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Disclaimer: I do not own The Inheritance Cycle. I only own the OC Michael/Ancalagon.
Nobody really talked that night in Ancalagon's cave. Saphira volunteered to hunt for Garrow but Ancalagon declined politely for a kill himself, having already ate enough that he'd be fine for the next few days without food. He went about gathering wood and dug a pit for the fire which was burning when Saphira returned from her hunt. At the sight of Ancalagon adding more fire, she had a wistful expression briefly then busied herself with her own meal.
After Ancalagon had helped skin the doe meant for Garrow, then devoured what was left since it would just be a waste, the black dragon laid down and watched his companions, able to tell they had a lot on their minds.
Garrow might be trying to already plan on how to rebuild on his own with Eragon having to leave and Roran working in another town. Saphira could be trying to grasp the fact she was no longer the only dragon and the fact the man her Rider saw as a father was actually still alive.
Ancalagon's thoughts were chaotic right now. Did I do the right thing? He privately thought to himself, his gaze turning to stare into the campfire. Saving Garrow has all but destroyed Eragon's reasoning for pursuing the Ra'zac. Except, right now he still thinks Garrow is dead, but I intend to show that is not the case. Would he still pursue the Ra'zac? Or maybe I can stress the need for him and Saphira to leave, that Galbatorix may send his forces to the village and destroy it in search of them. I refuse to allow innocents to be harmed.
He lifted his head and stretched his mind to Saphira's, the dragoness lifting her head from cleaning her claws when feeling his presence in her mind and her sapphire-blue eyes turned to him.
Yes? She asked curiously.
I need you to keep the truth about myself and Garrow from everyone, including your Rider. Ancalagon said simply.
Saphira's head jerked back a little, appalled at his request. What? Why would I do that? Eragon's uncle is alive! My Rider believes he is dead and you-
We will reveal ourselves when you and your Rider leave. Ancalagon cut in strongly, his gaze turning slightly hard and firm, his tone brokering no argument. As I said, it's not safe here for you both anymore. Eragon will leave, with peace of mind, knowing his uncle is alive and well.
Saphira was silent, staring at the male dragon for a moment before she looked away, contemplating. Finally, after a minute, she huffed and looked back at him. Very well. But if you don't hold to your word, I will hunt you down myself
Ancalagon couldn't help but chuckle. That's fine with me. He laid down, curling his long tail around him and closing his eyes. Goodnight Saphira.
...Goodnight, Ancalagon. Came the soft reply as Saphira laid down and started to drift off to sleep herself.
It took two days for Eragon to wake up from his fever. During that time Saphira got to know Garrow, He shared stories about her Rider growing up and when she wasn't paying attention, Ancalagon shared his coveted baby Saphira memories he memorized during his watch. One such memory was when she chased a squirrel up a tree and onto a branch that was able to support the rodent but not her, dumping her into a snow drift. The male dragon and the old man stifled their laughs while Saphira looked back and forth between them in confusion.
Approaching the edge of the cliff his cave was located on, Ancalagon watched as Horst, his sons, the tanner, Sloan, who made both Ancalagon and Saphira growl for different reasons, and Morn trek out to the farm and looked it over.
I must go. Saphira said as she came to join Ancalagon on the ledge, the black dragon having been watching the village on the second day. Eragon is planning on leaving, to pursue the beasts.
Go. We will meet again soon. Ancalagon said, only to see an uncertain look on her face. Trust me.
You better. Saphira warned before she took off into the air, Ancalagon watching her go as Garrow came out to join him.
"She trying to make you cave to her whims already?" The old man asked teasingly, getting a snort from the dragon next to him.
Don't push it.
That evening, Ancalagon watched as Eragon snuck around the village, taking some hides from the tannery which got a grunt of disapproval from Garrow. Ancalagon said he'd hunt for a deer and a bear to replace those. Then, Brom met up with Eragon and talked with him, the conversation going the same way it did in the book no doubt. Then they made their way to the farm where they met up with Saphira.
Two days passed. On the morning in which they'd be leaving, dawn was gray and overcast with a cutting wind. Ancalagon and Garrow were up early, and started preparing to leave. As they did, Ancalagon took one glance around the cave, the place that had been his home for the past month or two. Long has he adjusted to being a dragon, though he was still human at heart. He was going to miss this cave, miss the view of staring out so high up even though he can do that while flying. But nothing beats the view like standing on the edge of a cliff, able to see vast forests, a village, river streams, clearings, and parts of the mountains that make the Spine.
"Ready?" Garrow asked as he came to stand next to the black dragon, who looked down at him and snorted in reply.
Come. Ancalagon offered his right paw and Garrow sat down on it, Ancalagon curling his talons but being careful not to harm the human in his grip. He jumped off the edge and spread his wings, flying into the air and in the direction he could smell Saphira's scent.
"I never got to say... but thank you!" Garrow shouted over the roaring wind. "You saved my life when you didn't need to. Know that I'm in your debt."
You being alive is enough of a debt paid, you owe me nothing. Ancalagon said calmly. I wasn't going to sit by and allow an innocent man to die at the hands of filthy beasts who serve a King who is too much of a coward to handle things himself.
Garropw grunted. "If you were human and the soldiers heard you say that, they'd flay you alive."
I'd like to see them try. Ancalagon growled challengingly at the thought.
