Hey everyone,

The end of Eldest approaches! Remember everyone, updates ever Monday. As always there is an authors note at the bottom.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"My Lord, a runner."

I heard one of the incompetant guards at the entrance of my tunnel yell out.

"Send him in." I replied without even looking up from the paper I was writing on. There was no need to, Angela and Elva were constant companions of mine now that I was leading. Not that it was saying much since it hadn't even been a full twenty-four hours since Nasuada's announcement but still.

I thought about dismissing Elva at first, now that Eragon has fixed some of his mistakes on her curse, and because it can't get through my defenses, but she can always sense the people planning to attack me, so I keep her around. That and I have a growing soft spot for her, I am the only father figure in her life really.

The runner walked into the tent and bowed like an idiot, or at least he looked like an idiot bowing.

"I am no King, do not bow." I spoke immediately and he straightened up like his life depended on it.

He still did not speak and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "What is it?" I spoke with a much gentler tone that I had to force out.

"Urgals, my Lord." He finally got out. To his credit, he didn't stutter.

I stopped writing then, and stood up. "Show me." I told him and I looked back at my two silent companions. "Wanna come?"

Elva nodded and stopped chewing on the chicken leg in her mouth and bound up beside me, a few days ago, she would have asked to be carried but not this time.

Magic has done a number on her. I thought to myself more than anyone.

Magic, or Eragon? Shadowcat sounded out from her cushion in the tent. I didn't find it necessary to answer her question, instead I followed the runner to our destination.

Along the way the people stared and mumbled 'stronghammer' as I walked by. Elva struggled to keep up but I didn't reach down to grab her, she has been stubborn the past two days. Instead my mind reached out towards the direction of Du Gata Vrangr. It was an odd sensation to walk one way and your mind go the opposite but my training ensured that I could do it efficiently.

I found Vanir immediately, and he let me in his mind almost as quickly. Urgals have arrived, gather everyone. Send Carn to me immediately. I told him, plans already forming on how to deal with the uproar the next two hours will cause.

He sent a non verbal affirmative as he set about his task, and I kept walking towards my destination.

I arrived soon enough and I noticed Orrin was already there, fully dressed in his armor and crown on his head. He sat upon a fine warhorse with everyone else around him walking, he was obviously trying to make a point when the urgals arrived.

Or maybe it's for me. I thought as we met eyes.

I wore my simple yet finely made clothes that I always had, except with an eagle embroidered on the front, as if my stature, hair, and beard didn't already give away who I was. I didn't carry Fram with me, only my dagger sheathed on my lower back.

I caught up soon enough and reached down to grab Elva, by this point she was breathing heavy. She didn't even put up a fight when I put her on my hip and pushed my way through the crowd towards the entrance of the gate and beside Orrin.

I ran my other hand along his steeds neck absentmindedly as I looked out into the field in front of me. Even through the burning plains I could see their advancement on us, they would arrive soon, and I would meet them halfway.

"Orrin." I spoke as a greeting.

He didn't answer with words, instead he nodded my direction.

You'd think he would be a little more welcoming. It's not like I threatened his crown and his families lives just the other day. I thought to myself at his cold greeting.

"Roran." Someone called from behind me and I turned around to see Carn pushing his way through the crowd as I had. I knew he had ran to catch up but he did not breathe hard, nor did he sweat because of his enhancements.

Physically, he is almost a match for me in strength, and is faster by far. I thought remembering back to our fight the other night that resulted in a dagger in my side and a metaphorical dagger in my heart.

I grabbed him in close so that people would think we are whispering but my mind reached his also. My mouth did not move but no one could see that, the people would think I was giving him order.

The urgals will join us, I am going to go meet with their leader. I need you to go spread the word across camp that the urgals have freed themselves of the empire and come to aid us in our fight for freedom. Nothing else, you understand, not that they betrayed Galbatorix, they freed themselves of the empire and come to aid us. I told him in our heads.

Arya, Vanir, and Brom fought their way through the crowd then and I immediately passed Elva off on her favorite elf Arya, she took her with a smile and while Elva glared at me for daring to pass her off.

Jormundur appeared beside me out of nowhere. "The men are getting ready, but I'm not sure they will be ready in time for battle." He said out of breath and wide-eyed.

