Brisingr VI

"It is done." Arya regarded the bodies of Eragon and Saphira as they rested within a circle of elvish charms, ancient wards carved into the stone ground that glowed with ageless power. Oromis and Islanzadi stood across from her, somber faces illuminated by the magic of ancients past.

"Then we only need to focus on the battle," Islanzadi's gaze snapped to Arya.

"Are your regiments ready?" She asked, despite knowing the answer.

Arya descended to one knee, and placed her hand over her heart.

"They are, Auresoma Islanzadi Aufen Valbhorelthian. Your will is their blade, your thoughts are my orders." The elf princess was eerily still as Islanzadi rounded the enchantment ring, the sound of her boots pounding within Arya's ears.

"We have not seen eye to eye for much of your life, Arya. I will admit that I have often disregarded your wants, needs, and desires." Islanzadi began to draw her silver blade, the hiss of elven steel sliding against fine leather kissed Arya's ears.

"You are a powerful warrior, Arya. Your father would be proud." Oromis said as Arya's tears began to swell.

"I know you expect to be named High Commander for this battle. I assume that is why you have taken the knee," Islanzadi's steps paused inches away from Arya, as the princess slowed her breath to an almost suffocating halt.

"But there is more. I know not what will happen during this battle, or if our ancestral lands will even survive." Islanzadi lowered her sword above Arya's bowed head.

"We need more than a High Commander. We need someone to lead our people to safety in the event we fail to hold back the Sealed. We need a queen."

Arya had to keep herself from jumping up in protest. Her body shook as Islanzadi's words passed over her, while her ears seemed to ring at the sound of them.

Queen.

"My brother ruled with reckless abandon, but he was well loved by his people, his queen, and I know if he had the chance to meet you, he would have accepted you without any hesitation. That is just who he was as an Elf, and it is who he continued to be as King, up until his death." Oromis added.

Arya tensed as the cold tip of Islanzadi's sword touched the bareness of her neck as the responsibility of rule, passed down her family line for generations, reverberated throughout her body.

Queen.

"I, Islanzadi Valbhorelthian, Auresama of the Laen Elves, Queen of the Xoshans and head Priest of the Sealed Elves, name you, Arya Valbhorelthian, Auresama. Do you accept this title, and what it represents?" The Elf queen's voice boomed with regality as Arya's head swirled.

"I-.. I.." Arya stammered as tears freely flowed from her eyes and onto the cold floor below her.

"If you are about to say that you cannot, or that you refuse, you are free to do so," Islanzadi said.

"However, you cannot flee from this calling, Arya. You could refuse this task a thousand times, but in the end the responsibility of our people rests with you. You are Queen." Islanzadi said with finality. Arya pulled her hands into fists that pressed against the cold floor, teary eyes finally raising to meet Islanzadi's own, while the queen sheathed her blade.

"I am Queen." Arya whispered. Her mother offered a small hint of a smile, but nothing more.

"I am Queen." Arya repeated. She rose to her feet and exhaled deeply, freeing her body of all doubt.

Islanzadi's fine fingers rose to her crown. The curving horns of the crown shone brilliantly, and as Islanzadi lowered them onto Arya's own head they never lost their luster. Arya could feel the crown tighten across her forehead.

So this is what it feels like . . .

Arya straightened herself as Islanzadi stepped backwards.

"I thought it would be heavier," Arya said with a slight grin. Islanzadi furrowed her brows in response.

"A jest? You truly have taken after the boy," Islanzadi sighed.

"But perhaps it is her ability to fight against our elvish pride that will save the people." Oromis commented.

Arya nodded towards Eragon's body.

"What of him?" She inquired.

"He will remain here for now. If.. if the Sealed have broken through . . ." Oromis trailed off as Islanzadi took a place beside Arya.

"The enchantments you see around Eragon . . . in each cavern where we have sent our people you will find them. They are ancient runes of transportation. Long ago, they were used in the days of the Riders to quickly traverse the land. Oromis and I worked tirelessly to reactivate them." Islanzadi answered. Arya nodded slowly, her mind inching towards the gravity of Islanzadi's words.

"Such a spell is not cheaply woven," Arya said carefully.

"You are correct. I have made you Queen because of this, Arya." Islanzadi took Arya's hand within her own.

"If the battle turns against us, you must say the words 'Doru Vega'. It will activate the runes. The magic for the transportation will come from Oromis and I directly. It will feed upon our reserves until we die."

"Mother.." Arya began, before looking away from Islanzadi, swallowing hard as she did so.

"Oromis," She bowed her head softly towards the great Rider.

"I thank you for what you have done. I will not fail you. Either of you." Arya turned to see the sharply cut steps that lead back to the surface, where she knew hell awaited. With legs as heavy as iron, Arya made her way to her the evil that roared and mocked under the dark shade of clouds of war.

Alauinel flexed her fingers on her remaining hand, legs crossed as her generals bowed before her. Like most of Galbatorix's former cabinet, they were under the influence of curses that bound them to her will. Like statues they waited for her command- Alauinel couldn't help but bare a small smile at how far she had come. No, she wasn't finished, not quite- but she was closer than any who had come before her. However, lingering doubt still lurked from within her mind.

Galbatorix.

She no longer sensed his magic, nor did she sense his presence. Is it possible that he had escaped somehow? Alauinel's jaw set tightly as she mulled over their battle. Galbatorix's magic, and by extension, his eldeena, had been sealed. They were bound to each person individually- one could not be sealed without the other. Yet Alauinel did not feel his death- nor did she feel that he had been sealed away. Alauinel closed her hand into a tight fist in agitation as her crown sat lopsided in between her golden curls.

"Generals," Alauinel stretched her hand to the small assembly before her.

"I command you- launch simultaneous assaults on all of the Rebel King's holdings." Alauinel instructed. Had the generals still kept their own free will, they might have objected to such an order. They lacked the men and even the resources to afford to undertake such an act. But they no longer had a choice.

"Yes, my Queen." The generals answered in unison. They shifted awkwardly as they rose to their feet, and left the throne room as quietly as they entered.

"A multi-pronged attack," Osorion commented as he slinked from behind Alauinel's throne.

"Ambitious."

"They do not need to win. I simply need their chaotic distraction." Alauinel said as she rose herself to stand, leaning on her arm for support. Osorion watched with reptile-like eyes impassively as she strained to raise herself to her full height.

I need to move quickly, she thought to herself as beads of sweat formed on her brow. She was running out of magic. The Eldeena core that was within the bowels of Uru'baen was nearly depleted by her usage of it to turn the Empire to her will.

"Have the Sealed contacted?" Alauinel asked.

"They are ready to begin their assault. All the pieces are ready- Gohlobhor's power will be ours." Osorion declared with a whisper.

"Then I suppose it is time for us to return home," Alauinel steeled herself against the pain that wracked her entire body,

"Let us pay Islanzadi a visit."