So I had this finished a few days ago but I never uploaded it because I wanted my Beta to check it out. Though for some reason, I wasn't able to get a hold of him. So I decided to upload it today :) (Please don't hate me Beta!) I thought it would be enough time for you all to have waited. This chapter I had some difficulties but other wise it went smoothly. Please review!
Where was he? Standing in the middle of the street, Eragon glanced upwards. His eyes widened as he saw the crescent moon in the shape of a dragon whose large red eyes were staring down at him. What was this place? Walking forward cautiously, he tried to see through the fog that covered the city. But he couldn't make anything out more than three feet away from him. This place, the more he took it in, the more it seemed familiar to him. Emerging onto a main street, his heart stopped when looming overhead was the citadel of Uru'baen. It can't be. Why was he here? Where was Ellesmera? Turning away from the castle, he made for the opposite end but not matter how much he walked the street kept on stretching further and further. There was no end to it.
"Keep going Eragon," he murmured to himself. As he kept walking, he felt beyond aggravated as the street kept on stretching out before him. But eventually it began to come to an end. Just barely through the fog he could see a large bulking figure guarding the gate out of Uru'baen. What was that? Slowing down his pace, he cautiously approached the figure.
As it came into view surprise seeped through his body. Lying curled up before the city gates was Saphira. But how was she here as well? Taking a closer glance at her, he felt confusion trickle through his mind as he caught sight of a metal collar around her throat chaining her to the ground as if she was a dog. Why would she be like that? Angered at whoever did that to her he approached enraged. Hearing his loud footsteps she woke from her sleep. He reached out to her with his mind. Saphira, what's going on?
She didn't respond, instead she blinked at him, her expression growing fierce and savage. Opening her jaws she let forth a defying roar. Startled, he held his ground as she made to her feet. Then to his surprise something happened that he never thought would. She opened her jaws and instead of fire that came out, it was something entirely different. "You are not allowed to pass!" she roared her voice fierce. He blinked caught of guard. Did she just verbally speak? "No one is allowed outside of the city and that goes for the likes of you as well."
"Saphira, I don't understand," he fumbled for the right words not sure what to think anymore. "What's going on? Where are we?"
She came forward as if not hearing him and said, "No one is allowed pass! Get back elf!"
He jumped back as a torrent of flames sprouted from between her jaws nearly burning her alive. He felt sweat coat his face from the heat and his heart race. What was Saphira doing? Though he wanted to stay and try to see what was wrong with her, his mind thought against it. This wasn't right. Nothing here was.
Turning back the way he went he ran as far as he could for Saphira was fighting at her chain to reach closer to him. He didn't understand. What was wrong with her? Why was he in Uru'baen? And where was Arya? But as he was preoccupied with his thoughts he didn't realize that the way he was running back was different from the way that he came. He slowed to a slow walk not understanding what was going on. "Didn't I just come from this way?" he murmured to no one in particular.
"Did you?"
He turned, startled, to the source of the voice. Sitting on a stone bench in the middle of the street was Murtagh. His dark hair was windswept and his blue eyes were a piercing quality. His initial alarm was swept aside with a slight air of relief. "Murtagh, what are you doing here?"
He shrugged. "I wanted to sit down and this was the only place to do so."
"But why are we in Uru'baen?" asked Eragon, still confused.
"I'm here because of you," answered Murtagh with a smile that was unlike him. He paused before continuing, "Why are you here, Eragon?"
"I don't know why, I just found myself here." Said Eragon slowly, more to himself than to Murtagh. That was true, wasn't he just with Arya? Then why was he standing in the middle of Uru'baen? Was it magic? Or was everything a dream? "Where's Thorn?"
"Thorn?" his brother grinned. "He's eating some apples."
"Apples?" Dragons didn't part take in fruit, or that was what Eragon thought for Saphira always preferred a deer over a basket of fruits. "Is he here? Is he safe?"
Murtagh stared at him and for some reason Eragon found it unnerving. Then he began to lightly chuckle. "So many questions Eragon." He said with a small gesture of his hands. "You ask questions that I don't have the answer to. Why don't you think more about it? You know, you just don't see it yet."
"Don't give me riddles," said Eragon slightly annoyed. "Tell me the reason why you're here."
He just continued to chuckle with a light shake of his head. "Say how have you been lately?" Eragon didn't answer. "Oh, I see how it is. Then let me ask this: are things going well between you and Arya? She seems to care greatly for you."
