Chapter 99 Chapter 99

Chapter 99 Chapter 99
Mirelle’s POV
My eyes had been wide open for a while, I just couldn't find it in me to get out of bed. I felt exhausted, drained, and a lot of things I did not have words for. But most of all, I felt a black void deep down in my soul. I felt like I had forgotten something important… or someone. I just didn't know which it was. And the dream I had of my mum felt so real, it made me miss her even more. The Saberthi sure did a number on me.
I was currently in a tent. It must have been set up while I was unconscious. I stood up and it felt like my legs were too weak to hold me. I leaned against the bedpost. When I felt my legs were strong enough, I pushed away from it and walked out.
All the tents were up. I wondered how long I had been asleep, and most of all, where was everyone?
Some children ran past my tent and waved at me as they did. It made me smile, made me glad they were safe, made my sacrifice worth it. I walked around, hoping I would see Eragon or Fiona, or maybe Corlin.
“Mirelle!!”
I heard Isolde scream. She ran at me and hugged me with such force, I thought I was going to fall, taking her with me. However, I quickly shifted one leg behind me, managing to steady both of us.
Isolde was sobbing hard. She looked so fragile, and I could tell she had lost some weight.
“I thought I… ha...d los...t you too,” she said between sobs.
“I am okay, Mum, honestly.”
She hugged me even tighter. This was the reaction I had been scared of if she ever got to know about what happened to the real Mirelle.
“When they brought you back, you looked dead. I thought you had died, and they wouldn't tell me what happened to you. One of the rebels assured me you were alive, but you would not wake up.”
She pulled away, wiped her tears, and looked at me. I knew something was going through her mind, so I waited to hear what it was.
“Mirelle, what are you hiding from me? What part do you play among the rebels?” she asked.
I didn’t say anything for a long time. I just stared. Where the hell was I going to start explaining from? I had no idea, so I went mute.
“It's fine… you are my daughter. When you are ready, I am here, okay?”
“I am sorry, Mum. I want to so bad, but… but—”
“It's okay. When you are ready.” She hugged me again. “I am just so glad you are finally awake. It has been weeks.”
“Weeks??? How long?”
“Three weeks now.”
My eyes widened in shock. I had been asleep for three whole fucking weeks.
“Do you know where the prince is? I need to see him.”
She hesitated for a moment.
“Please, Mum. I promise to explain everything when I am ready.”
She took a deep breath.
“Okay… follow me.”
I walked as fast as my legs could carry me. What had happened in the past three weeks? How far had we gone with our plans? I wondered.
I could see everyone gathered on a hill. The dryads were with them. Isolde stopped and pointed to where they were.
“Thanks, Mum. I will see you later,” I said as I walked towards them.
“Sure,” she said behind me.
I could see Corlin speaking with everyone. He had something in his hands. It looked like a rough stone with jagged edges. It had a dark bluish colour. I had an idea of what it was, but how did they get it?
None of them seemed to notice me as I got closer, not until I spoke.
“Is that the enhancer?”
They all turned to me at the same time.
“Sister!” Corlin said as he walked closer and hugged me, almost lifting me completely off the ground.
“Oof.” That caught me off guard.
“Glad to see you awake and well, Princess,” one of the dryads said. I could never recognize who was who when it came to the dryads, and their names were quite difficult to pronounce, so I just called all of them dryads.
“Thank you, Princess,” Eragon said with a smile, and I returned it.
“Corlin... too tight,” I grunted.
“Oh, sorry. So happy to see you well, Taliahtie,” he said as he released me, then continued, “I will not forget this. No one will. You saved our lives.”
My smile broadened, and I patted his shoulder gently.
“Welcome back,” Fiona said.
The rest of the rebels nodded at me.
“Isolde told me I have been out for three weeks… catch me up. What have we done?” I asked.
“Are you sure you are okay?” Corlin asked.
“I am fine,” I said with a smile.
Our relationship had greatly improved. I knew our mum would be proud.
He stared at me for a moment longer. Apparently, he was satisfied with what he saw.
“Okay… we have gotten the stones.”
“Already? How?”
“The spy helped us get in and retrieve the enhancers without raising suspicion,” Corlin said.
“I thought you said it would prove difficult because of the soldiers,” I said, a bit worried. It sounded too easy.
“Well, luckily for us, there weren't a lot of them. Maybe they were called back for something… it worked to our advantage. That's what matters. Now we are a step closer to winning this war.”
He was right. We were now a step closer to winning. Just because it had been an easy victory did not mean I had to worry.
“I guess it's time to get Drake,” I said, hoping I had filtered the excitement out of my voice, but with the slight upward tug of Corlin's lips, I knew I had failed.
“Yes. We have made the plan on how to deal with the soldiers at the Veil. We are going tomorrow,” he said.
Tomorrow…
Finally.
Drake, I am coming home, I thought softly.