For Alagaesia: 33. Rotating wheels of life

Ten people stood around the dragon egg, each thinking hard about the kind of spell that would be laid on the egg. Eragon was among them and so was Arya. Murtagh's words rang clearly in Eragon's ears: "Don't touch the egg. You will die."

Eragon's mind raced through all the possible kinds of spells that someone as cruel and sadistic as Galbatorix would cast upon their most precious possession. Knowing Galbatorix, Eragon could guess that he will not only kill the person touching the egg without his permission, but also move the egg back to his treasury with energy from the person touching the egg. 'It would make the person weak and powerless. But it won't kill the person. So what trick would the usurper employ?', Eragon thought. He looked around him and saw that none in the group was anywhere near trying anything. Eragon sighed and thought more about Galbatorix. 'He likes to gloat about his achievements. He would like to do that to the thief too.', Eragon thought.

The last thought gave him an idea. 'What if Galbatorix made a spell to transport the thief with the egg to his palace? So that he could gloat to the weakened thief about his prowess and then kill the person.', Eragon's mind processed things in the new light. 'Yes. It sounds completely like Galbatorix. Weakening the potential enemy much before he faces the enemy face-to-face. That coward', Eragon decided.

"Arya?", Eragon called. She was in deep thought and didn't seem to hear him. "Arya..", Eragon ventured again hesitantly. Still she didn't respond. "Ar..", Eragon started forcefully but was cut-off by a very irritated Arya, "What?"

"I think I know what spell is on this egg", Eragon said. Everyone in the room: Islanzadi in the mirror, Nasuada, Orik, Orrin, Garzhvog, the council of elders and the elves turned their attention towards the two of them. Arya stood poised looking at him straight in the eye. Suddenly Eragon felt uncomfortable.

'What if I am wrong?', he asked Saphira.

'Don't worry, Eragon. Atleast you have an idea when the others are completely baffled.', Saphira replied trying to rise his confidence.

So Eragon explained his theory to the others. Spells were devised to specifically check for the enchantments Eragon mentioned. Eragon tried to use their counter-spell on the egg but was stopped by Blodhgarm who said that it was his duty as Eragon's guard to protect Eragon from any possible danger. When Eragon tried to protest, Arya said, "He speaks right, Eragon. Move away" Her tone had the same makings of Islanzadi's: it implied only one thing-obey me.

Eragon didn't want to back down because he felt responsible for the spell. If anything went wrong then he would blame only himself and none else. Further, he didn't want to be ordered around like a kid even if it was by Arya.

'She spoke of goodwill, little one. Further, I too don't want you to try this. I can't lose you again', Saphira said almost pleadingly. Unwillingly Eragon stepped back letting Blodhgarm take his place in front of the egg. The blue-fur covered elf, cast a few wards around himself to save him from severe damages. Eragon waited catching his breath, as Blodhgarm proceeded to place his right hand just inches away from the surface of the egg. If Blodhgarm was anxious, he didn't show it: his hand was as still as stone.

Then slowly, the elf started to recite the counter-spell. The room was completely silent except for the elf's chanting. Eragon waited for something to happen. But nothing ever happened. Not even when Blodhgarm finished the spell. But Eragon could feel it in the air surrounding the egg. It was noticeably lighter than before. The magic that permeated it was gone. At that moment he knew that they had succeeded. He knew that the spell put by Galbatorix over the egg was gone.

'So one problem around that little troublemaker is solved', Saphira commented happily. Eragon had to force down a chuckle at her words.

"Shurtugal was right about the spell. The enchantments are gone. The egg is safe to touch.", Blodhgarm announced in a tired voice which made Eragon doubt that there had been a little more to Galbatorix's spell than he and the others had given credit. He smiled at Blodhgarm as the elf moved away from the egg admiring the elf's self-control for the surface of the egg invited Eragon to touch it, once the enchantment was gone.

Eragon didn't resist the urging. He went forward and placed his hand on the egg. He marvelled at the egg's smooth surface. The egg was no different from Saphira's except that this egg was a dark shade of green whereas Saphira's had been blue. The white veins that ran through the egg's surface were as captivating as they had been on Saphira's. Eragon wondered how the egg could have survived thousands upon thousands of years without damaging even a little. He lifted the egg from the table where it lay and cradled it in his hands feeling the coolness of the glossy surface that encased a giant fire-breathing being.

