#umaroth inheritance cycle

[everythingloveandanimated]

Throwing this into the ether:

Soooo…. Umaroth said that the Eldunarya have watched Murtagh and Thorn for a long time. watched them.

I’m guessing they had three reasons they couldn’t intervene much in Murtagh’s life.

1) The last time they tried to touch someone’s mind, the egg thief freaked out and botched his mission.

2) Murtagh’s proximity to Galbatorix was a problem. They couldn’t do anything to make Galbatorix aware of their presence. Especially after he was rooting around in Murtagh’s mind baring all his secrets.

3) Murtagh’s own mental barriers which were a result/product of the cut throat court he grew up in.

I’m torn between hoping that Murtagh never finds out how they pulled strings for Eragon’s journey and seemingly did nothing to help Murtagh and Thorn, and hoping that he does. (“He was just a baby and you abandoned him to be tortured by a madman!” -Murtagh most likely)

If he does find out it would make for delicious and tense angst and be another hurdle the brothers have to overcome in their relationship. Mostly on Murtagh’s side since he’s the grumpy resentful one. Not to mention, it’s one more thing for him to reconcile. Did the Eldunarya write him off because of who his father is? Or were they playing the hide but subtly help card but due to Murtagh’s upbringing they couldn’t help only observe. In which case, he gets it. Self preservation and Galbatorix would have LOVED to have conquered the other Eldunarya. But on the other hand, what the hell guys??

Anyyyyyway… just one more question on the list of things that are KILLING ME because we have to wait three years minimum for a new story to come out!

[thearunadragon]

Eragon being chosen by the Eldunarí to do some slaying stuff like-

This has been inspired by some dragon rocks and this image:

[glbtrx]

Chapters: 8/? Fandom: The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Galbatorix (Inheritance Cycle), Morzan (Inheritance Cycle), Selena (Inheritance Cycle), Brom (Inheritance Cycle), Oromis Thrándurin, Isleen Summary:

A small collection of short moments where different characters saw their future through objects. The magic of Alagaësia is everywhere after all.

[umunschaas]

Something I wrote because of a random idea. This was supposed to be a short oneshot... second chapter will hopefully be done soon, and not be as long ._."

The one that Time forgot (10298 words) by SirBananadragon Chapters: 1/2 Fandom: The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Other Relationship Tags to Be Added Characters: Galbatorix (Inheritance Cycle), Umaroth (Inheritance Cycle), Eragon Shadeslayer, Saphira (Inheritance Cycle), Morzan (Inheritance Cycle), Brom (Inheritance Cycle), Ajihad (Inheritance Cycle), Morzan's Dragon (Inheritance Cycle) Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst, Mental Health Issues, and a lot of those, Good Galbatorix AU, Kind Of, Past Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Implied/Referenced Torture, the fall still happens but Galbatorix didn't do it, Depression, Snalgli, Fluff and Angst, Crack Treated Seriously, so seriously that it turned kinda dark, Dragon Riders, Dragons, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Canon-Typical Violence, Some Canon Deaths Don't Happen, some do Summary: Just before Oromis can declare Galbatorix mad, Vrael steps in. Galbatorix didn't think that getting the chance to see if another dragon might choose him, would have him end up alone on Vroengard. Almost alone that is. Eldunarya tend to be chatty.

[tonhalszendvics]

Inheritance Cycle height headcanon time!

We have height descriptions like "tall", "an inch or so taller", "slightly shorter", let me ruin your day~

Roran: He was slightly taller than Eragon, when they parted, Eragon caught up, they are the same height now. He has no opinion about his appearance – until it's good enough for Katrina, he's content with it.

Eragon: Average height. He was still growing when he left Palancar valley, but because of his hard time on the road – injuries, not enough food, straining himself – he stopped growing and by the time he was about to get a growth spurt, Agaetí Brödhren happened. Physically he didn't changed after that. Later he was a bit mad at Umaroth for ditching that small height he had stored in, and doesn't care about the dragons "but it would've thrown you off-balance!" excuse.

Murtagh: If Eragon is Literal Average at their first meeting, then he's an inch or two taller than that. That's five centimetres, it's mostly unnoticeable. However, the height difference between him and Eragon stayed the same even though he was around twenty in the end of the series and finished growing – the spell that made Thorn grow faster, leaked through their bond and gave him some height, too. Just enough to keep that difference between him and Eragon, just enough to make him re-learn all of his moves. All of his clothes and his armour had to be remade as well. (The king was more careful with his magic after that.)

