I DO NOT OWN, NOR LAY CLAIM TO ERAGON, THE INHERITANCE CYCLE OR ANY RELATED WORK OF CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI.(because some of you said this needed to be put in here.) However I do lay claim to any original plot elements.
Hey guys thanks for being awesome! Five reviews in one day! That has never happened to me before!
Dawn was a half hour away when Eragon, Saphira as well as Arya and Eliot gathered at Tronjhiem's north gate. They hurried under and made their way to the large cavern door the separated Father Dur from the multitude of tunnels that ran under the Beors. Today was the day that the party ventured forth to seek out the elves and continue their training. Although part of him was eager to travel again, Eragon was hesitant to leave the relative safety of the mountain-city. Despite the large battle that had taken place less than a week ago, this had been the first place since Teirm were he and the others had felt safe for any amount of time.
Eliot shifted uncomfortably on his large haunches while Eragon spun a stick in his hand as they sat waiting for Saphira and Arya to join them. The previous night, Orik had come to him with rather unsettling news. When the party reached Tarnag, Orik advised Saphira and Eliot to remain more out of the way and avoid fights. Dwarves and dragons had a very uneasy history, especially those dwarves who lived in Tarnag. Due to this history, the act of having a single dragon, Saphira, in their midst was sure to cause enough tension about the party but now having two may force them to be a little more out of the way than they would have liked to have been.
Eliot understood that hulking monsters did not send guests and people who shared a rough history with them cheering to the mountain tops, in fact he guessed that this would not be the best for any relationships that had been built.
Eliot waited anxiously for the Sapphire dragoness to enter the room so they could be off, and hopefully they could speak privately again, he had something to confess to her. He hoped that they wouldn't be too long.
It wasn't long before Orik appeared out of the shadows and greeted them. Arya passed Eragon his armor that the dwarves had repaired after the battle. Orik presented him with another surprise. Hrothgar, in a symbol of friendship and respect for the young Rider, had offered to adopt him into his clan as one of his own family. If Eragon accepted, he would be granted the same status and privileges as any true-blooded dwarf, including their customs and rights.
Eragon debated with Saphira privately for a time on the offer, weighing both the advantages and disadvantages of such a position, before reaching an agreement. Smiling, the youth graciously accepted the offer, and Orik beamed with pride. After a short initiation ceremony, Orik told Eragon he was now officially recognized as a dwarf in the Ingeitum clan. Eliot gave a dragonic laugh as he pointed out they had another reason to call Eragon 'little one' as he had come accustomed to it.
A short while later, Arya joined the group, as well as Nasuada who came to bid her friends farewell. Both women seemed to take Eragon's adoption by Hrothgar in stride, and final preparations to leave were made.
"I wish you safe passage on your journey, Eragon," Nasuada said. "Know that the Varden eagerly await the day you and the others return to us."
"As do I, my Lady," he bowed in return.
Turning to face the two dragons, Nasuada stroked both their cheeks warmly. "Look after him you two."
Eliot leaned forward and gave her a small nuzzle. We will, my Lady. Be safe. Nasuada gave him another gentle pat on the nose, and bade them good luck. Eragon pulled a long torch from the wall and held it up for Saphira to ignite. Eragon walked beside Arya, and Eliot and Saphira slowly padded along behind, their sides touching ever so slightly. Auron felt a small shiver come from Saphira as they neared the entrance. What is it, Saphira?
The dragoness eyed the dark passage with a hint of apprehension. I dislike the thought of being under all this rock for so long. And in the dark. It makes me feel uneasy. Eliot draped a wing over her and pulled her close, this time she shivered.
Don't worry. I'll be right beside you the entire time. His lips parted in a fanged smile. Although, if it would make you feel better, you could ride me the whole way, he teased. Saphira snorted and turned her head sharply to look at him, her pace slowing a little.
Are you just being sarcastic or are you actually serious?
Maybe, he growled. Maybe not...
Saphira let out a growl of her own and padded quickly after him, giving his shoulder a playful nip. That's not fair, she muttered. Don't tease me.
That night Orik guessed that they must have been half way there, Saphira was shivering because of the moist air, it made both the dragon's scales itch.
Why does it have to be under my scales! Eliot growled as he rubbed his neck along the side of the wall. He was stopped by Saphira gently itching under his scales in his neck. He stopped trying to itch them. After a few minutes she stopped and he looked at her, Are you going to return the gesture stone head?
He playfully nibbled her shoulder and scratched her back, eventually Eragon and Orik fell to sleep and Arya entered her meditative state. Eliot fell to sleep with his wing draped over a heavily snoring Saphira, the blue scales danced like rubies under the torch light. He could care less that he didn't like the dark, she was with him and that was enough.
Sara paced the palace, in just a few months there was going to be war, but could she really kill the one that she loved? Only time would tell. Galbatorix had talked with her the night before the words he used still sent shivers down her spine.
You mean to tell me that the boy survived! He is too strong, kill him! his voice hissed into the shadows that crept around the black marble floor his two pale feet left clicking sounds.
