A/N Hey, no Lolly pop is not dead! Just been rather busy, school work getting in the way a lot.
Chapter 43- Reunion
Ajihad quickened his pace as he hurriedly through the labyrinth of tunnels and chambers and flights of stairs that led down to the room Murtagh and Legolas occupied. He reached the end of the passageway and took a moment to smooth the creases from his clothes, taking a breath and regaining his composure, which had been lost in his dash down here from Arya's room. He strolled down the corridor and stopped outside the room indicating for the guard to let him into the room.
Legolas had just got back literally minutes before; met with the curious Murtagh nagging him to tell what Arya had wanted with him. "Murtagh, calm down! Please give me a minute!" Legolas laughed at the young man's nosiness.
"Oh come on Legolas! Spill-"
Murtagh's words were cut off by Ajihad entering the room. "Legolas, I have come by request of the Lady Arya," he began formerly. "After her testing, it appears she deems you trustworthy and so you have passed."
Legolas tilted his head, a little uncertain.
"Legolas, you are free. You may wonder through Farthen Dûr at your pleasure," Ajihad smiled.
"Free?" Legolas smiled and let out a sigh. "Hannon Eru an hi! But, what of Murtagh?"
"Murtagh must still remain here," said Ajihad avoiding eye contact with the Elf.
"But that is not fair!" said Legolas his smile wiped from his face.
"Don't worry about it Legolas, this is a pretty cushy place. I like it here. You go make sure Eragon is alright, you know how he has a bad habit of getting into unnecessary trouble," Murtagh laughed. "And I'm sure Gimli wants to see you too. Go on, I'll be fine. Just come visit all right? Otherwise you may find the solitude has turned me mad, ha ha."
"Thank you Murtagh," with that Legolas turned and left with Ajihad.
When they were well away from the room and out of earshot of anyone, Legolas stopped. Ajihad turned to him with questioning eyes. "Ajihad, I do not understand. I under went no test by Arya and-"
Ajihad held up a hand to silence the Elf. "I know. She told me you just had a very long talk. In her opinion, what you have told her is sufficient to prove your worth. And Arya is the most trusted person under these mountains beside myself. Just," Ajihad lowered his voice to barely a whisper. "Do not let anyone know that you were not officially tested in the given procedures, otherwise there will be trouble, especially from the Twins."
"Ah, I understand," said Legolas raising his eyebrows. He continued walking, Ajihad beside his.
"This way," Ajihad said directing Legolas up a stairway. "We are going to my study. Eragon, Saphira and Gimli have an audience with Hrothgar, the king of the Dwarves today. You may meet up with them later."
They entered the grandeur of Tronjheim and made there way to Ajihad's study. All was still rather quiet and only a few people milled about yet as it was still quite early. Ajihad and Legolas managed to pass without any interference from the people.
When they reached his study, Ajihad flung open the great doors to let them in. standing next to his desk was a young girl with the same dark skin as Ajihad and dressed in a deep wine coloured dress with a well used dagger sheathed at her side.
"Father," the girl inclined her head slightly. "You requested my presence?"
"Nasuada!" Ajihad's face lit up at the sight of his daughter. "Yes, I did request to see you. But first, Legolas, this is my daughter, Nasuada. Nasuada, this is Legolas."
The girl held out her hand to the Elf smiled back at her, taking her offered hand and shaking it. "You are an Elf," she said, her deep brown almond shaped eyes surveying him. Legolas nodded. "Pleased to meet you."
"And I you," replied Legolas.
"Nasuada. I will ask you to be Legolas' guide for the day, show him around Tronjheim, he has not got to see very much of it. Then, take him to the dragon hold where he will meet his friends after they have attended their meeting with Hrothgar. Legolas, I have some things to take care of so I will leave you in the more than capable hands of my daughter. I am afraid I must rush off now, good day," he bowed and hurried back out of the room.
"My father is very busy," said Nasuada.
"He is the leader of a people at war," Legolas replied.
"So, where would you like to go first?" she asked.
"You decide," said Legolas.
"Very well. I tell you what, let's go to the kitchens and get some breakfast. It's still rather early. How about that?" Nasuada suggested.
"Very well. That does sound good to me. Lead the way Nasuada," said Legolas following her out of the study.
-:0:-
Eragon rolled over and opened his eyes, he blinked and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Throwing back the blanket, he got out of bed and stretched. Saphira was still sleeping soundly on her cushion and Gimli was spark out snoring contentedly.
