Did You Miss Me?
Disclaimer: All I own is the plot and my OCs.
Eragon gaped open-mouthed at Elva.
"I will do what I must, Argetlam," the girl replied.
"I-I thought I healed you," Eragon whispered.
"You healed my first affliction, and fate saw fit to give me a new one," Elva stated. Her voice was full of cynicism worthy of an adult.
"My life is not worth living the way it is. It would be better for me to die honorably helping others than to live in this shadow of a life," Elva continued. Eragon thought he detected a hint of sadness in it.
Changeling, do you really want to sacrifice yourself? Saphira asked.
Elva nodded.
"We cannot kill a child," Ardis protested.
"You will not have to," Murtagh spoke up. "You heard what the mage wrote. I'm the one who has to do it. It's alright, Eragon and Ardis. The blood will be on my hands. Doesn't it always seem to work that way?"
"Would you rather have the blood of all the Varden and Surda and who knows who else on your hands? Galbatorix has brought back the thirteen. We cannot win without the Vault of Souls," Elva explained.
"Wait!" Orrin put in. "How can the two of you leave? If the thirteen come here, which I'm sure they will, we'll need all the help we can get. It would be better to have four riders than two."
"I agree," Nasuada said. "Eragon, are you sure this is a good idea? This may just be a way to lessen the protection the Varden has."
"My brother didn't fail, and he didn't turn traitor either, if that's what you're thinking," Derek piped up.
Luce spoke for the first time. "If they leave, Ardis, Kazul, Iormungr and I may be able to stall the army long enough to for them to return with their help, whatever it is."
Ardis nodded.
Luce and I have fought before, though not in a battle, Iormungr added.
And Ardis and I fought at Helgrind. Iormungr was quite brave there as well. I think we could defend the Varden long enough, Kazul put in.
"And you will have me," Oromis stated suddenly.
"Master, I thought you and Glaedr were too weak to fight," Eragon protested.
"We came for a reason, Eragon," Oromis replied. "If we must fight, we must fight."
If this battle is lost, it matters little whether we are free or not. We could help you all the more by fighting, Glaedr continued.
"You will also have Vrael," Siloa put in. She had returned to being in control of her body. Eragon noticed that she had sheathed the orange blade again.
"But what if they die on Vroengard?" Orrin protested.
Nasuada seemed to be thinking it over in her head.
Roran spoke up, "They won't die. Murtagh was Galbatorix's most powerful weapon, and Eragon is yours. Vroengard might be strange and perhaps dangerous, but they're riders. They can survive it. Elva, Vrael, and Bonstan have all said that we'll be doomed if they don't go. The way I see it, we've got more of a chance of surviving if they go to Vroengard then if they stay here."
Orrin looked skeptical.
"I agree," Nasuada said. She turned to Orrin. "They are right. We are not in a good situation, sire, but sending Eragon, Murtagh, Thorn, and Saphira to Vroengard is probably the best thing we can do now."
"My spies have informed me that Galbatorix has already sent armies out of Urû'baen. He is making little attempts to conceal this march. He may be coming himself. We know he will be sending those monsters. They could be here in two days. Can Eragon, Murtagh, and Elva really make it there and back in that time?"
"That is why I said we will need to delay!" Luce shouted. "We are not so incompetent that we cannot hold them off without Eragon and Murtagh."
Orrin turned to her. "I do not care who you were in Urû'baen. I do not wish to be spoken to in that manner. I will allow you to carry out this mad plan. Maybe it will work. The Varden are yours, Lady Nasuada, and so are the riders. I cannot control them. I can only advise you. You do not seem willing to take my advice, so I think I shall leave."
Nasuada sucked in her breath. Orrin had been treating her kindly before they had starting talking about politics and battle strategies. She always enjoyed his company until they came to that topic. Then it seemed as though he wanted to prove himself superior to her.
She turned her thoughts from Orrin and spoke to Eragon and Murtagh.
"When do you wish to leave?" she inquired.
"Tomorrow is when we must leave," Elva spoke up. Eragon and Murtagh looked at her, and then nodded in agreement.
Nasuada then turned to the remaining people and simply told them, "I wish to see all of you tomorrow to discuss what to do during the inevitable battle." She then went off to find Orrin. She knew she couldn't afford to have the king of Surda on her bad side. She personally didn't want it either.
She saw Orrin in the halls and called after him to stop.
Orrin turned around and looked at her questioningly.
"Your majesty, may we talk in private?" she requested politely.
"Yes, I suppose we might," Orrin replied. "Follow me."
Nasuada followed him down the familiar path to his labyrinth. She wrinkled her nose at the smell.
"Sire, might I ask why you are being so objectionable to everything we say and do?" Nasuada demanded just as courteously as before.
"You always do everything you do so politely. Before the Battle of the Burning Plains, I wondered if you asked the men if they minded you killing them before you did so, no matter what your answer," Orrin remarked.
Nasuada frowned. Murtagh had once commented on her politeness. He, like Orrin, has seemed to suggest that it covered something else.
