Inheritance discussion

I call bullshit on the "resolution" of the character and plot problem named Murtagh.

He leaves because he and Thorn need time to heal and let their anger, not to mention the general hate of the world towards them, cool down.

BUT.

Nasuada is the reason he was able to turn good. He suffered and fought and nearly died for this woman -- and now he just LEAVES her? Bullshit, bro. If she's going to be queen and you feel this need to redeem yourself, why not stay and HELP her? Literally no one knows the royal court like Murtagh does -- not only has he lived there his whole life, he's probably been inside some very important people's minds. He could make himself INCREDIBLY USEFUL -- but no, he leaves. Like when Eragon left, I thought, "What?! What are you doing? If Nasuada has a Rider behind her, no one will ever challenge her power!! Instead you're leaving her at the most fragile and potentially volatile time in her reign!!! Her very LIFE could be lost because YOU TWO (i'm including both brothers at this point, who, incidentally, have both fallen in love with queens) had to be these TRAGIC ROMANTIC WANDERING HEROES. Bullshit, Paolini. BULL. SHIT."

The ONLY thing that will EVER redeem this ending is a Murtagh and Thorn sequel.

If Murtagh had stayed and assisted Nasuada there would have been a ridiclious amount of strife and she would have had a lot harder job. She'd be ridding the world of all Galbatorix's higher level officials, except the one that carries the most power and was known to be well aquainted with the ex-king. It would look just like she's setting herself up as the new evil tyrant with her two powerhouses (the riders). It wouldn't have served anybody well to have Murtagh backing Nasuada.

We all knew Eragon was going to leave after reading the first book. I agree with Eragon's reasons for leaving; the only thing I wish was different is that Arya went with him and let someone else be Queen instead.

I agree with Badgerlord, if Murtagh stayed it would have caused many more problems. I like that Arya and Eragon didn't get together. Somehow after the run around she gave him, I think he is better off. As for his reasons for leaving, I think it was a nice way to end the book. With a little ambiguity, besides Paolini did say he will revisit Alagesia so I would expect a sequel in say...a few years, maybe 2!

If there is a sequel then I think that it's going to be about another dragon rider.

I feel exactly the way Someone does about the two having different resolutions to their romances.
I feel like it wouldn't be right for Murtagh to get a happily ever after, though. I actually kind of hoped that Thorn would die and Murtagh would become the next Brom and at least make a cameo in the next Alagesia book. (I'm crossing my fingers because Paolini did not mention Murtagh in his goodbyes and I at least found him to be an important enough character to be acknowledged).

Laura wrote: "I call bullshit on the "resolution" of the character and plot problem named Murtagh.

He leaves because he and Thorn need time to heal and let their anger, not to mention the general hate of the ..."
I totaly agree with you..I was more sad for the failed happily-ever-after fot Nasuada and Murtagh than Aria and Eragon...Murtagh has suffered so much and done the best he could with the life he was given..and I understand that he has to leave and cool down but Paolini could have at least wrote a dialogue between him and Nasuada!we see them talking one minute and in the time it takes to turn around he's gone!..
I was really disappointed by the ending..the only good aspect really is that Galbatorix is dead...and what's the point of having 3 couples (including Saphira and Firnen)have their heart broken?!?!

Vladiza wrote: "and what's the point of having 3 couples (including Saphira and Firnen)have their heart broken?!?!

To make the series have a less 'and then everthing was good for everyone, including those whose experiences would put a psyciatrists kids through college, the end.' ending. I hate those.

P.S; Anyone else think Firnen is a dodgy dragon name?

Laura wrote: "I call bullshit on the "resolution" of the character and plot problem named Murtagh.

He leaves because he and Thorn need time to heal and let their anger, not to mention the general hate of the ..."

Dear, I loved what you wrote. And I agree with everything.
Also, I think Paolini left the whole story very open!! he will probably do sequels apart from the Inheritance Cycle.

