Prologue: The Delivery

Wind howled through the night, bringing a chill from the west that seeped into one's very core. Following this icy current, were two weary travelers that would change the world.

A beautiful woman with a small babe tucked close to her breast, crouched hidden in a bush. She scanned her surroundings warily before checking on her child, before glancing down to her rounded stomach.

The forest around her was eerily silent in the cold fall night, as the trees swayed to the beat of the wind.

The crunch of dry leaves nearby was the only sign that she was not alone.

Quietly, she craned her neck to peer through the foliage to see two dark figures emerging.

Waiting until they were near, she silently raised her right hand whispering, "Garjzla!"

A purple bolt flashed from her hand quickly bringing down the two followers. The eerie silence fell back onto the dark forest, as the woman continued to crouch, waiting. After around twenty minutes, she slowly edged out of the shrubbery.

Clutching her child in her left hand and an elegant dagger in her right, she inched forward in the darkness. Approaching softly the woman crouched, to examine the two figures.

Both were cloaked men that she recognized, confirming her suspicions. They were tracking her. He was tracking her.

Hastily the woman rummaged through the two men's belongings producing two silver tokens. Making sure they would not walk again, she swiftly departed the clearing heading deeper into the forest.

An hour later, she could see the lights of a small farm, with smoke lazily rising from a chimney. Exhausted the woman let loose a small smile as she gazed upon the familiar land. She then quickly limped across the remaining distance, before coming to rest at the front door of a small house. Hesitating for a moment, she raised her hand knocking.

A moment passed before the door swung open to reveal a man who resembled the woman. The man squinted, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness before widening with recognition.

"Selena?" he asked in disbelief. He then took into account the state she and her child were in, before swiftly beckoning for her to come inside. Once she was through the door he peered back into the night before following her.

"Garrow who was it?"A woman came into the room clutching a small child of her own, letting shock fill her face.

"Marian help her. I must fetch Gertrude." Garrow said quickly as he grabbed a coat and dashed out the door.

The woman swiftly placed her child on a nearby table before rushing to Selena's side, supporting her and her kid into a bedroom. Once Marian was sure that Selena and her child were comfortable she left, coming back with her own.

She then took a proper look of her sister-in-law, from her pale face, to her expensive clothing, to her very pregnant belly. Many questions were circulating through her head, but she remained silent as she slowly cradled her child.

Half an hour later, hooves could be heard approaching the house.

Marian was scared half to death when Selena suddenly jerked up with a dagger in hand.

Before either could move again, the sound of a key unlocking the front door was heard, and both women relaxed as Garrow swept into the room followed by an elderly woman.

The woman, once taking in the sight of Selena, immediately started moving around barking orders at Garrow. Marian watched from the side as she nostalgically remembered the same process being done on her many months ago.

In the very early morning, a toddler was brought into the world kicking and crying. Selena was very weak, so much so that Gertrude had to stay the night to monitor her condition. Despite her condition, Selena still let loose a weak smile naming her new babe... Eragon.

At midday, Gertrude made one final check on Selena before leaving, saying that she'd be fine with rest.

Selena ended up sleeping through the rest of the day, leading to Garrow and Marian being forced to take care of her two boys alongside Roran. They didn't mind though, as Roran seemed to be bonding with the brothers quite well.

That night, when Garrow went to check on his sister, he found an empty room. Garrow frowned before worry started to pour in, and quickly rushed out the room to check the rest of the house.

Marian, who was tending to the boys, noticed her husband's frantic search.

"Garrow, what's wrong?"

"It's Selena, she's gone!" Marian's eyes widened. "Pardon?"

"She's gone! I just checked the bedroom." Garrow repeated breathlessly.

"But how? Gertrude said she was too weak to do anything except rest?"

"I do not know, but she could not have gotten far. I'm gonna try and find her." Garrow said as he started to put on his coat.

Marian nodded, and watched as her husband swiftly exited the house. She then turned her gaze to the two boys. What mother could abandon her own children?

Moments later Garrow burst back into the house looking even more frantic.

"Our horse is gone!"

Marian was speechless. "Maybe Gertrude took it by accident?" She tried.

"No," Garrow said, shaking his head, "I think Selena took it. I think she's really gone. I do not know how long ago she left, but she seemed to be in a hurry."

His gaze then turned to Eragon being cradled in his wife's arms, to his older brother playing with his son. He didn't understand. The look Selena gave her sons, for the brief time she was here, was full of love. If she loved them that much how could she just leave?

Marian saw the sad look in her husband's eyes. A tear slowly trickled down her cheek as she saw he was staring at his nephews.

"Did you check her room? For a clue? Anything that could be a reason why she abandoned them? Why she even came here? We haven't seen her since our wedding day."