Arya: Eragon says, she's tall. She's not, by elf-standards, she's just taller than Eragon. By looking at her, you'd think she is tall, and most people are surprised when standing next to her, they notice that she is, in fact, not. Still deadly, though.

Nasuada: One long queen, please. Her people are tall, she had a healthy upbringing, she's tall, no questions asked.

Katrina: One short queen, please. She's small, but not petite. Also, don't let her height fool you; she will fight you.

Brom: Only slightly taller than Eragon; our boy would be on his level if that thing didn't happen. Brom would be relieved that he remains taller, as he was always shorter than any of his long-time acquaintances, except for the dwarves.

Selena: She can see eye to eye with Brom, which is tall for a woman. She's around Arya's height, but doesn't have her "i am lean and tall" aura. (She's a hair taller than Brom, but he pretends she's not. She lets it slide.)

Jeod: 2/3 of his body are his legs. He's as tall as Ajihad, except when he sits down, then he's just as tall as Brom.

Galbatorix: average for his time, slightly short for the present. He's built like a barrel.

Morzan: You bet he does door frame quality control with his forehead. He's just Freaking Tall. Galbatorix made sure that whenever they had to be present at the same time, he stood on the dais or on the top of the stairs whenever Morzan was around him. Everyone knew his general was taller than him, but no-one wanted to mention it, obviously. Morzan was very pleased, though.

[fastestfrog]

I’m not super familiar with the proper way of planning out characters, but I was thinking about how I would personally classify the characters of the inheritance cycle (the first 4 books) into sections. So here we go.

Main characters. Anyone we get a POV from or other characters that are critical for the main story drive to happen, in order of importance: Eragon, Saphira, Galbatorix, Nasuada, Arya, Roran,

Major Characters. Key characters for the story, who have important roles and connections to the main cast, in order of importance: Brom, Murtagh, Glaedr, Oromis, Durza, Angela, Elva, Orik, The Eldunari, Razac, Katrina, Morzan, Thorn,

Secondary Characters. Characters who have a moderate effect on the events of the story or motivations of the main cast, who we spend time with but aren’t super critical, in order of importance: Firnen, Shruikan, Umaroth, Hrothgar, Izlandi, Garrow, Orrin, Jeod, Solembum, Selena, Sloan, Ajihad, Nar Garzhvog, Ismira,

Minor characters: Characters who have some effect, may have multiple scenes dedicated to them, connections to other characters, but aren’t very important, in ANY ORDER: Horst, Grimrr halfpaw, Carn, Lord Dathedr, Blodgharm, Rhunon, Vermund, Jormundur. Varaug, The Head Priest of Helgrind, The Twins, Lord Barst. The Forsworn, The menoa tree, Hvedra,

Side characters: Characters who have a few small scenes scenes or are long dead characters who set up the world, IN ANY ORDER: Vrael, the first Eragon, Vanir, any carvahall villagers, any of the dwarven leaders not already mentioned, Blagden, Martland Redbeard, Captain Brigman, Trianna, Faolin, Jarnunvosk,

Extra characters. Pretty much anyone with a one or maybe two scenes or a connection to another character such as: Yarbog, Helen, Edric, Fredrick, Valdr, Cuaroc, Lord Fiolr, Elvas caretaker, Saphira (broms dragon) etc.

Background characters: anyone else, for example, random named soldiers, Maud, the young priest in helgrind, people who show up once as a part of another persons scene basically, or someone mentioned once or twice by other characters like Thuviel.

Is there anyone I missed? Do you disagree with some of the orders of importance I put people in for the first couple of paragraphs? (Murtagh fans are gonna come for me, but please remember I’m only doing the first 4 books) would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

[archangelsunited]

First Riders

The first human riders are not children.

They can’t be. Three times at war and three losses and moving across the sea and, and, and-

They just can’t be.

So Palancar brings together all the expendable humans. He gathers them around a sleeping dragon and an elf.

The elf doesn’t sneer at them. He doesn’t have a facial expression they can see. He just lays two eggs on the ground before the dragon. He dares them to approach.

They do.

This is not the first dragon they have seen. This is not the first death they faced.

One by one, each presses a hand to an egg. In the end, two were chosen.

The daughter of a second son and a boy who could not father children.

It was the best outcome.

