#Informant Varden

[everythingloveandanimated]

On this episode of Musing on Murtagh I realized something... Murtagh's relationship with fate is "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished”. (WARNING!!! Heavy feels and Heartbreak below)

Chases away the Ra'zac to save Brom and Eragon. -> Eragon gets broken ribs, Brom gets a fatal knife between his ribs.

Saves Eragon and Arya from Gil'ead, accompanies them to the Varden -> Gets locked up. (which he considers pretty good. He's alive, has a furnished room, gets meals and reading brought to him on command, so 4/5 results)

Fights with Varden against the Kull Army -> Gets kidnapped and tormented on the way back to Uru'baen where the torment doesn't stop.

Swears fealty to Galbatorix to get his soldiers to stop torturing Thorn -> Thorn gets locked in a solitary cell and his torture continues for months

Spares Eragon's life at the Burning Plains -> He and Thorn get maliciously tortured for it

Tries to preserve Nasuada's life -> ordered to assist Galbatorix in torturing her

Helps Eragon defeat Galbatorix -> Nobody (sans King Orik?) is willing to take Eragon's or Nasuada's word that Murtagh is not an enemy

Tries to do right by Thorn by fleeing north to freedom -> Loses opportunity to plead their case in the court of public opinion

Rescues Silna ->Robs Glaedr's grave, injuries and betrays a guard he befriended (using that term loosely) and Thorn torches Gil'ead in a panic attack after saving Murtagh's life

Investigates the Dreamers to get information to report back, motivation to protect Nasuada's kingdom -> gets himself and his dragon captured, tortured, enslavement experience 2.0

And! As a bonus! FAMILY/ FAMILY-ESQUE RELATIONSHIPS

Selena does good by Eragon getting him to safety, then returns to Murtagh -> gets gravely ill and dies soon after

Tornac risking his life to help Murtagh get to freedom -> DIES just outside the city in front of Murtagh

Murtagh does all these life saving favors for Eragon -> Eragon skips off continent and is unavailable to help Murtagh clear his name

Holy Heck! And he STILL wants to honor the role of Dragon Rider by protecting the land and its denizens! (okay it's a little more focused than that. He wants to protect Nasuada and her realm, not the realms of Dwarves and Elves. They can take care of themselves; unless their goals overlap then he'll consider working with them.) BUT STILL!!!! HOW?!?!?! And the scary beautiful thing is there are deeply traumatized people WHO ARE LIKE THIS!!!! They will go out of their way to protect other people they deem worthy of their help!!!

[glbtrx]

I was just thinking about the Twins.

It's just really messed up the way someone could have basically entered just by passing the mind control. And I mean, they war traitors, so just image how many spies have entered in the Varden because of them. They were also the most powerful wizards of the Varden and Ajihad trusted them, but apparently no one watched their minds to find out If they were here for Galbatorix.

And it worked.

They stayed there for who knows how long, passing important information to the King, until on orders they easily kidnapped Murtagh and killed Ajihad.

Then, well, Roran arrived and smashed their skulls with a fucking hammer, but that's another story

[alagaesia-headcanons]

If I had the energy or commitment for it, I would write an AU where Eragon wholeheartedly embraces the idea of Murtagh being his brother and (either against Nasuada's wishes or talks her into it, probably the first), uses that information to start drumming up public sympathy for Murtagh. Probably wouldn't change a ton regarding the overall plot, but when Murtagh is finally freed in the end, he wouldn't be alienated or seen as a monster. He and Thorn would have an opportunity to heal and rebuild their lives with support from their loved ones, rather than hiding away.

Yes yes 100% yes!! This is such a fun AU concept! It’s a very different direction for Eragon’s character, and yet I think it’d still fit him really well. This would be an interesting way to explore the possibility of Murtagh’s suffering inciting Eragon’s drive to defeat the Galbatorix and the Empire, making it even more personal and emotional for him. After all, Eragon’s main motivation for fighting is to protect people from Galbatorix’s selfish and endless abuse. Murtagh and Thorn’s awful situation is such a flagrant example of that, and I really like the idea that, instead of Eragon getting caught up in the uncomfortable aspects, it adds even more fuel to his desire to end the king’s tyranny. He sees undeniable proof that challenging the Empire is the right thing.

Because Galbatorix kidnapped and tortured one of his most loyal friends!! An innocent man who did everything he could to get away from the Empire, only for the king to drag him back and forcibly break him into a tool, enslaving him with his own true name. It would be so fitting for Eragon to fix all his anger, hurt, and hatred on Galbatorix, and for him to want to defeat him as a way of rescuing Murtagh. And honestly, I feel like if Eragon expressed some of that when he recognized Murtagh and wasn’t so accusatory, Murtagh would probably soften the reveal about their shared blood, which would be a good lead-in to Eragon better processing and accepting it.

And when Nasuada and Arya claim no one can one and the Varden’s morale will suffer when they learn about Murtagh because they fought together, Eragon directly disagrees. He uses that to rouse the Varden instead- Galbatorix tore their ally from their safe haven to brutally wrest him under control at any cost. If they let him get away with that, he’ll see that he can get away with anything! They can never give up until they’ve brought him down because they’ll never be safe from torment like that with such a vile man on the throne! And when anyone tries to dismiss Murtagh’s worth because he’s Morzan’s son, Eragon reminds them that they’re brothers and it’s not a matter of blood. In fact, even Murtagh loathed and fled from Galbatorix- he needed to enslave the son of his own most loyal servant because he refused to follow him!

It’s very sweet to imagine Murtagh and Thorn having a lot more support at the end of the war, with Eragon eagerly anticipating the chance to really be brothers. I think they would probably still leave at first, but it’s not because they can’t stay, rather that it would be best for them to be by themselves and work things out without so much pressure. And they don’t have to prolong it so much either. They leave for a few months, then come back to spend time with Eragon and the others, then eventually travel on their own again. They get to recover with much needed and well deserved help from their friends <333

[modern-inheritance]

Workaround (Modern Inheritance Short)

Islanzadí rubbed her forehead. Brom’s news of Kialandí was…difficult. She couldn’t truly say she felt happy her elder brother was dead. Relieved, maybe, but less so due to his death and more for the conclusion of a long, painful situation no peace could be found in.

Blagden fluttered to her shoulder when the Queen stood, her slim fingers flicking him away from worrying the edge of her eyebrow with a barely parted beak. She smoothed the fine hairs down with a thumb, a sudden heart clenching pang jolting her chest as she remembered the movement being one of his little quirks.

Lost in thought, Islanzadí reached the door of her study and pulled it open. Oromis and Glaedr and likely been informed already, but…she wanted their guidance. How to handle the news being released through the darkened pines.

Someone was already standing in the doorway.

Islanzadí froze.

Arya was…taller.

Her emerald eyes were still backlit by that brilliant fire, but they were framed now by a face that held a touch more. A bit more angular, sharper about the jaw and cheekbones. Skin darkened to a rich honey from exposure to a sun and sky not blocked by towering trees.

Rings around those green eyes. Lost sleep. Bloodshed. The look Evandar had the day after every battle. Maybe just a little hollow at her cheeks.

Not yet truly full grown. But at the start of the second surge of growth, maturation of her features.

Her child was growing up.

And Islanzadí couldn’t say a damn thing.

She wasn’t even supposed to be there.

The door opening seemed to have been just as much of a shock to the combat liason as her presence had been to Islanzadí. Arya quickly drew herself up, shoulders as square as possible with one arm tucked in a sling, and snapped her gaze to a spot over the Queen’s shoulder.

“I have correspondence from the Varden’s council for Queen Islanzadí. I assured him it would be presented to her attendant personally.” Islanzadí’s heart stuttered again. What on earth was the girl thinking, going against direct orders and breaking the laws of her banishment? Why would she tell the council she would personally–

Arya bowed slightly and held out a wax sealed envelope…

To Blagden.

“Please see that this reaches the Queen’s hands at the earliest convenience.”

And, just as if it were completely and utterly normal, Blagden gave an approximation of a similar bow and took the missive in his beak.

Both straightened, the white raven shifting to grasp the letter in the clutch of one of his taloned feet. Arya snapped to and held a formal elven salute until Blagden let out a series of pops and bobbed his head in obvious dismissal.

“Stars watch over you as well, sir.” Arya released the salute, turned on her heel, and marched stiffly down the hall.

Islanzadí could only stare after her. A little dazed, a little angry, and, above all else, very confused.

[eliza-makepeace]

reread part 7 i guess

so they’re finally at the beor mountains. murtagh’s still very much like “nope, i’d rather shoot myself in the foot than go to the varden” and eragon just keeps not understanding anything about it. saphira is the only one with emotional intelligence here.

why is murtagh the funniest man to ever exist.

if only he hadn’t been kidnapped and tortured and turned into galby’s name slave. he would’ve been the comedic genius this saga deserved. hopefully paolini will have learned his lesson moving forward.

