The Last Dragons

by phoenix catcher

Complete. OC focus. OMC-Caleb/Solembum. Follows the story of an Elf raised by the Empire but with a greater destiny as one of the coveted Dragon Riders during the final years of the Emperor's reign.

17. Urubaen

The Last Dragons

A/N; Coming to the end of this story now. The next chapter will be the last of this story and I don't think there'll be a sequel. No need really. I hope you all enjoy.

Chapter 17; Uru-baen

Free Army

The sun was just peaking over the eastern mountains when Caleb returned to his own body and looked straight to his right at Arya and then around at the others. "I shall call a meeting for all of the leaders." Arya bowed her head and left the tent letting Caleb turn to Murtagh, Eragon and Solembum. Solembum was looking at him rather serenely but Murtagh and Eragon looked nervous.

"We're moving on Uru-baen as soon as possible." Caleb announced. "The three of us are leaving the army and heading into the mountains."

"What?" Eragon frowned. "We just got here."

"We need to head to the meeting." Caleb announced and checked that he had everything he needed. He waited outside for five minutes as Eragon and Murtagh readied themselves and in that time just pampered Lucus trying to stop himself from feeling emotional. Soon they would go into a fight that he couldn't see them all surviving. The chance of killing Galbatorix with the aid of the Elven Spellcasters and warriors and with three Dragons and their Riders was quite high but the chances of all six of them surviving was next to nothing.

The council tent was teeming with people as Murtagh, Eragon and Caleb gained easy passage past the guards. The flaps in the roof were open letting in the slowly rising natural light but the numerous lamps and torches gave the air a thick feel making the tent seem cramped even though the numerous humans and dwarves moved away to allow them passage into the centre near to the table. Arya was waiting with Nasuada and Trianna. Seated at the end of the table were King Orrin and King Hrothgar with two soldiers in attendance on both and the huge figure of the Kull Chieftain behind them as well as five elves, those that had been sent to aid Arya. Filling the rest of the room were all of the army's Captains that they could spare to come to the meeting as well as a large number of their magicians whose minds all retreated from Eragon's and Murtagh's and to a lesser extent Caleb's since he was assuming a more subtle defence since he had Eragon and Murtagh to keep an eye on things.

"What say the Elves?" Nasuada asked him as the room quieted down at her raised hands. "Are we to be privileged with their wisdom?"

Caleb glanced at Arya with a raised eyebrow. "Is she truly trying to insult the Elves?" He asked loud enough for the five elves at the back of the room to hear.

"I do not know."Arya said simply.

"Where is the Magician Rotta?" Caleb asked as his mind failed to find him within the room.

"He is resting." Rosthburg spoke up.

Caleb glanced at him and then around at a few of the Magicians and then turned to look at Nasuada, Trianna and finally King Hrothgar. "King Hrothgar, the humans here seem unwilling to accept that the Elves will carry out the threat of severing this alliance. You are not so foolish are you?"

"What is it that you allude to?" Orrin demanded coming to his feet.

"King Hrothgar?" Caleb insisted and Arya sighed knowing that Caleb wasn't going to be subtle.

"I am aware that the Elves will severe this alliance if they feel the need to." Hrothgar nodded.

"I still don't see what this has to do with the current situation." Orrin pointed out and the air tensed.

"The Elves demand that the Magician Rotta swear an oath of silence to me immediately." Caleb announced simply.

"He is resting." Rosthburg snapped making Caleb turn to him.

"Be silent, human!" Caleb hissed. "And do not lie to me. Track down the human magician and bring him here!"

The elves at the back of the room looked as one to Arya though only to get a second opinion. "Do it." Arya agreed.

"Speak common if you please." Nasuada demanded gently.

"We don't please." Caleb shook his head. "You were warned that the Elves would demand such a thing yet Rosthburg's mind is filled with your plans to hide Rotta until the memories of the magic can be gotten from him."

"He is a human and thus under our command." Nasuada put her hands on the table to still the shaking induced by her irritation.

"I am under orders from the Elven Council that if he does not swear his silence to me I am to capture him or kill him." Caleb stated simply and saw Eragon flinch out of the corner of his eye. He raised his voice at the shocked muttering around the room. "Either of the last options will end in a severance of all future ties between our races."

"Yes, they will." Orrin almost growled at him. "We would never permit the Elves to imprison one of our own."

Caleb laughed sharply and turned his back on them all to look at Eragon and Murtagh and forced himself to look at the only people he truly cared about in this tent to calm his anger and his magic. "You seem to have forgotten the treatment you dealt me on our first meeting."

"This is beside the point." Nasuada tried to reclaim some semblance of calm. "Are you saying that unless we bow to the wishes of Elves they will leave us alone on the battlefield?"

"The Elves will do what they must to preserve their existence." Caleb stated simply. "Helping you against Galbatorix balances on you honouring their requests."

"This isn't a request. It's an order!" Rosthburg almost shouted. "From a race that aren't even part of this Council. Why should we honour them?"

"Because you need them." Eragon snapped angrily. "And you need us."

"What are you saying, Eragon?" Nasuada asked calmly though she probably wasn't anything near to that.

"If the humans refuse the Elves this then it is by some desire for the knowledge in Rotta's mind, knowledge about magic that the Elves are telling you is dangerous to know." Eragon stated simply. "If you desire such a thing then I will not fight for you."

"You assume it's truly dangerous to know." Orrin corrected Eragon.

"I trust Arya and Caleb." Eragon said simply. "Be careful that your attitude does not sabotage my trust in you also, Lady Nasuada."

Caleb chuckled quietly at the look on Nasuada's face and he turned to the entrance as Rotta was escorted in by the five Elves. "Are you still adamant on preventing this, Lady Nasuada?" Caleb asked. "Or am I supposed to kill this man right here and now even though when I first saved his life he was fighting with his last drop of energy to save your soldiers?"

"It is you who wishes to kill him, Dragon Rider." Orrin stated with a glare on his face.

"You leave us little choice." Nasuada snapped. "Take what you need from him."

"How gracious." Caleb shook his head. "Your willingness in this matter will not be forgotten." It wasn't a compliment. He turned to Rotta who was watching in confusion and a certain level of apprehension. "The Elven Council wishes..."

"Demands." Rosthburg corrected.

Caleb glared at him viciously and took a different tact. "The scene you witnessed from the mind of the magician should not be spoken of to any other. Do you understand that?"

"I do not." Rotta shook his head. "I do not understand the danger in it."

"Like I..." Rosthburg started.

"Silence yourself, Captain." Arya snapped. "Interrupt again and I shall silence you by magical means."

Caleb nodded and turned to speak to Rotta but the Magician continued on his own. "Perhaps that is why it is so important for me to take a binding oath." Rotta said. "I've thought about it since I first woke up and I trust that you would not demand something so lightly. I don't understand why it is so dangerous and that is why I cannot be allowed to slip up and tell anyone any part of it."

"You will take the oath?" Caleb asked.

"I will. But please, how dangerous is it?" Rotta asked.

Caleb glanced at Arya who nodded. "It involves a concept of magic that has long been known to Elves but no Elf uses it lightly and not in the way that Galbatorix uses it. He is killing a slave for every one of those soldiers he creates and the Elves will be sure to eradicate every Magician and soldier who has been involved in the procedure."

"What do I have to do?" Rotta asked with a glance at Orrin as his King. King Orrin made no response from where he was once again seated beside Hrothgar.

"Just repeat after me." Caleb told him and launched into a short binding Oath that once Rotta repeated back to him locked away the memory of that scene and prevented him from ever attempting it himself. Once finished Rotta looked tired and Caleb nodded to him. "You are a good man, Rotta. Go now and rest for this war is not over yet."

Caleb watched him leave before turning back to the table. Eragon and Murtagh stayed near his sides as Arya took the spot light. "With Galbatorix focused on creating these cursed soldiers time is of the essence to us. It is a long process that hinges heavily on the availability of energy and slaves but we estimate that for every day we wait he will gain a hundred more of these warriors." Arya waved a hand at the ground around the map covered table and with a silent spell dirt and sand rose up from the ground and flowed into shapes on the map detailing Uru-baen as Arya remembered it and also the position of the Elven and Free Armies. "We must strike as fast as practicable."

"This comes from your Council?" Nasuada asked.

"The longer we wait the more time Galbatorix has to recover from the loss of Ceunon, Gil'ead and Dras Leona." Arya pointed out. "The Elven army will move down to Uru-baen and lay siege over the night in ten days time, on the new moon. When Uru-baen awakens it will be completely surrounded."

"That is a five day march!" One of the human Captains gasped.

"Which gives us five days to prepare." Hrothgar announced. "To not arrive would give Galbatorix the chance to surge out from behind those gates and attack the Elven army."

"They wish us to arrive on the morning after the new moon?" Nasuada asked Arya.

"Yes." Arya said simply.

"And what of the Dragon Riders?" Nasuada asked. "Are they to stay with us or fly on ahead?"

Caleb gritted his teeth but he should have known better than to think she'd bother to ask them. Arya was staring at him and Eragon and Murtagh touched him on the arms. Obviously his anger was quite obvious. "We leave now." Caleb snapped. "Do not fret, Lady Nasuada. The weapons will be there in time for the battle."

"Watch..." Rosthburg started but Caleb was in no mood and his snapped spell froze the human into place. Caleb spun on his heels and swept out of the room hearing Lucus land heavily outside having bounded across the camp as he felt Caleb's anger. Caleb struck out with his mind sending everyone trained in the mental arts scurrying away except for Eragon and Murtagh who reached for him in concern.

"Eragon you can bow before them for however long you like in the future but right now we're leaving." Caleb said simply. "As soon as Saphira, Thorn and Lucus are saddled and we have a few supplies. If you want to say goodbye to Roran and Katrina do it quickly. We'll be gone until we arrive at Uru-baen for when the Elves arrive."

"Where are we going?" Eragon asked as Caleb mounted up behind Lucus who had just scattered the guards around the tent with a snarl.

"To the mountains to train." Caleb explained abruptly just as Lucus leapt up into the air as Murtagh rushed outside. Caleb caught his concerned expression for a moment before Murtagh was distracted by Eragon arriving at his side. Lucus wheeled and took Caleb away from the tent and back to their own tents so they could get ready. All the time Lucus was trying to soothe him. Caleb closed his mind to everyone except Lucus. "Even with us standing right there she didn't even bother to ask us. She just assumed that with us here in her army rather than with the Elves that she was the one giving us orders. Is that really all that we are, Lucus? Something to be shared between armies and bartered for? When are we just going to be a baby Dragon and his scared Rider?"

"I think the circumstances of our births took away that option for the both of us." Lucus told him sadly and Caleb caught the flickering images of Lucus running beside Jet on their way up to Carvahall, already on a mission.

"They fight for their own free will but when do they ever consider ours?" Caleb asked. "Are we just supposed to accept that they are better tyrants than Galbatorix?"

"Perhaps in the coming peace they will prove that they are not the tyrants all leaders become in war. Galbatorix is never not a tyrant." Lucus stated.

