Chapter 14 – Fathers

Ajihad's funeral took place the day after his death. The whole of the Varden and to Eragon's surprise, the dwarves, were devastated by the man's death. King Hrothgar had allowed Ajihad to be entombed where the Dwarven Kings were laid to rest. The procession followed the group of men that carried Ajihad's body on their shields, down the tunnels that led to the catacombs. Once there the men slowly lowered his body into its stone tomb were he would forever rest.

One by one the members of the Varden paid their respects to their fallen leader. Eragon hadn't known the man for a long time, but was still sad by his death. When it was his turn he walked up to the stone tomb and kneeled.

"Ajihad" he whispered "I didn't know you for long, but I swear to you, we will rid Alagaesia of Galbatorix, upon my honor as a Rider." He finished and got up, walking back to where Arya, Saphira and his pack stood. After a few hours, slowly people started leaving in direction to one of the great halls of Tronjheim where Ajihad's life was to be celebrated.

At first everyone was silent, but as the mead started flowing people started telling stories about Ajihad. Soon music had started flowing and people had started dancing. To his surprise Saphira had started drinking the mead and she was in a rather happy mood. She kept entering in drinking competitions with the dwarves and she kept beating them.

Arya was sitting besides him and his pack was facing him across the table. He kept glancing at her face, he wanted to ask her for a dance but he was scared that she would think he was being too forward, he knew she had feelings for him but not the depth of them. Every day he was worried that he would do something that would put their friendship in peril. Across the table the rest of his pack was silently giving him looks of encouragement, how Arya hadn't found out he didn't know.

Finally, after an hour or so of debating if he should do it or not, he gathered enough courage.

"Arya, would you like to dance with me?" he asked her. She was silent for a while and Eragon was scared he had made a mistake in doing so. He exhaled as he saw a smile spread across her face.

"I would love to Eragon" she said, he stood up and held his hand out for her. She took his hand in hers and he led her towards the dance floor. The band was playing a slow song, perfect for his dance with Arya. She put her hands across his neck while he held her close against him holding her by the waist. Through the rest of the night they danced in close proximity, not caring who saw them. He relished the feeling of her body against his as they danced and had to remind himself that he was just his friend, at least for now.

They spent the rest of the night slowly dancing, when the music stopped, he opened his eyes and realized that they were the last ones on the hall except for Saphira who had passed out on a corner. They silently agreed to go back to their room, and hand in hand they walked back. Eragon was happy, it seemed like he hadn't made a mistake and it seemed that soon he would be able to tell her about his real feelings. They arrived at their room, they changed into their sleepwear and as always they went to bed with Arya setting her head in the crook of is neck.

Eragon woke up, smiled at the elf that was peacefully sleeping beside him, and got up. The day before he had gotten a note that said that King Hrothgar wanted to see him today. He cleaned himself with magic then put on a white tunic, some black pants and his leather boots. Leaving a note so that Arya knew where he was when she woke up, he left their room and Saphira flew him down as she was coming with him.

They quickly made their way down to the king's hall, on the gate there were seven dwarves on each side. He was being expected and the guards let them pass without question but he still thought he saw a look of hatred fleet across the guards' faces. Not giving it a second thought he walked straight towards Hrothgar and when he was but ten paces from the throne he bowed.

"King Hrothgar, it is an honor to see you again" he said.

"Rise, Eragon no King should bow to another" he said "especially one who is also a Rider." Eragon rose and Hrothgar kept talking "During the weeks you have been here in the Varden, I have had the pleasure to meet you. You comport yourself with honor and dignity. You have a heart as strong as those of the dwarves, which were crafted by our gods. I have thought long and hard about this and I'd like to, if you agree, adopt you into mine clan and family."

Eragon was taken aback, never in a million years would he have thought that Hrothgar would have wanted him as a son. "But what about me being a werewolf, what will the other clans think about this?" he asked.

"Not all clans hate your kind, and in the long run this will strengthen relations between both races, and in the mean time you let me take care of the other clans." He said with confidence "so what say you Eragon Shadeslayer?"

Saphira what do you think I should do? He mind spoke to his Dragon

I think you should agree, as he said, with time both races can form a relationship. But you must make sure that you are under no ones rule.

All right I think that is a good point.

"King Hrothgar, I am inclined to agree, but as you know no Rider can be under the authority of another king" he said

"And I agree" he said "for all intents and purposes you would be an honorary member, yes you would be able to vote and exercise your rights inside of our clan but under no circumstances will you be made to follow an order you don't agree with, for all intents you hold will hold authority equal to mine and in case he is made king, Orik's."

"Then Hrothgar, I accept!"

"Great, then here" he said giving him a bracelet made of solid silver engraved with the emblem of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum "This bracelet signifies your membership into our clan, it is also enchanted to protect you from scrying and when you phase it will conform to your size."

"Thank you" he said as he slipped on the bracelet onto his left hand.

