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Yubel578: Don't worry. everything will be fine by the time they leave Teirm.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Inheritance Cycle. I only own the OC Michael/Ancalagon.
The time in Teirm seemed to pass in the blink of an eye for Ancalagon, given it was time for them to leave. He had to admit, he had a lot of funny staying in one place again for more than a day, getting the chance to settle into a temporary routine which namely was wake up, hunt for breakfast, entertain himself and Saphira with either a race or a playful fight, sleep for a couple of hours, wake up again and go hunting for dinner, speak about anything with Saphira, and then watch the starts with the dragoness, something that Saphira enjoyed and asked if they could so so every night when on the road, which Ancalagon agreed to.
Eragon and Brom had done what they did in the book, breaking into the administrator's office, figuring where the Ra'zac would be which was Dras-Leona. Ancalagon was still against continuing the pursuit, especially after explaining his reasoning to his companions before they made their way to Teirm, but like his father... Eragon was stubborn.
Right now, Ancalagon was sleeping, hoping to get a bit of a long lie before they left Teirm. However, his slumber was disturbed by a pointy object jabbing him in the side. Ugh, Saphira, not now. Please! He tried to get back to sleep, but Saphira wouldn't have that.
The black dragon gave out a surprised growl as he was suddenly, and very violently, shoved sideways. Unable to right himself due to the suddenness of the act, he found himself rolling over and over until he splashed into the shallow water at the lake's edge. The lake had been an area he had found and often swam around in with Saphira, plus it was a source of drink for the dragons when they felt thirsty.
Spluttering water out of his nostrils, he looked over to see Saphira standing next to where he had been sleeping, looking very pleased with herself, her tail moving back and forth rather mischievously.
Not. Funny. he rumbled.
Oh, I thought it was. Saphira said, humor evident in her tone. It got you up, didn't it? Eragon and Brom have left Teirm, we should-
C'mere, you! he shouted, lunging at her and hauling her into the lake. The two dragons playfully wrestled in the lake for a few minutes before they climbed out, shook the water off their bodies, though their scales glistened, and took off into the sky to go join their companions. Saphira seemed the most anxious given she was increasing speed, no doubt wanting to get the chance to go flying with her Rider, and Ancalagon shook his head in amusement at her acting like an excited child who was about to ride a horse for the first time.
Not that he'd say that to her face, she'd make him hurt for it.
Are we far from Teirm now? Sa[hira grumbled impatiently.
Ancalagon glanced back, seeing the city was far off now. We should be right about... now.
Saphira! Ancalagon! You can come down now! Eragon's voice said in their heads.
Saphira flew down first quickly, Ancalagon following with an amused rumble in his throat. The two dragons found their human companions and landed gracefully. Without hesitation, Saphira grabbed Eragon by the back of his shirt with her teeth, hauling him up onto her saddle, giving him a few moments to strap in before taking to the skies. No more waiting. I'm taking him flying.
Eragon could only give a slightly confused smile as the dragoness hauled him away from manual labor. He himself also wanted to fly with Saphira, and was glad to get to do it after a while. Ancalagon watched the duo depart before turning back to Brom. You would think those two haven't flown together in months with how impatient she was.
Brom chuckled in amusement. "Well, Eragon said Saphira hated staying there."
Understatement. Ancalagon snorted a puff of smoke out his nostrils. She was as impatient and anxious as a hatchling. Even disturbed my long lie to shove me into the lake just to get us moving.
The old man laughed at this.
Ancalagon and Saphira were resting on a natural ledge just outside a cave, peering down at a lower ledge where Eragon and Brom were sparring again. They had managed to cover a decent amount of distance, ending their day a couple miles northeast of Kuasta, settling down for the night in a cave that afforded them a rather nice view of the setting sun as it sank down into the sea. It was a rather peaceful spot until Brom challenged Eragon to another sparring match. Now the quiet, calm air rang with the sound of blades colliding. Despite being magically guarded, the swords still made quite the clamour as the two combatants danced across their battlefield.
You know... I know that sparring is good for Eragon's training and everything... Ancalagon grumbled, but it's starting to give me a headache.
Indeed, Saphira replied, watching as Eragon got thoroughly beaten once more, Though it is worth it to see the little one get beaten again and again. It is good for him.
