Chapter 12: To Ellesméra

The next day, Eragon approached Link with Saphira standing over him. Eragon was known to be a Rider, so people could see his dragon. Link wanted that status so he could be with Vanilor all the time.

"Link, I am leaving," said Eragon. Link's eyes widened. He didn't expect this. "I have yet unfinished business in Ellesméra."

Link nodded. He remembered Nasuada saying something about that.

"I want you to come with me," said Eragon. This caught Link by surprise. "Did Nasuada ever tell you why I left for Ellesméra?"

"I don't remember her saying anything," said Link.

"I went with Arya and Orik to Ellesméra to undergo my Dragon Rider training. I can understand why this would puzzle you. You see, there is a Rider who remains to this day. He goes by many names: Togira Ikonoka, Osthato Chetowä, The Cripple Who is Whole, the Mourning Sage, or his real name, Oromis. He is the last surviving Rider from the time before Galbatorix. He and his gold dragon, Glaedr, would be pleased by your presence."

"Are you sure?" Link asked. "I mean, isn't he already training you?"

"My training is nearly complete," said Eragon. "I need only stay there for a brief while. You, on the other hand, have the entire training regimen to undertake."

Link told Vanilor of the whole conversation while Eragon waited patiently.

I think it is a good idea, said Vanilor. We have an obligation to Nasuada, but I'm sure she knows that every Rider must go through this training.

You're right, said Link.

"Okay," said Link. "We'll come with you." Eragon smiled widely.

"Excellent!" he said. "When can you leave? We planned on leaving first thing in the morning, but we can wait."

"No, that would be great. I just need to let Nasuada know," he said.

"I already told her," said Eragon.

"How did you know I'd say yes?" Link asked.

"I had a hunch," said Eragon with a wink.

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Early the next morning, Link packed up his belongings and put them on his back, headed for Vanilor's courtyard.

Vanilor, I'm coming, said Link.

He found that along with Vanilor, Eragon, Saphira, Roran, and Katrina waited for him as well. Vanilor and Saphira were conversing while Eragon, Roran, and Katrina were having their own conversation. Vanilor and Saphira instantly perked up when he arrived, having already known he was coming, but it took a minute for Eragon and the others to realize he was there.

"Link!" said Eragon. "Glad you could make it."

"Good to see everyone," said Link with a nod. Link said quick goodbyes to Roran and Katrina before climbing on Vanilor's saddle. Eragon took a little longer to say goodbye, and then got on Saphira's saddle.

It was not long before they were off into the air, headed northeast for Ellesméra, the elf capital city.

"Will Arya be there?" Link asked.

"I suspect so," said Eragon. "Have you met her?"

Link grunted. "Briefly."

Eragon laughed at Link's tone. "I trust it wasn't a pleasant meeting?"

"Let's just say we didn't become instant friends," Link replied.

"Don't worry about her," said Eragon. "She may seem rude, but once you get to know her I'm sure you'll like her."

"We'll see about that," Link mumbled.

After their short conversation it was silent for almost the whole day. There were a few small tidbits of chat here and there, but nothing that was long enough to be called a discussion.

After the sunset, they lowered down to the ground, right on the outskirts of Petrøvya, just past Lake Tüdosten. Link then gathered firewood while Eragon set up camp. It was a brief setup, and they were soon lying on their bedrolls across from each other, their dragons behind them. Link could tell Vanilor and Saphira were talking. He was curious to know what they always talked about.

"This is a beautiful lake," said Link.

"I've never had the chance to see it during the day time," said Eragon.

"I saw it on my way to Helgrind to get you," said Link. "Alagaësia has a gorgeous countryside. It reminds me very much of Hyrule."

Link looked longingly into the distance, remembering his home country. He remembered the Zora River, Lake Hylia, and Hyrule Field in all their beauty. It was a few minutes before he realized he had drifted off.

"You miss your home country?" said Eragon. Link nodded.

"Don't worry," said Eragon. "Once you've helped us defeat Galbatorix, you can go back home. Just don't forget to come back and visit."

"I wouldn't dream of it," said Link. "I'm beginning to like Alagaësia. The people, not the government."

"I agree," said Eragon. "The Empire is terrible, and the inner workings of the Varden are corrupt, the Council and Du Vrangr Gata being the worst of them all. I try to spend as little time around them as possible. But of the two, the Varden would be the best choice to pledge your allegiance to."

"I already have, in a sense," said Link.

"In a sense?" Eragon asked.

Link looked at him. "I swore fealty, but not the Varden. I swore to Nasuada herself. Vanilor and I thought that a wise idea; we thought it was a good decision that you had made, so we decided to follow suit. I don't think the Council even knows of it yet."

"The Council doesn't know we're gone," said Eragon. "Only Nasuada and Jörmundur know that, besides Roran and Katrina and the rest of the villagers of Carvahall. Once the Council finds out we've left, there'll be hell to pay."

"But we'll be far out of their reach, and they can't touch us," Link said. There was a brief silence before he spoke again. "It will be difficult, however, to keep loyal to Nasuada and King Harkinian in Hyrule at the same time."

"You mean you are a vassal of Hyrule's king as well?" said Eragon.

Link nodded. "After I defeated Ganondorf, I swore fealty to King Harkinian and Hyrule. Hyrule is different than the Varden in its government structure. It is more similar to the Empire in the sense that there is a single ruler, albeit a just one. King Harkinian trusts his people, and they trust him. Since Ganondorf's defeat, there have been no wars or contentions among our people."

"It sounds much more peaceful than here," said Eragon. "This war needs to end. We've been at it for a hundred years."

"We will end it," Link reminded Eragon. "You and I, together. Galbatorix and Murtagh will fall—"

"Not Murtagh," said Eragon. "While he is a traitor, he is still my brother. There has to be a way to free him."

"Couldn't we just kill Galbatorix?" said Link.

"Yes," said Eragon, "but it would be tricky, because Murtagh will always be near Galbatorix, and he will protect him. Somehow, one of us will have to hold Murtagh off while the other goes for Galbatorix."

"And in order to do that, we'll both have to be at our best," said Link. Eragon nodded.

"That's why we need to do this training," said Eragon. "Even with my new elven powers, I am as of now no match for Murtagh. Galbatorix taught him things that only he knows. He was able to hold Saphira in the air with magic without even flinching with exertion. It seems impossible, but somehow he's found a way to have a limitless use of magic."

It was silent after that. Link pondered on the possibilities. How could Murtagh use magic in such a fashion? It was truly puzzling to him. It was not much longer before Link nodded off into dreams of Hyrule's fertile countryside, riding Vanilor through its azure skies.

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A/N: Sorry it's been a while since I've updated. I've been busy with my Christmas present: a new set of drums. I'll try to update sooner next time.