I changed the pairing because a lot of people were complaining about it. Just didn't want to spoil it, but it should be obvious to anyone who's read up to this point, so might as well do it.
I do not own any part of the Harry Potter or Eragon universes.
Harry pulled himself up on Artemis' leg and as soon as he was in the saddle, she pushed off the ground. Startled, many of the Varden pointed with admiration to the two dragons that flew through the air of Farthen Dûr, following Arya.
Arya ran after them, hot on their heels.
"Apparently elves are not only good with swords and magic," Artemis remarked as she and Saphira landed on high ground, far from the training fields.
It didn't take long for Arya to reach them. As she drew closer, Harry saw that she wasn't even out of breath.
Arya had her eyes on the two dragons standing behind their riders. Her gaze was particularly focused on Saphira, who was looking at the elf curiously.
Eragon looked up in confusion and stepped aside as Saphira stepped forward and lowered her head towards the elf.
Arya was amazed when she saw Saphira standing in front of her.
She got the tattoo on her shoulder as a sign of her determination. She didn't want to hide behind the trees like the rest of her people, until one day it would be safe for them to come out again.
She wanted to bring about change for her people herself and not wait, like the other elves, for Galbatorix to be slain by the face of time. The decision to carry the stolen dragon egg between the Varden and Du Weldenvarden had once filled her with hope.
A hope that slowly faded within her, with each year that passed, when neither elf nor human that stepped before the egg was worthy enough for the dragon within the egg to hatch.
She had spent years with the egg in her lap, imagining what would happen if the dragon inside the egg hatched, and now it had finally happened.
Finally, they had found a new chance.
The deaths of so many Varden... of her loyal friends Glenwing and Fäolin, had not been left in vain.
Arya cautiously held out the palm of her hand as Saphira slowly approached her.
She smiled widely when Saphira touched her hand. "Skulblaka, eka celöbra ono un mulabra ono un onr Shur'tugal né haina. Atra nosu waíse Fricai," she said softly.
Saphira held her gaze for a few seconds and finally nodded. Arya could feel a vibration under her hand when Saphira hummed deeply.
She withdrew her hand from Saphira and looked from her towards the two riders.
"It pleases me to finally meet the human Saphira has chosen for herself. Out of all the thousands of humans and elves, she has chosen you, Eragon. You should always keep that in mind," Arya said.
Eragon gave her a strained smile. "Thank you, Arya. I often forget why she chose me, a simple peasant from Carvahall."
He looked up lovingly at Saphira. "But she makes me quickly remind myself of who I am and where I came from."
Arya nodded. "Especially in the face of the danger that looms, it is important to keep your cool and who you are. Bloodlust in battle has claimed the lives of many unwary warriors and your life is too important. This could be our only chance to bring down the black king."
She then turned to Harry and raised an elegant eyebrow. Harry held her firm gaze.
"Is it true what Ajihad said? That you are not from Alagaёsia?" she asked Harry.
Harry let out a deep sigh. "I wasn't lying to you, if that's what you mean. It's true that I'm not from Alagaёsia."
"And no, I'm not from some distant land that would lie across the sea," Harry added, seeing Eragon's questioning look.
Arya frowned. "Where are you from then?"
Harry looked at her dejectedly. "It's difficult to explain. The world I come from is very different from this one, especially the magical one. If Artemis had not hatched for me, I would have searched for any hints from my old world. Maybe that's what I'll do after this is all over."
He tilted his head to one side. "I could lend you a book that might explain a few things about my world. It's called 'A History of Magic'."
Arya looked interested, but then sighed. "I'd like to do that, but I doubt I'll have the time now with the battle approaching."
"What will you do now-return to Ellesméra?" Eragon then asked her.
Arya shook her head and tucked a strand of black hair behind her pointed ear.
"No, not yet. There is much that must be done here. I cannot abandon the Varden- Ajihad needs my help. Brom has mentioned your sword skills, and I have witnessed your skills with magic. Brom has taught you well, Eragon." She turned her eyes towards Harry.
"I've seen you tested in arms, and I know of your magic. Both of you are ready to proceed with your training."
"You mean for us to go for Ellesméra?" Eragon questioned her irritated.
Arya raised a delicate eyebrow at him. She must have noticed his tone.
"Yes."