Oh yea, I should have told him not to worry about that. I thought as I noticed my slip up. Obviously I still needed work with leading the Varden.

"It is not necessary. They do not come to fight." I told him still looking out to the approaching mass of bodies.

He looked at me confused and then processed my words. He let out a breath of fresh air then, not even bothering to question me or how I knew.

"I'll tell the soldiers." He said turning around.

I grabbed his shoulder before he could. "Actually, let them get ready, it'll be good practice for any future surprises. And once negotiations are over, take them on a march, to get the nerves out. I don't need them antsy tonight, my friend." I told him with a look that told him everything he needed to know.

Doing this served a few purposes. One to tire the men out so they wouldn't have so much energy to go around fucking with the urgals during the night. The second reason is to show that we are not the same army we were when they fought us at the Farthen Dur, to showcase our military strength.

"What do you mean 'they do not come to fight'? It's all they do." Orrin spoke for the first time from his literal high horse.

I looked at him and we met eyes again. "During the Battle of Farthen Dur, when Eragon earned the name Shadeslayer and Durza fell. The urgals fell into chaos immediately. We can safely assume that they were being controlled by magic, and the death of the shade freed them. I would argue that they are here for retribution against the empire. So when I say they do not come to fight, I mean they do not come to fight us."

"So you plan on welcoming them with open arms?" Orrin asked.

"The urgals respect strength, Orrin. I will give it to them." I answered and continued before he could respond. "I'll camp them on the opposite side of your forces, and you can decide whether or not they can enter your section or not. Do we have a deal?" I asked giving him an option of this much.

"Do I have a choice?" He almost whispered then.

"Of course. But we both know we need all the help we can get, and if I can win their loyalty, they will be a great boon for us." I answered.

"Aye, we have a deal." Orrin answered finally and immediately I nodded and began walking forward towards the approaching army.

I looked back once and held my hand out and there was no question as to what I meant. 'Stay.' Nearly everyone had followed my steps and were right behind me.

Be careful, son. Brom sounded off as he held his hand on Vanir and Arya's shoulder to stop them from following.

My eyes caught a glimpse of blue in the sky. Saphira and Eragon circled high above our camp, her keen eyes were on mine, I knew it even if I couldn't see it.

I walked a good ways, far enough for no help to reach me if something happened, but far enough from the urgal camp that I could probably make it back if the worst came to be. I stopped on the top of a small hill, and waited.

I didn't have to wait long until my presence was noticed and a figure separated from the main body of the approaching army of urgals.

I knew who would come, or at least I hoped it was the same Kull as in the books, he was fairly reasonable if I recall correctly.

I could tell fairly quickly that it was a kull that approached, the largest of their race, most standing at least eight feet tall. Mature horns sprouted out from his skull.

I am one of the biggest humans that I have ever met in this world, standing at around six foot six with my boots on, and with a healthy amount of muscle on my body. This Kull dwarfed me. His arms were as thick as my thighs and that is no small feat. I knew immediately that the way to fight this beast was with speed and over a long amount of time, preferable with a dragon. I am alone, without my warhammer.

Though my thoughts were telling me I might have bitten off more than I can chew, my face showed no fear. Once he got close enough to be able to make me out, I lifted my chin slightly, showing my throat to him, a sign of respect in urgal culture.

He repeated the action as he got closer and closer. Ten feet away, he stopped and we both dropped our heads and met each others eyes, two alphas of our races.

I smiled at that before I began speaking. "I am Roran Stronghammer, leader of the Varden."

"I know of you. I am Nar Garzhvog, I have won the right to speak for my people." Garzhvog responded in a deep guttural tone of voice.

"I know of you." I replied shocking him, if the odd look on his face is any indication. "Are you here for a fight, Nar?" I asked calling him by his title.

"Yes!" He nodded before continuing. "But not with your people. We seek to fight with you, our honor demands blood for the Black ones deeds."

I smiled and I'm sure the relief showed on my face. "Good, we can help each other."

He didn't know what to say then, it was obvious he expected to have to plead his case to me like he did with Nasuada.

I spoke again since it was obvious he wouldn't. "Are your people ready?" I asked even though I knew the answer. I could see them standing there, waiting for their leader to give them a word of how the negotiations were going. "I'll escort you to the camp."

