In a different way
To DroidePlane for their kind reviews.
To 815BrokenPencils for her inspiration.
Chapter 1
The tyrant king has been exterminated. Using the help of his friends and of the Eldunarí, Eragon has managed to kill him. You remain wounded on the cold slabs of the floor, bleeding and in unbearable pain. Thorn – the beloved, long-suffering Thorn – unmindful of his own wounds, nudge you using his blood-dripping muzzle. "I'm fine" you tell him even though you don't feel like that. There is Nasuada too, bonded to a standing slab with unbreakable bonds. You see that, even though Galbatorix is dead, Eragon and his comrades are unable to open the chains binding her wrists. You are the only one capable of freeing her. Thorn supports your weight helping you get up and approach the slab. "Move aside" you demand and Eragon, startled, obeys. It is you the one who sets her free from the bonds chanting the Name of All Names, defeating the magic of the tyrant. It is her, Nasuada, who helps your arm over her shoulder, supporting the weight of your wounded body towards the exit.
Later, on the terrace of the citadel, after you have healed Torn and yourself, you will also relieve her wounds using the power of your very young Eldunarí; all these wounds, you were forced to cause on her body. You can't bear to look in her eyes – those dark, beautiful, pain-filled eyes of hers – that you so much want to focus in their depths, while holding her hands. "We must leave" you tell her, as you place your saddlebags in front of her feet. Your saddlebags are filled with all your Eldunarí, the hearts of the dragons Galbatorix has coerced you to use. "For Eragon," you tell her being sure that she will concur. Nasuada asks you to stay. "The war is over" she will tell you. However, you know that your own battle has just begun. "If I stayed close, I would bring you harm" you emphasize decisively. ‟I would only harm you and the Varden." Nasuada understands your point.
You ride Thorn and you fly away, before any of the elves decide to stop you. You won't even look behind you. The city that has enslaved you drives you fast away. You avoid looking at the battle, still raging in the streets around. You hurriedly cross the walls, heading towards the river. You need to find water, to wash as much blood as you can form your hands and clothes. If only could you wash your heart too... "At last, we are free, Thorn tells you and you long to believe him. The tyrant is dead. The chains bounding you in the slavery to his service are broken. Why do you still feel your heart so heavy? "Are we?" you wonder.
Eragon and Saphira are after you. You ask Thorn to land by the deserted bank of Ramr River in front of a sea of nettles, separating you from the waterbed. You will wait for them to meet you there. You want to put an end to their pursuit. You won't stand it if you have to fight Eragon one more time. You let them land; come closer; talk to you.
During all the following days and nights, you keep asking yourself, why did you let them persuade you not to leave? Why not heading northerly as you have planned? Eragon and Saphira have their own reasons to keep you close and under their control. They know you're a powerful magician, so powerful that they won't trust you. Additionally, Thorn is the only male dragon alive, after the crash of Shruikan. You understand that they don't want to let you go uncontrolled, strolling around Alagaësia. They've promised you a faire trial in a reasonable time, after the commotion of the battle will have subsided; after the flames of hatred against you will have cooled. They've talked to you about amnesty and you have accepted. You've promised, when amnesty will be granted to you, you will teach Eragon the Name of All Names. Thorne doesn't react. All Thorn expects from life is to see you at peace with yourself.
.*.
The time has come for you to be judged about all the crimes against the rebels you were forced to commit under the evil influence of Galbatorix. Those to judges you are neither Nasuada and the Varden; nor the elves and the dwarves. Your judges will be the hearts of the dragons, as the Eldunarí are considered to be the elders of the Dragon-Riders. Even though fallen, you still belong to their order. The Eldunarí judge that Thorn and you should remain isolated for an amount of time and in a restricted area. Not really imprisoned, but neither completely uncontrolled. You will be able to fly into the sky and move freely on the earth, as long as you do not stray from the area that the dragon hearts will designate. "For how long?" you ask, but the Eldunarí refuse to answer. "Until your hearts will be changed and you will be ready for the outside world," they answer.
After you have discussed it with Thorn, you agree. You will submit to their will. Despite your desire for free traveling, something you have missed under the control of the tyrant king, the dangers you might meet in the unknown places of the north never cease to terrify you. Hadn't Galbatorix been mad after he lost his dragon there? Besides, you both know that in the rest of the places of this world, you will be unwelcomed. The dangers from the elves, the dwarves, and even the humans will follow you wherever you might go. After all, your restriction will not last forever.
Especially you, you desire the change of your heart deeply. You can no longer bear the pain that resides in your core; neither the regret for what you have been forced to do, or the memories of your torture. In addition, you know very well that Thorn wants to live peacefully more than anything.
You rush to accept, like the fool that you are, since you haven't still heard the place of your restriction. The Eldunarí define your abode around the elven regions, deep within Du Weldenvarden and near their capital city of Ellesméra. The 'Crags of Tel'naeír' is called the place. You will be unable to leave this area, or enter the Broddring Kingdom. The Crags of Tel'naeír, then. The place, where Oromis and his golden dragon Glaedr lived. Those you have killed… those you have been forced to kill. Those that you crave to forget more than anything else. The perfect punishment for you!
.*.
Eragon insists that, for such a decision the elves' opinion and agreement should be considered. He makes sure to contact with their new queen, and let her know. You can tell from his face how much she resented the Eldunarí's will. Is there any elf who might like Morzansson strolling around them? Your presence around their capital will only cause discomfort to the elven inhabitants. You afraid you have made the wrong decision. But you promised to the Eldunarí. There is also Thorn, who agrees with the hearts. His assent gives you some courage.
Arya, the new queen of the elves, brings the cause of the Eldunarí's demand to the council of the lords. You believe that they will refuse, since their hatred for you is great, unquenchable and eternal, as their lives are. You start hoping the Eldunarí will choose another place. Then, the idea, that the new place might be closer to the dwarves, scares you. However, the lords of the elves accept you on one condition. You and your dragon will never set foot in Ellesméra. The deal is sealed, but it doesn't escape your notice that Eragon has convinced the elves by telling them that you and Thorn have better stay somewhere close to them. In that way they could control you. If you ever try to escape, they would be able to imprison you using their magic. A fool that you are, Eragon! I have not taught you yet the Name of All Names. Still, I am the only one to know it.
Thorn constantly urges you to fight your fears. Isn't it natural for the others to be afraid of you after what you've been forced to do? You understand very well that everyone suspect you. They don't want you running around the country, plotting. Nasuanda's people need peace and quiet, as do all the other genders. As does Thorn, and you too! "Living around the elves we will be at peace" says the partner of your heart and mind. "Since the dragon elders suggest the elven forest for us, they know best."
You want to please him so much! You accept everything; your new "peaceful" prison for the good of your own, your dragon's, that of Alagaësia. You teach Eragon the Name of All Names keeping to the hope that he will never have to use it. You climb onto Thorn's saddle and together you fly towards Du Weldenvarden.
(to be continued)