Disclaimer: I own nothing. There is no profit in this work, apart from my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of my fans.
A/N: Sorry for the excessively long time it took to get this out. It's been a long couple years of college getting in the way.
Trianna blocked Elvira's attack and went for a low kick at the elf's feet. She screamed out in pain as Elvira's blade stabbed her right foot. "Impotent little wrench!" she spat, slapping Elvira across the cheek.
The elf fell back before twisting around for another attempt to take Trianna's life. The blade grazed Trianna's left arm, yet the staff stabbed through Elvira's stomach. Elvira looked down, her eyes wide with shock. "Enjoy your small victory while you can," she rasped. Blood drained from her mouth as her eyes glazed over. "Lord Shadeslayer will find you and slaughter you."
"I'll be counting on it," whispered Trianna.
Eragon sat on the edge of his saddle, waiting for Galbatorix to show himself. He gripped the hilt of his sheathed sword tightly as he watched soldiers from both sides getting slaughtered. This is wrong, he thought to himself. This should have ended twenty years ago when Shruikin betrayed Galbatorix. His body shook, but whether it was from fear or rage, he did not know.
Eragon, you need to focus on the battle, growled Saphira. Her body vibrated under him as she growled.
I know—it's just sad to see so much fighting—all because of a single madman.
Eragon, came Vrael's voice.
His head snapped up. Yes, Vrael-elda?
Elvira—I don't feel her. I'm sorry, but I need you to go after her.
What about Galbatorix? Eragon asked quickly. His heart pounded against his chest.
He can wait, answered Vrael. He is nowhere to be seen right now. I just want you to make sure my daughter is safe. If she isn't, I want you to finish Trianna.
Eragon clenched his teeth. Saphira?
Trianna must be dealt with, if Elvira has indeed fallen, Saphira growled in his mind.
All right—I'll do it. Alert me if Galbatorix joins the battle. He squeezed his eyes as Saphira took to the air. He leaned forward as he felt her race toward their new target. Many of the soldiers beneath them yelled in terror.
Eragon!—Arrows!
Dodge them, Saphira! He opened his eyes and leaned with her as she dodged out of the way of a wave of arrows. He caught one in his hand before it could pierce his heart, and it broke in his grasp before he tossed it to the side. That's the cave where Trianna was hiding.
Saphira circled around a few times before dipping down to land with a loud thud. Her upper lip was curled up in a snarl as her Rider dismounted her. The cave is too small for me, Eragon.
Stay here then. Kill any who try to flee.
Eragon?
Just do as I say, Saphira, he snapped before running into the mouth of the cave. He came to a quick stop just short of the ring of light that surrounded Trianna and her band of five magicians. His eyes flickered to the dead Urgal on the ground and then to Elvira. He dared not reach out with his mind to check to see if she was alive for fear of being discovered by the magicians. Instead, he waited in the shadows and watched.
"The battle is not faring well, Lady Trianna," murmured one of the magicians in a shaky voice. "It seems that the enemy Shur'tugal have set up wards around the rebels."
"Target the Shur'tugal, one by one," ordered Trianna coldly.
Eragon grimaced bitterly. He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. He forced his eyes shut and reached for the magic as subtly as he could manage. "Stenr rïsa," he muttered. He looked down to see a stone hovering at hip level. "Stenr, flauga fram." In his mind, he targeted Trianna. The stone flew toward the sorceress, and at the last moment, her eyes flickered to the stone.
"Stenr, letta." The stone stopped just inches away from her forehead. "So—Eragon Shadeslayer, the years have taught you to hide in the shadows like a coward." Her magicians surrounded her in a protective circle. "No—I want to handle Shadeslayer myself," she barked angrily.
"Trianna—I trusted you," Eragon snarled as he stepped into the light. "Why? Why did you join Galbatorix?"
"You can't resist him, Shadeslayer," answered Trianna with a smirk. "No one can. He won many years ago."
"Barzûl!" He paced back and forth, glaring at the sorceress all the while.
"Such language," Trianna chided, clicking her tongue. "What would you dear sweet elf think of that?"
"You leave Arya out of this!" He unsheathed his sword and feigned charging at her.
"Brisingr raudhr!" A wall of fire erected itself around Trianna, protecting her from any physical assault from Eragon. "I have become much stronger under Galbatorix's guidance. You and Nasuada feared the power of the Varden magicians."
"Magic is a dangerous thing, Trianna!" Eragon yelled. "Adurna rïsa." The moment the fire was extinguished by the water, he launched himself forward, his sword held up high in a stabbing stance.
"Letta!" Trianna shrieked.
Eragon felt himself stopping short of her. He stabbed his sword forward, but her staff parried it. He stumbled back, panting slightly. What's wrong? I'm stronger than this, he thought in his frustration.
He glared at Trianna, thinking of Arya, Trinity, Brom, Vrael, Oromis, Roran, Murtagh, Glaedr, Galzra, Saphira, and Shruikan, then Garrow, Joed, Nasuada, and everyone else who had died in the struggle to liberate Alagaësia. He allowed for the emotions of the loss he felt for each person to fill him.
"Trianna, your madness ends here. Surrender, and I'll let you live to repent for your crimes." His eyebrows furrowed as he glared at her, his face darkening in the flickering candlelight. The magicians within the cave's chamber were nothing more than peripheral in his mind.
"I have no intentions of dying by your hands, Shadeslayer," snarled Trianna. "And I refuse to surrender to the likes of you."
"I regret hearing that, old friend," replied Eragon gravely. "Now, deyja Trianna." He watched as the life force was sucked out of her. She landed on the ground with a thud. His attention turned to the other magicians. "Surrender, and your lives will be spared."
"We surrender!" They all cried. "Please don't kill us!"
Eragon sighed heavily as he sheathed his sword. He walked over to where Elvira was left in a pool of her own blood. He knelt next to her and felt for a pulse. When he found none, his face was twisted with rage. "Rest in peace, Elvira svit-kona," he murmured in the Ancient Language. He closed her eyes before standing.
Vrael, I am sorry, but Elvira is dead. I killed Trianna. Her group of magicians have surrendered. They wait in the cave for capture, he reported gravely.
Eka elrun ono, Eragon Shadeslayer, replied Vrael. I will send some soldiers after the battle is finished.
Eragon! Saphira cried in his mind. Galbatorix! He's here!