Eragon remained quiet but Murtagh's words pierced his like an arrow to his flesh. He didn't know what to say. How would he describe the relationship that he had with her? They were companions…and friends. There was nothing else to it but as the thoughts crossed his mind he felt his heart twinge with disappoint. And for some reason a sad tenderness for the Elvin princess. There was nothing of that sort between the two of them…was there?
As he glanced back up to where Murtagh was sitting, he felt surprised when he found the bench empty. "Murtagh?" he called into the gloom. No response. Where did he go to? Slowly making his way up to the bench, he frowned. There was nothing. No sign that anyone had sat on it. Was he really here or did Eragon imagine it?
Not trusting what he was seeing anymore, he made his way around the bench and continued to walk down the street that twisted and curved about the gray buildings that were devoid of life. And after a while he came to a stop where the path was split into three directions. Which direction would he choose? Maybe he could go back and sneak past Saphira…
"Are you lost?" Eragon whirled about, there standing behind him was Desdemona. It was one surprise after the other.
"Desdemona…"Eragon began but he stopped himself. If this place was anything that he came to think it was, she probably wouldn't recognize him. "Do you know the way out of this place?"
She nodded giving him a warm smile that was at the same time like her but yet unlike her. "Through the gate," she said simply.
"But Saphira is guarding it."
"I'll show you the way." Reaching out with her hand she gripped his, and instead of pulling in the direction towards the gate, she took the road to the left.
"Wait, this isn't the way." Eragon protested as she dragged him along.
"It is, trust me." He pursed his lips not knowing what to say to that. In reality, he trusted her with his life. But he couldn't trust her at the moment for he didn't know who she was or what she was intending.
"Stop!" that voice…stopping Eragon turned to find a small boy standing behind him. "You can't follow her."
"What?" he asked, staring at the boy who resembled someone Eragon couldn't place. He was young with brown hair and soft chestnut eyes. He wore brown breeches and a white tunic. "Why not?"
"She's leading you the wrong way."
Eragon turned to stare at Desdemona. She smiled revealing a row of pointed teeth, her eyes becoming red. Pulling his hand away, he bent his knees ready in case of an attack. But instead, her skin began to eat away at itself, turning black before fading away to dust. "Desdemona!" but she was gone. Eyes wide, he found himself staring off into space in shock. What was going on? Was this real? Did she…die?
He turned back to the boy. "What's going on?" Eragon demanded. "What's happening?"
He didn't answer. Frustrated Eragon pushed forward with his questions. "How do I leave this place?"
"Through the gate," he answered. "But it's not that easy."
"Why?"
"Because you have to remember the place you have to return to."
"Return?"
The boy nodded. "That's right, return. Just think about it deep down in your heart and it'll come to you."
"But how do I get there?"
"Through the gate."
Gate…but Saphira was guarding the gate. Turning to stare back down the road he sighed. Hopefully it wouldn't change as he walked down there. "Alright then, I'll go through the gate." Eragon said to the boy. He turned to face the kid but like Murtagh he'd disappeared. Not letting it bother him, he continued down the street towards the direction of the gate, hopefully.
The street like before was endless and it stretched for miles on end. But he kept on going knowing that at the end the gates would wait for him. As he walked he was alert of his surroundings. Everything was what he remembered of Uru'baen but at the same time it wasn't. Though he couldn't place the difference. And it irritated him to no end.
The fog around him began to shift revealing the large bulk of Saphira sleeping on the ground, her body guarding the gates. Forcing himself to walk around her, he stood staring at the gates. Think Eragon, he told himself. Where am I supposed to return? The beam holding the gate closed moved of its own accord lifting itself up as if suspended by magic and in turn the gates swung forward. Eragon walked forward not chancing a glance back. Wherever this was going to lead him, he would follow it.
As he walked, the whiteness around him began to shift forming a castle…This couldn't be…The next thing he knew was that he was standing on the roof of what was once his castle that he lived in. "Am I supposed to return here?"
No, that wasn't true. He belonged with the Varden now.
As he thought of what to do next, his eyes could make out the figure of someone standing on the edge of the roof. Who was that? He approached, slowly and quietly, the figure standing there. Nearing, he was able to make out black leather clothing and beautiful brown hair. Eragon stopped dead. "Mother!"
She turned to him, her expression blank, and her eyes devoid of any emotion. "So you've finally come back to me."
"I've never left," said Eragon reaching out to her with his hands. "Come back from there it's dangerous!"
