I do not own any part of the Harry Potter or Eragon universes.
I hope you enjoy it.
"So, who is Morgothal?" Harry asked curiously as they stepped back from the last tunnel they had collapsed. "And what did Baldr mean, when he called you Vanyali?"
Arya frowned displeased. "Morgothal is one of their many gods. He is said to be the god of fire," she explained.
"Vanyali is the word for 'magic' in the ancient language. The dwarves adopted the word, but in their language, it means elf. Baldr finds it amusing to call me that," Arya sighed annoyed.
Together they watched as dozens of Varden and Dwarfs set traps for the Urgals. Harry remembered the Urgals he fought in Yazuac, and he wasn't sure if the traps would do much. They were hell bent on fighting and nothing would stop them until they were struck down.
"To bring the tunnels down, wasn't as hard as I thought," Harry mentioned.
She and Harry, along with the dwarves, had little trouble collapsing the chosen tunnels.
Arya raised a delicate eyebrow. "If you overlook the fact that I had to find the weak points in the walls because you didn't find a single one, I will have to agree with you."
Harry offered a sheepish smile as he recollected how Arya and the dwarves had prevented him from causing complete havoc in the tunnels.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know the tunnels in Farthen Dûr were so strongly linked with each other, and I never thought to use my magic that way."
She waved him off. "It's all right. I sometimes forget how advanced you are with your magic, while you barely know anything about the ancient language. To find the weak spots inside the walls is a difficult task for someone who just started their education in magic, but I'm sure you'll figure it out quickly."
"At least I learned something," Harry smiled and ran a hand through his messy hair.
Arya narrowed her eyes at him when she saw something.
"What was that?" She asked.
"I have no idea what you mean," Harry muttered, trying to move past her.
He took a step back, deliberately not meeting her eyes. Arya's eyes were narrowed and focused on his forehead.
"I didn't notice it before, but I'm sure I saw something there."
Harry tensed. "It is nothing," he said, running his hand across his forehead so that the hair covered his scar.
When he glanced at her, Arya eyed him expectantly.
"I don't want to talk about it," Harry said softly.
She opened her mouth to speak, but Artemis flew overhead and landed in front of them.
"Are you ready?" Harry asked her relieved when he turned towards his partner. Arya glanced at him one more time before she turned to Artemis as well.
"With you by my side, always."
Harry gave her a confused look as he inspected her. "Where's the armor?"
Artemis tilted her head to one side. Her beautiful white scales glittered in the light. "I won't wear the armor until later. Baldr and the dwarves are still working on it," Artemis explained.
"And I did not want to wait for them. Who knows what would happen in the time I leave you alone."
Harry rolled his eyes at her.
Artemis blue eyes flickered between Arya and Harry, sensing that something was amiss.
"Did something happen?" She questioned him.
He sighed. He did not want to talk about his before a battle. "No, nothing important. Shall we visit Jörmundur? Maybe there's something else we can do."
A low growl escaped Artemis' throat.
"And maybe something to eat for you, too," Harry laughed.
Artemis nudged him gently with her head against his chest. "For you too. You haven't eaten for hours."
Harry told Arya what they were up to. "You can go on without me," she told them. "I will see if I can help Brom."
Arya left them, and Harry walked alongside Artemis.
As they followed the masses, he saw countless men saying goodbye to their families. A mass exodus of woman and children, along with the Varden's eldest, streamed out of Tronjheim.
Everyone carried what they could. A young girl looked up at him and it broke his heart. Tears streamed down her pale face and with a last glimmer of hope send his way, she followed the crowds and disappeared into the tunnels of Tronjheim.
Harry felt an icy hand grasp his chest. This wasn't like fighting the Basilisk, nor was it like the fight in the Ministry.
There he just had to react and do whatever it took to survive. The thought of the coming battle made him nauseous.
But it also kindled a fire deep within him that made him know he would do whatever he could to help the Varden win this battle.
He felt movement beside him and saw a man purposefully walking towards him.
With a pompous stride and an outstretched chest, he bore a striking resemblance to Percy Weasley when he proudly sported his prefect badge.
Artemis snorted beside him, and Harry shot her a quick grin, before the man arrived.
"My name is Edric. By Ajihad's command, I and my men will fight at your side with you and your dragon."
Edric, a man with dark hair introduced himself as one of the captains of the Varden.
"Are there any news?" Harry asked, while he accepted the hand from Edric. While he didn't know how the soldiers would help him and Artemis during the battle, any help was welcome.
"No, everything is quiet. But that doesn't mean that preparations aren't being made. Come on," He urged Harry on.
"I'll introduce you to my men. They are willing to die for you, then you should at least know who they are."
Harry nodded and followed the man. Together they walked down the hills, and they met the soldiers.
"This is Gedwin," Edric introduced, a blond man with a full dark beard and warm blue eyes who appeared to be a few years older than Harry.
"One of my best men. He will explain everything else to you," Edric said to him. "I need to talk to Jörmundur about an idea I have that could mean our victory."
Gedwin rolled his eyes at Edric's back and Harry took Gedwin's outstretched hand with a grin.
"Don't take Edric too seriously. His heart is in the right place, even if his ambitions sometimes cloud his mind. Is this your first battle?" Gedwin asked.
Harry shook his head. "No, I've had one before, but it doesn't compare to this one."
Understanding spread in Gedwin's eyes. He clasped his hands behind his back.
"Then you have more experience than most of us. Those with combat experience have gained it from small assignments outside of Farthen Dûr. Nothing compared to what lies ahead here."
His face turned to the many soldiers and men who continued to set up more obstacles and traps for the Urgals.
Gedwin motioned for Harry to follow him. "Jörmundur told us about your skills and there is no one among us that did not see your swordfight against the elf."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Are you disappointed?"
Gedwin looked at him in disbelieve. "I was lucky enough to fight an elf once in my life. I didn't stand a chance," Gedwin laughed. He patted Harry on the shoulder.
"So, no, I am not disappointed. Believe me, we all volunteered to assist you in this battle."
They stopped in front of a small group of two men and a single woman.