 The city is large, and still being built. They are taught by an elf with sunlight in their hair. They know other riders. They are not friends.

The boy is quiet and listens. He learns of the elves and learns to see what they think is beautiful.

And he learns he is ugly.

He learns the language, and understands he is coarse. His voice grates against the ears and he learns to be silent.

But his dragon is beautiful. So he speaks with their words and he basks in the shadow of their wings, the stars could not compare to the light bouncing off scales the color of moist earth.

 The girl means to be respectful. She knows to listen and be silent. She listens and learns.

And she is angry. She is furious.

The elves discuss magic and beauty and health.

They discuss politics and religion.

The girl keeps her mouth shut.

She receives a letter from a cousin, it talks of the building of a temple- the first since they came to the continent. They have had a good harvest and new births. They are not at war. She cries until her dragon thrashes with her emotions.

She tells her master of this, excited and exultant. Her people live and are healthy.

The elves say nothing.

A year later, she learns the elves have stopped the humans from building. They allow no more trees to be cut down, they allow no animals to be killed for worship.

She is furious. She is angry. She says nothing.

Her dragon, who is green like her mother’s eyes, flies off in the night. It is many days till he returns.

She learns he ate three bulls in front of the elven ambassadors in Palancar’s lands.

Necks broken, blood flowing out. He bore his teeth.

The temple is built within the next year.

Her dragon is beautiful and she tastes power for the first time in years.

 The dragons do not temper them. He grows wild. He is trained, then he leaves. He wanders the forests- hunting, growing, shaping his magic. He talks even less. He runs his hands over bark until his mind knows the shape and feel of each kind of tree in the dark.

He stays in the dark.

His hair grows white, wrinkles form around his eyes, but he does not age. He finds freedom in the silence.

Eventually, she comes and finds him. He follows her to the land where his family’s descendants farm and learn. He shows them how to build forests on their own land and how to grow crops to feed a population. He watches as she shows them how to build as the dwarves do.

 Her anger is a blue flame. When the elves teach them no more, she flies and flies and flies away. She finds the children of stone and puts herself under them. She learns of their gods, of their armies, of their writing.

She learns to dig and to mine and to understand the stone.

 She brings it back with her.

 She finds him. He is not old, but he still does not speak. He knows the forests and plants better than any other she knows. She sits with him for many moons as her dragon speaks to his. She convinces him to come back with her.

He helps her. Their king and his children died, but she still has nephews and nieces who sit hunched down in tattered huts. She brings him to them. He listens as they speak. They need no more words to know what must be done.

 The elves gave them nothing in the end.

 He shows them agriculture in a way he learned while lonely. He shows them without magic, but with hands calloused from work. He shows them how wolves hunt and dragons devour and what is needed for the animals to thrive.

 Her hands show them the forming of the stylus and the mining of stone. She shows them the measurements of the city they could build.

 They do not leave for many years.

 The elves do not speak to them, but they speak to their dragons. His laughs and delights in the attention, but becomes cruel when the elves speak ill of the strides his rider’s people have made. Hers listens and waits and speaks with Umaroth.

Vrael flies many times to speak with the elves. It is no use.

She grows angrier and angrier- and he grows quieter and quieter.

Yet, while the elves lay fallow in their magic, the humans grow and grow.

And grow.

[inheritancecyclememes]

[lords-of-the-empire]

Elves and Changelings

I don’t recall writing about this before, but in book 4 (Inheritance) CP introduces new aspects of human/elf relations where humans fear and mistrust elves and think they replace or alter human children for whatever reason.

It’s easy to write this off or ignore it, but it’s literally rooted in objective facts and CP-confirmed canon.

Human Riders were selected when around 10 years old, and CP has said that people who dragons hatched for but didn’t want to be Riders were literally taken away until they changed their minds. And then the human parents, who with the exception of more history and culture appear to have had similar standards of living before and after the Fall, meet their graduated Rider child, who by then has been educated by an elven Order for years...

Almost like they’re been replaced by a completely different person who looks kind of elfish AND actually wants to be a Rider, huh

[everythingloveandanimated]

Hey Inheritance Cycle Readers,

I need some feedback. I am working on my AU story of Eragon and Saphira joining Murtagh and Thorn as they investigate the Draumars.

I’m trying to figure out how Umaroth and Glaedr would add to the scene.

Basically, trying to figure out how would Umaroth and Glaedr add or change the story?

