have my suspicions about the Eragon/Arya thing too, but you'll just have to wait to see what happens there. Yeah, that would be a nice little section, the Gimli and Arya part, might work on something for that. And yep, know about the Eragon movie, when they make it and release it, I will be the first one in the cinema!

Well my friends, until next time, and go check out the Eragon fics, I will be going to!

Laters

Lolly pop