"Lucus, say the word right now and we'll pick up our things and fly away. We'll never return to Alagaesia and you can grow up however you like. We can just live our lives on our own." Caleb offered. Lucus was silent for a time and Caleb knew that he was finding a way to answer for the both of them. In the end Caleb's mind was filled with memory after memory or firstly Murtagh, then Eragon and Saphira and lastly Thorn. That was what stopped them from leaving and that was what made them fight this war.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Three days later

Caleb, Lucus, Murtagh, Thorn, Eragon, Saphira and Solembum headed straight for the mountains as soon as possible after Caleb's near escape from the human and dwarven Council and Caleb had been working Murtagh and Eragon hard over the last few days teaching them anything that he thought they could use working on their speed and accuracy when it came to magic and their agility when it came to their swords. Murtagh and Eragon were both naturals when it came to sword fighting and Caleb enjoyed sparring with either of them especially for the familiarity that came with sparring with Murtagh.

They never trained in the evenings and merely laid around together with their Dragons forming a tight circle around them and a fire between them. Murtagh was starting to gain the same aversion to meat as Eragon and Caleb and he grumbled about it as often as he could get away with which amused Eragon and Caleb to no end.

They were talking about what they wanted to all do after the war was over when Solembum jumped off of Lucus' front paw and shifted instantly into his human form, taking on the form of a seventeen year old which quickly told Caleb that he was planning on being affectionate. When Solembum shifted into a cat he did so without his clothes when he could but he could shift along with his clothes if it was more convenient. Supposedly being in cat form with hidden clothing irritated him though but luckily Murtagh and Eragon weren't fussed by Solembum's current state of undress. Solembum also preferred a smaller human body whenever he could but he took on a form more similar to Caleb's when he wanted to wrap himself around him.

Their conversation paused as Solembum flopped down onto the ground beside Caleb and fell into his side, demanding attention and warmth. Caleb glanced at Eragon and Murtagh before settling an arm around him. "You're cold, Solembum." Caleb pointed out.

"I don't like it up here." Solembum muttered turning into Caleb's side and pushed up Caleb's shirt so he could find bare skin to put his arms around and his head on. Caleb glanced at the enthralled Murtagh and Eragon before sighing and shifting backward to put his back against Lucus' side. He pulled his shirt over his head and draped it around Solembum's back and just let Solembum curl up against him.

"He's getting rather attached to you isn't he?" Eragon asked.

"What's stopping me?" Solembum asked. "I've waited a long time on my own. I'm not waiting any longer."

"Are you...?" Murtagh raised his eyebrows as he looked at his lifelong brother.

"I suppose so." Caleb shrugged. "It's not like I'm ever going to fit in anywhere." Lucus snorted out a cloud of steam. "Correction, I'm never going to fit in anywhere other than with Lucus."

"And with us." Murtagh pointed out. "But I suppose I never could picture you with anyone normal."

"That hurts." Solembum muttered but seemed to take Murtagh's statement as permission and he clung tighter to Caleb.

"It's late." Eragon announced seeing that Solembum clearly just wanted Caleb to himself. He got up and grabbed his bed roll and laid it out along Saphira's side. Lucus shifted slightly and Solembum rolled off of him and stood up. Caleb laid out his own bedroll and stripped down. He didn't need the layers, none of them did with their Dragons so near to them and he knew that Solembum would want the contact. He had spent so much time in camps like this with Murtagh and Eragon and bathing together in rivers that it made no difference to see each other undressed.

He watched in silence as Solembum dashed over to Eragon and hugged him tightly. He whispered something in his ear before running over to Murtagh and doing exactly the same. Caleb raised his eyes at him but just slid into his bedding and held it open to Solembum who quickly slid in beside him, making contact down the entire length of his body. Caleb felt how cold he was and pulled him over himself and down onto his left between Caleb and Lucus' side and then Lucus extended his wing and settled it over them like a canopy ridding them of the cold breeze. He kissed Solembum on the lips even as Solembum's eyes began to drift closed in contentment.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next night

Eragon had taken quite a beating that day since Murtagh and Caleb had ganged up on him with their swords and minds even as Lucus and Thorn had worked together against Saphira. Not only did that give Eragon and Saphira practice against multiple and roughly equal targets but it gave Caleb, Lucus, Murtagh and Thorn practice working with each other on an equal footing. Murtagh and Thorn had the joy of being tomorrow's ganged up on target and the day afterwards they'd go against Caleb and Lucus and whereas Lucus was on equal footing with Thorn and nearly equal footing with Saphira everybody could admit that Caleb had a clear advantage in speed, strength, agility, magic and knowledge but so did Galbatorix.

Then the day after Caleb wanted them to pair off Dragon against Rider since that wasn't anything any of them had tried before and he knew it might come down to it in this battle. Lucus would fight Murtagh, Thorn would fight Eragon and finally Saphira as the eldest would face Caleb. There'd probably be need to heal up after that battle.

Eragon was sleeping while Saphira, Thorn and Lucus were away hunting the big mountain game while Caleb and Murtagh sat together. Solembum had decided he wanted to sleep as a cat and had settled himself down inside Eragon's bed with him to get warm. Caleb wasn't even sure that Eragon had awoken when Solembum had intruded on his bed.

"Do you think we can do this, Caleb?" Murtagh asked him quietly so as not to awaken Eragon.

"I think we have to." Caleb sighed. "Why bother worrying about failing? We'll be dead."

"Or he'll find a way to bind us to him." Murtagh grabbed Caleb's hand. "Do you have a way to prevent that from happening?"

"How did he make you do it in the first place?" Caleb asked his brother. He'd never really questioned him on it before.

"He told me he had you in the dungeon." Murtagh hung his head. "He showed me memories of it. I believed him. I refused for an entire week but the images of you, they just got worse. I didn't realise they were all a trick."

"Probably not a trick." Caleb shook his head. "He tore me apart pretty badly when I was in that dungeon. He probably just made you relive his memories of it, carefully separating them so it looked as though I was getting worse."

"He didn't tell me that you'd escaped until after I'd taken the oath." Murtagh turned to look at him.

"I don't blame you, brother." Caleb shook his head. "I probably would have done the same thing if I thought he had you in the dungeon."

"So what does that mean?" Murtagh asked.

"It means that he can't force you to take that oath." Caleb leaned sideways and put his head on his brother's shoulder. "You have to voluntarily take the oath."

"What if he has you and Eragon at knife point and orders me to take it?" Murtagh asked him desperately.

"There's only one thing I can do to prevent that." Caleb sighed.

"What's that?" Murtagh turned to look at him and Caleb was forced to sit up straight after losing his pillow.

"You and I share an oath which prevents us from harming one another. We've already seen the results of that after you were forced into that oath." Caleb told him. "If you, Eragon and I were to take a similar binding oath then we could withstand any outside orders."

"You mean like we did when we were younger?" Murtagh asked. "Just add Eragon to it?"

"Not quite." Caleb shook his head. "This would bind us permanently, mind and magic. Nobody would have power over any of us ever again. The Elves and Dwarves would both recognise the bond. We'd become our own power and because our power is so strong we would become a separate entity."

"I'm surprised you've never suggested this before." Murtagh pointed out. "You hate the way Nasuada orders Eragon around."

"He swore an oath of fealty." Caleb shrugged. "But it doesn't really mean anything, it's not actually binding. It's only Eragon's honour that keeps him to that and he can follow his orders after we bind ourselves if he wants to but basically anything he swears to will involve all three of us and we all have to agree."

"What does that mean?" Murtagh's eyes were shining. He'd almost seen the entire point to this.

"Nobody could force you to take an oath because you could not give it without Eragon and I agreeing." Caleb shrugged.

"So he couldn't hold you at knife point and force me to do it." Murtagh grinned.

Caleb leaned against him again and Murtagh laid on his back. Caleb curled up into his side liked he'd used to when they were in the castle, hiding away in their tower prison. "It's forbidden by Elven law." Caleb said eventually.

"Could they do anything about it?" Murtagh asked. "And if it's forbidden then how do you know of it?"

"Islanzadi asked Oromis to teach it to me when we were with the Elven army." Caleb whispered. "I believe she realises the stress we are under. Being torn apart by the different races. I believe she meant for it to be used after the war when the races start arguing over how to control us."

"Because if we took the oath then we could never actually be forced into anything?" Murtagh asked.

"We'd have to agree to help. Nasuada could order Eragon to do it but she'd automatically be faced with the three of us and you and I don't have any allegiance to the humans. The same can be said for the Dwarves because Eragon joined Durmgrimst Ingietum, they could order him to do something as their clan-brother but they'd be facing all three of us. Lastly, obviously, Islanzadi holds some power over me as I am Elvish and she trained me in magic." Caleb paused. "You are the only one of us that is truly held to no expectations after this war and we shall need that because they may, as three races, turn to us to follow them. You will have to step in."

"You would take Islanzadi's orders?" Murtagh asked.

"I will allow her to make requests but I will not be a weapon for her. None of the armies have asked any of us what we want and I'm dying inside." Caleb sighed. "Lucus..." Caleb trailed off but it had been merely a pained whisper and not the start of a sentence.

"I understand what you mean." Murtagh stroked Caleb's hair. "Nobody asked me to fight for them after you broke my oath to Galbatorix. They seem to assume I will fight for them out of a need to redeem myself. They blame me for taking that oath though I had no choice. I would fight to redeem myself to Hrothgar because I tried to kill him but you were the one to save him and I view us as brothers. No transgression can be blamed on us as no harm was done to him."

"At the moment they could argue that but if we bound ourselves together then they would have to accuse the three of us." Caleb touched Murtagh on the stomach. "I am as sorry for Thorn as I am for my Lucus. Neither they nor Saphira should be forced into this war and even if the humans, dwarves and Elves try to convince us to fight for them they have no say over our Dragons."

"Most of the time they don't even see them as having a choice." Murtagh was crying. Caleb could hear it in his voice and he pulled up so he was hovering at Murtagh's side. He leaned down and kissed Murtagh on the cheeks. "This war will be over soon, Murtagh and afterwards we'll tear up their ideas and plans."

"Do you want to take this oath together?" Murtagh asked him.

"I do." Caleb nodded. "As does Lucus."

"Thorn agrees." Murtagh sighed. "I..."

"You?" Caleb waited patiently.

"I have nothing else in the world beyond you, Lucus, Eragon and Saphira. I have no other family, friends or anybody that I fight for. I don't have kinship with the humans, dwarves or elves. Not even a nation to call my own." Murtagh closed his eyes as he spoke. "Thorn is part of me and I have an unbreakable loyalty to you, Lucus, Eragon and Saphira. I know that and so do you and the others but the people down in Alagaesia don't recognise what we want so I say that we force them to recognise it."

"Then we'll asked Eragon in the morning and take it if he wants us to." Caleb nodded.

"Caleb?" Murtagh wrapped his arms around him all of a sudden, pulling Caleb back down to use his chest as a pillow. "Are you alright facing Galbatorix?"

Caleb laughed because he didn't know what else to do with himself. In the end he just answered simply and truthfully. "It terrifies me." Caleb sighed. "For most of my childhood I had to hide what I really was from him but if we take this oath together then I won't be facing him alone."

"You'll never be alone again." Murtagh's smile was clear in his voice.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A few days later

Caleb bent his legs and dove to the side as Saphira landed heavily in front of him and lashed out with her jaws. It was Caleb's time to take on one of the Dragons and since Saphira was the strongest of the three Dragons she had become his opponent. Caleb was more agile than she was but she had the advantage of both strength and technically magic although she couldn't actually use it. Not to mention that her mind was impenetrable to him. He wasn't trying to actually slash her with his Rider's sword but he slapped her over and over with it. He could strike her quite easily but that didn't mean he could defeat her. It would take quite a few hits to weaken her whereas she only needed to hit him once to take him out of the fight and she'd come quite close a few times over the last ten minutes but he could protect himself with magic and without Eragon's assistance she wasn't able to do the same.