“concealing a terrible passion” the poor guy is on the brink of an anxiety attack just for thinking about the very real chance he’s going to have to go to the varden even though he’s been more than vocal about not wanting to. 

love it for eragon to be like: huh. he’s nervous. i wonder what about.

fhsufdsjfhskjf 

i can’t cope. 

@ paolini istg let murtagh say fuck!! #4

phoebe buffay voice: that is brand new information!

jokes aside tho, “with a tortured voice”.................................................. he really is terrified of being rejected huh. 

this poor boy! you can tell he’s been very mistreated because of who he’s related to. 

i mean all of it is just heartbreaking. his abusive alcoholic father nearly killed him as a child, and the fact that it’s the association itself to the man who almost killed him what makes people reject him. fucked up. poor boy. 

“i was lucky, i suppose” he says. He “supposes” he was lucky to survive his father nearly killing him????? devastating. 

“his pleas were almost frantic” he’s so absolutely terrified, it honestly breaks my heart.

after trying to counterargument what eragon said previous to this, he’s just like “fine. believe what you want”. he’s so accustomed to being at the receiving end of distrust at this point.

[1995lahaine]

my secret good eragon ideas p2

ep4. finally we might get some PACE and ACTION in this bitch. arya is captured and being tortured for information on the egg and the varden: saphira is growing restless and just growing, larger and larger, almost enough to be ridden. she’s also trying and failing to learn to produce fire. roran is courting katrina still, but her reluctance to abandon her father’s wishes is putting a strain on them. he sees the ra’zac leaving sloan’s store. so does eragon, waddling back into town with his chafed thighs from attempting to ride saphira. despite not knowing who or what they are, he can tell their presence is a bad sign. he and saphira decide it they’ll have to flee soon, to avoid his family being put in danger. he steals hides for a saddle and is caught by brom, who puts 2 and 2 together and forces his gedwëy ignasia into his vision. angry, terrified, brom saves eragon from the advancing ra’zac (we see their beak-like faces for the first time) and forces him into the forest to show him saphira. the ra’zac retaliate, burning the farm. brom grapples with eragon, secretly using magic to keep him from escaping. back at the farm, roran coordinates men from the town to put out the fire. too late. the crops are lost and garrow is dead. he buries his father and, suspecting this was no mistake, decides to lay low in therinsford where he’s been working at the mill (YES IM TAKING FUCKING LIBERTIES WITH RORAN’S STORYLINE DEAL WITH IT!!!) brom tells eragon they need to flee, who, king bitch that he is, initially refuses and tries to return to carvahall. brom knocks him out and drags him on his way.

ep5. the road trip for revenge begins!!! brom is (sort of secretly) leading eragon to where he knows members of the varden will be, under the guise of leading him to train and catch the ra’zac. they lost track of the ra’zac pretty quickly, but brom insists that the leither oil could only have been shipped through teirm. eragon’s being a little bitch as per. i love him. he dreams of arya, but keeps it a secret. brom begins to train him in history. eragon, being a little bitch, refuses to pay full attention and only wants to learn to fight with a sword - brom carries two, after all. typical reluctant father-son dynamic shit. he watches, confused, as brom lights a fire seemingly out of nowhere - hears him say brisingr without understanding what it means. they get ambushed by urgals just a few days from teirm. brisingrgate happens, duh. brom is livid with him for using magic so foolishly, not realising that eragon had no clue it was a spell, nor that he was able to use magic at all. brom resolves to teach him the basics of magic, too, letting eragon believe (nudged by saphira) that he’s just an old magician. when they arrive in teirm, saphira is forced to stay in the forest nearby the city - she’s too large. brom and eragon are confronted by wanted posters with their faces on them. they arrive at jeod’s

ep6 im SORRY these are so long. knowing now they are wanted and known widely, brom relents and promises to teach eragon to use a sword - so long as eragon swears not to use magic until brom decides he’s ready, and listens to his history lessons. eragon reveals he was never properly taught to read or write, as garrow told him it had brought his mother no good and would bring him none, either. jeod takes it upon himself to tutor eragon in the basics. he sneaks out to explore the city, his hair coloured with soot and walking with a false cane, and stumbles upon angela’s shop where she & solembum deliver their prophecies. shaken, he returns to jeod’s where he overhears brom and jeod whispering about the egg and the elven woman who was tasked with ferrying it. he comes clean about dreaming of arya and asks them what it means. they reveal their allegiance to the varden, and that the rebels had been ferrying the egg for years, waiting for it to choose a rider. after some time, it’s clear the empire must suspect they’re in the area, and are forced to flee. brom gives eragon za’aroc, and when they leave, begins to train him in swordsmanship and magic.

ok this is too long again ill finish later

[lefebvre-emilia]

Where: same bar as last time.

When: Nov 20, 2022

Who: @hasan-demir​​

The group chat was not helpful in any sense when it came to finding out information about Hasan Demir. All that seemed to transpire was that he was Turkish, and possibly his own regime, Olivier knew him, and there was a connection between her ex and Hasan’s sister; which honestly piqued her interest.

When finally let off bed rest, she had a few lower French soldiers scope out the bar she had spent time with Hasan and let her know when he was back. Getting the word that he was there, she dressed more out of what she would wear, going for a more edgy look. 

She pulls up to the bar, sliding out of the passenger side, her bodyguard coming around the other side of the bar. Emilia was already hating the fact she agreed to a bodyguard, but she knew it would make Varden feel more relaxed. 

She turns to him. “You will sit at the bar, and watch the door. I will be fine with him.” The blonde did not fear Hasan. 

Emilia steps into the bar, glancing around where she finds him sitting in the booth they sat in last time. She saunters over, sliding into the seat opposite of him. A smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. 

“Hello Hasan.” She feels a little pull at her wound, wiggling a little to sit where it didn’t hurt.

[kayla1993-world]

Toronto police investigating after boy walks into hospital with a gunshot wound

Toronto police are investigating a shooting in Scarborough Friday evening that left a boy injured. Police were called to Ellesmere Road and Dolly Varden Boulevard, west of Markham Road, shortly before 10:30 p.m. for shots fired.

When officers arrived, they located evidence of gunfire but did not initially find a victim. However, police later confirmed a boy walked into a hospital with a gunshot wound, which they believe he sustained from the incident.

His injuries are considered non-life-threatening. Police have not released any suspect information.

[kat-hawke]

Further Education

Scanning the Pig & Whistle tavern's recently repaired interior as she entered, Kat caught no sign of the bartender who sat comfortably on her payroll. Vibration within the throat rolled slowly as she approached the bar, ordering her regular and waiting for several minutes to see if Quinn would make an appearance. The eventual conversation between employees revealing the young woman left work early. Pressing her lips into a fine line, the Director sucked her teeth in annoyance, funds were tight, and she couldn't afford to pay an informant who wouldn't stay at her post.

Knocking back the last of the whiskey before leaving, Kat set her path for Quinn's ramshackle apartment at the end of the street. Ignoring the beggars who loitered on the doorstep as she entered, taking the steps two at a time, and coming to a halt at the desired door. Digits curled around the doorknob, finding her entry denied by the lock. Kat rolled her eyes and knelt to the ground, glancing down the hall before slipping the lockpick from her back pocket.

One, two, three, and four tumblers clicked into place as the bar rotated the lock, allowing the door to swing open. "Shit security," she muttered beneath her breath as she inspected the flat. Things had improved since her last visit, though it seemed Quinn kept true to her word and refrained from immediately spending her paychecks like water.

The sudden meow of a cat underfoot nearly tripped the Director, who cussed beneath her breath and shoved the feline away. "Fuckin' cats... Why did she have t'get a cat." She mumbled in irritation, grabbing a chair and propping it in the far corner beside the window. Quinn was not currently home, but eventually, she would return.

Two hours pass and the statuesque Director remained seated and poised as Quinn's key turned the lock. The woman rushed in, slamming the door behind her as she pushed the cat away from the exit, scolding the creature for its attempted run-away. Looking up, she finally noticed Kat in the corner, nearly jumping out of her skin with a startled squeak, placing her hand over her chest as she used the wall for stability.

"Evenin' Director," Quinn cleared her throat. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Kat stared the young woman down from across the room, tilting her head ever so slightly as she leadingly inquired, "Where have ya' been?"

"Left work early, my best friend, Sam, she's back in town, and I had to check on her. Think she lost her mum in the attacks." Quinn looked away, moving to the tiny kitchen to collect two glasses and a bottle of whiskey.

"Mhm..." The single note rumbled in the Director's throat as she glanced out the window. Placing others above oneself was a trait that got many in this profession killed, but Kat's annoyance was split by the admiration to help those who were like family.