Ancalagon rose and stretched, his wings twitching with restlessness at his sides. Fancy a leisurely flight, Saphira?
Of course.
The two dragons took to the air, gliding out towards the water, their departure not going unnoticed by Eragon and Brom, who watched them go. Eragon watched Saphira fly circles around Ancalagon in their aerial game of tag, the larger dragon being incapable of keeping up with Saphira's agility. Eragon then felt a sharp pain as something thwacked his thigh.
"Never take your eyes off the enemy!" Brom taunted, spinning his sword in a showy flourish. Eragon grinned before retaliating, their swords beginning their violent percussion once more.
About half an hour later, the two dragons alit on the moonlit ledge, night having fallen while they had played, a bit winded and tired. They entered the cave to find the two humans already asleep. Saphira and Ancalagon collapsed wearily to the ground beside each other, keeping each other warm as the cool night breeze drifted into the cave.
The next morning, the group was up bright and early to continue their journey. Today, the two dragons would fly ahead until they were called when it was safe while the humans took the slow path. Brom was planning to use the extra time to instruct Eragon in some Rider lore and history, and Eragon wanted the oppertunity to ask more about Brom's past and his 'friends' after eavesdropping on him and Jeod in Teirm.
Simultaneously, Saphira and Ancalagon would be practicing their combat skills once more, this time amid the ever-changing winds that occurred often in the mountains. Ancalagon needed more practice with air combat in treacherous environments if he was going to be efficient as a fighting dragon.
And so Ancalagon and Saphira rose on the morning thermals, climbing into the clouds before they flew south across the water, towards, over and past Kuasta. Once among the peaks of the range at the very tail end of The Spine, Saphira whirled about in the air, suddenly charging at Ancalagon. He quickly recovered from the surprise, however, bringing his claws up to bat her aside just in time to avoid a messy mid-air collision. Saphira quickly recovered by rolling, executing a swift loop to bring her talons to bear against Ancalagon, who hovered a few feet beneath her.
Saphira dove towards her opponent, impacting upon his back and knocking his wings askew while also flushing out all the air that had been braced within the wings' membranes. Ancalagon dropped like a stone, wings flailing until he forced them back out to tumble into a rough glide. Flapping his wings laboriously, he rocketed back up to Saphira's altitude, looping in a similar fashion to Saphira's actions to start himself on a ballistic charge towards her. Saphira only laughed and dove out of his way, narrowly avoiding Ancalagon's tail as it thrashed at her as he flew harmlessly overhead.
You'll have to do better than that, Ancalagon! Saphira taunted, glancing over her shoulder at Ancalagon, who had come to a stop, hovering in mid air and looking down at her.
I intend to do so. Ancalagon shot back. He barreled down towards her, claws outstretched. Saphira spun up out of his path, leaving Ancalagon to shoot past her once more. The black dragon's wings strained to stop himself, pulling up his trajectory just in time to avoid one of the mountain range's peaks. Whew, he thought, That was close. He had just began to look around for Saphira when a blue-scaled blur ploughed into his side.
Ancalagon came to another hovering stop, looking around for Saphira, who had disappeared into the mountain mists once more. Snarling, he realized that he had to come up with a plan that required something other than brute force. Saphira was outclassing him at every turn. It wasn't that his attacks lacked strength, it was that none were connecting.
Suddenly he had an idea, Light bulb... he thought, chuckling. He whirled around and dove towards the ground.
From the clouds, Saphira watched as Ancalagon plummeted downward. What is he planning? she mused, diving in pursuit. The black dragon faded in and out of Saphira's view as she flew downwards through fogs of varying density, obscuring her vision at times and at others providing a clear view. She could see Ancalagon's wings tucked in close to his sides, providing less resistance as he plunged towards the ground. Just as she was worrying that he would pull out of his dive too late, Ancalagon's wings snapped open, swooping him... Where did he go? Saphira looked around, but Ancalagon was nowhere to be seen. She hovered, puzzled at his disappearance.
Then something large struck her in the side, black-scaled claws fastening about her forelegs, To quote a great man, "I have you now." said Ancalagon as he sent them spinning through the air, Saphira getting dragged alongside, not being in control of their movement. Their spiralling stopped as Ancalagon alit upon a natural ledge emerging from one of the mountains. He then pinned Saphira, who was disgruntled but could not rise due to Ancalagon's superior size and weight. Do you surrender?