He turned around then and made a simple waving gesture that everyone understood. There were howls and grunts from his people as they celebrated his successful negotiations. I smiled and prayed that I wasn't making a bad decision.

Leader for a day and I make peace with urgals, the same urgals we fought and defeated three months ago. I thought to myself knowing I was going to get push back from this.

It took longer for the congregation of urgals to reach us than Garzhvog but that was natural. I looked back towards my own people and was a little surprised at the trust they gave me, or maybe they were shocked into inaction, who knows. No one moved, I half expected for an army to march and meet the urgals when they started towards us but they didn't.

Orrin's probably hoping they kill me, anyway. My mind supplied.

Once the first urgal arrived I turned around and started walking towards the direction they would set up camp, opposite of the Surdan set of tents.

"Walk beside me, Garzhvog, not behind." I told him as he fell behind me in step. I didn't want his people to see him submit to me and lose his respect. I need him in charge, even if the rest of the Varden see me walking side by side with an urgal.

He increased his pace and within two steps of his tree trunk legs he caught up. Our walk was made in silence with the occasional howl of an urgal behind me. My own camp was a buzz of activity now that I got closer.

"I'll have to set boundaries for my people, they will not accept you blindly." I told him as we approached.

"They will obey, or I will make them." He replied.

"Aye, so will mine."

The soldiers were in full gear and stood at attention along the edge of the camp that we approached. Orrin sat atop his warhorse just like earlier.

He must have busted it from the other side of the camp to get here in time. I thought taking in the sight of the discipline of my army.

I stopped before them and so did Garzhvog.

"Nar Garzhvog and I have come to an agreement to fight together. They will set up camp on this side of the grounds and will be allowed to enter into the Varden's sections should they wish. We have agreed, they will abide by my rules while inside my boundaries. Should any of the Varden choose to enter into their boundaries, you will abide by his rules, or you will answer to me. I gave him my word." I yelled across the bodies in front of me.

A Centurion banged his shield with his javelin, and I was met with a wall of sound as the rest of the soldiers followed his lead.

Eragon and Brom waited for me outside my tent, Saphira curled up around it with her head resting like she was asleep. Her eyes snapped open when I came into view.

I don't have time for this shit. I thought as I took in the sight. Although I'm surprised it took them this long.

Elva had her head buried in my neck, sleeping, or at least trying to, as I walked back. The walk we made earlier really took it out of her, and with her growth, she has to sleep and eat a lot for her body to keep up.

I peeled her off of me and handed her to Angela who promptly put her on her own two feet.

"You spoil her too much." She told me as they walked away. Elva glared at me once again for daring to hand her off to someone else.

"Sorry, you can't be here for this conversation." I told her pointing towards Brom and Eragon.

"The rider is scared for you." She said walking away in full hearing range of Eragon himself.

His eyes followed her with a look of pity, it made me angry for some reason.

"Would you like to do this inside or out?" I asked more for Saphira's benefit than anything.

"Inside." Eragon spoke as he walked inside my new tent.

Brom smiled and greeted me as we walked in. "You handled the urgals well."

"Did he?" Eragon asked as we walked in.

"We need them Eragon." I told him simply.

"Can we trust them?" Eragon asked me with a bit of anger in his voice.

"No, we can't trust anyone." I replied honestly. "But I will give them the benefit of the doubt until they show me they don't deserve it, as I do with everyone, no matter what race." I told him with just as much hostility as he was showing me.

He calmed down then. "You're right, you're right. I just …" He stopped then and sat down with his head in his hands.

I remember him being more level headed in the books. I thought to myself seeing his reactions.

"I suppose I owe you two an explanation for yesterday." I told them talking about Nasuada's speech and my taking over of the Varden.

Brom had yet to speak since we entered the tent and I could see he was whittling away at a piece of wood, like he always does.

"The night before Nasuada's announcement. I was attacked by an agent of hers in my tent, right after our talk Eragon." I began and that grabbed both of their attention. I did not mention who it was that attacked me, they wouldn't trust Carn ever again.

"I defeated them and interrogated them, to find out who sent them. I did not expect the answer." I stopped then and Eragon's face twisted into confusion but Brom's showed realization.

"Nasuada?" Brom asked piecing the puzzle together.