Harry could see, that Eragon was visibly annoyed with her answer. He knew how it felt when others made decisions about him.
"When would we leave?" Harry intercepted, before Eragon said something he would later regret.
"That is yet to be decided, but not for some weeks. After all, we must first prepare for the coming battle."
"I am going to sleep. I haven't had time to fully recover, yet." Artemis told Harry tiredly.
She spread her wings and together with Arya, he watched her fly away with several powerful wing beats. Saphira soon followed after her.
Arya gazed after them in admiration.
"Sometimes I still can't believe that she hatched for me. That everything is a dream, until I wake up and I am back in my hut in Carvahall," Harry muttered as he moved next to her.
"I am sure, she chose the right person. Saphira did wait at least 100 years to hatch for Eragon. While we still don't know where Artemis egg came from. She may have been waiting centuries for the right person. For you." Arya reminded him.
Harry sensed Artemis' emotions through their connection. It warmed him from within and Harry send Arya a weak smile.
He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to phrase it.
"What exactly did the twins want from Eragon?" Harry asked. "I know Brom warned us about this, but why is it so dangerous?"
Arya pursed her lips in disgust. "Something far beyond Eragon's and yours current capabilities. It is possible to speak the name of an object in the ancient language and summon its true form. It takes years of work and great discipline, but the reward is complete control over the object."
Arya sighed. "That is why one's true name is always kept hidden, for if it were known by any with evil in their hearts, they could dominate you utterly."
To Harry it sounded similar to the Imperius Curse, which would give the spell-caster a total control over their enemy.
Harry shivered as he imagined for a fleeting moment what would have happened if Voldemort had known his true name. He did not believe that a strong will alone was enough to resist such oppression.
Arya looked at his face and she saw his exhaustion. The last few weeks hadn't been easy for either of them and they hadn't spent much time resting.
She put a hand on his shoulder and was inwardly surprised when she felt him tense up.
Arya furrowed her eyebrows slightly in confusion.
"You should go rest." Arya pulled her hand away from his shoulder. "There's still time for it."
Harry rubbed a hand over his face. "You're right. I didn't sleep long, and it would be nice to wash up, too," Harry said, looking down at himself. His clothes were torn in many places, and he knew his face was dirty and sweaty from their duel earlier.
Arya wrinkled her nose. "I would prefer the bath first if I was you."
Harry gaped at her in shock, but Arya had already turned around on her heel. Sporting a faint smile, she strode away and disappeared into one of Tronjheim's numerous tunnels.
Harry was still amused when he caught up with Eragon.
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Harry asked.
He was simply blown away by the sheer size of Tronjheim.
Eragon rolled his eyes. "I've visited Murtagh a number of times. I know the way, don't worry Harry."
It wasn't long before Eragon led him down a straight tunnel. He stopped in front of a large door carved out of stone. Before them stood a human and a dwarf.
"Eragon, Murtagh will be glad to see you. He is extremely bored," said one of the guards.
Eragon gave the two a friendly smile and the guards pried open the heavy door and let the two inside.
"Let us know when you want to leave," the dwarf grunted, and the door closed behind them.
The dim light from torches filled the room. Murtagh was lying on a sturdy bed reading a scroll. He looked up happily when he saw Eragon.
"Eragon! It's good to see you. The guards are nice to me, but they are not allowed to let me know what's going on outside. It makes life rather boring."
Eragon laughed and sat down next to Murtagh.
Murtagh's gaze met Harry's, who was staring at him coldly.
"Who are you?" Murtagh asked warily. He didn't know the man that arrived with Eragon.
Harry's eyes flared. He clenched his fist and stepped forward threateningly but stopped right before Murtagh's face.
"Harry!" Eragon jumped between them, while Murtagh stepped away from him.
He watched Harry with suspicion.
"If you came to exact revenge, that was a ridiculous attempt," Murtagh scoffed.
Eragon glared at his friend. "Can you stop trying to provoke him? He was about to hit you!"
Murtagh raised his hands placatory. "Fine. What is wrong with you? I have never seen you before and have nothing done against you," Murtagh said confused.
Harry stepped back and let out a deep breath. He crossed his arms and leaned his back against the door.
Harry noticed Eragon's anxious expression. "Don't fret, I won't take any further action against your friend," he sighed, his gaze shifting to Murtagh.
