A/N I know, unforgivably late and Eldest approaches! The meeting with Hrothgar is told in flash back, hence the italics. Enjoy!
Also, you guys know I have a thing about counting down to events, so – 21 DAYS TILL ELDEST!
Chapter 44- Catching Up
All eyes turned to the young woman stood next to Legolas. She had a confident air about her and wore the well-used dagger that hung at her side with clear pride.
"Nasuada was kind enough to show me around Tronjheim whilst you had an audience with the Dwarven King here," said Legolas graciously.
"Well, pleased to meet you," Eragon said with a slight bow. "Would you care to take a seat?" he motioned up to Saphira's cave.
"No," she smiled. "I am afraid I am expected elsewhere, thank you. Now I must take my leave. It was nice to meet you all. My father sends word to you also, he is glad that you are settling in well. I must leave you now," she said with a slight inclination of her fair head.
"Wait," said Eragon stepping forward just as she was about to leave. "You don't have to climb down all those stairs to get to the bottom, Saphira would be more than willing to fly you down."
She laughed. "No, thank you. I'll just use the pulley system that transports goods to and from the upper levels."
"Oh," Eragon shrugged.
"Legolas tells me of your friend Murtagh, from what he says I think he will be feeling quite lonely down there all by himself. I could ask my father to grant you permission for you all to visit him if you like," Nasuada offered kindly.
"Really? You would do that?" asked Eragon.
"Of course, it may cheer him up. I will return later after I have spoken with my father. Now I really must be going. Good bye," she curtseyed and exited the dragon hold.
They watched her leave then clambered up into the dragon hold, talking to Saphira along the way. 'No wonder you were so eager for us to return to the dragon hold! That was a surprise. It's good to have Legolas back. I just wish Murtagh were too. I hope Ajihad grants us permission to see him though.'
'I should think he will. Ajihad is a fair man from what I can gather about him. And his daughter is a young woman of her word I judge.' Replied Saphira.
They reached Saphira's cave to find Solembum sitting next to Saphira waiting. When they straightened up he stood and came over to them, purring. He rubbed himself around Legolas' ankles. 'You're back then,' he said purring.
'Hello Solembum, good to see you. Do you know if Angela is about?' Eragon asked the werecat.
'Yes I do know, and no she is not. She wont be back anytime soon either,' replied the werecat.
"Come Eragon, I want to know what the Dwarven King said to you at your meeting this morning," said Legolas seating himself near the cave entrance.
Eragon complied, flopping down on his bed. Gimli dumped himself down next to his Elven companion and Solembum settled himself down next to Saphira. Eragon could tell the two had become good friends already; after all, they were both creatures of great power.
"A fine king Hrothgar is," Gimli piped up. "A firm leader, but fair."
"Though you would not wish to anger him…" Eragon added and with help from Gimli and Saphira, he began to relay what had happened at that morning's meeting to Legolas.
-:0:-
The Dwarven King inspected them with his hard stony gaze. "Âz knurl deimi lanok. 'Beware the rock changes'. An old saying of ours… nowadays the rock is always changing, much like the land we reside in. I would have met with you all earlier, but I had to settle some disputes with my enemies among the clans. They would not have me grant you sanctuary under this mountain. Though I have managed to quiet their complaints, for now at least."
"Thank you. Though I did notice the iciness of some of your people upon first coming here. I am afraid I had no idea of how much strife our arrival would cause you," said Eragon bowing. Hrothgar nodded in acceptance of his thanks.
The king then went on to tell them more of the Dwarven history, of which much of it Gimli had already been informed courtesy of Orik.
"I am old Rider, older than you could ever imagine. I have lived to see the Riders in the days of their glory. When they were the peacekeepers of the land. Old enough to have even spoken with their last leader Vrael. I remember how the Riders meddled in our affairs. Dwarves are the bones of this land; we were the first- before the Elves came from across the sea, before the mighty dragons. For eight millennia the Dwarves have ruled under Farthen Dûr. But now tell me, why have you come here? I know there is more than just having to flee from the Empire young Rider. Did you come here merely to seek safety, or to forget your troubles and hope to forge a new life for yourself in our safe hold?" said Hrothgar in his deep gravely voice.
"No my Lord, I do not wish to do that at all. I have enough reasons of my own to want to rip the Empire to shreds. I only wish to recuperate here for a while, until it is time to fight. And when that time comes, I will do all I possibly can to aid those that do not have the power to make a considerable difference. And Saphira feels the same. She is ready for the blood of our enemies," said Eragon passionately.
Hrothgar's small smile could only just be made out underneath his beard. "Very well Eragon Dragon Rider. And what of you Gimli, son of Gloin of far off lands? Why are you here? And how is it you come to be travelling with this boy?"
"Me and my friend were ship wreaked off the coast of this land near the Spine. We met up with Eragon by chance. As for why I am here, that is simple, we have vowed to stay with him all the way throughout his journey, to whatever end it comes," Gimli replied.
Hrothgar nodded. "And who is this friend you speak of? Do you refer to the Elf that has been imprisoned here?"
"Aye Lord, I do. He is Legolas Greenleaf, and he has been my friend through many dangers," replied Gimli.
"I see. Be assured he will be treated well and respected by those in whose keeping he is placed," said Hrothgar kindly. "Now Eragon, there are things I still wish to speak with you about. First of all, I would better examine that sword you carry- that ill fated blade."
"Of course," Eragon unsheathed Zar'roc and placed it, hilt first into the King's hands.
