Eila remained quiet during their walk to the dungeons. She was cautious of the witch, Angela and all that she stood for. After all, she was doing fine where she was. Had the brat not given her away, her whole life could be quiet and peaceful and normal. She wouldn't starve and she could sleep easily. The cold darkness is all she's ever known and because of this she finds it comforting. Then again, had Elva not found her, Eylörís may not have hatched for her.
They stepped over the debris that littered the hall. Soldiers had pulled in multiple wheelbarrows and were proactively cleaning the area of the smaller things that could be picked up by hand or with two people. The larger things would need to be lifted with a group of men and hauled out via a wagon.
"I don't like you down there alone, Eila." Eylörís spoke softly to her Rider.
"I grew up in this castle. I'm sure I know what it is that's causing this. I just need to see. I don't want anyone else to get hurt from his contraptions because they don't understand them or can't find them or…" she stopped herself and took a deep breath. "Whatever the case may be, my point still stands." Eila sighed quietly to herself as she and Angela strode down the stairs. The usually dark and cavernous tunnel was warmly lit by torchlight and the sounds of men working echoed up from within the prison cells. She felt Eylörís resign without an answer. She knew the white dragon wasn't happy about not being with her while she went down with only a stranger.
"What pissed her off?" Eila mumbled under her breath as she gazed at the crumpled cell walls and cell doors. Luckily the iron bars weren't the source of structural integrity, otherwise the whole thing might have come down.
Torches hung in every inch of the dungeon, illuminating the darkness to the extent of looking almost like day. Eila pulled a torch from a holder and held it out in front of her to help light the way.
"Probably me, though I was the final straw. She's had a lot going on and it hasn't been easy for her. I didn't pay enough attention to it and she's hurting herself." Angela admitted forlornly as they peered at the two massive piles of fallen stone.
"I think it's strange how people failed to notice that this wall was built after the creation of this place. The rest of the castle has been carved from the mountain, whereas this wall was built with stones and mortar."
Angela looked over and smiled. "You're talkative today… and that's a good point."
Tension ran up into Eila's shoulders. "Sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the safety of others." She cringed at her own words. She used to hear Galbatorix say that countlessly over the years when he was still alive. Her pace quickened, leaving Angela a few strides behind her.
Walking past the first wall, they came upon the rows of chests that sat on iron shelves. Eila picked up a rock and cracked the lid open with it. The scent hit her nose immediately and she let it close. "It smells like Seithr Oil. Why it's not eating the chests, I'm unsure, unless they have a metal lining on the inside I didn't see. Whatever you do, don't touch the gold."
Angela nodded. "Elva said the same thing. Interesting protective technique. It's an expensive one at that. I wonder why, though. He had the vault where he was keeping Fírnen's egg and the many Rider swords. Why would he need a secret vault? This isn't even a vault, it's like he didn't want anyone to find this in the first place."
Eila huffed. "Deep down inside, Galbatorix was a strange, demented, lonely old man who did insane things to get what he wanted. I'm glad he's dead, the world never needed him." She spit on the ground and rubbed the saliva into the stone with the tip of her boot.
"You've had a personal relationship with him?" Angela guessed and she saw Eila's knuckles turn white around the torch.
"My mother died in childbirth and he refused to give her any aid because he wanted her to die. He never let me forget that fact. He became my teacher because I was to be used against the Elves when I came of age. I've simply been a tool my whole life and nobody should have to live like that. So yes, I suppose it was a personal relationship."
Angela searched Eila's gaze, then quickly grasped her hand. Eila jumped but let the contact remain.
"He's dead now. You have the freedom to be your own person." She said pointedly and Eila nodded, her shy demeanor returning.
"I fear the Elves will dislike me. Vanir has already told me that three Eldunarí reside in Ellesméra because Arya Ebrithil and Fírnen Ebrithil also need to complete their training. They will know what I am and will most likely refuse to train me." She sighed.
"Eila, you had no control over what happened in your past. You had no choice but to be his student. None of that is your fault. It would be foolish of them not to train you. A dragon hatched for you, which proves you worthy despite your past or your blood or how you were raised. It's a fresh start, and a very happy one at that. Do try not to let those negative thoughts weigh you down if you see them as such, but also remember that they are the reason you are who you are today. Come, let's see what else we can find." Angela smiled, then brought Eila into a tight embrace before letting her go. Their brief conversation would give the young Rider something to think about and contemplate over.
