Hey Howdy Readers! I am so thrilled to see how many people are following this story, you all really flatter me. ^_^ I know it is a long time coming, but here is the next chapter! Thank you to all of you who have reviewed, favorited, or alerted this story and I hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings nor the Inheretance Cycle series.
Admitting Truths
Gandalf walked swiftly down the hallways, knowing exactly where his newest friend would be. He pushed open the large wooden door to his left, his eyes only scanning the shelves for the briefest of moments before settling onto the lone figure, who was currently hunched over a stack of large volumes that had worn yellow pages.
Exact same spot for the last three days, Gandalf sighed in amusement, shaking his head ever so slightly as he made his way to the open chair that sat across from the dragon rider.
Gandalf spoke no words as he sat down, noting that the half-elf did not even twitch or stop his reading of the thick tomb, random bits of paper scattered about him that all had various different words and meanings scrawled across their surface.
Gandalf observed closer the apparent young man, noting the somewhat dark circles under his eyes, the wrinkles creasing his brow in his deep concentration, the tiny ink stains that decorated his finger tips and smudged across his unshaven cheeks, and his wavy brown hair tied messily at the nape of his neck. Gandalf could only smile in amusement at the clear display of a disheveled elf that would make most other elves shudder in horror and make most dwarves laugh uproariously.
"Is there something you wanted, Gandalf?"
Gandalf startled at the question, noticing the exhaustion that was craftily hidden in the other's voice, before directing his attention more on the words than on the still reading dragon rider before him.
"I am here for you." Gandalf spoke sincerely, watching as Eragon's brown eyes looked up from the book to connect with his own. "You have been here for quite some time Eragon. Gloin has been missing your company at the evening meals as well as the hobbits. Elrond has also expressed concern over your health, and though he says he will not interfere just yet, he is only about a day or so away from tearing you away from this room and committing you to the Hall of Healing until he deems you fit to leave his sight."
Gandalf couldn't stop the amused chuckle and the encouraging smile from touching his lips when he saw Eragon crack his own smile before leaning back and rubbing his eyes in a gesture that clearly betrayed exactly how he felt.
"I did not realize I would be the center of everyone's worries." Eragon murmured quietly, almost as if he was saying it to himself instead of to the elderly Maia.
Gandalf watched as Eragon continued rubbing his eyes, leaning forward in order to touch the dragon rider's other arm gently.
"How are you doing, Eragon?" Gandalf probed, turning his eyes to the papers and books that lay strewn across the table top. "What is so important?"
Eragon released a tired laugh, pulling his hand away in order to connect his amused eyes with that of the elderly man.
"I would say I am well, but judging by that face you just made, am I to assume correctly that you would not believe that statement?" Eragon commented, causing Gandalf to school his unruly facial expressions, which earned him another tired chuckle from the half-elf.
"You would be correct." Gandalf conceded, patting the dragon rider's arm once more.
The gesture earned him another tired, but truly pleased, smile.
"As to what is so important…" Eragon pressed on, turning his eyes to the books before sighing and allowing his head to fall into his hands once more. "It is more frustration that keeps me going."
Gandalf tilted his head slightly, his brows furrowing as he spoke, his voice clouded with confusion, "Why would that be?"
Eragon turned his head slightly in his hands, balancing it with one as he reached to the scattered bits of paper and bringing it closer to his face before handing it over to the Maia.
"I seem to understand most of the elvish language that is written," Eragon let out in a sigh as Gandalf's eyes scanned across the papers he was handed, noting the different locations that were being mentioned along with a variety of other words scrawled across the pages. "But there are words here that I do not understand, locations that I have never been, yet I seem to be able to picture it to some extent."
The last bit of that statement caused Gandalf to turn his attention to the younger man with surprise, wondering if his ears were meant to hear the muttered statement or if it was just a musing of his companion. He noted the look of deep thought that was currently marring the tired face, choosing to only file away the tidbit of information before turning his gaze to the papers once more.
Gandalf heard Eragon clear his throat slightly, before continuing, "So anytime I get stuck, I need to look up the word in another book, or ask the elf who sometimes brings me food and drink."
Gandalf nodded at that, recalling coming to the library a few times to see the fair elf maiden with a small tray of food balanced in her arms, coaxing the dragon rider to eat more or take a few more sips of drink.
"I am sure she is putting something in the wine." Eragon suddenly stated, startling Gandalf from his memories in order to shoot Eragon an incredulous look. Eragon only shrugged his shoulders before pressing on. "Always within the hour after her evening visits I find myself with my head being pillowed by a book and a blanket wrapped around my shoulders, along with the sun coming over the horizon."
Gandalf chuckled at that, imaging the Dragon rider being subdued into sleep by the gentle maiden. He handed back the papers, watching as Eragon simply dropped them back onto the table top without a glance before dragging a large tomb over in front of him and seemingly turning to a random page and reading the text there.
"And Saphira?" Gandalf pushed a little more, noting Eragon's small wince before rubbing his forehead and turning his attention to the Grey Wizard."Is she alright?"
