THREE MORE CHAPTERS! Yes, and this wonderful adventure will end. Maybe I can finish on September 8th... two months before Paolini finishes... dun dun dun! Anyways. Reviews make happy authors. So does getting to click "completed" under this story :D
Eragon took a deep breath and took a step towards the seated dragons. Bid'Daum leaped half the distance between them, carefully avoiding the crashed tents. Eragon could sense the disbelief and fear mounting in the elves, but he walked slowly and carefully towards Bid'Daum. He didn't want to frighten the dragons.
But in the back of his mind he wanted to sprint across hop on Bid'Daum and scream "See!" to each party, and then find Eliana. He dropped his sword ten steps away, and forced himself to maintain his pace.
Bid'Daum did not lower his muzzle until Eragon had put out his hand, and then he made a great show of giving Eragon the one-over before he joined his nose to Eragon's hand.
A great gasp went up on the elvish side, and Eragon heard the rustling of the dragon's surprise. Bid'Daum's great white eyes were smiling, but just barely.
I think I know where Eliana is. He made contact swiftly, jumping in and out of Eragon's consciousness so quickly Eragon almost doubted he had done it. Eragon nodded, and turned back to the elves.
"We can live in peace, but we both have to choose it. They won't choose it unless we choose it. Now put down your weapons and come over here so we can set up an armistice." Eragon saw several of the soldiers cast glances at the crashed tents. "We can't help the wounded until we make peace." Hurry up and just do it, he thought grumpily.
Eragon, Bid'Daum interjected. Eragon turned and found himself face to face with the black dragon. He put out his hand.
The dragon lowered his muzzle slowly until there was contact. Eragon sighed with relief inwardly, and allowed a small, grateful smile outwardly.
He turned again and saw that several elves had dropped their bows, swords and axes and were slowly approaching. Eragon was elated, but wished they would hurry up. In pairs and individually, elves came and offered their hands first to Bid'Daum, then to the black dragon. Eventually, the rest of the dragons came too and offered the strange peace agreement. When the final elf had finished offering his hand to each of the dragons the relief on both sides was tangible.
Help the injured. And tell the elves that the dragons offer their apology, Bid'Daum instructed. Eragon relayed the apologies, and a silent cheer went up inside of him. Reconciliation could happen! Both sides were willing to work together!
Oh. And Eliana is over there, Bid'Daum nudged Eragon towards a large, brown tent on the edge of camp. Hurry, and remember your healing spells.
The cautionary advice on magic put Eragon on edge and he dashed to the tent, skirting a couple other structures before he swiftly began pulling up the fabric. He could see a couple of blood-stains towards the center, and his heart sank considerably. A pair of elves began pulling up the fabric from the other sides of the tent as well, and working quickly they reached the middle within the minute.
Eragon tossed the fabric just beyond the third figure and dropped to his knees next to the bloodied body of Eliana.
"Hey," he whispered, hands hovering cautiously over her skin. From what he could see, her ribcage had collapsed in upon itself, probably piercing the lungs. Her clothes were dripping with blood, and he couldn't tell if she was breathing. "Anybody in there?"
"Eragon?" It was a hardly formed whisper, barely audible, but it was enough for Eragon.
Bid'Daum! Make sure I don't faint from lack of energy. Eragon snapped, barely taking a breath before he growled a violent "Waise heill!"
The other elves looked up at him in alarm, but he paid them no heed. One of them even jumped up and tried to pry him away, but the glow from his hand did not flicker, and he could feel Eliana's body coming back together to form a whole.
Eventually though the glow faded and he clutched his stomach.
Bid'Daum, did I leave an apple in a bag somewhere? Eragon moaned. I'm sooooooo hungry!
"Eragon, you are an idiot." Eragon looked down in surprise at Eliana, who was looking up tiredly at him. "But I am very grateful for your idiocy and part of me hopes you never outgrow it."
"Do you have an apple?" he asked, barely holding in a grin at his success. Take that Bid'Daum! All those months of magic just paid off!
Don't get cocky, silly elf. I recall you eating the apple you desire right now.
Eliana smiled. "No apples, hero. But I found out that this regiment is supposed to meet the Queen and her officers at the nearest bend in the river by tomorrow."
"No apples, no regiment. I'm hungry!" This time Eragon could not help but grin. "Thanks for letting me know, though. Here, let's get you to the medical – oh right, they have to set that up again."
Bid'Daum had padded over to Eragon, causing the two elves to work extra quickly to remove the other two crushed-victims and marvel at Eragon's determination. And magical skills.
They be jealous, Bid'Daum snorted, a short puff of fire appearing.
