Okay so i desperately tried to get this out yesterday (03/20/07) because that was the day Eragon came out on DVD, which by the way got my muse, who was curently thinking about 24 or Covenant or some other fanfiction that i havent updated in a while, btw it got my muse to think about Eragon so i was happy.
italic words are telapathic (sp?) conversations
Now on to the next chapter... Chapter 5: Hand-to-Hand
They stopped for the night in a clearing in the trees about twenty leagues from Teirm. Saphira and Xavier were in the clearing when Eragon, Brom, and Rowan came riding up. Eragon jumped off of Cadoc and helped Rowan down from Darkness.
"Oh Eragon would you help me off my horse too?" Brom asked his voice full of mockery.
Eragon glared at Brom. "Shut up Brom you can get down yourself." Eragon growled.
"I bet Rowan can get down by herself too but that didn't stop you from helping her." Brom muttered. He jumped off Snowfire by himself and started to pull his pack off the horse's back.
"Thank you," Rowan whispered into Eragon's ear; she kissed him on the cheek and began pulling her own pack from Darkness's back.
Rowan you are aware that this is the part in the book that Eragon rides Saphira for the second time and sees through her eyes? Xavier's voice sounded in Rowan's mind
Shit, Rowan hit herself on the head. Eragon looked at her confused. She smiled at him, "Sorry just thinking to myself." How the hell are we going to manage getting him back on Saphira? She was the one that insisted that he ride her for a wile.
You could always ask her. You are changing the book up a bit more than you should be, Xavier answered.
Yeah I don't feel bad enough already thanks Xavier. Rowan glared at her dragon. She turned to Saphira smiling sweetly. Saphira don't you think it is a good idea that Eragon should be riding you more? I mean he is your rider and back then the riders rode their dragons a lot more.
I think you have a point there Rowan. Saphira turned to look at Eragon, Eragon I think that you should be riding me. I think that you need the practice.
Eragon looked confused what had brought this thought to Saphira. Ummm I don't know if that is a good idea. I mean what if Brom needs me to help him?
All the more reason for you to be with me. If something were to happen then you would be safe with me. Saphira insisted.
Brom looked at Eragon. "What is she saying?"
"She wants me to ride her more often. She says that if something were to happen then it would be better if I was with her," Eragon stated aloud.
"Xavier agrees with Saphira. He thinks because we are in more danger on the ground and we should be together in the air," Rowan put in.
Butt out of this girl, Brom thought. Rowan heard it loud and clear in her mind. Her hands balled into fists. Xavier noticed and swished his tail around her stopping her from hitting Brom.
Brom you think this is a good idea and you will not go against it, Rowan forced into Brom's mind.
Brom smiled, "Actually I think it is a brilliant idea. I don't know why I didn't think about it myself. You two should be riding your dragons. God knows that you will be riding them in any battle that would take place."
"What if something were to happen down on the ground and you needed our help?" Eragon asked. He didn't particularly want to ride Saphira again for the last time didn't go as well as he had hoped.
"You have a saddle now. Your legs wont get all cut up like they did the last time." Brom said. Then he looked at Rowan. "I am sorry to say that you don't have a saddle. Maybe you and Eragon can switch off days of flying."
No! Rowan screamed in her head "No I will be fine." Rowan smiled. There was no way that she was going to be on the ground while Eragon was in the air.
Eragon looked at Rowan, "Are you sure I mean I wouldn't mind switching off days."
"Yeah positive. I mean bare back is better anyway right?" Rowan smiled. No she was not going to be on the ground with Brom while Eragon was in the air with Xavier and Saphira.
"Well with that settled Eragon Rowan your swords out and I believe you two need to practice." Brom said. "Wait Rowan bring your sword to me I want to see if that villager was correct in his thinking of this sword."
Rowan was hesitant about it but then brought the sword to Brom. He looked it over and then said, "Yes this is the first rider Eragon's sword, they would call it Aiedail or morning star."
"Are you serious? I don't think I should be the one to hold it then, I mean Eragon is more of a Rider than I am." Rowan accepted the sword that Brom offered back to her.
"No I have Zar'roc. I think that you should keep it for now." Eragon put his hands up as Rowan turned toward him. "It came to you for a reason, you should keep it."