"You haven't answered my question," was all she said to him.
Orrin nodded to himself as though he had just proven a point. He then paused to think. At least he answered, "Nasuada, I do not object to everything you do. I realize that you are, in many ways, a better ruler than I. I object when you completely undermine my comments and concerns. It wasn't you alone, though. I lost my temper a bit. My father always used to tell me that a king should never do that. I have been tolerant of some of the things the Varden has done, but we do need you. You know that. Let me be frank with you: I admire you greatly, but I do not wish to be undermined and disrespected by you or anyone else."
"I had no intention of doing either. I was simply doing what I considered best for the Varden," Nasuada replied.
"What is best for the Varden is intertwined with what is best for Surda. We are enemies united against one king, and his soldiers fight us as one. That is why I was concerned. I see now that you and the others were as right as you could be in such a situation," Orrin told her.
"I am glad we have reached a consensus. You are correct; we cannot afford to be on bad terms, especially not now. It would affect the Varden and Surda both," Nasuada stated.
Orrin nodded. Nasuada paused before inquiring, "You were about to ask me something before Jarsha came in."
Orrin coughed suddenly. "Oh, that was nothing," he brushed aside.
"Tell me," Nasuada insisted.
"It was a stupid question. You answered it already. Somewhat. Anyway, never mind," Orrin stammered.
"What was the question?" Nasuada sighed.
"I was going to ask you if you wanted to marry me," Orrin answered after a long pause. "Of course, I know you don't want to," he added hastily. "It's just that…well…I like you a lot, and I thought it would be good politically, but you don't want to, so I suppose it would be best to just pretend we didn't have this conversation."
"But I didn't say no," Nasuada muttered.
"Sorry?" Orrin asked.
"I didn't say no," she repeated. "You let my people into your homeland; you've done more for us than most rulers would have; and I like you as well. My answer is yes."
Orrin kissed her. They both leapt apart as they heard a noise outside. Nasuada gasped as she saw an army of elves in the courtyard.
Saphira settled herself down in the dragon hold wordlessly. Thorn opened one ruby-colored eye and then closed it. Saphira noticed a long scar marring his left wing.
Did I do that? Saphira asked him abruptly.
I don't know, was all Thorn said as he opened both his eyes. I wasn't being myself then. I don't remember much.
I am sorry if I hurt you, Saphira told him. She didn't know why she was being so meek.
It's fine, Thorn brushed off. I attacked you all. You did what you had to do. It's not as though any of you had any loyalty to me as it was.
You are one of the few dragons left in existence. We preserve what we have and keep it precious. The dragons must endure until the end of Alagaësia, for without us, the elves and the humans decline. We must keep ourselves safe, Saphira replied.
Murtagh said you could be wise, Thorn told her.
I try, Saphira replied.
Thorn snorted. We need to sleep, he said.
Saphira nodded in agreement.
Thorn turned to her.
Murtagh arose with the dawn. He splashed cold water on his face to wake himself. He felt less groggy quickly. He then descended the stairs to the dragon hold.
I suppose you might as well saddle me, human. If it's to our doom we go, then so be it, Thorn stated.
Even as optimistic as I, dragon, Murtagh remarked.
I try, Thorn volleyed back, somehow managing to sound serious.
Murtagh laughed hoarsely as Eragon came into the hold with Elva.
"What is it?" the younger rider inquired.
"Just something Thorn said," Murtagh replied.
Eragon nodded as he saddled Saphira.
"I saw some of the things that happened to you in Ardis' memories," he told Murtagh as they took off.
"What did you see?" Murtagh asked.
"I saw what happened after you were tortured. I saw you with them both: Luce and Ardis. Why didn't you tell me they existed?" Eragon responded.
"It wasn't important," was all Murtagh said.
"I suppose not," Eragon remarked. "What happened with Luce?"
"I'm not as angry as I was. It's not important now," Murtagh replied.
And so they continued to talk. Eragon slowly told him about Ellesméra, Oromis, Arya, Vanir, Ardis, and some other things. Murtagh told him a little about Luce, Ardis, Tornac, Deandra, and what had happened since he returned to Urû'baen. Elva was silent the entire time.
"In my mind, Irving, there is no question as to who should lead the Varden's armies," Jörmundur shouted.
Orrin nodded. "She did quite well last time."
"She was wounded last time," the old prime minister protested.
"She was healed perfectly well, and she managed to return to fighting," Arya put in crisply.
"I do not see why the Varden's forces need a change in commander. I was capable last time, and I am capable again," Nasuada insisted.
"Fine, I'll consent. Orrin will lead the Surdan army; that much is obvious. But what about the rest of the armies? How shall the riders be used?" Irving exclaimed.
"Jeod and I intend to lead the village of Carvahall," Roran said.
"We will lead those from Teirm as well," the former merchant added.
"They fought well that way," Nasuada agreed.
"And of the cavalry from Dras Leona?" Irving asked.
"I shall lead it. If it is not me, then it must be one of them," Claudius stated.