 "Stopped by for a drink 'n was a little surprised to find ya' absent so soon after the reopenin'. Though I suppose it can be excused fer such a reason."

A few short nods from Quinn as she closed the distance, offering one glass to the Director, and continued to hover. "Yeah. Felt bad about it when I was the only one workin' bar, but...well, Sam's got to come first. She's havin' a rough time of it, so I'm just goin' to visit a few times a day, make sure she's eatin' and all."

"Mmmhm," another note hummed in Kat's acknowledgment, taking a sip of the whiskey as she watched the group of children in the street beneath the window.

The informant looked down into her glass in the brief pause before asking, "How's the Unit holdin' together?"

"Everything is fine if no' a bit overworked and overburdened by the bureaucracy, which is the noble houses." Disgust laced Kat's tone as she took in more of the liquor. 

"I heard ya' and Fiske got properly acquainted fer a few weeks in the mountains."

"She's intense that one. Little judgy too." Quinn lifts her shoulders in a half shrug and then takes a sip of her drink, looking out the window. "I didn't make breakfast right. I didn't organize the stores in the right order. I had them pets in there, and that was an issue. Still, it was good to get to meet her. Better to know than not, yeah?"

"She's a career militant," Kat interjected, "born and raised t' follow orders, like her mother and father before her. It's easy to see where views don' align." 

"Wonder how much I'd have agreed with her if I'd known my parents. Supposedly they were militant too." Quinn questioned, glancing into her drink with a weak shrug.

The glass in Kat's grip swirled slowly as she looked to the adjacent wall, spotting the terrarium and serpent within. "Since when do ya' have pets?"

"They're Sam's. Her cat and snake." Quinn motioned vaguely to the animals. "Thanks, by the way, for the cube...thing. Myz gave it to me to help move them." 

Before Kat could ask for the magical container to be returned, Quinn had already plucked the cube from the nearby shelf. With a nod, the Director tucked it away within the inner pocket of her blazer. The dagger sheathed upon her thigh visible for a brief moment.

"Thank ya', I was about to ask for that back."

"I'm takin' the cat home tonight. I'll get the snake there soon too." Quinn added.

"Enough small talk," Kat tapped her glass with a single finger, pinning the informant beneath her gaze. "How has the education been comin' along?"

The question was merely a formality to test Quinn's honestly. Kat had received detailed reports and scores from the tutor every month over the last year, like a parent overseeing their child's classes.

"Good, leastwise, I think it's goin' good. My writin' is gettin' cleaner all the time. Readin's hardly a chore now, that's no trouble. I hope my reports are better all the time, even with a few hiccups here and there." The informant answered modestly, meeting the Director's eyes.

"They're looking good, yes. Glad t'hear readin' is no longer a strain." Kat remarked, one hand slipping into her coat's outer pocket, palming the small book within as Quinn quickly spoke again.

"I'd like to know what opportunities are next. If I wanted to train more, broaden my skills." There is a hint of hesitation in her voice, eyes shifting nervously. "Bein' helpless doesn't much feel like somethin' I want to do. Durin' all that chaos, I felt...useful. I know I'm young, that whatever this path is, it ain't a short one but...what would workin' towards takin' a more active role in the Unit look like?"

"Ambitious," Kat remarked with a lifted brow, going silent for a moment as she scanned the young woman. She had to sip from the glass to hide her smirk as Quinn broached the topic she came to discuss. A small part of her was pleased to see such forward ambitions, but the other spiked with paranoia, remembering when she was that young and everything that happened in the quest to get ahead.

"Is that ambitious?" Quinn asks, "just...you got a powerful and enviable group of women workin' under you, and I see in them someone I want to be. Eventually."

"Mmm, don't be like them," Kat commented off-hand with a grin. 

"They all got their own unique strengths and weaknesses. I'd hope, in time, I'd have my own separate from theirs," the informant chuckled, looking off to the side.

With another short hum, Kat pulled the small leather-bound book from her pocket, offering it to Quinn, who studied the embossed image of peacebloom and silverleaf before thumbing through the pages. 

While the young woman was correct in her assessment of the Unit's members, Kat did not wish to see Quinn become another killing machine of the Alliance or suffer the same tribulations the rest of them had and lose a part of herself.

And the Unit currently lacked a proper toxicologist.

"So glad ya' brought it up," Kat smiled. "Study that, with yer new skill of readin', and make use of it."

"I'll do just that, Director. Thank you." Quinn beamed as she flipped through each page, scanning the detailed images of various herbs and fungi.

"Figure mixology of drinks isn't too much of a leap, so." With a single shoulder shrug, Kat polished off her drink and stood. "Get familiar with th' plants first. I don't want ya' in the field. Yet. Lon' way t'go."

"I don't expect to be. I'm just glad I've been able to help. I'll start with this. Thank you again." Quinn pulled the book to her chest, watching as Kat moved across the apartment to leave. 

"Is there anythin' else I can help you with tonight?" She called out from across the room.

Kat chuckled, stepping into the doorway. Looking back over her shoulder, she answered with a pointed tone. "Don't be late for work tonight."

As the door shut, she could barely make out Quinn's response. Taking a deep breath and straightening the hem of her blazer, Kat quickly interjected to the dagger-bound voice in her head as her boots clicked down the hall. "Don't even say it."

[ @quinn-varden​​ ] [ Vague mention: @alyssa-ward​​, @myzariel​ ]

[quinn-varden]

Ears to the Ground

“Quinn.”

The young woman sits on one of the dock posts in Stormwind harbour, looking out over the sea.  There’s a sound of clinking glass, perhaps from a nearby ship deck.

“Quinn?”

She sits on a rooftop in Old Town.  The sun sets in the distance, the sky dimming as the smell of whiskey from the thermos fills her nostrils.

“QUINN!”

She jolts to attention, blinking bleary eyed a few times as her shoulder is shaken and she finds herself standing in the Pig and Whistle behind the counter, the glass in hand overly polished by this point. “Where you been girl?  Off in yer head somewhere?”

Still a bit dazed, Quinn sets the glass beneath the bar with the other clean ones.  Nose scrunches up, lips tightening with a chagrined look on her features.  “Sorry Reese...Mister Langston.  Not enough sleep yesterday I’m supposin’.  Was daydreamin’ a bit.  Won’t happen again.”

Reese Langston’s hand claps her shoulder.  “Yeah, hope not luv.  Look, I’d just send you home to get some rest, but I just got word Elly’s a bit under the weather and you know I’m not goin’ to push her too far.  We got crowd enough tonight that I can’t have you just standin’ here polishin’ glass.  Can you take the floor?”

Teeth drag across Quinn’s lower lip as she sucks it in, brown eyed gaze darting over the assembled patrons, before she exhales slowly.  “Yes sir, yeah, I can take the floor today.  Sorry, that’ll keep me movin’ and focused too.  Thank you.”

Not but a nod given in return as the Tavernkeep turns attention back to serving those at the bar.  Quinn snags a pad of note paper and the bar’s one good pen to stride out amongst the patrons.

It’s a fairly normal crowd, the usual assortment of ne’er do wells from about Old Town.  Owners of nearby businesses stopping for a drink before calling it a night.  And of course, a few travelers who don’t seem to have gotten the word on what kind of hole the Pig is, and decided to stop by.

Quinn’s mind begins to drift once more, daydreaming about other things, unfocused on the Bar work as she goes through the rote greetings, drinks, and food specials.  Pen scratches out her chicken scratch on the pad, her simplistic notation of drinks, not that she needs to write any of it down really.  In practice part of what makes Quinn good at this is her memory.

“...cut to pieces and strung up like some kinda display.”

She’s ripped once more from her idle thoughts by the sound of a voice nearby.  What they’d been talking about before hadn’t even registered, but those words set off warning bells.  There’s no real outward change, she’s good at not letting sudden reactions show on her features or in her posture, but no longer is she daydreaming.

“Don’t know what we’re supposed to do to make a living now.”

Quinn finishes taking her current order before feet carry her the distance towards the table with the two men.  Both of them with dusty faces, large arms, short sleeves, the sort of ruggedness to them that makes them look like day laborers of some kind.

“Havin’ a rough go of it fellas?”  Quinn asks with sympathy slipping across her malleable features.  “Overheard you might not be able to work for a bit?  Tell you what, doin’ a special today only.  Give me a story worth hearin’ and your next pint is on the house.  We like stories around here.”

“Aint one you’re gonna believe gorgeous,” the man who had spoken first replies.  “But sure, I’ll tell it.”

“Don’t have to be true, just got to be good enough to be worth hearin’” Quinn teases back, glancing back down to her notepad.  “So tell me your tale and what you’re havin’?”

