Eragon Bromsson (named Shadeslayer after killing Durza and also as Firesword by the Urgals and Argetlam by the Dwarves and Varden) was the main protagonist in the Inheritance Cycle. He was the son of the former Rider Brom and Selena. After the Dragon Saphira hatched for him, Eragon became the first Dragon Rider to be born in a hundred years and was subsequently trained by Brom and later Oromis. After becoming an accomplished swordsman and magician in a relatively short time, the young Rider found himself championing the cause of the Varden, inheriting both the duties of the Dragon Riders' and his father's place as Galbatorix's foremost enemy. After a terrible, bloody war and defeating Galbatorix, Eragon became the new leader of the Dragon Riders, and with Saphira, began to build the order anew.
Description[]
Originally, Eragon was a human of average height, intense brown eyes, brown hair and dark eyebrows. During his travels with Brom, Eragon gained a lean, muscular build. After seeing his reflection in Teirm, any baby fat Eragon might have possessed was gone, stripped away by traveling, sparring and training for months. His cheekbones were more prominent and the line of his jaw was sharper. He also began to start shaving. In Eldest, after asking Eragon to remove his tunic, Oromis says that Eragon has a fair amount of muscle and was not lopsided like most swordsmen, due to him learning how to fight equally well with both hands. He attended the Blood-Oath Celebration in Ellesméra, where he was transfigured into an elf/human hybrid by the dragons' magic. His face thus became more angular and smooth, with his skin as pale as alabaster and emiting a faint glow, as if with a sheen of magic. His eyes became slanted and his ears became tapered as an elf's. He is described as "princely" and "beautiful". Saphira noted that as of the change he smelled more like an elf than a human. His sight, touch, smell, hearing, taste, strength and speed were all augmented to Elf-like sensitivity. He did retain some human qualities, including the need to shave. He is described as "fairer than any human, and more rugged than any elf." Most importantly, he was completely healed of his accursed scar on his back given to him by Durza in Farthen Dur. During the Battle of the Burning Plains, Roran described Eragon as being garbed like a prince and being "powerful and implacable" as well as a "fearsome warrior". He also adds that Eragon's features had become more noble and feline.
After punching an armored soldier in a skirmish and dislocating his fingers, Eragon used magic to grow thick calluses on his knuckles, similar to the Dwarves' Ascûdgamln, (iron spikes that they could fit into the knuckle bones of their hands). This enabled him to punch hard objects with little or no consequence to his hands.
Personality[]
Eragon's most prominent trait was his curiosity: he was always asking questions, always seeking to learn more. It didn't seem to matter what it was, he always wanted to learn about anything. Oromis said that he inherited this trait from his father Brom, who also expressed annoyance at his constant questions. Eragon had a strong sense of justice and equality, despising slavery and the tyrannical reign of Galbatorix. He argued with Murtagh on this moral principle. After he killed a soldier, Eragon felt remorse later. After he could touch the minds of animals, he could no longer stand to eat meat. However, after escaping Helgrind, necessity forced him to eat meat and he realized how much he missed it. He as such decided that moderation was a wiser concept than zealotry.
Eragon was a quick learner, becoming literate and an advanced swordsman in a very short period of time. However, he was often hasty, lightheaded, prideful and impulsive though he improved upon the last two traits. He was also known to lose his temper and let his frustration get the better of him on occasion.
Eragon was stubborn and willful about his personal opinions, even when things looked hopeless and everyone disagreed with him. He refused to give up his pursuit of Arya, even after she had rejected him several times. He was slow to accept Nasuada's treaty with the Urgals. However, he eventually developed a friendship with the Kull leader, Nar Garzhvog. Like the rest of his family, (Brom, Roran, and Murtagh) Eragon was also determined, steadfast and strong-willed. Once he set himself upon a course he would see it through till the end and would allow nothing to stop him. However, he did briefly give into despair during a training session with Oromis after he suffered excrutiatingly painful seizures from the scar on his back until Oromis helped to restore his resolve. He also was quick to judge others.
Eragon accepted the Rider's responsibility to help others. Often, he cared more for others than he did for himself and became very angry when someone insulted Saphira, moreso than when they insulted him. He was a very compassionate person, often doing his best to lessen the pain of others, as displayed numerous times in the series. He was very loyal to his friends and to the Varden. He despised unfairness and when he thought that he had failed to defeat Galbatorix he hated most that the evil king would get away with all his crimes and escape punishment. This detestment of unfairness is why he cast the Empathy Spell on Galbatorix, because he wanted the usurper to see the wrongfulness of his actions. Additionally, Eragon had a habit of finding trouble, as noted by Islanzadí, Brom and Saphira. Again he seemed to share this trait with his father, half brother, and cousin: though his habit was more pronounced.
In Inheritance, Eragon seemed wiser and more sure of himself. After discovering his True Name he understood himself and accepted who he was, which Arya noticed. This new wisdom was shown when he ensured future peace between all the races by adding Dwarves and Urgals to the Dragon Riders. He also made sure that the Urgals would no longer attack the other races for glory by creating games of strength in which young Urgals could compete against the other races.
Powers and Abilities[]
Eragon was a powerful Rider, especially after his transformation. Though it is never stated, it is highly possible that Eragon was a prodigy among the Riders. This is supported by the facts that he discovered magic instinctively and he learned how to use it at an incredibly fast rate. In just over a year he had managed to master what took others years to learn, let alone master. In particular, Eragon was a master of spell creativity, swordsmanship, casting fire, and wizard duels.