He stepped outside of the cave and immediately his attention was caught by the large cat that sat before him, licking its paws. It looked up at him and he caught a flash of a slanted red eye.
'Solembum!' he said startled.
'The one and only,' replied the werecat. 'Come with me will you?'
'Erm, sure, of course. Hang on a minute, I'll be right down,' said Eragon ruffling his hair and stretching.
'Where are you going?' came Saphira's question as he went to climb to the bottom to Isidar Mithrim.
'With Solembum,' replied Eragon beginning to climb down. 'I'll be back soon. And if Gimli wakes up soon… which by the looks of things I highly doubt at this moment,' said Eragon glancing back into the cave to where the still sleeping Dwarf lay. 'Just tell him I'll be back soon. See you later Saphira!' with that he cleared the last few steps and landed with a soft thud of the cool surface of Isidar Mithrim,
Seeing that Eragon was following behind, Solembum turned and disappeared through the archway out of the dragon hold. Eragon hurried after the werecat, though when he too exited the Eragon hold, he found himself alone standing at the top of Vol Turin, The Endless Staircase. He looked around himself, searching for the were cat, though as there was nowhere else to go, he followed the stairs down to the next level.
Gazing up, Eragon found himself staring at Isidar Mithrim sparkling high above him. He caught site of Solembum's ginger tail flick round a corner. He sprinted down the corridor after him. He stopped abruptly as he rounded the corner, finally catching up with the swift creature. Solembum had stopped outside a closed door. He yowled and the door slid open, admitting him and Eragon after.
The room he found himself in now was a lavishly decorated two-room suite. Carved wood and clinging plants gave the room an earthy feel and the warmth in the room was intensified by the bright lanterns that hung from the walls. Eragon gazed around him before fixing his eyes upon the figure that sat in the main room on a luxurious leather chair.
"Angela! What are you doing here?" Eragon blurted out.
"Sit down and I'll tell you," said Angela.
Finding no other chair to sit on, Eragon plopped himself down on the floor in between the mish-mash of items Angela had strewn around her. "So, my suspicions were correct, you are a Dragon Rider."
"You mean you already sort of knew back in Teirm?" said Eragon.
"Well, let's say I had an inkling. I think Solembum knew all along though, he just never said anything to me about it. I only found out officially about you yesterday. And I must say, I do like your dragon's name, Saphira," said Angela. "And, how is Brom by the way. I haven't heard tell of him here yet. Normally he is to be found causing a stir or-"
"Brom's dead," Eragon cut the witch off abruptly. "He was killed by the Ra'zac."
"Oh," Angela's hand flew to her chest, then she reached out and patted Eragon's shoulder. "Eragon, I am truly very sorry. He was a good man Brom."
"But you aren't surprised to hear of his death, you did foretell it after all," said Eragon.
"True, still, it is a great loss to us. Anyway, how are Legolas and your Dwarven friend?" asked Angela switching to what she hoped would be a brighter subject.
"Gimli is fine, he's back at the dragon hold with Saphira, still sleeping when I left them. Legolas however, I don't know. He was taken away after he refused to let those Twins test him. He refused point blank to let anyone go through his mind. I wish he was with us right now instead of who knows where. I just hope Ajihad will release him soon, despite not being tested," Eragon sighed.
"Huh! Don't talk to me about those two!" said Angela shortly.
"Did they probe your mind too before they let you in?" asked Eragon.
"They wouldn't dare," said Angela fiercely. "Oh don't get me wrong, they would dearly love to go sifting through my mind, but they know there is no way they could withstand it, it would leave them broken and mumbling gibberish. Ha! And I have been coming here to the Varden long before they began with this ridiculous testing, so they would not have the guts to touch me. You know those Twins, they keep pestering me to join there little secret group for magic users only. I've already had to move once on account of that. So Eragon, I would be very grateful if you didn't let slip to anyone that I'm here, it would be such a bother to have to move again."
"Don't worry, I won't give you away, least ways not to those two bald headed creeps," Eragon laughed and Angela laughed with him.
"So then Eragon, come tell me what you've been up to since you departed from Teirm, it seems so very long ago now doesn't it?" said Angela.
Eragon spent the majority of the next hour telling Angela all that had happened to him and his companions over the last two and a half months. She listened quietly and without interruption until he came to the part about Murtagh.
