Disclaimer: I do not own anything. And I am sorry for the underlining in the previous chapters. Something in the program that I am using is messing that up...
Arya hurried into the room that she shared with Eragon. She found her mate on the balcony, staring off into the distance. She stopped short, not wanting to disturb his thoughts. She sat on their bed and waited for him to notice her.
Eragon breathed deeply. He feared for Tasha, yet he was in no position to go after her…not when Nasuada needed protecting, and Arya hardly able to defend the Varden Lady. Then he sensed Arya's presence. How long have you been here? He asked.
Only a few moments…Eragon, go after her, replied Arya. She stood and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
That would only put you and Nasuada in danger and I will not have any part in it, said Eragon stubbornly.
Eragon…I will go with you, murmured Arya, regardless of how much danger I am putting myself in. And we need to find out what disturbed our sleep. I am sure that Nasuada will be more than happy to follow us.
Arya, we can't, growled Eragon. Tasha has made her choice to leave.
What if she becomes like Galbatorix? Questioned Arya hotly. She took in a deep breath and slowly released it, trying to cool herself down. Trianna knows something that we do not about the girl…and if that traitor of a sorceress gets her hands on Tasha, who knows how much damage that could lead to.
All I'm concerned with right now is the present, grumbled Eragon.
Arya took his shoulders and turned him so that he faced her. Her blazing green eyes looked deep into his brown orbs. "Eragon, that kind of attitude is what brought the end of the first set of Shur'tugal. They did not fully understand the threat that Galbatorix and his band of rogues posed until it was too late…and look at how long it took us to defeat him. You were only in a small part of the war. I fought Galbatorix as soon as I was old enough to hold a sword. If Tasha has indeed decided to betray us, then we must hunt her down to ensure peace."
Eragon looked at her, appalled at what was coming out of his mouth. "I cannot kill one of our own," he growled. He adverted his gaze.
"At least talk it over with Saphira," pleaded Arya softly.
How could he not? She was his mate, and in Elvin society, females were placed on equal terms with the men. He reached out for Saphira. You were listening in, weren't you?
You expect anything else from me, chuckled Saphira. Her tone grew serious, We cannot let Tasha fall into Trianna's grasp…and if there is another egg, we must save both the egg and the Rider. We are bound as Shur'tugal, Eragon. Even Arya is.
Eragon could not believe what he was hearing. He looked past his mate and saw Nasuada sitting in her bed, holding his nephew. He thought it over for a long moment. Everything weighed down on him. He suddenly wished that he had Brom, Oromis, Islanzadi, Ajihad, and Hrothgar to give him advice. "Lady Nasuada," he began slowly. "We are in the midst of a predicament…and I need your say as I am still bound to you as you are my liege. As a Shur'tugal, I am bound to follow Tasha and to find the possible Rider. We cannot allow another incident like the Fall."
"No, we cannot," agreed Nasuada. "I will go with you so that you may accomplish both goals."
Eragon suspected that Arya had spoken to Nasuada, but did not press the subject. "Very well," he murmured. "I will go and tell King Orrin of our intentions. You two pack whatever will be necessary. I do not know how long this journey will take." He strode out of the room.
When he arrived at King Orrin's quarters, he found the Surdan King deeply involved in a whispered conversation with one of his advisors and he had a grim frown on his face. He turned to Eragon. "Shadeslayer…you are just in time," he murmured.
"Just in time for what?" questioned Eragon.
"Leave us," King Orrin ordered his guards and advisor. They quickly left the chamber. "Eragon…there have been several raids within the last few days with few survivors. Those loyal to Galbatorix have raided some of our smaller villages along the border of the Beor Mountains. They are getting closer to Aberon." He spoke with anxiety. "And King Roran and King Orik are too far away to reach us in time."
Eragon cursed under his breath. So, this was the plan behind the Loyalists (as that was what the soldiers were now calling them). "How long until they attack?" he asked. Saphira, tell Arya…I don't have time, he ordered. Then he closed his mental link off.