He received praise from many for his skills in swordsmanship. Brom remarked Eragon was "a rare and talented swordsman". After Eragon's duel with Arya, the Varden's weaponmaster, Fredric, called Eragon's skill with a blade "incredible swordsmanship. I even learned some new moves from watching the two of you", despite the fact Eragon lost.
Eragon was a naturally talented swordsman, advancing very quickly in a short period of time, to be able to hold his own against far more experienced opponents. Eragon demonstrated his skills in the first book by eventually defeating Brom in a sparring match and sparring evenly with Murtagh, despite the fact that both Brom and Murtagh were formidable swordsmen who had spent most of their lives studying and practicing swordplay. Saphira remarked that few could match Eragon with a blade.
The elf strength and agility he gained, combined with his advanced swordsmanship, allowed him to best any human or dwarf warrior, along with most elves, such as Vanir. Still, he was outmatched by opponents with more skill than him, such as Arya and Murtagh. However, after training with Glaedr, Eragon was able to overcome this obstacle. To do this he used The Way of Knowing, a skill that allowed him to interpret body language and combine that with all he knew of his opponent and then he would use that knowledge to his advantage. Using The Way of Knowing, he was able to duel Arya as an equal and finally defeat Murtagh. As taught to him by Brom, Eragon's fighting style consisted of fast and elegant techniques. He was also an adept archer and hunter, a trait only enhanced by his transformation. He could debate the finer points of these activities for hours, as well as hunt in the Spine without suffering any accident, a mighty feat considering that entire legions of Galbatorix's troops were unable to do the same (although this was mainly because of the Urgal armies there). Roran thought of Eragon as a very skilled woodsman and hunter, far better than himself. Eragon also had calluses on his knuckles, similar to (and inspired by) the dwarf Ascûdgamln, which shielded his knuckles when he punched things.
Eragon had at his disposal a massive storage of energy in the ring Aren (an indirect gift from Brom after his death). Eragon also possessed the jeweled belt of Beloth the Wise and he could draw upon Saphira's strength for added power, Glaedr's heart of hearts and draw energy from his surroundings to preserve his own strength. Also, there was a blue sapphire in the pommel of his sword, Brisingr that could be used to store excess energy as well. After finding the Vault of Souls, Eragon was also aided by the Eldunarí of Umaroth and many other deceased dragons, which enhanced both his magical and mental powers.
Eragon was a proficient spellcaster. Brom proclaimed his pride in Eragon for being able to cast many different spells, even with his limited vocabulary in the Ancient Language. He had a particular talent for pyrokinesis, being able to manipulate fire in many ways using only one word. His mental powers were also strong, growing even more in strength with the addition of Glaedr's and Saphira's mind combined with his own. Eragon's magic was blue in color, likely a result of the color of his dragon.
Eragon also had the power of foresight that manifested during his dreams (though this was later revealed to be a result of the meddling of the Vroengard Eldunarí and not an innate talent). He dreamed of the conflict with Murtagh on the Burning Plains, of his departure in the boat with two dragons in the sky, as well as of Arya imprisoned in Gil'ead.
After his teachings with Oromis, Eragon had a bigger grasp of magic and surpassed most other magicians. He could use non-verbal spells as shown when he was escaping the dwarves of Az Sweldn Rak Anhuin at Tronjiheim and create spells. Eragon was also able to non-verbally (with help from the Eldunari) cast an Empathy Spell on Galbatorix, which allowed him to defeat the evil king.
Eragon was also one of four living individuals who know the True Name of the Ancient Language. This would mean he could and indeed did become one of the most powerful magicians who ever lived, matched only by Murtagh, Arya, as well as the Eldunarí from Vroengard. (This was because Murtagh spoke the Word to Eragon before leaving with Thorn into the wilderness and Eragon then spoke the word to Arya after Murtagh departed.) His ownership of 136 Eldunarí allows his powers to surpass even Arya's and Murtagh's, giving him "the strength to do most anything", as Eragon phrases it in Inheritance. He becomes quite possibly the most powerful magician in the world.
History[]
Before Eragon was born, Selena fled Morzan's castle to give birth to him in Carvahall, because she wanted to secure a better life for him and shield him from the influences of the Broddring Empire. When she arrived, she asked to stay with her brother Garrow and remained there until she gave birth five months later. Garrow and his wife Marian agreed to raise the boy and Selena's only condition was that he would be named Eragon. Then, she returned to Morzan's castle where she died within a fortnight.
Eragon grew up on his uncle's farm in Carvahall until he nearly came of age. In the beginning of the book, he was hunting Deer in a nearby forest and Mountainrange called The Spine. Most villagers feared to enter the Spine due to superstitious tales and misfortunes that occurred there, namely, that the King had lost half of his army in it many years before, but it was later found out that it was the Urgals who caused this. However, Eragon never seemed to be bothered by it and was the only one who dared hunt in it. While stalking his prey, there was a magical explosion in front of him just when he was about to shoot a lame deer which made him miss his shot and afterwards he discovered a blue stone.
Cautiously, he picked it up and decided that he should sell it in order to purchase food for his adopted family. After two days, he reached Carvahall and attempted to sell it to the town butcher, Sloan. Sloan was interested in the stone, but because Eragon did not know what it was worth, he told him he would only give him three crowns for it. Though he thought it was a rip-off, Eragon reluctantly accepted the butcher's offer. However, after learning that it came from the Spine, Sloan was furious and said that he would not deal with anything that came from that cursed place, due to his anger at losing his wife in the Spine. Katrina, Sloan's daughter, as well as later Eragon's cousin-in-law, heard the commotion and sought help from Horst, a blacksmith. Horst came with Katrina and decided to buy some meat for Eragon. Eragon thanked Horst and said he would work to pay off his debt in the spring.