Eragon's eyes flicked around the room, his eyes becoming sharp, as if he was looking for any sign of life that could over hear the two friends conversing. This caused a small sigh to escape Gandalf before he placed his wrinkled hand on top of Eragon's callused one, affectively drawing the other's attention back to their conversation.
"You know I have not told anyone about her, and I will not do so until you are comfortable with revealing her as well." Gandalf reassured the young man, his voice pitched low in order to prevent any ears from over hearing them, unwilling to move his hand away until he saw Eragon's shoulders slump down and out of their tense position.
"I know, Gandalf." Eragon confirmed, relaxing back into his chair as a small fond smile spread across his face and his eyes went distant. "She is enjoying herself with exploring the landscape while knowing that I am in a safe place." Suddenly Eragon jerked and a chuckle escaped his lips as his eyes sparked with a sort of sheepish mischief. "Though, she has been scolding me for not resting."
Gandalf could not stop himself from joining into the mirth, his own face splitting into a smile at the closeness of the dragon and her rider.
"She speaks wise words that you should consider." Gandalf suddenly stating in a serious voice, his head nodding in a sagely manner and earning his own bout of laughter from the half-elf sitting across from him and a slight eye roll as well.
The two subsided into quiet companionship, each turning to different books before Eragon's voice cut across Gandalf's thoughts as he perused a book on the dragon's eating habits in the southern lands.
"I know I must divulge my true reasons for searching out the dragons to Lord Elrond, especially with all he has done for me these past few days."
Gandalf glanced back up to the younger of the two, his eyes suddenly becoming critical of the other and searing before asking, "And will you?"
There was a pause, both staring at each other and abandoning their books, the two of them sizing each other up and whether the other was serious about the turn the conversation seemed to have taken.
"I will." Eragon replied, everything about him proclaiming the truth in the statement and the promise he had just made. "The next time I see him, I will tell him the full truth."
Gandalf looked at him a little longer, measuring the sincerity in his eyes before nodding his head in acceptance.
"Good." Gandalf confirmed, his tone promising to hold Eragon to his word. "Now let me see if I can clear up some of your confusion over these words."
Eragon's look of relief confirmed to Gandalf that he had made the right choice, before he watched as the dragon rider's face screwed up into a look of confusion.
"Do you not wish to sit by the bedside of that of your friend, I believe Frodo was his name." Eragon questioned innocently, subtly asking if Gandalf truly wanted to stay there with him when someone he clearly cared about lay in the Hall of Healing.
Gandalf could not stop the relieved smile from coming to his lips as he thought on his young hobbit friend whose eyes had finally open not long ago.
"Frodo has finally awoken, he is among his kin at this very moment." Gandalf spoke fondly, recalling the younglings embracing on the balcony before making their way to the kitchen to no doubt feed their insatiable hunger.
"That is good." Eragon breathed out, allowing his own smile to cross his face at his newest friend's joy. "I am happy your friend has recovered."
"Yes," Gandalf stated quietly, nodding his head before he was pulled forward into the madness that was Eragon's confusion.
*~*~*(BREAK)*~*~*
Eragon looked out at the valley below him, watching as the trees were tipped with gold from the setting sun and the rivers blazed with the fiery touch.
It is beautiful isn't it? Whispered Saphira into his mind, soothing his frayed thoughts with her soft voice and warm emotions. Eragon couldn't help but sigh in contentment, allowing himself to fall into their bond and let it flow over him.
:Yes,: he whispered back, sending waves of affection down their connection as his eyes focused onto the trees and their dancing leaves. :This place always seems to awe me when I have the chance to truly take it all in.:
Eragon continued to look at the beautiful landscape around him, feeling the sun caress his skin and begin to lull his mind into the open embrace of sleep.
Why don't you rest? Saphira pressed, shaking Eragon gently from his light doze and try to push him into moving back inside and to the large bed that lay within. You have had a long day with Gandalf, we have enough information on the dragon's to be able to find them now.
Eragon wanted to protest, wanted to deny knowing enough about the very thing that both Saphira and himself so desired to seek out. But he could not find the words to deny such a claim. He pushed himself off of the railing and slowly made his way inside the bright warm room.
:I know, but I feel like there is so much more I do not understand about this world.: Eragon finally conceded, allowing himself to sit on the corner of the soft bed while he worked the ties on his boots. :So much more I need to learn before I am sure that we can truly find peace here…:
He felt Saphira's disapproval across their connection, causing a small chuckle to escape his lips as he pulled off his boot and drop it on the floor, before turning to the next one.
Is that not what those beings promised us? Saphira pressed. We will find the peace that we seek, you do not need to work yourself so hard. Rest.
There was a sharp knock on the door, drawing him from his thoughts and to the elegantly carved door.
:Rest will come later I am afraid.: Eragon commented dryly down their connection, feeling Saphira's annoyance become his own for the briefest of moments before he stood slowly and smoothed out his clothes. Raising his voice in order to be heard by the newcomer.
"Enter."
Without further comment, the door swung open and revealed the tall regal figure standing in his doorway.
"Lord Elrond." Eragon greeted, bowing slightly to the Lord of Rivendell. "Good Evening."
