Inheritance III: The Third Rider
Disclaimer: Eragon, Eldest, and the entire Inheritance series do not belong to me. Nor are its characters. Don't sue me, and thank you.

Chapter One
Lifting a Curse

Eragon watched Roran from where he was crouching on his blankets. After agreeing to Roran's request, they took to sleeping in Eragon's tent. However, he could not sleep. Sighing slightly, he picked himself up and headed out of the camp. Immediately, he was looking eye to eye with Saphira. None of them spoke for a long while. Silence filled the Varden's camp. What troubles you, little one, she said, gently. Eragon looked down, and took off in a random direction. Saphira followed him at his side.

He looked at Saphira from the corners of his eyes. You should know all too well about that, Saphira. She turned her long neck to face Eragon.

She sighed in his head. Do not dwell on such things Eragon, she said, not unkindly. Murtagh was a friend once upon a time, yes. However, now he has joined sides with the enemy. You would do well to remember that. Ah, I was also surprised and sad at the events. I was hoping to see another dragon. One who would take sides with us. I was mistaken, I suppose. There is now only one egg left. You see, you are not the only person who has to brood about it.

Eragon stopped walking. I suppose you are right, as all ways. To take his mind off things, he began performing the Rimgar. He decided that, even though he was not in Ellesméra, he still should practice. He might not return for a while, after all.

He was still not as flexible as Oromis or other elves, but he was getting there. Saphira took off, probably to find meat. Eragon finished, and turned around, knowing that Arya was there. She glanced calmly at him. "And what would you be doing up at a time like this," she said.

Eragon raised his eyebrows, but he still remembered his manners. And so he bowed, placing two fingers on his lips and exchanged elven courtesies with her. "Unable to sleep, Arya Svit-kona," he replied, using the Ancient Language. Arya eyed him. "Performing the Rimgar, are we?" she said. "I was foolish for thinking that Oromis had not taught you it." She smiled.

"I do not see where you had gotten that idea," he said, cheerfully. She nodded to him, and turned around, getting back to her tent. He scratched his chin, and sat down where he was. He stayed as he was for hours, later joined by Saphira. Together they watched the sunrise.

The Varden's camp soon sparked up with activity. The soldiers grumpily left their sleep. Eragon and Saphira were still where they were, and they were watching the Varden with amusement. They were approached by a grave Nasuada, accompanied by Elva and Arya. Nasuada spoke to Eragon. "It is time you fulfilled your promise, Shadeslayer. It is time you healed Elva." Eragon nodded in acknowledgement.

He stood up, and then moved towards Elva, to crouch in front of her. "May whatever I have said to you in this language be ignored," he said, in the ancient language, placing his hand on her forehead. Suddenly Elva stared back at him, not with coldness. There was now innocence in her eyes. The gedewy ignasia was still on her forehead, however. Arya took Elva away.

"I am glad that it worked," Nasuada said, looking relieved. Eragon smiled weakly. Undoing his blessing had taken a lot out of him. He stood back up, bowing. He walked back to his tent, where Roran met him.

Author's Note:

First Chapter now up. My first try at a fanfic. Please review and tell me what you think!