He returned to his uncle's farm and showed the blue stone to Garrow. His uncle was angry about Horst paying for the food but he explained why Sloan had been so angry: his wife, Ismira, had gone over the Igualda Falls, which was located in the Spine, a year before Eragon was born.
Nine days after Eragon's return, a terrible blizzard settled over the fells. Eragon became worried that the Traderswould not come. Eight days later, his cousin Roran said that the traders still had not arrived. Desperate, Eragon searched for the traders himself and found footprints and wheel tracks on the road, which confirmed the traders' arrival.
Eragon, Roran and Garrow arrived in Carvahall the next day, where the traders had gathered and showed the stone to a trader named Merlock. After Merlock examined it, he said that he didn't know the stone's value and that whoever had shaped it had used tools he had never seen before. Eragon and Garrow were also shocked to hear that it was a hollow. Again, Eragon asked about its worth. Merlock was unable to say, but he knew others outside of Carvahall who would pay much for it.
Additionally, he told them of news of the Urgals passing through populated areas. Whole villages had been forced to move because Urgals had destroyed their fields. Worst of all, there were reports of the appearance of a Shade. Eragon knew that wherever a Shade went, rivers of blood burst forth.
Eragon kept the stone for himself and was shocked when it hatched into a dragon the night he went to the traders. Beforehand, Eragon "tested" the egg, like a trader had and heard a squeak after one of the tools he was using struck the egg. When Eragon touched the baby dragon, he felt a burning, icy energy course through him, entering through his hand. This left a mark known as the gedwëy ignasia (Shining Palm) - the mark of a Dragon Rider on his right hand.
Because any remnants of the era of the Dragon Riders were outlawed in the Broddring Empire, Eragon raised the dragon in secret, torn between his delight with his new companion and his fear of what might happen if the Broddring Empire discovered what had occurred. He eventually resolved to keep it and built a home for her high in the branches of a tree. After consulting with Brom, the village story-teller, as to a good name for a dragon (without telling him of his dragon), he told the dragon all the names Brom had told him, but it didn't like any of the ones he told and he finally realized why it didn't want them: the dragon was female. After that he narrowed it down until he said the last name Brom had mentioned: "Saphira" and the dragon chose that for her name. This is ironic, considering Brom's own dragon held the name of "Saphira." For a while, he managed to keep her hidden, but when Saphira, her appetite, as well as the dung piles in the forest continued to grow, he realized he would not be able to keep her existence a secret much longer.
Things were going fine until two menacing, hooded beings of strange powers known as the Ra'zac, came to Carvahall, searching for the dragon egg. Sometime after being warned about the strangers, Brom saved Eragon from them, but also (unknown to Eragon at the time) confirmed that Eragon was indeed a Rider, after twisting Eragon's wrist up, revealing the gedwëy ignasia. Saphira, now able to talk through their mental link, forced Eragon to flee with her to the place where her egg appeared to him, while the Ra'zac destroyed Eragon's farm and hurt Garrow with a strange liquid, who died a short awhile after.
When Eragon first rode on Saphira, he suffered terrible wounds from her scales, which scraped his legs so badly that it ripped open the skin, making him bleed profusely.
The cryptic story-teller Brom, Eragon and Saphira resolved to hunt down the Ra'zac in an attempt to avenge Garrow. As they traveled, Brom taught Eragon swordsmanship and more about the history of the Dragon Riders. He was given a red Rider's sword named Zar'roc (meaning Misery in the ancient language) which belong to a powerful Rider named Morzan who was loyal to the evil King Galbatorix. To his surprise, Eragon learned that he was named after the very first Rider.
While traveling around Utgard towards Yazuac, Brom used magic to light a fire, making the word Brisingr sound like a curse.
When he later tried to defend himself and Brom, from an Urgal ambush in Yazuac, Eragon discovered that he was able to use magic by repeating the "curse" as he fired an arrow. This magic cost Eragon too much energy and nearly killed him. Questioning Brom about it, he learned that all Dragon Riders possessed magical abilities and Brom subsequently took it upon himself to instruct Eragon in the proper use of the talent.
During their travels, Eragon received several visions of a beautiful, imprisoned woman (Arya) who appeared to be in great pain.
After a while, they lost the Ra'zac's trail, but were able to track the shipments of the exotic Seithr oil, the substance used by the Ra'zac to inflict wounds that could not be healed upon Garrow, to the port city of Teirm. With the assistance of Brom's close friend Jeod, they used the annals in the city's record room to discover that the Ra'zac were located in Helgrind.
During their stay in Teirm, Eragon learned to read and write, abilities which Garrow had considered unnecessary as a farmer, as well as also to scry. He eavesdropped on a conversation between Brom and Jeod via magic. To his surprise, he learned that both men were members of the Varden, the rebel group that opposed the rule of King Galbatorix.
He visited a shop in the city owned by Angela, a herbalist and witch. He met a cryptic werecat named Solembum who accompanied the witch. Angela told him his fortune, revealing that he would have a long lifespan, that the great powers of the land would struggle to control him, that he would fall in love with a lady of noble birth, that he would leave Alagaësia forever, a death would soon come to someone very close to him and that he would face betrayal from within his own family. Afterward, Solembum advised Eragon that when he was in need of a weapon, to look under the roots of the Menoa Tree and to speak his name at the Rock of Kuthian and open the Vault of Souls when his power was insufficient.