"Aye, and Orrin had a hand in it also." I confirmed.

"So, I had a few options. The first was leave the Varden and abandon my family, I quickly decided that was not an option at all." I continued and gathered my thoughts. "Not after everything I have accomplished here, not with how the people look up to me, it would kill the Varden if I left."

The both nodded at the logic, but didn't speak.

"The second was to cover it all up and let it go, without telling anyone. I knew they wouldn't stop there so that option was also discarded. What if they came after you two? Or any of my friends? No, I can't, won't stand for that." I told them before I paused again.

"So I saw only one true option. Take control of the situation, and remove the threats. So I showed up to Nasuada's tent alive and well, with her assassin in hand. Orrin stood to the side, wearing chainmail and his sword. I suspect that he intended to kill her once she killed me, and take power. Instead I threatened to do unspeakable things to him and his family unless he obeyed me." I finished my story with a smile.

"And here we are."

Brom sat down then and Eragon stood up pacing around the room.

Eragon spoke first. "I thought I saw it that night, but they were using me. I was nothing but a pawn and would have been none the wiser." As he spoke I could hear Saphira growling outside the tent, slow and steady. I thought she was going to roar her earth shaking roar and scare the Varden into chaos but luckily she didn't.

"Calm down, Eragon, Saphira." Brom said with a bit of steel in his voice that I hadn't heard in a long time. He fiddled with Aren on his hand and I thought about reaching out to feel the amount of energy he held in there but I stopped myself.

"Orrin won't forget that threat, Roran. And don't think Nasuada is cowed, they'll both plot against you." He stopped then added very softly.

"It might have been better if you went through with your threat."

Eragon's head whipped his direction and I could feel the judgement in his gaze. "Don't look at me like that boy! You know nothing of the games we must play now." Brom bit back with the same amount of steel in his voice as earlier.

The old one is angry. Shadowcat voiced her opinion from her cushion behind me that she had yet to move from this morning.

Lazy cat. I muttered and she moved to brush against my leg.

You're too kind. She said before she moved towards the door. Find me when you're done yelling at each other.

"Lets calm down." I spoke before the broke out in argument in my tent. "What's done is done. Let them act against me, they will learn that I do not make empty threats."

If they force my hand then I would have no choice.

"You both can't be serious." Eragon spoke up.

"This is war Eragon." I said before Brom could blow up.

Brom knew the price of war, he saw the fall of the riders. He founded the Varden, who has been fighting Galbatorix for a hundred years. He understands the price you have to pay, more than most people alive.

"War is a place where chaos thrives, and with chaos, comes opportunity. Whoever is smart enough to navigate this chaos and capable enough to grab the opportunity, wins. Orrin and Nasuada understand this. Nar Garzhvog understands this. Hrothgar understands this. Islanzadi and Oromis understand this. Everyone is playing the game but you." I tell him calmly trying to line out the deeds us mere normal people do.

"We aren't the golden boy, we do not get to walk in the light without embracing the dark." I say and he just stands there unable to speak. "And to be clear, I'm glad you don't have to do these things. Stay how you are, we need you how you are, not how we are. But don't look at us with judgement in your eyes, you have no right." I hurt him with that last statement I can tell.

He moved to walk out but I stopped him. "Do not leave, Eragon. We are about to go into battle tomorrow, and I won't have this be the last conversation with my brother if I fall."

He stopped like I told him and faced me, to his credit his eyes met mine as I approached and he didn't back down at all. I brought him into a hug.

"I love you." I tell him as I embrace him.

"I love you too. It's just a lot, to realize the world we live in, to watch what it does to people." He said with a lot more wisdom than I thought he had in him.

"I can't agree more. Now, let's talk about the battle tomorrow."

A/N: Finally we can move past Eragon's hostility towards Roran.

This chapter was mostly filler but we have to get through it to get to the battle. I know it seems like the urgals acceptance into the camp went way too smoothly with the Varden and Orrin but we have to remember that this is less than 48 hours from Roran threatening Orrin and his family so that is a healthy motivator to obey the new leader of the Varden.

It will not be all sunshine and rainbows with the urgals either so don't worry!

What did we think? Will Eragon realized what it takes to win a war? Is Roran in the wrong and losing himself a little bit?

Let's talk in the reviews!