A/N Guess you guys never thought you'd see an update so fast did ya? I had a lot of fun writing this chapter, so much in fact that I was able to write it all in one day! (Though writer's cramp is not fun!) Enjoy!
7 DAYS TILL ELDEST!
Chapter 46- Preparations For Battle
Eragon had gone to see Murtagh straight after he had left Arya. He was pleased to find him in relatively high spirits living in the utmost luxury and comfort with access to anything he wished from the library and food whenever he was hungry. Once Murtagh had assured Eragon that he was perfectly happy in his room and claiming that he had not felt safer anywhere else for the majority of his life, Eragon went away feeling glad for his friend.
-:0:-
Eragon was woken abruptly by Legolas shaking him. He had Saphira saddled and was kitted out with all his weapons. Gimli stood fastening the clasp of his cloak under his chin and securing his axe in his belt. Saphira was agitated. Eragon could tell she was having a serious conversation with Legolas.
"What… what's happening?" he asked rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"We don't know. We have been summoned to Ajihad, something is going on, something bad I fear," Gimli replied.
Legolas tossed Zar'roc to Eragon who caught it, strapping it on hurriedly and slinging his quiver and bow over his back. "We've got to go," he swung up onto Saphira's back, Gimli behind him and Legolas bringing up the rear. The dragon took off in a hurry.
Saphira landed at Tronjheim's gates where they found Orik waiting for them, a grim expression on his face. They jumped off Saphira and followed him to Ajihad's study.
The leader of the Varden looked up when they entered through the huge doors. Also present was Arya and a man they were unfamiliar with.
"Eragon, Legolas, Gimli," he nodded to each in greeting, then he indicated the other man. "This is Jörmundur, my second in command," he took a breath and sighed deeply. "We have a serious crisis on our hands, and I do not use those words lightly. It has been discovered that Urgals have broken into the Beör Mountains."
There was an intake of breath from the three of them.
"They are around a day's march away from here, they're coming in through the tunnels, they're planning an attack from below," Ajihad said gravely. "They've come in through Orthíad, one of the Dwarves' ancient dwellings, it is abandoned now, some of the tunnels must have collapsed over the centuries leading to an entrance in to be discovered form the outside. Eragon, you remember that message that we intercepted the one from Galbatorix that was taken from the leader of the Urgal host we laid waste to the day you came here?"
Eragon nodded.
"I suspect that Ithrö Zhâda is actually the code name for Orthíad. It's where the host that attacked you were headed, where all the Urgals have been heading for the past year. From Ithrö Zhâda they can gain access to any part of the Beör Mountains. They infiltrate Farthen Dûr and they have the power to destroy the Varden and the Dwarves utterly. It would be the end for us all," said Ajihad, sadly.
"How many?" asked Gimli.
Ajihad shook his head and shrugged his huge shoulders. "If Galbatorix has employed his men to go with the Urgals their army would be near enough invincible. But, if he hasn't, we may very well be able to defeat them. I have already spoken with Hrothgar, we have formulated a plan. By containing the Urgals in three of the larger tunnels and channel them into Farthen Dûr we can stop them all swarming into Tronjheim," Ajihad explained heaving a sigh.
"We need you four," he indicated Arya, Eragon, Gimli and Orik. "To help collapse extraneous tunnels. Tow groups of Dwarves are already working on it; one outside Tronjheim, the other beneath it. Arya and Orik will be with the group inside, Eragon and Gimli outside. Gimli- Orik tells me you know much of stone work, I am counting on your skills as well as all the others I have assigned to this task."
"Don't worry Ajihad we'll get the job done and the Urgals will fall," Gimli growled shaking his axe at the guarantee of battle.
"Good. Legolas, you are to go with Jörmundur to help prepare the men to fight. I trust you know what to do?" said Ajihad turning to the Elf.
"Of course," Legolas nodded.
