Murtagh, Arya and Eragon looked at the person who pushed them away. It was Galbatorix. He looked angrily at Murtagh and pushed him against one stone.
"I told you to take care of her!" said Galbatorix angrily while Murtagh tried to get up "Use your magic on these two so they can't do anything!"
Before Eragon could react, Murtagh whispered something in ancient language and soon Eragon and Arya couldn't move. Eragon tried to get free, but with all shock he couldn't remember any spell that could help. Galbatorix slowly took Leonor in his arms and looked at her. She was still breathing, very slowly.
"You are the future." he said quietly and placed his hand over Leonor's wound. She looked at him in surprise. Murtagh, Eragon and Arya were also looking what is going to happen. The black light surrounded Leonor and she looked like she can't breathe. After few moments the wound was gone and Galbatorix fell down next to her. Leonor moved away from him and slowly got up, looking shocked at Galbatorix. Murtagh ran to Leonor and the spell that was holding Eragon and Arya was gone.
"Why?" Leonor asked and looked at Galbatorix.
"Your child will be the most powerful king." smiled Galbatorix, breathing fast.
"King?" asked Leonor surprised "That won't happen."
"Yes, it will. I…name you…the queen of Alagaësia." said Galbatorix as loud as he could. The battle paused for a moment and everyone looked up to see what is going on.
"Oh, come on! I don't want that! You destroy the country and leave me all…eh!" said Leonor and looked at him angrily, while Murtagh was holding her in his arms.
"Accept…you…must." said Galbatorix quietly.
"First you have to free me and Murtagh." said Leonor and looked into his dark eyes.
"Ok…" said Galbatorix and whispered something in ancient language. Leonor and Murtagh felt some strange energy.
"I accept." finally said Leonor "But just until we choose another king."
"Good…the last egg…you know." said Galbatorix "You…can…kill…me…now."
Leonor looked at him.
"Well, you're going to die anyway. I guess I should say…thanks. Even you maybe won't get what you planned." said Leonor and looked at Eragon "Come on, hero, do your job."
Eragon looked at her surprised and took Zar'roc in his hand. He got close to Galbatorix.
"Wait." said Leonor "Not with that sword. Take mine."
Eragon and Murtagh looked at her surprised and Eragon took Leonor's sword and gave her Zar'roc. Leonor looked for a second at Zar'roc. Her blood was still fresh on its blade. She closed her eyes for a moment and cleaned the sword. In few moments, Eragon raised the sword and placed its blade in Galbatorix's heart. Black energy went out as Galbatorix let out his last breath. The Varden looked happily at Eragon and some of them were already calling him hero. The soldiers of the Empire looked surprised and shocked. No one was sure what is going to happen. Then Eragon and Arya looked at Murtagh and Leonor.
"What now?" asked Eragon. It seemed like the time stopped. Everyone was quiet; soldiers and even dragons.
"Lots of things happened today." said Leonor and looked at Murtagh who still wanted to continue the war "Tomorrow. We will take decision tomorrow."
"Ok. So tomorrow when the dawn comes. Here." said Arya.
"Sure." said Leonor.
"Leonor! What are we going to do?" asked Murtagh when they were alone.
"I don't know! What should we do? We are free from Galbatorix!" said Leonor.
"The best thing to do would be defeat the Varden and make the country stronger." said Murtagh.
"What?" Leonor looked at him angrily.
"Leonor, we can't create better country with people like the Varden." he said.
"What is wrong with you? You just want war? Already enough people died today, we don't need more!" yelled Leonor.
"But what can we do then with the Varden?" he asked, almost laughing.
"Sometimes you are so stupid!" she rolled her eyes "We will make peace with them."
"Why? They would just destroy the Empire!" he looked at her eyes.
"Do I always have to explain the same thing? The war is the worst thing that can happen to the Empire at the moment! We need to fix everything that Galbatorix ruined! Do you want so much to destroy people's lives? If you think that it's ok to send people to war because you want it, then you are the worst person alive! Why do you want people to die? Why?" Leonor said angrily, not letting Murtagh to say anything "You just can't say that the Varden will ruin the Empire. We don't have anything at the moment! You don't know what will happen! You don't have right to decide about someone's fate!"
"Why do you defend them so much? Is it because of Eragon?" said Murtagh angrily.
"Because of Eragon? Why would I care about someone who almost killed me?" said Leonor and looked deep into his eyes "Did you say the truth when you told me that you love me?"
"I love you, Leonor." Murtagh whispered in ancient language.
"I love you too." Leonor said in ancient language, and they kissed.
"Maybe you are right…we should stop this." said Murtagh "I don't want to loose you."
"You finally got it!" smiled Leonor "Why you didn't tell me before that you love me?"
"Why?" he looked at her surprised.
"Well…I don't know. I was so wrong about some things. About Eragon." said Leonor.
"What about Eragon?" Murtagh looked at her.
"Well, my friend Thalia…she looked in my future…and she told me that one of Selena's sons will bring me death. At that time I thought…it was you. But actually it was Eragon." said Leonor "But that's what happens when you're not listening to your heart."
"Oh, so you had a nice opinion about me." he smiled.
"Umm, yeah. It was because of the voices and these things…" she said quietly.
