Only two reviews for last chapter? I know you can do better...

voyfan7: Uh huh. That's definitely going to come into play a bit later. Whether Circe is absolutely loyal or not has yet to be determined.

Wannabeanauther: Wait no longer, my friend, for the next chapter has arrived.

Oh and I was unable to come up with some music for this chapter. I hope you're not too disappointed.

Chapter Sixteen: Returning to Aberon

After their last encounter with the Ra'zac and the King's Men, everyone was glad to pass over the Surdan border and see Aberon appear on the horizon. Not only was this the capital city of Surda, an independent country that opposed Galbatorix, but it was also the home of the Varden, a rebel organization dedicated to bringing down Galbatorix and his followers. Not doubt Nasuada and the others were worried about them. Eragon, Roran and Saphira had left Aberon over two months ago with promises to return as soon as possible. Now they were finally coming back, with six new companions and allies to the Varden.

From atop their dragons, the cheers of the crowds of people in the streets of Aberon could be heard. The Dragon Riders were returning & oppressed civilians knew that that meant that an end to Galbatorix's reign was coming soon. We are their only hope, Eragon told Saphira gravely. Oromis knew it. If we can't destroy Galbatorix, then nobody can.

Saphira nodded her head. We can do it. We must have hope for the future or it is destined to remain shrouded in the darkness & oppression of the past.

Lady Nasuada of the Varden and King Orrin of Surda along with Orik the dwarf, Elva the cursed girl, Trianna of Du Vrangr Gata, Angela the fortuneteller, her werecat Solembum and a group of King Orrin's guard were ready to meet the group of Dragon Riders in the courtyard. One of the villagers must have brought news to the palace of dragons approaching from the north.

"Welcome back, Great Shadeslayer," Nasuada said with a warm smile after Thorn, Saphira and Garrow had landed and their riders dismounted.

Eragon approached his liegelord and bowed before her. "I am terribly sorry that it has taken so long to return, Milady," he said sincerely. "But trouble befell us at Helgrind and things did not go as planned."

Nasuada nodded in understanding. "You may tell me your tales later, Eragon," she told him, her eyes quickly falling on Garrow, Katrina and Circe, the ones she did not recognize, and Murtagh and Thorn, the ones she did not expect to see again when Eragon returned. "Now you may care to explain who you have brought back with you."

Eragon nodded, turning around to motion to each of his new companions, "This is Katrina," he began. "She's Roran's fiancée. Garrow is Roran's newly hatched dragon. Circe… Circe's a Kylrian who… formerly served Galbatorix. Murtagh and his dragon Thorn have agreed to help us to destroy Galbatorix."

Nasuada stepped forward cautiously, seeming to suspiciously inspect Circe, Murtagh and Thorn. Eragon held his breath, knowing where this was going to lead. Murtagh was definitely going to be bitter toward the Varden for life. Nasuada turned back to the guards and snapped her fingers. "Arrest them," she said with authority.

Before anyone could do anything, Thorn leapt forward to stand between the guards and Murtagh. He growled menacingly, eyes blazing with anger and nostrils flaring threateningly. Murtagh narrowed his eyes and put his hand on Zar'roc's hilt, but knew he had to call Thorn back.

Calm down, he told the dragon bitterly. It's not worth it. Just let them take me. I can assure you that they will not kill me.

Thorn roared one last time before stepping back at his Rider's command. If they hurt you in any way, they won't live long enough to regret it, he growled.

Everyone watched as they were led away by the soldiers. However, Eragon wasn't too happy with Murtagh and Thorn's imprisonment, though he agreed with Nasuada about Circe, especially since their attack by the Ra'zac. "Do you really think he's going to betray you? He's been true to his word ever since we left Urû'baen!" he had the courage to shout at Nasuada.

Nasuada silenced him with a glare. "I cannot be as sure as you, Eragon. I have the entire Varden to think of. I cannot take the risk. Besides, the Varden know that a red Rider killed Hrothgar at the Burning Plains and the people of Alagaësia haven't dealt with a Kylrian for longer than anyone here can remember. We cannot be sure what to think of them. Suspicion and wariness have kept the Varden alive since its founding."

