#Orik

[thearunadragon]

Remembering the time Eragon saw a dwarf woman cut off her own finger

[glbtrx]

Ajihad: would you say that you're independent?

Eragon: *looks behind himself*

Saphira, Nasuada, Arya, Orik, Murtagh: *nod*

Eragon: yeah, I'd say so.

[crispy-ghee]

Commission for bonemoth on bluesky of Orik. This one was a lot of fun to do.

(Get your own $25 headshot commission on Ko-fi here)

[nailsinmywall]

eragon (inheritance cycle) ⚔️

[dumbassonmars]

Stonehead! I called you Stonehead because I've been trying to wake you for almost an hour.

- Orik, from Eldest, by Christopher Paolini

[musicandbooksaremyhappyplace]

who is your favourite IC character?

murtagh or orik. (Can’t decide)

[sparklepirate]

Ah. Well.

..... About that-

[kirikamagica]

Man this Tumblr thing is easy I just type Oriko and people interact

[whisperinglines]

«Ti preoccupi per una crepa nel pavimento quando tutta la montagna sta per crollarci addosso!»

- C. Paolini, Inheritance

[thearunadragon]

I love how Eragon got drunk with Orik and this basically actually happened.

Eragon: I’m in love with Arya. Thoughts?

Orik: And prayers. You’re gonna need ‘em!

[aikoiya]

While I can definitely understand depression, I guess it just feels odd that he almost seems to be choosing not to even try to be happy.

Like, I get it. He loved Hemisi. Understandable. But he's really just soft of wallowing in his depression rather than even trying to move on & live.

Sure, he can't be with Hemisi. But he is the king now & he can find other ways to be happy. Like isn't just Hemisi.

Congratulations on the followers! Or, well... congrats to them for following someone awesome. XD

A prompt: Link (any of em), a butterfly, and "I could never think that about you."

It was a quiet evening in the royal gardens. Sonia was playing with her brother in the distance, allowing Link a moment to simply relax and smile and watch them. It was... nice. Peaceful. He hadn't seen his children in two days, with as worn thin as he'd felt lately. He'd hated himself for not simply dragging his pathetic self out of bed, but instead, Lady Impa had checked in on him and finally convinced him to leave his room after a couple days. He was thankful for it, and ashamed it took her help to get him here.

Movement caught his attention, and his gaze settled on a nearby flower. A butterfly was landing on it, wings gently moving back and forth as it balanced on the petals. It was lilac in color, with red markings on its delicate wings. One of the rarer breeds, only seen in Kakariko until they were introduced to the gardens. It reminded him of home from long, long ago.

He wondered how and why they had been brought here.

When he heard footsteps behind him, he glanced quickly, tensing, recognizing the cadence of the steps, the swishing of a skirt along the grass.

Zelda moved carefully, perching herself on the space beside him on the bench. Neither said anything for a while, listening to the laughter of their children.

Surprisingly, Link broke the silence first. "I thought you had a banquet you had to attend."

"It's in honor of the veterans of the war," Zelda answered. "I thought it best that you be there as well."

So what, you're here to retrieve me? Order me to go?

"Besides," Zelda continued, glancing at him almost worriedly. "That isn't for two days, remember?"

Oh. Was it? It wasn't as if Link knew what day it was anymore. Not really. They all blended together. His measurement of time was based on meetings with Impa or the royal scientists about progress on the Sheikah and their affairs. He'd only just started trying to get more involved with it, and it was... exhausting. But he was trying. Aside from that, all his time was spent with the children.

When I'm not being a useless lump, that is.

Link hummed to acknowledge the queen, but he didn't bother making eye contact. This conversation was becoming draining quickly. What did Zelda want?

"Link."

Feeling annoyance grow in his chest, Link sighed and closed his eyes a moment before looking at her. Zelda's face was neutral, the previous worry gone. She was searching for something in his gaze. It was a familiar expression, one he often saw in the throne room.

What was she looking for, he wondered? She definitely wanted something out of him. Zelda never spoke to him or came to him unless she wanted something.

"I..." the queen was strangely hesitant with her words, and that did garner his attention. "I know... I know that you hate me. That you think I'm a monster. But I... am thankful for your help. For everything you've done."

...Wait, what?

Where had--what?

Where had this even come from?! Why was she--what??

"Are you well?" Link asked abruptly, turning a bit to face her more fully.

