A/N: Welcome to my first fanfiction on this website and second Eragon ff! Thank you for checking it out! R&R!

Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or anything related to him…sigh

Chapter One: The Journey to Helgrind

It began to rain that morning. Delicate droplets scattered themselves around the still battle site. Many tents were positioned carefully amongst the scarred bodies and one of them was accompanied by the hulking figure of Saphira, Eragon's dragon.

Eragon, however, was inside the tent, packing swiftly for his immediate journey to Helgrind, the lair of the Raza'ac who had killed Garrow and captured his cousin's fiancée, Katrina.

Are you almost finished, little one? Inquired Saphira through their mental link.

Not quite, but nearly. May I ask you to seek Roran and inform him that we are departing soon? Replied Eragon, his tone gravelly and hard.

Of course.

Eragon stuffed the last of his clothing into a small shoulder bag and hoisted it up. His breath caught in his throat as he exited the tent and started his way towards the tent of Nasuada, the Leader of the Varden. His thoughts swirled unconsciously as he walked, all centered around one thing: His mission to defeat Galbatorix. Before Eragon knew it, he had arrived at the grand tent. When he entered, Nasuada called out to him.

"Eragon! We are so glad that you are here!" She cried, rushing to him. An odd girl with her hair in her face accompanied her. "We need you to cure Elva, the girl that you blessed on your first visit to the Varden."

Eragon started. With further inspection, he realized that the girl was indeed the baby that he had blessed. Upon her brow was the mark of the Shur'tugal.

With sudden welled up emotions, Eragon embraced her with whole-hearted remorse. At first she was stiff in his arms, but then relaxed against him as if a heavy weight had been suddenly released from her.

"Will you really release me from this dreadful curse?" She said in a small voice.

"Of course," replied Eragon, saddening at the pain in her tone.

"Then get on with it," snapped a sharp voice from the shadows. It was Angela, her face was splotchy and red and she stared at him with apparent disapproval.

Eragon nodded brusquely and placed his hand on her head and recited these words: "Se onr dahnis waise reisai." May your curse be raised.

Suddenly, Elva collapsed upon Eragon with a guttural sigh. Eragon lifted her in a cradled position and carried her to a soft plush chair that was settled next to Nasuada and laid her there.

"Thank you," said Nasuada, staring at the girl fondly. She turned toward Eragon and bowed.

"Do not thank me yet. Wait until she awakes. When I return from my journey, I wish to be informed of her recovery," said Eragon formally, and then turned to leave.

"Good luck," said a new voice, this one belonging to an elf named Arya.

Eragon flushed, but then replied: "Thank you, Arya Svit-Kona. I will return with the blood of my enemy upon my sword."

He then left. When he arrived outside, he spotted Roran and Saphira moving toward him.

Little one, we are prepared to take flight. By air, Helgrind will be a two-day journey, said Saphira.

Two days? Can you manage a flight so far in only two days? Asked Eragon, his eyebrows raised.

You forget whom you are speaking to, my hatchling, I could make it in less than that, but I do not wish to strain myself before a battle with the Raza'ac. Worry not.

All right, I trust you, but I am only concerned with your welfare.

Eragon turned to Roran resolutely and nodded. He turned to Saphira and mounted her.

Roran hesitated as he stared at Saphira.

"Well?" Asked Eragon.

Roran reluctantly strode to the dragon's hindquarters and clambered clumsily onto her back. With an impatient snort, Saphira leapt into the air and with one bound, climbed several miles.

Roran yelped, and Eragon felt a sudden sense of satisfaction. When Saphira leveled off leagues above the ground, Eragon smiled with excitement. It was on to Helgrind.

Eragon grinned as they ascended higher and higher, eventually leveling off and staying at a gut-wrenching speed. Roran clutched to Eragon with fear.

Come, little one, let us be one! Cried Saphira, her tone excited.

Yes!

Eragon's body suddenly grew limp as his spirit was swept into Saphira's and merged with her.

The blues in the world became more pronounced and Eragon realized that he could see through Saphira's eyes for the second time. They dipped, ducked, and spun upwards and downwards, nearly throwing poor Roran off his seat. Together they let out a roar, a mix of dragon and human, that echoed ferociously off of the plains of the Hadarac Desert.

When the sun began to sink slowly below the horizon, and Eragon sadly returned to his own consciousness. Saphira began to descend down to the ground, and when her toes just began to skim the dirt, he gracefully leapt off. Roran tried to do the same, but ended up face first.

Saphira, with one mighty breath, lit a small fire upon the stack of twigs that Roran stacked. The flame crackled merrily and the two men sat beside it, huddling close for warmth.

That night, Eragon and Roran slept on the ground alone and rested their heads on small blankets. There was silence for several minutes, leaving Eragon time to think.

Soon, however, the gentle drizzle lulled him into a peaceful and dreamless sleep.