"Eragon, remember when we searched the shipping records in Teirm for the whereabouts of the Ra'zac?" Harry glanced to Murtagh. "I overheard how you said goodbye to Mary. I want to understand why your father killed her."
"He killed Mary?" He whispered with dry lips.
Murtagh's face paled and he dropped onto the bed, his arms shaking.
Harry rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Yes, he did. She had blond hair and kind-warm blue eyes. I met her accidently in an alley in Teirm."
Murtagh slumped against the wall. "It was her. Was it at least quick?" He croaked.
Harry shot a questioning glance towards Eragon. But Eragon shook his head.
"I didn't know that they knew each other. It never came up."
Harry nodded slowly. "I don't think she felt anything."
Murtagh nodded, clearly relieved. With his father's actions, a merciless death was all he could hope for.
"Why did your father kill her?" Harry asked softly.
Murtagh laughed, not in amusement. It sounded emotionless and lacked any humor.
"He is not my father…he is a monster. He had killed enough people over the years, simply because he was bored. Often enough he has ordered prisoners to fight him. Morzan used to kill them with his bare hands." Murtagh gasped for breath.
He ripped his shirt off, showing off his bare torso to them. Before Harry could question him, Murtagh turned around.
Harry's hand coiled into a fist at what he saw. A horrible scar was running from his right shoulder to his left hip.
Unconsciously, Harry touched his own back and felt the scars on his back tighten.
Murtagh sighed, putting his shirt back on. "This is the only thing Morzan has ever gifted me."
He sat back down and leaned against the cold wall.
"Mary was my personal maid and was responsible for me. We grew up together and she became like a sister to me." He looked from Harry to Eragon.
"I was hidden inside the castle. Not seeing the outside world. Teirm was supposed to be my first visit outside of Morzan's castle… I planned for weeks and took the chance and escaped."
Murtagh laughed hollowly. "She must have paid the price for my cowardness."
Harry narrowed his eyes at him. Murtagh was acting just like he did, after Sirius had died.
"Was it your intention to kill her?" Harry questioned him sharply.
"Of course not!" Murtagh yelled. "By leaving, I pretty much decided that she would die. It is my fault. I should have taken her with me, but she would not have agreed to come. She still had family inside Morzan's castle."
He looked down on his feet. "She could not leave her family alone. Not like me, who never had one."
Harry shook his head. "It's always easy to say something like that in hindsight. Especially when we feel guilty for the people we care about. It is Morzan's fault! No one else's. Someone once told me that it is our choices that truly define who we are. You are not your father, Murtagh!"
"Your decision to leave your old life behind has brought you to this point, but what will you choose now? Will you keep running until your past catches up with you? Or will you take your destiny into your own hands and embrace the new life she has given you."
He waited for an answer, but nothing came. All he could hear were soft sobs in the darkness.
The past shaped him into the person he is today. No matter how much he wanted to despise it, he had to accept it because it was a part of him.
Harry had to make the same decision for himself. Only then he could go forward.
But he was sure, with Eragon's help, Murtagh would finally stop despising himself and would consider himself worthy of living a life worth living. Harry knocked on the door and walked out of the room, leaving the two young men behind.
It had been like hours before Murtagh stirred.
"Why are you still here, Eragon," he murmured wearily.
Eragon sat crouched over an ancient scroll at the foot of his bed.
He closed the scroll and placed it on his lap.
"Because you are my friend, Murtagh. You saved us from the Ra'zac, and while you reluctantly joined us, you became a good friend on the journey to the Varden."
Murtagh snorted softly. "A friend whose father is the reason there are no more dragon riders."
Eragon shook his head. "You might be Morzan's son, but Harry is right. You make your own decisions, even if your father was Galbatorix. The question is what will you choose."
Murtagh covered his eyes with his arm.
"Tell me, why are you fighting Eragon? You could just leave Alagaёsia with Saphira and the king would never find you. You do not need to fight."
Eragon smiled weakly. "Even if I could, I wouldn't do it. Especially since Saphira would refuse to hide."
He stood up and walked over to the door. "Galbatorix is a tyrant responsible for causing so much suffering in Alagaёsia. Saphira chose me for this, and I have powers that I can use for the benefit of others."
Eragon looked at his hand, which was branded with the Gedwёy Ignasia.