"Well the swords aren't going to swing themselves at each other. Eragon Rowan into fighting stance." Eragon pulled Zar'roc out of its sheath and got into a fighting stance. Rowan did the same on the other side of the clearing. "Hold up the spell so you don't cut each other up." The two riders whispered the spell twice and then got back into the fighting stance.
"Are you ready to lose this time Rowan?" Eragon asked cockily. "Because I am just warning you right now you will lose."
Rowan smiled, "Sure you will Erry." Rowan laughed.
Eragon frowned at the nickname, "Erry? Couldn't you have come up with something better than that Roe?"
"Oh come on you know you love it Erry." Rowan teased. "Now lets stop talking so I can whoop your butt at sword play." Rowan flipped her new sword up into the air and caught it with perfection. "Ready to lose?"
Eragon smiled. Brom looked from one rider to the other, this was defiantly going to be entertaining. "Okay you two. Start."
Eragon immediately lunged at Rowan with Zar'roc pointed strait at her heart. Rowan merely moved Aiedail's blade in the way blocking the move with ease. She brought the blade around and hit Eragon in the thigh. Eragon backed off and they began circling each other. Seconds later there was a blur of metal hitting, blocking, twisting and turning. Brom could barely make out which rider was which; only by Zar'roc's crimson blade did he know which was Eragon.
This ended just as suddenly as it began. Eragon was on the ground and Rowan was on top of him with Aiedail pointed at his heart. Zar'roc lay useless behind Rowan out of reach of Eragon. "Good Rowan. Very good. At it again please."
"Brom can we try hand-to-hand? I mean there is a very good chance that we may have to fight without swords so wouldn't it be better if we know what we are doing?" Rowan asked logically.
Brom glared, "Dragon Riders have never had use of hand-to-hand thus far. I don't think it is a good idea."
"But come on, think about it this way, Eragon loses his sword in a fight with another rider wouldn't it be good if he knew how to defend himself with out the use of a blade or magic?" Rowan argued.
"Galbatorix is the only other rider, unless you are saying that you will be turning against Eragon." Brom's eyes flashed.
"Well I mean, you can only be so prepared." Rowan flashed an uneasy smile. "Come on it isn't like we have anything better to do. I am here and I know hand-to-hand, I can teach him."
"I don't think this is a good idea what if one of you gets hurt?" Brom asked.
"That is what magic is for. And besides that one can ride on their dragon until they are healed." Rowan smiled genuinely. If he doesn't agree soon I will have to do it my way and make him agree. Rowan thought to herself.
Roe I don't think that is a good idea. You shouldn't force your ideas into someone else's head. Xavier's voice flooded into Rowan's head.
You like that nickname? Well at least it isn't as bad as some of the other nickname's I have been given! Rowan thought. And why shouldn't I. I mean come on don't you think it is a good idea that we should practice hand-to-hand? Rowan asked.
I am not going to get between you humans. You will have to deal with this on your own. Xavier lied his head down on his forepaws.
"Thanks for the help Xavier," Rowan said aloud. "Look Brom come on. It will strengthen us even more, it will make us flexible and nimble where using a sword will come easier." Rowan turned back to Brom.
"And how do you know such things. You are what sixteen seventeen maybe. You talk like you are all knowledgeable." Brom sneered.
"Brom, I have already told you. My dad was my village's protector, he taught all of us young ones the way of the sword, hand-to-hand, and how to use a bow," Rowan sighed. Eragon help me out here please Rowan thought to Eragon.
Brom was still frowning. "Brom, come on it wouldn't hurt to learn some hand-to-hand now would it? I think that Rowan has got a point there on the easier sword fighting thing."
Brom looked from Eragon to Rowan, "Were did your father learn all of his trades?"
Rowan hesitated, her father had learned them from his instructor but she couldn't say that. "My father learned from his, who learned from my great-grandfather, and so on all the way back to one that was an assistant to the Dragon Riders, or maybe was a Dragon Rider himself I don't remember," Rowan lied.
"Dragon Rider's never used hand-to-hand combat. They had no use for it. People saw the dragons and did as the rider told them to," Brom countered. "I think you are lying to me."
Rowan flashed Brom a glared that would have scared the hell out of a normal person. Fine we will do it my way. Rowan grumbled in her head.
Rowan, Xavier warned.
