Eldest

Eragon is awakened in the middle of the night by a raging storm and rushes to close the hut’s windows. As he does so, he is struck by a seizure because of his back injury and collapses.

The next day, Eragon practices sword-fighting with Oromis, but he has another seizure that temporarily immobilizes him. Oromis sends him to listen to the forest instead, but Eragon is frazzled and feels helpless. When he asks why he should learn how to meditate, Oromis explains that Eragon’s intelligence and critical thinking skills are just as important as his skills with a blade. In addition, if Eragon develops greater awareness of his surroundings, he will be better able to detect magic users who may wish him harm. Oromis then asks Eragon why he is fighting against Galbatorix. When Eragon cannot give a satisfactory answer, Oromis encourages him to reflect on this point.

Eragon has a magic lesson with Oromis, who teaches him about creating and wielding spells. The old Elf traps Eragon’s legs to show him how to counter a spell. However, Oromis’s magic fails due to the lingering effects of an injury that he sustained years ago, and Eragon apologizes for pushing the master too hard. When Glaedr and Saphira return, the younger dragon playfully attacks Glaedr, who grows exasperated with her antics. Later, Arya shows Eragon around the Queen’s palace, and Eragon impulsively compliments her beauty. Saphira warns Eragon against trying to pursue a relationship with Arya, and Eragon cautions her to behave more respectfully around Glaedr.

Eragon begins practicing his sword fighting with Vanir, an Elf who has nothing but contempt for the young human Rider. Eragon has another seizure in the middle of the session. He then continues studying with Oromis, and the two discuss Eragon’s answer to the old Master’s earlier question about Eragon’s motivations for fighting Galbatorix.

Oromis teaches Eragon how to create a fairth (an enchanted, almost photographic picture of a scene). When Arya and Orik join them, the Dwarf asks to observe Eragon’s lessons so that he can report Eragon’s progress to Hrothgar. Eragon demonstrates how to make a fairth by creating a picture of Arya, who is angered by his gesture. Oromis later explains that Eragon’s feelings for Arya are likely to complicate his responsibility to the people of Alagaësia. Eragon agrees and resolves to apologize to Arya.

Due to his intense physical training, Eragon has been experiencing more frequent seizures. As a result, he begins to doubt his ability to fulfill his role as a Rider. His conflictual relationship with Vanir culminates in a confrontation, during which Eragon loses his temper and Vanir defeats him with a spell. Eragon later discusses the incident with Oromis, who teaches him more about the nature of magic and how to use it wisely.

The narrative shifts to Roran’s endeavors. After a grueling walk across the Spine, the villagers of Carvahall finally reach Narda. They set up camp, and Roran approaches the city with only a few other people. There, they find wanted posters of Roran and Eragon, each promising rewards from the king for their capture. They also go in search of supplies and try to charter a ship that can take them to Teirm, the next step on their journey. They are able to hire barges from a man named Clovis, but Roran leads him to believe that he will be transporting livestock. The villagers are initially opposed to traveling on barges, but a close call when a Ra’zac flies over their camp that night leads them to change their mind.

Two days later, the barges are ready to leave Narda and pick up the villagers in a nearby hidden cove. Before Roran meets Clovis at the harbor, a guard recognizes him and the young man is forced to kill him. However, they are able to set sail before the alarm is sounded in the city. When the barges reach the cove where the villagers are waiting, Clovis demands an explanation. Roran describes the situation and threatens to seize control of the barges himself if Clovis fails to honor his part of the deal. Clovis reluctantly agrees, and the villagers of Carvahall set sail for Teirm.

Eragon visits Arya and apologizes for his behavior towards her. She accepts his apology, and they end their conversation on good terms. Later, Glaedr teaches Eragon and Saphira about the bond between Riders and dragons, explaining that the bond is wrought by an ancient spell woven to ensure peace and cooperation between three races (dragons, humans, and Elves). He explains that Galbatorix’s rule and his artificial bond with his own enslaved dragon have weakened all three races, and that bringing peace to the realm is necessary to restore balance. Afterwards, Eragon tries to go hunting for meat because he feels dissatisfied with the Elves’ entirely vegetarian diet. However, he realizes that his meditations have shown him how intertwined all living creatures are. This knowledge renders him unable to eat the rabbits that he has hunted, and he vows never to eat meat again.

One day, one of Glaedr and Saphira’s lessons together ends in a fight. Injured, Glaedr returns to Oromis’s hut on his own, but he refuses to talk about the two dragons’ disagreement. Eragon finds Saphira and tends to her injuries. She explains that Glaedr refused her amorous advances, shattering her hopes that he might become her mate. Saphira is ashamed of her behavior and apologizes to Eragon for neglecting him. The two mend their relationship.

The Elves are preparing for the Agaetí Blödhren, a celebration of the oath that first bound the dragons, Elves, and humans together centuries ago. Because all guests are expected to bring something that they have made themselves, Eragon composes a poem about his own journey. When the celebration begins, the Elves sing enchanting songs that muddle Eragon’s senses, and he joyfully participates in the festivities. Toward the end of the celebration, the Elves hold a ceremony to honor the dragons’ gift of magic to the other races. Suddenly, Eragon is struck by a seizure that leaves him unconscious.

When Eragon awakes, he notices that his body has been transformed. Now imbued with physical traits similar to the Elves’, he realizes that his back injury is gone. Elated, he confesses his romantic feelings to Arya, who firmly rejects him.