"Eragon, you should be careful of Murtagh-"
"I know who he is, he told me his whole story. They are holding him with Legolas now. He has been a firm friend to me since he joined up with us after Brom's death. He has been a good ally," said Eragon defending his friend fiercely.
"All the same, I'd still advise you to be wary of him," said Angela darkly. "Now, I'm going to have to ask you to leave Eragon, my brew of mandrake root and newt's tongue needs tending too, but do feel free to come back and visit when you have the time," said the witch on a far lighter note.
"I will. Thanks Angela," said Eragon getting up and going to the door. Solembum behind him.
"Good, and Eragon, I shouldn't worry about Legolas. I'm sure Ajihad will come to his senses soon. Go on now, good bye!" she waved a hand dismissing him and Eragon followed Solembum out of the room back the way he came to the dragon hold.
-:0:-
Eragon laid a hand on Saphira's side and they proceeded forwards together, Gimli walking just behind them, they made their way up the long dimly lit thrown room of the Dwarven King Hrothgar. Gimli looked around him, his eyes catching the finely carved statues of past Dwarven Kings. Korgan was the name of the first statue, and on his way up to the king's thrown he counted another forty-one of the grim looking statues, the chiselled features of each precisely cut with unwavering hands, the stone eyes staring out blankly.
They reached the end of the throne room where the king sat, solemn and so like the statues in his majestic throne of unadorned black marble. Eragon went down into a one-kneed bow, bowing his head in respect. Be respectful- that was one thing Orik had told him he must most definitely be around Hrothgar, for though he was a kind and fair king, he was also quick to anger.
Gimli stepped before the king and bowed most elaborately. The Dwarven King sat forwards slightly. "Welcome Eragon Dragon Rider. Rise, you need not pay tribute to me. And you also Gimli son of Gloin of our cousins across the sea. Come, I have much to say." Said Hrothgar in his deep guttural voice.
Eragon and Gimli straightened to meet the Kings impenetrable stony gaze.
-:0:-
Hrothgar's words had given them all plenty to think of. He was a fair king, but one would not wish to make him angry, that they all agreed on.
'So, what shall we do now? We have the entire day ahead of us," sad Eragon.
"You want to be careful Eragon, word has spread of what you and Saphira did for that little girl, now every mother under Farthen Dûr is intent on hunting you down and getting the same for their children," warned Orik casting a furtive glance in Eragon's direction.
"What I did was really that special?" he asked.
"Of course! That child is now being hailed a hero destined for great things!" said Orik.
'Well, I am going back to the dragon hold, there's someone there I wish to meet. You go ahead and take a look around for a while,' said Saphira turning her back and preparing to take off.
'Who? Who do you want to meet?' Eragon called to her, but she had already taken off and clearly did not intend to answer whether she heard him or not.
"I for one am hungry, come on lad, let's get ourselves some breakfast, eh?" said Gimli rubbing his stomach as it growled audibly.
"Yes, let's go. And after that…. Well, I don't much fancy going to the training grounds just yet," said Eragon finding to think of something else to amuse himself for a while.
"May I make a suggestion? Perhaps you would like to visit the library? It is vast, and all the material there is untainted by the Empire and Galbatorix's ideals," said Orik.
The library. Full of countless books and scrolls, Eragon had so enjoyed learning to read back in Teirm under the watchful eye of Brom and Legolas. He felt a lump in his throat when he remembered that far away time and place- and Brom, his mentor. He missed Brom so much, if only he were here right now, wouldn't he be amazed by all he had learned? All he had been through. And Legolas, where was his Elven friend, he could do with the Elf's gentle words.
"Yes, the library sounds like a good idea to me," said Eragon eventually.
After breakfast, Orik took Eragon and Gimli to the library in Tronjheim. It was breathtaking; Orik really was not making it up when he described the place as vast. There were columns and columns of books and scrolls going all the way up to the high ceiling. Eragon wondered off to take a look around while Orik and Gimli sat on a bench; Orik was showing Gimli some Dwarven scriptures, which dated back a considerably long time.
Eragon wondered alone through the aisles, browsing through the books that caught his eyes, though he found that he struggled over many words after months of neglecting his reading lessons. He worked his way deeper into the library, loosing himself amongst the countless shelves.
Finally he found something that really took his fancy, and soon became immersed in the thick volume. So immersed in fact, that he was startled to find the Twins had come up the aisle and were now standing near him. They bowed when he turned to acknowledge them, however stiffly.
"Dragon Rider, we have been searching for you," said one of the Twins.