He focused on the ground deciding to surprise her with a completely different move and with a muttered sentence the ground erupted with solid blocks of stone that struck her chest and sent her tumbling to the side. Caleb used her distraction to start a strong restraining spell that would keep her pinned but she was faster to recover than he'd expected and her tail flashed out at him. He dropped his half finished spell and powered his physical ward which drained him slightly as her tail struck it but although it protected him from damage it still sent him flying backwards at the force of her strike.

He landed heavily a dozen feet back and tumbled across the ground and suddenly the ground was no longer there. She'd sent him off the edge of the cliff they'd been fighting on. He dropped his wards but didn't have to even try to cast a spell to bring him safely to the cliff side where he could get rescued by Lucus. A shadow blocked out the sun and he looked up as he fell to see Saphira leap off of the cliff after him followed a few seconds later by Lucus who had been observing the fight from further in from the cliff. Saphira fell towards him and Caleb slowed his decent with a spell so that she shot past him and opened her wings to arrest her movement. Caleb landed smoothly on her back.

"Thank you, Saphira." Caleb told her over the wind as she came to a hover just as Lucus came to an abrupt stop in his own rapid decent with an explosion of his wings.

"Don't scare me like that!" Lucus complained as he settled into a hover beside Saphira.

Caleb crouched down and rubbed at the scales on Saphira's side speaking aloud as was proper with another Rider's Dragon. "I think we can call that a day. Thanks for the rescue." He stood up regardless of his perilous perch and smiled at Lucus. "Come on then, love. Care to give me a lift?"

"Finally." Lucus growled and beat down on his wings sending himself flying over Saphira's larger body. Caleb leapt up and caught hold of Lucus' wing joint since he wasn't wearing his armour or saddle and when Lucus righted himself Caleb sat himself down just in front of his wings and leaned down and kissed his bonded's scales and then patted him.

Saphira beat down on her wings and shoot upwards using the uprising air to send her spiralling up towards the cliff top and the other three members of their family and Solembum.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

A few days later

Their last night alone was upon them and they'd have to take to the skies at noon the next day to reach the rolling plains around Uru-baen during the early hours of the night when the Elves would begin their siege. They were sitting in a circle, crosslegged, with their Dragons lying in a circle around them, their necks and heads bent to be close to their Riders. Solembum was the only one breaking their strange pattern since he was lying with a blanket around him and his head on Caleb's lap. Caleb was absently carding his hands through his hair.

"You are sure this is safe?" Eragon asked.

"There are no risks involved unless I word the spell incorrectly." Caleb said simply.

"Have you ever done that before?" Eragon asked and Murtagh snorted in amusement. Caleb grinned at Eragon and shook his head. He wasn't one to make mistakes and Murtagh knew it.

"You must keep your minds open to me and keep your magic calm. It will be under my control and you must not fight it." Caleb explained and was ready when Eragon and Murtagh both stared at him in shock. Saphira and Thorn both snorted out smoke as they raised their heads up. They hadn't expected that part.

"Controlling another's magic is not an easy task." Saphira's words were broadcasted to them all.

"How will you control our magic?" Eragon asked, looking rather ill at the idea. They'd be defenceless.

"With the obvious method." Caleb sighed and looked at them both in the eyes. "My kind have an instinctual knowledge of the true names of things but that does not apply to all people. I, however, also have the advantage of knowing the both of you. I'll admit that your name, Eragon, was harder for me to discern but I have known Murtagh's for years, even as it has changed."

"Galbatorix knew it too." Murtagh gritted his teeth.

"A lucky guess on his behalf." Caleb shook his head. "Or on Shruikan's behalf I think. You're name has changed since then."

"So you know them?" Eragon swallowed nervously. Caleb reached over and grabbed his hand.

"You do not trust me with them?" Caleb asked with a smile of amusement and Eragon deflated and laughed to himself.

"I trust you with everything." Murtagh told him. "I always have and that'll never change. Most of what I am is because of you."

"Maybe I don't feel quite that strongly." Eragon chuckled. "But you've never betrayed me before. Unless you count not telling me about Murtagh."

Caleb flinched and Eragon and Murtagh both spotted it. Eragon squeezed his hand and Murtagh reached over and touched Caleb on the leg rather than take Caleb's other hand away from Solembum's hair. "After this spell you will both be able to work out my own true name."

"Then we'll be even." Murtagh grinned.

"I will have to rediscover your names as well." Caleb pointed out. "This will change us all."

"Alright." Eragon nodded before looking at Murtagh. "You ready?"

"Definitely." Murtagh nodded resolutely.

"Let's do it then." Eragon nodded.

"You'll all feel a large drain after this and it'll probably almost wipe me out even with Lucus involved. Saphira and Thorn will feel just as tired. Solembum has agreed to get us all settled in for the night after this if we can't do it ourselves." Caleb glanced down at Solembum. He looked asleep but Caleb knew he was just staying out of the private moment like he always did. Solembum's eyes flickered open to look up at Caleb and the fifteen year old looking boy smiled at him.

"How do we do this then?" Eragon asked.

"Lucus." Caleb instructed and his Dragon lifted himself up slightly and turned so that when he laid back down his head was over Caleb's head. "Saphira, Thorn." He prompted and they quickly copied Lucus. "Just copy what Lucus does. I will end up controlling some of your own magic too."

"We accept that." Thorn told them all as he settled down into position. Solembum sat up as Caleb shifted so that he was kneeling where he had once been sitting and in a quick move Caleb pulled his shirt over his head. Murtagh and Eragon frowned at him but shifted to copy him even as Caleb explained.

"We need to be in contact so that the magic isn't lost within the air but channelling the magic through two sets arms and hands isn't good enough. He shifted forwards and the others followed and Caleb reached out with his hands and placed them flat on the chests of his brothers and nodded to them in prompting. Eragon moved first bringing up his left hand and settling it flat on Caleb's right chest and Murtagh copied him before both reached out to each other completing the circle. "Grip if you have to but don't let yourselves let go. If you can't keep a grip on our chest then grip the shoulder. Chest is closer to your own core of magic though so it will be easier for us all this way even if you draw blood. Lucus." He prompted finally and Lucus lowered his head putting his nose between Caleb's shoulder blades.

Not only did that keep Lucus in direct contact with Caleb to share their magic better but also pressed him forwards. He felt Eragon and Murtagh's hands pushing back on his chest and a moment later felt their weight shift onto his own hands. They'd have an easier time staying in contact this way as well. Caleb didn't need to check but knew that Lucus had stretched his wings to touched Saphira's and Thorn's wings as they opened as well. Now they were all in contact.

Caleb nodded to Murtagh and Eragon before shutting his eyes and began to chant rapidly under his breath. At the first muttering of their true names they gasped as chills ran through them and their hands tightened on his chest but he didn't let it distract him. Magic flowed through his hands and arms, taking the shortest route to his body and behind Murtagh's and Eragon's magic came Saphira's and Thorn's. His own magic flooded back towards them with Lucus' behind it and it mixed as his spell continued on until the magic was a combination of all six of them spinning through their bodies. His hands could feel the sweat on Eragon and Murtagh's chests and his own body was sweating slightly even though he was an elf.

With the magic swirling the spell shifted to focus on their minds and all six of them saw flashes of all of their lives. The first one was of Lucus tumbling across the ground playing with Caleb in Carvahall. They were both happy and it started a flood of other memories and emotions. Murtagh and Caleb wrestling together. Eragon and Roran play fighting. Saphira playing with Eragon in the snow around Carvahall. Thorn and Murtagh alone together in a dark room in Uru-baen. The sudden shock of the last memory triggered a response from Caleb and although he didn't stumble with the spell a memory flashed through him. Murtagh and himself clutching each other in the rain on the turret of Morzan's home. Then Eragon hugging Caleb and then Murtagh and Caleb hugging. Caleb wrapping his arms around Lucus as they flew. Thorn rubbing his neck against Lucus' neck in relief that he existed as well. Lucus playfully nipping Saphira on the tail making her rear around on him.

Then the pictures began to speed up almost too fast for any of them to focus on anything but they were all logical, moving from one to the next following linked emotions or reactions to previous flashes of memories. They were just getting used to it when Caleb's mind went white to them and flooded forwards. Caleb gasped in pain but didn't stumble on his spell. White flight flooded their minds spreading from Caleb and into Murtagh, Eragon, Thorn and Saphira. They gasped and Caleb felt their grips tightening on his chest, fingernails digging into his skin with unbelievable strength.

The burst settled down and Caleb felt weaker than he ever had before but he didn't stop and the only warning they had was when Caleb muttered Eragon's true name and the same white light burst through their minds from Eragon and Saphira and slammed into their own bodies and minds. Murtagh sagged having barely recovered from before but Caleb and Eragon didn't let go of him even though they were having to hold him up slightly until he tensed and took his own weight, pushing against Eragon and Caleb's chest to straighten up even as the burst of light faded from behind their eyes.

Caleb choked as he felt almost completely drained and even Lucus was feeling it. He tasted blood on his lips and knew that his nose was bleeding but he had enough to finish this and he forced out the next words and when he uttered Murtagh's true name once again all three of them were ready for the onslaught of burning light that flooded Eragon, Caleb, Saphira and Lucus.

Once it faded Caleb forced out the last few words and they felt heat surge through their limbs and soaking into their chests, burning at where their hands gripped each other. Caleb didn't even manage to open his eyes as he went completely limp. He dimly realised that Lucus' mind had shut down into unconsciousness as he hit the ground, his fall only cushioned when Eragon and Murtagh took some of his weight in surprise. They were dead on their feet but still with enough sense to catch him. Caleb gasped out one more time before losing consciousness.

It was done.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

The next day

Caleb woke blearily when the sun rose feeling a lot better than he'd felt the night before. His mind opened out to the world carefully as it always did and the first thing it found was Solembum who was already awake yet lying with his head on his stomach. Solembum felt his mind and opened his own in way of greeting. Caleb's mind reached Lucus next whose head was next to Caleb. Lucus was just waking up as well. After that his mind reached all four of the others at more or less the same time. Caleb was the last to wake up it seemed at he had the attention of everyone as he opened his eyes.

"You gave us a bit of a scare." Eragon told him gently as he moved and slipped down next to Caleb. He was wearing his combat trousers and boots but had forgone a shirt at the moment. They were going to head down to the rivers to bath before they fully dressed so there was little point. Caleb's eyes narrowed in on Eragon's chest where there were the fine dashed lines of Caleb's and Murtagh's fingernails where they'd dug in and drawn blood. They'd probably bruised too but Eragon had been changed and he healed fast, even naturally. Caleb reached out a hand and Eragon didn't move as Caleb brushed his fingers over his chest where he'd drawn blood himself.

"You alright?" Caleb thought to ask and was shocked when, even without concentrating on the other two they both reacted, nodding at him.

"We are fine, Caleb-Vor." Saphira greeted pleasantly. "We have been exploring our new connection."

Caleb looked at Murtagh who was in the same state of dress as Eragon, just as he'd been during the ritual the night before. Caleb's fingers brushed over his brother's chest this time touching where Eragon had dug his fingers in. There was still bruising there. "You're the only one that's already healed naturally." Murtagh told him tracing his fingers over Caleb's chest. Caleb glanced down even as he sat up, dislodging Solembum in the process. There were small pink scars showing where Murtagh and Eragon had gripped him but they'd heal soon too.