The first priority is the protection and preservation of their kind, and the order of the Dragon riders, which means they want Eragon safer at all costs, and Umaroth doesn’t want Murtagh in a position that’s out of his depth.

Would they, or just Umaroth, give a history lesson on the Draumars to try to persuade Murtagh to not go?���

I don’t think it would negate or cancel Murtagh’s reconnaissance mission from Carabel, since the mission is to find out what is currently brewing up North and how big is the danger that been moving in the shadows, in the grassroots, throughout the land.

Eventually, it gets the point where Murtagh is still adamant about looking into this threat, and Eragon, determined to protect his brother (and make up for failing to rescue him from the Twins), goes with him.

[thearunadragon]

My delusional ass had so many thoughts while reading this because it makes perfect sense, because now I have a buttload of theories about each detail.

The Rose. This could be a reference to Jeod and the Arcaena, such as the possible code meaning of “the rosebushes” in the letter we read on the special edition, or it could also be Brom getting sneaky and hiding a reference to Selena in the sigil, depending on what time they actually created the sigil. I mean, the Nighthawks didn’t get proper mottos and stuff for quite a while. The Varden might have taken a lot more time to establish and worry about emblems than we know. It could also be a reference to Isidar Mithrim and the dwarves if they were a part of the Varden at that time—which I presume they were, considering the length of Hrothgar’s reign and his alliance with the Varden.

The Dragon. The white dragon could be either a reference to the original Eragon—as Bid’daum was white—or even to Vrael’s dragon, Umaroth, who we know was white just through the fact that Islingr, Vrael’s sword, was white. If it’s a reference to Vrael, it could be a reference to the entire Old Order. My wishful brain wants it to be a reference to Bid’daum and to Riders as a whole or even that Brom was thinking of his son in some way too, but considering how long ago this was, I assume it may have been soon enough that Brom knew Selena, but not late enough that Eragon was born. We have no idea when it was created.

The Sword. Paolini said it is probably Islingr, which means, in my book, that either Brom was trying to include references to Vrael and Umaroth individually in the sigil, or the dragon represents Bid’daum and Eragon I and the sword represents Vrael and Umaroth.

The Battlefield. Okay, I admit this might be far-fetched, but in medieval time periods, purple dye was extremely difficult to get and immensely expensive, reserved exclusively for royalty. And, considering that the dragon is holding a sword over it, I take it to symbolize the Rider’s rebellion against royalty—Galbatorix.

It’s all a picture metaphor. *alien noises*

[ao3feed-inheritancecycle]

The Dark Hours

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/O9bBNcZ

by StoryDreamBeliever

Murtagh struggles to adjust to life as an instructor at Mt. Argnor, despite being surrounded by good people and doing fulfilling work.

When his erratic behavior and alcoholism get out of control, his dragon Thorn and his brother Eragon take him to see the Eldunari, who encourage him to face the horrors of his past in order to overcome his pain. With the help of Thorn and the Eldunari, he dives into the sea of memory and must wade through the hurt and torment to come out whole on the other side.

(Essentially a detailed account of what happened to Murtagh from his capture under Farthen Dur until Galbatorix fell, framed by his new life at Mt. Argnor.)

Words: 9322, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of A Rider's Life

Fandoms: The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: Gen

Characters: Murtagh Morzansson, Thorn (Inheritance Cycle), Eragon Shadeslayer, Blödhgarm (Inheritance Cycle), Nasuada (Inheritance Cycle), Galbatorix (Inheritance Cycle), Glaedr (Inheritance Cycle), Umaroth (Inheritance Cycle)

Relationships: Murtagh Morzansson & Thorn, Murtagh Morzansson & Eragon Shadeslayer, Murtagh Morzansson/Nasuada

Additional Tags: Torture, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Recovery, Hurt/Comfort, Psychological Trauma, Emotional/Psychological Abuse, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Suffering, Healing, Hopeful Ending, Family Feels, Brothers, War, Dragons, Spoilers for The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini, Canon Compliant, Good Writing, Protectiveness, Murtagh Morzansson Needs a Hug, Whump, Whumptober 2022

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/O9bBNcZ

[magicandmundane]

I do remember reading that when the elves showed up on the hill they were a little weirded out. Like, they knew there were many more intelligent minds in the area, but they couldn’t figure out where or who they were because Umaroth and crew didn’t want them to know until Eragon spelled it out. (Tbh, it’s so funny how dramatic Eragon and Umaroth were about it, but I digress)

And yeah, @yourlocaldragondealer , I think you’re right about Galby figuring it out, freaking out a little, then playing it cool simply because he has so many more dragons behind him. And because he’d spent a good 100 years with the eldunari he probably knew how to sense the presence of their minds. However, it sounded like he didn’t know where they came from iirc. (It’s been a year since I last read the series, so correct me if I’m wrong lol)

But the only question I have left is how did that pocket void behind Saphira containing the eldunari not fail when they flew over the walls of Uru’baen? All of their other spells failed, so why not that one?

