Chapter 10: Tronjheim's Halls

There was a thick silence for a time, with Eragon looking at her nervously and Ajihad looking at her with an impassive face that betrayed nothing. What would she do? Anri could easily tell him her story, but it was more than a little outlandish, and even though she could bring out proof there was no guarantee that he would believe her. She couldn't fabricate a story either, because the twin had already caught a glimpse and the state she left him in was suspicious enough. So she couldn't lie, and she probably couldn't tell the full truth; or at least not yet. So… She'd compromise.

Anri closed her eyes and sighed deeply before opening them again. She pursed her lips before speaking. "He… witnessed my past. Before you ask, please let me continue," she held up a hand when Ajihad opened his mouth to interrupt. "My story is outlandish and I don't expect you to believe me without proof, but explaining to you my past and the circumstances that lead me here would take a significant amount of time… I will tell you, but there is something we need to know first." She nodded at Eragon, who was wanting to speak.

"Is Arya all right?" He asked impatiently.

Ajihad looked down at him and said gravely, "No… but the healers tell me she will recover. They worked on her all through the night. The poison took a dreadful toll on her. She wouldn't have lived if not for you. For that you have the Varden's deepest thanks. They were also shocked to learn that a simple ring was prolonging her life." He looked at Anri. "I'm assuming that you're to thank for that?" She nodded, but didn't speak.

Eragon's shoulders slumped with relief, at least that weight was off of his shoulders. "So, what now?"

Ajihad folded his hands in front of him and leaned back, "I need you to tell me how you found Saphira and everything that's happened since… Some of it I know from the message Brom sent us, other parts from the Twins. But I want to hear it from you, especially the details concerning Brom's death." Anri didn't miss the way Eragon winced. Eragon was hesitant to share at first, but as time went on it seemed to become easier for him. It was actually new information for Anri as well, as she hadn't been present for any of this, as she'd been following in his wake. Eragon talked for hours; about Teirm, and how Brom found the Ra'zac. When he came to Gil'ead and mentioned the Shade, Ajihad's face hardened, and he leaned back with veiled eyes.

"And that's actually where Anri came in," Eragon looked at her as he spoke now. "It was worrying at first, as Anri was clearly a knight, but we wouldn't have been able to get out of there alive without her. She's the one who killed the Shade. Ever since, she's become a great friend and ally." His eyes hardened with conviction at the last words, and Anri was momentarily stunned before she smiled gently.

When his narrative was complete, Eragon fell silent as he reflected over everything. Ajihad stood for some time before sitting back down at his desk. "Brom's death is a terrible loss. He was a close friend of mine and a powerful ally of the Varden. He saved us from destruction many times through his bravery and intelligence. Even now, when he is gone, he's provided us with the one thing that can ensure our success—you." There was something in the way he said that; like Eragon was a tool to be used instead of a person… He spoke about how Eragon could turn the tide, but he also spoke about the troubling alliance between the Urgals and the Empire. Then he asked Eragon to describe the Shade.

"He was tall, thin, and very pale, with red eyes and hair. He was dressed all in black."

"What of his sword—did you see it?" asked Ajihad tersely. "Did it have a long scratch on the blade?"

"Yes," said Eragon, surprised. "How did you know?"

"Because I put it there while trying to cut out his heart," said Ajihad with a grim smile. "His name is Durza—one of the most vicious and cunning fiends to ever stalk this land. He is the perfect servant for Galbatorix and a dangerous enemy for us. You say that he was killed. How was it done?"

Anri spoke up, "I used a very ancient and very powerful magic. It was enough for me to overwhelm his defenses, and I plunged the blade of a powerful artifact through his head."

"I was afraid of that," said Ajihad, frowning. "You didn't kill him. Shades can only be destroyed by a thrust through the heart."

Anri furrowed her brow, "he disintegrated. He was nothing but ash."