On the way to Helgrind, Eragon saw the woman again in his dreams. She was in a prison. She continued appearing in his dreams for some time.
While in Dras-Leona, Eragon and his companions were chased and later ambushed by the Ra'zac. They were rescued by a mysterious man named Murtagh who scared off the Ra'zac by shooting them with arrows, but not before Brom was fatally wounded by one of the Ra'zac's dagger. Brom revealed to Eragon that he had once been a Dragon Rider and that his dead dragon was also named "Saphira". Brom also told Eragon seven words in the Ancient Language which we had yet to learn. Brom died shortly thereafter. Brom was laid to rest and Saphira used magic to turn his tomb to diamond. Eragon and Saphira resolved to travel with Murtagh in search of the resistance. They set out for Gil'ead, hoping to find a contact who could lead them to the location of the Varden.
Near Gil'ead, Urgals under the command of the Shade Durza captured Eragon and imprisoned him in the same prison where the maiden of his dreams—to his shock, an elf—was being held. Murtagh and Saphira staged a daring rescue, but found Eragon had already escaped his cell with magic. Eragon, Saphira, as well as Murtagh were confronted by Durza. The struggle ended when Murtagh shot Durza with an arrow to the head, causing the Shade to be temporarily disembodied. Eragon insisted on rescuing the elf as well. She remained unconscious throughout their journey to the Beor Mountains.
After reaching the Beor Mountains, Eragon grew worried and reached out to the elf mentally and was able to converse with her. She revealed to him that her name was Arya and revealed a map to him in his mind for the location of the Varden. She told him that they must reach the Varden if she was to survive, for she had been poisoned while in Gil'ead and would die within three days if Tunivor's nectar was not given to her.
Arya, Murtagh, Eragon and Saphira, crossed the Hadarac Desert, racing to reach Farthen Dûr, the Dwarven mountain that housed the Varden. Along the way, they were pursued by a small army of elite Urgal warriors known as Kull. Before they reached Farthen Dûr, Murtagh, who had been reluctant to go to the Varden all along, revealed that he was the son of Morzan, first and last of the Forsworn. The Kull forced the group to flee the place where they were resting and hidden doors in the side of Farthen Dûr opened to allow the group in. Two powerful twin sorcerers probed Eragon's mind to discover his intentions: they pressed harder than usual which caused Orik, a dwarf, to intervene on Eragon's behalf. Ajihad, leader of the Varden, imprisoned Murtagh when he learned of Murtagh's heritage and because Murtagh refused the Twins' entry into his mind. Arya was treated for her injuries, as well as Eragon and Saphira were welcomed to Tronjheim, the dwarven capital. Ajihad gave Aren, Brom's ring, to Eragon and cautioned him to retain his freedom as the last free Rider, but hoped he would become a symbol for the Varden.
Escorted by Orik, Eragon was introduced to Hrothgar, the King of the Dwarves. He also met up again with Angela and Solembum. Ajihad wished to send Eragon to Ellesméra to complete his training: therefore, the Twins assessed his magical abilities. The Twins were cruel to Eragon and attempted to use him to further their knowledge of the Ancient Language. A fully-healed Arya intervened, however, as well as took upon herself the task of assessing Eragon, even sparring with him. Eragon, although being soundly defeated, passed the test in Arya's eyes.
The Varden respected Eragon. Soon after he arrived in Tronjheim, he was approached by an elderly woman and an orphaned baby, Elva, who was the woman's charge. The woman asked Eragon to bless Elva, which he did readily, using the Ancient Language. Saphira gave the child her own special gift: the gedwëy ignasia upon her brow. Saphira told Eragon that the child would have a significant future (in other words she could feel pain and sense when it was about to happen).
Not long after, war became imminent. Ajihad informed Saphira and Eragon of an impending threat: an intercepted message revealed that a legion of Urgals and Kull were marching steadily towards the Varden through the tunnels under the mountains. Eragon and Saphira were presented with a full suit of armor. He was also pleased to see Murtagh was allowed to participate in the battle and prove himself to the Varden.
In the battle within Tronjheim, Eragon was confronted once again by Durza. Eragon and Durza fight, but Eragon was greatly outmatched by the Shade. At one point, Durza slashed Eragon across his back and then uttered an inaudible curse upon the wound. Thanks to Saphira and Arya breaking the Isidar Mithrim, Durza's attention was diverted long enough for Eragon to say the Shade through the heart.
Following Durza's demise, the controlling link the Shade held on the Urgals' minds snapped, causing the remainder of them to flee and fight among each other. Eragon fainted and was tended to by healers. He was watched over by the mental presence of The Mourning Sage/The-Cripple-Who-Is-Whole (Oromis), who urged him to journey with Arya to Ellesméra, the capital of the elves, to finish his training.
After the battle, Ajihad was ambushed by a group of Urgals and subsequently died. The Twins betrayed the Varden, set up Ajihad's ambush, as well as took Murtagh to the Broddring Empire. Ajihad's daughter, Nasuada, inherited the leadership of the Varden after his death. Eragon informed Nasuada of Ajihad's dying words. After conferring with Saphira about Nasuada, Eragon knelt and pledged himself to Nasuada as her vassal. She accepted his pledge of fealty and later ordered Eragon to travel to Ellesméra for training among the elves.
While relaxing one day, Eragon was greeted by the sorceress Trianna, who attempted to seduce him and asked him to head the Du Vrangr Gata. Though Eragon was taken by her looks and charms, Saphira did not accept Trianna and scared her off. Though Eragon was angered by this, Saphira merely stated that she wanted Eragon to be with someone who cared for him as a person and not just as a Rider.
