Thanks to the person who reviewed. Okay so there will be some romance but as I said in the previous chapter Eragon will be a bit confused.
Disclaimer; Christopher Paolini owns all the characters, etc…
Chapter Six
Saphira remained connected with Eragon but he could feel she was flying and did not want to be disrupted. Eragon sat up in his bed and just as Saphira had said somebody had come to see him. An elf with long black hair and shimmering grey eyes smiled at him as she entered his tent.
"Eragon Shadeslayer, I wondered when I'd be seeing you again." her voice had that melodious tune only elves possessed.
The sound was pleasing to hear.
"I just returned from a very successful trip." Eragon explained, while moving to a sitting position on his makeshift bed.
"I heard so, yes. Beroan is an astoundingly exceptional creature. He is lucky to have found you and Saphira."
Eragon smiled, his mood feeling lighter.
"I think we were lucky to find him. How goes the Varden's plans for the soldiers?"
"Well. Nasuada is very wise for one her age." Megiltura did not elaborate on the topic.
"I agree. Her father Ajihad would have been proud."
Megiltura nodded.
"I also happened to hear about what Thorn did to your arm. How does it feel?"
Eragon had grown tired of explaining so instead of replying he lifted up his sleeve and showed her his arm. Megiltura found a seat next to him on the edge of the makeshift bed and examined Eragon's arm.
"It seems to be healing up rather well." She murmured.
The tips of her fingers brushed against his arm tenderly.
No! This was all wrong.
Eragon thought to himself. He had been lonely for so long though. Saphira was there of course but Eragon longed for someone who understood him and would he could connect to on a deeper level. Somebody who could make him forget even for a few minutes that there was a war raging on. With all these conflicting emotions Eragon was unsure about what to do next. The other problem was Arya. He still loved her but he knew she would never love him and he was tired of trying. Eragon was not sure if it was all these emotions that caused him to do this but the next moment caught him completely off guard. Megiltura had leaned it, eyes closed and kissed him softly on the lips. The kiss would not have lasted long had Eragon not kissed her back. Even Eragon did not understand what made him kiss her back but before he knew it he was kissing her with passion he did not know he had. It was only when Nasuada entered Eragon's tent and when Eragon noticed her that he pulled away.
"Eragon…I just wanted to remind you to meet Arya by her tent for Beroan will be waiting there as well. That is all."
As soon as Nasuada left Megiltura got up.
"Barzul." Eragon cursed.
"Shur'tugal, I apologize. I did not mean to make matters difficult for you."
"It is not your fault. I should have known better." Eragon rubbed his temples.
"May the stars watch over you, Eragon-elda."
With those last words she left. Eragon felt increasingly confused that night and struggled to fall asleep.
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Nasuada's POV
Nasuada returned to her tent after seeing Eragon. Seeing Eragon with another woman, she thought to herself. Nasuada had always thought Eragon held some affection for Arya. She noticed every time they were together Eragon had that hopeful look in his eyes. Lately he didn't have that look. He seemed more mature at least that's what she had thought. After seeing Eragon with that elf Nasuada knew the way she looked at Eragon had changed. She only hoped Eragon would not let his affections for this other elf affect him in the battle. Nasuada sat at the table and went through the strategies for tomorrow's war. She was still reviewing them when Arya appeared. Although Nasuada would never admit it she hated it when the elf would appear like this out of nowhere. It startled her but she hid it behind a blank casual expression.
"Arya, what may I do for you?" Nasuada asked, pleasantly.
"I wanted to know if Eragon received the message about where we're to meet tomorrow." Her face was as it usually was; impassive and neutral.
"Rest assured, I personally delivered the message to him." As Nasuada thought this she remembered how ardently Eragon had been kissing the elf. She had no idea how she was going to get rid of that mental image. She had always viewed Eragon as a young, innocent and maybe a tad inexperienced. Now, however, the image was ruined; tarnished.
"Were there any problems?" Arya asked.
"No. None." Nasuada said.
Despite what had occurred Nasuada was certain Eragon would not want Arya to know about it. She recalled the manner in which Eragon looked at her before she left; his eyes looked wary and fearful. She understood the hidden message in his eyes well enough.
"Nasuada, are you well?" Arya peered down at her with concerned eyes.
"Yes. Just a lot has been happening lately."
"True." Arya agreed, "I must get going. We shall meet tomorrow. Bright and early."
Nasuada felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders when Arya left. She only hoped Arya did not pick up on her behaviour. A disagreement between Arya and Eragon on the day right before the biggest battle in history was the last thing she wanted. Nasuada felt her eyelids grow heavy. She decided to turn in and fell almost at once asleep.
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Nasuada's POV
Today was the day. Live or die. Fight; kill or be killed. These thoughts plagued through Nasuada's head. She felt like she might actually have a break down. She was not the perfect Varden leader who always knew what to do. She was flawed; she doubted herself. Her outward attitude and appearance might represent something else but she knew the truth. Nasuada attached her armour herself and mounted her horse. She stopped when she reached Arya's tent. Arya was already waiting, a change for her for as far as Nasuada knew elves had no sense of time. Beroan was beside Arya already equipped with dragon armour. Nasuada made a mental note to thank the smiths would had worked right through the night to finish Beroan's armour. There was something about the two of them; Arya and Beroan. They seemed to fit together for some reason, Nasuada noted as she stopped in front of them.
"Arya," Nasuada said, acknowledging her with a nod, "Beroan."