Somebody called him from faraway. "Eragon!?" The sound of his name brought him back to reality. "Yes..", he said weakly. Arya came into his field of vision when he lifted his eyes from from the egg. She said, "We have to decide on what to do with the egg, Eragon. Place the egg at the centre of the table." She sounded kind and looked like she too wanted to touch the egg, but obviously her self-control was much more stronger than Eragon's because she moved away soon.

Eragon slowly walked towards the table at which the leaders were assembled, the egg held softly in his hands. He placed the egg cautiously on the table as if it would break at the slightest touch although in truth the egg could withstand anything that a rock could.

Then he took his place on the table in between Nasuada and Arya. Orik sat to the left of Nasuada and Orrin was seated next to him. Garzhvog had his seat next to the King of Surda. The council of elders were seated next to Arya on the right hand side of Nasuada. A mirror was placed opposite to Nasuada and the Elven Queen Islanzadi was in it seated on a beautiful throne. Eragon was baffled about how the elves could have got  such a beautiful throne in a place like Gil'ead. Then he realised that they had had more than fifty days to take over the administration of the city and knowing the elves he was sure that the city would now be dazzling in its beauty.

Eragon bowed to the elven queen and initiated the customary elven greeting. The queen followed suit completing the greeting.

"The elven nation is happy to know that you are well, Eragon-finiarel", Islanzadi said in the ancient language. Eragon smiled a little and said, "Thank you for your concern, my queen. It means much to me and Saphira." Saphira nodded her head slightly in approval of Eragon's words.

"And I wanted to convey the acceptance of the elven nation of your appointment as the lead rider of Alagaesia. We are proud to say that it was our beloved Princess who nominated you to the post which has been vacant since the death of Oromis.", the Queen said in a stiff formal tone.

There were silent gasps of surprise among the people gathered around the table. Eragon pretended not to hear any of them, all the while, focussing his eyes on the elven queen. He nodded at her once and said, "Thank you, your majesty" in the same formal tone that the queen used. The queen smiled sadly and said, "It is a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, Eragon-vodhr. You have done very well till now." Eragon nodded his head again but this time, he couldn't find any word to convey his gratitude to the elven queen and from the queen's demeanor, he could say that she didn't expect any response for her compliments.

"When the riders return you will be a worthy leader", the queen concluded in an even sadder tone which showed how much the elves regretted letting the dragons down.

After a period of silence in which everybody in the room focussed either on the egg or on Eragon-which he felt highly uncomfortable-the elven queen said, "Let us now concentrate on that for which this meeting is being held"

That brought all of them back to the right mood: discussing about the future of the dragon egg. For Eragon and Saphira, the decision was as straightforward as it was possible: Follow Brom's agreement made for Saphira's egg. The training part was the trickier one because if the rider happened to be a human, the training could be psychologically easy on Eragon whereas the rider may take years upon years to be ready to fight strong enemies like Murtagh or Galbatorix. But if the rider were an elf, the training could be hard for both Eragon and the new rider because the elvish rider who would obviously be older than Eragon would never accept him as the teacher although the rider may get ready to fight against Murtagh or Galbatorix much faster than the human. Not to mention the various other problems that would arise. Eragon decided not to think of the training till the egg hatched which seemed to him, a rather futile prospect considering the fact that Saphira took 15 years to hatch and even then it was just chance that she happened to come to him. Further the green egg had gone without hatching for nigh on 5000 years looking for 'the one'.

Nasuada cleared her throat to speak. Eragon left his musings back and concentrated on what the leader of the Varden had to say.

"Honoured queen of the elven realms, Respected King Orik of the Dwarves, King Orrin of Surda and Lords and ladies, I am honoured to have you all here for this meeting. It might just be the most important meeting of our lives. The decision we come to at the end of this meeting will mean the difference between victory or defeat for us in the war against the tyrant king Galbatorix. Hence, as the coordinator of this meeting, I request all of you to make careful and thought out decisions.", Nasuada said commencing the meeting formally. After a brief pause she continued, "This dragon egg symbolises a new hope for all of us. The way it is to be handled will have far reaching consequences, even stronger than when Saphira's egg was brought to the Varden, now that we are so close to the end of this century-long war."

Nasuada looked around at everyone once and sat back on her chair. Everyone in the room were quiet for a while although Eragon could sense the general agreement to Nasuada's words.

"What do you propose to do?", Orrin asked pointing at Nasuada.