Eragon decided to seek out the Mourning Sage and traveled northward through eastern Alagaësia to Ellesméra with Orik, Arya, as well as a small contingent of dwarven warriors. Before they set off, Orik had a gift from Hrothgar: the king offered to adopt Eragon into his own clan, Dûrgrimst Ingeitum. Eragon accepted and Orik helped him complete the ritual to make him a true member of the clan. This was the first time in history that a human joined a dwarf family.
Upon arrival at Ellesméra, Eragon met with the elven queen Islanzadí and the white raven Blagden, who spouted riddles concerning Eragon's past and future. Eragon was surprised to learn that Arya was Islanzadí's daughter and therefore the sole heir to the elven throne.
Eragon's training began the following day. His instructor was an ancient elvish Rider named Oromis, who was captured and maimed by the Forsworn, but later managed to escape and return to Ellesméra. Oromis was bonded to a gold dragon named Glaedr. Eragon's lessons with Oromis were frustrating at first, but he gradually learned what the scope of his responsibilities were. Moreover, he learned other things such as history, art, and politics. His knowledge of magic and the Ancient Language also expanded tremendously.
However, he learned from Oromis that he had cursed Elva instead of blessing her due to a mistake in his wording (having accidentally said "may you be a shield from misfortune", thus dooming her to constantly suffer from the hurts of others). He resolved to remove the curse, although such a feat could prove tricky.
Eragon's training also focused on his fighting skills. He developed an intense rivalry with an elf named Vanir and their mutual dislike came to a head during one of their sparring sessions. Eragon was defeated multiple times, often suffering bouts of pain from the scar on his back left by Durza. During his lessons with magic and expanding his consciousness, he evolved his perception of life and became a vegetarian like the elves.
Eragon composed a poem to present at the Blood-Oath Celebration, known also as the Agaeti Blodhren, a traditional Elvish ceremony taking place every hundred years to commemorate the pact between the Elves and the Dragons. During the festivities, as a gift from the dragon race, Eragon was completely healed of every wound, including Durza's scar. Additionally, he was physically transformed, acquiring many of the features and abilities of an elf. Only after this transformation was he able to beat Vanir in a duel and earn his respect. Because of his new prowess, Eragon was able to cast much more powerful magic as well. His vision, strength and speed were all greatly increased and he was now as healthy as the fittest elf in Alagaësia. He still needed to obtain better balance and grace regardless, as he was not yet used to these enhancements.
Upon scrying Nasuada, he found that Galbatorix was mustering his army to attack the Varden in Surda. Eragon and Orik departed from Ellesméra and flew south on Saphira. They joined up with the combined forces of Surda and the Varden on The Burning Plains.
The Broddring Empire's army was over 100,000 strong, greatly outnumbering the Varden. Angela, who was still with the Varden, weakened some of their numbers by poisoning the soldiers' food. From the start of the battle, the Broddring Empire pushed the Varden back. Thankfully, the dwarves appeared not far into the battle, turning the tide for the Varden. Nasuada had also formed an uneasy treaty with some Kull, who also aided in the battle against the Broddring Empire.
Unexpectedly, another Rider appeared with a red dragon. Wearied by the battle, Eragon was outmatched and driven onto the ground with Saphira. He and his opponent then faced off with swords. Near the end of their duel, Eragon recognized the other Rider's manner of fighting. Eragon managed to pull off his opponent's helm, revealing Murtagh, whom he thought was dead. Murtagh revealed that he had been taken to Urû'baen by the Twins and when his Dragon Thorn had hatched for him, they were forced to swear allegiance to Galbatorix in the Ancient Language. He also revealed that Galbatorix knew his and Thorn's true names, so he was able to totally enslave him. His orders from Galbatorix were to try to capture Eragon and Saphira because she was the last female dragon in existence. Galbatorix needed her to fulfill his vision of rebuilding the order of the Riders under his rule. Murtagh decided to have mercy on them because of his and Eragon's past, but he claimed Zar'roc as his own, as well as stated in the Ancient Language: Eragon was Morzan's son and Murtagh's younger brother.
Haunted by this turn of events, Eragon shared this secret with Roran (who had moved all the people of Carvahall down to Surda to join the Varden), Nasuada and Arya. He then agreed to aid Roran in rescuing his fiance Katrina from the lair of the Ra'zac.
Eragon and Roran fought and killed one of the Ra'zac while Saphira battled the Lethrblaka, the Ra'zac's parents and steeds. While Roran rescued Katrina, Eragon discovered Sloan in a nearby cell and stayed behind to rescue him and also to kill the last Ra'zac. But before he did, the Ra'zac tried to make a deal with Eragon: to have his race remembered for all the terror they inspired in exchange for telling him a secret about Galbatorix: he was close to discovering the "true name" but the Ra'zac refused to reveal more.The Ra'zac cursed Eragon,declaring that he shall leave Alagaësia forever. Eragon then kills the Ra'zac, avenging Garrow and Brom, as well as then took Sloan away from Helgrind to the Gray Heath. Eragon accidentally discovered Sloan's true name through pondering his life and motivations for his choices. However, he couldn't bring himself to kill Sloan, so he contacted Islanzadí to allow Sloan sanctuary in Ellesméra. Invoking Sloan's true name, he forced the butcher to swear in the ancient language never to see Katrina again. He then imbued him with spells to protect and make animals feed him on his way to Ellesméra.
