Disclaimer: Sorry that I separated Eragon and Arya AGAIN…but I promise that they'll be reunited sooner than you all think. School sucks as usual…but it's my last year. And colleges are expensive. Looking at tuition prices…it looks like that alone will keep me out of college. Which is kinda sad when this is supposed to be the country of opportunity. Now it's whoever has money that can go to college.
Eragon angled himself with Saphira's movements. He thought about the vision that he had had only mere moments ago. Brom, he thought. He felt his throat tightening at the thought of the name of his first mentor.
We'll bring him back, assured Saphira. I'd like to meet his dragon.
Aye, that would be nice to meet one of the old dragons, agreed Eragon. How long should it take you to get there?
At this rate…only two days, answered Saphira.
Arya bolted back to Galzra. She put Trinity and Murtagh in their portion of the saddle. She mounted her dragon.
"Queen Arya?" Narí walked up to her with a quizzed expression.
"Make sure that you get to the encampment outside of the Beor Mountains," ordered Arya. "I will get Murtagh and Trinity to safety with Queen Katrina and then follow Shadeslayer. Can I count on you Narí-elda?"
Narí placed his fist over his sternum. "Of course, my Queen. See you in battle. May the stars watch over you."
"And you, Narí-elda," replied Arya. She lowered herself so that Galzra could take flight. Hurry Galzra.
I'm going as fast as I can, replied Galzra. There's a current ahead that should be able to allow me to glide to Uru'baen.
Good, make sure that we get there, said Arya. She sighed both mentally and physically.
Eragon started a mundane fire on the outskirts of the Hadarac Desert. We sure have made it a long way today, he commented, trying to keep the mood light.
Saphira puffed out her chest proudly. Only because you are not traveling by horse, she huffed.
Eragon chuckled. Perhaps you are right, my dear old friend. But elves ride much more efficient than humans…and I am neither.
They were traveling pretty slow in the forest, replied Saphira.
Only because there were a lot of them and very thick trees, amended Eragon. And they were unwilling to leave their home.
We are in the middle of a war, Eragon, Saphira reminded him.
I know that…but you remember how hard it was for me to leave the farm…even after Garrow had died, said Eragon. Brom had to literally force me to leave.
You would have left regardless, replied Saphira softly. She nuzzled his shoulder. You have become a strong warrior and leader.
I could not have done it without you. He leaned back against her warm stomach. Without you coming into my life…I would still be a farm boy…or being drafted into Galbatorix's army. He shuddered at the thought. But don't you notice how everything in my life pretty much ties back to Arya?
She gives you hope…much the same way Galzra does for me, explained Saphira. She curled protectively around him. You have indeed chosen a fine mate…at least you didn't choose Trianna.
What do you think I should do about her? Eragon asked.
You mean if you should kill her.
Correct.
Eragon…she pledged her allegiance to Galbatorix…she has killed many already in her campaign…and being Orik's kin, you are bound to kill any who trespass on he dwarvish territory, answered Saphira. Yet I can see where you're coming from on preserving life…regardless of how foul.
I still want to think of her as our ally, admitted Eragon. But to protect the peace of the land…I have no choice but to kill her. And what should we do if Tasha and Amestat have joined Trianna's campaign?
We will see about showing them some mercy…I have killed enough of my own kin as it is, said Saphira. But for now, we should focus on our task at hand. Get some rest and we will continue our journey in the morning.
Galzra had to stop several times to allow Arya to feed Murtagh and Trinity. He spent this time hunting for rabbits and deer. They arrived in Uru'baen late that night. Galzra walked off to the orchard while Arya stole away into the castle.
The guards blocked her entrance. "No one is to enter while King Roran is away," said one.
"I am his cousin's mate," replied Arya coldly. She showed them her gedwëy ignasia, even though she did not feel the need to. "I must speak with Katrina immediately if Roran is not here. The stakes of the war are higher than any of us first anticipated."
"I am sorry, but we have strict orders," replied the guard.
Arya quickly located Katrina's patience, hoping that the girl had yet to learn how to block other minds. She found her with little difficulty. Katrina, this is Arya…get your guards to let me in before I make a scene. She waited impatiently.
When Katrina came into view, she did not expect to see just how pregnant she was. "Let her through," she ordered.
The guards stepped aside to allow Arya through. She followed Katrina to the dining hall. "I did not know that you were with child," murmured Arya.
"Yes well…it won't be long now," replied Katrina, blushing. She blinked at Trinity, who was strapped to Arya's back, and Murtagh, who was in his surrogate mother's arms. "Nasuada's son has certainly grown. And I see that you and Eragon had a girl." She beamed at the elf-human hybrid on Arya's back.