Caleb reached out to Murtagh and Eragon and felt as they shut away their minds automatically. "You don't need to reach for us any longer." Eragon told him. "Murtagh and I have been practicing all morning and unless we're concentrating on hiding our thoughts they are shared, even through our shields."

"I'm glad it worked." Caleb said and knew that they could sense the happiness behind his words. It was strange feeling Eragon and Murtagh's constant presence. It wasn't as strong of a connection as the one he shared with Lucus but it was there all the same. At any point he could reach for either of them and feel what they were thinking and hear what they were thinking. He couldn't directly link with either Thorn or Saphira but they were linked to him through Eragon and Murtagh just as Lucus was linked to them through him.

"What was the burning light at the end of the spell?" Eragon asked. They seemed to have decided to get as used to this new, flawless and easy method of communication as soon as possible before the upcoming battle and in fact mental speech was always faster than verbal but since Magicians had to 'knock' and wait for access normally before speaking verbal was always the faster way to speak. That was no longer true with the three of them.

"I told you the spell binds us together completely." Caleb smiled at them physically although they were turned inwards more than outwards at the moment. "It was magic first, then mind and finally soul."

Caleb registered first shock and then realisation before it settled in all of them that they were relieved to completely belong to each other. Caleb felt their warmth directed at him and each other and he put out the feeling that they were all family now. Closer than even brothers could be and they both grinned at him.

"The binding that we made when we were younger has transferred to Eragon as well." Murtagh told him after a moment. "Saphira recognised it."

"I expected it would do. The binding includes us all in each of our promises. That will protect us the most in the future." Caleb nodded even as Solembum shifted and sat completely in his lap, tucking himself into Caleb's chest wanting the warmth and affection. He was obviously feeling a little left out. "Solembum is feeling left out. He can't hear what we're talking about."

"Sorry, Solembum." Eragon reached over a ruffled Solembum's hair. Now that Eragon and Murtagh were bound to Caleb they knew how Caleb felt for the Werecat. "It's just new."

Solembum nodded but Murtagh spoke out loud with a frown. "If Eragon is now bound to follow the oath that you and I took to never betray each other does that mean that we share his loyalties?"

"You mean the fact that he swore in Nasuada as his Liege Lady?" Caleb asked and Eragon frowned. "No."

"Because I didn't swear it in the Ancient Language?" Eragon asked.

"It would be more difficult to not follow but our old oaths only carry forward to the others if we want them to." Caleb explained. "Murtagh and I don't want to be enthralled to Nasuada and you don't want us to be either and therefore it didn't spread. In fact now you have no official need to follow her orders. This binding circumvents all."

"And nobody can make us swear an oath?" Murtagh asked needing to be reassured. Caleb sent him the sensation of being safe and protected and saw Murtagh relax even as his breath caught in his throat. Murtagh had always known that Caleb cared deeply for him but now he could have proof of it.

"Not unless all three accept the oath and join in." Caleb nodded. "Even if you were to say the words it would not be able to bind you."

"That's good then." Murtagh nodded and Eragon moved and hugged him, clearly feeling the nervousness in his older brother.

"What do we do with this now?" Eragon asked.

"You do nothing." Solembum lifted his head and looked straight at Eragon. "This was for you, not for the world. It means that you can survive this and have a life afterwards. Caleb didn't do this to use it to protect Alagaesia, he did it to protect you and Murtagh and so that no matter what nothing could come between you."

Caleb tightened his arms around Solembum. "We need to think about moving." Caleb spoke up after a few minutes. "I don't want to rush our preparations."

"I could really do with a swim after last night." Murtagh nodded. "How are your reserves?"

"A little low." Caleb nodded. "I'll be able to restore myself before we arrive though. You?"

"I'm not that low after resting." Murtagh shook his head. "Actually I've replenished rather fast."

"Same here." Eragon nodded.

"Although my reserves are still greater than yours for the time being my magic has moulded you slightly closer to me. You'll be more powerful than you were before and you'll replenish at a faster rate. Eventually the bond will change Murtagh so that he is much more similar to Eragon. More of an Elf." Caleb explained.

"Great." Murtagh said with a straight face but Eragon and Caleb could tell he was pleased. "It's also got rid of the taint that Galbatorix forced on me." Murtagh added without any emotion and Caleb nodded. "You knew it would?"

"I hoped." Caleb nodded. "Your magic, including the impure part that Galbatorix forced upon you mixed with Eragon's and my own magic. Our magic helped yours to destroy it."

"Thanks." Murtagh smiled weakly and Eragon couldn't help himself. He hugged his big brother again.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

That night

Lucus folded his wings from right above the clouds where he, Thorn and Saphira had been circling for half an hour as they awaited a signal from the Elves below. So as not to give away their approach they hadn't even come down into sight of the Surdan, Varden and Dwarven armies and had been keeping as high as possible so as not to alert those in the city. Caleb didn't doubt that Shruikan and Galbatorix knew they were there but he wasn't being very aggressive at the moment.

As the Elven army finally got themselves completely settled in almost half way through the night they received the signal and it was that which made Lucus fold his wings and for them to plummet through the clouds. The exception was Saphira and Eragon who merely continued circling. They'd make sure that one of them was always up in the air in case Galbatorix tried anything on Dragon back. That way they'd have the height advantage straight away and wouldn't have to work for it like any Dragon on the ground would.

Lucus opened his wings in enough time so that he could land silently on the grass just behind the Elven encampment and close to where the command tent was being assembled. Two elves broke away from the back edge of the camp as Caleb slid off of Lucus' back and to the ground. He stretched after the long flight and held his arms up as Solembum called to him in cat form. Solembum leapt into his arms and curled himself up in the crook of his left arm.

"Atra esterni ono thelduin." The closest one touched his fist to his collar bone as he started the greeting, surprising Caleb. This elf was possibly the only one that Caleb would happily greet first. Except perhaps the Queen and Arya.

"Mor'ranr lifa unin hjarta onr." Caleb put his free fist to his own collar bone. Lucus huffed in his own greeting but didn't say anything. Even though the Elves tended to always include the Dragons in their conversations Lucus was always rather quiet. Probably because of a life on the run. Thorn was much the same and Saphira probably would have been had she not been forced to put across a better reputation. One of strength for the Varden and later the other races as well. "Uncle." Caleb greeted properly.

"Caleb." His Uncle smiled at him. "Your brothers?"

Caleb was secretly pleased that his Uncle was referring to Murtagh and Eragon as such. "Thorn and Murtagh have set down on the North side of the city and Saphira and Eragon will keep watch from the sky."

"The Queen has asked to see you as soon as you are able. Do you wish to eat first?" His Uncle asked.

"Murtagh, Eragon and I will eat as the opportunity arises. Could you perhaps have someone put some fresh fruit into Lucus' saddle? We are loathe to stay grounded more than necessary. Shruikan already has the height advantage on us just by being in the castle." Caleb sighed. "Hence why Saphira and Eragon are still up."

"I understand." His Uncle nodded. "Oromis suggested as much. What about the Dragons, do they need food?"

"They fed before we set off and when the humans arrive I will ask for some of their meat." Caleb made a face to show how he felt about it and his Uncle laughed. "I had best speak to Oromis as well. We didn't part on good terms before."

"He is with the Queen." His Uncle nodded and turned to let Caleb follow him. Caleb raised a hand as Lucus lowered his head for a stroke. As soon as Caleb was away Lucus used all of his powerful leg muscles to leap into the sky where he'd keep a constant watch low to the camp. Thorn would keep a similar watch slightly further away in case there were groups of soldiers closing on the Elves without their knowing about it. Which they doubted but it wasn't unwise to make sure.

The Queen's tent wasn't as obvious as normal and was without any of the normal adornment. Eighteen Elves stood guard around it, some of them obviously very old and some of them not at all humanoid looking. Caleb felt their minds brush over his and brushed his own back and sensed the moment two of them detected that his mind had changed. His Uncle wasn't rude enough to have tried to scan Caleb's mind before but it was these Guards' duty to do so.

"Do not ask questions for things you have no business in." Caleb spoke calmly and his Uncle looked at him, having not noticed the brief mental interrogation as anything to care about. The two guards closest to the doors nodded and nothing more was said.

"Caleb?" Eragon's voice rang clear in his mind without the normal warning when somebody wanted to speak to him. "What was that all about? We felt people scanning your mind."

"It was just the normal glance when you see the Queen." Caleb spoke back knowing his words would automatically reach all of his strange family. "They realised that something was different about my mind. It will not take the Queen long to realise."

"Be safe." Murtagh spoke briefly. "I'm talking to the head guy over here about repositioning his forces to concentrate on the hidden exits in the walls. He's going to move people closer to the walls in case they try to slip out in the dark and cause problems."

"If they try Lucus and Thorn can burn them out. Make a point for them not to try again." Caleb replied even as he finally entered the tent and looked around at the people inside. He felt something in his mind. It was almost as if Lucus had blended with him but it didn't give him the normal advantages and it didn't feel as close as when his Dragon did it. It was Eragon, taking a look through his eyes. It was strange. "Eragon..." Caleb warned and felt the mind withdraw with a quick apology. He doubted Eragon had even meant to do it. He'd probably just wanted to know who was there in the meeting.

Caleb saluted properly and gave the required greeting in Elvish and his Uncle Ingwe did the same as Caleb let himself study the occupants of the room. Baring a few the entire command structure of the army was there as well as the Council and Oromis whose eyes held a dark purple sheen which told anyone with any sense that he was blended and even more dangerous than normal. Though to be honest Oromis was dangerous only with his sword, in a magical battle against Galbatorix he'd be dead in moments.

Caleb held his gaze for a moment and Oromis slowly nodded his head, giving him not forgiveness but an acceptance for his behaviour at Gil'ead. Caleb nodded back but turned back when he felt alarm shoot through his mentor and Queen. This alarm was picked up by most of those in the room and their minds searched for the danger only to find Islanzadi focused on Caleb's open mind and their minds focused directly on him and found a vast and unforgiving opponent layered such that you'd have to fight your way through layers just to do any harm.

"Caleb, what have you done?" Islanzadi gasped and rose from her chair and halved the gap between them.

Caleb could hear minds flittering around the camp as the disturbance was registered between the Elves. In a human army this would have been kept to just these people but soon the whole camp would know something was wrong. Caleb didn't try to hide his mind, he wasn't ashamed of what he and his brothers had done. In fact he was proud of the fact that he had people that trusted him so implicitly that they'd bind themselves to him so permanently. "I have done what is necessary to survive this war." Caleb intoned simply.

"While this gives you a small advantage the risks..." Islanzadi sounded scared. Clearly she really hadn't expected Caleb to do it so soon.

"Insanity is not a risk for us." Caleb said bluntly and felt Eragon, Murtagh, Saphira and Thorn rise slightly at his words. They were completely focused on him and it was like five beings were channelled through him though only Lucus was actually capable of blending with him completely. "And this war is not the only thing that my brothers, their Dragons and myself and Lucus must survive."

"Of what do you speak that would be worth this travesty?" One of the Councilmen asked. A strong Spellcaster almost on par with Islanzadi, well above Caleb's skill even if he couldn't match the power that constantly flitted just under Caleb's fingertips. Enough power to put even the Queen of the Elves to shame.