During his journey back to the Varden, Eragon was desperately hungry and decided to eat meat and discovered how much he loved it still. Also, he encountered Angela's former master, Tenga. He later met up with Arya, who had come in search of Eragon after he sent Saphira, Roran and Katrina back to the Varden without him and developed a stronger relationship with her.
When Eragon returned to the Varden, he happily agreed to marry Roran and Katrina. Before the ceremony began, Thorn and Murtagh came with a battalion of soldiers who were immune to pain, due to magic, as well as would only die if beheaded or stabbed in the heart.
The rematch began with Eragon and Murtagh fighting in the sky. That time, Eragon was assisted by the elves that Islanzadí had sent to protect Eragon and also by Arya. With this assistance, Eragon was able to fight Murtagh and Thorn to a stalemate. No longer having the energy to fight on, the red pair retreated and promised to come back stronger. With Murtagh and the soldiers gone, Eragon was able to marry Katrina and Roran. His wedding gift to them was a pair of golden rings that enabled them to sense the others' presence and safety, as well as Eragon's horse given to him by Brom, Snowfire.
Nasuada sent Eragon to Tronjheim to oversee - and possibly influence in favor of the Varden and speed up - the coronation of the new dwarf king. He was accompanied by Nar Garzhvog, warchief of the Kull. Garzhvog traveled with Eragon only so far, but did not accompany him to any Dwarven cities, though Eragon took the opportunity to learn some of the Urgal culture. Eragon was welcomed by Orik and met his wife, Hvedra. Shortly before the clanmeet, Orik promised that if he could not secure the crown himself, he would back another dwarf who was in favor of aiding the Varden. While he was there, the Az Sweldn rak Anhûin tried to assassinate Eragon. After it was proved that the Az Sweldn rak Anhûin was behind the attack, the clan was banished and would be ignored until they replaced their current Grimstborith, Vermund. Vermund, however, would remain banished until his death. These events work in favor for Orik, who secured enough votes to be crowned king and readied his warriors to march to assist the Varden.
With Nasuada's reluctant permission, Eragon and Saphira returned to Ellesméra for additional training. Eragon learned from Oromis that Brom was his true father and Murtagh was not his full brother, but his half-brother. While he reacted furiously to the news at first, angry that Oromis, Glaedr, as well as Saphira had kept the information from him all this time, thus weighing him down with the belief that he was the son of Morzan, Eragon eventually forgave them.
Glaedr then informed Eragon of the source of the Galbatorix's immense power: the Eldunarí, a gem-like object inside each dragon, that held a dragon's soul after it died, if they transferred it there before they perished. He then proceeded to inform Eragon and Saphira that Galbatorix stole or captured all of the known Eldunarí in existence. Oromis said that he believed that Galbatorix's hoard contained hundreds of Eldunarí. Before Oromis and Glaedr left for Gil'ead, Glaedr decided to give his Eldunarí to Eragon and Saphira, literally putting his life in their hands, which also showed how much the gold dragon and his Rider trusted their pupils.
While in Ellesméra, Eragon asked the elf smith Rhunön if she could forge him a new sword. Although enticed by the idea of creating the weapon that would kill Galbatorix, she told him it was impossible because of her oath and also because she did not have the proper material, brightsteel, required to make a Rider's sword. Remembering Solembum's prophecy, Eragon and Saphira went to the Menoa tree to search for the star-metal. Eragon attempted to contact the tree and ask if there was any under its roots. The tree seemed asleep, so Eragon gave it some of his energy as a gift, as to wake it up. When it was clear that all his attempts were futile, Saphira grew impatient and attacked the tree in order to wake her up and answer their questions. The tree rose, catching Eragon and Saphira in its hold, retaliating against them. Eragon was finally able to strike a mysterious deal with the Menoa Tree and she uncovered the brightsteel from under her roots. Rhunön then made Eragon a sword by possessing his mind and controlling his body so she could circumvent her oath. The finished hand-and-a-half sword was an iridescent blue, just as the scales on the hollow of Saphira's throat. Eragon named it "Brisingr". The weapon's blade burst into flames every time he said its name in the Ancient Language. Rhunön theorized that it might have been the sword's true name, or because the sword was imbued by Eragon's personality because he played a part in the forging. Rhunön and Oromis both stated that Brisingr was, quite possibly, the finest Rider sword ever made.
Eragon and Saphira arrived just in time to save Arya and Blödhgarm, open the gates, as well as attack the city of Feinster. The Varden stormed through the streets of the city but took prisoners wherever possible. Once they reached the tower, they discovered three spellcasters who were creating a Shade. They hacked through the magician's wards one by one, but were too late. The man they were summoning the spirits into became an extremely powerful Shade named Varaug. However, aided by a mental onslaught from Eragon, Arya thrust her sword into his heart, killing him. Through Glaedr's heart of hearts, Eragon was able to see the fates of Oromis and Glaedr. During the battle, Galbatorix possessed Murtagh and murdered Oromis, allowing Thorn to kill Glaedr. Both Eragon and Saphira mourned for the immense loss and vowed to keep Glaedr's Eldunarí safe.
Eragon and Saphira next led the Varden troops to Belatona. Around this time Eragon started having waking dreams. With the help of Arya, Blödhgarm and his spell-casters, they swiftly fought their way through the Imperial soldiers. However, part of the castle fell on top of Roran and Eragon ran in to rescue him. After finding his cousin still alive, they - along with Arya - captured Lord Bradburn.