"If I don't stand up and take up my sword against Galbatorix, who will?"
He turned around and was about to leave when Murtagh opened his eyes determined and sat up.
His dark hair fell in his face.
"Before you go, Eragon. Please tell Brom that I want to see him... I need to speak with him."
He moved forward cautiously. He hadn't ventured into those tunnels since he was a little dwarf. Cathor took out a small hammer and tapped it softly against the wall.
Thump.
He nodded contentedly. The walls were thinning, which meant he was finally getting closer to Orthíad.
The tunnels were so old and partially collapsed that even a dwarf had difficulty knowing where he was.
It wasn't long before he spotted a collapsed tunnel, either. Warm sunlight shone through the stones and Cathor stroked his beard one last time until he began to climb over the stones.
At the top, he saw a small hole that only a dwarf could fit through. He squeezed through and came out at the other side end of the cave in. No dwarf had ventured here for decades.
He ducked and held out his hand. Cathor felt the rock move slowly beneath his hand.
He frowned and walked forward a few yards. Peering around a corner, he looked up, startled. He was sure that there hadn't been a hall here. But the tunnel ended, revealing a huge room. The walls were built roughly and squarely, and Cathor was sure no dwarf had built them.
His face turned pale, and his eyes filled with panic from what he was seeing. Before his eyes he saw the camps of hundreds of Urgals. There had to be thousands! He even saw Kull's among them!
"By Helzvog," he whispered.
Cathor had to warn his king, because if he failed, everything would be lost. They were not ready to fight an army as big as this!
In his urge to return to his king, he took a step back, not seeing where he was stepping. Loose stones came loose from under his feet and fell down.
The rocks fell softly, but to Cathor it felt like a landslide.
Unfortunately for him, it drew the attention of a group of Urgals who looked up at him with their ugly faces.
His heart was hammering in his chest.
Seeing them reaching for bows, he jumped back hastily and cried out in pain as an arrow struck his shoulder. He didn't dare look back, even though he could feel warm blood running down his arm.
He jumped through the hole he came out of and landed on his head. Dazed, he heard only dozens of arrows hitting the stones. He clutched his shoulder painfully and set out to report to his king what he had seen.
"Harry!"
"One mor' second Artemis," Harry mumbled in his sleep.
"Harry, wake up! Quickly!" Someone took his blanket.
Harry hissed in annoyance as the cold air brushed over his body. No one took his blanket!
He drew his wand and cast a stinging hex at his offender.
Eragon dodged the spell at the last moment, and the spell bounced off the star sapphire's lustrous surface.
"Perhaps something important has happened," Artemis yawned and quickly stood up.
"What is going on, Eragon?" Harry asked sleepily. He stifled a yawn and tried to resist the urge to just dismiss Eragon and get a few more hours of sleep.
Eragon glared at him. "They have called for us. Ajihad wants to see us. Now!"
Harry narrowed his eyes at him and quickly moved. He strapped the saddle on Artemis.
"If this isn't important, I'll eat someone and then spit him out again out of spite." Artemis growled in his mind.
Harry yawned loudly and had to quickly close his mouth when Artemis launched after Saphira from the cave.
Orik was waiting for them with a grim expression.
"Move quickly. The others are already waiting."
It took a manner of minutes until they arrived inside Ajihad's study.
Eragon tried to get answers from Orik, but he would only say, "I don't know enough myself- wait until you hear from Ajihad."
The guards in front of the doors stepped away, as they were coming. Ajihad stood behind his desk, grimly inspecting a map. Arya, Brom and a man, Harry had not met yet, were there as well.
Ajihad looked up and gestured to the man next to him. "Good, you two are here. Meet Jörmundur, my second in command."
They acknowledged each other, then turned their attention to Ajihad.
"I had you five awakened because we are in incredible danger." Ajihad glanced at Harry.
"At Harry's suggestion, Hrothgar sent dwarves to the sparsely populated or even deserted cities. About half an hour ago a dwarf came running out of one of the deserted tunnels. He was covered in his own blood, but he had enough sense to tell the dwarves what he had seen: An army of Urgals, maybe a day's march from here."
Shocked silence filled the study. Then Jörmundur cursed loudly and started asking questions at the same time Orik did. Arya remained silent.
"Be quiet!" Brom exclaimed. "Time is of importance! We know that they are approaching us through the tunnels."