OTHERS Eragon problems

It has been said over and over again, The Inheritance Cycle has so many outstanding issues, problems, contradictions that I've lost count.

But one that particularly sticks out for me is Galbatorix's knowledge of certain things.

All right, he's the all-powerful, mysterious king, whatever you want, but do you remember the final battle?

Here Galbatorix first spoke of the Eldunarya that Eragon had found in the Vault of Souls. I mean, Gal looked at a point in the void (where the invisible Eldunarya were) and said "Hey Umaroth wassup" as if it were nothing

h o w is that possible

Eragon went to Vroengard with only Saphira and Glaedr; he later spoke about it with Blodgharm, Islanzadi, Orik, Orrin, Jörmundur and Roran. (I assume Nasuada knew it too, but I don't remember exactly the scene)

No one else learned of this, and Eragon revealed the secret on a hill a long way from the camp, and in any case I very much doubt that all those trained people, especially the elves, would not have noticed that someone else was listening them.

Eragon also made everyone swear in the Ancient Language to secrecy.

I repeat, how is it possible that Galbatorix knew this before they even entered the Throne Room?

Theories?

[umunschaas]

Never posted that the second part is done I just realized.

First chapter is Galbatorix not causing the fall, still not doing well and doing the rough equivalent of living in a cellar for ca. 100 years. Plus a bonus confused Eragon in the end.

Second chapter is Galbatorix doing better (maybe?) and some silly morzatorix floof.

The one that Time forgot (25435 words) by SirBananadragon Chapters: 2/2 Fandom: The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Galbatorix/Morzan (Inheritance Cycle) Characters: Galbatorix (Inheritance Cycle), Umaroth (Inheritance Cycle), Eragon Shadeslayer, Saphira (Inheritance Cycle), Morzan (Inheritance Cycle), Brom (Inheritance Cycle), Ajihad (Inheritance Cycle), Morzan's Dragon (Inheritance Cycle), Murtagh Morzansson, Oromis Thrándurin Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Angst, Mental Health Issues, and a lot of those, Good Galbatorix AU, Kind Of, Past Character Death, Grief/Mourning, Implied/Referenced Abuse, Implied/Referenced Torture, the fall still happens but Galbatorix didn't do it, Depression, Snalgli, Fluff and Angst, Crack Treated Seriously, so seriously that it turned kinda dark, Dragon Riders, Dragons, Canon-Typical Violence, Some Canon Deaths Don't Happen, some do, Trauma, Bachel gets mentioned, Snippets, Pining, Good Morzan AU, morzatorix is only in chapter two Summary: Just before Oromis can declare Galbatorix mad, Vrael steps in. Galbatorix didn't think that getting the chance to see if another dragon might choose him, would have him end up alone on Vroengard. Almost alone that is. Eldunarya tend to be chatty.

[dragon-fics]

Shruikan's Rider (SR): Prologue: A Broken Bond {Inheritance Cycle fanfic}

Book description: Alys Emmasdaughter is going through the worst pain any Rider can ever go through--her dragon is dying and there is no way to save him.

While she mourns his inevitable death, the Eldunarí at the Dragon Riders' Academy inform her of a dragon who is suffering a similar fate

Alys led her silver steed up the path to the Dragon Rider Academy, high on Mount Arngor. Icy wind skimmed against her bare, almond arms as she focused on the dirt path beneath her. She felt and looked unkept; her frizzy, black hair was like a bird's nest; her clothes torn; and her skin filthy and dotted with scars.

The attack had been unprovoked; all she and her dragon, Ugauc, wanted to do was to visit the Stone of Broken Eggs near Ellesméra.

But that didn't happen.

Several hooded figures had struck them down, all baring spears that glistened with what Alys found out later was Seithr Oil; the product known to be used by the Ra'zac.