Badgerlord wrote: "If Murtagh had stayed and assisted Nasuada there would have been a ridiclious amount of strife and she would have had a lot harder job. She'd be ridding the world of all Galbatorix's higher level o..."

I see what you're saying, but wouldn't she have the exact same problem with Eragon? The point was that the Riders were and hopefully will be in the future an independent power unto themselves. Therefore, the presence of 2 Riders and their dragons should theoretically check Nasuada's power if she starts to become another Galbatorix. And if Eragon is so powerful that he has to leave at the end of the book, then surely he's powerful enough to protect Murtagh from his enemies. Having Murtagh around would also serve to bring a lot of former supporters of Galbatorix over to Nasuada, since they see she can be merciful. There are pros and cons to either way, but to me it seemed like a cop-out --- like Paolini just didn't want to deal with the possibility of M&T staying. It would've been complicated, but it could have worked.

And more thoughts on same--

Realistically? I think if this was the "real" world, Nasuada's reign would fall apart once Eragon left. He's the one who gave her the power to rule the Varden in her own right, rather than being a tool/figurehead, by swearing fealty to her. Once she had a Rider loyal to her, she could do whatever the f*** she wanted, meaning, lead the Varden. Eragon's support was also key in her taking the throne after Galbatorix left, because Orrin wouldn't oppose her once he learned Eragon supported her. Nasuada is a capable ruler, but Eragon and Saphira put her there to rule in the first place. And now they're GONE and so is Murtagh.

Above all, they are living in a medieval human world and NASUADA IS A WOMAN. I'm not saying women are incapable of ruling -- but the people who follow her won't believe that. She's already got a rival in the form of Orrin, who wanted the throne for himself. Now that Eragon and Murtagh are gone, I think it will be civil war -- unless Nasuada marries Orrin, to unite their two kingdoms, get rid of a rival, and produce heirs. A king or queen without heirs would be just as bad for the kingdom as another Galbatorix -- without a successor to the throne, the kingdom would be plunged into chaos once Nasuada died. Eragon (the moron) should have forseen this and STAYED to prevent it. The only rescue I can see for this looming political problem is Murtagh reappearing and taking control -- which is just as bad in its own way.

The point of the Riders is that they were supposed to prevent and control situations like that, keeping the peace precisely BECAUSE they were more powerful than kings and queens. They were like Alagaesia's version of Holy Rome. And now there are no Riders (except Arya, who is an elvish queen and has no business getting involved in this anyway).

Right. In response to your first comment;

They've still got one Rider in the land, and better yet, it's an elf. That alone is going to give Nasuada the people's trust. Never underestimate inter-species mistrust (been a while since I said that). The fact that it is Arya will stop the people disregarding Nasuada and going straight to the Riders. Anyway, without Eragon or Murtagh, Nasuada doesn't have the means to become another Galbatorix.


Your second comment;

Correction; Orrin wouldn't take her on after he learnt that Eragon, the elves, the dwarves and the Urgrals would support Nasuada. And everyone knew she was the real leader; a RIDER SWORE HIS SUPPORT, and you don't do that unless your the lower party. With everone else gone, who else is leadership going to fall on? Garrow? And remember that this is 'a' medieval human world, not 'the' medieval human world. People seem to allow women leaders here. I mean, what's-her-face lead the Du Varan Gata after the Twins left. And the above renders your last paragraph redundant.

Also, I just a really trippy moment where I realised that your icon wasn't the moon rising over some hills. My bad. (Squint a little and you'll see it)

a RIDER SWORE HIS SUPPORT

...But now said supporting Rider is gone, and that's my point. I suppose Arya would help Nasuada if things got nasty, but in the end that would probably mean advising her to make peace (aka, marry Orrin and establish their own ruling dynasty). Also, elf rules of succession are wildly different from humans', as are the dwarves'.