"Wait Ajihad, what of the women and children, those who can not fight? I'll be damned if I let Urgals anywhere near my wife and son," said Jörmundur shaking his fist.
"They are being evacuated into the surrounding valleys. If the battle goes ill for us, I have arranged guides to lead them to Surda. I'm afraid that is all I can do under these circumstances. I have sent runners ahead to the Elves and to Surda. They can do nothing for us now on such short notice, but at least they will be warned about what is happening here. if we are successful in collapsing the tunnels, the Urgals will have no choice but to flood out onto the flats of Farthen Dûr, there we have more room to manoeuvre our armies. But we must be careful, if too many of the tunnels are collapsed under Tronjheim, the city could sink into the ground under its own weight. We do not want the Urgals in Tronjheim either, otherwise it will be doubtful that we would be able to retake it and we would fall. This is one battle we cannot lose under any circumstances."
"And we won't lose! That is not an option Ajihad. The Urgal scum will be sorry they ever tried to break into this place. Arg, my axe hungers for tough Urgal necks to hew!" said Gimli shaking his axe.
Legolas smiled at his friend's enthusiasm. "Gimli, my last count still stands at forty-one, I intend to add another to that last tale to even with you."
"Ha, you can try Master Elf! You can but try!"
-:0:-
"You can use your magic to collapse these tunnels can't you?" asked Gimli surveying the first tunnel they came to. The group of Dwarves they had been assigned to stood back waiting expectantly.
"Of course. But Gimli, I do have to conserve some of my strength for the coming battle," Eragon replied.
"Then I suggest focusing on the weaker sections of the ceiling, then it should all come down easily. Search for the rock that feels more hollow and empty, apply the force to those places," said Gimli.
Eragon reached for the magic and whispered the words. "Thrysta deloi." He did as Gimli instructed and felt for the hollow, empty rock, ignoring the stronger more solid rock as he reached into the tunnel. Each time he struck a weak point; he reached out a tentacle of power and pushed on the weaker surface, widening it until a split appeared. He pushed more and more on the rock with the tentacle of magic, training his energy on that point until he heard the distant satisfying sound of a crack somewhere below him. There was a screech then the ground began to crumble leaving a gaping hole seven yards across.
The Dwarves standing by then flew into action with their shovels and picks and began walling up the tunnel with rubble.
The same process went on for the next few hours, Eragon was helped along by combining both his and Saphira's powers together so he did not use as much of his own strength. Soon they had collapsed over half a dozen tunnels under the careful instruction of Gimli and the group of Dwarves.
Eragon turned from the latest collapsed tunnel to look out over the flats of Farther Dûr. Women and children poured out of Tronjheim in their thousands, all plied with provisions- food, clothes, their own precious belongings. A small group of warriors accompanied them comprising of those not ideally suitable to fight in the approaching battle- mainly young boys and old men.
Eragon caught sight of a flash of gold in the dim light, catching sight of Legolas' long golden hair he followed the Elf's movements at the base of Tronjheim. He was busy organising the men into their three battalions of both Dwarves and men, each battalion bore the Varden's standard; a white dragon holding a rose above a sword pointing downward on a field of purple flowers.
Legolas was busy with the bowmen who stood at the rear of the battalions testing their bowstrings. Legolas was to lead the first battalion it had been decided. He went through the ranks from warriors with swords and shields to pike and spear men.
The Dwarves were all clad in their heavy battle gear. Gimli turned to join Eragon in his surveying of the troops. "Many will die in this battle I fear," he said quietly. "But both Dwarves and men under this mountain are made of sturdy stuff. It will be a victory for us Eragon. You can mark me on that."
"I know. I have learnt that war is cruel and fighting claims many lives. It's strange to think, a little over a year ago I was just a boy in a small town in Palancar Valley. Now look where I am, how far I have come," said Eragon.
"How much you have grown," said Gimli smiling up at him.