Zelda's expression grew sincerely puzzled at his remark, and then somehow became somber before she sighed and tried to look calm again. "I--yes. I'm fine."

This had to be a trick, right? Why was--she never thanked him for anything. Or, well, she'd thanked him during the war plenty of times. They'd been friends then. But ever since their marriage, requests and petitions became orders, gratitude became expectations. Link was just someone for her to utilize. He knew that. They both did.

What was this all about?

His stomach churned uncomfortably, guilt gnawing through the biting frost of resentment. His words lodged in his throat as his mind and heart fought for the right thing to say in this situation, distrust and concern mixing in a confusing concoction that poisoned his ability to speak.

Eventually, Zelda rose, a little less gracefully than she usually would. Link reached out, his hand grabbing hers to stop her from leaving, catching both of them off guard.

"Your Majesty," he automatically said as a placeholder, a means of trying to fight the mental block stopping him from speaking. What did he even want to say? What could he say to that? "I..."

The guilt won out, or perhaps some desperate desire to be acknowledged. He didn't know if this was compassion or simply him being pathetic, a positive response to a positive remark. But... still... "Zelda... I could never think that about you."

The queen glanced at him, eyes a little wider, perhaps even caught off guard.

Did she truly believe he thought she was a monster? He'd met monsters. Zelda was no Ganondorf, nor Ozen. She... she was just...

She was just doing what she thought was best.

"Monsters are selfish," Link continued. "You're trying to take care of Hyrule. I... I respect that."

Despite whatever anger and bitterness he held toward her, he could at least say those words genuinely. They were true. It was part of the reason he'd agreed to marry her, whether he loved her or not. They'd both wanted what was best for Hyrule, what was best for the Gerudo, what was best for those they did love dearly. And if they had to sacrifice their happiness for it, they were willing to do so.

Sacrifice. Zelda was willing to sacrifice for others. She was willing to sacrifice everything.

"You're my queen," he said quietly. "And you... always will be."

The queen, whose words held all the power in the world, was speechless. As the two monarchs stared at each other, hurt and brokenness a chasm between them, the lilac butterfly flew between them, carrying that last vestige of home with it into the darkening night sky as their daughter ran over to greet them.

[glbtrx]

btw don't talk to me if you don't think that Orik is one of the most underrated and ignored characters of IC and, like, the best buddy you could ever hope to meet. bye

[tomesmithpress]

The Grass Sea ttrpg token set is now available on patreon!

The pack comes with the tokens you see below, plus many alts!

The Dao token will be released for free May 1st!

[literalite]

in case i can't think of an actual good way to edit them this is the eragon cast in the sims as i envisioned them as a kid

[paperpeachy]

how can we lose when there's three of us ?!

[everythingloveandanimated]

Something I would love to see in subsequent World of Eragon books is Murtagh riding Saphira. Even better they go on a mission together.

Had this idea (not sure how feasible it is) that Murtagh’s mission to expose and defeat the Draumars takes him to Farthen Dur. Saphira firmly advises that she be the one to take him. She has the better rapport with the Dwarves and can use that to protect Murtagh, and if Thorn begins to feel claustrophobic, there isn’t easy access to the open sky and the dwarves could get hurt in his haste to break for open air.

Murtagh agrees for Thorn’s sake and safety

There’s reluctant agreement from Thorn plus a subconscious thought that he is not good enough for his rider but it’s decided nonetheless.

Murtagh is obviously nervous as they approach Farthen Dur. Not to mention a bit guarded from Saphira. The journey through the Beor’s is like a journey down memory lane. They speak of their journey, they speak of the first major moral disagreement between him and Eragon. Safira gives her input, Eragon was young and very set in his moral code. But she does agree that if Torkenbrand had fought, the results would’ve been the same. Murtagh notes that she doesn’t condemn his actions, she accepts them far easier than Eragon did, and she seems to understand his mindset better. (like Thorn, she notes that Murtagh seems to be part dragon. She is quite pleased with this little tidbit of revelation of Murtagh‘s character. Murtagh can feel her approval, it briefly helps his mood.)

Throughout their flying, she explains how Eragon sees Murtagh and acknowledges that the opposite nature of their upbringings do cause a rift of understanding in their relationship.

He faces Orik for the first time in a long time. (not many ideas for this part.) Later Orik tells him that he will never forgive him for killing Hrothgar but as long as he is king he will allow Murtagh and Thorn to keep their lives as thanks for their part in helping Eragon defeat Galbatorix.