"Bid'Daum!" Eragon exclaimed. "Fire!"
I was wondering if you'd ever notice, Bid'Daum snorted proudly, a larger flame emerging.
"Hey, hey, watch it, you'll set the forest on fire!" Eragon gently swatted at Bid'Daum.
Hey, hey, what's up with actually talking to me?" Bid'Daum asked, glaring at Eragon while pretending to be offended.
"You mean, out loud like this?" Eragon asked. Apparently when he was hungry, like, really hungry, he was in a very sarcastically humorous mood.
I think he needs an apple, Eliana advised with a grin.
I think you must be right. Hang on while I go find an apple. I'm sure there must be one around her somewhere... Bid'Daum put his nose to the ground and started around the campsite.
"So it works."
"Huh?" Eragon swiveled his attention back to Eliana. "Pardon me, I'm afraid I didn't hear."
"Bid'Daum. Peace. It works," Eliana gestured feebly.
"Apparently, yeah."
"I hope you know what I'm going to tell you next, before Bid'Daum actually finds an apple."
"I'm going to guess," Eragon put his hands to his forehead. "You're going to tell me I'm a madman and I should go back to trying to grow a beard?"
"No. Try again."
"Really?" Eragon asked, grateful that she was already looking so much better. "Then you're going to tell me... that... I would look good with a beard?"
Do you want a beard or something? Bid'Daum asked, shaking his head in an effort to dislodge an apple from his giant tooth.
"I suppose you would look pretty good with a beard." Eliana was squinting at Eragon. "But why ruin what's already great with something 'pretty good'?"
Eragon snatched the apple from Bid'Daum's tooth and without thinking too hard about the hygiene of his action, he chomped a big bite.
Now that we know what Eliana's opinion is on the subject, we can forget about it, right? Bid'Daum watched Eragon voraciously consume his apple. And now that the medical tent is up, I recommend we put Eliana in it and go see about this battle the Queen is intending to begin.
And leave her! Eragon asked, hesitating before he cast a sideways glance at Eliana.
Leave me, bird brain. You're the one with the dragon. Go do your magic in the Queen's face, and tell her "hi" for me.
The dragon is only slightly offended for the lack of luster put in its description, Bid'Daum chuckled.
Okay. But only if I get another apple, Eragon sighed, casting his best evil eye upon Bid'Daum. If dragons could roll their eyes, Bid'Daum would have done so. Instead, he blinked twice and let out a puff of fire in front of Eragon's face, and wandered off to find another apple for his "silly little" elf.
"I am not so certain that ditching you here is the best course of action," Eragon admitted, using the energy from the apple to lift Eliana in his arms. "But it's not like I'm going to change the mind of a dragon, is it?"
"Hardly. And you don't have time to waste, anyways." Eliana's eyes were closed now, Eragon assumed it was to conserve energy.
Or to go to sleep and produce energy, he supposed.
"I guess that someone has to respond to the Queen's demands," he replied ruefully.
"I can't imagine a better candidate," Eliana whispered, floating into dreamland.
"I'm glad to have your approval," Eragon smirked. That apple did wonders for his energy levels. I wonder if it was enchanted...
He gently put Eliana in the nearest empty bed, and slowly walked out with several backward glances to find Bid'Daum with another apple.
Apple. You eat it, we leave. Got it?
Apple! Eragon felt like a little kid again, getting his favorite meal for his birthday. He ate it in three bites and grinned. I eat it. We leave. He frowned. Did the dragons mention anything about a battle?
I was going to tell you that on the way. Go get your sword. Hop on. Then I'll tell you. Eragon meandered off, uncertain where he had left his sword and with no specific desire to be off quickly. Hurry up!
Fine, Eragon dashed, snatched up his sword and sprinted back to Bid'Daum. He hopped on with one backward glance at the medical tent, and Bid'Daum leaped high into the air.
The black dragon, you can call him Hunter-of-Mighty-Prey, will come with us to the elf camp. He thinks his witness might help convince the elves to hold their fire. And he's willing to help me account to the main army what we've done here.
And the rest of the dragons here? Eragon asked, noting that Hunter-of-Mighty-Prey had joined them in the sky.
Will stay here observing if the elves keep their agreement, Bid'Daum answered, flying low over the trees. We're going to drop you off so you can explain this matter to the Queen -
By myself! Eragon's stomach tightened. He'd at least hoped Eliana would be with him at his moment, the moment he revealed his maniacal plan to the Queen. Assuming of course she let him get within range to speak to her.
And then at the climax we will show up in a nonviolent manner and prove that your whimsical idea has merit.