Eragon and Saphira next led the Varden troops to Belatona. Around this time Eragon started having waking dreams. With the help of Arya, Blödhgarm and his spell-casters, they swiftly fought their way through the Imperial soldiers. However, part of the castle fell on top of Roran and Eragon ran in to rescue him. After finding his cousin still alive, they - along with Arya - captured Lord Bradburn.
As the Varden extended their quest to Dras-Leona, Eragon strove to master his swordsmanship. After a bout with the elf Wyrden, Eragon began practicing with Arya. She, however, proved to be too much for him, as she understood Eragon's emotions and movements and used them to her advantage. Eventually, Glaedr broke out of his misery and resumed tutoring Eragon, both with the blade and his mind. He passed on a way for Eragon to out predict his opponent: by learning to see what he was looking at.
Things only escalated at Dras-Leona with Murtagh and Thorn appearing as the protectors of the city. However, Jeod discovered a secret tunnel leading into the city. Eragon was elected to lead the expedition to use this tunnel to reach the gates so the Varden could enter. With Arya, Wyrden, Angela and Solembum as part of his group, Eragon followed the tunnel, which led to caverns and tunnels underneath the chapel. There, Eragon witnessed the death of Wyrden via a trap laid out and soon he and Arya and were captured and separated from Angela and Solembum.
Eragon and Arya were gagged and chained within the chapel, where the priests informed them that they would become food for two Ra'zac that were about to hatch from eggs. Before the hatched Ra'zac could attack, Angela and Solembum appeared and rescued them both and killed the Ra'zac hatchlings. In the process of recovering their weapons and killing the priests, Eragon was dismayed to find that they had lost the Belt of Beloth the Wise. At the main gate of the city, Eragon and Arya found it barricaded with rubble and guarded by a hundred soldiers. Knowing he could not fight them all, Eragon used the energy stored in Aren to open up the way for the Varden to enter and capture the city, forcing Murtagh and Thorn to retreat once again.
After the Varden's victory and burying Wyrden, Eragon chastised Elva for her refusal in helping the Varden and made her promise not to let her anger keep her from aiding the Varden again. He and Arya later drank to Wyrden's memory when Murtagh and the Broddring Empire attacked the Varden. Murtagh captured Nasuada and despite his and Arya's best efforts, Eragon failed to stop them from escaping.
As per Nasuada's request, her being gone left Eragon the new leader of the Varden. He felt this was too much of a burden as he did not think he was strong enough to take on Galbatorix once the Varden reached Urû'baen. He then remembered the final part of Solembum's prophecy and after prodding the werecat, a magically repressed memory told him to have Eragon look in the copy of Domia abr Wyrda Jeod gave him and discovered the Rock of Kuthian was located on Vroengard, the ancestral home of the Riders. Eragon and Saphira also discovered that - while the both of them could remember the names of the Rock of Kuthian and the Vault of Souls - a deep magic erased the memories of anyone else who knew of the names. Proving this to Glaedr and Arya, they felt this was too important to ignore if it might increase Eragon's chances of defeating Galbatorix. Though it took some convincing with some of their allies, especially King Orrin, Eragon persuaded them all that this secret mission had to be undertaken. With the elven spellcasters creating illusory images of him and Saphira: Glaedr, Saphira and Eragon set out for Vroengard.
Near Teirm, rather than taking a longer and safer route, Saphira chose to take them all through a storm to get to the island, nearly being eaten by a Nïdhwal in the process. After finally breaking through the maelstrom, Eragon discovered from high up in the sky that the earth was round. The trio finally made it to Vroengard and discovered much history from the ruined buildings of the city to the bones of many dragons. They also found the dangerous - yet surprisingly delicious when edible - Snalglí, as well as other monsters and that the island had changed much due to the deep magic running throughout as a result of the battle at Doru Araeba.
Eragon eventually found the Rock of Kuthian and although Glaedr, Saphira and himself all tried their names in various ways, no doorway appeared. Glaedr concluded that they would have to use their true names to open the door. Though he would help them solve their names in their limited time, Glaedr had Eragon and Saphira reflect on themselves to discover their names. Saphira was first to find hers, so Eragon went on a retreat to a ruined building to think clearly. After much thought, Eragon found that, though he was not the same person since his journey began, he had changed for the better and would continue to become better. Elated at discovery of his true name, Eragon set out for the Rock the next day and a doorway opened when he and the dragons spoke their true names.
Walking through the cavern, Glaedr, Saphira and Eragon finally came upon the Vault of Souls, where he found the metallic guardian, Cuaroc. After his mind was assaulted for proof of who he was, Eragon was greeted by the sight of numerous Eldunarí and dragon eggs. Speaking for them was Vrael's dragon Umaroth, who told them that during Galbatorix's revolt, a decision was made to hide all of the available eggs and Eldunarí in the Vault and erase the minds of everyone who knew of the plan or the Rock's name, which Glaedr confirmed when he was given his memories back. The Eldunari also revealed that they themselves were responsible for brining Saphira and Eragon together, giving him visions of Arya, helping Brom, and transforming him as well as manipulating other events in the hope of brining Galbatorix's downfall. With Eragon's arrival, Umaroth and the majority of the Eldunarí decided to accompany the young Rider to defeat Galbatorix (while a few, including Cuaroc, would stay with the eggs) and he used a spell they taught which allowed him to carry them all through a pocket of space. The moment Eragon left the Vault, his memories too were erased and would not come back until Galbatorix was defeated.