Every night, all she heard was Ugauc's cries as spiked nets doused in the erosive liquid dragged him down. The scene played over and over in her head; his cries, the pain, the figures emerging from the night's shadows, and them stabbing him to death as she killed them all with her blade. One by one, they had crumbled to the ground, leaving nothing but their scarlet cloaks behind.

From there, she ran to Ellesméra, seeking the aid of the elves, who insisted on her leaving as soon as Ugauc was stable, saying his recovery would be long and waiting there would render her useless.

But where she was wouldn't matter; without her beloved partner-of-heart-and-mind, she was useless.

Alys paused where she was and looked up, fighting off the tears forming in her eyes—again. It surprised her she had anymore tears to cry after her long journey back. She'd sob as she rode, keen while she ate, and cry as she slept—she was empty without him.

the ball of sadness in her heart was heavy, growing on its own accord throughout the day, causing her to crumble into tears unannounced.

And now was one of those moments.

Alys' throat grew sore and her lip quivered. Why had they done what they did? And why now, of all times, had the sadness grown stronger?

She placed her hands over her eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath. The last time she had walked along this path—or rather had to walk along this path—was when she was summoned, six years ago, by Eragon himself to be tested at the age of sixteen. According to the Eldunarí, her dragon Ugauc was the one for her. And they were right.

She wanted to reflect further, to remember his hatching and their training and his personality and how perfect he was, but she'd just end up wailing halfway up a mountain near people who she was supposed to tutor; now wasn't the time to bawl.

Alys continued her breathing, slowly gathering herself and drying off her eyes. "Kausta, Epona," Come, Epona, she said to her elf horse, putting on the bravest of faces she could muster and continuing up the path.

As she climbed, she thought of ways to distract herself; like what to put in the letter to her family for this month, or which eggs were ready to hatch next month; all the while fighting off any memory of a green dragon that emerged in her mind.

Finally, she stood in front of the large, open black-painted steel gates, looking in at the large sandstone courtyard. A few Riders stood about, talking to each other and preparing their dragons for slights.

Again, her sadness swelled.

Not now, she insisted. Don't think about him.

Alys pushed her head up high, pushing back any tears that were read to form and walked through the courtyard, focusing only on the large oak doors in front of her. On one door was a lifelike carving of a dragon, surrounded by fog at its feet with a tongue of fire escaping its maw. It looked down at the figure carving in the opposite door—its rider. The Rider seemed to be neither elf nor human, male nor female. Its features were pointed, like an elf's, yet its build was broader like a human's.

As soon as she reached the door, Alys turned to Epona and removed her belongings—a small pack of food and a book along with a rolled-up blanket. "Elrun ono, fricai," Thank you, friend, she said, stroking Epona's face.

The mare leaned into her touch and backed away before trotting out of the courtyard and out of sight.

Alys drew in a breath, shoving a new pulse of sadness aside and pushing open the varnished door. On the other side, she saw a few students bustling through the hall, with small dragons following them. She swiftly turned to the nearest set of stairs, jogging up to the dormitories.

From the outside, all the dorms looked like the inside of a beehive, openings in the rock connected by balconies and stairs. Each hole was big enough for most dragons to fit through, just like the corridors in the Academy. on the inside, it was nowhere near as intricate-looking, just three levels lined with average-sized doors and a large open balcony on each floor, so the dragons could fly up to the balconies if they couldn't fit through.

Alys loved the layout. It was so simple yet so thoughtful, allowing the dragons and riders to be individual yet have they stay in the stay quarters.

Alys continued her walk to her dorm, slowly opening the door with a quiet creak. She half expected to see Ugauc land on the balcony and make his way towards her, past his nest and her bed and her bookcase overflowing with books to nuzzle her. She closed the door with a quiet click and tossed her stuff onto her bed and looked out through the balcony, holding her arms akimbo and breathing deeply.

Alys shook her head, her sadness growing. A tear fell down her cheek, slowly, as she looked at the bright sun. She looked down at Uguac's nest, a large indent in the stone floor, lined with a thin cushion, littered with green scales and tufts of fur and feathers.

She smiled sadly at it and looked over at the green fragments of Ugauc's dragon egg on her ebony bookshelf. She drifted over to it, picking up the largest piece of the emerald shell, the intact base of the egg, where Ugauc had comfortably sat after he hatched, looking around at the hatchery and his Rider with his curious amber eyes.

