Prologue
Brom took her in. He cared for her, taught her, but most of all Brom had loved her. She only realised it when it almost happened, but she would have died for him. That's why she had followed him that day when he had left Carvahall Left with a boy named Eragon, to end the reign of Galbatorix apparently. She was exceptional at hiding and hunting was second nature to her. She would have gone completely unnoticed if Urgals hadn't attacked them. She couldn't just stand and watch as Brom and this boy fought for their lives. So she came out of hiding and killed an Urgal or two (or three or four), much to Eragon and Brom's surprise.
She remembered how he had shouted at her, angered at her disobedience, but she could tell (at least she hoped she could) that he was happy to see her. She was introduced to Eragon, and then to his mighty dragon Saphira. Eden had been in awe of her regal beauty. From that day she stayed with them on their travels. She and Eragon soon formed a close formed a close friendship. Eragon knew there was something different about her. She could fight like he had never seen someone fight before, but she didn't revel in her skill. He had liked her from the moment he saw her she seemed trustworthy.
If she were honest, those were the happiest days of their life… but now Brom was gone. She closed her eyes as the realisation struck her. Brom was dead and Eragon was to blame. He wanted to save the elf. He fancied someone he had seen in a dream and went running off to rescue her. That was the reason Brom was dead. In one split second everything had changed, and she had lost the person she had cared most for. She could barely look Eragon in the face, yet she still loved him like a brother.
So she took to following Eragon and Saphira at a distance, close enough to keep an eye on them; far enough away not to have to talk to Eragon. Part of her hoped he understood; part of her wished he was as confused as she was. She just couldn't face him, not yet. Brom's death was still too fresh. After a while she could bring herself to stay with them for an hour every odd night, but no more. They couldn't be sure when she would show up again. Though she would always leave food she had caught for them. A sign she hadn't left them. At first not much was said at night but soon she found herself conversing with them more easily. Soon she took up the role of scouting ahead and keeping watch over them at night. She had eventually begun to keep her promise to a dying Brom. She would protect the people's greatest hope; the Dragon Rider.