A short-haired man looked up from his place. The man was easily two heads bigger than Harry, with broad shoulders. He was massive and casually holding a bowl of raw potatoes in his left hand.
"My name is Edward. Nice ter meet yeh." He immediately turned away from them and popped a potato the size of Harry's fist in his mouth.
The man next to him had blue eyes and dark blond hair and was busy rolling his eyes. "I swear you'll choke on your food someday, you fat bastard. My name is Charles. I've been with the Varden for several years."
Harry nodded and turned to the last person. She had brown eyes and shoulder length brown hair. Her eyes were warm, but they displayed an ambitious fire.
"My name is Irene, and I hope you don't mind letting a woman fight with you," Irene said sharply, holding out her hand.
The others regarded him with concern, but no one appeared to be concerned about her being a woman. All three stood together, and even Edward paused to scoop up some food, eager to witness his response.
He was surprised as he got the impression that the men in Alagaёsia wanted anything but a woman to fight for them, but it was obvious to him, that the four were close to each other.
Harry shook his head and took her outstretched hand. He could feel the hard skin beneath his hand.
"I don't care if you are a woman, man or dwarf. I am grateful for anyone who will help me and Artemis in this coming battle."
Irene let out a relieved breath and the others nodded in agreement.
Artemis moved behind him. All of them stopped in their movements and looked up at her with wide eyes.
"Nice to meet you all," Artemis greeted them.
The group jumped when they heard Artemis voice inside their heads.
"I didn't think that the day would ever come," Charles whispered with a dazed expression.
Gedwin agreed with him. He had always thought that dragons were nothing but mounts, but intelligence clearly shone in her eyes. He should have believed more in the stories his old man was telling him.
"It is an honor for us to fight for you two."
Hours passed and Harry got to know the people who would fight alongside him. Gedwin was a former soldier from the Empire and knew how to fight with a sword, while Edward and Charles were commoners driven from their villages by Urgals and took refuge with the Varden.
Irene was the only one who didn't talk much about herself. Harry let it pass, after all he held his secrets close to his chest as well.
He might have learned too much from Dumbledore.
It was an odd group, but Harry saw the determination in their eyes. They faced an enemy who clearly outnumbered them, yet they were willing to sacrifice everything for a better future.
'Something the wizarding world lacked, up until the very end,' he thought with a frown.
A small figure detached itself from the far battalion and hurried towards Harry and Artemis.
It was Orik.
"Come with me," the dwarf grumbled. "There is food waiting for the both of you."
Harry nodded towards the others and followed Orik.
They moved quickly through the ranks of soldiers, towards a tent, where they found bread and water for Harry and a pile of dried meat for Artemis.
It wasn't long before another dwarf appeared, with Eragon and Saphira at his back. When they finished eating, Orik disappeared, only to reappear moments later with a line of dwarves. They were all burdened with tall piles of plate armor.
He handed Eragon and Harry each a section of them. Harry couldn't see how a man could wear that armor. It was far too heavy for him.
It seemed like Eragon had the same thought as he did.
"What is this?" Eragon asked.
"A gift from Hrothgar," Orik said, pleased with himself. "It is dragon armor! We are fortunate that we found a complete set of armor for you Saphira," Orik explained to Eragon and Saphira. " It might be a little big, but we wanted to make sure it would fit in the future."
Orik turned to Artemis. "Baldr has confirmed to me that the armor was made for you. We did not have a second set of armor for you and it's not perfect but will serve the purpose for today."
"Put it on!" Artemis said with a fierce gleam in her eyes.
It took a while for Harry to finish. Artemis would not allow anyone other than Harry to put the armor on her.
"Next time, you can put the armor on by yourself," Harry said rubbing his cheek. Artemis' wing had hit him when he had brushed a ticklish spot.
"Don't complain," she said excitedly. She raised her head for him and spread her wings. "And? How do I look?"
Artemis entire neck, except for the spikes along its ridge, was covered with triangular scales of overlapping armor. Her belly and chest were protected by the heaviest plates, while the lightest ones were on her tail.
Her legs and back were completely encased. Her wings were left bare. A single molded plate lay on top of her head, leaving her lower jaw free to bite and snap.
"Terrifying," Harry answered truthfully.
Orik picked the remaining items of the ground. "I only found armor in your size, Eragon."
He cast an apologetic glance toward Harry. "We seldom craft armor in sizes appropriate for both men and elves. I could only come across individual pieces of armor that might fit you," he explained.
Harry waved him off. "Don't worry. I am already wearing it and Baldr has given me a sword. I do not need anything else."
"That is just a cloak, is it not?" The voice of Brom interrupted him. Harry turned and saw Arya and Brom approaching them. To his surprise Murtagh followed them.
"Even if it looks a little odd," Brom eyed his cloak. It was dark green and was made up of a thousand small facets that seemed to flow like water.
"What is it made of?" Arya stepped closer and Harry held his arm up. She touched the cloak and to her surprise it felt surprisingly smooth.
"Basilisk skin," Harry replied briefly.
Brom paled, while Arya let go of his cloak in shock and Orik fell down on his arse in surprise. Eragon looked confused at their reaction.
"Barzûl!" Orik cursed and rubbed his backside.
"What is a Basilisk?" Eragon questioned them curiously.
"The deadliest snake that ever roamed in Alagaёsia! Centuries ago, the Order made sure to hunt down every serpent until there were none left." Brom breathed out.
"Yes, they are dangerous. Every knurla is told about the basilisk. One look and you drop dead like a cold stone! I had nightmares about them when I was young," Orik exclaimed.
Orik was indignant at their looks. "They're scary stories for young dwarfs!"
"Where did you find one?" Arya asked with curiosity shining in her eyes.
"One was hidden in my old school," Harry explained.
Brom rubbed his forehead. "This will have to wait for later. Are you sure, this is enough?"
Harry nodded determinedly. "Even swords imbued with magic would have trouble."
Murtagh stepped forward and everyone's eyes turned to him.
"It is good to see you outside of your cell, Murtagh," Harry smiled. "Have they allowed to let you out?"