He shook his head, "it doesn't matter. Unless you stabbed him through the heart he will anish and then reappear elsewhere in spirit form. It's an unpleasant process, but Durza will survive and return stronger than ever." There was a tense silence before Ajihad broke it once again. "You are an enigma, Eragon, a quandary that no one knows how to solve. Everyone knows what the Varden want—or the Urgals, or even Galbatorix—but no one knows what you want. And that makes you dangerous, especially to Galbatorix. He fears you because he doesn't know what you will do next."

They talked further. It turned out that there were multiple political factions all vying for a sort of control over Eragon. Having influence over the only dragon rider would tip the balances of power in the Varden. Ajihad then told them about the feud between the Dwarves and the Elves, and how Brom was able to settle it by delivering Saphira's egg between the Elven homeland and the Varden every year to see if it would hatch for anyone, and that if it did hatch the new Rider's training would begin immediately. He told them about the attack on Arya, and the theories he had as to why Eragon himself was able to find the egg. After Arya was attacked, the elves withdrew their support from the Varden and went into isolation. It was foolish, Anri decided. Losing a single person, no matter how important, wasn't enough of a reason to jeopardize an entire alliance. Though with the rescue of Arya, this would probably—hopefully—end, if it didn't the future looked rather bleak. Their conversation continued onto other things that Anri sort of fazed out of her mind. The Urgals were planning something, and Ajihad told them more of the Varden's actions while Eragon was trying to reach them himself. Now he learned that he was probably going to be very busy, as his position as a Rider came with certain expectations.

Eragon was uncomfortable with the idea of people asking him for advice. "But you still haven't said what I'm to do here."

Ajihad leaned back and shrugged. "For now, nothing. You covered over a hundred and thirty leagues in eight days, a feat to be proud of. I'm sure that you'll appreciate rest. When you've recovered, we will test your competency in arms and magic. After that—well, I will explain your options, and then you'll have to decide your course."

"Actually," Anri began, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "If you would permit it, I can take up training Eragon. I've had more combat experience than most would have in their entire lifetimes, and I can teach him to use different weapons if the need were to arise. I can't do anything on the magic front, but I'm probably more qualified than anyone else here."

Ajihad looked at her long and hard, but she didn't waver. "You yourself would have to be tested, but if you prove yourself to be competent then I don't see the issue in it."

"And what about Murtagh?" asked Eragon bitingly.

Ajihad's face darkened, causing Anri's to do the same. He took out and inspected Zar'roc before handing it to Eragon. "He will stay here until he allows the Twins into his mind."

"That's ridiculous!" blurted Anri before she could catch herself.

Eragon continued, "he hasn't committed any crime!"

"We can't give him his freedom without being sure that he won't turn against us. Innocent or not, he's potentially as dangerous to us as his father was," said Ajihad with a hint of sadness. He told them about how he had met Morzan, and that many people here would remember what the madman had done.

That reminds me," Ajihad said, reaching into his desk. " I have Brom's ring, which he sent as confirmation of his identity. I was keeping it for when he returned to Tronjheim. Now that he's dead, I suppose it belongs to you, and I think he would have wanted you to have it." He handed the ring to Eragon who accepted it with reverence before putting it one.

"I… I'm honored."

Ajihad then stood and faced Saphira and spoke to her, his voice swelling in power. "Do not think that I have forgotten you, O mighty dragon. I have said these things as much for your benefit as for Eragon's. It is even more important that you know them, for to you falls the task of guarding him in these dangerous times. Do not underestimate your might nor falter at his side, because without you he will surely fail."

They talked for a time before Ajihad called Orik in to admonish him. Both Anri and Eragon defended him, but he had still disobeyed orders. Orik was suspended from any military activity, but he would now act as their guide for the duration of their stay. He told them about sleeping arrangements before he dismissed them, although…

"Anri, I need you to stay." Her eyes met Eragons and he asked a silent question, she nodded and with some reluctance he and Saphira followed Orik out of the room. The door closed with a hollow 'clang' and then it was just the two of them.

"You put me in a very interesting position…" He stated.

