A/N: hi, sorry about the wait. I have been really, really busy, and the computer had a virus. You are lucky to have a chapter even now. Please forgive me and I will try to get the next chapter up sooner.

Disclaimer: as much as I would like to I do not own the inheritance trilogy or any of the characters in it.

I would like to thank all who reviewed for the last chapter; I couldn't have done it without you – wipes away a tear-.

Ch.21. Chapter 20

"Where are we going," Arya asked Eragon from where she sat on Saphira.

"The Menoa Tree," he replied anxiously, turning his head to face her.

"Why are we going there?' Arya asked. "There are many places in the city you haven't been yet. If you wanted, I could show you somewhere new."

"Maybe another day. Right now, I have to go to the Menoa tree. There is something that I must do there."

"What do you need to do?" Arya asked, unaware of how much she was asking.

"Uhh," Eragon looked around uncertainly. "Should I tell her?" he asked Saphira.

"It is up to you. But if you do, do not tell her everything."

"I can't tell you yet. But if I am right, you will find out soon enough."

Arya scowled but nodded. He was determined. He would not tell her anything until he was ready.

Saphira landed gracefully on one of the largest branches of the great tree, clinging to it with her claws as if she were a giant bird. The branch supported her weight, though just barely, creaking slightly from the strain.

Eragon jumped down from Saphira's back, landing on the roots below with elven grace. Arya followed behind him, landing lightly with her dragon in her arms.

Arya put the dragon down and they watched as it cautiously sniffed the roots, before staring at the tree trunk with wide eyes.

"It can sense the tree's power," Eragon said. "Amazing, dragons possess such great powers, even at such a young age."

"They truly are remarkable creatures," Arya agreed, watching the amethyst dragon with wonder.

Eragon removed his eyes from the dragon and began to walk around the perimeter of the Menoa tree.

"Where are you going?" Arya called at his retreating figure.

"To find something," Eragon called back without turning his head.

Eragon walked slowly around the tree, looking for something, anything to help him find the weapon of Solembum's prophecy.

Eragon returned to Saphira and Arya, annoyance written on his face.

"'When the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the roots of the Menoa tree.' That is what Solembum said, yet I see nothing that could give me a clue as to where I should look. This has got to be when Solembum meant, for I need a sword now." Eragon fumed. "How am I supposed to find the weapon?"

"Calm down, Eragon. Did you try opening your mind, trying to sense the weapon? It may have a powerful aura like Zar'roc did."

"I'll try that," Eragon muttered, annoyed he hadn't thought of it. He had been in too much of a hurry.

Eragon began to circle the tree once more, opening his mind so he could sense the tree's power, and the power of the things around it.

Then he felt a strong power that did not belong to the tree. "Saphira, get over here. I think I've found it."

Without waiting for Saphira, Eragon began to weave through the roots towards the soft soil below. As soon as he reached the ground, he began digging into the soil with his bare hands.

Suddenly, Eragon heard a soft grating noise and the ground bellow him gave way. Eragon cursed as he hit the hard ground below.

Eragon stood slowly and looked around, trying to pick up anything in the darkness.

"Eragon," he heard Arya yell. "Are you alright, I heard a crash."

"I'm fine." Eragon called back. "Garjzla," Eragon whispered. A small glowing orb appeared over Eragon's hand lighting up the entire area.

Eragon looked around and confirmed what he already knew. He was below the great tree. He could see the roots weaving above him, blocking out all traces of sunlight.

He saw a blue glint to his left and walked towards it. When he got close enough, he saw what it was. A sword, resting in an iridescent blue sheath, shining against the dull brown of the soil.

Eragon unsheathed the sapphire sword and looked it over. It was the most beautiful sword he had ever seen. It was clearly a rider's sword. It was perfect, crafted with the same skill as Zar'roc. The blade was sapphire blue, sparkling in the light. The hilt of the sword was silver, untarnished by the years, decades for all he knew, it had spent below ground. In the centre of the hilt rested a sapphire the size of an egg, and above and on the sides of the sapphire were three small diamonds.

Eragon ran his finger over the symbol that was etched into the sapphire. "Edoc'sil," he murmured. "Unconquerable."

The sword deserved the name. It was the most powerful weapon he had ever touched. It held more power than Zar'roc.

Eragon climbed from the hole, Edoc'sil held tightly in his hand. Then he slowly walked to where Arya and Saphira waited, examining the sword in the sunlight. The blade of the sword seemed to glow in the sun's light.

Arya turned to him as he came up behind her. "Where were y-" Arya didn't finish her sentence because she saw the sword that lay in Eragon's hands. "Edoc'sil," she whispered standing before him. She hadn't seen the sword in decades, but she recognised it instantly.

Eragon nodded.

"Where did you find it? This sword has been missing for almost a hundred years."

"I found it under the Menoa tree, just as I was told. What do you mean by missing?"

"This sword, don't you know who it belonged to?"

Eragon shook his head; all he knew was Solembum's prophecy.

"Edoc'sil belonged to Brom."

"Brom's sword," Eragon whispered.

Saphira came forward and nudged the sword with her snout. "This sword holds great power little one. I can sense Brom's power within it. It will serve us well."

"How did you find it, Eragon? I know it wasn't an accident. You knew where to look. Who told you where it was?" Arya then realised something else. "This is what you asked me about when I first showed you the Menoa tree?" Arya asked, though it wasn't really a question.

Eragon nodded. "I was told by a werecat, 'when the time comes and you need a weapon, look under the root of the Menoa tree.' I figured now was a good time to look. The last battle is fast approaching, and I no longer have a sword."

There was silence for a moment before Arya spoke. "May I?" Arya asked gesturing to the sword.

"Of course," Eragon smiled, handing it over to her.

Arya examined the sword carefully taking in every detail. "It looks the same as the day it was forged. I was only young when I last saw it, but I can tell you, almost a hundred years below ground hasn't changed it one bit. And look at this." Arya held the sword up to Saphira's scales. The sword was the same sapphire blue as her scales.

"Amazing," Eragon whispered, taking the sword from Arya. He took his stance, twirling the blade experimentally. It fit perfectly in his grip, as if it were made to fit his hand. It was almost as if it were an extension of his arm. It hummed in his grip, as if it wanted to fight.

Eragon reluctantly put the sword in its sheath. He would have to go out to the training grounds later to test it.

"It's odd Saphira. Zar'roc was a great sword, but this, this sword feels as though it were made for me. I don't get it! Shouldn't I have preferred Zar'roc; it belonged to my father, after all."

"I don't know, little one, it confuses me also, but I think Brom would have given it to no other." Saphira avoided looking at him as she said this. Eragon felt a twinge of guilt coming from her as she blocked off the connection.

"Let us visit Rhunön, I think she would like to see Edoc'sil once more. It was the greatest weapon she ever forged."

A/N: I'm sorry it was short but I have been busy and I didn't have the time to make it longer. I will try to make the next one longer, but I can't make any promises because school is starting up again and I will be busy. Maybe if I get lots of reviews I might update faster- nudge nudge-, any way thankyou for reading, and before you leave this page please click the little purple button and review.

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