As Eragon and Saphira flew back, the Eldunarí fed Eragon many memories and uses of magic to help him to victory. Eragon arrived the Varden's camp near Urû'baen and gathered the leaders and Roran to discuss a plan. He and Eldunarí told them of their existence and everything that transpired on Vroengard and they came up with a plan: distract Murtagh and Thorn with the mirror copies of Eragon and Saphira, while in reality they would sneak themselves and the elven spellcasters into the castle, as well as Elva would come along to detect any traps. Arya also elected to go with them despite Islanzadí's objections. As the conclave broke, Eragon offered to tell Arya his true name, but she objected for the moment.
Saphira flew Eragon, Arya, Elva, as well as the spellcasters while under an invisibility spell, but the spell was broken via Galbatorix's wards. The group managed to make their way into the grand hall of the castle and with Elva's help, everyone managed to get across the various traps to the throne room. However, a non-lethal magical trap sprung from the throne room door, causing the elven spellcasters to become imprisoned within a secret chamber of the castle. With only Arya, Elva, Saphira and the Eldunarí by his side, Eragon went into the throne room and finally confronted Galbatorix. When Elva tried to find the king's weaknesses, Galbatorix used a spell to not only silence her but prevent Eragon or Arya from casting any magic. Eragon then deduced that this is what the Ra'zac was trying to tell him: Galbatorix had discovered the name of the Ancient Language, which gave him complete control over magic and its users. The Eldunarí tried to aid Eragon, but they were kept in check when Galbatorix brought out a pair of children and threatened them with death. When Murtagh and Thorn entered the throne room, Galbatorix pitted the half-brothers (as Eragon told them all his parentage) against one another in a duel, with Shruikan keeping Saphira in check and Nasuada watching from the sidelines, still a prisoner.
Eragon and Murtagh were still evenly matched, despite not being allowed to use magic or their Eldunarí. Eragon then took Glaedr's lesson to heart and allowed Murtagh to critically strike him but allowed Eragon to strike him with a more devastating blow. In his weakened state, Murtagh told Eragon to work with him and he spoke the Name of Names to remove Galbatorix's wards while Saphira and Thorn attacked Shruikan. Galbatorix however, was able to retaliate and held everyone to check. With the king goading him into submission, Eragon could not help but feel it unfair Galbatorix would continue to rule without knowing how many people he had hurt. Without speaking the Ancient Language, Eragon cast a spell that made Galbatorix understand the people's suffering. As the king slowly started to go mad from the voices he heard, Eragon delivered several serious attacks as they dueled. At the same time, Saphira and Thorn managed to wound Shurikan enough for Arya to use Niernen to kill the mighty dragon. The combination of Eragon's spell and Shruikan's death pushed Galbatorix to finally kill himself with magic and Eragon scrambled to grab the captive children and everyone else around Nasuada for the Eldunarí to cast a magical shield to repel the king's final spell.
After the spell was over, foundations of the castle began to crumple. Eragon got everyone out while Arya stayed: Eragon sent the children home. As Murtagh healed Nasuada's physical trauma from being a captive, Eragon was reunited with the spellcasters and Arya, who showed she had stayed to find the final captive dragon egg and discovered many other treasures inside the castle. Finding that Murtagh and Thorn left, Eragon and Saphira followed them to a lake, where they finally forgave and acknowledged each other as brothers. Before leaving for his self-imposed exile, Murtagh revealed the Name of the Ancient Language to help him restore the kingdom and Eragon promised a place was welcome for him when the Riders were rebuilt.
Shortly after the final battle, Eragon met with Nasuada and the leaders of the Varden to discuss how the kingdom would be rebuilt. They decided to keep the monarchy and that an experienced ruler had to be chosen. Eragon was the obvious first choice as he orchestrated Galbatorix's death and although the thought intrigued him, he turned down the crown. After some negotiations, Nasuada was chosen as queen.
Eragon set about doing Nasuada's will by removing magical oaths of fealty Galbatorix imposed on most of the leaders of the major cities of Alagaësia.
After Eragon removed the magical oaths from the leaders of the major cities, he decided to rebuild the Dragon Riders. But to do that, he had to leave Alagaësia and find a new place to raise dragons and Riders. He decided to go east into the unknown. However, he had to see Arya one more time. Eragon met Arya on the banks of the Ramr River and discovered that Arya is now a Dragon Rider, like him, as well as the queen of the elves. Her dragon, Firnen was the remaining green egg from Galbatorix, whom Saphira liked very much and took as a mate. After informing her of what he knew he must do to rebuild the Riders, Eragon asked her to accompany him to the unknown but she said that she had a duty to rule Du Weldenvarden. After announcing his plans and saying goodbye to his friends such as Jeod, Angela, Solembum, Elva and Nasuada, he decided to go to Ellesméra and brings Roran, Katrina and their baby, Ismira with him and recast the spell binding Dragons, Elves and Humans together to also include Urgals and Dwarves into the pact and bring peace between all five races. He also healed Sloan's eyes so he could see his daughter Katrina, Roran, and his granddaughter Ismira, something Eragon decided to do to give happiness and peace to Sloan's heart and mind. His spells meanwhile still held Sloan from speaking to them as a punishment for what he did to the people of Carvahall.
When Eragon sailed eastward towards the unknown lands, He said a sad goodbye with Saphira and Fírnen, roaring in the background, like in his previous vision, with Roran, Katrina, Ismira, and Orik seeing him off from the shore. Though saddened by Arya's inability to accompany him, Eragon and Arya's story was far from over, and it can be presumed that eventually, regardless of how long it takes, be it decades, centuries or even millennia, that they will be reunited and continue their romance once more.