Hrothgar examined it closely with a well-trained eye. "I am not glad to see this in my kingdom, though it will endure now. And you never know, perhaps its fate will change," he mumbled then handed the sword back o Eragon who re-sheathed it. "I must warn you Eragon, the Riders will not endure. Even if Galbatorix manages to hatch those eggs he keeps, there will never again be another generation of Riders whose power rules over Alagaësia. Now I must ask you something that bothers me. If Galbatorix is indeed over thrown in time as the Varden and we all must hope, do you intend to take up his seat in Urû'baen and rule?"
Eragon thought for a moment then shook his head. "I have no wish to be placed in a higher position than I already am. But," he paused before continuing. "If there was really no other better suited and willing- I would accept if it fell to me."
Hrothgar surveyed him, and the expression on his face was impossible to read, least because of his full beard. "Hmm, a great king you would no doubt make, a kinder one you would be than the one who currently occupies the thrown, but I judge it unwise to have a ruler who does not die as each coming of men one day must. As I said before, the Riders will not rise to their original power again. well Eragon, Gimli and Saphira, I am afraid I must cut this meeting short, my advisors await me. But I will leave you with a piece of advice; if you wish to gain the support of the Dwarves here, you first must prove yourself to them." with that Hrothgar dismissed them and they left his hall.
-:0:-
Eragon and Gimli wrapped up their telling of what happened with Hrothgar and it was a while before anyone spoke.
"It sounds as though Hrothgar is not that keen on the idea of the Riders taking power again," said Legolas after a time.
"Well, they did meddle in the affairs of his people last time," said Eragon. "I wonder when Nasuada will be back."
"She is extremely busy with her father's affairs. She is devoted to him and the Varden and the cause they are fighting," said Legolas.
"I suppose. But tell us Legolas, why did you finally relent and consent to the Twin's testing?" asked Eragon.
"I did not. Ajihad knew that there was no way I would ever allow that, and so Arya 'tested' me, and I use that term lightly," said Legolas. " She summoned me to her room, she did not like the idea of the imprisonment of one of her kind. That is expected considering what she has been through at the hands of men."
"You've seen Arya?" Eragon said excitedly sitting up straighter. "How is she? Did they heal her? Did she receive Túniver's Nectar like she said she needed?"
"Yes Eragon. You do not have to worry about Arya, she is completely fine. She is just recovering her strength. Though you would not think she would need to…" Legolas muttered the last part in an undertone.
"Well, what did she say?" said Eragon hanging on to Legolas' every word.
"Quite a bit actually. We talked all through the night," said Legolas.
Eragon blinked in surprise. "Well, what did she say?"
"She wanted to know more of Middle earth and the things she saw when our minds first brushed, so I told her. I also learnt some about the Elves of Alagaësia, which you will learn in time," Legolas said quickly just as Eragon was about to ask what.
Just then Nasuada reappeared. "Well, my father has granted you permission to see your friend Murtagh. But before you do he requests that you go to the training ground to be tested."
"Tested?" Eragon gulped, he hadn't really been looking forward to this, though he knew it was inevitable.
"Yes, to assess your powers, your skills," replied Nasuada.
"I know." Said Eragon.
"Please come down to the training grounds as soon as possible. Now I have to go, I just dropped this message by on behalf of my father. See you, and good luck with the test!" with that Nasuada left.
"Right, well I guess we better go?" said Eragon getting to his feet and strapping on Zar'roc he proceeded out of the dragon hold Gimli, Legolas and Saphira in toe.
A/N Not much happening in that chapter I know, but I hope you guys liked it all the same, it was more of a filler. Next chapter is the testing as you all know… hehe… hope you are looking forward to that!
Reviewers
Cylliel- Yep, the Twins are extremely creepy, I would love nothing more than to kill them off, but alas, I don't know whether they will have an important part to play in the coming books.
Frodofreak88- Everyone really hates those Twins don't they?
Twilight Unicorn- I know, even longer then last time! But I have been working on this fic so don't worry! I now have the summer holidays (wahoo 6 weeks no school!) to update. Glad you like thanks!
Joou Himeko Dah- Cool, thanks. Yup, yay for Legolas!
the-burglar- I know it's fanfiction and I can basically do whatever, but I can't because I don't know whether they have a bigger part to play- yet. So that means I can't kill them- yet! Hah, I love that little word! Glad your play went well, and good luck with your exams! Hope you do well (or if you've done them already) hope you did well!
ETphonehime- I know, its been even longer this time! But I'm back. Glad you like!
Alkin- Thanks. Hahaha, perfect gift material yes! Happy Birthday for then!
Moonyasha- Yes, I agree- evil! Hahaha, only another 23,684 yards to go! Truly evil.
Lestatlover1784- Heya, thanks, glad you like, what's this on fp then?
Belegboy- YES! I absolutely love and adore the Silmarillion (and Unfinished Tales for that matter) it is a beautiful book. Please, do tell me your ideas, always open to them!
Dragonlore- Thanks, well glad I got you hooked! I love those books so much!
DaAlCh- God, I hope I'll be finished in time for Eldest, otherwise there will be loads of back log!
Arak Blazer- Thank you! Yup, August 23rd, I know, the waiting really sucks, but I will totally be getting it the first day it comes out! I know about the Hobbit movie, though I have heard mixed things, they are making it, then they're not… hmmm.
Inwe Nolatari- Pretty Elvish name! So glad you like this! Hmm, I'm thinking of saving the whole Arya finds Leggy's a prince thing for book too when they go to the Elves. Ha, I think sugar high Leggy is just about everybody's fave- I know its mine! I think I wrote that when I was hyper too. Wow, the best you've read. Thanks! And you read it again? you really are enjoying it, well, the waiting is now over and I hope you will enjoy all there is to come! Your reviews really made my day, so thank you so much!
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