With a pat on the pack, Angela led the way into the darkened second room. It's been unexplored by everyone, even the guards who populate the area.
The two traded places so Eila was now leading. She kept the torch low to her feet as they entered, and soon their single torch lit the much smaller room. In the center on a padded pedestal sat a large black stone that caught the light and Eila gasped.
"Shruikan!" She cried then ran over to the stone and inspected it for more poison. When she found none, she dropped the torch and wrapped her arms around it. "He did this to you…" she whispered softly as her eyes filled with tears.
"Yes… forced is a better word." The voice from within the Eldunarí growled.
"I'm so sorry…" she choked back a sob. "Are you free?"
"Not completely, but yes, mostly." He sighed, sounding relieved. He sounded much better than she's ever heard and throughout all the time she's known him, he no longer sounded so angry and hurt.
"What can I do to make it better? Are you in pain? Tell me how to make it better…" She said in a frantic tone, pulling away to look at the stone. Her fingers wiped away the tears that fell onto the smooth surface.
"Talk with me, Bleikr Garjzla, my Shining Light. No, I'm not in immense pain and I am much better now that I know you're safe and sound. Galbatorix did many horrible things to our world, but the only good thing he did was create you." Affection coated his words as he spoke and Eila smiled a very sad smile. She hugged him tightly, intentionally avoiding looking in Angela's direction because she knew Shruikan was speaking to his entire audience.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Shruikan. I missed you so much, but I knew that if you had died, you would be free. You would be much happier then, and that's all I wanted for you, you know. You're the only one who was ever kind to me… it was hard to see you so broken."
"And the same can be said for you, child. Galbatorix was a terrible person and my grieving for my original Rider never faded and healed. It only grew worse the longer he had me enslaved. It drove me mad, as you well know, but you made the pain much easier to handle. Despite the terrible things Galbatorix did to you, you remained with a kind heart."
Her arms tightened around him, though still being gentle. "Do… are…" tears fell from her eyes. "Do you want me to… to break your Eldunarí so you can be free?" She offered, but a sob escaped at the thought of slaying her only childhood friend.
"Is the world better now? The sun can shine?" He asked seriously.
Eila nodded. "Yes… yes it's better. I saw the sunrise this morning and it was beautiful. Shruikan… an egg hatched for me. I'm a Rider now… I don't feel so alone anymore, and I feel good." Her arms trembled around the black stone as she spoke about her current life. Her forehead rested against the cool surface. "Y-you can feel the sun, too, a-and the air… the people here are nice… i-it's worth living…" her tone was almost begging him.
"The Elf who slew my body, is she alive still?" Shruikan asked calmly.
"I-I don't know…" Eila started, but Angela finished for her.
"Yes, she is."
"Hmm." Shruikan responded. "Who is she? I would like to speak with her. I want to know how she was able to kill me so easily, my physical body at least."
"Are you the one that continuously tries to attack my young apprentice?" Angela said in a reprimanding tone, as a mother would to an ill-behaved child.
"I asked first, Lady Witch." He responded dangerously.
"You may call me Angela, and I refuse to answer that question until you answer my own. If you refuse, you will have no answer." She crossed her arms again. "Oh, and please don't exhaust yourself, your magic will not work on me. It's why you can't sense my being." She smirked and Eila frowned, noticing this for the first time.
The dragon growled. "Fine, but only because you give me no choice. Yes, I was playing with your pet. She is curious and I have never met someone so powerful, especially at that age."
"You could have killed her."
"No. I was careful to toy with her just enough so she would break these walls."
"It would have been better if you were to use your words." The Herbalist said, teetering on the brink of condescension.
"Do not patronize me, Soothsayer. You know just as well as I that if I had let someone know I was here; they would have smashed my Eldunarí without a second thought. I am weaker without Galbatorix' wards, curses and enchantments. Despite my size, I am not strong enough to hold off an entire army as I have been cleaned of his filth. Most importantly, they wouldn't know to be extremely careful with those chests in the other chamber. Only a few contain dragon eggs, and I can tell you which ones." He growled. "I answered your question and gave you more than what you asked to know. Now answer mine."