Arya touched Eragon's shoulder. "Nasuada's right, Eragon," she said gently. "Murtagh's too unpredictable. It's for the best. He will be let out soon enough." Eragon let out a deep breath and let the argument go. He looked to the others present like Orik, his long time Dwarf friend, and Elva, the poor baby that he'd cursed in Tronjheim. Nasuada was right. It was for the best.

Nasuada smiled as she realized that Eragon wasn't going to argue anymore. She shifted her attention to Arya, saying, "You will be pleased to know that your Elven kin arrived here more than half a month ago with a group of the King's Guard."

Arya smiled back, unable to resist the urge to say where the men came from. "Those of the King's Guard were handpicked by Circe, the witch you just had imprisoned," she informed her.

Nasuada's smile faded. "Then I shall have their minds checked for traitorous intentions," she turned to Trianna who nodded and hurried off to complete her task. Arya sighed, but remained silent. Nasuada's attention shifted to Roran and Katrina. She smiled warmly at Roran. "Welcome back, Stronghammer. It seems you have brought us a new gift," she said, eyes wandering towards Garrow.

"He was the last dragon egg. His name is Garrow," Roran informed her.

"Then we are quite lucky to have her on our side," said Nasuada. Her attention moved yet again, this time to Katrina. "I am Lady Nasuada of the Varden," she introduced herself. "This is King Orrin of Surda, Elva, Angela the fortuneteller, her werecat Solembum and King Orik of the Dwarves."

Katrina smiled back. "I am Katrina of Carvahall," she said. "Pleased to meet you."

Eragon looked to Orik with astounded fascination. "King Orik of the Dwarves?" he asked with a curious smile. "It seems that I have missed a great deal."

Orik grinned. "Don't worry, Argetlum," he chuckled. "You shall hear the tale in full just as soon as we get inside."

Angela nodded in agreement. "Aye, Nasuada," she said. "It would be better to talk inside, Galbatorix's spies are everywhere."

Nasuada nodded. "Very well," she said, turning back toward Borromeo Castle.

Murtagh and Circe allowed themselves to be taken away by King Orrin's men and led deep in Borromeo Castle to the dungeons. Murtagh was brutally reminded of his first visit to the Varden with Eragon and Saphira. Then, Ajihad, Nasuada's father, arrested him, solely because he was the son of Morzan. He knew that he had a reason for being arrested this time, he had served the King and killed the Dwarven King Hrothgar, but that didn't stop his anger. He was livid. He knew that Thorn was being chained and imprisoned at that very moment and that Circe was only being imprisoned because she'd been a servant to the King.

His weapons had been taken away and he was alone in the dungeons with Circe. Furious, he kicked the stone wall in an attempt to let out some anger. However, it didn't work and his toes throbbed with pain.

Circe was examining the bars of the cell and suddenly turned to him with a mischievous smile. "I could easily change into a mouse or even a cat and escape this cell, or either one of us could unlock it with magic," she said, surprised at the Varden's carelessness.

Murtagh shook his head and sat down in the corner. "It is a test," he sighed bitterly. "That's why there's no guards. They want to see if we're trustworthy. All we can do is to wait."

"So who would like to speak first?"

Eragon, Arya, Roran, Katrina, Nasuada, Orrin, Orik, Elva, Angela and Solembum all sat in a circle of chairs in one of the meetings rooms in Borromeo Castle. Nasuada had just asked who would like to tell the story of their recent adventures first.

"I would very much like to hear the Rider's tale," said King Orrin watching Eragon and Roran with great interest.

Orik and Angela nodded their heads in agreement. "Tell us, Argetlum," Orik beckoned. "What has happened to you since you left here over two months ago."

Eragon sighed. "All right, all right, I'll tell you, but it'll be a long tale, as much has happened since we parted to go to Helgrind."

"Saphira flew as fast as her wings could carry her and by nightfall on the first night we were in Cithrí with your Lord Smythe. We left for Helgrind that morning with full stomachs and bulging sattle bags. We arrived at the dreadful place by dusk the next day to find a vile surprise lying in wait for us: Galbatorix and Murtagh. Needless to say, we were no match for the Rider King and we were captured by him and brought back to Urû'baen. As soon as we awakened, we were brought before the King himself and he was displeased to hear of my pledge of fealty to you, Nasuada, and he vowed to break it."

Nasuada's eyes fell on Elva. "It was just as we feared then," she said, looking back at Eragon. "A while ago, Elva told us that you'd been captured and were about to endure some great pain. We feared that you'd been captured by Galbatorix."