“Shorter than he makes it out to be,” the second man replies first.  “We been hired on for summer work at Grayson’s Lumber yard, out east end of Elwynn.  Gets like that this time o’year, bring on a whole mess o’summer labor to finish before the hot season gets goin’ proper.”

“Sounds like you should be payin’ for your drinks just fine then,” Quinn flashes her brightest smile.  Inside she’s mentally urging them to get to the point.

“Yeah well, that’s the thing lady, bunch of us been let go,” the first man speaks again.  “Owner runnin’ the yard and his two sons turned up,” he blanches a bit looking up at Quinn, and then, in trying to spare the woman, “not livin’.” He finishes a bit lamely.

“It’s got to have been bandits, only ones who’d be twisted enough to cut folks up and then hang ‘em on display with wire like some sick Darkmoon puppet or somethin’ right?”  The second man pipes in eagerly.  “Only the foremen are convinced one of us must’ve done it, let us all go, sent us home and closed the yard.  Maybe they got to...vestigate or somethin’ like?”

Quinn doesn’t bother to hide the downturn of her lips, the furrowing of her brow.  “That’s terrible, there got to be guards sent out to look into that right?”  She also feels her stomach turn a bit at the description.  No wonder the first guy tried to spare her the details.

The darker skinned man, the second, scoffs at that comment, “Miss, now m’friend and I here are good upstandin’ people.  But you got to know what sort of people tend to do day labor out there.  They got to take whatever they can get to move them logs, and not everyone they toss coin to is on the up and up righ…oof.”

An annoyed grunt from the second as his friend kicks him under the table.  “She don’ need to know all that.  Anyway Miss, there you go, not too excitin’ a story but there it is.  Man passed away, and now we’re all out of work.  Even if it aint what you were lookin’ for, that’s got to be worth a pint right?”

Quinn scrunches up her nose, eyes rolling to the side as though waffling a bit on whether or not to reward the story.  Inside she’s already recording the details she’d gotten, making a note that it’s time to make a new report to Vyn.  Been too long since something worth noting has crossed her ears. “Yeah, alright, two pints of lager comin’ up,” pen works on page, taking down a rough description of the two gentlemen rather than their order, that seems more worth noting right now.  Those writing lessons are paying off.

Then once more the din of the tavern takes over, and she lets her mind drift as she returns to the simple pace of work.  For now, she still has this job to do.  Tonight, it’s time to do the other half of what she’s paid for.

[ Mention to @lovelydeadlysocialite​ ]

[mountrainiernps]

NPS Photo of MORA aquatics technicians weighing a fish as part of the process to collect a genetic sample.

Genetic and Environmental DNA (eDNA) Sampling to Monitor Fish & Amphibian Populations

Mount Rainier National Park is the headwaters of several, complex, cold-water river and lake systems. Many aquatic species can be found in these systems, including threatened native bull trout, non-native brook trout, and many species of amphibians. Dolly Varden, another species of char, may be present within the park, but are not yet documented.

The low population density and remoteness of these aquatic organisms in the park make biological surveys costly and require a high effort by park staff. Through the sampling of environmental DNA (eDNA) in water, park staff can use this tool to gather a full picture of where fish and amphibians are present in the park. Genetic sampling is another tool to better understand the origins and distribution of fish species present in the park. Appearance alone may not be enough to distinguish a non-native fish from a native fish, or a potential hybrid. With these two methods of aquatic sampling, park staff can better manage and protect aquatic organism populations. The park can understand the distribution of stocked non-native fish and the extent of hybridization of fish which can better inform recreational and conservation management decisions.

To date, Mount Rainier National Park technicians have collected twenty-eight eDNA samples. The White River, Puyallup, Mowich, and Carbon River watersheds have been targeted due to their potential overlap of char species. Park staff have also collected a variety of genetic samples throughout the park from a range of fish species in lakes and streams including bull and brook trout, rainbow and cutthroat trout, and coho salmon. This work continues during the 2022 season.

Read more in the “Fish & Amphibian Inventory: Genetic and Environmental DNA (eDNA) Sampling” science brief.

~kl

[glbtrx]

Hi everyone I'm here to gently inform you that your liege and @yourlocaldragondealer has decided to sacrifice some Varden as baits for fishea, so that we can trick the assholes and drown them. (They think they're better than me)

[alagaesia-headcanons]

Eragon and Nasuada are both well loved characters with a lot of good qualities, but they also have some serious flaws and make some grave mistakes. For example, I feel they're objectionable treatment of Murtagh has been discussed relatively often. However, I think they need Way More criticism for how utterly negligent they were in preparing for the confrontation with Galbatorix. Without the outside benefit of genre awareness, it's so egregious how they almost never even try to come up with a plan to kill him. I feel like it springs from inexperience, being overwhelmed, and arrogance, but it's so severe because the ramifications extend to countless lives beyond their own. And no matter the reasons for it, neither of them ever then acknowledge this failing and amend for its consequences, and that is inexcusable. The fact that the first and only plan they ever had to defeat Galbatorix (which immediately fails btw), Eragon came up with hours before the final battle is honestly sickening. Considering their war is justified by a moral basis, the Varden's ethics, specifically in their leaders are all but non-existent.

Why???!!!! It feels like they take no responsibility for their allies! Their concern for them is vague at best and doesn't inform their actions. It's as if they believe that because these people willingly joined their cause knowing they could die, they as leaders are free of blame for anything that happens to them, which is a naive and indulgent misconception. Their decisions still determine those people's fates! And in regards to the eventual fight against Galbatorix, that potential fate they're taking a chance with should they lose is all their allies being slaughtered, down to the very last man. For a start. But Eragon and Nasuada are too young to shoulder that weight as their stations demand and too arrogant to admit their inability, so they just leave it by the wayside.

[modern-inheritance]

take your time to think about this one: izzy and oromis, do you ship it? why or why not?

Hey anon, sorry this took me a week or more.

Straightforward answer: that is a big heckin' no, my guy. I've never understood why people ship them. The only interaction we see happen between them (that I remember) is when Oromis and Glaedr reveal themselves to Eragon and Co. in Ellesméra, and it isn't all that pleasant of a conversation. Maybe it's because they're both the most plotwise important elves we meet in Eldest and we didn't have many others to pair up? Iunno. I guess I'm not much a fan of shipping in general.

To explain further, I honestly believe there is a chance Oromis is on the Aro-Ace spectrums. I'm projecting a bit, as I'm Aro-Ace myself (and damn does it show when I try to write courting dialogue....), but Oromis never mentions (as far as I'm aware) any romantic or sexual relationship he had or has when telling Eragon about himself and Glaedr. That's not unusual, especially as elves in canon IC are played as polyamorous and not nearly as monogamous as humans and dwarves and thus their romantic lives seem to be less of a huge point in their stories, but Oromis just strikes me as the married to being a Dragon Rider type. So that's considered MIC canon.

I also think that Inheritance Cycle canon Islanzadí, while respecting him and often seeking his advice, may have seen Oromis remaining in Ellesméra as a threat to her power. But I've never been all that keen on canon Islanzadí, so that might be biased.

In Modern Inheritance, Oromis and Islanzadí are somewhat friends, though they both understand that their friendship isn't exactly warm and is more a business relationship. When Arya would come back from the Varden on brief supply runs, Islanzadí would talk with Oromis after she left to try and get an update on her daughter. Oromis would tactfully give her the bare bones information but would always remind her that if she wanted more, she would have to speak to her kid and stop being such a (obviously not his words) utter tit about the whole banishment business. Before that, though, Islanzadí frequently asked Oromis for help or advice on how to best secure the elves after they fled into Du Weldenvarden.

Since it came up, I want to clarify for Modern Inheritance. While MIC!Elves are more okay with the whole poly stuff than humans or dwarves, as well as having multiple (spaced out) partners in a friends-with-benefits type situation, in MIC once an elf picks a romantic partner it is definitely more common for them to remain monogamous until they decide the relationship has run its course or they end up mated for life. Some just pick a romantic partner, skipping the whole sample box bit, others just keep going with that buffet. Ignore my terrible comparisons, I didn't get much sleep.

[marvelsimp97]

We Found Love Again (Loki x Reader) Chapter Four - Bargain

Summary: Once upon a time Asgard and Alagaësia had an allience. The Alagaësian elven princess, (Name) usually visited Asgard to learn combat and have kids around her at the similar age. She almost grew up there and became good friends with Loki after the dark prince realized why he wanted to avoid her presence in the first place. They fell in love but never got the opportunity to try and confess their feelings for each other because of the war Alagaësia was in with another kingdom. (Name) was called back to her home and Loki never saw her anymore. But one day, she came back to Asgard, centuries later. Why?

Word count: 2235

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

Loki's PoV.

The Trickster knew he needed this woman to get out of his cell and now that he made her trust him it would be easier than he thought. (Name) was dead which meant this woman in his arms couldn't be the woman he loved. He looked at the woman clutching his coat and pressing her body into his but couldn't see the one he loved so many years ago.