"Fair enough, Dark Dragon. You'll need to promise you won't hurt her."
"I mean her no harm, I let her take my life. I simply want to know how and I'd like to thank her for making it clean." He said smoothly. "Why are you so worried about me hurting her? Is she a friend of yours?"
Angela sighed. "She is the only Rider in Alagaësia aside from Eila. She is the Queen of Ellesméra, and she carries a child." She huffed humorously. "Yes, she is my friend."
"Hm, very established. I'm glad to say someone of such nobility slew my body and released me of that wretched binding between myself and Galbatorix. I am most intrigued to meet her."
"You'll need to swear in the Ancient Language that you will do her no harm. You must remember that you were closely affiliated with the enemy, others will not trust you so easily. If we are to bring you to the surface, you'll need to keep yourself quiet and compliant. I know that might seem like a lot to ask for, but for your safety and happiness, the degradation will be worth it."
"Where will I be taken now that my existence is known about?" He asked, not unkindly. This wasn't the personality they expected, but like Eila had said, 'cower before, no. Be cautious of, always. You never know who is your friend and who will stab you in the back.'
"Most likely to Ellesméra. It seems you are no longer insane, if you ever were. Your past actions will be judged with scrutiny, though it may help if Eila wishes to vouch for you. We will need to speak with Arya regardless. She is the head Rider, she and the Eldunarí make the final decisions." Angela said sternly.
"And if I wish to go elsewhere? Perhaps I'd like to be at the bottom of the sea and watch the toll of time take its hand to the world below." He said almost in a friendly tone.
"You'll still need to speak with Arya and the Eldunarí about that wish." She responded, once again crossing her arms over her chest.
"Very well. Eka otherúm sem eka weohnata ach né haina eom onr dröttning älfa." I swear that I will do no harm to your elf queen. He gently brushed his mind against Eila's and he felt her own internal confliction. He understood why the moment his consciousness connected to hers. Her teacher is the one who killed his body.
"Can we go up now?" Eila asked quietly.
Angela nodded. "Can you lift Shruikan or do we need to call for aid? I can try of course before we do that."
Eila bent her knees and repositioned her arms around the base of the watermelon-sized stone, then lifted it easily with her back straight. "Oh." She said mainly to herself. "You're light." She smiled down at the dark Eldunarí.
"You're okay, then?" Angela asked.
Eila nodded. "Yeah." She sighed, and together they began walking towards the exit. "Wait." She sounded like she forced the words out.
"Is something wrong?" The Herbalist asked.
"N- uh…" Eila started but stopped and sighed. "Please don't tell anyone who my father is. I-I'd like to tell people on my own. I don't want to be affiliated with him. I despise his existence, but if people know, they'll only see me as his daughter and be untrusting of me…"
"As long as you don't tell Arya I let you know she's pregnant. I'm not even supposed to know. Deal?"
Eila offered a shy smile and nodded. "Deal."
With feelings of shared companionship, the two left and headed back upstairs with intentions of speaking with both Nasuada and Arya.
A/N: I know this one is short, very short, actually, but bear with me, I'm setting some stuff up. In my initial draft, I was going to keep this story in line with 'The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm', but as you can see, I've decided to nix that entirely and mess with the timeline a little bit more. It's my fanfiction, I can do what I want (I mean this humorously). Anyways, as short as this chapter is, I hope you enjoyed it thoroughly. This is one of those that I'll revisit once I finish writing the whole story.
To the wonderful Oracle of Hylia, when I started this story, or at least had the idea of it, I couldn't decide whether Eragon would be considered half-Elf after his transformation or if he was still Human. I consulted a friend of mine who has read the books several more times than I have and he mentioned that Eragon would still be Human despite his transformation because he was born Human. He acknowledges that Elves were created from Humans by way of magic, though because the changes Eragon went through were essentially to both heal his back and to accelerate his transformation into a developed Rider, he is still Human on the inside with the magical enhancements that are meant to develop over a long period of time due to being bonded with Saphira. I've ultimately made the decision to keep Eragon Human for both simplicity's sake and to create some sort of conflict later on, whatever form that may take. Thank you for the question!
As always, many thanks for reading and reviewing, your lovely words are always a fantastic encouragement for me to continue writing this. They keep me engaged :)
Much love!
-Lady Arlo