"I speak of us being torn apart by the Councils of Dwarves, Elves and Men." Caleb said simply. "In this war we are your greatest weapons and while we have been given no choice in the matter we shall do all that we can to ensure we have our freedom after this battle is won."

"Your freedom was never in question." Islanzadi spoke quietly.

"We do not agree with you. When did anyone ask Eragon, a sixteen year old boy, if he wanted to fight this war?" Caleb asked.

"It was necessary!" The same councilman told him sharply.

"As I am sure controlling us will be necessary after this war is over." Caleb turned on the man and his eyes flashed even more violet than they were normally as Lucus allowed himself to fully blend with Caleb.

"Surely what is done is done." Ingwe pleaded stepping between Caleb and the Councilman, a dangerous place to be really. He touched Caleb on the arm and Caleb narrowed his eyes.

"Well spoken." Oromis spoke simply. "Glaedr and I are in complete agreement with what Caleb has done."

"This is..." One of the leaders of the army started.

"That is the end of this." Oromis snapped.

"Oromis-Elda is right." Islanzadi sat herself down again. "What's done is done. As ill-considered as it was. It is permanent."

Caleb narrowed his eyes at her and she seemed shocked by having his irritation directed at her. "If I may be excused." Caleb said simply and turned for the door.

"There are matters that must be conveyed to you and your brothers." Oromis pointed out. Caleb paused in the doorway.

"I'll be there in a few seconds." Murtagh told him quickly and Caleb knew he was running. He was still getting used to the changes wrought on his body by blending with Caleb and Eragon but he'd be there in twenty seconds at the most.

"Murtagh will be here to take my place." Caleb said simply before shifting to the common tongue. "His grasp on our language is still a little stilted so for his benefit I would ask you to speak to him in common."

Oromis nodded and Caleb was outside just as Lucus leapt a tent and landed. Murtagh touched him on the arm a few seconds later and Caleb nodded before he disappeared into the tent. "The human army is closing in." Eragon told him. "Perhaps a run for you and Lucus."

Caleb couldn't agree more and he crouched to sweep Solembum off the ground before leaping onto Lucus' back. "Murtagh, I'm going to see the human army."

"I shall let them know." Murtagh told him just as Lucus bounded into the air and glided only far enough to clear the darkened camp. He landed again just outside the range of Elven bows and took off across the pitch black landscape, running in small leaps controlled perfectly with just the smallest flickering of his wings.

Ten minutes later Lucus' night vision saw the advancing lines of human and dwarven soldiers and Caleb sent his mind out like a blanket and felt all of the humans and dwarves with mind training retreat from him. Their wards were already in place and the army had slowed and spread out so as to blanket the Elven army and arrive all around this side of the city just before dawn when the army could see where they were placing their feet. Minds lashed back at him and Caleb retreated from them before announcing who he was with a single picture thrown at them.

Just as the minds retreated in something close to a welcome Lucus ran and leapt up into the air, glided right up to the front of the army and then landed heavily, wings out and stretched. The humans and dwarves scattered even though they were in no danger of being hit. Lucus reared up anyway but at a gentle reminder from Caleb he didn't roar like he wanted to.

"With all this armour you look dangerous enough as it is, love."Caleb pointed out gently as Lucus settled back down onto four legs. In truth he did look dangerous. His silver Elven armour fit almost like a second skin and reflected what little light there was back at the army which was now reforming and marching around him at the orders of their Captains. Lucus slunk around to walk with them for a time and Caleb could hear conversation start to spread and he felt with his open mind that Lucus' presence on this march was boosting moral. It wasn't easy to keep their minds relaxed when approaching Uru-baen. Caleb detected a mind he recognised and he greeted it as the figure emerged from the army.

Lucus paused and raised a leg in invitation and Caleb reached down with a hand to show it was alright. Arya smiled brightly and boosted herself off of Lucus' leg, grabbed Caleb's hand and was soon sitting behind Caleb on the saddle built onto the armour. She wrapped her arms around Caleb although as an elf she probably would have been fine anyway. "Thank you, Lucus." Arya told him out loud. "Your presence here is unexpected."

"We needed to get away from the Elven Council for a time." Caleb told her before twisted in his seat. He reached out with his mind and felt her surprise to be met with something so different to normal. He didn't let her think about it long and offered her a memory which she accepted without much thought and in her mind's eye she witnessed the meeting that had just taken place in her mother's tent.

Arya sat silently for a while and Caleb could feel Eragon's nervousness echoing through their bond. "Eragon, seriously, that's just distracting." Murtagh complained. "I'm trying to concentrate on battle plans and it's like I'm getting nervous about the battle. It's not helping."

Caleb had known what Murtagh was doing and in a corner of his mind he was analysing his place in the plans and adding his own say for Murtagh to relay as his own. "Do not fret, little brother." Caleb told him gently and felt Eragon's nervously go by the wayside.

Arya shifted and her arms tightened around Caleb for a moment and Caleb rebuked Eragon when he felt a stab of envy. Eragon sent him an apology in return. "I do not agree with her." Arya told him simply. "Even if there was a way to undo this I do not see why we should. It involves nobody but the six of you and you will need the strength and freedom that it presents."

Caleb wasn't fooled and he twisted his body to look at her, seeing a rather closed expression. Eragon, who was now focusing directly on them, panicked at the expression and Caleb did the only thing he could. He blocked Murtagh and Eragon from his mind. It took almost all of his attention and Lucus was forced to help but Murtagh and Thorn weren't fighting it and Saphira was barely helping as Eragon tried to reach Caleb's mind to find out what was happening. "Eragon can no longer hear our words." Caleb told Arya simply.

"You can do that?" Arya asked.

"It is difficult." Caleb told her. "Like refusing to feel a limb."

"Why have you blocked him?" Arya questioned.

"Arya..." Caleb sighed. "You think that with this blending in place you won't stand a chance with Eragon?"

"I don't think..." She started but Caleb narrowed his eyes and she sighed, deciding to be honest. "Who am I to compete with a blending like that?"

"I hear what Eragon thinks and I feel what he feels." Caleb told him. "Even if I didn't know before I do now. He is in love with you and he always will be. No involvement with Murtagh and I will ever change that."

"But you will become involved. Is that not how it works?" Arya asked. "You are blended with his magic, body, mind and even his soul."

"That is true but we do not control him. We are a support beneath him." Caleb told her. "It hasn't really changed you know."

"What hasn't?" She asked.

"Your privacy." Caleb smirked as she blushed. "Eragon was always open to Saphira and Murtagh and I can read him like an open book. This way at least you can have a life together without Eragon being subject to the demands of the races."

"This is your answer to choice?" She asked.

"It is." Caleb nodded. "We will not be controlled and we will make people realise that. But if we cannot then at least this way we have a way to ensure our freedom."

"Are you still blocking Eragon?" She asked and Caleb nodded. "You can let him hear this."

Caleb nodded and released the barrier around his mind and felt Eragon slam into his mind making him tip slightly in the real world. Murtagh was there quickly too. "Easy, little brother." He muttered out loud making Arya laugh.

"You git." Eragon accused.

"Be nice, Eragon." Caleb warned. "It was not a conversation we could have had if you were spying on her."

"I wasn't trying to spy on her." Eragon sighed but deflated his anger at Caleb.

"Eragon?" Arya asked and Caleb turned to look at her and nodded. "This is too strange. We shall have to talk in person."

"You realise that Eragon will not be able to block his mind nearly as well as I can?" Caleb asked. She nodded. "Would you like to learn to fly?" Caleb grinned and at his hint Lucus bunched his muscles and with a gentle roar threw himself into the air. His wings thudded fifty feet above the army and they crouched against the heavy press of the air before the army cheered. Lucus tilted sharply and soared low over the whole army to boost their spirits before he turned and headed for where Saphira was slowly descending to meet them.

Arya was laughing in delight and Caleb knew that she'd only flown once before and she'd been half dead at the time. They met up with Saphira and flew around her a few times before both Dragon's locked into a glide with Lucus just above her and over her right wing so that his own left wing was just above Eragon's head.

"Try to picture that we are only just above the ground." Caleb suggested as he was granted access to talk into Arya's mind. He glanced over the side with Arya as she looked down at the six thousand feet drop. She rose up and crouched. "You can walk out on Lucus' wing but not too far or you'll upset his glide. Then just drop down onto Saphira's wing. One of us will catch you if you fall. You're safer at this height than a thousand feet."

Arya nodded and using a hand for balance she slid out on the joint of Lucus' wing and then, remembering Caleb's warning, she took only one more step out before jumping gracefully across to the same position on Saphira's wing. Saphira twitched and her glide shifted slightly but Arya was quickly sitting in front of Eragon with his arms around her un-armoured form. Lucus' rolled and dropped down below Saphira's right wing.

"You want to fly for a while?" Caleb asked Eragon.

"For a while. Arya will probably get cold soon though. She's not wearing enough." Eragon pointed out ignoring Murtagh's suggestive comment with proper grace.

"Let me know when and Lucus and I will take over the patrol." Caleb told him before Lucus collapsed his wings and they shot down towards the ground.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

As dawn arrived Lucus and Caleb were in the air. Solembum was humanoid and sitting in Caleb's lap with a thick blanket around them both to keep Solembum warm. They'd had to come down lower as the clouds from the south had brought with them a light rain that pelted down around them even if it didn't affect them with the ward Caleb had put up. It was going to turn nasty quickly and soon the sun would be blotted out once more by the blackening clouds. Caleb could almost feel the thunderstorm building in the air and like any flying creature it made Lucus nervous. Caleb pulled an apple out of his basket and used a knife to cut it up and offered a slice to Solembum who opened his mouth and let Caleb feed him rather than pull his arms out of the warmth of their blanket.

"Where are you going to go for the battle?" Caleb asked him.

"With you." Solembum told him, giving a simple answer for a change. "I'll be out of the way but if you have to land I can help you out."

"Thank you." Caleb kissed the back of his neck and Solembum tucked himself up under Caleb's chin. Lucus tilted in his glide and Caleb looked out over the merging armies. As soon as it was light enough for the humans to see properly they'd closed the final mile and were now spreading out around the Elven siege, merging with the Elves until they outnumbered them almost five to one. There were possibly eight thousand Elves below him as well as a few hundred humans that had joined them on their march. There were ten thousand Dwarves that seemed better suited with the Elves than with their human allies. They were both outnumbered by the forty thousand humans taking up their positions and for the most part they were forming up on the inside of the Elven army, especially around the front gate of the massive city. Lastly were the Kull warriors, about a thousand of them plus two thousand regular Urgals that were tightly under the control of their Kull leadership. They were centred around the centre of the army and would be used where they were needed.

Banners were starting to fly from the front line of the army and from the two Command tents, one still being erected beside Islanzadi's tent. Caleb spotted Saphira lying still between the two Command tents and his eyes could pick out Eragon talking to Nasuada. Caleb could have listened in without trouble but he didn't need to hear him arguing with her. Murtagh was soothing him from his position on the other side of the army. Thorn was constantly moving around the outside of the army, sometimes just walking within the edge of the army and other times gliding around the perimeter looking for traps. Late in the night a small group of soldiers had tried to sneak out of one of the hidden exits but the Elves had spotted them and shot them down with arrows before Thorn had blazed a trail of fire through them before turning the gate into a smouldering ruin. That had clearly been an order from one of Galbatorix's generals since the King himself wasn't so stupid.