"That tends to be a theme around me," she said with some amusement.

"Your presence here will cause questions, questions that will need answering. You're a knight, for one, and the only faction that employs knights like you is the Empire. Do you see the issue here?"

"I do. I'm not of the Empire, but I did utilize that status more than once. It seemed that the common soldiers would rather not ask questions instead of risking the ire of a noble or a knight. I assume they're common in the Empire?"

"They are. There's an entire castle dedicated to training knights. Mostly nobles, but you get the point."

"People will think I'm from the Empire," she stated. It wasn't a question.

"Yet clearly you're not. Now, would you care to explain your story?" Even though he phrased it like a question, it wasn't one…

Anri sighed. "What I'm about to tell you will sound like fantasy. It'll shake the very foundation of your understanding of the world as you know it. My only request is that you don't interrupt, and that you need to realize that no matter how outlandish it may be, I'm telling you the truth."

He nodded, interested and concerned at the same time.

"I am Anri of Astora; a kingdom that has long since fallen to ruin…" And so she told him. Everything…

She told him about Gwyn, the Age of Fire, the cycle of Linking the Flame, Lothric, and her entire story. She told him about Hollowing, and noticed a slight pity in his eyes as she told him about the whole process. About losing her mind and memories until she was nothing but a husk. She told him about waking up, the unknown power that brought her here, her race to find Eragon. She told him her side of the story since joining him, and finally she reached the present moment…

It was quiet for a long time. "You have questions."

"An understatement, but yes… You called yourself Unkindled?"

Anri nodded, "yes. I'm not human. I live somewhere between life and death. Blood flows through my veins and my heart. I'm warm to the touch, but I don't need food, water, sleep… and I'm immortal. I can be killed, but during the Age of Fire I would come back."

"What about now?" Ajihad asked impassively.

She shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure. I'm not keen to find out."

"… I'm not outright dismissing your story, but it would help if you showed proof." She nodded.

"The dwarves are metalworkers right?" Ajihad nodded, and she reached into her bottomless box to pull out a large chunk of titanite. "Show this to them. This is titanite, and it's one of the strongest materials we know of. If it exists here then I haven't run across it. There's also… this." With some hesitation she pulled out the Coiled Sword and laid it on the desk between them. Embers faintly flickered off of the blade and it brought a soft glow to the room. It was regaining its power, but if she was judging it right —and she wasn't sure that she was— then she would only be able to use its properties once or twice more. Beyond that it would probably turn to dust or just a fancy piece of metal. She was hoping for the former.

Ajihad slowly grabbed the hilt and picked it up, shuddering slightly. "There's a power in this that even I can feel. It's… old."

"That," Anri gestured to the relic, "is probably the single most powerful artifact in all of Alagaësia. What you're holding is the last vestige of the First Flame. The last piece of a bygone age." She took it back when he handed it to her. As she held it, the embers brightened ever so slightly and a few even flickered off of her. She put the sword back into her box, not missing the way Ajihad watched the way it disappeared into a box a fraction of its size. "That's also proof if you'd take it. A bottomless box."

There was silence between them for a few moments. "I'm still not sure about your entire story, but you're definitely not from around here. And you certainly believe what you're saying." He leaned back. "One last thing, what did you show the twin, and I mean what did you really show him?"

She was expecting this, but that didn't mean she enjoyed it. "The Age of Fire was upheld by the First Flame. It was the center of everything, but it wasn't beyond time itself. Over time it dimmed and grew smaller. Such was the nature of things, for the Age of Fire was the first Age, but there were more to come. Gwyn feared this above all else; the end of his rule, and he couldn't fight it. So he… cheated." Anri closed her eyes, wading through memories. "Gwyn started a cycle that would prolong the Age of Fire, and upset the natural order of the world. To do this, he did something called "linking the flame," which would start a repetitious cycle of misery. Near the end of the Age of Fire, a very powerful soul would sacrifice itself to feed the First Flame, being utterly consumed in the process. Body, mind, soul, everything devoured…"

She opened her eyes and looked into Ajihad's, "I linked the Flame, and I was rejected. That's what it means to be Unkindled, and that is the memory that the Twin witnessed. Among others."