Murtagh nodded determined and glanced towards Brom. "I have Brom allowed to see my memories. People will still not trust me, but I will fight alongside Ajihad to show my worth."
"And they will once they see your skills with your sword as you slit the throats of our enemies. Any sword we can raise against oppression can bring about our freedom." Brom grunted and tightened the hold on his sword.
Meanwhile, Harry mentioned to Arya to accompany him.
Confused, Arya moved after him, to a secluded spot.
Harry took something out of his robe and held it towards Arya, who raised an eyebrow in response.
"What is that?" She looked at the stone. She did not recognize the symbol that was carved into the stone.
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"It's called a runestone. This is Kenaz, the rune of Loki, the god of fire. If you ever find yourself in a situation, where you need help, I want you to throw the stone towards your enemy."
"A god?" Arya's mouth turned down slightly.
Harry scratched his chin. "I think Loki was just a really powerful wizard, and over time people came to believe his abilities were similar to that of a god."
He clasped his hands beside his back. "I just find it easier to memorize the runes that way. Whether he really was a god or not never really bothered me."
That was something she could accept. She inspected the stone in her hand.
"How do I use it?"
"Place the rune between your hands and let your magic flow through the stone. If you are worthy, it will respond in kind," Harry explained.
Arya nodded and closed her eyes. She focused on where her magic was hiding.
"Take a deep breath and just focus on the flow of your magic. Imagine it flowing through your body, through your arms and hands," Harry told her quietly.
His words echoed within her and with a deep breath she broke the shield that was holding the magic from within her and let it flow through her.
The warmth of familiarity filled her being and she could feel her magic embrace the rune.
It was as if two wild animals were cautiously approaching each other. The rune reacted to her magic and drew her in, and she suddenly felt weak and helpless. Memories overwhelmed her as if she were back in her cell, when suddenly someone grabbed her arms and yanked her out of it.
Arya opened her eyes and gasped. Harry stood in front of her and held her up with both arms.
She gasped shakily and took a moment to recover.
"What was that?" she asked quietly.
Harry held her for another moment before he was sure she was standing strong enough.
"Not everyone can use runes. What you went through in Gil'ead has changed you deep inside," he said quietly. "I can't explain exactly how it works, but the runes have given you permission to use them. If we survive this battle, I'll teach you about the other runes if that is something you want," Harry answered calmly to her.
Arya took a moment to open her hand and saw the rune's light fade away, taking the warmth with it.
"I would like to learn it," Arya replied and her eyes focused on him. This was magic even Galbatorix didn't know. It might be the key to defeating him.
Harry nodded. "If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need help, throw the stone at your enemy and call the rune by its name."
"Is that everything to it?"
Harry shook his head. "No, you have to understand the concept behind it. Fire is one of the most well-known qualities that we know, which is why I am giving this to you. It gives us warmth and represents creation while at the same time it can destroy everything in mere moments. If you hadn't understood the concept of fire enough, nothing would have happened just now."
Arya understood what Harry was getting at. It took a lot of time for a magician to conjure up an object's true form. She had to fully understand the nature of the magic and the item before she could attempt to use it.
"Thank you, Harry."
Harry yawned exhausted.
"You don't have to thank me for that. I just want you to survive, that's all. And if you ignite Durza's hair with it, all the better," he smiled weakly.
"You should go to sleep. It may be your last chance to rest," Arya advised him, looking slightly worried.
Harry nodded in agreement. "Truth. I hope you will do the same. In the beginning Rune Magic will be really taxing for you. You should only use it if there is nothing else you can do."
Arya would have little trouble complying. She could still feel her exhaustion. She would grab something to eat and rest until the battle was at hand.
She glanced at him. "I would have thought you'd ask me to leave with the other women out of Farthen Dûr."
Harry snorted in response. "You easily beat me in our sword fight," he reminded her. "I would rather have you fight on my side than not at all."
He gazed into her eyes. They were such a mesmerizing green.
Her leather armor made her look ready for battle. Her black hair was braided in a plait over her shoulder. Harry's breath caught in his throat and a small spark ignited within him.
Arya regarded him intensely. "You are very different to the other men."
Harry chuckled amused. "I just view things in a different way. Besides I don't think anyone else has the right to fight in this battle like you do, especially if Durza should appear."
Arya's shoulders tensed.
"If there is anyone beside Brom that could kill him in a battle of swords, it will be you. Stay safe, Arya…," Harry said.
He turned around and left to get some more rest.
Arya kept staring after him, still clutching the small stone in her hand.
Harry woke up when someone shook him awake. He quickly opened his eyes, it was Arya.
"It has begun," Arya said with a sorrowful expression.
Harry stood quickly and made sure that his wand was with him. The familiar wood under his fingers calmed his pounding heart.
A scout emerged from one of the tunnels and reported to Jörmundur, who signaled the troops to stand by.
Arya stood beside him, her bow in hand.
"Will you fight by our side?" Harry asked.
Arya looked into the distance. "For now, yes. Nobody knows what will happen once the battle starts and where I will be needed."
Artemis lowered her head to meet Arya's eyes.
"I'm glad you're fighting by our side. My partner has a tendency to get himself into trouble."
Arya's eyes lit up as she saw Artemis in her full glory.
"I'll do my best," she promised.
Harry made a face. "I'm standing right next to you, just so you two know."
A small puff of smoke escaped from Artemis' nostrils as she snorted in amusement.
"How are you feeling, little one?"
"I'm nervous," Harry admitted after a moment's hesitation. "No matter how this fight ends, our lives will change."
Artemis gently nudged him with her snout. "Then we should do everything we can to shape our lives the way we want them to be."
Harry felt Artemis' confidence and affection for their bond, and Harry felt ready to face the coming battle.
Minutes passed and they saw nothing but darkness. Harry didn't notice anything, except that out of the corner of his eye he saw a familiar black cat scurrying through the ranks of soldiers.
Was that Solembum?