He didn't believe anymore that he could even love. If this woman holding him was the same person he loved still he was lucky... but he couldn't be lucky... or worthy of her love. She didn't know the monster under the disguise of Aesir skin, who she held now so tightly not wanting to let go. He saw the memories flashing through her mind but even if the obvious was screaming at him he couldn't believe it and told himself that all of this was just an act, a game of the All-Father.

'Loki? What is wrong?' asked (Name). He looked down at her showing sadness caressing her cheek with his thumb.

'They are coming' told her the Trickster knowing it was true even if he just wanted to draw her attention away from him. Loki let go of her and she was again outside of the cell. (Name) looked up at him surprised and somewhat frightened before she turned and ran away when Loki nodded at her unspoken question.

He needed some time to think over what he wanted to do now and where he wanted to go with this. He knew he forgot every possible plan he had when his lips met hers. They felt the same as the night he kissed her first and as he thought last. His heart was beating fast when the guards and Odin arrived to find him alone in his cell. Odin asked him a few questions but he just ignored the old king not noticing the smug look on his face as he walked away and left Loki alone to his thoughts.

Your PoV.

You ran down the corridors through the palace and only stopped when you closed your door. Your lips still tingled from the kiss you ached for so many nights and days through the hundreds of years locked up in the lonely tower Vraë sent you as its prisoner.

Your heart pumped quickly and you couldn't stop thinking about those sweet thin lips. You fell back on your bed in your clothes and sighed lovingly and giggled like a sixteen year old. Someone knocked on your door so you got up with furrowed eyebrows at who could it be and opened it. Frigga smiled at you from the other side to your surprise.

'We should talk' she said and walked inside. You closed the door and turned to her silently not knowing what to say or do. You knew she must be here because you were inside of Loki's cell.

'I do not know how I got inside the barrier, my queen... I blacked out and then suddenly was inside his cell' you started explaining yourself but she held up a hand still smiling warmly at you.

'Do not worry, my child' she said. 'You did nothing wrong by going to him... I assume my husband just got an idea of what to do with Loki.'

'What do you mean, my queen?' you asked concerned for Loki's life. You finally could feel his touch on your body and you didn't want to lose it so suddenly now.

'The Vardens called our kingdom searching for you. Your master, Eragon was quite worried about you. He asked if you were well and informed us about the on-coming war Alagaësia is at soon.' answered Frigga. 'The Vardens decided to help the elves and they wish for you to join their lines because of your victories in the former war five hundred years ago.'

'So I have to go back now...' you mumbled disappointed. You didn't want to leave just yet. You just started to build back up what you had with Loki, the only person you could love ever since you were children and you didn't want to give him up again.

'My husband and I assume that if we send Loki with you, it would prove if he could change... for insurance, we will send Thor and Lady Sif with you' smiled at you the queen. Your heart thumped in your chest happily at the thought that you could free Loki and you could be with him. Something however popped into your mind. If the Vardens would fight the elven army it would only mean their fail. Elven warriors were much faster and stronger than human ones. You knew you had to go back to protect everyone. There were friends you adored and you still couldn't apologize of your father. You parted quite angrily back before you were imprisoned.

Flashback~

You sat at the foot of the Menoa tree trying to find peace. A week passed since Srunugr died on the battlefield but it still felt like it was a few hours ago. Tears ran down your cheeks like raindrops on the glass as you slowly started singing to the tree. Your voice filled the area drawing small animals' attention to the beautiful sound.

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin Siúil go sochair agus siúil go ciúin Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom

Siúil, siúil, siúil a rúin Siúil go sochair agus siúil go ciúin Siúil go doras agus éalaigh liom Is go dté tú mo mhúirnín slán I wish I was on yonder hill 'Tis there I'd sit and cry my fill Until every tear would turn a mill I'll sell my rod, I'll sell my reel I'll sell my only spinning wheel To buy my love a sword of steel

I'll dye my petticoats, I'll dye them red And 'round the world I'll beg my bread Until my parents shall wish me dead

Your pain was obvious if others listened to it but no one did. Or you thought. Suddenly, when you quieted down you noticed someone sitting next to you. You looked up at the intruder who was none other than your father, Eragon. His brown hair was swinging in the gentle breeze while his brown eyes were looking up at the sky. His lips in a tight line, his jaw clenched tightly. You saw his agony on his face.

'I thought... it was your mother...' he said quietly. 'Your voices are so similar...'

'Others told me that too' you agreed. 'I'm sorry...'

'What for?' asked Eragon looking down on you concerned.

'For not being able to save mother' you answered knowing it if you wouldn't have been trying to kill everyone who tried to get close to Srunugr's dead body you would've been able to protect Arya from the soldiers closing on her.

'That wasn't your duty, (Name)' shook his head Eragon. He grabbed your hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

'But it was my duty to protect her, master... if I would've been stronger, faster... I would've-' you pulled away.

'You're still calling me "master"' Eragon noted. You blinked in surprise but anger took its place.

'Why would I call you anything other than that?! I don't even understand why you would want to act like you're more than that to me! You let me believe that Vraë is my father and I had to grow up knowing that my father hates me! I did everything to earn his love and the entire time I searched for the love of someone who hates me because I was born!' you screamed angrily at your master. You weren't angry at him nor hated him... you were still in deep pain because of your loss.

You jumped up and ran away to be alone somewhere no one would find you. As your feet padded on the grass Eragon closed his eyes sadly.

'But I never stopped loving you, little one' his voice however never reached you because you were too far from him.

End of flashback~

You walked into the All-Father's study where you spotted Thor and Sif standing waiting for you and Frigga to enter the room while Odin sat in a comfy armchair patiently. Thor smiled at you reassuringly while Sif bowed to you. You nodded at her not wanting to draw too much attention to you by protesting. You never liked it when your friends had to act on protocol other than on a conference.

'I assume, Frigga already told you why you're here' spoke up the old king looking at you with his one good eye. You nodded not trusting your voice. You were sure if you spoke up you would stutter or show nervousness and you would seem weak. 'Are you sure you can do it? Can you bring peace to the Nine Realms by making peace at your homeland and assuring Asgard of an alliance we had during your mother's rule on Alagaësia?'

'I am, my king' you replied without hesitation. You calmed down a bit knowing that the fact you got in Loki's cell was okay. Not like you didn't trust Frigga's words but... Odin was different when it came to Loki.

'Would you be able to keep Loki in Alagaësia when your war is over?' asked suddenly the old king making all of you look at him wide eyed. You could see the others didn't know about this by the look on their faces.

'Father, I believe that it would be-' started Thor.

'I asked (Name)!' shut him up the All-Father. You gulped not knowing what was the right answer. Did he assume that if you said yes, you would be an enemy to Asgard because you are on Loki's side? Or was he expecting you to imprison Loki as thanks to him for sending help to stop Vraë? You were unsure of what to answer when Frigga placed a gentle hand on your shoulder.

'I am certain that would be too much to ask of (Name). Loki is capable of stronger magic than anything the Alagaësian elves are aware of. He would escape or would break havoc on that land.' said Frigga.

'I thought you had more faith in me, mother' spoke suddenly from behind Loki's deep, smooth voice. You turned back to him surprised to see him there. He was in shackles and two guards were on his sides but he still smiled like he just broke out of prison.

'Loki...' escaped the queen's mouth.

'So? Why am I here?' quirked an eyebrow the Trickster feigning boredom.

'You are going to Alagaësia to accompany (Name) and to help her bring peace to her kingdom' answered Odin sternly. Loki flashed you a suspicious glance but looked back at Odin.

'Why would you let me out of my cage? Am I not the monster you keep away from your precious kingdom?' asked Loki showing his bitterness. You looked down sadly recognizing this act. You were like this once and it didn't bring you anything good.

'I asked for you to accompany me. I know that you are a good tactician and would always find a way out of any trouble we might face' you spoke up looking straight at him hoping it would work. Loki's smirk grew mischievous as he watched you.

'Do you?' asked Loki quirking an eyebrow at you still smirking. Your cheeks now had a pink hue to it but you still looked at him and nodded.

'I do' your voice didn't waver and you were grateful for that.

'Then... I am at your service, my princess' he circled his left hand in front of his chest as much as he could with the shackles on his wrists and bowed deep to you.

Time skip~

You sat on a brown stallion galloping towards the BiFrost alongside Loki, Thor and Sif. All of them were already in their own fine armor while you were only in your normal gown. You had a few armors in Ellesméra in your room and you would easily sneak in at night when you were already in Alagaësia. You turned to your left side where Loki was with his black stallion and you noticed that he looked completely like before you left.

You couldn't help but watch him and take every detail in admiring him as much as you could.