"I was hoping that there would be a solution put forward by Saphira or Eragon because they have the ultimate claim over the dragon egg.", Nasuada said looking expectantly at Eragon. Orrin nodded thoughtfully. Before Eragon could so much as utter a response, somebody from the council of elders said, "You are too presumptuous, Lady Nasuada. I wouldn't say such words without thought like you" It was Falbred.

Nasuada sighed irritated. Orrin looked interested. Orik wasn't even listening to Falbred's words. Arya and Islanzadi as usual held their expression unchanged and never let their thoughts out. But Eragon could sense the general agreement that passed among the members of the council of elders for the words of Falbred. Only Jormundur looked uneasy and it seemed he wasn't ready to take sides in this conversation. Eragon himself was irritated at the words of Falbred. Anger was the only response from Saphira. 'How dare he say, I have no claim over the egg. I am the last of my race and that egg holds the last remaining bodily living member of my race besides me. How dare he?', she fumed to Eragon.

'Patience Saphira. He knows not of what he speaks. He is only trying to stay relevant in the changing scape of power among the Varden.', Said Eragon trying to soothe her.

'Just tell he is power-hungry. I can see that. He is no better than Galbatorix.', Saphira replied bluntly and continued more to herself than to Eragon, 'Playing with an entire race just to get power.' Eragon wanted to accept her words but he remembered the need to keep Saphira's temper under control and said, 'We need to play the game of politics patiently Saphira. You were the one who said me this first, remember?'

'Politics? Is my race's existence, a political problem to you?', Saphira said and growled at Eragon.

'You know I didn't mean it that way.', Eragon said. 'I know', Saphira said and moved her head a little away from Eragon and placed  herself exactly in the middle of Arya and Eragon. Arya turned to look at Saphira.

"Know your place, Falbred. I spoke nothing without thinking. You are placing your foot in dangerous waters. My father always respected your words. So do I. But that doesn't mean you can talk ill and escape the wrath of our other allies.", Nasuada's words rang through the place breaking the silence that had settled over the place. Eragon could see Arya loosening up a bit from her stiff posture. He wouldn't have noticed it if he didn't know her as as well as he did and he was sure none else noticed it.

Falbred paled in fear at the implications of Nasuada's words. He eyed Saphira nervously and reverted to examining his fingers. Orik banged his hand on the table and said, "I would suggest that the best solution is to do as we did with Saphira's egg. But the ultimate decision lies with Saphira. As Nasuada said, she is the only one who has claim over this egg."

"Do you want to put all our fates to the decision of Saphira? I want to choose my own future.", Sabrae from the council of elders intervened. Saphira who had calmed down a little commented to Eragon lazily, 'Like she would stand and fight against the dark king when the time comes protecting all of us like a mother' Eragon stifled the loud laughter that threatened to break in at the comment. He noticed that Arya was echoing him, trying to suppress a smile. Eragon realised that Saphira had spoken to Arya too.

'Eragon.', Saphira sounded serious. 'Tell them that I wish Arya to be the courier to the egg and do as she did with my egg'

'Have you spoken to Arya about it?', Eragon asked.

'No. But she will take it. I know her.' Eragon considered it himself. He realised that it was the most simple and effective solution to the potential problem and he knew with all his heart that it was the best one too. 'Who could I trust the egg with if not Arya?'

Eragon noticed that the council of elders were discussing among themselves in hushed voices. He knew they would try to use this opportunity to win back their position as the 'supreme beings' of the Varden. He didn't want that to happen. Because they would never think about the good of anyone else when they were after power. He didn't want them to reach any decision and announce it first, jeopardising the hard earned peace among the enemies of Galbatorix. So he decided to announce Saphira's decision.

Eragon stood calmly and eyed everyone casually. Gradually, everyone's attention turned towards him. He waited till the members of the council of elders paid full attention to him. Then he said, "Lady Nasuada and King Orik have indicated that they would accept Saphira's judgement in this matter. I would like to know if the elven queen, the King of Surda and the Urgals support this view too." He paused to let any of them provide their views. Orrin nodded his head and said, "I do."

Islanzadi and Garzhvog indicated their acceptance too. "I am glad that the Varden, Surda, Elves, Dwarves and the Urgals are united in their stand. Saphira and I believe that we have to follow the agreement that my father, Brom helped in reaching."