Even our medieval world allowed women leaders. Hell, look at Elizabeth. However, she was only able to keep power as long as she did because she kept pretending to entertain suitors. Once she was too old, though, the people basically knew there would be no marriage and no heirs, and after 30 years her popularity had dwindled and people wanted her gone.

Aaaand back into fiction world: if Nasuada and Murtagh weren't in love, I think it would've been a smart move on her part to marry or at least betroth herself to Orrin. She has considered it before, after all.

I don't really think that it matters that Eragon is gone from a political viewpoint. Nasuada has shown herself to be in control of a Rider, and that he isn't there won't make much of a difference. I imagine it kind of like this. Say, for some reason, I wanted to ride a shark like a jetski. And I managed it. And all my friends saw. Even after I'd left the shark and not repeated the action for years, if I said something like, I want to become an astronaut, people would be less likely to doubt me, as I'd already done something they would have thought impossible.

And Nasuada's plight is like that, except that people saw her telling Eragon what to do everyday. And who's really going to doubt she can rule Algeslia after that? And the elves and dwarves laws may be different different, but they're also wildly longer. Chances are that Orik and Ayra will still be ready to give the assistance of their people well after Nasuada is gone. And I don't really thik that Nasuada is going to have a hereditarial rule anyway, so I can't see that she would need suitors or a heir anyway.

That's an 'if' though. They are in love. However, even if they weren't, I don't think Nasuada should have married Orrin anyway. She doesn't want a bigger Surda (although that happened anyway), she want's a better Algeslia.

And a point I'd like to raise, I don't think anyone will be in the mood to fight for a while. I think they'll all be happy enough with the vast improvement that just happened, and sick of war, that they will just leave well enough alone.

Badgerlord wrote: "I don't really think that it matters that Eragon is gone from a political viewpoint. Nasuada has shown herself to be in control of a Rider, and that he isn't there won't make much of a difference. ..."

Eh, I suppose it could go either way. The uncertainty about it is why I wished Eragon had stayed until he was absolutely certain things had settled and he wasn't needed. In my opinion, that should have taken at least another decade...

Oh well, call me cynical if you want. I just can't go from reading A Dance With Dragons to this. :P No comparison.

Alright. Cynical.

But really, I just felt things are going to happen whether Eragon was there or not, and it'd be mainly things Nasuada could handle. Anyways, nice arguing with you (doffs hat). Oh, and if you want political based fantasy, try Wolfblade.

Well, if he would have stayed with Nasuada, the Dwarves would have HATED her. He killed their king. So. Yeaaahhh. He had to leave for his own saftly.
I liked it that they didn't end up together anyway. He's a dragon rider, she's a mortal woman. Anyway, we move on.
Not saying I was thrilled with the ending, but you know, it could have been worse.

Murtagh is also so powerful (and a little psychotic) that he might abandon diplomacy if someone like Orrin lost their cool at Nasuada.
He would KILL Orrin, and where would we be?


I am still in mourning that the series is over. PAOLINI, SEQUEL PLEASE!

well in the back of the book he did say he was going to write another book to tie up all the loose ends I just hope it doesn't take forever and a day this time!

Laura wrote: "And more thoughts on same--

Realistically? I think if this was the "real" world, Nasuada's reign would fall apart once Eragon left. He's the one who gave her the power to rule the Varden in her ow..."
Technically, Arya has every right to get involved, seeing as she IS a rider.

Badgerlord wrote: "Right. In response to your first comment;

They've still got one Rider in the land, and better yet, it's an elf. That alone is going to give Nasuada the people's trust. Never underestimate inter-..."
Correction, it's called Du Vrangr Gata.

Laura wrote: "I call bullshit on the "resolution" of the character and plot problem named Murtagh.