"Well, I know you have much to do for your trip to Ellesmera, but I also wanted to ask you a favor"

"Yes what is it? If it's in my power I'll do it" he said

"Orik has been named the ambassador to the Varden, I'd like for him to use this experience to travel outside of the mountains with you to Ellesmera, and this way also strengthen our relationship with the elves."

"I think that is a great idea, just let him know that he should meet me tomorrow at dawn in the entrance to Farthen Dûr" he said.

"Very well Eragon, may your trip be successful, dismissed" he said.

With a short bow from both Eragon and Saphira they left the hall and started making their way to the mess hall. It had been hours since he had started speaking with the king and he was hungry, he also hoped that Arya would be there.

His hopes were heard when as he approached the one of the tables inside the hall he saw the love of his life waiting for her food.

"Arya, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing alright Eragon" she said with the biggest smile he had seen on her "how was your morning?"

He sat down in front of her and started explaining how the King of dwarves had called him to tell him that he wanted him to join his clan. He told her he had agreed and that Orik would be traveling to Ellesmera with them. During the conversation a server had asked for his order and had returned minutes later with his meal.

"Its amazing to me how you now have connections to most of the races in Alagaesia, and I have a feeling those connections are only going to grow" she said as she finished her meal.

"Well I am just worried about making a wrong decision and breaking the trust in the people that confided in me" he said as he ate.

"Eragon" she said seriously "no matter what mistakes you make or what happens between you and everyone else, I'll always trust and stand by you" and he knew that what she said was true and doubly so as she repeated the same thing in the Ancient Language.

"Arya, you don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that, you are one of the only persons I truly cherish and can't live without"

"Thank you" she said and he could see the faint start of a blush "you are important to me as well"

By then Eragon had finished his meal and was about to get up when Arya stopped him. "Eragon, I forgot to tell you that Brom wanted to see you in his study, he said that he had something to tell you before your trip."

Eragon sighed, he had expected to spend the rest of the day flying with Saphira and Arya. "Alright I'll go meet with him, but maybe later we can spend some time together?" he asked hoping he wasn't being to forward.

"I'd love that" she said as she got up, walked towards him and gave him a hug. "Until later" and with that she left.

Eragon started walking towards Brom's study, which used to be Ajihad's. After the leader of the Varden's death, there was a lot of debate about who should be leader. The council of elders had decided between two candidates: Ajihad's daughter Nasuada, and Brom the founder of the Varden. After much debate it was decided that Brom should be the leader as he had more experience. Brom had agreed but said that under no circumstances would he be king after the war was over. He wasn't a Dragon Rider but he was still immortal.

Arriving at the doors to the study he knocked and immediately after a voice came out.

"Come in" opening the door he saw Brom sitting behind the desk with a solemn look on his face. "Eragon, please take a sit."

"Brom what's going on" he asked as he took a sit, he didn't like the look he had.

"I need you to listen to me" he said "I know this is going to come as a shock to you but keep in mind that I did it for your safety." He paused and looked at Eragon, "Eragon, I am your father".

Eragon was not sure if he had heard right "What? What are you saying? Why?" he whispered.

"Eragon, I'll explain" Eragon nodded urging him to continue "I met your mother when I infiltrated Morzan's castle. She was his famed Black Hand. I had gone to the castle in order to eliminate her and hopefully deal a crippling blow to the Empire. With time I understood that the things she was doing she did against her will, Morzan new her true name. As I tried to find a way to save her we fell deeply in love and it was that love that changed her true name and allowed her to be free, but she could not leave. Three years before Morzan had forced her to bear his child, and even though she had nothing but hatred towards Morzan, she couldn't leave her son behind. That changed though when she became pregnant with you. You see, she couldn't leave another one of her sons in the mercy of a madman. So she went back to your village in order to have you, at the time I was away on a mission and was not able to go with her. When I arrived at Carvahall I was too late, she had died because at the time of your birth she was too week from escaping Morzan. When I found out she died I went back and killed Morzan as well as stole Saphira's egg. When I went back to the village I decided to keep my distance, for if Galbatorix new you were my son you would've surely been in danger."

Eragon didn't know what to think, ever since he was a child he had wondered who his parents were, and why they had left them. Did they not love him? Were they not able to be with him or did they not want to. It was a lot to process, his mother had been a black hand, he had a half brother, and the man he thought he knew turned out to be his father. Then he realized that even though he hadn't known it at the time, his father had been with him all the time and now he would be able to get to know him.

"Bro- Father I don't know what to say"

"You don't have to say anything, I just hope that now we can begin to have a proper father-son relationship" he said and stood up and walked towards him. "I also want you to know that I am proud to be able to call you my son". Eragon stood up and gave him a hug.

"Thank you… Father" he said as tears started flowing from his eyes "I am also proud to call you my father." And so, Eragon had gained two fathers in the span of only one day.