Eragon paused and looked at the others to see if they accepted the decision. Garzhvog was first to respond, "Aye, Firesword. Flametongue and you have made the best decision"

"Thank you, Nar Garzhvog", Eragon said. "A fair decision, Eragon-vodhr. We will support it.", Islanzadi said. All others including the council of elders nodded their agreement to the proposal.

Eragon let out a breath of relief and continued, "I am so happy that all of you have agreed to Saphira's decision despite your doubts. Believe me, this is the best possible solution for the problem without disturbing the peace among us." He paused for a while letting his words sink in and then said, "Saphira also wishes the elven ambassador to the Varden, Arya to continue her duty as the egg-courier. I would like to extend our help to Arya whenever she requires it if she decides to accept Saphira's request"

Eragon looked expectantly at Arya. But Arya was already speaking with Saphira and their conversation was blocked from him. After a few moments, Arya turned to him and said, "I do accept"

"Arya!! Think twice before you accept", Islanzadi said in the ancient language. Nasuada and Orik who already knew of Arya's heritage put their heads in other directions not wanting to interrupt the mother's argument with the daughter. But the others looked intently at the pair of them like the queen and Arya were planning something against them.

"I have made my decision, my queen. I will do as Saphira wishes.", Arya answered in the ancient language to the queen.

There was a sudden disturbance among the council of elders. 'Oh, what have they got now?', Eragon thought irritated. He was losing his patience with the entirely useless, self-centric thoughts of the council. Falbred stood again and said, "This egg is Varden property. We can't allow it to be taken away without our knowledge and permission."

Eragon sighed, 'There they are again', he thought. Saphira echoed his mental state. The resistance, the council of elders were putting up started looking like some joke to them now.

"The egg is nobody's property. The only one who has any kind of claim over it is Saphira", Arya said surprising Eragon. She usually kept to herself during such meetings speaking only when called to do so.

"You have no right to speak about it, ambassador. You were the one who lost Saphira's egg. We are not ready to lose this egg too.", Umerth of the council of elders spoke. Arya didn't give him any reply. But her eyes took on a listless look. It was not the same look when she keeps her emotions hidden. It was a pained look of acceptance of defeat.

Eragon couldn't believe his own eyes. All he wanted was to place Brisingr's tip at Umerth's neck and make him beg for forgiveness to Arya. His hands trembled in anger but he restrained himself from doing something that will earn him the distrust of the Varden because he knew however thick-headed the council of elders were, the people respected them. But the expression in Arya's eyes was too much to bear. He wanted to shred the stupid, Umerth to pieces for making that look come across Arya's face. So he took his eyes off Arya's face. He looked at the elven queen. She was in almost the same state as him: fuming yet doing nothing.

Umerth's face had a victorious look. The faces of Falbred, Sabrae and Elessari echoed his. Eragon ground his teeth in anger but did nothing still. The room had become unnaturally calm and still in the few seconds since Umerth's words. It was then that a loud creak was heard: the breaking of window and Saphira pounced towards the unsuspecting Umerth pinning him to the ground.

She shouted at Umerth with her mind, her anger breaking any semblance of mental defence that he had, 'Ask for Arya's pardon, you fool!! It was you, the council of elders that appointed the traitorous twins who gave away Arya's location. Do you even know what she had to go through for SAVING me? Do you know how much she suffered to keep your location, a secret? If you had but seen Durza's face, you would have spit out all that he asked of you. If not for her, you will now be slaves of Galbatorix. Do you even know who she is?'

"Saphira...", Arya's calm voice called. Hearing Arya's warning, Saphira let go of Umerth and snarled at the members of the council. She backed off from the centre of the room and resumed her earlier position to the side of Eragon. Eragon put his hand on Saphira's neck and looked around the room proudly. The council members were shaken and he didn't find anything out of normal in it. Who wouldn't be shaken up if a dragon decides to threaten you?

"Does everyone support the notion of Arya being the egg-courier?", he asked holding back his smirk at seeing the council members.

"I do", Garzhvog and Orik said in unison. It was strange to see a dwarf and Urgal on perfect understanding, but Garzhvog and Orik were wise and could see beyond their hatred to work together. Nasuada and Orrin followed suit and Eragon handed over the egg to Arya. Islanzadi said nothing when he looked at her. She just nodded her head and bade farewell to the other leaders. Soon she was gone. None from the council of elders spoke anything. Jormundur came forward to Eragon and said, "I beg your pardon Eragon on behalf of the council for our misunderstanding"

"There is nothing for me to forgive, Jormundur.", Eragon said and looked in the direction of Arya. Jormundur understood the implication and went to Arya and said, "Please forgive the council for remarking about you without thinking"

Arya nodded her head in acceptance of his words and said, "It is fine, Jormundur. We have worked together for nearly thirty years afterall."