'Something is on your mind, (Name)?' asked Loki suddenly shaking out of your thoughts making you blush hard that you got caught.

'I-I... you just still look... noble' you muttered trying to hide your blushing face. He chuckled quietly and turned his face to you a small smile playing at his thin lips.

'Even if I lost my title and was banished, I still have my pride, (Name)' he answered. You opened your mouth to say something when Thor's booming voice interrupted your conversation.

'We are almost there!' his boyish smile broke onto his face and you noticed Loki's expression change into a soft one showing that he still remembered the times they went on adventures together. Loki noticed your gaze and he quickly hid that soft expression behind a cold and hard mask. You sighed sadly and knew it would be hard to build back up what you had once. But you were ready for it because you would never let go of him again.

To be continued...

[thebluemoonwolf]

The Mourning Save

Summary: After crash landing in the modern world, Oromis has to figure out a way to support the first person he's been stuck with in the last 100 years. What better way to do that with something easy like streaming? Everything is going well until he can't ignore the call to his own time anymore. What he didn't expect to happen though, was bringing along extra baggage.

Chapter 20

Galbatorix was scared. The king wasn't so invincible after all. The traps were an issue though, and the child, Elva was able to inform the group of the danger. Saphira offered to fly over, but as soon as she tried Elva had screamed that she wouldn't be fast enough. Next to you, Epona's stump of a tail twitched in agitation. 

   We are wasting time, we need to get through or else the Varden stand no chance of winning! Magic is useless in this cursed city and I'll bet the elves are having a fun time figuring that out. 

Epona had addressed the group, and the spellcasters looked a little unnerved. You studied what you could from the little information given to you. 

   "It kinda sticks out, those things don't they? What if we stuff your swords inside them?" 

In truth, you've only seen such a thing attempted I'm TV shows back home, but now was as good as any to pretend you were an actor in a made up fantasy world. 

   "What do you have in mind?" Oromis asked, keeping a close eye on you in case you got just a little too close to the death scythes. 

   "Your swords. The elven ones. We have enough to stuff in the mechanism if we use the ones that aren't the rider swords." 

Every spellcaster laid their sword down at your feet. You examined the elven swords, and then laid yours down along with them. Blödhgarm, the odd furry looking elf stopped you before you could let go of your sword. 

   "As a rider," He began, "You out of us all need your sword, even if it is just an elven one."

You couldn't really argue with such a nice smelling, intoxicating man so you picked up your sword again. 

   "Get ready, as soon as the swords are in place you must run, all of you."

Using a variation of the teleportation spell Oromis had taught you, the swords swiftly disappeared from the ground, and you heard a nice sort of 'shnk' sound as they went into place with the mechanism. 

   Ready? You asked Epona, as you looked at her and her bright yellow eyes, and then to Oromis and Glaedr. 

   I am as ready as you are. 

You would never get over how sweet Epona's voice sounded, and for a brief moment you thought that if this was the last thing you heard, you were glad it came from her. 

   "Now!" 

The dragons jumped, and opened their wings. The elves shot off likewise and you kept pace with one of the last elves in the group. You could hear the mechanism struggle against the swords as it grinded against the odd material of elvish make. Elva, who was riding on Saphira, screamed. 

   "Faster! Move faster, all of you!"

Oh no. 

Everyone in front of you moved faster and cleared the danger. Only you and one older looking spellcaster remained. You felt time slow as Oromis turned around to see you. He felt so far away. Epona felt so far away. Everything… Felt… so… far… away….

You could see Oromis mouth something, but you could hear no words. Suddenly a kick of adrenaline ran through your body as you heard the swords break. You jumped, and you curled into a ball as your body skidded the last section of the hallway just in time for those death blades to catch the other elf you kept pace with. An odd glow surrounded her body, her wardes, you thought. She was pulled away just in time for them to break. 

You made it. Glaedr and Oromis made it. Eragon and Saphira made it. Epona made it. You were so close to finally facing the king. 

   "Are you okay? Did the blades catch you?"

Oromis had stopped kneeled down to you to make sure you were alright, and helped you to your feet. Epona was also fussing over you too, but you only patted her nose. 

   "I am fine, let's go, we are so close already!"

The other elf whose wards broke looked pale and sick, yet they stood as you and the group made it to the large throne room doors. A lot of ancient drawings were etched into its surface, and you wished that you knew the stories behind it. Just then, as you went to open the main door, another opened, and the spellcasting elves looked hypnotized as they hopelessly marched inside it. No matter what you or Eragon or Arya did, they were completely unfazed as they were taken. Elva was surprised too, since the attack didn't hurt them, she didn't know it would happen. Regardless, you still had top open the door and face the king. With three dragons at your back, a wise elf at your side, and a farm boy who was too thick skulled for his own good, you finally opened the doors. 

Inside was dark, and it took a moment for your eyes to adjust but once they did you were marveled at how massive this room was. You could make out the throne in the middle and waving black curtains behind it, but nothing else. That was when everybody's minds were attacked by hopeless, angry, babbling Eldunarí. Everyone stood motionless as they fought to protect their minds. More than once you would have to curl your mind so that only a fraction of you remained, but a friendly Eldunarí would always come to help fend the other off, resulting in a disgusting circle of attacks. It only got worse when you could feel rather than see Oromis stiffen. If he wasn't careful, an attack would definitely kill him here despite the wards he had in place. To the far side of you, you could see a woman chained to the wall. You assumed she was Nasuada, as Eragon had to confirm she hadn't pledged herself to him. 

   "What a pleasure to finally meet all of you here. Eragon Shadeslayer, Arya Drotinggu. Even you, Oromis. I'm glad you survived so that we could talk… properly about joining my vision for the future of Alagaësia. Relent in your mental attacks and let's have a proper chat."

   "I have not changed my answer since Gil'ead, I will not join you."

   "Not even if I could cure your ailment?"

Silence was the only response. Galbatorix again focused his gaze on the whole of the group. 

The king stood from his throne just as a few candles lit on either side of him showing two children, a boy and a girl who looked very scared.

   Umaroth, stop! There are children here! You pleaded to the Eldunarí, but they continued the mental battle. Glaedr spoke to them, his voice was louder and had more weight than yours. 

   Stop, if only for a moment Umaroth. There are hatchlings in danger!

There was a pause in the voices that overtook your mind. Galbatorix was calling off his Eldunarí.

   You understand what we must do, regardless of the hatchlings' life here. If there is a chance we Eldunarí will not miss it. The mental attacks from both sides ceased, and the king laid one hand on each of the childrens' shoulders holding them in place, and also, probably from running. He was playing the hostage card… and there is nothing you could do. The Eldunarí were right, regardless of these children's lives the fate of Alagaësia mattered more. Just as you came to that conclusion the king turned his attention finally, to you. 

   "And you… I heard of you. A war general, a strategist unlike any of the elves! Think of what you could accomplish for the whole of Alagaësia, if you only side with me." His voice boomed in mock praise, echoing throughout the room.

   "For the longest time your identity was a secret not even my most skilled could figure out. Almost like you appeared out of thin air." 

There was a pause. 

   "But, luck would have it, you revealed yourself to me, as you threw Murtagh off of Thorn. Who knew it would be you who would reveal something you kept so secret?" He smiled. But it wasn't directed at you. 

   "You were smart to hide your name. That, I bet, much to your comfort has not been found." He turned his attention to your partner of mind and soul, who at the moment was rumbling with quiet, fierce growls.  "And there is Epona of course. I knew of only three dragon eggs in existence, and just like you… Weasel, she appeared out of nowhere."

   You are not all knowing as you seem, coward.

Epona was sharing her thoughts with the group and her fierce voice cut through clearly. She hated Galbatorix hiding behind children just as much as you did. 

   "Ah, but I am not the only one who brought a child here today."

Looking over to Elva, she was frozen in place and couldn't speak. That part of Eragon's plan was a failure, too. Nobody could cast spells either, or the mad Eldunarí would attack again. 

    "But my issue lies with The Weasel."

With a flick of his finger, your feet slid across the floor against your will, and you were brought face to face with Galbatorix. Oromis was quick to action, but was overcome with one of his attacks instantly, and by the looks of it he had bitten his tongue. 

   "If you answer me, Weasel, I will heal him. This I will swear even in the ancient language."

Glaedr let out a roar that vibrated the ground, and from behind Galbatorix, leathery curtains shifted, to reveal a black scaled body. Shruikan only growled, but that was all the black dragon needed to drown out Glaedr completely. Galbatorix remained unaffected and continued to speak. 

   "What are the words you spoke when you battled Murtagh?"

   "I don't l- I don't know."

There was a pained sound heard from behind you. You didn't need to look to know who it came from. 

   "I didn't speak words!" You switched to the ancient language now, in a desperate attempt to get him to understand. 