Eragon nodded solemnly. "But you have yet to hear the rest of the story. Roran will tell you what happened next and how the dragon Garrow came to be."

Roran picked up with his part of the story at that moment. "Galbatorix sent Eragon away and sent a servant to fetch Garrow's egg. Soon after I laid my hands on it, its green shell began to crack and I was left with this on my hand," he paused and held up his palm to show them his gedwëy ignasia. "Galbatorix promptly sent the little dragon down to Saphira, Thorn and Shruikan. I was distraught at his next move. You see, the Rider King set a choice before me: pledge myself to him in the ancient language or never see Katrina again. You can probably guess my choice, for I would do anything for Katrina… even submit myself to Galbatorix."

There was silence in the room after Roran said that. Nobody dared to speak, but Eragon knew what was on the minds of Nasuada, Orrin, Orik and Angela. It was Nasuada that spoke first. "That is troubling, my Rider," she said quietly.

Orrin nodded slowly. "We were blithe when we saw your dragon on the horizon and know we are disappointed to learn that you have pledged yourself to the enemy."

"Aye, I know," Roran agreed. "But I could never abandon Katrina," he took her hand in his as he said this, "Not after it's all my fault she was mixed in this mess."

Nasuada sighed. "Please, continue with your story, Shadeslayer, Stronghammer. I would like to hear the rest before telling the news of the Varden."

Eragon nodded and finished off the tale rather quickly. Only after he spoke of their recent attack by the Ra'zac and the King's Men did Nasuada seem satisfied with his story, though nobody was happy to hear that Circe had not fooled Galbatorix and that the King did not believe them to be dead. In fact, Nasuada was even surer of her order to have the witch arrested. Eragon didn't bother to argue with her for he had never trusted Circe either. She was only with them because of Murtagh's desire to bring her along. In fact, he would rather she never had been introduced to them.

Hearing his thoughts, Solembum the werecat touched his mind with a sly smile. Do not be so quick to throw her out of the picture, he said. She still has a part to play, but for good or for ill, I cannot be sure.

Eragon looked at the werecat curiously. I would rather she didn't, he said dryly. All she's done is cause us trouble.

Solembum laughed. Do not be so quick to judge, Argetlum. Dealing in absolutes can only take you to a dark place. You must be careful to take everything into consideration.

Eragon scowled and blocked the werecat out of his mind. He didn't need to be scolded by a cat. He shifted his attention back to the situation at hand. "What news of the Varden, Nasuada?" he asked.

"With the help of the elves and the dwarves, we plan to march on Urû'baen as soon as you are ready, Shadeslayer," she answered gravely.

"It's a very ambitious undertaking," King Orrin added. "But we think with our two Dragon Riders we should be able to manage it."

Eragon leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin pensively. "Two Riders you say? Your Highness, you forget about Murtagh."

"He cannot be trusted," said the King, reminding Eragon for what seemed like the millionth time that Murtagh was imprisoned.

"But he is valuable in a fight," Eragon persisted.

"Enough of this!" Nasuada silenced him again. "Will you go with us or not, Shadeslayer?"

Eragon nodded. "I will go with you, Milady," he answered. "But I will feel better with my brother at my side."

"Very well," said Nasuada. "Then all business here is done. I will have rooms prepared for the four of you." Everyone rose with her and Orrin out of respect and started to walk out of the room. Eragon lagged behind to catch Orik. He was quite curious to learn of how he became king.

"How are you, old friend?" he asked the dwarf with a warm smile.

Orik smiled back at him. "As good as can be expected in these times," he answered. "It's good to have you back, Argetlum."

"It's good to be back, Your Highness."

Orik grinned. "You need not call me that, Eragon. Those titles are not for use between friends."

"I would like to hear how it happened," Eragon said. "Could you tell me what made the dwarves chose you for their king?"

Orik chuckled softly. "Believe it or not, Argetlum, but it was my friendship with you."

"Me?"

Orik nodded. "Yes, you. The dwarves were pleased with the way Hrothgar led them to the Varden and to you. They wanted someone who would continue to do so, so they chose me. Being Hrothgar's heir helped a bit too."

Eragon patted Orik on the back. "Congratulations," he told him. "Long live the king!"