"Where do the Urgals come from? We should have noticed a large number of them a long time ago!" Orik said and impatiently tapped his thumb against his hammer which hung loosely at his hip.
Ajihad flattened the map in front of them and pointed with his finger at a single point, while Harry moved closer. Ajihad's finger was on the section of the Beor Mountains that touched Surda's eastern border.
"This," he said, "is where the dwarf claimed to have come from."
"Orthíad!" Orik exclaimed angrily.
At Jörmundur puzzled inquiry, Orik explained. "It's an ancient dwelling of ours that was deserted when Tronjheim was completed. During it's time it was the greatest of our cities. But no one's lived there for centuries."
Brom drew a line with one finger from Orthíad to Farthen Dur. "And it's old enough for some of the tunnels to have collapsed. That is how we surmise it was discovered from the surface. I would bet my sword on it, that Orthíad is now being called Ithrö Zhȃda," Brom grunted.
Ajihad nodded slowly and traced the map with his finger.
"That is where the Urgal tribe that was chasing Brom and Eragon was supposed to go. From Orthíad they can use the tunnels to travel anywhere they want in the Beor Mountains. They have the power to destroy both the Varden and the dwarves in a single strike," Ajihad explained.
Silence reigned between them while everyone was busy contemplating what to do.
Jörmundur eyed the map carefully. "Do we know how many Urgals there are? Are Galbatorix's troops with them?"
Ajihad shook his head. "We do not. The dwarf that escaped from Orthíad only got a glimpse of our enemy. He hadn't been able to spot a human soldier, but we still have to be prepared for anything."
"I don't think they will be there," Harry frowned. All of them turned towards him.
"And why do you think so? If Galbatorix men are with them they will wipe us out in one single battle!" Jörmundur growled at him.
Harry ignored him and looked over at Brom. "You once told me that Galbatorix first dragon was killed by Urgals. Is that right?"
At Brom's nod, Harry continued. "Then it might just be him taking advantage of the Urgals. He wants to know your strength and weaken you enough that his troops will have no problem wiping out the Varden in the future."
Meanwhile Arya's eyes sparkled dangerously.
"At the same time, he weakens the Urgals enough that he can easily crush them. So, no matter what the outcome will be, he will win in the end," Arya continued.
Harry nodded towards Arya. He couldn't imagine that the king wouldn't betray the Urgals after this battle, no matter how it ended.
"We also know that he has spies within the Varden. If they have been effective, he possesses precise knowledge about the Varden's forces. This battle might only serve as an opportunity for him to gauge the extent of Eragon's and your capabilities," Artemis conveyed through their bond.
Harry glanced towards Eragons pale face. "You are right, and I don't think we should tell Eragon about this."
There was silence as they pondered their words. "You've got a sharp mind for someone so young," Jörmundur mentioned as he looked at Harry in a new light.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I've fought enough battles to know that age is nothing against experience."
"Wise words," Brom mumbled and glanced with worry at Eragon.
"I've already talked with Hrothgar, and we've decided on a course of action. Our only hope is to contain the Urgals in three of the larger tunnels and channel them into Farthen Dhûr, so they don't swarm inside Tronjheim like locusts," Ajihad explained to them.
"I need you, Eragon and Arya, to help the dwarves to collapse extraneous tunnels. Brom you will take leadership of the Du Vrangr Gata."
He turned to Harry. "I don't fully trust you, yet, but Arya and Brom vouched for you, otherwise you would still be locked in a room. You have provided us with vital information that may decide on our victory."
Ajihad closed his eyes.
"I have no choice but to trust you for the moment. Nobody knows your skills. Neither we, nor the king. That makes you dangerous. You know best where you are needed."
Harry simply nodded. There was nothing left to be said. He would have to prove himself for them.
Outside in the corridor, Harry had to be careful not to be overrun. Arya tugged at his sleeve to stop him just as two men with a cart sped past them.
"Careful," Arya said.
Harry nodded gratefully and together they headed outside.
"Over here!" a dwarf yelled, waving at Orik. He was standing by a tunnel, and they could only see him through the crowd because he was standing on a ledge in the rock that allowed him to look over the crowd.
Orik looked determined and turned to Eragon. "Come, Eragon. I will show you where you are needed."
Eragon swallowed. "All right."