"I'm assuming this process; Linking the Flame, is unpleasant?"

Anri snorted in grim amusement. "It's the most painful thing a person can experience. It's an unknowable agony that can't be compared or described. For us; such experiences were common. Death was a close companion. For someone from this Age?" She left the rest unsaid.

Ajihad nodded, but didn't comment on it. "It's clear enough to me that you aren't a threat to the Varden. According to Eragon you're one of the reason's he's still alive. I have an idea of what to do with you but for now I'll have someone take you to a room close to his. A personal recommendation? If you're going to wander, don't wear the armor. Might rub some people the wrong way, and ally or not someone might get bold." She nodded and turned to leave. "Send the twins in on your way out."

She pushed the dark door open and stepped out into the hallway from before. Immediately she saw the twins stop their conversation and glower at her. She blinked.

"Ajihad wants you." They glared for a moment longer before going into the door she had just come out of. It shut with a clang and she heaved a sigh. The person who was supposed to guide her wasn't here yet, so all she could do was wait until they showed up. She noticed a wall-length mirror and walked up to it, and it was then that she finally noticed the state she was in. The blue in her surcoat was faded; almost entirely in some spots, and the golden inlays were just about worse. Dirt covered much of it and the part over her thigh was soaked through with blood. Much of her mail was knocked loose, rusted, or frayed. The armor on her legs was covered in dents and the details had nearly worn off entirely on the right. The rest of her visible armor was covered in gashes and scratches, and in some cases it was little more than rent plates of titanite. When she pulled her helmet out it was just as bad. There was a deep groove across the top, most likely from an arrow she didn't remember, and there were more than a few small dents. But the worst of it?

She had slipped her shield into her bottomless box when everybody was focused on Murtagh, as the person holding it had abandoned it in shock. But now she almost wished she had left it.

Oh her shield!

The companion that was with her for her entire journey. The shield that had protected her from the Abyss Watchers, Wolnir, Irithyll, the Pontiff, Aldrich, and the new foes of this land, was little more than a hunk of titanite. The blue was almost entirely gone, and the sigils of Astora had nearly disappeared. A long gash given by Durza had cut deep into the metal, nearly down to the treated wood beneath, and another slightly less deep gash from the Kull crossed it in an 'x' pattern. The rest of the metal was dented and rented by the javelin-like arrows and the rest of the engagement with Durza. In fact, turning it over she could even see some of the wood had splintered beneath. That alone confirmed her worst fears.

Her shield's protectiveness was compromised…

Using this shield going forward would be an unacceptable risk that could get her, or the ones she tried to protect, killed. She had a spare, but she was reluctant to use it. The shield of an Elite Knight of Astora was… personal. Using one that wasn't hers felt wrong. She looked up when she heard footsteps and placed the shield onto her back.

A young boy— young man? — was there. Children weren't a thing in the Age of Fire, not that she could remember. Guessing ages was beyond her ability.

"I'm to take you to the Dragonhold. It's where the Rider and the dragon are." She noticed that he tensed up talking to her. Knights really weren't very welcome here, it seemed.

"Lead on," she said simply, following the lad as he led her through the tunnels.

Anri reached their destination nearly the same time as Eragon, and a dwarf was waiting for both of them.

"Good. Awake. Knurla Orik waits for the two of you." Before they could say anything he scurried away, and moments later Saphira landed with Zar'roc in her claws. She handed it to Eragon and they seemed to have a conversation she wasn't privy to. before he reluctantly placed it at his hip. She snorted smoke and Eragon clambered onto her back. Blinking once when she realized they were waiting for her, she did the same; albeit with much less grace.

As soon as they landed by one of Tronjheim's large gates, Orik ran to their side. "My king, Hrothgar, wishes to see both of you. Dismount quickly! We must hurry." Anri got off with some assistance from Eragon and they began a hurried pace after the dwarf. Anri ignored the stares, some of them directed at her.