"Murtagh has grown…and this here is Trinity," Arya babbled. "Look…I need to get to the point. The battlefield is no place for these children. Eragon has gone on his own to give us what small chance we have of winning. He did not tell me much…but we are up against at least one Shur'tugal. Would it be possible for me to leave my children in your care? And if neither Eragon or myself come back alive, could you raise them both as your own?"
"I would love to!" gushed Katrina. "But I pray for your safe return…all of you. Are you going to rest here for the night?"
"Just for the night," answered Arya. "I doubt that you will be awake by the time I leave." She bowed away and strode through the halls to her designated room. She had one of the servants bring her two separate cribs and put Trinity and Murtagh down for bed.
It is going to be hard leaving them, she commented to Galzra.
They will be in good hands, reassured Galzra.
That may be true…but I shudder at the thought of Trinity being raised by humans, replied Arya. Elves are so different from humans…it will be hard enough that she is a hybrid. She sat in her bed and watched her daughter fall asleep.
Arya, are you having separation issues? Galzra asked, for once being serious.
I hate to admit it, but I can hide nothing from you, answered Arya. She pulled her knees to her chest. Damn, I am so much like Islanzadi. She would not separate herself from me to go and fight at Erandor's side.
It is only natural, murmured Galzra.
The next morning, Arya woke at the crack of dawn. She snuck out of the castle without anyone being alerted of her presence. She mounted Galzra in one fluid movement. Leave now before I have second thoughts, she growled.
Galzra launched himself into the air. He circled over the castle once and flew north.
Eragon tilted with Saphira. His mind was filled with what he had to do. Saphira remained silent, though she shared his thoughts.
They landed outside Uru'baen. Eragon dismounted his dragon. Fly overhead, he ordered. He sprinted around the city while Saphira circled in the sky.
Eragon…Arya and Galzra, warned Saphira.
Eragon halted immediately. He looked up. Sure enough, Galzra was flying toward them with Arya in the saddle. He reached out for their minds. What do you think you're doing?
Helping you in any way we can, answered Galzra. He looped down and Arya jumped from his back and landed next to Eragon, before angling up and flying with Saphira.
"Where's Trinity and Murtagh?" grumbled Eragon.
"Safe with Katrina," answered Arya. "Sorry I came…but the thought of you doing this alone did not suit me well. We are not just mates…we are Shur'tugal."
Eragon nodded stiffly. Saphira, Galzra, stay close, he commanded. "Thanks for coming," he murmured before sprinting off.
Arya kept stride with him. She held the hilt of Zar'roc. So why did you need to come to the Vault of Souls?
Apparently there is a way to bring everyone back, answered Eragon. And from the sounds of it, we are going to need all the allies we can get.
But bringing the dead back is forbidden! Arya cried, outraged.
Arya…Galbatorix is…or already has found a way to come back! Eragon argued. I have no other choice.
They stopped by the Rock of Kuthian. Eragon murmured his true name. It shined with a blinding white light. Eragon and Arya squinted in the pure light. Everything around them disappeared.
"We were wondering when you two would arrive." Brom smiled brightly.
Eragon and Arya knelt simultaneously. "Brom-ebrithil," they murmured.
It is good to see you once again, Brom, murmured Saphira.
And good to finally meet you, added Galzra.
The two dragons bowed down to Eragon's first mentor. They snapped back up when Shruikan walked forward. The ancient dragon exchanged greetings with the new generation of Shur'tugal.
"What must we do?" asked Eragon. He dared himself to look up at the black dragon.
Sing in the ancient language…something that truly reminds you of all those here that you have lost, instructed Shruikan.
"Why could you not tell me this before?" demanded Eragon, narrowing his eyes.
I was unsure if you would truly come, admitted Shruikan. But you must not blame me for my doubting you…I have been lied to so many times by Galbatorix.
"It is good to see you, Brom," whispered Eragon. He took in a deep breath before singing in a pure voice:
"There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.
Here they talked of revolution.
Here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about tomorrow'
And tomorrow never came.
From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On the lonely barricade at dawn.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
(The ghosts of those who died on the barricade appear)
That I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Phantom faces at the window.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.
(The ghosts fade away)
Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more."
The ground beneath them shook violently. The light blinded them. Eragon found himself and everyone stuck in the Vault of Souls outside the old prison in Uru'baen. He fell to his knees.
Oromis rushed forward. "Eragon!"
Eragon's vision blurred. He fell forward into Oromis' arms and knew no more of what had become of the only hope they all had left.
Disclaimer: The song I used is "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables", hence the title of this chapter. The song is from Les Miserables. So needless to say, I don't own it. I just thought that it fit well with this chapter. Now for the real fun to begin.