Gathering

Disclaimer: Don't own any of the characters cept the ones I made. Do own the plot though.

A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! Aeronnen and Hailie Jade S deserve a special mention for reviewing everything single chappie!! Hands them each a medal saying most faithful reviewer!

Now, on with the story!

Meanwhile,

Thorn was staring out of the window of Murtagh's room which had been expanded so Thorn could accompany him. "Thorn, it's been a long day, you should get to sleep" said Murtagh

"As should you my rider" replied Thorn.

"Is something bothering you Thorn?"

"No, it's nothing"

And with that, Murtagh fell into a deep sleep. When he woke, he discovered Thorn wasn't there. He tried to contact Thorn but found that his dragon's mind had been shielded. He looked out the window to see Shruikan in mid-air apparently struggling with himself. Shruikan was torn in half, his own will fighting that of Galbatorix. Murtagh knew, that Shruikan hated Galbatorix and wanted to escape but couldn't as Galbatorix knew the huge black dragons true name… for that matter, he knew Murtagh and Thorns as well. He wondered if there was any way to change your true name. He had never seen Shruikan struggle so hard. Maybe he was trying to leave for the same reason Thorn had. His first reaction was anger and disappointment, but it soon turned into happiness that Thorn had found a way to escape.

Shruikan was putting in a real fight. Murtagh felt really sorry for the Black Dragon, having his Master killed and forced to serve a mad King. Not being able to stay in the air, he fell onto the floor with a BOOM, taking part of Uru'baen's wall off and killing ten's of soldiers who were unfortunate enough to be crushed under the huge Dragon. Shruikan realised that there was no way he could escape, so he decided to wreak havoc instead. He knew he would be punished for it, but at least it would help the Varden. Shruikan breathed out a large black-tinged flame, causing the death of many soldiers and making many houses burst into flames.

This went on for several hours, to the amusement of Murtagh. Half of Uru'baen had been declared 'unliveable' as the temperatures reached 100s of degrees. The Giant dragon also managed to destroy most military barracks and kill hundreds of horses and soldiers, leaving ordinary people unharmed much to the anger of Galbatorix. Galbatorix finally took control of the exhausted dragon.

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Saphira flew up to the Stone of Broken Eggs to find Glaedr already there.

"Master Glaedr, did you get called here by the same force that called me?"

"I think so Saphira."

"What have you discovered Master?"

"A dragon egg" said Glaedr, unable to control the happiness in his voice. Saphira moved up and saw, in the middle of the Stone of Broken eggs, the first egg to rest there is nigh over 1000 years.

"This is great, let's take it back and tell our riders the good news" exclaimed Saphira.

"Saphira, think. If we were drawn here with such urgency that we blocked our riders out, then the other dragons will be drawn here as well." Said Glaedr. Saphira immediately thought of Thorn and Shruikan.

"Thorn and Shruikan will come?" asked Saphira slightly scared.

"Thorn yes, but Shruikan I do not think will make it, the King has too much control over him." Replied Glaedr.

"No Saphira, you must think! If we take the egg back to Ellesmera, then Thorn will be drawn to it. If he learns the location of Ellesmera, then Murtagh will know through him."

"I know Murtagh, he hates the King, he won't tell."

"It's not a matter of will or won't tell, Galbatorix will extract the information whether he likes it or not."

"So what should we do master?"

Glaedr thought for awhile, "Leave the egg here and hide, when Thorn comes, we can ambush him and break his oaths."

"You can break oaths?"

"Yes, it is an ancient art, that isn't written in any book. The riders had one oath breaker who knew the art. The knowledge was passed down from one generation of oath breaker to the next. Luckily, my Rider was the last Oath breaker. However, he is crippled and isn't able to do the spell. We will need Eragon and some of the best elven spellcasters to do the spell" said Glaedr as they found a hiding spot.

"Master, I will hide here, you hide on the other side, when Thorn comes, I will come out and he will try to escape, thinking he has walked into a trap then you come and block his escape route" suggested Saphira cautiously, knowing she had made many bad suggestions already.

Glaedr smiled much to Saphira's relief "I have to admit, that's a good idea but we can't have him escape, if he does so, then my presence will be revealed to Galbatorix." The two dragons hid in their places and waited for the arrival of Thorn.

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Vanir led 200 elves on foot running with inhuman speed. They were bounding through the trees, nearing Osilon when someone called out "Look!" Vanir looked up and saw a Blood red dragon, flying at a great speed towards Ellesmera.

"Should we bring it down Vanir Vodhr?" asked another.

"No" said Vanir "It doesn't have a Rider, if we killed it for no reason, the Queen will have our heads, lets keep moving, we are almost at Osilon" The army of elves continued on their way.

They reached Osilon by nightfall, rested for a night then with 300 more elves, started towards Ceunon, the elves had gone to war for the first time in many years.