The figure calmed down slightly before continuing, next time you see him I expect for you two to have a long talk that ends with his death. Give or take a few months till that time comes.
His eyes were sharper than daggers, you know the price for failure.
If I ever volunteer to walk under mountains again, slap me, Saphira growled to her partners. She arched her neck and stretched out her wings, the sunlight reflected off of her with intense vibrance. She nudged Eliot, humming softly. Let's go flying. It will feel nice to use our wings.
Eliot frowned, Tarnag was not much further down a small path, just a few dozen meters before they were at the entrance
Arya began down the rocky path and the others followed behind. After a short time, they found themselves greeted by seven dwarves atop large goat creatures who announced themselves as the party's escort into the city of Tarnag. Orik told the Eragon that he would be staying as guests of Undin and Gannel, the leaders of Tarnag's two resident clans.
As they were led through the streets of the city towards the main hall of the citadel, a group of purple robe wearing dwarves suddenly appeared and blocked the way. A feeling of unease spread in Eragon's stomach, and was mirrored over his connection to Saphira, Arya tensened and Eliot opened his barrier to his energies. These new dwarves appeared angry at something, and the guards who escorted also tensed. As Eragon leaned around one of the guards to better see the confrontation, one of the purple-garbed dwarves saw the insignia of the Ingeitum on his helm and began shouting furiously in Dwarvish at the guards.
That is not a good sign, Saphira growled, and by her foreleg. Arya looked mad and placed her hand onto the hilt of her sword. The dwarf in the purple robes who had been shouting suddenly stopped and pulled a ring from a pocket. He pulled three hairs from his beard, wrapped them around the ring, and threw it in the street, spitting after it. Orik and the other guards were taken aback at the gesture as the robed dwarves turned and hurried away.
"What was that about?" Eragon asked Orik as the dwarf retrieved the ring from the ground.
"It means you have made enemies, my friend," the dwarf replied in a low voice.
The party was then ushered under a large gate that separated the main hall from the rest of Tarnag, leading them into a open courtyard. Three large banquet tables were setup, and a small group of dwarves awaited them. Foremost among them was a gray-bearded dwarf wrapped in wolf-skin. He approached the party and introduced himself as Undin, leader of the Ragni Hefthyn clan, and their host. Undin then introduced Gannel, the head preist and leader of the Quan clan. No one seemed to notice the slightly annoyed snort that came from Saphira as not one of the dwarves made to address her. Eliot seemed to be a bit taken aback by their mentality that was radiating from them but did not take to inform his partners of anything.
The clan chiefs smiled as Eragon expressed his gratitude for their hospitality, but their expressions grew dark when Orik showed them the ring that had been thrown at them. "Shadeslayer, we must consult on this," Undin muttered in his thick accent. "Please allow my servants to show you to quarters where you can refresh yourself and prepare for the banquet we have planned." Eragon started to ask where Saphira could stay, but the dwarves had already hurried off with Orik and Arya to discuss the matter of the purple-robed dwarves Eliot sat on a nearby hillside.
After assuring an irritated dragoness that he would be right back Eragon followed the servant to a low room where he was able to wash the dirt and grime from his skin.
Meanwhile outside Eliot and Saphira sat together. Acting as if we were not even there. Worse! Treating us like some animals.
Eliot smiled, you find this amusing!
No they just don't see us as dragons, they see us as murderous killing machines.
Maybe, she growled, but let the matter drop. She doubted they would be staying very long here anyway.
An hour later, the large tables were packed with dwarves as the feast began. Eragon sat next to Undin, with Orik and Arya next to and across from him Eliot was babbling away in the Ancient Language with her. Saphira had placed herself at the head of the table, to which no one decided to argue against, and wisely so, only after Eragon assured her that they were not staying long did she simmer down. Conversation was lively, and there was food aplenty, but an uneasy tension hung over the courtyard as the day's events plagued everyone's minds.
As the last plates were emptied and cleared, Undin turned to Eragon. "I trust the meal pleased you, Shadeslayer?"
"Aye, thank you."
Undin nodded. "I am glad you enjoyed it. I had the tables move outside yesterday so that the dragons could dine with us."
Eliot gave the mental equivalent of a pat on the snout to try to calm the dragoness through their connection, he could feel Eragon's irritation as well as Undin brashly insulted Saphira. Arya was much more insulted but didn't make any move, If they insult you again I may have to take a brisk walk.
Eliot leaned his head down so she could rub under his chin.
The young Rider took this comment in stride, then abruptly asked about the ring that was thrown at them earlier. A painful silence blanketed the courtyard then, and Eragon was acutely aware of a wince from Orik as his question permeated the air. Across the table, Arya let out a small smile as she understood that he was doing, Eliot didn't even try to retain the grin that parted his front teeth.
The clan chief flushed, and told Eragon that the dwarves who threw the ring at him had declared themselves his blood enemies, and would oppose him wherever they could. Eragon tried to ask more information, but the two clan chiefs interrupted, asking if it was his wish to upset them, to which Eragon relented. The remainder of the night went by in stoic silence, before Eliot stated that he and Saphira were going to bed.