"Yes, I never thought in all my wildest dreams that one day I would end up where I am now," Eragon said quietly. "That I could make a difference."
"Eragon, remember the tale of the War of the Ring myself and Legolas told you? Long ago it seems now. You remember the Halfling Frodo? Against all the odds and all the dark forces working against him, he managed to save the whole of our land. When he set out from his home in the quiet Shire he never expected to go on the grand adventure he did, in fact, none of us ever imagined ourselves in that position. But it just goes to show, that even the smallest, most unsuspecting person can change the course of the world," Gimli patted Eragon on the small of his back and turned back to the tunnel. Eragon heaved a sigh and went back to staring out over the thousands of men and Dwarves that had amassed thinking on what Gimli had said. A Dwarf broke away from the group after a quick word with Legolas and Eragon could just make out that it was Orik. The Elf turned to look up at the boy where he stood above him, sensing that the Elf was looking straight at him with his keen eyes, Eragon held up a hand in a wave. The Elf nodded his head toward the boy in acknowledgement then turned to speak with Jörmundur who came up behind him accompanied by Hrothgar.
Orik hurried up to Tronjheim to stand before Eragon. "You've done your job well Eragon, there are no more tunnels to be caved in, but Ajihad requests that you join the army." Gimli came up next to Eragon having just finished blocking up the collapsed tunnel. "Ah Gimli, Legolas requests that you join his battalion."
"I would not have it any other way," the Dwarf replied.
"There is food waiting for you all, if you would follow me," Orik led the three of them to a tent. There was bread and water for Eragon and Gimli and a pile of dried meat for Saphira. They ate it gratefully after their hours of toiling at the tunnels. Orik left them for a while then returned accompanied by Legolas and a line of Dwarves each carrying piles of plated armour. "This is for Saphira. No dragon should go into battle unprotected; it is a gift from Hrothgar. This should fit her well enough; it was forged long ago in an age when the Riders flourished."
"It is well wrought, it should serve Saphira well," said Legolas holding out a piece for Saphira to nose.
'Dragon armour! Let me try it on!' she said enthusiastically.
Once each piece of intricately engraved armour was fitted, they stood back to admire the powerful dragon. The whole of Saphira's neck was encased in triangular plates, leaving gaps for her spikes to poke through. Her belly and chest were protected by large heavy plates while the smallest lightest covered her tail. On her head Legolas placed the final piece, a single moulded plate.
'How do I look?' she asked excitedly.
'Any who dare come near you will clearly have a death wish,' said Legolas.
Saphira growled with pleasure and shuffled her mighty wings which were the only part of her that was not encased in the armour.
"Eragon these are for you," said Legolas turning and taking a bundle from the Dwarf he stood next to. He presented Eragon with a stiff leather shirt of leather backed mail, a leather cap, a mail coif and a gold helmet. Eragon put them all on. Then Legolas handed him bracers for his forearms and greaves for his lower legs. Orik then presented him with a broad shield with a oak tree emblazoned on it. Eragon strapped Zar'roc around his waist and thanked Orik for Hrothgar's gifts.
He noted now that Legolas was clad in shining mail, his Elven cloak of Lórien which had gone with him through so much was draped around his shoulders. Hrothgar had certainly been generous with his gifts. Though when Gimli was offered a fine gold helm and coat of mail, he politely declined favouring his own short corslet and helm forged beneath the Mountain in the North of his home land.
Legolas turned and exited the tent as Farthen Dûr rumbled with the several thousand pairs of marching feet that resounded around the mountain. "Come," he called back. "We begin."
They followed him out of the tent and toward his battalion. Legolas leapt into action commanding the first battalion, heading toward the crater wall and positioning them in front of one of the tunnels. The Dwarves had piled rubble so that anyone inside the tunnel could easily climb out. Eragon gazed about him. Hundreds of lanterns on poles were stuck into the ground providing a pool of light around them, there were fires along the rim of the tunnel's roof with huge cauldrons of pitch heating over them.