Beroan blinked and lowered his head as he looked at Nasuada. Eragon and Saphira landed right on time. Nasuada greeted Eragon and Saphira and was relieved to see Eragon looked focused. Nasuada immediately took charge, she surprised herself sometimes at the way she could handle these matters like she was a born to be a leader.
"Right Eragon and Arya I want you and Beroan and Saphira to distract Murtagh. This will make him leave our troops so we have a better advantage. After that I want you, Eragon and Saphira to try and find that chamber. Just to locate it. Do not enter it. It may very well be a trap. We will regroup after we have successfully besieged Dras-Leona." Nasuada ended her speech by wishing all of them 'good luck' before riding to King Orrin's tent. King Orrin, Orik, Garzhvog and Eragon's Elvin guards were waiting for her.
"Right King Orrin I want you and your men to attack on the right side of the main wall. The Elvin spell casters will take care of the wall and I want Roran Stronghammer to be second in command. He has outstanding leadership skills."
King Orrin nodded and commanded his horse to move forward.
Nasuada continued;
"Orik I want the dwarves to attack on the left side of the wall. The wall is our main concern for it probably has enchantments placed upon it. So I want the dwarves to be cautious."
Orik after hearing Nasuada's command also left to command his army.
"Garzhvog, I want the Urgals to attack in the middle. They are strong and tough and if anyone can break the middle it's them."
"Of course." Garzhvog said and went away at once.
This left the twelve Elvin guards and Nasuada.
"Now I know you were assigned to guard Eragon at all costs but Arya is with Eragon and I need you assistance elsewhere. I want half of you to help Trianna and her spell casters with getting that wall down. The other half when and if the wall gets down Eragon and Saphira may need help with another task. I need you to communicate with him and found out. That is all. Trianna has already started on the wall, so there is much to be done."
Nasuada sighed once she was finally alone. Jormundur came riding towards her on his horse.
"Lady Nasuada, are you well equipped. The horn has already been blown and you are needed."
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Nasuada was already used to the blood and death that came along with war which was why she didn't flinch as she rode through the mass of human bodies. The wall had been taken down and the Empire soldiers had struck with all their might. Nasuada thought she would not be surprised if she discovered Galbotorix was secretly giving his soldiers extra energy. He was that far gone. The death of his dragon had driven him to insanity. Nasuada was thankful she was not a Dragon Rider. She found Eragon and Saphira's bond touching but if a death could that to one Rider Nasuada shuddered at the thought of that happening to her. She decapitated an Empire's soldier's head as she swung her sword sideways. The Varden had done well. There were many casualties; too many, but they had survived the worst. There seemed to be few survivors but even fewer Empire soldiers survivors. Nasuada looked north; there was still a long way to Uru'baen. Jormundur came into view; he looked anxious.
"Lady Nasuada." he called.
Nasuada made her horse stop.
"What is it, Jormundur?" she asked, distractedly glancing at Helgrind coming into view.
"One of the Elvin guards has been badly wounded. And they haven't heard anything from Eragon."
Nasuada breathed in and out, slowly.
"Tell the half of the Elvin guards to go to Uru'baen. Eragon and Saphira may be in trouble. And try and let them contact Arya; she ought to know what's going on."
"Yes, my lady."
"And how are the dwarves doing?"
"As far as I can tell they have suffered many loses but King Orrin's men has suffered the most. They have the highest casualty rate as far as I can tell. The elves are doing extremely well. Queen Islanzadi is on her way for the storming of Uru'baen."
"The more, the better." Nasuada murmured, "You have served the Varden well, Jormundur."
"It has been an honour."
Nasuada favoured him with a small smile. Her mind was on Eragon and Saphira.
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Eragon's POV
Eragon felt exhausted already. Murtagh had put in all his effort. Eragon had barely gotten a chance to escape. Arya was working well with Beroan. If Eragon hadn't known better he would have thought that Arya was born to be a Dragon Rider. She was nearly matching Murtagh's strength and she had very advanced swordsmanship skills. Thus Eragon seized his opportunity when Arya fought with Murtagh to make an escape. As Saphira soared lower and lower and as they reached Galbotorix's castle Eragon's heart started to hammer. This was it. There was a possibility that this was would finally end. Good may triumph over evil. Galbotorix's castle was enormous; it was big enough to house over a thousand Empire soldiers.
This may be problematic…
Eragon said to Saphira.
Saphira started to circle the castle; there were various towers which confused them to a certain extent. Only until Eragon spotted what looked to be a chamber at the very bottom of Galbotorix's castle did Saphira land. Eragon jumped off Saphira and landed gracefully on his feet. Outside the chamber it was cold and a wind blew frostily.
Be careful, Eragon.
Saphira warned as Eragon touched around the wall.
This has to be the chamber. The only problem is I don't know how to open it.
ERAGON!
Eragon jumped and turned to face Saphira.
What? Are they coming?
I just realized something-
What?
Try to access it with your mind.
Saphira suggested.
Eragon did just that and he could feel the mind of others.
Saphira, I think I've found the eldunari.
Saphira didn't seem much enthused.
What's wrong?
Eragon asked.
I don't know, Eragon. It seems too easy. And I don't think Galbotorix's lair is the Rock of Kuthian. Think about Eragon. If there was one place Galbotorix knew that nobody would ever think of going to that was within his reach, where would that be.
Eragon paused to consider what Saphira had said.
The only place I can think of is…Vroengard.
Saphira and Eragon both realized this together.
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The story will pick up pace from the next chapter. It's a long story but I think its worth reading. Anyway instead of just reading why not send a review; questions or comments are welcomed.