"Tomorrow," answered King Orrin gravely. "Probably at dawn…and they have just sent a message moments ago…Queen Trianna wishes to challenge you personally."
"Queen Trianna!" cried Eragon. Disbelief flooded him. He just could not comprehend that concept. "Very well…I will face her challenge in combat."
"Lord Shadeslayer…do you really think that's a wise idea?" asked King Orrin timidly.
Eragon gazed at him, measuring the ruler up before replying, "It is a foolish mistake on Trianna's part." He sighed heavily. His face became drawn. "If we should survive the battle…and possibly even send our enemy to the abyss, I must leave as soon as possible. Lady Nasuada, Queen Arya, and myself that is."
"Do I dare ask why?" grumbled King Orrin.
"The business is personal," replied Eragon softly, and he left it at that. "Now, if you would be so kind as to excuse my presence, I must tell Arya."
The doors opened. "There will be no need." Arya strode forward. Even though she was halfway through her pregnancy, she still held most of her old demeanor. She faced King Orrin, ignoring Eragon all but completely. "Have fortifications been set up?" she asked.
"What fortifications that my men could build, yes," answered King Orrin. "I want you and Lord Shadeslayer to stay out of combat until either we need the reinforcement, or the tide of the battle has clearly tilted in our favor."
"I disagree with you, King Orrin," replied Arya coldly. "The tides of battle can change in half a heartbeat. Eragon and I will join your ranks from the beginning and stay there until either the horns of retreat are sounded, we have victory, or we have died."
Arya, no! Eragon cried out mentally.
Stay out of this Eragon, hissed Arya warningly.
I will not standby and let you go into combat! Eragon protested.
I will go nonetheless, replied Arya coldly. She returned her full attention on King Orrin. "Have our dragons clad in armor for battle," she ordered before turning her heel and marching out. "Eragon," she called with full authority.
Eragon bowed to the king before following his mate down the corridor. "Arya, I really do not believe that this is a good idea," he said quickly in the Ancient Language.
"Eragon, do not do this to me," replied Arya stonily. "I will give my services where they are due. We must prepare for battle."
They walked silently to their room. "Nasuada, there is a battle ahead of us," announced Arya.
The dark skinned leader nodded. "Arya, take Murtagh out of the city…I will stay and fight."
Arya looked up at her. "Do not ask me to leave, Nasuada," she murmured.
I'm worried about Eragon, she confessed, touching Nasuada's mind with her own.
I understand…but I don't want Murtagh in the city….
The door opened. Angela walked in with Solembum in his boy form beside her. They were both already in armor. "Lady Nasuada…Eragon…Arya." She bowed to each of them in turn.
Arya told Angela of Nasuada's predicament with her mind.
One of the other ladies should be able to take care of the boy, replied Angela. I would advise placing protection enchantments on him though.
Eragon pulled on his armor and strapped Silbena mur'rana to his hip. "Angela…I would like you close by in this battle," he requested.
And protect Arya, he added mentally.
You intend to let her in battle? Angela questioned, shocked. With her pregnancy, that is sure suicide!
I know, replied Eragon. But you know how stubborn she is.
Arya got her own armor on and belted Zar'roc. I really need to get a new sword after this, she told Galzra.
And maybe make the dwarves smith new armor for me, added Galzra. I did not realize how much I had grown since the last battle.
--
Everyone who was capable of holding a sword or other such weapon made ready for battle. Archers lined the higher buildings, while foot soldiers created as many barriers in the night as they could. King Orrin stood atop his Keep with his guards, the two Shur'tugal, Nasuada, Angela, and Solembum.
Eragon sat against Saphira's forelimb, weighing Silbena mur'rana in his hands. He felt the normal anxiety that came with battle. He only wished that there had been more time to gather forces. They had less men than what forces they had at Furthen Dûr…about half as many. And who knew how many men Trianna would bring with her. They were all sitting ducks.