Oh hush. Rowan glanced at her dragon that just sat still. Brom you will stop arguing with me. Rowan forced into Brom's thoughts.
Brom looked like he was about to comment at Rowan's glare but then closed his mouth. His eyes went wide. "Okay but if either of you get hurt I am not helping you at all."
"Deal." Rowan smiled brightly. "Okay Eragon now listen up cause I am not going to repeat anything I say."
"I am sorry I was talking to Saphira at that second would you please reiterate what you said. This time I will pay attention," Eragon asked innocently.
Rowan opened her mouth to retell Eragon what she said when she heard Brom laughing. She made a funny face at Eragon sticking out her tongue out at him. "Very funny Erry."
Eragon grimaced at the nickname. "Hey Brom can you make dinner while Roey and I train?"
Rowan smiled at his nickname. That wasn't even close to the ones her friends called her. "Yeah could you?" Rowan looked at Brom kindly.
Brom threw up his hands in defeat, "Fine I will make dinner while you two learn the useless art of hand-to-hand combat."
Rowan frowned. She walked over to Brom holding out her hand. "Thanks Brom." Brom inspected her hand like it could be a snake ready to bite him. Then he decided it wasn't and shook it. As soon as Rowan had his hand in hers she flipped him over her leg. "You see if you had known hand-to-hand combat you would have been able to prevent that from happening." Rowan smiled down at him.
Brom scowled as Rowan made her way back to Eragon. "If we had left you on that road were we found you then I wouldn't have to know it anyway." Brom muttered to himself as he started to make dinner.
Rowan taught Eragon the ways to block himself from any attacker that came from any way. Eragon picked up on everything very quickly. She then taught him ways to attack with smarts, high then switch low at the last second, come from one side and then immediately attack from the other. By the time Brom called them for dinner both had worked up a sweat and an appetite.
"You did very well for your first go Eragon." Rowan complemented. "With more practice you will be good enough to have a fighting chance against me." Rowan smiled.
"And you don't think that I have a fighting chance now?" Eragon looked over at her.
"No. I have been training longer at this than you have. You'd be on your butt before you knew it." Rowan laughed.
"Oh really Roey?" Eragon's eyebrow rose. "Do you really think so?" Rowan nodded as she ate some of the meat that Brom had cooked. "Well after dinner then I think you and I should spar."
Rowan almost choked on her piece of meat from laughing so hard. "You want to fight me, without blades?"
Eragon nodded, "You afraid I might beat you?" he asked.
Rowan laughed ever the more. "Like that would ever happen. But okay no blades nothing, just your two hands and two feet."
"Yes." Eragon agreed.
They ate quickly barely able to wait at the night's festivities. Eragon was finished first urging Rowan to eat faster. Rowan just smiled at the boy and continued to eat at her slow pace.
When she was finally done she got up and dusted her hands off. "Okay I am ready." She looked at Eragon, who nodded and got in a fighting stance. Rowan smiled there was no way he was going to win. He was good but she had started karate at the age of three and was almost a black belt. Had Eragon lived in her time and world he may have been a green belt but not much better.
Rowan stood and stared at him, she waved him to come at her. Eragon charged ready to punch. Rowan grabbed his arm and flipped him on his back putting her foot on his stomach showing that she had won. "Now what were you saying?"
Eragon grabbed her foot and twisted it around. Rowan was ready for this she jumped off her other foot doing a back flip giving Eragon no choice but to let her foot go. "You want to try this again?" Rowan smiled down at him. She put her hand out ready if he was going to pull her down. He gasped her hand pulling himself to his feet. Then he twisted his foot ever so slightly wrapping it around Rowan's outstretched leg and knocking her down to the ground. Rowan's smile grew. She jumped up quickly, "Yes that was great. I was expecting that you were going to try to pull me down. I never thought you would take my leg out from under me. Great job Eragon!" Rowan clapped loudly. She gave him a big hug. "You are learning faster than I thought. But now I am tired and I think we should go to sleep."
Eragon nodded, he was exhausted from his hand-to-hand fight and his sword fighting. He couldn't wait to go to sleep. "So are you going to wake me tomorrow so that we can practice in the morning or do I have to walk in on you again?" Eragon smiled.
"I don't know I haven't decided yet. I liked how the last one ended this morning." Rowan laughed.
