Disclaimer: I own nothing. Anything that is similar in either Brisingr or the fourth book is purely coincidental. I have yet to even get my hands on Brisingr and I have pledged myself to not reading it until I am finished here.
When Eragon woke, he still felt drained. It was late night and he had been relocated to a meadow. Saphira was curled protectively around him. He heard Arya whispering in the ancient language and the voices of all those he had brought back from the dead.
You are awake, stated Saphira.
Who all did I bring back? Eragon asked.
Brom, Saphira, Oromis, Glaedr, Murtagh, Thorn, Islanzadi, Erador, Shruikan, Hrothgar, Irnstad, Vrael, Elvira, Anurin, and three dragons that have yet to introduce themselves, answered Saphira. We have a much better chance of victory now.
Aye, it would seem so, answered Eragon. He listened carefully to the whispered conversation.
"We need to get to the Empire's forces," said Arya.
"But first we must wait for Eragon to wake," replied a voice that Eragon did not recognize.
"Vrael, if you would open your ears, you would hear that Eragon is indeed awake and listening to our conversation," scolded Oromis. "But then again, I was the one that trained the boy."
"Eragon, get over here!" commanded Brom.
Eragon pulled himself up. He blinked at the sight before him. Never in his life had he seen so many dragons. Six in all, not including his Saphira. He sat in between Arya and Brom. One of the dragons that Saphira had failed to be able to introduce was a bright orange, even in the semi-darkness, and the other was a deep shade of amber. The elf sitting in front of the orange dragon had shoulder-length red hair that was held back in a pony-tail. His face was angular, even by an elf's standards. His deep grey eyes looked up at Eragon with piercing precision. Another Rider had short, spiked, cropped white hair. He had a single scar running down from his left eye, going across the bridge of his nose, down his right cheek. His amber eyes, the same shade as his dragon's glanced toward Eragon's direction. The third had short blonde hair, blue eyes, and was clad in ancient armor. He had a hardened expression.
"Eragon, this is Vrael—" introduced Oromis; the red-haired elf, "and his dragon Braim…and that there is Anurin—" The white-haired elf, "and his dragon Valinor." Oromis gestured to the third elf. "That there is Irnstad and his dragon Jura."
Eragon placed his hand over his sternum and exchanged the proper greetings with them, calling each of them ebrithil. "It is a pleasure to finally meet all of you," he added, pure awe in his voice.
"Why exchange pleasantries when there is a war to be won?" grumbled Hrothgar. "Especially when Galbatorix and his Forsworn have also been revived."
"Galbatorix would be an idiot to show his face right now," replied Murtagh. "And Trianna's forces have to assemble too. We have the advantage."
"Galbatorix had the advantage after the fall of the old Riders," argued Hrothgar.
"You are only still upset that I was the one who killed you," sneered Murtagh.
Eragon frowned. He did not want to remember that battle…and he was the one who sent his older brother to death in the first place.
Murtagh is right, said Shruikan. Galbatorix will bide his time…he will probably kill Trianna to establish his power.
"Instead of arguing, let's go and meet our allies," grumbled Arya. "We will have plenty of time to argue if we survive the war."
"We do not know how long we will be allowed to stay," replied Brom.
"Then let's not waste precious time," said Vrael.
Vrael is right, added Braim.
And so is Brom, rumbled Saphira 1.
Authoress Note: Since there are two pairs of characters that share the same name, the first generation will be followed by a 1 and the second generation will be followed by a 2.
"We will have plenty of time to catch up on our journey to the Beor Mountains," said Erador. He spoke with the same authority as his daughter. "I will ride with Eragon. Islanzadi, you should ride with Arya. Hrothgar, do whatever pleases you." He seemed unconcerned about the old dwarf king.
"I will ride with Brom," growled Hrothgar.
"I will ride with my father," announced Elvira.
They all mounted the dragons. One by one the dragons took flight. They flew with perfect formation. Saphira 2 and Galzra relied on the memories of the older dragons to know what to do.
So, you are the Rider that helped to bring about the fall of Galbatorix, said Erador. And apparently mate to my daughter.
I hardly had anything to do with Galbatorix's first fall, amended Eragon. It is Shruikan that gave the final blow…I passed out before the battle could be decided.
But you gave hope to the resistance, replied Erador.
I suppose I did, Eragon allowed.
