Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing but what I created.
Eragon looked down from Saphira's saddle. He enjoyed the wind against his face. He leaned with Saphira's movements. It will feel nice to be back in Farthen Dur, he said to Saphira.
Yes, but we must return to Ellesméra soon, replied Saphira. We have a Rider to train.
Eragon sighed heavily. Duties, he muttered. I wish that we could do away with those.
Why so, little one?
So that we could spend more time doing what we wanted, answered Eragon as though it were simple.
Eragon, if we did that, then who would the people turn to? Saphira began her decent near the edge of the forest. She landed softly.
Eragon jumped down and removed Saphira's saddle. I dunno, I just want a simple life now that Galbatorix is dead, he explained. He set the saddle down and looked around at the surrounding trees. Why are we stopped here? There is still plenty of daylight.
I want to scout the land out first, replied Saphira.
Why?
There are still dangers out there. Saphira took flight, leaving Eragon alone.
What do you see? Eragon asked after a moment.
The landscape is clear, answered Saphira. But I still think that it would be best to fly at night. We are going through the Hadarac Desert.
Ok, come back then, ordered Eragon. We should save our energy until nightfall. He waited for Saphira to return to him. The large sapphire dragon landed next to him.
They rested until nightfall. Eragon replaced the saddle on Saphira's back and tightened the straps. Are they too tight?
Saphira moved around a little to make sure that the saddle did not slide. No, its fine, she answered.
Eragon smiled and mounted. Make haste, Saphira, he ordered teasingly.
Saphira flapped her powerful wings and sped over the Hadarac Desert. They enjoyed their simple time together. Saphira landed late that night.
Eragon built a fire and cooked himself some vegetable stew. Too bad Tasha isn't ready to do any of this, he said to Eragon.
She must first complete her training, replied Saphira.
Eragon nodded and looked up at the clear night sky. The stars tonight are nice, he observed.
That they are, agreed Saphira.
I never quite understood why learning about the stars and their movements was so important though, Eragon admitted. He sighed and smiled.
Maybe now that we are done with our training, we can focus on learning the things that we want to for our own enjoyment, suggested Saphira.
Perhaps, mused Eragon. He scooped his stew into a bowl and ate in silence. After he finished, he cleaned up the camp. You should hunt too while we're here.
What if by chance you're ambushed?
I'll be fine, assured Eragon. I know how to defend myself.
Be careful, little one. Saphira took flight and circled overhead.
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Eragon walked through Tronjiehem the next afternoon. Several dwarves led him to Orik's lair. Saphira followed closely behind. Her claws clicked on the stone floor as they were escorted through the city. Its changed so much since we were last here, said Eragon, amazed.
So it has, replied Saphira. We are welcome here.
I want to visit Hrothgar's tomb before we go back to Ellesméra, said Eragon, this time, in a much more solemn tone.
I know little one. As do I.
Moments later, they stood before Orik. Both dragon and Rider bowed before the king. "King Orik, I am pleased to be back," murmured Eragon respectfully, conscious of the watching dwarves.
"Eragon Shadeslayer, and Saphira Brightscales, I am glad that you have returned," replied Orik. He turned to the other dwarves. "Leave us," he ordered. The dwarves left, leaving Orik alone with Eragon and Saphira.
"As am I, King Orik," replied Eragon softly. He smiled at his dwarf friend. They walked through the city together. "Arya informed me that what was broken is ready for me to fix," he said after an uncomfortable silence.
"Ah, yes," Orik mumbled, twisting his beard. "Speaking of Arya, why did she not come with you?"
"I will explain later," answered Eragon. "I would prefer not to say anything in the open."
Orik nodded. "I understand," he said. "But are you sure that you can fix the Shining Star by yourself?"
He should know that you won't be alone, growled Saphira.
Eragon sighed. "King Orik, with respect, I won't be alone."
Orik looked back at Saphira. "My apologies, Saphira," he murmured.
Eragon smiled, amused with the dwarf's statement. "Now, we shouldn't delay much longer, your people have been waiting for us to repair the Shining Star that was broken during my battle with Durza."
Orik nodded. "Do you remember where it is, Eragon?" he asked.
The Rider bowed. "I will always remember my way around your city, King Orik," he murmured.
Little one, we are above him, growled Saphira.
I agree, Saphira, replied Eragon. But we do not want to anger the dwarves. We may be strong, but if they turned against us, we'd be outnumbered.
Ah, I see that you have learned the game of politics, laughed Saphira. But, Orik is not just the king he is our friend.
I know, agreed Eragon. Like I said, we need to give him the support of his people by acting the subordinate. "I take my leave, King Orik," he murmured politely. He took one last bow before walking away with Saphira.
That went rather well, little one, commented Saphira.
That was the easy part, replied Eragon, sighing. Now we have to do something that we've never done before. Too bad that Oromis-elda wasn't able to teach us the words that we would have to use . . ..
Do not doubt our power, Eragon, growled Saphira. We destroyed Galbatorix.
On luck, corrected Eragon. If Shruikan had not betrayed Galbatorix, we would have died and all would be lost.
Yet, we won the battle and now we can restore the Shur'tugal, said Saphira. Now Alegaesia is able to prosper in peace without the shadow of tyranny.
Eragon sighed and climbed into the saddle. Lets go and get this done and over with, Saphira.
Why are you in such a hurry, little one?
Arya is vulnerable, answered Eragon. She is pregnant with my child. If that goes around Ellesmera, do you not think that an assassin will wait for the perfect opportunity to strike?
She has Galzra with her, replied Saphira. And she will not be all that helpless until the last few months of this pregnancy.
Lets just get this done and over with, Saphira, Eragon sighed heavily.
Saphira took flight. She glided over the city. There aren't as many humans left, she observed.
They don't need to hide here any more, replied Eragon. The only ones that are left probably have lost it all so they stay here.
Saphira landed in the dragon hold that they had used when they first came to the Varden. I will lend you my strength, little one, she offered.
Eragon smiled slightly. He dismounted and stroked Saphira's neck. Thank you, Saphira, he murmured. In the ancient language, he said loudly, "Right our wrong that we have done. Repair the shining star that was destroyed to save my life." His gedwey ignasia glowed brightly. Slowly, he felt his strength dwindle. He relied on Saphira's stigma to continue the spell. Just before he collapsed, the precious stone was repaired. "Let me rest now . . .." He lost all consciousness.
Disclaimer: I am sorry that this chapter isn't as long as I would've hoped for, but I ran out of ideas. I need to take a short break to finish some other things that I haven't been focusing on enough.