"Never left?" she repeated. "Don't lie to me, Eragon. You left me, and I've waited for so long for you to return. I can't remember anymore. Your father and your brother waited for you too. But you didn't seem to care for this family as much as I thought you did."
"I don't understand! Haven't I've always been by your side?" asked Eragon with a violent wave of his hand.
"Your body was but not your heart."
He stared at her, his mouth agape. What was she talking about? While he stood there shell shock, she gave him a sad smile. "I'm tired of waiting, Eragon." And with that she fell.
His body reacted immediately, running to catch her, his heart stopped when she fell out of reach of his fingers and to her death. "Mother!" Lying on the ground with her eyes closed and her body at an odd angle was his mother. "No…It can't be…"
Unable to comprehend it, he fell to his knees in shock. His mother couldn't be dead. She just couldn't. After all his life, after all those years…He couldn't let her die! "You don't belong here." It was that boy!
Eragon didn't turn to face him but instead continued to gaze down at the body of his mother. "Think Eragon, where is it that you should return to?"
"I don't know anymore."
"Just think, Eragon."
Closing his eyes, he tried to think of a place…any place but this place. Once he opened them again, a wooden door stood before him. It wasn't attached to anything else. It just stood there detached and unnatural to the surrounding. He stood there unsure of himself and whether or not to enter the doorway. He glanced back down at his mother and unable to take it anymore, he opened the door blinding him with light. As he emerged onto the other side, it swung shut behind him disappearing from reality.
Instead of the gray buildings of Uru'baen or the thick fog, Eragon found himself standing in what seems to be the forest of Du Weldenvarden. Had he made it back? Taking tentative steps forward, he jumped when a light voice called to him. "Have you found out where you should return, Eragon?"
Sitting up on a branch at least fifty feet in the air was Arya. But he was sure that like the rest of the people in this world that he'd met that she wasn't the real one. Who she was eluded him. "Whatever you're saying doesn't make sense. Where am I supposed to return to?"
A breeze gently lifted a few strands of her long ebony hair. "To that question, I do not know the answer." She said with a soft smile. "It lies within you, not about you. Think about it more carefully this time. Where should you return?"
Even though this wasn't the real Arya, he took her advice to heart and stood there trying to image a place in which he was needed. Blocking out everything else, he thought of his family and his servants. He thought of their happiness that he was a part of, his older brother Murtagh and his disability…his mother and her unguarded defense, Saphira and their eternal bond, and most of all Arya and her isolation. It wasn't a location in which he should return to but wherever they were. Feeling a calm settled over him, he glanced back up at Arya to find her still sitting there waiting for an answer.
"Have you found it?"
For the first time, he smiled and nodded. "I have."
Her smile was bright as she stood on the tree branch. "Then leave and return to where you belong, Eragon." With that she left dancing from branch to branch until the emerald leaves blocked her from his view. Thinking of the door, he was glad that it appeared before him like it did last time. It was time to leave this place.
Reaching forward towards the knob, he grimaced when a barrier met his hand. What? "Do you actually believe that I'll let you go that easily, Eragon?" He jumped back when the door burst into flames. All around him, the trees began to die and the flowers wither. "I've finally got you right where I want you."
"Let me out of here."
"Let you out?" the voice mocked.
Eragon turned to find his shadow standing behind him in the now dead forest. Eragon frowned, out of the corner of his eyes, he could see shapes and shadows move about but what they were he wasn't sure. "I'm tired of playing this mind game."
"Game?" his shadow continued with a grin. "I can assure you, Eragon. This is reality."
"Reality?"
"Don't play dumb with me." His shadow's eyes narrowed and his smile faded. "It's time for you to surrender to me!" He disappeared. Eragon scowled. Bending his knees in case he had to jump, he grunted when a sharp elbow to his gut sent him sprawling into the ground. He was faster! "Time to end this game!"
Unable to dodge out of the way, he laid there stunned. Was this really the end? But as his shadow came flying to him, a wave of gold and green magic came spiraling into him knocking him backwards. His shadow fell to the ground, seemingly knocked out of breath. Think Eragon…Think…Immediately the door appeared to him. Hurriedly getting to his feet despite the pain, he ran for it and yanked it open despite the pain in his right hand. Falling into the blinding light, relief washed over him as the door closed, locking away his shadow.
Was this the end?