He leaves because he and Thorn need time to heal and let their anger, not to mention the general hate of the ..."
I agree with you but to an extent, I knew that Arya and Eragon chance had never even existed so I will not bother rant about that, but the Murtaugh-Nasuada relationship made sense to me, the way it was going, because of everything that Murtaugh can offer to Nasuada and how she can help him with his problems. I understand Paolinis choice to 'banish' both brothers from the valley and leave each-other(not to mention 'their queens') but I don't see the need for it, the story would have ended just the same (if not better) if he let the brothers stay together and solve their problems, (or let Murtaugh stay with Nasuada...but then theres Thorn.) The whole cycle was AWESOME up until the ending which could be re-written in SOOOO many ways. Props to Paolini, but next-time (if there is a next time) help Murtaugh out a little, don't leave him alone, he is after-all the (half) brother of the main charecter.

I agree completely.

Bobbie wrote: "well in the back of the book he did say he was going to write another book to tie up all the loose ends I just hope it doesn't take forever and a day this time!"
To be honest, I don't trust Paolini to tie up much of what he left loose because of the simple reason that there are too many endings to tie up, he will end up having to write a whole new cycle to explain the one before it, he would have to answer to what happens after Murtaugh, how Arya and the Elves fare with their new Queen, if Nasuada makes a good ruler, EVERYTHING about Elva, how Eragon and his 'team' is going, the new dragons and their riders, what the Menoa Tree wanted, what happens with Roran and his family, ET CETERA!! Besides, if he can tie all the loose ends in one book, it will probably take another year or so. Just try making up your own ending, mine is the whole world blows up, there can be no loose endings that way, and besides, it is 2012...

haha :)

Annabanana wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "well in the back of the book he did say he was going to write another book to tie up all the loose ends I just hope it doesn't take forever and a day this time!"
To be honest, I don'..."

lol the whole world blew up ...fantastic ending!

Annabanana wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "well in the back of the book he did say he was going to write another book to tie up all the loose ends I just hope it doesn't take forever and a day this time!"
To be honest, I don'..."

What went over my head is how does Angela the herbalist manage to know all that she does? How is she so powerful (The only one that was able to resist the mutilated priest? Why do the elves show her such reverence while turning there noses up at pretty much everyone else. What's her Bloody secret? was this all explained and I missed it?

I think it was right that Angela never had her secrets explained; it was a loose end that he didn't tie up and actually WORKED. It leaves us to imagine... :)
One of the things i think should have happened was Thorn and Saphira because he DID say that Saphira was unsure of her feelings toward him...but instead he made her rape fírnen as soon as they met.Bah!

Saphira didn't rape him you idiot.

Yeah, but it was still kind of weird as Saphira was so much older than him. It felt kinda wrong to me. I mantain she should be with Thorn. Or does the 'he's bad, but I can change him' idea not extend to dragons?

Idk, but Firnen didn't object to a relationship w/ Saphira, and ages don't matter much to dragons.

Yeah but still, The Firnin-Saphira thing felt wrong somehow, I think it would have been more appropriate for her to just stick with Thorn, Firnin seemed too young and inexperienced, also, to make it work, Paolini had to make Firnin seem older by giving him the deepest voice of all the male dragons, besides, Ellie has a point, Paolini spoke of Thorn like he had a future with Saphira, then he ignored that and paired her up with Firnin right when they met...its Arya and Eragon all over again.

Antonio wrote: "Annabanana wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "well in the back of the book he did say he was going to write another book to tie up all the loose ends I just hope it doesn't take forever and a day this time!"
T..."



Because she is a Time Lady.

Badgerlord wrote: P.S. anyone else think Firnin is a Dogdy name"
I thought so too when I was first reading it because it sounded like 'Fear-none' and ironically, he was born after Galbatorix and Shruikan died so there really is noone to fear left...

I like the name.

Cam Browder+Vala Mal Doran=Love! (Deborah) wrote: "Antonio wrote: "Annabanana wrote: "Bobbie wrote: "well in the back of the book he did say he was going to write another book to tie up all the loose ends I just hope it doesn't take forever and a d..."

What the soothsayer?

It was shocking that you wait through four books for Saphira to finally find her mate, and then it's ripped out from under your nose in all of about thirty pages.
Paolini excels in the longest build up to the shortest of romances.