Lucus tilted the other way and gave Caleb a view of an ants nest inside the city. Civilians were hiding within their homes and the men on the walls were being reinforced in case of a morning attack. Caleb searched out Islanzadi's mind and was quickly granted access to speak. "They are reinforcing the walls and arming the ballista. You're front line is in range."

Caleb felt her orders and a few seconds later Eragon mounted up and he and Saphira took to the air. They'd probably have to take out the large wall mounted weapons and it would be easier with two Dragons since one could watch out for the other. Thorn leapt up into the air as well and Caleb could sense why.

A rumble of thunder shattered the air above Caleb and Solembum whimpered slightly. "I don't like thunder." Solembum grumbled when Caleb tightened his arms around him.

"You'd better shift and settle in." Caleb warned. "Lucus and I will be doing some rather crazy flying in a bit I'd imagine."

Solembum leaned up and twisted around and kissed Caleb on the lips before he shrank in Caleb's arms, clothes and all. Caleb settled the black cat in his saddle bag, making sure he was comfortable and that the lid was tightened enough that he wouldn't fall out but left enough room that Solembum could slide out if he wanted to though Solembum had a knack for getting out of tight spaces.

Saphira and Thorn rose up to Lucus' level just as there was a bright flash of light and Caleb felt a massive drain against the wards around Lucus. He raised a hand to reinforce the top of the ward as Lucus was linked to the storm clouds by a massive bolt of lightning. He felt Murtagh and Eragon reinforce both him and themselves and felt the shock ripple through the army as Lucus rolled over and dropped down a couple of hundred feet. The lightning skipped away from the three Dragons and crashed down to the ground under them, striking the wall of Uru-baen. It killed a few people but other than that the electricity didn't do much else.

"Caleb, Lucus!" Eragon gasped. "Are you alright?"

"We're fine. It was bound to happen eventually." Caleb laughed and patted a horrified Lucus on the neck.

"The men on the walls are firing." Murtagh intoned emotionally. "It's starting."

"Incoming fire!" Eragon announced broadly to Du Vangr Gata at the same time Caleb said the same to all of the Elven warrior focused on him. Just then there was the sound of a hundred ballista being released and bolts flew into the air and down on the front line of the human army. Wards rippled and Caleb felt Elven, Human and Dwarven magic deflecting or burning the bolts out of the air.

"Eragon. Burn out the Ballista." Caleb heard the order through his brother. It was the woman that had taken control of what was supposed to be the magical power of the human armies. Trianna.

Caleb sent out a thought to his little brother. "First blood belongs to Murtagh and I." He said darkly before focusing his thoughts on the Command staff below who were all linked or capable of being talked to like this. "Murtagh and I have first blood. Eragon will cover us."

"Caleb..." The thought was only half formed but Islanzadi's concern was palpable. She could feel Caleb's pain at this place. The only good thing he had from this place was Murtagh.

Lucus folded his wings and dropped like a stone with Thorn right beside him. Caleb reached behind him with a hand and his magic reached out as he muttered the spell. Thorn banked to the right and Lucus to the left only a few hundred feet above the top of the wall and flames lanced out from their jaws striking the ballista which exploded outwards sending humans flying off of the walls in all directions. Caleb's magic gripped the storm above them and lightning struck six of the ballista in quick succession as Lucus bathed a whole section of the wall in flames before with a mighty jerk of his wings they were out of arrow range again. A ballista bolt flew wide to his left and Caleb struck out. "Garjzla!" He yelled out the simple spell but powered it massively using magic he'd taken from the soldiers on the walls.

A bright blue bolt of crackling light jolted from him and smashed into a ward thrown up around one of the massive towers that stood watch over the main gate. Lucus hung in the air using the rising air to hold his position as Caleb focused to overcome the dozens of Magicians powering the wards. He felt Elven Spellcasters trying to reach out to him to aid him but refused their help and instead maintained his spell and lashed out with his mind. One after another he started killing and absorbing the magic from soldiers on the walls and even a few Magicians not involved in holding the wards. He channelled the power through him and into his spell.

He won when three of the Magician's released their hold on the ward to save their own lives and the sudden influx of Caleb's power on the others overwhelmed three more before they could release the wards themselves. Three died instantly before another four released the wards and Caleb's power slammed through the remaining three killing them. His spell slammed through the wards with a massive boom of noise and into the side of the tower. It blasted a hole straight through it and the tower collapsed down on the city behind it.

Lucus roared in victory before slowly thudding his wings to gain altitude, falling back slightly over the human lines as the city fell silent. Thorn rose back up to where Eragon and Saphira were watching over the scene. Cheers exploded from the human members of the army behind them as the tower continued to fall apart. The ballista had gone silent even though Thorn and Lucus had only destroyed a few of them, perhaps twenty or thirty of them. The crews of the others had hidden rather than face their own deaths but it wouldn't be long until their commanders had them back up manning them.

Lucus froze as a dull growl split through the air and Caleb's hands gripped his Dragon's armour tightly feeling Murtagh's panic and Eragon's concern for his brother. The growl turned into a snarl and then up again into a roar that was still easily heard as thunder rocked the area again.

"Shruikan?" Eragon asked Murtagh and Caleb privately.

"Shruikan." Caleb intoned back to everyone listening, including those on the ground.

It seemed so surreal as lightning flashed through the air again behind the city, silhouetting the castle's massive towers and the shape of Shruikan as the massive black Dragon climbed up the side of one of the towers. Murtagh and Caleb had seen him on and off when they lived in Uru-baen and he lived in massive caverns below the city rarely venturing outside and then Caleb had seen him last when he'd tried to escape with Lucus' and Thorn's eggs. Now they were facing their greatest threat.

From the ground below Glaedr finally took to the skies his massive golden form slightly smaller than Shruikan's unnatural size and Caleb finally thought for the first time that Galbatorix would have found a way to enhance Shruikan's power and strength as well.

"Stay out of the fight!" Caleb warned after being granted permission to talk to Oromis and Glaedr.

"We will." Oromis thought back to him. "We will be watching over the army."

"Be careful." Caleb warned. "If Galbatorix gives us the slip..."

"We know." Glaedr responded before releasing a massive roar. Shruikan responded and leapt into the air, his massive black wings spreading out over the city just as the front gate opened and riders poured out. The ballista sprung to life, their crews regaining their confidence at the sight of their own Dragon.

A mind slammed into Caleb with the force of a tidal wave and Lucus veered sharply as if under physical attack. "Caleb!" Murtagh cried and suddenly Murtagh, Eragon, Saphira and Thorn were within his mind, pushing out at Galbatorix.

"Boy, you can't stand against me." A voice rippled over the outside of his shields and Caleb almost lose his grip right then and there. A memory flashed through him, one of a Elf woman crying in pain and coated in her own blood. Caleb lost his grip at the flash of his mother and the hatred that Galbatorix was pummelling him with and for a single instant Galbatorix was inside his shields before Murtagh was at the forefront slamming his mind against Galbatorix with Eragon backing him up.

"Cast it out, Caleb!" Lucus ordered him and in the real world Caleb could hear Lucus, Saphira and Thorn roaring in defiance as they pushed their strength into their Riders. Galbatorix was forced out and his last thought was one of surprise at facing all three Riders in such a way. Caleb shuddered and fell against Lucus' neck.

He straightened up when he felt Elven magic spread around them headed by Arya's power. It was deflecting arrows and spells from the castle's towers. Lucus had drifted right down and over the city, coming into range for the archers and the Magicians. Lucus realised with a jolt and his wings thudded as he tried to rise but Shruikan had the advantage and Lucus barely got a warning before flames bathed them both. Caleb threw out his own power to aid the Elven Spellcasters that had defended him from the attack even if his own wards would have taken the brunt of it. Shruikan's flames were like a furnace even to Lucus and Caleb felt the heat bathing them.

The flames let up and Lucus folded his wings, rolled and then caught his weight again. Shruikan crashed through where Lucus had just been, missing him barely. Physical ward hit physical ward and Shruikan exploded into motion again, climbing fast as Lucus tried to get away but Shruikan was just too strong and powerful.

Caleb lashed out with the same spell he'd used against the main tower but it shattered around Galbatorix, crackling around his ward before dying. Shruikan had barely flinched and soon he was right over Lucus again. Caleb rubbed his hands against Lucus' scales and looked below them at the clashing armies and then back up again just as Shruikan folded his wings and dove towards him.

"Down, Lucus!" Caleb yelled a split second before Lucus was about to dodge like the last time. Shruikan was already moving to counteract that and Caleb knew it would end with them caught in Shruikan's massive claws.

Lucus folded in on himself and shot down the two hundred feet down right into the middle of the battle. His claws flattened human soldiers and he bounded twice and spun around, his tail swiping a whole platoon of men to the ground. Lucus spotted a couple of Varden soldiers who had fallen prey to Lucus' landing but he couldn't think about that right now. The ground exploded as Shruikan struck the ground, barely slowing himself. Rubble struck wards and the armies tried to scatter from the two Dragons.

Shruikan reared up and for the first time Caleb spotted Galbatorix on his back, his black sword raised over his head. Shruikan threw himself back onto the ground and flames leapt from his mouth, bathing the injured and dying in the intense hit. It crashed again into Lucus' wards, bathing them in heat as the Elven Spellcasters aided Caleb again. Lucus bounded to the side out of the main wash of heat and he crashed through another platoon of Imperial Soldiers. Arrows struck at his wards from the walls and Caleb knew that he and Lucus were in serious trouble.

"Eragon, Murtagh!" Caleb called desperately. In the fight he'd lost track of them completely but now he knew where they were. Eragon was trying to fend off a battalion of the Empire's cursed soldiers that were threatening to break through the allied army's line and he was stuck there until the Elves obliterated them with their spells. He was still in the air but couldn't come to his rescue.

Murtagh was another matter though and Thorn's claws ripped into the back of Shruikan's neck, a critical injury avoided only because of the strong wards layered over the black Dragon. Thorn landed heavily in front of the allied line and his roar split the air as Shruikan stopped bathing Caleb and Lucus in fire. Lucus bounded to his brother's side and roared in defiance.

"How sweet." Galbatorix's physical voice reached them all. "I had scarcely believed that you had broken my spells, boy."

"You're spells are nothing against us, Galbatorix." Caleb called back, raising his voice.

"Ah but you're pitiful torture was so sweet to me, my young Caleb. My ward." Galbatorix laughed. "It was so easy to turn Murtagh onto my side with just the mention of your pain and your betrayal made it so much easier. You left him in my hands while you ran!"

Lucus pranced forwards in anger and Thorn growled his own defiance. "Lucus! Back..." Caleb tried to warn but Shruikan was faster. He lashed out faster than a cobra and Lucus was sent crashing to the ground as Shruikan's armoured head smashed into Lucus' neck feet from where Lucus sat. For an instant Caleb could see the pleasure radiating from Galbatorix's eyes. Caleb tucked himself in as Lucus rolled twice before finding his feet. Instantly though Caleb's physical wards started draining as the Imperial soldiers that they'd landed amongst turned their weapons on them and Lucus bit through two even as he struggled to regain his feet, shaking his head clear of his dizziness.

"Obliterate!" Caleb yelled the simple spell and the ground around them blew apart sending fifty Imperial soldiers flying. Lucus launched himself up into the air. In their distraction they'd missed Thorn taking advantage of Shruikan's own distraction and he'd scored a slice down Shruikan's wing tip as he'd launched himself into the air. Lucus landed once of the wall of the castle, destroying twenty feet of bulwark before leaping onto a tower and then up into the air, trying to gain enough altitude to stay above Shruikan. Thorn was already higher and Shruikan was distracted as the armies on the ground pelted him with volley's of spells and arrows. A lance of fire forced the Elves to ward the armies and that gave Shruikan enough time to take to the air and get clear of the arrows.