Alys sighed sadly, wiping away her tears and swallowing hard, burying the lump in her throat as best as she could. She returned the fragment to its spot and stood back, tears returning to her cheeks again. "I miss you," she whispered.

The heavy flapping of dragon wings came close to her balcony, and a sapphire blue dragon landed on it. Alys looked at her, wiping away her tears. "Hello, Saphira. Eragon," she greeted.

Eragon slid off his saddle, brunette locks bouncing as he landed. His brown eyes softened. "Alys... I got word from the elves as soon as you came to them," he started, coming closer, Saphira following close behind him. "And may I say, I am so, so sorry. I should've sent someone with you." He drew in a breath, smoothing his hair with both hands. "It shouldn't have happened. I promise we'll find out who's responsible."

Alys looked down. "That's thoughtful, Eragon," she said. "But I... I don't think I want to find out; it's not going to change anything."

Eragon paused. "Alys, you can't say that. It's important that someone is held responsible."

She shook her head, fighting off more tears. "I'm sorry. I—I can't do this now," she turned around, holding herself. "Please, let me grieve."

Eragon went to reach for her, but retracted his hand. "I will investigate, to save others." He sighed and glanced at Saphira. "When you're up for it, I'm sure Eldunarí would like your company; they want to talk to you."

Alys nodded dismissively and listened carefully as they left before letting out a choked sob.

*-*-*-*

It took Alys weeks before she could force herself to leave her room to actually talk to people. A few would stop by throughout the day, giving their condolences and offering her the food they had brought. She excepted most of the food but ate little of it.

She plodded her way to the Hall of Colours, keeping her head low as she nibbled on her last apple slice. She ignored everyone that passed, focusing solely on her meeting with the Eldunarí. Finally, she began her climb towards the eyrie—Eragon's sleeping quarters—high in the hold, and at the last stop, he turning into a small side tunnel. She entered the large, disk-like chamber, looking ahead at the many tiered daises that held the array of gleaming Eldunarí. Multi-coloured flecks of light beamed around the room, brightening the cool room immensely.

Alys' mind grazed against the dragons' minds. She found it soothing, feeling their calmness when all she had felt was heartbreak for so long. Her eyes landed on Umaroth's white Eldunarí. He and Glaedr were one of the few she always remembered.

Welcome, Alys-vinr, Umaroth greeted.

Hello, Umaroth and everyone else, she responded, keeping her mind as pain-free as possible. I heard you wanted to talk to me.

Yes, we have some news, Umaroth said elusively.

Alys' heart skipped a beat; could they help Ugauc? Could they save him?

Her joy and thoughts of Ugauc flowed to the Eldunarí.

No, I'm sorry. We cannot help him.

Her heart sank, but she forced herself to push it aside. Pray tell.

We have found a dragon who needs your help, Shur'tugal, Glaedr explained.

Alys sighed, aware they couldn't hear her irritation; she was in the worst shape to help anyone. Though she could admit that she needed a distraction. I appreciate the thought, but I'm not ready to help anyone. I'd only make things worse for them.

You misunderstand, Umaroth stated. This dragon has been without a rider for some time and is lost without them. Please, only you can empathise with him and save him from himself.

[lil-coffee-kitty]

Alagaesian Species Study: DRAGONS (Part 2)

Why were the dragons different colors? Why were some brown, others a vivid blue, a small thunder green or a gathering of them different shades of red? Bringing us to our next theory is the discussion of the dragons range of colors!

While the only possible colors of dragons we had seen throughout the series of Inheritance Cycle were around six or seven- (Umaroth’s and Cuaroc’s Eldunari) Shruikan, Glaedr, Saphira, Thorn, and Firnen- The discussion of how wide their range of color could have been intrigued me. Now, despite the dragons being at the top of the food chain excluding when flying out over the oceans (See Inheritance Book for more details) their range of color would be impractical in Evolution. What if a predator came along that could take down a dragon in their adolescent stage? A sapphire blue dragon in the middle of a white plain of snow and ice would have made the young one easy pickings. or even a golden dragon amidst the green of the pine forests and rocky cliffs near the Spine.

This brings me to my next theory: A Dragon’s Coloring varied depending on it’s place of habitation and/or upbringing.