"Did you now?" Eragon leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. "You mean that part?"
Rowan smiled even more, "Yeah that part was really nice. But I am so tired now I think I am going to pass out."
Eragon smiled down at Rowan. "Get some rest. You may need to be fresh and well rested for tomorrow."
Rowan looked up to him, "Yeah your right well goodnight." She turned on her heals and started walking over to Xavier who lay on the opposite side of the clearing from Saphira.
"Not so fast." Eragon grabbed her arm like she had wanted him to. "Don't I get a goodnight kiss?" He turned her to face him.
"You know had I wanted to I could have flipped you on your back just then." Rowan whispered into his ear. She kissed him lightly on the cheek and turned away from him again.
"Now what is the fun of that?" Eragon walked up behind her kissing her lightly on the neck. "You knew what I meant by a goodnight kiss." Rowan turned toward him kissing him lightly on the lips. Eragon wrapped his arms around her waits. "Brom is probably looking at us." Rowan said in between kisses.
"Let him look." Eragon smiled against her lips. "He has no right to tell us what to do."
"Goodnight Eragon." Rowan smiled as she broke their kiss. "I will wake you up tomorrow and we can practice bright and early." She unwrapped his arms from around her.
Eragon held both of her hands in his. "Goodnight Rowan." He kissed her left hand and then her right.
Rowan blushed and walked over to were Xavier lay. You look like you were having fun. Xavier spoke lazily.
Yeah well we were having fun. Rowan answered. Eragon was by far the best kisser she had ever kissed. Not even her ex-boyfriend Jonathan, who at the time she thought was a great kisser, could hold his own compared to Eragon.
You are changing his destiny Rowan. You really shouldn't fool with his emotions like that. I mean you will have to leave some day because you aren't of this world and when you leave he will be heartbroken, Xavier explained logically.
Unless I don't leave. I mean what if I can never find a way out of Alagaesia, not that I would want to. Rowan thought back. I want to stay here. Besides if I leave what is going to happen to you? You will be without a Rider.
Good point. But you will have to leave eventually. You can't just stay here, what of your family? Wont they miss you? Xavier asked.
Rowan thought about this. Her family rarely ever noticed she was there in the first place, with her mom traveling all the time and her dad being the big shot lawyer that he had become after he gave up his karate club. They would never notice she was gone. No I don't think so. I mean they rarely notice I am there anyway so why should they care if I am gone? Rowan sighed; she pulled out her bed role and set it down by Xavier. Can I just go to bed in peace now or would you like to ask me more questions?
Xavier huffed annoyed; Well excuse me for caring about your other life. You can go to sleep now but tomorrow when we are flying we will talk more.
Deal; just let me get some shuteye. Rowan lied down in her bed role already half asleep when Eragon said goodnight to her and Brom. She didn't even respond she just fell into a deep sleep.
Reviews!!!
DaRkSxXWiiFEyYX3: blushes well i am glad that you like my story. it is always fun to hear that people love to read what i have writen!! lol hope you like this chapter as well.
EJCHJ: thanks i am trying to keep it as close to the book as i can even with my new character.
Karin: Thank you. i liked it too. oh yeah i love reading stories. if anyone has a story they would like to be read PM me and i will read it and review if i have time.
katie: blushes oops i changed it now thank you. i am soo sorry i felt really stupid after i read that review but thank you for pointing it out to me.
Alanna-Of-Tortall-LadyLBlack: Thank you. i am glad you like it. So off subject but i like your name!!! i love Tamora Pierce's books exp the Song of the Lioness Quartet. lol
snakesarentevil: thank you for helping make my story better. like i said above i felt really stupid after that and i forgot to change it. it is now changed tho and the horse's name is Darkness instead of Midnight because i thought that was more or a mare's name. But thanks again.
Secret: thank you yes i will update but you have to remember i have other stories that are being required to be updated and a muse that likes to change her mind about giving me ideas!!!! (would this happen to be secret from founders??? jsut asking if it isnt then forget i asked.)
Nijigasumi: thank you i think that i will keep going.
So now you have read please review and (for those who dont read the individual notes) if you have a fanfiction you would like me to read i will (if i have read the book or seen the movie/tv show) just tell me the name and i will try to check it out. Reviewplease