You have my blessings to be mated with my daughter, boy, murmured Erador. Even though I died when she was very young, she was never this happy as she is now.
I am glad that I could be of service, replied Eragon. You might be pleased to know that you have a granddaughter.
I am indeed pleased, mused Erador.
How is my child? Murtagh asked, reaching out for Eragon's mind.
You have a son…named after you, reported Eragon. But I am sorry to say that Nasuada died in battle shortly after giving birth.
Murtagh cursed under his breath. He leaned with Thorn. They slowed down and took the rear flank. When can I see him?
He is in Katrina's care…in Uru'baen, informed Eragon.
We can stop there, said Vrael, projecting into everyone's thoughts. I would like to see how much the landscape has changed since I died.
Galbatorix raped the land, Vrael, glowered Elvira. It pained me each day to see it.
I am sorry that I could not be a better dragon, murmured Shruikan. He spun under them.
Shruikan, be reasonable, you were under Galbatorix's control, replied Thorn. I too could do nothing about the wrongs that I was forced to commit because Murtagh 1 was sworn to Galbatorix.
Thorn is right, Shruikan, added Saphira 1.
Shur'tugal, grumbled Hrothgar. He shook his hairy head.
Hrothgar…I believe that a Shur'tugal is a kin of yours, laughed Oromis.
Yes…well…he is sensible, mumbled Hrothgar.
That may by true, murmured Oromis. But you must remember that I trained him after he came to Ellesméra.
He's got a hot temper, chuckled Brom.
Hey, growled Eragon.
Even though your appearance has changed, you are still the same as always, boy, laughed Brom.
Eragon…Arya…I am sorry for what happened, murmured Elvira.
You were not at fault, replied Arya. Now at least you can make amends if that is what pleases you.
None of you still have hard feelings about Thorn and me, right? Murtagh 1 asked.
You were under Galbatorix's control, brother, answered Eragon.
Eragon, you need to complete your training when this is over, said Vrael. And so do you, Murtagh 1 and Arya.
The three newer Riders blinked. But I thought that I had finished, they all said in unison.
Your training was cut short because of the war, replied Vrael. Eragon, I will train you if we survive the war.
I will train Murtagh, said Anurin.
And I will train Arya, added Irnstad.
Whatever, grunted Murtagh 1. I might like your training methods better than Galbatorix's cruel ways anyhow.
The dragons dove toward the ground. Hrothgar gripped tightly to Brom and shut his eyes tightly. Many of the Uru'baen guard came with swords and pikes. They stopped when they recognized Shruikan, Thorn, and Murtagh 1. "You…you died in battle!" cried the captain.
"We did," agreed Murtagh 1. "But we were brought back to take care of Trianna." He jumped from Thorn and landed next to his dragon.
We can only stay for a night, said Thorn.
I know that, growled Murtagh 1. He clenched his teeth. We all need swords…and I am sure that Galbatorix had dragon armor made. He turned to Shruikan.
The black dragon inclined his head. He wanted to revive the Dragon Riders under his reign so that his terror could be carried out more effectively.
Makes sense, added Eragon. He dismounted Saphira. "We will need nine rooms, armor for our dragons, swords, and food for our journey to the battle field," he informed the captain of the guard.
"Of course, Shadeslayer," murmured the captain, bowing. "There are rooms on the west wing. Shall I announce your presence to Queen Katrina?"
"That would probably be best," answered Eragon. He turned around and everyone had dismounted the dragons. He led them through the castle with Arya at his side.
"You have become an honorable leader, Eragon," commented Brom. "And Shadeslayer…wow…that is some accomplishment."
"I killed Durza in the battle for Farthen Dûr," informed Eragon. "Actually, it was luck…Arya and Saphira saved me by distracting Durza just long enough for me to kill him."
"You have grown up," murmured Brom. "Garrow would be proud of you." He smiled fondly.
"Yes, but look at who sired me…and Murtagh 1," growled Eragon.
Brom blinked. "You and Murtagh 1 didn't have the same father."
Eragon and Murtagh 1 stopped dead. Their head snapped to Brom. "What?!" they cried simultaneously.
"Eragon…I really hate breaking the news to you like this, but I am your father," said Brom. "I fell in love with your mother during the Fall and when she was pregnant with you, we left for Carvahall for fear of Morzan finding out. She begged for me to stay and watch over you."