Before Eragon could leave, Brom grabbed his forearm. "Have faith in your bond with Saphira. Alone you will perish, but if you fight together, you will accomplish the impossible!"
Fear drained from Eragon's eyes and determination showed. Eragon nodded to all of them, and he followed Orik.
"I don't like it. He's not ready for a battle like this," Brom growled, grabbing his sword.
"He spent his life as a village boy and traveled all over Alagaёsia in a matter of a few months. Eragon will be ready," Harry assured him. Brom's eyes were filled with concern, but he turned away from the young rider.
"I should check on the Du Vrangr Gata," Brom growled out. Arya smiled in amusement while Harry frowned at them.
"What's so funny about that?" Harry asked.
"If we hadn't been separated in Teirm, I would have taught you a lot more about the ancient language and you would be better prepared for this coming battle," Brom sighed. "However, fate had other things in mind."
"I should be on my way now. Getting the twins in line won't be an easy task," Brom grumbled, leaving Arya with Harry.
"What was that about?" Harry questioned her.
Arya's lips curved into a slight smile. "Oh," she said. "Correctly, in the ancient language, it is Du Gata Vrangr, which means the wandering path. For all their arrogance it shows how terrible their use of the ancient language truly is," she explained.
She tilted her head to one side. "But amusement aside. We should get ready."
"You're right," Harry agreed. He was about to move when Arya's voice stopped him.
"Where are you going?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
Harry blinked at her. "To ask someone where I can be needed," he said uncertainly.
Arya shook her head, strands of hair falling across her fair face. "You're coming with me. Artemis, you should come too," she said firmly.
Harry followed Arya with quick steps. "Where exactly are we going?" Artemis asked.
A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes. Something he had not seen before.
"To the Forges in Farthen Dûr."
They walked through one of the four great halls that divided Tronjheim. Flocks of humans and dwarves scurried about like headless chickens. As soon as they saw Artemis, the conversations stopped, and many dozens of pairs of eyes followed them. Harry felt uncomfortable in his own skin.
"It reminds me too much of the wizards and witches from my old world," Harry said to Artemis uneasily.
"Ignore them. They don't know where we come from and our intentions. Once you wield your magic for the Varden, everything will change," Artemis said with confidence.
Arya ignored the onlookers and took quick steps towards one of Tronjheim's four gates. Harry stopped in front of the door and saw different symbols depicted on it, but one stood out from the others.
"The hammer surrounded by the stars is the symbol of the dwarven clan Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. They are also known as the Firesmiths," Arya explained. "The current reigning king of the dwarves is Hrothgar, leader of the Dûrgrimst Ingeitum."
They walked through a maze of corridors until Harry heard a deep humming that got louder with every step they took.
"They've started singing, that's good," Arya remarked with a fond smile.
The small group stopped in front of an immense door made of stone.
"I can't help but wonder why the dwarves construct everything so massive despite their own size," Artemis chuckled.
Arya's slanted eyes twinkled, and she banged her fist on the door in a particular order.
The voices fell silent, and the doors slowly creaked open. In front of them stood a dwarf with a dark, trimmed beard that fell to his knees. He wore a scratched leather apron, and his strong arms held a heavy iron hammer.
"Vanyali," the dwarf whispered, and his eyes went wide.
The dwarf heaved the hammer in his hands to the ground and stretched out his arm. Arya grabbed the dwarf's forearm, and they shook hands.
"It warms my heart to see you, Arya. When I found out that you were attacked, I prayed to Morgothal that you were well." The dwarf's voice was rough, but full of warmth.
Arya's lips curled into a sad smile. "You too, Baldr. A lot has happened since the last time I saw you."
The dwarf nodded grimly. "Still not a friend of our gods, Vanyali?" the dwarf then laughed.
"Until you can prove he ever existed, I will not worship a god that doesn't exist," Arya shot back.
Baldr's eyes darkened. "We dwarfs may not know much about magic like you elves, but we do know one thing: faith is a magic in itself and as long as we believe in them, Gûntera will not fail us."
Baldr proudly slapped his chest.
"But you didn't come to talk about our gods, did you, Arya?" The dwarf's eyes shifted to Harry and Artemis, who were standing next to her.
"This is Artemis and Harry-" Arya introduced.
"The dragon rider no one knew about," Baldr completed.