"What a terrible way to die," Eragon muttered at the thought of having the scolding liquid poured over you.
"It's them or us lad," said Gimli at his side. "And I personally chose them."
a barrier of sharpened saplings where being hammered into the ground between the tunnel and the battalion of men. Men were digging trenches between the saplings which were to be filled with sharpened stakes. Eragon decided to go and lend a hand, or claw in Saphira's case.
Legolas had gone off to supervise the construction of a barricade to shield the archers while Orik and Gimli wondered off toward a group of Dwarves who were sharpening their axes nearby.
"All men and Dwarves are on the battlefield and ready. Tronjheim has been completely sealed off, Hrothgar has charge of the battalion to our left, Jörmundur to our right, Legolas has control of this one and the three of them answer to Ajihad who leads it all," Orik informed when he and Gimli returned.
Eragon caught sight of Legolas coming toward them and was surprised to see Murtagh at his side with his grey war horse Tornac. Orik tightened his grip on his axe and grunted.
"It is all right, Ajihad had released Murtagh," said Legolas.
Orik lowered his axe. "Why?"
"He sees this as a perfect opportunity for me to prove myself to the Varden. And he reckons that if I did have any intentions of turning on them, there really wouldn't be a lot I could do to pose any sort of treat once all this gets underway," said Murtagh getting off Tornac. He was kitted out in armour and a helmet too, his hand-and-a-half sword in hand and a Dwarven shield strapped to his arm.
Eragon clasped Murtagh's shoulder in greeting. "It is good to have you with us," he said. Murtagh nodded. Eragon was more than glad that he now had Murtagh who was a fearless and brutal warrior when the need called for it. he felt that with him, Legolas and Gimli at his side, they had more than a fair chance of seeing this through.
Legolas turned to Eragon after Murtagh's introduction had been made. "Ajihad wished to speak to you, he is over there," Legolas pointed to where the tall dark man stood talking to Hrothgar.
Eragon made his way over. Ajihad ended his conversation and broke away form Hrothgar when he sae Eragon's approach and took him to one side. "Eragon, you can speak with your mind, I need you to relay messages back and forth from the Twins. One is staying in Tronjheim to keep and eye on the battle, the other will be carrying messages from me. I will need to relay orders through you to them and receive any information they have on the battle. Do you understand?"
"I do," said Eragon trying to keep the repulsed expression from his face.
Ajihad placed a powerful hand on his shoulder then turned away. Eragon retreated back to the others, then he caught sight of Legolas, Gimli and –Arya? She sat with her bow in her lap while Legolas was whetting his knife and Gimli was running a hand over his axe. They were talking quietly in the stillness that had fallen as the men and Dwarves awaited the coming battle as light filtered through the crater, he made his way over to them.
He nodded to Legolas and Gimli then spoke to Arya. "You are to fight?"
"Of course. I am not one of your feeble human women. Both Elven males and females alike are trained to fight. So I will be attempting to protect you and Saphira, to try and repay some of my debt."
Eragon nodded his head in understanding. "Then stay safe." He then went over to Murtagh and Orik.
-:0:-
Hours passed and the silence that had fallen over the apprehensive men was stifling, the tense atmosphere almost tangible.
Gimli stood leaning against the rock Arya and Legolas were perched on staring out over the three battalions, waiting as everyone else was, for this thing to start. "I'm glad to have stone under my feet to battle on, and such finely crafted stone at that," said Gimli stomping his foot on the hard group breaking the silence that had fallen over the three of them. "Though surely it is time for sleep! I feel the need of it, as never I thought any Dwarf could. Yet my axe is restless in my hand. give me a row of Urgal necks and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me!"
"I do not find under a mountain the ideal place for a battle. And can you not feel the tension of the men? The air in here is stifling and there is no sweet wind to blow the smoke from the fires away to make way for a fresh breeze. But you comfort me, Gimli, and I am glad to have you standing nigh with your stout legs and your hard axe," said Legolas.
