Hey! Sorry it has been over a month since I updated, for those who don't know my computer has gone on strike and decided not to turn on anymore. That happened about a month and a half ago, so I was having a hard time finding the time to write this along with my school work and only being allowed to use a computer at random odd hours in my school's library. Thanks for sticking with me and to all of you who reviewed, you are all AMAZING! Truly, you all kept me motivated enough to finish up this chapter. Thank you. Now I hope that I have lived up somewhat to your expectations. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or Eragon/Inheritance Cycle
Long Awaited Questions
I do not think I can carry us any further,Saphira's tired voice entered Eragon's mind, as she dipped closer to the tree tops.The two of you are too heavy.
Eragon reached out and patted her neck in a sign on reassurance, his other arm tight around the old man that they had rescued only a few hours before. He looked down with their shared sight, spying a break in the trees and something glinting in the dim dawn light.
There was a sudden gust of wind, causing Eragon to be buffeted against the old man and drawing a hiss of pain from his lips as his ribs were jarred once more.
"Alright, I don't think my ribs can take anymore anyway." Eragon murmured into the wind, is eyes clamped shut against the pain before opening them slowly to see the clearing getting closer and a river flowing boldly through the middle of it. "Let us land there. That way we can replenish our water supply."
Saphira dipped even closer to the tree tops, folding her wings against her body as the ground approached their descending forms. Only to snap them out at the last moment, providing a gentle landing for her two riders. As soon as they were firmly on the ground Eragon released the Istar and slid off his mount's large form, stretching his cramped legs and stroking Saphira's head affectionately.
"Why are we stopping here?"
Eragon turned his attention back to the old man who spoke in a slightly stronger voice than when they first met, giving him a small smile.
"We need water and rest." Eragon replied, going to the saddlebags and fishing out the water skins that were in dire need of a refilling.
He glanced back up at Gandalf, feeling another smile tug onto his face at the man's weary look. He set the water skins down, before reaching up, opening his arms and beckoning the man who was still clinging to Saphira's neck.
"Do not fear Gandalf, I will not let you fall." Eragon offered, a teasing smile stretching his lips at the disgruntled and slightly offended look that was sent his way.
But after a few moments, Gandalf gave in and accepted the help. Allowing himself to be pulled off the large blue dragon and set on his feet as if he weighed no more than a small child. Eragon turned back to his previous task, scooping up the water skins and making his way over to the fast flowing river. He absently flicked some strands of his wavy brown hair out of his face, making a mental note to fix the leather tie in order to get the more windswept portions of hair out of his eyes.
He could hear the shuffle of dragon feet behind him along with more cautious footsteps over the soft roar of the river, paying neither of the two any mind as he reached the bank and began his task of refilling the water skins after taking a few hurried gulps of the cool liquid.
"Not that I want to seem rude after you just rescued me," Gandalf began, drawing both Eragon's and Saphira's attention onto himself. "However, I must know –"
"You wish to know who we are, yes?" Eragon easily cut him off, see the vigorous nod to his statement.
Eragon sighed, knowing that this moment would have come up sooner or later and the conflict of how much he should tell the old man would have to be addressed. He turned his attention to Saphira for the briefest of moments and made his decision.
"It would take too much time to explain ourselves fully," he tried to explain, standing to his feet and striding over to stand leaning against Saphira, the water skins left on the bank for the time being. "But I am known as Eragon and this is my dragon, Saphira."
Eragon watched as Gandalf nodded his head, almost as if he was in a daze as he stared openly at the dragon and her rider.
"That is another thing," the old man breathed, taking a step forward towards the pair and made to touch the bright blue scales along Saphira's flank. "How are you able to ride such a beast –"
But before Gandalf could finish his question, Saphira snarled menacing. She stomped her feet, talons digging into the earth, and flared out her wings showing her agitation at being called a beast.
Eragon stroked her neck, comforting her without words before turning his attention back to the now slightly frightened old man.
"Saphira doesn't take well to being called a 'beast'." Eragon elaborated simply, unable to help the smile that crossed his face when he himself received a small puff of hot air at the word.
"Forgive me," Gandalf pleaded quietly, his apology clear in his eyes along with his confusion. "It is just… the dragons who call the mountains their home are nothing but beasts."
"There are dragons here?"
Eragon did not even realize that he had stood a little straighter, his full attention solely on the Istar, when the question escaped his lips, surprise coloring his voice.