Saphira growled and reluctantly ceded victory. I don't know how you did that, Ancalagon.
Ancalagon allowed her to rise, Here, I'll show you.
Ancalagon led her in a spiralling glide down towards the bottom of the mountain, where he pointed out a large, rough archway that was formed out of a large mass of stone leaning up against the sides of one of the mountains. Through it, Saphira could see light. I went through here, then flew up and surprised you, Ancalagon stated proudly.
But how did you know it was here?
Every mountain range has these. Without fail. It's just a matter of knowing where to look. I recognized it from above. Ancalagon answered
But how could you know that it went all the way through? You could have collided with the wall on the other side of the opening and died! Saphira asked, frightened at the risk that Ancalagon had taken.
Well I- Ancalagon paused, Well.. now that you mention it... I didn't know. Ancalagon looked at her sheepishly, Sorry.
Ancalagon found himself on his back as Saphira's tail caught him upside the head, Sorry? Is that all you can say? It was incredibly dangerous!
Ancalagon closed his eyes and raised a wing over his head as more tail-strikes were swung at him. I'm sorry okay? Stop it! The blows stopped and Ancalagon felt something nestling up against his chest. Opening one eye cautiously, he found Saphira nuzzling him. Saphira?
I could have lost you! I can't bear the thought of it after you nearly died saving Eragon. She said. Tears began forming at the edge of her bony eyelids.
Ancalagon frowned, stunned, and unsure of what to say. It was clear that he meant a lot to Saphira, and he wasn't sure if she thought of him... romantically, because he was a dragon, male, and the only one around she's interacted with. And what scared him was how less disturbed by that outcome he was. He was human at heart, so he should feel slightly... off if Saphira thought of him like that, shouldn't he? Yet he didn't feel as such as he had before they reached Teirm.
And apparantly, when he gave his energy to Eragn after what happened in Yazuac, Brom scolded him on how much he could have given, saying if he hadn;t been careful then he could have given too much strength and killed himself in the process. It had scared Saphira and was a reason for her closeness to him afterwards, but he felt there was more to it.
Did Saphira truly like him in that way? Or was it just her instincts because he was the only male around?
Even he wasn't sure how to feel.
Ignoring it for now, he sighed and wrapped his legs and wings around Saphira, nuzzling her comfortingly. I'm sorry for scaring you, Saphira. I didn't mean to. Now please... stop crying. I can't bear seeing you cry. It doesn't suit those pretty eyes of yours.
He stiffened, realizing what he just said as Saphira looked at him. You... you think my eyes are pretty?
Now Ancalagon felt embarrassed. He didn't know what compelled him to say that but... it was true. Saphira's eyes were the most beautiful. They were described as such, but seeing them in person for himself... the description didn't do her eyes justice. He could get lost in them for days. Gulping, he composed himself enough to answer her.
Y-Yes... I do.
Saphira was silent and he looked away, wondering if he said something wrong in admitting her eyes were pretty. However, his fears were put to rest when Saphira licked his neck.
Thank you. She said quietly. Y-Your eyes are just as handsome as mine are pretty.
Well... uh... Ancalagon fumbled, having not exposed a compliment of his own eyes in return and he tried to come up with something to say. Thank you.
Soon they were called by Eragon, and the two flew to meet up with their human companions, landing where they had chosen to make camp. Brom was making dinner while Eragon was off somewhere, though Saphira assured Ancalagon that he was searching for water. Ancalagon merely nodded and laid his head down, intending to get an early night.
That wasn't to be as Saphira suddenly enveloped Brom with her wings amidst his protests and cursing. Ancalagon snapped his head up and frowned at her. What the hell are you doing?
Eragon told me. Was all she could say before she snapped her gaze to the sound of a twig snapping and swung her tail, getting a yelp before they heard Eragon's voice.
"It's me!"
Oops. Saphira said sheepishly.
"Oops?" growled Eragon, running to her. "You could've killed me! Where's Brom?"
"I'm right here," snapped Brom's voice from behind Saphira's wings. "Tell your crazy dragon to release me; she won't listen to me."
"Let him go!" said Eragon, exasperated. "Didn't you tell him?"