Elrond simply nodded his head as he stepped further into the room closing the door firmly behind him. He turned slowly back toward the dragon rider, fixing him with an almost assessing look.
"I hope that you have been able to find what you were looking for." Elrond spoke softly, stepping closer to Eragon before diverting and wondering around the room aimlessly.
Eragon couldn't stop the small smile from overcoming his face as he nodded his own head in reassurance. Taking the hint and sitting slowly back down to the bed.
"Yes," Eragon replied."Your library has done me wonders, thank you for all of your hospitalities while I have been here. I have also been following your recommendations to what I must due to heal fully and for that I am in your debt."
Elrond only nodded once more as he passed around the room before settling into one of the only chairs in the spacious bedroom.
"I will confess to coming to you for other reasons than to see that you have been comfortable." the half-elf Lord conceded, his eyes locking onto Eragon's own brown orbs. "Gandalf tells me that you have something of great importance to tell me."
Eragon could not stop the wince from crossing his face, cursing the old wizard silently.
"For that, I will admit is the truth." Eragon admitted, dragging his hand through his hair in a gesture of nerves while his eyes flicked away. Letting the silence stretch out between the two before turning his wondering gaze to face the elven Lord."I had intended to seek you out myself, but seeing that you are here, I suppose that saves me the trouble…"
Eragon's voice trailed off, finding his words sticking in his throat and only gentle nudges from Saphira were able to help him continue.
"I have not been fully honest with you over the matter of why I seek the dragons."
Elrond simply stared at him with a knowing glint in his eyes before he smiled gently and nodding his head.
"I have suspected as much," Elrond responded, his voice pitched to a reassuring tone. "It was your own reasons for keeping it quiet, I only hoped that someday you would feel more at ease to share."
Eragon could not stop the relief from seeping into his shoulders, causing them to sag from their stiff posture.
"Right." Eragon sighed, "As you know, I am not a full elf."
Elrond nodded his head in confirmation, before voicing his agreement. "I am aware of this fact, yes."
Eragon's attention shifted to his hands which were currently tugging at the hem of his tunic and forced them to stop their nervous twitches.
"I am actually something even more back where I am from." Eragon began quietly, knowing that the elven Lord's hearing would be strong enough to hear his soft words. "I am a dragon rider."
Eragon waited for a response, but when none came he chanced looking back up at Elrond to see the Lord sitting in his chair with wide eyes.
"What?" Elrond was finally able to breath out, his eyes still wide as he leaned forward slightly as if he were going to reach out and touch Eragon's forehead to make sure he was actually feeling well.
"I was chosen some years back, a dragon chose me to be her rider." Eragon stated matter-of-factly, standing up and walking toward a large window that was currently letting in the evening breeze into his room, his eyes watching the last of the sun's light fade behind the high mountains. "She is nearby, but I asked her to keep her distance in order to not surprise your people."
Eragon turned slowly back toward the Lord of Rivendell when the first few stars could be seen in the sky, seeing the Lord sitting still in his chair with an almost unreadable look on his face once more.
"I am sorry to have kept her secret for so long." Eragon apologized, stepping closer to Lord Elrond and reaching out hesitantly toward the stiff Lord.
"I know this is quite a shock." He continued, knowing that he most likely sounded mad to the stern healer and that he most likely broke whatever trust that had formed between them but knowing that he needed to continue. "The reason we seek the dragons is because we are curious about them, we want to know more about them and this world."
This seemed to snap the Lord of the Homely House out of whatever thoughts he were thinking and fix a penetrating stare onto the young dragon rider.
"Why not ask us?" Elrond spoke sternly, with enough of an edge to his voice to cause Eragon to withdraw his hand from the older man's shoulder as if he had been burned.
"It will not be the same." Eragon replied softly, his head shaking of its own accord. "Dragon's hold a different view to all other living things, they see the grey in the world."
Silence descended between the two occupants in the room once more before Elrond finally cleared his throat and his shoulders became a little less tense.
"I understand."
Eragon released his breath in a long sigh of relief, uncertain of how long he had been holding it in. He was surprised when the Lord suddenly stood and turned toward the door as if he were going to leave.
"I ask a favor of you, before you make this journey of yours to find the dragons." Elrond voiced from over his shoulder, striding to the door but pausing just before it with his hand on the handle.
"Yes?" Eragon answered, hoping his voice was not as confused as he was currently feeling.
"Stay for another few days." The Lord of Rivendell requested, his face turning in order to lock eyes with the younger half elf. "the council I mentioned to you is going to take place very soon. I ask that you sit in on the council and offer your opinion on the situation at hand."
Eragon hesitated at such a request, his thoughts turning to Saphira for advice as to what to do.
You should attend. It is only for a few more days and then we will be on our way . Saphira reasoned, causing Eragon to pause before pressing further.
:What about you?:
He felt an amused chuckle in the back of his head before Saphira's words washed all of his concerns away with her simple reply.
I will be close by. Have no worries.
Eragon focused back onto the elven Lord, who was currently giving him a confused look, before Eragon flashed him a reassuring smile.
"I will accept this favor that you ask of me, Lord Elrond."
*~*~*(END OF CHAPTER)*~*~*
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