Then, in the distance, came the sound of a horn. A man shouted something, but Harry didn't hear him over the roar of the Urgals that were pouring out of the three tunnels. With shields raised and spears outstretched, they ran fearlessly towards the Varden.
At command, the pitch cauldrons were tipped on their sides, pouring the scalding liquid down into the tunnels darkness. Harry grimaced as the Urgals' screams of pain reached him. From afar, he watched as the first rows of Urgals died an agonizing death.
Harry flinched when a very loud screech rang through Farthen Dûr.
"Archers! Ready your bows!" Jörmundur shouted over the noise. The men followed his command and held their bows high, ready to strike.
He waited a moment to give the Urgals a chance to get closer to them.
"Fire!"
The archers began shooting arrows with fiery tips at their enemies. They lit the blazing oil and a line of fire erupted before their eyes. The hot flames grew, consuming every Urgal they reached.
"They are still getting through!" Gareth exclaimed next to him.
They stared together, wide-eyed, as the Urgals used their own fallen comrades to put down the flames. Their dead bodies smothered the flames and the Urgals trampled over their bodies to advance even further.
"It's like cutting off the head of a hydra," Harry muttered.
They swarmed out of the tunnels like insects, and for every single Urgal struck down by an arrow, two more appeared.
Arya drew an arrow with her bow. She released him and the arrow hissed through the air, hitting an Urgal square in the forehead.
He stared up with his dead eyes as another wave of arrows reached the Urgals.
Hundreds of arrows followed Arya's and killed the Urgals. But the number of Urgals seemed endless and the first Urgal archers positioned themselves. Black arrows rained down on them, but before they hit them, Harry drew his wand.
"Aresto Momentum!" Harry shouted.
He called on his magic and with a flick of his wand, the arrows stopped their fall. He made a circular motion and finally a thrusting motion. The arrows turned in the air and attacked those who unleashed them.
Momentarily foiled by the attack, the Urgals in front of him were milled with confusion.
Arya glanced at him with wide eyes, while the soldiers looked at him in astonishment.
Artemis stepped forward and let out a deafening roar, challenging their enemies.
The men around them cheered with them and rushed into the battle. Artemis leapt towards Harry and the two of them quickly made a zone for themselves. With jaws and talons, she tore through Urgals. Her teeth were as lethal as a sword. She swung her tail and the Urgals hit by it would not get up again.
On their left flank Arya and Gedwin fought, while Charles, Edward and Irene fought on his right. Edric stood behind them and extended every order he received from Jörmundur.
Harry cast a shield charm, to protect Artemis from a hammer blow of an Urgal chief. The Urgal stumbled backwards from the recoil and was quickly struck down by Arya's sword.
Arya was too late to notice the Urgal standing behind her with a raised axe.
"Glacius!" With a quick flick of his wand, the Urgal froze in his tracks as the cold took hold of his body.
Arya swirled around and she cut her sword in the monster's throat.
She pulled her sword out of the Urgal's throat and nodded gratefully at Harry.
"Harry, to your left!" Arya shouted over the noise.
Two Urgals broke through and were about to lash out at them when Harry suddenly saw a white, hot flame before his eyes. He could feel the raging heat on his face. The flames swirled around the Urgals and after a few seconds the fire died out and Artemis closed her jaw. The Urgals' bodies stood for one more moment and then fell backwards. They lay burned on the ground.
Harry just stared at Artemis in astonishment. "You breathed fire!" He could feel her happiness through their bond. She was clearly proud of herself to have achieved this.
Just then he saw a group of dwarves moving forward.
The dwarves were small, but they slaughtered any Urgal who got in their way.
Harry saw Eragon run through their fighting towards Saphira, who was surrounded by Urgals. Twelve spear-welding Urgals encircled her, needling her with their lances.
"Artemis!" Harry pointed towards Saphira, who quickly leapt in the air forwards. She landed behind the Urgals and breathed fire into their faces. Saphira seized the opportunity and slaughtered the rest with her claws and teeth.
Then he saw both dragons soar into the air. Artemis circled over the crowds and strapped on the Urgals from the air, spewing fire into their ranks. Saphira landed with Eragon behind the ranks of archers, and before they even noticed them, they too were slaughtered.
Meanwhile, Harry tried to keep up with the dwarves and Arya. The dwarves, motivated by defending their home, rushed at the Urgals like a man possessed. Arya sliced through the ranks of the Urgal with a deadly grace that made Harry stare in awe for a moment.
An Urgal charged at him, blade drawn, and Harry had no choice but to parry the blade with his sword. Sparks erupted as the swords clashed. But the Urgal was too strong and kept pushing the blade towards Harry's neck. Harry looked into the eyes of the beast and saw a glazed look.
Suddenly the Urgal froze and fell to the ground. Behind him stood Brom, who drew his weapon out from the Urgal's back.
Harry heaved the body away from him.
Brom extended his hand to him. "Thanks," Harry breathed.
"Be careful. We can't lose you," Brom said, and was about to walk away when Harry held him back by grabbed his arm.
"The Urgals are enchanted, someone is controlling them," Harry explained quickly.
"Are you certain?" Brom questioned him.
Harry nodded confidently. "I know spells similar to his. If we can find whoever controls them, we can put an end to this."
Brom's eyes twinkled in the darkness. "And the Urgals may turn on themselves... I'll have someone alert Ajihad. If this battle goes on too long, we'll be overrun."
Harry agreed with Brom. If the battle was prolonged, the Urgals would gain the upper hand. There simply were too many storming through the tunnels in Tronjheim.
Suddenly he felt movement under his shirt. He took out his moke-skin pouch and saw it wiggle violently.
"Stop it!" Harry nudged the pouch with his wand, and it stopped. He knew that they wanted to help him, but he did not want to get them injured.
"Harry!" Eragon shouted. "Hrothgar needs our help!"
Harry looked at the dwarves who were desperately fighting the Urgals.
He looked towards Irene, who was helping Edward, who was busy fighting an Urgal with bare hands. Edward rammed his massive body into the Urgal and Irene took the chance to decapitate him with her sword.