Also, don't get your hopes up for another book in two years. Just think how longs it took him to write Inheritance, and even that was the biggest load of bull i've ever read!

According to the newsletter, he might have new sequels which will tie up the disappointing romance endings. Arya and Eragon, Saphira and Firen, and most importantly, MURTAGH AND NASUADA! We will have to wait.

(ummm hopefully not another nearly 4 year wait)

Carter wrote: "According to the newsletter, he might have new sequels which will tie up the disappointing romance endings. Arya and Eragon, Saphira and Firen, and most importantly, MURTAGH AND NASUADA! We will ha..."

Thats true but then again, he said he might, he also said, (through Angelas fortune) that Eragon would be involved 'romantically' with a powerful girl of royalty, see how that ended up...

Angela didn't know whether it would turn out well or not though, so i guess if you care there's still hope there

If he does decide to follow up on the loose ends with Murtagh and Thorn, I'm hoping it'll be something like "The Wandering Rider" etc. The only good thing about the end was that anything COULD happen, he left it open enough. After all...

1. Murtagh promises he'll see Eragon and Saphira again.
2. Eragon offers Nasuada a home and extended life for when she wants to abdicate her throne.
3. So possibly, Murtagh and Nasuada could meet up with Eragon at some point in the future and be together.

Hey, it could happen.

Annabanana wrote: "Yeah but still, The Firnin-Saphira thing felt wrong somehow, I think it would have been more appropriate for her to just stick with Thorn, Firnin seemed too young and inexperienced, also, to make i..."

Dragons may not care about ages, but they have excellent memories. Saphira would never forget the evil that Thorn has done. After all, Thorn killed Glaedr's body. She would never forgive him for killing her master.

Cam Browder+Vala Mal Doran=Love! (Deborah) wrote: "I like the name."

Me too. I think it fits him.

Leigh wrote: "It was shocking that you wait through four books for Saphira to finally find her mate, and then it's ripped out from under your nose in all of about thirty pages.
Paolini excels in the longest bui..."

Why don't you quit complaining about it and be grateful that he continued the series at all!!

Alexia wrote:After all, Thorn killed Glaedr's body. She would never forgive him for killing her master.

But remember, Thorn was under strict rules by Galbatorix, and he seemed to be in a pretty vulnerable state considering, either he killed Glaedr and followed his orders or he broke them and he and Murtaugh get strict punishment. Besides, what does Firnin have to offer Saphira, Intelligence? Memories? Advice? No. Thorn on the other hand could do all those things because he too had to deal with the same annoying problem as Saphira: Galbatorix. Thorn just seemed like a better mate for her. Besides, you guys yourself said it would be awkward for Eragon to end up with a total stranger introduced in the last few books, Firnin was born in the last few pages! I guess Alexia is right though, just be grateful he finished the series at all with room to imagine.

Laura wrote: "If he does decide to follow up on the loose ends with Murtagh and Thorn, I'm hoping it'll be something like "The Wandering Rider" etc. The only good thing about the end was that anything COULD happ..."

That...is one hell of a title.

Annabanana wrote: "Alexia wrote:After all, Thorn killed Glaedr's body. She would never forgive him for killing her master.

But remember, Thorn was under strict rules by Galbatorix, and he seemed to be in a pretty v..."

But it would be awkward for Murtaugh and Eragon, since they are half brothers. It would be weird to them to say that their dragons are mating.

Annabanana wrote: "Alexia wrote:After all, Thorn killed Glaedr's body. She would never forgive him for killing her master.

But remember, Thorn was under strict rules by Galbatorix, and he seemed to be in a pretty v..."

Annabanana I agree completely. And Paolini wrote one sentence that really leaned towards a romance between Saphira and Thorn. I forget which book but it went something like Thorn made Saphira feel confused. To me, that seemed like a possible romance though I may just be overanalyzing it.

I don't think they have a future together.