"Are you awake, Eragon?" tiredly blinking, he frowned when a hazy vision came over him. Where was he? Recognizing the room and the cot in which he sat, it immediately dawned to him that he was in Oromis's hut. His vision coming into focus, he glanced around to find Oromis sitting on a stool close by his face covered by a sheen of sweat. And not far off was to his shock Queen Islanzadi. The silence that settled over them was so thick it was suffocating. It was only when he heard the small drip of something that he glanced down to find his right hand bleeding profusely. Eragon stared at the broken flesh and the dripping dark red liquid. He couldn't find the words to cure his own hand any more.
"Waise heill." A green light enveloped his hand and a tingling feeling erupted throughout his entire body. The broken flesh came together to make a thin layer of new, red skin. The magic was much like Arya's but more potent, more alien to him.
He tiredly glanced at the queen, and speaking in the ancient language murmured his thanks. Then glancing to Oromis, he asked, "How long have I've been here?"
The elder elf turned his gaze to him which had been fixed on a spot on his wooden hut. No doubt he was conversing to Glaedr. "Two days." His frown deepened. "Arya had bought you back along with the dragons two days ago and you've yet to awaken from your stupor until now."
Two days. Was it really that long that he'd been asleep? "So, Saphira has told you about my condition?"
He suddenly felt the familiar and warm mind of hers touch and envelop his. It had been so long. Allowing her entrance, he mentally sighed at the calming effect her presence had over him. He'd missed her greatly. It's been quite some time that I've touched your mind, little one. Her deep voice vibrated through his mind.
It has been some time. I've missed you, Saphira.
And I you, her thoughts though warm they may be turned to the situation at hand. I've told them about your condition but it would be best if you can further explain to them. It's time to let go of your pride and ask for help. They may be the only ones who can help us now, Eragon.
Knowing what she said was true; he straightened his back and lifted his head to face them, his gaze unwavering. "Saphira has told us of your condition," Queen Islanzadi said it with a frown on her face and again he was struck with the realization that she resembled Arya. "But I would like to hear it from you myself, Eragon Shadeslayer."
He nodded, putting aside his fatigue, he began to speak. "When I was a child," he began in the ancient language, fluid and smooth. "And Saphira had hatched for me; he had sought a way to have my loyalty. But the two of you know as well as I do that children usually don't retain their true name as they age but that it changes over time. Galbatorix knew, of that I'm certain." He smiled humorlessly. "He was unable to obtain my loyalty for no matter what torturous devices he conjured, Saphira and I endured them to the best of our abilities like Arya had under Durza's tortures." At this Queen Islanzadi stiffened, her emerald eyes narrowed giving her an evil look. "But it wasn't enough; I didn't want to see her suffer anymore. She was ever strong, ever resilient. I wanted a way to save her, to save my dragon."
Everything around him became agonizingly bright. Eragon…If you would rather not talk about it-
No, I can. I have to; it's not just about the two of us anymore, Saphira.
From outside the hut, he could hear her saddened huff, near a whimper. "So I did what I could. And I gave Galbatorix half of my heart, half of my soul." The expressions on their faces said to him that Saphira had yet to tell them of this part.
"Half of your heart?" asked Oromis, his expression pale. "Impossible…"
Eragon shook his head. "If dragons can, what makes humans unable to?"
Queen Islanzadi's expression changed from shock to one of imperious authority. "So you know about them." It was more of a statement than a question.
"If you're referring to the Eldunari, then yes, I do." He forced himself to hold her stare, unmoved by the darkness of her gaze. "Does it surprise you to that extent? I served under Galbatorix for most of my life. He has enslaved hundreds of them to do his bidding. And some, when I was in contact with them seem to stand between the edge of madness and sanity. He has broken them."
The two of them sat there staring at them after a while, he nearly jumped when he heard Glaedr's mournful keen for his brethren. Oromis held a saddened gaze while to his initial surprise; Queen Islanzadi's eyes were covered with a film of tears. "I've always suspected," she murmured, "but to hear it from one such as you…"
"We can do little to help them, Islanzadi." Said Oromis despite the grief etched onto his face and for a moment Eragon saw that his master was truly sick at the heart of the news that he'd brought. I can't seem to break this cycle of sadness.
Do not say that, Eragon, Saphira reprimanded. We knew that this was to come if we didn't tell them they would eventually find out one way or another. Better to tell them now than in a situation that becoming emotional could destroy them.
"Eragon," he glanced up at Oromis's voice.
"Yes, master." Eragon said.
"Your heart, how did he take half of your heart?" he asked his face one of utter concern and kindness. Eragon glanced at his hands as he thought of a way to put it into words. After a moment he glanced back up taking a deep breath from the back of his throat.