Garrow let out a long sigh. "No, and I don't know Marian." He leaned on the wall for a few minutes before getting up, and moving towards the bedroom Selena had stayed in. He came back a few moments later, with items in his hands.

"What are those?" Marian asked as she cradled Eragon.

"I do not know. They were on the dresser." Garrow replied as he sat in the chair across from her.

He then gently put each item down, slowly examining them, one by one. The first item Garrow examined was a fat pouch. Inside he shockingly found enough crowns to take care of his entire family for years.

Marian noticed the look on her husband's face. "What's inside?"

Garrow didn't respond, as he handed Marian the pouch. Seeing the contents her face mimicked Garrow's. "That's enough to buy a castle and more."

"I know..." Garrow responded, "What I want to know though is how my sister acquired such funds?"

Marian simply shrugged as Garrow moved on to inspect the rest of the mysterious items. Spotting another lavish pouch he picked it up.

Inside he was grateful to find a note, and a ring. The note was written on thick parchment and read:

'Brother, I apologize for the abruptness of my stay. Danger is near. I know I may look cruel but please tell Eragon and Murtagh I loved them more than anything. I left some money to help. The ring is their birthright. Hopefully one day you shall understand.

Do not trust the riders.

Much love, Selena'

Garrow was left stunned. He handed the note to Marian before taking out the ring. It was attached to a silver chain, and it was one of the most beautiful creations Garrow had ever laid eyes on. Interwoven into the ornate design was a blue sapphire the size of a small pebble. The sapphire seemed to be branded with a strange symbol Garrow didn't recognize, but gave off an auror of power.

"It's very cryptic." Marian said dryly, handing the note back to Garrow. He only nodded as he dropped the beautiful ring back into the pouch along with the note.

Marian, realizing how late it was, stood picking up Murtagh who joined Eragon in her arms, and headed towards the vacant bedroom. She came back moments later and did the same with Roran.

As she tucked the three boys into bed, Garrow gazed at the last items left behind. It was a couple of tokens of some sorts, each inscribed with a symbol of a black hand reaching out. Underneath the symbols were the words Svartr Lam.

Garrow didn't have a clue what they were but slipped the tokens into the pouch with the ring and note, stood up, and placed it all under a loose floorboard.

When he returned to his chair, Marian was already back in her seat, staring into the dying embers of their fireplace.

Silence enveloped the humble house as the couple realized the events that had quickly unfolded.

"What do we do?" Marian asked, breaking the silence.

"We raise them as if they were our own."

Marian nodded in agreement. "What do we tell others? They will question the boys and their parentage."

Garrow covered his face in his hands before responding. "We tell them the bare minimum. My sister came, and died in childbirth. The father was unknown... I will head back into town tomorrow to purchase a new horse, and to tell Gertrude to be secretive of the events of last night."

Marian nodded again. "What will we tell the boys once they're older?"

Garrow reached out and took his wife's hand caressing it gently with his thumb. "We will tell them the truth, once they are of age. They are entitled to know what occurred. Until that time we will keep them ignorant."

"Okay. What about their birthright?"

Garrow smiled a bit. "I will present them with it once Eragon is on the cusp of manhood. Until that time no one must know about it. I feel the items could put us in danger if ever found."

Marian nodded slowly as silence took the room again. The only noise being the wind, howling outside, and the embers crackling.

"What danger do you think Selena got into?"

Garrow frowned. "I think I'd rather not know... but I am guessing it must have been very serious for her to abandon her own sons."

Marian gazed at her husband sadly. "I don't think I could ever do that... I can't imagine the pain she felt doing so."

Garrow smiled knowingly back at her. "Selena's always been strong. Ever since we were children, she was the brave one," His smile disappeared, "But I am afraid she might have bitten off more than she could chew if the riders are involved."

Marian's gaze turned frightened. "We should be glad that they rarely come down to the valley then. They only travel here for Utgard Mountain and the fortress."

Garrow nodded. "Yes... It's disconcerting though, as Selena's message contradicts my prior beliefs of them. They have done much good but I trust my sister's words."

His wife gave him a wary look, before nodding and turning her gaze back to the dying embers. She then arose declaring she was gonna get ready for bed leaving Garrow to his own thoughts.

His sister's note's warning was troubling him, along with the chain of events that had led him to now have three children to take care of.

Sighing he got up stretching his back, before killing the fire, and heading towards the bedroom to join his wife.

He prayed that wherever Selena was, she was safe, and shuddered a bit when a dragon's roar could be heard in the distance.

What had Selena brought upon him?

I've had this story circulating through my head for years and am only now writing it down. Please review if you enjoy it or have questions. I will try and update weekly but we shall see. Thanks for reading!