"Where will we meet Hrothgar?"

Without slowing his pace, Orik said, "In the throne room beneath the city. It will be a private audience as an act of otho—of 'faith.' You do not have to address him in any special manner, but speak to him respectfully. Hrothgar is quick to anger, but he is wise and sees keenly into the minds of men, so think carefully before you speak." Anri frowned slightly. She wasn't in any state to meet a king, and in her hazy memories of Astora she never met with one informally.

They traveled down more paths Anri wouldn't be able to remember until they reached two absolutely massive granite doors. A seven-pointed crown was carved across both, and seven dwarves stood guard on each side. They hefted their weapons when they arrived and slammed them back down. The doors opened beyond into a sparsely lit carved and polished cave.

Orik bowed. "The king awaits you."

The trio advanced into the room and the large doors closed behind them with a resounding 'boom.' Anri stopped for half a second. And the throne room was replaced with a decrepit cave.

Anri advanced slowly, lest she run across another skeleton. The Catacombs of Carthus had proven to be unforgiving, as a trap had already separated her from Horus, and she had almost been crushed by a rolling boulder of skeletons. Anri stepped forward and lost her balance when the ground in front of her depressed.

"What—"

She didn't even have time to dodge when suddenly she was impaled by a ballista bolt. Cold washed over her entire body as she was flung backwards. Blood and ichor puddled beneath her as her strength left her with it. She could hear more skeletons…

"H-Ho… race…"

And suddenly she was back, catching herself before she faltered. She blinked the memory away and kept pace, taking a shuddering breath. Another memory… What was triggering them?

They passed more than forty statues until they finally stopped before Hrothgar at the end of the hall. The dwarf king himself sat like a carved statue upon a raised throne carved from a single piece of black marble. It was blocky, unadorned, and cut with masterful precision that almost reached the levels of Anor Londo. A gold helm lined with rubies and diamonds rested on his head in lieu of a crown, and below was the grim visage of a truly ancient dwarf. He wore a set of perfectly crafted mail and his white beard was tucked under his belt. In his lap he held a mighty war hammer with the symbol of Orik's clan embossed on its head.

Eragon moved to kneel but Anri caught him by the shoulder and shook her head slightly. He looked at her in confusion.

"She's right, you need not pay tribute to me." The king looked over them with an unwavering gaze before speaking. "Âz knurl deimi lanok.'Beware, the rock changes'—an old dictum of ours… And nowadays the rock changes very fast indeed." He fingered the war hammer. "I could not meet with you earlier, as Ajihad did, because I was forced to deal with my enemies within the clans. They demanded that I deny you sanctuary and expel you from Farthen Dûr. It has taken much work on my part to convince them otherwise."

"Thank you," said Eragon. "I didn't anticipate how much strife my arrival would cause."

"Indeed…" The king accepted his thanks, then lifted an ancient hand and pointed. "See there, Rider Eragon, where my predecessors sit upon their graven thrones. One and forty there are, with I the forty-second. When I pass from this world into the care of the gods, my hírna will be added to their ranks. The first statue is the likeness of my ancestor Korgan, who forged this mace, Volund. For eight millennia—since the dawn of our race—dwarves have ruled under Farthen Dûr. We are the bones of the land, older than both the fair elves and the savage dragons." Anri was familiar with a concept like this. She had traveled the halls of the Catacombs of Carthus, and even when she lived in Astora she had heard of a name barely whispered. A kingdom equivalent to Lothric, but even more ancient. If she remembered correctly, it was called Lordran.

Hrothgar leaned forward and continued, "I am old, human—even by our reckoning—old enough to have seen the Riders in all their fleeting glory, old enough to have spoken with their last leader, Vrael, who paid tribute to me within these very walls. Few are still alive who can claim that much. I remember the Riders and how they meddled in our affairs. I also remember the peace they kept that made it possible to walk unharmed from Tronjheim to Narda… And now you stand before me—a lost tradition revived. Tell me, and speak truly in this, why have you come to Farthen Dûr? I know of the events that made you flee the Empire, but what is your intent now?"