Okay, Eragon said in a small voice. I guess that'll work.
Oh come on, don't act like it's your death sentence! I'll be within rescuing distance, and so will Hunter-of-Mighty-Prey. Besides, I can give you advice on things to say, if you need. Bid'Daum snorted and dropped to the forest floor. Go quickly. The dragons were planning on ambushing this camp by morning. If they come while you're explaining, we'll find a way to stall them until you can get a decent word in.
Right. Eragon swallowed, and slid off of Bid'Daum. He turned and watched Hunter-of-Mighty-Prey land, but it was only then that he started walking towards the camp. His stomach constricted again, though this time is was more out of hunger than out of fear. I hope that they'll feed me once I'm done convincing them – if I can convince them – that we aren't in a position to keep on fighting the dragons. Eragon sighed and went over persuasive strategies in his mind, but he had barely enough time to recall the first principle before he found himself surrounded by elves.
And by "surrounded," I mean they were pointing their swords at his face.
"Who are you and what's your business?" a voice called out.
"M'name is Eragon and I'm here with a message for the Queen from," Eragon faltered. What regiment had Eliana been camping with for the past few weeks? "Erm, from Eliana."
I don't think she'd be too pleased to know that you said that, Bid'Daum piped in, amusedly observing Eragon through his mind.
Please just shut up, it's hard enough to think without your input, Eragon growled.
Fine, be that way, Bid'Daum closed off his mind and Eragon, for the first time in a long time, felt truly alone.
"Oh." A ripple of interest spread through the surrounding elves, and Eragon had no time to marvel because their swords were sheathed and an elf beckoned at him and said, "Follow me."
So Eragon followed him, and found himself walking through the invisible campsite, except now he could tell why it was invisible.
The elves had molded the trees into dwelling spaces. When one merely cast a glance this way or that, one merely saw a bunch of trees. But when scrutinized, one could clearly tell the tree had stairs curving up the trunk and that the wide branches supported several leafy walls. And his guide led him up one such tree, through such a wall and with that Eragon found himself face to face with none other than the Queen.
"Your majesty," Eragon bowed, his voice gone dry and his stomach was growling hungrily.
What happened next was not in any way shape or form what Eragon had expected.
The guide elf went back down the stairs, the Queen exclaimed his name and practically squashed him in a giant bear hug. Then she stepped back and began asking him a zillion questions per minute in a concerned tone. His thoughts were still catching up to speed when she asked,
"What's this I hear about Eliana being in Knaeol's camp! Did you two participate in the Do or Die campaign and survive? Tell me everything, Eragon."
"Everything?" Eragon asked slowly. "Can I tell you this over dinner, since you apparently have no intentions of killing me? I'm starving."
"Please, take a seat," the Queen gestured to a stool by her desk. "I'll organize something to eat, and then I command you to tell me everything that's gone on since you disappeared."
"Ah, but make it quick please, your majesty," Eragon said, remembering Bid'Daum's warning of a dragon attack. "I have information that there might be an ambush sometime tonight."
The Queen had just finished giving orders for a feast. She turned and asked Eragon to please repeat what he had just said. Eragon hesitated, and changed his wording.
"The events that have occurred since I left your camp have provided a new aspect to the war," he began carefully, persuasive strategies clouding his mind once more. "An aspect that would suggest that an attack tonight could end the war with the good of both sides overcoming all these years of misunderstanding." He finished quickly, and launched into a detailed description of how he had left the camp, hatched Bid'Daum (alluding to Eliana only briefly, since he didn't want her in any trouble) and how Bid'Daum had grown up. Supper came and he ate viciously, slipping into greater description the events of that afternoon and adding a quick explanation of how he had come to be so hungry.
"If a small band of dragons agreed to an armistice, mightn't the greater population also, especially in the face of extinction on both sides?" Eragon used all of his persuasive tactics now – looking into the eyes, speaking with clarity and conviction, and of course, using the simplest body language to subconsciously impose his correctness upon the Queen.
"It's possible, but I have a hard time believing you actually touched a wild dragon, let alone twelve. Or that they didn't eat the elves that you left behind."
"I brought a witness," Eragon said quietly. "He's waiting about ten minutes out of camp to speak with you. But, if your elves promise not to shoot, he'd be willing to come testify himself."
"Eragon, why would my elves need to promise a cease-fire?" The Queen glared disbelievingly at Eragon, and he could see she knew what he was talking about.
"My witnesses are two dragons. Bid'Daum, whom you know of, and the leader of this afternoon's ambush. His name is," Eragon stopped. "We can call him Hunter-of-Mighty-Prey."