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Murtagh lay on his bed deep in thought when he heard a knocking at his door. He got up and opened it, a messenger boy was standing out side. "Rider Murtagh, your are wanted by the King."

Murtagh pulled the terrified boy close and whispered "Do you really believe he is the king?"

"Umm…err…I think…he is a…um…bad…man and I want… the varden… to…um…take over…" said the terrified child. Murtagh smiled, even the kings own people hate him. No wonder the Varden are putting up a fight though the imperial army numbers at least triple theirs.

"Your job is done, I will go to the King" said Murtagh. The child bowed and scurried off. Murtagh silently cursed. The King would most certainly torture him for losing his dragon but there was nothing he could do about it. So he left the room and went to the throne room.

"King Galbatorix" Murtagh bowed.

"Where is Thorn!" screamed an enraged Galbatorix.

"I don't know, when I woke up, he wasn't there." Said Murtagh, pretending to be sad and trying to conceal his happiness.

"You disgrace of a rider! If your father was here, he would not lose his dragon! You worthless piece of crap! You didn't manage to capture that blue rider and now you lose your dragon! Give me one reason I shouldn't kill you!!!" screamed Galbatorix

"You need me," smirked Murtagh.

This infuriated Galbatorix even more. "Jierda!" Murtagh's legs both broke and he collapsed onto the ground. He knew he would pay for it but he did it anyway.

"Brisingr" screamed Murtagh sending a bolt of fire towards Galbatorix who attacked Murtagh's mind. Murtagh conjured up an image of Galbatorix's old dragon, it was his only hope. Galbatorix's mind met the image and faltered a bit and withdrew. It worked thought Murtagh with glee. The battle of minds may be over, but Galbatorix would torture him psychically.

Galbatorix dodged the fire which landed on this throne causing it to burst into flames. He cursed before muttering Jierda once more, the pain of his broken bones knocking Murtagh unconscious. "Fool of a rider. Take him to the dungeon, and torture him using your cruellest methods for 5 days."

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Nasuada was deep in thought, at least 8 thousand of the King's soldiers were pretty much on her doorstep. The Varden had plenty of money with their lace business, what they needed was men! The Varden, Surda and the dwarves were both battle-weary and short of men. Just at that time, Nar Garzhvog came in. "Lady NightStalker, I came to inform you, that I managed to convince other Urgal tribes to assist the Varden. We will attack from the side because not many of the King's generals actually know that we have join with you.

"Your help is much appreciated Nar Garzhvog." Said Nasuada.

"Thank you Lady Nightstalker, I will return to my tribe to ready everyone for war. Nar Garzhvog left.

Several minutes later, a scout ran into the tent. "Lady Nasuada, the Empire is attacking!"

"How long until they reach us?" asked Nasuada

"About 2 hours" replied the scout

"Are our armies ready?"

"Yes, they are, do you have any orders?"

"Yes, tell the commanders, that we are to let the King's army reach where the Jiet River meets the border of Surda before we attack, this way, we may be able to force them to back into the Jiet where our small navy from Teirm may be able to do something useful."

"OK, I will report immediately Lady Nasuada."

"Oh wait, I more thing, does the King's army have many spell casters?"

"Not that many mi lady, about 1 per 200 men."

"Oh, call Belrose and the elven spellcasters for me before you report to the commanders." Said Nasuada. The scout left.

Several minutes later, Belrose came in accompanied by Oromis's personal spell casters.

"Belrose, do you know the 12 words of death?" asked Nasuada.

"Hmm… I know one." Replied the leader of Du Vangr Gata.

"Good, teach all the spell casters that you trust the word, there aren't many spell casters in the King's army so your main priority is to kill as many as you can"

"As you wish Mi lady" said Belrose and left.

"Now you" said Nasuada to the elves. "You are not in my power so it is up to you to do what you think will help."

"We have already decided. We are not only powerful at magic but good with the blade as well. I doubt your strongest warrior besides Eragon could match us. I am going to put wards around you, King Orrin and Orik. My partners here will fight among your people and then, you will see the true power of elves and value our alliance more." Said the lead elf.

"Ok, thank you that will be great, we appreciate your help."

Another scout rushed in. "Our men are in position, their army has attacked."

Nasuada changed into her army, mounted her horse and went forward. It was the third full scale battle between the Varden and King. This time, there were no riders. How it would end, she didn't know but she knew, that the birds circling the battlefield were going to get the feast of their lives.

A/N: Well, how'd you like it? More of a fill in chappie. The dotted lines meant a change in POV but anyone should know that lolz. Well next chapter should have… the elves taking Ceunon, a bit on the war in surda and breaking thorns oath. I EXPECT EVERYONE WHO READS THIS TO REVIEW!!!!!!!!!