The battle had spread to all areas around the city and it quickly closed again around where Lucus, Thorn and Shruikan had been. The city was spilling more and more men out into the battle and they were outnumbering the attacking army two to one and if it wasn't for the incontestable power of the Elven Spellcasters they'd probably be overwhelmed shortly. They also had the Elven, Dwarven and Kull warriors on their side which gave them an advantage in close combat and long range attacks.

Caleb sighed as they finally got free of Galbatorix's attacks and his mind searched out Islanzadi and Ingwe finding them in the midst of the battle together and Caleb knew the Queen had realised that Caleb would want his Uncle safe. They had been a mere two hundred feet from him on the ground and the Queen was directing the wards on him.

"Save your strength." Caleb told her sharply and felt her wards fall. He knew she'd put them back on if she thought they were in danger though as would any of the Magicians and Spellcasters in their army. They were all willing to cast wards on them, even at the cost of their own lives but Caleb could take the brunt for a while now that he was clear of attacks from the castle.

Saphira joined them in the sky and they circled together as Lucus healed Caleb's bruised neck. "Are you two alright?" Eragon asked Lucus and Caleb.

"We're fine." Caleb answered. "We just got a little pinned down."

"No time to chat." Murtagh warned as he drew his sword and pointed across at where Shruikan was levelling off with them. He'd climbed fast, far faster than any of them were capable of. Caleb drew his bow as Shruikan shot towards them. They spun around into a practiced formation with Saphira in the centre, Lucus a hundred feet to her left and Thorn up above them. Shruikan aimed straight for Saphira and Caleb threw his magic at the wards he had on her at the last moment. Murtagh was forced to deflect a spell sent at him by Galbatorix and Caleb felt Murtagh's strain under the onslaught but was unable to help as his own ward drained a shocking amount as fire bathed Saphira who rolled out of the flames only to collide with Shruikan who wrapped his tail around her back and gripped tightly.

She roared in fury and magic throbbed as Eragon lashed out in her defence. They were locked in position for only a second before Lucus slammed into Shruikan's side, punching through Galbatorix's wards and digging his claws into the gaps in his black armour. Thorn fell into his back and used his jaws to pry Saphira out of his claws and his own jaws and Saphira fell away and caught herself on her wings, one of which looked a little torn. She struggled for a moment before Eragon healed her wing with a snap of magic and she quickly turned to rejoin the fight.

Lucus pinned one of Shruikan's wings to his body and soon all three of them were falling through the air, down past Saphira who dove behind them to help when she was needed. Thorn tried to bite through Shruikan's massive neck but his jaws couldn't open wide enough to fit around Shruikan's neck, let alone the armour as well. A burst of magic welled up between Shruikan and Thorn and Caleb's wards drained him as an explosion of light sent Thorn tumbling away, his armour burning slightly. Shruikan tried to catch Thorn's wing in his jaw but Lucus shifted onto his back and upset his balance. Galbatorix turned his attention up at Caleb and his black Rider's sword stabbed out at Lucus' neck. Lucus dodged but got slashed across his armour plating but refused to let go. He shifted so that Caleb could fire his bow and his arrow dug through a gap in Shruikan's armour and into the base of his right wing where his scales were weaker.

Shruikan's roar of pain was heard throughout the battle field but was cut off as Saphira burst up from under them and slammed into Shruikan's belly. Magic throbbed as Galbatorix realised how close they were getting to the city below them and Caleb had to blunt the attack that slammed into Saphira, sending her away, and then wrapped around Lucus.

Then it happened. Too fast for Caleb to react properly and too fast to save them from it. Shruikan lashed out with his tail smashing Caleb on the back and nearly sending him flying and in Lucus' distraction he bit into Lucus' neck, wrestled him around and gripped him with his claws. Caleb clung to his back as his own pain washed through him but it was too late. The four of them crashed through the top of one of the towers and through two more before crashing down in one of the raised courtyards high up in the castle. Shruikan released Lucus at the last moment but there wasn't time for Lucus to do anything other than brace himself from the fall. Caleb was thrown clear as Lucus slammed into one of the walls, smashing through it into one of the internal corridors. Caleb tumbled across the ground and felt his leg snap but still managed to land in a crouch.

The castle shook as Shruikan, unable to land properly, crashed through the edge of the courtyard and through the barracks, flattening an entire wing of the castle. People were screaming at him, too many people as Caleb tried to clear his head. There was Islanzadi and Arya somewhere out of the castle but clearer than them were Murtagh and Eragon. Devastatingly there was no sound from Lucus and Caleb turned to run to him only to find Galbatorix standing between him and his bonded. He looked completely unaffected by what had just happened. His Rider's sword was aimed back behind him at Lucus' silent form and Caleb swallowed as he stood properly, testing his broken leg.

He muttered under his breath and winced when his leg snapped back into place and healed and Galbatorix smirked at him. Caleb drew his sword, not knowing where his bow was anymore and levelled it at the King. "I always knew you'd return here, Caleb." Galbatorix smirked making Caleb feel sick. "I'm sure we don't have long to get reacquainted so you'll realise that you don't have long to save your Dragon's life. Swear to me your allegiance and I won't kill him right here and now."

"You'd never do that!" Caleb snapped. "You want Riders."

"Preferably but I doubt this stupid brute will survive anyway and I'd rather have a Magician of your talent than nothing." Galbatorix took two steps backwards and half turned to face Lucus' still form. "Last chance, Caleb. Swear it or he dies right now."

"I can't." Caleb told him simply. It was a mute point but part of him wanted to make the oath, he couldn't picture being without Lucus anymore. "No oath would work. I'm blended permanently with Eragon and Murtagh and they won't allow it."

"Lucus! Wake up!" He pleaded mentally even though he knew his thoughts would reach the others. "Please don't die." He couldn't sense anything from his Dragon's mind, he knew Lucus was still alive but he knew he was badly hurt.

"What a shame." Galbatorix smirked and turned to plunge his sword into Lucus knowing that after he did it, Caleb would be unable to face him. Caleb threw himself forwards as fast as he could but knew he'd be too late but Galbatorix turned with wide eyes before the world exploded into motion. An arrow glanced off of Galbatorix's armour, shattering as it did and that was all the warning they got before a massive red form crashed into the ground where Galbatorix had been sending the Rider King flying across the courtyard. Saphira landed with a cloud of debris and Arya was off of her back and on the ground and instant later, releasing another arrow.

Caleb stared in shock for a moment as the situation turned in their favour and remembered Arya's words to him. She'd promised that she would be there to aid them against Galbatorix. Murtagh jumped to the ground and put himself between Thorn and Galbatorix. Thorn himself was staying between Galbatorix and his wounded brother. Caleb turned to Lucus to find himself looking at Solembum. Caleb had barely had the chance to fear for his life. Solembum was bloody and his arm hung strangely but his expression was filled with resolve. "I'll look after Lucus." Solembum told him sharply. "You take care of the King."

Caleb stared at Lucus' silver scales for a moment before turning back to the battle. He gritted his teeth and walked past Thorn and to Murtagh's side. His anger was visible around him as the ground trembled. "You bastard!" Caleb hissed. "The Elven Queen ordered me to ask for your surrender before we killed you. But there's nothing that would make me accept that. You die now!" Caleb hissed angrily. "Too long you kept Murtagh and me under your control, tried to shape us into weapons and turn us against each other to suit your purposes. Now we get our revenge."

Galbatorix surprised him by starting to laugh and Caleb couldn't react in time as the barracks exploded towards them. Rubble slammed into the wards around Murtagh, Thorn and himself but Saphira, with Eragon on her back, could barely twist as Shruikan slammed into the battle. His jaws were around her neck and he slammed her into the wall and Eragon was sent flying across the battle into the wall above where Lucus was. He fell to the ground and struggled to stand up.

Caleb tore his eyes away from what was happening in time to block Galbatorix's strike. The tables had been turned again. "Murtagh, help Eragon!" Caleb ordered and dove to the side to block Galbatorix from attack Murtagh's retreating back. Thorn roared in indecision over helping Caleb or helping Saphira. "Thorn go!" Caleb made up his mind for him and seconds later Thorn slammed into Shruikan prying at his jaws trying to get him to release Saphira's neck armour which was barely standing up to the onslaught. Caleb braced against a series of attacks and was given a moment as Arya fired an arrow at Galbatorix which was intercepted a metre away by his wards.

His mind brushed over the scene in an instant. Saphira was free and she and Thorn were trying to defeat Shruikan. Murtagh was healing Eragon's fractured shoulders and broken ribs as fast as possible, which mean not very well at all, while Arya was trying to aid Caleb from a distance with magic and arrows. Which left Solembum trying to help Lucus who was still silent to Caleb.

"If Lucus dies..." Caleb thought to himself before cutting off his thought even as he knew the others had heard him. There was a chance that Lucus might hear him and he didn't want Lucus to hear him thinking that. "Just pull through, love." Caleb attacked with all his skill, pressing Galbatorix back with his skill and speed. Galbatorix had the advantage of experience and strength but hopefully Caleb could wear him down given the time. Caleb blocked a swipe to his head and while they were locked in place Galbatorix thrust out with magic from his left hand. The same spell that Caleb had destroyed the tower which threw Caleb back across the courtyard and he ended up far too close to the three battling Dragons. He rolled under Shruikan's tail and moved out from under the fight but Galbatorix attacked him again with the same spell. A dark red light struck at Caleb who deflected it as best he could up into the sky.

Red light shot up into the storm clouds above the battle, clipping the top of one of the towers on the way which burst apart under the magic. "How's Eragon?" He asked in a flash of thought even as he launched himself back into the fight with the Rider King.

"I'll live." Eragon told him. "Murtagh, help Caleb. I'll help Lucus."

The thought was there that perhaps Lucus was beyond help but nobody fully formed the thought and Caleb didn't have the heart to tell Eragon to help Thorn and Saphira who were struggling to hold Shruikan at bay since he had the advantage on them in every aspect, even speed.

Caleb lashed out when he saw a single opening but fell for Galbatorix's trick and a dagger buried itself in his left shoulder, between the overlap in his thin, Elven, armour. Caleb ignored it as best he could and managed to slash down Galbatorix's arm. The arm that had thrown the knife at him. It cut into his flesh, slicing along the length but Galbatorix barely even noticed. Caleb pulled back. "He's cursed!" He called out to anyone who could listen and heard Galbatorix laugh in amusement.

"You can't wear me down, boy!" He laughed and threw a spell at the ground under Caleb turning it into molten rock. Caleb got clear and landed beside Arya who fired another arrow to keep Galbatorix from following up his attack. He glanced at her and she nodded and together with Murtagh they flung out their magic casting the spell to destroy bodiless souls. A spell that Galbatorix clearly hadn't known when he created the curse for his soldiers. The spell was unaffected by his wards having not been anticipated and Galbatorix was slammed backwards into the wall. White light burst from him and sunk through the wall as the soul trapped in his body was flung out, torn from him and destroyed.