"What do you know of battle?" Irving protested.
"Enough," Claudius replied. "Vrael has decided to fight among us. Perhaps he should command instead."
Vrael nodded, and even Irving seemed to agree.
"I shall command the dwarves," Orik stated. Nasuada nodded to him. She had seen the dwarf less and less since he had gone back to Farthen Dûr to take command of Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. Once there, he had become the dwarves' new king, and he had only recently returned to the Varden.
"What of Ardis and me?" Luce asked.
Oromis spoke up this time. "The six of us should be divided amongst the ranks," he said. "I would hear your ideas for the division first."
"First of all, I thought that Dras Leona's forces should combine with Orrin's cavalry. Secondly, Carvahall should combine with Jörmundur's cavalry. What of the elves, Arya?"
"I think the elfin spell-casters should also be divided among the forces. Our generals seem to agree. The Varden army has two commanders. Narí, Analien, and Arliss should go with Jörmundur. Lifaen, Miranda, and Vanir should be with Claudius, Roran, and Jeod. Edurna, Celdin, and Derran can be Orrin. Aeristor, Lirano, Lebrantí, and I shall fight alongside the Lady Nasuada."
"Please, divide Du Vrangr Gata as well," Nasuada petitioned.
"That I will do," Arliss asserted.
"If Trianna and Carlo let us take even that much command," Derran groaned.
"They will. I'll make sure of it," Nasuada promised.
"What of the dragon riders?" Ardis protested.
"I will fight alongside my people," Oromis decided. "Vrael has agreed to fight with Orrin."
"The dwarves need a rider to fight alongside them. I have convinced the clan chiefs of that," Orik spoke up.
"Kazul and I shall fight alongside you," Ardis decided
"Good," Orik agreed.
Nasuada turned to Luce and Iormungr. "That leaves you two to fight with the Varden."
Luce nodded, and Iormungr also signaled his assent.
At last, they landed Vroengard near the place Vrael had said was the Vault of Souls. Eragon stared at the dead, haunted shelter of the riders. His eyes turned to an enormous rock. It seemed weirdly insubstantial, almost as though he could pass through it.
When he reached out his hand to it, Saphira put her head in between his limb and the rock.
Only Murtagh can pass through it, she snapped. Remember what Bonstan wrote.
"She's right," Murtagh shouted, climbing down from Thorn. He walked up to the rock. "How do I do this?" he muttered.
"I'm afraid you're not going to have much time to find out," two male voices projected at the same time.
Murtagh felt a deeply burning fear inside his gut. He put his hand Zar'roc's pommel and turned to face the source of the voice. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Eragon turn and reach for his sword.
The sight he saw was frightening. Something that resembled Mort stood before him. It still had the blond hair and thin, pale skin. The rest was horribly wrong. The eyes had turned to a cold gray, and red wings sprouted from the thing's back.
"Eragon," the thing said, using only one voice this time and extending its hand, "I don't believe we've met before." Its eyes flickered to the sword Murtagh now clasped.
"Did you miss me, son? I'd really like my old sword back, if it wouldn't be too much trouble. Of course, if it is, I could kill you for it," Morzan told him.
Galbatorix smiled into his scrying bowl. Belinda knelt beside him.
"Is it not good, sweetheart?" he inquired.
The little spy smiled and nodded. She had become accustomed to life as his mistress, and she found it far better than of the lives she had led so far. Galbatorix may have been older than any man who had ever been her master, but he looked as though he were the youngest of all by at least twenty years.
"It matters little if Eragon and Murtagh succeed to open the Vault. Even if they do, I will not attack until after the spirits have wiped out the Foresworn, if they can do that, and gone back to where they belong. Then, their armies and riders will be too weak to fight. Is that not a good plan?" Galbatorix continued.
Belinda nodded sweetly.
I know that was just a filler, and I know that that cliffy was evil. If you want a quick update, I want eight reviews. For Galbatorix killer, we have Siloa/Vrael or Shruikan. Here are the review responses. Sorry it took so long to update. My document manager wouldn't let me upload for like four or three days.
Frosted-Pink: When I had Galbatorix suddenly take an interest in Arlena, a random slave, I planned that. I like the idea of Eragon being Brom's son instead of Morzan because Eragon and Brom were so alike. I've had songs stuck in my head before. A frequent one is Fergielicious. All this plot twisting takes a while to think.
Teenchic2004: Thanks. I thought that was the case for the reasons specified.
Matt: I've heard those theories on all those websites for Empire theories. Thanks.
Amantine: I know this one wasn't as long. FF isn't even sending me my reviews by e-mail anymore. I just get them in my stats category. It pisses me off.
Silvershadowkittie: Thanks.
Vixen Hood: That's understandable. I think Shruikan hates what he has to go through to serve Galbatorix enough to kill him. That's a good point though.
DragonRider2000: I felt a little guilty about doing another cliffy this chapter. (I think this might have been the worst yet.)
Cocoapuffaddict: We'll see what happens with that.
HahynGirl: Glad to hear it.