"For now," Eragon began, "Saphira, Anri, and I merely want to recuperate in Tronjheim. We are not here to cause trouble, only to find sanctuary from the dangers we've faced for many months. Ajihad may send us to the elves, but until he does, we have no wish to leave."

The king continued to question him, his face unreadable. He asked if it was purely safety that drove Eragon here, and then he asked if Eragon would want to seek the throne after this war was finished. It was like the king was testing him, and he did the same by questioning Saphira. He then inspected and remarked upon Eragon's carrying of Zar'roc, stating that perhaps the sword's luck had changed. And then he turned his gaze on her.

"And what drove you here, knight? Does another stray wish to fight against their owner?" Owner? Stray?

She shook her confusion. "I owe no allegiance to the Empire, nor any kingdom across Alagaësia. I am a knight of Astora, even if in name only."

"Astora?" The king tested the word in his mouth.

"A fallen kingdom from Ages past. I alone am their last memory."

"Hm… You haven't answered my question." His tone was neutral, not showing any outward reaction or emotion.

"Where Eragon goes, I will follow. I've pledged to be his sword and his shield, even at the cost of my life. His quest is my quest, his goals are my goals."

"Not a pledge given lightly…"

"No, but one I've made willingly and gladly." She replied softly. She felt Eragon's eyes on her but ignored them for now.

"Hand me your shield." She blinked, but did so after a moment.

The king took her shield in his hands and looked it over with keen eyes. He ran his hand across the rent metal and rapped his knuckle against it. "Old… Very old."

"… It was given to me when I first became a knight. It's been my faithful companion since."

"It must've been a thing of beauty in its prime. But you can't very well be someone's shield with a broken piece of metal… Tell me, what's the make? In the centuries I've been alive I've never felt metal like this."

"Titanite." She replied. "You won't find it no matter how deep you delve. It is not of this land."

"Indeed." He handed her shield back and looked over her with a critical eye. "The same words I've said apply for your armor." Anri didn't quite manage to hold back her wince. "Having armor in that state in my halls is a travesty on its own, even more so that you're a guest. Leave your armor, your shield, and anything else you use at the Dragonhold and we'll treat it to our care."

Anri's eyes widened and felt her mouth open slightly. "Titanite is incredibly difficult to work with. I have more than I know what to do with, but to an untrained hand it's…"

Hrothgar blinked. "Then our smiths will relish the challenge. No metal is beyond the skills of the dwarves; be it the ones beneath our feet or ones beyond our lands."

Anri could only gape. "I… Thank you…" She didn't know what else to say.

The king leaned back on his throne. "Unfortunately, I cannot speak with you much longer. My advisors wait for me, as there are matters I must deal with. I will say this, though;" he turned to Eragon, "If you wish the support of the dwarves within my realm, you must first prove yourself to them. We have long memories and do not rush to hasty decisions. Words will decide nothing, only deeds."

"I will keep that in mind," said Eragon, bowing. Anri followed suit.

Hrothgar nodded regally. "You may go, then."

The trio turned and walked out of the hall of the mountain king. Orik was waiting for them on the other side of the stone doors, and anxiously fell in with them as they climbed back up to Tronjheim's main chamber. "Did all go well? Were you received favorably?"

"I think so. But your king is cautious."

Orik nodded. "That is how he has survived this long."

In Tronjheim's center, Orik said, "Your blessing yesterday has stirred up the Varden like an overturned beehive. The child Saphira touched has been hailed as a future hero. She and her guardian have been quartered in the finest rooms. Everyone is talking about your 'miracle.' All the human mothers seem intent on finding you and getting the same for their children."

Anri looked at Eragon, bewildered. "Blessing? What blessing?"

Eragon furtively looked around, ignoring her. "What should we do?"