Gedwin joined him and gasped for breath. "Go! We can hold this!"
Artemis landed next to him, and Harry pulled herself up by her armor. With a powerful flap of her wings, she knocked over some Urgals, who were immediately knocked down by the Varden's arrows.
On the way to the dwarves, Harry saw Arya surrounded by Urgals.
Harry tapped Artemis on the shoulder and pointed at Arya. They landed in front of her, and Artemis's hot flames burned a number of Urgals.
"Get up!" Harry shouted. Arya didn't wait a moment and took Harry's outstretched hand. He pulled her onto Artemis' saddle and Artemis pushed herself off the ground again.
Arya slipped an arm around his waist.
"We have to help the dwarves," Arya called out from behind him. "Hrothgar is about to get overwhelmed."
She pointed to the army of dwarves that were slowly being pushed back towards Tronjheim by the Urgals.
Artemis flew over the two armies until they saw King Hrothgar. Clad in golden armor, the dwarf king stood in the forefront with a small group of warriors. To their right, Eragon and Saphira battled a sea of enemies.
Artemis let out a white flame and the Urgals flinched away. Harry and Arya took the opportunity and jumped down from their saddle. Artemis took off again and flew over the creatures. In moments, her claws tore through the monsters, killing dozens of Urgals.
Along with Arya, Harry drew his own sword and protected Saphira's left flank and cut down any Urgal who dared approach her.
Like practiced clockwork, he fought with Arya at his side. They swept through the Urgals like a storm as Harry dodged a spear.
A Kull approached Harry and challenged him. Harry showed him his sword and the Kull drew his axe. Sparks rained down between them as the weapons clashed. The Kull pulled his ax back and Harry tried to dodge it as he slipped onto the blood-covered ground.
He lost his balance and the ax swung at him when suddenly a hammer slammed into the side of the Kull's head. The Kull staggered and Harry took the opportunity to plunge his sword into the Kull's stomach.
"Bah," Baldr called. "That was close! Be careful Argetlam!" The dwarf picked up his hammer and rammed it into the knee of the nearest Urgal. In pain, the Urgal fell to the ground and Baldr shattered the skull with all his might.
Harry felt as though hours had passed. The blood of the Urgals clung to his sword and mingled with the blood of the fallen Varden soldiers. His arm was getting heavy from fighting.
He tried to use spells as much as he could, but as advanced and isolated as he was, an Urgal or two always managed to get close. They surrounded Harry like ants around their prey, attempting to overwhelm him with their sheer numbers.
Thankfully, he wasn't entirely alone, and Artemis appeared from above, breathing a wall of hot fire at the enemy ranks and slaughtering any Urgal that came across with her razor-sharp claws.
Harry wiped the sweat from his face and looked around. The three armies of the Varden were under varying degrees of pressure.
Ajihad's army was clearly gaining ground, while Jörmundur's, was barely gaining any.
Since they have come to Hrothgar's aid, they had revived somewhat and were regaining the lost ground.
Dodging an arrow, he waved his wand in a forward motion. Around him, spears rose and sizzled through the air at the enemy army.
Harry tried to ignore the screams of the Urgals but found it harder with every enemy he struck down.
Suddenly, Harry felt someone grab his arm and Harry was about to swing his sword at the person when he saw who it was.
It was Arya. Her green eyes were full of determination and strength.
"I will help Eragon collapse a tunnel. It sounds like the Urgals are trying to dig through the city," Arya told him.
Harry nodded worried. "Take care Arya. I get a bad feeling about this. Something is not right."
He told her about his suspicions from earlier that someone was controlling the Urgals.
"Your suspicions confirm what I have seen. The Urgals fight without their will. Someone commands them from the shadows. I have a feeling we know who it is."
"Eragon, stay back!" Arya demanded.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Eragon positioned to lunge at the shade.
The man was garbed entirely in black armor and looked directly at them. The shade carried his pale blade, marked with the scratch from Ajihad. A black round shield with a crimson ensign rested on his arm. Beside him stood Urgals, who judging by their size, were Kull.
Arya readied herself. She remembered everything the shade had done to her. He was the reason that she lost her best friends and had to endure everything in Gil'ead.
Durza looked at them contemptuously. He murmured something to the Urgals, who slowly circled them.
"So, my young elf, we meet again, only this time you have aid with you!" He looked at them one by one. His eyes fixed on Saphira, who was snarling dangerously at him.
"But someone is missing. I was looking forward to meeting him personally... You see, it was extremely embarrassing to report to the king that I had been robbed by a mere boy," Durza said calmy, his eyes dancing between Arya and Eragon.
Her knuckles were white from gripping her sword so tightly.
"But no matter... When I'm done with all of you, I'll find him and torment him so long that he will not even recognize his dragon again. After all dragon riders are immortal… just like elves," he smiled at Arya.
"He will be punished for all eternity, and I will enjoy every moment of it," Durza licked his lips eagerly.
He looked towards Arya. "I have been told that you are of no value to us anymore. It will be a pleasure to have him for myself and to test everything on him," he curled his tongue.
He must be talking about Harry.
She felt an unfamiliar rage rising inside her.
"No one will be captured by you! These halls of stone will be your death, shade!" She cried out in anger. Her eyes narrowed and filled with hatred.
"Kill her!" Durza snarled.
Her sword shone in the lights of Tronjheim. She dodged the Urgal's blade and charged at Durza.
The Shade drew his sword with both hands and raised it over his head at Arya. With a quick movement, she rolled onto her side and dodged the blade.
With a practiced move, Durza's sword buckled after her and Arya raised her weapon to defend herself. Red sparks flew between their swords.
Arya used her weight and shifted sideways.
The shade, surprised by her movement, was a moment too slow and Arya slashed forward with her sword.
Durza took a step back and raised his hand to his cheek. Black smoke dripped down from the cut Arya had inflicted on him.
Arya's eyes darted to Eragon, who was busy with the Urgals. She was on her own. Just like all the years she had traveled between the Varden and her people as an ambassador for the elves, before Fäolin and Glenwing joined her.