The grudge is something that Murtagh expected and accepts with grace as well as heaviness in his heart. However, Orik’s decree that their lives are secure under his kingship surprises him.

During their visit Murtagh and Saphira stand in the very place Eragon and Arya stood when the Twins’ ambush happened.

Murtagh: That’s where it all went wrong.

Saphira makes a regretful sound and moves her head towards him in an approximation of a hug.

Saphira: I am so sorry, Murtagh. Our best chance to save you from Galbatorix would have been right here. I flew as fast as I could but I was too late. Arya went to look for you in the tunnels but when she found your bloody clothes and couldn’t see you by scrying she assumed the worst and us along with her. We failed you, and you and Thorn have suffered greatly for our failure.

Murtagh: (touching Saphira’s jaw) Thank you. But you were supposed to think I was dead. The twins told Galbatorix’s spy master Yarek that I was here. Yarek was the one who made the plans for my abduction and told the twins what to do.

Saphira: you told Eragon our first night here that you didn’t want the Empire to know where you were. Bringing you here endangered you and sealed your fate. Exactly what you were trying to avoid.

Murtagh: True. (he reminisces about his first time in Farthen Dur. He would not have met Nasuada if he hadn’t come. Would not have experienced her surprising kindness, and in a way Ajihad’s kindness. He was treated far better than he ever expected to be by those two.)

Saphira also brings him to the star sapphire. She explains how she fixed it using the collective emotions of the dwarves present, as well as her own admiration for the construction of Tronjheim and overall craftsmanship of the dwarves. She tells him how angry and heartbroken they were at her for destroying it in the first place. How they forgave her after she had made amends. She gives him a realistic hope for forgiveness his own debts. Opening himself up and sharing his experience, allowing other people to connect with him, will go along way in redeeming himself. He’s unsure sharing such painful raw parts of himself. Saphira assures him that he can show as much as he’s comfortable with, but should also show enough to cure ignorance.

After a moment he states his own forgiveness of her for not flying fast enough to save him, and for not being able to march on Uru’baen sooner to help save him and Thorn. Another approximation of a hug with her head and neck, while he hugs a section of her neck.

Because it wouldn’t be a true World of Eragon segment without some sort of fight turning everything sideways, some sort of conflict happens. Orik and Murtagh each have moments where they protect each other. 

Murtagh explains his mental situation and decision to kill Hrothgar. Orik gets a level closure. He still feels utterly betrayed, and will not forgive him but he thanks Murtagh for his explanation all the same.

Murtagh asks Orik for permission to go to Ajihad’s tomb and Hrothgar‘s tomb to pay his respects. 

Orik grants it.

In front of Hrothgar’s tomb, Murtagh considers making a dwarven rite of respect as a member of an enemy clan would make to a fallen rival dwarven leader. Saphira encourages him saying would probably be a good idea and would go a long way in making amends with Durgrimst Ingeitum. She calls it his own Star Sapphire. Murtagh is a reluctant at the political spectacle of it and how it will make him look (unsure if he wants to make himself vulnerable in this way). He didn’t join Hrothgar’s enemy willingly. But he still slew him under Galbatorix’s thumb, and more or less in Galbatorix’s name. Saphira tells him to think on it a little more, and to follow through when he’s ready.

He makes a promise that he will return with Thorn so they can pay their respects together.

In front of Ajihad’s tomb, he weeps. Regretful and devastated that he couldn’t save the man who spared his life and gave him a chance to prove himself. Regretful and utterly ashamed of what he did to Ajihad’s daughter. Knowing full well that Ajihad would never let him in the same hallway, or even in the same wing as Nasuada after her torture if he was still alive. Any chance however slim or imagined he has with her now would be near non-existent. (Murtagh later wonders if Nasuada had a part to play in Ajihad giving him the chance that he did. It breaks his heart even further that the kindness of these two has been returned with torment and failure to protect them). Saphira gives him a moment alone with his tears before reminding him of her presence. She gives wisdom and insight into Ajihad’s character and gives an honest assessment of the possibility of a relationship between him and Nasuada. Given their reputations and political positions it has a very slim chance of working out. She’s careful not to give him false hope for the future, but alludes to the fact that Arya and Eragon’s relationship seemed to not work out, and yet they are on good strong terms.