   "I didn't speak any words! The spell was founded on emotions and images! You hear me speak this truth! Heal him!"

The noises from behind you stopped, and you mentally felt for Oromis to make sure he was okay. You felt him connect to you, briefly, but all you could feel was pain. A door opened, revealing Murtagh and Thorn. Murtagh said something about a broken door, but you were more worried about what exactly Murtagh was here for. At the sight of Epona he seemed to stop, and he must have connected the dots and figured out that you were the one who sparta kicked him ten thousand feet in the air. 

   "I would like to see a demonstration, if you don't mind…" 

Your body moved against your will, and then you were facing off against Murtagh, who already had his rider sword drawn. 

   "And… if I refuse to fight Murtagh?"

Nothing was said, but Oromis was already facing another attack, but instead of completely falling like he had done the first time, now he used his sword to keep himself upright. His eyes were locked onto you and his message was clear. 

   Do not do this to save me. There is much more at stake. 

No, you refused to see a future without him in it. You readied your elvish sword

   "Fear not, Oromis, I won't let them kill each other. They are irreplaceable." 

Then, at once Murtagh attacked. 

It was much like before, you keeping your distance as he gained ground. The only difference was that you didn't have an immediate threat of plummeting to the earth. With each clash of swords, the harsh attacks would be felt all the way up your arm. Your sword flew out of your hand, and he slashed your arm open. It healed a few seconds later. 

   "Again." Commanded the king. 

Your swords clashed again, and this time when Murtagh came close enough he spoke to you, briefly, and out of listening rang from the king. 

   "Damn you, if you could have only waited one more day. Just one day. I would have been able to save her."

You had enough strength to push Murtagh away and break the hold his sword had. You looked over to Nasuada who was currently chained down and had been kept here and tortured. He was trying to save her? You let the swords clashed again, shifting from defense to attack. 

   "We had no choice. You must understand this, Murtagh."

   "As much as I understand the need to kick me off of Thorn above the clouds, Weasel. Be ready."

Your swords broke away again, and clashed. You gained ground, and were able to use your magic to have your sword go through Murtagh's body, keeping him unharmed.

   "What an inventive way to create spells. Again."

This time, when the swords clashed, something felt… different… off about Murtagh. 

   Be ready. You told Epona, and the rest. When Murtagh was getting ready to attack, something changed. Instead of attacking you, he turned on Galbatorix, and spoke a… word that left your mind as soon as you heard it. The entire room erupted into action. The Eldunarí from both sides attacked, and you could see Arya hoist the odd elven weapon used to kill dragons. Shruikan began to move, and the dragons jumped to action. Epona helped Saphira and Thorn hold the black dragon down as Glaedr held one of the black dragon's wings in his jaws. Shruikan roared and breathed a white black fire which Arya ran through and plunged the weapon into Shruikan's eye. 

You had moved closer to Eragon and Oromis, but had to rapidly turn your body in order to avoid being slashed by the white, almost clear sword the king used. You were quick enough to block the second strike with your elvish sword but now you were on the floor, fiercely holding off the transparent sword from impaling you. Oromis came to your side instantly, and gold clashed against the clear looking sword. It gave you enough time to get up, but the distant feeling of mad, babbling Eldunarí in your mind kept you almost paralyzed. You could feel an odd pull coming from Eragon, and he had just come up to defend Oromis against Galbatorix. Oromis went down again, using his sword as a crutch as he kneeled, another one of his attacks taking over his body. You were just in time to block one of Galbatorix's swings. You stared down the king, as your swords were locked.

You felt at that moment, the Eldunarí from your side pool energy around Eragon. You didn't know what spell he was casting, but even Epona was helping him. The king's eyes blew wide open as his sword broke away from you, giving you the opportunity to thrust your sword into his gut. He didn't seem fazed though.

   "What- what have you done? What have you done to me!"

   "Make you understand." Responded Eragon. 

The king looked completely distraught, so you grabbed the transparent sword from where he had dropped it. He didn't deserve it, after all. 

   "Be not!" Screamed Galbatorix. 

Several things happened at once. First, Saphira, Epona, and Glaedr were pulled by a force toward you. Second, the attack that had previously affected Oromis had ceased, and he had tackled you to the ground as the both of you were also pulled by the same force toward the door. Third, an Atomic bomb went off. Well, it felt like one, as all you could see was pure white. Your vision was burned, but you could smell smoke and feel rubble fall around you. Your only source of sound was a sharp ringing, but that began to dull as your vision returned to you. Oromis had ended up using his shield to protect the both of you from various debris. It looked like he was speaking, but you couldn't make out what he was saying. Regardless, he pulled you to your feet, and to your astonishment, the transparent looking sword was still in your hands and it felt… right. 

Oromis was pulling you to where Glaedr and Epona lay and it looked like Glaedr had done the same as Oromis had and shielded Epona from the worst of the blast. By now some of your hearing was returning, and Oromis was ready to throw you onto Glaedr when you remembered something vital. 

   "The children! Where are the kids?"

You ripped yourself from his grip, and raced back to the throne room. It was being barely held together and you knew it would fall any moment. You saw Arya bolt into a different room, and Eragon was with Saphira… somewhere. You notice the two children who hadn't moved from their position on the throne steps. They looked dusty and scared but were otherwise unhurt. You approached them slowly, hands outstretched. 

   "Let me help you. Come to me please, and I can help you find your parents."

They seemed to come out of whatever spell kept them still, and ran to you. You held them close to you as Oromis came up from behind you. The children acted scared, and hid themselves from his view. 

   "Don't worry, he won't hurt you. He will help you find your parents."

The room groaned and you shared a concerned look with Oromis. You handed him the boy and Oromis held him close, shielding the boy's head as best he could as you did the same with the girl. The both of you ran out of the building through an opening in the wall. Glaedr and Epona followed as you and Oromis looked around the houses closest to the citadel. The children squirmed in your hands, so you let them go and watched as they raced to a house, where you assumed their parents were. It was confirmed when you saw a man and a woman hug them close, and then look at you. Both you and Oromis bowed your heads toward them, and then continued to your dragons. 

   Thorn and Murtagh are getting away! Said Epona, as she urged you to climb up so she could take off. In the air you could see Eragon and Saphira following Thorn but it didn't look like they were in battle. You looked to Oromis for guidance. 

    "We will follow, but do not engage."

The two of you were flying through the air in seconds, following the red dragon until he landed in the outskirts of Urû'baen, using hills as cover. You and Oromis dismounted, meeting Eragon and Murtagh just as they had finished speaking to each other. Murtagh took a generous distance backward as Oromis came into his view. 

    "I suppose an apology for cutting you with my sword will do no good?" Asked Murtagh. 

   "You did what you had to do, just as I would have killed you given the chance."

There was an uncomfortable pause. 

    "Elves don't tend to hold the longest of grudges. You can be easily forgiven when you choose to take up instruction on becoming a proper rider."

Thorn bowed his head and responded for Murtagh mentally. 

   Thank you Ebithril, but we want to travel the land until we don't wish to cover the grass in blood. 

That didn't sound so friendly to you, but Oromis was unfazed. 

    "We live long lives. Whenever you are ready the option is open."

Murtagh flew off after that. Epona still held anger toward Thorn for attacking Oromis, but you hoped she would eventually let her anger cool. Then, Eragon spoke. 

   "Murtagh… told me something that I think you, ebithril, The Weasel, and the Eldunarí should hear."

Eragon then explained about… the word you heard. He had to speak it three times for you and Oromis to finally understand its meaning. When you did, an uncomfortable sense of power overtook you. This word could change every spell about the ancient language if you let it.  

The next few months were hard, Eragon, Oromis, and you flew around Alagaësia, helping the cities and crushing small rebellions as the new nation was securing its place. Being led by Nasuada you thought it was in good hands. Once Galbatorix was defeated, you immediately remembered the eggs. You hadn't gone to get them just yet, as the three of you had no idea what to do with them. You had the liberty to take Umaroth and the other Eldunarí to Vrael's last resting place, where you had placed his sword down in a sort of memorial. 

   No. Said Umaroth, You keep the sword. It will do well in your hands to clear it's name rather than gather dust here. Take the sword and make it your own. 

You felt more than honored. The sword, which was named Islingr, felt more at home in your hand than the elven sword did.

When everything for Alagaësia could be done from you and Oromis, you both headed to Ellesméra as Eragon still had to serve Nasuada. Valdr chose to stay with you, and you gave the rest of the Eldunarí to Eragon.

When you and Oromis entered Ellesméra, the months that you were gone had left like years, as with the death of Queen Islanzadí left the political state in constant passive aggressive turmoil.

Frustration coated your face as you were sitting in Oromis' hut. The plans and papers on the table were overwhelming you. 

   "Does it really take you all this long to choose a ruler? Why can't you just turn to a democracy and make it somewhat easier?"