"I have to admit I'm a little surprised, but I still expected more from an elf," Durza taunted.
"Kill her," Durza barked at the nearest Urgal and stepped back.
An Urgal rushed towards her with an ax in his hands.
She ducked under the Urgal's axe, rolled forward, and stabbed him in the stomach with her sword. The Urgal cried out as dark blood spattered the ground and his body fell lifeless to the ground.
Arya looked up just to see the cut on Durza's cheek healing.
"You disappoint me!" A new voice yelled, and Arya saw a bolt of red-light whizz past behind Durza.
It caught Eragon and the sword was ripped from his hands. The cursed sword flew through the air and clattered to the ground far away.
Another flash and the remaining Urgals were splattered against the wall.
Arya tried to leap forward, but she suddenly couldn't move. Her body didn't obey her! The only thing she could do was move her eyes. She glanced over at Eragon and Saphira, who were also frozen.
Her wards were still active, but they were of no use to her.
She couldn't believe it! How was it possible for someone to tame a dragon with magic? Not even Durza should be capable of this... the only one who would be able to...
Her eyes grew wide. It could not be...he could not be here! Galbatorix has not left his castle for years. Why would he do it now?
The man stepped into the dim light of Tronjheim. He had fallen out dark hair and a long pale face with a large scar running down his face.
"Durza...Durza...can't you even defeat a mere elf?" He mocked in an oily voice.
Who was he? She had seen a fairth of Galbatorix, but it was not him.
Arya had never seen that man before, but she could feel his magic swirling through the air. She suppressed a shiver. His magic felt rotten and polluted.
"Shut up! I had everything under my control, Mage!" Durza seethed.
A red light flashed and Durza was down on the ground screaming.
She could not believe her eyes. What was happening?
"Do not call me a mage, you useless shit! I am a wizard! If it weren't for the king's lack of trust in me, I would have been the one to play with the elf! Your failure in Gil'ead has angered him greatly." The man's attention shifted towards her, and he leered at her.
Arya would have sliced his tongue off if she could've moved.
"I would have broken you in a matter of days, if the king hadn't trusted the wrong person!" He barked at Durza.
The man's gaze found hers. His eyes were dark, but even from a distance she could see the madness in them.
"He argued I was the mad one! That I couldn't hold myself back! Bullshit! I can restrain myself!" He raised a wand and pointed the piece of wood towards her.
"Crucio!"
She could not do anything as the red light erupted out of the wand and travelled through the air towards her.
The pain was intense, so all-consuming, that she no longer knew how much time passed… white-hot knives were piercing every inch of her skin. Her head felt like it would burst with pain; she was screaming more loudly that she'd ever screamed in her life.
Then it stopped and all she heard was laughter.
"Oh, that was beautiful! Maybe I will keep you," the man cackled.
"I would love to hear your voice scream until the last drop of your sanity is gone." The man shook his head disappointed. "But we didn't come for you, elf."
His eyes shifted to Eragon and Saphira. "No, we have come for you two."
"My new master will be pleased if I do him this service. A new age, with dragons and they will only serve us! A new golden age!" Shouted the stranger.
She had to do something. Her body was still shaking with pain and her sword was out of reach of her arms.
She could not allow the man to reach Eragon! After all these years… whoever Saphira chose, could not be captured! Everything would have been in vain.
Arya felt something rise up inside her. It felt foreign, yet familiar in a way.
It was a hum at first, but it grew louder and became a song.
She didn't know why, but the sound was warm and friendly. Warmth filled her bones and her body, while she was still weak, and her body stopped shaking.
Her magic concentrated, and in a surge of power, she willed everything away from her.
The Urgals, Durza, and the man were knocked off their feet and landed yards away.
Arya held her breath and stood up, panting. She had only used so much magic once before. It was when she sent Saphira's egg to Brom.
"IMPRESSIVE!" The wizard shouted, who was lying on the ground. His arm bent in an unnatural way.
He scrambled to his feet while Durza looked at her in surprise.
"I really wasn't expecting that! She did use our magic!" He said to Durza who only looked back at him in disgust.
"Jealous?" The man asked Durza gleefully. "If only you had been strong like her, the spirits would never have taken you over, would they?" The man laughed.
"One more word, and I will slice you in half!" Durza barked, to which the man simply giggled in response.
"Durza…you can't! Remember! The king ordered you to not kill me! I can annoy you all I want!"
He turned towards Arya, who was not able to move from her position.
"But I digress. I really am sorry for this," he raised his wand at her.
"You are too strong, you see. I'm sorry about this but I have to kill you," he said calmly.
"Don't feel treated unfairly. You were born as a nasty creature. I will put you out of your misery. You should be grateful."
His face twisted into an ugly sneer.
"Even if you can use our magic... your blood is not pure enough. You are disgusting," the man snarled.
The tip of his wand glowed green. "Avada Kedavra!"
A green bolt of light exploded out of his wand and whipped through the air.
Arya didn't know what the words meant, but she felt the magic and knew instinctively that, if the bolt would connect with her, she would die.
"This is it," she whispered, as even the time seemed to slow down.
She would never hear the rustling of the leaves in Ellesméra again. She'd never see her home again.
The green light filled her sight.
Ajihad surveyed the events with fierce eyes. The Urgals on his side were pushed back further and further and only a few were able to fight their way through to him.
A Kull approached him and Ajihad took a deep breath as he met the creature.
Facing a Kull was no easy feat, and few men dared face one in combat. But Ajihad knew he had no choice. If the leader of the Varden backed down from a fight, then they would have no chance of victory.
He braced himself as the Kull lifted his heavy sword over his head and aimed it at him with full force. But suddenly the Kull's eyes froze and the grip on his sword loosened and fell to the ground.
Ajihad looked past the Kull and saw the son of Morzan standing behind the beast, his sword pressed into the Kull's side. The Kull grunted as Murtagh drew the sword from his side.
With one last hateful glare, the Kull fell death to the ground.
"Your courage is truly remarkable. Not many would have dared to approach the Kull," Ajihad said.
Murtagh nodded, tired but grateful.
