Thanks to the person who reviewed Chapter Seven I was waiting for a review before posting Chapter Eight.
Disclaimer; Christopher Paolini owns all the characters, etc…
Chapter Eight
At this very moment Eragon rushed forward with Brisingr and held it by Galbotorix's neck.
"What are you waiting for? Do it?"
Before Eragon could so much as utter the word 'Brisingr' Galbotorix pushed Eragon. The push sent Eragon flying back he barely managed to hold on to the edge of the ledge. He heard Saphira release a growl. Galbotorix's laughed.
"This is supposed to be the Rider who is supposed to save Alagaesia from me?"
Eragon forced himself up and found solid ground once more.
"Fight me then. You coward."
"What did you call me?"
"Coward. You heard me? You're powerless without the dragon's eldunari, just plain weak and ordinary."
"You dare speak to me in that manner! I have lived for years and have acquired knowledge that would deafen your innocent years, hatchling."
Without warning Galbotorix struck once more. This time he spoke so fast Eragon did not hear what he had muttered. A strong pain enraptured around Eragon's neck; it felt like all the life was draining out of his body. It then occurred to Eragon as he lie on the ground gasping for air that Galbotorix would not kill him immediately. No, he was going to make him suffer first and he was enjoying every minute of it as he did this.
"You're demented." Eragon spat.
Eragon tried to cast a spell but it didn't work. It seemed there must be wards or some other enchantment guarding him Eragon thought.
"I can make you second in command Eragon. Think of everything I have to offer you. I can make you more powerful than you've ever imagined. I can give you what your heart deeply desires."
For that one second Eragon thought about it. He hated himself but he thought about what Galbotorix was promising him. He shook the thoughts away.
"I would rather die." Eragon said, pronouncing every word slowly.
Eragon this chance and sprang forward he lit Brisingr and the battle began. Eragon was lighter on his feet but Galbotorix was better at anticipating Eragon's moves. The blades collided sending a shower of sparks. Saphira and Shruikan did not wait to watch Shruikan attacked right after Eragon went for Galbotorix. Saphira was fighting Shruikan off rather poorly for he was a bigger and more experienced dragon. Eragon parried a blow that could have cost him his ribs. Eragon was avoiding the blows Galbotorix initiated for they were lethal and fast ones. Galbotorix's sword had already broken through Eragon's arm and chest armour which left unprotected and vulnerable to any blows. Brisingr had only touched Galbotorix once and that had been in his face. Blood ran down the deranged King's face. He cursed and tried to wipe it away but the blood kept coming out.
"Enough of this!" Galbotorix roared.
He swung his sword and while Eragon jumped a few feet back the black sword had still struck him across his chest. Blood oozed from the right side Eragon's chest. The wound was deep and Eragon was given no time to heal it either. Galbotorix grinned.
"The offer is off, Rider. My patience has been worn thin and you are of no use to me any more."
Eragon crawled over to the side of the ledge. Galbotorix followed and lifted Eragon up.
"Useless. Where has your loyalty to others led you to?" Galbotorix flung Eragon off the ledge.
Eragon felt himself falling rapidly through the air. He knew he was going to die. He had failed. Alagaesia was doomed. Saphira sensed something was wrong and flew just in time to save Eragon from falling. Eragon healed himself and asked Saphira to take them lower. Eragon found a place to rest and contacted Arya.
Arya.
Eragon, are you hurt?
Not badly. Have you found the other eldunari?
Yes and no. I am struggling to open-
The thunderous roar of a dragon distracted Eragon and he lost his contact with Arya.
"You don't give up, do you?" Galbotorix said with a sneer.
Eragon wiped the blood which poured out of his nose and held Brisingr up.
"Fight me." Eragon said.
Galbotorix made no move. It was Shruikan who leapt onto Saphira. Shruikan had Saphira pinned to the ground. Galbotorix struck then when Eragon's attention had been momentarily diverted from him. Brisingr slipped out of Eragon's grasp when Galbotorix struck. Eragon fighting to breath for Galbotorix's grip on his neck was cutting off his air supply looked at Saphira. She too looked helpless. Glaedr's eldunari fell out of the saddlebag.
"Speak your name, Eragon. Your true name!" Glaedr cried out.