"I understand. It's not weird that you thought that." he said and hugged her.
"How are you anyway? Today you weren't really perfect." she put her hand on his face.
"I'm better than usual, actually. The voices…were really strong today…I didn't expect it. But after Galbatorix died…they are weaker." he said quietly.
"Do you think it can get worse again?" she looked at him, worried.
"I don't know. We will see." he said.
"And what about you and Eragon?" asked Leonor quietly.
"Nothing." said Murtagh.
"Wait, how nothing?" asked Leonor surprised "But he is your brother."
"Tell that to him!" said Murtagh, little bit angry.
"Ok, ok!" said Leonor "You don't want to talk about it, I get it, ok!"
"Fine! Then see you tomorrow!" he said.
"Where are you going?" she asked surprised. Murtagh didn't say anything and he just left.
"Oh, great." Leonor rolled her eyes and yelled after him "You don't have to tell me!"
"Leonor, how are you?" she heard Diamond's voice in her mind.
"I'm fine. And you?" she asked.
"Fine, too. But…I was so afraid that you…" said Diamond in a sad voice.
"Hey…I'm still alive and that's the only thing that matters. I thought that was the end and I felt so bad for not telling you how much I love you. But I realized that I will never be able to tell you that because I love you so much that words can't describe." she said and a tear fell down her face.
"Oh…same here…but we won't cry now. What will happen now?" said Diamond, holding back the tears.
"We will stop the war." said Leonor.
"And what about you and Murtagh? I heard that you finally told him the truth about your feelings." said Diamond.
"I don't know. We love each other but…I feel him so far from me at the moment." said Leonor "I'm not sure can we stay together. Maybe Galbatorix's wish should never come true."
"Galbatorix saved your life because of that child." said Diamond.
"Yes…but he didn't know that we were using spells so that doesn't happen." said Leonor.
"So what are we going to do after the war is over? Galbatorix said you are the new queen." said Diamond.
"First, we will enjoy in our freedom. Second, maybe I am the queen now…but the queen has to take care of many jobs and things…and it's too much. Of course, it was easy for me to be a queen for less than 100 people but for thousands…and half destroyed land…no. I have a better idea." said Leonor and smiled.
"What idea?" asked Diamond surprised.
"You will find out soon!" smiled Leonor.
The next morning came fast. Leonor didn't know where Murtagh was but he came back on time. They went to the place where Eragon and Arya were waiting. The Varden and the army of the Empire were standing under the mountain. They were nervous because now they were standing together and after few minutes they could be back to fighting.
"Hey." said Leonor and looked at Arya.
"This is between me and the queen of the Empire." said Arya and looked at Eragon and Murtagh. They looked surprised at her, especially Eragon because he didn't know what decision Leonor took. But then they both left alone Arya and Leonor.
"So…Leonor, queen of the Empire…tell me your decision." said Arya and looked deep into Leonor's eyes. She looked perfectly calm and ready for any decision Leonor made.
"The war is over, Arya…leader of the Varden…and as a queen of the Empire, I invite your people to come to live with us. We can create a new Empire together." said Leonor. Finally she felt so important because she was the one to say such a big thing. It felt good.
"Good." said Arya "I accept your offer."
Then Leonor and Arya appeared in front of the people. They both smiled and told to the people what decisions they made. Of course, a big smile appeared on people's faces. Everyone was happy to hear it.
"I have another important thing to say." suddenly said Leonor and everyone was quiet, waiting for what she will say. Leonor felt little bit nervous and took a deep breath.
"Eragon, please come." she looked at Eragon, and he surprised came close to her. She looked at him and smiled.
"Eragon…you are the new king of Alagaësia!" said Leonor, very loud so everyone could hear her. Eragon looked at her little bit shocked. Actually everyone seemed shocked, including Arya. Murtagh looked surprised at Leonor.
"That means I'm not the queen anymore…I hope you will be a good king, if not…" Leonor smiled.
"Thanks, Leonor." said Eragon and hugged her.
"I'm sorry for trying to kill you…" he whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry." she said quietly.
After that, people went happily to spread the news in whole Alagaësia. Leonor was now in the woods, enjoying in the peace of nature. Suddenly she saw Murtagh getting closer to her.
"Why did you do that?" he looked at her.
"Because I wanted to do it." she smiled.
"Yeah, but why?" he asked.
"Don't you understand? Alagaësia is in problems…and I don't feel like dealing with that. There are too many things to do. And I believe Eragon will take care of all." said Leonor.
"Oh, ok." he finally said and took Zar'roc in his hand and gave it to Leonor. She looked at him surprised.
"What are you doing?" she asked surprised.
"I'm leaving." he said in a cold voice.
"What? Where?" she asked, shocked.
"I don't know. Somewhere away from here. I need to…think about some things. I will come back." he said and kissed her. She moved away from him.
"If you think I will wait for you forever…forget it!" she said and looked at him angrily.
He didn't say anything just looked at her and started to walk away.
"Murtagh!" called Leonor and he turned around. In that moment Zar'roc flew next to his head and stuck in one tree. He looked at her surprised.
"I don't need your sword." she said in a cold voice. Then he took Zar'roc back and left. Leonor looked after him, sad and angry in the same time.
"This is not over yet." she said to herself and looked at the sky.