Unexpected Ally - Eragon fanfiction

Chapter 3 - The brunette idiot

After two days of living with Saphira (which Ruth enjoyed) Eragon came to her in the morning "Ruth, we're Teirm now, we're going to Dras Leona"
"Alright, may I ride Saphira off the cliff? I do not enjoy heights"
"Ask Saphira not me"
May you descend me down the cliff? Ruth asked politely
I do not have a saddle on, as Eragon and I found out, always have the first flight with a saddle Saphira seemed amused by this
What happened?
You do not want to know
Okay, I'll climb down with Eragon. Ruth reluctantly agreed

Once on the ground, Brom met them, leading two horses. One horse was white, with a muscular bulk and an elegant face. The other horse was brown, with a black mane. It looked quite young.

"This is Snowfire and Cadoc" Brom said, gesturing to the two horses
"They are beautiful" Ruth replied "How will I travel though? There are only two horses"
"You will ride with Eragon on Cadoc"
Ruth gave her thanks to the trio for letting her join, she was overwhelmed with joy; she's always wanted to go on an adventure. Upon leaving Teirm, with Eragon sitting in front of Ruth on the saddle, Eragon interrogated Brom with questions about his 'friends' who Brom revealed as the Varden. To summarise the long conversation Ruth and Eragon found that there are many conflicts around Alagaesia, lots of things rely upon him (including the next generation of Riders), Brom killed Morzan fighting for Saphira's egg and Brom will keep Eragon from Varden as to not get caught up in their politics.

The conversation lasted until night where they made camp. Brom started making dinner (which Ruth decided to help him with) and Eragon went off to find water. As he disappeared into the shrubbery, Brom brought out two rabbits and gave one to Ruth.
"You know how to gut a rabbit?"
"Of course, do you think I laid on the floor in the Spine all day and just snapped my fingers to make food?"
"No I didn't think that. I'm sorry I underestimated you" he said with a slight glare "I didn't mean to offend you, if I did"
"You didn't it's just-- let's gut the rabbit"
"Okay"

Ruth and Brom had just put the organs of the rabbits on a separate slab from the rabbit's skins. They were preparing the rest of the dinner when Saphira swooped in and grabbed the two of them. Saphira kept them behind her wing despite Brom's constant cursing and Ruth's continuous threats. She heard Eragon stumble out of the forest Saphira immediately flicked her tail at him
Oops she apologized
"Oops?! You could have killed me!" He growled, his footsteps came closer to Saphira "Where's Brom and Ruth?"
"We're here!" they said in unison, anger colouring both of their voices
"Now tell your crazy dragon to release us; she won't listen!" Brom snapped
"Let them go!" Eragon said exasperated "Didn't you tell them?"
No Saphira admitted You only said to keep them safe
Saphira lifted her thin wings and Brom and Ruth stepped forward angrily
"I found an Urgal footprint. And it's fresh" Eragon said. Dread clutched at Ruth's chest, fear began to creep inside of her. Brom immediately turned serious
"Saddle the horses, we're leaving" he put out the fire, then nodded toward Eragon's right arm which he was cradling against his chest "What's wrong with your arm?"

"My wrist is broken" he replied, swaying. Brom cursed and saddled Cadoc for him. He helped Eragon onto Cadoc and -with one swift movement- Ruth had also got onto Cadoc.
"We'll have to put a splint on your arm. Try not to move your arm until then" Brom said. Eragon gripped the reins so hard with his left hand his knuckles turned white
"Loosen your grip" Ruth said, when she did Eragon's knuckles returned to their original colour as his grip was reduced.
"It's almost dark; you might as well fly overhead. If the Urgals show up they'll think twice about attacking us with you nearby" Brom told Saphira
They better, or else they won't think again Saphira remarked as she took off. The light disappeared quickly but Ruth's anxiety rose. The horses spurred on despite their tiredness and after a mile of traversing Brom stopped "Listen"
Everyone fell silent as they heard a faint sound of a hunting horn call behind them.
"They must have found where we were" Brom said "and probably Saphira's track. They will chase us now. It's not in their nature to let prey escape" Then the two horns winded. They were getting closer. Chills sprinted down Ruth's spine and in front of her she saw Eragon was similarly affected.
"Our only chance is to run" said Brom, he raised his head to the sky and his face blanked as he called Saphira. She rushed out of the black night sky and landed. "Leave Cadoc, you'll be safer with her"
"What about you?" Eragon protested
"Should I join him?" Ruth asked, she knew Saphira probably couldn't carry her too
"Ruth, stay on the ground with me, Saphira isn't big enough yet and we'll be fine. Go go!"
Without saying another word Eragon clambered off of Cadoc (leaving Ruth in charge of Cadoc's reins) and climbed onto Saphira. While Brom and Ruth set off at a hurried pace. Ruth glanced behind her for a second to see Saphira take off into the sky; it was the most majestic sight. Another horn blared nearby, apprehension clutched Ruth's heart. They crashed through the underbrush, forcing the horses to their limits. The horns trumpeted loudly then silenced. Minutes passed then a single horn sounded in the distance. Relief lifted the current anxiety that Ruth was suffering from. Brom and Ruth slowed their frenzied rush.

Just as Ruth finally relaxed and was ready to make another camp, a horn yelled right behind them. Brom and Ruth immediately continued their mad retreat. Ruth glanced behind her to see horned Urgals shouting with coarse voices gaining ground. Her breathing began to quicken, like her heartbeat which danced so fast it felt as though it would fall out. Suddenly Saphira dropped from the sky and landed in front of the Urgals. Brom signalled to Ruth to stop, they both turned around to see Eragon conversing with the monsters.
"What is he doing?!" Ruth exclaimed, scared for him and herself
"I'm not sure" Brom yelled, angry

Quickly, the Urgal smashed Eragon in the head, his limp body fell over on itself."Go, Ruth let's go!" Brom ushered
"What about Eragon?" Ruth asked, gesturing to Eragon's situation
"He's got Saphira"
"Okay"
 Ruth and Brom continued to go forth, until they had lost the Urgals. Once they escaped the creature's clutches they made camp. They started a small fire and Brom brought out some stale sourdough loaves. The mood was miserable, the two of them were tired, as were their horses which were grazing in a nearby field. The two of them sat wordlessy around the heatless flames, the crunches of the food they consumed were a steady melody that broke the silence of the world that surrounded them. Saphira lay around their camp, stretching her beautiful bulk in a circle so that her head was 10 feet from her tail. Eragon's unconscious body lay lifeless against Saphira's stomach, rising and falling with her uniform breathing. Ruth was concerned greatly for his safety whereas Brom said she shouldn't be and that he would be fine.
"When do you think he's going to wake up?" Ruth inquired, concerned and curious
"I'm not sure but when he does he won't like it" Brom grunted, stuffing a large amount of bread in his mouth
"Why?" Ruth asked
"Because he is a fool, he meant well but he is going to die if he keeps this up. He is young and irresponsible" Brom laughed "Like myself when I was his age but nevertheless he is reckless and abuses magic without awareness of consequences"
"Well I do not know of the mistakes he made in the past with you. I'm sure he'll learn though" Ruth said, staring at Eragon's head which rolled to the side as Saphira snorted. Startling Brom and Ruth, they both choked slightly at the unexpected noise. Eragon's head rolled again but on his own accord, he sniffed and his fingers twitched then his body lay still again.

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