Arya didn't wait for the meeting to be over formally. She excused herself saying she had things to do for the safety of the egg and went away. Eragon wanted to follow her right at the instant she went out. He knew that she would want to be left alone. But he wanted to be with her at this time. The look of defeat and utter dismay that had been on Arya's face just minutes ago wasn't something he had thought to be a part of her in the two-three years he had known her. That look said only these things to him: assure her that she did nothing wrong; comfort her; be with her.

Eragon thanked all who had attended the meeting on his call as fast as he could. As soon as the meeting was over, he called Saphira, 'Saphira..?'

'Go to her. She needs you now.', was the only reply Saphira gave him. But he understood what she meant perfectly.

'Could you look for her? I don't think she would have returned to her quarters.', Eragon asked Saphira.

'She would want to be alone.', Saphira said. Eragon knew that all too well. He also knew that Arya would leave the hussle of the city for the calm of the forests surrounding the city on the western end.

Eragon made for the forests outside the town bordering the Leona lake, his mind kept open so as to find where Arya was. After about a half-hour search when he sensed only wild animals and trees and when he was about to give up, thinking Arya wasn't in the forest atall, he sensed her. She was sitting on the branches of a huge oak tree that grew just along the shore of the Leona lake looking at the brilliant reflections the sun made on the lake's surface.

Eragon suddenly felt heitant. It looked to him as if he was intruding in her private affairs. But he decidedly pushed away the notion. 'Let her vent all the anger she has on me. Whatever she does, I will be there for her', he thought and climbed the tree with nimble and sure footing. In seconds, he was by Arya's side. He couldn't bring himself to tell anything to her. She turned to see him once and then turned away towards the lake. Eragon could still see it in her eyes: the pained look of defeat. He was angry on each and everyone who had caused her that pain and he wanted to comfort her. But he didn't know how. He was afraid that Arya might take his actions in the wrong way.

"He was right, you know", Arya said unexpectedly. Eragon turned around to look at her. But she was still gazing at the lake. He knew not what to tell her and so he kept looking at her. "I did lose Saphira's egg", Arya said after a while still having her eyes fixed on the lake. But her voice betrayed her: she was guilty.

"No, Arya. You did not. Nothing of it was your mistake", Eragon said. But she didn't seem to hear him.

"I didn't foresee it coming. I was careless.", Arya went on.

"Arya, please!!", Eragon said, "look at me" She turned to look him in the face. Her eyes were glazed with tears.

"If I were there in your place, Arya, I would have failed. You lost your best friend for this, yet you never gave up. It was wyrda, Arya. Remember? You were the one who told me that it plays in our life in the most cruel ways." A single tear fell from her eyes. He wanted to make her happy. He wanted to see her laugh; not cry.

"And look what Wyrda has done to you. You are left to suffer fools like me because of that night" That made her smile. It wasn't a full smile though, just an upward curl of her lips; but Ergon was glad that he could atleast help that much. Arya returned to gazing at the lights playing in the lake.

After a period of silence in which Eragon too had taken to enjoying the silvery light-play of the lake and the sun, Arya said, "Please thank Saphira for me. It was nice of her to stand up for me"

Eragon turned to see her. She was fixated on the lake. He kept gazing at her beautiful face for sometime and said, "You know, you don't have to thank us for anything" His voice held a soft edge, that which threatened to occur whenever he spoke to her, but which he resolutely hid always. Her eyes met his and he felt as if he would be lost forever in their depths and she said in a whisper, "Please Eragon..." But she stopped herself abruptly and said, yet again staring at the lake, "We have lingered here long, Eragon. You have to rest. Thank you for coming". Then she climbed down the tree gracefully.

Eragon stared at her for a while and got down from the tree himself and joined her. They walked towards the city in silence. Eragon was glad that he was of some help to her although he didn't understand why their talk was ended so abruptly. He still didn't understand Arya completely.

Author's Note:

Hmmm, So there they are again.... Trying as hard as possible to deny the fact... Well, Arya is egg-courier again. And the council of elders, grrr... Power-hungry.