"Yes," Gandalf confirmed, looking pensive for a moment as if he were recalling something. "There numbers have dwindled throughout the years but I believe there are still a few who are in hiding."
May we try and find these other dragons, Eragon? came Saphira's excited question through their shared link, her excitement becoming infectious and causing Eragon to shift from foot to foot restlessly as their eyes connected.
:I do not see why not: Eragon answered, seeing the joy sparkle in the large blue eyes. But before she could demand to leave that moment, he quickly added, :However, I think it would be wiser if we got previsions and a healer before making such a trek. Not to mention we do not know fully where they could be, it might benefit us if we follow this Gandalf and see what he can tell us about these dragons.:
"Did you hear me?"
Eragon jumped slightly, forgetting for a moment that there were three in there group and not just the two of them. He turned his sheepish eyes back to the Istar, smiling apologetically.
"I apologize –"
"Were you just conversing with the dra– I mean Saphira?" Gandalf interrupted, waving his arm as if to dismiss the apology, his eyes alight in curiosity once more.
Eragon hesitated for a second, before nodding his head when he came to the conclusion that there was no real way to deny the claim.
"Yes," Eragon answered verbally, judging that he would have to give more of an answer in order to appease the man. "Saphira and I are bound to each other. I can hear her thoughts and she can hear mine."
Eragon watched as Gandalf's face took on another look of wonder, his jaw going slightly slack as he openly stared at the two of them. It took a puff of hot air from Saphira to shake the man out of his thoughts, causing him to shake himself to clear his thought even more.
"I was asking you where you were heading before running into my messenger." Gandalf back tracked, restating the question that Eragon had miss during his side conversation with Saphira. "I am in your debt Eragon, Saphira. I would be honored to help you in any way I can."
"We had no clear destination in mind at the time," Eragon reluctantly admitted, sitting down on one of Saphira's large legs before continuing, "But if you could be so helpful as to point us in the direction of a healer, we could call ourselves even."
"Are you injured, Eragon?" Gandalf questioned urgently, stepping forward towards the two with concern filling his eyes.
Eragon felt slightly touched that the man would even care at all, after all they were still strangers who could pose at threat to this aged man.
"I hate to admit it," Eragon sighed, grimacing slightly when he shifted his weight and a spike of pain made its way up his body. "But yes. I believe I have a few cracked ribs, I am not skilled in the art of medicine and thus I am in need of assistance."
"May I take a look?" Gandalf inquired, coming even closer to the dragon rider, his had outstretched in a sign of peace and worry.
Eragon observed him for a breath longer, before gingerly taking off his light armor. He rested it against Saphira's side, before raising his shirt up to his chin, exposing the bruised skin underneath. He felt a small ripple of surprise when Galndalf began to skillfully check out his injuries, feeling with gentle hands along his rib cage and hesitating any time a hiss of pain escaped Eragon's lips.
"I think your judgment is accurate," Gandalf assessed, prodding the tender bruise one more time before sighing. "Unfortunately, I am no healer."
Eragon felt a small bubble of disappointment fill him at those words as he lowered his shirt back down to cover his injured chest. He ignored the bite of cold that seemed to hang in the air, noting that it would be wise to fish out his leather coat instead of dawning his armor once more.
"However," Gandalf suddenly spoke, an unknown glint in his eyes. "One of my dear friends is one. I had intended to travel to his domain, but was delayed."
Gandalf locked eyes with Eragon, as if he was trying to convey something with his eyes that Eragon was not entirely sure he was reading right.
"If you wish you may travel with me to his home."
The offer hung in the air, causing the dragon rider to ponder over their options and this new possibility before turning his gaze towards his faithful dragon.
:What do you think?: He questioned gently, wanting her opinion on their current situation and knowing full well that she had already heard his views on the idea. :Should we follow him?:
I believe we should. Saphira replied, giving her rider a concerned yet critical look. For surely we can learn about these dragons from this friend of his and you can get the care that you need.
"Alright, we will go with you." Eragon spoke aloud, answering both dragon and Istar with that simple answer. "But we will rest here for a time."
"I agree," Gandalf reasoned, his eyes turned to the slowly rising sun in the east. "The sky grows light, the sun will keep away the creatures who lurk in the night."
Eragon sends Saphira an uncertain look questioning her as to what these 'creatures who lurk in the night' could possibly be, but only receiving a shrug in return.
Rest Eragon. I will keep watch.