Arya's eyebrows drew together. "He is a dragon rider and will fight for us, but he needs a sword for the battle ahead."
Harry was confused. "That's why we're here?" He asked her.
Arya nodded. "I will not let you go into battle without a decent weapon."
Harry frowned. "I don't need a sword. And if I need one, I can merely conjure one."
He pulled out his wand and turned a broomstick that was leaning on the wall into a one-handed sword.
"May I?" Baldr asked and Harry nodded to the dwarf.
"It feels good in the hand and isn't too heavy," the dwarf commented as he cradled the blade in his hands.
He positioned the sword on an anvil, brandishing his hammer. With a grumbling tone, he swung the hammer and struck the sword at a precise spot, resulting in a small crack forming across the blade.
"The blade is as weak as a dried branch. Even the weapons of the Varden would only have allowed a dent in the sword," Baldr snorted.
"It's enough for a battle," Harry defended himself. "And I could just conjure another one."
"But not against a shade," Arya said firmly. Her eyes held fire and he shrunk away. "Durza surpasses even an elf in speed and power. A single blow would shatter your sword. Rather than wasting your energy on conjuring swords, you had better choose a weapon now."
Arya said it in a tone that gave Harry no choice.
He nodded defeated, and the dwarf chuckled to himself. "Always nice to see when Arya rebukes someone other than me."
Harry chuckled at the dwarf as Arya's gaze swiftly shifted from him to Baldr.
The dwarf's eyes widened, and he quickly gestured for Harry to follow him.
The other dwarfs resumed their work and suddenly began to hum. Harry saw a group of four dwarves standing around an anvil. Three of them took turns hitting the metal in a rhythm, while the fourth held the red-hot metal with tongs and shifted the metal with each hit, hitting a new side.
The low hum filled the forge and Harry saw other dwarves banging their hammers on the hot iron in a steady rhythm.
Artemis growled in satisfaction as she felt the heat on her scales. "I like it here."
Harry chuckled at her and placed a hand against her leg.
"What are the dwarves singing?" He whispered to Arya. He watched the dwarves at work with awe.
"Where the melody came from no one knows, but Fûthark, a legendary blacksmith of the Dûrgrimst Ingeitum, taught all his apprentices this song. Ever since, every blacksmith has sung this song, hoping to forge as great things as Fûthark once did," Arya explained with a light in her eyes.
"Wait here," Baldr told them. It only took a few minutes and he returned with a sword.
"The pommel is made of stone from the depths of Farthen Dûr, formed in the hottest flames. This blade was one of the last my grandfather made and is ready to slit the throat of any of your enemies." Baldr puffed out his chest in pride.
Harry grabbed the sword's hilt. He swung it in the air a few times and held it at eye level.
"It's well balanced, but it doesn't feel right in my hands," Harry mentioned to Artemis.
She leaned forward and sniffed at the sword.
"It wasn't made for you. But you should take it anyway. It's better than nothing."
"I could try if I can improve my swords," Harry suggested.
"No, Arya is right," Artemis said. "You need your concentration on the fight and not on wasting your strength. Take this toothpick with you."
Harry looked at Arya and Baldr who were looking at him expectantly. "I will take it."
Baldr rubbed his face. "It is far sturdier than any sword you will get from the Varden and will serve you well in the coming battle. It shall be yours."
Baldr then turned to Artemis and rubbed his hands together happily, as his eyes took her in. "It's going to be a challenge, but I'm happy to take it!"
Artemis looked questioningly at the dwarf.
"You need armor, and we will forge it for you," he explained with a glint of excitement in his eyes.
Harry blinked. "Do you still have the time?"
Baldr growled in annoyance. "On the honor of my clan, we will craft the finest armor, a dragon has ever worn. Never underestimate a dwarf, Argetlam. Come with me Artemis, we need your measurements to make the armor."
Artemis blew a cloud of smoke in Baldr's face.
"Show me the way, dwarf," Artemis said. Harry could feel her excitement as goosebumps began to creep up his arms.
Baldr muttered something unintelligible and showed Artemis the way.
Harry turned to Arya. "What are we doing in the meantime?"
"As Ajihad told us. We'll help the dwarves collapse the tunnels and then prepare for the coming battle."
Vanyali – Means Elf in Dwarvish
Morgothal – God of fire of the Dwarves