"Wait, what happened?" She tried again.

"Aside from taking back your actions?" asked Orik dryly. "Stay out of sight as much as possible. Everyone will be kept out of the dragonhold, so you won't be disturbed there."

Eragon and Saphira had a conversation between the two of them, and as Saphira left, Anri turned to Orik, "what blessing? What has happened since I've been away?"

Orik grunted, "exactly as I've said. The boy gave a blessing to a child and the dragon, Saphira, marked her. It's caused quite a stir." He turned to Eragon, the Rider explaining where Saphira had gone, and explained that he wouldn't mind breakfast before exploring more of the underground city.

Orik nodded, his beard bobbing on his chest. "In that case, would you like to visit Tronjheim's library? It's quite old and contains many scrolls of great value. You might find it interesting to read a history of Alagaësia that hasn't been tainted by Galbatorix's hand."

"Yes, let's do that."

"Actually," Anri cut in. "After you take him to the library I'd like to head back to the Dragonhold. Hrothgar told me that he'd have his smiths see to my armor and weapons. I'd like that done sooner rather than later."

"Not a small promise! And you need it, too!" Anri sucked in a breath, but… She couldn't exactly refute that, could she? "Then after we go to the library I'll take you straight to the forge. We'll get it squared away now."

Anri blinked in surprise. "Excellent!"

The forges were unlike anything Anri had ever seen. She immediately broke into a sweat upon entering, the only thing that got this close was when she had gotten near that massive lake deep beneath the catacombs. Large pillars of stone breathed red and blue flame as massive billows were struck. Dwarves ran carts of arms, armor, raw metals, and ores across tracks to who-knows where. Anri followed closely after Orik, dressed in some of the clothes she had purchased back in Terim and holding the folded bundle of her armor in her arms with her shield across the top. The dwarves paid her no mind, or if they did it was only small glances. They were too caught up in the hustle and bustle of their work to pay ehr much mind.

Eventually they came to a large stone table with a dwarf nearby. Orik called out something in dwarvish that caught his attention before turning to her. "This is Skirn, he helps run things down here. Hand your stuff over to him and he'll have it sorted right quick."

The dwarf, now named as Skirn, was a stocky fellow wearing a thick coat and thick leather gloves. He moved a pair of goggles to his forehead and looked up at her from behind a pair of large spectacles. "Ah! Yer the knight, we's supposed ta' fix yer armor for ye, yes?" He waved a hand at the table, "set 'er down and let's have a looksy."

Anri did so with some trepidation. She'd be leaving her armor, her lifeline, in the hands of complete strangers. Skirn separated the parts and rapped a knuckle against her chestplate, humming. "King wer right! If I'da seen ye Id'a dragged ye down 'ere ma'self! No reason ta' have armor in dis' condition under these here halls!" He looked up at her again. "Ye'll have it back right quick."

He tried waving her off but she got his attention by placing a chunk of titanite down loudly on the table. It made a clang that had a few nearby dwarves stop what they were doing and look over.

"This is titanite. It's a metal from beyond these lands, and it's what my armor is made of. We weren't dwarves, but titanite was renowned across my home for being extraordinarily difficult to shape and work with." She was unaware of the small crowd now watching her. "I'm not doubting your skills!" She reaffirmed, "but I'm not sure how mixing metals with titanite will go… I'll give you everything I have, and you can keep whatever's left over." If she was leaving her armor to be repaired by complete strangers, she wanted this done right, so if anything went wrong they'd have something to work with. She went to a nearby and unoccupied cart and dumped her bottomless box into it. She willed only her reserves of titanite to come, and soon the entire cart was full to the brim with her entire reserve of the metal. Shards, chunks, and even one extremely valuable titanite slab that probably weighed twice as much as her armor combined.

She was suddenly self-conscious, realizing how many eyes were on her, along with the muttering that she couldn't understand. "I've had this armor for almost as long as I can remember. It's important to me, and I don't want to lose it."