Eragon gulped and quickly contacted Saphira for back up.
"We wish to apologise for our actions, the way you were treated when you first arrived here. And, we would like to ask you to consider joining our group, Du Vrangr Gata." They said.
Group? Could this be the magic group Angela had been talking about? Eragon thought.
"It is a group for magic users, few as they are here. we have heard of your many feats and we most humbly offer you an invitation to join also. You could learn much more from us then you undoubtedly already know, words of power, spells- all of which would make you stronger. We ask for nothing in return, except perhaps- if you see fit- a few scraps of your already vast knowledge," one said smoothly, being as respectful as they possibly could.
All of which Eragon immediately saw through. "Oh please, do you take me for a half wit? You wish to learn the words Brom taught me, as you found you were unable to take them by force when you tested me!"
The Twins immediately lost their respectable, reasonable air to adopt one only just short of ferocious. "Do not trifle with us boy! We are the ones that shall be carrying out the tests on your magical abilities, that can either be very easy, or extremely… painful for you. And just remember, you ought to think carefully about our offer. We will ask for your answer tomorrow, be sure to have the right one!" with that they both turned and stalked away.
'I don't care what they say, I will never join their stupid little 'magic' group!' said Eragon growled furiously as he re-traced his steps back to where Gimli and Orik sat.
'Be careful Eragon, I do not have any doubt in my mind that they would not hesitate to carry through with their threat. I think you should have a word with Angela, she's dealt with them before, she may be able to prevent them causing you harm,' said Saphira. 'Either that or they can come and have a little talk with me! Though they may not live through it,' she growled playfully.
'Ha, now wouldn't that be something to see!' Eragon laughed, feeling a little easier.
'Now, enough of this, come back to the dragon hold now,' said Saphira.
'Why?'
'You will find out when you get there, hurry little one!'
He located Gimli and Orik and they made their way back up to the dragon hold. Saphira came down to meet them to fly them up. Eragon and Gimli bade farewell to Orik and took to the air.
Eragon looked down over Saphira's side as they came to land in the centre of the dragon hold. An enormous smile spread across his and Gimli's face, they both scrambled down off Saphira's back. Gimli was off before Eragon. He ran towards the being that stood in the middle of the hold next to a young woman with dark skin.
"Legolas!" Gimli cried running towards his friend and seizing him around the waist. Legolas had to step back a few paces to stop himself from falling over.
"Hello Gimli," the Elf smiled down at his friend.
Eragon was also at his side in an instant. As Gimli stepped back he reached forward and grasped the Elf's shoulder in greeting. Legolas did the same.
"What are you doing here? I thought they took you away!" said Eragon.
"They let me go. Ajihad got a second opinion about me," Legolas smiled.
"What about Murtagh?" said Eragon glancing around excitedly.
Legolas' bright smile faded slightly. "No, he still remains in custody."
Eragon's smile also faded and there was an awkward silence that was only broken by the small deliberate cough that came from the women who had stepped back to let the friends enjoy their reunion.
Legolas turned to her. "Oh yes, may I introduce Nasuada, daughter of Ajihad. Nasuada."
A/N Hope you all enjoyed that chapter! Hey, have you lot read the Eldest excerpt on Shurtugal? Wow! I cannot wait until august 23rd! it sounds brilliant.
Reviewers
The-burglar- Thanks, glad you like. Glad your play went well, must have done is you had 2 standing ovations! My trip was ok, wet and rainy, but ok! Wow, same high school as Peter Jackson, cool!
Joou Himeko Dah- Yeah, I haven't been updating much either, I think it's been over a month! Nah, don't show it here anymore, darn it!
Cylliel- Yup, he is a bit stubborn isn't he? Haha, well, he's out now! Thanks!
Vamp-on-the-run- Yeah, they are both really great books! I'm glad you like this, thanks!
Tim, Digidestined of Loyalty- Yeah I know, my bad with the updates! Yes, the Legolas/Arya thing was a long time coming! Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Moonyasha- HAHAHA! I love your reviews, they make me smile!
Belegboy- NO! I haven't been able to get my hands on it, I don't think they do the extended version here, dammit! I really want to read that part, I have no plans yet for the Eldest crossover, and yes, I do intend to finish this one before Eldest comes out. I hope to anyways. Thanks, glad you like!
E.Tphonehome- Thanks, yes the training part should be interesting.
I am me- hmmm, probably.
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Stay tuned for the next instalment!
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