Chapter 19: Unconquerable Fate

"Edoc'sil," said Link, reading the inscription on the hilt of the green Rider sword. Edoc'sil translated from the ancient language meant unconquerable.

"Wyrda," said Eragon. Wyrda meant fate.

"How do you think these got under the Menoa tree?" Link asked, puzzled.

"There's only one person who could have done it," said Eragon. "I'll take you to meet her now."

Surprised, Link climbed out of bed, still clutching Edoc'sil in his hand. He followed Eragon through an empty Ellesméra into a particularly exotic building. There was an indoor garden and paths that led through it. There was a dwelling in the center of the garden, and Eragon headed straight for it. Link followed him.

There was an elven woman who was bent over an anvil and was hammering something. It looked to be a halberd.

"Rhünon!" Eragon cried. The elven woman turned around. Her face instantly turned pale. Eragon headed for her, and she retreated.

"Come back here!" he shouted. She scurried into a bedroom. The door was locked before Eragon could get to it. "Rhünon, I only want to ask you about those swords you forged! Why did you do it?"

"Go away!" she cried. "I haven't forged a Rider sword since Zar'roc!"

Link was puzzled. He didn't quite know what was going on.

"Who is that?" Link asked Eragon.

"She's the only known person who can forge a Rider sword. Since the Riders were defeated and she was the one who forged my old sword, which is also my father's sword, Zar'roc, she refused to forge a Rider sword again. She felt that it was her fault that Morzan and Galbatorix betrayed the Riders, and that Galbatorix became king," Eragon explained.

Link nodded, understanding now. It was a while before they could get Rhünon to speak. Every time Eragon questioned her, there was no answer. Eragon slumped against her door, defeated.

It was late, and they were both tired.

"Maybe we should just go back to sleep," said Link with a yawn.

"We'll come back tomorrow," Eragon agreed. They shuffled out of Rhünon's forgery and headed for their separate suites, eyes half closed. Link crawled into his bed, asleep before his head hit the pillow.

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The following morning, they had training with Oromis first thing, so they couldn't go to see Rhünon. Link and Eragon both decided it would be a good idea to bring their Rider swords. Since Link refused to part with the Master Sword, he belted the Master Sword on his back and Edoc'sil to his belt.

"That's a good look for you," said Eragon. Link thanked him for the compliment and they both left their suites for the gorge.

When they arrived on the backs of Vanilor and Saphira, they were surprised to see that neither Glaedr nor Oromis were anywhere to be seen.

"Are we early?" Eragon asked, puzzled. Link shrugged, equally mystified. It was a while before there was any hint of Oromis or Glaedr's presence.

Link heard the flapping of wings and looked to the east. There, he saw Glaedr majestically flying over the trees, well beneath the edge of the gorge so as to not be seen by the residents of Du Weldenvarden.

When Glaedr landed, Oromis dismounted. The first things that caught his eye were the two new swords belted on the Riders before him.

"I see Rhünon's finally given in," said Oromis with a slight smirk.

"You knew of this?" Eragon asked, bewildered, a hand on the hilt of Wyrda.

"I knew that Rhünon, being the person she is, would not be able to contain herself once she knew that the Riders had returned," said Oromis. "I am curious, however, as to how she knew of your existence, Link."

"Your guess is as good as mine," said Link.

"It's truly a mystery," said Oromis. "I imagine you went and spoke to her."

"Yes, we did," said Eragon. "We couldn't get anything out of her."

"Try again today," said Oromis. "I'm sure you'll find out how she knew about Link.

"Now, to business. Eragon, today is your final lesson," said Oromis. This caught Eragon by surprise.

"Truly, Ebrithil?" Eragon asked. Ebrithil translated meant Master.

"Indeed. My help cannot improve your skills any more. If only I were able to perform complex spells, it would.

"Link, you get the day off today. Eragon's final test is to be taken alone, and I need Glaedr's help to give it to him. You and Vanilor are free to leave."

"Thank you, Ebrithil," said Link. He turned to Vanilor and climbed on his back.

Are we going to see Rhünon? Vanilor asked.

No, said Link. We need to wait for Eragon for that. I actually don't know what we're going to do.

How about we go to the sparring field? That is where Eragon used to fight Vanir, said Vanilor.

You're right, said Link. Let's pay a visit.

Vanilor swooped over to the right, in the general direction of the Ellesméra training grounds. It wasn't long before they were out of the gorge, and from there it only took about a minute to arrive at their destination.

Link thought it would be rude to land right in the middle of all the training elves, so he told Vanilor to land farther off so they could walk in together.

The sparring field was spectacular in Link's view. It reminded him tremendously of the sparring grounds in Hyrule Castle back home. There were elves sparring with training swords and others with real weapons.

The sound of weapons clashing slowly died down as Link walked deeper into the sparring field. They all stared at him, though not all in the same manner. Some stared wonderingly, jealously, in awe, and skeptically.

It was a while before any spoke. The first elf to speak was beyond Link's vision.

"A second Rider has come to our aid!" he cried.

"Hail Argetlam!"

It was quite a spectacle. Elves came to shake his hand, to honor his dragon.

I like this, said Vanilor.

I do too, Link agreed. He was used to publicity, being the Hero of Time, but it was never this serious. These people were in desperate need of a savior.

"Another great Rider," said a cocky voice. There was a steady clapping and Link looked toward the source of the sound.

There was an elf walking toward him. He recognized him immediately. Eragon had pointed him out on his first day here. It was Vanir.

"I do hope that you are more prepared to face Galbatorix than Shadeslayer was when he got here," he said cynically.

"Believe me, I am," said Link coldly.

"This one's feisty," said Vanir, his expression unchanged. "I trust you wouldn't mind a simple spar then? You did come here to the sparring field, after all. It's called that for a reason."

"Who are you to try to test my skills?" said Link. "I can guarantee I am more skilled than Eragon was the first time you fought him. He did end up beating you, correct?"

Vanir's cocky smile evaporated and changed to a scowl. He didn't say anything, and Link smirked when he had nothing to say.

"I'll accept your challenge," said Link. He was the one with the cocky smile now.

"You'll regret this, Rider," said Vanir, drawing his blade.

Link drew the Master Sword with his left hand from his back and Edoc'sil with his right hand from his belt.

"We'll just have to see now, won't we?"

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A/N: Wasn't that great? More about the origin of Edoc'sil and Wyrda will be revealed in the next chapter. R&R please! Sorry for the late update.