"He used the power of the Eldunari to assist him for he didn't know how to truly separated the soul from the body of a human. And they did but as they took half of my soul, they had to replace it for one could not live with only half." Said Eragon with a scowl. "To replace the half of my soul, Galbatorix with the use of the Eldunari entrapped a spirit and connect it to my body to keep me from dying."
Saphira growled from where she laid outside the hut.
"A spirit?" asked Oromis beside himself. He tiredly rubbed a hand over his face. "The extent of that magic, it must have required much research and preparation. To think that Galbatorix could think of such a thing. And you, Eragon, is that the reason why you've been acting so hostile and irrational?"
He glanced away ashamed of himself. Eragon, tell them. They aren't here to scold you, not even Queen Islanzadi. "My soul," Eragon began, "or what's left of my soul isn't strong enough to keep the spirit locked away. When I served Galbatorix he would keep the spirit at bay with his spells and enchantments but I don't know myself how to do it. Eventually my entire mind and body will succumb to him."
"These enchantments, do you know the words to them?" asked Oromis.
Eragon shook his head. "When he cast them, I'm usually to far gone to remember them. There are times in my memory that are blank and white."
"So you will die if we were to remove this spirit from your body?" Islanzadi asked.
Eragon nodded. "A body can't live with only half a heart, half a soul. If I don't find a way to subdue him then I will eventually sink into his madness and lose control of myself." He glanced towards the wall of the hut where Saphira laid next to unable to see her. "Saphira has been trying her best to keep me sane with her own soul but she can only do so much for when the spirit takes control of my body it hurts her through our connection."
They sat there, quiet and tense, the new knowledge of his condition settling over them. Oromis was beside himself, his brows furrowed and his expression a frown. No doubt he was trying to think of a way to help Eragon out of his predicament. On the other hand, Queen Islanzadi sat there with a look of deep concentration. Even they couldn't help him.
I refuse! He jumped when he heard Saphira roar in his mind. I won't let you die, Eragon. Never! We've come this far, we're finally free of Galbatorix; I'm not going to let your life end here. I don't care what I have to do or where I have to go. I'll fly the span of Alagaesia if that's what it takes to save you.
Saphira, he was moved by her declaration. I'm trying too; I don't want to die either. I won't leave you here all by yourself nor my family. I'm sure there's an answer to this. I'm positive that we can find a way if we look hard enough. Let's look for it together.
No matter what, I will save you.
He turned back to Oromis and Queen Islanzadi to find them standing. "Eragon," it was Oromis who spoke. "Islanzadi and I have thought of a way to help you but for it to work I need you to open your mind to us."
He stared at the queen wary of her presence but he was in no position of decline their offer. Doing as he was told he opened his mind to them. Oromis's presence he had grown used to but Queen Islanzadi's was alien and powerful, and all the encompassing. He stood there waiting from them to search through his mind for whatever it was the they were looking for. He didn't know how long the three of them stood rooted to their spot but Oromis spoke again, this time with his mind. Remain still Eragon and do not put up your defenses or else this will not work.
Yes, master.
He waited for them to carry out whatever it was that they'd planned. As he stood there, he felt something grip at a string in his mind and then to his surprise severed the connection. Forcing himself to keep from throwing up his barriers he remained still.
One of the chains slipped from his hand and returned to the white tomb.
As they withdrew their minds he let out a breath, spewing dark red blood onto the floor before him. "This is too dangerous of an approach," he vaguely heard Oromis say as he straightened, holding a hand to his chest to steady his heartbeat. "Another one and we can stop his heart altogether."
"What other way is there?"
"We need to wait until the Agaeti Blodhren, maybe the answer will present itself to us then." Oromis said, his voice holding a note of finality. Feeling a strong grip on his arm, he allowed him to guide Eragon to his cot and lay him down. "Rest Eragon, you will feel better in the morning."
He nodded taking his advice and closed his eyes allowing sleep to come to him despite the fact that he was asleep for two days. A soothing warmth enveloped his mind and he was glad to know that Saphira was keeping his mind safe for him. He wasn't going to lose hope.
Because there was a place that he needed to return to.
I want to read thoughts! I know that some of you have expected a rather ROAR confrontation but I wanted a quiet and slightly subdued one. (I'm selfish) Well technically because I don't have a feel for Islanzadi's and Oromis's personalities. But other than that I'm somewhat proud of this chapter though slightly insecure. I hope you've all like it! Oh, and this chapter was longer than the rest because I felt the need to indulge you readers from time to time and please don't mind the typos! I'm sure there are some!