*~*~*(BREAK)*~*~*
Eragon woke with a start, his hand on the hilt of his blade as his eyes scanned around him. He let out a sigh of relief, only noticing the prone form of Gandalf snoring away next to him and Saphira's worried blue eyes boring into his brown orbs.
What troubles you? You have only been asleep for a few hours.
:I am not sure.: Eragon replied, his hand slipping away from his hilt and sliding into his unbound hair. :I think I will go and get a little fresh air…:
Eragon got to his feet, stepping out from under Saphira's protective wing and into the late morning light. He stretched his somewhat sore muscles, before tying his hair back into its low knot, ignoring his hair as it fell over the tops of his ears loosely. But before he could do more, he was assaulted by his demanding stomach and his not so pleasant scent.
:And maybe some food along with a quick wash.: Eragon added, making his way over to the river's edge and beginning to wash his face.
He was surprised to feel hair around his lips and covering his chin in a somewhat thick beard, making a note to shave once he could get a true bath.
Good, You do smell a little too ripe for my taste.
Eragon shot a small glare at the slightly joking dragon, standing up and drying his handing on his pants.
:I will be back in a bit.:
Eragon detoured over to the bushes to relieve himself before striding off on silent feet into the trees that surrounded their camp. His mind stretched out, touching the life that was around him hesitantly. Sighing when he felt nothing that meant him or his companions harm. As he slowly made his way through the thick foliage, he spied some fruit up in some impressively tall trees, just the look of them causing his stomach to growl in anticipation.
With ease that came from many summers of climbing trees as a child, he scaled the imposing trunks, stepping lightly from branch to branch as he made his way closer to the bright red fruit. With little thought, he stripped off his coat plucking the ripe fruit from the branch and bundling them into tan leather. When he had snatched about ten of the red beauties, he deftly tied the ends of the soft leather closed before leaping from the high branch.
A chuckle escaped his lips as he landed with ease on his feet, before grimacing in pain at the jolt that went through his ribs. He tucked his goods under his arm and patted the tree in thanks before making his way back to the camp.
When he stepped into the clearing, he was surprised to see Gandalf awake and washing his face and hands in the rapid river. He intentionally stepped on to a fallen branch, watching the old man spring to his feet and turn faster than what was possible for a man his age, brandishing his staff.
Eragon simply smiled at the man, striding further into the clearing until he was standing next to Saphira's long neck, scratching her soft skin that was covered by her bright blue scales.
"You can go and see what game is afoot." Eragon murmured for only Saphira to hear, receiving a small puff of hot air across his face. "We will remain here, unless provoked."
Saphira stared into his brown eyes, as if assessing whether or not to be sure if she should really leave him. Until a rumble in her stomach shook her sides and caused her rider to laugh at her good naturedly.
She sent another huff of hot air into his face before ordering gently through their link, Be safe.
Eragon chuckled again, rolling his eyes at the command and knowing his luck when it came to such situations.
"I'll try." He promised, giving her another gentle pat before stepping away to allow her to take to the sky. Watching her wings unfurl and with one good pump she was air born and zooming off over the trees.
"To think a mere man is able to talk to dragons…"
Eragon simply ignored the almost silent comment, knowing that it was not truly for his ears to hear. He sat easily onto the ground, unbundling his spoils and spreading them out across his jacket. He selected one of the largest from the small pile, admiring the deep red of the skin for a moment before sinking his teeth into the crisp fruit.
"Are you hungry, Gandalf?" Eragon offered, choosing another fruit at random and tossing it gently to the older man. Another chuckle escaping him at the surprised look on the man's face as he fumbled to catch said fruit before it could hit the ground.
Eragon simply smiled at the glare he received, patting the ground next to him in an inviting gesture. He watched as Gandalf took a bite from the fruit before joining him on the soft grass. Suddenly a thought struck Eragon that he could not believe he did not think about before this moment.
"So where exactly is this friend of yours?" Eragon questioned, knowing that Saphira will most likely hear the coming information and investigate which ever direction they would be heading. "Where are we headed?"
"We will be heading north, to one of the few elven cities." Gandalf supplied, surprising Eragon and causing him to recall the elves from his own world and pondering if they were anything alike.
"We are heading to Rivendell."
*~*~*(END CHAPTER)*~*~*
Sorry, it is basically a filler chapter. But it needed to be covered. Thanks for reading! ^_^ Reviews are welcome!