Galbatorix landed on his knees with a gasp of pain but forced himself to his feet. He levelled his sword and Caleb and Murtagh moved towards him, fanning out to come at him at different angles. A whimper from Thorn made Murtagh wince and that was the only invitation that Galbatorix needed as he attacked Murtagh. Caleb attacked as Murtagh defended and the fight picked up its pace just as the battle of the three Dragons picked up its own pace as well. Soon the two battles merged between them and the four humanoids were forced to dodge the flailing limbs of the three battling dragons and the tumbling castle as the Dragons destroyed it around them. Fires bathed the areas and if it wasn't for Eragon, Lucus would have succumbed under the falling rubble. As it was the silver Dragon and Eragon were hidden completely from view.

"He won't die." Murtagh told Caleb as he defended again Galbatorix's strikes.

"No. He won't." Caleb agreed because he couldn't let himself think any other way right now.

"No. I won't." Lucus' voice reverberated across the battle hitting them all and with a heave Eragon had blasted away the rubble. Lucus burst out but he was covered in blood and clearly shouldn't be in the battle but before Caleb could speak Lucus had launched himself straight at Shruikan who was too busy fending off Saphira and Thorn to notice him and Lucus bit into the underside of his jaw. It was the only distraction that Thorn and Saphira needed and even as Lucus was thrown from the battle Saphira tore apart the armour at Shruikan's neck and bit deep through his scales and into his flesh.

Caleb was forced to look away from Lucus who was struggling back into the fight as Eragon joined them in battle forcing Galbatorix to back away slightly as they surrounded him on three sides. Desperate, Galbatorix lashed out with magic, it blasted through them all heading straight for Lucus who couldn't take another hit either from magic or from Shruikan. Caleb threw his magic at his wards and his distraction cost them as Galbatorix struck at him. Caleb's sword was barely able to move and Murtagh had to block for him.

Galbatorix twisted even as his spell died giving back Caleb's attention but the next few seconds etched themselves permanently in their minds as Galbatorix, pained by his dying Dragon slammed his sword through Murtagh's guard and the sword cut straight through into his stomach, cutting cleaning through him. They all felt the pain of the sword go through but Caleb and Eragon reacted. Caleb swung his sword up with all of his strength cutting through Galbatorix's wrists before he could pull the sword from Murtagh's body. Galbatorix stumbled back in horror and pain and straight into Eragon's attack as the youngest of them slammed his sword through the back of Galbatorix's armour and through his heart, killing him almost instantly.

Shruikan's pained roar had Caleb and Eragon spinning around to face the three Dragons. Lucus was on his feet but staying away from the fight and blood was pooling under him from his wounds. Saphira and Thorn were on Shruikan tearing off armour and the fight ended when both Dragons gripped Shruikan's head and snapped it clean off sending blood over them both.

Caleb spun and collapsed to his knees at Murtagh's side holding the side of his head. Murtagh stared up at him and when he coughed blood trickled out of his mouth. The sword had clipped one of his lungs. "Eragon!" Caleb called. "Arya!"

Caleb knew he had tears in his eyes and he didn't know what to do. Lucus was dying behind him and Murtagh was dying right in front of him. He couldn't freeze in indecision though. "Eragon, clear his throat out while I..."

"Caleb." Arya was suddenly there. "Let me deal with Murtagh. See to Lucus."

"Go Caleb." Murtagh told him weakly and Caleb didn't need telling twice and was across the devastated courtyard in a split second. Thorn growled at him even as he put his jaws around one of the lashings on the armour and cut through it. Saphira nudged at Lucus' head as Lucus lay in his own blood and Caleb skidded in it slightly as he knelt at his Dragon's side.

His magic flashed into existence and he cast a spell to find the worst of the damage and started pouring magic into Lucus to heal the worst of his cuts. He felt power backing him up from Saphira and realised that through Eragon and him the others were all trying to give their energy to heal them.

"Mother." He heard Arya's voice. "We need Oromis, Glaedr and anyone else you can spare. Galbatorix and Shruikan are dead. Lucus and Murtagh are dying and if we don't help then Thorn and Caleb will follow them rather than give up."

Caleb ignored her as he pumped more magic into Lucus but there was just too much damage done. From the first clash down in the midst of the battle, then under Shruikan's claws, then being shoved through three towers and tossed to the ground and then finally when trying to turn the tide of the battle in Thorn and Saphira's favour he'd been thrown into another wall. Almost half of his body was a broken mess, especially his left side which had taken the brunt of both crashes.

He registered Solembum at his side holding him up as his energy drained but Lucus was willing to give up the last of his magic if Lucus survived. At least that way Lucus could help Eragon, Saphira, Thorn and Murtagh. The thought of his wounded brother didn't help him but he resolved to at least see this through.

His vision blurred and he fell forwards onto Lucus' side and sobbed as he felt how cold Lucus was becoming. He could feel Solembum's arms around him and opened his mouth to apologise for leaving the werecat but if Lucus was going to die then Lucus would do everything he could to save him and if that failed then he'd die with him. He gazed up into the burning sky seeing the sun between the thunderclouds as a large shadow slide into place above them. The light of thousands of fires shone from golden scales and Caleb shut his eyes with a sad smile on his lips.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Caleb winced as he woke up. He hated falling unconscious, it wasn't anything like his normal trances that all Elves experienced. It took him all of a second before the events within Uru-baen caught up to him and his mind flew out like a viper, slamming through a hundred people, sending them all to their knees except the one closest to him. His head whipped up making him dizzy and he found Solembum lying on his right side.

"Get dressed." Solembum announced simply and slipped off of the bed shifting from a naked fifteen year old to a small black cat which stretched before pacing around the floor. Caleb sat up and reached out with a sob of pain as the memory of Lucus' cold body rippled through his mind.

"I'm here, love." Lucus' warm voice acted in counterpoint, flowing through his mind, soothing his shaking limbs. "Go with Solembum. He'll bring you to me."

"Where are you?" Caleb asked.

"He's with Saphira and Thorn. They're keeping him settled until he fully heals." Eragon sounded relieved to hear Caleb's voice. Caleb's mind flickered to Murtagh and Eragon sighed again. "He's resting and he's recovering well enough. Everyone is alright."

Caleb was on his feet and pulled on the simple Elven attire that someone had left folded on a simple wooden chair beside his bed. He pulled on his own boots which seemed to have been cleaned and repaired before looking around once at the inside of his familiar Elven tent, it's green panels his family colour, the doors with their symbols for his almost extinct family and the silver trim on every edge in testament to Lucus. The room was filled with plants and there was a cushioned sofa and a large heating sconce in the centre. He had to have been out for a few days for them to set this up.

"Three days." Lucus told him as Caleb leaned down and scooped Solembum off of the floor. Solembum shifted and put his front paws and head on Caleb's right shoulder, basically embracing him and Caleb tightened his hold on him.

Caleb took stock of himself as he walked out into the bright midday sun and found himself being stared at by a dozen humans and almost as many Elves and Dwarves. Those that had been victimised by his mental onslaught upon waking and hadn't continued on their way afterwards for different reasons. He still felt incredibly drained and knew half of that reason was that his magic was constantly draining elsewhere but since he knew it was going to Lucus and Murtagh he didn't stop it. His leg throbbed where it had been broken and hastily repaired in battle as did his shoulder where Galbatorix had stabbed him. Somebody had tended to his wounds properly but his body was too tired to accept the healing completely. Lastly the drain on his reserve was making itself known by the nauseous feeling in his stomach and the crippling pain in his head.

It didn't take him long to walk through the crowds of the army and he didn't comment on the two Elves that flanked him as escorts nor the fact that his weapons were gone. It didn't matter because Lucus needed him and he needed Lucus and since Saphira and Thorn were keeping Lucus from moving too much then Caleb would go to him.

They were lying on the outskirts of the camp among stores wagons under a massive canopy. Glaedr was also there dwarfing the three smaller Dragons and the Gold, Silver, Sapphire and Red shimmered together when the sunlight hit Glaedr's tail and ricocheted between them. Caleb dashed to Lucus' head and hugged him as Lucus lifted it to look at him. Lucus snorted out a cloud of steam which warmed Caleb's back but he didn't care and scratched just where he knew Lucus loved it. Solembum climbed up Lucus' neck and settled down on his shoulder blades where it was warmest.

"Oh love. I thought..." Caleb was crying and he buried his head into Lucus' warm scales.

"I'm okay." Lucus told him. "Eragon and Oromis have been focusing on healing my injuries and there have been a dozen different Spellcasters keeping our reserves above critical. You haven't stopped feeding me and Murtagh energy since after the battle ended."

"You were dying." Caleb gasped knowing and not caring that Saphira, Thorn and Eragon could hear his words. "I thought you and Murtagh were going to die."

"Murtagh is still sleeping." Thorn's voice reverberated in his mind and Caleb felt a heavy and hot jaw settle over the top of his head. Thorn was greeting him. Caleb looked up as the weight was lifted and saw Thorn staring at him. Lucus' head twitched and Caleb took it as permission and moved over to Thorn and hugged his head tightly. "My Rider will survive. Islanzadi and Arya worked on his injuries for an entire day. He is just resting until his own reserves rise."

"You must stop your energy transfer." Eragon told him from wherever he was at the moment and Caleb focused on him even as he sat between Thorn and Lucus' heads. He could see through Eragon's eyes when he tried. He was sitting by Murtagh's bed and as he looked down Caleb could see that Murtagh was clean and well looked after. Just sleeping. "It was useful if not dangerous to you before but Lucus and Murtagh don't need it anymore. Let your own reserves rebuild."

Caleb sighed but released the flow of energy that was nothing more than a small trickle. He didn't even remember when it had started only that some time in his last moments he'd wanted to give every last drop to Lucus and Murtagh to ensure their survival.

"What's happened?" Caleb asked to Eragon, Thorn, Saphira and Lucus and after a moment Glaedr as well.

It was Glaedr that answered. "You killed Galbatorix and Shruikan." Glaedr reminded him simply but also confirming it for Caleb. "Arya called us and I carried Islanzadi, Oromis and as many Spellcasters as we could spare from the battle to aid you. We did a lot in the castle before you were all well enough to be carried out into the safety of the camp. The fighting continued throughout the rest of the day and into the night and the last of the garrison surrendered in the early hours of the morning. Our allies are still searching all of the castle. There is much that must be done and the camp has focused on settling in more permanently."

Caleb reached out with his mind searching until he found his mentor's mind. He was quickly granted access and found her in a meeting with Hrothgar. "Caleb-Elda. It is good to hear that you are awake."

"I am going back to sleep. I am tired. Now that I know my family is all alive I need to rest more." Caleb told her. "Can you tell my Uncle that I will be with the Dragons. I can't..."

"Leave Lucus alone." She finished for him. "I understand. Sleep well, Caleb."

Caleb retreated but frowned at something she had left unsaid and reached for Eragon with ease. "What are you not telling me?"

"Caleb, please trust me right now." Eragon told him with a sigh. "It won't make a difference if you know now or later and I'd rather you slept first."

"Murtagh's alright?" Caleb asked sensing from his younger friend that it was to do with Murtagh.

"He's not in any danger." Eragon told him simply and with assurance. "Rest, Caleb. You need it."

"Alright, little brother." Caleb nodded and was asleep before he'd fully settled down in the crook of Lucus' neck. Thorn rested his own neck along Caleb's body and Saphira shifted to lie across the entrance to their canopy, preventing Caleb from being seen. Caleb didn't wake as Solembum shifted form and curled up with a blanket he'd produced from somewhere in Caleb's lap.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

End Chapter