Skirn nodded gravely. "We're dwarves! We take care o' armor like it's our own family. We know how ye mean, and ye don' need ta worry! We'll treat it fair and true. Now get out, lots'a work ta do!"

She felt a small tug from Orik and he led her out of the sweltering forge. She even shivered when they made it out, such was the temperature difference.

"Shouldn't have given them so much, they'll be drooling over it for weeks!" Orik said with a laugh. "Anywhere you want to go now?"

"The library I guess? Maybe we'll catch Eragon if he's still there."

Orik grunted. "Come on, this way then."

That was quicker than I expected! And I lied, sorry. We'll be having the big meeting next chapter, as I underestimated how long this chapter was already. Although, I guess you could count King Hrothgar as special, so I didn't lie as much as I thought I did!

Anyways, looks Anri's getting some much needed repairs on her armor! And from the dwarves no less! Now, as I said last time I did this, every five or so chapters I'll take the time to respond to reviews, so here we go!

To those who essentially say the same thing: I can't thank you enough for the kind words, and I'm so glad you're enjoying this story, even if it's been slow up until this point. Things are only going to ramp up from here, and the big battle is coming!

FlamingPhantom: I'm glad you're enjoying it so far, and I agree. The twin deserved all of that and more. I considered killing him outright but I have more plans for them~

Guest: I kinda explained it, but there's a tendon in your thigh that, if cut, can cause extreme pain and difficulties moving whatever limb it was a part of. If tendons aren't healed correctly then you can lose pretty decent function in that limb. Unkindled or not, biology is hard to overcome!

Thunderofdeath97: Wow! That's a lot in such a short time! In order I guess!

Anri definitely could have haggled, but you can't really haggle down 40% even with some trading. Maybe if I rewrite this sometime down the line, eh?

You'd be right of guards being suspicious, and normally they would, but you also have to realize that only one group of people become knights like the kind Anri is. Nobles. Men or Women, the average foot soldier would rather do anything than aggravate a Noble. In medieval times such as this, a Noble could pretty much do anything they wanted if you offended them. Plus, as far away as Terim is from the capital, they would figure that it wasn't worth the trouble to question her.

The plot's stayed the same because I'm setting things up to change. Bullridge was destroyed by something from the Age of Fire. A memory of Gwynevere has appeared before Arya. Durza called her "The Curiosity." The first real big change is coming in the next chapters, but the signs are there. Things are moving in the background.

And Eragon won't be 'useless' for much longer. Obviously he gets trained by the elves, but now he has Anri in his corner. I'm not going to make him OP, obviously, but he's definitely going to be better trained than he would've been going in. Also I hate the twins too, and you are right. Even in the books, Saphira is angry but keeps a lid on it because Murtagh's life is in danger. And even with everything Murtagh's done, and Ajihad does understand this, there are other factions that wouldn't be as forgiving. Him being locked up is for his safety as much as it is an imprisonment.

And Anri would have authority as a knight for the reasons I've stated above. If you're a foot soldier, or even just a regular/guardsman, if a knight tells you to do something, you do it. "Well actually," is not worth it if you're just the average Joe in front of a knight. And Anri is a Knight, even if she was a Knight in the Age of Fire. Her oath would be one along the lines of her covenant. Being a Blue Sentinel, she has an oath to protect the weak and when possible, kill those who would extort or hurt the helpless.

Also with Eragon's confession to Arya? Hmm… That's all you get!~

ItsDaKoolaidDude: First of all, I love the name, and like I said above, I toyed with killing the twin, but decided against it. I have plans for them.

Whew! Next chapter things'll get interesting! I promise. This chapter was a lot duller than I planned, but I felt that it was necessary. We really will, hopefully, meet someone special in the next chapter! And even if it has to go longer than I'm usually comfortable writing, I owe you guys the first major canonical change. It will happen!

Next story in the rotation: Mariana, the Abyssal Hero!

For now, thank you all for the reviews and for reading! I'll see you all soon!~