"I had a good teacher."
Ajihad nodded and beckoned a mage over. "We must advance now. Inform our men that we will advance on my call. Tell the twins I want to know about Hrothgar's position."
No sooner had Ajihad given his command than the mage closed his eyes and concentrated on his task.
Ajihad turned to Murtagh. His hair was soaked in dried blood and stuck to his head. "Enter the established safety zone, once you've been treated, you'll return. We'll be needing your sword again soon."
Murtagh shook his head. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry about a foresworn's son."
Ajihad's eyes sparkled in the dim light. "Do you really think that after everything you have done, the Varden will still see you as Morzan's son?" The leader of the Varden shook his head.
"If you genuinely think that way, then you're even less intelligent than I originally assumed."
Ajihad held up his sword and pointed to the three battles that were taking place.
"No one but Eragon expects you to stand here with us and risk your life for us. This is your decision to be here and there will come a day in your life when you realize that your life is worth living."
He grabbed Murtagh by the collar and face to face he told him, "You will now move to the safe zone. You will have a mage heal you. You will come back to me leading a group of soldiers. Do you understand this, Murtagh?"
Murtagh swallowed visibly and nodded slowly. Ajihad released him and warm eyes met Murtagh. "You are a good young man, Murtagh..."
Murtagh's eyes suddenly widened, and he yelled "Down!" He swept Ajihad with him to the ground.
The mage's eyes widened, and he fell dead to the ground as a black dagger poked out of his throat. Ajihad and Murtagh both looked up to see a glass vial flying over their heads. Black smoke exploded around them as the vial shattered on the floor.
Immediately, Ajihad and Murtagh found themselves back-to-back.
"Who...?" Ajihad got up and looked around. He saw no one around him. The darkness of the mist sucked in all light.
Suddenly something moved in the darkness and Ajihad raised his sword at just the right moment, blocking a sword attack.
A black figure revealed itself and Ajihad could see the face. Shock was written all over his face when he recognized the person.
"You!"
His attacker took advantage of this and drew a dagger.
With a quick movement the attacker rammed the dagger into Ajihad's chest.
Ajihad gripped his opponents hand and out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Murtagh being struck down by the Ra'zac.
His eyes twitched back and forth, when he tried to focus with all his losing strength on her gray cold eyes. He remembered one warm spring day when he first had met her. Brom had told him about her and that day onward, she became the Varden's spy and a good friend to him.
Her eyes then were filled with warmth. Now they were consumed with coldness.
"He told me you had died. B-Brom told me you were dead...Selena," Ajihad gasped and loosened the grip on her. The leader of the Varden fell to the ground and drew his last breath.
On the other side of the battlefield Harry struck down another Urgal, when he suddenly felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. His head jerked in the direction Arya and Eragon had gone and saw a bright green light that lit up Farthen Dûr.
He knew that light. It had cost him too many nightmares to ever forget it.
"Artemis!" Harry shouted and his partner landed in front of him. Her armor was covered with her enemy's blood.
He pulled himself up on her and they flew to where the green light appeared.
Harry just hoped they weren't too late.
With the last bit of her strength, Arya threw herself to the ground. Eyes wide, she watched as the beam buckled over her head and struck the lifeless body of the Urgal behind her.
"Oh? You keep surprising me," the wizard murmured, but then his eyes widened as he looked past her.
Arya tried to sit up, but her arms buckled, and she couldn't see what was happening behind her.
"Bombarda Maxima!" Someone screamed behind her. She knew the voice.
Arya looked up and saw a white beam of light approach the star sapphire, Isidar Mithrim. The chamber rang with a deafening thunder.
The star sapphire shattered in thousand pieces.
An expanding torus of huge dagger-like pieces plummeted toward the distant floor. In the center of the chamber, Artemis flew, surrounded by thousands of dagger-sized shards.
In the red light of the shattered sapphire, her scales glowed fiery red. On her back sat Harry: wind tousling his hair, arm outstretched, his wand glowing with white magic.
Arya watched, as Durza tilted his head towards the ceiling. First shock, then anger contorted on the Shade's face. Sneering defiantly, he raised his hand and pointed at Artemis, a word forming on his lips.
A hidden reserve of strength suddenly welled up inside her. Her fingers curled around the stone Harry had given her earlier and she did the only thing she could do. She threw the rune Harry had gifted her towards Durza.
"Kenaz!" She cried out, all her thoughts focused into a single one. To distract the shade.
Durza turned towards her and just before the stone reached him, he raised his hand, and it stopped in mid-air.
Just when she was about to give up hope, the stone began to glow, and a devasting fire erupted around it.
Green flames swirled like a wild inferno, encircling Durza. Meanwhile, Eragon, who could finally move, gathered his last strength, and charged at Durza, Arya's sword in his hand.
He lunged forward. And stabbed Durza in the heart.
Durza looked down in shock.
"NO!" Durza screamed. "He promised… he promised me," Durza rasped.
Suddenly an unearthly howl escaped his lips. His sword dropped from nerveless fingers. His skin became transparent, revealing swirling patterns of darkness beneath. He shrieked even louder as the darkness pulsated, splitting his skin.
With one last cry Durza was rent from head to toe, releasing the darkness, which separated into three entities who flew through Tronjheim's walls and out of Farthen Dûr.
Shards of the star sapphire fell on them, but at the last moment, an invisible dome appeared, and they were spared.
Arya tried to get up, but her left leg buckled, and she would have fallen if a pair of strong arms weren't holding her up. The smell of burned wood struck her nose.
She glanced through her hair, that had fallen in front of her face, and saw a striking pair of green eyes.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked with worry, holding her up as he leaned her against Artemis, who was standing behind them. The fragments of Isidar Mithrim rained down around them, shattering into a thousand pieces on the halls of Tronjheim.
"Yes," Arya rasped. Her voice raw from the screaming earlier.
"Harry Potter!" The man Screamed in excitement, as he rose from beneath a pile of broken shards. "I would recognize that voice anywhere! You filthy half-blood!"