Unfortunately, their 'bed' consisted of a large cushion under a hastily erected tent in the corner of the plaza. Saphira laid down on the cushion, grumbling to herself the entire time. Eliot was amused, she seemed to care more about what people thought of her than anything else.
Don't worry there is a place where I can take you tonight if you would like to join me, it would just be the two of us.
She raised an eyebrow, I am not going anywhere, Eragon is sleeping inside and it would be rude to leave him for the night.
His smile puzzled her further, I mean inside my mind, constructed from your wildest imagination.
What?
Think of it as my little gift for putting up with the insults to both of us, relax and do not be afraid beautiful one. Saphira had a slight discoloration on her face when he said that, he wondered momentarily if it was a blush before surrendering to sleep.
He wrapped his tail with hers before closing his eyes, drawing Saphira's continuous directly inward on himself. Immediately his body changed, scales melted away into human flesh in the inky soup that they fell into together, suddenly the fog lifted and they were on mountains that scraped the heavens above. Quickly re-focusing on a lower area the scene changed. They were together in a small gorge with a river rushing besides them, the river bed was full of perfect smooth stones.
Saphira was still in her dragon form, staring at him with a gaping jaw.
He chuckled, yes Saphira we are not constrained by our forums here, this is my dream world where I have learned to control my magic.
She shook her head, how do I become human?
He paused, think of yourself the way you want to be viewed as a human.
She inhaled just before a gust was sent ripping up the valley, pushing her off balance, Hey!
Did I mention I control everything in here but you? His feet became dragon claws, the change raced up his body until he was completely remade as a dragon again. Catch me if you can!
The two spent a majority of the night chasing each other under a hot sun between the jagged cliff faces of the gorge, laughing when they would catch one another, occasionally the wind would hit Eliot hard enough that he was sent sprawling, Saphira would laugh at him while she went through the trees at incredible speeds. Just showing off.
Eventually the two became tired and sat under the sun beneath a willow tree. Saphira had entirely forgotten that this was just a dream world inside Eliots mind, and luckily, the entire ordeal in the real one.
Well you certainly know how to show a girl a good time. She gasped between breaths.
He actually flushed a shade of crimson beneath his silver scales, I think it's my natural charm that's getting you.
Her responding laughter made pins and needles go up and down his spine, never had any girl that he could remember make him feel that way. The pendant within his chest flared up, his entire chest glowed like a hot fire, quickly he pressed it into the damp grass.
She wrapped her tail around his, thank you Eliot.
And without another moment's hesitation she gently pressed her lips to his, it was like getting struck by lightning, almost like his mind did not even know how to move. Eventually he leaned into it and the two enjoyed a draconic kiss of a sort. The edges of the dream world began to fade as they woke up, they were both in lothe to leave the world that they had ever so briefly enjoyed.
Saphira and Eliot woke up with their tails still intertwined, Eliot had a stupid grin on his face that Arya made a remark about when she entered the room. He had told her what had transpired and she congratulated him before he shushed her as he blushed an even deeper shade of crimson.
After a brief breakfast, Eragon and Arya were invited to the main chapel here in Tarnag by the chief of the clan who administered it. This left Eliot and Saphira alone together in their 'quarters' with nothing but each other for company. Hours in the morning droned by, despite giving their minds a work out their bodies were still fresh when they had woken from their sleep.
Later that day, Eragon returned from his tour of Tarnag's citadel. Gannel, the clan chief of the Quan, had given an enchanted necklace to Eragon and to protect him along his journey. The plain metal pendant actually held an enchantment for blocking any attempt to scry him, whether the spellcaster be friendly or not. Arya also informed her friends and dragon that they would be leaving before first light tomorrow, so as to leave Tarnag without any more incidents like yesterday.
True to his word, Undin had seven of his finest guards assemble around the youth, dragons, elf and Orik to escort them out of the city towards the river before the sun had even neared the edge of the towering mountains. There, rafts waited for them, the cool mountain water lapping gently at their sides. The plan was to ride the river north until they reached Hedarth, where the dwarves had a trading post with the elves. From there, they would continue on through the ancient forest Du Weldenvarden to where the elves remained hidden all these years.
As Eragon and Orik climbed onto the first raft while Arya saddled Eliot and the two went gliding into the morning light, Saphira slipped in the water beside them and slithered away like a serpent through the calm water. Poles entered the water and the rafts were pushed out into the river, Tarnag fading in the distance behind them.
OMG why did I type all that *cracks knuckles* I just spent four hours typing, owch my fingers. Anyway because you guys seem to be enjoying this I tried to get this one out there as fast as possible, sorry but I don't really like exaggerating the travel scenes, plus the Elves are soon to come and this brings all sorts of new surprises. I Hope that was not too rushed, let me know what you think of the new OC insertion in your reviews, + any reviews I receive with Q's (sort of like a Q and A) before the next chapter is added will be answered in the beginning of the next chapter.
Until next time!
~RiseOfTheShadow