Oromis laughed from behind you as he poured you a cup of blueberry tea. You gulped it down and enjoyed the burn. 

    "Usually we vote them in, plus it would take way too long to change our political stances, so a monarch we must be."

He took a seat next to you and sipped his tea way slower, probably also enjoying it more as well. you decided this was the perfect time to branch a subject you both didn't speak about, as much as you should.

"Have you ever thought about using the... word... to erase your issue with magic?"

He stopped drinking and put down his cup.

"I have. And I want you to realize something before we continue this conversation. The spell I used to escape the trap the forsworn put me in Glaedr in is what excellerated my... affliction. That can not be fix because, it is as your people would say... Genetic."

He paused, took a sip, and then continued.

"As for the magic, I am sure that can be fixed with the... word, however I am reluctant. I have learned so much because of what happened, It is difficult to get rid of something that has been at the core of your being for so long."

"Is that a no?"

"It is undecided. But if one day I want it to be fixed, I will ask nobody else but you. Does that answer your question?"

It did, so you reverted back to your previous conversation as if nothing had happened.

   "There is Arya that must be taught as well…." 

You looked to Oromis to see his reaction. He was as calm as ever. 

   "Yes, who was to guess the last dragon egg would hatch for her?"

You kept your eyes on the plans in front of you. With the capture of Ceunon, the elves wanted to make it their territory. You had to fight tooth and nail to keep the city from being completely in the elves' control and instead offered that it should be a mixed city of humans and elves. 

    "And they keep pressuring her to take her mother's position." Continued Oromis. 

Your hands froze. 

   "Of course I am against such a thing, especially because she is so young." He continued. You gave a breath of release. 

   "However…"

You side-eyed him and he laughed. 

   "Just listen. I've been thinking-"

   "Oh I bet you have."

   "That I should take over the position, so Arya can learn to be a dragon rider properly without the duties of a queen holding her down."

You thought it over, but it made you uncomfortable. 

   "You want to be a king?" 

   "No, no dragon rider would ever want such power, but I am old enough and have enough influence to hold it. At least until they can agree on a proper monarch."

You thought about it. Oromis as the elven monarch. 

   "Wouldn't that mean you would need to move away from The Crags of Tal'naeír and into the city?"

That made him stop completely. 

   "It… is a small price to pay for my people's stability."

You could feel how much that hurt him to say, and you couldn't help but laugh.

   "Oh yes, I could see it now: all of the houses coming to you for their problems. A former hermit ruling a magical forest! It's Storybook worthy, Oromis." 

You both had your laugh for a few minutes, but Oromis was serious about this proposal. 

   "I don't suppose…" He began, lifting your hand up to his lips and leaving a small kiss. 

   "I could possibly convince you to agree to this idea?" Another kiss, this time it was placed higher. 

   "Why are you bribing me? I will follow you down whichever path you take for however long I am able."

He looked at you, with a questioning look. Valdr filled your head with an image. You, with a circlet crown, sitting next to Oromis. 

   "Wait! How does this in any way make me a ruler? I'm a human, won't that like, ruffle some feathers?"

You felt Valdr rumble with disapproval. 

   "You are not just a human. You have traveled worlds, learned skills in weeks, created bonds with all creatures of Alagaësia. Above all, you are a dragon rider. If they disrespect you because of what you were born as then they disrespect me, and I will not take that lightly."

You gave a defeated huff. 

   "Your position is only temporary." You clarified. 

   "Well, technically, all rulers' positions are temporary."

You rolled your eyes. 

   "My attitude is rubbing off on you. Fine, run for office, Oromis Thrándurin. Lead the elves into a new, accepted age and all that jazz."

   "There is also… the issue of your… visions."

Eugh, this was not something you wanted to talk about. Each day was a struggle to stay grounded here. You had spoken to Valdr about it, and he thought he had found a way to keep you here but since it was untested he didn't want to make promises. 

   "I'm aware of what they mean Oromis… I just… don't want to leave you know? Nothing is waiting for me back at my home. I- I don't have anything there…"

You were almost hysterical, you didn't want to leave, to abandon your life here would mean to abandon who you were. 

   "You keep fighting them, and I know how much pain they cause. You are not from here that I cannot change. Your only choice is to fall asleep tonight and let Valdr do what he can. Whatever happens, will happen."

   "Could you at least just lay with me? Just so that I can- I don't know- I won't fight it, but I just want you there."

Oromis had agreed without question, and as you finally stopped fighting, you heard a distant melody beginning that was coming from Valdr. It felt like a story, a journey, a plea. You let yourself go then, crying, but feeling complete with Oromis in your arms. 

Whatever happens, will happen. And who else could say they saved an entire continent with a dragon that was bonded to you?

Eragon has left Alagaësia with the Arya and the eggs, and is looking to lead the new rider generation. With Oromis' guidance of course, but it has been a few years since the eggs have left, as well as the dwarves and Urgals being added to the dragon pact. You ran this through your head several times as you traversed the streets of Tierm. 

   It looks so different. Do you think he will remember us? You were mentally speaking with Epona as she waited outside the city. She was too big to hide so she sort of just chilled at the gate. Kids would bet each other on who would be the bravest and touch the mighty dragon. She wouldn't hurt any of the kids, but she did enjoy spooking them with puffs of smoke. Whichever child was brave enough, she would let them climb onto the saddle, and sometimes, if you were gone for long enough, she would speak with them. 

   I don't know if he will remember you, considering you hid yourself for the better part of your stay but I wish you luck. 

With Islingr safely at your back, you stepped inside Otis' bar. You tried to enter quietly, but now that your face was well known, it was kind of difficult. Everybody stared as you took a seat at the bar and waited to be served. The loud talks and arguments that you were able to hear outside were lost. Everything was quiet, and you kind of just wanted to leave and never come back. 

   Do not chicken out now, not after we spent all this time traveling here.

You jumped as the door to the back opened and then closed. 

   "So sorry for the wait, we ran out of-"

Otis stopped short as he made eye contact with you. He was different now, he had a limp and used a walking stick. 

   "To whom do I owe the pleasure of serving the Elven Monarch?"

You cringed. After this you could totally see why the elves stayed in Du Weldenvarden.

   "You knew me, before I was a ruler back when I was just some starving beggar off the street with an odd looking pot."

That jogged his memory. 

   "Weasel?"

You nodded, and shared about how you kept Epona in the pot, how you then hid her in the satchel you stole, and how you and her hunted for food when she was old enough. How you trained with the elves, and how you helped with the siege in Ceunon and Gil'ead. This delighted Otis, who, upon a closer inspection, was older than he looked. He must be close to his end and that made your stomach pool with dread. He wouldn't be the last you would watch age and die. 

   "To think, I had someone that great, serving tables." 

You shared in his laughter. 

   "I wanted to come and thank you personally, when everything cooled down. I won't be able to leave Du Weldenvarden for quite a bit now, but I am glad you were still here. It is nice to share my story with someone who was here from the beginning."

He had given you a drink, 'on the house' and you downed it, out of respect. 

   "Thank you, for visiting my dingy asablishment, I'm sure no other bar will be able to compete with me now." Otis gave a belly laugh, and then you said your goodbyes. Before you completely went out the door you whispered a small blessing, for Otis and his business. 

   May you prosper, for as long as you live, and if you wish, even after your death. 

   Such few blessings you give, and yet you never forgot this bartender. Glaedr's voice filled your head, as his Eldunarí was always with you, along with Valdr, but he was quiet most of the time and preferred to observe. 

You climbed onto Epona, and watched as the kids waved her off. She gave them a loud roar goodbye which made them scatter. It was hard holding back your chuckle. You made it back to Ellesméra, but you still had to get used to… well everything. Walking through, what used to be Islanzadí's house felt odd, as each portrait of the rulers felt alien to you. At the end of the hallway, there was Oromis' portrait. Somehow they had captured each detail perfectly. Your portrait was next to his, but you refused to look at it. You didn't want to know how less perfect you were compared to elves. You made your way to the main chambers, where a long dining table was freshly plated with… vegan options. You still had a hard time adjusting to their diet. Oromis was sitting at the table, both of his hands full. Two tiny bodies were held close to his chest, asleep. 

   "Good you're here. Take one, please. I am starving."

You gently moved one baby from his dominant hand, and watched as he held the other one while he ate. You took a seat next to him and watched as the baby breathed and how it would slightly move in its sleep. Twins, you had twins. They didn't have any defying features about them, they were too small for that. As you held the baby in your hand, you couldn't help but take a deep breath. 

You could smell the fresh air, and you knew you were home.

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Ah it's over! It's ended! Thank you so much for liking each chapter and I hope the ending was alright. Thank you so much for reading.

Tags: [@overlordspirit18] [@raiikuii] [@panic-based-riot]