Prologue Part 3: Closure

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By this point, Eragon had grown quite sick of life on board the ship. The choppy seas, which felt no different than when he was on Saphira, were tolerable at best, and he often worried that the boat might collapse. The next day brought better weather, and clearer visibility.

"I'm going to do some scouting," he said to Blodhgarm. "There simply has to be something out there."

Blodhgarm nodded. "Be careful, Shadeslayer."

Mounting Saphira, they took off, rising high above the ship, such that it became barely a small pinprick below them.

See anything? he asked Saphira. Looking around, all he could see was empty ocean, save for the faint outline of the continent behind them.

Actually yes, I do! Saphira said after a little while. Eragon could feel her excitement across their mental link and joined with her so he could see what she saw. Her eyes were better, so he saw it first.

We're going to check something out, he said to Blodhgarm below.

Fly, Saphira!  

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It's perfect, Eragon thought as he beheld the island. A wide expanse of desert environment encompassed the land, a perfect place for dragons. Casting his mind out, Eragon gasped at the multitude and diversity of animals that lived on the island. There were small rabbits cowering in their holes to giant herds of buffalo and deer. A natural mountain formation riddled with caves and wide shelves of rock would provide a great resting place for dragons. As if the island knew that Eragon would be destined to land there, there was a perfectly sized hill, upon which Eragon would be able to build a gigantic fortress that could house as many Riders as need be.

Isn't it perfect? he asked Saphira. He knew the answer. She was tingling with excitement and anticipation.

We are home, Eragon.

And he had to agree with her.  

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They landed on the coastal cliffs, mentioning to Blodhgarm to steer the ship in the direction of the island, and together, the two of them set off to explore the island in full. Flying around the island only took a few minutes, for the island was small enough to be easily navigable, but large enough to support many Riders in the years to come. It would make a fine place for the Riders to rebuild themselves greater than before. All Eragon had to do was guide them. They flew over and landed on the hill, which provided a great panoramic view of the island. It was circular, and roughly 20 miles in diameter. Saphira eyed the massive herds that grazed the land hungrily.

Go and eat, Eragon said. I will be fine.

Though the ship wasn't that far, it was a while before Blodhgarm and the rest of the elves met him on the grassy hill.

"Is it not perfect?" Eragon asked.

"It is indeed," Blodhgarm replied, pulling out an enchanted mirror, such that they could contact Nasuada and Arya of what they had found. Eragon's heart leapt at the chance of seeing both of them again, though he could not join them in person.

Eragon watched as the mirror shimmered, then displayed the image of Nasuada, sitting upon her throne. "Eragon!" she exclaimed in surprise, noticing him.  

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"My lady," he replied in response.

"We have heard naught from you nor Saphira for the past few weeks," Nasuada said. Looking around, she continued. "Have you found what you are looking for?"

"I have," replied Eragon.

"That is good to hear," Nasuada replied in kind.

They quickly exchanged pleasantries, Nasuada explaining what had happened since they left. Orik had not lost his throne, as he had thought, but rather, was celebrated by his people for his alliance with Eragon and the further joining of the lands races to each other. Arya returned to Du Weldenvarden, along with Firnen, but only after distributing the two eggs amongst the urgals and the dwarves. Already, one had hatched for the Urgals, and Arya had taken the Urgal in question to Du Weldenvarden for training. Roran had returned, along with a number of villagers back to Palancar Valley, and last Nasuada heard, had already begun with reconstruction. This, Eragon was glad to hear, for it meant the beginning of a new chapter in Eragon's legacy.

"Do you miss her?" Nasuada asked out of the blue.

"Miss who?"

"You know," Nasuada said, and Eragon grasped her meaning.

"I still feel for her, that much has already been made obvious," Eragon admitted. "But it was never meant to be. There is no place left for me anymore in Alagaesia, and, unfortunately, no room in my future for the moment."

"Alas, we all must go through heartbreak, one time or another."

Nasuada made a peculiar expression and seemed to stare off into the distance. She stayed like that for a few minutes, before returning her attention to Eragon. "Well, I hope the best on you and your ventures."

They quickly exchanged goodbyes, before Eragon ended the spell.  

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He sighed, resting his hands on his knees, looking down towards the ground as an involuntary tear slipped down his cheek. Saphira nudged him gently in the side. She knew exactly how he felt.

I don't know if I can do this anymore, he admitted. He had tried so hard to suppress those feelings in order to move forward, but now that he had had the conversation with Nasuada, he didn't know what to do anymore. The woman he loved was beyond his reach.

You can always contact her, Saphira said.

I don't know if I can, Eragon replied. It was clear that Arya had finally, after all they had been through, reciprocated their feelings, but it was a romance doomed to failure, as Eragon knew when Angela cast his fortune so long ago. At the time, he couldn't believe it, as a new Rider and a human bent for revenge. Little did he know that he would take down the mad king and his servants, gain so many new friends, and eventually become the leader and father of a generation. It was too hard to grasp, so he tried his hardest to forget about it by pitching the tents for the night. It would be a long, arduous process to make the island a suitable place for Riders. As he did so, he conversed with the Eldunari, and with Blodhgarm and the other elves. And as he came upon the remaining dragon eggs, which were sequestered in their own separate tent, away from the others and protected by many spells, he was finally able to let go. He could only look to the future, and what new fortunes it may bring.

We are one, Little One? Saphira asked.

Together, we are one, Eragon agreed.

[Prologue Part 3/End]

Thus begins our tale...