Eragon felt suddenly dizzy. His entire world that he had known and learned to accept was once again altered. He turned to glare at Oromis. "You knew, didn't you?" he snarled.
Oromis blinked. "I did," he admitted. "But I did not feel that it was necessary for you to know."
Eragon, be rational with your words! Arya scolded.
I had the right to know as soon as I told Oromis-elda about Morzan! Eragon roared.
That may be so, but he had his reasons for keeping it a secret, argued Arya.
Arya is right, agreed Saphira 2.
"Boy, know your place," growled Irnstad. "Never disrespect Oromis-elda."
"Peace, Irnstad," ordered Oromis. "Eragon meant no harm…he is hotheaded sometimes." He sighed. "I will talk about my reasons later. Right now we should all go to our rooms and rest. Starting tomorrow, there will be no rests."
They walked quietly to their rooms. Arya smiled when she saw Trinity sleeping in her crib next to Murtagh 2. She took the small boy in her arms and brought him to his father. Murtagh 1 smiled as he saw his son for the first time.
He looked up at Arya. "You have a child too, don't you?"
"Trinity," answered Arya.
"My niece," whispered Murtagh 1. "I will fight to ensure that our children grow up in peace."
"Good night, Murtagh," murmured Arya. She pivoted on her heels and turned into her shared room with Eragon.
Your mate is strange, little brother, chuckled Murtagh 1.
Sometimes she is, agreed Eragon. But she is strong.
--
The company of elves, Shur'tugal, and the dwarf set off early the next morning. During the flight east, Irnstad, Vrael, and Anurin quizzed their new students on the methods of battle.
They arrived outside the Beor Mountains at sunset. Eragon approached Roran first. "King Roran, I brought some allies with me," he reported.
Roran blinked. "I do not see them," he replied.
"They feel that it is best to stay away until they are needed," explained Eragon.
Shur'tugal, explained Arya. And three elves and a dwarf. That is all that I am allowed to tell you…they made Eragon, Saphira, Galzra, and myself take an oath.
She looked around. "I see that Surda, the dwarves, and my people are all here. What is the progress?"
"We have had several skirmishes," reported Roran. "We have killed a decent amount of their numbers and have only lost a few on our side."
Eragon and Arya both nodded. "When will we meet in true combat?" asked Eragon.
"I was hoping for tomorrow night," answered Roran. "Oh, and Eragon…Angela wishes to see you…she should be on the west flank in the farthest tent. Queen Arya and I will talk over battle strategies."
I will keep you posted, promised Arya.
I'll be back soon, replied Eragon. He walked through the massive army that they had brought together. He inclined his head when his allies from the Varden hailed him.
"Eragon!" Orik hobbled over to his kinsman. "You have returned at long last!"
"Hello, King Orik!" Eragon beamed.
"What took you so long?" asked Orik.
"I had to get Arya back to Ellesméra," answered Eragon. "Also, I gathered as many allies as I could."
"Good lad," said Orik gruffly. "Did King Roran tell you that Angela is waiting for you?"
"He did," answered Eragon.
"Go then, and I hope to see you before the battle," murmured Orik.
Eragon nodded briefly before continuing walking through the crowd of soldiers. He ducked through the flap of Angela's tent. It was filled with various herbs and other materials that the witch used for her craft.
"So, you have finally arrived, Shadeslayer," greeted Angela.
"It is good to see you too, Angela," replied Eragon. "What did you need me for?"
"In a hurry as always, Shadeslayer," Angela chuckled hollowly. "You should not be in such a hurry…I do not see this war ending anytime soon. Each day Tasha grows stronger…and we have scout reports that there is another Shur'tugal. A silver dragon."
Eragon frowned. "So Trianna got to the new Rider first then," he glowered.
Angela nodded. "It is going to be a long and bloody battle."
"Angela, do you have anything that can help amplify protection wards?" asked Eragon.
"It would take away from your strength," warned Angela.
"I hardly care," replied Eragon. "I cannot lose Arya." He had a determined expression. "I nearly lost her so many times before. And she just gave birth to our daughter six months ago. Both of us grew up without one or both parents. I do not want to put my daughter through that."
"I will see what I can do," sighed Angela. "Come back tomorrow morning."
Eragon nodded. "Thank you, Angela."
"Well, off you go then!"
Disclaimer: I will warn all you readers that there will be several time skips. No important characters have died yet from the skirmishes.