"Harry you should flee," Arya muttered exhausted. "He is too dangerous."
Harry cupped her cheek in his hand and brushed the loose strands of hair out of her face.
"You did well, Arya. Let me take care of the rest." He glanced at her one last time and stepped away.
She tried to follow him, to hold him back, to warn him, but she no longer had the strength for it.
Arya could do nothing but watch as he walked to his opponent.
"Harry James Potter. I must be the luckiest man alive!" The man cheered. Harry knew that voice. He recognized the voice from the dozens of arguments he had with the Slytherins.
"I don't think I can agree with that, Theodore," Harry replied calmy. His boots crunched on the shards of the broken sapphire.
Nott gave him a broad grin. "So, you do remember me! That makes everything easier."
Nott had always been pale, but he looked like he hadn't seen the sun in years. The skin on his face was wrinkled and he looked like he had aged ten years.
Harry said nothing, as he saw Eragon move to his side, with the help of Saphira.
"Who is that? Do you know him?" Eragon questioned, while he was holding his ribs.
"Unfortunately, yes," Harry answered.
Eragon had taken the full brunt of Durza just as the spirits fled him. His lips were bloody, but his armor seemed to have protected him from further injury.
Nott just laughed crazily and danced around. "Potter! Potter! Potter is here! Master, he is here! He will be so happy- "
He could not finish his sentence, as he was occupied to dodge a spell, that Harry had send on his way.
"C'mon Harry! You can't do that! Where are your manners? Didn't your mother teach you anything?"
The man's laughter echoed through the silence. "Right! How could she teach you anything? I forgot! She was killed right in front of your eyes!"
Arya had to held her hands to her ears as Artemis roared in fury. She was sure, that Artemis would have jumped at him, but was surprised when she held herself back.
She had never seen Artemis this angry before.
Nott whistled and took a step backwards. "That one is quite scary!"
"Eragon," Harry murmured, without losing sight of his opponent. "Stay out of this, please."
Eragon gulped, but a nudge from Saphira restored his confidence. "I can help. I can still fight."
Harry frowned at him and lifted his finger to poke him between the rips. Eragon had to lean against Saphira in pain, who was snarling angrily at Harry.
"You can't help me with this. This is not your fight," Harry argued.
Eragon saw Harry's determined face and nodded reluctantly.
"So brave!" Nott chuckled. "He thinks he can beat me, Master!"
Harry rose an eyebrow at the man.
He'd never seen Nott like this before. The last time he saw him, he was nothing but a coward, running from the battle. But now his craziness was on par with Bellatrix.
What had happened to him?
Despite everything, he would not underestimate the man.
"You want to play, Potty? Let's see how well you can dance!" Nott roared.
A beam of white light erupted from Nott's wand and traveled towards Harry.
"Confringo!" Harry yelled.
His and Nott's spells clashed in midair. The air vibrated from the impact and the spells exploded in a shower of white sparks.
Nott swiped his wand upwards in a circle and send a bone-crusher at Harry.
He stood the ground and batted the spell straight into a wall. The wall where the spell hit was smoking, and a small crater within was visible.
"Is that all you got, Nott?" Harry taunted.
"We're not at Hogwarts Potter anymore, but I have to admit that you've gotten stronger," Nott chuckled in amusement. "But not strong enough to beat me! Fulgura!" Nott screamed.
Black bolts of lightning escaped from his wand, scorching the ground. They raced toward Harry, but he didn't sit idle.
With a circular motion of his wand to the ground, a shield of iron grew out of it. The lightning struck the shield and absorbed it with a deafening bang.
Dark smoke filled his vision. Whatever remained of the shield was nothing but a lump of molten iron.
Harry flicked his wand and transfigured a small snake made from the shards of the star sapphire.
"Attack him from behind," Harry hissed.
The snake bobbed her head up and down and disappeared before his eyes in a sea of red debris.
The spells and the previous battle were exhausting for Harry, and he didn't know how much longer he could withstand Nott's attack.
He hissed in pain as a cutting curse scratched him in the arm. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that his robe had ridden up over his arm during the duel.
Harry transfigured chunks of stone into lions that McGonagall would have been proud of.
The lions lunged forward, eager to sink their claws into their enemy.
Nott's wand whipped through the air and his transfigurations were pulverized.
Harry's exhaustion from the battle made his spells less accurate. His movement, caused by the pain in his arm, became careless and slowed him down. He could feel the blood trickling down his arm.
Gritting his teeth, Harry ignored the pain and twisted his wand in a circular motion.
The floor cracked and stones rose, twisting in the air.
The stones flew together and formed a spear. Harry held his wand arm high, mimicking the action of throwing a spear, and then thrust it forward. With a sweeping motion of his wand, the spear hurtled toward Nott.
Nott tried to destroy the spear with his curses, but Harry surrounded the spear with a moving shield. At the last moment Nott had to jump aside or the spear would have pierced him.
Nott laughed before suddenly crying out in pain. The snake Harry had sent on his way, had bitten Nott in his leg. Harry took the chance and swiftly cast a Diffindo towards his wand-arm.
"You, bastard!" Nott cried as he held his stump.
Blood was dripping down his arm. He bent down and grabbed his wand with his other remaining hand.
Harry shivered slightly as he suddenly felt foreign magic rise. He readied himself for whatever was coming, when all of a sudden, a pair of arms appeared out of the darkness and grabbed Nott from behind and pulled him towards the tunnel.
The Ra'zac were here with another person, who was shrouded in darkness. The larger one was holding a person over his shoulder, but Harry couldn't see who it was.
"No!" Nott screamed. "Let go of me, you beasts! I have to finish him! I have to do it! I was chosen! The dark lord couldn't do it, but I CAN do it!"
"We have done what we came for," the bigger Ra'zac hissed. The smaller one struck Nott in the temple and his eyes rolled up. His body went limp.
Their gazes turned towards him.
"Thiss will not be the lasst time we ssee each other, Wizard." The Ra'zac hissed at them and together they vanished into the darkness.
Knurla - Dwarf
Kull – Especially large Urgals