Do not worry so much, little one, murmured Saphira. She nuzzled him lightly on the shoulder.
Nasuada walked up to them. She sat next to Eragon. "Eragon…if I die in battle, you must promise me something," she said softly.
"Anything," cried Eragon, though he did not wish Nasuada ill-fate.
"That you will take Murtagh and foster him as though he were your own son," requested Nasuda.
"Vel eïnradhin iet ai Shur'tugal," swore Eragon. Upon my word as a Rider. "I would raise Murtagh as my own."
"As will I." Arya sat with them. Her movements were sluggish to Eragon. Galzra curled up behind her. "I hate this waiting…why can't they just attack?"
"I thought you were patient," teased Eragon. He couldn't help himself. The opportunity presented itself, and he also hated the staleness in the air before battle.
Arya frowned until she realized that it was a joke, intended to make her laugh. She suppressed the giggle. "Eragon, this is hardly the time for jokes," she scolded.
"Oh, come on Arya…I'm just trying to lighten up the mood," Eragon wined mockingly. And I don't want to regret anything, he added mentally.
--
Amestat landed on a deserted mountain cliff with a cave for him to fit and Tasha to have comfortable space. Where are we going? He asked.
I am not sure, admitted Tasha. But far away from Eragon and Arya…especially Arya.
But why?
They don't need us, Amestat, she replied coldly. We are only a burden to Eragon…he should be fighting a war and he's wasting his time failing to train us. She sighed. Can you breathe fire yet?
No…Saphira told me that I wouldn't be able to breathe fire for another couple months, admitted Amestat regretfully.
A cloaked figure entered their cave. "Ah, I thought that I would find you here," said a seemingly pleasant, and yet oddly familiar female voice.
"Show yourself!" demanded Tasha. Amestat snarled from behind her. He stood, crouched low, prepared to attack the stranger, should she not obey his Rider's commands.
The woman laughed. "And if I do that, you will kill me." She seemed to think better of it when Amestat snapped his jaws warningly. "Very well." Angela removed the hood.
"Angela," growled Tasha. She is no real threat to us, Amestat…but keep your guard up incase she betrays us.
"Like I said, I thought that I would find you here…after you left the castle," continued Angela. A faint smile crossed her lips. She sat across from Tasha. "A fire would be nice. Brisingr!" A fire lit up between them.
"Why are you here?" demanded Tasha, narrowing her eyes.
"After you disappeared, I came to find you," answered Angela.
"How can that be? The castle is leagues away from here. Even on horseback that journey would have taken you at least three days…and that would kill the horse!"
"Magic can do many things for someone," replied Angela with a smirk.
"Eragon-ebrithil never said anything about magic being able to aid in travel," grumbled Tasha.
"Why do you continue to call him ebrithil?" chided Angela. "You left his training behind."
Tasha frowned. "That is none of your business," she growled.
Shall I shut her mouth? Amestat asked. I am sure that she would make a tasty snack.
No, murmured Tasha. She has done nothing yet to harm us.
Then their was a sudden prickling pain that turned excruciating. The pain caused for her to double over. Amestat flinched as the sensation reached him. In a desperate attempt to defend his Rider, he lunged himself at Angela to be stopped by her magic. He struggled fruitlessly.
Angela's features changed to Trianna. "Now…your loyalties lie with me, Rider," she sneered. She reached into Tasha's mind and used the same bindings that Galbatorix had used against her.
When the painful process was over, she smiled evilly. "You are to go into battle…kill the elf that Eragon has given himself to…leave Shadeslayer alive. You may kill whomever else. I do not care."
--
Dawn could not have come any sooner for Eragon. He mounted Saphira and held Silbena mur'rana ready. Arya followed suit. Both dragons released a trumpeting call into the air, letting their enemies know who they were up against.
A/N: Here's a nice little twist in events, huh? So, what do you think should happen? This is not the "Final" battle. There's one more large battle before this is all over.