"I don't know it." Eragon could barely get those words out.
Saphira struggled and clawed to try to escape but Shruikan's hold on her never weakened.
"What have you done, Eragon? What is your most distinctive quality?"
Eragon could feel himself slipping away.
"Join me or die!" Galbotorix shouted.
"Loyalty!" Eragon cried.
"Use the ancient language, Eragon. Its VER-"
Galbotorix had thrown Glaedr's eldunari down the ledge they were on using only a few well chosen words and a small movement of his hand.
Arya, what is loyal one in the ancient language.
What? Why are you-
Tell me-
Veronwer
"VERONWER" Eragon choked out as loud as he could.
In a flash Eragon was transported to an eerily looking cave. A slight wind blew but from where Eragon could not tell. He looked around confused and chilled at his new surroundings.
"Am I dead?" he asked out loud.
His voice echoed.
A figure appeared out of nowhere. It was Brom. Eragon wanted to run to him and talk to him but Brom raised his hand.
"I am dead Eragon and you cannot touch me. My son, I want you to know how proud I am of you."
Eragon felt a tear run down his cheek.
"Now when you go back you need to first focus on Aren and use the energy I've saved up for you to get Galbotorix off. Then you need to tell Saphira to concentrate on the eldunari in the saddlebags to give her strength to fight off Shruikan. Hopefully by then Arya will be finished. You need to cast the scales off her eyes and reveal to her the truth. And lastly stab Galbotorix in his heart with Brisingr he is no Shade but he's awful enough to have their fiery tenacity."
Eragon wanted so badly to talk to Brom but he felt himself slipping away and when he opened his eyes he found Galbotorix still cutting off his oxygen supply. Eragon relayed what Brom told him to Saphira briefly before he focused on Aren. Eragon felt an enormous flow of energy charge through his body. He managed to push Galbotorix off sending him to the ground. Eragon looked around and saw Saphira was handling Shruikan rather well. Galbotorix, however, was back on his feet. He looked startled and confused. His black sword was unsheathed as he waited and watched Eragon's every move. Eragon unsheathed Brisingr and moved carefully around Galbotorix.
"You feel it, don't you?" Eragon asked.
Galbotorix looked fatigue he blinked as he tried to remain focused.
"YOU! You have no idea what you've done?" Galbotorix barked out loudly.
"I know exactly what I've done. It's over." Eragon replied and sprung forward Brisingr clutched.
Galbotorix dodged the blow.
"You really think I would have made it this easy for you. I curse you, Eragon Shadeslayer. I curse you and-"
Eragon gave Galbotorix no time to finish instead he leapt and swung his sword sideways. A few hairs got cut when Brisingr made contact with Galbotorix's hair when he ducked. Eragon missed a blow to his unprotected side and flung his sword straight…His sword hit his precise target; in Galbotorix's heart. Galbotorix, tried in vain to get one more blow in on Eragon but Eragon only plunged Brisingr deeper in his chest. Blood streamed out staining both Brisingr and Eragon's hands which clutched the sword. Shruikan stopped fighting to Saphira's surprise.
Thank you, Eragon and Saphira for you both have freed me from my enslavement.
Shruikan said projecting his thoughts to Eragon and Saphira.
We did what we had to.
Eragon said who could think of nothing else to say.
What will you do know?
Saphira asked Shruikan.
I shall leave Alagaesia. My true Rider is dead and I have no other place to go.
You could always help us rebuild Vroengard.
Eragon suggested.
You are indeed generous but I shall have to refuse your offer. I need time on my own.
Shruikan explained.
We understand.
Saphira said, talking for Eragon's behalf.
Shruikan bowed his head to both Eragon and Saphira before leaping off the ground and flying away.
It's finally over, isn't it?
Saphira asked.
Yes, Saphira. It is done.
Eragon said as he looked at the still body of Galbotorix.
Lying on his makeshift bed in his tent Eragon thought of the day's events. A lot had happened within a short space of time. As soon as Eragon and Saphira had found Arya and Beroan collecting the eldunari they had left and arrived at the Varden the following day. They were amazed to find that the Varden had successfully besieged Uru'baen and Galbotorix's castle. Eragon had told Nasuada the news and had shown her Galbotorix's body which Eragon had brought with. He didn't want to but he knew the Varden would need evidence thus he brought Galbotorix's body. Once the news had gotten out that the King had been slain the Varden's troops were in a frenzy. Celebrations started taking place immediately. Queen Islanzadi invited Eragon to the Elvin celebration which would take place as soon as she reached Ellesmera. Now while the Varden and the dwarves were celebrating Eragon remained in his tent.