As he flew close to where he knew Eragon, Brom and Saphira were, Ancalagon silently connected with Saphira and told her of his arrival. She responded back, telling him she thought he wouldn't keep his word for a moment there. Ancalagon just snorted in response as he circled the air, spotting the two humans returning to gaze at the farm. Taking that as his cue, Ancalahon let out a medium roar that was sure to gain Eragon and Brom's attention, which it did as their gazes snapped up to the sky and they watched in shock as Ancalagon came in for a landing, wings spread in an intimidating manner, head raised proudly. He kept Garrow hidden though.
"Shuriken!" Brom exclaimed, grabbing his sword. "Eragon, stay back! That's the King's dragon!"
Ancalagon growled in furious rage at being mistaken for the only other black-scaled dragon in the land, though he did slightly understand the confusion but he looked far different than Shuriken. Shuriken didn't look as badass or intimidating as Smaug, and Ancalagon looked like Smaug but with four legs and black scales. He levelled Brom with a furious glare, draconic lips curling to reveal his sharp teeth.
If you wish to keep you flesh on your bones, you will never compare me to that pathetic, twisted excuse for a dragon. Ancalagon warned threateningly. Just then, Saphira came in for a landing, which brought some relief and worry to Eragon and Brom... until Saphira spoke.
You're late. She huffed.
Unable to help himself, Ancalagon responded with. A dragon is never late, my dear Saphira. Nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to. He snapped his attention back to Eragon and Brom when he felt a presence try to enter his mind, and he had a feeling he knew who. Don't you know it's rude to enter one's mind without asking, old man?
Brom scowled. "Even if you aren't the King's dragon, how do we know that you're telling the truth?"
Silently, Ancalagon lowered his arm and revealed Garrow to them. "Am I proof enough, you crazy fool?"
Ancalagon will admit... he was quite enjoying the look of shock on Brom's face. He noticed the old man narrow his eyes and mutter a few near inaudible ancient words. Eventually Brom stopped and seemed to relax though he kept his eyes on the black dragon, who snorted and shook his head, stubborn fool.
Eragon had rushed Garrow and embraced him with tears and I noticed how Brom avoided looking, playing off the hurt in his eyes as giving them privacy. They decided to travel a bit further into the woods, Ancalagon went off to hunt and came back with a buck in his mouth, dropping it before the humans. Garrow, Eragon, and Brom worked to clean and carve it. After they ate around the campfire, courtesy of Ancalagon, did Eragon come clean with his uncle. He officially introduced Saphira then got his lecture about keeping secrets and for stealing where he learned they watched him do it. Brom stayed out of it, instead his gaze never left Ancalagon and followed his every movement.
Ancalagin simply stared back and narrowed his eyes, briefly snorting a spark of fire from his nostrils before he laid his head down when Saphira came over and laid down next to him.
Thank you. She said softly to him, causing Ancalagon to tilt his head in confusion. A weight has been lifted from my Rider's shoulders upon seeing his uncle is alive and well, and I can say the same on my end. If it wasn't for you-
No need for thanks. I couldn't allow an innocent man to die. Ancalagon said and went to lay his head back down when something unexpected happened.
But still... Saphira leaned forward and nuzzled his cheek with her own for a second or two before pulling away. Thank you.
Ancalagon stiffened at her action, watching as she got to her feet and went back over to her Rider's side. Was that what I think it was? He asked himself. If the stories he'd read about dragon relationships on the fanfiction site were correct, that was a sign of affection. That meant that she liked him, which was too much for him to handle. After all, he was still a human at heart, despite his new body's rather convincing arguments, and they met like two days ago!
The male dragon shook his head and laid down to get some sleep.
The next morning, ANcalagon went off hunting early and managed to secure three deers, one for himself, one for Saphira, and the other as 'proof' of Garrow being out hunting when the Ra'zac destroyed his home. It was better than him just walking into town and saying a dragon had saved him. Garrow had agreed with him when Ancalagon brought the matter up.
The hunt proved successful for Ancalagon and he arrived with three dead deer, two clutched in his paws, the other in his mouth. One had it's throat slit, and a puncture mark that was bleeding. When his companions saw this, Eragon questioned him about it.
If Garrow is to return with a dead deer, there needs to be signs that he hunted this deer. So, he shot it with an arrow and ended it's suffering with a knife across the throat. Ancalagon said, nudging the other deer, a doe, over to Saphira who gave him a hum in thanks before she dug into her breakfast.
Once everyone was ready, they returned to the path. Eragon and his uncle shared a goodby with Garrow giving his blessing, telling him how proud he was and that he wouldn't hold it against his nephew.
They went with him until they got close to the village, then he took the deer on his shoulders, waved to them and set on down his path. The group of now four turned and left, Ancalagon taking off into the air and he was soon joined by Saphira, who proceeded to demonstrate her skill in the air by doing spins, rolls, and dives through the air and it was quite the sight. Occasionally she'd show off, darting towards Ancalagon, rolling back onto herself before they connected then swooping up under him then looping back over his back.
Ancalagon chuckled. Show off...
And that's it for this chapter. I know, six chapters in and we're just starting with the journey. But hey, I wasn't going to timeskip over Ancalagon's time in Carvahall. Gotta remember, he arrived just before Eragon found Saphira's egg. In the original version, he arrived on the day Saphira took Eragon back to his farm to save Garrow.
I tried to make Garrow showing himself to Eragon believable... well, as believable as I could. It was better than just having him come out of the woods and say "Hello Eragon, I'm not dead."