BLUE

Think about it- Eragon had hatched Saphira and though she was blue, she blended in well with the sky of when flying out over an ocean. from below a person looking up would possibly just mistake her for a large bird given she flew high enough to not be noticed and picked out by sheer size alone. Maybe her particular color in hues and shades, from a light bluish-white to a shade of sapphire blue, were more suited for high-altitude living or sea-level living, be it to disguise them in the clouds or keep monsters like the Nidhwal from picking them out in the seas as easily.

GOLD

Glaedr vivid golden coloring would have been best suited for the deserts and rocky plateaus of the Hadarac. Heat waves would have done well to pass him off as a mirage to those not accustomed to the harsh weather of the arid regions of Alagaesia, and as Saphira had said in the first book the arid climate was something that for lack of a better word invigorated her. Glaedur’s coloring of dragon, from a vivid golden to a hue of cream-yellow, would have disguised him well in the dunes and rocks until he became big enough to fight off any that deemed him a snack of easy pickings. Glaedur reminds me of the Wyvern from Ernest Drakes Complete Book of Dragonology- they both were more commonly colored in gold or light sandy-tans to hunt and hide better.

GREEN

Firnen’s coloring would easily hide him among the forests of Ellesmera. if he had grown up wild sticking to foliage and hiding among the treetops would have suited him well. the only issue would have been if winter befell the elven capital, but through magic I doubt they would let snow send their trees to sleep so easily. Firnen would have had to make small hallows or tunnels in the ferns and trees as he grew up alone- small tunnel systems in thickets like how some deer make their nests for their young and themselves to grow safely.

RED and BLACK

Okay, not gonna lie but Thorn and Shruikan were my favorite dragons after Saphira. The shades of red and variations of dark colors bordering in the blacks or that were pitch black I envisioned them as reminded me of active volcanoes and the burning plains, black crags of obsidian after a lava flow and hot springs and sulfuric lakes. Thorn’s color of dragon, be them a vivid crimson red like blood rubies or a light shade of pink, would have been attributed to extreme environments like semi-active volcanoes, lava rivers carving the earth, or boiling lakes. Shruikan’s coloring, be it his oily black sheen to a smoky grey, would have been more for purely rocky and harsh areas, maybe bordering the lava habitation of Thorn’s Red bretheren. Red is usually associated with heat, and though nothing sane would actually live near an active volcano I’d imagine it made a good place for rearing young or making a nest to lay and hatch eggs. the heat from the constant flow of lava or sitting in an alcove within a nearly-empty magma chamber would have provided more than adequate heat for the parent dragons to leave and hunt for longer periods of time. usually red items, along with black, can soak up heat much quicker and retain it for longer than other colors , so that would be why Thorn and Shruikan were colored in such a way.

WHITE

Umaroth’s Eldunari was a snowy white from what I could recall. The only areas I could think of that would best suit that particularly colored dragon shade would be the far north or high in the skies with Saphira’s colored brethren. When polar bears hunt, their white coat keeps them from being spotted- the only real giveaway would be their noses and eyes. Umareoth would have had no trouble blending in to the environment, though staying warm would have been a slight problem, but I theorize that his particular color of dragon, be it from a pure unblemished white to a white just touching on blue or pink with irridescence maybe opalescence, wouldn’t need to maintain as much heat within as their darkening brethren. Perhaps they were just cooler as a norm if they did live in the icy reaches of the north.

PURPLE

Okay, this one took a bit of debating with a fellow dragon fanatic of mine, but we came to the conclusion that perhaps Cuaroc’s range of purple dragons, from  a deep amethyst to a blue-violet to even lavender, lived closer to humans, maybe even associated briefly with them. Purple is usually the stereotypical go-to color for sorcery and magicians, so perhaps the purple dragons found themselves drawn to humans and their ingenuity, perhaps more so to sorcerers and their use of magic. Remember, Dragons as a whole were basically made of magic, they were attuned to it even if they couldn’t use it at will. In Inheritance, once Eragon, Saphira, and Glaedr entered the Vault of Souls they came across a dragon-headed man, Cuaroc’s Eldunari held within. Umaroth said that the violet dragon had sought the enchantress Silvari in order for her to fashion him a body that he could use to protect the remaining free dragons and their eggs should Galbatorix force himself into the Vault of Souls. Even if it was a desperate time, I cannot imagine any of the wild dragons willingly seeking out an enchantress to assist them- dragons are very vain and proud creatures, remember? Cuaroc had sought the enchantress out, which helps me stand with my reasoning.

Thank you for reading this mass of Theoretical Jargon! Till next time~!