Arya looked upon the two friends in wonder as they exchanged their light banter. Never had she seen such friendship between an Elf and a Dwarf.
"Rest now then Gimli, if you feel the weary. For when the battle starts, there will be no times for such luxuries," said Arya kindly.
Murtagh stared out across the three battalions, absent mindedly stroking Tornac's nose. There was a faint clanging of armour as men and Dwarves moved around where they stood, trying to relieve their cramped muscles. Eragon felt his eyes begin to droop as tiredness took hold of him. Orik smiled up at him. "You may as well grab some sleep Eragon, until the fighting starts there is nothing to do."
Eragon smiled back down at the Dwarf and slid down to perch on a rock, assured that both Legolas and Arya were keeping watch near by.
Arya turned to Legolas, an irritated look on her fair face. "Must he make that awful sound when he sleeps? She asked referring to Gimli's loud snoring at her side.
Legolas couldn't help but smile. "I am afraid that is one trait in him that you have to learn to put up with. It is a Dwarven thing which I do not understand, but every Dwarf I have ever met seems to find it necessary to make that sound whilst sleeping."
Arya shook her head.
Just then a scout ran out from a tunnel and headed to where Ajihad stood waiting. This had been the news they had all been waiting for. Ajihad nodded to each of the battalion leaders. Legolas got to his feet, waking Gimli as he did so. He saw Murtagh sit up straight and alert and rouse Eragon. Arya got to her feet beside Legolas and all eyes focused on the tunnel as weapons were drawn throughout Farthen Dûr. Arya and Legolas notched an arrow in their bows and aimed them toward the tunnel. Gimli gripped his axe firmly.
Arya stared fiercely at the first tunnel. "So it begins…"
A/N Queue dramatic climax building music! Wow, I seriously enjoyed writing that chapter so I hope you all enjoyed reading it!
Reviewers
Cylliel- I know, not long to wait now though. Thanks!
The-burglar- Thanks, I know, 3 weeks left of no school, I bet it will go really fast just to spite me!
DaAlCh- I'm really confident about getting this done in time for Eldest now, I just want to get the next two chapters done, I'm having so much fun with them!
Moonyasha- SQUEE! Ow, but I love doing reviewer responses, it lets you guys know how much I appreciate you all! But if its only a rumour I'm going to just carry on until there is an official post or something. Lol, well after all Malthen's done, shouldn't it be like community service or something? Lol. I shall go check out your fic!
Frodofreak88- Mwhahahaha, stupid Twins.
Joou Himeko Dah- Never mind, just read it as soon as you can get hold of a copy, and good luck with getting your apartment sorted!
Alkin- Yep, I'm sure it will too! Thanks!
Inwe Nolatari- I know, but then we have Eldest to start! Well, Murtagh was in that chapter, though I'm afraid it wasn't that bigger a part, but more from Murtagh next chapter! Yeah, he's my fave too (now that Brom is dead). Sure will be doing the Eldest crossover, and hopefully if this is all still going I will do the third book in the triogy (but that is a verrrrrrrrrry long way away!) Ooh, I have two leggy bookmarks and a Will Turner one from the obfiles, but if you do get the address to that site then send it to me please! Actually, I think if chickens and sugar high people and Elves ruled the world, it would be a lot less corrupt.
Bananadude- Thanks, glad you like, and at least you haven't had to wait too long for an update!
Meriet- Thank you! Of course, the Elvish used in this fic is from a site called thecouncilofelrond . com if you register there are tutorials teaching either Sindarin or Quenya, I myself went for Sindarin, and there are huge online dictionaries there too for all the vocab. Hope this helps and please tell me when you post your fic and I'll check it out! Hey, what is the translation to Mantened las espadas afiladas?
Laters
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