Saphira, still embarrassed, followed her Rider's command and said. No. You just said to keep him safe. She lifted her wings, and Brom stepped forward angrily.
"I found an Urgal footprint. And it's fresh." Eragon quickly explained.
Brom immediately turned serious. "Saddle the horses. We're leaving." He put out the fire, but Eragon did not move. "What's wrong with your arm?"
Ancalagon snapped his gaze to Eragon's arm, noticing the way he was favouring it and cursed himself for not connecting the dots to this moment, what it was. Eragon breaks his wrist, then... Urgals!
"My wrist is broken," Eragon said, swaying.
Brom cursed and saddled Cadoc for him. He helped Eragon onto the horse and said, "We have to put a splint on your arm as soon as possible. Try not to move your wrist until then." Eragon gripped the reins tightly with his left hand. Brom said to the dragons, "It's almost dark; you might as well fly right overhead. If Urgals show up, they'll think twice about attacking with you two nearby."
At the first sign of trouble, I will deal with them. Ancalagon said firmly before he took off into the air with Saphira.
The light was disappearing quickly, and the horses were tired, but they spurred them on without respite. Eragon's wrist, swollen and red, continued to throb. A mile from the camp, Brom halted. "Listen," he said.
Eragon heard the faint call of a hunting horn behind them. As it fell silent, panic gripped him. "They must have found where we were," said Brom, "and probably the dragons' tracks. They will chase us now. It's not in their nature to let prey escape." Then two horns winded. They were closer. A chill ran through Eragon. "Our only chance is to run," said Brom. He raised his head to the sky, and his face blanked as he called Saphira.
She rushed out of the night sky and landed. "Where's Ancalagon?" Brom demanded.
Still in the air.
Brom nodded and looked at Eragon. "Leave Cadoc. Go with her. You'll be safer,"
"What about you?" Eragon protested.
"I'll be fine. Now go!" Unable to muster the energy to argue, Eragon climbed onto Saphira while Brom lashed Snowfire and rode away with Cadoc. Saphira flew after him, flapping above the galloping horses.
Eragon clung to Saphira as best he could; he winced whenever her movements jostled his wrist. He looked around, but saw no sign of Ancalagon which was strange. The horns blared nearby, bringing a fresh wave of terror. Brom crashed through the underbrush, forcing the horses to their limits. The horns trumpeted in unison close behind him, then were quiet.
Minutes passed. Where are the Urgals? wondered Eragon. A horn sounded, this time in the distance. He sighed in relief, resting against Saphira's neck, while on the ground Brom slowed his headlong rush. That was close, said Eragon.
Yes, but we cannot stop until— Saphira was interrupted as a horn blasted directly underneath them. Eragon jerked in surprise, and Brom resumed his frenzied retreat. Horned Urgals, shouting with coarse voices, barreled along the trail on horses, swiftly gaining ground. They were almost in sight of Brom; the old man could not outrun them. We have to do something! exclaimed Eragon.
What?
Land in front of the Urgals!
Are you crazy? demanded Saphira.
Land! I know what I'm doing, said Eragon. There isn't time for anything else. They're going to overtake Brom!
Very-
Stay there! Ancalagon's voice demanded in their heads as a black blur flew past them and went for the ground... right for the Urgals, causing Eragon and Saphira's eyes to widen.
Ancalagon! Saphira cried with worry.
Ancalagon landed with a heavy 'thud!' before the Urgals, wings spread in an intimidating display, head raised and flashing his teeth in a snarl. The Urgals stopped in surprise and fear as Ancalagon could smell it. A glow started to alight on Ancalagon's chest as the black dragon forced his mind into their own so he could speak to them... well more like ask them a question.
Tell me, Urgals... how do you choose to die? Ancalagon asked rhetorically before he reared back and then opened his maw, a torrent of flame blasting from his mouth and into the Urgals. The screams of agony pierced the air as the smell of burning flesh followed...
And I'm going to end it there. So, Ancalagon prevented another thing from happening, which was Eragon overexhausting himself when dealing with the Urgals... but he also prevented the cause for Eragon to scry Saphira and Brom, leading to him being curious about scrying for Arya. But don't worry, I have a way to fix that.
Also, Smaug reference at the end there.