A/N: I apologize that this took so long but ive been really busy lately. This is a pretty short chapter but i promise the next one will be up next sunday and im hoping it will involve a little ExA as i need to get that going if i want this story to turn out as i originally planned. I would still like to keep them moving at a slow pace though because i want to keep this semi realistic.
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ!!! It was brought to my attention by Scaryman that some of you may not agree with the egg being brought in so early or so easily so ive decided you deserve an explanation which i cant really give in the story. I Happened so early because i think 1 of 3 things need to happen in book four.
a. the egg has already hatched
b. the egg hatches very early in the story
c. the egg hatches after eragon defeats Galby
I dont want to introduce and OC and i dont think Eragon would be able to defeat Murtagh and Galbatorix alone. As for the egg being with Murtagh and not locked up which was what scaryman asked me about; i believe that having the egg always gaurded in super high security is kinda lame. I mean Glabatorix wants the egg to hatch for him just as much as the Varden want it for themselves. That being the case, i decided to have Murtagh flying it around to different cities trying to get it to hatch so that the Varden could obtain it.
now that ive settled that (hopefully), i give you the unfortunately short and very late chapter six :/
As the Pieces Come Together
Eragon stared at the polished egg in utter disbelief. Something he had thought to be unattainable rested before him accompanied by the casual and nonchalant smiles of his peers; as though the object before them was nothing more than a lost trinket. He turned to look wide-eyed at the other three present in the room, ignoring Saphira's seemingly endless stream of comments. After struggling for what seemed an eternity he had recovered his ability to speak. "How?" It was the foremost question on his mind, and the one he wanted answered the most.
Nasuada's smile widened as she responded, "Did I not already explain it to you? Through some struck of luck your brother was too preoccupied with his assignment to care about the most important object in Alagaësia."
In his stunned state he forgot to care that she had referred to Murtagh as his brother, her response raising another question. "Could it be fake?" It seemed highly unlikely that Murtagh would ever leave the egg for the Varden to take, and equally as unlikely that both he and Thorn had failed to notice the egg fall.
"Nay, Arya has thoroughly examined it and confirms that it is indeed real." She said as Arya nodded in confirmation.
Eragon sat back in his seat with his eyes locked on the polished green stone, dumbstruck. Apparently Saphira had grown angry with his lack of response to her questions and decided to take matters into her own hands. At that moment the building shuddered as she landed on the balcony outside and thrust her head through the window pane, showering the room's four occupants in shards of glass.
"I will not stand by and be ignored when something so important to my race has been obtained." She glanced around the room, daring someone to challenge her. As everyone's eyes rested on her a second, a completely unexpected voice entered their minds.
"Nor will I." A bright golden light came from one of Saphira's saddlebags and three of the beings present gasped in shock, while Roran and Nasuada both wore expressions of confusion.
"Who said that?" Nasuada questioned harshly. She stared intently at the light expecting to see an elf or some other creature of magic appear, though Arya's response shook her to the core.
"That, milady, is Glaedr." Nasuada's countenance changed from one of suspicion to sheer awe.
"I have mourned Oromis for far too long, and I can say without any uncertainty that he would be disappointed. After learning of the egg I realized that I am needed in this war. I gave the two of you my Eldunari for a reason, one which I have been neglecting of late."
"Nonsense Glaedr," Nasuada said appalled "It is only natural for you to mourn someone so close to your heart, especially considering the amount of time you spent together."
Glaedr merely grunted in response before addressing the group. "There are many things that must be decided now, not the very least of which is who will be responsible for the egg."
"Shouldn't Eragon do that, now that he is Leader of the Riders?" Eragon squirmed somewhat in his seat at Roran's suggestion. It seemed reasonable, and he doubted that anybody would object should that be their decision, yet he found himself reluctant to accept. He and Saphira would be extremely busy, making it necessary to either have the egg with them at all times or locked away somewhere where it could possibly be stolen. The more he thought about it he realized that neither of those options were logical. The Varden did not need someone to look after the egg, they needed to find it's Rider.
With that in mind he cleared his throat, silencing the commotion that Roran's query had stirred. "I do not believe that is the best course to take." He paused to observe the reactions his statement had procured. Nasuada and Roran were both giving him confused stares while Saphira just snorted and Glaedr simply let a sense of mild curiosity flow from his conscience. Arya, as always, remained expressionless. "We, the Varden that is, do not need to simply protect the egg. We need it to hatch. I'm sure you are all aware that I cannot defeat Galbatorix without the aid of maybe a hundred elves, and even then victory might not be guaranteed. We need another Rider." He glanced at the faces around him, receiving nods from all including the mental equivalent of one from Glaedr.
"What do you propose we do than, Eragon?" Arya asked.
"I think you should take it Arya. After all, you were responsible for Saphira's egg for decades and I see no reason to replace you as the Egg Courier." Again he received nods of approval, although Arya seemed uncertain.
"I would gladly accept, although I cannot in good conscience without reminding you of what happened last time I was responsible for a dragon egg." The last part was whispered so low, Eragon doubted Nasuada or Roran even heard.
"Nobody blames you for that Arya, and in the end it turned out alright as I found the egg and Saphira hatched for me"
She glared at him for a moment, though he could not fathom why, before responding. "Very well then, I will care for the egg until we have located its Rider." Nasuada pushed the egg over towards her and Eragon shook his head as a low buzzing noise filled his conscience. As Nasuada released the egg the buzzing stopped, though when Arya touched it a high pitched ringing entered his mind. Again he shook his head earning queer looks from Roran and Nasuada though he felt that Saphira noticed the sounds as well.
"Very well, that's settled then. Arya will care for the egg until it hatches at which point I would assume you, Eragon and Saphira, along with Glaedr would be responsible for the pair's training?" Nasuada sounded as though she wanted to wrap the meeting up and Eragon could hardly blame her.
"That is correct. The only other subject we must discuss now is the matter of finding the egg's Rider." Glaedr clearly recognized Nasuada's tone and was attempting to help bring the meeting to a close.
"I can handle that, although I will accept any suggestions from yourself or Eragon and Saphira." Nasuada said standing and making her way to the door.
Eragon rose, still thinking about the noises he had heard when the two women had touched the egg and whether or not it was significant.
"I heard it too Little One."
Eragon smiled slightly as he walked through the door along with Roran and Arya while Saphira flew off from her roost. "I know you did Saphira, perhaps it was simply our imagination as nobody else seemed to notice. Did Glaedr say anything to you?"
"No but I believe he would have mentioned it if he had. Perhaps it was simply our imagination; we are Rider and Dragon after all."
Eragon merely nodded and sent Saphira a sense of agreement. Beside him he noticed Arya glancing in his direction quite frequently. He raised an eyebrow questioningly though she quickly turned away and walked down a side hall. As she turned he could have sworn he saw a red tint on her cheeks.