Now is the time to let your heart embrace joy for the tyrant is dead and gone.
Saphira said.
She had gone to the celebrations only because Eragon had forced her to. The elves were already on their way home but Eragon still feared running into Megiltura. He wasn't sure what he had to do when they would meet at Ellesmera. He didn't want to hurt her feelings and he wasn't even sure it was a bad thing that had happened. Saphira had said that Eragon was grown up and she would trust him despite what decision he would make. Eragon, however, wasn't sure he would make the right decision. Also Brom's word lingered in Eragon's head.
"…cast the scales off her eyes and reveal to her the truth."
Brom had definitely put a particular emphasis on the word 'reveal'. Eragon could not decipher his message though. Arya already knew the truth of how Eragon felt about her so that could not be it, Eragon thought to himself.
"Eragon." said a voice.
Eragon got up and saw Megiltura standing at his tent's entrance.
"May we discuss something whilst we walk?" she asked.
Eragon nodded. He slipped on his boots and sheathed Brisingr before walking with her. Soldiers and dwarves bowed when they saw Eragon appear. Eragon smiled pleasantly at them although his mind was elsewhere. He wondered what Megiltura wanted to talk about. When there was nobody around and they were still walking she started to speak.
"You have done all of Alagaesia a great deed and for that I must thank you."
"I did what I had to. Saphira and I both did." Eragon said.
"But that is not why I have asked you here. I wanted to talk to you about what happened the other night in your tent."
Eragon felt his stomach twist up and felt he had to say something.
"Forget about it if you wish. It was a few moments of unforeseen passion, that is all," Eragon paused, "Unless..."
"Unless, what?" Megiltura stopped and looked straight into Eragon's eyes.
Eragon focused on breathing slowly. He had never done anything like this before. He was still very inexperienced but decided to follow his instinct.
"I think we should give this a chance. See where it goes."
Eragon was surprised at how easily the words slipped from his mouth.
"Really? I didn't think you would feel that way. Well, from what I could tell-"
She stopped dead and gazed up at the sky.
"What could you tell?" Eragon asked, curiously.
"I won't lie to you Eragon. I heard your cousin at the camp fire. Just moments after you left he discussed the affections you felt for another elf. He did not mention who she was however."
Eragon felt his face turn crimson. He tried to lower the heat that rushed to his face.
"Did I hear correctly?"
"Yes, you did," Eragon murmured, "She will not have me, though. It is fortunate that you already know. I would understand if you would not want to go through with this now."
"She does not see what is right before her. Who is she?" Megiltura was closer to Eragon now.
"I can't…It's for the best I think. I would also not feel comfortable telling you her name."
Megiltura held Eragon's left hand.
"I understand." she said softly.
A sudden realization crossed Eragon's mind.
"I apologize for having to ask this but how old are you?" Eragon asked.
"I hope it won't upset you. I did not realize before how young you were."
Eragon waited patiently.
"I am of fifty years of age."
Relief streamed through Eragon.
She's not that old. Half of Arya's age but she doesn't seem to mind my age.
Eragon thought this privately.
"I have to go to Ellesmera. I only came to say goodbye." Megiltura said, she released Eragon's hand tenderly.
"Shall I see you at the festivals then when I arrive?" Eragon asked.
"Of course. I shall be waiting for you."
She smiled and left. Eragon decided to join the Varden's celebrations taking place. Eragon found Nasuada talking with Jormundur near a camp fire.
"Eragon Shadeslayer," Jormundur said and bowed respectfully, "What an honour to have you join the festivities. Saphira is by a few of the dwarves on the other side."
"Thank you. But may I have a few words with Nasuada." Eragon asked Jormundur.
I don't care if this story gets like over 1000 hits, I'm more interested in reviews. And Veronwer means loyal or loyal one in elfish. I figured it sorted of suited Eragon as he always keeps his promises.